By Linda Elissalde
Bolivar Peninsula Cultural Foundation (BPCF) called it a membership meeting, but it was really a holly, jolly Christmas party. An overview of past and future events accompanied by food food and drinks at Jose’s Cantina created a most festive evening. Special guest Amy Maxwell Chase provided exciting information on the upcoming renovation
2021 Best
A Holly, Jolly BPCF Christmas Party
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PSP Soccer Championship Saturday
Saturday December 4 was an exciting day in Gregory Park. The 2021 Peninsula Sports Park Soccer season came to an end. The day was full of exciting Championship Games, custom Trophies to the Champs and custom Medals for all. Each game was followed by an End of Season Celebration of hot dogs, chips, and cupcakes provided by PSP as an appreciation for Coach and Player participation. Peninsula Sports Park is able to provide
Apffel introduces Joe Giusti as new Commissioner
County Commissioners Darrell Apffel and Joe Giusti came to Jose’s Restaurant on Monday evening for a Town Hall meeting with Bolivar residents. Commissioner Apffel opened the meeting with a ‘state of the county’ list of issues as they relate to Bolivar Peninsula (listed below). As a result of the new redistricting maps recently approved by the Commissioner’s Court, Apffel will
Our AMTRAK Experience
By Melanie Wallace
Like many of you, Mack and I have been interested in taking a cross-country train trip for some time now. We’ve traveled by rail in Europe and Asia, but I haven’t been on a US train since 1968, when I turned 13 on an overnight trip from Houston to Jacksonville, Florida. (That particular trip scarred me for life when my sister
Thanksgiving Abroad
By Kelly Moad
Only a handful of countries celebrate Thanksgiving, so when you are not IN the United States of America, it gets a little tricky. Planning ahead is the only way to celebrate the holiday the way we know and love. Last year, our first year in Israel, was a learning process. There is a special market that orders turkeys in advance (if you know about
COC Annual Meeting & Elections
The Bolivar Peninsula Chamber of Commerce Annual Meeting was held last Thursday at Jose’s Cantina Restaurant. The meeting agenda included a year in review of the Chamber, and a presentation from Commissioner Darrell Apffel about the announced redistricting of the county precincts. This was followed by an election to fill two open Board positions.
Putt Putt Fun
The Second Annual Ladies Putt Putt Extravaganza on Saturday was a good time for all. Congratulations to the winners, and a big thanks to the Chamber of Commerce, all the participants, and the generous sponsors.
GOBLINS and WITCHES and GHOST ON THE COAST!
By Linda Elissalde
It’s back! THE BIG STORE provided the greatest GHOST ON THE COAST for 2021. Everything this year seemed bigger and better. There were so many contests for participation, so many prizes to win, so many goodies to consume. Bolivar Peninsula’s weather cooperated to provide a delightfully sunny and cool evening. Imaginative
A good ‘ol Cajun festival
Festival Park was rockin’ on Saturday as the 5th Annual Brad & Big Rich’s Cajun Chef’s Cookoff filled the air. The temperature dropped overnight to cool and breezy and before the sun came up on Saturday, seven chef teams started cooking to compete in three categories: Bloody Mary, Gumbo, and Cajun Dish of Choice. The gusty winds made it difficult to keep the cooker flames ablaze, but the excitement
Eagles Triple Celebration
The Crystal Beach Fraternal Order of Eagles enjoyed a triple celebration on Saturday. Many eagles and community members gathered to kick off Octoberfest with brats and biers, as well as to honor the 45th Anniversary of the FOE in Crystal Beach. The celebrating continued into the afternoon as they dedicated the Dr. Peggy and Howard Coghlan Community Center, named for
Ready, Set, Go
By Georgia Osten
It was a balmy Sunday morning when I arrived at Fort Travis Park at the tip of Bolivar Peninsula for the first ever Bolivar Live Triathlon. I had to be in the park before the gates were locked, forbidden to traffic by 7:20 am. I walked from my parking space to the eastern tip of the park, where I could see the swimmers, heat by heat, entering the
Thank You, Second Going Resale Store!
