Calhoun County Life Fall 2016

A guide for Visitors and Newcomers FALL 2016

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Calhoun County Life • Fall 2016

Sherry Ficklen Kayla Meyer Melony Overton Ross Stapp Jay Workman

Fran Sherman

PORT LAVACA WAVE 107 E. Austin Street Port Lavaca, TX 77979 361-552-9788 PortLavacaWave.com

Calhoun County Life Visitor and Newcomers Guide is published semiannually. Additional copies available by Christy Aguilar contacting the Port Betty Birdwell Lavaca Wave. For Ashley Kontnier advertising information,

call 361-552-9788.

Mac Sistrunk DD Turner Sushil Dhungana

Lance Catchings Brush Freeman Bill Harvey Phil Thomae

Visit us online at www.portlavacawavecom or email us at editor@plwave.com.

Copyright 2016

On the cover: Camdyn Bartels, 7, and Cesar enjoy a fall afternoon on the Port Lavaca shoreline.

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Port O’Connor Chamber of Commerce P.O. Box 701, Port O’Connor, TX. 77982 (361) 983-2898 portoconnorchamber.org Calhoun County Life • Fall 2016

7

BEACH COMBING Those who beachcomb and collect all sorts of treasures from shells to broken glass worn smooth by waves to other items like toys, buoys and lures will find the same and more along Calhoun County’s more than 500 miles of shoreline.

BY MELONY OVERTON

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Calhoun County Life • Fall 2016

C

Cindy Mutchler, of Port O’Connor, holds shells she has found while beach combing in Calhoun County. (CONTRIBUTED PHOTO)

ollectors can find an array of nautical treasures like shells, driftwood, sea glass, pods and exotic drift seeds on Calhoun’s many miles of beaches in Port O’Connor, Indianola, Matagorda Island and points in between.

Karen Smith, of Port O’Connor, comb’s Calhoun’s beaches on the Matagorda Peninsula year round.

I’m out at least one to two weeks a month, Smith said. I’ve always collected things from the time I was in first grade.

I’m 58 now.

Smith said the beach on the bay side of the peninsula has produced larger shells, while the Gulf side has produced a bigger variety of smaller shells, and other interesting finds that washes up, which catch her attention.

Smith collects shells, sea beans and driftwood. She makes art from the driftwood, using it to decorate mirrors or fashion a mermaid.

I find peace in doing the art work. I didn’t think I was talented at all, but I get compli-

Calhoun County Life • Fall 2016

9

find treasures washed up onto the beaches and the shores. In Boggy (Bayou) in Port O'Connor, you can find old bottles, sea glass, dishware pieces from the old island days. Many of them have enough information to identify them. I don’t know the entire history, but there were people who lived at the old army base. Items still wash up onto the beaches, she said.

Beachcombers can find the lightening whelk, the state shell, and other big shells at the base of the big jetties in Port O’Connor. Several prime spots for shelling within the county include the former site of Indianola, the jetties along the Gulf Intracoastal Waterway in and around Port O’Connor and the Gulf beaches adjoining Pass Cavallo.

Sand dollars, horse conch, sundials, cowrie shells, tent olives, oyster and scallop shells, to the rare Scotch Bonnet as well as fossils can be found on Calhoun’s beaches.

INEXPERIENCED BEACHCOMBER FROM VETERAN SHELLERS Wear appropriate seasonal clothing Protect yourself from the sun by wearing sunglasses, a hat, sunscreen and possibly long sleeves

Pictured are shells Cindy Mutchler, not pictured, of Port O’Connor has found in 20 years of beachcombing the sands of Calhoun County. (CONTRIBUTED PHOTO)

Wear old canvas shoes to protect your feet Wear clothes with pockets

ments, Smith said. A lot of my stuff has been given away and most of my shells are at my island house on the peninsula.

Smith said walking the beach is delightful, but you must be prepared for anything like tides changes, heat, rain and interesting critters. She carries a bag with a flashlight, a knife, a gun, a pair of tennis shoes, a long sleeved shirt, water and oranges or apples.

I walk sometimes seven miles, and you never know what may happen. I’ve found all types of things on the beach. If I find something useful I keep it, she said.

Cindy Mutchler, of Port O’Connor, has combed Calhoun's beaches for at least 20 years looking for rare finds such as Wentletraps, sea beans

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and whelk egg sacs.

I have only found 16 whole ones (Wentletraps). They are very fragile and wash up into the grassy areas after high tides or a storm, she said. I look for shells I haven’t found yet, anything out of the ordinary.

Mutchler uses books and online research to identify the shells she finds.

Another favorite of mine is called a Limpit. These are also fragile, vary in size and colors and many have a tiny hole on top. They are classified as Keyhole Limpits. I find them up close to grass, and when I dig into piles of shells, she said.

Mutchler displays the shells in see-through jars and bowls in her home. Her daughter makes jewelry from moon snails, augers and olive shells.

Calhoun County Life • Fall 2016

We clean all the shells with a Clorox solution, and they are all from Port O'Connor beaches, she said.

Beach combing is therapy for Mutchler, she said.

I spend hours searching, cleaning and sorting them out.

I love identifying them. I meet so many interesting locals and visitors who know me and ask me about shells they have found. It’s pretty cool to showcase my shells. When people come to visit they ask about my collections. I bring many samples to my Pre-K class, and share the joy and wonder with them, she said.

Mutchler would like to make people aware of the many shells, flora, driftwood and other finds that wash ashore in Calhoun County.

It’s wonderful to search and

Carry a lightweight plastic bucket, and a separate container for more delicate finds like sand dollars Plastic bags for driftwood or carrying messy material Fill bottles for small specimens Trowel or other digging tool Tweezers or toothpicks (wet the end) to pick up tiny shells Waders, rubber boots and possibly thermal underwear during winter A note pad and waterproof pen for keeping location data A friend, especially when combing isolated areas like Sunday Beach on Matagorda Island

Birding

BY MELONY OVERTON

This reddish egret was photographed by Sandy Baker, of Six Mile, during one of her birding excursions in Calhoun County. Baker has been birding in Calhoun County since the 1980s.

C

alhoun County is full of birding hot spots, and Sandy Baker of Six Mile has hit many of them to photograph hundreds of birds in the past 30 years.

Baker has birded in Calhoun County since the early 1980s. Her high school chemistry teacher Doris Wyman, known as the Bird Lady, turned her on to birding, Baker said.

I have always liked birds for many years. I always had a pair of binoculars to observe them. And then I got books to help me identify the different birds, but Doris (Wyman) really got me into proceeding with it, Baker said.

Baker sees most of the birds at Magnolia Beach, which is 14 minutes south of Port Lavaca off of State Highway 316 and Farm-to Market Road 2760.

I drive around for hours

out there, or park for hours, taking photographs. I also go to Chocolate Bayou and photograph birds there. I shot a green heron there, Baker said.

Baker retired in July. Since then, she birds three days a week.

It has been an everyday adventure, she said. I took up my camera full time after I retired to learn my camera. I am still an amateur (photographer, not birder).

Baker has a birding wish list

that included a bald eagle.

I finally saw one fly over my house that lives on a ranch close to where we live, but I did not have my camera, and he was pretty high up, she said. I love all of the birds. I love the egrets. They are fun to watch. The pelicans are the best. They are hilarious.

They do some of the weirdest maneuvers. They really have a place in my heart.

Baker kept a log of the

Calhoun County Life • Fall 2016

11

This snowy egret was photographed by Sandy Baker, of Six Mile, during one of her birding excursions in Calhoun County. Even though Baker has birded in Calhoun County since the 1980s, she considers herself to be an “amateur” at photographing birds. (CONTRIBUTED PHOTO)

birds she has seen within the county. Her last count was up to 500 species since the 1980s.

Birding satisfies Baker's love of nature.

It's peaceful. It's very exciting to observe the birds to see what they do during the time I watch them. They are amazing creatures, she said.

Calhoun is such a popular birding spot because of the many birds that migrate through the county.

Even some migratory species who are not supposed to be here. Recently, we had the jabiru (a large stork found in the Americas). It's like one in a thousand chances that it would come through Calhoun County, Baker said.

Five years ago, Baker spotted a rare, broad-billed hummingbird.

It stayed at my house all winter. It was not supposed to be in this area, but we had it identified by one of the professional people who identify birds and it was definitely the

12

This osprey was photographed

by Sandy Baker, of Six Mile, during one of her birding excursions in Calhoun County.

Baker has documented and photographed numerous species of birds in Calhoun County.

Calhoun County Life • Fall 2016

broad bill, she said.

Baker said birding is not an expensive hobby, and you do not have to travel far to find the birds.

All you need is a pair of binoculars and a book to identify the birds that you don't know.

If you go into the photography part, it can get very expensive.

My wish list includes some of the more expensive equipment. To me it's a simple as looking out your back door at the birds, she said.

According to the website Travel South Texas, located at www.stxmaps.com/go/ calhoun-county-birding.html, other birding hot spots in Calhoun County include the Port Lavaca bird sanctuary, Magic Ridge, Powderhorn Lake, the Matagorda Island State Park in Port O'Connor, Swan Point in Seadrift, the Indianola bird walk, Lighthouse Beach and Bird Sanctuary, Welder Flats coastal preserve and the Guadalupe Delta Wildlife Management Area.

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Calhoun County Life • Fall 2016

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Calhoun County Life • Fall 2016

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Calhoun County Life • Fall 2016

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MUSEUM

BY MELONY OVERTON

T

he Calhoun County Museum, located at 301 S. Ann St., in Port Lavaca, will have exhibits this fall and winter, which will feature a Karankawan family and vintage and antique Christmas toys.

Life-size, fiberglass figures of a Karankawan mother, father and daughter are the newest additions to the county museum on permanent loan from the Bullock Texas State History Museum in Austin.

The father stands at six-feet, while the mother holds a bag of shrimp and the daughter a basket of fish.

“The museum called us and asked if we’d like to have them because we are part of the La Salle Odyssey. Before she had it out of her mouth, I said yes. We went and picked them up,” said George Anne Cormier, museum director. “We

18

Calhoun County Life • Fall 2016

wanted the figures because they’re our local Native American group. They are what La Salle might have seen when he first came here. I think it will be a wonderful exhibit.”

Port Lavaca artist Lola Chaka’s large mural of a seascape as the backdrop for the exhibit is complete.

“We will try to make the exhibit as realistic as possible with grasses, plants and sand,” Cormier said. “It will give people an idea of how they lived, what they ate and what kind of family units they had. The Karankawas loved children. Whenever their children died, they would mourn for a year. We do have a little girl with this.”

The father Karankawan figure came to the museum with a damaged leg to where it cannot stand. Cormier has found someone who can repair it.

“Hopefully that exhibit will be opening up soon,” she said. “The diorama is complete, and the stage is all set, so we should be able to put it up quickly.”

The museum also has a photo exhibit of the U.S. Coast Guard, the Lifesaving Station at Saluria and the county’s lighthouses at the Halfmoon Reef Lighthouse located on the grounds of the Bauer Community Center, located at 2300 North Highway 35.

The museum has anywhere from around 1,700 to 3,000 visitors a year, Cormier said.

“Most of them are interested in the Indianola exhibit because most of them who come through are of German extraction. They want to see where their relatives came in. Then there are those people who follow the ‘La Salle Odyssey’ and visit all of the museums involved. A

Office furniture and photographs are part of an exhibit to dedicated to former Calhoun County Judge Howard G. Hartzog, Sr., at the Calhoun County Museum in Port Lavaca.

(MELONY OVERTON/WAVE PHOTO)

Artifacts from French explorer Robert de la Salle’s ship La Belle are part of “The La Salle Odyssey” exhibit at the Calhoun County Museum, located at 301 S. Anne St. in Port Lavaca.

(MELONY OVERTON/WAVE PHOTO)

lot come in who are interested in the local history,” she said.

Artifacts including pictures and drawings belonging to former Calhoun County Judge Howard G. Hartzog Sr., which were donated to the museum by relatives, are part of a permanent display.

The exhibit includes his 1911 desk that was restored by the Junior Service League in 1967, a telephone from the courthouse tax office and an adding machine from the courthouse clerk's office, both used from 1910-59, and a cabinet from the old courthouse in Port Lavaca.

Much of the Calhoun County Museum collection deals with the history of Indianola. Indianola was one of the busiest ports along the Gulf Coast until it was hit by hurricanes in 1875 and 1886. The hurricanes largely destroyed the town.

A large diorama of Indianola has the

A diorama of the port city of Indianola and other artifacts from the once bustling town are housed at the Calhoun County Museum in Port Lavaca.

(MELONY OVERTON/WAVE PHOTO)

locations of a number of the homes and businesses before the 1875 hurricane and a number of artifacts from the town after the hurricane. Along with the displays of the town, including a recreation of what the area looked like at the time, are items that have been found on the beaches.

The museum also has several displays entitled "The La Salle Odyssey" with items found on the La Belle, a ship used by explorer Robert de la Salle. The ship was found in Matagorda Bay in 1995. The ship sank in 1686. Several items from the ship can be found at the museum.

The exhibit also includes tallow made from beef or bison fat kept in a barrel on the ship used for cooking, tanning leather, soap and candle making and as a wood sealant. Other La Belle items include Atlantic cod and goose bones. A handmade reproduction of a musket from

the 1680s, like that used by La Salle and his crew, round out the items on display.

One of the most popular items is the Third-Order Fresnel lens from the Matagorda Island Lighthouse.

A buffalo head, donated by the Floyd Paige estate, is another prominent feature of the museum. Paige, who was a Houstonite, also donated a rifle and powder horns to the museum. Other items in the museum are unique to Calhoun County, including handcrafted bedding and furniture that are over a century old.

FOR MORE INFORMATION 361-553-4689

www.calhouncountymuseum.org.

Calhoun County Life • Fall 2016

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Calhoun County Life • Fall 2016

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Calhoun County Life • Spring 2016

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Calhoun County Life • Fall 2016

CALHOUN COUNTY: 1. Alsatian Immigration through Lavaca Bay 300 block Commerce Street, on bay front, Port Lavaca 2. Beach Hotel Main & Commerce Sts., Port Lavaca 3. Beaumont, Jefferson Port Lavaca Cemetery, south end of S. Nueces St., Port Lavaca 4. Calhoun County Ann & Leona Sts., Port Lavaca 5. Calhoun County Hurricanes Calhoun County Courthouse grounds 211 S. Ann St. 6. Calhoun County Jail 301 S. Ann St., Port Lavaca 7. Civil War Bombardment of Port Lavaca 200 Block of Commerce Street, Port Lavaca 8. Civil War Torpedo Works Live Oak and Commerce Streets, Port Lavaca 9. Clark Cemetery From Hwy. 35, take US 87 north 3.6 miles. Turn left on FM 2433 and then immediately turn right on FM 1679. After 0.9 miles, turn left on Sanders Rd. Go another 0.9 miles to private road on the left. The cemetery is about 0.4 miles down the road on private property.

10. Cox’s Point Northeast end of causeway, on SH 35, near western city limit, Point Comfort 11. Eberly, Mrs. Angelina Bell Peyton From Port Lavaca, take FM 238 three miles southwest to FM 316; follow FM 316 south about 8.75 miles 12. First Baptist Church of Port Lavaca 902 Calhoun, Port Lavaca 13. First Presbyterian Church of Port Lavaca 1111 N. Virginia 14. First United Methodist Church of Port Lavaca 814 N. San Antonio Street, Port Lavaca 15. George, Wiley S. Nueces at Cypress St., at entrance to Port Lavaca Cemetery 16. Grace Episcopal Church (2 markers) 213 E. Austin Street, Port Lavaca

17. Green Lake 12 miles southwest of Port Lavaca on SH 35 right-of-way 18. Half Moon Reef Lighthouse Bay Front Park, west end of causeway on SH 35, Port Lavaca 19. Hatch Cemetery From Port Lavaca, take US 35 about six miles south. Then go west about one mile on Meadow View Ln. to golf course.

