From the Creaux's Nest

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 years, we didn’t do the turkey bit.

We’ve made it a fun day since.

I got to thinking about the folks who started this tradition.

The very first Thanksgiving was held in 1621.

For three days in the fall the new world settlers from England, here less than a year, joined native Wampanoag Indians to celebrate a successful harvest.

By then the original Mayflower’s 102 passengers had diminished by half after a toll-taking first year of sickness.

The Pilgrims, feasting together, played games and held shooting contest.

Over 200 years later, in 1863, President Abraham Lincoln proclaimed Thanksgiving a national holidayto be held on the last Thursday every November. In 1939 however, to boost holiday shopping during the Depression, President Franklin D. Roosevelt moved it up from November 30 to November 23. Not every state went along with that so in 1941 congress declared it to be held on the fourth Thursday of November, not necessarily the final Thursday. Lincoln designated it a national holiday 150 years ago and 72 years ago it was settled. Thanksgiving will be and has been every fourth Thursday and I’ve been here for all of them.

In those early years we didn’t have turkey and expensive ham, maybe a wild rabbit, a big chicken and sweet potatoes, cooked on a wood stove. As a nation we’ve come a long way since that 1941 Thanksgiving.

It’s not just a chicken in every pot; it’s a great expensive meal with family and friends.

That’s a good thing but along the way we became somewhat complacent, non appreciative and taking the good times for granted.Those 51 Englishmen and those Indians could only dream, we live the dream everyday and take little time to be thankful.

On this Thanksgiving take a moment to be thankful, not only for your bounty but also for those whose sacrifice gives us this free, great nation.*****I’ve got to move on.

Please come along, I promise it won’t do you no harm.

CONDOLENCES

We were very sorry to hear of the death of Betsy Dunn, age 72. She died last Thursday, November 21. Betsy was a longtime educator and community civic worker. She and her husband, Judge David Dunn, were longtime residents of Orange County. She was a wonderful, friendly lady. Funeral services were held Monday, Nov. 25, at St. Paul’s Episcopal Church in Orange. She is survived by her husband, a son and three daughters and their families. May she rest in peace. Please see obituary.

RECAPS

World powers sealed nuclear deal with Iran: Obama’s freeze deal was an important factor in easing bomb fears.

Many welcomed the agreement as an important first step towards curbing Iran’s suspect nuclear program.

Israel’s prime minister Netanyahu again condemned anything short of the outright destruction of Iran.

He said, “Israel has the right and the duty to defend itself by itself.” He knows the United States would never let them go it alone.

I believe we should let our diplomats do their work.Sanctions are not the answer.*****Rick Perry’s run for president in 2016: Frankly I think Rick’s time has come and gone on a national scale.

However, an Austin friend tells me to prepare for a blood letting in Texas if Perry does make the race.

Ted Cruz has already started setting his sights on Perry.

Texas will be an early primary state in 2016.

To have any chance, Perry or Cruz would have to carry Texas in the primary. I don’t believe either one is going anywhere but Cruz is ruthless, he’ll gut anyone who gets in his way.

Surprisingly, he has the support of Tom DeLay, Perry’s partner in redistricting.

I’ve learned not to bet against Rick Perry in Texas. He took the shots and survived.

*****Congressman Steve Stockman in more hot water: The Houston Chronicle devoted over a full page in Sunday’s paper stating, “Rep.

Stockman has failed to make federally required disclosure about business affiliations that stretch from Texas to the British Virgin Islands.

He has provided no details about the businesses he claims as his sole source of income.

He also claimed $350,000 in salary from an unexplained entity called “Presidential trust marketing.” The Chronicle was unable to find any business by that name.

Also there’s more, much more.

Congress claims to police themselves.

but where’s the hearing on Stockman? In fact, two weeks agoEric Canter hosted a $1,000 a plate fund raising for him.

Why? Because he’s a Tea Party obstruction vote.

*****On Saturday Sen.

Leticia Van de Putte, 58, became a candidate for lieutenant governor along side gubernatorial candidate Wendy Davis. They hope to end total male domination in state wide offices since Gov. Ann Richards.

The two may not win but they’re going to make the “Old Boys Club” look at their hole card. Van de Putte is very popular and the first true Latino to run for statewide office since Sanchez.

TURNING BACK THE HANDS OF TIME

12 Years Ago-2001

The Bridge City Cardinals defeated Sweeny 17-13 in the regional playoffs.

The Cards earned a slot to meet the Mexia Blackcats in the quarterfinals.

Running back Dwayne Breaux’s running style and speed has burned defenses all season.

The Bridge City senior has carried for 941 yards to date and nine touchdowns.

In the Sweeny victory, Breaux carried 14 times for 88 yards and a touchdown.

