From the Creaux's Nest

BASSMASTER PROS SHINE ON HISTORIC SABINE RIVER

Orange doesn’t only welcome the Bassmaster Elite series March 19 through 22, the community is going all out for a big four day festival.

This year, the Art in the Park festival will be held in conjunction with all other activities.

On Saturday, from 9 a.m.

to 4 p.m., the free event returns to Stark Park.

At least 125 venders will display paintings, pottery, woodworking, photography, handmade jewelry and much more.

There will be many food venders featuring food of all types.

Many activities for the youngsters such as pony rides, a petting zoo, games, face painting and more.

A day full of music can be enjoyed by local artist including The Rux Pins, Traveling Roads Band and the Night and Day Orchestra.

On Saturday from 8 a.m.

to 11, starting at Green and Simmons, the first ever “Run Your Bass Off 5K” will be held.

The children’s fun run will start at 9 a.m.

The cost is $30 for adults and $15 for kids.

Tee shirts, drinks, snacks and gifts will be provided.

The money raised will go to cancer research.

Visit wwwrunyourbassoff5K.org.

for more info.

A free concert by Dustin Lynch, whose release of “Where It’s At” reached number 2 on the Country charts and number 8 on Billboard’s Top 200 Albums.

His second single “Hell of a Night” placed at 41, and his other releases have done really well.

He will appear on stage at the River Festival grounds starting at 6 p.m.

Thursday, March 19.

On Saturday, our own Orange County nativeTracy Byrd will perform a free concert starting at 6 p.m.

and following his show will be a big fireworks show over the Sabine River.

High school fishing with the pros, a kids fish tank and the Lutcher Theater laser light show will all be featured events.

Plenty to do for the entire family.

Ten events all in one weekend, plusShangri La tours on Adams Bayou.

See the new spring blooms, bird nesting etc.

The Stark Museum will be opened 9 a.m.

to 5 p.m., Scavenger hunts for all ages, guided home tour at the W.H. Stark House.

The anglers will launch at 6:30 from City of Orange Boat Ramp.

Weight in 3:15 p.m.

Thursday through Sunday.

Meet the pros, get autographs and photos.

Nearly 40,000 visitors are expected.

Shuttle bus locations have been set up.

Park and ride free.

Welcome to Orange, where the “Sun Rises on Texas” and the Sabine River flows and this weekend the fishing will be by the Bassmaster Elite Pros.

Come pass a good time.

Come one, Come all.

TURNING BACK THE HANDS OF TIME

10 Years Ago-2005

Police eye Bridge City murder of Cynthia Ann Permenter, 41, by her entangle husband, David Permenter, 37.

He was arraigned by J.P. Joe Parkhurst and is in Orange County jail.

BCPD Major Joey Hargrave said, “It looks like a domestic violence situation where alcohol abuse and narcotics were involved and escalated from there.” Cynthia was killed with a shotgun blast.*****Bridge City distance runner Arron Brannen cruised to two first place wins in the 3200 meters and 1600 meters during the Cardinal Relays.

Brannen ran a 9:57.15 and a 4:30.48 in the 1600.*****FACTS FROM 1909.

In 1909 there were about 76 million Americans in the 46 states.***Women could be arrested for smoking.***There was approximately 10 miles of paved roads.***The average pay for workers was $12.95 for a week of 59 hours of work.***1909 Humpmobile on display at Stark House.

Mr. Stark took the first year model of the Hupmobile to Austin with him and to the family’s Roslyn Ranch in Rand, Colorado .

Ron Collins, who spent more than 100 hours restoring the auto, believed it was possible that Mr. Stark traveled to Detroit to have special features made for the machine because it is unique for one of the first year Hupmobile off the line.*****A LITTLE ABOUT THE NATIVES: Moe Litton declared corn bread making champion He makes two-inch corn bread totally from scratch.***Bobby and Devra Cormier attended an international Dutch over gathering in Scottsdale, Arizona.***Betty Harmon took Corky on a “make you feel good all over” trip for his 77th birthday.***Shirley Roccaforte is back in hospital with a staph infection in her leg.

The results of an accident.***Mary Alice Hartfield and her family attended the Gaither Gospel Music Concert in Houston.***Neighbor Cox is home-bound with a low grade fever.

Roy accuses him of faking so Ms.

Ginny will prepare the garden for spring planting.***Amber Dunn makes a surprise visit home after graduating from the University of Texas.

She has been accepted to the Texas Tech Medical school.

Meanwhile, her step-brother Jason Menard is home from Iraq on his way to his base in Hawaii.*****Mr. and Mrs. Cecil Wray Allen celebrate 50 years of marriage on March 18.

They have three children, and six grandchildren.*****Daniel Mires turns one year old March 22.*****Jaymee Marie Craven turns 4-years-old on March 24.*****Kade Benoit celebrated his second birthday March 15.

