(Jan-31-2012) We rebuilt after Ike and I decided to go with mid-century modern as my inspiration. Along with the cool greens and blues the beach house now has a breezy and quirky feel. I love seeing all of these photos of other’s homes! Thank you for this fun feature! (Linda Rose)
January, 2012
Posted in 
The NEW Crystal Beach Local News
Welcome to the NEW Crystal Beach Local News! Still the same great news, but now it is bigger and better. We are thrilled to reveal our new layout. Take a moment to look around and please, come back often – CBLN is ever-changing and always improving.
We have so much to offer and we need you to help us fulfill your news and entertainment desires. Remember, we are all “Neighbors Networking with Neighbors”. Everyone has a “story” rattling around in their head, or at least an idea for a story. We encourage you to send them in – your stories of life at the beach, your upcoming events, your photos, your announcements, whatever you’d like…
Cold Front Reds
by Ed Snyder/Outdoors
Sea birds diving over rampaging reds and fleeing baitfish
On launching the next day from the Yacht Basin boat ramp, we found that lower than normal tides kept us from motoring into the bay forcing us to run to Stingray Marina instead. Making the turn at Stingray we throttled out into the bay steering towards a distant grass-line and into the amazing scene we were about to experience.
After spotting the bird and feeding activity we throttled down…
Ain’t life interesting?
(Jan-31-2012)
When you think you’ve seen it all, done it all, someone comes into your life who knocks your socks off. Quite some time ago, I worked with a paralegal in Lafayette, who, in her spare time, Wing Walked on a bi-plane. Now that’s not the type of person I come across everyday. Then, I recently met a most interesting character – George Throob, a fellow walking across America. I know he’s not the first, but he’s the first I’ve ever met. Can you imagine? Right here in Crystal Beach! I’m so inspired; I’ve been taking
Enjoy The Walk
by Georgia Osten & Kelly Moad
George Throop is walking across America
George began his “Walk across America” in September 2009 to advocate and raise awareness for healthier lifestyles, suggesting that everyone walk at least 20 minutes a day. He began his trek…
Blessings on the Jerry Valentine Family
by Brenda Cannon Henley
New Church of Christ being built
No man on the peninsula is loved more than Jerry Valentine, in my humble opinion, and my own pastor, Dennis Allen, of First Baptist Church of Port Bolivar, refers to Brother Valentine as “the spiritual leader of Bolivar Peninsula.” Even those who never enter the doors of any church or claim any faith, feel that Jerry Valentine is their pastor. From a quick word of encouragement spoken
Hero’s & Villains Ball
The Light House Krewe is hosting their Hero’s & Villains Ball this Saturday night at Coconuts! The Do Dah parade to introduce the court and new King & Queen is from 7 until 8 and the dance is from 8 until 12. Krewe members $5 and all others $20. Wheels Off, a fabulous band, will provide musical entertainment!! Coconuts will have a Krewe only buffett Saturday night from 5:30 to 7:00.
Sister of the Salt shares why she loves Bolivar Peninsula by Pam Adams
My name is Pam Adams, and my husband, Warren and I own what was dubbed as the “Last House Standing” in Gilchrist near Rollover Pass. Our home became known after Hurricane Ike when a photographer during a fly over took the picture of our home that was broadcast worldwide. After repairing our home, we decided Gilchrist needed a new business, so we purchased the property across from us on the bay side and built FantaSea BBQ and Grill. We enjoy meeting so many that just pass through our peninsula and who stop and eat. We hear so many stories, meet so many new found friends, along with all our neighbors up and down our peninsula, and both have supported us in every way.
Some have asked why we stayed and repaired our home. FantaSea is my…
Words fitly spoken
(Jan-31-2012) We all know the old adage, “Sticks and stones can break my bones, but words can never hurt me.” Not true, in my opinion. Words can indeed be very hurtful and long remembered. I have counseled with adults in many situations who remember word for word things said to them as a mere child. Some very young children can clearly state something that a parent or other supposedly loving adult said to them when they were younger than school age.
I can remember one vivid image of this truth from my own childhood. My father, Robert Henry Cannon, was killed in WWII when I was only six months old
Crystal Beach Community Golf Course Benefit
MARDI GRAS GOLF TOURNAMENT, FEB 11TH
4 MAN SCRAMBLE * BLIND DRAW * CLOSEST TO THE PIN
36 ENTRIES * $60/PLAYER
8:30 A.M. TEE OFF
REGISTER AT GOLF COURSE
The Lighthouse Krewe Champagne Brunch
Bobbey White, Lois Riley, Connie Travis, Anne Willis, Brenda McDonald
50′s dance at Ship’s Wheel
The Bolivar Lighthouse Krewe held a 50′s dance January 21 at Ships Wheel. Everyone had a great time all dressed out in their saddle oxfords, poodle skirts and rolled up blue jeans, dancing to Rock and Roll. 50′s style Mardi Gras beads were awarded to the best costume.
