Palacios Beacon (Palacios, Tex.), Vol. 70, No. 33, Ed. 1 Thursday, August 11, 1977 Page: 1 of 8
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Love of the sea
The City
shines through ,E^ac^£~~,,^eacoJE
By The Sea
PALACIOS, TEXAS, THURSDAY, AUGUST 11,1977
in Shrimporee
Shrimporee Queen Contestants
Down through the years, for
more than many can remem-
ber, Palacios has had a love
affair with the sea.
The degree of its ardor
becomes apparent during the
course of St. Anthony’s annual
Shrimporee celebration, the
ultimate in entertainment on
the Texas Gulf Coast • a
"Must attend” and "Gotta be
there” event in this area for 13
years.
The last celebration of the
summer for Palacios and one
of the coast’s most unique and
fascinating events, a part of
which is the continuation of
' religious ceremony that dates
back more than 300 years - the
Blessing of the Shrimp Fleet,
will take place this weekend.
The Blessing of the Fleet is a
petition asking God’s bless-
ings for the fishermen, their
boats, their labors and their
families. These men, facing
the dangers of a battle with
winds and waves, know Divine
Providence grants either a
good catch or damaged nets, a
safe return to port or loss at
sea. Therefore, they ask the
Lord’s blessing for a bountiful
catch, a tranquil voyage and a
safe return to a peaceful
harbor.
This ceremony is now the
highlight of the Shrimporee
celebration and will be held at
2 p.m. Sunday at the Turning
Basin.
The colorful marine parade is
held following the fleet
blessing. It presents a
panoramic array of boats of all
City rate
hike seen
After bills in the amount of
$18,220.61 were approved for
payment, the August 1 meet-
Weather
: MAX.
MIN.
PREC.
2 94
78
.02
3 94
77
.00
4 92
74
.00
5 86
74
.66
6 92
74
.00
7 91
77
.00
8 91
78
.00
total for
year
24.98.
ing of the city council turned
into a discussion session.
Installation of jet fuel facil-
ities at the City Airport and an
ordinance setting a closing
time for the park area on the
bayshore had been slated on
the agenda but both issues
were postponed until the next
council meeting which will be
held August 15. ,
Mayor Elliott pointed out that
sewer and garbage rates may
have to be raised as these
funds are running low.
The mayor also informed the
council that he and Chief of
Police Jim Wilson had met
with the supervisor of the
Texas Department of Public
Safety, and stated that the
department was planning pn
putting two men here in
Palacios within sixty to ninety
days.
Councilman Heard informed
the council of a tree that
needed to be trimmed at the
corner of Fiftl/and Ritchie.
The mayor saitl he would' tell
Hilbert Monies of this hazard.
Those itr attendance at the
meeting'were: Mayor Cliff
Elliott,/councilmen Evan Naj-
vars Johnnie Heard, Kenneth
Smith and Dr. Jim Howard,
city attorney Eli Mayfield,
recorder Andrea Ellis and
visitors Erich Brenner and
Jess Kessler.
Janice Ruth Gwin
loses valiant fight
Janice Ruth Gwin, 23 year
old daughter of Rev. and Mrs.
J.R. Gwin, lost her valiant
fight with Cystic Fibrosis
Thursday afternoon, August 4,
in Houston.
Funeral services were held at
10:30 Saturday morning at
Trinity Baptist Church with
y, Rev. T.C. Hebert of Beaumont
and ' Rev. Orville Roberts,
Colotado Associationn Mis-
sionary of Wharton, conduc-
ting the service. Robert
Anderson of Newgulf was
soloist. Interment was in
Hawley Cemetery.
Born October 8, 1953, in Fort
Worth, she was the second
daughter of James Robert
Gwin and Ethel Keith Gwin. A
resident of Palcios for 11
years, she was a distinguished
student and young Christian.
In high school she was a
member of the National
Honor Society, Future Teach-
ers of America, band, Drama
Club, newspaper and annual
staff. She was valedictorian of
the graduating class of 1972
and was a semi-finalist at the
International Science Fair her
sophomore and senior years.
She attended Baptist College
in Houston but was unable to
complete her college work due
to ill health.
In addition to her parents,
she is survived by her sister
and brother-in-law, Joyce and
Charles Fitzmorris of Spring;
two sisters Jill and Jenta Gwin
of Palacios; her maternal
grandparents, Mr. and Mrs.
Carl Keith, Sr. of Hollandale,
Miss., several uncles, aunts
and cousins.
