PAISC: New Building Update

Hurricane Ike (9-11-08 thru 9-25-08)

2008-10-06T12:42:00.000-07:00

Prayer for Hurricane Season--
O God, Master of this passing world, hear the humble voices of your children. The Sea of Galilee obeyed your order and returned to its former quietude; you are still the Master of land and sea. We live in the shadow of a danger over which we have no control. The Gulf, like a provoked and angry giant, can awake from its seeming lethargy, overstep its conventional boundaries, invade our land and spread chaos and disaster. During this hurricane season, we turn to You, O loving Father. Spare us from past tragedies whose memories are still so vivid and whose wounds seem to refuse to heal with the passing of time. O Virgin, Star of the Sea, Our Beloved Mother, we ask you to plead with your Son in our behalf, so that spared from the calamities common to this area and animated with a true spirit of gratitude, we will walk in the footsteps of your Divine Son to reach the heavenly Jerusalem where a storm-less eternity awaits us. Amen.

Originally dedicated to the victims of Hurricane Audrey in 1957.
- Fr. Al Volpe, Cameron Parish, LA
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It was Thursday September 11, 2008 a day to remember for the rest of the nation as well as citizens of the entire Gulf Coast Region. Voluntary Evaucation was set for Thursday and Mandatory on early Friday morning. Everything moved so quickly and with the blink of an eye the citizens of city of Port Arthur and other neighbor cities left town in fear of water surges and our town was to be under water. Everyone left to their destinations and our city was once again was a ghost town. Because exactly two weeks earlier everyone evacuated for Hurricane Gustav but with lots of praying thankfully we didn't get hit.

But as on the late evening of Friday September 12, 2008 the storm hit the Galveston-Kemah area and literally everything had disappeared within hours. The entire SouthEast Texas was hit late Friday night into early Saturday morning. Standard damages occured-- trees down, wide spread power outages, debris everywhere, and lighter object materials was in someone elses property. So much items and belongings was heavily destroyed but thank God our Savior that the staff of the Center did have a place to come home to. But unfortunately our neighbor city Bridge City, Orange, Sabine Pass along with other areas was totally devasted. Please keep those citizens in the disaster areas within your thoughts and prayers in this time of need.

These are the Counties Declared Hurricane Ike Federal Disaster Areas: Angelina, Austin, Brazoria, Chambers, Cherokee, Fort Bend, Galveston, Grimes, Hardin, Harris, Houston, Jasper, Jefferson, Liberty, Madison, Matagorda, Montgomery, Nacogdoches, Newton, Orange, Polk, Sabine, San Augustine, San Jacinto, Trinity, Tyler, Walker, Waller and Washington.

However the Port Arthur International Seamans' Center sustained minor damages with the building. Here are a few pictures of the Center...

We Thank God for his many blessings bestowed up the Port Arthur International Seafarers' Centers as well as our staff and their families. We are so Thankful that we will have a place to work and the center is still up and running despite the mold, leakage and mildew we are here and welcome donations.. May God Bless Everyone at every moment of the day.

God Bless everyone with Smooth Sailing Throughout the day...

Update of 2008..

2008-10-02T11:22:00.000-07:00

Hello!! Its been such a long time since we have blogged and kept our members up with information and there is so much to be shared.. During the month of July we welcomed two new members to our team; Mr. Robert Collins is our NEW director of the Seafarers Center also Khiem Nguyen as our Office Coordinator. We are so HAPPY to welcome our New Staff Members!!

Along with our new members we celebrated our annual Cayman Night with the Port Arthur Chambers of Commerce at the Bob Bowers Civic Center in Port Arthur, TX. It was a HUGE success!! We had entertainment guest BareFoot Man and the "Devil" himself!!

Father Sinclair, BareFoot Man and visitors VISITING the Seafarers' Center.

Father Sinclair conversating with the Devil!! =D

Is Father Sinclair being friends with the Devil?!

Maryanne Reid and Verna Rutherford Port Arthur Chambers of Commerce

Tracie Middleton one of our many volunteers! She's having too much fun at Cayman Night! =)

our New office coordinator Khiem Nguyen and Volunteer Nuong Tran at the Cayman Night.

Doreen Badeaux and her nephew.