He is the son of Daron and Kelly of Bridge City.******GONE BUT NOT FORGOTTEN: Cynthia Ann Permenter, 41, was murdered March 17.

She leaves two children, son Brandon Franks and daughter Brandy Franks.***Patsy Bishop, 73, of West Orange died March 18.***Wilson Clark, 87, of Orange died March 18.***Glenda Hudson Naegelin, 51, of Orange, died March 19.

She is survived by father Travis Hudson and mother Melba.***Michelle Crooks, 33, of Orange, died March 19.***Beryl Plant, 64, of Orange, died March 20.***Marvin Dwight Girdler, 67, of Orange, died March 20.***Thomas Ray Rainwater, 57, died March 20.***Victor Hugo Patino, 35, of Orangefield, diedMarch 21.***Ernest Ezell Denby, 63, of Bridge City died Monday, March 21.

(Editor‘s note: Ten years ago people died younger than today.

Only one of the above was in her 70‘s and only one in his 80‘s.

Today, on average, people live five to seven years longer.)

35 Years Ago-1980

C.R. Nash named citizen of the year by the Bridge City Chamber.

He was presented the award by Judy Wyatt, last year’s honoree.*****Linda Nicks and Larry Buchman awarded life memberships by Bridge City Elementary PTA.*****Cablevision coming to Bridge City.

Al McKay, president of Bridge City Cablevision and Vidor Cablevision, along with Dave Ford, chief technician, Danny White, foreman and linemen Tony Mingo and Bobby Hamlett, prepare two acres of ground on Nelson Street for installation of Earth Satellite receiver.

Cable was being installed on Fernwood and around the city.

All stations will be ready by April 1.

All services will cost $18.45 a month.

(Editor’s note: Al McKay successfully built and owned, in partnership with Carl Parker and Oscar Wyatt, the first area cable companies.

Al sold the companies and was worth several million dollars.

He died only two years later of cancer, at age 42.

He is buried at his farm beside his mom and dad in Warren, near Woodville.

He had the good looks of a movie star and the brain of a Rhodes Scholar.)*****The home of Betty and Corky Harmonwas the sight of Uncle Jim “The Fisherman” McKay’s 95th birthday party.

Opportunity Valley News publishers, Roy and Phyllis Dunn, co-hosted the party.Debora Harmon made the large banner.

Wayne Sparrow, of Channel 6, filmed the event for the news.

Jim’s cake, baked by Catherine Fore, was decorated with a fisherman on top.

A few present were Lynn and Dennis Hall, with daughter Janet; Arlene and Richard Turkel, with Russ and Scott and granddad Zack Siegal; Yankee Mortimer; Violet and Fred Chapman and children Freddie and Lia; Cathy Garretson and daughter Gina Shroft; Joe and Betty Kazmar; Barry Sulsar; Beth and Louis Dugas; Tina Travis; George and Cecil Brown; Ace and Joe Amodeo and many more well-wishers.*****Jimmy Verette, Daniel Reese, Robert Watts, “BoJo” Moore, Alvin Keown and Mike Cedars were named to the County Advisory committee.*****Hubbard Electric women’s basketball team wins state championship.*****Keith and Pam (Hoosier) Kay became the proud parents of their first child, Brian Keith.*****Belinda Wood and Harry Lee Delano tied the knot last week.*****Commissioner Raymond Gould was back at work after heart problems.*****Charles and Juliet Pattoncelebrate their 32nd anniversary.*****Texas State Bank of Vidor hosted Bum Phillips on March 15.*****Herb Taylor named president of Triangle Savings and Loan.

Directors elected are W. Fletcher Garner, chairman; C.W. Hubbard, vice-president; B.J. Fields, secretary-treasurer.

Other members James Jones, Dr.

Douglas Thompson, Dr.

B.F. Adams, Dr.

Frank Williford and H.D. Pate.

Assets of $8 million and $8 million on deposits.*****P.M. Magazine’s Lizza Gibbon was surprised with a birthday cake after filming of “Miracle Worker” segments at the Community Playhouse in Orange.

Cast members celebrating withLeeza were: Charles Ferguson, Angie, Diane and Brooks Hill, Claude and Jean Hamerly, Beth and Louis Dugas, Jimmie Hart, Rosalie Anderson, Carol Brock, Jerry Speer, Debbie and Daphne Franklin, Polly Walton and Sandra Talliaferro.*****Lani Hall was 11 last week.*****Absentee voting opens in Bridge City city races.

Mayor candidates are Gordon Harvey and Billy Cagle.

Place 2 candidate Don Cole, Place 4 candidates are Mike Fulk.

Bob Pruitt, Jr., Steve Baker, Albon Lee Buffington and Jim Wallace.

Place 6 candidate is John Bankin.