The family requests me-
morial contributions be made
to the Cystic Fibrosis Re-
search, c/o Dr. G.M. Harri-
son, TIRR, Texas Medical
Center, Houston, Texas 77030.
A tribute to Janice
The Palacios High Scnool
Iraduating Class of 1972
lould like to pay our respect to
anice Ruth Gwin.
Janice was one who always
ad a kind word to sav - never
harsh one.
She always pitched in and
elped with projects and read-
y accepted responsibilities -
istead of turning away.
Janice was a leader as
videnced by her hard work in
.T.A., Drama, N.H.S., Band,
nnual Staff, Newspaper, and
umerous University Inter-
cholastic League activities
ad the many Science Fairs,
reachers, peers and the
uhlic respected Janice be-
tuseof her good attitude; she
in return respected others.
Janice held her head high
and carried a smile. That smile
is a wonderful gift and Janice
proudly displayed that gift.
A fighter she was • and a
good one at that.
Janice was an example of
God. She was touched by the
Master and she in turn reach-
ed out and touched the class.
How many people do we
know that is truly kind,
sincere, courageous, and
wears a smile, or has a better
outlook on life? Or is willing to
put in the many exrra hours on
work that needs to be finished.
God truly gave us such a
person in Janice Ruth Gwin.
PHS Class of’72
kinds and sizes with different
designs and types of riggings.
After the boats are blessed
they will cruise single file out
of the channel for several
miles then return to port.
Most of the boats are
scrubbed, painted and some
decorated for this occasion.
Trophies are awarded to the
best decorated bay and gulf
boats.
Those who have been lost at
sea will be remembered as the
marine parade begins when a
wreath is tossed into the
water,
The celebration will get
underway Friday night at the
Palacios Recreation Center at
8:30 p.m. when the Tequila
Country Orchestra of San
Antonio will play at a
Coronation Dance honoring
Misses Carmella Torres, Glor-
ia Flores, Brenda Flores,
Sylvia Espinosa and Vicky
Duran, who are vying for the
honor of being Shrimporee
Queen. At- the dance the
winner will receive the
coveted crown and robe from
last year's queen Beverly
Machacek and will then reign
over Sunday’s activities. The
other candidates will serve as
princesses and duchesses.
Winners of the race for Little
Miss and Little Mr. Shrimpo-
ree will also be presented and
they will serve as Little
Ambassadors at the celebra-
tion. Little Miss contestants
are Melanie Hart and Celeste
Marie Flores. Seeking the title
of Little Mr. are James
Gonzales and Eric Kana.
Sunday there's something for
the entire family. The ladies of
the parish will begin serving
dinner at 11 a.m. - but what a
dinner. You will have your
choice of boiled shrimp or
barbecue with all the trim-
mings.
An auction will be held at 3
p.m. and there are unschedul-
ed activities throughout the
afternoon, including carnival
booths for the kiddies; a
country store featuring home
made articles and goodies and
games for all ages - plus all of
the color and excitement of a
large and carefree crowd in a
carnival mood.
The climax of the day will be
the awarding of prizes, these
include cash prizes of $300,
$100 and $50; 50 lbs. and 25
lbs. of jumbo shrimp and a $25
Savings Bond.
The seafood industry is a vital
part of Palacios' economy, it
not only gives employment to
many people in its own and
related industries but provides
fresh, tasty seafood for the
tables ot the nation.
Whether you are looking for a
quiet day on the coast and a
memorable dinner; or you
wish to try some of everything
going - the place to be on
Sunday, August 14th, is
Palacios and the Shrimporee
festival.
Vicky Duran
Brenda Flores
Gloria Flores
Little Miss and Little Mr. Candidates
Melanie Hart
Celeste Marie Flores Janies Gonzales
Eric Kana
Palacios schools set
dates for registration
Monday, August 29, 1977
will mark the seventy-second
session for the Palacios Inde-
pendent School District to
open its doors to students of
the area.
Superintendent of Schools
Geo. Holst issued registration
information this week.
Palacios Senior High School
(Grades 10-12):
1. New students (those who
did not attend Palacios Schools
during 1976-77 should register
at the Principal’s office be-
tween 8:30 a.m. and 12:00 and
1:00-3:30p.m. August 15 and
23, 1977. Immunization re-
cords should be presented at
the time of registration.
2. Students who failed to
pass one or more subjects
should check with the principal
for schedule changes.
3. All students who were
enrolled at the end of the
1976-77 school year have been
enrolled and scheduled and do
not need to register.
