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4 | THE LOCAL
contents SEPTEMBER - OCTOBER - NOVEMBER 2018
FEATURES
16 LABOR OF LOVE
Get to know the story of legacy business CrystalBeach.com and the man behind the camera by Destiny Martin
22 AFTER IKE
A look back at the storm’s devastating impact on Bolivar Peninsula
24 IRON & LIGHT
After years in the dark, the Point Bolivar Lighthouse may see brighter days ahead by Seth Beaugh
06 Editor’s Note 31 Outdoors
Passing It On: A passion for fishing is generational by David Roberts
34 Hermit Happenings
How to find them and do they make good pets? by Vince Brach, Ph.D.
37 Events
What’s happening locally this Fall
47 What’s Cooking
Firecracker shrimp bites make for the perfect game-day snack
48 Local Directory 50 Sea & Be Seen
THE LOCAL | 5
EDITOR’S note
Time to reflect Ahh…fall! My most favorite season of the year. As the busyness of summer winds down and we approach the close of another year, I find fall the perfect time to reflect. In this issue of The Local, were reflecting on a few things that have shaped Bolivar into what it is today: a small but resilient coastal community formed by its rich history and bold character. First, on page 16, we’ll introduce you to Tom Osten who is the second-generation owner of CrystalBeach.com, a beach-centric website started by his mother more than twenty years ago. Then, it’s been ten years since Hurricane Ike, and we’re taking a look at how the storm demolished Bolivar Peninsula but provided an opportunity for it to come back even stronger (p. 22). Speaking of storms, the Point Bolivar Lighthouse has seen three of the worst to hit our area—the 1900 and 1915 storms and Ike in 2008, yet it still stands tried-and-true at the mouth of Galveston Bay. Though the lighthouse has been inoperable for many years, owners tell us it may see brighter days ahead. For the full story, turn to page 24. And I always say, even though the kids have gone back to school, fall is a great time to visit the peninsula. The beaches are quiet, and the weather is right for all sorts of outdoor activities. Check out all that’s happening locally on pages 37-46 in our Community & Events section. Until next time, keep it local!
Destiny Martin FOUNDER & EDITOR destiny@thebolivarlocal.com
the ocean is calling and i must go THE LOCAL | 7
THE LOCAL CONNECTING YOU WITH SOUTHEAST TEXAS FOUNDER & EDITOR-IN-CHIEF
Destiny Martin CONTRIBUTING WRITERS
Seth Beaugh Vince Brach, Ph.D. Karolyn Gephart Trish McDaniel Dave Roberts CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHERS
Luke Mauldin Tom Osten ON THE COVER
Photographer Luke Mauldin The Point Bolivar Lighthouse, 2018 Location Port Bolivar, Texas The Point Bolivar Lighthouse is a registered landmark that is part of our state’s rich history. Built in 1872, the lighthouse guided mariners through the Houston Ship Channel for 61 years before being retired in 1933. Today, it is privately owned by the Boyt and Maxwell families who were gracious enough to allow us to tell its story. Thank you, Mark, for your dedication to preserve one of Bolivar’s best treasures.
650 MEDIA GROUP, LLC P.O. Box 1747 Crystal Beach, Texas 77650 CONTACT US To advertise in The Local, call (817) 505-8208 or email us at info@thebolivarlocal.com to request more information. News releases and story ideas to may be sent to destiny@thebolivarlocal.com. FOLLOW US Facebook @thebolivarlocal issuu.com/thebolivarlocal
The Local Magazine is produced by 650 Media Group, LLC. All rights reserved. The Local is not responsible for facts represented by its authors or advertisers. No part of this publication may be used or reproduced without written consent of the editor.
8 | THE LOCAL
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LOCAL features
reflect 16 Labor of Love
22 After Ike
24 Iron & Light
How a local internet pioneer introduced Crystal Beach to the rest of the world
10 years ago Hurricane Ike ravaged Bolivar Peninsula, a look back at its impact
After years in the dark, the Point Bolivar Lighthouse may see brighter days ahead
words by DESTINY MARTIN photos by LUKE MAULDIN
words by DESTINY MARTIN photos courtesy of TOM OSTEN
words by SETH BEAUGH photos by LUKE MAULDIN
THE LOCAL | 15
LABOR OF LOVE
16 | THE LOCAL
1997 was an iconic year. Elton John’s “Candle In The Wind” ranked #1 on the Billboard charts following the untimely death of Princess Diana. Titanic was a box-office best seller. Tiger Woods won the Masters at just 21 years old, making him the youngest player in golf history to earn the prestigious green jacket, and Steve Jobs returned to Apple to save the company from near bankruptcy. Technology as we know it was just beginning to cut its teeth with the emergence of the World Wide Web. [Cue the sounds of dial-up internet followed by “You’ve Got Mail!”] But that same year, in the sleepy resort community of Crystal Beach, Texas, a tech-savvy realtor seized the opportunity to launch her first website and introduce her little slice of paradise to the rest of the world. Lenore Osten—those who knew her best called her Mike—was an internet pioneer of her time. In 1997, while semi-retired from the local real estate scene, Mike founded CrystalBeach.com, the first website ever developed for the popular vacation destination.
