Calhoun County Life

Calhoun CountyLife Featuring...

Port Lavaca Point Comfort Seadrift Port O'Connor

SUMMER 2015

A guide for

visitors and newcomers Complimentary Copy • Take One!

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Calhoun County Life • Summer 2015

“Family Environment”

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2055 State Highway 35 North Port Lavaca, TX 77979 Calhoun County Life • Summer 2015

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Calhoun County Life • Summer 2015

CITY OF

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Welcome to Calhoun County

BY TANIA FRENCH PUBLISHER

Ahh... Summer in Calhoun County... it just can’t be beat.

There is nothing like feeling the sand between your toes and the soft sea breeze in your hair. But it doesn’t just end with summer, for summertime here extends well into fall. In fact, it lasts almost year round.

You will find that our Little Paradise on the Bay offers a variety of activities from which to choose – and all for little or no cost.

There are several summer and fall festivals that will be enjoyable for the entire family.

Port Lavaca is home to the annual Flip Flop Festival, located at the Bayfront Peninsula each Labor Day weekend. The event features live music, vendors and fun for the entire family.

The Port O’Connor Chamber will host a special fireworks display July 4 and the Labor Day Beach Bash Sept. 5.

Each May wounded soldiers spend a weekend in Port O’Connor as part of the Warrior’s Weekend event which features a day of fishing and fun for wounded soldiers and their families.

Seadrift will host Shrimpfest June 12-13 at the bayfront. In addition to musical acts, there will be several activities for children.

Seadrift is also 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.

Cultural enthusiasts will want to be sure to take in a performance at Main Street Theatre, which produces several plays a year featuring local talent.

History buffs should be sure to drop by the county museum, which is featuring the Liberty Ship Reef this summer.

Hatch Bend Country Club is just a short distance away and will appease the golfer in the group.

This nine-hole course is played as an 18 and is open to the public.

Port Lavaca, the hub of Calhoun County, is also home of the Twin Dolphins Theater, playing all of the new hit movies you want to see.

Visitors who want to keep in shape while in town should visit the local YMCA. With few exceptions, Calhoun County offers fun in the sun all

HOMECOOKING

year around to those seeking warm sunshine, relaxing walks on the beach and the best fishing around.

Calhoun County’s long stretch of beaches provides a place for fishing, swimming, boating, beachcombing and fun in the sun. Calhoun County is home to Lighthouse Beach in Port Lavaca; Magnolia, Indianola and Alamo beaches; A.D. Powers Bayfront Park in Seadrift; and King Fisher in Port O’Connor. Each beach has picnic facilities and places to launch your boat.

For the fishermen and women, Calhoun County is the place to be.

Our bays are teeming with redfish, trout, flounder, drum and dozens of other species. Offshore fishing expeditions are also available for a fee through one of the many licensed guides.

Visitors with youngsters will want to be sure to stop by Bayfront Peninsula Park, which includes a splash pad and pirate ship park or Lighthouse Beach which features a swimming area and splash pad area.

Calhoun County boasts numerous recreational vehicle parks.

You will surely want to check out all the many attractions that make this a paradise to those who visit and those who choose to call it home.

We have excellent schools and health care, friendly churches,

• Ding Dongs • • Steaks • • Salad Bar • • Seafood • • Chicken & Dumplings •

great people, rich history, wonderful shops and super restaurants.

We invite you to take a tour through our visitor/newcomer guide. We believe it paints a pretty good picture of what we see as paradise, and we hope you will find all the information for which you are looking.

We also hope you patronize the businesses in this guide. It is through their support we are able to bring you what we feel is a complete taste of Calhoun County.

Welcome to Calhoun County.

Whether it is for a night, a season, or a lifetime, we hope you enjoy your stay.

Tania French Editor and Publisher

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 11-2

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Half Moon Reef Lighthouse (Photo

by Phil Thomae)

Calhoun County Life • Summer 2015

Staff Writers: Lance Catchings

Sherry Ficklen

Kayla Meyer Melony Overton Jay Workman

Creative Director: DD Turner

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

Advertising: Christy Aguilar Betty Birdwell Ashley Kontnier Calhoun County Life Visitor and Newcomers

Guide is published semi-annually. Additional

copies available by contacting the Port Lavaca Composition Asst. Mac Sistrunk Wave. For advertising information, call 361552-9788.

Special Contributors: Brush Freeman Bill Harvey

Pat Hathcock Phil Thomae

On the cover: Brytan Bartels, 12, fills his Visit us online at www.portlavacawave.com bucket with sand at the beach. Calhoun County is home to several beaches. (Wave photo by or email us at editor@plwave.com.

Tania French)

Copyright 2015

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The fishing is good around here.

It always is on Matagorda Bay and Lavaca Bay which also just happen to be the destination for hundreds of ships and barges moving valuable cargo through the Port of Port Lavaca-Point Comfort. The Calhoun Port Authority has long been committed to promoting responsible, sustainable development that’s in the best interest of the community, the environment and the economy. We strive for continuous improvement in our environmental performance and pollution prevention measures. That makes the fishing better for everybody.

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Calhoun County Life • Summer 2015

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Children of all ages enjoy the cooling water of the Lighthouse Beach Splash pad. (Photo by Tania French)

By KAYLA MEYER PORT LAVACA WAVE Whether you’re looking for fun in the sun or a break from the south Texas heat, there is something to do in Calhoun County for just about everyone.

Residents and visitors alike can often be found during the warm summer days at one of the many beaches in Calhoun County catching a few rays, and maybe throwing a fishing line or two into the salty water.

There are seemingly countless areas throughout Calhoun County where people can relax by the water. Those areas include Magnolia Beach, Lighthouse Beach and the bayfront park at the end of Main Street in Port Lavaca. Throughout the county there are King Fisher Beach in Port O’Connor, A.D. Powers Bayfront Park in Seadrift and many others.

During a warm, sunny day earlier this year, Anthony Quiroz flies a kite at Lighthouse Beach. Quiroz brings his family to Port Lavaca about once a month to enjoy the city’s proximity to the water. (Photo by Kayla Meyer)

At many of these areas, there is something for children as well as adults. All of these parks feature areas for families and friends to gather for a picnic on the scenic waters, and at many, there are jungle gyms and playgrounds where children can run and play all day.

PLACES TO PLAY

Calhoun County offers variety of summertime activities

Lighthouse Beach and Port Lavaca Splash Pads “An entire family could go down there and have something for everyone,” said Port Lavaca City Manager Bob Turner about the beaches and parks in Port Lavaca.

“There are beaches if you just want to lay out and enjoy the sun, or you can go to one of the play areas and play on the playgrounds or splash pads,” he added.

in Port Lavaca and partaking in the sand playground and other amenities offered at Lighthouse Beach.

“We’re just visiting Texas.

It’s just beautiful here,” Lauren said about her stop at Lighthouse Beach. “We wanted to do a coastal drive here. It has been a blast. We saw a dolphin earlier. It’s been so much fun.”

While Lauren enjoyed the breezy, yet warm, sunny day at the beach, her 4-year-old son, Kyle, climbed up, down and through the sand playground, The newest playground then slid down one of its slides. addition in the city is what “This is super cool, especially at Turner calls the sand playground, where the playground equipment sits right on the beach.

“It has seven different slides and sits right next to our volleyball courts,” Turner said.

“It can accommodate a lot of children.”

One of the many visitors traveling to and through the Calhoun County area was Lauren, with her husband and son.

The family flew to Texas from southern California to check out the state’s beautiful coast.

Renting a car, once in the state, to travel the Texas coastline, the family could not resist stopping

Young at heart, Po stops for a phot rt Lavaca City Manager Bob Tu o at the grand op rner, front right, Playground. Pict en ured with Turner ing of the Lighthouse Beach ren Gurley, Park are Director of Pu s Jim Ward. (Photo Board Chairman Mac Sistrunk blic Works Dar, and Councilm

by Tania French an )

a campground,” Lauren said about the playground that was near the Lighthouse Beach’s RV park.

“Some places and parks we’ve been to seem to run out of things for him to do,” she added about her son. “But this is just great.”

Kaidyn Camacho, laughed and ran around the playground with Perez’s.

Visiting Bayfront Peninsula Park is an almost-daily activity for the family.

“We come out here as often as we

Just a short distance down the beach, Brittany Lopez, Anthony Quiroz and three-year-old Gabriella Quiroz unraveled the string to their Disney-themed kites.

Owned by the city and operated by the Calhoun County YMCA, the pool, which has numerous lanes for swimming laps, is on Highway 35 and is within walking distance from Lighthouse Beach.

The pool also has a diving area well over 10-feet deep and a shallow end for those not making a big cannonball splash at the deep end.

Patrons – both children and adults – can often be found on hot summer days relaxing in or by the swimming pool.

The pool remains open throughout the summer into September. Open hours for the pool are from noon until 6 p.m. each day of the week except Wednesdays.

“Look Gabby,” Quiroz said in excitement. The threeyear-old beamed as their kite lifted off the ground into the air.

“We encourage a lot of lap swimmers to come at noon, and a lot of the public doesn’t start coming until 2 p.m. or 3 p.m. in the afternoon,” said YMCA executive director Michele Morales.

“That’s when it gets the busiest.”

Lopez said the family, who is from Victoria, visits the Children laugh and play at the pirate beach about once a ship-themed jungle gym at Bayfront month as a way to take Peninsula Park one sunny afternoon. a break from work.

(Photo by Kayla Meyer) When the family was not flying their kites, they were relaxing beneath one can, especially of the many beachfront cabanas, on days like enjoying a picnic lunch by the water. today where the weather is “It has just been so pretty the last beautiful,” Lee few days,” Lopez said. “We come here said. “And we when we have time, especially on come out here pretty weekends.” a lot during the summer.”

In addition to spending time with their toes in the sand, Lighthouse In addition Beach visitors can walk a paved path to the play to another playground area and the areas, Bayfront city’s largest and newest splash pad.

Peninsula Park, along with “We have a poured path from the Lighthouse sand playground to the splash pad,” Beach, both Turner said, adding that the original feature piers for splash pad can be found at Bayfront fishing and docks Youngsters are all smiles at the Bayfront Peninsula Park, just a short drive for boats entering Peninsula Park. (Photo by Tania French) from Lighthouse Beach. the water.

Percilla Perez, of Port Lavaca, often brings her children to the splash pad and playground at Bay Front Peninsula Park to see the smiles on their faces as they climb through the pirate-themed jungle gym.

“There is something for mom, dad, the children and the little ones.

Everyone can come down and enjoy the parks,” Turner said. “We’re really excited about it all.”

“I get to enjoy the day with them.

I bring snacks and everything they would need. They go on the splash pads and just have fun,” Perez said.

Corrie Lee watched as her son,

If the beach is not on the day’s agenda, visitors can also catch a few sunrays at the community swimming pool in Port Lavaca.

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Calhoun County Life • Summer 2015

Swimming Pool Fun

The pool is also open Thursday evenings for family swim night. Family swim night takes place from 7-9 p.m.

“Those are really popular and really busy,” Morales said.

In addition to the open swim hours, the pool can also be rented for evening parties. People interested in renting the pool can do so by calling the YMCA at 361-551-2562.

Two children who can often be found splashing in the YMCA pool are Brianna Esquivel, 9, and Keelan Peppers, 5.

Esquivel enjoys spending time with friends while at the pool in the summer.

“I love swimming,” Esquivel said.

“Where the diving board is, it is deep.

I love going on the diving board and doing cannonballs. ” When not in the pool, Esquivel eats one of the many snacks available at the pool’s concession stand.

