We never end an evening or breakfast or trip or travel or wedding without planning our next get together with family. The 4th of July get together has been planned for quite a while now. That’s with the Tampa folks. Then, at the wedding (I think) several more families joined in. The League City gang…

Juneteenth, short for June Nineteenth, is the oldest nationally celebrated commemoration of the end of slavery in the United States. While many Americans associate the abolition of slavery with President Abraham Lincoln’s Emancipation Proclamation in 1863, Juneteenth marks the day enslaved people in Texas finally learned they were free—more than two years later. On January…

From pivotal battles and groundbreaking scientific achievements to landmark cultural moments, this week has witnessed events that shaped the course of history. Join us as we explore the triumphs, tragedies, and turning points of this remarkable week. June 17: The Statue of Liberty arrived in New York Harbor aboard the French ship Isère in 1885.…

Galveston County Sheriff’s Office Town Hall Recap In a packed town hall meeting last week, Galveston County Sheriff Jimmy Fullen and his team met with residents to review the results of the 2025 Jeep Weekend operations, highlighting a successful year marked by a dramatic decrease in violent crime on the Bolivar Peninsula. Sheriff Fullen opened…

A Conversation with Amee LeBlanc, VP and Banking Center Manager at Texas First Bank Nestled within the heart of Crystal Beach, Texas First Bank stands as more than just a place to make deposits or cash checks—it’s a cornerstone of community life. At the helm of this vibrant hub is Amee LeBlanc, Vice President and…

This past Saturday, the Port Bolivar Volunteer Fire Department fired up the community spirit with its 25th Annual BBQ Cookoff Fundraiser—and it was smokin’ hot in all the best ways! The event kicked off on Friday night with a winner-take-all fajitas showdown, where teams of grillmasters battled for the title of Fajitas King (or Queen!).…

On Friday, committee captains who helped orchestrate the 2025 Texas Crab Festival gathered for a special luncheon held in their honor. The event, hosted by Texas Crab Festival Charities, recognized the dedication and hard work of the volunteers who make the festival the largest annual event on Bolivar Peninsula. Mark DeSantis, president of Texas Crab…

By J. Lee Austin, MD Things That Make You Go “Ouch!” As promised, we continue our endeavor of trying to help folks make the most of their coastal adventure. As noted in our prior ramble, the goal is not to frighten, but to maximize the odds of a safe, successful experience. A bit of forehand…

Connect, Promote, and Grow Your Business Are you a local business owner, vacation rental host, or service provider looking to reach more customers? Crystalbeach.com is your gateway to success on the Bolivar Peninsula! Our website receives over 5,000 page views each week, connecting visitors from near and far to everything that makes Crystal Beach, Texas,…

By Linda Elissalde Why do churches celebrate Pentecost? Why do worshippers wear red? Pentecost celebrates the descent of the Holy Spirit upon the Apostles and other followers of Jesus; It is the birth of the Christian Church. The name comes from the Greek word pentekoste which means fiftieth. It is celebrated on the seventh Sunday…