From the Creaux's Nest

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 left which will take me to Easter.

For many years, after my childhood years, I’ve gotten an Easter basket so now I expect it.

*****Saturday I made the Mauriceville Crawfish Parade, and then eased up to Buna to visit George Holder at David Self Tractor.

We didn’t get to visit much, George was just too busy.

He says he’s getting a lot of Orange County shoppers.

He also told me he bought himself one of the big ZERO mowers to mow five acres with and that’s the only way to cut grass now days.*****A meeting will be held Thursday, April 24, 5:30 p.m.

at Lamar Orange, sponsored by the Greater Orange Area, Bridge City and Vidor Chambers encouraging local folks to shop Orange County.

The county wide promotion will explain the benefits of shopping locally.

For 50 years we have been encouraging consumers to do just that.

It is a good thing for everyone.*****I was sorry to hear that our friend of many years Kenneth Smith, of K-Dan’s, suffered a heart attack recently.

However, I’m glad to report that he is doing well now after getting a stint that has cleaned the 95 percent blockage.

He is expected to be home by the weekend in time to greet the Easter bunny.

As cool a dude as Ken is, he’s the last person I figured would have heart problems, he doesn’t smoke, drink, prays a lot, but eats good.

You never know when the arteries are clogged.

*****I’d best be getting on, I’ve got a long way to go.

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

50 Years Ago - 1964

Fifty years ago, in May of 1964, a talented group of 13 year olds from Orange County really made their mark in bowling statistics. They won second place in the state TABY tournament at Longview. The members of this prestigious Brown Lane’s Junior Boys team were Jack Greenwell, Kevin Curran, Chuck Conroy, David Sparks, Harvey Reimer and Mickey Hall. The young keglers broke the state record in a semi finals match with a team score of 3274. They posted a 3038 in the finals.

OUR CONDOLENCES

Last week on April 9, “Buster” Lapeyrolerie, a longtime resident of Bridge City, passed away. Buster was a salt-of-the-earth guy who I never heard a bad thing said about him. He and wife Audrey raised a large family of great kids. Ann, Amy, Janice, Jean, Arlie, Brad, Bill and Paul. Our sincere condolences to all the family. Services were held Saturday, April 12 at St. Henry Catholic Church, where the family has been longtime members. May he rest in peace. Please see obit.

A MEDICAL BREAKTHROUGH FOR HEPATITIS C

Doctors are declaring victory over an infection that affects more than three million Americans and kills more than HIV. A series of clinical trial results on Hepatitis C virus show that a new generation of antiviral medications was able to clean the liver of ravaging virus from virtually all patient’s blood stream in as little as eight weeks, even in people with the most stubborn infections.

The new drug suppresses the virus completely.

Until now, doctors have been treating Hepatitis C with two wide-spectrum antiviral medications, Interferon and Ribavirin doses for as long as 48 weeks.

Only half of the patients are eligible for the treatment because of its side effects.

Now comes the new drug; a miracle drug.

Here‘s the catch, just one of the medications in a proposed Hepatitis C cocktail cost $84,000 to about $1,000 per tablet.

Another treatment with Simeprevir, the same class, can exceed $66,000.

Not much help for poor folks but someday hopefully it will be available to everyone.

The good news is the cure is here.

TURNING BACK THE HANDS OF TIME 10 Years Ago-2004

Marine Lance Corporal Shane Lee Goldman was honored as a hero on April 16.

Over a mile of vehicles trailed the hearse that carried his body from North Orange Baptist Church to Hillcrest Cemetery.

Automobiles, police cars and fire trucks formed the long line.

Hundreds at residents lined the street with hands over their hearts as the procession went by.

April 13 would have been his 20th birthday.

It also was the day his family took possession of the casket that held the body of their son, who was killed a week earlier on April 5 in Iraq.

Tony Houseman Company placed five large signs around the county honoring the young Marine.

Other businesses also displayed signs.

I recall my friend Louis Dugas, a former Marine, wrote a beautiful tribute telling how he had met the young Marine before he left for Iraq.

(Editor’s note: How time flies, 10 years have passed.

Today, our friend Louis is also gone.)*****Troy Johnson elected County Court at Law judge.

He out scored Sharon Bearden.

*****Bridge City tract star, state champion sprinter Michael Gautier, has committed to run track for Lamar.

*****GONE BUT NOT FORGOTTEN: Tommy W. Green, 71, died Saturday, April 17, at his home.

He was a residence of Orange County since 1943, a Stark High graduate and DuPont retiree.

Service was held at Claybar in Orange, April 25.

***Service was held for William “Bill” White, 50, of Orange, who died April 16.

*****The Bridge City Cardinal baseball team remains undefeated in the district.

This week, the Cards defeated Hardin Jefferson.