“Hot Cheetos are my favorite,” she said with a smile.

Beau’s. While the pair have called Port Lavaca home for the last decade, Klyne is originally from London and Lynch has lived in numerous cities in Texas.

“We come bowl every Wednesday, sometimes more often,” Klyne said, just before bowling a strike on warm Wednesday afternoon.

The YMCA also offers swimming lessons throughout the summer.

Peppers added he cannot wait to take swimming lessons.

“Tuesdays and Wednesdays are my days off,” Lynch said.

“When I’m 6 years old, I’m going to learn to swim,” he said.

“It’s a lot of fun.

I have some good days where I win, and some days she is the better bowler,” Lynch added with a laugh, getting his own strike a few turns later.

For more information about the YMCA, visit www.ymcavictoria.org/ index.php/calhoun.

Beating the Heat Indoors Some days, when the sun and heat get to be too much, visitors often head indoors to cool off in the air conditioning. One place people like to find respite from the hot summer sun in Port Lavaca is at Beau’s Billiards, Bowling and Arcade.

Beau’s, located at 100 Village Rd, opens around lunchtime, and the afternoon gets busy shortly after.

Many patrons toss a ball down a bowling lane or take in a game of billiards as a way to get out of the heat for a while, said Beau’s operator Willet Parker.

“We plan on opening earlier this year. We’re looking at like 10 a.m. this year because we’re upgrading our kitchen to do full restaurant service.

We’re getting ready to do lunches and stuff like that,” Parker said.

For bowling, patrons can play per game or join a league, Parker said.

League nights are Tuesdays through Thursdays beginning around 7 p.m.

During the daytime in the summer, patrons can also look forward to discounted games.

“Usually what we do for summer discounts, we used to do like noon to 5 p.m. give them $2.50 per game versus the $4.85. It’s almost 50 percent off during the daytime hours during the summer,” Parker said.

Barbara Klyne and her son, Andrew Lynch, are frequent bowlers at

stay cool during the summer, or when it’s raining, you can have fun then inside, too,” Klyne said.

For more information regarding Beau’s, contact them at 361-552-2667.

For those looking to escape the summer heat, the Twin Dolphins Cinemas offers summertime matinees and evening showings. For a current list of movies and

With disco Four-year-old Kyle, who wa and black light s visiting Po fr rt Lavaca wit bowling, evenings om Southern California h his parents , e n joys one of th built playgrou and weekends e many slides nd at Lightho at the newly use Beach in Meyer) are also busy Port Lavaca.

(Photo by Kayl for Beau’s. No a matter what time of day it is, Parker said the atmosphere at show times, Twin Dolphins Beau’s is fun and family oriented. can be contacted at 361-552-6764.

“The majority of the people are Whether a person chooses to spend just nice families. They come in and their summer indoors, outside or they want to do something that they a combination of both, Calhoun can take their kids to go do,” Parker County is a place on the Texas Gulf said. “They’ll spend an hour in here Coast for fun in the sun, and the playing and bowling and then we’ll shade. see them again in two or three days or a week. They’re really loyal and really consistent. We’re glad they came to see us.”

Lynch said he has a good game when he bowls around 180, but typically bowls near 100. On that afternoon, Lynch bested his mother by only a few points. Both were happy to have a place to enjoy a fun game for a bit.

“It’s just good fun and a way to

When the Texas summer heat gets to be too much, people can often be found heading into air conditioning at Beau’s Billiards, Bowling and Arcade, located in Port Lavaca. (Photo by Kayla Meyer) Calhoun County Life • Summer 2015

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Point Comfort Fishing Pier and Park. (Photos by Tracy Horejsi)

Point Comfort offers fishing and recreation

By LANCE CATCHINGS PORT LAVACA WAVE Point Comfort is a small community located just across the causeway from Port Lavaca.

Originally 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.

The Point Comfort Harbor and Channel boat ramp is open. The ramp had been closed two years prior to make

improvements that included dredging silt to restore its launch capabilities. In addition, 3,000 cubic yards of silt was removed to improve access to the channel for emergency watercraft, residents, boaters and those who work on Lavaca Bay. Point Comfort is also home to the Port of Port Lavaca, which is one of the busiest ports in the state of Texas.

Recreation continues to be 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.

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.

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 been in existence since 1955.

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Calhoun County Life • Summer 2015

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.”

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Catching the Big One Calhoun County offers unique fishing experience

By LANCE CATCHINGS PORT LAVACA WAVE

where the water is still, and you don’t get a lot of movement in the summer.

There are always the flesh-eating bacteria in the bay system year around.

Everybody has that issue, but I think we have it less because we have the rivers that filter our bay system.

Be-

Donnie Klesel has owned and operated Port O’Connor Rod and Gun store for the past five years, and fished the Calhoun County area for more than 30. He has seen thousands of anglers of all expertise come through the area, and believes the draw is that Calhoun County fishing is unique to any other place on the Texas coast.

“I started coming down here fishing in the late 1960’s with my dad,” Klesel said.

“In 1975, I got my license and started coming on my own, and have fished here ever since. Over the years of fishing a lot in this area you get to know the San Antonio Bay and the Seadrift area. You learn Lavaca Bay in Port Lavaca, me fishing tips Keller’s and Matagorda Bay. eyer shares so a line off a hm ac B ob B he casts Everything is very accessible The late er’s ansfield, 6, as one of Bachmey as here from this peninsula in with Yitzi M w is Th . ge id br a French) Port O’Connor, and it breeds Magnolia Beach . (Photo by Tani sh fi to s ea ar fishing for all types of Anfavorite glers.”

One reason Calhoun tween having a sand flat County is a hotbed for fishing is it has in the middle of the bay, three mile two openings to the Gulf fed by three reef, or wells in Matagorda we have different rivers. a plethora of fishing options. All of “Many places up and down the these things hold fish because there coast have one bay and one entrance is structure for bait to hide around. If to the gulf,” he said. you have bait, you have fish.”

“Here in Calhoun County we have The summer is always a busy time a natural pass, and the big jetties in Calhoun County waters. There over by Alcoa. For the bay fisherman are plenty of fishing tournaments that goes out fishing the surf, or the throughout the season that veterans offshore that likes to go for the larger and beginners can take part in. Klesel fish it is a great location. We have said he sees just as many bay fisherLavaca Bay, which is more for people men as offshore over the summer that know Lavaca Bay, out around months. the plants. The three rivers that filter “Summer down here is 50 percent our bay system basically feed our two offshore, and 50 percent bay fishing openings to the gulf. Our estuary is re- groups that come in,” he said of Port ally good here because of that. There O’Connor. is always a time in every bay system “The bay fishermen are quite

18

Calhoun County Life • Summer 2015

Anglers can park right by the road on the beach between Magnolia Beach and Indianola and wade out a few yards to work lures under the flocks of birds indicating baitfish activity. (Photo by Pat Hathcock) active here because of our fish population. Starting in April, the tournaments kick off. If you are an out of town visitor looking to fish without a boat it can be difficult, but there is plenty of bank fishing available at Boggy Bayou, the intracoastal, and the pier. There are a lot of kayak trails here if that is something a visitor is into. There have been many fishing tournaments won by kayakers.”

Klesel said the best way to get information on bait, fishing locations and what is biting is to stop by the local tackle shop in the area, or go out with a guide.

“The first thing visitors need to do is stop, get a fishing license and be legal,” he said.

“Besides going out with a guide it’s best to talk to a bait or tackle shop owner. If you ask you’ll get the general idea of what type of baits people are using. This is what you need to use, using certain colors in certain types of water. You have to go to the local tackle store to find out some of that stuff. Just having that advantage of knowing what the locals are doing, and what is catching at what time of year can be helpful. That is what the See page 20

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19

ANGLING from page 18

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Calhoun County Life • Summer 2015

mom and pop stores have that the big stores don’t have. You will get the attention you need to have a fun and safe trip.”

The types of fish that can be caught in this unique area are limitless. Many fishermen go out hoping to come back with the Texas Trio.

“The Texas Trio or grand slam is when you get a trout, flounder and red on the same line,” he said.

“Those are the most sought after fish. That is the sport fish people eat the most. There is a lot of whiting, croakers, kingfish and gafftop in the summertime. There are a lot of species of fish besides what is caught in the deep water and the saltwater. The Spanish mackerel schools come very close in to our coast. Ling can be caught close in when normally they are off shore. The vermilion snappers come up around the boats that are docked. In my opinion they are one of the best tasting fish out there. Our flounder population has come on strong the last couple years. They are a lot bigger, and there are quite a few of them.”

There is something for everyone off the coast of Calhoun County, and those who continue to come back year after year know they have found something special.

“From the sport fisherman to the weekenders, they all have something here in this area,” he said.

“For the visitor with no boat, I recommend the Seadrift Seawall, and the old Port Lavaca Causeway. The Port O’Connor intracoastal, jetties, pier and Boggy have plenty of bank fishing for those looking for it. For the person with the boat, the maps are pretty accurate. If they want to have a little better experience we have plenty of guides.

They can look in the visitor’s guide, the local newspaper or stop by the local tackle shop and get more great information.”

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Calhoun County Life • Summer 2015

Calhoun County: an odyssey of historical markers 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-ofway 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 one-half 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

Lavaca 35 end. Take the private road south at 1593 172 Bay 46 44 45 Point water front. Walk south along 2143 Comfort shore at field area. Marker 28 10 falls in water.

1090 32 31 29. Matagorda Island Light35 house* 27 36 87 • Located approx.

3084 Port 7.5 miles south Lavaca 238 4 24 25 of Port 87 O’Connor 9 1090 2433 Lavaca at 28° 20’ Bay 1679 185 16.44”, -96° 25’ 19 20 26.62” on 2541 Matago48 rda Island, 35 Matagorda 21 26 lighthouse 17 Bay 50 is acces11 2235 sible only by 23 private boat or 1289 238 airplane plus a 22 35 hike to the site.

30. Mt. Sinai Baptist Church 37 185 Port • 419 Center St., Port O’Connor Lavaca 31. Olivia 43 185 • SH 172 at city limits Seadrift 185 32. Olivia Cemetery 39 • SH 172 & County Road 317 on County Road 317, Olivia 42 33. Our Lady of the Gulf Catholic Church • 415 W. Austin San Antonio Bay 34. Port Lavaca 29 • 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 1090 Star 35 • FM 1090, two miles north of Port Lavaca 40 12 37. Port O’Connor 18 34 238 • E. Monroe Ave. at S. Park Ave., at King Fisher 3084 38 Beach 13 38. Ranger Cemetery (2 41 Markers) 2 14 • Harbor St., Port Lavaca 39. Rasmussen, Andrew A. 1 • Main & 15th St., Port 35 O’Connor 5 40. Salem Lutheran Church 7 8 • 2101 FM 1090 6 41. San Antonio and Mexi87 16 can Gulf Railroad • 110 N. Virginia, Port 33 47 Lavaca 42. Seadrift 35 49 30 • SH 185, Seadrift 43. Seadrift Cemetery 3 15 35 1090 • 1273 Cemetery Road; Located 1.273 miles from Hwy 185 on Cemetery Road.

49. Wilkins, Alice O., School 46. Six Mile-Royal Community 44. Six Mile Cemetery • Ann and Alice Wilkins streets, Port • Go 4.1 miles northwest of SH 35 on FM • Go 4.5 miles northwest of Port Lavaca Lavaca 1090 on FM 1090 to Royal Rd. Turn west on 50. Zimmerman Cemetery 47. St. Joseph Baptist Church Royal and go about 0.4 miles. Cemetery • From Port Lavaca, take FM 238 about 3 • 811 S. Virginia St., Port Lavaca is behind Six Mile Presbyterian Church. miles to FM 316. Go south 7.25 miles to 48. Town Cemetery, Old 45. Six Mile Presbyterian Church • From Port Lavaca, take FM 238 south roadside area.