Judging books by their cover
(Jan-24-2012) I just read a book with a dull, uninteresting cover and the name of the novel somewhat unbelievable. “Honk and Holler Opening Soon” was a fun read with quirky characters I won’t soon forget. The book was filled with heartache aplenty, a good love story, a mother’s far reaching love, a veteran’s struggle, compassion bestowed on others, animal lore, and more twists and turns than a bowl of spaghetti.
I am glad I did not follow tradition in choosing this book. I would have missed the blessing held in its pages. We are taught in journalism classes that the cover of a book must be engaging to sell. If the cover doesn’t attract the potential buyer, then the writer and publisher are out of luck as far as sales go.
Free Trees for Bolivar Residents
In a continuing effort to replant trees lost in Ike, Houston Audubon will be giving away native trees on Feb 4. The tree give away will be held in Houston Audubon’s Smith Oaks sanctuary on Old Mexico Road in High Island, from 10 am to 2 pm or until the trees are gone, whichever comes first. The trees are provided by the Apache Tree Foundation for Bolivar Peninsula property owners. You must bring a utility bill showing your Bolivar Peninsula address.
Since 2006, the Apache Tree Foundation has awarded trees to more than 250 non-profit organizations across 14 states including schools, cities, counties, parks, universities, cemeteries, homeowner associations, baseball associations, soccer associations, youth associations, Boy Scout troops, wildlife refuges and community non-profits.
Crenshaw’s Dinner Theater is Back!
The play is scheduled for Friday, February 3rd at 7:00 PM. Menu is: Brisket, chicken, sausage, beans, potato salad, salad, rolls, desserts! Cost is $10 per adult or child 9 and up. Ages 8 to 4 are $5 and under that age are free. Come join us for a night of drama where a lesson about character is emphasized. This is a serious play, but our next dinner theater will be all laughs. 
Come support our students-trust me, they are working hard. Tickets will be pre-sold and will be sold at the door. Our students will be your waiters and waitresses for the evening. Come enjoy the night with us.
Come support our students-trust me, they are working hard. Tickets will be pre-sold and will be sold at the door. Our students will be your waiters and waitresses for the evening. Come enjoy the night with us.For more information, please contact:
Catherine Jackson @ 409-949-7842 or Rhea Raymond @ 832-236-8605.
Click here for printable flyer.
The Rock Man
by Anne Christian
Most people walking the beach are delighted to find pretty shells and sand polished beach glass. I, on the other hand, stop to inspect spiky fish bones, gnarly bits of wood and blobs of rock. It was one such rock, a treasure found in Crystal Beach, that gave birth to The Rock Man nearly six years ago. An unusual, yet familiar shape, I scooped it up and immediately saw the face of a weathered and wise man as his history raced through my imagination. It was only a head, but I knew right then I would search for, and reassemble, the rest of him. It took nearly three years of walking the same stretch of beach in front of The Seahoose, carefully inspecting all I came across that was particularly unusual or odd to find most of his parts. I say most, not all, as his evolution was interrupted by a formidable adversary, Ike, but what was not found I now know tells little of his story and is not missed.
Check out what happened this past weekend at Ford Center
It was an exciting weekend at Hot Hearts with The Remnant! 29 youth and 6 adults went to worship with Matt Papa; schooled by Kevin Phillips; Rocked with Skillet and Press Play; laughed with Hurt and Manley. We had 5 who re-committed their life to faith in Jesus, 2 lost souls found Jesus, and 2 commitments to ministry! There were many young people from other churches who did the same as well. Ain’t God AWESOME!
Girl’s Weekend
(Jan-24-2012) I recently hosted my first Girls’ Weekend and what a hoot it was! There’s something about the wild abandonment of a bunch of ladies with no restraints, no issues, and no commitments. Walks on the beach, sitting on the deck, riding the golf cart – you name it. Each night went on until at least 2:00 a.m., playing games that no one payed too much serious attention to. Saturday morning we rose to hurry off to Danaay’s, but No Donuts because No Power…mimosas sufficed until we could get some breakfast cooked.
Green Up!
(Jan-31-2012) Each week I have more and more responses from readers about the way they have created their own piece of paradise. I look forward to seeing what you have done so keep those comments and pictures coming. I love hearing how some of you have made your homes your own perfect oasis for your family. 
