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Harbor Oaks Newsletter

September 2020

Remember to check out the Harbor Oaks Rockport website! We are still looking for submissions for the monthly newsletter and the website! We'd love to see some great fishing pictures and we especially need recipe submissions!

www.harboroaksrockport.com

The June 2020 HOPOA Board Meeting Minutes are available on our website.

Click here to view the minutes

The hummingbirds are coming! Hummingbirds migrate through our region from as far north as Canada, south to Mexico and beyond.

The birds usually weigh less than a penny and have a higher energy output per unit of body weight than any animal in the world, according to the Texas Department of Wildlife. From a standing start, hummingbirds can rev up speed to 60 mph in a distance of 3 feet.

Because of the birds’ high energy output, hummingbirds have to increase their body fat by 50% to use as fuel during their migration. Upon leaving the Texas coast, they will fly nonstop across the Gulf of Mexico – a flight of about a staggering 800 miles.

Put your feeders out and enjoy the show!

Feeders have to be washed regularly to avoid mold, yeast or bacteria from building up and making the birds sick. Experts recommend using clear Hummingbird nectar, you can buy feeders and nectar at Ace Hardware and other local stores. You can also make it yourself! Here is the recipe:

Materials:
• 1/4 cup refined white sugar

[Please do use refined white sugar! Honey can promote dangerous fungal growth, while organic, natural, and raw sugars contain levels of iron that could be harmful. Plain white table sugar is sucrose, which, when mixed with water, very closely mimics the chemical composition of natural nectar.]

• 1 cup boiling water

• Bowl

• Spoon

Note: There's no need for red dye here. Red coloring is not necessary and the chemicals could prove to be harmful to the birds.

Steps:
1. Mix sugar and boiling water until sugar is dissolved.

2. Cool and fill feeder.

3. Hang up your feeder outside and wait for the hummingbirds to come.

***

You can also attract hummingbirds naturally by planting nectar-bearing native plants in your yard or community.

Click here for a list of nectar bearing native plants for our area

The Fulton Mansion Historic Site

George and Harriet Fulton completed their stately mansion in 1877. An historic house museum operated by the Texas Historical Commission, Fulton Mansion provides a rare glimpse into Victorian decor and domestic technology.

The Fulton Mansion is currently open for limited tour reservations only. Please call ahead for available tour times, reservations, and retail to go orders. The Education and History Center will remain closed.

Call 361-729-0386 Ext. 30 for more information.

For the protection of staff, volunteers, and visitors, we require visitors to wear face coverings, maintain a six-foot distance from individuals outside their party, and not gather in groups larger than five outside of the same household.

Rockport Downtown Farmers' Market

Be sure to check out the September Farmer's market! They will have produce, jams, jellies, honey, plants, homemade bread, local beef, and more!

32nd Annual HummerBird Celebration
September 17-20

HummerBird Celebration goes ALL virtual due to COVID 19 concerns.

Sept. 17-20 event will feature Virtual All Festival Pass for speakers and banding demonstrations; add-ons include virtual Hummer Home tours, photography class, and vendor auction.

Click here for more info and tickets

Bells Across America

The United States Constitution was signed on September 17, 1787, which means that this September, we will be celebrating its 233rd birthday! In 1955, the Daughters of the American Revolution petitioned Congress to set aside September 17-23 annually to be dedicated for the observance of Constitution Week. The resolution was adopted by Congress and signed into law by President Dwight Eisenhower.

“Bells Across America” is a bell-ringing event that takes place all across America each year on September 17, at 4:00 EST, with each of the other time zones adjusting their bell ringing in order to coordinate with EST. (So, in Texas, bells will be rung at 3:00.) This event is done in honor of Constitution Week. This year, for the first time, Rockport will be participating in this event through the kind agreement of St. Peter’s Episcopal Church to ring their community bell for Rockport at 3:00 for one full minute. So, when you hear the bells ringing that day, remember that it is not an alarm; it is a celebration! Enjoy!

Fishing Report From Captain Robert Hamilton with Aransas Bay Fishing Charters

Captain Robert Hamilton has been fishing Texas coastal waters for 40 years, and has been a Coast Guard licensed guide in Rockport, TX since 1987. He primarily fishes in the Rockport area in Aransas, Carlos, Redfish, Copano, Corpus Christi, Nueces, Mesquite, and San Antonio Bay’s. Guess what? He's also a long-time Harbor Oaks Resident! He will provide some fishing tips and reports for our monthly newsletter and blog!

Early in June Robert wrote a blog about Fishing with Shad!

Find out more about Capt. Robert Hamilton on his website: www.aransasbayfishing.com .

Click here to read Robert's latest Fishing Report>>>

Labor Day Recipe
Chicken and Black Bean Nachos

Made in a foil pack, these loaded nachos can be enjoyed just about anywhere.

INGREDIENTS
3 1/2 c. shredded rotisserie chicken
1 c. red enchilada sauce
1/2 small onion, chopped
1 c. fresh corn kernels (from 2 ears corn)
1 (15-ounce) can black beans, rinsed
12 ounces pepper-Jack cheese (about 3 cups), divided
Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper
8 ounces tortilla chips
Fresh cilantro and lime wedges, for serving

DIRECTIONS
Set up grill for indirect cooking and heat to medium. Toss together chicken, enchilada sauce, onion, corn, beans, and 8 ounces cheese in a bowl. Season with salt and pepper.
Tear six 12-inch squares of aluminum foil. Place one-sixth of chips, chicken mixture, and remaining cheese on one end of a piece of foil, leaving a 3-inch border. Fold foil over filling to create a packet and crimp edges to seal. Repeat with remaining foil, chips, chicken mixture, and cheese.
Grill packets over indirect heat until cheese is melted and chicken is warmed through, 6 to 10 minutes. Transfer packets to plates and carefully open. Top with cilantro and serve with lime wedges alongside.

Source: c ountryliving.com

We need you!

The Harbor Oaks Community Newsletter is only as good as its contributions, if you'd like to contribute a recipe, a tip, or a photo of that huge redfish you caught send it to hopoa@harboroaksrockport.com.