• Go 4.5 miles northwest of Port Lavaca southwest about three miles. Then follow on FM 1090 to Royal Rd. Turn west on FM 316 south about 8.5 miles. Go north one * National Registry listing; no historical Royal and go about 0.4 miles. mile on county road to Old Town Cemetery. marker.

Calhoun County Life • Summer 2015

23

Two recreational parks on the horizon

By KAYLA MEYER PORT LAVACA WAVE Visitors 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 Conserva-

tion 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

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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.

“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 stake-

holders to develop a vision for a future park that includes public access and resource protection,” Finster added.

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.

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Daniel Chang 713-548-6148 25

PARKS from page 24

An aerial photo shows the Denman family ranch house and pier on Matagorda Bay at Powderhorn Ranch. (Photo by Earl Nottingham of Texas Parks and Wildlife Department) 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.”

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 17,351-acre Powderhorn Ranch purchase was the largest conservation investment in Texas history. The property is located in part by Powderhorn Lake,

26

Calhoun County Life • Summer 2015

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 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 organiza-

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27

2

3

4*

5

1

A

6

B

7

8

C

D

9 10

D

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. S e a d r i f t 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 2015

29

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31

Memorial to honor veterans

By MELONY OVERTON PORT LAVACA WAVE

The Calhoun County Veteran’s Council is seeking donations to complete the first phase of a veterans memorial.

The Port Lavaca Marina Bayfront Veteran’s Memorial is under construction at Bayfront Peninsula Park.

The memorial consists of two phases. The first is a main pathway called the “Star of Heroes.”

To date, the council has raised $40,000.

In an effort to recognize military veterans within Calhoun County or who have ties to Calhoun County a group of community veterans formed to create a memorial in their honor, Greg Falcon, council chairman, said.

“This memorial will be a six-point star depicting our military branches and will include bricks engraved with a veteran’s name, pavers that line a donor walkway and granite benches,” Falcon said.

The star is 36 feet in diameter. The star will include 4-inch by 8-inch brick pavers. Each star point takes 700 pavers. According to Falcon, the star alone costs $130,000.

In the center of the star is a family circle, which will take 3,200 bricks.

“It’s a community project and the more people we get involved, the better,” Falcon said. “Everything is in place.

We have a 99-year lease from the city.”

“The foundation has been poured for the family circle”, Falcon said.

It was thought the star would take 5,400 bricks to complete.

“The engineer came back and said it will take 7,000 bricks. We will have no-name bricks, but it doesn’t matter because as we go they will

32

The Port Lavaca Marina Bayfront Veterans Memorial Where: Bayfront Peninsula Park, Port LavacaDonations: Each 4-inch by 8-inch name paver costs $80. Buy four and the fifth one is free.

Applications: Applications for 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. pavers are available at the

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. have a name. It is a perpetual thing. We can put a soldier’s start date now and the end date of service later,” he said.

Each 4-inch by 8-inch paver costs $80. Buy four and the fifth one is free. Falcon said 250 pavers have been purchased.

Phase I will include a flagpole located at each military point of the star. Falcon said an arch has been donated.

“The arch will have a bell to toll for the deceased veterans,” he said.

Other donations include a pavilion, rose bushes, marble benches and local labor including bricklaying.

“That’s a really big help when you get people like that,” Falcon said.

In a park setting, the memorial provides a thorough, self-paced and self-guided tour to allow individuals a moment to reflect on the rights and freedoms enjoyed

by United States citizens, which have been preserved by

Calhoun County Life • Summer 2015

This is an image of the Port Lavaca Marina Bayfront Veterans Memorial under construction at Bayfront Peninsula Park. Sponsored by the Calhoun County Veteran’s Council and the City of Port Lavaca, brick pavers engraved with a veteran’s name, the branch of service and the date of service are for sale. (Contributed image) unselfish acts of all veterans.

Eventually, the park will display a series of quotes, wall carvings, statues, sculptures and specific enclaves dedicated to the five wars and other conflicts of the 20th Century.

Falcon is proposing a Memorial Day dedication, but the date has not been finalized, he said.

The second phase is a marble wall with veterans’ names.

Individuals can make donations in the amount of $250, $500, $1,000 and $2,000. All

donations are tax-deductible.

“We really appreciate the donations, but we need more.

If we get the support, we can start looking at grants if we can show the support from the community,” Falcon said.

“Texas has grants for war memorials. We can apply for them, but we have to show some support from the community,” he said. “Some people are donating work. They said they don’t have money, but they can do this. We will take it.”

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Port L avaca, It’s a state of mind!

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DAILY BAG

INCH LENGTH (MIN - MAX)

Amberjack, Greater • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • 1 • • • • Bass: striped, its hybrids and subspecies • • • • • • • • 5* • • • Catfish: channel and blue catfish, hybrids and subspecies 25* • • • Catfish, flathead • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • 5 • • • • Catfish, gafftopsail • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • N/L** • Cobia • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • 2 • • • • Drum, black • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • 5 • • • • Drum, red • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • 3 • • • • Flounder: all species, their hybrids and subspecies2 • • 5/22 • • Gar (alligator) • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • 1 • • • • Grouper, gag • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • 2 • • • • Grouper, goliath (formerly called Jewfish) • • • • • • • 0 • • • • Mackerel, king • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • 2 • • • • Mackerel, Spanish • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • 15 • • • Marlin, blue • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • N/L** • Marlin, white • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • N/L** • Mullet: all species, their hybrids and subspecies1 • • • N/L** • Sailfish • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • N/L** • Seatrout, spotted1 (N of FM457 Matagorda County) • • 10 • • • Seatrout, spotted1 (S of FM457) • • • • • • • • • • • • • 5 • • • • Shark: allowable species1 • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • 1 • • • • Shark: prohibited species • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • 0 • • • • Sheepshead • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • 5 • • • • Snapper, lane • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • N/L** • Snapper, red (pole & line - circle hook only) • • • • • • • 4 • • • • Snapper, vermilion • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • N/L** • Snook • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • 1 • • • • Tarpon • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • 1 • • • • Triggerfish, gray • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • 20 • • • Tripletail • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • 3 • • • • 1 Refer to Texas Parks & Wildlife site for more detail

• 34 - N/L** • 18 - N/L** • 12 - N/L** • 18 - N/L** • 14 - N/L** • 37 - N/L** • 14 - 301 • 20 - 281 • 14 - N/L** • N/L** • 22 - N/L** • C & R*** • 27 - N/L** • 14 - N/L** • 131 - N/L** • 86 - N/L** • N/L** - 12 • 84 - N/L** • 15 - 25 • 15 - 25 • 64 - N/L** • C & R*** • 15 - N/L** • • 8 - N/L** • 15 - N/L** • 10 - N/L** • 24 - 28 • 85 - N/L** • 16 - N/L** • 17 - N/L**

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 2 Nov. 1-30 limit is 2; may be taken only by pole and line.

Guadalupe-Blanco River Authority Providing stewardship of natural resources for Texans through our retail and wholesale water supply and treatment operations.

Calhoun County Operations: • PORT LAVACA WATER TREATMENT PLANT

MIRELES TIRE SHOP

• CALHOUN COUNTY RURAL WATER SUPPLY SYSTEM • CALHOUN COUNTY CANAL

SYSTEM

1064 State Hwy. 316

(Magnolia Beach Road)

36

(361) 552-9751

Calhoun County Life • Summer 2015

• Complete Auto Repair • New & Used Tires • Oil Changes• Complete Auto Detailing 532 N. Virginia, Port Lavaca, TX 77979 Owner: Jose Mireles Mon. - Sat.: 8-6:30• 361-482-2283

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

SEADRIFT • Charlie’s Bait Camp 785-3023

• Chunky Monkey’s 621 Main St., 785-2138

Fresh Table

Shrimp Breaded Seafood Items LIVE BAIT Fish Monday-Saturday: 5:30 a.m.-7 p.m. Oysters Sunday: 5:30 a.m. - 6 p.m. Scallops 361-553-8091 Bait Much More Owners: Mark & Terri Dietzel Now Accepting SNAP Cards

2241 Highway 35 N. Port Lavaca, TX 77979

• Dockside Bait Shop

8 Bell St., 552-5350

806 S. Main, 785-3344

• 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

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

Full Residential, Commercial & Agriculture Propane Service Sales • Service • Tank Sales Locally owned and operated Open Mon. - Fri. 9 am - 5 pm • Sat. 9 am - Noon beginning in Nov.

(361) 552-4858 361-575-3835

2815 State Hwy 35 South • Port Lavaca,Tx

TWIN DOLPHINS Cinemas

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

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

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

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

 Consider us for your next catered event.  Private room available  Watch your favorite sports team on one of our 12 flat screen TVs.

Monday-Thursday: Restaurant - 9 p.m; Bar - Midnight Friday: Restaurant - 10 p.m; Bar - Midnight Saturday: Restaurant - 10 p.m.; Bar - 1 a.m.

361-552-5300 5 2615 N. Hwy. 35, Port Lavaca, TX Like us on Facebook at shellfishsportsbargrill for upcoming special events Calhoun County Life • Summer 2015

37

BEACHCOMBING

Treasures to be found on Calhoun County shores place that is so pretty that I spend as much time as I can down there.”

Beginning at age 12, Austin Those who beachcomb and and friends would take his facollect all sorts of treasures ther’s boat to the island ready from shells to broken glass worn smooth by waves to other for adventure.

“We found plenty of bottles items like toys, buoys and with notes. That was a thrill,” lures will find the same and he said. “I’ve opened them all. more along Calhoun County’s Every now and then you run more than 500 miles of shoreacross one where line. the person was Collectors “There is so much working on a ship can find an array beach. We live on a and they threw it of nautical treabig peninsula with off having written sures like shells, down where they driftwood, pods little islands all were. You wonder and exotic drift around it. All you how long it’s been seeds, also known have to do is get in the water and as sea beans. where it came Mike Austin, out and start walkfrom. There is a 64, of Katy, Texas, ing, take plenty of story about everyhas been “treawater and a snake thing you find,” sure hunting” along Calhoun’s stick and you can do Austin said.

Both military beaches since it all day long. You and natural beach his childhood in are in such a remote finds are special, Seadrift finding too, he said. old bottles, miliplace that is so “We found tary items and pretty that I spend some military shells. as much time as I stuff like unex“From Magploded phosphonolia Beach can down there.” down toward – Mike Austin, rus flares. I don’t care how old you Powderhorn were 64, of Kingwood, are, a sand dollar fun beaches to wonder and find Texas, about beach- lying on the beach is always somethings,” Austin combing in Calhoun thing to see,” he said. “I love walkCounty said. ing on the beach Glass net floats and the cool stuff are a coveted find you stumble for Austin. across makes it better.”

“One thing that’s always Austin said there is a peace fascinating is the glass net about the beach, especially float. I have looked and looked ones that are deserted like for one at Matagorda Island, those on Matagorda Island but I never found one myself including Sunday Beach. on the island. My friend did.

Austin, who has combed the I found them elsewhere in beaches of Costa Rica and Louisiana, and those you know Puerto Rico, always returns to came from the Orient where his hometown beaches for the they use them,” he said. best finds.

Two other hot spots for “There is so much beach.

