By Brenda Beust Smith
Excerpted from Houston Chronicle Editorial Page Article, August 26, 2011
I’m not sure who decreed that the most beautiful, most marketable suburban home must have a huge green lawn out front. I’d like to kick him in the shins. We homeowners have so bought into this lawn-centric gospel that we’re willing
Lifestyle
Time to change our views on big, green lawns
Posted in 
Spring Bash Fly-In
Aviators from all over Texas, Louisiana and Oklahoma converged on Crystal Beach May 1-3 for the first annual Gulf Coast Aviators Spring Bash Fly In. These flyers were flying paramotors. Powered Paragliding is the safest, cheapest, and most convenient way to have your own personal flying machine. You don’t even need a pilot’s license, and it takes less than a week to learn how to fly one! To sum it up,
Gumbo teams raise money for charity
By Jackie Sticker
The weather gods were smiling on Saturday, March 28th, for the 4th Annual DRIFTWOOD CHARITY GUMBO COOK-OFF hosted by Brian and Jackie Sticker. The pots were boiling, the music was playing and the competition was riding high. Twelve teams competed for bragging rights and the proceeds to donate to charity. The waiting was over by
Can a garage breathe a sigh of relief?
By Ed & Lois Riley
Last November, in preparation for winter, we provided what protection we could to the potted plants that we have at our beach house. If anyone has seen the number of plants that my wife, Lois, has in pots then you will understand that this is not a simple or short task. (A friend started to count the pots one time and stopped at 91 with less than half his count completed!) After moving many pots into
Beachfront Bargain Hunt
The HGTV Episode “Texas living on the shores of Crystal Beach”, featuring local realtor Luz Gray, will be aired on January 1 at Noon. Let’s all watch!
Boaters’ Poker Run
The Boaters Only Association of Texas, also known as the Boat Club, sponsored a Poker Run on Saturday, July 12th. The Boat Club is a non profit organization devoted to raising funds for boating, boat safety, and adult and family fun. Seventeen boats participated in this organized event in which participants visit five checkpoints, drawing a playing card at each spot. The object is to have the best poker hand
Memorable Stories from 2013
There were many memorable stories in 2013. We saw alligators and sea turtles on the beach, Google Maps vehicles driving the roads of Bolivar, tons of seaweed on the beach, great community events, and much more. A big thanks to all who contributed. Here are a few selected stories from the past year…and you can see more by scrolling down on the right hand column to the
Scouts setting the benchmark
A group of Boy Scouts from Pack 678 in League City camped out at Brint’s big red barn last weekend. The scouts came to the beach to complete the requirements for a merit badge in Surveying. After lunch on Saturday, the boys met with Sid Bouse and Brene Addison from Coastal Surveyors. Sid and Brene spent an hour or so with the scouts teaching them about the history and the science behind
My Christmas Story
By Charlotte Byus
Last Thursday was food pantry day at Second Going and many people come into the store and pantry – my busiest day. A man and woman came in for their groceries, the man took all the money he had in his pocket and gave it to the woman. “Dear, next week is Christmas and your birthday, go into the store and find you a pretty.” The woman came to the counter with
Small Business Saturday
Between Black Friday and Cyber Monday is another day, one dedicated to the businesses that boost the economy and invigorate neighborhoods across the country. It is Small Business Saturday, and this year, it is happening on November 30th. Small Business Saturday is an American shopping holiday created by American Express, held on the Saturday after Thanksgiving during one of the
Fishing lies go untold in Galveston
By Rickey Thibodeaux
“Dadgumit! I’m more excited than a boll weevil in a drawer full of cotton underwear,” said my old childhood friend Stinky Sawyer. “How much longer before we get there?” I sighed. “Not much longer.” The sun was peeking over the horizon as we drove toward the Galveston docks to board a charter fishing boat. Exhilaration raced through our veins in anticipation of spending a full day aboard a
Gator Hunting
They loaded up at first light and headed out to check the baited lines. Led by Guides Matt Anderson and Brian Schneider, the four hunters from Waller were anxious to bring in their first alligator. For George Wentzel and daughter Jayme Bruyneel, along with friends Jerry and Bobbie Hicks, gator hunting was a new experience. They won the trip in a Little League fundraiser, and arrived at
The last Hurrah
For most, it’s the last Hurrah of the summer – Labor Day Weekend! School has begun again, morning traffic picks up again, with early mornings, busy afternoons and many things to do. So we all like to kick off the new season and send out those summer days with a bang. What a better place to spend Labor Day Weekend than on the beach! Many folks had that idea in mind and flocked to Bolivar
Fall at the Farm
Berryland Farms “Fall at the Farm” opening weekend is Saturday, September 21. If you are looking for great Fall family fun, Berryland is a wonderful fun family atmosphere with great food and fun Fall attractions. Enjoy the cornmaze, pumpkin patch, hayride, hillslide, swing, tire tower, bounce house, and hay mountain. Admission price is $8 a person, 2 and under free. Other attraction tickets
BP Facebook Group Meet & Greet
The Bolivar Peninsula Facebook Page Group is sponsoring an outdoor Meet and Greet Sunday Afternoon, September 15, 2:00 pm at Fort Travis. Guests may bring food for your group and some to share or plan to purchase BBQ and trimmings from the hotshot team of Port Bolivar Volunteer Fire Department. You will need lawn chairs and/or a blanket. Food questions should be directed to Deborah Reed and her team
County Museum Wants Your Photos and Videos
The Brazoria County Historical Museum will host the traveling exhibit Tropical [Im]pressions: A Gulf Coast Hurricane Retrospective, which showcases photographs and stories from Hurricanes Rita and Ike. The exhibit will be on display from August 27 to October 3. In preparation for the exhibit, the Museum is soliciting donations of photos and videos that will help interpret the local impact of
4th Annual JANE LONG FESTIVAL in the works!
