From the Creaux's Nest

COX’S INDIAN DANCE PRODUCES RAIN

We had received less than two inches of rain this year going into this week.

Last Wednesday, with the full moon, Neighbor Cox did his Indian rain dance.

I called him Thursday morning to see how it went and he was optimistic that his dance would work.

Instead of midnight, he danced at 11 p.m.

I asked why? He said, “To avoid a photographer Dunn would have out here at midnight.” He said by this time next week, we would have a good amount of rain.

He also said, “I did a slow dance so it would take longer for the rain to come but it would last longer, not just a fast shower going through.” “We’ll have rain Tuesday and a good rain Wednesday and some Thursday,” he said.

“Why Wednesday, that’s the day we throw the paper?” I asked.

He answered, “Some people are never satisfied.” He’s right, we needed the rain bad, we’ll throw around the rain and I hope we get two inches or more.

I wish he had done his dance at May’s full moon also.

It would have saved the crop.

“There you go complaining again,” Cox said.

*****Come along, I promise it won’t do you no harm.

ON THE POLITICAL FRONT

Texas has now passed a voter ID law.

Opponents say the law is designed to stifle turnout among students, poor people and minorities who are more likely to vote for Democrats but lack government issued ID’s such as driver’s licenses or passports.

Texas is not the only state requiring photo ID’s.

Alabama, Kansas, South Carolina, Tennessee and Wisconsin also have this requirement.

Bills in New Hampshire and North Carolina are waiting on governor’s signature.

The measures were all passed by the GOP controlled Legislature.

Republicans now control 26 states so look for more ID laws to pass.

David Axelrod, an Obama strategist, called the ID legislation a “calculated strategy.” “It’s ironic that when people all over the world are dying for the right to vote, in this country some are working to limit the franchise.”*****Congressional redistricting in Texas brought out an interesting argument between Con.

Kevin Brady and Con.

Ted Poe over a mostly uninhabited 300-acre track in north Harris County.

With only 28 residents, the tract caused the two congressmen to do some arm-twisting because it’s the site of the proposed Exxon Mobil world headquarters.

The tract currently falls inside Poe’s district and Brady was accused by some legislatures of a “power grab.” Brady won out when the House was reminded that he was a former member of the Texas House.

The crown jewel went to Brady.

He and Poe issued a statement stating that there is no animosity.

*****Gov. Rick Perry has been using pray and God to gain national traction.

He is hosting a “Day of Prayer and Fasting” in Houston on Aug. 6.

He fired a crowd up in New Orleans at the Republican Leadership Conference on Saturday.

I believe he’s trying to land a VP spot.

Win or lose, he would then do like Palin and make get rich money on the talk circuit.

If he announces for president the national media will open his book on political donations, state grants he controls, appointments, character and his roll with anti-gay groups.

This should also open him up to the 2004 worldwide media rumor about his gay affair that never was proven or corroborated.

Running for president is brutal.

I don’t believe Perry wants in that hot seat, plus he will have to defend his multi-billion dollar cuts in public education and health and human services.

Texas has the fourth highest percentage of children living in poverty and the most uninsured citizens in the nation.

Also, I don’t believe the country is ready for another Texas president.

I bet the Bushes, who know Rick, will not support him.

CONDOLENCES

We were sorry to hear about the accidental death of Michael Wuske, 21, from West Orange. He died Sunday, June 19, after diving from the historical swing bridge on Hwy. 12, in Deweyville. Our deepest sympathies to his family. Please see obit. *****We were also sorry to hear about the death of Julie Hale, 63, who passed away June 13. She was the daughter of former Orange mayor Paul Hale and wife “Chockey.” May she rest in peace. Please see obit.

TURNING BACK THE HANDS OF TIME

12 Years Ago-1999

Lt.

Gov. Bob Bullock died last week.

He and Louis Dugas served together in the Texas House for two terms.

In 1959 they were on the wrong side of the speakers race.

Bullock went on to hold other statewide offices and ended up being one of the most powerful Lt.

Governors in Texas history.

*****The contract has been let for a new Mexican Restaurant in Bridge City.

Tequila’s will be first class, with a covered courtyard.

Jack Lovet is the electrical contractor.

(Editor’s note: Has that already been 12 years? I still call it the new Mexican Restaurant on Texas Avenue.)*****Judge David Dunn announces he would not seek re-election to District Court. (Editor’s note: What became of him anyway?)*****New Bridge City baseball coach, Sam Moore, will soon join other head coaches to hold a Little League baseball camp.