Austin are up from the mouth We live on a big peninsula of the Guadalupe River and with little islands all around Swan Point in Seadrift. it. All you have to do is get out “This time of year (spring) and start walking, take plenty you feel like you are on the of water and a snake stick and Amazon (River). It’s just you can do it all day long,” he said. “You are in such a remote beautiful,” Austin said of the

By MELONY OVERTON PORT LAVACA WAVE

Sunday Beach, on Matagorda Island, is a well-known shelling spot for beachcombers. (Contributed photo)

38

Calhoun County Life • Summer 2015

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

Front or King Fisher Beach in Port O’Connor is known for beachcombing. (Photo by Melony Overton)

401K Rollover. Education Savings.

Brenda Christensen AAMS® Financial Advisor

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

361-552-6846 Guadalupe. “At Swan Point, you can walk down that beach and stumble across hydrogen peroxide and Milk of Magnesia bottles that had imprints in the glass not labels.”

Suzanne Saathoff, of Kingwood, Texas, started beachcombing in Port O’Connor at age 16.

“Now I’m in my 60s, but my parents had a home in Port O’Connor and that’s what brought me down there,” Saathoff said.

Saathoff takes her finds— shells in brilliant colors, waveworn stones and driftwood— and makes jewelry and decorates furniture and other home décor with it.

Her favorite shelling spots are Front or King Fisher Beach, Matagorda Island and the J-Hook.

“It’s funny how things happen. The ocean gives you such gifts and always in a different place,” Saathoff said. “The J-Hook has thousands of sand dollars. On the peninsula there is a conglomerate of oyster shells that fuse themselves together. I get really good collages out of them. I have a good time doing that in my spare time.”

Saathoff fills large vase lamps with shells or adheres them to soap dishes or mirror frames.

“I’ve made everything. It’s a waste to just put them in a dish because there are so many things you can make out of them,” she said.

Creating with beach finds is a way for Saathoff to unwind.

“I have a high stress job. It is a way to release mentally on the weekends, enjoy the fresh air, with no smog like in the big city,” she said. “I get into myself and get away from the crowds. It is a good mental release, then you can let your imagination run wild making something out of driftwood then put shells on it to put in our porch area or in the flowerbeds. It is there for the taking.”

Beachcombers can find the lightning whelk, the state shell, and other big shells at the base of the big jetties in Port O’Connor.

Several prime spots for shelling in Calhoun 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 County beaches.

Beachcombers can find sea beans on Sunday Beach, and when the Sargasso grass graces King Fisher Beach in Port O’Connor, a few might be found within it.

Sea beans come from plants that grow on tropical islands and in rain forests. The sea beans drop from plants into waterways such as the Amazon River. After reaching the ocean through inlets, these tropical seeds drift until they land on beaches, according to “The Little Book of Sea Beans and other Beach Treasures,” by Cathie Katz ad Paul Mikkelsen.

Hamburger beans’ are the most common and abundant named so for their resemblance to the fast food sandwich. They range in size, color and design, but most are brown with a wide, black band. However, they can also be red, tan and speckled.

Tips for the inexperienced beachcomber from veteran shellers: -Wear appropriate seasonal clothing -Protect yourself from the sun by wearing sunglasses, a hat, sunscreen and possibly long sleeves -Wear old canvas shoes to protect your feet -Wear clothes with pockets -Carry a light weight 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 Please remember to never collect living specimens, as they are still part of the ocean’s food web.

William McFarland, M.D. Family Medicine

TRADITION. IF YOU’RE LOOKING FOR QUALITY CARE FOR YOUR FAMILY, TRUST OURS.

The Coastal Medical Clinic is proud to introduce William McFarland, M.D. Not only is he following in the footsteps of his father, Tim McFarland, M.D., but he also shares his passion for providing healthcare for all ages. Dr. William McFarland grew up here in Port Lavaca and provides services that include wellness visits, the treatment of everyday illnesses and the management of complex health conditions. Dr. McFarland accepts most major insurance, including Medicare and Medicaid. Same-day appointments are often available.

For an appointment, call 361-552-8866.

Se habla español.

Tim McFarland, M.D. Family Medicine

701 N. Virginia St., Port Lavaca

Members of the Medical Staff of the DeTar Healthcare System

83132_DETA_McFarland_5_75x10c.indd 1

Calhoun County Life • Summer 2015

4/14/15 3:19 PM

39

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

Verizon Residential: (800) 483-4400 AT&T Residential: (800) 222-0300 Commercial: (800) 222-0400

TELEVISION

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

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

INTERNET

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

DRIVER’S LICENSE Calhoun County Courthouse Annex 201 W. Austin; (361) 552-5046

WAGON TRAIN RESTAURANT Established in 1961 Open Mon - Fri 6 am - 8 pm and Sat 6 am - 10:30 am

Serving:

Steaks, Seafood, and burgers • Homemade rolls made daily Now accepting most major credit cards

Breakfast served from............................6am-10:30am Lunch Special Mon-Fri from.........................11am-2pm Nightly Specials served from..........................5pm-8pm

TO GO ORDERS AVAILABLE!

145 N. Hwy. 35 Bypass • Port Lavaca • 552-3056

40

Calhoun County Life • Summer 2015

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

SCHOOL ENROLLMENT PORT LAVACA Calhoun High School Sandcrab Blvd., (361) 552-3775 Hope High School 300 Alcoa, (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 Victoria College, Calhoun County Center 900 N. Virginia, (361) 553-4316

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.

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

Where to dine

Taqueria La Finca

Port Lavaca

PORT O’CONNOR 2640 W. Main St. 361-552-6515 Sun. - Thurs. 5 a.m. - 9 p.m., Fri. and Sat 5 Josie’s a.m-10 p.m.

Specials everyday. Breakfast, lunch dinner, drive- 610 W. Adams Ave. 361-983-4720 through Serving breakfast, lunch and dinner.

(See ad on page 27) (See ad on page 65)

Bayside Seafood Restaurant 2055 N. Hwy. 35 361-552-7177 Sun. – Thurs. 11 a.m. – 9 p.m.

Fri. – Sat. 11 a.m. – 10 p.m.

Seafood, steaks, burgers.

(See ad on page 3)

Shellfish Sports Bar & Grille

2615 N. Hwy. 35 Seadrift 361-552-5300 Mon. - Thurs. open until 9 p.m. Friday open until 10. Bar open until midnight. Saturday open Barkett’s Restaurant until 10,. Bar open until 1 a.m.

321 Broadway Avenue (See ad on page 37) 361-785-2441

Beijing Grand China Buffet 339 Calhoun Plaza 361-553-6862 Mon. – Thurs. 10:30 a.m. – 10 p.m.

Fri. and Sat. 10:30 a.m. – 10:30 p.m.

Sun. 11 a.m. – 10 p.m.

Chinese buffet.

(See ad on page 40)

Subway

Pantry (The)

702 N. Virginia 361-552-1679 Tues. – Fri. 11 a.m. – 2 p.m.

Lunch specials, catering, party trays, take-out (See ad on page 33 or 45)

Port Lavaca Restaurant & Donut

1800 S. Hwy. 35, Suite 2 361-552-5725 or 361-482-0505 Mon. - Sun. 6:30 a.m. – 8:30 p.m.

Cambodian, Tai, Vietnamese and donuts.

Two locations 306 Hwy. 35 361-552-7300 Inside Walmart 361-552-6073 (See ad on page 6)

Tues.–Thurs.. 11 a.m. - 9:30 p.m.

Fri. - Sat. 11 a.m. - 10 p.m.

Sun. 11 a.m. - 9:30 p.m.

Closed Mondays Specializing in seafood and steaks.

(See ad on page 59)

Texas Traditions Cafe & Bakery Bubba’s Cajun Style Seafood 234 E. Main St. 361-553-5555 Mon. – Wed. 11 a.m. – 2 p.m. & 5 – 8:30 p.m.

Thurs. – Fri. 11 a.m. – 2 p.m. & 5 – 9 p.m.

Sat. 11 a.m. – 9 p.m., Sun. 11 a.m. – 2 p.m.

Steaks, seafood, chicken and dumplings, chicken fried steak, salad bar, pies (See ad on page 6)

Visit us online at plwave.com

1142 Hwy. 185 E 361-785-2645 Tues.–Sun. 11 a.m. - 10 p.m.

Closed Mondays Seafood, steaks, catering (See ad on page 61)

Wagon Train

145 N. Hwy. 35 361-552-3056 Mon. – Fri. 6 a.m. - 8 p.m.

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

(See ad on page 40)

Keep informed about the latest upcoming events by subscribing to:

Out-of-County

In-County

The Port Lavaca Wave

3 months $16.50

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6 months $26.75

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1 year $40.00 2 years* $75.00

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Come See Us Today at

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361-552-5121

1300 N. Virginia (Memorial Medical Plaza)

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107 E. Austin St. Port Lavaca, Tex. (361) 552-9788 or subscribe online at:

www.portlavacawave.com

Your Port Lavaca Walmart:

Working To Save You Money So You Can Live Better!

400 Tiney Browning Blvd ★ 361-552-4116 Calhoun County Life • Summer 2015

41

y t i l a u Q l o r t Con g n i t s e T

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42

Calhoun County Life • Summer 2015

709 C. Hwy. 35 S. Port Lavaca, TX 77979

Beck

Air Conditioning, Inc. 361-552-6656 in Port Lavaca • 361-570-6656 in Victoria • www.beck@rheemteam.net

Calhoun County Life • Summer 2015

43

Liberty Ship Reef one of several exhibits featured at County Museum this summer

By MELONY OVERTON PORT LAVACA WAVE The Calhoun County Museum, located at 301 S. Anne St., in Port Lavaca, will have exhibits this spring and summer, which will feature items retrieved from the Matagorda Island Liberty Ship Reef, a former county judge and a turn of the century kitchen.

Frank Jaycox, Jr., of Woodsboro, Texas, recently donated items he retrieved from the Matagorda Island Liberty Ship Reef during a diving excursion in the 1970s.

The Liberty ships were used in World War II. Ships were sunk intentionally as artificial reefs in the Gulf of Mexico to benefit the commercial fishing industry. Jaycox retrieved the items shortly after the ship was sunk, according to George Anne Cormier, museum director.

Calhoun County Museum Where: 301 S. Ann St., Port Lavaca Admission: Free Hours: The museum is open 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. on Saturday.

Contact: For more information, call 361-553-4689.

Cormier said these items will appear in the museum’s existing military exhibit.

“Right now our military exhibit is all from the Civil War. We want to beef up the exhibit with World War II items,” Cormier said. “This area was so busy

A Lyle lifesaving cannon, or a line-throwing gun, from a World War II ship is the newest addition to the Calhoun County Museum’s military exhibit. The cannon was retrieved from the Matagorda Island Liberty Ship Reef, located 21 nautical miles from the Matagorda jetties. Ships were intentionally sunk within the Gulf of Mexico to make artificial reefs to benefit commercial fishing.

(Photo by Melony Overton) The artificial reef is located 21 nautical miles from the Matagorda jetties.

Those items include a Lyle lifesaving cannon, or linethrowing gun, a compass cover, a rudder indicator and a brass pedestal.

44

during World War II with the military base on the island, so I thought it would be nice to have items from that period.”

Another exhibit has to do with the kitchen just before 1900. Some items in that exhibit include a potato peeler and

Calhoun County Life • Summer 2015

Sam Tisdale, of Harlingen, Texas, front, and his sister Sammye Diebel, of Port Lavaca, look at a diorama of Indianola at the Calhoun County Museum, located at 301 S. Ann St. (Photo by Melony Overton) masher, a corn sheller from the 1800s, a meat grinder circa 18801906, a metal water pump and a handheld mixer. Other items include a moustache cup from the 1860s, which was a drinking cup with a semicircular ledge inside which served as a guard to keep moustaches dry, a butter churn and dasher, a vegetable cutter from the 1800s and a set of 1820s German porcelain.