After being tied 3-3.

Hunter Hays, with runners on second and third and first base open, came to the plate.

H.J., instead of walking him chose to pitch to him.

He parked the pitch in left center.

Game over.*****Former Bridge City pitcher Luther Sanders, one of the best pitchers to come out of Cardinal land, has a 7-2 record at Blinn.

Against U.T. Brownsville, he gave up only one hit in a 9-1 win.

He struck out seven in seven innings.

40 Years Ago-1974

Texas Ave. Grocery weekly specials are: Pabst Blue Ribbon beer, 12-12oz. Cans, $1.99; lean ground round, 69 cents a lb.; Gold medal flour, 5 lb. bag, 89 cents; whole fryers, 49 cents a lb.; Chuck roast, 79 cents a lb.; sliced bacon, 69 cents a lb.; 5 pounds of potatoes, 79 cents; baby beef hind quarters, cut your way, 89 cents a lb. Owner, Dick Bivens, Speck Farris meat manager.*****Rev. W.W. Kennedy will mark his 31st anniversary as pastor of Cove Baptist Church on April 28.

The church was organized April 20, 1941 with 16 charter members.

Rev. Kennedy was called as pastor of the Cove church in April, 1943.

At the time there were 63 members, with the average attendance of 13.

Since then, there have been 6,259 additions to the church.

One thousand, nine hundred, fifty-five by Baptism and 2,476 by letter.

The present membership in 1974 is 1,213.

*****Lee Brown has a painting by Gordon Baxter of a train.

The painting hangs in his Beaumont hearing aid office.

He has turned down 300 percent profit.

Lee just won’t part with it.

(Editor’s note: Lee has since passed away.

I wonder where that painting is today.)*****HAPPENINGS: Glen Earl is doing the news on Channel 4.

*****Willie Waldrop, the bearded reporter with the Leader, leaves for a job with the Dallas Times Herald as an investigative reporter.

*****Bill Townes was elected Bridge City School Board president, Bill and wife Elaine and two sons reside at 2025 Texas Ave. He is manager of Kroger’s in Orange; C.W. Lormand was elected vice-president, Billy Christian, secretary; Gus Garza, assistant secretary.

*****Inez Hearn is the manager of Montgomery Wards on 16th Street.

*****Terry Hildalgo is now working at Charlie’s Furniture on Dupont Dr.

*****Bridge City High D.E. banquet held.

Debbie McCardle is the D.E. student working for the Opportunity Valley News, Rusty Wilson is the D.E. teacher.*****Bridge City High students Marjorie Bernhardt and Angelia Hock are finalists in the National Merit Scholarship competition.*****Alan D. Gary is running for Justice of the Peace, Precinct 1.

S.A. “Bill” Dickerson is candidate for constable of Precinct 2.

A FEW HAPPENINGS

We were sorry to learn about the death of Jerry Cox, the brother of Millard “Neighbor” Cox.

Jerry was Millard’s last sibling from Joaquin, in Shelby County.

The family had five children, three boys and two girls.

We first met Jerry several years ago on a visit to our office.

Since then his wife Emma passed away.

The couple had two daughters.

Jerry was in good health and lived alone and at age 82 was always on the go.

Jerry was a victim of what happens to so many senior citizens.

He lost his balance in the bathroom, fell and suffered a severe head injury.

The doctors couldn’t save him.

He died a couple of days later on April 12.

Service to be April 16 at Clayton Thompson Funeral Home, at 2 p.m.

Sincere condolences to our dear friend “Neighbor” and his family.

Please see obit.*****A reminder that the annual Sheriff Posse Rodeo date has been changed this year to April 25 and 26 in hopes of better weather.

I recall years ago when the Jaycees, an active group, brought in top entertainment for the rodeo.

One year I spent most of one night with Lefty Frizzell, the rodeo entertainer.

They also held a big cowboy parade.

One year movie star Tex Ritter led the parade.

Back then, during rodeo week, everyone dressed western.

That should be a tradition we bring back.

Let’s all go Texan during rodeo week.

*****Last week I met a real nice guy who is a loyal reader of this column and praised our accuracy.

I don’t know how we missed meeting before now.

Wiley Pierce is a tall drink of water.

If I had him and Rayford “High Pockets” Jimmerson on a senior citizen basketball team we would win.

Wiley and his wife Joan moved to Bridge City in 1964.

He was a truck driver for Coopers Transportation.

At age 72 he now says the highlight of the week for he and Joan is receiving their Penny Record.

Those are my kind of folks.

Wiley, it was a pleasure to finally meet you.*****In the last few months I have been noticing that Neches Credit Union has been getting more aggressive with their promotions.

