Hometown News For Orange County, Texas
Hometown News For Orange County, Texas
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JUST LIKE WE SAID Last week we couldn’t have predicted any closer what the congress would do with the border refuge problem. At one time Speaker John Boehner had the votes to pass the senate bill that had cut a billion dollars off of President Obama’s request. Then freshman Sen. Ted Cruz cut his legs out from under him by calling a dozen congressmen to his dungeon and telling them they would not get any Tea Party pac money if they voted for the bill. In disgust Boehner said, “The President will just have to solve it with exec...
MISSING MY FRIEND It’s been a week now since I’ve seen my friend Jonathan Seagull. Every morning for going on a year now I’ve thrown him some vittles. He walks around proudly; head up, shoulders back and when he is eating the other birds stay away. The two pigeons that sit on the top of the building across the street just watch until Jonathan finishes. The grackles sit on the utility lines and wait also for the big boy to finish. I’m concerned about him however. I last saw him Monday of last week. Jonathanis a loner, doesn’t...
THINGS COULD BE WORSE Here we go again. The weeks keep flying by. In fact, here we are already in mid-July. In early fall I predicted that it would be a hot summer but much wetter than normal. I’ve been right about that but some areas through the country have had constant downpours. South Louisiana hasn’t had a dry spell. My sister north of Lafayette says that in June and part of July they have received nearly 14 inches of rain. My place had gotten very little rain while it rained all around. However over the weekend we rec...
THINGS COULD BE WORSE Here we go again. The weeks keep flying by. In fact, here we are already in mid-July. In early fall I predicted that it would be a hot summer but much wetter than normal. I’ve been right about that but some areas through the country have had constant downpours. South Louisiana hasn’t had a dry spell. My sister north of Lafayette says that in June and part of July they have received nearly 14 inches of rain. My place had gotten very little rain while it rained all around. However over the weekend we rec...
JULY IS ON A FAST ROLL Congratulations to the Bridge City Historical Society for another great Fourth of July show. It is estimated to have been shared by over 3000 people. The kids had a great time and will carry the event into their adult years. The future park and museum location, on Cow Bayou, was a perfect spot to launch fireworks. Bridge City City Manager Jerry Jones tells us that a grant might be obtained to build the facility. The land is a donation from Gislia Houseman, widow of the late Tony Houseman. *****Orange...
THE RAINS CAME, IT HAS TO HELP Well, we finally got some rain Tuesday and it looks like more might be coming. You can’t bet on South East Texas weather, however. Your neighbor might get a barrel full and you a cup.*****I love this time of year because of fresh vegetables. Thanks to Judge Derry, Commissioner Burton and Neighbor Cox, I’ve managed to keep a supply of tomatoes. Owen did get me some of Tom’s squash but besides that other vegetables have been scarce. I’m told it was the lack of rain. No okra and few cucumbe...
IS A STORM IN OUR FUTURE Saturday will mark the official first day of summer. We’ve had a pretty good spring and summer is ready to come on strong. I predicted earlier that despite last year’s hurricane season being mild, we would have a major storm in the Gulf. Last year, I predicted correctly that we wouldn’t have a Gulf storm. I based that on the forecast of a high pressure system hanging over the Gulf states. This year, it looks like late August, September we could be under low pressure. That is what sucks in a storm...
IT’S COMING ON FATHER’S DAY The news this week, in 2014, covers a variety of subjects. The American public has been worked up by opponents of President Obama against his swap of five Taliban prisoners for Afghanistan hostage U.S. soldier Bowe Bergdahl. My thought, if he were my son, grandson, brother, etc., is I wouldn’t care if they swapped 15 or 20 for him. What are we going to do with them anyway, feed and bed them for the rest of their lives? The Taliban never has targeted U.S. interest. They are tribal and fight each...