Extra 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 the 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 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 museum has a firepot, or a device much like a Molotov cocktail filled with flammable liquid. The lid had a fuse installed and it was sealed. Inside was a grenade with a fuse. The exhibit also includes a petard, or a small explosive device designed to blow open barricaded doors and gates, and 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.

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One of the four exhibits at the Calhoun County Museum this fall/ winter was a collection of household items used in a turn of the century kitchen pre-1900. (Photo by Melony Overton) 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 hand-crafted bedding and furniture that are over a century old.

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Calhoun County Life • Summer 2015

45

Where Caring Is Our Calling!

ATTENTION

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46

Calhoun County Life • Summer 2015

RV park listing Magnolia Beach

Bayshore, The 1301 N. Ocean Drive.

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Lighthouse Beach and Bird Sanctuary Park 700 Lighthouse Beach Dr. (361) 552-5311

(See ad on page 31)

(See ad on page 11)

Bayside 316 8530 State Hwy. 316 Indianola, (979) 338-9936 Circle H RV Park 558 Margie Tewmey Rd. (361) 571-7525 Oceanside RV Park 1162 Ocean Dr. North, Magnolia Beach (361) 564-0055 Powderhorn RV Park Indianola Beach, (361) 552-7481

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Keller Bay RV Park (361) 893-5801

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Lavaca Bay RV Park 1818 Broadway (361) 552-4814

Texas Lakeside R. V. Park 2499 W, Austin Street (361) 551-2267 (See ad on page 43) Port O’Connor

2 RV Park 1402 Harrison, (361) 983-4688 Bayou Bridge Rv Park 211 E. Broadway, 361-649-1060 Beacon 44 RV Park Harrison and Druscilla (361) 983-4247 Breezy Palm Cottages and RV Park 101 E. Bay St., 361-550-6069 Dolphins of the Bay RV Park 112 S. 16th Street (361) 983-4802 Fishing Center (The) Intracoastal Canal (361) 983-4440 LaSalle’s Landing RV Park 2699 West Adams Ave. (361) 983-4854 Port O’Connor RV Park 110 Steve St., (361) 983-2484

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Beacon 7 RV Park West Bay Avenue (361) 785-2717 Captains Quarters 201 N. Hwy. 185 (361) 785-4982 Lost Pelican RV Ranch 107 E. Broadway (210) 262-3991

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Calhoun County filled with rich history STAFF REPORT

Calhoun County is filled with history.

With the former port of Indianola being the gateway to Texas immigration, the Indian raid at Linnville, Civil War bombardments and much more, Calhoun County has many interesting stories to tell. On your visit to Calhoun County, there are more than 50 historical markers to see.

Three recent Texas Historical Markers dedicated within the county were for Sgt. William Henry Barnes, located at the Indianola Cemetery, the Chihuahua Trail, located at the cistern at Indianola and former County Judge Howard G. Hartzog Sr. located at the county courthouse.

On Feb. 11, 1864, a 23-year-old William Barnes, of Maryland, responded to the “Act For Enrolling and Calling Out the National Forces” (Conscription Act) signed into law March 3, 1863 by U.S. President Abraham Lincoln. Barnes entered a recruiting station at Point Lookout, Md., and joined the Union Army. He started military service as a private in the 38th U.S. Colored Troops in Norfolk, Va. On Sept. 29, 1864, the 38th USCT, and other USCT regiments attacked Confederate forces at New Market Heights, Va. He returned to service on Dec. 12, 1864.

On April 6, 1865, Private Barnes was awarded the Medal of Honor for his actions in the battle. Fourteen of the 16 recipients of the Medal of Honor awarded to black soldiers in the Civil War were for action at the Battle of New Market Heights on September 29-30, 1864.

The Civil War ended in April 1865. In June 1865, Union soldiers began flooding into Texas to maintain law and order and assist with the Reconstruction era in Texas.

Troops were also ordered to the U.S. and Mexico border in the Rio Grande Valley in case intervention was necessary in

the war between France and Mexico. Many of these soldiers were from the Twenty-Fifth Army Corps that was formed of regiments of the U. S. Colored Troops. Barnes was among them.

Soon after, Barnes was promoted to the rank of sergeant, the highest rank that could be attained by a black soldier in the Union Army.

The service of the 38th USCT in Texas included Brownsville and various points on the Rio Grande, Brazos Santiago Island, Galveston and Indianola. However, from July through October 1866, Barnes was reported in the bi-monthly Company Muster Roll as “Sick” or “Sick in Hospital”.

In the November and December Muster Roll, it is recorded that he “Died of Consumption in Hospital at Indianola, TX. Dec 24/66.”

Sgt. Barnes was laid to rest at Indianola.

Between 1844 and 1887, Indianola grew to become a cosmopolitan port city that was second only to Galveston.

Indianola became a port for trade and was the eastern terminus of the Chihuahua Road that traveled overland from the mines of Chihuahua City in Mexico.

The mines of Mexico were primarily silver, but also included copper, zinc and lead.

Other trails, such as the Sante Fe Trail, were long and difficult routes. The Chihuahua Road became popular as a more direct route, traveling from IndianolaMatagorda Bay, through San Antonio along the Balcones Fault to the Rio Grande through Alpine and Marfa and then turned south to Mexico and up the Conchos river to Chihuahua City.

By the 1850s, hundreds of wagons and Mexican carretas were outfitted in Indianola for the long and difficult journey across a wide variety of terrain. From 1844 to 1886, scores of towns in West Texas along the Chihuahua Trail were established as a result of trade between Indianola See page 55

Calhoun County Life • Summer 2015

47

A bird watchers paradise

Calhoun County known for its birding opportunities

By MELONY OVERTON PORT LAVACA WAVE Calhoun County is full of birding hot spots with points that include a national wildlife refuge known for endangered whooping cranes to Matagorda Island and places in-between.

Linda Lanoue, a volunteer at the Aransas National Wildlife Refuge in Austwell, who is a member of Friends of Aransas National Wildlife Refuge, said over 400 bird species have been documented there.

“Besides whooping cranes and sandhill cranes, a few of my favorites I’ve seen at the refuge (in no order) are painted bun-

48

ting, sedge wren, scissor-tailed flycatcher, sora, clapper fail and the yellow-crowned night-heron,” Lanoue said.

Other species at the refuge include green heron, purple gallinule, wild turkey, roseate spoonbill, osprey, white-tailed hawk, merlin, aplomado falcon, little blue heron, least grebe, cinnamon teal, black-bellied whistling duck, magnificent frigatebird, reddish egret, crested caracara, long-billed curlew, vermilion flycatcher, red-naped flycatcher, blackburnian warbler and many more.

“The whooping cranes are usually here from around the end of October until mid-April.

Calhoun County Life • Summer 2015

When the family groups arrive, the young still have a lot of their cinnamon color. They stay with their parents all through the winter,” Lanoue said.

“By the time they leave, the young will have most of their adult plumage, just retaining a little brownish color on and around their heads. When they return next winter, they will have their full adult plumage. They will no longer stay with their parents, but will frequently be found with other sub-adults,” she said.

Steve Reisinger, of Rockport, who is a master naturalist and avid birder, leads a monthly bird survey and bird walk at the

refuge.

“We have opened up the bird census to the public and have incorporated a two- hour bird walk. It works out well because the more pairs of eyes you have for the census the better,” Reisinger said.

The information is put on display at the refuge visitor center so visitors can know what birds were seen the previous week, he said.

Reisinger said birding came to him gradually.

“I remember as a young boy my father gave me a bird book and that made me aware, but serious birding began for me 20 years ago,” he said.

Inca Dove captured

by BIll Harvey.

A brown thraser caught by local photographer Bill Harvey.

“The nice thing is it gets me outside in nature. It just changes my attitude because it is very peaceful and calming to me. I like to be out in nature anyway, so if there are no birds I will look at butterflies, plants and wildflowers, but birds are what I first started looking at,” he said.

Reisinger said birds have a certain mystique about them.

“They have faces, eyes and personalities and as human beings we identify with that, but they can do something we can’t and that is pick up and fly. That freedom they have is something that attracts us to them. It’s a very emotional thing,” he said.

Reisinger said the Texas Gulf coast is one of the best birding areas in the country, and Calhoun County is no exception.

Reisinger puts birding data onto www.ebird.org, which includes Calhoun birding hot spots.

“It will take you to a map and you can explore to your heart’s content,” he said. “It shares information about what birds you’ve seen and the locations. The refuge is one of the prime locations in our area and eBird generates visitors to the refuge.”

Using eBird, Reisinger said 124 species have been spotted in such remote areas as rice fields on FM 1289 to Magic Ridge with 253 species.

“There are a lot of good spots up and down Highway 35, at the Chocolate Bayou boat

ramp and in the Point Comfort area,” Reisinger said.

Other birding hot spots in Calhoun include Indianola, Powderhorn Lake, Olivia, Matagorda Island, Swan Point in Seadrift with 163 species reported and Port O’Connor with 290 species reported, Reisinger

“They have faces, eyes and personalities and as human beings we identify with that, but they can do something we can’t and that is pick up and fly.

That freedom they have is something that attracts us to them.

It’s a very emo-

tional thing.”

– Steve Reisinger, of Rockport, who conducts a monthly birding census

AranNational Wildlife Refuge, in Austwell, in Calhoun County, about the mystique of birds.

and birding tour at sas

said.

Spring migration is coming up. It lasts from late March to mid-May, he said.

“We are already seeing the birds who migrate coming through,” Reisinger said in March. “At first we’ll see yellowthroated warblers, black and white warblers and the northern parula, I could go on, but we must have 150 or more species migrate through. It is a lot of

Great horned owl photographed by Bill Harvey. fun to see this happening.”

Reisinger said the annual migration happens for two reasons.

“We have lots of natural habitats. We have the beach, bays, wetlands, ranch land, wooded areas and prairie areas.

All of these different areas will attract a different type of bird,” he said.

The second reason is because the Texas Gulf coast is on the main flyways of migration, Reisinger said.

“The migrants that come from South and Central Amer-

ica, cross the Gulf coast and go across our area to the upper Mississippi (River) then to the East Coast up into Canada and Alaska. A a lot of birds are funneling through our area, but we are very lucky in that regard,” he said.

But, despite the myriad of topography within Calhoun that attracts different species of birds, Reisinger said birding can happen close to home.

“Your own back yard is a good place to go birding. Put out some feeders and native plants and wait and watch,” he said.

Calhoun County Life • Summer 2015

49

A helpful checklist for birders 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.

Photo by Bill Harvey There are several options for those interested in watching the wildlife.

Key Visit the Port Lavaca Lighthouse R=Rare P=Pelagic/Offshore Compiled by Brush Freeman Beach and Bird Sanctuary, Magnolia Beach or even Matagorda Island State H=Hypothetical Park. According to Brush Freeman, E=Extirpated/Extinct coauthor of The Texas Ornithological I=Introduced or Exotic Society Handbook of Texas Birds, 429 species have been recorded in ___ 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 • Summer 2015

___ 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 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.

___ 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 • Summer 2015

51

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Calhoun County Life • Summer 2015

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Calhoun County Life • Summer 2015

53

Grapes grown at the Lavaca Bluffs vineyard and winery, located in Lolita. Lavaca Bluffs also features a tasting room.

(Wave file photo)

Lavaca Bluffs winery features locally grown fruits

By MELONY OVERTON PORT LAVACA WAVE The Gulf Coast is known for its beaches, bays and catches of the day, but for its wine?