All of us here on the Peninsula are here because we love living in Paradise. The beautiful morning air, the sweet smell of the ocean and the soothing sounds of the waves. The room I chose this week epitomizes that tropical feel. Using the large leaf fabric in the drapes and also in the bed pillows brings that wonderful outdoors feeling indoors. The colors green, blue, and yellow all mean life to us here on the Peninsula. The Palm trees that wave in the breeze is the feeling you will wake up to every morning in this room. Notice the beautiful grapevine twisted floor lamp and the natural bamboo shades. The lamp gives you the impression of a wonderful piece of found driftwood and the shades brings another natural element to this room. Umm, I can already smell the coffee brewing and sitting on the deck looking at the water!
Drifting Away…
(Jan-24-2012) Week number 4 and I am having such a good time! Thanks to all of you that have given me feedback, I always enjoy hearing from you. I hope last week’s column gave you inspiration with your decorating and rebuilding here on the Peninsula. Together we are all making this a much better place to live and creating an inviting environment for ourselves and visitors. 
Congratulations to everyone that has been able to rebuild and my prayer is for all of the Beach Believers we have will be able to return someday. That is the wonderful strength of our community!
This week the room that I chose is the epitome of Beach Chic. This organic driftwood coffee table stands alone. A few throw pillows with a beach theme added to any room and you have a beautiful setting that anyone will envy. I stopped by Tropical Accents and they have a beautiful and similar table to the one I have featured here. Driftwood accents are available everywhere and as a do it yourself. I would make some picture frames with the beautiful pieces I find walking on the beach. When you find the driftwood, clean it real well and then let it dry thoroughly. Then let your imagination run wild!
Double Up?
(Jan-17-2012) Keep those comments coming and I love hearing how some of you have made your homes perfect for your families. With Christmas and New Years behind us, it is time to be thinking about what you would like to change or upgrade in your home so you can enjoy the summer that will be here before you know it!
This week’s room is a wonderful use of space. Nancy and Gary Ames have several children and need to use their space in the most efficient way. These bunk beds are beautiful and make the best use of the room. Everything including the size of the window in the room was designed to use the space for the most sleeping area possible. When they were building their house, they had KWT’s cabinet maker create the perfect space for their large family. Notice how each bunk has a light and the ladders enhance the design. Notice the ladders at the end of the beds to save floor space and the extra drawers under the lower bunks. Each bunk has its own nautical themed light so when someone wants to read, it does not bother anyone else in the room. This creative idea creates individual space for each guest. With the small footprint of this room, they were able to sleep four more guest in a room the size of some larger homes master closets.
See Moon
(Jan-17-2012) The full moon.There’s something so peaceful about sitting on the deck and seeing all the constellations, the stars and the moon. I guess it began 2 or 3 years ago, every time we had a full moon, I’d text each of my children “See Moon?” Now that two of my grandchildren have phones, I include them in the text message. My son put it very succinctly, “Mom, isn’t it comforting to know that even though we’re not together, we may be in different cities or different states, we can still see and share the same moon?” Once again, My Cup Runneth Over.
Brenda Cannon Henley
Brenda Cannon Henley is a born writer with a God-given talent for putting words and thoughts on paper to capture the moment, the person, or the scene. Having written for local and international newspapers for more than four decades, she hits a subject hard, tells what she wants you to know, and leaves you wanting more.
God’s grace – right on time, every time
(Jan-17-2012) (Today’s column is lovingly and prayerfully dedicated to a fine young Christian woman in our community, Valerie Clara Sallee, daughter of Pastor Richard Sallee of First Baptist Church of High Island. I am impressed with Valerie as a person, as a church leader, as a daughter, and most of all, as a Christian who wants to serve God and her fellow man. She reminds me a bit of Corrie ten Boom, whom I have long admired.)
Recently, Valerie posed a question as to the timing of God in her own life. She was wondering, as we all do from time to time, when God was going to give her clear direction as to the important decisions she should make about future education, what her life’s work would be, and where she would serve.
Georgia Osten
Georgia Osten has been visiting the coast most of her life and now calls Crystal Beach home. She has retired to Bolivar with her husband, Tom, and thoroughly enjoys every minute of the relaxed culture. She can usually be found digging in her vegetable garden, on the deck stringing shells, cooking up a feast, or strolling the beach for seaglass…always accompanied by her trusty golden retriever, Ruby. Georgia and Tom have three children and four grandchildren, and counting…
Cindy Clay Srader
Cindy Clay Srader has been an interior designer for almost 20 years and is a resident of Crystal Beach. She has clients from Dallas to Beaumont. She has made it her mission to help the people of Bolivar make it an even better slice of heaven than it was before Ike.
Ed Snyder
Outdoor writer/photographer Ed Snyder is a native Texan from Harlingen with over 25 years of outdoor media experience in the field of freshwater and saltwater tournament angling and sports-fishing, with media credentials with TOWA, SEOPA, and LOWA. Ed lives on the Bolivar Peninsula and has written numerous stories about fishing and wildlife in the area.