Coach Steve Griffith of LC-M and Coach Cory Gafford, of Lumberton, will join Moore on June 30 to July 1, in the camp for boys and girls, ages 5 to 14.

*****Owen and Sherry Hebert, of Bridge City, announce the engagement of their daughter Selena Leigh Hebert, to Thomas “TJ” Knight, son of Chris and Annalee Knight.

The couple plans a July 10th wedding at St. Henry Catholic Church in Bridge City.

(Editor’s note: This great couple, still together, has added a couple of little Knights.

The family now lives in the Dallas area.

Annalee has since passed away, the rest of their parents and family live in Bridge City.)*****Doug Harrington, a former Texas Aggie track star, was spotted at a track meet where pole-vaulter Jacob Davis was performing.

Doug was seen wearing a Texas tee-shirt and waving the Hook ‘Um Horns sign.

The picture has been preserved.

Doug said he wore Longhorn garb in support of his friend Jacob.

*****Langston and Margie Fredrick celebrate their 38th wedding anniversary June 20.

(Editor’s note: That makes their 50th this week.

Congrats and best wishes to a great couple.

32 Years Ago-1979

Three young men and a young lady lost their lives in a Port Arthur auto-train crash.

The men are Allen “Bull” Middlebrooks, Ronald Smith and Adam Wayne Gaspard, all four victims were from Bridge City.

*****The Bridge City Rotary Club will install C.R. Nash as president replacing Albert Gore.

*****ABC journalist Bill Stewart is gunned down execution style by Sandinista soldiers in Nicaragua.

*****On June 30, the lovely, sexy legal secretary, Barbara Mulhollen, will celebrate her birthday.

(Editor’s note: Goodness, that was 32 years ago and I believe I met the lovely DA secretary 15 years before that.

Haven’t seen her in years but I understand she might still be doing legal secretary work.

Happy birthday.)*****Coach Wade Phillips turns 32 on June 21.

He is the son of coach Bum Phillips, both Orange natives.

(Editor’s note: It’s hard to believe knowing Wade when he was 32 that next year he will be Social Security age.)

37 Years Ago-1974

The National Little League winning team members are Paul Romano, Sam “Bucket” Moore, Gary Stephens, Willie Brown, Jessie Romano, Shedrick Logan, Duke Cotton, Kenny Smith, Allen Townsend, Lewis Moore, Henry Cotton, Randy Boon and Kevin Newton. Coaches are Billy Joe Smith and Earl Evans. (Editor’s note: I wonder how many have kept up with each other? Not many I bet.)

52 Years Ago-1959

Full scale clearing of a 34-acre site for construction of MacArthur Shopping Center has begun. *****Louis “Satchmo” Armstrong is gravely ill and in a coma. *****Ingemar Johansson defeats world champion Floyd Patterson in 2:03 minutes of the third round. (Editor’s note: On June 20, 1960, Patterson knocked out Johansson in the fifth round to become the first boxer to regain the world heavyweight title.)

BIRTHDAYS THIS WEEK

Don Finley, Paul Richardson, Gean Hammett, Caitlin Wells, Charlene Braus, Nora Anne Minor, Phyllis Nimitz, Mary Foreman, Laurie Louvier, Ken Johnson, Roberta Overstreet, Sissy Braus, Betty Merchant, Jeania Craus, Kim Turbeville, Jaden Trahan, Ronnie Broussard, Barbara Garza, Wesley Smith, Amanda Adams, Judy Gerrald, Kathy Marsh, Erin McFarlane, Chris Humble, Linda Taylor, Becky Hodgkinson, Marie Williamson, Phyllis Davis, Reggie Rogers, Jan Henry, Judy Cagle, Rodney Davis, Sherby Dixon, Barbara Whitrock, Bridgett Teaff, Claudine Hogan, David Kimbell, Jessica Simon, Kristin Lollar, Shanna MacCammond, Shanna Scott, Trevor Kimbell, Jimmy Marshall, Jody Raymer, Dorris Norwood, Jeff Bourdier, Jeri Whitmire, Al Baas, Joan Cummings, Karen Tomlin, Kourtney Derouen, Leighia Barron, Tina Bernard, Brett Barclay, Connie Berry, Eric Broom and Kelly Kimbrough.