Doug and Beth Reed, who live near Lolita, are the proprietors of the Lavaca Bluffs vineyard and winery, housed on the Lavaca River, have made changing that perception their goal.

The retired educators purchased a Frels Landing homestead, which is part of the original Stephen F. Austin Old 300 land grant, nestled between Calhoun and Jackson counties, in 1998 from a descendant of the early settlers to the area because of its view, its history and its people.

Little did the couple know that the land would provide a winemaking opportunity.

The couple planted their first grapes in 2006.

Six miles south of Palmetto

Bend Dam and Lake Texana, hardy grapes thrive in the sun and strong coastal breezes off the Gulf of Mexico and Lavaca Bay, six miles to the south.

The Reeds grow the mustang grape, a native North American grape, the Lenoir or Black Spanish grape, the Blanc du Bois, a white grape, and a rare “convent” grape to make their wines.

In the 1800s, a Catholic order of French nuns brought the convent grape to South Texas to make sacramental wine.

The Reeds make a red wine called “Lost Mission” from the convent grapes as well as a blush called “Sister’s Mission.” Those wines are in limited supply.

They also make wines from other locally grown fruits such as peach, pear, mulberries, blackberries and plums.

The 24 wines run the spectrum from dry to sweet.

The historic names used in

the wine labels reflect grape or wine types. For instance, “Texana” is used for native mustang grape wines and local fruits, “Casa Blanca” for Blanc du Bois, “Lavaca” for Black Spanish or Lenoir and “Navidad,” “La Belle” and others for wines blended with local and Texas fruits.

Names for their wines include “Bone Dry Blanc,” “Indianola,” “Lavaca Rose,” “Half Moon Merlot” and “Puerto Lavaca” to name a few. The winery also features a “Port Aransas,” which is a white Merlot, a “Lolita’s Blush,” made with a favorite grape from Hallettsville, and “Indian Point,” another blush.

Two new wines include a straight up chardonnay called “La Salle” and a muscat mandarin orange called “Two Step.”

The winery is part of the Texas Independence Wine Trail.

The trail runs from Lolita to La

IF YOU GO: To get to the winery from Port Lavaca, take State Highway 35 north to Point Comfort, turn left (north) 10 miles on Farm-to-Market Road 1593, one mile south of Lolita turn left (west) on County Road 426 1.6 miles, then right (north) 0.2 miles on Private Road 4261.

Grange. The winery is also part of the Go Texan Wine Passport Program, a free downloadable application that shows the locations of wineries in Texas.

The winery also features a tasting room, which enables the Reeds to interact with the public.

Tasting room hours are from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Friday and Saturday, and from 2 to 6 p.m. on Sunday. All other times are by appointment only.

For more information, call 361-874-4663 or email dreed@ lavacabluffs.com or bethreed@ tisd.net.

Calhoun Air Center hosts numerous events through the year

By LANCE CATCHINGS PORT LAVACA WAVE

The Calhoun County Air Center has something for everyone and prides itself on being involved in the community. The Air Center provides quality air service to the community. Steve Plunkett has managed and operated the facility over the past six years.

“We are the fixed base operator for Calhoun County,” Plunkett said.

“Anyone that flies into the airport we take care of them from start to finish which includes everything from setting up a rental car to hotel reservations. We take care of their aircraft as far as fuel purchase and hanger space. We have about 19 based aircraft and we maintain, fuel and keep track of those for their owners.”

The Air Center does its best to educate youth about aviation and one of their big events is the annual Kids Day. “We host our annual kids day where we work with Calhoun County Independent School Dis-

54

trict and bus out all the sixth grade students in the county,” he said.

“Seadrift, Travis and we work with Our Lady of the Gulf as well.

The kids come out for a day of aviation learning. We’ve had everything from flight simulators to agriculture crop dusters, helicopters, emergency medical services helicopters and private jets. We had the coast guard come participate and the Texas Department of Transportation have brought a jet. We’ve had very good volunteers and sponsors for that event and we host around 300 kids every year for that event.”

The owner of the Air Center is two-time Air Race Champion Dianna Stanger and she also participates in an event called Women of Aviation Worldwide.

“Our owner Dianna Stanger is a big proponent of Women of Aviation Worldwide and she flew over 350 girls this past year on W.O.W. week. It is one week dedicated internationally to introducing women and girls to flight. Between Palacios, Victoria and Calhoun

Calhoun County Life • Summer 2015

County she gave over 350 girls free flights in her helicopter this past year,” Plunkett said.

For the second time in four years Stanger took first place in the Women’s Air Race Classic.

The A.R.C is a cross-country air race that started in California and finished in New Cumberland, PA this year.

“It was a grueling four day event and her team came out on top. They overcame weather and ice in Montana to fighting Thunderstorms near the end and won first place. She is a very experienced pilot and wants to introduce more women to aviation. It has been a constant statistic that females only make up six percent of the pilot population. One of her major goals is to see that number increase,” he said.

Another community activity that happens at the Air Center is the Halloween Monster Bash.

“We did it for three years and this year with the schedule and the county fair we held off but it is something we plan to bring back in the future,” Plunkett said.

“The Halloween Bash is an open to the public Halloween themed event at the airport. We’ve done things like give out free young eagles flights, which are open from ages 8-17, and volunteers take up kids for free flights. We’ve had different vendors and entertainment come. We’ve done haunted houses and hay rides with pumpkin patches. Trunk or treat was very successful last year and definitely something we are looking at continuing in the future.”

Visitors are always welcome to stop by the Air Center for a tour or if they just want to become more knowledgeable about aviation.

“Our website is calhounaircenter.com and we are on Facebook at Calhoun Air Center. Both of those are updated regularly and we post different information regarding our events and neat things that happen at the airport. We love people to drop by. We are open 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. seven days a week.

There is always someone here to answer questions about aviation,” he said.

Where to worship POINT COMFORT Point Comfort United Methodist 92 Wood St. 361-987-2812 Services: Sunday School - 10 a.m.

Sunday Worship – 11 a.m.

Pastor: Rev. Danielle Knapp

St. Ann Catholic Church

First Baptist Church

Six Mile Assembly of God

Services: Sunday – 10:15 a.m. and 6 pm.

Bible study for all ages - Sunday 9 a.m., Wednesday 6:30 p.m.

(See ad on page 15)

Services: Sunday School –9:30 a.m., Worship 10:30 a.m., Children’s Church 11:15 a.m.

Sunday evening 6 p.m., Wednesday Meal at 7 p.m., Discipleship 7:30 p.m.

Pastors: Johnny & Bonnie Kisiah

902 Calhoun St. 361-552-2931

Hope Fellowship

(See ad on page 30)

210 E. Main Street 361-552-5317

700 Lamar Street 361-552-6140

Services: Sunday School – 9:30 a.m.

Sunday Worship – 10:30 a.m.

Pastor: Brady Owens

Mass:

Mount Sinai Baptist Church

Sunday – 10:30 a.m.

Wednesday – 9 a.m.

Pastor: Rev. Tommy Chen Assoc. Pastor: Rev. Antonio Perez

St. Mark’s Lutheran Church 83 Milam St. 361-893-5424 Services: Sunday Worship – 8:30 a.m.

Pastor: Jim Gicklhorn

PORT LAVACA Alamo Heights Baptist Church 110 Trinity Shores Dr. 361-552-2532 www.ahbcportlavaca.org

419 W. Center 361-552-2094 Services: Sunday School – 9:30 a.m.

Sunday Worship – 11 a.m.

Wednesday:

Mission and Brotherhood - 5:30

Prayer - 6:30

Bible Study - 7 p.m - 8 p.m.

Pastor: Rev. James H. Fowler

Our Lady of the Gulf Catholic Church 415 West Austin Street 361-552-6140 Mass:

5 miles north of Port Lavaca on FM 1090 361-552-5714

Mon. - Fri. 8:05 a.m.

Saturday – 5:30 p.m.

Sunday – 8 and 10 a.m., Sunday – noon (Spanish)

Pastor: Rev. Tommy Chen Assoc. Pastor: Rev. Antonio Perez

Services: Sunday School - 9:45 a.m.

Sunday Worship – 10:50 a.m. and

6 p.m.

Wednesday – 6:30 p.m.

Parkway Church

Pastor: Bro. J. V. Helms (Interim) (See ad on page 36)

Services: Sunday Worship – 11 a.m.

Pastor: Mike Hurt

Bauer Community Center 361-572-8340

PORT O’CONNOR Port O’Connor First Baptist Church 408 W. Jefferson Ave. 361-983-2727 Services: Sunday School – 9:45 a.m.

Sunday Worship – 11 a.m.

Wednesday - 6 p.m.

Pastor: Rev. Donnie Martin

Fisherman’s Chapel 311 Main St. 361-983-4240 Services: Sunday Bible Study – 10 a.m.

Sunday Worship – 11 a.m.

Sunday Evening – 6 p.m

Tuesday FBI – 7 p.m.

Wednesday Services – 7 p.m.

Friday Youth – 7 p.m. – 10 p.m.

Seadrift First Baptist Church Seadrift 302 W. Dallas 361-785-3411 Services: Sunday School – 9:45 a.m.

Sunday Worship – 11 a.m.

Sunday Evening - 6 p.m.

Wednesday WOW for Youth - 6 p.m.

Pastor: Jason Delgado

First Assembly of God 2nd and Dallas streets 361-785-5721 Services: Sunday Worship – 11 a.m. & 6 p.m.

Wednesday - 7 p.m.

Pastor: Tim and Beverly Smith

St. Patrick Catholic Church 310 West Cleveland Street 361-552-6140 Mass: Sunday – 8:30 a.m.

Thursday – 9 a.m.

Saturday – 7 p.m. (Vietnamese) Pastor: Rev. Tommy Chen Assoc. Pastor: Rev. Antonio Perez

Pastors: Erny and Joane McDonough

St. Joseph Catholic Church 101 N. Washington 361-552-6140 Mass:

Saturday – 7 p.m.

Tuesday – 5:30 p.m.

Pastor: Rev. Tommy Chen Assoc. Pastor: Rev. Antonio Perez

HISTORY from page 43 and Chihuahua, Mexico. The Chihuahua Road continued until 1877 when a hurricane destroyed Indianola and railroads replaced trails. Surveys have uncovered evidence of the trail and land surveyors reports from this period have helped locate the exact route. For more than 30 years, the Chihuahua Trail played a dominant role in moving items of commerce, travelers and military supplies and personnel through this part of North America.

Howard G. Hartzog’s accomplishments, which include state legislator and county judge, are forever etched in a marker located at the Calhoun County Courthouse.

Among Hartzog’s many accomplishments as a legislator and as County judge were Texas seawall legislation, the Lavaca Bay causeway, the Matagorda Ship Channel, the Guadalupe Blanco River Authority, a new library, airport and hospital expansions, co-founding the Calhoun County United Way and establishing the Calhoun County Museum.

Hartzog was born on April 11, 1901 in Tolosa,

Texas, to J.O. and Sybil Hartzog. He graduated from San Marcos Academy and attended Southwest Texas Normal School (now Texas State University) and obtained a bachelor’s -degree from Baylor University in 1926 and a law degree from George Washington University in Washington D.C. in 1928.

After a season of professional football with the New York Giants, he returned to Port Lavaca to practice law. In 1935, he married Anna Paul Allen of Marlin and they had two children.

In 1933, Hartzog was elected representative for the 69th District and for 14 years he contributed to writing bills to benefit education, vehicle safety and water conservation. After he left the Texas House of Representatives in 1947, he served on the Calhoun County Independent School District board of trustees and served as the interim city attorney.