I wouldn’t be surprised if they are not the next new credit union to come to Orange County, probably to Bridge City.

We’ll see if I’m right on that one.

*****Congrats to Orangefield ex-baseball star Chase Angelle.

He completed a great game for Lamar on the mound in the 6-1 win over New Orleans.

Chase allowed only one earned run.

Lamar is on a roll and has won six games in a row.

This is proof that Lamar can do well in all sports by recruiting local youngsters.*****Ms.

Phyl’s sister Jo, who lives in Hot Springs, Arkansas, said that over 50,000 visitors were in town for the final race day at Oaklawn.

She says the horse to watch in the Kentucky Derby is Danza, named after Tony.

The horse won the 1-1/8 mile race that went off at 40-1.

*****Bubba Watson captured his second Masters in a row.

Bubba finished with 69 to win his second green jacket.

Bubba is from the Florida Panhandle town of Bagdad.*****Coach Chad Landry’s Bridge City Cards baseball team keeps rolling on undefeated in district with three games to go.

Pitcher Chase Shugart keeps getting stronger with each outing.

He struck out 16 and allowed only one hit in a 2-1 win over Silsbee.

He could very well get that no hitter before the season ends.*****A few folks we know celebrating birthdays this week: On April 16, a youngster we have known since she was sucking on a baby bottle, Hal and Laverne Ridley’s first of two daughters, Kirby Cruse, wife of preacher George Cruse, celebrates on this day.***Also celebrating is Judy Pittman, Betty Forman and Lillian Mercer.*****On April 17, a nice lady, Cheryl Puntes, celebrates as does Matthew Franklin, Ronnie Haymon and Shelby Bickham.*****April 18, is Good Friday, it’s also the birthday of Mike Peebles, the former barbecue king at Yellow Rose.

I’ve lost tract of his whereabouts but I haven‘t heard that he‘s in jail.

That boy is something else.

If you ever met him, you wouldn’t forget him.

I wonder if his pretty wife Darlene is still hanging or if she’s flown the coop.*****On April 19, Shirley Bonnin, the pride of West Orange, celebrates as does Dustin “Dusty” Gibbs, Nicole’s other half.

The couple moved to Oklahoma but reads us on line.

***Cheryl Patterson, Barbara Sarver and Mandi Chesson also celebrate.

Celebrating also, last but not least, is our longtime friend Bill Nickum.

*****Celebrating April 20, Easter Sunday, is pretty ex-teacher, Jody’s wife, Pearl’s baby, Beverly Raymer, mother of two, Billy and David, and grandmother to a few.***Also celebrating on this day is Theresa Lieby, Bill Broussard, Ken Brown and Belinda Norman.*****I was a youngster when I first met Joy Simmons McNamara.

She celebrates a birthday on April 21.

Also celebrating on this day is Courtney Williams, Dana Hill and a nice young man Christian Dubois Simmonton.***On this day also, in 2010, a great guy Mickey McNamara, 74, was murdered.*****Earth Day, April 22, Joey’s bride, Adrienne Colletti Platt’s birthday.

Also celebrating are Amelia Hollier and Scott Fisher.*****A couple of our friends, Jeff McCarson, owner of MudBugs, on Hwy.

62 and Mike Hamilton, owner of the Catfish Kitchen, in Beaumont, and former owner of Tuffy’s, have joined together to re-open West Bar & Grill, on Calder, in Beaumont.

They opened Monday.

*****People who plan ahead should right now be checking pricing on something we will all need.

Hillcrest Memorial Gardens and Forest Lawn Cemetery have reduced prices on spaces and offer several options during this promotion.

A free planning guide is also offered.

You will never find better pricing.

*****The TEC took over Beaumont ISD and appointed Fred Shafer conservator.

Superintendent Dr.

Timothy Chargois, an Orange native, will still receive his salary until a new board takes over in June.

The district is appealing the ruling.

That’s a waste of about $50,000 or more.

What I believe is that Sam Frank Lucia would be a great choice to run that school district.

Sam is conservative but gets things done and is an expert in school business.

That’s my two cents.*****A grand jury was sworn in Monday to look into whether Gov. Rick Perry acted improperly when he threatened to kill funding for the Travis County District Attorney’s Public Corruption Division unless the DA, Rosemary Lehmberg, a Democrat, resigned.

She had a DWI conviction last year.

Defense lawyer David Botsford has been hired by Perry and will be paid $450 an hour by the state.

The grand jury is in San Antonio.

*****The Wednesday Lunch Bunch will dine at Robert’s this week and Novrozsky’s next week.

Everyone is welcome.

*****In a promising development in AIDS prevention, scientists have shown that monkeys can be protected against infection with a virginal gel even when it is used as long as three hours after sex.

