From the Creaux's Nest

WEATHERED STORMS It was 3:45 a.m.

this morning and a lot of lightning could be seen in the distance so I turned the radar on.

The storm coming was at Wildwood, coming to North Hardin and Newton counties.

It moved more southerly.

Lake Charles National Weather said it would hit here at the Creaux’s Nest at 4:55 a.m.

It was right on the money.

Lightning had the sky ablaze.

The wind was up but it turned out not too bad.

We got a little needed rain out of it.

Cow Bayou north took the worst hit.

The wind kicked up some damage from Victory Gardens back through Mauriceville.

Low humidity arrived and we started on a great Mother’s Day.

The storm moved at 40-miles per hour.

It was gone before most folks knew it had come.

Fifteen minutes is all it lasted but the lightening and thunder was a nervous time for our bird Creaux.

I covered his cage and was thankful we had dodged what could have been worse.

*****Saturday was Election Day.

Two most important elections led my interest.

First was the Orange city election.

No one I know cares more about Orange than Mayor Brown Claybar.

His DNA is deep-rooted in Orange and he and his brother David were raised right in the heart of the city by their mom, Margie, and dad, Lannie.

Brown has been the most progressive mayor since Mayor W.E. Lee in the 1930’s.

He had many accomplishments, one being the obtaining of the Rainbow Bridge at the Neches River.

Brown’s vision is for Orange to become the jewel city it can be.

His vision is not for personal reasons and accomplishment has come at a tremendous personal and business cost.

He hasn’t done it alone.

There are a lot of people in the wagon but Mayor Claybar is driving it.

I join him in his vision.

I see where he is headed.

The road will often be rocky.

Just look at his record and you will realize the hard knocks are just bumps in the road.

The goal is worth it and Brown is willing to pay the personal fare.

Charles Atkinson, a good, intelligent man, was also a well-qualified candidate.

He ran a good, clean race and did nothing to hurt the city or administration.

Those are the marks of a true leader.

***** Congrats also to councilwoman Theresa Beauchamp, Frank’s better half and Marcelle Adams’ pretty daughter, and to new councilman Jeff Holland, who was the top vote getter.

*****Eighty-five year old incumbent Drainage District Board member Clyde Chesson, who seems much younger than his age, is a good man and a great American who has given much of himself to this county.

For 16 years he’s been on the Drainage Board.

At one point he sounded like he was ready to step down.

I think he saw Jimmy Scales as a good candidate but he wanted him to earn the right to the post.

Scales became the first Bridge City resident ever to serve on the Board.

The time had come and Jimmy will fill the bill just fine.

We thank Mr. Chesson for his years of great service but it was time to move on.

Pete Bean, a good Director lost to J.B. Arrington, a popular former Ag teacher, who is just a great guy.

I just wondered why, at his age, he even wanted the job.

The outcome is being disputed and the attorney general may determine the final outcome.*****I’ve gotta move on.

A lot to cover.

Come along, it won’t do you no harm.

TURNING BACK THE HANDS OF TIME 30 Years Ago-1978 Congrats to J.B. Bearden for his promotion in the coaching ranks at West Orange-Stark.

*****Also, to Darla McMullin, Cindy Cronk and Betsy Jones, winners in the Campfire symbol contest.

*****To Joe R. Kelly on his victory to become a Little Cypress-Mauriceville school board trustee.

*****To eight county women selected ‘Girls of the Year’ by local Beta Sigma Phi chapters.

They include Sheelagh Barron, Nina Dilbert, Vonne Evans, Jo Fite, Molly Theriot, Becky Davis, Debbie Fremont and Carole Cassens.

****Former Sheriff Chester Holt is now home recovering after having open-heart surgery.

He is recovering quite well.

*****Congrats to Craig Fisette, pre-med student at Lamar.

He was initiated into the National Honor Society.

At the banquet Craig was also recognized as most ‘Outstanding Freshman Biology Student.’ He is the son of Harold and Patsy Fisette.

(Editor’s note: I don’t know what became of Craig.

Harold still lives in Bridge City.

Patsy passed away a few years ago.

She was an angel and I bet she still is.)*****Janice Overman and Edna Lusignan took five cosmetology students to Austin for their state boards exam.

While in Austin they visited with old friends Gloria Lovelace and Debbie Pulliam.

Gloria and son Robbie have opened a seafood restaurant called ‘Momma’s Money’ on Sixth St. and Brazos.

