Bolivar Peninsula once held the illustrious title of the “Watermelon Capital of Texas,” and the reasons behind this moniker are deeply rooted in its agricultural history and favorable climate conditions. The region’s lush soil and temperate coastal climate provided the ideal conditions for watermelon cultivation, leading to a flourishing industry that thrived for decades. In…

Sometimes I forget that recreational boating is about more than fishing. This article will be about some other water sports and how to both participate in them and to boat in proximity to them. First, let’s look at the top eight accident causes for 2024, the last full year for which we have statistics. The…

Driving down Highway 87 is supposed to be a scenic cruise, but inevitably, someone decides your rear bumper is the perfect place to park their oversized truck. There you are, doing a reasonable speed, enjoying the view of the dunes, while your rearview mirror is entirely filled with the aggressive chrome grille of an impatient…

I just read my story from last week. Geez, what a lot of drama! All about a couple of old people at the airport, losing stuff, forgetting stuff. Well, not today friends. We’re so excited that our family is all in one state again! The Tampa people, three cars, five people and a big black…

The first week of June stands as a remarkable micro-timeline of the American story, capturing everything from the birth of foundational civil liberties to critical breakthroughs in exploration, military defense, and social justice. In this single seven-day window across various years, the nation witnessed moments that permanently altered its political landscape. Collectively, these dates offer…

As the sun broke over the Texas coast yesterday morning, members of the community gathered at the Port Bolivar Volunteer Fire Department to uphold a solemn annual tradition. The department’s Memorial Day flag-raising ceremony once again served as a powerful reminder of the true cost of American liberty, honoring the brave men and women who…

Bolivar Peninsula Charities (BPC) has once again stepped up to support the future of the local community, announcing its latest round of academic scholarships and grants for graduating seniors. This year, 10 outstanding students from the Bolivar Peninsula who attend Ball High School and High Island High School will receive financial awards to help fund…

By Linda ElissaldeTalented Dianna Ezzell’s beautifully designed advertisements for The Way Off Broadway Ensemble Players (TWOBEP) production of MELANIE MERMAID TAIL’S TALE resulted in a large crowd. Bolivar Peninsula Cultural Foundation (BPCF) hosted the event. As always BPCF delighted attendees with multiple epicurean delicacies. Eagles #3719 provided a welcoming home for the show. But what…

By J. Lee Austin, MD Summer’s finally here and as always, ‘tis the season of vacay … to happy places like mountains, beaches, or theme parks, to name but a few. Since I’m nowhere near the Rockies or Disneyland (a human trap built by a mouse), today’s meandering ramble is about the Beach. The recently…

We can live three weeks without food, three days without water but we only have about three minutes of consciousness without air. Air isn’t something we usually think about with disaster preparation, but drowning is the #1 cause of storm related fatalities, most wildfire and house fire deaths are from smoke inhalation, and most epidemics…

May 7, 1953 – May 20, 2026 On May 20, 2026, Marsha Yvonne Scott passed peacefully in her sleep. Born on May 7, 1953, Marsha lived a life filled with love, compassion, strength, and devotion to her family. She was known for her warm heart, caring spirit, and the kindness she extended to everyone fortunate…

Calling the Gulf Coast home means being ready for severe weather every day of the year. During Hurricane Preparedness Week, observed May 3-9, Entergy Texas is reinforcing its commitment to year-round storm readiness and encouraging customers to take steps to protect themselves, their families and their homes ahead of hurricane season.  Entergy Texas recently conducted its annual storm drill, a hands-on exercise…

The past week was a bad one for recreational boaters and commercial boaters alike. We had the worst weather I have seen, even for a hurricane. A 60-ton shrimp boat was pushed ashore in 8–10-foot seas, stranding it high up o the shore. A sailing yacht was forcibly beached, knowing it would be destroyed, to…

Surface water temperature 79 degrees in East Galveston Bay. As in previous weeks, the Water clarity is normal. We are still finding good numbers of trout on the protected Shorelines over shell pockets and are having to weed thru a large number of small fish to find the solid females, as well as Redfish along…

“Unexpected item in the bagging area.” These six words have the power to raise the blood pressure of even the most zen-like individual. The self-checkout was sold to us as a miracle of efficiency—a way to bypass the lines and handle our own business. In reality, it’s a high-stakes performance art piece where the computer…

I think we were the last to leave the graduation celebration and Tampa. We had a later flight on Wednesday but decided to go ahead and get to the airport. Good thing! When we got to baggage check, I looked in the pocket of my pants for my driver’s license, Nope … Oh dear, now…

The late-spring stretch from late May into early June holds a uniquely transformative place in American history. This specific week has repeatedly served as a crucible for the nation’s political, legal, and infrastructural landscape—witnessing everything from crucial constitutional showdowns and dark chapters of forced relocation to towering triumphs of architecture, space exploration, and civil rights.…

The Texas Crab Festival is legendary for its mix of coastal charm and high-fun competition, bringing family and friends together in a spirit of friendly rivalry. Whether it’s a team perfecting a secret recipe or a group of old friends testing their aim and agility, these contests foster a sense of community. The stakes are…

Sometimes, the universe is listening closer than you think. Just ask Michelle Wilson, the lucky winner of this year’s Texas Crab Festival golf cart raffle. For months, Michelle had been dropping hints to the universe (and perhaps her family) that she wanted to trade in her bulky six-seater golf cart for a more nimble four-seater.…

If you think the fastest things on the Bolivar Peninsula have fins or wings, you clearly haven’t witnessed the Saturday morning tradition at the Texas Crab Festival. The annual Wiener Dog Races have officially cemented their status as one of the festival’s biggest crowd-pleasers, proving that you don’t need long legs to have a massive…