Father Sinclair introducing the native of Cayman Island to everyone in Southeast Texas.

Cute Kids!! =D

Nuong, Khiem, and Father Sinclair take a break!!

Doreen and Father Sinclairs' Dad

the Big Crowd!! =D

all and all everything went smooth and perfect! we had such a wonderful time and worked hard to make this event a night to remember throughout the year!!

New Center opens Seafarers' Section!

2008-04-08T18:30:00.000-07:00

At long last! The New Center is open!!!!!!

The Seafarer's Section is open. This includes:

Recreation area

Communication Room

Store/Office Area

Restrooms

Now don't run off too fast...........you know there are several areas still awaiting funds for completion...........

This includes:

Meeting Room /Banquet facilities

Kitchen
Interfaith Chapel

Restrooms

Volunteer Workroom

Office for Chaplains

OH! And did I mention furniture???? Do you notice the chairs in front of the nice new TV donated by BASF? We sure would be interested in a couple of sofa's or Lazy Boys to go into this section. If you or a friend can assist with this, the seafarers....and our volunteers would certainly be grateful!

Our new Center sports a modest bar, for those seafarers who would like a drink or two...(no more than that,, thank you very much!) It will also be available for those who wish to rent our meeting room/banquet facilities.

Here, Robert Collins, our driver ... and Baptist Chaplain ...tempts our volunteer Frank to a drink.....Frank took the coffee! (Actually....Robert doesn't drink it either...it's all in good fun!)

We've had a Cigar Evening and a Bike Blessing in the New Center, and this last weekend, we were finally able to make the official move from the Old Center to the New Center.

We hope you'll give us a call and let us show you around the New Center. There are many completed areas to enjoy, and several incomplete areas to view and assist with.

Thanks to everyone for the on-going support!

Doreen

Interfaith Chapel for New Seafarers' Center

2008-04-08T17:59:00.000-07:00

One of the more interesting sections of the Seafarers' Center, will be an Interfaith Chapel.

Interestingly enough, we did not know the significance of the area where we planned to place the chapel, until after we made our plans.

It turns out, that when the old depot was originally built, there was a section on the tower nearest the canal, where people of minority populations were made to go to get their tickets and wait away from the "whites". That was a sad time in our country, when people were afraid of cultural, language, religious, and really any visible differences.

Imagine how thrilled we were to realize that really by accident, our new center will be helping to mend old hurts. Now, instead of a place of division, the new center will house an Interfaith Chapel on that very spot. Not only will this be a place of prayer, but a place for people of all faiths to come and worship and reflect. What a beautiful thing to happen to a place which originally made people mistrust our differences...now we celebrate them!

The chapel is one section of the Center that is still undone. We are still needing funds for this section. We have already been given an Altar for the chapel....and what an altar!

A local mariner with Moran Towing, Mr. Bo Dumesneil, has created a one of a kind altar for us. It is created with 2 actual port holes, a propeller, and legs made to look like out-riggers of a shrimp boat. It is really quite awesome. Later, I'll put pictures of the completed item on line. For now, there are pictures of the altar under construction.

Bo and his wife Karen were able to get many local individuals and businesses in on this project. ... but I'd better not mention any of them until I have the full list...

If you, your organization or church can assist us with the funds for the chapel, or any other part of the Center, I welcome you to call me at 409- 985-4545 and let us give you a tour of the Center, and ask any questions you may have....and of course...we welcome your Donations!

Thomas the Tank Engine visits Seafarers' Center!

2008-04-08T17:37:00.000-07:00

Well, I guess everyone wants to see the Old KCS Depot back in service. This Christmas Season, even Thomas the Tank Engine came to see the old depot in it's new form.

The KCS retirees onboard, enjoyed viewing the "old depot", though they had to be reminded that this is actually a new building. It gave us the opportunity to explain the mission of the Seafarers' Center to them, and to provide a few of the same services to them as we do to our visiting mariners.

Fr. Sinclair and all the other grown boys enjoyed his collection of trains which he showed inside the new center.

The little kids enjoyed watching all the "big boy toys".

Keep a look-out for the holiday train next Christmas Season. It is quite a thing to see...and now there's a nice warm Center to view it from!

