By Jim Denys
Wow what a great weekend for some awesome BBQ on the Bolivar Peninsula!! A tremendous turnout for the Crawfish Boil Friday Night while listening to Hamilton Loomis and again Saturday for the fabulous Crenshaw Children Performers, Chicken Poop Bingo, Silent Auction, Live Auction, as well as the best BBQ on the
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A Smokin’ Good Time
Easter Sunrise Service
Inspiring Music, Celebration, Scholarships
For over 30 years, the Easter Sunrise Service, hosted by the Ministerial Alliance on Bolivar, was held on the beach. Last year, weather and tides forced a move to Camp Margaritaville Park. At its new home, the annual Sunrise Service continued this cherished tradition. Lawn chairs and blankets were set on the infield around the stage as
When a Turkey is a Good Thing
By Elinor Tinsley
Did you know three strikes in a row in bowling is called a Turkey? Well, when a group from the Bolivar Peninsula Cultural Foundation went on our outing last week to the Galveston Primetime Bowling Alley on the Seawall, several of our players knew the term, but sadly, none of our 16 participants were able to
Oh! The People You’ll Meet At THE BIG STORE
By Linda Elissalde
What was it? Military Carrier? Strange RV? Something from Outer Space? I had never seen anything like this unique vehicle. AND, it was parked in front of THE BIG STORE in Crystal Beach, Texas. There was a young lady sitting in the passenger seat. So, standing on
The Totally Sparkling Bolivar Beach Report
A Dazzling Display of Dinoflagellates …it was LIT y’all!
By J. Lee Austin
Spring breakers were treated to something special last week when a cute little dinoflagellate named Noctiluca scintillans (aka Sea Sparkle) went into full bloom and lit up the otherwise dark night beach waves in a breathtaking display of luminescent beauty. Words cannot fully
Swing for the Fences
The Majesty and Challenge of Baseball
By Mike Moad
As the weather warms and flowers bloom, baseball season ignites the passion of fans across the globe. With 30 Major League Baseball (MLB) teams competing, the sport weaves a rich tapestry of history, tradition, and excitement. Baseball’s roots extend deep into American history,
Battleship Texas Refloated in Galveston
The Battleship Texas was successfully refloated in Galveston after being docked for the past 18 months for repairs. The historic ship received a fresh paint job and 700 tons of new steel. Although this phase is complete, there is still work to be done, with another 2 years needed to rework the deck and interior. Commissioned in 1914, the Battleship Texas is the only remaining battleship that served in
New vessel added to Galveston ferry fleet
The Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) proudly unveils its latest maritime marvel, the Galveston to Port Bolivar ferry, in a momentous dedication ceremony honoring the esteemed pioneer of Texas transportation infrastructure, Esperanza “Hope” Andrade. This marks a significant milestone as it is the first ferry to be named after a woman and the first to be named after
Spring Fest Jeep Show Takes Over Festival Park
A Day of Fun and Fundraising for St. Jude Children’s Hospital
Festival Park was packed with Jeep enthusiasts and families last weekend for the Spring Fest Jeep Show. Dozens of tricked-out Jeeps competed for trophies in various categories, while live music and a Cajun food truck kept the crowd entertained. The event was organized by local Jeep enthusiast Matt Willoughby, who also
THANK YOU, Very, Very, Very Much!
(Lyrics from the musical SCROOGE)
By Linda Elissalde
My birthday is February 14. There are some people who claim that I tell this to everyone I meet. (Surely they jest.) In many ways my birthday celebration(s) seem like a musical show. First is the anticipation, then the overture, several acts and a finale. This year my 83rd
Mine. Mine. Mine. Mine.
