Continue reading »]]> BY CHRISTINA R. GARZA
Staff Writer

pre...@portisabelsouthpadre.com

Trisha Harmon, a 2012 graduate of Port Isabel High School, has spent the last year in the city of brotherly love. Harmon moved to Philadelphia in July of 2012 to work with an AmeriCorps program called City Year that aids middle-school students who are at risk of dropping out of school.

After choosing not to attend college in Dallas in the fall like she had previously planned, Harmon decided to move back to the east coast where she had lived for three years before returning to Port Isabel. Harmon’s sister, Megan, mentioned the City Year program and Philadelphia had an open position. The position would offer experience working with children and an educational award at the end of the 10-month term which started in August and ends June. The $5550 award would go toward tuition or other educational expenses.

To read the rest of this story, subscribe to The Port Isabel-South Padre Island PRESS. Call (956) 943-5545 to learn more about subscription rates for print and electronic editions.

Continue reading »]]> By CRAIG ALANIZ
Reporter/Photographer
pre...@portisabelsouthpadre.com 

Bob Finley

A retired engineer from Goldsby, Oklahoma photographed an abandoned sailboat at a local shipyard.

The image has since been featured in several art institutions in Oklahoma and has been recognized with another award.

Bob Finley entered the photo in the Artists of the Arbuckles International Art and Photography show and won Grand Champion Best of Show two weeks ago.

The organization is based in Sulphur, Oklahoma and their gallery is located there.

“I have had lots of fun and interest with this photo,” Finley said.

Finley said he enjoys the seafood, restaurants, sunsets and the friendly people in the Laguna Madre Area and the photo opportunities.

Read this story in the Feb. 21 edition of the Port Isabel-South Padre Press, or subscribe to our E-Edition by clicking here.

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Ninety-year-old Russell Louden is seen before and during his recent skydiving experience. (Courtesy photos)

By CRAIG ALANIZ
Reporter/Photographer
pre...@portisabelsouthpadre.com 

Russell Louden decided to do something drastic to celebrate his birthday in 2013. He drove his motorcycle from his temporary home in Weslaco to the Island to skydive for his first time last Saturday.

Louden said he was an Army brat growing up so he spent time all over the country, but has been visiting the Valley for the past 20 years. He said he stays in the Valley for four months and really enjoys his time here with the people.

Louden said in his “short” life he had never had the opportunity to jump from a plane. He said it had always been a dream of his that he would finally realize on his 90th birthday.

He was willing to jump in the service, but the paratrooper school closed just before he enlisted, Louden said.

“I tried getting George Bush Sr. to jump with me this time, but he was very ill – that would have stirred some things up,” Louden said.

The descent was not as nerve wracking as once thought, Louden said. The ride was very smooth and enjoyable.

“The gulf looked just like a piece of glass,” Louden said.

Louden said he had over 20 people waiting for him on the ground at Clayton’s beach. He said next year he would bring one of his best friends, who is 89 years old, to join him on another jump.

“I just asked Jesus to jump with me and I am sure he was with me on that beautiful experience,” Louden said.

Read this story in the Jan. 31 edition of the Port Isabel-South Padre Press, or subscribe to our E-Edition by clicking here.

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Seen (above) is the Beachcomber’s Museum of Local and Natural History circa 2004. Also shown (below) is the ribbon cutting for the then-new PDQ Printshop circa 1984. (Courtesy photos provided by Steve Hathcock)

By DEBRA WINGER
Special to the PRESS

“History is my passion! When I was seven years old, my dad had been remodeling our house when he discovered a secret room under the staircase. The room had 100’s of old newspapers, dating back before the civil war along with empty whiskey bottles and a stack of silver dollars, which my dad divided between the six kids!” Steve Hathcock, founder of Padre Island Trading Company and the Beachcombers Museum, smiled, as his crystal blue eyes reflected his enthusiasm.