4. No schedules will be
changed except those due to
serious hardships.
Palacios Junior High School
(Grades 7-9):
1. New students (those who
did not attend Palcios Schools
during 1976-77) sHould regis-
ter at the Principal’s office
between 8:30a.m. - 12:00 and
1:00 - 3:30 p.m. August 15
August 23, 1977. Immuniza-
tion records should be presen-
ted at the time of registration.
2. All students who were
enrolled at the end of the
1976-77 school year have been
enrolled and scheduled and do
not need to register.
3. No schedules will be
changed except those due to
serious hardships. ,
East Side Elementary Schools
(Grades 4-6):
1. New students (those who
did not attend Palacios Schools
during 1976-77( should regist-
er at the Principal’s office
between 8:30 a.m. -12:00 and
1:00 - 3:30 p.m. August 15 -
August 23, 1977. Immuniza-
tion records should be presen-
ted at the time of registration.
2.. All students who were
enrolled at the end of the
1976-77 school year have been
enrolled and scheduled and do
not need to register.
3. No schedules will be
changed except those due to
serious hardships.
East Side Elementary Schools
(Grades 4-6):
1. New students (those who
did not attend Palacios Schools
during 1976-77) should regist-
er at the Principal’s office
between 8:30 a.m. • 12:00 and
1:00 - 3:30 p.m. August 15 -
August 23, 1977. Immuniza-
tion records should be presen-
ted at the time of registration.
Early days of Palacios
told in old news article
hi June of this year, Mrs.
Meredith H. Necessary of
Jennings, La. visited in Pala-
cios and had a delightful chat
with Mrs. Jo Milam at the
Luther Hotel. Mrs. Necessary
is a daughter of W.F. Hum-
phreys, one of the founders of
Palacios.
She sent Mrs. Milam the
following article written by her
mother and published in a
Jennings newspaper in 1916 or
1917. She also enclosed a note
stating that the plat for
Palacios was filed August 28,
1904 and was incorporated
May 27,1901, after a group of
men of Jennings, using capital
raised in Minnesota, formed a
company and bought a tract of
land, a part of the famous
Shanghai Pierce pasture and
laid out the town of Palacios
A number of Jennings people
have received one of the new
folders just issued by the
Palacios City, Texas, Townsite
Company.
This company has for its
president S.J. Johnson; secre-
tary and treasurer D.C. Rit-
chie, both of this city, and C.J.
Wildman, a former Jennings
boy as vice president. This
company was organized about
thirteen years ago by Jennings
men: S.J. Johnson, D.C. Rit-
chie, G.W. Haber, C.G. Mor-
ton, W.P. Cary, W.F. Hum-
phreys, Dr. A.C. Wilkins and
W.C. Moore of Houston, Tex-
as. We are reminded of these
early promotes by many of the
wide avenues which bear their
names. Messrs. Johnson and
Ritchie still hold large inter-
ests in the company. (Editor’s
note: what was Haber Street is
now Commerce and Cary is
now Main Street).
The writer had the privilege
of being the first lady on the
present townsite, after the
company was formed and the
site located, when her hus-
band went to get the new work
under headway.’ There was no
way of reaching the prospec-
tive site at that time, only
overland from Bay city, a
distance of thirty miles or via
Port Lavaca and thence across
the bay. The Southern Pacific
now runs a well equipped train
service.
As we sailed across the placid
waters of the bay from Port
Lavaca, our eyes beheld a few
white spots on the distant
shore, and coming nearer the
land we discovered they were
the tents of surveyors. This
was the only sign of habitation
that broke what seemed to be
an almost endless expanse of
prairie, as there was no other
buildings within a radius of ten
or twelve miles.
In these tents bur meals were
served and we were lulled to
sleep by the moonlight waters
of Palacios Bay in our yacht
that was anchored out in the
bay and we rowed to the shore
in small skiffs.
In company with Colorado
friends we had the pleasure of
bathing in the blue salt waters
of the bay, where is now
located the handsome bathing
houses and pavilion.
In looking over the folder in
which every page is beautifully
illustrated by a number of
Palacios nature spots and
views of many of the hand-
some modern buildings, it
seems like a city sprang up in
the night and it is hard to
realize that the vast open spot
which at that time had only the
bay in front and the vast
prairie behind and seemed
only a speculation - has been
converted in so short a time
into a city in which are located
so many beautiful modern
buildings and possessing the
public utilities, such as water-
works, sewerage, electric
lights and fire protection, and
in reality a very attractive
resort.