“She spent countless hours situated in front of her computer,” says son Tom Osten, who now maintains the website some twenty years later. “Mom was dedicated to creating entertaining content, helpful information, and would answer every single email inquiry that came across her screen.” In the early 2000s, as CrystalBeach.com gained traction with an estimated 600,000 visitors to the site within its first five years, local businesses began to support Mike’s new endeavor through paid advertising. At times, she hinted to her children that they might eventually take over and carry on what she had started. But when Mike unexpectedly passed away in 2007, it was oldest son Tom who jumped in feet first to preserve his parents’ growing business. “I essentially had to teach myself HTML overnight,” he tells me. The original CrystalBeach. com was rudimentary, including one large map built by Mike’s husband Earl and several point-and-click hyperlink listings for local businesses, things to do, and area attractions. Over time, the
THE LOCAL | 17
courtesy of Tom Osten
BOP GAVE PEOPLE THE OPPORTUNITY TO TAKE A DAILY LOOK AT THE SAND AND SURF FROM THEIR DESKS, KITCHEN TABLES, EVEN MILITARY QUARTERS, AND IMAGINE THEMSELVES THERE, IF ONLY FOR A MOMENT OR TWO.
18 | THE LOCAL
website transformed into an ever-changing billboard of sorts, today boasting more than 100 banner ads and content which is updated daily, like The Daily Picture initiated by Earl. “That’s a funny story,” Tom explains. “Mom had invested in a webcam shortly after launching the website and hoisted it on the deck of their beach-front home.” The camera streamed successfully on CrystalBeach.com for a few years, but after Mike’s passing, no one in the family could get it operational again. Not to be defeated, Earl “Bop” who was well into his 80s, would wheel himself on to the porch every morning, and snap a picture of the beach. He would then return to his computer, post the photo online, and add a simple caption, such as “Today, sunny and 75°.” People began to follow the Daily Picture religiously, and just like that, Earl created an audience of devoted visitors for CrystalBeach.com through his seemingly viral content. The Daily Picture is a tradition that Tom continues still. “People look forward to it,” he tells me. “We once received an email from Afghanistan after we missed a post,” he says. Most mornings, you can find Tom and his golden retriever, Maezy, out capturing the many sights of Crystal Beach. Be it a breathtaking sunrise, local wildlife, or just some casual beach-goers, Tom’s photos vividly depict the lifestyle and beauty of our beloved peninsula. What began for Mike as a labor of love is now a well-respected business for Tom and
his wife, Georgia. The couple’s ties to Bolivar Peninsula trace back to 1974 when Tom’s mom and dad bought Bay Vue Grocery. “That’s where Georgia and I first met,” he says with a smile. The couple married in 1978 and moved to Houston to raise their family, but spent every summer at Crystal Beach with their children. Now forty years later, Tom and Georgia find themselves embedded in the community, telling its story on their sister website, CrystalBeachLocalNews.com, which they purchased in 2011. Tom and Georgia are dedicated beyond reproach. It’s rare that you won’t find them both at any local event, snapping photos, taking notes, and engaging the crowd. “They are a fixture in our community, and we are blessed to have them,” says Gerry Lang who serves on the Texas Crab Festival Charities board with Tom. When asked about the future of his homegrown website, Tom seems undaunted at the idea of signing off just yet. “We have plans to continue improving upon what Mom started all those years ago without changing the heart of her original concept,” he says. “People like the familiar, and it has worked well for us.” He lovingly adds, “Hopefully one day, we will turn this business over to our kids.” WORDS BY DESTINY MARTIN PHOTOS BY LUKE MAULDIN
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10 YEAR ANNIVERSARY
AFTER IKE In the early morning hours of September 13, 2008, Hurricane Ike made landfall on the upper Texas coast, ravaging everything in its path. These images are an eerie reminder of how relentless Mother Nature can be, but Bolivar Peninsula has risen above and come back even stronger. photos courtesy of TOM OSTEN / CRYSTALBEACH.COM
DEVASTATING IMPACT
The storm had come ashore hours before daybreak with 110 mile-per-hour winds and towering waves, pushing boats ashore, uprooting houses, and leaving many people without electrical power for many weeks.
IKE'S POWERFUL STORM SURGE, WITH WATERS RISING 12 TO 16 FEET ABOVE SEA LEVEL, DESTROYED AN ESTIMATED 80% OF THE PENINSULA'S HOMES. 22 | THE LOCAL
THE ANCHOR HOLDS
Bay Vue Methodist Church (photographed left), now Second Going Resale Shop, stands relatively unscathed, though large debris is seen all around it. Many vehicles, furniture, even personal remnants, were found lodged in the thick clay-like sand that covered the peninsula.
WIPED AWAY
With the exception of a few familiar landmarks, neighborhoods and roadways were left nearly unrecognizable, making it difficult for homeowners to identify what remained, if anything, of their property. Sadly, most beachfront homes were completely lost to the storm.