20. Hatch, Sylvanus From Port Lavaca, take US 35 about six miles south. Then go west about one mile on Meadow View Ln. to golf course.

Marker is about in the middle of the bridge on the south side of path.

21. Indianola SH 316 terminus at beach, Indianola 22. Indianola Cemetery From Port Lavaca, take FM 238 south southwest three miles to FM 316. Follow FM 316 about 8.75 miles to Brighton Rd. in Indianola. Follow Brighton Rd northwest about one mile and then go west on Comal Rd onehalf mile and then right on Orleans St. one quarter mile to cemetery.

23. Indianola, Site of the Town of SH 316 South to Ocean Dr one mile to Indianola 24. Johnson, Moses, M.D. Six miles northwest of Port Lavaca on US 87 25. Johnson, Moses, M.D. Private, 6.25 mile north of Port Lavaca off US 87 26. La Salle, Rene Robert Cavelier, Sieur de Beach Rd at SH 316 terminus at Indianola 27. Lavaca Lodge No. 36, A. F. & A. M. From Port Lavaca, take FM 1090 north about two miles 28. Linnville, Site of the Town of From SH 35 in Port Lavaca, take FM 1090 north about two miles and turn east onto E. Maxwell Ditch Rd. for about 0.8 miles to Bay Meadow Dr. Go south on Bay Meadow Rd. about 1.3 miles to Meadow Lark Rd. Go east on Meadow Lark to end. Take the private road south at water front.

Walk south along shore at field area. Marker falls in water.

AN ODYSSEY OF HISTORICAL MARKERS 29. Matagorda Island Lighthouse* Located approx. 7.5 miles south of Port O’Connor at 28° 20’ 16.44”, -96° 25’ 26.62”

on Matagorda Island, lighthouse is accessible only by private boat or airplane plus a hike to the site.

30. Mt. Sinai Baptist Church 419 Center St., Port Lavaca 31. Olivia SH 172 at city limits 32. Olivia Cemetery SH 172 & County Road 317 on County Road 317, Olivia 33. Our Lady of the Gulf Catholic Church 415 W. Austin 34. Port Lavaca SH 35 between SH 238 & Half Moon Dr., at Bauer Community Center, Port Lavaca 35. Port Lavaca Cemetery End of S. Nueces St., Port Lavaca 36. Port Lavaca Chapter No. 373, Order of The Eastern Star FM 1090, two miles north of Port Lavaca 37. Port O’Connor E. Monroe Ave. at S. Park Ave., at King Fisher Beach 38. Ranger Cemetery (2 Markers) Harbor St., Port Lavaca 39. Rasmussen, Andrew A. Main & 15th St., Port O’Connor 40. Salem Lutheran Church 2101 FM 1090 41. San Antonio and Mexican Gulf Railroad 110 N. Virginia, Port Lavaca 42. Seadrift SH 185, Seadrift 43. Seadrift Cemetery 1273 Cemetery Road; Located 1.273 miles from Hwy 185 on Cemetery Road.

44. Six Mile Cemetery Go 4.5 miles northwest of Port Lavaca on FM 1090 to Royal Rd. Turn west on Royal and go about 0.4 miles.

Cemetery is behind Six Mile Presbyterian Church.

45. Six Mile Presbyterian Church o 4.5 miles northwest of Port Lavaca on FM 1090 to Royal Rd. Turn west on Royal and go about 0.4 miles.

46. Six Mile-Royal Community Go 4.1 miles northwest of SH 35 on FM 1090

Lavaca Bay

46

44 45

28

10

35

1593

172

Point Comfort

2143

1090

4

3084

24 25 9

2433

Port Lavaca

238

87

1090

Lavaca Bay

1679

185

32

31

35

27 36

87

19 20 2541

17

48

35

50 2235

238

Matagorda Bay

21 26 11

23

1289

22

35 185

37

Port O’Connor

43

185

Seadrift

185

39

42 San Antonio Bay

29

1090

35

40

12

3084

18 34

238

38

13

41

2

14

1

35

5 7

6

87

16

33 35

47 49

30 3

47. St. Joseph Baptist Church 811 S. Virginia St., Port Lavaca 48. Town Cemetery, Old From Port Lavaca, take FM 238 south southwest about three miles. Then follow FM 316 south about 8.5 miles. Go north one mile on county road to Old Town Cemetery.

49. Wilkins, Alice O., School Ann and Alice Wilkins streets, Port Lavaca 50. Zimmerman Cemetery From Port Lavaca, take FM 238 about 3 miles to FM 316.

Go south 7.25 miles to roadside area.

8

15 35

1090

* National Registry listing; no historical marker.

Calhoun County Life • Fall 2016

25

Jake Ondreas, left, and Casey Blinka near the finish line of the Texas Water Safari, which is located in Seadrift. (KAYLA

MEYER/WAVE PHOTO)

A RACE TO THE FINISH CALHOUN COUNTY END OF THE LINE FOR

TWO TEXAS BOAT RACES

BY KAYLA MEYER

T

he Texas coast is home to two boat races with finish lines in Calhoun County, the Texas 200 and the Texas Water Safari.

Each year, both races bring visitors from Texas, the United States and around the world to compete in each event.

TEXAS 200 Taking place over five days, the Texas 200’s

annual summer event is a sailboat race where sailors travel 200 miles north along the Texas Gulf Coast. The event is slated for June 12-16, 2017.

Jack LaBarge, commodore of the Seadrift Sailing and Yacht Club, has participated in years past. Each day, sailors make their way to different stopping points.

“It is people traversing 200 miles up the coast of Texas ending at Magnolia Beach,” LaBarge said. “We boat and camp. There are destinations every night. It’s a (20) to 45 mile trip per day, and you average 5-6 knots or about 5 miles per hour. It’s a pretty good day on the water.”

LaBarge added that any day on the water is a good one.

“I don’t think there is such a thing as a typical day,” LaBarge said. “Everyday of sailing is a good day. Some days are very calm all day long. Some days are calm in the morning and then howls at night or in

26

Calhoun County Life • Fall 2016

the afternoon. I’ve seen it where it’s almost dead calm at 7 a.m. and then 35 knots of wind at 10 a.m. It is a variety of conditions all the time.”

Stops for the 2017 Texas 200 will be posted in early 2017.

Last year, the first day, sailors are slated to make their way north from the starting line in Port Isabel to the Port Mansfield Jetties.

The second campsite is approximately 33 nautical miles from the first, located at Hap’s Cut. It has been four years since Texas 200 sailors have stopped at this site.

Continuing on in their journey, sailors will stop at North Padre Island, which is about 22 nautical miles north of the second campsite.

The fourth campsite is at Quarantine Shore, about 36 nautical miles up the coast with the fifth campsite located at Hidden Pass, a first for Texas 200 sailors.

Sailors will make the final leg of the trip 26 nautical miles to Magnolia Beach in Calhoun County.

At the final stopping point, sailors were treated to a shrimp dinner and refreshments from Shiner.

FOR MORE INFORMATION ABOUT THE 2017 TEXAS 200 www.texas200.com

A group of people gather to congratulate Jake Ondreas and Casey Blinka, both not pictured, on their completion of the Texas Water Safari.

(KAYLA MEYER/WAVE PHOTO)

TEXAS WATER SAFARI Deemed the world’s toughest canoe race,

the Texas Water Safari is a 260-mile trek down the San Marcos and Guadalupe rivers starting at Aquarena Springs in San Marcos and ending in Seadrift.

The 2016 Texas Water Safari took place in June, and for the latest information on the event, visit www.texaswatersafari.org.

Among numerous rules, the primary requirement is that each boat be only powered by human force. Race entrants are given 100 hours to reach the finish line.

Seadrift resident Robert Chatham, who

A group of supporters cheer on paddlers as they finish the Texas Water Safari, considered the world’s toughest canoe race. (KAYLA MEYER/WAVE PHOTO)

A supporter holds a sign up for Jake Ondreas and Casey Blinka, not pictured, who completed the Texas Water Safari, a boat race that ends in Seadrift.

They agreed that the race lived up to being tough. They completed the event in 83 hours.

“Nights were the hardest for me,” Blinka said following the race. “Jake was really good though. He helped me get my head on straight and let me rest for an hour or two.”

“The log jams were tough,” Ondreas added. “We had to carry the canoe like a mile through the brush, up on these trails, just to put back in the river to get past all of the log jams. That sucked. I even said a prayer then.”

People from all over the world participate in the event. Chatham said he met people from throughout Texas as well as the United States.

“The year that I won we had people from London, Louisiana, Canada, Mexico, a couple teams from the north east, and we had a lot of people from Texas. We even had a couple of professional football players come

down and try their luck,” Chatham said.

Once the race is complete, dinner and an award ceremony is held. Ondreas and Blinka also had their own dinner following the race.

“It was awesome having all of our friends and family there waiting for us when we finished,” Blinka said. “We went to Skillet’s after that with everyone. I had chicken fried steak and Jake had breakfast food.”

Blinka and Ondreas hope to compete in the race again some day, and although Chatham no longer races, he said he still participates in the race by helping others.

“Since we did the race, I’ve had a rescue boat for the bay with other people. We set up day or night, and we go up the river and find out where they are, like if there’s an emergency. That’s’ what we do to support Texas Water Safari,” Chatham said. “It was exciting. I really enjoyed it.”

(KAYLA MEYER/WAVE PHOTO)

won the event and broke the record in 1976 with a time of 37 hours and 18 minutes, the safari is one that takes preparation.

“We did a lot of running, a lot of sit ups and we practiced on the weekends. We had to go to get in there and do the best we can,” Chatham said. “We would row from 10 to 14 hours a day and camp at night, and the next morning we would take off for another six to eight hours.

“We loaded our boat down to practice with the weight because we carried everything with us. People were allowed to give us fresh water, but we carried all our supplies and food,” Chatham added.

Chatham is not the only Calhoun County resident to have participated in the Texas Water Safari.

Casey Blinka and Jake Ondreas, who rowed under the team name The Port Lavaca Boys, participated in the event in 2012.

Texas 200: Chuck Leinweber, of Harper, and his wife Sandra Leinweber, cruise into Magnolia Beach, which is the finish line to the Texas 200. The Texas 200 is a gathering of small boats that travel up the Texas coast over several days, starting in Port Isabel and ending at Magnolia Beach spanning about 200 miles. Leinweber said it is not really a race, but more of a cruise and about the company. Leinweber’s boat was built by Jim Michaleck and is a Toon 19 model. Leinweber’s wife painted the boat, and they named the boat the Looney Toon. (ROSS STAPP/WAVE PHOTO) Calhoun County Life • Fall 2016

27

Irene Ortiz holds rocks painted by Audrey Huddleston, not pictured, for the Facebook group page “Calhoun County Rocks.” Members paint rocks with positive messages and hide them to be found. (MELONY OVERTON/WAVE PHOTO)

Calhoun ROCKS

BY MELONY OVERTON

S

ee a painted rock. Pick it up. May its message make you smile or cheer you up. That is the hope shared by the organizers and members of Calhoun County Rocks.

Calhoun County Rocks is a communitybuilding group on Facebook meant to inspire creativity in all ages and bring kids and families together by painting rocks and hiding them in various locations within the county in order to be found and re-hid, according to founders Yvonne Felkins and her sister Irene Ortiz, both of Port Lavaca.

Visitors to Calhoun County can join in the fun and positive spirit of Calhoun County Rocks, taking a memento of the trip with them or leaving a gift by painting rocks with heartfelt messages or inspiring images and placing them at a spot they visit in order for someone else to find and hide.

“I was added to a similar group by a friend of mine. It is called Matagorda Rocks. I was telling my sister about it. She is one of the leaders for Girl Scouts in Port Lavaca. We thought it would be a good idea for the Girl Scouts to start this, to paint rocks and put them out. We talked about it for a couple of weeks. She took rocks one evening, told the girls about it and they painted them. That was the first set of rocks that went out,” Felkins said.

The Calhoun County Rocks Facebook page was launched in September 2016. The page boasts close to 1,000 members.

“We had more than 600 members in just two weeks,” Ortiz said.

The rocks have positive messages painted on them. Members post a picture

28

Calhoun County Life • Fall 2016

of the rock on the Facebook page announcing an intent to hide it and clues on where it will be. Members also post pictures of found rocks on the page.

“We’ve had children post pictures of their rocks, and you can see they enjoyed the time painting them. It helps people tell their story, and it gives them a positive story to hear. People get to see every day how the rock has made someone smile after a long day of work, maybe,” Felkins said.

“We want to keep it inspirational and fun.

They can paint an animal or flowers on the rock. Then hide the rock in the community for someone to find,” Felkins said.

“I knew Calhoun County needed something positive, so I started it here, too,” Ortiz said. “You never know what someone is going through.”

“We just wanted to put a smile on their face, to spread happiness,” Felkins said.

Rocks have been hidden mainly at businesses, at landmarks and at local events in Port Lavaca. Other rocks have made their way out of Calhoun County and were relocated in area counties. Ortiz and Felkins recommend members put the Facebook page address on the back of the rocks.

Barbara Fox, who is a page member, has enjoyed painting 10 rocks and hiding them in different spots, she said.

“With the way things are going in this country, we all need a little encouragement.

And, it's nice to know that someone took time out of their day to pass on a little joy,” Fox said.

Amanda Gonzalez, one of the Facebook page administrators, has made over 45 rocks

and placed them all over Calhoun, she said.

“My friends Irene Leal (Ortiz) and Yvonne Felkins told me about a rock page out of Matagorda County, and the idea of spreading joy and kindness all over town was something so amazing,” Gonzalez said.

“Yvonne started the page, and we added friends, family and so on. Soon we had over 600 people on the page, and immediately we started painting rocks.”

Gonzalez said painting the rocks is a fun family activity.

“I am always crafting, and once I started painting, it was so relaxing, and it was a great opportunity to have my family get together with a great time,” she said. “We bonded as a family. We knew these rocks would find a home, and they would be something someone else needed.”

So far, more than 30 of Gonzalez’s rocks have been found and relocated, she said.

“A few may still be out there, but I give coworkers some to spread in their towns,” she said. “It makes me feel so happy when someone finds one of our rocks, especially when people post the picture and put how it made them feel.”

Gonzalez said her rocks contain one to two-word messages that read, “Have faith” or “Smile.”

“They may have a Bible verse. You never know how hard someone has it until they tell you. The rocks are a sign of hope for them. One person found our ‘Trust in God’ rock and mentioned they were praying for a sign for the safety of family members in Hurricane Matthew. The rock gave her a sense of hope,” she said.

Staying fit in Calhoun County

Need to fulfill your fitness needs and stay fit, while vacationing in Calhoun County? No need to fret Calhoun County has several different types of fitness facilities. The fitness lifestyle is booming across the nation and in Calhoun County the boom is no different.

Calhoun County provides several different types of fitness. The longest standing fitness provider is the YMCA. The two new additions to the Calhoun County are Anytime Fitness and Topwater CrossFit.

The YMCA gym is the biggest gym in the Calhoun County area and is open Monday through Sunday.

Anytime Fitness offers all your strength and aerobic training equipment, but also provides a virtual video system in the studio room with over 300 training videos.