*****June 5, the Orange Lion’s Club will install new officers.

John Cochran, president; O.C. Gunstream, 1st vice-president; Glenn Oliver, 2nd vice-president; Dan Mohon, 3rd.

vice-president; Rick Mayes, secretary; Bert Flickinger, membership chairman; David Reese, finance secretary; Ed White, treasurer; Harold Welch, tail twister; and Jay Bland, lion tamer.

*****In ceremonies held in the 128th.

District Courtroom, Roy Dunn, publisher of the Opportunity Valley News, was presented the Liberty Bell award by the Orange County Bar Association.

He was recognized for his outstanding contribution to Orange County.

The award is presented annually during the Law Day activities.

*****Dist.

County Attorney, Sharon Bearden, will be stepping down.

Most lawyers agree Joe Alford, 31-year-old, would be the ideal choice to replace Bearden.

However, Alford has a good law practice.

Others mentioned are DA Assistants Mike Shuff and Bill Wright, and also Jim Wallace.

(Editor’s note: If I remember correctly Wright got it.) A FEW HAPPENINGS Friday evening daughter Tina, Patsy and other employees threw a surprise 78th birthday party for Ray Cotton at The Longhorn.

A host of longtime friends shared Ray’s special day.

Roy says he and Ms.

Phyl joined the others in good food and refreshments.

Winford and Many Jane Smith, since selling their Gary’s Restaurant chain, have built a new home off Highway 62.

After being healthy as a bear for years, he had a heat stroke and now spends much of his time doctoring.

Chipper Nance, his wife Connie and dad enjoyed the festivities.

Mrs. Dorothy Cotton, who’s been fighting emphysema despite never smoking, made a brief appearance.

Coleman Peveto was his gracious self.

Mike Louviere and Jane enjoyed the evening.

Mike, our reporter, fits in like one of the family.

Others enjoying the party were longtime friends the Hintons, James and Belinda Broome.

Shirley Dickerson was around, she’s always around.

Ray has a lot going on.

A big new arena is under construction with a new four-story motel to follow.

Ray’s a mover and a shaker and at age 78 he’s not slowing down.*****Congrats to Orange County citizens who obtained their doctorate degrees at Lamar over the weekend.

One is Dickie Colburn’s little sister, pretty Pauline, LC-M Superintendent, who is now Doctor Hargrove.

Also former State pole vaulting champion Wayne Guidry became a Doctor Saturday.

Other Orange Countians joining them were Terri Thompson Estes and Carol Ellen Schulte.

That’s a big accomplishment and we commend you.

*****Three Lamar University students attained perfect 4.0 grade-point averages to receive the Plummer award.*****Little Cypress-Mauriceville’s Tiffany Smith, a mechanical engineering major, was the top female grad.

Tiffany is the daughter of Carolyn and David Smith.

She will begin work at the Dupont Sabine River Works in Orange in June.

Way to go girl.

We’re all proud of you.*****Don and Alice Cole celebrated their 60th wedding anniversary at the K.C. Hall in Bridge City Saturday.

Friends and family honored them on their special day.*****Special birthdays: Ann Bryant and L.K. Jarrel both celebrate on May 14; Nancy Chenella, Deborah Ellender and Brad Johansson on May 15; Sam Lucia on May 16, Angela Breaux and Frank Finchum on May 18, Hubert ‘Sprad’ Spradling and Leon Carter on May 19.***** Tuesday, May 20, our girl Karen Dunn Gros marks her day.

Joining her is our buddy Darby Byrd, who also celebrates on May 20.*****On May 12, Mother’s Day 32 years ago, Charlie Newton was born.

That’s Granny’s boy.*****Also on May 12, one of our helpers, Sherry Walles, reached the big 50.

For the first time in 11 years both of her sons spent Mother’s Day and birthday with her.

Sgt.

Michael Walles is home prior to redeployment to Iraq for a third tour, son David Orton is in process of joining the Navy.

*****Congrats to B.C.’s Cory Smith for capturing third in the state relays in the 800 meter.

Also to the West Orange 4x100 and 4x200 track team for capturing a fourth and a second place finish.*****The Bridge City baseball team will meet Jasper this week in the state playoffs.

The teams will play Friday, 7:30 p.m.

in Nederland.

One game only, do or die.

The team needs local support. I know gas prices are high but try to fit the playoffs in.

Good luck Cards.

Keep hitting that ball.*****Thanks to Rita Burton with Herring Design in Houston, who reads us cover to cover on our website.

I’ve never seen anything that has grown as fast as our web, therecordlive.com.

We thank you all.*****Van Choate’s Tuffy’s has a new manager, Steve Kidwell, who has many years experience in the food business.

Many changes are planned and some items will be added to the menu.