THE LOCAL | 23
24 | THE LOCAL
IRON LIGHT After years in the dark, the Point Bolivar Lighthouse may see brighter days ahead words by SETH BEAUGH photos by LUKE MAULDIN
D
riving west toward the ferry on Highway 87, you’ll see it peek over the horizon and rise into the sky like a black rocket. “It’s our home,” says Mark Boyt, a petroleum landman who lives in Austin. His grandfather, Elmer V. Boyt, bought the Point Bolivar Lighthouse and the surrounding two keepers’ houses at a government surplus auction in 1947 for $5,500. One house he kept for his family, and the other house he sold to his brother-in-law, George Maxwell. “It was a vacation place. Summertime, the kids would come down here. My dad grew up spending the entire summer there,” Mark explains to me over the phone. “I spent most of my summers there as a kid.” The Point Bolivar Lighthouse has been his family’s, the Boyts and the Maxwells, home-away-from-home for decades. During the summer, crashing waves and
THE LOCAL | 25
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coastal breezes greeted them every morning, where they could step out onto the porches of the old keepers’ houses and look up to find the lighthouse standing stalwart next to them. But the lighthouse and its surrounding property wasn’t always theirs. Erected in 1872, it served as a beacon for 61 years, guiding ships along the coast and its inland waterways to safe harbor. In those days, the tower, which is now almost completely dark from years of rust and erosion, gleamed in the daylight with black and white stripes. The brass inside was always immaculate and polished, hard to maintain considering the constant onslaught of saltwater would easily tarnish brass. Bright rays of light radiated from the beacon every 15 seconds. It was “considered one of the most attractive and efficient lighthouses on the Texas Gulf Coast,” according to A. Pat Daniels, the late Houston historian and journalist who chronicled the history of the lighthouse in his book, Bolivar! Gulf Coast Peninsula. No matter the damage around it, the lighthouse has withstood every storm that has struck the island since its establishment, including the deadliest natural disaster in U.S. history, the Great Storm of 1900. The night the storm struck, September 8, 1900, the keeper at the time, Harry Claiborne, harbored 125 citizens who took refuge in the tower. He depleted a month’s worth of his rations feeding and clothing the refugees, and he even cranked the light by hand that night because the strong winds caused the beacon’s machinery to fail.
The lighthouse was retired in the 1930s, despite public outcry to keep it open. The power of the Jetty Light in Galveston rendered the Point Bolivar Lighthouse inessential, and, once the Great Depression made its force known on the U.S. Lighthouse Service, Bolivar Point shone for the last time on May 29, 1933. After a failed attempt to convert the lighthouse into a public and historical space, the lighthouse was transferred to the War Department, who later sold it as surplus property to E.V. Boyt. And now the story circles back in on itself. Whether you were aware of its history or not, the distant sight of the lighthouse is enough to convince you that it’s something special. Up close, however, you’ll notice the lack of glass at the top, exposing the inside of the tower to the elements, and the extent of the erosion on its ironwork, which has caused parts of the tower to fall off. “When these big pieces from the top come down, it’s pretty dramatic,” Mark says. His family is the first to see and feel the effects of the lighthouse’s corrosion. “One of my cousins was there when a piece fell, and he said it sounded like a hand grenade going off.” It’s a natural result after decades without a keeper. Bolivar Point is now privately-owned and has been for 71 years, and just maintaining the tower and the surrounding keepers’ houses is expensive and timeconsuming in itself. Because of the potential costs, the elder Boyts and Maxwells never considered restoring the lighthouse or turning the property into anything more
THE LOCAL | 27
than a coastal getaway for the family. “But now the kids in my generation, we have ownership,” says Mark. “And our interests are aligned for the first time ever.” Their shared interest? Repairing and restoring the lighthouse for themselves and for the public. The first step, though, is to ensure that it’s safe. “We don’t want any injuries to occur because of a piece of the lighthouse falling off,” Mark says. “We don’t want pieces to fall on us, or anyone who happens to be there, or some tourists who come to visit.”
IF WE GET SUPPORT IN RESTORATION EFFORTS, WE OWE IT TO THE COMMUNITY TO PROVIDE SOME ACCESS. In 2017, Mark and his family established a 501c(3) nonprofit dedicated to the lighthouse’s preservation. With this new status, they are allowed by the IRS to collect untaxed donations for the purpose of restoring Bolivar Point. They approached many public and private donors, but some rejections taught them a valuable lesson. “We didn’t have any data on the current state of the lighthouse,” he says. Not knowing the extent of the damage and the needed repairs for the lighthouse made it hard to communicate to donors exactly what their gifts would be used for. But recently, through a concentrated effort 28 | THE LOCAL
that included a Facebook fundraising campaign, the Bolivar Point Lighthouse Foundation, Inc., raised enough money to hire an architect, Chris Hutson of Austin, and an engineer, Pat Sparks from San Antonio, both of whom have experience with historical structures, to assess the lighthouse and report on what needs to be done to save it. After that, the real work begins, but, Mark admits, they’ll need as much help as they can get. He hopes to rally the community of Southeast Texas around him through donations, large and small, to fix the top of the lighthouse along with some of the other issues that need addressing. “If we can accomplish that,” he says, “we’d love to open the thing up for free public tours. If we get support in restoration efforts, we owe it to the community to provide some access.” Long ago, when the lighthouse still operated as a functioning beacon for mariners, civilians could visit it whenever they wanted. Though it has been closed to the public now for decades, we may soon see another heyday for the Bolivar Point Lighthouse, a gripping reminder of the old romance of the sea. TL
