By Linda Elissalde
What a gorgeous evening for the October 26, 2024 Big Store’s annual GHOST ON THE COAST! A brightly shining sun showcased beautiful, unique and very scary things. Count on The Big Store, aka, The Gulf Coast market to mount another successful presentation. Planning began long before the event. Employees were out early
A Little Lagniappe – Books, Movies Musicals and More
Kings and Queens and Scary Things
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Birthday Sweethearts
By Linda Elissalde
Rita Moseley generously wants everyone to have a happy birthday. Since both Laura Bryan and Ellie Pollard were born in October, Rita decided to have a party in honor of this special occasion. Rita found a date that fit both ladies’ calendars. Hughston’s newly opened restaurant was the venue. Laura and Ellie’s admirers
100 Years Young!
“Age cannot wither her, nor custom stale her infinite variety.” William Shakespeare
By Linda Elissalde
Edith Marie Smith became 100 years young October 12, 2024. Family and friends from near and far arrived at beautifully decorated Meadow Lake Ranch to celebrate this most auspicious occasion. Edith
Betty is Eighty
By Linda Elissalde
Betty Williamson just celebrated her 80th birthday even though she looks much younger. Friends gathered at Tiki Bar and Grill on September 24 to honor this auspicious occasion. Owner Chris Gatlin and servers Rhonda and Cheyenne provided 5 star service. Set up, food and orders were done to perfection. Tiki even had a birthday sash
The Party Never Ends
By Linda Elissalde
Back in the early 2000s Lori and Doug Considine decided to host a little end of summer gathering for Crystal Canal neighbors. It turned out that Lori’s dad Dan Hafner happened to have a birthday in August. Why not combine the two events? That is just what they did. A group gathered to party at the same time; same place for
Cool Cats
By Linda Elissalde
To be a Cool Cat was very complimentary in the 1950s
Anthony Asta, with help from granddaughter Sara, organized a 65th reunion of some of Mr. Asta’s St. Anthony High School class of 1959 members. Eleven graduates, along with three spouses and one relative, gathered at Bruno’s Italian Kitchen on August 17, 2024. The room resounded
Second Going supports local schools
By Linda Elissalde
Bay Vue Methodist’s Second Going Resale Store helped start off the 2024-25 school year with gifts to Galveston District’s Crenshaw School and High Island School District. Second Going’s mission statement is, “To use the proceeds from the resale shop to help poor and needy folk on Bolivar Peninsula.” However, Second Going does
Good Morning, George
By Linda Elissalde
Bav Vue Methodist (BVM) Church begins each Sunday service with George Strong’s strong greeting, “Good Morning, Church!”. The congregation lustily responds, “Good Morning, George!”. Sunday, August 4, 2024, was the last time for this joyous opening. George leaves Crystal Beach to start a new adventure at The Crossings in
Sing for your Supper
By Linda Elissalde
Evil Mr. Covid brought a cessation of The Family Sargents’ wonderful SING FOR YOUR SUPPER evenings. However, Covid could not keep this family from starting these deliciously delightful events again on July 27. Jean, “Sarge”, Mary Jean, and Anna Leigh Sargent provided another magical evening for all attendees.
The Spirit of Jane Long
By Linda Elissalde
Bolivar Peninsula has withstood many attacks. Many of them come from really, really bad weather. One of those who became a symbol of the strength and resilience of our peninsula is Jane Long. Thanks to the Spirit of Jane Long Anne Willis and Margo Johnson many more folk know about her. A major part of Jane’s story
Happy 90th Birthday to Queen Carole
By Linda Elissalde
Carole Griffith Chambers was born in Beaumont, Texas on July 13, 1934. Carole played the piano, sang in school choirs, studied voice with Eloise Milam and joined Beaumont’s Melody Maids. The Melody Maids, directed by Mrs. Milam, performed in many cities and on US Military Posts. One of those trips took Carole to
Generous, Generator Friends
By Linda Elissalde
We thought about fixing our small generator. We started work on it, but the weather was really hot. Then along came Beryl. Hurricane Beryl might come into Mexico. Then she seemed to move over to Texas. Our dear Huntsville friends Byron and Karen Kelly sent messages letting us know that our room was ready if we wanted to head north. They have
Where have all the sand dunes gone?
By Linda Elissalde
Nostalgia: A sentimental longing or wistful affection for the past, typically for a period or place with happy personal associations.
