Here Comes the Son

 

I love the Beatles so much. I'm not the only one. This is the second year I got to attend the Here Comes the Son service at St. Stephen’s Episcopal Church. It seems like everyone has a favorite song that brings a memory to their life. For this service, the congregation brought a spiritual twist to some Beatles classics.

 Listen with a new year to these phrases:

 Help, I need somebody…

Love, love me do, You know I love you…

Whisper words of wisdom, let it be…

 

These songs were woven into readings and the group made visitors feel truly welcome.

And in culinary news, the fellowship followed with a meal offering Beatles-inspired treats such as: Savoy Trifle, Let it Bean Dip & Chips, I Am the Walnut and Strawberry Fields Forever.

I can’t wait until next year.

 

Here comes the sun

Shine the Light – As we observe that it has been 20 years since Hurricane Rita disrupted our lives, we have learned a few things. Do you have a light? Duracell is a trusted brand in my house and I’m loving a Tri-Power Rechargeable Lantern that does solar. Or you got your D Batteries option or a USB-IN Power charger. Ready for some weather? Better yet, use it for your fall festival gatherings by the fire with s’mores. This lantern keeps us stylish and ready. Features:

• 3000 Lumen Duracell Lantern
• TRI Power Charging – Solar, USB & QI Charging
• Dual Battery Source
• Modes High, Medium, Low and Power Save
• USB C In and Out

 

Darragh Castillo is a Port Arthur area foodie always singing a song in her heart. No one wants her to sing out loud. Share foodie tips with her at panews@panews.com

El Refu is a Port Arthur Tex-Mex Extravaganza

The Mexican Heritage Festival kicked off a season. More ways to honor Hispanic Heritage Month, through October 15, include a visit to Our Lady of Guadalupe’s shrine, honoring Lucian Adams and other heroes with a reflection at Golden Triangle Veterans Memorial Park and enjoying the culture’s food and music. Have you tried this still-new Port Arthur venue:

 

El Refu – This restaurant is a Port Arthur Tex-Mex extravaganza. This place is fun. Your eyes don't know where to go with all the interesting decor on the wall, the sizzling food passing by or the friends you're likely to see. As a foodie, I've enjoyed everything I've tried. This place is fun from the parking lot to the table. Bring on the salsa. Please notice the benches offering shout outs to area groups.

Beatles at Church - Here Comes the Son was the general theme for the recent annual Beatles Service at St. Stephen's Episcopal Church in Beaumont. Bright colors and joyful voices included a service with music including "Help," "We Can Work it Out" and "In My Life." If you sing these classic pop tunes at church, they take on a personal, spiritual meaning. Parishioners were so friendly. I met a man who lives along the Port Arthur seawall. A Beatlemania foodie like me had to love the creative after party buffet labels. Themed dishes included Get Back Mac casseroles, Please Pease Me Salad, Hello Jello and I Am the Eggman deviled eggs. Hard to pick a fave, but I was a "big fan" of what looked like a traditional southern pecan pie made with walnuts instead. It was labeled "I Am the Walnut." I'll have to wait a whole year for the next Beatles service. 

The World's Better Cup - There's bunches of reasons to try Cambio Roasters. The taste and is a huge one. The packaging is another. Aluminum K-Cups can be recycled. Though I've got my eye on fashioning tiny succulent planters from what resembles wee garbage cans. These cups hold  Cambio Roasters, an eco-conscious coffee brand with some 100 percent organic arabica beans micro-sourced from family farms. 

 Pretzel Pick - Ever heard of an extra-dark pretzel? Could it be for people like me, who like everything just a little bit more crispy? Why that's just what they mean at Uncle Jerry's, where they are making Pennsylvania Dutch pretzels in classic ways with newer preferences. They're all impressive. I mean, I want more. Try whole wheat low salt, oat bran regular and all the things Uncle Jerry 's is cranking out in Lancaster, Pa. www.unclejerryspretzels.com 

Darragh Doiron is a Port Arthur area foodie who considers October through Mid-January some of the most flavorful months of the year. darraghcastillo@icloud.com