Calhoun County Life Summer 2021

Calhoun CountyLife Where your life meets ours

A guide for Visitors and Newcomers FEATURING PORT LAVACA POINT COMFORT SEADRIFT PORT O'CONNOR SUMMER 2021

Complimentary Copy - Take One!

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Calhoun County Life • SUMMER 2021

LaVaca BBQ Thank You to our valued customers for making our Texas Monthly-recognized BBQ the best in Calhoun County! We smoked 16 Best recognitions and 3 Runner Ups. You are LaVaca BBQ!

‘The Sweet 16’ 1st Place

• Best Restaurant • Best Barbecue • Best Overall Service • Best Restaurant Service • Best Family Dining • Best Tortillas • Best Gumbo • Best Tamales

• Best Ice Cream/Yogurt • Best Catering • Best Iced Tea • Best Waiter • Best Sandwiches/Subs • Best Birthday Party Place • Best Date Spot • Best Venue

LaVaca BBQ Smoked Tamales My Favorite Texas BBQ Bites of 2020 Daniel Vaughn, Barbecue editor

For more information call:

(361) 894 - 2333

Or come try our award-winning BBQ at:

532 N Virginia St

Calhoun County Life • SUMMER 2021

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Moving Forward.

Together

Join Our Family & Enjoy Our Full Range Of Services A Few Of Our Products & Services

Savings Accounts • Checking Accounts • Certificate Accounts • Money Market Accounts • IRAs • Club Accounts • Internet Banking • Electronic Bill Pay • Direct Deposit • Payroll Deduction • Mobile Banking • Money Orders Vehicle Loans • RV Loans • Motorcycle Loans • Boat Loans • Personal Loans • Home Mortgage Loans • Visa/MasterCard • Member Telephone Service • Debit/ATM Cards • Notary Service • Western Union Wire Transfers • Safe Deposit Boxes

Your Community Credit Union

1401 N. VIRGINIA PORT LAVACA, TX 77979 361-552-7476

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Calhoun County Life • SUMMER 2021

2807 John Stockbauer Dr. 3802 N. NAVARRO Victoria, TX. 77901 VICTORIA, TX 77901 361-579-9929 361-572-3369 www.calcomfcu.org

“Family Environment”

VISIT US FOR THE BEST SEAFOOD IN TOWN.

Come check out our daily specials!

We have a variety of food.

Hours:

Monday - Thursday 11 a.m. - 8:30 p.m.; Friday - Saturday 11 a.m. - 9:30; Sunday - 11 a.m. - 8 p.m.

361-552-7177

2055 State Highway 35 North, Port Lavaca, TX 77979 Calhoun County Life • SUMMER 2021

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What’s Inside ...

On The Cover

Page 10: Port Lavaca • Page 18: Seadrift Page 31: Point Comfort • Page 37: Port O’Connor

Are Your Hooks Baited?

Page 8

Drift With The Music Page 12

Drop In For A Sizzling Steak

Page 34

Ready For Some Fun! Page 38

Getting Along With Gators Page 45 6

Calhoun County Life • SUMMER 2021

TANIA FRENCH Editor and Publisher Staff Writers:

Creative Services Director: Advertising: Graphic Designer: Special Contributors:

Sherry Ficklen DD Turner Jared Van Epps

DD Turner

Calhoun County Life is published semi-annually.

Additional copies are available by contacting the Port Lavaca Wave. For advertising information, call 361-552-9788.

Christy Aguilar DD Turner Bill Harvey John Foester

PORT LAVACA WAVE 107 E. Austin Street Port Lavaca, TX 77979 361-552-9788 Visit us online at www.portlavacawave.com or email us at publisher@plwave.com.

Copyright 2021

ON THE COVER: Country recording artist Coffey Anderson and his son, Ethan, sneak in some fishing at Bayfront Peninsula Park while in Port Lavaca for a performance during the 2020 Bayfront Beats series. Anderson, who stars in the Netflix Series Country Ever After, will be back in Port Lavaca, Oct. 16 to headline the 2021 Calhoun County Fair.

ABOVE: Coffey Anderson shows his son Ethan, left, and local resident Camdyn Bartels how to prepare a line for some fishing.

COVER/ABOVE PHOTOGRAPHER: Tania French

First National Bank Hometown Banking at its Best

We're a strong community bank, which is locally owned.

Loan officers who can actually make you a loan!

VOTED BEST OF THE BEST:

• Low in-house mortgage loan rates Bank, 6 Years In A Row • Rates can be fixed for up to 20 years Karen Caraway, Loan Officer Tracie Durrance, Teller • Low closing costs allow you to put Car Lender • Small Lender more of your money toward your Home Lender house rather than bank fees • Fast Closings Four convenient locations to serve you.

Port Lavaca

361-552-6726 Hwy 35 Bypass at Half League

Seadrift

361-785-5321 101 Railroad

Port O’Connor

Victoria

361-579-7911 4304 N. Main

361- 983-2508 3675 W. Adams

www.fnbportlavaca.com Bank by Phone Bank by Internet Mobile Banking Calhoun County Life • SUMMER 2021

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ELITE REDFI

Get Your hooks baited!

FISH SERIES

Fishing tourney returns to Port Lavaca

By JARED VAN EPPS

The Elite Redfish Series returns to Port Lavaca for a third time Saturday, July 24, at Bayfront Peninsula Park for the Champion’s Team Tour.

On its official website, the Check It Stik Champions Team Tour is a two angler “per boat” tournament, “made up of open one-day events with a two-day tour championship at seasons end.”

Pat Malone, the President/CEO of Headturners3, LLC, and host of the Elite Redfish Series, said the grand prize this year is a Tidewater Yamaha McClain trailer.

Malone said he is excited to be back in Port Lavaca and once again partner with the city and impact the local economy.

The last time Malone was in Port Lavaca was in August 2019 when the weather and the fishing were awesome, he said. The 2019 tournament was held in conjunction with the 2019 Flip Flop Festival. The 2019 event was also part of a Discovery Chanel Series.

This year’s event will be held in conjunction with the Tacos ‘N’ Tunes Festival.

Spectators at the event can enjoy it for free, and children can view a live 10’ x 10’ fish tank on site.

Upon completion of the event, the fish are released back into the bay, Malone said.

The anglers launch in the morning, and it is open to the public, according to Malone.

The weigh-in is from 3 p.m. to 4 p.m. and is open to the public as well, Malone said.

The Elite Redfish Series will be live-streamed through the official Facebook page.

PORT LAVACA A SLICE OF PARADISE

From birding enthusiasts to fishermen to families with children, Port Lavaca has something to offer everyone.

Lighthouse Beach and Lighthouse Beach Park are adjacent to Highway 35, just north of the causeway bridge.

Entrance to the park is at the intersection of Broadway Street and Highway 238, near Half Moon Reef Lighthouse and the Bauer Community Center. There is a modest fee to enter the park, which features white sand, picnic areas, and a bird walk with a large pavilion. A short walk from the pavilion sitting on the sand is a bright and colorful playground with a variety of slides, ramps, and climbing areas that will surely attract any child.

Halfmoon Reef Lighthouse, located on the corner of SH 238 and SH 35, once sat on Half Moon Reef in Matagorda Bay near Palacios and served seafarers from 1858 until 1942 when it was decommissioned.

The structure was salvaged from the bay and donated to the Calhoun County Historical Commission in 1978. In 1979, it was restored as an Eagle Scout service project and was placed atop its current position in 1985, just outside the Bauer Community Center. Halfmoon Reef is the last remaining hexagonal screw-pile lighthouse built on the Texas Gulf Coast.

About two miles down Broadway Street from Lighthouse Beach and Halfmoon Reef Lighthouse is Bayfront Peninsula Park, which is home to the Calhoun County Veteran’s Memorial. The park is near the Nautical Landings marina at the end of Highway 87. The memorial is a peaceful place to remember and pay tribute to all who served, anyone wishing to honor a veteran can purchase memorial bricks. More information is available at Port Lavaca City Hall, located at 202 N. Virginia St. The peninsula also has two larger covered pavilions, restrooms, a newly re-constructed lighted fishing pier, and a boat ramp for those looking to head out onto the water.