Such a gel would be particularly useful in countries where women have little protection against violence or rape because they could apply it surreptitiously.

*****Our apologies to Virginia Fox, who last week we referred to as the late Virginia.

She called and let us know she is still very much alive.

*****A strange thing happened last week in the Congress and U.S. Senate.

The Senate voted 53 to 44 against the Female-Male Equality bill.

Senators Cornyn and Cruz, from Texas, chose not to vote.

Why? Had they voted they would have voted against the bill.

However, with a female, Wendy Davis, running for governor, had they voted against equal pay for women they would have given her some talking points against our senate leadership.

Also, in this race, only Congressman Steve Stockman abstained from voting.

Now none can be accused of voting against women.

It failed to pass the 60 votes needed in the Senate.

*****Here’s one that will get you.

Federal records show that the Koch brothers, who have been condemning Obana Care and spending millions to defeat candidates who voted for it, have used a provision of the bill to save millions of dollars.

BIRTHDAYS THIS WEEK

Judy Pittman, Kirby Cruse, Lillian Mercer, Marie Duett, Quentin Billeaud, Betty Foreman, Joseph Taylor, Janice Todora, Jane Istre, Jessica Christiansen, Kaylie Byrd, Natalie Miller, Rachel Fowler, Ronnie Haymon, Shelby Bickham, Shelby Sellers, Steve Evans, Whitney Anderson, Cheryl Puntes, Matthew Franklin, Megan Waguespack, Grant Mott, Emily Gilson, Barbara Sarver, Dustin Gibbs, Shirley Bonnin, Mandi Chesson, John Fuss, Cheryl Patterson, Maurelle McDonald, Ryan Ferguson, Bill Nickum, Brad Williams, Theresa Lieby, Bill Broussard, Beverly Raymer, Donna Wiegreffe, Emory Webb, Ken Brown, Becky Atkins, Belinda Norman, Benjamin Ezell, Baylor Trantham, Don McFarlane, Bonnie Short, Joy McNamara, Courtney Williams, Dana Hill, Virginia McNair, James Corley, Christian Dubose, Marshall Myers, Scott Fisher, Madeline Harper, Michael Harper, Jr., Joseph Jackson, Allison Rendall, Adrienne Colletti Platt, Amelia Hollier, Brandon Fisher, Glen Prince, Lacy Rutledge, Jason Smalley, Linda Robinson, Nancy Rendall, Paul Zoch, Samantha Briggs, Jeremie Breaux and Kathie Stephson.

CAJUN STORY OF THE WEEK

Oris Broussard took his uncle, Calvin Tee Nonk” Primeaux, to New Orleans for a couple of days of sight seeing and spending time together before Oris him, had to return to his military base. After a long day of walking down every street in the French Quarters and from one end of Canal Street to da other, Oris took “Tee Nonk” to Hooters for a drink and some hot wings. After being there for awhile, Oris axe “Tee Nonk” which one of dem waitress would he like to be stuck in an elevator wit?“Tee Nonk” him, say, “Well Oris, it’s like dis, me I want da one who knows how to fix elevators. I’m old, tired and I pee a lot.”

C’EST TOUT

Between doctor visits and all those chores, including several hours spent on this column, I haven’t gotten to do much outside visiting.

I did get a few visitors here at the new Creaux’s Nest.

A lovely lady, Barbara Taylor, stopped by with a thank you card and gift that we certainly didn’t expect.

She said it was something that made her feel better.

She misses Bobby Joe every minute of the day.

They were together over 50 years and the last 10 years with his health problems they spent every minute together.

Time is not a healer but it will ease the pain.

Bobby is in a better place.

*****Barry Burton stopped by.

It was the first time I’d met him; he’s a big old boy.

Burton genes I guess.

I found him to be down to earth, smart, with a lot of common sense.

I was impressed.

He’s much like his uncle Owen.

They say an acorn doesn’t fall far from the tree.

I wonder if he raises tomatoes.

His uncle and dad grow the best.

Judge Derry Dunn does also and the good thing about the Judge is he doesn’t eat um, he gives um away.

I try to stay friends with him and Commissioner Burton during tomato season.*****I had a nice visit with Kenny Pigg.

That guy will do to ride the range with.

I have to get back with him, he will be surprised to learn what I found out.

Well, I’ve got a call to return to Quincy Procell, that can be good or bad.

Actually he’s been a good friend since I called his bluff over 50 years ago.****My time is plumb gone.

Thanks for yours.

Please read us cover to cover and shop our family of advertisers.

Tell them we sent you.

Have a nice and blessed Easter.

May your eggs fill your basket.

Take care and God bless.