Topwater CrossFit owner Cody Maddux, right teaches Brandt Boone proper technique during a lift.

YMCA

ANYTIME FITNESS

TOPWATER CROSSFIT

The YMCA is located on 713 Texas Highway 35 and provides a multitude of service to the Calhoun County area.

The YMCA gym takes care of all your fitness training needs with free weights, full rack of dumbbells, weight loaded machines, treadmills, bikes and ellipticals. A full service pool and indoor basketball court is available during business hours.

The hours of operation at Calhoun County’s YMCA on Monday through Thursday is 5 a.m. – 9:30 p.m. Friday the gym and amenities are open 5 a.m. – 8:30 p.m. and Saturday from 8 a.m. – 5 p.m. Sunday the YMCA is open from noon to 5 p.m.

If you have children and bring them to the gym with, no problem. The YMCA offers a nursery Monday through Saturday with hours of operation varying.

Group fitness classes are available as well including: Step, Yoga, Zumba, Piloxing, Kettlebells, Boot camp, Cycle classes and many more.

Anytime Fitness opened in Port Lavaca May 6 and had more than 500 members. The 24 hours seven days a week provides more than just convenience to your fitness desires. Anytime Fitness is home to the only 24/7 gym in the Calhoun County area and is located at 300 Tiney Browning Blvd.

Owners Patti and Robert Ragsdale, of Bay City opened the gym and hired manager Alysia Fikes to manage the gym.

Fikes is a certified health and wellness coach, personal trainer, and a nutrition coach and counselor. Anytime Fitness offers several different ways to train. They offer free weights, full rack of dumbbells, weight loaded machines, cable and pulley resistance equipment, treadmills, elliptical machines, bikes and a virtual video studio. Anytime Fitness also has a tanning bed to keep the tan going through the cold seasons. The virtual video studio provides over 300 videos to choose from, anything from yoga, pilates, aerobics, weight training, cardio and cycling.

Zumba classes are held Monday, Tuesday and Friday at 7 p.m. and boot camp is offered every Saturday at 8 a.m.

The newest fitness edition to the Calhoun County area is Topwater CrossFit. Topwater CrossFit is located on 1997.5 North Texas Highway 35.

Cody Maddux and Lloyd Alford both natives to the Calhoun County area opened Topwater CrossFit in early September and has had a big success.

Maddux and Alford are both CrossFit coaches and are level one CrossFit certified.

CrossFit is a mix breed of different facets of the fitness world, but it is a separate entity in itself. “CrossFit is a strength and conditioning program. It is functional movements performed at high-intensity to increases work capacity across broad time and modal domains. It is a broad general population fitness program. It works for everybody across the board. We work on all of your fitness domains, whether it be strength, cardiovascular, flexibility, power and stamina,” Alford said.

Topwater CrossFit is open Monday through Saturday and has multiple class times per day.

Class times are: 5 a.m., 6 a.m. 8:00 a.m., Noon, 5 p.m., 6 p.m. and 7 p.m.

Calhoun County Life • Fall 2016

29

2

3

4*

5

1

A

6

B

7

8

C

D

9 10

D

30

Calhoun County Life • Fall 2016

Getting to the Beach A. Lighthouse Beach Lighthouse Beach is part of the Lighthouse Beach Park located adjacent the TX Hwy. 35 North causeway bridge. Entrance to the park is from Broadway St. (TX Hwy 238) just south of the Hwy. 35 and Hwy 238 intersection across from the Halfmoon Reef Lighthouse and Bauer Community Center. There is a modest per vehicle fee to enter the park.

B. Magnolia Beach Go west on TX Hwy. 238 from Port Lavaca as it exits town. Continue straight on TX 238, which eventually becomes TX Hwy. 316.

Continue on Hwy. 316 for approximately 5.5 miles before turning left when you reach Farm to Market Road 2760. Once on FM 2760, travel approximately one mile, then turn right on Vivian Stevens Rd. Make an immediate left around the curve once on Vivian Stevens, and then an immediate right around the curve. The beach will be on your left in a few feet.

C. Indianola Beach Go west on TX Hwy. 238 from Port Lavaca as it exits town.

Continue straight on TX 238, which eventually becomes TX Hwy. 316. Continue on Hwy. 316 for approximately eight miles, then turn right on Brighton Avenue. Stay on Brighton Avenue for about a mile, and the beach will be on your left.

D. King Fisher Beach at Port O’Connor From Port Lavaca, head west on TX Hwy. 238 out of town. Follow Hwy. 238 and when you reach the flashing yellow lights at the intersection of TX Hwy 316, turn right, which will still be Hwy. 238. Follow Hwy. 238 for about one mile, then turn left on Farm to Market Road 1289. Continue on FM 1289 for just over 11 miles until it ends. From there, turn left on TX Hwy. 185. Continue on Hwy. 185 through Port O’Connor until it ends. Once it ends, turn left on Park Street. The beach will be on your right.

E. Seadrift Bayfront Park From Port Lavaca, head west on TX Hwy. 238 out of town. Follow Hwy. 238 and when you reach the flashing yellow lights at the intersection of TX Hwy 316, turn right, which will still be Hwy. 238.

Follow Hwy. 238 for approximately 10 miles, where it will “T” with TX Hwy. 185. Take a left on Hwy. 185 and you will reach Seadrift in approximately one mile. Continue on Hwy. 185 until you reach Main Street, and turn right. Follow Main Street until it intersects with Bay Street. Turn right on Bay Street, and the beach will be on your left.

Public Boat Ramps 1. Olivia 2. Point Comfort 3. Six Mile 4.* Lighthouse Beach 5. Bayfront Peninsula 6. Harbor of Refuge 7. Chocolate Bayou 8. Magnolia Beach 9. Port O’Connor 10. Seadrift Bayfront Park *A modest per vehicle fee is required for entrance to the Lighthouse Beach Park.

Calhoun County Life • Fall 2016

31

VETERAN MEMORIAL The Bayfront Marina Veterans Memorial has been a labor of love for Calhoun County Veterans Council chairman Greg Falcon, as well as other local veteran organizations.

BY MELONY OVERTON

T

he memorial consists of a six-point star, called the Star of Heroes, representing each branch of the military. The star is 36 feet in diameter, and includes 4-inch by 8-inch brick pavers, with a family circle in the center of the star.

The memorial star points are filled in with name pavers. The memorial also includes a donors’ walk. Flags representing the different branches are raised around the U.S. flag in the center.

Falcon said 7,200 brick pavers, 575 which feature veterans’ names, military branches and dates in the military, fill in the memorial. Pavers are available for purchase at the cost of $80.

Falcon would like to make it a lighted memorial in the evenings, and benches for visitors to sit.

32

“We are steadily working, not giving up on the hope people will donate. They see the progress and the process

and we hope they will be more willing to donate as they see the memorial taking shape,” he said. “It is slow and steady, but

Pavers, which can have a veteran’s name, rank and date of service inscribed on them, fill a six-pointed star at the Bayfront Marina Veterans Memorial located at Bayfront Peninsula Park in Port Lavaca.

(MELONY OVERTON/WAVE PHOTO)

Calhoun County Life • Fall 2016

we have to be patient.”

Area veterans’ organizations have taken notice of the memorial, Falcon said.

“We had people from Angleton, veteran’s organizations from Corpus Christi and Bay City, and a lieutenant colonel from Galveston come look at it. We’ve had veteran’s organizations from Yoakum and Hallettsville ask us what we did to get started, and how did we get it done,” he said.

“We are willing to talk to anyone who wants to know about our memorial. I feel it is a big blessing,” he said. “I never thought it would inspire others to have a veterans memorial.”

Falcon has met people from Waco, Lampasas and San Antonio at the memorial.

“They have heard about the memorial. While there, they

The Bayfront Marina Veterans Memorial, located at Bayfront Peninsula Park in Port Lavaca, includes all branches of the military. Pavers, which are for sale, have a veteran’s name, rank and date of service inscribed on them.

(MELONY OVERTON/WAVE PHOTO)

want to walk it. I’ve seen a veteran from Louisiana, who works here, go there quite often because he says it is his most peaceful spot,” Falcon said.

“I am hoping that it brings veterans peace. You see it on every veteran that comes in because not only does he see his name, but he sees other people who were close to him, or who served with him or who he knew. It brings a lot of peace.

You go back to your times in the service. Some were good, and some were not, and it helps you, and you can calmly sit there and meditate, especially where it’s located. It brings you inner peace,” he said.

Individuals can make donations in the amount of $250, $500, $1,000 and $2,000. Total cost for the memorial is expected to be $125,000 to $130,000 funded by donations, and possibly, grants. In addition to funding the materials, the funds go toward the perpetual care of the memorial.

“Every little bit helps. The city has put on the Flip Fop Festival and we do work for them and they donate money to the memorial. The best part of this is it is on public lands in a public park. Any donation that comes to the memorial can be tax-deductible,” Falcon said.

Falcon said what sets this memorial apart from other veteran’s memorials is that is represents all branches of the military and all veterans.

“It represents past, present and future veterans. We have a place for a future veteran, kids who graduate and join the military and serve the country, there is a place for them there and they will be there forever,” he said.

“We remember all of our service members whether they go abroad or not, anyone who serves their country needs to be recognized, and it is an honor for us to do this.”

Paver forms are available online at www.portlavaca.org or at City Hall.

Phase two of the memorial may include a pavilion, Falcon said.

“Our biggest goal is to have a veteran’s funeral come through there and do the services at the memorial and go to the burial ground. It would be very fitting for that,” he said.

Falcon goes to the memorial often. He is not the only one.

“I go by there as often as I can. It’s very special to me.

During the week you would be surprised to see the number of people who stop to walk around it, and to visit,” he said.

Every morning Falcon raises the American flag before he goes to work.

“To me, it’s a commitment to my veterans. I feel like I am doing something good every day, not only for myself, but for my fellow veterans,” he said.

THE PORT LAVACA MARINA BAYFRONT VETERANS MEMORIAL WHERE Bayfront Peninsula Park, Port Lavaca DONATIONS Each 4” by 8” name paver costs $80. Buy four and the fifth one is free.

Thank You Calhoun CounTY! For Voting Russell Cain Real Estate The Best: · Real Estate Firm · Best Individual Realtor · Best Property Management

Russell Cain 361-920-6313

Cherre Cain 361-935-2222

Gonda Moncada

Hunter Hammond

361-935-2661

361-676-4096

Debbie Mauldin Office Manager

Jan Regan 361-648-4384

Brenda Carter 361-920-2005

Marty Shofner 713-956-0011

John Dierlam 409-474-9725

‘We Couldn’t Do It Without You!!!’

APPLICATIONS Applications for pavers are available at the City of Port Lavaca Department of Finance or the utility billing department. Mail or drop off applications to 202 N. Virginia St., Port Lavaca, Texas 77979. Checks should be made payable to the City of Port Lavaca Veteran’s Memorial with a note in the memo line stating Bayfront Peninsula.

CONTACT Greg Falcon at 361-920-3029, Ron Langford at 361-972-3309, Jack Mageluzzo at 361-652-3003 and Eddie Rendon at 361-218-5129.

phone: 552-6313

fax: 552-1919

2025 N. Hwy 35, Port Lavaca, TX 77979

Find us on: Calhoun County Life • Fall 2016

33

SALTWATER FISHING REGULATIONS SPECIES

DAILY BAG

INCH LENGTH (MIN - MAX)

Amberjack, Greater ........................................................1 .......... 34..... -N/L** Bass: striped, its hybrids and subspecies...........................5* ......... 18..... - N/L** Catfish: channel and blue catfish, hybrids and subspecies..25*....... 12..... N/L** Catfish, flathead .............................................................5 .......... 18 .... - N/L** Catfish, gafftopsail .......................................................... N/L**... 14..... - N/L** Cobia .............................................................................2 .......... 37..... - N/L** Drum, black ....................................................................5 .......... 14..... - 301 Drum, red .......................................................................3 .......... 20..... - 281 Flounder: all species, their hybrids and subspecies2 .........5/22 ..... 14..... - N/L** Gar (alligator) .................................................................1 .................... - N/L** Grouper, gag ..................................................................2 .......... 22..... - N/L** Grouper, goliath (formerly called Jewfish) ........................0 .................... C&R*** Mackerel, king ................................................................2 27 ............... - N/L** Mackerel, Spanish ...........................................................15 ........ 14..... - N/L** Marlin, blue ....................................................................N/L**.... 131... - N/L** Marlin, white ...................................................................N/L**.... 86..... - N/L** Mullet: all species, their hybrids and subspecies1 .............N/L**.... N/L** -12 Sailfish ............................................................................N/L**.... 84..... - N/L** Seatrout, spotted1 (N of FM457 Matagorda County)........10 ........ 15..... - 25 Seatrout, spotted1 (S of FM457) ......................................5 .......... 15..... - 25 Shark: allowable species1 ...............................................1 .......... 64..... - N/L** Shark: prohibited species.................................................0 .................... C & R*** Sheepshead ....................................................................5 .......... 15..... - N/L** Snapper, lane..................................................................N/L**.... 8....... - N/L** Snapper, red (pole & line - circle hook only) .....................4 .......... 15..... - N/L** Snapper, vermilion ..........................................................N/L**.... 10..... - N/L** Snook .............................................................................1 .......... 24..... -28 Tarpon ............................................................................1 .......... 85..... - N/L** Triggerfish, gray ..............................................................20 ........ 16..... - N/L** Tripletail ..........................................................................3 .......... 17..... - N/L** 1 Refer to Texas Parks & Wildlife site for more detail www.tpwd.state.tx.us/regulations/outdoor-annual/fishing/ saltwater-fishing/saltwater-bag-and-length-limits * - In any combination N/L** - No Limit C&R*** - Catch & Release ONLY 2Nov. 1-30 limit is 2; may be taken only by pole and line.

SIEGELER INSURANCE AGENCY, INC. Tommy Hardegree

Personal service is our first policy.

P.O. Box 339, Port O’ Connor TX 77982 Office: (361) 983-2010 Fax: (361) 983-2011 Giddings office 800-283-4086 thardegree@siegins.com

Gingerbread School & Day Care Center " Since 1974"

Infants - 12 years Monday-Friday • 7:30 a.m.-5:30 p.m.

Pre-school Classes • 2 1/2 yrs. - Pre-K A BEKA Curriculum

Transportation before and after school (Federal Regulation Bus)

State Licensed - Aged Grouping • Child Staff Ratio

2202 Half League • Port Lavaca • 552-5757

36

Calhoun County Life • Fall 2016

Melstan, Inc. Feed & Hardware

Family Owned & Operated Personal Service Lawn & Garden, Pet & Hardware Supplies

111 N. Ann • 361-552-5441

YOUNG PLUMBING

Heating Air Conditioning

Since 1956

LICENSES: #TACLA002645; #M79774

(361) 552-6733 Tel. (361) 552-4602 Fax 603 W. Austin St., Port Lavaca, Tx.

of comfort A LITLE PIECE

POINT COMFORT Point Comfort is a small community located just across the causeway from Port Lavaca, TX.

O WHERE’S THE BAIT?

If you are out to catch big fish, then you need to know where to get the best bait. Don’t get caught without the supplies needed to catch redfish, flounder, gafftop, trout, tarpon, snapper or shark.

