Collegeport Day

May 31, 1986
 

1986 Collegeport Day Newsletter

Collegeport Day Celebration

Collegeport Day, sponsored by the Woman's Club of Collegeport, was observed Saturday, May 31, 1986 at the Mopac House. (78th anniversary of the founding of Collegeport0

Over 300 in attendance arrive to see four flags, the American, Texas, Sesquicentennial and Collegeport flying above the Collegeport welcome sign.

Master of ceremonies, Dean Merck, who has lived in Collegeport since 1909, extended a welcome and appreciation to all who helped make this a special home-coming. The Rev. Elroy Weikel gave the Invocation.

Because of the large crowd many of the people were seated at the tables under the huge pecan trees, enjoying the barbecue prepared by the local VFD and the goodies brought by the ladies, had just finished eating when a heavy shower (1") rushed them into the library and Mopac House or their cars.

Ida Mae Franzen, club president and G. W. Franzen, using the microphone provided by Billy Boeker of Bay City, extended special thanks to the meat donors: M/M P. V. Corporon. M/M George Hejtmanek, M/M Gus Franzen and M/M Dean Merck and to the Collegeport VFD for barbecuing the meat.

The Woman's Club, represented by President Ida Mae Franzen, recognized the following who were given remembrances (gifts):

The Oldest Person attending         Mrs. W. W. Wilkinson, Sr. (94)

                                                          Matagorda House, Bay City

The Youngest                                  Kristi Knight - 15 weeks

Couple Married the Longest          Mr. and Mrs. P. V. Corporon (64 1/2)

Traveled the farthest                       Mrs. Jean Zidd, Roseberg, Ore. (2200 miles)

Collegeport flew its first official flag which was designed by Larry Corporon of Houston. The following ladies were recognized and presented mementoes: Mrs. Helen Jasek, who sewed the flag and to Denise Franzen, Barbara Corporon and Donna Corporon for purchasing the flag material, laying out and cutting the pattern.

Rosalie Ellis, retiring president, was presented a pot plant of chrysanthemums in recognition of years of leadership.

Five generations of the W. W. Wilkinson family (W. W. Wilkinson was a local realtor who made trips to the north to bring prospective landowners to Texas) were present:

Mrs. W. W. Wilkinson, Sr. (94), charter member of the Woman's Club,

     Matagorda House, Bay City

Walter W. Wilkinson, Jr. (first boy born in Collegeport), Bay City

Jean Richardson, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. W. W. Wilkinson, Jr.

Virginia Chapman, daughter of Jean Richardson

Mason and Joseph Chapman, W. W. Wilkinson, Jr.'s great-grandchildren

The sesquicentennial theme was carried out. The registration table held American, Texas and Sesquicentennial flags. One of the ladies who registered the guests, Mamie Wells, wore a colonial red print dress and bonnet.

It was noted that a Memorial Plaque listed the names of the deceased in 1985-86 and those giving memorials. (In Library)

The tables in the Library were spread with the Collegeport Chronicle and New Era newspapers and pictures.

Memorial albums given in memory of Hutchins "Big Buddy" King and Emilie Ackerman were filled with historical Collegeport data and pictures. An IN REMEMBRANCE BOOK given in memory of Emilie Ackerman, in which memorials will be posted, will be kept on the Library, too.

Only three former residents of the 1909-10 era returned for the annual home-coming: Elve Merck Martin of Houston, Dale Welsby of San Antonio and our charter Club member, Mrs. W. W. Wilkinson, sr. of Bay city.

The MoPac House foundation and the Volunteer Fire department improved the picture of our community center by repairing and painting the buildings before Collegeport Day.

So we say, "A Big Thank You to All."

Dorothy Merck, secretary

Woman's Club

Mopac House Foundation

Collegeport, Texas 77428