A FEW HAPPENINGS

Coach Jeff Bennett is changing teams.

He’s leaving the Bobcats to become a Wildcat.

We wish him well.

Wanda Holts Reinert and Diana Holts stopped by.

Wanda’s husband recently died and she is having a big garage sale, tools, cars, bulldozer and lots of other stuff.

See ad in our classified section.

Diana, the daughter of the late Morgan and Doris Holts, lives in Austin.

She is now 62 years old and has 10 grandchildren.

Her sister, Donna, is a longtime resident of Denver and has a 10 years old daughter.

Brother Rocky is an electrician in Henderson.

Can’t get that boy out of Texas.

It’s always nice to see lifelong friends.

Doris died 17 years ago, the last time I saw these kids.

*****Up to no good.

I got a call from Johnny Montagne telling me he and “Cochise” Shockley were hanging together.

Karen Jo says that’s all right as long as they don’t go vote together.

They would upset the apple cart. *****Former Orangeite Kaye Sexton, 66, died in Midland on June 14.

Kaye was a lawyer but preferred teaching She taught at Little Cypress-Mauriceville while in this area.

She was divorced from Charles Sexton.

They lost their only child, son Scott, several years ago.

Midland was home to Kaye.

*****Our friend Mary Alice Hartsfield left her Vidor tax office job last week and will pitch-hit at the Veteran’s Office where she has several years experience.

*****Congrats to Granger Chevrolet.

Al and Dean were honored last week by the Greater Orange Area Chamber as “Business of the Quarter.” They are hard working guys who do a good job.

*****We heard from Ron Sigler with a Father’s Day message.

Good to hear he’s alive and well somewhere in Cajun Country.

*****Keith Oberman, former MSNBC “Countdown” host for eight years is re-emerging on Current Television at 7 p.m.

The cable channel was co-founded by Al Gore and Joel Hyatt.

*****Mark Dunn, of The Record Newspapers, was named to the 2011 Media Honor Roll, sponsored by the Texas Association of School Boards (TASB) of Bridge City ISD. The media honor roll recognizes media representatives statewide for fair and balanced reporting of news about public schools.

In most cases, local school boards pass a formal resolution and present a personalized certificate to their nominated news media.

*****Our longtime friend Ron Moreau has beat the odds and is still alive.

Seven weeks ago, he crashed an ultra-light plane for the third time in the past 20 years.

This crash wasn’t as bad as the first fall out of the sky but it was bad enough for him to call it quits.

He came down in an eight-foot deep ditch on Hwy.

1442.

His wound wouldn’t heal and he was put on a wound vac to drain the injury.

He’s had skin grafts and will require more.

All in all, he’s counting his blessings and has his plane for sale.

I understand his bud, Al Judice, is still flying and he now needs another flying buddy.

I know where you can get a good deal on a plane, call 735-9102.

*****Special folks celebrating their special day are former Record employee, now with the Stark Foundation, our friend Amanda Adams also the mother of Luke and Mason, is a year older on June 14.

Also on the same day is Kathy Marsh, Dwayne’s better half.

***Our buddy, Pct.

1 Constable Chris Humble celebrates on June 25.

***Ms.

Pearl’s son-in-law, Beverly’s hubby, Jody Raymers carves another notch on the limb of life on June 27.

I bet there’s a party.

***Kenny Kimbrough celebrates on June 28 and so does Tina Bernard.

***FaceBook friends celebrating June 20 is Mike Jeter; Marisa Jennings celebrates May 25; Bridget Marceaux, Claudine Hogan and Lynn Guidry on June 27 and Brenda Guidry on June 28.

Happy birthday to all.

*****The Wednesday Lunch Bunch honored 93-year-old Wilson “King” Dunn on his birthday last week.

Over 30 people attended.

Novrozsky’s was in charge of the beautiful birthday cake.

County Judge Carl Thibodeaux, commissioner Owen Burton, who has known Mr. Dunn all of his life, “King’s’ son, judge Derry Dunn, judges Janice Menard and David Peck, constable Mark Philpott and lovely Babette, constable Chris Humble and a host of friends were in attendance.

This week, the Bunch dines at Robert’s and then back to Uncle Jim’s place next week.

Everyone is welcome.