WE HONOR OUR WWII VETS Those weather folks on television are more often wrong than right. In all fairness, no one can predict southeast Texas weather for certain. At best, last week they got a D. Every day the forecast had from 80 percent to 30 percent coverage of three to five inches of rain. Very few drops fell and that worked out good for outdoor activities but because of the forecast, some functions were indoors. I believe they all get their info from the National Weather Bureau in Lake Charles and if one is wrong,...
SETTING THE RECORD STRAIGHT Last week we ran an untruth in our two publications as did the two papers in Vidor. Together we have a combined circulation of 32,000. Until now many of you were not aware of the false ad that Brint Carlton ran in these publications. It was an ad meant to deceive the voters and I’m sure it did. Citizens who voted Monday, Tuesday and today were unaware that the ad was an untruth. The Carlton camp not only deceived the voters but also all of our readers. Let me set the record straight. A Carlton a...
Throughout my life, Mother’s Day has always been important to me. Mothers not only carry and give birth, but also nurture us through those formative years but when we skin a knee or fall out of a tree Mom will always make it okay. Her tenderness and motherly love is unmatched. Often it’s when you look back you realize just how important her part was in your development. Sometimes it’s after she is gone, when the big picture fully comes to you. The thousand of times she sacrificed for your benefit. Dad loves you but there is n...
11 YEARS OF GIVING For 56 years a community newspaper has been furnished to the citizens of this area at no charge. In most instances it is delivered, wrapped in plastic, to each door. The Record grew up with the community, half of the population was not born yet or were just babies. For the most part the task of our publications has always been to give small, independent businesses an outlet to advertise their goods at a reasonably low price, yet give them the largest customer reach of any publication in their trade area. Th...
EASTER COLD WELCOMES HOLY WEEK The annual Easter cold front arrived a few days early or maybe Easter is a few days late. Anyway, my north side temperature gage Tuesday morning showed 40 degrees and strong north winds. I believe the record low is 37 degrees. Wednesday morning might get close to it. *****Last year my friend Marlene Merritt gave me a big, heavy, chocolate rabbit. It was a gift that kept on giving all year. I eat chocolate a couple times a week and so far I haven’t had to buy any yet. I still have a few pieces le...
WHEN FOLKS LOOK BACK To the people who will be reading this in the archives 20, 30 or more years from now here’s some of the things making news and of interest on April 2, 2014. The mystery of Malaysia air flight 370 that disappeared on March 8 with 239 people aboard is still not found. It is believed the plane went down in the Indian Ocean, thousand of miles from its destination. The reason for the airliner flying off course may never be known.*****Bodies are still being recovered in Washington State mudslide. T...
EARL THOMAS III WORLD CHAMPION The most hyped Super Bowl in history has come and gone. The results were not what anyone expected, 43-8. My prediction was that if Seattle scored 28 points they would win. I didn’t believe anyone could score 29 points on them. After the safety, just 12 seconds into the game, I told those gathered, “Guys, this could very well be a blowout.” The Denver/Manning diehards were not convinced until the second half kickoff return by the Seahawks. Our guy Earl Thomas got a lot of air time and Coach Jimmy...
AREN’T YOU GLAD THIS AIN’T NORMAL Early last year, when I predicted that it would be a colder than normal winter this year, I wasn’t expecting so much up and down weather. One day 27 degrees, near 70 degrees the next. So far this winter has been a real roller coaster. This part of the country is not set up for icy weather. When bridges freeze, everything comes to a halt. Schools and government offices shut down and businesses might as well close. Nothing is moving. The freeze-out last Friday and the shutdown this week even...
GONE BUT NOT FORGOTTEN The last few days have brought sad times with the loss of some good people who have left their mark on our community. A dear friend of many years, Roy Stephen Wingate, 89, died Jan. 12. His service will be held Friday at 2 p.m. at Claybar Funeral Home in Orange. A visitation will be held Thursday evening from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. Roy was one of the most compassionate people I’ve known. He was a giver who always extended a helping hand to those in need. Roy could have been a very wealthy man but he gave a...
