“Museums of Port Isabel Presentation”
The Museums of Port Isabel and the Laguna Madre Museum Foundation are proud to present its “Telling Our Stories” Series of 2017 on Thursday, March 23rd, at the Treasures of the Gulf Museum, 308 Queen Isabella Blvd. at 7pm. This month’s topic will focus on “Museums of Port Isabel Presentation” by Ms. Mary Gorball.
Mary Gorball grew up in Iowa and raised her three (3) children. When the children were in school her husband agreed to let her get a job. Her day started when the kids left for school. She returned from work when the kids returned from school, changed their clothes and ate snacks.
Ms. Gorball job was at the local bank which she started as a clerk in the Trust Department of the bank which she soon became an Investment Officer. She was then asked to do the bank books which eventually ended up as investing banks funds. When banking laws were changed, it allowed banks to offer non-traditional investments to be handled on the premises and Ms. Gorball became a securities broker and insurance agent.
In 1999, Ms. Gorball and her husband, Richard began their annual visits to relatives in Port Isabel and decided to purchase property for their winter quarters. They sold their land locked home and purchased property in the lake. In 2002 Richard, Ms. Gorball passed away.
Ms. Gorabll continued annual trips to the South and North, filling her time quilting, writing books and became a community activist. She joined non-profits organizations wherever she felt she could be useful: American Legion Auxiliary, Friends of the Library, Chamber Ambassador, Garden Club Community Improvement. She also joined the Laguna Madre Museum Foundation which was the first one to join and started volunteering as a docent at the Museums of Port Isabel in 2003.
In 2010, Ms. Gorball sold her property in Iowa, purchased a new condominium in Port Isabel and became a citizen of Texas. She still quilts, writes, volunteers and enjoys piquing the interest of visitors to the Museums and the community which she encourage them to enjoy the history that is contained in our Museums and further explorations of our area.
Please join us for an entertaining evening with Ms. Gorball on giving a presentation of the history of the “Museums of Port Isabel” with emphasis on the Port Isabel and local area. All locals and visitors are welcomed to attend this free presentation. Complimentary drinks and hors d’oeuvres will be provided.
‘Telling Our Stories” is an educational program aimed to preserving the heritage of the City of Port Isabel and the Laguna Madre area. Our goals are to preserve and educate our local and natural history through presentations and exhibits. The program is co-sponsored by the Museums of Port Isabel and the Laguna Museum Foundation. “Telling Our Stories” is presented on the fourth (4Th) Thursday of each month from January through September at the Treasures of the Gulf Museum. Admission is FREE.
Sponsored By: Mr. Manuel Hinojosa
For more information on Telling Our Stories or to help sponsor an event, contact Jeannie Marie A. Flores at (956) 943-7602 or visit www.portisabelmuseums.com or you may also send an email to jrivera@copitx.com.