PORT LAVACA

Big Bear Shrimp, 2241 N. Hwy. 35, 553-8091 Evelyn’s Fish Market, 732 Broadway, 552-2882 Indianola Fishing Marina, 8 Bell St., 552-5350 J&J Bait & Tackle, 1374 N. Ocean Dr., 552-2724 Miller’s Seafood, 515 Fulton, 552-6423 Poor Boys Bait Stand, 400 E. Live Oak, 552-1504

SEADRIFT Charlie’s Bait Camp, 785-3023 Chunky Monkey’s, 621 Main St., 785-2138 Dockside Bait Shop, 806 S. Main, 785-3344

PORT O’CONNOR Beacon 44 Seafood Market, 1982 W. Harrison, 983-4247 Fishing Center (The), Intracoastal Canal, 983-4440 Froggie’s Bait Dock, 2649 Stella St., 983-4466 Marty’s Landing and Mama’s, Kitchen, 983-3474

riginally built by Aluminum Company of America, now ALCOA, Inc., in 1948 and incorporated in 1953.

Point Comfort is home to industrial plants, an international port and many families and retirees that seek a quiet lifestyle in a close knit community.

Point Comfort is also home to the Port of Port Lavaca, which is one of the busiest ports in the state of Texas. The Calhoun Port Authority operates the port.

The Matagorda Ship Channel and the Gulf Intracoastal Waterway serve the busy port.

Recreation is a large part of the community. On either side of the boat ramp, located on Lamar Street, there are two lighted piers. The piers are open to the public free of charge 24 hours a day.

One of the piers is handicap accessible and the other has its own fish cleaning station.

The causeway bridge is also a popular spot for fisherman.

People line the bridge day and night to take advantage of the hot spot. Redfish, trout

and flounder are caught there regularly. Fishing is a major draw to the community as in Calhoun County where there is fishing protected from open surf which draws tourists all year long.

Point Comfort also boasts an outstanding city park with 10 cabanas, each with its own picnic table and barbecue pit and a larger center gazebo in the middle. The park features walking/running trails and a playground for children.

The Point Comfort city pool is another attraction that brings in people from all over the Calhoun County area.

The pool is projected to open in the first week of May on Saturdays and Sundays and when school is out the pool will be open everyday for the summer.

Point Comfort also hosts a large July 4 celebration at its community park where all are invited to attend. There are vendors and locals in attendance and all activities are family friendly. At the conclusion of the event there is a major fireworks display over the water for all to enjoy.

The town community center is named in honor of former Police Chief Rick Brush who died in the line of duty.

The Point Comfort Branch of the Calhoun County Library is located in the Lamar Shopping Center. The library is open five days a week and a form of it has existed since 1955. Also, located on the corner of Lamar and Texas Highway 35 are two staples to the Point Comfort community and the plant workers. Village Grocery is a hot spot at lunchtime for the plant workers because of the convenience and hot food.

Rolling Joes, just across from Village Grocery, on the other corner of Lamar and Texas Highway 35, serves the Point Comfort community and plant workers with Mexican food.

Churches of all denominations line the town with services offered by the Assembly of God, Baptists, Catholics, Church of Christ, Lutherans and Methodists.

Calhoun County Life • Fall 2016

37

DUCK Hunting From November through January, duck hunting is off the charts in Calhoun County.

BY MELONY OVERTON

Jake Huddleston, of Port Lavaca, holds up a duck from a hunt during duck season. Huddleston, who has been a hunting guide in Calhoun County for 17 years, hunts redneck, widgeon, teal and other species of duck within the county. (CONTRIBUTED PHOTO)

38

Calhoun County Life • Fall 2016

I

n early November, as the blue northers start rolling in, and the ducks are pushed down south to winter by the thousands, redheads, pintails, wigeon, blue wing and green wing teals, and black ducks arrive in waves.

Duck season opens Nov. 5 and continues until the last week in November, then closes for two weeks and opens again Dec. 10 through January.

Hunting guide Jake Huddleston, of Port Lavaca, has finished up a busy alligator season in September by the time duck season begins.

“There is a break in the season after Thanksgiving to give the ducks a break,” Huddleston said.

It has been estimated that the coastal marshes of Texas, and the nearby rice fields and coastal waters of the Gulf of Mexico, provide winter homes for up to 45 percent of the ducks and 90 percent of the geese in the Central Flyway, according to the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department.

Huddleston said Calhoun County attracts a variety of ducks because of the water including wetlands.

“Ducks like the local bays and the marshes. When the rice production was higher, we had a lot more ducks and more geese. They feed down here and go back up north. There are ducks here, Depending on how warm it gets, there still may be ducks here in April, but the season is closed,” he said.

Huddleston said the county has a mixture of public management areas to hunt and outfitters who lead hunts on private property. Huddleston has hunters on duck almost every day of the season, he said.

“People come anywhere from Houston to Austin and anywhere within the state, to out of state. I take people from Virginia, Colorado, and everywhere. They hear about Calhoun through wordof-mouth, social media and articles,” he said.

Huddleston said from way down the Texas Coast all the way up to Calhoun, this area winters 90 percent of North

Jake Huddleston, left, and son Avery Huddleston are pictured with duck hunting during duck season in Calhoun County. Jake Huddleston, who has been a hunting guide in Calhoun County for 17 years, said hunters can see a variety of species of duck throughout the county. (CONTRIBUTED PHOTO)

Avery Huddleston, of Port Lavaca, carries ducks from the bay for his father Jake Huddleston, not pictured, during duck season. Jake Huddleston has been a hunting guide in Calhoun County for 17 years. (CONTRIBUTED PHOTO)

There is a break in the season after Thanksgiving to give the ducks a break.

America’s redhead duck population. Calhoun is host to a myriad of other duck species, as well as geese, In addition to redheads, he said.

“We get gadwall, wigeon, pintail, all three teal, bluebills, shoveler, black belly, fulvous whistling ducks, buffleheads, canvasbacks, goldeneye, mallards, not a lot, but we get some, snow geese, blue geese, ross geese and speckled belly geese. Another thing we have here is mottled duck. It never leaves. It stays here all of the time,” he said.

Hunters come to Calhoun with a specific duck in mind, while other hunters are not as particular about what species they bag, Huddleston said.

“Sometimes they come to hunt a different area. Others come out of state to hunt redheads. A lot of people don’t have pintails or some of the whistling ducks. A lot of people like to hunt all over.

Some people come every year,” Huddleston said.

Some of the coastal terrain, especially to newcomers, can be difficult to maneuver within on a hunt, which makes an experienced guide familiar with the territory a valuable asset, he said.

“We have good hunting,” in Port Lavaca, Port O’Connor and Seadrift, he said. “It all has a lot to do with the things we do to prepare. We plant food for them (ducks), and we pay for water for them.

Naturally, the redheads will come anyway. They live and feed in the bay. The other birds come in for food.”

Huddleston, who has guided duck hunts for 17 years, takes people hunting in either the morning or the afternoon, often taking the same people for every year he has guided.

“I’m trying to do it so they have a good time. I like to put people on duck and get them what they want,” he said.

FOR MORE INFORMATION contact Huddleston 361-237-6803

Calhoun County Life • Fall 2016

39

who’s who AROUND TOWN A GUIDE TO NEWCOMER INFORMATION

ELECTRICITY AEP (877) 373-4858 Reliant Energy: (866) 222-7100 TXU: (800) 818-6132 Victoria Electric Co-op: (361) 573-2428 NATURAL GAS CenterPoint Energy centerpointenergy.com or (800) 427-7142 TELEPHONE Frontier Communications Residential: 855-345-9338 AT&T Residential: (800) 222-0300 Commercial: (800) 222-0400

WATER AND SEWER Port Lavaca Service Billing and Connects, 202 N. Virginia (361) 552-9793,ext. 236 Port Lavaca Maintenance and Repair, 800 N. Commerce (361) 552-3347 Seadrift Service (361) 785-2251 Point Comfort Service (361) 987-2661

GARBAGE COLLECTION Allied Waste Services (800) 640-2014 RECYCLING Calhoun County Recycling Center (361) 552-7791 VEHICLE REGISTRATION Tax Assessor and Collector Office 211 S. Ann; (361) 553-4433

DRIVER’S LICENSE Calhoun County Courthouse Annex 201 W. Austin (361) 552-5046 VOTER REGISTRATION Calhoun County, Elections Office 211 S. Ann, (361) 553-4440

EMERGENCY NUMBERS

TELEVISION CableOne of Port Lavaca (361) 552-9621 Direct TV: (888) 777-2454 Dish Network: (866) 271-3005

Calhoun County Emergency Medical Service (361) 552-1140 Calhoun County Sheriff’s Department 333 S. Benavides, (361) 553-4646 Port Lavaca Fire Department Station #1, 800 N. Hwy. 35, (361) 552-4620 Station #2, 1501 W. Austin Street, (361) 552-3241 Port Lavaca Police Department 201 N. Colorado St. (361) 552-3788

INTERNET CableOne of Port Lavaca (361) 552-9621 TISD.NET: (361) 552-2000 Time-Warner: (877) 646-8994

40

Point Comfort Police Department, (361) 987-2345 Seadrift Police Department (361) 785-2069

Calhoun County Life • Fall 2016

SCHOOL ENROLLMENT PORT LAVACA Calhoun High School, Sandcrab Blvd., (361) 552-3775 Hope High School 900 N. Virginia (361) 552-7084

HJM Elementary Complex 600 N. Commerce (361) 552-5253 Jackson-Roosevelt Elementary, 1512 Jackson (361) 552-3317 Travis Middle School, 705 N. Nueces

(361) 552-3784

PORT O’CONNOR Port O’Connor School (361) 983-2341 SEADRIFT Seadrift School (361) 785-3511

EMERGENCY NUMBERS All emergencies should be reported by using 9-1-1. However if a particular department is needed not regarding an emergency use the following numbers. The county has the Enhanced 911 system. This allows dispatchers to see the location and phone number of the person placing the call. You must still give them this information when you call.

Where To Dine PORT LAVACA BAYSIDE SEAFOOD RESTAURANT 2055 N. Hwy. 35 361-552-7177 Sunday - Thursday: 11 a.m. - 9 p.m.

Friday & Saturday: 11 .m. - 10 p.m.

Seafood, Steaks & Burgers

BEIJING GRAND CHINA BUFFET 399 Calhoun Plaza 361-553-6862 Monday - Thursday: 10:30 a.m. - 10 p.m.

Friday & Saturday: 10:30 a.m. - 10:30 p.m.

Sunday: 11 a.m. - 10 p.m.

Chinese buffet

THE PANTRY 702 N. Virginia 361-552-1679 Tuesday - Friday: 11 a.m. - 2 p.m.

Lunch specials, catering, party trays, take-out

SHELLFISH SPORTS BAR & GRILLE 2615 N. Hwy. 35 361-552-5300 Sunday-Saturday 11 a.m. - Midnight Lunch, Dinner, Games & Live Music

TAQUERIA LA FINCA 2640 W. Main St. 361-552-6515 Monday - Thursday: 5 a.m. - 9 p.m.

Friday & Saturday: 5 a.m. - 10 p.m.

Sunday: 6 a.m. - 9 p.m.

WAGON TRAIN 145 N. Hwy. 35 361-552-3056 Monday - Friday: 6 a.m. - 8 p.m.

Saturday: 6 a.m. - 10:30 p.m.

Serving Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

SEADRIFT

TEXAS TRADITIONS CAFE & BAKERY 234 E. Main St. 361-553-5555 Monday - Wednesday: 11 a.m. - 2p.m. & 5-8:30 p.m.

Thursday & Friday: 11 a.m. - 2 p.m. & 5-9 p.m.

Saturday: 11 a.m. - 9 p.m.

Sundays: 11 a.m. - 2 p.m.

Steaks, Seafood, Chicken & Dumplings, Chicken-Fried Steak, Salad Bar, Pies & Assorted Pastries

BARKETT’S RESTAURANT 321 Broadway Ave. 361-785-2441 Tuesday - Thursday: 11 a.m. - 9:30 p.m.

Friday & Saturday: 11 a.m. - 10 p.m.

Sunday: 11 a.m. - 9:30 p.m. Closed Mondays Seafood & Steaks

BUBBA’S CAJUN STYLE SEAFOOD 1142 Hwy. 185 E. 361-785-2645 Tuesday - Sunday: 11 a.m. - 10 p.m.

Closed Mondays Seafood, Steaks, Catering

Quality Control Testing 'Providing Quality Testing at Affordable Prices'

• • • • •

DATIA Accredited Drug & Alcohol Testing Travel 24/7 Call DNA Testing Out! Paternity Testing Occupational Health Physicals

361-553-7080 361-553-7025 qct@cableone.net

• TWIC Cards • MIP Training (Monthly) • Supervisor Training • Collector (Drugs)/ BAT (Breathalyzer)

709 Hwy. 35 S. - Ste. C (behind McDonald’s and next to TSC)

709 C. Hwy. 35 S., P.O. Box 194, Port Lavaca, TX 77979

Calhoun County Life • Fall 2016

41

FALCON POINT

BY MELONY OVERTON Visitors at Falcon Point Lodge in Seadrift can relax while lounging beside the pool. (CONTRIBUTED PHOTO)

F

alcon Point Lodge in Seadrift prides itself on being a destination spot where visitors can have a coastal adventure through a variety of outdoor activities all while enjoying the comforts of home.

Owned by Seadrift Ranch Partners, Falcon Point Lodge is on Falcon Point Ranch, which is a 6,000-acre working cattle ranch.

“We work cattle twice a year,” said Charlotte Garner, lodge manager.

Longhorns graze around the ranch along with zebra, as exotic animals from Africa peer through brush, Garner said.

42

Falcon Point Lodge in Seadift offers a variety of fishing opportunities with guides. (CONTRIBUTED PHOTO)

Calhoun County Life • Fall 2016

“Not only is it animals that are indigenous to the state of Texas, but we have eland and wildebeest. They belong to us so they are not bound by any state regulations regarding seasons. You hunt them when you want,” she said.

In addition to axis deer and scimitar oryx, the ranch has white-tailed deer, dove, hog, alligator and turkey to hunt.

“All of those animals (non exotics) are hunted within a season, which is mandated by the State of Texas. The ranch does have zebra, but those animals are for photo opportunities only, not to hunt,” Garner said. “We do ranch

Lubbock 530 Miles

Austin 150 Miles

El Paso 695 Miles

Houston 130 Miles

Port Lavaca Calhoun County Midland 475 Miles

San Antonio 145 Miles

Dallas 325 Miles

Corpus Christi 80 Miles

Port Lavaca, the seat of Calhoun County, is not too far from wherever you are in Texas. Located right in the middle of the Texas Gulf Coast, Calhoun County is under a three hour drive from five international airports and easily accessible from all major cities in the state.

Whether you are planning a short vacation or a long one, Calhoun County with its rich place in Texas history offers a laid back climate for the best in bay and offshore fishing, birding, eating, resting and relaxing. Come to Port Lavaca to find out why “It’s a State of Mind.”

VisitPortLavaca.com 361•552•2959

Visitors at Falcon Point Lodge in Seadrift can hunt exotic animals.

(CONTRIBUTED PHOTO)

tours so folks can go out and do a photo tour, where they can take pictures of the zebra. The other exotics are a little more skittish. They might peek their head from behind a fence, but they’re out there.”

The usual clientele consists of corporate groups and families, Garner said.

“We also do weddings, family reunions and corporate retreats. This is a great place for team building. It’s very intimate. You can get your group here and spend quality time. We provide them with meals, lodging and atmosphere,” Garner said.

Bookings pick up during spring break and continue

44

throughout dove and duck season in the fall and winter.

Visitors come from Texas typically, but they have also come from Ireland, England, Scotland, Russia, the Middle East and China,” Garner said.