All purpose Cardinal Jamey Knight kicked a 24-yard field goal and a fake punt/pass in the fourth quarter, by Luke Wolfford, followed with the winning TD pass to Luther Sanders. The mighty Cardinal defense hasn’t given up one touchdown pass all season.

Quarterback Wolfford and Knight combined on 16 of 19 passes for 200 yards against Sweeny.

Prior to the playoffs they had thrown for 371 yards total. Both Bridge City and Mexia made it to the regional playoffs last season but didn’t survive to make it to the quarterfinals.

This week’s game will be played Saturday, 1 p.m., SFA Lumberjack Stadium in Nacogdoches.*****Pct.

3, Justice of the Peace Judge Flo Edgerly has announced that after 20 years she will not seek re-election.

Janice Menard, Edgerly’s chief clerk, has filed for the post in the March 12 primary.

Menard has many years of experience in the JP office.

*****Gone but not forgotten---Rodney S. Gremillion, 45, died Saturday, Dec. 1, at Memorial Herman in Houston.

He is survived by wife Sheila, parents, son, stepson and three sisters and one brother.

***Patsy R. Smith, 62, died Tuesday, Nov. 17, at M.D. Anderson.

***Rita Lynn Strain Galiet, 66, diedWednesday, Nov. 28, at St. Mary Hospital.

***Karl Lilyquist Sr., 74, died Nov. 27.

Military services were held Nov. 30.

***Juanita “Dollie” Johnnie Clark, 85, died Nov. 28.

***Harold McKay Huffpauir, 76, died Nov. 29 at his residency.

***Clarence Allen Parkhurst, 90, died Nov. 28.

Services pending.

***Bobby Thomas, 65, of Orange, died Monday, Dec. 3.

***Thomas Jacobs, 78, of Bridge City, died Dec. 3.

*****On a lighter note: Debbie Fusilier spent Saturday night at Beaumont Emergency Animal Hospital with herTomcat, who had pneumonia.

David will probably have a heart attack when he gets the bill.

37 Years Ago-1976

City of Orange election passes mix drinks; the Roselawn area was also voted wet.

The election was filled with controversies and fire works between the wets and the dries.

Lew Malcolm and Robert Nelson from the Orange Conventions Commission did a great job selling the wet issue.*****Greater Orange Chamber names attorney, former meat cutter, bad joke teller Roy Wingate as its Citizen of the Year.*****Carl Thibodeaux reports his pet stick stolen from his West Orange Pharmacy.

The stick is only one of three sticks custom made.

Roy Dunn and Richard Corder own the other two.

Carl is wearing a pet nozzle to comfort him while his beloved pet stick is away.

We understand the grief.

It would take a low-down scoundrel to steal something so private, personal and precious to its owner.

A reward is offered for apprehension and conviction of the thief. Bad luck follows Carl this week.

Over the weekend while fishing, he completely tore down his boat motor.

After massive repair work, a mechanic came along and pointed out that the reason the motor wouldn’t start was because the motor was in gear.*****Paul Eason watches Bugs Bunny on Sundaymorning TV.*****Sherry Morse turned 29 over the weekend.*****L.K. Jarrell, now owns Discount Tire Co. at 1023 Texas Ave. in Bridge City.*****Huey Simon, founder of H&E automotive, will be an old papa.His lovely wife, Valerie, is expecting.

Huey doesn’t know what to make of it.

His eldest child is 24, the youngest to date is 8 and one coming.*****Receiving degrees from Lamar U. on Dec. 18 from Bridge City are; Joan Little Rays, Patsy Ann Burd Dowden, Pamela Jean Poole Davis, David Paul Prejean, Robert Alexander Cummings, Catherine Swan McAllister, Taylor Allen Prejean, Dolores Faye Lalonde Jefferson and Jean Anne Rowe.*****The Bridge City Chamber banquet is set for Jan. 18. Harry Hubbard, state president of the AFL-CIO, will be guest speaker.*****Bridge City Secretary Angie Heberthospitalized in Galveston for test.*****New City Manager C.R. Nash welcomed.*****Orangefield Coach Ed Peveto named All Orange County Coach.

Players making team are B.C. Cardinals David Gauthier, Tony Mulhollan, Kim Bryant, David Cagle and Lon Hubbard.

West Orange Chiefs are: Randy Martell, James Bell, Steve Hudson, Hosie Boston, Rick Bachman, Tony January and Bennie Pousson.

Orangefield Bobcat players are: Brian Day, Ronnie Huckaby, Jeff Fruge, Ronnie Rudeseal, Dudley Kraus and Jeff Peveto.

LC-M Bears are; Wade Kachtik, Kevin Harmon, Lynn Hogg, Sam Leifeste, Richard Ellis and Shon James.

Stark Tigers: Charles Champine, Mark Eghers, Roy Rhodes, Jeff Keszeg, Patrick Sillers.