In addition to the parks in the city, those looking to enjoy time outside with little ones can head over to a

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Calhoun County Life • SUMMER 2021

brand new, state-of-the-art playground near the Calhoun County YMCA located at 713 Hwy 35 South. KaBoom, Calhoun County YMCA, and Rebuild Texas transformed an empty lot into the playground, based on drawings submitted by Calhoun County’s children. The playground is open to YMCA members and the public.

The Port Lavaca Main Street Theatre, located at 315 E. Main St., showcases local acting talent in a variety of live productions throughout the year. The highlight of the summer is the annual children’s production..

The theatre thrived in the 1930s and 1940s and was remodeled and opened its doors for fresh, live theatre in 1994. The PLMST also hosts a variety of events such as the Mister and Miss Calhoun County Pageants, live entertainment, and more throughout the year.

Additionally, the Port Lavaca Art Guild is a local resource for artists of all levels. Members work in a variety of media and offer frequent classes and workshops. The art guild also sponsors a summer art camp, which fosters interest in the arts and cultivates talent.

A short distance away from the art guild is the Calhoun County Museum, located at 301 S. Ann St. The museum was established in 1964 and continues to bring history to life today.

The Calhoun County Museum does this through the exhibition of artifacts relating to the history of the community. Hours of operation are 10:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Tuesday and Wednesday; 10:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Thursday and Friday and 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday.

The main branch of Calhoun County Library is at 200 W. Mahan St. and is filled with something for everyone.

For children, an annual summer reading program kicks off at the end of the school year and continues through August.

Throughout the year, musical events can be found at Bayfront Peninsula Park, along with drive-in movies and various other activities. Visit DiscoverPortLavaca.com for information on these and other events.

Calhoun County Life • SUMMER 2021

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I’d Waltz Across Drifters Hall With You In My Arms SOUND ENGINEER PETE SALINAS TAKES CARE OF THE AUDIO, VISUAL AND LIGHTING NEEDS OF THE HALL.

DANCERS SCOOT ACROSS THE FLOOR AT DRIFTERS HALL AS THE STAGE IS BEING PREPARED FOR KARAOKE NIGHT. 12

Calhoun County Life • SUMMER 2021

Enjoy karaoke, live bands & events at Port Lavaca’s newest venue

‘Where Memories Are Made!’

BY SHERRY FICKLEN There is a new place in town called Drifters Hall, and it is causing quite a stir within the community. Owners Cary and Jan Kneupper welcome all Calhoun County visitors to dust off their dancing shoes and try out the dance floor at the newly renovated venue, located at 5287 FM 3084 in Port Lavaca.

The Kneuppers moved forward last year with an extensive renovation of the old venue, formerly widely known to locals as the Knights of Columbus Hall.

“We just wanted people to have a place to go with their families, including their kids, for good clean fun and fellowship,” said Jan. “Inside, we wanted to keep the dance floor, but just about everything else needed updating. We raised the ceiling, took down the paneling and replaced it with limestone, shiplap, and sheetrock,” said Jan. “We stained the concrete and totally redid the office, kitchen, bar, and bathrooms. The stage got a whole new look also, and we added a JBL PA system. We also added six dimmable chandeliers over the dance floor and dimmable sconces on the limestone walls.”

The renovation was completed in just over a year and opened to the public for New Year’s Eve, Dec. 31, 2020. So far, Drifters Hall has hosted acts such as Drifters Hall house band, Joel Nava & the Texas Border, the Emotions, Dueling Pianos, Barditch Hippies, Jesse Duke

& Pushwater, DJ Marcus Estrada, Backroad Disciples, DJ Jason MF Passmore, Mike Donnel, and Karaoke with Tommy Martin Jr. The hall is available to rent for weddings, receptions, quinceaneras, celebrations of life, class reunions, company parties, and more.

“Many great things are on the line up for Drifters Hall throughout the year, including Comedy Night/Comedian Hypnotism, Micro Wrestling, Doug Stone, Theme Parties, Mechanical Bulls, and plenty of great bands and live music. Coming soon will be a commercial kitchen and steak night.”

Current hours of operation are 6 p.m. to midnight every Thursday and Friday and 6 p.m. to 1 a.m. every Saturday. Thursday night is Ladies/karaoke night with free admission.

Drifters Hall has a full liquor license and full bar. Appetizers are also available. No outside alcohol is allowed. The hall houses up to 660 people but, currently, Jan said there is seating available for 252, spaced accordingly. Hand sanitizer is accessible to all guests.

Facemasks are optional.

“We have received many calls and had many handshakes and ‘Thank yous’ followed with positive feedback from Port Lavaca and surrounding counties,” she said. “Everyone is pleased with a place to go.”

For more information about bookings, call 361-551-0426 or visit www.driftershall.com.

MJ ADAMS, DRIFTERS BAR MANAGER, CHECKS ON CUSTOMERS DURING A RECENT LADIES NIGHT. DRIFTERS HALL OFFERS A FULL BAR AND WIDE SELECTION OF BEER AND WINE. Calhoun County Life • SUMMER 2021

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& Unique Gifts For All Occasions!

• Quilt Shop-only Fabric • patternS • notionS • claSSeS For all Skill levelS • WilloW tree • kitchen Decor • Jim Shore • tropical/nautical Decor 119 E. Main Street, Port Lavaca ■ 361-552-1350 Tuesday-Friday: 10 a.m. - 5 p.m. ■ Saturday: 10 a.m. - 2 p.m.

To become increasingly delighted in Christ To make disciples who are increasingly delighted in Christ 210 E. Main St., Port Lavaca, TX, 77979

361-552-5317

:

Worship Gathered Worship: 10:30 a.m. Sunday Times Bible Study: 6:30 p.m. Wednesday www.hopereformedbaptist.com • hopeportlavaca@gmail.com

Serving Calhoun County Since 1956

INSURANCE AGENCY, INC.

Chris Dobsky, Producer

Personal service is our first Policy.

49 Butler Lane, Port O’Connor

P.O. Box 339, Port O’Connor, TX 77982 361-983-2010 • 800-283-4086 Fax: 979-542-0469 • cdobsky@siegins.com

YOUNG PLUMBING CO. SaleS & ServiceS 552-6733

603 W. Austin • Port Lavaca LICENSE: #M39944

young-plumbing@cableone.net

361-553-7200 coastalnailandtool.com

TACLB 005960C --Licensed and Insured

dockandpierstore.com

Lumber | Building Supplies | Nails Nail Guns | Hurricane Straps & Ties

747 W. Main St., Port Lavaca, TX 77979

LUMBER IN STOCK We Carry:

Thank You, Calhoun CounTY, For VoTing us #1 heaTing & air!

Residential • Commercial • Industrial

Air Conditioning Heating Refrigeration Commercial Ice Machines Mini Split Air Conditioners

Dehumidifiers Whole house filtration UV lighting A/C Coil Coating

Service & New Installations • We service all makes & models

IN STORE OR DELIVERY AVAILABLE 14

Calhoun County Life • SUMMER 2021

‘ The Customer Is Our Priority!’

817 State Hwy. 35 SoutH 361-482-0277

Your Local Car Care Professionals We offer many different oil brands to give the customer their preference.

We offer quality, individual & customized care.

Home Of The “Double-Check” Guarantee!

817 State Hwy. 35 South | 361-482-0277

Where Memories Are Made!

Our Doors Are Open For Rentals: Class Reunions Weddings Receptions Birthday Parties Corporate Events & More.

CheCk For Updates: www.driftershall.com

Coming Up MAY 14 - Jesse and Heather Acoustic Duo 15 - Drifters House Band and mechanical bull rodeo 21 - Nashville award winner Bud Vargas - 1 man 3 piece band, 29 - Closed for Private Event

JUNE 4 - Brian Kasik Band 11 - Barditch Hippies 25 - Brian Kasik Band 26 - Closed for Private Event

JULY 9 - Brandi and Keith Acoustic Duo 10 - Drifters House Band and Urban Cowboy Night

AUGUST 23- Micro Wrestling

KARAOKE & LADIES NIGHT EVERY THURSDAY Calhoun County Life • SUMMER 2021

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Gingerbread School & Day Care Center

Total Comfort.

More than just a feeling...

• Low Electric Bills • Quiet Operation • Cleaner Indoor Air • Optimized Humidity Management • Great Warranties • Environmentally Friendly Refrigerants

" Since 1974" Infants - 12 years Monday-Friday • 7:30 a.m.-5:30 p.m.