That must have been what Nora heard as she fed the “hungry” seagulls on the ferry boat last week. The boat was only half full, or half empty, whichever you prefer…so the back of the boat had no cars. The perfect space for flying friends to take a little rest as they crossed the gulf. And right in the midst of them all was Nora Cortino, a true animal lover to the core. She has ridden the ferry boat
COC Welcomes New Staff Members
Bolivar Peninsula Chamber of Commerce is thrilled to announce new additions to their team. Sue Simmons, the Membership & Events Coordinator, will be a friendly face of the Chamber in the community and will be responsible for managing membership and provide help in organizing Chamber events. Leslie Hodges, the new Office Administrator, will handle the day-to-day
Indulging in Tradition
The Sweet Story of Girl Scout Cookies
Since its inception in 1912, the Girl Scouts have been more than just an organization – they’re a cherished tradition, empowering girls and fostering leadership skills. One delightful emblem of their legacy? Girl Scout cookies, those scrumptious treats that evoke nostalgia and delight with each bite. These iconic cookies trace their roots
Texas Twist
Bee Cave Bob Predicts Early Spring
Earlier this month, Bee Cave Bob emerged from his burrow and didn’t catch sight of his shadow, signaling an early spring for Texans. This deviation from the norm adds a twist to the annual weather prediction ritual, embodying the unpredictability synonymous with Texas. While Bee Cave Bob offers his forecast in Texas, Punxsutawney
A Most Gala Evening
By Linda Elissalde
Wine! Glitter! Beauty! Happiness! That is what happens when Sicily Meets Texas at BOLIVAR PENINSULA CULTURAL FOUNDATION’S (BPCF) ANNUAL WINE TASTING PARTY. The Moutons’ Villa Oasis served as backdrop for this glittering event. Elinor Tinsley, Vicky Norris, Sandi Covington, Linda Chesser, Marsha Fredenburg,
Contrasting Forecasts and Reality Check
Texas Winter Weather Predictions Update
The Farmers’ Almanac’s winter weather predictions for the 2023-2024 season sparked anticipation and curiosity among weather enthusiasts across the United States. As the Almanac projected, many regions, including Texas, braced for potentially colder temperatures and increased precipitation. After recently passing the meteorological
Peace, Love, Beads
The 2024 Lighthouse Krewe Mardi Gras Parade was an absolute blast! On Saturday, the parade kicked off at 11:30am at Camp Margaritaville RV Resort and cruised down Hwy 87, spreading joy and excitement to the many parade goers. The floats, vehicles, and golf carts were all decked out in vibrant colors and decorations that perfectly captured this year’s theme of “Peace, Love, Beads.” From the
Eagles Crazy Hat Party
Bolivar Peninsula’s Pre-Mardi Gras Extravaganza
The Eagles Crazy Hat Party, held annually on the Friday night preceding the Mardi Gras parade, transformed Bolivar into a colorful spectacle of creativity and fun. This cherished event, hosted at the Eagles, added another layer of excitement to the pre-parade festivities. Partiers embraced the Parade theme of “Peace, Love, and Beads,”
Mardi Gras: A Colorful Tapestry of Tradition and Celebration
Mardi Gras, or “Fat Tuesday” in French, stands as an iconic celebration that traces its roots to ancient pagan rituals and Christian traditions. The name originates from the tradition of indulging in rich, fatty foods and revelry on the day before Ash Wednesday, which marks the beginning of Lent in the Christian calendar. Lent is a period of fasting and reflection leading up to Easter, so Mardi Gras
Who I want to be When I Grow Up
By Elinor Tinsley
I want to be Linda Elissalde when I grow up. As you probably know, because Linda tells you all year when her birthday is, but in case you don’t know, our dear friend, Linda is going to be 83 years old on Valentine’s Day. Linda considers the entire month of February her birthday, but she shared last week with me because I had my
Speckled Trout Regulation Changes
The Texas Parks and Wildlife Commission (TPWC) approved changes to Spotted Seatrout regulations, modifying the daily bag limit from 5 fish to 3 fish and tightening the slot limit from 15-25 inches to 15-20 inches. The daily allowance threshold for one oversized fish as part of the three-fish-bag was also changed from 25 inches to 30 inches. TPWD estimates these changes can result in a 27% increase
ENTERGY Bolivar Reliability Project
Jim Malain, Customer Service Manager for Entergy Texas, hosted a Community Advisory Panel on Wednesday January 24 to provide an update on the Bolivar Peninsula Reliability Project. This project is part of Entergy-Texas’ ongoing efforts to improve service on Bolivar Peninsula. A combination of new construction and equipment upgrades will address the load growth increase and improve
COC Elects Officers
The Bolivar Peninsula Chamber of Commerce has announced its new officers for 2024, including President Beth Boles-Terminella, Vice President Brad Vratis, Secretary Shauna Schroeder, and Treasurer Amee Martinez. The Chamber welcomes these new officers and is excited to work with them to continue promoting economic growth in the community. In addition,
What a GIVING community we live in!
This year our Bolivar Peninsula Angel Tree outreach blessed 112 of our Peninsula youth in need.
By Gerry Lang,
Many thanks to Crenshaw and High island Schools for sending out our Angel Tree requests in October to parents needing help with Christmas. In November, Santa’s helpers got busy! Six churches and Two Subdivisions
Elections for Appraisal Districts in Counties with a Population of 75,000 or More
3 CAD Elected Directors – first time in Texas History!
When voters approved Proposition 4 in November, not only did they secure school property tax reductions – they also approved electing three county appraisal district directors in counties of 75,000 or more. Galveston County is one of those counties! In fact, the enabling legislation established nine member boards in those counties
Crystal Beach, Texas (?)
We are all familiar with our little slice of paradise on the Gulf Coast. Crystal Beach is an unincorporated community on Bolivar Peninsula in Galveston County, Texas. Originally known as Patton, Crystal Beach lies along Texas State Highway 87 in the middle of Bolivar Peninsula. Patton served as a railroad station, and when the railroad ended in the early 1940s, the name of the community