The writer stills retains a
keen interest in this "city by
the sea” and we wish unboun-
ded success to Jenning's
friends who still have an
interest in this undertaking.
Women meet
The monthly luncheon meet-
ing of the Women's Division of
the Chamber of Commerce will
be held at 12 noon Tuesday,
August 16, at Petersen’s
Restaurant.
These meetings are Dutch
treat affairs and all women of
the area are invited to attend.
Orsak home
Larry Orsak returned home
Thursday, July 28, from
Hermann Hospital in Houston
where he had been confined
since July 16 following a
morotcycle - auto accident. He
is very much improved and is
happy to be home.
2. All students who were
enrolled at the end of the
1976-77 school year have been
enrolled and scheduled and do
not need to register.
3. Students are advised that
regular school supplies as they
have used in the past will be
satisfactory.
Central Elementary School
(Kindergarten - Grade 3):
1. New second and third
grade students who did not
attend Palacios Schools during
1976-77 school year should
register at the Principal’s
office between 8:30 a.m. and
12 noon and 1-3:30 p.m.
August 15 - August 23, 1977.
Immunization records should
be presented at the time of
registration.
2. Kindergarten and First
Grade students who have not
previously registered should
register at the Principal's
office between 8:30 a.m. -
12:00 and 1:00 • 3:30 p.m.
August 15 - August 23, 1977.
Birth certificates and immuni-
zation records should be pre-
sented.
3. All students who were
enrolled at the end of the
1976-77 school year have been
enrolled and scheduled and do
not need to register.
4. Local stores have been
given lists of school supplies
approved by the Central Ele-
mentary School teaching facul-
ty-
Carmella Torres
School
year
altered
Trustees of the Palacios
Independent School District,
meeting in Special Session on
Tuesday, August 2, raised the
school calendar to reflect
changes made by the 65th
Texas Legislature.
First day for classes for all
students, kindergarten thru
12th grade will be on Monday,
August 29th instead of Wed-
nesday, August 24.
The general faculty will begin
in-service training with a
Continental Breakfast at the
high school cafeteria on Wed-
nesday, May 31st instead of
June 2, 1978.
In other business the trus-
tees:
- Dropped trustee liability
insurance coverage
- Delayed action on the
purchase of unemployment
insurance. The 65th Texas
Legislature passed a law which
will require certain employees
to be covered as of January 1,
1978.
Trustees also made a final
walk-thru of the proposed
1977-78 , school budget. The
budget hearing has been set
for Monday, August 15th at 8
p.m.
Budget
hearing
is set
A public hearing on the
proposed budget for Palacjos
independent School District
for 1977-78 will be held
Monday, August 15, at 8 p.m.
at the school district adminis-
trative office.
Supt. Geo. Holst and his staff
were busy this week collecting
data for the board to use in
considering the proposed bud-
get.
The school trustees were
forced to delay action on a
budget for the coming year
until the school fiaance bill
was adopted at the recent
spedcial session of the Texas
Legislature.
The share of costs of the basic
school program that must be
paid by local taxpayers was
reduced to $344,100., this is
$106,700. less than Palacios
taxpayers paid last year.
Rice farmer
voting slated
The Agriculture Committee the Annua| Lions Gub Rjce
of the Bay City Chamber of Festival Luncheon scheduled
Commerce has announced that for Friday, noon, October 7th.
they will accept nominations
from Matagorda County and AaUlp*—-,
the Bay City area for AUUCle8 ln““l
consideration by the commit- \ meeting of all girl athletes
tee covering the Outstanding jn junjor and Senior High
Rice Farmer of the year schools will be held at 6:30
award- Monday at the gym. Coach Jo
If you have a nomination that Matthews urges all girls to
you would like to make, please attend as physical examina-
contact the Chamber office, tions will be given.
245-8333 or P.O. Box 768, Bay
i,ctee».n,he Luncheon date
basis of the following: Farm The First .Presbyterian
management; cultural practic- Church luncheon1 planned for
es, contributions to the rice Sunday, August 14th, has
industry and character. been postponed until Sunday,
The award will be made at August 21st.
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Dismukes, Mary V. Palacios Beacon (Palacios, Tex.), Vol. 70, No. 33, Ed. 1 Thursday, August 11, 1977, newspaper, August 11, 1977; Palacios, Texas. (https://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth726980/m1/1/: accessed June 20, 2024), University of North Texas Libraries, The Portal to Texas History, https://texashistory.unt.edu.; crediting Palacios Library.