Water District incumbents G.A. Laughlin, W.W. Bill Hutto and for three positions on school board are Barbara Landry, Gus Garza, Tom Brooks and Jerry McInnis.*****Bridge City High School Valedictorian is Kay Emment; Salutatorian, Donna Marie Stone; Highest Ranking, Andrew Zoch.

School Principle is Joe Chenella.*****Sixty celebrities, including Bob Hope and Alan Sheppard, will participate in the Bum Phillips Golf Tourney on May 31-June 4.

Chairman W.T. Oliver announced some attending will be Houston Oiler’sMike Barber and Willie Alexander, Dallas Cowboy’s Billy Joe Dupree and Danny White; coach Darrell Royal of UT and “Little Joe” Washington.

Proceeds will benefit the Hughen and Bob Hope High School for the handicapped.

A FEW HAPPENINGS

We were sorry to hear of the death of Betty Ricks, 58, who passed away on March 13.

Services were held Tuesday in Silsbee.

A native of Silsbee, she and husbandLarkin were longtime residents of Orange County and operated Shrimpboat Seafood located on Highway 62.

Our condolences to Larkin, sons Billy and Jerry,daughter Lisa Marie and their families.

May she rest in peace.

Please see obituary.

*****Betty Harmon told Corky they were having a family reunion Saturdayso Corky spent a week researching the Armstrong bloodline, his mother’s side.

Betty had the family come in early.

All three of their children Debora, David and Jimmy, grandchildren, including late son Chad’s crew.

Jimmy showed off his two beautiful daughters and granddaughters.

Then the surprise party happened and although there was plenty family and friends from the Armstrong side, Gary and Barbara Mulhollan, he’s Corky’s cousin, brother Tom Harmon and Barbara,sister Cynthia and husband Howard Fisher, many friends were also in attendance.

Jerry Priddy told three dozen good old stories about early Orange and its people, including recollections about Lutcher Stark.

C.J. Huckaby and Roy were all ears.

Ms.

Phyl was forced to listen.

Commissioner David Dubose and Harriet made the rounds along with Ross Smith and Ms.

Eva, cordial like always.

Ross and Dr.

Mike Shaman got in a good visit.

Even Sprad and Margarettook in some of the great food.

Nephew Donnie and wife Rhonda, who just got her degree in education visited with the partiers.

Nearly a hundred attended but when you get to be 87, not too many of your old friends are left. Corky seemed to treasure every one of them and enjoyed the youngsters also.

I wish I had space to name them all.*****Judge Carl Thibodeaux visit’s the doctor this week to see what kind of therapy he will have to do to strengthen his knee after surgery.*****We understand Judge David Peck is back in Galveston after having successful surgery.

He’s working hard to recoup and his spirits are high and of course, Ms.

Patsy is tired but still smiling.*****Nate Silver says Kentucky has a 40 percent chance of winning the National College Championship.

That’s pretty high odds when you think about all the team in the NCAA tournament.*****I’m hearing rumors that Father Sinclair Oubre, Orange City Manager Shawn Oubre’s brother, will be the new priest at St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Church in Orange.*****I believe West Texas crude falling to $42.85 a barrel, a six year low, and a supply glut, will drive gas prices down again to below $2 a gallon at the pump.

We could see the lowest prices since the Clinton years in the 1990’s.

If the U.S. makes a nuclear deal with Iran and removes oil sanctions, higher Iranian exports would add to the glut.

U.S. crude inventories are at record levels.

Something to think about, oil might just be the boogie man behind the 47 Republican Senators, disgracefully trying to disrupt the U.S.- Iranian nuclear talks.

The oil companies have a large lobby.

Follow the money is what I always say.*****Those 47 Senators made the letter deal in the back room.

No Democrats saw the letter before it was sent or were asked to sign it.

That’s not policy, that is strictly politics.

There’s a reason for the secrecy, it’s not above board.

The number “47” did Mitt Romney in and it could be very costly to the Republican Senators.*****A few folks celebrating birthdays this week.

On March 18, our buddy going back 60 years, Carlton J. “Corky” Harmon celebrates a birthday.

Wife Betty, who he kidnapped from the nuns when she was a teenager, hosted a surprise party at their home Saturday.

He shares birthdays with country singer Charley Pride, 76, singer Adam Levine, 35, actress and talk show host Queen Latifah, 44 and actress Vanessa Williams, 51.***On March 19, celebrating is our longtime friend Carol Emerson.

At age 21, I thought this beauty should have been in Hollywood.

Also having a birthday on this day is one of the late Sammy Carpenter’s boys, Roman Carpenter.

They are joined by actress Glenn Close, 67, actorBruce Willis, 59 and actress Ursula Andress, 78.***March 20 finds Kamela Latiolais celebrating another one as does Brittany Backer, Diane Sims and Ben Walles.

