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Confessions of a mall Santa Claus
Here’s a Christmas memory. One year, I played the part of a mall Santa Claus and learned it’s not all that easy being Kris Kringle. This happened in early December...
Our readers speak
Take my word for it I would like to announce today that I have been awarded the Intergalactic, Mega Especial Award (Better known as the I, ME Award). This is...
Re-examining ‘The Breakfast Club’ after 40 years
It’s hard to believe “The Breakfast Club,” the beloved film featuring a group of insecure, suburban Chicago high school teenagers forced to spend detention together, is celebrating its 40th anniversary....
(Aesthetically unattractive) profiles in courage
I never liked John Fetterman. He was too far to the left, or so I thought. Too weird. Too much of a narcissist who did things the way that he...
Silent Auction for Scholarships to run Dec. 12 to March 6
Folks have an opportunity to bid on more than 50 pieces of fine art at the Silent Auction for Scholarships...
Kids’ story time slated Saturday
Kids are invited to a story time and celebrate National Hot Cocoa Day at the William R “Bill” Ellis Memorial...
Honoring veterans
Members of the community are invited to help place wreaths on the graves of the 78 veterans buried at Royal...
Public invited to Holiday Market at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church
Ladies of St. Joseph Catholic Church will host a Holiday Market in the Parish Hall on Saturday and Sunday, Dec....
Marlins beat Beeville
The Port Aransas High School Marlins won against Beeville, 50-38, Friday, Dec. 5, but it wasn’t pretty. “I think that...
Lady Marlins win tourney
It’s early in the season and the Port Aransas High School Lady Marlins already are champions of two basketball tournaments....
Lady Marlin milestone
Lady Marlins player Brooke Jones recently achieved a big milestone. A senior, Brooke has been a Port Aransas High School...
Boys dominate Orange Grove
The Port Aransas High School Marlins crushed Orange Grove at a home game Tuesday, Dec. 9. “Tonight, we were a...
Christmas sounds
Holiday music was on tap when bands from Port Aransas High School and Brundrett Middle School played at a concert...
New health program focuses on life skills, personal goal setting
A new health education program that began in August at Port Aransas ISD is helping students learn about informed and...
School science fair subjects range from crayons to cookies
H.G. Olsen Elementary School students participated in a science fair at the school gym Thursday, Dec. 5. Elementary school kids...
At the dance
Students dance at the Winter Ball at Brundrett Middle School on Friday, Dec. 5. In front, from left, are Olivia...
Reeling them in
This group of friends and family members caught yellowfin and blackfin tuna, rainbow runners, skipjack, wahoo and dorado during a...
Tuna catch
Fred Mallett of Laguna Vista shows the yellowfin tuna he caught while on a 60-hour offshore trip aboard the Scat...
Anglers reeling in tuna, trout, more
Anglers have been reeling in yellowfin and blackfin tuna along with good numbers of vermilion snapper, according to the folks...
Honor, remember veterans
State of AffairsRecognition of the service and sacrifice of our veterans and their families is especially important during the traditional holiday season....
Happiness is an inside job
Pastor’s PenOne of my favorite living spiritual writers is fond of the expression, “Happiness is an inside job.” Pondering that shines...
The real star of the show
Coffee GirlMy daughter is a star. A heroine. The leading lady in one of the most famous productions of all time....
Port Aransas ISD advances major projects
Education NotesPort Aransas Independent School District (PAISD) has made significant progress with two large scale construction projects that started in 2024;...
Boats to parade at Port A harbor Saturday night
Get into the spirit of Christmas by watching boats decorated with lights as they cruise around the Dennis Dreyer Municipal Harbor on Saturday, Dec. 13. The annual Lighted Boat Parade will take place from 6 to 7 p.m. The parade is sponsored by the Port Aransas Tourism Bureau & Chamber of Commerce. “So far 10 boats have signed up and...
PAHS program teaches leadership skills
Port Aransas High School is teaching leadership skills while also preparing students for their future careers in a new class. The leadership course, an elective, is led by principal David Swartwout, who had been looking for a way to re-enter the classroom. “It was an effort first to get back into the class, because I love teaching, and it’s a...