Voted Best Air Conditioning Company in Calhoun County

Beck

LIC #TACLB000667C

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

TransporTaTion

Air Conditioning, Inc.

before and afTer school

(Federal Regulation Bus)

Family.

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Serving All Your Real Estate Needs Family.

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April 1972 - April 2021 Community.

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Serving The Area Since 1970

361-552-6656 in Port Lavaca • 361-570-6656 in Victoria • www.beckairconditioning.com

State Licensed - Aged Grouping • Child Staff Ratio

2202 Half League • Port Lavaca • 552-5757

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Bob Bonar, Agent 401 N Highway 35 Bypass Port Lavaca, TX 77979 Bus: 361-552-4689 Fax: 361-552-6296 bob@bobbonar.com

PORT O’CONNOR 983-2622 983-4371

We’re all in this together.

State Farm® has a long

traditionAgent of being there. That's Robert Knox, Bob Bonar, Agent one reason why I'm proud to support Calhoun County.

N Highway 35 Bypass 422401 N. Virginia St, Port Lavaca, TX 77979 Lavaca,GetFax: TX 77979 to a better State .

Bus: Port 361-552-4689 361-552-6296 Bus: 361-552-4689 Fax: 361-552-6296 robert@robertknoxagent.com bob@bobbonar.com

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N Highway 35 Bypass 401N401 NHighway Highway Bypass 401401 NCalhoun Highway 35County.

Bypass 401 N Highway 3535Bypass 35 Bypass support TX 77979 PortLavaca, Lavaca, 77979 PortPort Lavaca, 77979 Port Port Lavaca, TXTX77979 TX 77979 State Farm® has along long State Farm® Farm® has has aLavaca, aTX long Bus: 361-552-4689 Fax: 361-552-6296 Bus:361-552-4689 361-552-4689 Fax:361-552-6296 361-552-6296 Bus: 361-552-4689 Fax: 361-552-6296 Bus: Bus: 361-552-4689 Fax: Fax: 361-552-6296State bob@bobbonar.com tradition being there.

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"We'll leave the light on."

Calhoun County Life • SUMMER 2021

Welcome friends to La Antigua, where you will find a wide variety of authentic Mexican foods - dishes that have been prepared for decades & decades.

State Farm, Bloomington, State Farm, Bloomington, IL IL

Located Right On The Water

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Come join us at La Antigua and make history with us.

Try Our Seafood Selections 737 N. Hwy. 35, Port Lavaca, TX • 361-552-7764 Hours: 5 a.m. - 10 p.m. Breakfast: 5-11 a.m.

All Major Credit Cards Accepted - No checks.

6 Years In A Row Best Crawfish 2nd Place: Best Seafood, Best Shrimp Best Oysters, Best Wings 1142 State Highway 185 East, Seadrift, TX 77983

Calhoun County Life • SUMMER 2021

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Float on in to

Seadrift and see the beauty of San Antonio Bay The City of Seadrift is working on big projects for 2021 and beyond that will improve the city for locals and visitors.

The city is in the beginning stages of engineering several projects, according to Seadrift Mayor Elmer DeForest.

“Some of the projects are going to be starting within probably within a few months and some into next year,” DeForest said. “With completions for some of them next year.”

DeForest, a longtime Seadrift resident, talked about what makes the city unique from any other small town in Texas.

“I think that we’re unique that we don’t have a high demand for resort property, like other places do, which gives us that small town flair.” Deforest said. “ DeForest said there’s good fishing and oystering in Seadrift, and it’s in a great spot in San Antonio Bay for people who like that kind of stuff.

“It’s tranquil, the property on the bayfront has been there for a long time and it’s got the park [Bayfront Park] out there.” DeForest said.

DeForest said the park stretches almost the entire Bayfront with exception of the harbor.

“That’s something that people like,” DeForest said.

Seadrift Chamber President Tracey Johnson said that Seadrift is a community “where everyone looks out for each other.”

“Take a tour, meet folks, you will fall in love just as we all have,” Johnson said. “Come see for yourself, you’ll not be disappointed.”

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Calhoun County Life • SUMMER 2021

Johnson stated that Seadrift is an amazing place to grow a family, and she added they have generations of families that date back when Seadrift was founded.

Our Lady of the Gulf Scholarships Catholic School Available All Faiths Welcomed

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Calhoun County Life • SUMMER 2021

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Electronic Filing

ERC, ERD, ELECTRONIC REFUND CHECKS PRINTED IN OFFICE AND ELECTRONIC REFUND DIRECT DEPOSITS

Mallory Galloway Cynthia Alford 305 E. Broadway • Seadrift TX. 77983

Melstan, Inc. Feed & Hardware

Office: 361-785-3424 • Cell: 361-655-9690 Fax: 210-892-4941

902 Calhoun St. Port Lavaca, TX 77979 361-552-2931 --fbcportlavaca.com Worship Sundays: 10:15 a.m.

Bible Study for All Ages Sundays: 9 a.m.

Wednesdays: 6:30 p.m.

Seated from left, Carly W. Wall and John Villafranco.

Standing, from left, Sandra Witte, David Roberts and Anne Marie Odefey.

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

111 N. Ann • 361-552-5441 A Vacation For Your Pet!

Jennifer Soefje Home Visits & Sleepovers

Roberts, Odefey, Witte, & Wall, LLP

Attorneys at Law 2206 North Hwy. 35 Bypass, Port Lavaca, TX 77979 Office: 361-552-2971 www.portlavacalaw.com 20

Calhoun County Life • SUMMER 2021

Call or text to schedule a sleepover!

Check Us Out On

361-782-5934

Mon.- Fri.: 7:30 a.m. - 6 p.m.; Sat.: 7:30 a.m. 4 p.m.

Calhoun County Life • SUMMER 2021

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1 Wildlife Circle Austwell, TX 77950

Aransas National Wildlife Refuge

Open Daily 30 Minutes Before Sunrise to 30 Minutes After Sundown

361-349-1181

www.fws.gov/refuge/aransas

The Donut Palace Where the customer is still KING!

Fresh Donuts, Breakfast Tacos, Croissants, Pigs-In-A-Blanket Fresh Coffee, Cappuccino, Hot Chocolate OPEN 6 DAYS A WEEK Mon.-Sat. 4:00 am-Noon Closed Sunday

Call in advance for large orders!

361-552-0936

1400 N. Virginia, Port Lavaca, TX

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220 E. Main Port Lavaca, TX 77979

361-552-6785

Monday-Friday: 10 a.m. - 5:30 p.m.

So You Can Shop With Peace Of Mind, We Offer:

✔ Professionalism & that personal touch. ✔ The best in waterproof plank flooring such as Triumph & Happy Feet ✔ Help find the right serviceman in plumbing, cabinetry, & painting. ✔ The best in carpet & tiling. ✔ Counter-tops & backsplashes. ✔ Redesigned showers.

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Calhoun County Life • SUMMER 2021

POC RENTALS ON

WWW.POCRENTALS.COM

LIKE US ON

A View To A Rental

Take A Virtual Tour Of These Properties at YouTube.com and search for POC Rentals:

GINNY’S PLACE

3/2 up, 1/1 down, sling and directly on the ICW

GONE COASTAL

1 block to King Fisher Beach, 5 bedrooms, 3 baths.

PIRATE COVE

3 bed, 3 bath; pool, boat slip. Units 1, 5, 7, 9, 11, 15, 17.

LA PESCA LODGE

24 rooms, 7 full baths, and two bay boat slings on the IWC.

DOLPHIN POINT, 11TH STREET

4 bedroom private waterfront house with 1 boat sling.

LAFITTES LANDINGEAST & WEST

3 bed/3 bath.

Boat Slip/Sling.

PIRATE COVE

2 bed, 2.5 bath; pool, boat slip. Units 2, 6, 8, 10, 12, 14, 20.

CANNAH HOUSE 4 bedroom house with a game room and boat sling

503 S. 12TH STREET

4 bedroom waterfront house with 2 boat slings and separate 1/1 apartment.

BIG BLUE, – 1405 W. MAPLE.

Upscale Barnonimium a block to Fishing Center Boat Ramp. Sleeps 13.

