Volunteers Needed November 20-21, 2020 to Help Restore Aransas Pathways Gardens
Aransas Pathways and Texas A&M University, Corpus Christi Sea Grant Program invite you to help restore our natural gardens at Linda Castro Bird and Nature Venue at 4041 TX-35 Rockport, TX. We also invite you to Connie Hagar Cottage Sanctuary at 1401 S Church St. What better way to give back to your community while being outdoors and social distancing! Bring your gardening gloves, water, mask and favorite gardening tool. If you would like to volunteer at one of the Aransas Pathways contact Deanna Spruce pio@aransascounty.org or call 361-790-9496. The weather is great now, and we need help at these places:
Coastal Holiday Event, Sat. Nov. 14, 10 AM at the History Center
You’re invited to join the party at the History Center to unveil signage for our garden exhibit and view the coastal holiday display inside. The fun begins Sat. Nov. 14 at 10 AM with coffee & donuts and brief comments about the historic foundations on display in the garden. Events will be held outdoors, weather permitting. We are proud to announce the opening of our coastal holiday exhibit, “Holiday Fare … Brought to You by Land, Sea, and Air”. The holiday celebration will include thematic trees echoing our current exhibit, “Sails, Trails, Rails and Wings.” Of course, we will not forget Santa … a special room will be dedicated to a collection of Old World Santas. The signage in the garden will relate stories about historic foundations from around the county – Bunker house shellcrete wall from Lamar, ledge from Rocky Point, shellcrete from a Brundrett home on Allen, and geodetic marker from the corner of Concho and Church Streets. Items in the exhibit were donated by the McLallens, the Floyds, the Navigation District, Patty Dunn and Janet Taylor. Funding for the project came from the Castaways Thrift Shop. Friends of the History Center would also like to thank the 2020 business members for their support: Farmers Insurance Greg Yarbrough, Barbara Daniels CPA, TWFG (Melaine Head), Prosperity Bank, Frame of Mine (Harriet McCarty), and GSM Insurors. The History Center at 801 E. Cedar St. is open Mon. & Fri. 10 AM-2 PM and Sat. & Sun. 1-4 PM. Learn more about Aransas County history by exploring the website www.thehistorycenterforaransascounty.org or call 361 727-9214.
Recent Excavations at San Felipe de Austin: S.F. Austin’s Original Colony in Texas
Jeff Durst, THC archeologist, will talk about “Recent Excavations at San Felipe de Austin: S.F. Austin’s Original Colony in Texas” at the History Center, 801 E. Cedar St. in Rockport at 2:00 PM on Sunday, November 4. San Felipe was founded in 1823 and grew to be a center of the colony on the Brazos River. As empresario Austin issued land grants from his office bringing many settlers to Texas. In 1836 a convention gathered and on March 2 approved a Declaration of Independence that was printed on a handbill and in published in the Telegraph and Texas Register. Sam Houston encamped near the town before his retreat east. When Mexican forces were reported approaching, the town was burned on March 29. Archeological investigations in 2000’s showed that much archeological evidence still existed and identified areas for additional investigation. After the park was transfered to THC in 2008, investigations have focused on town lot 566 because it was one of the most densely occupied sites. Jeff Durst has lead crews from the THC, the Texas Archeological Society, the Houston Archeological Society and the Texas Archeological Stewardship Network. Durst will show scenes and artifacts from the investigations.
Rockport-Fulton Tour of Historic Homes, 2017
Rockport-Fulton Tour of Historic Homes, December 2-3 The 2017 Rockport-Fulton Tour of Historic Homes will take place on Saturday, December 2 & Sunday, December 3 from 1- 5 PM both days. The tour features 3 homes in Rockport, 1 in Fulton, and 3 institutions. All of the homes are at least 50 years old, and the docents in each house dress in vintage attire to match the era of the home! Tickets ($15 for one, $25 for two) are available in advance online www.aransashistorycenter.org, at the Chamber of Commerce or at any home during the Tour. On Saturday, December 2, docents dressed in vintage dress and hats will be in a fashion show as part of the Tropical Christmas event hosted by the City of Rockport. Homes on Tour include: Underwriters for the Tour include Stars: Richard & Joy Dias; Navy Army Community Credit Union; Bobbie & John L. Nau III; John & Debbie Jackson; Key Allegro Real Estate and Carolers: Dr. D. Jeremy Mills, DDS & Helene Mills; GSM Insurors; Johnson & Creekmore PLLC; Wm. Wise & Marilyn Johnson; Sigwald HVAC Sales & Repair; Alice York; Tom & Melba York; Anonymous; Karen Mella, Realtor/ReMax; H.E.B.; Benjamin Burns-Burns Insurance; New Beginnings; Prosperity Bank; C-Side Decorating Inc.; and Gulf Pointe Plaza Nursing & Rehab Center. Proceeds from the Tour will benefit the History Center which showcases the heritage of Aransas County with changing displays and monthly programs related to the exhibits. The Center also houses a Curation Center where artifacts from Aransas County may be deposited. For the latest information, visit www.aransashistorycenter.org or call 361 727-9214. The History Center is free and open Saturdays 10 AM – 4 PM and Sunday 1-4 PM at 801 E. Cedar St., Rockport.