“This is a destination within the state of Texas. That’s the feel of it. When my bridal parties and my guests get here, that is what they say. They got to do a destination event, and still stay close to home,” Garner said.

Fishing is a popular activity at the lodge during the summer.

“It’s a great place to catch redfish, trout and drum. We also have a lighted 300-foot

Calhoun County Life • Fall 2016

pier. It’s great for night fishing.

I have kayaks that they can take out and fish or just kayak. They come for dove season or duck season. During dove and duck season, we can combine fishing and hunting so they can get a good all around experience,” Garner said.

Carl Koch, ranch manager, said visitors can mount what they hunt.

“We have a walk-in cooler to store it. We have a couple of taxidermists who will take them and ship it to them. They can process the meat and have it shipped to them,” Koch said.

“Axis are very popular. The eland is a big African animal weighing between 1,500 to 2,000

pounds,” Koch said.

A hunt is broke up into a morning or an afternoon, but hunters can do both, Koch said.

“Typically on that, we have someone arrive on Friday evening and hunt, then hunt Saturday morning or evening and then hunt on Sunday.

They usually come in for three hunts,” he said. “The feedback is usually very positive. It is difficult hunting or challenging.

They are out in 6,000 acres. You have to hunt for it.”

“Our exotic harvest rate is 40 percent. It is not 100 percent that you will walk out with one, it is really hunting. Most people enjoy that challenge. You will not see 15 axis bucks standing together,

Visitors at Falcon Point Lodge in Seadrift can see zebra during photo tours of the working ranch. (CONTRIBUTED PHOTO)

Longhorn cattle rest on the working ranch located at Falcon Point Lodge in Seadrift. (CONTRIBUTED PHOTO)

“Not only is it animals that are indigenous to the state of Texas, but we have eland and wildebeest. that’s for sure,” Koch said.

As with hunting, guides take visitors fishing, too.

“We try to match the guide to the guest. As in hunting, you have to do that as well. You may have a novice fisherman that requires more assistance, and you have experienced fishermen who don’t want assistance.

If you put them on fish, they will do the rest,” Garner said.

If hunting and fishing are not to a visitor’s liking, they can lounge by the pool to enjoy the peace and quiet, or shoot skeet.

“There are many activities they can do here. Outside of all of that, it is a great place to relax,” Garner said.

The lodge consists of 12

rooms, a “casita” or house with a kitchen, a living room, a king-sized bed and a bathroom.

The lodge also features a fourbedroom bunkhouse with four and a half bathrooms with a kitchen, a living room, a laundry room and a back porch with a barbecue pit.

The average stay at the lodge is two days.

“It is not uncommon for us to do a Sunday-Monday stay for a corporate group. In the summer months, it tends to be families on the weekends and corporate groups during the week. We also will offer a dinner service on the weekends on Friday and Saturday if I can accommodate the guests. If I have a

small group here, let’s say 12, and a group calls me to have a dinner service for the general public, we can squeeze them in.

We would love to have them,” Garner said.

Garner said the lodge takes considerable planning on her part when a reservation is made.

“There are so many variables in this. We would struggle to be a strictly Internet-driven facility. People have tons of questions about fishing, hunting and food allergies. It’s daunting. You can’t just go online and click a room. I have to spend considerable time finding out what their needs are to make sure they are provided. We pre-plan for everything,” she said.

Garner wants visitors at the lodge to enjoy their stay so they will want to return to what they consider to be a home away from home.

“I know they walk away with a feeling of contentment and a knowledge that they have been well cared for. We strive to make sure that they have the best experience possible, that every need is met.

That they are provided with what they need when they ask.

They also find a sense of ownership in this, and they try to help us take care of the place.

They love it here so much that they’re very conscientious and mindful,” she said.

Calhoun County Life • Fall 2016

45

Port Lavaca Family Dentistry Gentle Dentistry For Your Whole Family • Teeth Whitening • Smile Makeovers • Crowns & Bridges • Root Canals • Extractions • Dentures

• Patients of all ages • Emergencies Welcome • Most Insurances Accepted

Experienced & Highly Educated ——— Veteran owned & operated ——— Interest Free Financing Available

RV PARK LISTINGS MAGNOLIA BEACH

The Bayshore 1301 N. Ocean Drive 512-944-7892

Circle H RV Park 558 Margie Tewmey Road 361-571-7525

PORT LAVACA Gateway RV Park 1620 W. Main 361-552-1388

Lavaca Bay RV Park 1818 Broadway 361-552-4814 See Ad On Page 53

361-552-6814 Monday-Thursday: 8-5:30

621 N. Virginia Street, Port Lavaca

DEEP TEXAS ROOTS

History by the Bottle

Lonestar RV Park 1334 Broadway 361-553-7808

OLIVIA Keller Bay RV Park 361-893-5801

PORT O’CONNOR 2RV Park 1402 Harrison 361-983-4688

Lighthouse Beach and Bird Sanctuary 700 Lighthouse Beach Drive 361-552-5311 See Ad On Page 13 Sandollar RV Park 1103 Broadway Street 361-552-5150

Texas Lakeside RV Park 2499 W. Austin St. 361-551-2267 See Ad On Page 47 LaSalle’s Landing RV Park 2699 W. Adams Ave. 361-983-4854 Port O’Connor RV Park 110 Steve St. 361-983-2484

SEADRIFT

A Texas Coastal Vineyard and Winery on the Lavaca River

Bayou Bridge RV Park 211 E. Broadway 361-649-1060

Beacon 7 RV Park West Bay Avenue 361-785-2717

Award-winning, unique, traditional, and rare wines produced on site from state, local, Texas and American grapes and fruit

Beacon 44 RV Park Harrison and Druscilla 361-983-4247

Coastal Bend Motel & RV Park 201 N. Hwy. 185 361-785-4982

Dolphins of the Bay RV Park 112 S. 16th Street 361-983-4802

Lost Pelican RV Ranch 107 E. Broadway 210-262-3991

Friday/Saturday 10-6, Thursday/Sunday 2-6 Also by appointment 361-874-4663 (GOOD) 172 Private Road 4261, Frels Landing, Lolita lavacabluffs.com, facebook

46

Powderhorn RV Park Indiana Beach 361-552-7481

Oceanside RV Park 1162 Ocean Dr. North, 361-564-0055

Rhonda Nielsen, DDS

LAVACA BLUFFS

Waterfront RV 94 Bayfront Lane 855-44-1116 See Ad On Page 62

Calhoun County Life • Fall 2016

Breezy Palms Cottages & RV Park The Fishing Center 101 E. Bay Ave. Intracoastal Canal 361-550-6069 361-983-4440 For information on how to have your park included in a future publication, email us at rvlisting@plwave.com

The Greenhouse Your Complete Floral Designers

Fresh Flowers ✿ Plants ✿ Balloons ✿ Silk Flowers ✿ Weddings & Parties ✿ Funeral Designs ✿

“Your Extra Touch Florist for over 40 Years” 704 N. Virginia, Port Lavaca, TX 552-9758 • 552-4202

The PanTry Daily Lunch Specials

702 N. Virginia, Port Lavaca, TX 552-1679

Taqueria La Finca

SPECIALS EVERYDAY Breakfast Lunch Dinner Drive Thru

NOW SERVING BEER

Mon. - Thurs. 5 - 9 • Fri. & Sat. 5 - 10 • Sunday 6 - 9

2640 W. Main, Port Lavaca, TX • 361-552-6515 Calhoun County Life • Fall 2016

47

Stocks. Bonds. CDs. IRAs. Mutual Funds. Insurance.

401K Rollover. Education Savings.

Brenda Christensen AAMS® Financial Advisor

106 S Commerce St., Ste. 3 Port Lavaca, TX 77979

361-552-6846

HATCH BEND COUNTRY CLUB HOMECOOKING ✓ Steak ✓ Bakery ✓ Desert ✓ Family Dining

• Ding Dongs • Steaks • Salad Bar • Seafood • Chicken & Dumplings www.txtraditions.com

234 E. Main •Port Lavaca, Tx 361-553-5555 Mon-Wed: 11-2 & 5-8:30 • Thurs-Fri: 11-2 & 5-9 Sat: 11-9 & Sun: Closed

48

Calhoun County Life • Fall 2016

Open to the Public Greens fee play welcome!

Wednesday Buffet 6:30 - 8:30 p.m.

579 Meadowview Lane, Port Lavaca, TX. 77979

361-552-3037

LAVACA BLUFFS DEEP TEXAS ROOTS

History by the Bottle A Texas Coastal Vineyard and Winery on the Lavaca River Award-winning, unique, traditional, and rare wines produced on site from state, local, Texas and American grapes and fruit

Friday/Saturday 10-6, Thursday/Sunday 2-6 Also by appointment 361-874-4663 (GOOD) 172 Private Road 4261, Frels Landing, Lolita lavacabluffs.com, facebook

Calhoun County Life • Fall 2016

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A helpful checklist for birders COMPILED BY BRUSH FREEMAN

PHOTO BY BILL HARVEY

KEY R=Rare P=Pelagic/Offshore H=Hypothetical

E=Extirpated/Extinct I=Introduced or Exotic

___ Black-bellied Whistling-Duck ___ Fulvous Whistling-Duck ___ Greater White-fronted Goose ___ Snow Goose ___ Ross’s Goose ___ Cackling Goose ___ Canada Goose ___ Trumpeter Swan (E) ___ Tundra Swan (R) ___ Wood Duck ___ Gadwall ___ Mallard ___ Mottled Duck ___ American Black Duck (R) ___ Blue-winged Teal ___ Cinnamon Teal ___ Northern Shoveler ___ Northern Pintail ___ Green-winged Teal ___ Canvasback ___ Redhead ___ Ring-necked Duck ___ Greater Scaup ___ Lesser Scaup ___ Surf Scoter ___ White-winged Scoter (R) ___ Black Scoter ___ Harlequin Duck (R) Jan. 29, 1945; Aransas NWR (likely mislabeled to Aransas Co.) ___ Long-tailed Duck (R) ___ Bufflehead ___ Common Goldeneye ___ Hooded Merganser ___ Common Merganser (R) Dec. 23, 1992 ___ Red-breasted Merganser ___ Masked Duck (R) ___ Ruddy Duck ___ Northern Bobwhite ___ Greater Prairie-Chicken (E) ___ Ring-necked Pheasant (RI) ___ Wild Turkey ___ Red-throated Loon (R) Dec. 19, 2004; Port O’Connor ___ Pacific Loon ___ Common Loon ___ Least Grebe ___ Pied-billed Grebe ___ Horned Grebe ___ Red-necked Grebe (R) ___ Eared Grebe ___ Western Grebe (R)

50

Calhoun County Life • Fall 2016

Just as Calhoun County attracts visitors from all over, it also hosts a variety of avian species. The bird watching opportunities are sure to please even the most experienced wildlife seekers.

There are several options for those interested in watching the wildlife. Visit the Port Lavaca Lighthouse Beach and Bird Sanctuary, Magnolia Beach or even Matagorda Island State Park.

According to Brush Freeman, coauthor of The Texas Ornithological Society Handbook of Texas Birds, 429 species have been recorded in the county or

___ American Flamingo (R) ___ Black-capped Petrel (PR) ___ Cory’s Shearwater (P) ___ Great Shearwater (PR) ___ Sooty Shearwater (PR) ___ Audubon’s Shearwater (P) ___ Leach’s Storm-Petrel (P) ___ Band-rumped Storm-Petrel (P) ___ Red-billed Tropicbird (PR) ___ White-tailed Tropicbird (HP) Aug. 6-7,1937; Matagorda Island ___ Wood Stork ___ Magnificent Frigatebird ___ Masked Booby (R) 1st county record June 8,1885; Matagorda Bay ___ Northern Gannet (P) ___ Neotropic Cormorant ___ Double-crested Cormorant ___ Anhinga ___ American White Pelican ___ Brown Pelican ___ American Bittern ___ Least Bittern ___“Great White Heron” (R) A pure white phase of Great Blue Heron ___ Great Blue Heron ___ Great Egret ___ Snowy Egret ___ Little Blue Heron ___ Tricolored Heron ___ Reddish Egret ___ Cattle Egret ___ Green Heron ___ Black-crowned Night-Heron ___ Yellow-crowned Night-Heron ___ White Ibis ___ Glossy Ibis ___ White-faced Ibis ___ Roseate Spoonbill ___ Black Vulture ___ Turkey Vulture ___ Osprey ___ Swallow-tailed Kite ___ White-tailed Kite ___ Mississippi Kite ___ Bald Eagle ___ Northern Harrier ___ Sharp-shinned Hawk ___ Cooper’s Hawk ___ Northern Goshawk (R) Pre-1978 record; one in Port O’Connor 2009 reported

the counties’ offshore waters, although many of those were single occurrences, or once in a lifetime finds, that will likely not be repeated any time soon.

Some of the more popular birds in the area include roseate Spoonbills, reddish egrets, white-tailed hawks and whooping cranes. Use the list below to see what species you can find during your stay in Calhoun County. Special thanks to Brush Freeman for his help with the following listing of bird species that have been previously spotted in Calhoun County.

___ Harris’s Hawk ___ Red-shouldered Hawk ___ Broad-winged Hawk ___ Swainson’s Hawk ___ White-tailed Hawk ___ Zone-tailed Hawk (R) ___ Red-tailed Hawk ___ Ferruginous Hawk (R) ___ Rough-legged Hawk (R) ___ Golden Eagle (R) Jan. 16, 1993; Mar. 3, 2000 ___ Crested Caracara ___ American Kestrel ___ Merlin ___ Aplomado Falcon (I) ___ Peregrine Falcon ___ Prairie Falcon ___ Yellow Rail ___ Black Rail ___ Clapper Rail ___ King Rail ___ Virginia Rail ___ Sora ___ Purple Gallinule ___ Common Gallinule ___ American Coot ___ Sandhill Crane ___ Whooping Crane ___ Black-bellied Plover ___ American Golden-Plover ___ Pacific Golden-Plover (H) ___ Snowy Plover ___ Wilson’s Plover ___ Semipalmated Plover ___ Piping Plover ___ Killdeer ___ Mountain Plover (R) ___ American Oystercatcher ___ Black-necked Stilt ___ American Avocet ___ Northern Jacana (R) Dec. 10, 1992-April 22, 1993 ___ Spotted Sandpiper ___ Solitary Sandpiper ___ Greater Yellowlegs ___ Willet ___ Lesser Yellowlegs ___ Upland Sandpiper ___ Eskimo Curlew (E) ___ Whimbrel ___ Long-billed Curlew ___ Hudsonian Godwit ___ Marbled Godwit