BAGBY HOUSE

3 bedroom, 4 bath, updated after Hurricane Harvey, unobstructed water view.

BAYER HOUSE

4 bed/2 bath house with 2 boat slings and a private boat ramp.

Port O'Connor Rentals Coastal Boat Srvs. Unltd.

Condominium /House, Lodge Rentals ... Dry Boat Storage ... Marine Electronics

Brenda Carter, Licensed Realtor ◆ Russell Cain Real Estate 361-983-4371 ◆ WWW.POCRENTALS.COM P.O. Box 161, Port O’Connor, TX 77982 Calhoun County Life • SUMMER 2021

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CALHOUN COUNTY: AN ODYSSEY OF HISTORICAL MARKERS 1. Alsatian Immigration through Lavaca Bay Harbor St., Port Lavaca (West side of City Harbor) 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 Bay Front Peninsula. (At end of Main St.) Next to Lavaca Bombardment Silhouette.

8. Civil War Torpedo Works Bay Front Peninsula. (At end of Main St.) Next to Lavaca Bombardment Silhouette.

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, TX. 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 mi.

12. First Baptist Church of Port Lavaca 902 Calhoun, Port Lavaca 13. First Presbyterian Church of Port Lavaca 1111 N. Virginia, Port Lavaca 14. First United Methodist Church of Port Lavaca 814 N. San Antonio St., 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, East side of chapel on Guadalupe St. 17. Green Lake SH 35S one-quarter mile South of SH 185 intersection.

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18. Half Moon Reef Lighthouse SH 35 and SH 238, Port Lavaca.

Next to Bauer Community Center.

19. Hatch Cemetery (Expected installation – June 2010) 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 (S Ocean Drive) near LaSalle Monument.

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. one-half mile and then right on Orleans St. one quarter mile to cemetery.

23. Indianola, Site of the Town of S. Ocean Drive about 1 mi. before Indianola Fishing Marina.

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, TX. 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 Port Lavaca Take FM 1090 north about two miles. On the right side of the road.

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, Olivia, TX. 32. Olivia Cemetery SH 172 & County Road 317 on

Calhoun County Life • SUMMER 2021

County Road 317, Olivia, TX. 33. Our Lady of the Gulf Catholic Church 415 W. Austin, Port Lavaca 34. Port Lavaca SH 35 and SH 238, Port Lavaca. In front of Bauer Community Center.

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, Port O’Connor, TX. 38. Ranger Cemetery Harbor St, Port Lavaca (West of City Harbor) 39. Rasmussen, Andrew A. Main & 15th St., Port O’Connor, TX. 40. Salem Lutheran Church 2101 FM 1090, Port Lavaca 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, Seadrift, TX 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 Go 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 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. Turn left on Zimmerman Rd. and go 1 mi.

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.

51. Cotton Gins of Calhoun County Moreman Community Gin,

10254 SH 35S 52. Battle of Norris Bridge 452 Buren Rd. near Chocolate Bayou Boat Ramp on FM 238 53. Calhoun in World War II Calhoun County Courthouse Grounds Port Lavaca.

54. Chihuahua Road S. Ocean Drive about 1 mi. before Indianola Fishing Marina, Indianola, TX. 55. Don Martin Deleon Take FM 1090 to Park Rd. at Six Mile. Located at the end of Park Rd. at entrance to Six Mile Boat Ramp.

56. Ed Bell SH 316 to Magnolia Beach.

Follow road to Indianola Fishing Marina, Indianola, TX. 57. Edward Fred Knipling 186 Henry Barber Way, in front of Calhoun County Extension office, Port Lavaca 58. German Immigration Thru Karlshafen Ocean Drive at Indian Point, near boardwalk over marsh.

59. German Pioneers SH 316 (S Ocean Drive) at base of LaSalle Monument (Granite), Indianola, TX. 60. Howard Gallemore Hartzog, Jr. Calhoun County Courthouse Grounds, Port Lavaca.

61. Hurricanes of Calhoun County Calhoun County Courthouse Grounds, Port Lavaca 62. Mission Refugio SH 35S one mile south of SH 185 intersection, on the left at entrance to Guadalupe Delta Wildlife Management Area.

63. Port O’Connor Cemetery SH 185 east to Cemetery St, at outskirts of Port O’Connor, TX. Follow to the end of street.

64. Port of Entry - Indianola SH 316 (S. Ocean Drive) at base of LaSalle Monument (Granite), Indianola, TX. 65. Sgt. William Henry Barnes – 38th USCT 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 one-half mile and then right on Orleans St. one quarter mile to cemetery.

66. Sunlight Girls Club Corner of Ann and Alice Sts. Port Lavaca.

67. The Great Camel Experiment SH 316 at N. Ocean Drive Intersection, Indianola, TX.

55

Lavaca Bay

46

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Point Comfort

172 2143

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27 36

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3084

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Port Lavaca

238 1090

Lavaca Bay

1679

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19 20 35

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52

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2541

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17

238

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1289

Matagorda Bay

23

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2235

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54 65 22

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185

63 43

Port O’Connor

185

Seadrift

185

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29

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40

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41

2

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Calhoun County Life • SUMMER 2021

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Formosa Wetlands Walkway Lighthouse Beach, Port Lavaca, Texas

Photo courtesy of Jody Weaver

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Calhoun County Life • SUMMER 2021

Family Medicine John B. Wright, MD Timu N. Kwi MD Destiny Ibrom, FNP-C Michael Caughron, FNP-C

EGGS & PANCAKES TO STEAK & SHRIMP BREAKFAST & LUNCH BUFFET Come Check WITH FULL SALAD BAR

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Sunday - Wednesday: 6 a.m. - 10 p.m.; Thursday, Friday & Saturday: 6 a.m. - 11 p.m.

Out Our New Menu Items

2017 BEST BUFFET WINNER 2090 State Hwy. 35 N. • 361-551-2009 (Formerly SkilletS)

Nielsen Family Dental

Internal Medicine

Leigh Ann Falcon, MD

Pediatrics

Jeannine Griffin, MD John Clinton, MD Henry Salinas, FNP-C

Port Lavaca cLinic associates 1200 N. Virginia • Port Lavaca, TX 77979

Monday-Friday: 7:45 a.m. - 6 p.m.; Saturday: 8 a.m. to Noon

361-552-6721

portlavacaclinic.com

TELE-HEALTH NOW AVAILABLE FOR OUR PATIENTS Caring For Our Community ...

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

Experienced & Highly Educated ——— Veteran owned & operated ——— Interest Free Financing Available Rhonda Nielsen, DDS

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

621 N. Virginia Street, Port Lavaca

•Automotive & Heavy Duty Truck Parts CUSTOM •Batteries - Oil - Tires •Welding Supplies •Lawn Mower Accessories: Belts, tires, tubes •Marine Accessories: For your boat & trailer •Mechanic Garage State & DOT Inspections Hydraulic Hoses & •24 hour Towing Service •Unlocking Vehicles Assemblies Available

Tri Wholesale Co. HOURS OF OPERATION

8 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday-Friday; 8 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Saturday; 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday

2705 S. Hwy 35 • Port Lavaca, TX 361-552-3772

Calhoun County Life • SUMMER 2021

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2

3

4*

5

1

A

6

B

7

8

C

D

9 10

D

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Calhoun County Life • SUMMER 2021

Take Me To The Beach A. Lighthouse Beach Park 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 • SUMMER 2021

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Thank You, Calhoun County!

Non-Profit

THE HARBOR Children’s Alliance & Victim Center

children are people too

Crisis Hotline

552-HELP If someone has HURT you, let us HELP!

Confidential ServiCeS Provided • 24 Hour Sexual Assault Center • 24 Hour Crisis Intervention With Hospital Accompaniment • Advocacy With Law Enforcement • Community Education • Children’s Advocacy Center

‘Children Learn What They Live’

361-552-1982

215 W. Railroad, Port Lavaca, TX 77979

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Calhoun County Life • SUMMER 2021

o T e om c l e W

t n Poi fort Com

Point Comfort offers a homey way of life The lights over Point Comfort will be bright June 26 as the city puts on its annual Fourth of July Fireworks Show.

This year, there will be a DJ performing before the show as the city works to bring the show back up following last year’s scaled down event due to the COVID pandemic. In case of rain, the show will be July 10.