Seth Beaugh is a freelance writer living in Austin who enjoys writing about culture, movies, and Texas history. He grew up visiting Bolivar Peninsula with his family, and can be contacted at ssbeaugh@gmail.com
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It’s rialles awbeoucrt eate! the memo
LOCAL outdoors
PASSING IT ON Developing a passion for fishing is generational words by DAVE ROBERTS • photos courtesy of RICHARD CONNER
If future generations are to remember us with gratitude rather than contempt, we must leave them something more than the miracles of technology. We must leave them a glimpse of the world as it was in the beginning, not just after we got through with it. -LYNDON B. JOHNSON
S
pending time on the Gulf Coast is one of my favorite things to do. I attribute my passion to my parents who kept me and my brother immersed in the great outdoors from a young age. My experiences no doubt have led me to appreciate our local waters and the life that fills them. I now value every opportunity I have to spend outdoors, and I believe it is equally important for anyone who loves fishing to pass it on and show others their respect for the sport. Here recently, I met a young angler from Galveston who thoroughly enjoys fishing and spending time on the THE LOCAL | 31
water, maybe as much as I do. Max Conner, 17, has spent nearly his entire life fishing. It started when his uncle would take him to the local ponds to catch bass and catfish. Then, as Max got older, he and his grandfather began fishing from piers and in the surf. Max says this is where it all started for him and eventually, it would lead to his great enthusiasm for fishing today. Max spends nearly every day in search of trout and redfish around East Bay and frequently fishes the Bolivar Peninsula. On average, he says he’s on the water close to four days a week, sometimes more if his schedule and the weather permit. Over the years, Max has learned to study the bay and learn the traits of its ecosystem. He tells me he enjoys patterning the fish and learning from their habits. Max’s passion stemmed from his family investing their time and resources in teaching him how to fish, and passing their knowledge onto him.
32 | THE LOCAL
With fishing, most of us have had someone in our life who took the time to show us the way. It may have started as a small introduction, but a love for the sport translated and eventually, it became a major part of our life. As dedicated anglers, it is vital for us to show and educate the next generation about fishing. If we are to rely on them to maintain our limited resources and take care of our ecosystem, it all starts with us. Fortunately for Max and I, we started young, and it is now our time to share the obsession and get others involved. If you are able, take a kid fishing and get them involved in the outdoors. They are the future of this sport, and the world needs that. Show them the same love that you have for fishing and any knowledge that you may have. Pass it on. TL Dave Roberts is an avid kayak fisherman, writer and photographer who travels the Texas Coast documenting his experiences along the way. For more info, visit his blog at texaskayakchronicles.com.
WITH FISHING, MOST OF US HAVE HAD SOMEONE IN OUR LIFE WHO TOOK THE TIME TO SHOW US THE WAY.
Above: Caleb Martin, age 4, with dad Cody, grandma and grandpa, Melody and Doug Romero; top right: Palmer Rowan, age 8, enjoys fishing for sharks in the surf with dad, Josh; right: Cannon Martin, 10, leads the CCA Star Tournament with his giant 6 pound-3 ounce flounder he caught with dad Robby and grandpa Robert (below)
HERMIT
happenings words by VINCE BRACH
For many casual beach visitors, their first encounter with a hermit crab is both startling and memorable. Stooping down and picking up a pretty shell from the surf, only to have the shell sprout spiky-looking legs and claws, can leave a lasting impression! Equally disconcerting is to have several of your supposedly-empty beach prizes start crawling about at night, waking you from a sound sleep with their rattling and clinking. But after a few chance encounters, most people find that the appearance and 34 | THE LOCAL
antics of hermit crabs are not only curious, but endearing. Hermit crabs are one of nature’s great success stories. Dozens of different kinds are found on every coast in America, while others live only in deeper water. A few tropical species live primarily on land. All have the interesting habit of using abandoned sea-snail shells as portable “homes”, which they drag from place to place as they go about their business. Their abdomens or “rear ends” are highly adapted for this task. Unlike the hard shell
covering of the rest of the body, a hermit’s abdomen is soft, curled, and equipped with small but strong appendages that grip the shell “house” tightly. Although there are several species of hermit crab on the Bolivar Peninsula, only two are common. On the sandy beaches of the ocean side of the peninsula, you may spot the light-colored, hairylooking “surf hermit” (Isocheles wurdemanni) scurrying along in the shallow water of a receding wave. On jetties and on the mud