___ Ruddy Turnstone ___ Red Knot ___ Sanderling ___ Semipalmated Sandpiper ___ Western Sandpiper ___ Least Sandpiper ___ White-rumped Sandpiper ___ Baird’s Sandpiper ___ Pectoral Sandpiper ___ Purple Sandpiper (R) ___ Dunlin ___ Stilt Sandpiper ___ Buff-breasted Sandpiper ___ Ruff (R) ___ Short-billed Dowitcher ___ Long-billed Dowitcher ___ Wilson’s Snipe ___ American Woodcock ___ Wilson’s Phalarope ___ Red-necked Phalarope (R) ___ Black-legged Kittiwake (R) ___ Sabine’s Gull (R) ___ Bonaparte’s Gull ___ Laughing Gull ___ Franklin’s Gull ___ Mew Gull (R) Mar. 4, 2005; Magnolia Beach ___ Ring-billed Gull ___ California Gull (R) ___ Herring Gull ___ Thayer’s Gull (R) ___ Lesser Black-backed Gull ___ Glaucous Gull (R) ___ Great Black-backed Gull (R) ___ Sooty Tern (R) ___ Bridled Tern (P) ___ Least Tern (P) ___ Gull-billed Tern ___ Caspian Tern ___ Black Tern ___ Common Tern ___ Arctic Tern (PR) Sept. 21, 1996 ___ Roseate Tern (R) Mar. 15, 1998 ___ Forster’s Tern ___ Royal Tern ___ Sandwich Tern ___ Black Skimmer ___ Pomarine Jaeger (P) ___ Parasitic Jaeger (P) ___ Long-tailed Jaeger (PR) ___ Rock Pigeon ___ Eurasian Collared-Dove ___ White-winged Dove ___ Mourning Dove ___ Passenger Pigeon (?E) ___ Inca Dove ___ Common Ground-Dove ___ White-tipped Dove (R) ___ Monk Parakeet (RI) ___ Yellow-billed Cuckoo ___ Mangrove Cuckoo (R) ___ Black-billed Cuckoo ___ Greater Roadrunner ___ Groove-billed Ani ___ Barn Owl ___ Flammulated Owl (R) ___ Eastern Screech-Owl ___ Great Horned Owl ___ Burrowing Owl ___ Barred Owl ___ Long-eared Owl (R) ___ Short-eared Owl ___ Lesser Nighthawk ___ Common Nighthawk ___ Common Pauraque

___ Common Poorwill (R) ___ Chuck-will’s-widow ___ Eastern Whip-poor-will ___ White-collared Swift (R) ___ Chimney Swift ___ Vaux’s Swift (R) Dec. 20, 2010; Port O’Connor ___ Black Swift (R) Apr. 11, 2006; Port O’Connor ___ Broad-billed Hummingbird (R) Dec. 5, 2010; Six Mile ___ Buff-bellied Hummingbird ___ Blue-throated Hummingbird (R) near Seadrift ___ Ruby-throated Hummingbird ___ Black-chinned Hummingbird ___ Anna’s Hummingbird ___ Costa’s Hummingbird (R) ___ Calliope Hummingbird (R) ___ Broad-tailed Hummingbird ___ Rufous Hummingbird ___ Allen’s Hummingbird (R) ___ Ringed Kingfisher (R) ___ Belted Kingfisher ___ Green Kingfisher ___ Red-headed Woodpecker (R) ___ Acorn Woodpecker (R) ___ Golden-fronted Woodpecker (R) ___ Red-bellied Woodpecker ___ Yellow-bellied Sapsucker ___ Red-naped Sapsucker (R) ___ Ladder-backed Woodpecker ___ Downy Woodpecker ___ Northern Flicker ___ Pileated Woodpecker ___ Northern Beardless-Tyrannulet (R) ___ Olive-sided Flycatcher ___ Eastern Wood-Pewee ___ Western Wood-Pewee (R) Sept. 24, 2000; offshore oil rig ___ Yellow-bellied Flycatcher ___ Acadian Flycatcher ___ Alder Flycatcher ___ Willow Flycatcher ___ Least Flycatcher ___ Cordilleran Flycatcher (R) ___ Black Phoebe (R) ___ Eastern Phoebe ___ Say’s Phoebe ___ Vermilion Flycatcher ___ Ash-throated Flycatcher ___ Great Crested Flycatcher ___ Brown-crested Flycatcher ___ Great Kiskadee ___ Couch’s Kingbird ___ Western Kingbird ___ Eastern Kingbird ___ Gray Kingbird (R) ___ Scissor-tailed Flycatcher ___ Loggerhead Shrike ___ White-eyed Vireo ___ Bell’s Vireo ___ Yellow-throated Vireo ___ Plumbeous Vireo (R) ___ Cassin’s Vireo (R) ___ Blue-headed Vireo ___ Warbling Vireo ___ Philadelphia Vireo ___ Red-eyed Vireo ___ Yellow-green Vireo (R) ___ Green Jay ___ Blue Jay ___ American Crow ___ Chihuahuan Raven (R) ___ Horned Lark ___ Purple Martin

___ Tree Swallow ___ Violet-green Swallow (RH) ___ Northern Rough-winged Swallow ___ Bank Swallow ___ Cliff Swallow ___ Cave Swallow ___ Barn Swallow ___ Carolina Chickadee ___ Tufted Titmouse ___ Black-crested Titmouse (R) ___ Verdin (R) ___ Red-breasted Nuthatch ___ Brown Creeper ___ Cactus Wren (R) May 11, 2004; Port O’Connor ___ Rock Wren (R) ___ Carolina Wren ___ Bewick’s Wren ___ House Wren ___ Winter Wren ___ Sedge Wren ___ Marsh Wren ___ Blue-gray Gnatcatcher ___ Golden-crowned Kinglet ___ Ruby-crowned Kinglet ___ Eastern Bluebird ___ Mountain Bluebird (R) ___ Veery ___ Gray-cheeked Thrush ___ Swainson’s Thrush ___ Hermit Thrush ___ Wood Thrush ___ American Robin ___ Gray Catbird ___ Northern Mockingbird ___ Brown Thrasher ___ Long-billed Thrasher ___ Curve-billed Thrasher ___ European Starling (I) ___ American Pipit ___ Sprague’s Pipit ___ Cedar Waxwing ___ Lapland Longspur (R) ___ Chestnut-collared Longspur ___ Smith’s Longspur (R) ___ McCown’s Longspur (R) ___ Ovenbird ___ Worm-eating Warbler ___ Louisiana Waterthrush ___ Northern Waterthrush ___ Golden-winged Warbler ___ Blue-winged Warbler ___ Black-and-white Warbler ___ Prothonotary Warbler ___ Swainson’s Warbler ___ Tennessee Warbler ___ Orange-crowned Warbler ___ Nashville Warbler ___ Virginia’s Warbler (R) Oct. 10, 1999 ___ MacGillivray’s Warbler (R) May 11, 2006; Port O’Connor ___ Mourning Warbler ___ Kentucky Warbler ___ Common Yellowthroat ___ Hooded Warbler ___ American Redstart ___ Cape May Warbler (R) ___ Cerulean Warbler ___ Northern Parula ___ Tropical Parula (R) ___ Magnolia Warbler ___ Bay-breasted Warbler ___ Blackburnian Warbler ___ Yellow Warbler ___ Chestnut-sided Warbler ___ Blackpoll Warbler

___ Black-throated Blue Warbler (R) ___ Palm Warbler ___ Pine Warbler ___ Yellow-rumped Warbler ___ Yellow-throated Warbler ___ Prairie Warbler ___ Black-throated Gray Warbler (R) ___ Townsend’s Warbler (R) ___ Black-throated Green Warbler ___ Canada Warbler ___ Wilson’s Warbler ___ Red-faced Warbler (R) ___ Yellow-breasted Chat ___ White-collared Seedeater (R) ___ Olive Sparrow ___ Green-tailed Towhee (R) ___ Spotted Towhee ___ Eastern Towhee ___ Cassin’s Sparrow ___ Chipping Sparrow ___ Brewer’s Sparrow (R) ___ Clay-colored Sparrow ___ Field Sparrow ___ Vesper Sparrow ___ Lark Sparrow ___ Black-throated Sparrow (R) ___ Lark Bunting (R) ___ Savannah Sparrow ___ Grasshopper Sparrow ___ Henslow’s Sparrow (R) ___ Le Conte’s Sparrow ___ Nelson’s Sparrow ___ Seaside Sparrow ___ Fox Sparrow (R) ___ Song Sparrow ___ Lincoln’s Sparrow ___ Swamp Sparrow ___ White-throated Sparrow ___ Harris’s Sparrow ___ White-crowned Sparrow ___ Dark-eyed Junco ___ Summer Tanager ___ Scarlet Tanager ___ Western Tanager ___ Northern Cardinal ___ Pyrrhuloxia ___ Rose-breasted Grosbeak ___ Black-headed Grosbeak (R) ___ Blue Grosbeak ___ Lazuli Bunting (R) ___ Indigo Bunting ___ Varied Bunting (R) Apr. 27, 1999; Port O’Connor ___ Painted Bunting ___ Dickcissel ___ Bobolink ___ Red-winged Blackbird ___ Eastern Meadowlark ___ Western Meadowlark ___ Yellow-headed Blackbird ___ Rusty Blackbird (R) ___ Brewer’s Blackbird ___ Common Grackle ___ Boat-tailed Grackle ___ Great-tailed Grackle ___ Shiny Cowbird (R) ___ Bronzed Cowbird ___ Brown-headed Cowbird ___ Orchard Oriole ___ Hooded Oriole (R) ___ Bullock’s Oriole ___ Baltimore Oriole ___ House Finch ___ Pine Siskin ___ Lesser Goldfinch ___ American Goldfinch ___ House Sparrow (I) ___ Nutmeg Mannikin (I)

Calhoun County Life • Fall 2016

51

Where Caring Is Our Calling!

ATTENTION

Medicare Card Holders

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If you qualify*, the first 20 days of your stay with us are

COVERED 100%

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361-552-0032

BEER-GIFTS-WINE

Island Liquor & Gifts 11th & Adams (Hwy. 185) in Port O’Connor • 361-983-2747

BAKER’S LIQUOR 1300 W. Main Port Lavaca 361-552-2866

UNDER MEDICARE PART A.

*Resident Must Meet Medicare Part A Eligibility Guidelines.

Our main goal is to assist in achieving the highest level of functioning, while providing a comfortable environment in which to recover from illness, injury or infections

Roberts, Roberts, Odefey & Witte, LLP Attorneys at Law

WE OFFER:

• Physical Therapy • Occupational Therapy • Speech Therapy • Palliative Care

• Respite Care • IV Therapy • Wound Care • Secured Unit

We accept Medicare, Medicaid, Private Pay, Private Insurance, and V.A.

Stop by for a tour!

Contact Admissions Director Samantha Bell at 361-649-5400 or Admission Coordinator Jackie Strickland at 361-649-1174.

www.regencyhealthcare.com 524 Village Road, Port Lavaca, TX 77979

361-552-3741

52

Calhoun County Life • Fall 2016

Wanda Roberts – David Roberts – Sandra Witte Anne Marie Odefey – Carly Wall 2206 State Highway 35 N Post Office Box 9, Port Lavaca, Texas 77979 361-552-2971 • www.portlavacalaw.com

TWIN DOLPHINS Cinemas

152 N. Hwy. 35, Port Lavaca • 361-552-6764

HOMECOOKING ✓ Steak ✓ Bakery ✓ Desert ✓ Family Dining

• Ding Dongs • Steaks • Salad Bar • Seafood • Chicken & Dumplings www.txtraditions.com

234 E. Main •Port Lavaca, Tx 361-553-5555 Mon-Wed: 11-2 & 5-8:30 • Thurs-Fri: 11-2 & 5-9 Sat: 11-9 & Sun: Closed

NOW PLAYING REAL D 3-D MOVIES! ALL DIGITAL CINEMA SHOWTIMES:

FRIDAY, 7 PM & 9 PM • SUNDAY, 2 PM & 7 PM SATURDAY, 2 PM, 7 PM & 9PM • MONDAY – THURSDAY, 7 PM ADDITIONAL SUMMER MATINEE TIMES MONDAY – FRIDAY, 2 PM

Leslie Pfeil Insurance Agency, Inc. pfeilinsurance@gmail.com www.pfeilinsurance.com

Home • Health • Auto • Cycle • Boat • Travel Trailers • Life 152 N. Hwy 35 • Port Lavaca (located inside Twin Dolphins Movie Theater building)

Office Hours Mon.-Thurs. 9-4 552-9403

Lavaca Bay R.V. Park For Your Convenience We Offer: e

com l e W to

h Large Pull Thru Spaces h Laundry Room h Lighted Park h Walk to Fishing Pier, Playground & Public Pool h Overlooking the Alcoa Bird Sanctuary h Free High Speed Wireless Internet h Full Hook Ups

h Recreation Room h Showers, Hot & Cold h Flush Toilets h Boat Ramp Nearby & Bait Stand h Pets on Leash h Open Year Round h A Bay View

www.LavacaBayRVPark.com

We accept credit cards

361-552-4814

1818 Broadway Port Lavaca, Texas 77979 Calhoun County Life • Fall 2016

53

Cleve Calagna navigates through a new app called Discover Port Lavaca. Information for the City of Port Lavaca and Calhoun County is available through the app, which can be downloaded at no charge.

(KAYLA MEYER/WAVE PHOTO)

N

DISCOVER PORT LAVACA WITH NEW APP

early everything anyone could want to know about the City of Port Lavaca and Calhoun County can now be found all in one place.

An app, called Discover Port Lavaca, is now available for most smartphone users wanting to learn all about the quaint bayside community.

“Just about everything Port Lavaca and Calhoun County can be located in the app. You can find a restaurant, pay your water bill, find a doctor, keep up with the latest news and find a calendar of events that brings all the happenings in the community together,” Tania French, editor and publisher of The Port Lavaca Wave newspaper, said.

The app, which is powered by The Port Lavaca Wave, is an inclusive director of information for Port Lavaca and Calhoun County.

“One community, one stop, and it is just a click away,” French said. “Visitors and longtime residents will find the app helpful.

You can find just about anything all in one place.”

The opening screen on the app is bright and colorful, inviting the user to discover the small bayside community.

Twelve buttons on the main screen of the app gives users an array of options for learning about Port Lavaca. Users can check out the latest news and sports, learn about medical services provided in the community along with city and county governments, where to eat and shop and about special events happening.

Under the “Education” button, newcomers to Calhoun County can learn about the educational opportunities

54

Calhoun County Life • Fall 2016

provided in the area, and parents with students already enrolled can stay informed with district news and other happenings at the various campuses.

Perhaps one of the most useful buttons for visitors and residents is the “Community Calendar” button. A tap on the button takes you to a color-coded calendar giving the user a quick glance at the events happening throughout the community at a given time.

In September and October, calendar entries include high school sporting events, festivals and city and county government meetings.

Another button that gives users a snapshot of amenities available is “Local Info”. Users can easily find information they seek, whether it is for fun in the sun, a place to escape the South Texas heat, quick facts about the community or ways to become involved.

The app is named for and primarily covers the city of Port Lavaca, but other areas of the county are included in the app.

A tap on the “County” button gives options to check out other chambers of commerce in the community while browsing “Local Info” shows churches, libraries, real estate agents and other services available in Calhoun County.

Users can denote favorites in the app by click a star. In the home screen, tapping the star at the bottom of the page brings up a listing of the favorites.

To the left of the star on the home screen sits a postcard icon. Users can take a new photo or upload one of their existing photos to create a digital postcard, which can be shared on social media or simply saved to the device’s photo storage. Users can choose

from a variety of Port Lavaca scenes for the background on their postcard and include a personalized message next to the photo.

Making of an app Although the app became available late this summer, it has been under development since the beginning of the year.

“This was about an eight-month process. We partnered with a development company to bring our vision to life, but there were a lot of moving parts,” French said. “Our team wanted to create a dynamic user-friendly interface and I think they have achieved that goal.”

The app is available for free through the Apple App Store for iPhones and iPads and through the Google Play Store for Android devices. To find the app in either store, users can search the name of the app, Discover Port Lavaca.

Businesses in Calhoun County and Port Lavaca get a basic listing at no charge, but enhanced listings are available, French said.

“All they have to do is call us,” French said about businesses upgrading their listing.

French also encouraged users with ideas of how to improve the app contact her.

