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.
kick-off for the 30th Annual HummerBird Celebration
Find your Pathway in Birding! Join us for a special Aransas Pathways Event ROCKPORT-FULTON, TX — Come join in as we take you on a tour of Aransas Pathways birding sites and win! The event will be the kick-off for the 30th Annual HummerBird Celebration. It will start on Thursday September 13 at 7:30 am with a coffee and snack welcome at the Aransas Pathway’s Center Pavilion, 2491 Hwy 35 North (Walmart entrance next to Tule Creek) in Rockport. Attendees will visit four Aransas pathways sites including Linda S. Castro Sanctuary, Connie Hagar Cottage Sanctuary and The History Center for Aransas County. This is a self-guided tour with specific times to visit each site. The event will include a Birding card game in which participants will collect special cards at each site. Cards will be distributed on a first come, first served basis. A playing card will be collected at each site. The participant who holds the winning hand at the end of the tour will be awarded a pair of Eagle Optics Kingbird 6.5×32 Binoculars. The Tour times are as follows: The tour and game are both open to the public. We encourage our visitors and locals alike to participate. For more information on the event 361-729-6445.
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.
Vintage Fishing Lures
Come to the History Center to learn the history of fishing lures such as Bingo, Pluggin Shorty, Humps and Heddon. Melissa Cosby-Pina and her father Charles “Popo” Cosby collected and sold lures for many years. Visitors loved visiting them and seeing their collection at PoPo’s Gallery in downtown Rockport, where Popo also sold his art. While you’re at the Center, you can see our current exhibit, “Foodways: The Culinary Traditions of Aransas County.” FREE ADMISSION, but donations always appreciated. View the full event information here.
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.
Beware of Alligator
The Aransas Pathway’s Holiday Beach Venue is a great birding site but it also has alligators. The alligators are a great attraction for our out of town guests and residents alike. Alligators are predatory animals and can be dangerous. They should be left alone and do not feed them. Feeding them could harm the alligator and could put you in danger. Please keep what happened at Disney World in mind. That alligator was fed by people and when the Dad and Son stepped in the water the alligator took the boy. We don’t want that.
Ivy Lane Walk on 2-4-2017
A great learning experience was had by all 17 participants in the second Nature walk at Ivy Lane with Kris Kirkwood. These nature walks are sponsored by Keep Aransas County Beautiful (contact – Neli Spurrell). They are held the first Saturday of the month from 9-11 am at Ivy Lane Birding Site at 242 Ivy Ln, Rockport, TX. Check our Calendar of Events for more exciting event.
“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
Stewards of Nature
“Stewards of Nature“ Opening 10-September-2016 through 12-November 2016 The Friends of the History Center are delighted to present an exhibit about “Stewards of Nature.” Your friends and neighbors will be showcased in posters and programs that relate their efforts that have restored and preserved our precious coastal environment. The exhibit will open Saturday, September 10 with remarks at 6:00 PM at the History Center, 801 E. Cedar St. The exhibit is free and open to the public on Fridays and Saturdays 10 AM – 2 PM with programs on designated Sundays at 2:00 PM. Photos courtesy Diane Nunley and Jeff Adams (USFWS) Click here to view videos and photos from the exhibit opening – 10-Sep-2016