*****Port Arthur Thomas Jefferson High School, in 1961, graduated 465 students.

It was an interesting class, 89 students are now deceased, including Richard Nayola, who was killed in Vietnam.

Among the group are doctors Charles Killingsworth and Charles McFatter, attorney John Price, entertainer Allen Michon and Neal Sirman, who, with his wife, circled the globe in a sailboat.

The most famous of the 61’ class however is coach Jimmy Johnson, who won three Super Bowls with the Dallas Cowboys.

The 50th class reunion will be Friday and Saturday and Jimmy will come down from Florida to attend.

The famous Red Hussars will perform.

The reunion will be held in the Holiday Inn Park Central and will be open only to the T.J. class of 1961.

There will be plenty of beautiful people, none lovelier than Jean Moreau.

She’s held up really well despite babysitting Ron for 42.years.

*****University of Texas got knocked out of the College World Series, dropping the first two games.

Jacob Felts, a freshman from Orangefield, accounted for himself and made us proud.

Meanwhile, after losing the first game, A&M was defeated by California’s Cinderella team Tuesday, leaving Texas with no team in the series.

*****We wish a speedy recovery to our friend Don Stanton, who is in the hospital after suffering a heart attack.

Wife Mary is by his side expecting him to be transferred to Houston.

God speed.

*****We welcome aboard Taylor Wendt, LC-M grad, who is serving The Record Newspapers as an intern.

She’s a journalism student at A&M where she is a sophomore.

This week the paper is featuring her first story.

*****On June 25, 1950, 61 years ago, the Korean War started.

Can you believe it? *****It’s been 29 years ago this week, 1982, since a jury found John Hinckley Jr.

not guilty by reason of insanity, in the shooting of President Reagan and three other men.

*****

CELEBRITY BIRTHDAYS

On June 22, Kris Kristofferson will be 75; Meryl Streep, 62; Cyndi Lauper, 58 and Carson Daly, 38. ***Selma Blair will be 39 on June 23; Randy Jackson, 55; Jason Mraz, 34 and KT Runstall, 36. ***On June 25, Carly Simon will be 66; George Michael, 48 and Jeff Cohen, 37. ***Chris Isaak will be 55 on June 26; Chris Odonnell, 41; Derek Jeter, 37 and Michael Vick, 31. ***June 27, J.J. Abrams, 45 and Tobey Maquire, 36. ***Mel Brooks will be 85 on June 28; Kathy Bates, 63; John Cusack, 45 and Karim Abdul-Jabbar, 37.

CAJUN STORY OF THE WEEK

Wen school let out for da summer, Bobby desided, before he got all involved in summer activities, he should go spend a couple of days wit his MaMa and Paw Paw, in Pecan Island. He packed a few tings, got in his old pickup and drove from Abbeville to da old folks place.

He found his Grandpaw sitting on da porch in da swing wit nuttin on but a shirt, naked from da waist down. “Paw Paw,” Bobby say, “Wat you doing you, sitting out here wit nuttin on below you waist, hanh?”

Old man Brasseaux him, don’t say a ting.

Bobby him, axe again. Den he say, “Paw Paw, you weenie is out for everyone to see.”

Da old man look up at him and say, “Well, Tee Neg, it’s like dis, las week I sit out hear wit no shirt on and I got a stiff neck me.”

You have to axe you grandma about dat, dis was her idea.

C’EST TOUT

It’s Tuesday, June 21 at 1:16 p.m.

as I walked outside to watch summer arrive.

It will have to go some to outdo the spring that we just said goodbye to.

The hottest, driest spring I recall.

The first couple of days of summer is promising rain.

Spring didn’t even bring April showers so summer is at least starting out with more promise of moisture.

I don’t believe summer will exceed the high temperatures we had through the spring.

The times, they are a changing, even with our weather.

In Southeast Texas predicting the weather is always a guessing game.

Do you ever recall a Fourth of July without fireworks? That’s like Christmas without Santa Clause.*****The Republican Party is still trying to find a flag bearer that can defeat President Obama.

Jon Huntsman, former Utah governor, threw his hat in the ring Tuesday.

His scrutiny is now beginning.

With a dozen running in the primary the vote will be cut up like a boarding house pie.*****I hope everyone gets a fair amount of rain and I hope it’s a summer filled with showers and no storms..*****Gotta go.

Thanks for your loyalty.

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The views expressed in this column are my own.

Thanks for your time.

Take care and God bless.