French can be reached at 361-552-9788.

“We will constantly be looking to upgrade and improve. Please feel free to send me your thoughts of enhancements we should consider in future builds,” French said.

Discover Port Lavaca, French added, is a handy tool to have at city and county information at users’ fingertips.

“Where else can you find everything about the community all in one place?” she said.

Where To Worship Worship: 10:50 a.m.

Sunday night: 6 p.m.

Wednesday night: 6:30 p.m.

Pastor: Senior Pastor Ken Bolton

POINT COMFORT ST. ANN CATHOLIC CHURCH 700 Lamar St. 361-552-6140 Mass: Sunday: 10:30 a.m.

Wednesday: 9 a.m.

Pastor: The Rev. Tommy Chen Associate Pastor: The Rev. Antonio Perez

FIRST BAPTIST CHURCH 902 Calhoun St. 361-552-2931 Services: Sundays: 10:15 a.m. & 6 p.m.

Bible Study For All Ages: Sundays at 9 a.m. & Wednesdays at 6:30 p.m.

ST. MARK’S LUTHERAN CHURCH 83 Milam St. 361-893-5424 Services: Sunday Worship: 8:30 a.m.

Pastor: Jim Gicklhorn

INDIANOLA AREA FIRST BAPTIST CHURCH OF INDIANOLA 617 FM 2760

PORT LAVACA ALAMO HEIGHTS BAPTIST CHURCH 110 Trinity Shores 361-552-2532 www.ahbcportlavaca.org Sunday morning: Bible study 9:45 a.m.

FIRST UNITED METHODIST CHURCH 814 N. San Antonio 361-552-7434 or 361-552-2805 www.plfumc.org Services: Sunday Morning: 8:30 a.m.: Traditional 9:39 a.m.: Contemporary 10:50: Traditional 9:40 a.m.: Sunday School For All Ages

OUR LADY OF THE GULF CATHOLIC CHURCH 415 W. Austin St. 361-552-6140 Mass: Monday - Friday: 8:05 a.m.

Saturday: 5:30 p.m.

Sunday: 8 & 10 a.m.

Sunday: Noon in Spanish Pastor: The Rev. Tommy Chen Associate Pastor: The Rev. Antonio Perez SIX MILE ASSEMBLY OF GOD 5 miles north of Port Lavaca on FM 1090 361-552-5714 Sundays: Spanish: 9:15 a.m.

Sunday School: 9:30 a.m.

Puppets for kids: 10:30 a.m.

Sunday Worship: 10:30 a.m.

Children’s Church: 11:15 a.m.

Sunday Evening Worship: 6:00 p.m.

Fellowship meal & Birthday celebration first Sunday of each month, immediately after morning worship (Everyone brings something) Wednesdays:

Meal: 7 p.m.

Adult Discipleship training: 7:30 p.m.

Praise & Prayer: 7:30 p.m.

Youth Service: 7:30 p.m.

Bible Training For Children: 7:30 p.m.

Pastors: Johnny & Bonnie Kisiah

Port O’Connor

ST. JOSEPH CATHOLIC CHURCH 101 N. Washington 361-552-6140 Mass: Saturday: 7 p.m.

Tuesday: 5:30 pm.

Pastor: The Rev. Tommy Chen Associate Pastor: The Rev. Antonio Perez

SEADRIFT ST. PATRICK CATHOLIC CHURCH 310 W. Cleveland St. 361-552-6140 Mass: Sunday: 8:30 a.m.

Thursday: 9 a.m.

Saturday: 7 p.m. in Vietnamese Pastor: The Rev. Tommy Chen Associate Pastor: The Rev. Antonio Perez

Come visit us at our new office at 602 N. Virginia Front: Lindsey Smith, Realtor® Veronica McCants, Broker Owner Cissy Sullivan, Realtor® Back: Sarah Korczynski, Broker Owner Rita Boudreaux, Realtor®, Licensed Office Manager Dallas Franklin, Realtor®, Broker Associate Susan Davis, Realtor® Marolyn Cummins, Realtor®

RE/MAX

PortLavacaRealEstate.net Each office independently owned and operated.

361-552-5200

Land & Homes on the Bay 602 N. Virginia, Port Lavaca

The Hometown Experts with a World of Experience® Calhoun County Life • Fall 2016

55

A TRIP TO SEADRIFT’S PAST

HISTORICAL MARKER TOUR GIVES INSIGHTS TO SEADRIFT’S ORIGINS

Two historical markers at Seadrift’s bayfront highlight two of the city’s notable landmarks, A.D. Powers Park, established in 1911, and the pavilion and bathhouse, that stood in the bayfront area until 1932. (KAYLA MEYER/WAVE PHOTO)

A

trip on the Seadrift Historical Tour is one of nostalgia for Janie Waghorne.

On a warm sunny Tuesday afternoon in October, Waghorne meandered in and around the small bayside town in her SUV. As she drove along Bay Avenue, the setting sunlight glistened off San Antonio Bay, shrimp boats trawling in after a day on the water.

Right at the street, with swing sets and playground toys a few steps away, Waghorne stopped and read two signs that jutted into the air. One was a black and silver sign that resembles a state historical marker telling about two landmarks in Seadrift. The other, a light blue sign with black lettering, denoted the significance of

56

Calhoun County Life • Fall 2016

the park, named A.D. Powers Park. Both signs are part of a historical marker tour in Seadrift and were installed for the city’s centennial celebration in 2012.

“This used to not have a seawall, and after (Hurricane) Carla, a really bad storm in 1961, a category five, it just about wiped Seadrift, Port O’Connor and Port Lavaca off the map—it did lots and lots of damage— that’s when they put in the seawall. It’s really nice. We have a very nice bayfront, I think, lots of birds, lots of fishermen,” Waghorne said. “Big fishermen love to come to Seadrift.”

Indeed, it was fishing that brought her father’s family to Seadrift when he was about 5 years old in the mid 1910s. The family lived across the bay near today’s

Aransas National Wildlife Refuge.

“There was no road from Fulton to Seadrift at the time, and everybody sailed, and he sailed across the bay to move to Seadrift. I think they moved to fish. That’s what they were, fishermen,” Waghorne said.

Her mother’s family moved to Seadrift a few years later, when her mother was about 10 years old, for another economy staple—farming.

“They had heard about all this wonderful things about Texas and farming, so that’s what drew them to Texas,” Waghorne said.

Waghorne was one of three girls and a brother who grew up in quiet town.

Waghorne’s father, Bill Sanders, was a shrimper, and occasionally, Waghorne and her sisters would head out on the boat with him.

A map depicts the various stops on the Seadrift Historical Marker tour.

Seadrift HiStorical tour * Indicates cast metal markers and all others are blue 1. *City of Seadrift - S. Hwy. 185, adjacent to the Seaport Bank Seadrift dates from 1840 when German settlers from Indianola settled the Seadrift area.

Seadrift was connected to the St. Louis, Brownsville, and Mexico Railway in 1910 with large shipments of oysters and fish going out daily. In 1912 A.D. Powers founded the Seadrift Townsite Company, and the city was incorporated that December.

2. *Seadrift Depot - 201 S. Main Seadrift Depot originally located where the First National Bank is today. Built 1906-1907 when the St. Louis, Brownsville, & Mexican Railroad, a part of the Frisco lines, ran the railroad through Seadrift with a branch extending into San Antonio Bay on a wharf. Depot moved to its current location and is being remodeled for a museum and visitor center.

3. *First Bank of Seadrift - 320 S. Main Constructed in 1910-11 of masonry and believed to be the First Bank of Seadrift. Ad in 1912 Seadrift Success newspaper listed A.D. Powers as president. Another bank, Seadrift State Bank was located directly across the street. Seadrift’s three banks went broke during the Depression.

4. Seadrift Jail - turn left on Houston and go 1 block to 104 E. Houston One of the first acts of business in Dec. 1912 by the Seadrift City Council and Mayor W.G. Stewart was to have a “calaboose” It was erected of wood and replaced in 1914 with the present building.

5. Ryon Drug Store - 406 S. Main Doctor F.M. Ryon ran the drugstore and pharmacy located in the front of the building, and Doctor O.H. Ryon (known as Seadrift’s doctor) had his office in the rear of the building. The Post Office was also located in the front for a short period.

6. *Seadrift Harbor - end of S. Main, proceed to end of harbor (Seadrift Seafood Processing on right) This area was originally known by several names and used by settlers. Railroad and construction of a rail wharf started growth that resulted in dredging of channels and harbor. The dredged material or “spoil” was used to build up the Main Street side of the harbor. Seafood, agricultural produce, and cotton was shipped in and out by barge and railcar. State ownership of the harbor was given to the City of Seadrift in 1961 and is now known as Seadrift Municipal Harbor.

7. *Pavilion Site - 303 and 305 West Bay Ave. A pier was constructed out in the bay with a bath house at the end of it around 1912-1913. After storm damage, Seadrift’s public school building was relocated to the bay front, and reconstructed into a pavilion in 1916. The Pavilion was used for public gatherings and celebrations, as well as offices for the City of Seadrift. 1929 storm severely eroded shoreline and damaged the structure. Lumber was salvaged, bought and removed to Welder Ranch for a pier.

8. Hotel Lafitte Site - 302 West Bay Ave. The Hotel Lafitte, built about 1910 was a Seadrift landmark. It was owned and operated by L.J. Riemenschneider, and later bought in 1920 by Rev. John and Roberta Dierlam. Azile Dierlam, their daughter, then owned and operated it until 1976. Owned by Les and Dollie Sanders and used as a pre-school. Weyman and Frances Harding restored it and operated a bed and breakfast business. Damaged by fire in 2005 and moved to Victoria, restored and renamed the Spirit Inn. 9. McIntire- Alice Hawes Home - 308 W. Bay Ave. Built around 1911-12. Originally owned by J. H. McIntire who owned one of the first grocery stores in Seadrift. It was also used as a boarding house run by Miss Alice Hawes for many years.

10. Albert and Avis Hawes-McFaddin-Stoddard Home - 408 Bay Ave. Built 1924-25 for Albert and Avis Hawes. Purchased by McFaddin family in 1972-73. Sold to Carl and Marge Stoddard in 1993 who are the present owners.

11. Earle Nelson Home - 604 S. Third Street Built about 1909-10 and owned by G.P. Hardy. In 1919 Earle and Essie V. Nelson came to Seadrift and bought the home. It remained in the Nelson family until their daughter, Alleen Nelson Thrower died in 2007 at the age of 93. Presently owned by their relatives.

Many of the historic sites and locations were part of Waghorne’s childhood and adolescence. Waghorne recalled wistfully Hotel Lafitte, a grand white structure she used as her north star guiding her home from the water.

Hotel Lafitte, number eight on the historical marker tour, was built in 1910. It passed through the hands of several owners, before a fire significantly damaged it in 2005. Although the structure no longer sits on San Antonio Bay, it still exists. It was restored and moved to the Victoria area and was renamed Spirit Inn. “It was gorgeous. We used to use it when we were out on the bay because it was such a large structure. There were three of us girls. I had three older siblings—and then

12. Richard Walton Home - 206 W. Washington Street Constructed by Mr. Walton in 1912-1913 as a boarding house. It is owned by Elmer and Tanya DeForest and still in use as an apartment building.

13. Frick - Cunningham - Haynie Home - 302 W. Baltimore Constructed in approximately 1911. Owned by John J. Frick, Sr. who surveyed and was SecTreas, for the Seadrift Townsite Co. Home owned by Cole family 1924-1926 and McCallister family 1926-1927. The Cunningham family has owned the home since 1927 and it is presently owned by great- grandson Rayburn Haynie and wife, Alene.

14. Bindewald Ranch and Cemetery - W. Broadway to the end, past Seadrift School Rudolph Fredrick Bindewald arrived in Indianola in 1845, married Catherine Dierlam, and bought land in this area.They had one son, Rudolph, who married Emma deCloudt of Long Mott, and they established a home here in 1875. They also had a residence in Victoria, so their seven children could go to school there. A cemetery is located at the back of the property overlooking San Antonio Bay. Many of the earliest settlers were buried here, and the names include Bindewald, Dierlam,Leibold, DeCloudt, Brown, Roemer. Past hurricanes have destroyed many of the graves.

15. Old Settlement - Hwy. 185 E, take Rt. on Dierlam Rd., first L on Old Settlement, sign on left The Republic of Texas offered generous land policies to immigrants who came to Indianola in the 1840’s. Many of these German settlers bought land in the surrounding area known as Lower Mott. This area of Lower Mott where the majority settled is also referred to as Old Settlement.

16. Walter Dierlam Farm - 165 Old Settlement Rd. Initially founded in 1892 by Walter Dierlam,a German migrant, who purchased 59.7 acres of land from Tomas O’Connor. Farm had peach orchards, grapes, sweet potatoes, watermelons, and cattle. Margret, Walter’s wife, operated the farm after Walter died. In 1939 the farm passed down to their daughter, Pearl, who married Will Bindewald. Their daughter, Helen, inherited it in 1985, and today it is operated by her son Tommy Stanfill. The farm was recognized in 2000 by the Texas Dept. of Agricultue for having been in continuous agricultural production at the hands of one family for 100 years or more.

17. Stiernberg Cemetery - turn on 328 Finster Lane One of the oldest cemeteries in Calhoun County. Some of the earliest settlers and their descendants are buried here.

18. Old Settlement Post Office - end of Kellie Road The Dan and Aves Brown home was used as a post office for this area in 1907 to 1910. It was moved and John H McIntire was appointed in 1910. There is still a mail slot in the building.

19. Old Settlement School - Seadrift College - Rt side of Old Settlement past Kellie Lane In 1892 Thomas O’Connor of Victoria granted a parcel of land at Lower Mott to Chris Dierlam, Allen Coward, and Ferdinand V. Stiernberg who were the trustees of the Seadrift School community. A school was built on this site and used until 1910.

20. Jim Brown’s Landing - turn R onto Swan Point Rd. and follow to “Y” taking L to Falcon Pt. Ranch Used by the settlers of Lower Mott to ship seafood, market ducks, timber, and agricultural products in and out of the area. Watermelons sold for 1 and 1/2 cents and sweet potatoes for 45 cents a bushel. They were shipped to Corpus Christi, Tivoli, Rockport, and Aransas Pass.

21. Swan Point - end of Swan Pt. Rd. This area had a big cane break and had wild mustang horses that roamed the area. Local families gathered with their children in the evenings to take them bathing. Swan Point’s name came from thousands of wild swans that stayed here. Settlers complained that the noise kept them up at night.

22. Lela Pens - 1.5 miles from Seadrift on State Hwy. 185 E Built in 1907, this red barn was a shipping point for cattle when the railroad was in operation.

It was owned by the John J. Welder Ranch family. ****Please remember that most sites are privately owned and respect private property****

Jim Brown’s Landing, number 20 on the Seadrift Historical Tour, was one of the earliest natural landings for waterway shipping in the area. (KAYLA MEYER/WAVE PHOTO) Calhoun County Life • Fall 2016

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Lela Pens, built in the early 1900s as a railroad stopping point, is the final stop on the Seadrift Historical Tour.

(KAYLA MEYER/WAVE PHOTO)

I have a younger brother—three girls that were right together and we would go shrimp with my dad, and he would say, ‘Take the wheel and head for the hotel,’” Waghorne said. “Wherever we were out in the bay, you could see this white hotel.

You’d just head for the hotel.”