Steve is a nice guy whose goal is to make Tuffy’s the number one restaurant in the Triangle, with reasonable prices.*****The Wednesday Lunch Bunch will dine at Robert’s this week.

It’s unbeatable fellowship and the girls are great too.

Everyone welcome, just come on down.*****Let me let you in on something.

Pam, at Luv’s Lingerie in Bridge City, makes the best peanut brittle in the county.

It’s so good that even the Apostolics buy it from her.

You can’t get a better recommendation than that.

I also love her candy and love her pretty good.

*****I was sorry to hear about the death of Gospel singer-songwriter Joyce ‘Dottie’ Rambo, 74, who was killed Sunday, Mother’s Day, when her bus struck an embankment.

Ironically the day she was killed, I was listening to her music sung by Ricky Van Shelton.

She was a giant in the Gospel Music industry.

Dottie had written over 2,500 published songs including Gospel classics such as ‘He looked Beyond My Faults and Saw My Need,’ one of my favorites.

Also written by Dottie was a real Gospel favorite of millions, ‘We Shall Behold Him.’ Many recorded her songs including Dolly Parton.

Dottie was on her way to perform on Mother’s Day in North Richland Hills, Texas.

A bad storm, high winds in Missouri might have let to the accident.

BIRTHDAYS THIS WEEK Easton Gibbens, Ann Bryant, Bob Wood, James Birdwell, L.K. Jarrell, Brad Johansson, Cortney Spring, Daniel Broussard, Deborah Ellender, Emily Domas, Hailey McCoun, Heather Brinson, Jaime Broussard, Kenneth Prosperie, Nancy Chenella, Ronda Savoy, Jimmy Sibert, Norman Gaspard, Samuel Lucia, Sondra Taliaferro, Clay Sims, Ed Berry, Greg Defrates, Jennifer Williams, Angelea Breaux, Barry Hunt, Denise Kincade, Frank Finchum, Jimmy Tupiln, Kim Hanks, Richard Allensworth, Shelley Dugan, Sydney Taylor, Cheryl Stone, Chris Day, Harry Dodge, Hubert Spradling, Jean Duplantis, Justin Knight, Leon Carter, Mark Watts, Niki Bennett, Bret Shuford, Dalayna Sandlin, David Jones, James Batson, Karen Gros, Lucie Rucker and Pat Bland CAJUN STORY OF THE WEEK Wen Tee Paul, wat lives on a farm near Youngsville, come down for breakfast his mother Mable axe if he had done his chores him.

“Not yet,” he answered.

His mom say, “Tee Paul, you know dat you don’t get no breakfast until your chores are done.” Tee Paul him, was ticked off.

He slams da screen door, kicks a chicken wat was feeding, kicks da cow to make her move over, den he kicks one of da pigs.

Wen he comes in for breakfast Mable gives him a bowl of cereal.

“How come I don’t get eggs and bacon and why I don’t got no milk for my cereal hanh?” He axe.

“Well,” she answer, “I saw you kick a chicken so you don’t get no eggs for a week.

Den I saw you kick da cow and a pig so no bacon or milk for a week.” “But mom,” he said jus as his papa Sostan, who had been trying to start da tractor comes in for breakfast.

Sostan him kick da cat half way across da kitchen.

Tee Paul looked up at his mama wit a smile on his face and says, “Well.” C’EST TOUT Way back in 2000 we told you if oil men George and Dick were elected, gas prices would go from 98 cents a gallon to $2 a gallon in their first term.

We further warned if they were re-elected in 2004 gas might hit $4 a gallon.

Well, it’s not far away.

We also said the invasion of Iraq was about black gold, that WMD’s had nothing to do with it.

We said that any Democrat who voted to support the invasion would pay a price for that mistake.

We now know Hillary’s vote got her off to a bad start. Obama, the darling of the 24-hour news outlets wasn’t in the senate so he didn’t vote for the war and he beat her over the head with it.

That’s a shame; the first woman president in 200 years would have been a good one.

No president was elected since 1916 that didn’t carry West Virginia.

Sen.

Clinton will carry it Tuesday but it’s too late to win the nomination unless she takes it all the way to the convention.

The media has declared Obama the winner already.

In my wildest dreams I never thought I’d see this day coming.

I believe Hillary would have been the best president since FDR and in a normal race against a white candidate she would have won hands down.*****Earthquakes, cyclones, tornados, floods, storms, fires etc.

have taken over 100,000 lives since I ended this column last week.

Do you think God might be telling us something? *****Gotta go.

Thanks for your time.

Remember if you’re an advertiser the Record gets results.

Take care and God bless.