Phase II Funding Complete! Inside Building to commence

2007-10-21T13:21:00.000-07:00

Dear Friends,

The Seafarers' Center is coming along nicely. The outer shell is complete, and the security lighting will soon be connected.

Last week, the Board Of Directors moved to start the bid process on the inside "Seafarers' Section". This section includes the foyer, and most of the left hand side of the new Center. It includes the seafarers' recreation room, as well as a convenience store, communications room and library.

The day we agreed to go out for bids, we received a donation of $20,000 from a VERY GENEROUS friend of the Seafarers' Center. This amount will allow us to complete that section.

On Saturday of that same week, we received $25,000 from another very generous supporter. This amount will mean that we can begin work on the kitchen facility as well.

So, we have much to celebrate. But it's not complete yet, so please forward this blog to others who may wish to help!

Thanks to all of you for your prayers and support!

Doreen

Phase I nearly complete!

2007-03-05T12:29:00.000-08:00

Dear Friends,

You can see by the picture that phase I is nearly done. Originally, phase I was to build only the outer shell of the old depot. New wind storm requirements demanded that a great more was done to the interior. So the bad news is that Phase I was more expensive than we originally expected, but the good news is that portions of Phase II are now complete.

I must say that thanks to the strenuous new wind storm requirements, we will be in good shape in the event of another hurricane like Rita.

At our Christmas Party, we received some wonderful donations from friends of the Seafarers' Center. We are thankful for all donations, which include:

Glenn and Kathy Boudreaux $1,000
Andrew and Joyce Green $2500
Extension Education Association of Jefferson County $600
Cheniere LNG $5000
Women's Maritime Club $500
Huntsman Petrochemical Corp. $5000 (with an additional $5000 pledged)
Gulf Copper Employees $10,000
Port Neches Towing, Wayne and Forest Barber $6,000

If you haven't had a chance to donate yet, now's your chance! If you would like to speak to someone about the project, any one of our Board Members would be happy to speak with you. Feel free to call the Center at 409-982-4504 or call me directly at 409-985-4545

Doreen

View from the tower

2006-11-20T21:26:00.000-08:00

Here's the view from the top of the 3-story tower.

The first is looking down Procter Street. The second is looking toward the Port of Port Arthur. The windows aren't in on that side yet.

Some close-up shots

2006-11-20T21:09:00.000-08:00

Here are a few pictures taken Sunday, November 19.

This first one is the left-hand, 3-storey tower, with the windows in.

Below left is the front entrance, and below right is the right-hand, 2-storey tower, with the framework going in for the arched windows.

This is inside, in the seafarers' game room area (I think!)

Below is the dining room, with no roof yet - and a train just visible on the tracks behind the building.

It's coming along - looking good!

Depot taking shape in Downtown PA!

2006-11-13T13:26:00.000-08:00

Dear Friends,
Well it's finally starting to look like the Old KCS Depot! Not only are the towers in place, but roofs are also going up.

There has been a small delay on some of the construction, but for good cause. First, though Phase I was supposed to build the outer shell of the building, minus interior walls, etc. This was not feasible, due to wind storm insurance. So once Phase I is complete, we will actually be

closer to completion on the inside as well. This does mean that Phase I will cost more, but it should take some money off the future Phase or Phases. (Did I say we're still looking for generous donors?!)

A smaller slow down in construction, is due to the fact that we have been able to purchase the elaborate doors of historic St Mary Church in downtown Port Arthur. We're working to arrange the optimum time to get the doors without having to replace the doors at the church. St. Mary's closed earlier this year and is now scheduled for demolition on Dec. 9. In our efforts to make the Depot a real historical treasure for Port Arthur and the Maritime Community, we wished to house these doors for St. Mary's. The middle front doors at St. Mary's will become the entrance doors of the Seafarers' Center Chapel. The doors represent people from many nationalities which are here in Port Arthur, so those will be most fitting for an International Center!

The front side doors, will lead into the conference/banquet room. They will be seen from the foyer, which itself will house many historic maritime items which have been generously donated.

Drive by and take a peak at the Center when you have a chance, and help us spread the word that people still have time to donate and help re-create a historic landmark!
Doreen

Towers going up!

2006-11-13T13:17:00.000-08:00

Dear Friends,

The following pictures were taken on October 11. You can see the towers finally going up!

