Ocean enthusiast holds personal accumulation of messages in a bottle

(Staff photo by Estevan Medrano)
Carole Mahalak shows off the most recent addition to her message in a bottle collection.

By ESTEVAN MEDRANO
Port Isabel-South Padre Press
editor@portisabelsouthpadre.com

Carole Mahalak, a long time winter Texan, has an unusual talent that corresponds with her love of the ocean. Every year for the past four years, she has come across a message in a bottle that has reached the South Texas shore.

“I’ve had a love affair with the ocean all my adult life,” said Carol. “I keep (the bottles) along with my shells and sea bean collection. I love to walk the beach and I can’t wait to come in the winter. I’m just lucky.”

The first bottle she found was on Dec. 10, 2011, and she has since made contact with two of the senders.

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