flats and rubble of the bay side, the common hermit crab is the greenstriped hermit (Clibanarius vittatus). This latter crab is abundant during the summer months and often climbs out of the water to forage for food and better shells. However, unlike the colorful tropical land hermit crabs sold in pet stores (usually Coenobita clypeatus), it is a marine creature and cannot be separated from the sea for long. All hermit crabs must return to the sea to deposit their eggs and launch the next generation of crabs. Their larvae, called zoeas (“ZOH-ee-ahs”) are barely visible to the naked eye. Under the microscope they resemble transparent, big-headed shrimps. These zoeas float in the plankton for weeks, feeding on other plankton. They grow larger and more crab-like through a series of molts. Eventually the larvae achieve the size of match heads and sink to the bottom, where they find their first tiny shells and begin to live like hermit crabs. Throughout their adult lives, hermit crabs are constantly outgrowing their dead shell homes. This means that hermits are always on the lookout for a better shell than the one they have. When a hermit finds an empty, desirable shell, it takes only a few seconds for it to perform an “inspection” and jump from the old shell into the new one. Captive crabs provided with an abundance of empty shells will frequently switch shells many times before settling into a favorite. On the other hand, hermits will fight other hermits for shells when shells are scarce, which is the usual situation in nature. Many beach visitors that find hermit crabs want to keep them as pets. Keep in mind that Bolivar’s hermit crabs are aquatic creatures that only occasionally “try the air”, quite unlike the petshop hermit crabs. The small plastic aquariums sold at Bolivar’s “Big Store” make good housing for one or two
small hermits, especially if they are to be kept for just a few days while you are at the beach. Put a half-inch of clean crushed shells and sand from the ocean side into the aquarium and fill it about half full with fresh sea water. You will want to change this water with fresh sea water (this may be stored in a milk jug out of the light) about every three days. Keep your crab cage covered to prevent escapes. A large clam shell or rock projecting out of the water in your “crabbery” will give your hermits a place to crawl out for an occasional airing. To keep fights to a minimum and to provide variety, I always put a few empty beach-combed sea-snail shells in my hermit crab aquarium. Try to choose shells that are slightly larger than the ones the crabs come in. Feeding hermit crabs is easy, but don’t overdo it! A meal every other day is enough. Any match head-size pieces of uncooked meat or fish will be welcomed. Hermits soon learn to take bits of food from a skewer or long straw held near their antennae. They will spend hours picking bits of algae and other attached life from a “mossy” oyster shell or pebble from the bay side shore. A magnifying glass will reveal the amazing action of the crab’s tiny claws and mouth parts. Unless you are a budding naturalist and want to study your crab pets more closely at home, I recommend setting them free in the place where you found them when your trip to Bolivar is over. If you have provided your crabs with new shells, they will come out of their captivity one the better, and you will have learned some interesting things about one of the most curious creatures of the beach. TL
Vince Brach is a teacher, naturalist, and writer from Tyler whose articles are have appeared in Texas Highways, Texas Parks & Wildlife, and Highlights for Children. He has vacationed on Bolivar Peninsula for over 30 years. Contact him at vbrach@sbcglobal.net
THE LOCAL | 35
24 hours on Bolivar LOCAL HIGHLIGHTS TO DISCOVER 10 AM: Visit nationally-recognized
Bolivar Flats Shorebird Sanctuary
where you can witness thousands of migratory birds and other wildlife. NOON: Enjoy the scenic route along Jane Long Memorial Highway all the way to Port Bolivar, a coastal community on the west end of the peninsula. Before checking out local landmarks, dine on fresh fish tacos or famous crab nachos at La Playita Mexican Restaurant. 1 PM: Tour Fort Travis Seashore Park
and Battery Kimble which served as a concrete gun battery during World War I. From here, you can witness mammoth barges passing through the Houston Ship Channel. 3 PM: Visit Tiki Man at his outdoor workshop, Tiki Loco Woodworks, located along Hwy 87. You can’t miss the unique wood carvings of islandinspired totems and perched pelicans greeting passers-by. 4 PM: No trip to Bolivar would be complete without beachcombing for 36 | THE LOCAL
a little treasure. Feel the excitement of finding a shark tooth, beach glass, driftwood, or maybe even a piece of loot left behind by pirate Jean Lafitte! 6 PM: Sunset dinner on the water. Eat your fill of fresh Gulf seafood at Steve’s Landing or Stingaree Restaurant & Marina, both of which are located along the Intracoastal Waterway and offer endless photo opportunities. 8 PM: Catch a breeze while sipping on an ice cold beer at Hardheads Icehouse in Crystal Beach. There is usually live music on their open-air patio. 10 PM: Not ready to call it a night, yet? Go to Ship’s Wheel where you'll find drink specials, pool tables, and dancing. 8 AM: Drive through Third Coast Coffee Shop to refuel with a delicious Italian espresso. Mary’s Turtle Pecan flavor is a local favorite! 9 AM: Before leaving, stop by The Big Store, a popular tourist destination, to pick up a special souvenir to remember your visit to the beach.
community & events
MASTER YOUR GARDEN | HARDHEADS BOLIVAR RIG RUN | LOCAL CALENDAR | DIRECTORY
THE LOCAL | 37
LOCAL community & events
Master Your Garden This season’s hottest plant sale offers help and unique varieties words by KAROLYN GEPHART
L
iving in Galveston County has its challenges when it comes to gardening, landscaping, and horticulture in general. But help comes around twice a year when the Galveston County Master Gardeners plan and execute a fall and a spring plant sale that meets the needs required for yards and property in the area. Coming soon, Galveston County Master Gardeners will host their Fall Plant Sale, Seminar and Craft Sale. This year’s fall sale will be Saturday, October 20 at the Galveston County Fairgrounds on Hwy 6 in Hitchcock. The large arena at the fairgrounds allows for hundreds of plants to be labeled and organized in such a way shoppers can easily pick and choose from several varieties. Galveston County has both clay and sandy soils as one travels from north to south within the area. Knowing what to successfully plant in the particular soil and fall temperatures is helpful to residents as they plan their fall gardens and yards.
