Hometown News For Orange County, Texas

Articles written by Penny Leleux


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  • Repasky to celebrate 100 years

    Penny LeLeux, For the Record|Updated Jan 7, 2025

    Susie Repasky walked into The Record office last week with her caretaker, Jeanna Pressler, to place an announcement of her upcoming 100th birthday party. She is in better physical shape than many 20-30 years younger. She uses a cane more for stability than actual need. "I could dance if I had a partner," she said. She's excited to announce a party at the Bridge City Knights of Columbus hall at 2-4 p.m., Jan. 18, 770 Ave. A, Bridge City. She was born in the country, in...

  • "Nectar of the gods" found hidden away in Orangefield

    Penny LeLeux, For the Record|Updated Dec 30, 2024

    Another hidden treasure has been found tucked away in Orangefield. Kevin and Jenni Bryant have been offering tastings of mead aka "nectar of the gods" in the Oilla Community of Orangefield for two years. Mead is the oldest known fermented product on the planet and predates wine by several thousand years. According to Bryant, it began in China and Africa, was later romanticized by the Greeks and the Vikings. The Hammered Honey Farms and Mead tasting room is located at 2801...

  • Social Security Fairness Act passes Senate, headed to President's desk

    Penny LeLeux, For the Record|Updated Dec 23, 2024

    Congress offered some Americans a Christmas gift early Saturday morning when the Senate passed the Social Security Fairness Act (H.R.82). It's up to President Biden to add the bow by signing the Bill into law. The bill, which was passed by the House of Representative in November, repeals two tax provisions that impact the retirement benefits of some federal workers and other public servants such as teachers, law enforcement and firefighters. The Windfall Elimination Provision...

  • The Spirit of the Grinch lives on

    Penny LeLeux, For the Record|Updated Dec 23, 2024

    It’s three days ‘til Christmas and a Facebook post from nine years ago popped up on my feed. I was DONE wrapping Christmas gifts early because it was an act of futility. We had our very own Grinch that was stealing packages from under the Christmas tree. I noticed one package missing and retrieved it after a search of the Grinch’s bedroom. Later, I found an empty box from another present. My husband found the gift and wrapping paper. Can you guess where? Yes, the Grinch had s...

  • Perrodin, Thompson set to retire from BC Bank

    Penny LeLeux, For the Record|Updated Dec 17, 2024

    After 28 years with Bridge City Bank, Bonnie Perrodin is calling it quits at the Orange Branch at the end of this week, while Judy Thompson will be retiring after 18 years on Jan. 3, 2025. There will be coffee and cake at the Orange Branch Thursday honoring Perrodin so she has one last chance to say goodbye to her customers. Her official retirement date is Dec. 20 on paper, but she said she is only coming on Friday to turn in her keys and let her grandkids play on the...

  • Christmas in Orangefield slated for Oct. 21

    Penny LeLeux, For the Record|Updated Dec 17, 2024

    Who is ready for another Christmas parade? Christmas in Orangefield kicks off with one at 10 a.m., Saturday, Dec. 21. The parade path starts at Orangefield Oil Supply on FM 508 and travels down FM105, taking a right on Sandbar Road down to the Orangefield Junior High School. The public is invited to celebrate, shop, eat and enjoy good entertainment, visit with Santa and the Grinch and make this an unforgettable Christmas. Christmas in Orangefield was started several years ago...

  • OCP offers Cookies and Carols

    Penny LeLeux, For the Record|Updated Dec 10, 2024

    Orange County isn't really known for traditional caroling, but Orange Community Players, Inc. is striving to bring it back to spread holiday cheer and raise a few funds at the same time. They are offering "Cookies and Carols" Dec. 20-21 between the hours of 5-8 p.m. This is a "pay what you can" event. New board member Crystal Kelley came up with the idea last week when she, Ashley Guillory and Mic Coats attended the board meeting seeking to fill some vacant seats on the OCP bo...

  • Christmas in Orangefield slated for Oct. 21

    Penny LeLeux, For the Record|Updated Dec 10, 2024

    Who is ready for another Christmas parade? Christmas in Orangefield kicks off with one at 10 a.m., Saturday, Dec. 21. The parade path starts at Orangefield Oil Supply on FM 508 and travels down FM105, taking a right on Sandbar Road down to the Orangefield Junior High School. The public is invited to celebrate, shop, eat and enjoy good entertainment, visit with Santa and the Grinch and make this an unforgettable Christmas. Christmas in Orangefield was started several years ago...

