From the Creaux's Nest

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 affected our business.

Our production people, who live in Port Arthur, couldn’t get in.

If the freeze prevents our publications from coming out of Lafayette, then the papers will be distributed late.

It’s just crazy how so little cold weather can shut down an entire region, when other parts of the country live with 12 inches of snow, blizzards and near zero temperatures. It’s their way of life and they treat it like it’s normal. They don’t miss a beat.

Even though we have been disrupted from our regular routine, I wouldn’t trade with them.

I prefer a couple of days of shutdown rather than living with all that snow and ice and calling it normal.

They can have it.

Only 49 days remain before spring officially arrives.

I think for the most part, we will only see one more cool down.

Before long we will be fighting the heat and dodging storms.

Maybe by the time you read this we will be on the upswing.

A great weekend is ahead with a lot of sunshine.

Enjoy it and be thankful we live in the South, where freezing rain is not normal.

*****I’ve got to get going.

I’ll do the best with what I’ve got. Come along, I promise it won’t do you no harm.

ORANGE EYES ON THOMAS IN SUPER BOWL

Super Bowl XLVIII pits the Denver Broncos and Seattle Seahawks Sunday.

Several local football fans I’ve spoken with have mixed feelings about the game.

They would like to see Payton Manning win a Super Bowl and yet they feel a loyalty to Orange’s own Earl Thomas.

In an interview Monday, Denver receiver Demaryius Thomas said about Seattle’s legion of ‘Boom Secondary,’ “Cornerback Richard Sherman and strong safety Kam Chancellor provide the Boom.

Free safety Earl Thomas is the brains behind the Boom.

I think he’s the best in the league.

He’s always around the ball, making tackles.

You don’t see him making mistakes.

Earl’s the guy whose speed affects the game and his smartness complements it.

His speed and cleverness are just crazy.” Earl is only 24 years old and has been voted for a third consecutive year to the Pro Bowl.

He said, “One of my goals this season was to be the best teammate possible and try to elevate everyone around me by being the best communicator and leader and doing it every day.

Being the same guy, with attention to detail.

People around me see that and they feed off it.” Now Earl Thomas is in the Super Bowl.

He said, “It’s a great feeling, a great atmosphere.” As a player and competitor you love to see a little child in your jersey.

You just feed off of that because they all look up to you.

It’s just a great time, especially when God puts me on a platform like this.” Sunday, Earl will have his hands full with Peyton Manning and talented receivers.

Earl said, “He’s a great quarterback and he’s seen a lot of football.

It’s just their whole attack in general.

It’s a lot of play action, deep developing routes, especially if they get their running game going.” The odd makers have Denver a 2.5 point favorite.

Other outlets have Denver winning 31-28 in overtime.

My belief is that if Seattle can score 28 points, Earl and his ‘Boom Secondary’ will win the game.

Regardless, Earl Thomas makes Orange County proud.

The word is Earl will be back in Orange next week.

Pull up a chair, the NFL’s best offense vs. the best defense.

All Orange eyes will be on Earl to bring home a Super Bowl ring.

The big game will be televised on FOX. Game time is 5:30 p.m.

Sunday at MetLife Stadium.

Forecast: fair skies with a high of 39 degrees and a low of 23 degrees, 20 percent chance of precipitation.

CONDOLENCES

We were saddened to learn of the death of Nolan Joseph Devillier, 82, of Bridge City, who passed away Wednesday, January 22, 2014, at St. Elizabeth Hospital in Beaumont.

Services were held Monday, January 27.

Our deepest sympathies to daughters Gwen, Ginger, Kathy, son Wayne and the entire family.

May he rest in peace.*****We also send our sympathies to the family of Andi Rodrigue, age 50, of Orangefield, who passed away Friday, Jan. 24.

Andi was preceded in death by her husband, Kurt Cordell Rodrigue, father, John Robert Peveto and step-father, John Cutaia. She is survived by daughter, Maci Rodrigue Wilmore, mother, Margie Cutaia, brother, Ronny, sisters, Patti and Johnna, step-brother V.R. and many nieces and nephews.

Please see obituary.

TURNING BACK THE HANDS OF TIME

10 Years Ago-2004

Local female boxer, Valerie Mahfood, is returning to the ring in a Texas title bout with Carletta Ewell.

Mahfood, who works out and trains at the GYM, in Bridge City, holds the world championship in the IBF light heavyweight, 175 pound class for women.

Boxer Derick Buford, fresh from winning Texas Silver Gloves boxing championship for 132 pound 12 and 13 year olds, headed to the region six championship in Arkansas, where he brought home the championship.