They are joined by actress Holly Hunter, 56, actor Hal Linden, 83, Spike Lee, 57 and coach Pat Riley, 69.*****On March 21, former Bridge City baseball, football and track star Johnny Dishon celebrates.

Also Barbara Mosier, a nice lady, is celebrating along with Kyle Anderson, Pam Nugent and Tanya Simon.

Special birthday wishes to Harold Scales.

We go back more years than either can remember.

Also on this day we lost a good friend Gene Hidalgo in 2012 at age 72.

Celebrity birthdays are Scott Eastwood (Clint’s son), turns 20, Rosie O’Donnell, 52 and Matthew Broderick, 52.*****March 22 finds Kyle Leyendecker, Wanda Taylor and Carsen Carpenter all celebrate.

This is also the day our friend Bobby Joe Taylor died in 2014.

Celebrity birthdays are Bob Costas, 62, actress Reese Witherspoon, 38, actor William Shatner, 83 and composer Andrew Lloyd Weber, 66.*****On March 23, Euel Norwood celebrates.

We go back to when we were young dads on the Little League field.

Also the Sign Doctor’s lovely wife Renee Dillon celebrates.

A great athlete Natalie Sarvarhas a birthday as does Gospel singer, our friend Helen Clark.

Lance Eads and Chad Gearhart and Margaret Boehme celebrate also.

They are joined by Peyton Manning, 38, and actor Jim Parsons, 41.

Happy birthday to all.*****Something to think about with all the talk about Hillary’s emails.

During the Bush/Cheneyyears, 22 million emails were deleted, never to be seen again, even after being sued by CREW, Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington.*****Robert Durst might have done himself in by talking to himself.

Not realizing he was taping himself.

He was arrested in New Orleans charged with the execution-style death of his Los Angeles friend Susan Berman in 2000.

I believe his handwriting will carry more weight than the recording.

Durst was cleared of killing a friend in Galveston and chopping his body up.

In 1982, he denied involvement in the disappearance of his first wife Kathleen.

Recently, in Houston, he paid a fine for peeing on candy at CVS store.

Don’t bet the farm that this nut will be convicted.

He is represented again by Dick DeGuerin who eats young prosecutors for breakfast.

They better put an old hand on him.*****The Wednesday Lunch Bunch will dine at Robert’s this week and next week at Pk’s in Pinehurst.

It should be a nice gathering.

Everyone always welcome.

CAJUN STORY OF THE WEEK

Alcid Badeaux, age 83, wat lives in Maurice, drove to Abbeville to see Dr. Lebouf and got a physical.

A few days later, Dr. Lebouf saw old man Badeaux in town wit a gorgeous, young woman on his arm.

“You really doing great aren’t you?” Da doctor ax Baudeaux.

“Jus doing wat you said Doc,” Badeaux answer, “Get a hot mamma and be cheerful.”

Da doctor, in shock, replied, “Dats not wat I said, Mr. Badeaux, I said, ‘You got a heart mummer, be careful.’”

C’EST TOUT

Friday, State Rep.

Joe Deshotel filed a bill to legalize casino gambling in Texas.

The bill does not have a senate sponsor yet.

To pass in the house would require 100 votes from the 150 representatives.

The bill would have full Vegas type gambling.

Joe makes it sound good but like I’ve said before, gambling in other parts of Texas doesn’t help us in Orange County.

In fact, it would hurt. Over 1,700 employees at the Louisiana casinos are from Orange County.

We profit a lot from people traveling through, staying in our motels, eating in our restaurants and buying gasoline and other services.

A couple of weeks ago, I visited with two couples from Sugarland.

They first said Houston.

Anyway, they had registered at the Hampton’s Tree the day before, went to Delta Downs the first night and were going to one of the other casinos the next night.

A couple of months ago I ran into a couple at the car wash who were staying in Orange and visiting the casinos.

They had a Chamber brochure and were going to visit the Stark Museum and other spots.

Just a couple of examples but it happens regularly.

Casino gambling is what brought them to Orange.

If gambling was open in the state, people would no longer come this way to gamble.

We would lose the revenue.

It’s not a good deal for us.

Contact your congressman and senator, let them know that it might not be as good a deal as Joe proposes.*****Motiva/Union strike ends after one month walk out.

That’s a good thing.

*****Prime Minister Ben Netanyahu may just get what he deserves.

The Tuesday vote, as of my deadline, was too close to call.

Besides his interfering in U.S. foreign policy and kicking sand in the face of President Obama, he lied to the American people when he told us he would work to establish a Palestinian state.

Two days before the election to get the far-right wing vote, he told the Israeli people there would never be a Palestinian state as long as he is in office.

I don’t trust him and never have.

I hope he gets his dues.

*****Gotta go, thanks for your time.

Shop our family of advertisers and check out our restaurants.

Take care and God bless.