  • The 68th Toy Coffee make Christmas brighter for area youth

    Penny LeLeux, For the Record|Updated Dec 3, 2024

    The Service League of Orange's 68th Annual Toy Coffee takes place10 a.m. – 2 p.m., Thursday at 803 6th St. in Orange. This beautiful Victorian home was built in 1906 and is owned by Bruce and Robyn Hunt. It is a 4,290 square-foot single family home, with pine wood floors throughout, a Mahogany wood staircase, several fireplaces, a large foyer, formal dining and living, parlors, study, a large kitchen and pantry, three bedrooms and two bathrooms. Admission to tour this home, d...

  • Christmas season officially kicks off this week

    Penny LeLeux, For the Record|Updated Nov 26, 2024

    Once you finish your turkey dinner Thursday and veg on the couch waiting for the ball games, the Christmas season officially begins. The madness of Black Friday shopping and Cyber Monday gives people the opportunity to finish their shopping…or start it, whichever fits your personality. Don’t forget to shop locally to help the economy, their families deserve a good Christmas too. A few special shopping opportunities for unique items will be available at some of the local hol...

  • New blood and family legacy usher in new life for OCP

    Penny LeLeux, For the Record|Updated Nov 19, 2024

    It has been a long haul since Orange Community Players, Inc. was forced out of its original home on Division Street after TS Harvey flooded the theater for a second time in 2017. They bought the old Brown Twin Cinema building and have worked on it through the years trying to get up and running again. They were almost there, hoping to open this past September, when the HVAC system went out. The AC is fixed and they are down to only needing a counter for the concession stand,...

  • A.J. Judice legacy honored by BC Chamber of Commerce

    Penny LeLeux, For the Record|Updated Nov 12, 2024

    The Bridge City Chamber of Commerce announced Tuesday that A.J. Judice's Family Legacy was named as this year's Bridge City Christmas Parade Marshal. The "Christmas on the Bayou" parade will be held Dec. 7 at 6 p.m. taking its usual path down West Roundbunch Road starting at First Baptist Church and concluding at Bridge City Elementary. Scot C. Shaffer said he asked many in the area who they think of when they hear 'Bridge City Bayou' and an overwhelming 75% said A.J. Judice....

  • BC Band headed to Alamodome

    Penny LeLeux, For the Record|Updated Nov 5, 2024

    “They've done it again and are headed to the State Competition,” stated LK Anderson Photography’s Facebook page about Bridge City High School’s advancement to the UIL State marching competition. The photography studio shot the official group photo of the band. Bridge City came in 3rd place at the UIL Area Marching Contest, which was held on Nov. 2 in Lindale. That entitles them to compete in the Alamodome this weekend in San Antonio. “The band has demonstrated exception...

  • Is the former OCP Theater haunted?

    Penny LeLeux|Updated Oct 29, 2024

    Approximately fifteen years ago, after the Orange Community Players Theater had been renovated after Hurricane Ike and before the organization was permanently forced to leave the building after TS Harvey, a group of paranormal investigators from the Texas Society of Paranormal Investigators (TSPI) did an investigation to collect evidence of reported activity in the building. The theater had long been reported to frequently have paranormal activity. There were many tales...

  • PALT offers OC thespians opportunities

    Penny LeLeux, For the Record|Updated Oct 22, 2024

    Penny LeLeux Orange County's community theater, the Orange Community Players, Inc. has been without a functional theater since TS Harvey in 2017. They were almost up and running again, then the HVAC system went out. Currently they are raising money to replace it and they should be back in action sometime in 2025. In the meantime, Port Arthur Little Theater has been able to take up some of the slack offering Orange County actors opportunities to continue plying their trade....

  • Kree Harrison to perform at BC Classic Cardinal Reunion

    Penny LeLeux|Updated Oct 15, 2024

    Cindy Claybar and Judge John Gothia will be presented as this year's Outstanding Alumni at the high school homecoming football game Oct. 18 by the Bridge City High School Alumni Association. They will be honored on Saturday at the Classic Cardinal Reunion. American Idol season 12 runner-up Kree Harrison will entertain with an acoustic set of just her and her guitar player. "I wanted it to be kind of intimate," she said. I've done the full band shows here but I wanted to take...

  • Dolores Cantu: the reunion tour

    Penny LeLeux, For the Record|Updated Oct 15, 2024

    Cut Dolores and Penny: Hollywood actress/talent manager Dolores Cantu filmed videos with Record reporter Penny LeLeux while touring her hometown of West Orange. They are pictured in front of Cantu's childhood home. Cut- Class reunion Class of 68: Dolores Cantu is a member of the West Orange Chief's Class of 1968. Cut- Dolores teepee: Dolores Cantu poses in front of the Chiefs teepee at the multi-class reunion Saturday at Niblett's Bluff Park in Vinton. Ten years ago, Dolores...