(Editor’s note: I wonder what happened to that young boxer? He would be around 23 today.)*****Bridge City 12 year old bags an eight point buck.

Cody Greer downed the deer at the Double D Hunting Club off Hwy.

1442.*****Pannal Aaron Sanders, a 2001 LC-M grad, received his Bachelor of Science degree from LSU. He completed his student teachers at Lee High School in Baton Rouge.

His parents are Alan and Myra Sanders of Orange.

Grandparents are Judy McClelland, the late Joe McClelland, Lynwood Sanders and the late Doris Sanders.*****The Orangefield school board extended the contract of Superintendent Mike Gentry for three years.

Gentry’s contract had expired in June.*****Anabel and Arthur Anderson celebrated their 66th wedding anniversary on Feb. 3.

Arthur also celebrated his 91st.

Birthday on the same day.

(Editor’s note: Both of these great people have passed away in the last ten years.

Anabel died about three years ago.

She was a real sweetheart.)*****Kristin Broussard celebrated her fourth birthday Jan. 28.

(Editor’s note: Happy 14th.)*****GONE BUT NOT FORGOTTEN. Charles Morvent, Jr., 74, of Mauriceville, died last week Jan. 21.***William “Bill” Sullivan, 60, of Orange, died Jan. 17.***Robert A Bourgeois, 71, of Orange, died Thursday, Jan. 22.***Arthur “Mike” Borres, 61, of Orange, died Jan. 19.***Percy L. Gaston, 77, of Orange, died Jan. 22.***Frances Loiacano Staley, 89, died Jan. 22.

You might remember her from the courthouse concession stand she and her sister, Marie Tindall, operated for 33 years.

Audie Parsons, 80, of Orange, died Jan. 23.*****Bradley O’Neal Choate, 77, of Orange, died Sunday Jan. 25.

He worked as a barber and later retired from Orange County.

The Center Texas native was a World War II Army vet.

35 Years Ago-1979

Sallie Inman and Paul Gautier have the lead roles in West Orange High School’s drama “Davie and Lisa.”*****Bridge City Optimist club honors Mary Loyd for her service to the youth.

President Tommy Wardell made the presentation.

*****President Jimmy Carter pardoned Patty Hurst after 22 months of confinement.

Patty announced she would be marrying her former bodyguard on Valentine’s Day, Feb. 14.*****Chinese Vice Premier Ting Hslad Peng’s visit to the United States dominates the news.*****The twins, Rosalie Clark and Mary Ann Scofield, celebrate their birthday Jan. 30.*****Tim Dionne celebrates his 9th on Feb. 1 and on Feb. 3, Don Kachtik celebrates his special day.*****On Jan. 21, Judge Sid and Mrs. Denise Caillavet celebrated their 62nd anniversary.*****Two epidemics are running rampant in Orange County.

One is the FluBug, the other is DeVorses.*****KOGT hires a new midday, 1 p.m.

to 5 p.m,.

Monday thru Friday, disc jockey.

Arthur E. “Terry” Lloyns is blind and has been since shortly after birth.

55 Years Ago-1979

State Representative Louis Dugas has been appointed to five legislative committees. Dugas supported Waggoner Carr’s Speaker of the House opponent Rep. Joe Burkett, in a bitter campaign for the speakership.*****Dow Gene Anderson, of Bridge City, fresh from a second round knockout over Bruce Hill, will be seeking his third straight welterweight championship in the Golden Gloves tournament. He has won nine straight fights by knockouts.*****Mrs. Harry Singletary is honored by Pilots with life membership.

A FEW HAPPENINGS

Nancy Vincent said her goodbyes Monday at First Financial Bank.

After 40 years in banking she has now retired.

Her plans now are to do home improvements and to travel.

Most importantly, she plans to spend more time visiting with her mom who is in a far away assistant living facility.

We thank her for her friendship and wish her happy sailing.*****Robert Dale Vance is an “Old Rocker“ who can‘t get enough of those rock concerts.

He and Karen Jo made it to Marksville, Louisiana to catch a performance of KANSAS. Good concert, great time.

Speaking of Karen Jo, our county clerk, who doesn‘t have an opponent, got a letter informing her that she again has been endorsed by the Sabine Area Central Labor Council.

I believe everyone who knows Karen Jo supports the way she runs our county clerk‘s office.*****Sheriff’s bailiff Harry Meaux says the best way to not eat or nibble while watching TV is to not have any food in the house.

It works for him.

That‘s a little extreme.

Not even grapes Harry?*****A few folks we know celebrating their special day.