Change has come to the small community of Point Comfort, but the town just over the causeway from Port Lavaca still retains all its small-town charm.

Permits are now required for events and alcohol can now be served. The city added camping sites.

People needing to use the park for an event that will require it to be blocked off must obtain a permit for events for more than 25 people, plus security personnel. The number of security personnel increases with the number of attendees. The fees include a $100 deposit plus security. If alcohol is to be served, a $50 alcohol permit is required.

As for camping, there will be nine numbered sites for tents, but no campers or RVs, that include a barbecue pit and covered picnic table. The fee is $25 per night with a limit of two nights. An alcohol fee will be required if it will be consumed at the site. A wooden pier and a dock are available for free, are open 24/7, and have electricity and water at the cleaning table.

Permits can be obtained at Point Comfort City Hall, 102 Jones St. Hours are 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Thursday and 8 a.m. to noon on Friday. Call 361-987-2661 for more information.

The park will be closed at 11 p.m. Sunday through Thursday and at midnight on Friday and Saturday.

It reopens at 6 a.m. each morning. For early morning joggers, as long as they are on the track, there should be no problem.

The city’s pool is closed for repairs and will be filled in to create a multi-use area with a splash pad in one corner, according to Point Comfort City Councilman George Hernandez. Last year, a grant from Alcoa provided the funds for better security, repaired bathrooms, and updated showers.

Cabanas along the bay in Point Comfort.

--Point Comfort was built by Aluminum Company of America, now ALCOA, Inc., in 1948 and was 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.

The Port of Point Comfort is one of the busiest ports in the state of Texas. The Calhoun Port Authority operates the port that is served by the Matagorda Ship Channel and the Gulf Intracoastal Waterway.

Recreation is a large part of the community. On either side of the boat ramp on Lamar Street are two lighted piers. The piers are open to the public free of charge 24 hours a day. One of the piers is handicapped accessible, and the other has a fish cleaning station.

The causeway bridge is also a popular spot for fishermen. 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 attraction to the community as is Calhoun County, where there is fishing protected from open surf, drawing tourists all year long.

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

Additionally, the baseball park is undergoing upgrades thanks to a grant that was applied for a few years back and is ready to host games.

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

In 2019, Formosa Plastics hosted its first annual Formosa Hook and Cook for Charity at the Point Comfort Bayfront Park. The event was organized by the Sportsmen For Charity Club to raise funds for United Way of Calhoun County.

And for more than 40 years the Boy Scouts of American’s FishORee has been held at the bayfront. This year’s event drew more than 100 boy and girl scouts to catch fish and win prizes.

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

The Point Comfort Branch of the Calhoun County Library is in the Point Comfort Business Center. The library is open five days a week and a form of it has existed since 1955.

On the corner of Lamar and State Highway 35 are two staples of 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. The Hard Hat Café in the Point Comfort Business Center provides breakfast and lunch Monday through Friday.

Churches of all denominations including the Assembly of God, Baptists, Catholics, Church of Christ, Lutherans, and Methodists offer services.

Calhoun County Life • SUMMER 2021

31

National Industry Leader

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Inside Walmart (on Highway 35) 361-552-6073 Coastal Treasures For You & Your Home!

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LINNVILLE GRIND & CHURN Dine in or Drive-thru

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COFFEE Barista-Made Espressso Ice Lattes - Frappes

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GOOD EATS Breakfast - Lunch - Dinner Amazing Daily Specials 32

Calhoun County Life • SUMMER 2021

Create Your Own .....

“Let us show you what coastal living is all about!”

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Realtor/Broker

Mallory Galloway Realtor

wE oFFEr:

361-655-9690 or 361-785-3424

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• Mutt Grooming/Baths

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121 West Railroad Street Port Lavaca TX, 77979 Call 361-660-9017 to schedule an appointment

2241 HigHway 35 N. Port Lavaca, tX 77979 Owners: Mark & Terri Dietzel

Monday-Saturday: 5:30 a.m.-7 p.m.

Sunday: 5:30 a.m. - 6 p.m.

361-553-8091

Now Accepting SNAP Cards

The Greenhouse Your Complete Floral Designers

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Capt. John’s Wild Reef Seafood CRAWFISH – OYSTERS – BAIT FISH – SCALLOPS - FROG LEGS BAY & GULF SHRIMP TACKLE & MUCH MORE

732 BROADWAY ST PORT LAVACA, TX 77979 361-482-0290

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HOURS:

7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Sunday through Saturday Credit Cards Are Accepted

Call In Orders are always welCOme.

“Your Extra Touch Florist for 48 Years” 704 N. Virginia, Port Lavaca, TX 552-9758 • 552-4202

The PanTry Daily Lunch Specials

702 N. Virginia, Port Lavaca, TX 552-1679 Calhoun County Life • SUMMER 2021

33

Are You

5D

Experienced?

Then head on down to Port O’Connor for a Fish Bowl, Steak and Gator Bites

BY DD TURNER You step through the door.

The tinkling sounds of glass and laughter flit by your ears as your eyes are drawn to the big marlin on the wall and the center stage bar.

You move further inside, drawn by the tantalizing scents of grilling steaks. The sizzle and pop meld into the music as you wait to be seated.

You have been drawn into the 5D Steakhouse experience in Port O’Connor.

“Our goal at any 5D Steakhouse is to assure that every guest has a unique and enjoyable dining experience. We don’t want guests to eat and leave,” said President Brianne Dlugosch. “Our goal is to provide an experience that makes you want to bring the whole family out for an outing and stay for dinner, dancing, and good times.”

The steakhouse opened in 2020 and now has its own special menu insert to reflect the local community. This includes Crawfish Etoufee and Pecan Glazed Chicken Breast, which Dlugosch described as a “must try.”

And if you enjoy tasting a restaurant’s signature drinks, well, 5D Steakhouse doesn’t disappoint with its Fishbowl Punch.

“As far as cocktails, there are so many to choose from. But I would have to suggest a first-timer try our Signature Fishbowl Punch. It is our most well-known cocktail amongst all 5D locations, and you will not be disappointed,” she said.

The menu is wide and varied. You can start with Panko Encrusted Mac-N-Cheese Ball, Crawfish Tails, or sample the Alligator Bites.

Follow this up with 5D’s Famous Porterhouse or Filet Mignon, a Sirloin, or a Texas T-Bone. Each steak is hand-cut and always fresh.

If you are not hankering for a steak, 5D also offers a

34

There is outdoor seating along with a playground for the youngsters to enjoy.

HISTORY

5D Steakhouse’s signature Fish Bowl drink. selection of seafood, such as Glazed Shrimp Kabobs, Charbroiled Salmon or Shrimp. You can also find salads, wraps, and tacos along with burgers and sandwiches.

And you can find classic favorites as well, from Chicken-Fried Steak to Grilled Chicken Breast. Most dishes come with sides such as potatoes in a variety of presentations, Fried Okra, Grilled Asparagus, and Haystack Vegetables.

But wait, there’s more!

5D Steakhouse offers live music on Friday and Saturday nights, which has become a staple for the restaurant.

In addition, the size of the Port O’Connor venue lends itself to hosting national musical acts and other events throughout the summer and fall, said Dlugosch.

“Tracy Byrd will be performing live on Saturday, May 29, and Neal McCoy will be performing live on Friday, July 2, just to name a few. You can always check out our website or social media pages to stay up to date with all of our upcoming events and concerts,” said Dlugosch.

Calhoun County Life • SUMMER 2021

5D Steakhouse is family-owned and operated by the Dlugosch family. It was established in 2015 by Pete and Patricia Dlugosch, who are fourth-generation DeWitt County ranchers.

The couple married in 1983 and settled in Yorktown, where they raised three children. They created the family brand, 5D. “Through the years, Pete and Patricia developed and established an array of companies in different industries, all represented by their family brand. Because of their history and love for the cattle industry, Pete and Patricia were inspired to dive into the restaurant industry and open a one-of-a-kind Texas steakhouse in their hometown, creating the profound name, 5D Steakhouse,” explained Dlugosch.

In 2019, their daughter, Brianne, decided to expand the brand and opened a 5D Steakhouse in Victoria and Port O’Connor.