He was raised in Sparta, Wisconsin and worked as a nursing assistant in a PTSD VA hospital program for eight years. He also worked as a security guard, waiter and spent 23 years as a locksmith. He graduated from a technical college in printing and publications in 1973 and in 1984 bought a building on Pompano Street on the Island and started a print shop with his two partners, Frank Dombroski and Carl Phillips. He founded the Beach-Comber Travel and Entertainment magazine which was in publication for six years.

He came to the Island in 1980 on his way to California to pan gold in the Humbolt River, but he fell in love with the Island and decided to stay.

“When I was a kid, I read all the old papers from the secret room, my dad discovered for about three to four years and then started cleaning a local pool hall at the age of 12 in town. …I talked to retired Spanish-American, World War I and II War veterans and was accepted as a peer because I knew how to ask questions and I loved to hear their historical tales! …I was probably the most historically accurate kid in town,” Steve chuckled. Through the years, he accumulated old coins, stamps, books and artifacts. He displayed these items in a book exchange he opened where people could buy used books at half price or trade them. People wanted to buy his historical items and when he told them they were not for sale, they suggested he open a museum, which he did. The museum had ancient fossils, mammoth elephant teeth, fossilized crabs and marine life, civil war bullets and Indian artifacts. Many things he found on the Island by using a Garrett metal detector which was donated to him by the company. Items he found included a 1903 20 dollar gold coin on a chain at Isla Blanca park and a pre-Spanish 16th century jar made of clay about 30 miles north near the Mansfield ship channel, which probably came from a shipwreck.

He has self-published four books. The first one printed in 1995, was entitled “Real History,” followed by “Looking Back,” (Vol. II)) of historical and treasure-hunting tales. His third book in 2001 included, “Behind the Third Dune,” which included treasure-hunting and other historical events including the collapse of the causeway. His fourth book in 2010, entitled, “Old Indio,” was the story of the last of the Carancahua Indians of Padre Island. These last two books are available at Rio Bravo gallery in Port Isabel or at Paragraph’s Bookstore on the Island. Steve stated he has a research library of about 3,000 books in his home and added he subscribes to online research sites in order to expand his research capabilities.

“I’m an information junkie, am strict on accuracy and don’t mind people pointing out inaccuracies,” Steve replied in all sincerity.

The Museum operated from 1995 to 2008 and was visited by thousands yearly. Steve added, “It was closed in 2008, because it was time to take it to the next level! Dennis Franke, Rod Bates and myself formed the South Padre Island Historical Foundation, a nonprofit organization for the purpose of building and establishing a museum on the Island. Initially the three of us invested the seed money to start the organization and the South Padre Community Foundation and other private donors contributed a sizeable amount of money to build the first set of quality display cases in the South Padre Island Convention Center to house historical exhibits, which is free to the public for viewing M-F during normal convention center office hours. The story of Tarpon beach is on display. Tarpon Beach was started by Padre Island Development Company in Brownsville in 1907. The development included fishing houses, a commercial section with a bathhouse, beach, restaurants, a casino, nightclub, ice-cream parlor and a photo studio. Hurricanes destroyed part of the complex in 1909 and 1910 and damaged the area again with the hurricane of 1933. The old casino hotel was completely destroyed in the early 50’s by storms. Shortly afterwards storms were given names. The area only accessible by ferry was referred to as Port Isabel/Padre Island at that time. It was incorporated as South Padre Island in 1973. On April 10th this year, South Padre Island will be 40 years old. Historical photos from the 50s until the present are requested at this time from the public, to be utilized in a new display to be built at the Convention Center. “The great thing,” Steve added, “is that many pioneers including myself are still here to celebrate the history of the Island this year.”

“Don’t accept blindly facts given to you without researching history to determine if it’s true or not,” Steve remarked. “History helps us understand our roots, get a clearer perspective of why things are the way, they are today.”

All residents are invited to e-mail him at ste...@southpadretv.tv with all their historical questions. The community is invited to access his website at southpadretv.tv.

Another exhibit, Island History from the 20s to the 40s will be displayed at the Convention Center over the next couple months.