On Jan. 29, the Amedo twins, Lynn Greenwell and Leslie Smith celebrate.

D.J. “Ace” Amedo is their proud dad.***Our buddy Bobby’s better half, a nice lady, Devra Cormier, moves up a year.

She’s still looking great.

Also, on this day, good old boy Wyman Ogden celebrates.

They share a birthday with Oprah Winfrey who turns 60.*****On Jan. 30, Brenda Dubose, Jason Myers, Amy Campbell, Ted Blanchard and Shirley Jordan all celebrate.*****Jan. 31 is Skipper’s youngest, Scott Free, who has cost a bunch, is a year older and a little bit wiser.***Telisha Kuykendall, a special lady who teaches special education at BCISD celebrates her big day.

Also, our West Orange friend, Marty Delano, is catching up with the rest of us.

They all share birthdays with Justin Timberlake, who turns 33.*****Feb. 1 finds Amanda’s twins, Lucas and Mason Adams, a year older.

Must make mom, who works for the Stark Foundation, feel a little older.***Virginia Williams, Wayne Sullivan and Bobby Anderson also celebrate on this day.*****Feb. 2, Don Kachtik, one of Bear Bryant’s boys, who survived Junction and football at A&M, celebrates another big day.*****Feb. 4, super star champion pole vaulter, the late Dot’s grandson, Eric Eshbach celebrates.***Also, Shirley Brandon, David Brandon, Mel Moreau, Brad Freeman, Lisa Ludwig and Sylvia Holloway all celebrate.

Happy birthday to all.

Please see complete list.*****I’m told many of the courthouse employees are so young they’ve never experienced an iced over vehicle before.

Last week they were calling their offices and asking how to get their doors and windshields unfrozen.

A few of the old troopers, however weathered the cold and arrived on the job early.

Karen Jo said when she arrived at 7 a.m., Judge David Peck was already arraigning inmates at the county jail.

D.A. John Kimbrough’s car spent the night out and took some deicing only to freeze up again before lunch.

Other employees braving the icy weather were Sheriff Keith Merritt, Deputy County Clerk Angelique Cook, who arrived with her wiper blade in her hand.

Apparently, windshield wipers were not made to scrape off ice.*****Last Friday, Jeb’s boy, George P. Bush, candidate for Texas Land commissioner, made an appearance at Robert’s Steak House. Most of the local GOP candidates were there to greet him.

That was the poorest publicized event I’ve ever seen for a statewide candidate.

A few people I know would have liked to have met him.*****WEEKEND HEADLINES: “Winnie mother faces charges in the death of her two year old daughter.”***“Houston man accused of strangling Mom.”***“Man charged in son’s death in Liberty County.” This makes me realize how far down as a society we’ve come in my lifetime.

This is the kind of stuff we used to hear about in third-world countries.*****One of the lamest political excuses I’ve ever heard is “I didn’t leave the Party, the Party left me.” I suspect those saying it have a guilt problem.*****Here’s a great idea to feed your Super Bowl guest.

Peggy’s on the Bayou will fix you a large platter of Shrimp Po-boys, specially seasoned and prepared.

Give them a call at 886-1115 and ask for Peggy.*****Sen.

Rand Paul says women are responsible for the behavior of their husbands.

He blames Hillary for Bill Clinton’s actions.

I bet women around the country will resent Hillary again being made a victim.

The GOP constantly alienates women.

Even Huckabee sunk to a new low point with women last week.

Here in Texas, the GOP, FOX News and talk radio are bashing Sen.

Wendy Davis. They are trashing her personally, not her platform.

To me that means they’re running scared.

Women attacks can backfire.

It enforces the GOP’s war on women.*****Mark Dunn’s youngest daughter, Jenna, husband Robby and the two kids, Nate and Delilah, flew in Saturday from Boston.

They drove off Monday afternoon, ahead of the cold weather, in a Jeep they got from her dad.

While in Bridge City they celebrated Delilah’s 6th birthday and cousin Leland, Garrett and Brittney son’s 5th birthday.

By Tuesday, the Bellou family was halfway to Boston with a slight detour to New Orleans for Beignets at Café Du Monde.*****Sales have been good at Harmon’s Pre-owned Autos on MacArthur and Henrietta Street, that is until the ice storm came in Tuesday.

A new supply of pre-owned pickup trucks, different makes and models, have just arrived.

Before you buy check with the Harmon boys, with low overhead they can sell for less.*****MugBugs, on Hwy.

62, is bringing Foret Tradition to town this Friday, Jan. 31.

