2019 Best
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New Ambulance Comes to Town
The Emergency Services District (ESD) purchased a new Ambulance for our peninsula. Another example of how your tax dollars are working to keep our community safe. This new vehicle increases the fleet of ambulances on the peninsula to four. They are stationed full time in Port Bolivar, Crystal Beach, and High Island. Thank you for the support of the community, ensuring prompt responsiveness.
There’s No Place Like The BIG STORE
By Linda Elissalde
“There’s No Place Like Home for the Holidays,” may be true, but THERE’S NO PLACE LIKE THE BIG STORE for CHRISTMAS! Gulf Coast Market once again thrilled children and adults with a special visit to Santa Claus’s home. Elves abounded everywhere. Elf Patty Stockton welcomed guests as they entered through the front
Young Farmers Giving Back
The Young Gardeners Program at Crenshaw School has been active since the beginning of the school year. The gardeners have learned horticulture and how to cultivate different crops. They also participate in an after-school program giving back to the community. On Friday, under the guidance of Program Coordinator Larry Chapman, and members of Keep Bolivar Beautiful, they cleaned up
It’s the most Magical Time of the Year
By Linda Elissalde
Happens about this time every year. Sleighs (aka cars) are filled with song sheets, guitars, ukuleles, keyboard, drums, and music stands. People sporting antlers and wild Christmas attire load up and head out on HWY 87, turn on HWY 124 and arrive noisily at The Arboretum in Winnie, Texas. Ms. Maria McMillen welcomes this riotous group and
Christmas Festival in Bolivar
The 1st Annual Bolivar Christmas Festival was a huge success. The Pavilion At Festival Park in Crystal Beach was joyfully packed as shoppers supported Bolivar on Small Business Saturday. With 40 booths of arts, crafts, clothing, furniture, gnomes, handmade items, make-up, custom signs, baked goods, and more, shoppers were sure to
The Flag Draped Coffin
By Brenda Cannon Henley
When I was less than a year old, my mother was handed a perfectly folded American flag representing my dad’s ultimate sacrifice for his country. I never got meet or know him since he was killed when I was six months old.
When I was given the American flag representing my friend, US Marine Ed Snyder’s service, I was moved
Big Store “BOO TI FUL” HALLOWEEN!
By Linda Elissalde
When black cats prowl, and pumpkins gleam,
May luck be yours on Halloween.
Author Unknown
Once again The Big Store cast a spell with their annual GHOST ON THE COAST. All creatures, great and small, hurried to partake in this “BOOtiful” event. Some came in
Gumbo A-Plenty
The 8th Annual Driftwood Charity Gumbo Cookoff started early Saturday morning. Hosted by Jackie and Brian Sticker at their beautiful home on Sandman Drive, the cooks prepared their gumbo dishes and the margarita teams began handing out samples. The gumbo teams competed in two categories: chicken and sausage, and seafood. And the ever popular Margarita competition did not disappoint. All teams
Pumpkins Galore
Every year, the Crenshaw classes compete in the pumpkin decorating contest. This year was equally as spell-binding as the rest. With judging categories being Most Glamorous, Spookiest and Silliest, it wasn’t difficult for the judges to rate 1st, 2nd and 3rd for each category. These students really put their hearts and souls into this project. And the Overall Winner was a unanimous choice.
A Cool, Cool End of Summer Party
By Linda Elissalde
1. Cool: the opposite of warm – chilly
2. Cool: Well done – Done with style
Crystal Canal’s End of Summer Party is always a cool (2) event. Great barbecue, delectable side dishes, stupendous desserts and marvelous music create a perfect finale to the season. This year proved to be a
A Lady For All Seasons
Patricia “Pat” Ann Lowry Vondra
By Linda Elissalde
“A man for all occasions, whether happy or serious.”
Robert Whittington on Sir Thomas More, 1520.
Robert Whittington would surely have changed the gender of his declaration if he ever had the honor of knowing Patricia “Pat” Ann Lowry Vondra. Those of us who did share
Casting for Sports
The 4th Annual Peninsula Sports Park Flounder Tournament was reeling with fun on Saturday. Seventy adult and youth anglers signed up to cast the line for the winning flounder. Both adult and kid divisions began casting for the ultimate weigh-in beginning at 2pm. After weigh-in, Delino announced the winners of the flounder tournament. Then prizes were awarded to include a 50/50 cash pot,
Rollover Pass is Closed!
Workers showed up early on Monday morning to install security fencing around Rollover Pass. There were a few people still fishing by late morning, but the fencing was completed by the end of the day. Sheriff’s Deputies are on site to prevent trespassers. The closure of Rollover Pass was authorized by the Texas Legislature in 2009, but for years, the Gilchrist Community Association,
Art! Wine! Cigars!