In 1950, he ran for county judge and was elected for six consecutive terms a total of 17 years.

Visit us online at plwave.com

Calhoun County Life • Summer 2015

55

h s i n i f e h t o t Racing

Seadrift the end of the line for two Texas boat races

By KAYLA MEYER PORT LAVACA WAVE

The 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 is a sailboat race where participants travel 200 miles north along the Texas Gulf Coast. This year’s event starts in Port Isabel beginning June 8.

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

56

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 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.”

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 30 nautical miles from the first campsite located at Land Cut Camp, at the Padre Island Yacht Club, which is about 44 nautical miles north of the second campsite. The fourth campsite is at Paul’s Mott about 45 nautical miles up the coast with the fifth campsite located at Army Hole in Espiritu Santo Bay. The final stop for the this year’s event is located at Magnolia Beach.

“It is a beautiful beach there, a sand beach, and a lot of boats launch that way.

Some have to have a boat

Calhoun County Life • Summer 2015

ramp but each boat is a little different,” LaBarge said.

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

“These guys have been doing it every year. This will be the sixth year for the race.

Shiner has supported us for about the last four years,” LaBarge said. “And Bubba’s has done the shrimp boil for us.”

For more information about the 2015 Texas 200, visit www.texas200.com.

Texas Water Safari

and broke the record in 1976 with a time of 37 hours and 18 minutes, said 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. 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

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 2015 Texas Water Safari is slated to begin June 13, with a registration deadline set for May 22. This is the 53rd annual safari.

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 See page 61 Chatham, who won the event

Kayaking Alan Raby, of Port O’Connor, usually paddles in a kayak to Sunday Beach on Matagorda Island. Raby owns Dolphin Kayak for kayak rentals and guided tours. (Contributed photo)

By MELONY OVERTON PORT LAVACA WAVE Calhoun County has kayaking trails for water lovers to explore this fall and winter if they want to slow it down a bit and switch from a motorized boat to a kayak or canoe.

Alan Raby, 37, owner of Dolphin Kayak, in Port O’Connor, is building a paddling community within the county one kayak rental, guided tour and event at a time.

Raby rents various kayaks and stand up paddle boards from his home at 1408 W. Adams St. He first became familiar with the back bay system of Matagorda Bay running crab traps as a child with his grandfather.

“That’s how I first learned it,” he said.

He grew up in Port O’Connor on and off as a teenager. But Raby would not paddle the trails of the back bay system until he was 24.

“We‘ve got the most expansive and longest paddling trails on the Texas coast right here,” he said.

“It wasn’t until about 10 years ago that all the less expensive plastic boats came out.

When those came out, kayaking exploded. Before that, the boats were all fiberglass and more expensive,” Raby said.

Raby cannot recall the first trail he paddled because in his

offers year-round coastal views

words they are all mixed together.

“I would paddle to Sunday Beach (on Matagorda Island) and back when I first started paddling. That’s a popular way to go,” he said.

Raby kayaks to enjoy the intimacy to nature and to the water.

“I can tell you I have seen more wildlife in one year of solid kayaking than when I ran crab traps for four years.

If you’re not concerned with getting to a particular destination, and if you are going slow enough to see what is around you, you will see a whole lot more,” he said.

Raby sees a kayak as an alternative to a powered boat.

“Once I did it in the bay system here I was hooked. I saw so much more fish, sea birds and sea turtles close up a lot more thoroughly than I would from a boat,” he said.

Raby also worked at a kayak retail shop in Dallas. His boss was a mentor, who at one time rented sailboats.

“I pitched the idea to come down here and he gave me a discount on several kayaks and that’s how I got started,” he said.

Raby began his rental/ guide business in March 2013.

Business has been good, he said.

“The first year was a trial year. After the first year, I decided I am going to do my best

to make this work. Business has been at least 50 percent busier than last summer. We are building a paddling community. Word is getting around, and it’s going good,” he said.

A paddling community could include kayaking, canoeing and stand up paddle boarding, he said.

For instance, stand up paddle boards are extremely popular, Raby said. He has two for rent.

“It seems like women are really into it more than men are and I think it’s because it is a complete and balanced workout,” he said.

Raby’s busiest time of the year is from June until mid-August and then Labor Day. “I have plenty of business through September and October. October is one of the most popular times of year to fish here. It goes a little bit into November and pretty much December and January I don’t do a lot. In February, people are shaken out of their winter slumber and they are looking to be out on the water again,” he said.

Raby said kayaking is a yearlong activity.

“Even in December and January, if you are prepared you can have a really good time here. Starting in fall all the way through winter and again in spring, you have the two bird migrations,” he said.

Raby customizes his tours

based on what the person’s experience level is and what they want to see.

“A lot of people want to feel a sense of security when they go out. A lot of people are utterly unfamiliar with the back bay system, so I go. I go based on their experience and endurance level. We choose a route based on that, too,” he said.

“If they’re real inexperienced, we’ll choose an easy route with a lot of breaks.”

An experienced paddler on a light breeze day can make it to Matagorda Island in two to two and a half hours. An inexperienced paddler on the same day can make it to Matagorda Island in twice the time, Raby said.

“If the weather is not great, it can take hours and hours to get there, especially if you have a really strong south wind,” he said. “A lot of people are really hesitant at first, but if you have the right boat and the right introduction, it is lot easier than you think it would be.”

In addition to rentals and guided tours, Raby hosts beginner, intermediate and advanced paddling events.

He is working on expanding the official documented trails to include as many routes as possible while trying to provide more education about the local ecosystem.

“On a kayak is probably the See page 57

Calhoun County Life • Summer 2015

61

Variety of vacation rental options available

Visitors in Calhoun County have many options when choosing where to stay. Texas Lakeside RV Resort in Port Lavaca offers numerous amenities, including a fully functional guest house. (Photo by Kayla Meyer)

By KAYLA MEYER PORT LAVACA WAVE Whether visiting for a few nights, a weekend or planning a longer stay, many options are available for renting property in Calhoun County.

Dallas Franklin, a real estate agent with RE/MAX Land and Homes in Port Lavaca, not only rents out and sells properties, he also rents property for himself and his family.

Franklin frequently rents houses in Port O’Connor, primarily for fishing, he said, adding that many people rent in Port O’Connor for its close proximity to the water and the Gulf Intracoastal Waterway access.

The fishing, Franklin said, is “wonderful” in Calhoun County.

“I would say 85 percent of them come down here to fish. There is access to the Intracoastal and then you have all the bays.

Same with Port Alto. In Olivia you can fish Keller Bay, Cox Bay. I fish Seadrift all the time,” Franklin said about areas where people often rent and fish in Calhoun County.

“We like renting in Port O’Connor because you can get boat slips. You can just pull your boat up right to the back, lift it up.

When we want to go fishing or go just for a cruise. You drop it in the water, and you’re gone,” Franklin added.

In addition to houses, Franklin said that there are area also condominiums available in Port O’Connor and bungalow-type spaces in the Magnolia Beach area.

Franklin often rents houses through two Port O’Connor real estate agents, Brenda Carter and Tigrett Real Estate. More information from Carter and Tigrett Real Estate can be found at www.pocrentals.com and www.tigrett.com, respectively.

58

Calhoun County Life • Summer 2015

“All size homes are here. We’ve rented as big as a six-bedroom house on the Intracoastal, and then you can get a onebedroom house that’s not on the bay in Port O’Connor, so you have a range of all types,” Franklin said, adding that houses can be found for almost any budget.

“You can get anything from $99 a night to, what we’ve paid, $800 a night,” he said. “It really just depends on what budget you’re in, and of course the more expensive you get, the more amenities you’re going to get.”

People visit the Calhoun County and Port O’Connor area from all over the state, Franklin said, with many headed to the area on holiday weekends. If a person chooses to visit during those times, Franklin encouraged people to book their rental well in advance.

“We book as soon as we’re allowed to for Fourth of July. We book almost six to eight months in advance to get a house on Fourth of July, and a lot of them are already booked.

The same people book them every year,” he said. “If you want to come down here and rent something, your best weekends to get something are going to be non-holiday weekends unless you have it booked well in advance.”

Whether for a holiday weekend or any other time, Franklin also recommended that people do their research when renting.

“A lot of times you can Google a specific house and they will have reviews on that house. I would definitely check out the reviews,” he said. “Make sure you talk to whoever is renting the house about the house.”

“Make sure you do some research before you rent a house so you know what you’re getting into. Make sure you ask if the boat lift works, make sure you talk to the person

you’re renting the house from,” Franklin added.

Another option for renting in Calhoun County is through the use of recreational vehicles. There are numerous places in the county to park an RV, including Lighthouse Beach and Texas Lakeside RV Resort in Port Lavaca.

Located at 2499 W. Austin St., Texas Lakeside RV Resort has 97 spaces available and continues to grow, said the company’s president Doug Jensen. One unique aspect of Texas Lakeside RV Resort is the amenities available, which include a 4,000 square foot clubhouse with onsite laundry facilities, fitness room, televisions and full kitchen.

“We have game night, we have breakfasts, we have barbecues, we have shrimp boils and a number of different things,” Jensen said. “We try to make everyone feel like they’re part of the family.”

As the company’s name suggests, there is a lake in the center of the property where people, even those from out of state, can fish.

“We’ve added a private fishing lake for people who are from out of state who don’t have to go out and get a Texas fishing license.

They can fish privately here,” Jensen said.

From winter Texans, visiting from northern states and Canada to people in Port Lavaca, Jensen said people, from all different backgrounds visit Texas Lakeside RV Resort and Calhoun County.

“We have an eclectic group of people that come here,” Jensen said. “We have families with kids, we’ve got schoolteachers here, we’ve got retirees, we’ve got winter Texans here, we have fishermen here. We have a wide variety of people and we try to See page 65

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59

Fishing off the dock of the bay

A lighted pier located at A.D. Powers Bayfront Park in Seadrift is open 24-hours a day for fishing, said Seadrift Mayor Elmer DeForest.

Fishing at the pier is one of the many activities visitors can enjoy in Seadrift. (Photo by Kayla Meyer)

By KAYLA MEYER PORT LAVACA WAVE While in Seadrift, there are many things to enjoy, most notably a new fishing pier.

The pier, located at A.D. Powers Bayfront Park, extends into San Antonio Bay at the end of 6th Street. The 300-foot pier is eight feet wide with a 12-foot T-head that is 50 feet long. The entire pier projects a total of 312 feet into the water from the seawall, Mayor Elmer DeForest said.

“We opened it on the Saturday before Labor day. Currently, it’s open pending a final inspection from the contractor,” DeForest said.

Once complete, there will be a minimum of 12 concrete parking spaces available, with several of those reserved for handicap parking. DeForest said the parking should be complete soon.

DeForest added that currently, there are no plans for a fish cleaning station on the pier,

60

but it will have several trash receptacles at various points.

He also said that eventually, the pier would also have interpretative signage. The pier also has lighting to allow people to fish at nighttime.

“It’s open 24-hours to the public. There are gates on it right now if needed to be close by the contractor, but I don’t anticipate having gates in the future. The lights are on all night and they’re automatic. They go on at sunset and go off at sunrise,” DeForest said. “There’s usually always somebody out there on it.”

Also being constructed in Seadrift is a Visitor’s Center/ Train Depot Museum.

Located at 201 S. Main St. in Seadrift, the building is the former Seadrift train depot that is now being turned into a museum and visitors center. DeForest said it would be several months before it was open, and Peggy Gaines, head of the parks and recreation department on

Calhoun County Life • Summer 2015

the Seadrift City Council, said the next phase of the project includes electrical work on the inside.