38 | THE LOCAL
Plants are ordered for the sale to be the type and variety that flourishes in the area. Many varieties are unique to the sale as they cannot be purchased at big box stores. Many plants at such stores are not varieties that work best in the area. Master Gardeners who order plants for the sale live in Galveston County and they know what plants will thrive for buyers. An educational seminar showing what plants are being offered at the sale is given in the Youth Building at 8 am. The sale will begin at 9 am and run through 1 pm in the Rodeo Arena. Hundreds of plants from Texas Tough perennials to bulbs and succulents, citrus to herbs, landscape trees to shrubs, fruit trees and vegetable transplants to ornamental and tropicals will be offered. The seminar not only shows the plants but also offers valuable information for the buyers. Garden art will also be available at the popular fall sale event. The items are all sizes and generally meant to spruce up
yards and gardens with whimsical as well as useful creative items. What makes this plant sale different from others is that all areas of the sale will be staffed by Master Gardeners to answer any questions buyers might have regarding the plants. The Master Gardeners each man areas they feel most comfortable to provide information. Buyers can get comparison facts as well as instruction on what to do when their new plants get to their new homes. Also for sale are several books and booklets written by the County Master Gardeners. These affordable publications are full of information on such items as herb gardens, tropicals, butterfly gardens, and more. As shoppers enter the fairgrounds, they will see, weather permitting, a display of antique tractors outside the gate. The tractors belong to members of the Bluebonnet Antique Tractor Club who enjoy setting up at the sale. For a preview of the sale offering a complete list of plants that will be available, visit www. aggie-horticulture.tamu.edu as the time of the sale approaches. The Master Gardeners program in Galveston County is part of the Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service. TL
THE LOCAL | 39
LOCAL community & events
Hardheads’ Bolivar Rig Run A panoramic event that celebrates the gusto of sailing
NOTHING QUITE SAYS “coast” like a boat chartering open waters—robust ocean wind filling her sails, the smell of salt air, and sea spray awakening your senses to the heart-pounding thrill of sailing. For Jim Denys, it’s his dream to share the experience with as many people as he can. Denys is founder of the Bolivar Yacht Club, who along with premier sponsor Hardheads Icehouse of Crystal Beach, will be hosting their fourth annual Bolivar Rig Run on September 15, 2018. The event celebrates sailing on the upper Texas coast where conditions are
40 | THE LOCAL
typically favorable for the world-class sport. Denys says it is a spectacle not to be missed as the colorful regatta makes their way to the offshore oil rig located approximately three miles south of Bolivar Peninsula. “The event gets bigger and better every year,” he says. For those interested, a second and longer course around the ship wreck near the North Jetty will be featured during this year’s race. The owner of Hardheads Icehouse, Andrea Kaptchinskie, says she is proud to continue supporting BYC’s efforts
to bring visibility to the sport of sailing on Bolivar Peninsula. “Our passion is driven directly by the passion of our customers,” Kaptchinskie says of the relationships she and her husband Jason have formed with the community since opening their establishment in 2015. “I could immediately see and feel Jim’s excitement to sail,” she recalls. “His commitment is so deep I knew I wanted to do what I could to help his dream come true.” TL To register for the event, contact Jim Denys by email at jimdenys@yahoo.com
DISCOVER BEAUMONT
OKTOBERFEST Hosted by the City of Beaumont, Oktoberfest celebrates the best of German and Texas culture! This family-friendly event will be held on October 13, 2018 from 3 pm to 8 pm at Rogers Park, and admission is free. Festivities include two stages of live music from TN Jet, Royal Klobasneks, and Mayeaux & Broussard, as well as family activities, a beer garden featuring craft-style beers, food trucks, and more. For additional event details, visit www.discoverbeaumont.com
THE LOCAL | 41
LOCAL community & events
Friends’ Book Sale Purchasing used books helps raise funds for the Rosenberg Library words by TRISH MCDANIEL
F
or the Gulf coast of Texas, the tenth month is no harbinger of “Frost on the Punkin,” yet, reliably as fall foliage in Vermont, comes our celebrated autumn event: Friends of Rosenberg Library Used Book Sale October 4-6, always the first weekend of October. Folks from all over the region have their calendars marked and wish-lists at the ready. This once-a-year literary love fest is a boon for all who enjoy great finds at bargain prices. It is the perfect opportunity to enhance your personal library and knock out early holiday shopping—much of our exceptional collection is gift quality.
42 | THE LOCAL
Become a “Friends” member and enjoy an exclusive hot ticket, Member’s Only Preview, on October 4 from 5 pm to 8 pm, which allows you first pick! The statue of our dear benefactor, Henry Rosenberg, is ready to welcome you at the library’s east entrance. Memberships will be available to purchase at the door. The public is invited on Friday and Saturday. We accept cash, check, cards, and RL Children’s Summer Reading bucks. We encourage you to bring your own
photos courtesy of Rosenberg Library
bags and rolling carts. Friends’ volunteers will be on hand to help with directions, box your purchases, and carry out. Year-round, our dedicated Friends’ volunteers and members all work at the beloved Rosenberg Library, and each month, thousands of donations are sorted, categorized, and priced to sell. For your perusing pleasure, many creative categories are included in this year’s sale: Life Stories: Gain new insight with this co-mingled collection of biographies, autobiographies, and memoirs. All things Nautical: Gratify the old salt within. Sift through selections of fiction and nonfiction, all relating to the sea. Esoterica: Challenge beliefs and expand sensibilities with this mystifying collection of the occult and paranormal. Retro: Be it kooky, funky or groovy, this category aims to tease memories and make you smile. See the World: Because wanderlust is never sated, this adventurous collection will rev your desires. You will also find copious collections of children’s, fiction, Texana, treasures old and rare, cookbooks, history, literature, art, science, religion, text books, reference, self improvement, and media including vinyl, CD, DVD, audio books, and the list goes on… Can’t make the sale? No problem! Visit the Friends’ Book Shop located on the second floor of the library, where our quality used books are for sale during library hours. All the money you spend at the Friends’ Used Book Sale and Book Shop go towards the purchase of new books for your exceptional public library, history center, and museum. TL FRIENDS' MISSION: To support and promote the
Rosenberg Library as a cultural and educational asset, and to raise money for books, equipment, and related materials for the library.