Over the turn bridge and around the curve. The Gulf of Mexico with sunshine, wide beaches, freedom and sand dunes. Crossing Roll Over Pass where
Surprises
By Linda Elissalde
George Strong told his friends that turning 87 on Saturday, June 8, 2024 was not a special age. However, he reckoned without his family and friends thinking George is special at any age. His sister Sharry and Crystal Beach neighbor Nanette Gans decided that George needed a birthday surprise. Nanette included me
Love, Faith, Gratitude
THE SEARCH FOR CALEB HARRIS
By Linda Elissalde
Caleb Harris was last seen March 4, 2024 at Cottages Apartments in Corpus Christi, Texas. There is no record of his disappearance as apartment security cameras were not working. Where is he? What happened? It is as if he disappeared into the fog. Family and friends
Pentecost Sunday
By Linda Elissalde
Pentecost is celebrated the Sunday that falls on the 50th day of Easter. It commemorates the descent of the Holy Spirit on Apostles and other disciples following the Crucifixion, Resurrection and Ascension of Jesus Christ. (Acts, chapter 2). It marks the beginning of the Christian Church’s mission to the world. Christians of many faiths
Lifeline and POPS work as a Team
By Linda Elissalde
It is amazing what can be accomplished when groups work together for a good cause. Non-profit organizations LIFELINE of Galveston County and PETS OVERPOPULATION PREVENTION SOCIETY (POPS) joined forces. They traveled via ferry on April 30, 2024 to Bolivar Peninsula to provide help for homeless
Celebrating May 5, 2024
By Linda Elissalde
Crystal Beach’s Bay Vue Methodist Church celebrated Cinco De Mayo Sunday, May 5, 2024. Cinco de Mayo commemorates a Mexican victory over the French in the Battle of Pueblo. Some church folk dressed in Mexican style clothing. Pastor Valerie Hudson prepared a hymn sung in English and Spanish for the church
The Bells chime more Loud and Sweet
Judge Earl Hines signals the beginning of Bay Vue Methodist Church Services each Sunday. He heads out the door a few minutes before service time and pulls the chord that sends a ringing message of welcome to all. Those bells, and bell tower, have been around for quite a while. However, the bell tower has been damaged by many years of Gulf Coast storms. Bay Vue’s Trustees
Eagles and Salty Mermaid join together
By Linda Elissalde
Fraternal Order of Eagles 3719 (FOE) hosted a second Salty Mermaid Style Show. The success of an earlier one prompted requests for a second. An SRO crowd agreed that the April 17th presentation was just as fantastic as the first one. Money from this event supports Eagles multiple charities. FOE President, and Chamber of Commerce
Celebrating their 60th Wedding Anniversaries
1964-2024
By Linda Elissalde
Barbara and Alan McNeill & Sally and Howard Nichols combined their celebration of 60 years of marriage with a grand party. Local and out of town family and friends joined the two couples at Amelia Farm and Market on April 13, 2024 to honor their years of wedded
An ECLIPSE to REMEMBER!
“The Heavens Declare Their Glory.” Psalms
Clouds drifted across a brilliant blue sky. Sun peeked out behind fluff to declare, “I am still here.” Folk moved back and forth collecting food and drink. Lawn chairs were aligned. Special eclipse glasses were at the ready. Waiting! Waiting! Waiting! Then suddenly 12:22:48 AM arrived. Earth’s moon, a small black cookie, began moving
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
Let Them Eat Cake
(Attributed to Marie Antoinette who most likely never said it.)
By Linda Elissalde
The Easter Bunny showed up early at Lazy Ladies Aerobic Class Monday, March 25. Thanks go to E. Bunny, aka Amy Lail, who hopped in with Easter bags for attendees. Each contained delicious homemade cupcakes topped with sugary Easter icing and decorations.
Those Invincible Bay Vue Methodist Women
By Linda Elissalde
Invincible. adjective: incapable of being defeated, overcome, or subdued.
Bay Vue Methodist Women (BMW) definitely proved just how invincible they were on March 16, 2024. President Elinor Tinsley and Treasurer Sandi Covington meticulously planned their annual Bake Sale. This delicious
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
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,
A Story of Love
By Linda Elissalde
It was always about love. Graceful dancer Christie and handsome world famous drummer Michael Feighan fell in love. They married. Then the two fell in love with a little girl named Tatiana residing in a Siberian Orphanage. A lot of work, and a lot of love, enabled the Feighans to finally bring this cute 7 year old from