“We’re still waiting on having the electricity to be hooked up and a meter started. Once the electricity meter is installed, we have people that are going to do volunteer labor,” DeForest said.

“I would hope we have something completed by summer time.”

Previous work on the building includes restoring and renovating the outside portion of the building. All manual work done on the depot has been done through volunteer efforts.

“The next phase is getting the electrical items replaced and getting it cleaned up inside, so we can finish the electrical work and get the insulation in, get wall board in and go from there,” Gaines said.

“Basically the exterior is finished, its interior work,” DeForest added. “It’s completely gutted. We have to have electrical

work done, and we’re going to have to repair the framing and floor and insulate it, stuff like that, and then enclose the inside before we do much of anything.”

He said that the visitor’s center will consist of mainly train and historic Seadrift memorabilia.

“We have items to put in there and we have people willing to donate to put stuff in there as well. It is going to be museumtype stuff, consisting of pictures and historical information,” DeForest said.

Once finished, DeForest and Gaines said the train depot museum and visitors’ center will provide a way for people to learn about the history of Seadrift.

Until finished, the train depot museum and visitors’ center remains a work in progress, Gaines said.’“We can’t wait to get it open for the community to see and use and enjoy and enjoy the history of Seadrift,” Gaines said.

KAYAKING from page 57 best way you can enjoy the ecosystem,” he said.

How does one build a paddling community?

“Basically, you paddle together. Everyone talks and compares boats, paddling techniques, gear and they may not be locals but they may be regular visitors who come from Victoria, Palacios, Houston and Austin. They learn from one another and get together.

That way you have a friend if you want to paddle some day or weekend. Sometimes it is a lot more fun when you are with someone,” Raby said.

“A lot of people may have a kayak in their garage they aren’t doing anything with and that may be because they aren’t familiar enough with paddling or they have no one to go with.

So we break that kayak out and get them on the water,” he said.

What would the ideal paddling community look like to Raby?

“To me it would look like a group who gets together once or twice a month and has a sense of stewardship about the local ecosystem. We pretty much have it. We started it and all we have to do is keep go-

RACES from page 56 ing,” he said. “We are looking to bring in the kind of tourist who wants to enjoy the environment and enjoy what’s here and the remoteness of it.

“In the past, there has not been any one person in the area who is the go-to person in Port O’Connor or Seadrift to ask where do we go paddle, what can we expect and what kind of boat can we use,” he said.

Raby has met those who come to Port O’Connor just to kayak.

“What they enjoy the most is spotting some wildlife they didn’t expect to see and catching a nice fish off of a kayak, which is a really unique experience. Being relaxed, too.

I’ve had very few unhappy customers. I’ve had exhausted customers, but unhappy ones, no,” he said.

For more information, call Raby at 936-553-1521, go to www.dolphinkayak.net, or email alan@dolphinkayak. net. For more information about the San Antonio Bay Partnership, go to www.sabaypartnership.org.

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 said they 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.”

Calhoun County Life • Summer 2015

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Secondary homes on the rise in Calhoun County

By MELONY OVERTON PORT LAVACA WAVE Like the waves that rise and fall, the secondary housing market in Calhoun County has experienced low and high tides over the years, but 2014 and on into 2015 have brought an upswing in the market, according to local real estate agents.

Dallas Franklin, with RE/ MAX in Port Lavaca five years, has been a Realtor for seven and a broker for three years within Calhoun County. Franklin sells properties countywide “I do everything,” he said.

The areas outside of Port Lavaca, Magnolia/Alamo Beach, Cape Caranchua, Port Alto, Seadrift and Port O’Connor have more secondary homes mixed in with primary homes occupied by permanent residents and retirees, Franklin said.

“It is a pretty even mix” he said. “Which is wonderful because you do have your full time people who are employed and you also have your second home market. This mixture is good for the economy.”

Demand for secondary housing within the county is high, but an influx of people moving into the county for employment has dwindled the availability of secondary homes, Franklin said.

“We have a lot of people moving into this area so a lot of the properties that were second homes are turning into full time residences because we don’t have enough inventory, and those people must be less selective,” he said.

This dip in inventory has resulted in new construction within the county, Franklin said.

“We have seen new construction within a couple of years, but new construction is very expensive,” he said. “The average new construction is about $110 to $120 a square foot. That’s not including land and a lot of times that’s not including utilities.”

The price range for an existing residence has risen along with the population, according

62

to Franklin.

“The days of finding a $100,000-home are pretty much gone. Our average home price last year was around $143,000 across the board in residential for Port Lavaca,” he said. “We were up about 10 percent in price. From Jan. 1 to the end of February, we were up 160 percent on our sales for our area compared to this time last year.”

“If a home goes on the market and it is under $200,000, it has to be priced right, but its selling. We have an influx of peo-

“People are looking for quiet. They are from Houston, San Antonio or Austin and they want to come here and relax.

They want to be able to fish in the morning, come back, sit on the porch, look at the water and just relax. They like a decent restaurant to eat at.

We have a Walmart and an HEB and that’s about all they need and a bait stand.”

– Dallas Franklin, with RE/MAX of Port Lavaca, about the secondary home market in

Calhoun County.

ple who are buying and people who were renting are starting to buy because rent prices are getting outrageous,” he said.

Second home sales begin mid-March and last until the end of October, Franklin said.

“That is when we see a lot of people come in on weekends to make their decision,” he said.

“In the last three years, we have gone up, up and up.”

The typical second home

Calhoun County Life • Summer 2015

The secondary home market is booming in Calhoun County, according to local real estate agents. The typical secondary home in Calhoun ranges from a two-bedroom, one-bath beach cottage for $100,000 to a larger five-bedroom, three-bath home on the water with a pier that can cost half a million to $600,000. (Contributed photo) within Calhoun ranges from a two-bedroom, one-bath beach cottage for $100,000 to a larger five-bedroom, three-bath home on the water with a pier that can cost half a million to $600,000, Franklin said.

“We have all types,” he said.

Franklin said a sale has as much to do with the coastal environment as it does the home.

“People are looking for quiet. They are from Houston, San Antonio or Austin and they want to come here and relax.

They want to be able to fish in the morning, come back, sit on the porch, look at the water and just relax,” he said. “They like a decent restaurant to eat at. We have a Walmart and an HEB and

that’s about all they need and a bait stand.”

Charles D. Christie, with The Sanctuary at Costa Grande in Port O’Connor, said from his Victoria office that the secondary home market went soft in mid-2008 and sank by 2009, the year The Sanctuary opened for new construction.

“People held on and we were in the camp to weather the storm. People purchased home sites for various reasons. There is no time frame to build, but it really depended on people’s circumstances,” Christie said. “We knew it would be several years before the market was accepting See page 64

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SECOND HOMES from page 62 of secondary homes again.”

Luckily, The Sanctuary had the infrastructure and amenities done before the market took a dive, Christie said.

“That was a huge positive,” he said.

The market hit an upswing beginning in 2012.

“You started to see some settling and more confidence coming back in from individuals. People began to construct homes for The Sanctuary and the market started to stabilize and get better,” he said.

At that time, a dozen to 15 homes were built there.

“We saw a positive impact from the Eagle Ford Shale happening in the smaller towns and that helped us,” Christie said.

Rural, remote areas along the coast are experiencing a slow upswing in construction, Christie said.

“I think the general consensus is that the second home market for more rural type communities like remote places like Port O’Connor is still not vibrant yet, but it’s not too far away,” he said.

“It’s like Galveston where infrastructure includes water parks and restaurants, and like

Corpus Christi, where you have golf courses and resorts, you see it happening up and down the coast, but happening in the more rural areas now along the coast.

It’s moving into Rockport, and will continue into Palacios, Port O’Connor and Matagorda where the remote areas will fill in.”

Christie is expecting to see the same amount of homes built in 2015 that he saw built three years prior.

“We do see the market to continue to gain strength,” he said.

The Sanctuary has 45 homes, but it has room for 767 homes.

Waterfront lots start at $89,000 and go up to $180,000. Home values range from $350,000 to more than $2.5 million.

Christie said the typical Sanctuary home is a second home built for families, either parents with grown children, or grandparents.

“These homes are from 2,500 to 4,000 square feet with a private dock for boats, lots of windows and a porch to see the view, with a deck for outdoor grills,” he said. “It is more of a compound atmosphere with multiple bedrooms and bunk beds. The land was elevated to

The Sanctuary of Costa Grande in Port O’Connor is a waterfront community that features many amenities including a clubhouse with a laguna-style pool, walking trails, parks, a marina with a boat ramp, basketball and tennis courts, a beach and boat and RV storage. (Contributed photo) 13 and half feet above sea level so people can build on slabs and not stilts.”

Once again, the draw to Calhoun is the quiet.

“Our niche is we try to play upon the remoteness and cater to Houston, Austin and San Antonio crowds, people looking to get out of the city, the traffic and the noise and have a place

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Calhoun County Life • Summer 2015

to go to that is relaxing.

“Port O’Connor is more attractive for those characteristics because of the beautiful water, a clear bay system and canal and great access to bay fishing, and the jetties are not too far off and that caters to offshore fishing enthusiasts,” Christie said.

RENTALS from page 58 appeal to all of those people.”

“One of the things that Port Lavaca offers is it’s kind of a quiet, quaint little town here,” he added. “We’ve got beaches, we’ve got bird watching, we’ve got fishing, we’ve got great duck hunting.”

In addition to visitors, many people renting at Texas Lakeside RV Resort call it home. One of those people is James Dockins, a retired United States Army veteran. Dockins has rented a space for his fifth-wheel trailer for more than a year at Texas Lakeside RV Resort.

“I was born in Texas and I’ve lived in a lot of different places. I settled here about a year ago,” Dockins said. “I wanted to be close to the ocean and just get away from things and not live in a big crowded city. It’s very homey here. I have a little dog, Scottie. It’s just me and my dog.”

Dockins said he enjoys the atmosphere at the resort and the people he calls his neighbors.

“I didn’t want to try renting, I didn’t want to try buying a house,” Dockins said. “I’ve been living in this the last five or six years now and I wish I had done it when I was younger because they’re not a whole lot of upkeep. You don’t have much maintenance to them.”

“Everybody here is friendly despite where they’re from,” Jensen added. “It’s all walks of life and everyone is very accommodating and I think everyone likes everyone’s dogs as well. You get all kinds, like he said. You get some that stay a couple of nights, some that will stay a week, some that stay weekends and there are a few of us that just live here.”

One of the great things about staying in Port Lavaca is its central location along the Texas Gulf Coast, and it’s proximity to the water. Many of Jensen’s patrons enjoy the quiet atmosphere that cannot always be found at other rental places on the water.

“They want something that’s not quite so much,” Jensen said.

“They want something that’s a little more laid back.”

“They can still drive down there for the day and do all those things, but where there isn’t quite so much going on all the time,” Jensen added about people traveling and visiting places in the Calhoun County and Texas Gulf Coast area, “We have a little more relaxation for that here in Port Lavaca.”

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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.

marker where the town of Indianola once stood and a statue of the explorer LaSalle.

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.

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

See marker guide on pages 22 and 23.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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

66

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

Calhoun County Life • Summer 2015

on the Texas Gulf Coast.

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 301S. 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.

Calhoun County Life • Summer 2015

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Melissa Sterling — Manager LaVon Garcia Debbie Baldera Jennifer Daniels Wendy Marvin Hannah McMahan Aysa Villarreal 2121 Sailboat • Port Lavaca, TX Phone: (361) 551-2300  Fax: (361) 551-2312