The great-niece of David and Lisa Harris was proposed to on December 8th in their newly rebuilt beach home in Crystal Beach. Jessica Street, daughter of Michael and Shanna Street of Flower Mound, accepted the proposal of Justin Holub, son of Louis and Connie Holub, of Montgomery. The new bride-to-be was later surprised by a luncheon hosted by her aunt and uncle at Stingaree Restaurant where
Profiles
Street/Holub Engagement
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There are angels among us.
by Georgia Osten
Several years ago before Ike, we lost Mama, known to many as ‘Mike’ Osten. We had a Memorial for her out in the front yard in April, 2008. A lone dove sat at the peak of the house in front of us and watched the entire ceremony. We spot the dove from time to time and lovingly blow her a kiss…is this the spirit of Mama? We all like to
Max Watson – 75 Years Young
Max Watson (center) celebrating his 75th birthday, with wife Edith and brother Billy.
BP Lions receive their Charter
by Georgia Osten
BPLC President
The long awaited Bolivar Peninsula Lions Club (BPLC) Charter Party became reality on Saturday, November 17, 2012. The Tiki Beach Bar & Grill hosted the event. Approximately 60-70 Lions came from as far away as Giddings, Santa Fe, Hallettesville, Bay City,
Mustang Anne Rides
If you see a bright and shiny new red Mustang convertible cruising down Hwy 87, you can say “there goes Lucky Anne”. Anne Willis is the proud winner of the 2013 Mustang awarded by the Garth House in their annual fundraiser raffle. Anne said, “I got a call from Tim (Byrom) the other night and he said you need to come pick up your red Mustang”. The car was displayed at the Texas Crab Festival last May, and
Colors of the Morning
by Jean Straatmeyer
I’d like to invite you to view my current blog posting about my neighborhood in Crystal Beach. It is titled “Colors of the Morning” and is just the latest in a regular routine of posting pictures that are meaningful to me. I use photos from our immediate area, from the USA including Alaska and also from where we have gone
Hooray for Hollywood
By Anne Christian
My daughter, Molly Christian, who moved to Hollywood six weeks ago, mentioned having been to many auditions, one in particular was a bride show. The following week, I got a call from Angela, a Casting/Producer of the TLC show “Brides of Beverly Hills”, who told me Molly had been selected to appear on their show! She asked me what kind of dress
Crystal Corral Horse Boarding
By Georgia Osten
Meet the four permanent residents of Crystal Corral Horse Boarding! From left to right, Pinkie, Whiskey, Legend and Poopaleaux (Little Horse). Sounds like a Disney movie doesn’t it? Scared out of my wits of horses, I actually met all four yesterday as I stood in the pasture with them all around, timidly feeding them carrots (first time in my life).
Triple play at the beach
The Nagy family, from the St. Louis area, visited Crystal Beach last week for a large dose of sun and fun. Kris and Sarah have spent many a summer on Bolivar, but this was the first trip to the beach for their 21-month old triplets. Ella, Mia and Jack had a wonderful time playing in the surf and digging in the sand. Older sister, Elissa, helped entertain the babies, along with
Congratulations Lt. Flores
Chloe Flores, granddaughter of Crystal Beach resident Carole Hamadey, graduated from Army Flight School at Fort Rucker, Alabama last week and received her wings as a Blackhawk helicopter pilot. Second Lieutenant Flores was one of 30 graduates, and is one of two women to receive this honor.
Horses at the B&B
by Carole Hamadey
At Out By The Sea B&B we are always fortunate to meet and spend time with our unique guests. This past week we have been blessed yet again to have Jazette Carnes and her family visit us. Jazette brought her 2 horses with her and enjoyed making new trails on the beach. We all enjoyed the incredible view of the gulf with these two
Reminiscing
We often sit around reminiscing about our “beach bum” days in Crystal Beach. Working at BayVue Grocery in the 1970’s, we crossed the lives of many in the local community. And, as life goes, paths diverge and we lose track of the friends we once knew.
Recently, we received an email:
Kahla’s Custom Chairs
Shirley and Monroe Kahla were long time residents of Crystal Beach until Hurricane Ike destroyed their home. Now living in Winnie, the Kahlas keep busy selling their custom made chairs. You will most often see them at the Winnie Trade Days each month, and this past Saturday, they set up in Crystal Beach to show their beautiful hand painted furniture.
The chair is Shirley’s design, a very comfortable and
Homes By The Sea
by Aron Nance
Like most people who vacation at the beach, we discussed eventually living by the sea.
After 15 years of vacationing at Surfside, someone mentioned Crystal Beach so we had to locate Crystal Beach on a map and plan a trip there. A short ferry ride from Galveston and we found our version of paradise.