By Linda Elissalde
Balmy breezes blowing, musical sounds floating in the air, unique artistic displays, and CIGARS! What more could one ask for on a gorgeous September day? The Bolivar Peninsula Cultural Foundation’s (BPCF) 2019 presentation of local and visiting artist was a resounding success! It all took place under Steve’s
Small Village! Big Heart!
By Linda Elissalde
Everything is BIG in Texas! Wide vistas, longhorn cattle, tall tales, and gargantuan barbecues play a big part in the Texas story. However, there is one community that is small in size, but has a Texas sized heart. It is made up of folk who live along the Gulf Coast on Bolivar Peninsula. How about The Big Store? When electricity failed, and everything
Lions Club Slam
The Lions Club hosted their Annual Stingaree Saltwater Slam Fishing Tournament on Saturday, under beautiful blue skies. The tournament attracts teams from all over the area and benefits the youth of Bolivar through scholarships. Thirteen teams competed for the top prize of $2000. The anglers started out at 6:00 am in pursuit of the trophy trout, redfish, and flounder. The teams were allowed to weigh in
Playground Fun
The equipment arrived and the long awaited installation of the Bolivar Playground Community Build was set in place at Bolivar Park in Port Bolivar, with the help of community volunteers. One group drove all the way from Vidor to participate. A “community build” is a way to save on installation costs in order to maximize money spent on equipment. William Comeaux, Galveston County
Fitness the Focus for this Crystal Beach Native
Katie Osten Wiseman graduated from High Island H.S. in the late 1970’s. Her passion for movement was nourished on the basketball court as a stand-out Cardinal and as a result she earned a full scholarship to Rice University where she played collegiate basketball and studied to become a health and physical education teacher and coach. After finding herself single with four children, coaching was no longer
Community Support for Our Own
Bolivar has come together to outpour support for the family of Caden Strimple. The community support has been overwhelming. Young Caden was involved in a water park accident two weeks ago and is still hospitalized for his injuries. The Strimple family continues to cope with this tragic incident. The Bolivar community is stepping up with fundraisers to help the family
National Champ from Crystal Beach
We have a National Champion living right here in Crystal Beach. Robert Dunlap won the Vintage Ski 550 Class at the ProWatercross National Championship in Lake Charles on August 10th. This is his first National Championship! Robert has been riding jet skis for the last 5 years and has competed professionally for the last two years. Robert races a 1994 Kawasaki pro modified jet ski. This is
Thank You Sailors!!
By Jim Denys
Wow, with south winds 10-14mph what a great day of sailing on the Bolivar Peninsula. The 2019 Hardheads Bolivar RIG RUN enjoyed its largest turnout, with 18 boats registered, easily doubling the previous largest year. With boats and crew from Austin, San Antonio, Dallas, Carthage, Center, Winnie, Galveston, Houston, and the Bolivar Peninsula,
Elaine’s Magical Birthday
By Linda Elissalde
“Can You Feel the Love Tonight?”
There was magic everywhere! Elaine Rollfing’s 60th birthday celebration was in complete harmony with the night. Loving husband Dennis Rollfing tapped Mary Anne Harrison to create a sparkling atmosphere that included music, fireworks and even a magical mirror. White table cloths with golden
Poker Run Fun
The 7th Annual Bolivar Peninsula Lions Club Poker Run went cruisin’ by on Saturday under a beautiful Texas summer sky. The weather was hot and the carts, participants, and supporters were out in full force. The golf cart entries exceeded 230 with well over 500 poker players registered. Decorated golf carts gathered at Jose’s by 8 am to check in and receive their first card towards the
Crab Fest Grounds Improvements
Noticeable from the highway are the many mounds of dirt at the new Texas Crab Festival grounds. The festival folks are working hard to improve the property for the next festival, and beyond. After the huge rainstorms that turned the 2019 festival into a sloppy mess, the crew knew improvements were necessary. “Drainage is very important,” says Dennis Rollfing, site coordinator for Festival Park, “and this year
Creating Memories in the Sand
More sand creations were sculpted during the Spencer Family Annual Beach Vacation last week. Mike Spencer and family from Port Neches venture to the coast each summer to enjoy some family time in the sun and sand. For them, the sand comes alive with creatures big and bigger. The tradition has lived on for well over 20 years now. Mike will begin an animal in the sand and help direct the kiddos
Kittens, Dreams and The Greatest Show
By Carissa Nevill
When I write, I use a pencil and a composition notebook. Pencils feel good on the paper and they add satisfaction to my attempts at creativity. It feels like I’m drawing and I suppose I am, in a sense. Tonight, I’m writing from the couch, where a dear little, gray kitten has wrapped herself around my neck like a mink stole. She is batting at my hand,
July 4th Washer Tournament – 9th Annual
The much anticipated Annual July 4th Washers Tournament was another crowd pleasing success. In its 9th year, the Crystal Beach tournament turns out 64 teams all competing for the $1000 first place prize. The slots fill up early and the supporters come out in all of their July 4th cheer. Under perfect Texas weather conditions, the washers were tossed with precision. Congratulations to the