THE LOCAL | 43
LOCAL community & events
FAL L EV ENTS
What’s Happening Locally
photo courtesy of Galveston Bay Foundation
GALVESTON / BAY AREA Galveston Bay Foundation
editor’s pick
Bike Around The Bay
E
XPERIENCE THE NATURAL beauty of
Galveston Bay during Bike Around the Bay, a fully supported two-day, 170-mile ride October 20-21, 2018. This unique cycling event takes riders in a complete loop around the largest estuary in the state of Texas (and one of the biggest in North America)! A one-day, 97-mile
44 | THE LOCAL
option is also available. This ride is hosted by and benefits Galveston Bay Foundation, a nonprofit conservation organization that works to preserve and enhance Galveston Bay as a healthy and productive place for generations to come. For more information and to register for Bike Around the Bay, visit bikearoundthebay.org.
Fall Migration Local hotspots and tips for bird watching
A
S SUMMER comes to a close and the climate begins to change, hundreds of thousands of birds will flock to the Texas coast during their fall migration. More species of birds have been recorded on the Bolivar Peninsula than just about anywhere in America, and as a result, our area is one of the top destinations for birders. The reason is geography. In the fall, birding hotspots like the Anahuac National Wildlife Refuge, Bolivar Flats Shorebird
Sanctuary, and Smith Oaks Rookery in High Island offer birds their last chance to prepare for the 600-mile flight south over the Gulf of Mexico. So, if you’re interested in taking advantage of our region’s diverse population of migratory birds, here are some expert tips to help you get started. First, get yourself some gear. You really only need two things: a bird guide and some binoculars. Next, get outside and start exploring. Pick an interesting-looking species from the guide and go seek it out. The more you explore and the more you learn about where to find birds and how to identify them, the more fun you’ll have.
THE LOCAL | 45
SEPTEMBER 15
Hardheads 4th Annual Bolivar Rig Run Crystal Beach
Email jimdenys@yahoo.com
15
Adopt-A-Beach Fall Clean Up Bolivar Peninsula
glo.texas.gov/adopt-a-beach
28-29
Shrimpfest Downtown Strand District, Galveston
galvestonislandshrimpfestival.com
29
Grape Stomp Vine 2 Wine, Winnie
Facebook @rollinsvine2wine
OCTOBER 4-6
Friends of the Rosenberg Library Book Sale Galveston
rosenberg-library.org
13
Oktoberfest Beaumont
discoverbeaumont.com
20
Fall Plant Sale Galveston County Master Gardeners
aggie-horticulture.tamu.edu
20-21
Bike Around the Bay Galveston Bay Foundation
bikearoundthebay.org
27
Brad & Big Rich's Cajun Cookoff Stingaree Restaurant, Crystal Beach
Facebook @stingareerestaurant
NOVEMBER 10
Movie Night in the Vineyard Vine 2 Wine, Winnie
Facebook @rollinsvine2wine
ADOPT-A-BEACH FALL CLEAN UP
ROLLINS VINE 2 WINE
46 | THE LOCAL
HARDHEADS BOLIVAR RIG RUN
Perfect game-day appetizer!
Firecracker Shrimp INGREDIENTS 1 lb ½ ¼ 10 1 ¼ ¼
jumbo shrimp, peeled and deveined cup mayo cup Thai Sweet Chili Sauce drops Sriracha Hot Sauce teaspoon peanut butter teaspoon garlic powder teaspoon salt
DIRECTIONS
1. In a large bowl, toss the shrimp with salt, pepper, garlic powder, and Slap Ya Mama. 2. Mix corn starch and flour in a shallow dish, like a cake pan. In another cake pan, lightly whisk together the two eggs to create an egg wash. 3. Pass each piece of shrimp through the egg wash then through the corn starch-flour mixture, coating as evenly as possible. 4. Heat the oil in a large non-stick skillet to approximately 350° F. When the oil is hot, carefully add the shrimp to the pan. You may have to cook shrimp in batches as not to overcrowd the pan.
¼ ½ ½ ½ 2 6 1
teaspoon ground black pepper teaspoon Slap Ya Mama cup corn starch cup flour eggs tablespoons canola oil green onion, diced and lettuce for garnish 5. Cook shrimp on one side for about oneand-a-half to two minutes, then flip. Cook for an additional two minutes on reverse side, or until shrimp is cooked through and golden brown. 6. Remove shrimp from pan and allow to rest on paper towel-lined plate. Meanwhile, mix mayo, Thai Sweet Chili Sauce, Sriracha, and peanut butter in a large bowl. Add shrimp to coat evenly. Note, you may not need all of the sauce, depending on how saucy you want the shrimp. 7. Plate the shrimp atop one large leaf of iceberg lettuce and sprinkle with diced green onion. Enjoy!