The family built a home in Port O’Connor in 2012, and Dlugosch said she and her family fell in love with their home-away-from-home.

“I told myself if I ever found the right property, I would build a unique steakhouse and venue for all families to enjoy. I ended up finding that perfect property in 2019, and now my dream and vision have become a beautiful reality,” she said.

The restaurant, at 2683 W. Adams Ave., is open from 11 a.m. to midnight Monday through Saturday.

Calhoun County Life • SUMMER 2021

35

Where To Worship in Calhoun CounTy POINT COMFORT ST. ANN CATHOLIC CHURCH 700 Lamar St. 361-552-6140 Mass: Sunday: 10:30 a.m.

Wednesday: 9 a.m.

PORT LAVACA Capt. John’s Wild Reef Seafood, 732 Broadway, 361-746-2939 Miller’s Seafood, 1102 Broadway, 361-552-6423

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 HOPE REFORMED BAPTIST CHURCH 210 E. Main St., Port Lavaca, TX, 77979 361-552-5317 Gathered Worship: 10:30 a.m. Sunday Bible Study: 6:30 p.m. Wednesday www.hopereformedbaptist.com hopeportlavaca@gmail.com

FIRST BAPTIST CHURCH 902 Calhoun St. 361-552-2931 www.fbcportlavaca.com Services: Sundays: 10:15 a.m.

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

PORT O’CONNOR ST. JOSEPH CATHOLIC CHURCH 101 N. Washington 361-552-6140 Mass: Saturday: 6 p.m.

Tuesday: 8:30 a.m.

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

Thursday: 9 a.m.

Sunday: 10:30 a.m. in Vietnamese

EVERYONE IS WELCOME!

SALTWATER FISHING REGULATIONS

INCH-LENGTH MAX MIN Catfish, Channel and blue, hybrids and subspecies..................25................ 12................N/L** Catfish, Flathead .......................................................................5 ................. 18 ............... N/L** Catfish, Gafftopsail ....................................................................N/L** ........... 14 ............... N/L** Drum, black ...............................................................................5.................. 14 ............... 30 Drum, red...................................................................................3.................. 20 ............... 28 Flounder: all species, their hybrids and subspecies ..................5/2............... 15 ............... N/L** Gar (alligator).............................................................................1...................................... N/L** Mullet: all species, their hybrids and subspecies.......................N/L** ........... N/L**........... 12 Seatrout, spotted1 (N of FM457 Matagorda County) ................5.................. 15 ............... 25 Seatrout, spotted1 (S of FM457)........ .......................................3.................. 17 ............... 23 Sheepshead ..............................................................................5.................. 15 ............... N/L** Sharks: Note: Daily bag limit is 1 fish for all allowable shark species including Atlantic sharpnose, blacktip, and bonnethead. See Shark Regulations for identification tips.

Shark:Atlantic sharpnose, blacktip, bonnethead .......................1.................. 24 ............... N/L** Shark: Hammerhead (smooth, great, scalloped) .......................1.................. 99 ............... N/L** Shark: Other allowable shark species .......................................1.................. 64 ............... N/L** Prohibited shark species: Atlantic Angel, Basking, Bigeye Sand Tiger, Bigeye Sixgill, Bigeye Thresher, Bignose, Caribbean Reef, Caribbean Sharpnose, Dusky, Galapagos, Longfin Mako, Narrowtooth, Night, Sandbar, Sand Tiger, Sevengill, Silky, Sixgill, Smalltail, Whale, And White .................0...................................... C&R*** SPECIES

DAILY BAG

Refer to Texas Parks & Wildlife site for more detail 1 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

36

Calhoun County Life • SUMMER 2021

Where To Dine PORT O’CONNOR 5D STEAKHOUSE 2683 W. Adams, 361-983-2065 Steaks, Drinks, Live Music Monday through Saturday: 11 a.m. 1Midnight. Closed Sunday.

Steaks, Burger, Specialty Food & Drinks

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

5–8:45 p.m.

Friday & Saturday: 11 a.m.–2:45 p.m.

5–9:45 p.m.

Sunday: Noon–2:45 p.m., 5–8:45 p.m.

Japanese specialties, hibachi in kitchen.

Seafood, noodles,soup, meats.

THE PANTRY

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

Lunch Specials, Catering, Party Trays, Take-Out

SUBWAY

306 Hwy. 35, 361-552-7300 Inside Walmart on Hwy 35 361-552-6073 Sandwiches, salads & soups

DONUT PALACE

OPEN 6 DAYS A WEEK 1400 N. Virginia St. Monday - Saturday: 4:00 am-Noon Closed Sunday 361-552-0936

TAIYO FUSION SUSHI

915 State Hwy 35 North Monday-Thursday:11 a.m.–2:45 p.m.

SEADRIFT 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

R O N N O C ’ O T R O

P

Life Beside The Sea

Not just a tiny fishing village, Port O’Connor is all about getting outdoors, no matter the temperature or time of year.

King Fisher Beach, located at the end of Hwy 185 in Port O’Connor, is a quaint and quiet beach complete with sandy shores, a fishing pier, boardwalk and a pavilion for family get-togethers. The beach is family friendly, clean and hosts a huge grassy area for play. Parking is on site, and one can easily spot hermit crabs and other sea life amongst the shore.

Another favorite in the Port O’Connor area is Sunday Beach, located about two miles off of the shore near the west end of Matagorda Bay. Only accessible by boat, Sunday Beach is a popular spot among residents and visitors alike and is considered one of Port O’Connor’s best-kept secrets. What makes Sunday Beach spectacular is beach goers can experience the best of both worlds on the water. The bay side of the beach is calm, and only a short walk away, the Gulf of Mexico roars upon the shore, a true vision of Mother Nature and the surf she can produce.

Big fish tales are not few and far between in the coastal community of Port O’Connor. Boggy Bayou is a well-known fishing spot in Port O’Connor. Flounder, red fish and trout are abundant when the tide is just right, and Boggy Bayou is great for wade or kayak fishing. Spend some time out in the bayou and one might even spot a dolphin or two, but caution is always recommended the ground may live up to its namesake with different types of sediment. Some places are “boggy” and soft and unsuitable for vehicles. Grab a pair of waders and have fish for dinner.

In addition to the bayous, the Texas Gulf Intracoastal Waterway parallels the Gulf of Mexico at Port O’Connor, providing ample opportunity for fun on the water. The intracoastal waterway is more than 400 miles long starting out in the Sabine River and ending very near the Texas/Mexico border treks through Port O’Connor. It is marked with standard aides for navigation.

When residents and visitors are not on the water, they are often found ashore at one of the many festivities celebrated in the tiny port city. Port O’Connor hosts more festivals throughout the year than any other community in Calhoun County. From crawfish festivals and cook-offs to music festivals and numerous fishing tournaments, Port O’Connor never lacks for fun and entertainment. On almost any given weekend, there is something to do in Port O’Connor. Some are invitational only and others are open to any fisherman.

Port O’Connor is known for its annual Independence Day Festival, slated for Saturday, July 3, this year. One of the busiest weekends in POC, people from all over Texas line the streets at dusk to view what some say is one of the most spectacu-

lar firework displays. After a long summer day of craft and food vendors, snow cones, funnel cakes and more at King Fisher Beach, the fireworks display is a perfect way to spend the Fourth of July holiday.

Calhoun County Life • SUMMER 2021 37

FLIP FLOPS AT TH

Bayfront Peninsu features summer

Break out the flip-flops and outdoor attire. This year’s Flip Flop Festival once again promises to be a “rockin’ good time” in Port Lavaca.

Like festivals across the country, the Labor Day weekend festival was canceled in 2020.

This year, the festival will be back in full swing, though it will look a little different than in past years.

“Not knowing what the COVID restrictions would be at the time of the festival when we started planning, we opted this year to host a one-day event,” Tania French, Port Lavaca events chair, said. “But it will be a day full of events, including live musical talent, contests, vendors, and more.”

The event will be held Saturday, Sept. 4, at Bayfront Peninsula Park in Port Lavaca, at the end of State High-

38

way 87, near its intersection with Commerce Street.

This year, the event will be free, French said.

In the past, Flip Flop has featured artists such as the ’80s band Loverboy, Tommy Tutone, The Romantics, Men Without Hats, Fastball, Bag of Donuts, The Swon Brothers, and more.

