For many, the end of the road on the Bolivar Peninsula isn’t just a geographical point; it is a destination. At the heart of that destination sits Stingaree Restaurant and Marina, a staple of Southeast Texas hospitality approaching its 40th anniversary. We sat down with owner Brad Vratis to discuss the transition from corporate shoes…

Don’t miss the chance to purchase your 2026 Bolivar Beach Parking Sticker for only $5.00. Early-bird stickers are available at the customer service desk in The Big Store Thursday, Friday, and Saturday from 10am-3pm (cash or check only). After March 1, 2026, stickers will cost $10 each, and will be available at most stores and…

Filmmakers Tim and Russell Laman have captured the hidden world of our most common neighborhood visitors in their new video series, “Backyard Birds Revealed.” This 5-part series, produced in collaboration with the Cornell Lab of Ornithology, uses cutting-edge technology to transform a split-second visit to a bird feeder into a cinematic event. While the Laman…

If you think the most impressive thing a horse can do is jump a fence or pull a carriage, you haven’t visited the windswept shores of Oostduinkerke, Belgium. Here, a group of rugged fishermen and their massive, four-legged companions are keeping a 500-year-old tradition alive: shrimping on horseback. It is exactly as majestic—and slightly absurd—as…

America is a country defined by movement. Since the invention of the automobile, the road trip has become a central part of the national identity. From historic trade routes to neon-lit boulevards, certain stretches of asphalt have transcended their utility to become cultural icons. However, the modern journey is about more than just the destination.…

“TheFog” is a 1980 American supernatural horror film directed by John Carpenter. It tells the story of a strange, glowing fog that sweeps over a small coastal town in Northern California, bringing with it the vengeful ghosts of leprous mariners who were killed in a shipwreck there a century before. This isn’t the only movie with a heavy fog as the main…

Surface water temperature, 69 degrees. The water clarity was extremely good this past week for East Galveston Bay. The trout bite has been good for us this past week, throwing Salt & Pepper /chartreuse paddle tails on 1/8 oz jig heads. With higher tides than in previous weeks, we have been able to fish some…

The grocery store. A weekly ritual, a hunt for sustenance, and an inadvertent test of memory, willpower, and aisle-skipping strategy. You go in with your list, your mental map, and a steely resolve to be efficient. You power through dairy, conquer produce, and confidently bypass the snack aisle (mostly). You’re almost done, the cart is…

As you’re reading Local News, we’ll be headed to Tishomingo to pick up Merry, what in the world are we getting ourselves into? Two mid-70-year-olds raising, yet again, another puppy. She’ll be 8 weeks old when we get her. Robin, the breeder, took all eleven of them to the vet for their first checkup, all…

Creating a smooth path from the back door to the edge of the property makes a backyard feel like a true extension of the home. Many homeowners struggle with cluttered yards that feel disconnected or cramped. A well-planned layout solves problems by guiding movement naturally. Focusing on how people move through a space helps define…

Check out the upcoming events on Bolivar Peninsula—there’s always something going on! From community gatherings and outdoor adventures, the calendar is packed with fun for everyone. Whether you’re a local or just visiting, don’t miss out. Upcoming Events See Full Bio

This week in American history marks a transition from the final winter skirmishes of the 19th century to the groundbreaking cultural and political shifts of the modern era. It is a period characterized by legislative breakthroughs like the first Civil Rights Act and the admission of several states into the Union, alongside cultural milestones that…

If you spent the last week obsessively refreshing your weather app, you weren’t alone. The organizers of the annual Lighthouse Krewe Mardi Gras Parade were right there with you, likely offering various sacrifices to the clouds in exchange for a dry Saturday. Luckily, the rain gods got the memo or at least agreed to a late-night shift.…

The 15th Annual Eagles Crazy Hat Party Sparks Mardi Gras MagicThe air in the hall was electric this past Friday night as the 15th Annual Eagles Crazy Hat Party kicked off. It proved once again that before the big parade rolls, the real party starts with a glue gun and a dream. A cornerstone of the local…

In the world of local utility management, the stakes are often as high as the water towers that dot the skyline. For Brad Metz, President of the Bolivar Peninsula Special Utility District (BPSUD)—locally known simply as “the Water Company”—the journey from a career in international building materials to managing the peninsula’s lifeblood has been a masterclass in…

By Elinor TinsleyLast Friday the 13th,  a “small group” of over 45 people gathered at the Tiki Bar and Grill to try and halfway surprise our dear friend Linda Elissalde for a pre celebration of her 85th birthday the next day, February 14, 2026.  I say halfway surprise because Linda is a pretty hard person…

If you’re a sports enthusiast with an eye for outstanding photography, the 2026 Winter Olympics in Milano Cortina are currently delivering a visual masterclass that you won’t want to miss. These incredible photos from the 2026 Winter Olympics offer a breathtaking perspective on peak human performance. Check out these photos to see the Games like…

In many homes, there exists a sacred textile caste system, presided over by “the good towels.” These aren’t just towels; they are plush, pristine, often color-coordinated monuments to aspirations of sophistication. They live in the linen closet, folded with military precision, smelling faintly of lavender and unfulfilled potential. Their purpose, it seems, is solely to…

We all have our favorite spectator sports: baseball, football, tennis, etc. Those just mentioned are also known as team sports. But there are other activities that people like to watch that aren’t sports themselves. Rather, the sporting part of the activity is watching the activity. I call some of these pure spectator sports transportation sports.…

Surface water temperature 62 degrees. Super low tides were on tap again this past week. The water clarity is average for East Galveston Bay, with better clarity in the marsh areas that have been protected from the wind. The past few days in honor of Valentine’s Day, we have thrown the Salt Strong F.R.E.D. The…