Thanks to each of you for your efforts, and help us to complete the Depot!
Doreen

Generous donors come forward!

2006-09-26T12:19:00.000-07:00

Dear Friends,

We received 2 generous donations this past week. Mr. Clark Colvin and Huntsman Petrochemicals Corp presented Fr. Sinclair with a check for $5000 and pledged another $5000 from next years budget. Fr. Sinclair blessed one of the Rowan rigs this weekend, and was presented with a check for $1000 by Rowan. This brings Rowan's contribution up to $2,000.

We sincerely appreciate their generosity. If any of you wish to donate, or would like to encourage someone else to do so, feel free to e-mail us for a copy of our list of donors. You can send that e-mail to me at aosusa@sbcglobal.net

We've had plenty of rain the past week or so, but work continues at the Seafarers' Center, as we rebuild the old KCS Depot.

I took a few pictures today, just to keep you all updated. As you can see, the crews are working on the roof of the middle section today. The area below the bucket truck is where the communications room and other seafarer activity spaces will be.

By the way, the Sabine Pilots were gracious enough to donate funding for the Communications room, some time back. And just a couple of weeks ago, Mr. Jeff Hayes donated an old Sabine Pilots sign to us, for the new building. So I think I know where that wonderful piece of our local Maritime History will go!

Thanks to all of you who have donated, and please help us continue to spread the word!
Doreen

G&G Contractors

2006-09-13T12:40:00.000-07:00

Dear Friends,
I came across some pictures of a Press Conference we held when we first announced G&G as the Contractors for this project. Colin Garrett and G&G have proven themselves to be a great team to work with. I thought I'd share a few pictures from that Presss Conference.
Enjoy!
Doreen

Interior Spaces

2006-09-08T15:07:00.000-07:00

Dear Friends,

Fr. Sinclair and I stopped by the new building site last night, Sept. 7. Things are moving along nicely. We thought we'd post a few pictures from the interior.

Enjoy! Doreen

Building Progress

2006-09-08T14:05:00.000-07:00

Dear Friends,

Well despite the torrential rains that Port Arthur saw throughout the month of August, much progress has taken place at the new building site. These pictures were taken during the last 2 weeks in August.

We've enjoyed the exciting comments from people. Just last night, one of the librarians at the local library told me how excited she was to see the old depot rising again. She said, "I knew ya'll were building a Center, but I had no idea it was going to look like the old depot." It turns out, that her dad worked there years ago, and they used to love to visit him and watch the trains.

It is wonderful to be part of such a project which is bringing such wonderful memories to everyone, while stirring interest in the ministry to the people of the sea.

We look forward to many years of wonderful memories for the men and women of the sea who will utilize the new facility.

Please remember to share the news of this project, and help us raise the last $250,000.

Doreen

Windows & Walls

2006-08-23T14:05:00.000-07:00

Dear Friends,
Last Friday I drove past the new Center building site. Windows are now going in and wood panels for walls are going up. Be sure to come down to our luncheon this Friday, and get a sneak peak at the new site!
Doreen

Original Depot Photo and new rendering

2006-08-11T15:02:00.000-07:00

Dear Friends, Below is an actual photo of the Old KCS Depot which was built in the 1890's and torn down in 1971. Next to it, is a color rendering of the new Seafarers' Center which is being built in it's likeness. Bert Lamson the Designer, really did a great job...didn't he? Doreen

Phase II Fundraising Kicks off today!

2006-08-11T11:21:00.000-07:00

The Seafarers' Center held a press conference today and had great attendance. We appreciate the members of the media who were able to join us and help spread the word on the building project.

We're working on Phase I which will build the outer shell of the old Depot. But if we want to go inside...we'll still need $250,000.00 So open up your pockets, purses, other people's purses...

Check out a few pictures from today's event: Above, Board Members and Building committee members, dream of utilizing the new Conference Room.

Next, Jack and JoAnn Moser relive memories of the old Depot, while admiring the stature of the new building.

And below, designer, Bert Lamson gives a guided tour of the building to some of the attendees.

Join us in making the push to secure our final funding. And thanks to all for coming out today!
Doreen

Walls are appearing!