Those guys will light up the place.

Get tickets early, it will be a sellout.*****Johnny Dishon and wife, Kristy were spotted at the Bridge City girls Silsbee basketball game Monday night.

They are expecting a boy and Johnny’s already excited about another Dishon on the field of sports a few years down the road.

Dishon speed is a blessing.

I recall when Johnny beat Earl Thomas in the 100.*****Tax Collector Lynda Gunstream was in full force taking in those tax payments.

A reminder, Friday, Jan. 31, is the last day to pay and avoid a penalty.

Also, Lynda says come in early to avoid Friday’s long lines, remember the courthouse was closed Tuesday.*****The Wednesday Lunch Bunch will dine at Peggy’s Off the Bayou, Hwy.

62, this week, weather permitting.

Next week, the Bunch will dine at Robert’s.

Everyone is welcome.

Birthdays This Week

Christy Reves, Delondra Cooper, Dola Rucker, Jordan Guererro, Marjorie Gandy, Michele Moore, Sara Childs, Judy Ford, Lee Ann Jaarah, Liz Fontenot, Jeremy Delano, Fred Kennedy, Judy Harrison, Jordan Guidry, Dan Batchelor, Robert Montagne, Drew Domas, Inez Jones, Judy Brownlie, Mandy LeBauve, Patricia Davis, Vicky Stanley, Ann McDuff, John Chauvin, Kim Harmon, Mellisa Tuttle, Rolf Schulz, Alayna George, Tom Edwards, Lucy Pulliam, Ashley Floyd, Bernice Say, Justin Broussard, Jeremy Crocker, Betty Drachenberg and Leah Gunstream.

CAJUN STORY OF THE WEEK

Alex Comeaux him, who was having daily headaches even after taking a bottle of aspirins and utta stuff, finally went to see Dr. Quebedeaux for help.

Da doctor him, couldn’t find anyting wrong wit him so he suggest he go get his eyes checked. Maybe it was his eyes.

Da eye doctor told Comeaux he had near perfect 20-20 eye sight and no cataracks him. Da eye doctor suggested he go see a dentist. Might be his teets.

Da dentist, Dr. Arceneaux, him, pull all of Comeaux’s teets.

Da headachs dem didn’t go away so Comeaux decide to go buy himself a new suit and stuff tinking it might make him feel better bout himself.

Da clerk say, “44 regular?”

Comeaux say, “Dat’s rite.”

“Shirt size 16 1/2-33?” da clerk axe.

Comeaux say, “Dat’s rite.”

Da clerk axe, “Wat size shorts you wear?”

Comeaux say, “Size 38.”

“Oh no,” said da clerk, “You should wear a 42 or 44, if you wear shorts that are too tight it will give you bad headaches.”

C’EST TOUT

President Obama delivered the State of the Union address Tuesday evening.

He detailed his vision for 2014 covering his domestic and foreign policy agenda.

He proposed an executive order that would raise the minimum wage to $10.10 for employees of federal contractors but he went much farther on the economy and inequality.

Very little came from his last State of the Union message.

The major reason, according to most reports, is that the 2013 congress was the least productive congress in the history of the American congress.

A new ABC poll shows that 80 percent of the American people have no confidence in the Republican Party, only 13 percent do.

The President’s job approval is only 48 percent and 68 percent say the U.S. is headed down the wrong track.

I’m not very optimistic unless the Speaker of the House works around the Tea Party members of his own Party.

It wouldn’t matter if a Republican was president, unless he was a far extremist, nothing would get done.

One example: They have censored Sen.

John McCain and Sen.

Mitch McConnell for not being conservative enough.

They support a crack pot like Stockman over Sen.

John Cornyn.

Sen.

Ted Cruz won’t even endorse Cornyn. So you see, it’s not only the Obama administration they are fighting.

The President and the leaders will have to work around the radicals or again nothing will be accomplished.*****Marlene called the other day asking about Judge Don Burgess. Ironically, the following item came across the wire about our buddy Don.

I’ll pass it on.

San Antonio--A district judge on Monday overturned the controversial New Braunfels disposable container ban.

District Court Judge Don Burgess ruled in favor of local river outfitters and a beer distributor that the city does not have the jurisdiction to regulate disposable containers on the river.

A summary judgment has been issued, but no details yet.

The ban covered aluminum cans, plastic bottles, paper towels and utensils.

The lawsuit has been pending since that year when outfitters sued the city, claiming they overstepped their legal authority.*****My time is up, hope you’re getting back to normal.

Please shop our family of advertisers, they need it now.

Take care and God bless.