Spring resident Laurie Beers returns to her native Port Lavaca each year for the event. With her, she brings her two sons, who enjoy participating in many activities. “I travel every year to the Flip Flop Festival in Port Lavaca,” Beers said. “I enjoy the small joyous family atmosphere. I feel safe allowing my two boys to experience the festivities without constant adult supervision.

We look forward to it.”

Perhaps your summertime plans include a trip to

Calhoun County Life • SUMMER 2021

Port Lavaca before Labor Day weekend. If so, here are a few other entertainment opportunities of which we hope you will take advantage: BAYFRONT BEATS SUMMER CONCERT SERIES This six-week summer concert series typically starts the weekend following July 4 and ends in mid-August, though it does run longer on occasion. This family-friendly tailgate event is held from 7 to 10 p.m. during the series and features local and regional talent.

The 2021 line-up begins July 10 and ends Aug. 14. For more information follow @bayfrontbeats on Facebook.

DRIVE-IN MOVIE/MOVIE IN THE PARK Port Lavaca hosts a variety of drive-in movie nights at Bayfront Peninsula Park. Check out the schedule on @PortLavacaDriveInMovie on Facebook to see what’s

THE READY TO GO

sula Park er events

playing while you’re in town! The remaining drive-in movie nights in 2021 are May 15, June 5, Sept. 18, Oct. 30, and Dec. 4 ELITE REDFISH TOURNAMENT TACOS & TUNES TACOS!!!!

(Did that get your attention?)

Do you make the best beef taco? Chicken? Pork/goat? Seafood?

Breakfast taco? How about a DESSERT TACO?!?! Well, here’s your chance to prove it! Saturday, July 24, Lavaca Lodge #36 will host the First Annual Tacos ‘n’ Tunes Taco Cook-Off as a part of the Tacos ‘n’ Tunes celebration. Other events include a corn hole tournament, live music that night brought to you by the City of Port Lavaca’s Bayfront Beats series, a large area for local crafts vendors as well as several other exciting activities throughout the day.

Calhoun County Life • SUMMER 2021

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

VOTER REGISTRATION Calhoun County Elections Office 211 S. Ann (361) 553-4440

RECYCLING Calhoun County Recycling Center (361) 552-7791 GARBAGE COLLECTION Allied Waste Services (800) 640-2014 DRIVER’S LICENSE Calhoun County Courthouse Annex 201 W. Austin (361) 552-5046

ANIMAL CONTROL 201 Stringham Drive (361) 552-5726 VEHICLE REGISTRATION Tax Assessor and Collector Office 211 S. Ann; (361) 553-4433

CALHOUN COUNTY EMERGENCY TELEVISION SparkLight: (361) 552-9621 Direct TV: (888) 777-2454 Dish Network: (866) 271-3005

Medical Service (EMS) (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; (361) 552-3788

INTERNET Infinium: 361-592-5550 SparkLight: (361) 552-9621 TISD.NET: (361) 552-2000 Time-Warner: (877) 646-8994

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

Calhoun County Life • SUMMER 2021

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

(361) 552-5253 Jackson-Roosevelt Elementary, 1512 Jackson (361) 552-3317 Travis Middle School, 705 N. Nueces (361) 552-3784 OUR LADY OF THE GULF CATHOLIC SCHOOL 301 S. San Antonio St.

(361) 552-6140 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.

Join Us For Mass Monday-Friday 8:05 a.m.

Saturday: 5:30 p.m.

Sunday 8:00 a.m., 10:00 a.m.

12:00 noon en Español CONFESSIONS Saturday 4:00 -5:00 p.m.

FIRST SATURDAY TRADITIONAL LATIN MASS 9:00 a.m.

Confessions at 8:30 a.m.

Taking Care Of Your Pets & Livestock Since 1973

Dr. Bill McClellan D.V.M. Port Lavaca Veterinary Clinic

Boarding Available By Appointment

361-552-6959

820 Porter Road, Port Lavaca, TX 77979 Calhoun County Life • SUMMER 2021

41

Rip currents are powerful currents of water moving away from shore.

They can sweep even the strongest swimmer out to sea.

Have fun at the beach, but know the dangers so you can come back.

The number one danger is drowning, ranking fifth among the leading causes of unintentional injury death in the United States.

Constantly watch children when swimming or playing near water. They need a certified lifeguard or responsible adult within reach.

Children under the age of 14, and all weak or non-swimmers should wear U.S. Coast Guard approved life jackets. Rafts, inner tubes, water wings, floaties and other inflatable items are NOT proper safety devices.

LEARN TO SWIM Never swim alone. Even the best swimmers occasionally need help. If you get a leg cramp or find yourself in some kind of difficulty, you will be glad there is someone around. When possible, swim where trained lifeguards are on duty. Swimming from unguarded beaches is not always dangerous; it only means you must be more responsible for your own actions. Do not overexert yourself. Swimming when you are tired is asking for trouble. Do not overestimate your swimming ability. Also keep in mind that distances on water are deceiving; the other side of the swim area is farther away than it looks. Learn about the local area before you go swimming. You may be an expert in a swimming pool, yet could

42

find yourself in a potential drowning situation in the surf when confronted with rip currents, sand bars and deep holes.

RIP CURRENTS A rip current is a powerful, narrow channel of fast-moving water that can move up to eight feet per second. Swimmers can be quickly pulled offshore, suffering fatigue when they fight the current trying to swim straight back to the beach. Once fatigue sets in, the risk of drowning increases because the swimmer is unable to keep themselves afloat or swim to safety. Many people have died trying to rescue rip current victims. If you see someone in trouble, yell instructions on how to escape, throw the victim something that floats and have someone call 9-1-1.

The ships traveling up and down the Matagorda Ship Channel can cause dangerous currents for swimmers, particularly at Magnolia Beach near Indian Point. Always be aware of boating and shipping traffic when visiting any beach by a navigation channel.

STINGS, BITES AND CUTS Shark bites are rare events and headline news. On the Texas Gulf Coast there is a greater chance of winning the lottery or being struck by lightning than being bitten by a shark. Stinging jellyfish are a much greater danger. The severity of the sting depends

Calhoun County Life • SUMMER 2021

on the species of jellyfish and the reaction of the victim to the toxin. Stingrays often frequent shallow waters and can thrust a sharp shaft into a foot or ankle when stepped on. One good preventive action is to shuffle your feet while wading to scare the stingray away. Broken glass and sharp shell pieces are everywhere. To prevent unnecessary cuts, swimmers, particularly children, should always wear some type of footwear because shoes no not bleed.

GOOD RULES A few good rules to follow anywhere along the beach include: • Do not swim in water more than waist deep; stay in even shallower water if you can’t swim.

• Do not swim if you’re tired, sick, or if you’ve been using alcohol or drugs.

• Do not swim in boating areas or near boat ramps.

• Do not swim during thunderstorms or in strong wind.

• Stay at least 100 feet away from rock jetties, groins and piers. Strong currents form there, and they cut deep holes in the bottom.

• Be alert for sea animals that may stick, bite, sting, cut or even shock you. Get out of the water if you encounter one and seek immediate medical attention if you are injured.

Calhoun County Life • SUMMER 2021

43

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Calhoun County Life • SUMMER 2021

Getting Along With Gators 101

Q: Why shouldn’t you taunt an alligator?

--Resilience and adaptability are two characteristics that have kept the alligator family, Crocodylia, around for at least 84 million years. And over that time, the apex predator hasn’t changed all that much.

It still likes marshes. It still likes swamps. And it still likes rivers and lakes. And, it also likes to hang around in the canals and even swimming pools.

“They are cool and have been around a long time,” said Texas Parks & Wildlife Department Game Warden Chelsea Bailey. “They are prehistoric, and it is neat to see that and know they are still out there.”

That is now. There was a time when the alligator was on the brink of extinction and was declared an endangered species in 1967, and in 1969 Texas protected the reptile.

In 15 years, through the combined efforts of the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Department and TPWD, the alligator made its comeback and was taken off the endangered species list by 1987.

In Texas, harvesting of wild alligators began in 1984 under a program monitored by TPWD. The season is in September and requires the hunter to obtain a Convention

on International Trade in Endangered Species tag.