The Jane Long Society is hard at work preparing for the Fourth Annual Jane Long Festival October 12, 2013, at Fort Travis Seashore Park. This is an incredibly picturesque site for a festival, with its sweeping views of the Galveston-Bolivar ferries, shore birds, Bolivar Lighthouse, the Gulf of Mexico, Galveston Bay, Galveston Island, fishing, shrimping and sailing boats and huge freighters streaming in and out
Bolivar Peninsula BloodShare Blood Drive very successful
By Brenda Cannon Henley
Thank you, thank you, thank you to each person who came out to the Bolivar Peninsula BloodShare Blood Drive held Sat., June 22, 2013, at the First Baptist Church in Port Bolivar. LifeShare Blood Center out of Beaumont was thrilled with our turn out, the number certified to give, and the number of blood donors who were there to give their blood for the first time.
Beach life
By Jean Straatmeyer
We were cruising on the beach last night and saw these four young people diligently working on what I hoped would be a giant sand castle. However, when we went by again (on our way home) we found what looked like it could be Jimmy Hoffa’s casket! The boys (who did all the work) just laughed at our assessment, but were very happy to include
Beach times
By Kelly Moad
I’m 32 years young and have been visiting Crystal Beach since I was born. My parents met here in Crystal Beach. We’ve moved around the United States but have always come back to visit Crystal Beach to see my grandparents and extended family. I have many fond memories of days spent in the sun – building castles in the sand and swimming
Berryland Farms U Pick It Opening
Berryland U Pick It Farm is opening for the sixth year. Located near Winnie, they are hoping for ripe peaches and blackberries by April 26 and 27. They will be open Tuesday to Saturday, 7:30 am to 5:30 pm, and Sunday, 2:00 to 5:30 pm. Around June 1, they should have blueberries, tomatoes, and other vegetables to pick (squash, cucumbers, peppers, beans, and watermelon). Call for availability, 713-551-6360, or visit www.berrylandfarmsoftexas.com.
Amazing Grace
Dolphins – The activity in the Galveston Bay crossing by Ferry is amazing! If only we could capture them on film – but you really never know where they’re going to surface. Nevertheless, watching the dolphins roll and jump and bow surf makes for a very interesting 20 minutes. We spotted Pinky several months ago, but haven’t seen her lately. When asked, the Ferry Boat Crew tell us
BLASTING AWAY!
Are you ready for some fireworks? Firework stands will open December 20-January 1. Stop by to visit Dick & Debbie Lambing at their prime location, Holiday Beach & Hwy 87. PYROSHACK FIREWORKS stands will be selling their all time favorites: Hurricane Georgia, Excalibur, One Bad Mother and One Bad Mother-in-Law, Big Time Extreme Machine, Blonde Joke, and so on. Plan to get your fireworks early
Need a “Good Read”?
The AARP Library is located in the Joe Faggard Community Building and is open to all, Tuesday through Thursday from 10 am to 2 pm. You will find something for everyone – Adventure, Romance, Biographies, Humor, Childrens Books, etc. There is no cost and no membership required. The library operates on the honor system: pick out a book you will enjoy, return it when you can, or swap it for another book.
Rockin R Trail Riders
The Rockin R Trail Riders kicked up some sand along the beach this past Saturday. Rockin R Trail Riders is an outreach ministry of the Cowboy Church on the Rock, located in Beaumont. Cowboy Church offers the community honest worship and Bible teaching while enjoying all friends, family and animals. Rockin R Trail Riders venture out for a ride every third weekend to somewhere adventurous
Chili Cookoff to help local charity
Bill Martin and Bob Cook of Driftwood Subdivision hosted their 1st Annual Chili Cook Off this past Saturday, October 27th! This is a follow-up to the Gumbo Charity Cook Off in April of this year hosted by Wayne and Diane Blanks.
The cool weather was welcomed as the cooks began early morning, firing up their Chili Pots, mixing their secret ingredients, in an effort to win the
ZUMBA at BayVue Methodist
Everyone loves Zumba! Instructor Mary Hernandez offers Zumba to ALL AGES in the Fellowship Hall at BayVue United Methodist Church in Crystal Beach. This serves as a part of the church’s outreach to our community. Classes are $5.00 each and all monies go to charities. Mary also trained a group for this year’s production of THE WIZARD OF ODD! which raised funds for
Walk Across America
Y’all remember George Throop, right? He’s the one walking across America from Washington State to Washington DC. And he ventured down south through Bolivar back in January 2012. He is now in Georgia, slowly making his way north, inspiring many along the way to take their own meaningful steps to a healthy lifestyle. You can follow him on Facebook and through his website EnjoyTheWalk.org. But George is