40 Years and counting
by Georgia Osten
The Walla Family blew into town last Monday for their 40th Annual Crystal Beach Vacation. Yes, Mildred and Johnnie Walla and family have been coming to Crystal Beach every summer for the last 40 years! Mildred remembers coming with her father when she was in high school in Beaumont. To celebrate the event, they had special
Lili Marlene Elissalde is 3
Lili Marlene Elissalde turned 3 on July 2, 2012. This adorable Labradoodle belongs to Pack Leaders (sometimes) Marcel and Linda C. Elissalde. She is a delight. Lili loves to eat, chase pebbles, be admired while walking on the beach and playing with her cousin Shiz Tsu Airy.
She is still working on
Texas Country Reporter visits the TIKI MAN
Bob Phillips has been the host of Texas Country Reporter for nearly 30 years, travelling the backroads of Texas telling stories about true Texans. On Wednesday, June 27, Bob and his film crew stopped in Crystal Beach to do a feature story on our own TIKI MAN, Kevin Kavanagh. As we all know, Kevin has been carving tikis and pelicans and mermaids and all sorts of wood sculptures for years on the side
Catherine Jackson, Teacher of the Year
Congratulations to Catherine Jackson, recipient of Crenshaw’s Teacher of the Year, and GISD’s Secondary Educator Teacher of the Year. This award also includes the nomination for Teacher of the Year for Region IV. Catherine teaches English, and is involved in many activities at the school.
Catherine says, “Being chosen as
Following George
George Throop began his walk across America from Vancouver, Washington 996 days ago, back in September 2009, two days before his 34th birthday. “Walk across America” is George’s effort to advocate for healthier lifestyles, “It’s a walk of inspiration”. George lost his mother to cancer. She died in 1985 two days before her 34th birthday.
We were thrilled to meet him on his visit
Need pest control treatment at your house?
By Brenda Cannon Henley
Debbie Valentine, wife of our beloved Pastor Jerry Valentine, has kept the well-known pest control business open that she and Jerry founded at the beach. They offer a full line of pest control treatment inside the house, including all baseboards, cabinets, and closets where pests like to hide. They also treat the outside of your home, including
Congratulations to Valerie Clara Sallee
2012 Graduate of High Island High School
By Brenda Cannon Henley
It does the heart good to see good things happen to really good people. The past few weeks have brought many wonderful tributes to a hard working and truly dedicated young lady, Valerie Clara Sallee, from High Island, Texas. The road to Valerie’s success has not necessarily been an easy one. She has faced challenges and
We thank you all!!
by Gerry Lang
Whatever the weather, we weather the weather, whether we like it or not !
Susan Free did a fabulous Crab Fest “behind the scenes” orchestration of finance and flow. From Friday’ Crab Fest opening to Sunday’s closing, Susan volunteered 34 hours! Thank you Debra and Jim Tillman for providing your
CONGRATULATIONS!!!
AND WELCOME TO WORLD, Dillyn Presley Gann, born May 08, 2012, weighed 7lbs 4 ozs. and 19 1/2 inches long.
She is born to Kendall & Justin Gann in Ramstein AFB Germany. Teigyn Paige and Logan are the big brother and sister.
Pamela Couch is the proud grandmother (aka; Cookie).
Stewardship
by Gladys Pace, Bolivar homeowner
In September, Matt and I were looking for some deck furniture in Crystal Beach. We wanted to support a local business, so we found a company called Deck Furniture owned by Debbie and Jerry Valentine.
When we visited the store we met Debbie and Jerry
Kevin the TIKI MAN
The Tiki Man, as so many folks know him, is a Bolivar icon. Everyone traveling down the peninsula has seen his Tiki carvings on the side of the road. His real name is Kevin Kavanagh, and he began showing his artwork shortly after Hurricane Rita, working on the side of the road in Crystal Beach. And no, he didn’t name himself, “The Tiki Man”, it just evolved and
Heroes on the Water
At Tuesday’s Chamber of Commerce meeting, guest speaker Joe Winston, from HEROES ON THE WATER, gave a very inspiring presentation about how his organization is helping wounded warriors relax, rehabilitate, and reintegrate through kayak fishing and the outdoors.
The program provides basic kayak fishing instruction, angling clinics and paddling classes for participants with skill sets ranging from beginners to the most experienced paddlers. The program also assists these personnel in adapting these newly developed skills to their new abilities. Adaptive kayaks, kayaking accessories…
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…
Congratulations to 2LT Flores and Grandmother Carole
Crystal Beach resident, Carole Hamadey, just returned from a trip to Fort Rucker, Alabama where she watched her granddaughter, 2LT Chloe Flores, at the controls of an Army helicopter. Chloe is a May 2011 graduate of the US Military Academy at West Point, and is currently attending flight training as part of Stingray Flight Class 12-01. Carole was able to observe from the control tower where she had an excellent view of the flight demonstration.
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