  • OC film "5:01" receives recognition at Lake Charles Film Festival

    Penny LeLeux, For the Record|Updated Oct 8, 2024

    The Lake Charles Film Festival was held Friday and Saturday in Lake Charles, La. at the Windham Hotel. At the awards ceremony held at McFarland's Celtic Pub Saturday night, writer/director of the short film "5:01," Seth Sonnier of Orange County was presented a 3rd place trophy by Hollywood actress Rebecca Staab. Staab and her actor husband, William DeVry were the special guests for the weekend. Sonnier wrote "5:01" about two and a half years ago. It was shot under the Fresh...

  • Capt. Tate offers "Creepy Creature" night swamp tours for October

    Penny LeLeux, For the Record|Updated Oct 1, 2024

    Have you ever been eye to eye with an alligator in its natural habitat at night? Their eyes glow in the dark. It's an eerie sight. That opportunity begins this weekend for the month of October. Did you know it is rumored cannibals lived in the area years ago? Hear the tales and see the locations they roamed. Capt. Eli Tate has been regaling visitors with local history and lore of the Texas/Louisiana swamps for over 25 years and he's introducing the "Creepy Creatures Wild...

  • In God's Time

    Penny LeLeux, For the Record|Updated Sep 24, 2024

    A project has finally come to fruition that has been in the making for over three years at Salem United Methodist Church in Orange. It began with Salem’s previous pastor, Develous Bright and the education director Velenta “Vinnie” Mathews-Hunter. Mathews-Hunter has overseen Salem’s Vacation Bible School program over 25 years. Pastor Bright had been in love with flying since he was a kid. He wanted to have a VBS program based on flying. Through research he stumbled upon “C...

  • Former BC resident hits Amazon Prime, Apple TV with first feature starring role

    Penny LeLeux|Updated Sep 3, 2024

    Woody Almazan, raised in Bridge City, and a former actor, as a teen, in many of Orange Community Players' productions, is hitting the big time with his first starring role in a feature film. "The Ecstasy of Gold: The Treasure of Jesse James" dropped on Amazon Prime and Apple TV Tuesday. "In 90 days it will be on Roku, Tubi and Peacock," said Almazan. "Everywhere but Netflix." The film is a "spaghetti" western. A genre made famous by Clint Eastwood. The term was used for...

  • Treasures appraised at What's it Worth?

    Penny LeLeux, For the Record|Updated Aug 27, 2024

    Shodi and Jay Jocobson, from Sour Lake, attended the What's it Worth? appraisal event Saturday held at the Orange County Convention and Expo Center. Jay purchased the picture he's holding for $5 at a garage sale when he was 18 years old and found out it was worth $200. Shodi is holding itty bitty dolls from Germany. One of them that is about half an inch tall is worth $65-80. Plans are already in the works to hold the event again next year. RECORD PHOTO: Penny...

  • Boomtown's Music Video Competition a huge hit

    Penny LeLeux, For the Record|Updated Aug 6, 2024

    It was standing room only at the screening of the freshly made entries for the Boomtown Film and Music Festival Music Video Competition Monday night at the Logon Café in Beaumont. Some people were standing outside, looking in the windows. Kudos to this year's festival director Stephanie Orta. The competition was part of July's "Halfway to Boomtown" event. On July 26, they held a concert event with three music acts and had the music video challenge kickoff in-between acts....

  • BC on the grow

    Penny LeLeux, For the Record|Updated Aug 6, 2024

    After noticing an abundance of new businesses opening in Bridge City recently, The Record decided to check in with Mandy Lyda, executive director of Bridge City Chamber of Commerce to see just how many businesses have opened since the first of the year. “It’s exciting to see all the new businesses in Bridge City,” said Lyda. She went through the membership list to see how many have joined the chamber since January. Brooke and Catherine Lending Company (aka: FBC Mortg...

  • Orange's Simon achieves success in solo art show

    Penny LeLeux, For the Record|Updated Jul 16, 2024

    A lawyer by day and artist by night, Lindsay Simon of Orange has been relatively unknown in the art world locally. Only her family and friends were aware of her immense talent featuring waterfowl and racehorses. That changed Saturday night, when a reception for her first solo art show "Flights of Fancy: Defying Gravity" was held at the Texas Artists Museum in Port Arthur. A good turnout is always a nice indication of success, but a better indicator is selling art and Simon sol...

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