If anyone would care to donate land or a building or monetary gifts to help build the Historical museum of South Padre Island or to help fund additional displays at the Convention Center, it is much appreciated. Half day beach tours including beach-combing, historical talks and some metal detecting are available for interested individuals and groups for a fee. Tours can be reserved by calling (956) 761-9900.

“If you know the sand is moving, that’s where you need to be when your treasure hunting with a metal detector,” Steve stated. He said he liked Garrett metal detectors online because they offer machines and accessories to fit any budget for beginners. He stated, his favorite one is the AT Pro, costing about $600.00 because it works underwater and above ground. He added Garrett has an 800 number for people to call to help people understand the proper procedures for using these machines. Due to the highly mineralized sand in the area, false readings are obtained at times and good instructions are necessary when using metal detectors.

Mr. Hathcock, has been the Chairman of the Cameron County Historical Commission in the past and currently serves as the Chairman of the South Padre Island Historical Preservation Committee. People can contact city hall to become members of this committee and members meet monthly. He currently serves as Vice-President of the South Padre Island Historical Foundation started in 2009 by himself, Rod Bates and Dennis Franke.

Steve Hathcock is a valuable resource for all history lovers and people in general who love Island living, who would appreciate a glimpse into the rich history of the region.

Read this story in the Jan. 6 edition of the Port Isabel-South Padre Press, or subscribe to our E-Edition by clicking here.

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Gina, a homeless woman living in the Laguna Madre area, prepares to write in her journal. Her face has been concealed for her and her daughter’s protection. (Staff photo by Ray Quiroga)

By RAY QUIROGA
Port Isabel-South Padre PRESS
r...@portisabelsouthpadre.com

Gina (not her real name) dresses immaculately. At 124 pounds, she’s slight for her height; which, in a way, helps her appear at least a decade younger than her 54 years of age suggests. She’s donned in a smart black summer dress with small white prints. Her platinum blonde hair is neatly pulled back; not a strand was out of place and a synthetic flower, derived from the same pattern and fabric as her dress, is pinned to her locks behind her ear. Her pinkish color lip gloss complements her light complexion and hazel eyes. In essence, she looks like a mature version of a 1940s pinup model, but in many more ways she doesn’t attract attention to herself – she may have sat next to you during church service or walked passed you at the mall and you would not have given her so much as a second glance. She is quite ordinary…and she is the face of the homeless in America.

Gina has endured more abuse and trials than most can likely fathom. At the age of 12, Gina’s mother, a schizophrenic, tore the shirt from Gina’s body and brutally whipped her back. “That day she stopped being my mother and became my father’s wife,” she vividly recalled.

The abuse carried on to adulthood when, upon years of being preconditioned to abusive behavior, she was drawn to the wrong men. About a year ago, Gina and her teen daughter found their way to the Valley after fleeing from their home on the East Coast and her mother’s (now in her 80s) mental clutches. The final straw came when Gina’s mother, in a delusional rage, pointed a pistol at Gina’s daughter.

Gina’s most recent boyfriend landed himself in jail on narcotics charges, at which point, at the behest of his sister, Gina was given the option of either prostituting herself and her daughter or vacating her boyfriend’s residence. Gina chose the latter and until this week, they have mostly lived out of their pick-up truck, working odd jobs, mostly in housekeeping. But due to injuries sustained in a head-on collision which occurred years ago, her options are limited. She does, however, hope to return to the health and caregiving field, in which she is trained.

When describing her daily routine, Gina said that she and her daughter are usually asleep by 8:30 p.m. After all, the options are limited when the sun sets. “We take a bucket and use it to carry water and wash at the local parks and access points,” she explained. “CPS (Child Protective Services) can’t do anything because she’s very healthy and clean.”

The day this reporter caught up with Gina at an area park, she was carrying a journal. It was an attractive booklet with a brown leather-like cover and thick off-white pages inside, the kind in which bits of the papers’ fibers can be seen by the naked eye. She writes everything in it, from her daily plans to prose she hopes can one day make it into a book that will illustrate her life’s journey. “A friend that I met at the library convinced me that I should write a book,” Gina explained. “So people can know and learn about abuse and the homeless.”