Throughout the town, Hotel Lafitte was more than a guide for fishermen and shrimpers headed back to shore. Throughout it’s history, it was used as a daycare or a bed and breakfast, but Waghorne could not contain her delight as she called Hotel Lafitte the “marrying hotel.”

“All the couples in Seadrift would go because the owner was a Dierlam, and he was a preacher. His wife and him would be the witnesses, and the couples would come and get married at the hotel, and then they would spend the night, and they would have their honeymoon in the hotel,” Waghorne said, laughing.

After couples had said their vows, many grooms, including Waghorne’s own father, was jokingly tossed into Seadrift’s old-fashioned jail, the fourth stop on the historical tour, on his wedding night.

“Seadrift became an incorporated city in 1912 and one of the first things that the newly-elected city council did, they built a calaboose. A calaboose was a jail. It was made out of wood and then they later did a brick one,” Waghorne said. “The original one was actually built in 1912. I have some minutes from the city council that I copied, and somebody made a motion to erect a calaboose, so they did, and it was made out of wood.”

The calaboose, which looks like a small brick building about the size of a single jail cell, sits near Houston Avenue a few blocks from the current city hall building.

“Now when my mother and daddy got married at the hotel—all the young

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Calhoun County Life • Fall 2016

Seadrift Mayor Elmer DeForest shows off the Seadrift Train Depot Museum/Visitors’ Center.

(KAYLA MEYER/WAVE PHOTO)

couples did—well they had what was called a “charivari”. They would lock up the groom.

They would play tricks on them, and they locked them up in that jail. That’s what they would do. They got locked in that jail,” she said laughing. “Then they finally came and let them out. It was funny. I had never heard of that except my mother and dad would talk about it. It was playing jokes.”

Headed out of town, Waghorne drove through an unincorporated area southeast of Seadrift known as Old Settlement. Several markers, both in and outside town, represent families instrumental in the foundation of Seadrift.

One marker, number 18 on the tour, tells about the first post office—a house with a slot for mail—while another represents Seadrift’s first school.

“This area is called the Old Settlement because this is where they lived. This house over here to the right that was Jim Brown and this was the Dan Brown house over here. That house was actually a post office,” Waghorne said, pointing out the different locations. Waghorne emphasized the significance of the railroad to the Seadrift.

The railroad connected many of historical locations and was an important part of the town’s economy.

Once in Seadrift, the railroad made a Y at one point, with one track going to the city harbor area and the other headed eastward. One stop on the eastward track, number 22 on the historical tour, is a rustic red barn built in the early 1900s used as a shipping point for cattle called Lela Pens, on land owned by the John J. Welder Ranch family.

“There was a track that went out into the water to get fish and oysters and whatever at the harbor. The other track went to Port O’Connor. This is where they would load the cows and ship them on the railroads. They had a holding pen out here,” Waghorne said about Lela Pens.

“The railroad was there about 1909, 1910. That’s really what started the town of Seadrift was this railroad, when they developed the railroad, about 1909, 1910,” Waghorne said. “They did it in sections, and so all these little towns grew because of the railroad. They had a way to get in and out, had a way to ship vegetables for the farmers and cattle for the ranchers and then, of course, seafood for the fishermen. That’s why the main thing out here in Seadrift was fishing, farming and ranching. Those were the three big enterprises.”

Throughout her years in Seadrift, Waghorne has seen the industry slowly transform. Once the backbone of the harbor industry, shrimping has become less prominent than other fishing industries. For Waghorne, the historical tour is filled with many memories, but she also recognized the importance of looking to the future. “It certainly is changing,” Waghorne said about Seadrift.

“But you’ve got to adapt.”

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Coastal cliffs on Matagorda Bay are some of the many features at Powderhorn Ranch. (PHOTO BY EARL

NOTTINGHAM OF TEXAS PARKS AND WILDLIFE DEPARTMENT)

NEW PARKS ON THE HORIZON FOR CALHOUN COUNTY Visitors will have two parks to look forward too in the coming years

V

isitors to Calhoun County will have two parks to look forward to in the upcoming years.

In May 2014, the National Park Service announced that Calhoun County was selected to receive assistance from the NPS Rivers, Trails and Conservation Assistance program for the Green Lake project.

With the help of NPS, the county plans to create a park with the purpose to conserve the wildlife habitat and provide recreational activities to the public. The lake itself comprises approximately 5,000 acres while the entire property that the county purchased is about 6,000 acres.

Kenny Finster, precinct 4 county commissioner, said he is excited about the possibility of a county-owned park.

“I am very excited about the reality of a county-owned park through which we can preserve an irreplaceable and unique natural area,” Finster said.

“As Texas grows, we are losing access to open spaces in Texas.

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“In addition to maintaining Green Lake’s inherent natural resources, I believe this area will be a critical element in the overall scheme of maintaining our local estuary and bay systems.” Finster envisions many different uses for the property. “Right now we’re

trying to establish the best use of the land,” Finster said. “You could go birding or hiking or fishing.” “The NPS will engage residents, visitors and key stakeholders to develop a vision for a future park that includes public access and resource protection,” Finster added.

Wild hogs wind their way through the grasses at Green Lake.

(KAYLA MEYER/WAVE PHOTO)

Calhoun County Life • Fall 2016

Many different species of plants and animals call Green Lake and the surrounding area home. Bald Eagles, Roseate Spoonbills, Great Egrets, Great Blue Herons along with a variety of ducks, fish, alligators, squirrels and feral hogs are often spotted on the land.

Finster said the property consists of three main parts, the high ground, the marsh area and the lake itself.

“It is an unusual property,” Finster said. “Most people know about the lake and its use, but there are many possibilities.”

Something Finster said he would like to see on the property is an observation deck in one area.

“You can see lots of game track,” Finster said in one area of the land, while pointing out a Bald Eagles’ nest in another area. Although the plans for Green Lake may take several years, Finster said the county is working to see them through.

“We want to preserve this land,” Finster said. “We want to do it right and take time to do it.”

A roseate spoonbill enjoys a dip in Green Lake one sunny afternoon.

(KAYLA MEYER/WAVE PHOTO)

Green Lake, located near the Victoria Barge Canal adjacent to Hwy. 35 South, was purchased by the county in December 2012 from Indianola Liquidating Trust, a group of investors from Texas, California and New York.

Funds for the property were obtained through a U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service grant with the purpose “to protect and conserve environmentally sensitive land including wetlands,” as well as from offshore oil royalty funds controlled by the Texas General Land Office to make the $3.5 million deal.

Later in 2014, the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department announced the purchase of Powderhorn Ranch with plans to convert the ranch into a state park in the coming years.

At $37.7 million, the 17,351acre Powderhorn Ranch purchase was the largest conservation investment in Texas history. The property is located in part by Powderhorn Lake, FM 1289, Texas Hwy. 185

and 11 miles of Matagorda Bay from Indianola to a point north of Port O’Connor.

“This transformational project will conserve irreplaceable wildlife habitat and will bring the people of Texas an exciting new recreational opportunity,”

said Dan Friedkin, Chairman Emeritus of the Texas Parks and Wildlife Commission.

In addition to turning Powderhorn Ranch into a state park, TPWD also plans to have a wildlife management area. The property is home to many hundreds of species of

An aerial photo features fringe marshes along Powderhorn Lake.

(PHOTO BY EARL NOTTINGHAM OF TEXAS PARKS AND WILDLIFE DEPARTMENT)

birds and animals and includes more than eleven miles of tidal bay front on Matagorda Bay and thousands of acres of freshwater wetlands and salt marshes.

“The acquisition will protect in perpetuity unspoiled coastal land with forests of coastal live oak and intact wetlands. This range of habitats is perfect for public hunting, fishing, hiking, paddling and bird watching,” a TPWD news release stated.

The land was purchased from Cumberland & Western Resources, a Kentucky investment company, and the entire project, which is estimated to cost $50 million and includes the land purchase, is being funded jointly between several public and private organizations, including the Conservation Fund, the Nature Conservancy, TPWD, the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation and the Texas Parks and Wildlife Foundation, which has raised $43 million toward the total project.

Calhoun County Life • Fall 2016

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Calhoun County Life • Fall 2016

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Things to do in Calhoun County Halfmoon Reef Lighthouse This historical landmark has been around since 1857 and was placed at the southern tip on the Half Moon Reef in Matagorda Bay. It served as an aid to ships trading in Port Lavaca and Indianola. It still stands and is now located at the Bauer Community Center.

Matagorda Lighthouse This lighthouse, located on Matagorda Island, was first constructed in 1852, standing 92 feet tall, made entirely of cast iron with no masonry support and was originally painted with horizontal red, white and black stripes.

La Salle Monument This granite monument dedicated to the French explorer La Salle is located on the western shore of Matagorda Bay, between Indian Point and Indianola.

Indianola “The ghost town” It has been written, “Of the many ghost towns in Texas, none died as tragic a death as Indianola.” Founded

by German immigrants in 1844, the town was second only to Galveston as a Texas port city at one time.

Historical Marker Tour There are over 50 historical markers and places to see in Calhoun County.

See marker guide on pages 22 and 23.

Lighthouse Beach Fishing Pier Some people pick this beautiful campground in order to be close to Port Lavaca State Fishing Pier. Port Lavaca State Fishing Pier is a good location to visit on a delightful day; since you might be in a lake visiting mood you can always stop at close by Mud Lake.

Calhoun County Port Port Lavaca was an active fishing port in the first half of the 20th Century. The Gulf Intracoastal waterway reached Matagorda Bay in 1942, connecting Calhoun County to the thousands of miles of channels in the nation’s inland waterway system. The port is located in Point Comfort.

Magnolia Beach Magnolia Beach and Indianola Beach are “all in one.” Indianola is steeped in Texas history once being an inland seaport that rivaled Galveston in size.

Many German Immigrants landed at Indianola eventually settling in New Braunfels and Fredericksburg. Driving along Ocean Drive you will see about 50 blue signs that tell the story about how Texas was settled from this once huge seaport. There is a large granite marker where the town of Indianola once stood and a statue of the explorer LaSalle.

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Formosa Bird Sanctuary The 245-acre Formosa-Tejano Wetlands, located off Hwy, 172 near CR 482, habitat was dedicated during a ribbon-cutting ceremony led by the chairman of the Wildlife Habitat Council on Nov. 17, 1999. Located halfway between Houston and Corpus Christi on land owned by Formosa Plastics Corporation, the site provides a “wildlife sanctuary for indigenous wetland species, opportunities for wildlife education, and viewing access for birders and other enthusiasts,” reports Formosa Plastics.

Crabbing Magnolia Beach is the place to be for crabbing and has its own crabbing bridge. It is a very popular place for all ages to enjoy. There are several other places along the waterfront to crab but be sure to visit the bridge.

Community Gardens A very large community garden where residents can rent a small tract of land which is then theirs for the season to grow what they please. This allows people from the city a chance to grow their very own vegetables and share the experience with children.

Wildflowers A drive down Texas Hwy. 238 towards Magnolia beach is a wonderful sight to enjoy some Texas wildflowers and take some pictures to add to your memory book or scrapbooking pages. At the right time of year, this stretch of highway is flush with Bluebonnets, Indian Blankets and so many more.

Port Lavaca Art Guild The Port Lavaca Art Guild features great local talent. They have art classes, art shows and much more. These walls are climbing with works of art.

Port Lavaca Peninsula A large area great for fishing, picnicking, sightseeing, bird watching and enjoying the harbor area, this area is known for its great view of the ocean.

Fishing in Port Lavaca Matagorda Bay, Espiritu Santo Bay, San Antonio Bay, Lavaca Bay and Caranchua Bay are full of redfish, shark, trout, flounder, pompano, gafftops, whiting, croakers, sheepheads, drum, jack crevalle, Spanish mackerel and the silver king of game fish, tarpon. Calhoun County also offers the best natural passes or entries to the Gulf on the Texas Gulf Coast.

Calhoun County Life • Fall 2016

Six Mile Where Six Mile creek empties into the bay is a prime fishing area as well as a hundred yards either side. This area also has a wadeable bottom and is a good place to find flounder bedded up at night. If fishing at night for trout, throw worm jigs, live bait under popping corks or plastic baits, with or without a popping cork. If reds or drum are your target, dead shrimp or cut bait (mullet, croaker, squid, crab) is good fished on bottom. Live mullet, croaker, perch, fished on bottom are also good for reds and drum, and possibly and occasional trout. If you bring a cast net, the boat slip is a good place to pick up live bait as well the shorelines are also a good spot. A prime spot is on either side of the road over the little creek seen just as you enter the park area.

The Harbor A harbor of refuge was also created at Port Lavaca for the protection of boats during storms. In 1963, the Port of Port Lavaca-Point Comfort was designated a United States customs port of entry.

Calhoun County Museum The Calhoun County Museum was established in 1964 by the Calhoun County Commissioners’ Court. Originally housed in the 1896 Jail building it eventually moved to the Courthouse Annex Building and then to its present location. The museum is located at 301 S. Ann St. in Port Lavaca, Live Theatre Port Lavaca Main Street Theatre is a great showcase for local talent.

A small group of passionate and dedicated people keep live theatre available in Port Lavaca. Several plays are performed throughout the year, including a children’s production during June.

Main Street Port Lavaca Main Street, Inc. is a nonprofit organization formed in September of 1989 to revitalize and preserve the historic downtown area of Port Lavaca. Due to the efforts of the Main Street Committee, the downtown area is once again beginning to thrive.

The area hosts a variety of businesses and is home to the oldest business in Port Lavaca, Melcher’s Hardware, which has been serving customers since 1917 and has been proclaimed a historic landmark.

Walking Track Lighthouse Beach Park has a mile long walking track. This track is along the water and boardwalk with a great birding view.

Beachcombing Many locals and tourists love to just roll up their pants and walk along the beach. There are many finds along the beach. The fun will never end in the many things and stories people tell of their beachcombing adventure.

Sunrises and sunsets on the beach This is an experience in itself, looking out over the ocean and it seems the water touches the sun. No buildings, no cars, nothing for miles and miles, just you and serenity.

Golf The 9-hole course at the Hatch Bend Country Club facility in Port Lavaca features 3,054 yards of golf from the longest tees for a par of 36. Hatch Bend golf course opened in 1957.

Aransas Wildlife Refuge The Refuge Complex is comprised of over 115,000 acres including the Blackjack Peninsula (Aransas proper), Matagorda Island, Myrtle Foester Whitmire, Tatton and Lamar units.

These areas provide vital resting, feeding, wintering and nesting grounds for migratory birds and native Texas wildlife. The refuge is world renowned for hosting the largest wild flock of endangered whooping cranes each winter. Other native species you can see on the Refuge include the American alligator, javelina, roseate spoonbill, white-tailed deer, armadillo and spectacular wildflowers.

Main Street Gallery This gallery features so many pictures of the true history of Calhoun County, there are walls and walls of pictures featuring all you want to know about the area.

Calhoun Air Center The airport was recently named the states most improved by the Texas Aviation Conference. It has been completely renovated and is up and running, stop in and check it out.

Indianola Fishing Marina Tucked away at the very end of Highway 316 is a fisherman’s paradise.

The marina sits between Powderhorn Lake and Matagorda Bay and is a prime spot for trout, redfish, flounder and even duck hunting. The lighted pier and covered patio are open 24 hours a day for anyone wishing to fish in the wee hours of the morning or even during a rainstorm.

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Melissa Sterling — Manager LaVon Garcia Kingslee Deckard Joey Gregory • Misty Garcia Debbie Baldera • Wendy Keller 2121 Sailboat • Port Lavaca, TX Phone: (361) 551-2300  Fax: (361) 551-2312