“They like to live near marshy areas,” said Bailey. “It’s their habitat, and we’re in it. Normally, they avoid humans but can become a nuisance if people feed them. They will keep coming back and cause problems.”

It is illegal to feed an alligator, which can lead to the creature becoming a nuisance. It is a Class C misdemeanor.

Bailey said alligators become a nuisance for different reasons, including hanging around where fish are cleaned or people feeding them, but “They come back for the easy food. We try to move them, but that’s not to say that another won’t come and take its place. They like fish so you can’t blame them”.

“We definitely don’t want to kill them, especially if it is human’s fault we have to move them in the first place,” said Bailey. She noted that they often move them into areas away from people.

DOS AND DON’TS FOR LIVING WITH ALLIGATORS

Don’t - kill, harass, molest or attempt to move alligators.

State law prohibits such actions, and the potential for being bitten or injured by a provoked alligator is high.

Do - call your TPWD regional office if you encounter a nuisance gator that has lost its fear of people.

Don’t - allow small children to play by themselves in or around water.

Do - closely supervise children when playing in or around water.

Don’t - swim at night or during dusk or dawn when alligators most actively feed.

Do - use ordinary common care. Swim only during daylight hours.

Don’t - feed or entice alligators. Alligators overcome their natural shyness and become accustomed or attracted to humans when fed. It is now a Class C misdemeanor, punishable by a fine of up to $500, to intentionally feed an alligator.

Do - inform others that feeding alligators creates problems for others who want to use the water for recreational purposes.

Don’t - throw fish scraps into the water or leave them onshore. Although you are not intentionally feeding alligators, the result can be the same.

Do - dispose of fish scraps in garbage cans at most boat ramps or fish camps.

Don’t - remove any alligators from their natural habitat or accept one as a pet. It is a violation of state law to do so.

Alligators do not become tame in captivity and handling even small ones may result in bites. In particular, never go near baby alligators or pick them up. They may seem cute and harmless, but mama alligator will be nearby and will protect her clutch for at least two years.

Do - enjoy viewing and photographing wild alligators from a safe distance of at least 30 feet or more. Remember that they’re an important part of Texas’s natural history, as well as an integral component of many wetland ecosystems.

--A: It might come back to bite you in the end.

RV PARKS MAGNOLIA BEACH The Bayshore 1301 N. Ocean Drive 512-944-7892

Waterfront RV 94 Bayfront Lane 855-444-1116

PORT LAVACA Lighthouse Beach and Bird Sanctuary 700 Lighthouse Beach Drive 361-552-5311 Gateway RV Park 1620 W. Main 361-552-1388

Sandollar RV Park 1103 Broadway St. 361-552-5150

Lavaca Bay RV Park 1818 Broadway 361-552-4814

Sweetwater RV Campgrounds 1943 Sweetwater Rd. 361-894-2267

Texas Lakeside RV Park 2499 W. Austin St. 361-551-2267

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Keller Bay RV Park 361-893-5801

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

The Fishing Center Intracoastal Canal 361-983-4440

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

LaSalle’s Landing RV Park 2699 W. Adams Ave. 361-983-4854

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

Port O’Connor RV Park 110 Steve St. 361-983-2484

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

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

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

Breezy Palms Cottages & RV Park 101 E. Bay Ave. 361-550-6069

Driftwood RV Park 508 E. Broadway 361-920-6789

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

For information on how to have your park included in a future publication, email us at lifestyle@plwave.com Calhoun County Life • SUMMER 2021

45

Take A Step Back

Above: A third-order Fresnel lens that was used in the Matagorda Island Lighthouse after Confederate soldiers removed the original lens.

It was first lit in 1872.

Right: An arrowhead display.

County museum takes you on a trip to the area’s beginnings; Join up with the LaSalle Odessy It’s 2021 right now but step through the doors of the Calhoun County Museum and be transported to the time of the mastodon and other stops along the historical path.

In 1964, the Calhoun County Commissioners’ Court created the museum, which was first housed in the 1896 Jail building then the Calhoun County Annex before moving to its present location at 301 S. Ann St. And, it’s often a surprise to visitor and resident alike that there is a museum in Port Lavaca.

“Museums are important to learn about the area and its history," said George Ann Cormier, director of the museum.

The collection, said Cormier, is unique.

How unique you might ask?

Well...

The ship the French explorer ReneRobert Cavelier, Sieur de la Salle rode was discovered in Matagorda Bay in 1995 with more than 2 million artifacts recovered.

“There was not a museum large enough to be a repository for all of it," explained Cormier about the LaSalle Odyssey that takes visitors to museums around the area. “It’s an incredible collection," she said, noting pieces of wool cloth were found, pieces of leather and so much more. The silt in the bay is dense due to oysters and creates anaerobic conditions that allowed the artifacts to survive. Take the seven-museum odyssey starting with the Birth of an Expedition at the Corpus Christ Museum of Science and History, then check out Daily

46

Life on the Belle at the Texas Maritime Museum in Rockport, see the Native Americans who watched French Come Ashore at the Texana Museum in Edna, re-live the clash of empires in 17th-century North American at the Calhoun County Museum in Port Lavaca, visit La Salle’s doom colony on the Texas Coast at the Museum of the Coastal Bend in Victoria, check out the extraordinary excavation that uncovered the Belle at the Matagorda County Museum in Bay City and end it all at the fully-functioning seagoing replica of the Belle, named La Petite Belle, at her homeport in Palacios and the Palacios Area Historical Museum.

The rise and fall of Indianola, once a bustling seaport that was reduced to remnants following two hurricanes, is showcased as well.

The museum is home to an Emerson square grand piano that was owned by Freda Nugent Kinlay, who taught music in Indianola. You can see where it sat in water following the hurricane.

It survived both storms and was found on the living floor, which was all that remained of the house following the 1886 storm.

There is a diorama of the port city complete with the piers that were serviced by trains. Camels came through the city that had rebuilt itself following a hurricane in 1875 only to be totally razed by a second, stronger, hurricane in 1886. The former county seat could not recover from that one. The museum also tells the stories of the settling of Calhoun County, Port Lavaca, and Linnville.

You can find a third-order Fresnel lens that

Calhoun County Life • SUMMER 2021

was used in the Matagorda Island Lighthouse after Confederate soldiers removed the original lens. It was first lit in 1872, after replacing the lens that was removed in 1862.

“It’s an art object all its own," said Cormier of the multi-part lens that was hand-ground.

The history of lighthouses in the area as well including the Lighthouse at Pass Cavallo and the Halfmoon Reef Lighthouse, which top of which can be found on the grounds of the Bauer Community Center.

Karankawa Indians and how they lived along the coastline. There also is a cabinet devoted to arrowheads collected in Calhoun County that is part of the Charles Husak Collection.

Now you know the unique and fascinating history of Calhoun County that you can carry with you as you step through the doors back into the 21st century.

The museum is open Tuesday & Wednesday from 10:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.; Thursday and Friday from 10:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.; and Saturday from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Call 361553-4689 for more information or visit the museum’s website at calhouncountymuseum.org.

Part of the LaSalle Collection. The Calhoun County Museum is part of the LaSalle Odyssey.

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152 N. Hwy 35, Port Lavaca

(inside Twin Dolphins Movie Theater building)

Office Hours: Mon.-Thurs. 9-4;

361-552-9403 • pfeilinsurance@gmail.com

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Most major insurances accepted!

Calhoun County Life • SUMMER 2021

47

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) ___ American Flamingo (R)

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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

___ 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 ___ Harris’s Hawk ___ Red-shouldered Hawk

Calhoun County Life • SUMMER 2021

county or 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.

___ 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 ___ Winter 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 • SUMMER 2021

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Calhoun County Life • SUMMER 2021

Japanese specialties, hibachi in kitchen. Seafood, noodles, soup, meats in a family-friendly atmosphere

Noodles Seafood Teriyaki Hibachi Sushi Miso 915 State Hwy 35 North, Port Lavaca, TX 77979

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Calhoun County Life • SUMMER 2021

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Melissa Sterling — Manager LaVon Garcia • Joey Gregory Debbie Baldera • Sariah Flores Missie Landry • Michelle Grubert Sheila Benitez 2121 Sailboat • Port Lavaca, TX Phone: (361) 551-2300  Fax: (361) 551-2312