Gina’s circumstances are improving, however, thanks to the members of an area church she attends. Just this week, after close to a year on the waiting list, Gina and her daughter were granted a voucher to attain public housing. During our talk, Gina broke down on three different occasions; this was one of those times.

Towards the end of our conversation, this reporter turned to Gina and clumsily asked, “So…What do you hope to gain by telling me your story? What do you want the public to know about you and your situation?” Without hesitation, she answered, “That God has given me resilience and strength. I’m just waiting for him to show me what to do next.”

Anyone wishing to assist Gina by donating items for her home (especially furniture) is asked to contact the Press office at (956) 943-5545 or email the address listed at the beginning of this piece.

Read this story in the Dec. 6 edition of the Port Isabel-South Padre Press, or subscribe to our E-Edition by clicking here.

Continue reading »]]> By CRAIG ALANIZ
Reporter/Photographer
pre...@portisabelsouthpadre.com 

Marguerite Levy-Feibelman is seen with her book, “Whisper Your Name into My Ear.” (Staff photo by Ray Quiroga)

A Holocaust survivor and member of the Resistance will be sharing stories of her experience at Chapel by the Sea Thursday, Dec. 6.

Marguerite Levy-Feibelman wrote “Whisper Your Name into My Ear,” a memoir of her time spent in occupied France during the World War II. She said it was a very difficult time for her family.

“We could not confide in anyone, only in our own family for fear of being discovered,” Levy-Feibelman said.

Levy-Feibelman is of Alsatian-French-German descent and escaped Paris ahead of the German army in June, 1940. She lived in the Bionnay, near Saint-Gervais-Mont Blanc in the French Alps with false identity papers that she forged for the family with the help of the scout movement.

“I made our name Christian so our family would not be marked as Jew protecting us from the oppression,” Levy-Feibelman said.

Levy-Feibelman said her understanding of German gave her close calls with German officials. She said being Alsatian gave her the ability to understand German.

“I laughed at their jokes so they thought I was a spy, when they realized I wasn’t, I thanked God for life,” Levy-Feibelman said.

During the occupation, working as a bookkeeper in a sweater factory, she said she was called by the Resistance to participate by producing flyers and other publications because of her experience as a typist.

Levy-Feibelman said even when she worked with the Resistance her secret Jewish heritage was kept a secret.

“I had no way of knowing their feelings toward Jews, they could have been patriotic French and still be against Jewish people, so I stayed quiet,” Levy-Feibelman said.

“Whisper Your Name into My Ear” took 21 years to publish, Levy-Feibelman said. It is made up of notebook diaries, transcripts from the BBC and newspaper headlines from the time period. She said the names in the book are authentic and she worked hard to place the events in the book with historical landmarks that guided their living situation.

“We didn’t live in a vacuum so I made sure to place the events in a way they can be seen in the grand scope of things,” Levy-Feibelman said.

Levy-Feibelman said she has been coming to South Padre Island since 1976 for two months out of the year. She said she enjoys the culture in the Laguna Madre area.

Marguerite Levy-Feibelman will be telling her story at Chapel by the Sea at 3 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 5. She said her book will be available and she will be signing all copies at the event. Copies of her book may also be purchased at all major book outlets.

Read this story in the Nov. 29 edition of the Port Isabel-South Padre Press, or subscribe to our E-Edition by clicking here.

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Above – Seen are the 19th Annual Shrimp Cook-Off winners. Taking first in the Amateur Division was Team Ramrods; second went to Delicias Express and third was secured by the VFW. In the Professional Division, first was earned by PadreRitaGrill, second was won by Sao Paulo’s and garnering third was Dirty Al’s at Pelican Station. The Showmanship prize was awarded to PadreRitaGrill. (Photo by Valerie D. Bates)
Below – Also shown are various scenes from the event, which was hosted Sunday by the Port Isabel Chamber of Commerce. (Staff photos by Ray Quiroga)