By Linda Elissalde
Nothing stops Second Going Resale Store. Board members Dennis Stafford and Tom Kruft moved away to be closer to families. They are certainly missed. However, Fran Griffin and Jane Loose appointed Esther Sarabia and Paula Alam to the board. The board, along with kind volunteers, create a spot for low priced, quality goods. It continues to be
Run to the Rig
The 7th Annual Bolivar Rig Run, hosted by H2 Brewhouse and Bolivar Yacht Club, set sail on Saturday. As the August sun beat down and very little wind, 35 catamarans of all sizes lined up on the beach for the noon start time. The Rig Run has grown from a handful of racers to a hugely popular sailing adventure over the years. Race fans had their canopies and beach chairs set up all along the
Fire It Up
The peninsula couldn’t get much hotter this past weekend as the 21st Annual Port Bolivar Volunteer Fire Department BBQ Cookoff was underway. Fajitas were fired up on Friday night as the 28 teams began their competition. A couple of thunderstorms passed through on Saturday morning while the teams prepared their beans, chicken, ribs, and brisket. But the rains didn’t douse the pits. The spirits of the
Bolivar Point Lighthouse Restoration
National Lighthouse Day on Saturday was marked with a gathering of caring community and family members, and extended restoration lovers, on the property of the Bolivar Point Lighthouse. Next year marks the 150th Birthday of the Bolivar Point Lighthouse and the Bolivar Point Lighthouse Foundation is kicking into high gear on a mission to restore the blessed landmark. After many years of
A young Cuber
By Michael Moad
Do you remember your favorite pastime or hobby at 10 years old? Some kids love to play outside, others like to play sports, and some enjoy reading. Recently, our oldest son, now 10, embarked on a journey to master the Rubik’s Cube. Michael has an interesting personality. He enjoys playing sports, rough-housing with his brother, and generally
Lighthouse Awards
The Bolivar Peninsula Cultural Foundation presented the plaques and prizes to the winners of our Light up Bolivar Lighthouse contest this past week. Such talent !! Congratulations to all the winners !!
Clockwise from top left: 1st Place 6 Ft Category, Keith Zahar – The Big Store; 2nd Place 6 Ft category, Barbara Nunez; 1st Place 3 Ft Category, Martha Gau; 2nd Place 3 Ft Category, Shauna Schroeder – The Salty Mermaid.
TCF Recognizes Volunteers
The 36th Annual Texas Crab Festival Volunteer Appreciation Gathering was held Sunday at the Festival Park Pavilion. The Texas Crab Festival committees and volunteers certainly have a lot to be thankful for and the celebration was truly in honor of each and every one of these people who poured their hearts and souls into the planning, dedication and success of this event. It’s nice to have a break,
Big Store Birthday
The Big Store celebrated their 35th birthday on Monday. Bolivar Peninsula Tourism and Visitors Center presented them with a cake to honor the occasion. Thank You THE BIG STORE for all you do for your customers and community!
[May-18-2021]
Record Breaking TCF
After a whirlwind pandemic year, the 2021 Texas Crab Festival came back with a phenomenal, record breaking turnout. The devastating cancellation of the TCF from last year gave way to a bigger and better festival this year. The weather conditions were favorable with breezy winds and bright skies. The largest vendor group thus far served up delightful options for food and crafts. The record
TORNADO ripped through Bolivar Peninsula, TX
By Pamela Marie Nemec
Very early this morning an F1 strong tornado roared through Bolivar Peninsula RV Park in Crystal Beach, Texas at around 110 miles an hour. My son, former Army Specialist Drake Sturma and his fiance’, Christina Marie Martinez were staying in the RV Park, while they work on their property they bought on Bolivar Peninsula, Texas, when the tornado ripped
Build A “Sand” Dream
The Second Annual Build A Dream sandcastle building contest was on Saturday under beautiful skies. Once the fog burned off, the clouds parted and participants settled into their mounds of sand to create their dream. David Harris and Cathie Ropp of Bolivar Tourism & Visitors Center hosted the contest in honor of Rusty Standridge. Rusty was a huge supporter of the sandcastle building event,
The Texas Blackout
The Story of a Disaster Foretold
More than 4.5 million customers in Texas were without power during the peak of outages in the state this week, as freezing temperatures hit parts of the country. Those in charge of Texas’s deregulated power sector were warned again and again that the electric grid was vulnerable.
CLICK HERE > Texas Monthly, Feb 19, 2021
Pirates and Mermaids Brave the Cold
The Bolivar Peninsular Lighthouse Krewe’s Mardi Gras Parade cruised along despite the thirty degree temperatures and whistling winds. The floats, vehicles, and golf carts were decorated to this year’s ‘Pirates and Mermaids’ theme. Bundled up parade enthusiasts started lining the highway hours before the start, ready to catch some beads and goodies while cheering on the floats. The parade
Beach Dogs
By Linda Elissalde
“In a perfect world, all dogs would have a home, and all homes would have a dog.”
It isn’t a perfect world and probably never has been perfect. However, there are moments of perfection. Our beach has been beautiful during these winter months. The beach is swept clean. Tide is way out. Sandbars create
