News Articles
Remembering Departed Friends
Posted on Sep 24th, 2023 Comments (0)
Sweet is the memory of departed river friends! Like the mellow rays of the setting sun, it falls tenderly, yet sadly, on the heart.
Photo Jim Olive
Mason Roylen Edwards
1941 - 2023
Departed Saturday September 23, 2023
One of the original founders of San Bernard River Foundation that became Friends of the River (FOR) San Bernard in 2006
Annual Fundraiser Planned
Posted on Sep 23rd, 2023 Comments (0)
FOR Annual Fundraiser
“Roundup on the San Bernard”
Sat Oct 14, 2023
6:00 pm
FOR Community Center, 20450 CR 510-B
Tickets $20 “early bird”, $25 at the door
It’s time to giddy up and mark your calendar for the Sat Oct 14th Friends of the River San Bernard annual fundraiser. Fun, food and a live auction is planned so mosey on over on Oct 14th for a rootin’ tootin’ good time.
- Roundup Letterhead
- Roundup Sponsorship Agreement
- Roundup Sponsorship Levels
- 23-24 Sponsor List
- Sponsor Ads
 TICKETS - call Brett 713.206.5899
Reserve a $20 early bird ticket, includes meal, $25 at door night of event. |
 DRESS CODE - Wear your boots if you got 'em. If you a tenderfoot and only wear Birkenstocks, that'll do too. Casual dress is just fine.
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Doggone dock’s gone!
Posted on Sep 21st, 2023 Comments (0)
Photo MIKE GOODSON
Nothing is left of the dock located at the Friends of the River San Bernard Community Center on the San Bernard. It was dismantled today and two big dumpsters near the river hold the remains. The dock was exposed to the elements for years and had been covered by floods waters that weakened the structure. It had deteriorated to the point where it could not be successfully repaired. After close inspection by the FOR Board of Directors, it was declared a safety hazard and best to remove it. A future rebuild of a dock will be discussed depending on projected budget items.
Beach Cleanup a Success
Posted on Sep 18th, 2023 Comments (0)
Thank you to everyone who helped make this a successful event and we hope to see everyone again next year!
Photo Justin Hillis
It took forty hands (20 volunteers), five boats and four 4WD vehicles to collect seventy-five bags of trash from the beach along the mouth on Saturday morning, Sep 16th.
Photo Susan Bailey
 Pictured is half of the twenty hearty Beach Cleanup volunteers. The rest of the group was off somewhere in the shade having a cool drink.
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Photo Justin Hillis
 In addition to a lot of plastic and glass that was bagged, there were five tires with rims, ice chests, refrigerators and some unknown large pieces of plastic picked up as well. Special thanks to Keith Cunningham, Brian Meagher and Scott Summers for hauling trash out and disposing of it.
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Beach Cleanup
Sat Sep 16, 2023
By Justin Hillis
Environmental Committee Chair
The 2023 San Bernard River Mouth/Beach Clean up was a successful event with 20 volunteers participating and roughly 75 bags of trash hauled out. We had five boats navigate to the mouth and four vehicles that made the trip up the beach from Sargent.
The complete list of hearty volunteers includes Tim & Jane Logan, Ned & Sherri Nichols, Eric & Mechele Hatz, Director Bob & Susan Bailey, Director Ana Pogue, Keith Cunningham, Scott Summers, Lucos Summers, Zach Sommers, Brian Meagher, Scooter Sorensan, Lydia Espinoza and Justin & Dana Hillis
Thank you to everyone who helped make this a successful event and we hope to see everyone again next year!
Annual Meeting & Election of Directors Held
Posted on Sep 17th, 2023 Comments (0)
Speakers at the FOR annual meeting, Brazoria County Sheriff's Officers Lieutenant Stephen Bailey and Deputy Thomas Liles stand aboard Brazoria County Sheriff's boat on the San Bernard River.
Photos Tom Folger
 President John Swanson opened the meeting by welcoming the crowd attending at Dido’s Restaurant. He introduced meeting speakers and conducted the business of electing Directors.
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 Ending the meeting, Director Brett McManus, Nominating Committee, introduced Director nominees running for second term 2023-2026. Unanimously elected were John Swanson, Sheila Wardlaw, Chris Hall, and Ana Pogue.
Linda Wright was elected to a first three-year 2023-2026 term.
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 Scholarship Committee member Barbara Fratila reported that FOR awarded seven $2,000 scholarships to graduating high school Seniors this year.
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 VP Sheila Wardlaw encouraged everyone to attend the Sat Oct 14th fundraiser “Roundup on the San Bernard” to be held at the FOR Community Center.
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 Director Mike Goodson gave an update and description of reopening the mouth tentatively scheduled for dredging spring of 2025.
