OCTOBER 2021 Spirit of San Leon THIS SMALL FISHING COMMUNITY IS GROWING, BUT ITS SALT AND GRIT REMAIN PLUS » SET THE TABLE FOR A FESTIVE FALL FEAST OCTOBER 2021 $7.99 COASTMONTHLY.COM 645485005999 CAVEMEN AND COCKTAILS HOW DRINKS SHAPED HISTORY AND CIVILIZATION PIRATE PASSION JEAN LAFFITE STILL CAPTURES THE IMAGINATION MARITIME MYSTERIES SCOURING THE DEPTHS IN SEARCH OF SHIPWRECKSKELLY KELLEY | BROKER ASSOCIATE / CO-OWNER | RE/MAX LEADING EDGE 4203 Fort Bend Dr | Sea Isle 13358-13380 Stewart Road | Laffites Cove 22802 Vida | Terramar 20727 E Sunset Bay Dr | Sunset Cove 822 Ramsar | Beachtown 21915 Guadalupe | Sea Isle 12231 Hershey Beach | Hershey Beach 281.794.9463 | KELLY@KELLYKELLEY.COM • KELLYKELLEY.COM/PROPERTY-SEARCH ASK ME ABOUT THE LOTS AT SWEETWATER COVE 4225 Pirates Drive | Pirates Beach 20719 E Sunset Bay Dr | Sunset Cove 4211 Sunbird | Sunset Cove COASTMONTHLY.COM | OCTOber 2021 3 1510 Marina Bay Dr., Bldg 124, Clear Lake Shores, Texas 77565 281.334.00064 COASTMONTHLY.COM | OCTOber 2021 OCTOber 2021 | VOLUMe 14 | ISSUe 10 38 20 28 FEATURES 14 ‘SOMETHING SPECIAL’ This small fishing community is growing, but its salty, self-sufficient spirit remains 20 ‘OUR PIRATE’ Two centuries later, Jean Laffite still captures the imagination on island and beyond 28 MARITIME MYSTERIES Islander scours the depths in search of fabled Texas shipwrecks 50 DRAWING LINES Sisters find inspiration in each other, but their artistic styles are their own 54 ON A WING AND A PRAYER An islander’s spirit and children’s books take flight after rescuing baby pelicans 68 BELOVED AND BEWITCHING This fall festive luncheon brings back memories of simpler times and recipes 36 SCARY BUSINESS A hobby leads to a pirate-themed haunted attraction 38 DETAIL-ORIENTED Islander finds diversion therapy in intricate dioramas 46 FROM TRASH TO TREASURE Island artist finds beauty and use in discarded items on beaches and streetsContact me with all your Real Estate needs. Jim Rosenfeld BROKER ASSOCIATE Circle of Excellence Award Winner Hall of Fame Member Texas Monthly Magazine Five Star Realtor 2012-2021 Trulia and Zillow Five Star Rating Certified SIRVA Relocation Specialist 713.854.1303 Jim.Rosenfeld@sir.com “My exceptional Galveston team is marketing premier properties from the beaches to the bay — from historic treasures to high-rise condos!” WE ARE YOUR REALTOR ® ! EVIA | 9 Porch Street 4 BR | 3.5 BA | +/- 3,942 SF Last list price $974,880 EVIA | 3 Broad Street 4 BR | 2.5 BA | +/- 2,024 SF Last list price $428,880 EVIA | 56 Island Passage 3 BR | 2.5 BA | +/- 2,179 SF Last list price $429,480 EAST END HISTORIC DISTRICT | 1412 Market Street Rare iconic home (ca. 1877) designed by renowned Victorian architect, Nicholas Clayton. Sparkling heated pool. Exquisite original finishes and millwork. Impressive 1/1 garage apartment. 3-4 BR | 2.5 BA | +/- 3,210 SF Offered at $724,880 MLS 36567614 EVIA Stellar new construction. Mesmerizing lake, golf course and West Bay vista sites. Gourmet island kitchens. Grand downstairs primary suites. Colossal screened porches. 1, 2 and 3 story plans. Priced from the $400’s Proudly marketing for over 15 years! SALE PENDING SOLDSOLD SOLDSOLD SOLD EVIA | 82 Island Passage 3-4 BRS | 2.5 BA | +/- 2,301 SF Last list price $403,880 GALVESTONIAN | 1401 E Beach Drive Unit #400/401 4 BR | 4 BA | +/- 2,253 SF Offered at $874,880 MLS 98078394 DIAMOND BEACH | 10327 San Luis Pass Road, #711 4 BR | 3.5 BA | +/- 2,334 SF Last list price $924,880 SOLDNEW LISTING SOLD SOLD SPANISH GRANT | 12804 East Camino Famoso Road Extraordinary waterfront custom. Stunning canal vistas from 2 verandas. Exquisite finishes. Chef’s kitchen. Exceptional primary suite with luxurious spa-style bath. 5 BR | 3.5+ BA | +/- 2,872 SF Offered at $924,880 MLS 680111306 COASTMONTHLY.COM | OCTOber 2021 64 ON THE COVER Raz Halili, vice president of Prestige Oysters. Read about Halili and the San Leon community on Page 14. Photo by Stuart Villanueva DEPARTMENTS 60 HOOKED October is prime time for bending rods all along the upper Texas coast 64 DOWN THE HATCH How intoxicating beverages shaped history and civilization 74 DOWN HOME A circa 1950 Campbell’s Soup recipe is a go-to dish for this islander 76 TASTE OF TEXAS There’s a no-grill way to enjoy a classic Mexican street food 78 THE GALLEY Take liberties with this chili recipe, just don’t add beans 80 GAME ON This venison dish makes a perfect appetizer or main course 82 DESSERT ISLAND This venerable confection is europe’s oldest, but it’s easy to make 60 84 HOMEPORT Homeowners saw possibilities in a house where everything tells a story 92 PARTY PICS Find out who made the local party scene 100 SAVE THE DATE Area events to keep your calendar booked 112 SHUTTERBUGS readers share their coastal photos 848 COASTMONTHLY.COM | OCTOber 2021 Patios, Outdoor Kitchens, Hardscape, Pool Decks, Fire Pits, Coping & More! FALL OUTDOOR LIVING FREE ESTIMATES sales@outsideoasis.com www.outsideoasis.com Outdoor Living $500 Off All Patio Additions CALL TODAY! 832-317-9509 ® © Copyright: Coast Monthly is published by The Daily News. No portion may be reproduced in whole or in part by any means, including electronic retrieval systems, without written permission of the publisher. editorial content does not necessarily reflect the opinions of the publisher of this magazine. editorial and advertising does not constitute advice but is considered informative. WEBSITE & SOCIAL MEDIA coastmonthly.com EDITOR Laura elder PUBLISHER Leonard Woolsey CREATIVE DIRECTOR/ DESIGN EDITOR Melissa rivera PHOTOGRAPHERS Jennifer reynolds Stuart Villanueva CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHERS Carla Peoples Joey Quiroga Capt. Nate Skinner CONTRIBUTING WRITERS Alicia Cahill Shannon Caldwell barbara Canetti emma Collins Christina Mattison ebert John Wayne Ferguson Sue Mayfield Geiger Chris Gray Mark G Hanna Keri Heath Phil Newton Capt. 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