Local Directory new
Gated beachfront community LOTS NOW AVAILABLE
RESTAURANTS/VENUES Al-T's Restaurant 244 Spur 5 Hwy 124 409-296-9818 Jose’s Cajun Steakhouse 1021 Hwy 87 409-684-8612
REAL ESTATE Amy Chance Team 8245 Gladys 409-350-5650
Neches Brewing Company 1108 Port Neches Ave. 409-237-5700
Cobb Real Estate 2290 Hwy 87 409-684-3790
Steve’s Landing Restaurant 1290 Bay Vue Rd. 409-684-1999
Crystal Beach Plaza Executive Suites 2275 Hwy 87 409-684-3345
Stingaree Restaurant 1295 N Stingaree Rd. 409-684-2731
J & J Hughes, Realtors 409-782-3746 (Jo Ann) 409-673-6650 (Jessica)
The Ship’s Wheel 1021 Hwy 87 409-684-8612
Kelli Untermeyer, Realtor 2290 Hwy 87 409-795-7257
Vine 2 Wine 14773 Coon Rd. 409-719-8781
Luz Gray, Broker Associate 2290 Hwy 87 409-457-6820
Amazing Grace Vacation Rental 2840 Hwy 87 409-684-3345
Private Road • Gated Subdivision FEMA & TWIA Insurable
409.767.4464 CALL FOR MORE INFORMATION
Located at Boyt Road and Hwy 87 CRYSTAL BEACH, TX 77650
48 | THE LOCAL
The Reserve at Bolivar 731 Hwy 87 409-974-0064
Jose’s Mexican Restaurant 1698 Hwy 87 409-684-1180
VACATION RENTALS All I Need Vacation Rental 978 Biscayne 409-782-4965
A BRINT DEVELOPMENT
One Love Vacation Rental 2840 Hwy 87 409-684-3345
Beach Please Vacation Rental 2840 Hwy 87 409-684-3345 Gone Coastal Vacation Rental 2290 Hwy 87 409-684-3790 Kool Breeze Escape Vacation Rental 2840 Hwy 87 409-684-3345
Mary Ellen Smith, Broker 2290 Hwy 87 409-457-1070 Pelican Point Development 200 Hwy 87 409-767-4464 Swede’s Real Estate 2840 Hwy 87 409-684-3345 HOME DECOR/ FURNITURE Bayside Chic 4002 Broadway 409-621-9540 Coburn’s Kitchen & Bath Showroom 2912 Eastex Fwy 409-899-9911
Galveston Furniture & Flooring 4214 Broadway 409-762-5244
INSURANCE Dan Priest Insurance 347 S Main St. Ste. 100 409-755-7600
Melissa Roberts Interiors Beaumont/Houston 409-718-7630
Gabourel Insurance 6454 Concord Rd. 409-898-2693
The Blind Factory 7396 College St. 409-866-4055
Landry Insurance 1717 Magnolia Ave. 409-724-2454
HOMEBUILDERS Brint Construction 970 Surfside Dr. 409-767-4464
SERVICES Entergy Texas 1-800-368-3749 entergytexas.com
Cobb Homebuilders 2290 Hwy 87 409-651-6004
Frontier Pest Control PO Box 277, Midway 866-400-7378
SHOPPING The Big Store 2385 Hwy 87 409-684-2400
Galveston College 4015 Ave. Q 409-944-GCGC
BOATING/RV Bolivar RV Resort 731 Hwy 87 409-974-0064 Harold's Tackle Shop 1755 Hwy 87 409-684-1755 Stingaree Marina 1295 N Stingaree Rd. 409-684-2731
Giglio Distributing 155 S ML King Jr. Pkwy 409-838-1654
Stingaree Restaurant & Marina 1295 N Stingaree Rd. 409-684-2731
BANKING Texas First Bank Crystal Beach 2385 Hwy 87 409-684-3523 Texas First Bank, Galveston 2401 Broadway 409-762-7974 Texas First Bank, Galveston 6501 Stewart Rd. 409-744-6353 Texas First Bank, Galveston 13701 FM 3005 409-737-5400 Texas First Bank, Winnie 210 Hwy 124 409-296-2111
ICM Air Conditioning 4445 Westpark Ave. 409-853-3513 Southern Broadband (formerly 3rd Coast Internet) 4298 Hwy 87 409-684-7021
THE LOCAL | 49
sea & be seen
Three Amigos by David Lambert
50 | THE LOCAL
We Love Bolivar! by Ashley Carter
Share your local scene.
Send us photos of your favorite places, people, and past times. Please submit high resolution images (300 dpi minimum) to info@thebolivarlocal.com. Don’t forget to include your name and picture title, and your photo could be featured in our next edition of The Local magazine! Pink Moon by Angela West
Crystal Beach Sunrise by Paula Smith
THE LOCAL | 51
Stormy Sea by Elyse Avina
Bolivar Caterpillar by Paula Smith
52 | THE LOCAL
Brush-hog At Dusk by Scott Mistrot
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BOLIVAR PENINSULA VACATION RENTALS | REAL ESTATE & PROPERTY MANAGEMENT
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