Vidor Pirate players are: Doug Seymour, Butch Leger, Cal Peveto, James Gallier and Keith Woods.*****Cal Peveto was named Outstanding Player, Tony Mulhollan, Offensive Player and Jeff Fruge named Defensive Player.

A FEW HAPPENINGS

Our buddy attorney Sharon Bearden stopped by.

He’s trying to locate a Michael O’Dell, last residence in Vidor.

He has tried in every way he knows to locate that dude.

If you happen to know him, he really needs to get in touch with Bearden soon.*****Attorney Rodney Townsend was also trying to locate anyone who knows anything about L.T. Grubbs who passed away about 14 or so years ago.*****We received a lot of response to Debby’s story on Glenn Bradley, “The Wood Toy” man.*****We spotted Judge Pat Clark at the St. Mary’s gift store and Larry Davids chicken gumbo.

Guess what Pat was doing? You got it; taking in the money.

Pat stays close to the cash, so close in fact he still has his first buck.*****Everyone knows by now that Judge Courtney is expecting twins, a boy and a girl.

Well, we learned last week that Ms.

Pearl is a twin also with her late brother Earl.

Pearl was five foot and Earl was six foot, five inches.*****We also discovered that Jody Raymer married to Beverly, one of Pearl’s lovely daughters, is the same Jody that was a baseball and basketball star at West Orange, lettering four years from 1959 to 1962.

He was a pitcher for the Chiefs in Coach Ronnie Andersons first year in 1962.

We also hear the basketball player was six feet tall in the eighth grade and he kept growing.

There are not too many four year lettermen these days in two sports.*****We got a text from Collin Gros at the end of the third quarter of the LSU/Aggie game.

Besides being cold in Tiger Stadium he said, “Turn out the lights.” He was right, LSU whipped up onJohnny and the Aggies 34-10.*****D.A. John Kimbrough rightly predicted that Oklahoma State would beat Baylor.

They did, 49-17.

He also said LSU at home might just win the game against the Aggies.

I need to get in contact with John before I place my next bet.*****The Texans were pitiful.*****The Cowboys squeezed by with a no time left field goal.*****Tom Brady spotted Payton Manning and Denver 24 points then showed them how the game is played.

New England beat Denver 34-31 in overtime.

Brady, the engineer, was impressive, overcoming turnovers.

He threw for three touchdowns in the second half after being behind 24-0 at halftime.*****A few folks celebrating birthdays in the next few days.

On Nov. 27, our buddy Melissa Fisher celebrates.

We haven’t seen her in a couple of months.

Here’s wishing her a great day.***Also celebrating is lovely Sharon Gregory, who took her mother June’s good looks.***Betty Simonton and Roy’s sister Shirley Kogas share birthdays with Caroline Kennedy, who turns 56.

She celebrated her sixth birthday five days after her father was murdered in Dallas.*****Nov. 28 finds David Fusilier, Debbie’s longtime husband and boss man at Cormier Well Service celebrating.***Also celebrating on this day is Jerry Childress, who has disappeared on us but we are always hoping to hear from him.

They share birthdays with Jon Stewart, who turns 51.*****On Nov. 29, Angela Webb, Jim Bob Aven, Troy Manuel and Freda Riley celebrate.*****On Nov. 30, our girl Evelyn Brandon, who mans our website, turns another page down the rocky road of life.

***Vance Chauvin, who is married to Cindy, one ofBuster Scales lovely daughters, celebrates.

Ray Leleux says Vance is a sometimes worker at Big Reds.

He tries not to break a sweat.*****On Dec. 1, longtime friend, Judge Flo’s hired hand, Gene Edgerly,celebrates.***Also on this day our buddy, longtime Bealls manager Bill Hare marks another one.

They joinBilly Idol, who turns 58.*****Dec. 2, finds the granddaddy of them all, Buster Lapeyrolerie, celebrating as does Lisa Walker and Vergie Thomas.*****On Dec. 3, Carolyn Andrus, the lovely, friendly lady atCentral Office Supply celebrates as does Sylvia Bland, Bill Force, Susan McCammond, Wayne Scales and Ms.

Phyl’s sister, Jo Ann Huard.

Happy birthday to all.

Please see complete list.***We also want to wish Judge Courtney Akeen a belated birthday.

She celebrated her big day Nov. 26.*****The WednesdayLunch Bunch will dine at Novrozsky’s this week and back to Robert’s next.

Everyone always welcome.*****The West Orange-Stark Mustangs keep on keeping on. After destroying West Columbia 61-7, and the Chain Gang holding the Roughnecks to only 35 total yards, they take on the Jasper BulldogsFriday, 7:30 p.m.

at Turner Field, in Humble.

All of Orange County supports the Mustangs.