VFW effort to help provide Christmas dinners for locals
Applications for gift cards are still available for folks needing help to purchase the makings for their Christmas dinners through the Care and Share Christmas Dinner Drive. Members of the Moore McDonald VFW Post 8967 have offered this program for Port Aransas folks needing a little help since 1991. Applications can be picked up at the post, at 311 N....
Donations still being accepted for big Toy Roundup in Port A
There is still time to donate new, unwrapped toys to the annual Port Aransas Emergency Services Toy Roundup to ensure that all kids in Port Aransas get what they want for Christmas. Donation boxes, located around Port Aransas, will be picked up on Wednesday, Dec. 17, according to organizers. Toys and gifts for recipients will be delivered on Friday, Dec....
Flocking together
White pelicans hang out together in the shallows at Leonabelle Turnbull Birding Center on a recent day. A common sight in Port Aransas this time of year, white pelicans migrate here from points north each winter.
Very crafty
Len Soderstrom of Springfield, Mo., checks out a figurine at a booth at Pioneer Beach RV Resort’s Christmas craft fair on Saturday, Dec. 6. The booth was manned by Pete Mahoney of Sand Springs, Okla.
Admiring artwork
Folks browse some of the creative works on the walls of the Port Aransas Art Center on Friday, Dec. 5. They were taking part in the Art Center’s First Friday reception.
Art Center receives grant for program for youth 14 to 18
The Port Aransas Art Center has received a $75,000 grant from the AEP Texas Foundation to fund Creative Horizons, a two-year arts program for youth ages 14 to 18. A check from the foundation was presented to John Morris, Port Aransas Art Center president, at the Art Center’s First Friday reception on Friday, Dec. 5. The program incorporates hands-on workshops, […]
Getting ready
Lining up on Avenue G, entrants prepare to begin the 14th annual Port Aransas Christmas Parade on Saturday, Dec. 6. More than 50 entrants took part in the parade, with entry fees raising $560 for the Emergency Services Toy Roundup to purchase gifts for Port Aransas children in need. A contest was held to name the best-decorated entries. First place […]
Merry musical on stage at PACT
Holiday harmonies are now on stage at the Port Aransas Community Theatre. “Winter Wonderettes,” a Christmas musical, will take audience members on a nostalgic journey that features holiday tunes from 1950s and ‘60s. The production runs Thursdays through Sundays, Dec. 11 through 21. Showtimes are 7:30 p.m. Thursday through Saturday, and 2:30 p.m. Sunday. Tickets are on sale for $24.23 […]
Civic duty
Work continues on the Port Aransas Civic Center expansion project on Tuesday, Dec. 2. The effort involves expanding the building by 8,000 square feet, adding conference rooms and offices and enlarging the kitchen.
Rec center going up
Construction continues on a recent day on the new recreation center building that is going up at Port Aransas Community Park. Hopes are that the 35,000-square-foot facility will be completed late next year.
Testing her skills
Hannah Baker of Port Aransas enjoys some time at the skateboarding area at Port Aransas Community Park on a recent day. An avid surfer, Hannah said she hadn’t skated in a while. ‘I wanted to see if I still got it,’ she said.
Willden brings experience and videography skills to South Jetty
The South Jetty brought a new reporter on staff this week. He is Jimmy Willden, a longtime Coastal Bend resident who has been working in journalism for 15 years. Willden’s main area of responsibility will be coverage of Port Aransas ISD, but he also will write stories about all kinds of other things going on in town. “I am honored […]
Weighing in
Kylan Petty, an animal rehabilitator at the Amos Rehabilitation Keep (ARK), weighs a barn owl by getting it to perch on a stand on a scale on a recent day. The owl was rescued a few weeks ago after a passerby found the bird standing next to a gas pump at the Checkout gas station on State Highway 361 in […]
Taking a spin
Lily Fowler, 8, of Georgetown rides on a spinning feature at the Turtle Cove playground at Roberts Point Park on Sunday, Dec. 7.
Santa visits Port A
Folks in a merry mood flocked to Roberts Point Park on Saturday, Dec. 6, for the annual City Tree Lighting and Santa in the Park events, hosted by the City of Port Aransas Parks and Recreation.
Parking lot prank
Jim Cole, longtime band director at Brundrett Middle School and Port Aransas High School, poses next to his parking space at PAHS in 2007. Cole, who at that time had been band director at Port Aransas schools for 36 years, had joked for quite a while that a certain unlabeled parking space close to the high school’s front door was...