COLD A 20-YEAR LOW After the big freeze comes the big thaw. The high pressure system that dropped termeratures into the teens and 20s, will move out, allowing much warmer weather and moisture from the Gulf. We should be back to short sleeve weather by Friday. Three nights of freezing has destroyed foliage and left the area ugly. Most plants left exposed bit the dust. Let me caution you however, just hang on, don’t throw your plants away and don’t be quick to cut them back. Leave them alone until March, most will come back to...
WHY THANKSGIVING IS SPECIAL Most adults today remember Thanksgiving as a fun day, plenty of food, turkey, ham, cornbread dressing, cranberries and great deserts. The youngsters, when the weather was good, enjoyed games outdoors with their cousins. The men watched Turkey Day football, while the women cleaned up, chatted and told of new recipes. In our home for 18 years or so, while the children were growing up, we attended the A&M/Texas Thanksgiving Day game, one year at Kyle Field, the next at Memorial, so until the last 30...
OVERCOMING IKE, GOOD LEADERSHIP, STRONG PEOPLE This week on Sept. 13, we mark the fifth anniversary since Ike, the hurricane, blew into Orange County and left the worse devastation on our community, since the storm of 1865, the year the Civil War ended, wiped out the city of Orange. The storm left only four homes standing. Today’s recovery, especially to the community of Bridge City, seemed a far away dream of five years ago. Thanks to the leadership of Mayor Kirk Roccaforte and help from Houston Mayor Bill White, we got n...
WILL AND KATE’S BABY--ROYAL PRINCE ARRIVES The first royal baby of the Facebook, Twitter age arrived Monday, July 22, 2013. The future monarch, Prince of Cambridge, is the third in line to the throne. If he ever becomes king, it will be far down the road. Approaching her senior years it doesn’t look like the Queen is preparing to give up her crown anytime in the near future. After her, the monarchy passes to Prince Charles, who would someday pass it on to the baby’s father, Prince William. The new prince weighed in at 8 pou...
EDUCATING CONSUMERS ON HEALTH INSURANCE Well me and Creaux are embarking on another week. I’m running behind and Creaux is a little puny but we will try to weave our way though another one. Many citizens don’t realize that the Affordable Care Act goes into effect Jan. 1, 2014. Everyone will have to have coverage. Texas Gov. Rick Perry has chosen not to give Texans that opportunity because the state chose not to participate by establishing its own insurance exchange. The United States Department of Health has set up a 24 hou...
WE MUST WORK TO SOLVE MASS KILLINGS I don’t believe there are any ready answers to why mass killings in public places, school, theaters, or other crowded venues have escalated over the past few years. The execution style killings of 20 precious children and six adults in Newtown,Connecticut’sSandyHookElementarySchool just brings more questions of why and an outcry for answers. There are no quick solutions or fixes. We’re faced today with a society that exploits viole...
AS IT IS NOV. 2012 Another week rolls around, my thoughts are still on the national election and how a local public servant was victimized. First, back when gas prices were $3.89 a gallon, I said the price would be down to $3 by Election Day. I missed by five days. I paid $2.97 on Saturday and Monday it’s down to $2.92. I did alright on my other predictions, a lot better than Karl Rove and Dick Morris, who predicted a landslide for Romney with a popular vote and 325 Electoral votes. I predicted Obama would get 294 votes. H...
MOVING ON TO NOVEMBER The runoff elections are now history. I believe the Republican runoffs for United StatesSenate and the Congressional races in Dist. 36 broke all records in spending. The citizens of Texas didn’t win in the senate race, in fact, it’s a step backwards. Sen. Kay Bailey Hutchison’s level headed leadership will be missed. She always voted the party line except when it wasn’t the best thing to do for the American people. She is not an obstructionist. I believe Democrat Paul Sadler would by far be he best U....