Join the BIG SIT at the Connie Hagar Cottage Sanctuary
On Saturday, May 6, 7 AM – 7 PM, a team of birders will compete in the mid-coast regional tournament to see or hear as many bird species as possible from a defined location. This event is part of the Great Texas Birding Classic (Audubon Society) and the Connie Hagar Cottage Sanctuary is the 51st site on the Central Texas Coast trail. The contest begins at sunrise and continues all day. A 17-foot diameter circle will be defined from which birds are identified. Team members can rotate in shifts or stay all day. Canopies will be set up to provide shade and water and light snacks will be supplied. The Connie Hagar Cottage Sanctuary was established in 1995 to honor Connie and her husband Jack Hagar who owned and managed the Rockport Cottages at this site. Over the years the Friends of Connie Hagar held occasional events in Sanctuary to call attention to Connie’s role as a birder and environmentalist. She is a role-model as a “citizen scientist” as she collected data to show how active this coastal fly-way is during bird migrations. The Friends recently ensured that the property would remain protected in an agreement with Aransas First, a non-profit land trust. The Friends also partnered with Aransas Pathways to become an anchor site in south Rockport. Pathways provides on-going maintenance and supervision for capital projects at the Sanctuary. To join the Friends of Connie Hagar, contact Becky Stapleton, Vice-president, at philstapleton10@gmail.com (602) 705-3305. FRIENDS OF CONNIE HAGAR P.O. BOX 2465 ROCKPORT, TX 78381
2nd Annual LAC Attack Kayak Fishing Tournament
The Leadership Aransas County (LAC) Alumni Association in conjunction with Aransas Pathways is hosting the 2nd Annual LAC Attack Kayak Fishing Tournament scheduled for Saturday, June 3, 2017. This will be a C.P.R. Catch, Photo, Release Tournament. Newcomers and experienced “yak fishermen” are all welcome to take part in the tournament. Come alone or sign-up the entire family and make a day of it. LAC Attack will hold the Captains Meeting Friday, June 2, 2017 at Poor Man’s Country Club at 6 p.m. The Captains meeting is a great way to meet your fellow anglers, learn about last minute rule changes and receive door prizes. We will have the weigh-in (where you bring your photo) on Saturday, June 3 starting at 1:30 and ending at 3:30 when tournament is officially over. Love to Kayak? Love to Fish? Then this tournament is for you so register today. Participation is open to anyone 17 years of age or older. Minors are eligible to register and participate with a parent or guardian who also participates in the event. Minors must have the signature of his/her parent or legal guardian on the entry form as applicable to any state, commonwealth, county or federal regulation or law. The obligation to know these rules falls upon the parent. Youth Division is limited to participants younger than 17 years on the day of the event. A completed entry form and $75 entry fee for adults/$50 for youth, must be received no later than the captain’s meeting. Entry fees will NOT be transferred or refunded. All participants must have a signed waiver and release of liability on file with event organizers. You must own or rent your own kayak as no kayak will be provided for use. An angler powered craft is the only transportation allowed on the water. Location:All public Texas Inshore Coastal Waters. Offshore waters, including Jetties, are considered Out of Bounds. All fishing locations must be waters that can be legally paddled in accordance with either Local, State or Federal Jurisdiction. Date/Time Information:June 3, 2017Safe Light TBA at Captain’s Meeting Contact Information:Shelly StuartSend an Email Fees/Admission:Registration Fee is $75 for anglers 17 and over$50 for minors under the age of 17. Check out the Aransas Pathways’ Kayak Launch Sites.
“Tule Marsh East – Demo Garden and Wetlands Re-Dedication”
Dear Friend of Aransas Pathways,On behalf of the Aransas Pathways Steering Committee, I would like to extend this invitation to the: “Tule Marsh East – Demo Garden and Wetlands Re-Dedication” Wednesday September 14, 10a.m. As Part of the HummerBird Celebration, Aransas Pathways is pleased to announce completion of renovations of the Tule March East (Rockport Demo Garden and Wetlands Pond) The ceremony will take place behind the Demo Garden at the classroom-style pavilion, on the east side of Hwy 35 North (Across from K-Bob in Rockport). The Pathways team completed improvements to the property including replacing an entire section of the boardwalk, adding interpretive signs, and also adding a new well with a solar pump and panels. This will allow water to be pumped over to a pond area during drought periods ensuring that the birds will continue to have a source for water. Attendees may park at the entrance of the property and over flow will be transported by golf cart from the K-Bob’s Restaurant and Walmart parking lot. We Look forward to seeing you there! Sincerely, Sandy Jumper Director of Tourism and Events Rockport-Fulton Chamber of Commerce Aransas Pathways Steering Committee Member
Come to the Grand Opening of the Henderson Nature Preserve
Wednesday September 16, 2015, 10 a.m. The newest Pathways Project – Henderson Nature Preserve – Free and open to the public. About the project: The front parking lot features paver stones with grass growing in between, thus creating an penetrable surface. There is a walking trail complete with interpretive signage. The area also features two water retention ponds, which take on the water that comes from Marion Drive. The walking trail connects to Palmetto Street and there is an available entrance with an ADA compliant parking lot available from that side – near the gymnastic school, as well as entry from Henderson St. Special Guests For the Event Include: Melissa Porter- Coastal Management Program (CMP) Grants Manager; Julie McIntyre (from GLO) – CMP Project Manager; Kristen Ransom (from NOAA D.C. Office) – NOAA Program Officer; Tom Calnan (U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service)- Texas Liaison for the Coastal Impact Assistance Program (CIAP). Other Activities for the day include: Guided Tour of Henderson Habitat immediately following opening.
2014 Christmas Tour of Historic Homes
The holly and mistletoe will festoon the venues for the 2014 Rockport-Fulton Tour of Historic Homes – Saturday and Sunday, December 6-7, 1:00 – 5:00 PM each day. Seven venues will be decorated for the holidays. Each year different homes are featured on the tour to provide new experiences for the guests.
Docents in vintage dress appropriate to the house will greet visitors and provide a commentary. Historical facts about the homes and their owners will connect Aransas Pathwaysthe visitors to the real history of these local treasures.