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 Justin Hillis, Environmental Committee Chair, reported that the successful morning's beach cleanup removed an enormous amount of plastic and trash items from the area.
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 Meeting speaker, Brazoria County Sheriff’s Office Lieutenant Stephen Bailey delivered an impressive list of duties performed enforcing the criminal laws of Texas.
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 Adding to that description was Brazoria County Sheriff's Office Deputy Thomas Liles. FOR thanks both officers for their valuable input concerning what’s being done in Brazoria County.
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Hummers arrive on the river
Posted on Sep 11th, 2023 Comments (0)
The Fall migration of hummingbirds has started. Put out a feeder and enjoy watching them swarm and fight for feeder position. However, using the wrong kinds of sugar solutions or leaving moldy feeders out can kill hummingbirds and their babies.
Do not use: raw sugar, agave syrup, brown sugar, molasses, artificial sweeteners, or anything other than white sugar; these cause various problems for hummers. Adding red food-dye coloring is unnecessary. The red on a feeder is enough to attract hummers. DO NOT USE HONEY as this can kill hummingbirds.
Homemade Hummer food:
One part sugar to four parts water - stir until sugar is dissolved.
Measure examples:
One cup of sugar to four cups of water
3/4 cup sugar to 3 cups water
1/2 cup sugar to 2 cups of water.
Bring solution to a boil to kill bacteria and slow spoilage - allow to cool.
Fill feeders just enough for a day or two of use. Extra solution may be refrigerated if used within one week.
Two Wildfires near San Bernard
Posted on Sep 8th, 2023 Comments (0)
Photo Bert Smith - Sep 9, 2023
Burned area in the Rio Vista location.
Photo Bert Smith - Sep 9, 2023
Bernard Acres, off CR 2918, sits just above the large brown burned area. Gulf is at top of photo.
During the latter part of August, two wildfires burned near the River’s End area of the San Bernard. These areas are located south of the Churchill Bridge closer to the Gulf. The two aerial photos taken by Bert Smith show the burned spots. Hot temperatures and lack of rainfall has dried out grass and and brush making any fire grow rapidly. First responder River’s End Fire Dept. was assisted by several fire departments listed below in putting out the flames.
River’s End VFD waited until U.S. Fish and Wildlife showed up for assistance with heavier equipment. At that point assisting fire departments were released. River's End VFD remained on standby until US Fish and Wildlife verified that all fire lines were out and safe. Total incident time was about four and 1/2 hours.
Our gratitude and appreciation to the Brazoria FD, Jones Creek FD, Wild Peach FD, Sweeney Fire and Rescue, West Columbia FD, Lake Jackson FD, Surfside FD, Oyster Creek FD, Clute FD and Richwood FD for helping with these fires.
A burn ban prohibiting all forms of outdoor burning is in effect for Brazoria County.
September Meeting Report
Posted on Sep 2nd, 2023 Comments (0)
- Wed Sep 12 Port Freeport Citizen Advisory Panel Mtg, Clute Event Center
The two FOR Directors and spouses who attended the Port Freeport CAPS "meet and mingle" meeting were Director Tom & Ange Ronayne and Director Linda & Ken Wright It was announced that the Port Commission will take the Maintenance and Operation tax rate to zero, a debt obligation that was adopted in 2018.
- Thu Sep 7 Brazoria Chamber of Commerce Banquet, Lloyd E. Thomas Gymnasium, Brazoria
Five FOR Directors and spouses attended the 38th annual Brazoria Chamber of Commerce Banquet. Attending were Director Bob & Susan Bailey, Director Sheila Wardlaw, Director Denise & Pat Wolever, Director Linda & Ken Wright and Director Mike & Suzanne Goodson. Silent and live auctions were held after the meal.
- Sat Sep 2 Breakfast on the Bernard (BOB), Dido's Restaurant
Twenty some folks enjoyed the regular Friends of the River (FOR) first-Sat-of-the-month “Breakfast on the Bernard” at Dido’s Restaurant, Sat Sep 2nd. New river residents Robby and Kathy Frank were introduced and welcomed to living on the San Bernard.
FOR President John Swanson reminded breakfasters about tickets on sale to the Sat Oct 14 FOR “Roundup on the San Bernard” fundraiser. Also on his list of reminders was the Sat Sep 16 beach cleanup and the same day FOR Annual Mtg and Election of Directors, 3:00 pm, Dido’s Restaurant. An update on reopening the mouth will be given. A speaker is also planned and will be announced.
Swanson also introduced Barbara Fratila, Port Freeport Commissioner, who gave a review of the Port’s latest accomplishments.
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Photo LINDA WRIGHT
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James Griffin won a FOR thermo cup at Sat's “Just Because Giveaway” drawing. Congratulations James, you now have something that will keep your coffee hot and your ice tea cold...but you do know not at the same time.
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