“Go get ‘um Stangs.”*****Congrats to Coach DuBois and his Hardin Jefferson Hawks after a 44-22 win over Sweeny.

The Hawks take on Fairfield next.

“Get after ‘um.”*****Don’t forget the West Orange Christmas Tree Lighting Monday, Dec. 2.

The Cajun Judge Carl Thibodeaux will again read his “Cajun Night Before Christmas” for the kids.

BIRTHDAYS THIS WEEK

Mark Bourgeois, Melissa Fisher, “James “”Red”” Powell”, Nick Miller, Bobby Adams, Sharon Gregory, Tena Kenney, Abby Floyd, Betty Simonton, Cindy Huckabay, Don North, Mildred Frank, Georgietta Daves, Barbara Peveto, Andrea Tupper, Jerry Childress, Haley Barlow, Lynda Walther, Preston Shuford, David Fusilier, Tiffany Osborn, Cappy Ricks, Cassandra Carpenter, Drew Craft, Barbara Peveto, Jade Seibert, Melissa Jenkins, Keith Lange, Sharon Evans, Troy Manuel, Maddox Manuel, Abby Reynolds, Shirley Beaudion, Angela Harkness, Angela Webb, Carrisa Guidry, Freda Riley, Erik Tutt, Jim Bob Aven, Zenobia LeBlanc, Erin Evans, Jamie Applebach, Evelyn Brandon, Sandra Smith, Kenneth Manuel, Leah Vogt, Tish Garrett, Brad Braus, Howard Minor, Ricky Harper, Ryan Anderson, Vance Chauvin, Bill Hare, Ed Theriot, Stephen Clopp, John Garrison, Frank Welch, Kelsey Dardeau, Mitchell Backer, Wesley Duncan, Amanda George, Cheryl Fornols, Jake Glazner, Vergie Thomas, Lisa Walker, Beverly Blalack, Edd Brown, Eddie Robertson, Marie Moran, Wayne Scales, Barbara Blackwell, Sandra Huthison, Susan MacCammond, Todd Wilson, Trisha Anderson, Amber Franklin, Vincent Hoyt, Carolyn Andrus, Chris DeCuir, Slyvia Bland and Bill Force.

CAJUN STORY OF THE WEEK

Joe Boudreaux’s boy Lester met dis beautiful blond in da French Quarters. He fell in love rat den. He wanted to marry her rat away. Dolly, da blond, her say, “We don’t know anyting bot each utter.”

Lester say, “Dat’s alright, we’ll learn as we go.”

Dolly consented and dey went on dere honeymoon at a nice resort. While at da pool, Lester climb up to da 10 meter diving board and did a two and a half tuck gainer, a tree rotation jackknife and cut da water like a knife. Lester came back and lay down on da towel.

Dolly say, “Boy, dat was incredible.”

Lester say, “I was a national diving champion at LSU. You see, I told you we’d learn more about each other.”

Dolly got up, went to da pool and started swimming. After 24 laps she came and lay down next to Lester,not even breathing hard.

Lester say, “Dat was really someting, were you an Olympic endurance swimmer hanh?”

“No,” answered Dolly, “I was a hooker me, in Golden Meadow, Louisiana but I worked boat sides of the bayou.”

C’EST TOUT

Republicans can blame themselves for “Nuclear Options.

The Republicans repeated abuse of the filibuster to block qualified nominees just because they were Democratic picks left majority leader Harry Reid with no other options.

The GOP senate had brought the country to a standstill.

The Republicans took the filibuster to new heights and commonplace.

Both parties have used the filibuster in the past but the Republicans were holding up to 55 court appointments for over two years.

An example, half of all filibusters since George Washington were under Obama’s watch. It was a contrived effort to blockPresident Obama from any court appointments.

The “enough is enough” moment came when they tried to prevent Obama from filling open seats on the D.C. Circuit Court, the second most important court in the nation.

Each party has acknowledged the president’s constitutional right to make appointments,reserving filibusters only for extreme circumstances where they have important value in encouraging bi-partisanship.

The Republicans were abusing the system and aborting progress over and over again.

They brought the nuclear option on themselves.*****Black Friday and the weekend will be beautiful after this cold, nasty weather.

A great time to go shopping for great bargains.

Danny’s and K-Dan’s have even gotten in on the festive mood and are offering some great, once-a-year specials.*****If you’re looking for Christmas gifts don’t fail to check out Debbie’s Gold Gem in Bridge City.

She has a nice selection of jewelry with prices way below big store deals.*****Well my time is up.

Thanks for yours.

The response to this publication throughout the county is heartfelt.

No other paper offers more to the citizens at no cost.

Many readers say, “The Record is the only newspaper they need.” Read us cover to cover and please shop our family of advertisers.

Have a great and safe Thanksgiving.

We thank you for your support. Take care and God bless.