2006-08-09T13:02:00.000-07:00

Friends,

If you go down to the New Building Site today, you can see the walls of the rooms really taking shape. I confess that when the foundation was poured I thought....it's so small...what happened to our large center?? Well...now that rooms are being clearly defined, I can see the stature of the building...it is most impressive!

Yes, our luncheon ladies will be happy to know...we walked in the new kitchen area...and ladies...it's a decent sized kitchen! (YAY!) In fact, the picture to your right shows Fr. Sinclair standing in the kitchen with a big smile. He's happy that our ladies will soon have a decent place to cook!

And the Conference room! Just check out the picture of Fr. Sinclair and Earline standing in the room above and to the left. They look like the "to scale" people on maps! See below for more photos and come see us Friday, Aug 11 at 10:00 a.m. We'll have a press conference to kick off the Phase II fundraising.
Doreen

Framing - photos taken Aug 2

2006-08-04T15:51:00.000-07:00

Carpenters started on the framing Thursday, and the concrete workers finished the end of the driveway.
Now it's starting to look like a building!

Parking lot, driveway, hurricane preparation (photos taken Aug 1)

2006-08-04T15:40:00.000-07:00

Monday morning, two cement trucks and a large pouring arm could be seen at the end of Procter. By the end of the day, the parking lot and sidewalk were finished. Tuesday, most of the driveway was poured. The last section attaching it to the road was being prepared Wednesday morning (photo at left), poured, and setting by Thursday morning.

There is space in the sidewalk for two ramps, which have not yet been poured.

Also on Wednesday, carpenters were at work preparing the foundation of the building for the walls to go up Thursday. On the four outside corners of the building, where the towers will be, large bolts had been driven into the slab. (photo at right) The contractor said these are a new addition to the plan: post-hurricane preventive measures. A large post will go behind them, attached by a steel plate, so the building will essentially be bolted into the slab.

Foundation - Photos taken June 16

2006-08-04T15:34:00.000-07:00

Here is the foundation, partly covered with plastic in the rain after the pouring - the one on the left is taken from the back of the property, looking toward Procter. The one on the left is taken from the back corner of the building, looking up Houston Ave (toward 7th).

Foundation Pouring this Friday!

2006-06-14T09:46:00.000-07:00

This just in...

Laura from Bert Lamson Design reports " Foundation pour will be this Friday, June 16 starting at 3 a.m."

It is wonderful to see progress taking place!
Doreen

Framework for the foundation

2006-06-12T12:54:00.000-07:00

Well, it's a scorcher out there, but good news! I went by the building site today and the construction continues! Yes...that's right. The last time we started building it was short lived, but this time, all systems are go. Today, the men were putting together the gridwork to prepare for the pouring of the foundation. That metal must be roasting, and so must those guys, but they were hard at work...Texas Tough!
Doreen

Building project ready to roll again

2006-06-06T14:07:00.000-07:00

Dear Friends,
It is my pleasure to announce that last night, June 5, at 7:59 p.m., I drove past the new building site, and saw several construction workers just finishing for the evening! It is so good to see the actual construction finally taking place.

We thank each of you for your prayers, finances and other support of this project. This morning, Jack Moser reported that there was "lots of activity", and "the foreman said they would pour some of the beams today."

What wonderful news! See below for the photo Jack took this morning.
Doreen

Building project begins April 1, 2005

2006-06-06T13:45:00.000-07:00

Dear Friends,
The PAISC Building project kicked off on April 1, 2005. The construction started with great energy, until we hit a 14 inch active sewer main, heretofore unknown by our City. (Eee gads!)

The re-routing of the sewer main, and an additional water main took place in August. The rerouting was completed one week before Hurricane Rita hit.

We guess God has a plan, because things may have been far worse for us if the hurricane had hit when we were in the midst of construction.

Below you will find a few pictures from the initial construction, as well as pictures from the re-routing of the sewer main.

Check in for more details later!
Doreen

Announcement Sign 4/11/05

2006-06-06T08:59:00.000-07:00

Announcing the New PAISC Home

New Building Design

2006-05-25T18:47:00.000-07:00

The new Port Arthur International Seafarers' Center

located at the end of Procter Street on Houston Avenue
The new building is in the design of the old KCS passenger train depot.
It is a memorable landmark for many residents of Southeast Texas;
we're excited to see it rise again!