From the Creaux's Nest

ONE STEP FORWARD--TWO STEPS BACK

This week’s column will be a little light.

Creaux has been under the weather and I’ve been out of pocket.

I was running on just two cylinders but Dr.

Chris Penning and Kelly have me motoring on four, with promises of getting up to full speed by next week.

I’ve watched little politics.

I did watch some of the Republican debate on CNBC. It looked like the amature hour.

Half of the candidates were complaining about the questions being asked.

What they want to do in all debates is be able to use their talking points and not answer questions they haven’t prepared for.

Honestly, only two candidates seem to have the qualifications to domestically run the country.

That’s Jeb Bush and Gov. John Kasich, of Ohio.

Both have done good jobs as governors of their states.

Others are just talking trash that can’t be accomplished.

Not a one impresses me as a commander-in-chief.

Marco looked like a Cub Scout among Boy Scouts.

Carson wants to privatize Social Security and do away with Medicare and Medicaid and replace them with tax credits.

Most senior citizens don’t need a tax break, they need health care.

Anyway, its a long time before we pick the new president.

MSNBC has announced Rachel Madow will moderate a forum for Democratic presidential candidates on Nov. 6.*****Well, I best go with what I’ve got.

Hop on and come along, I promise it won’t do you no harm.

OUR CONDOLENCES

Our deepest sympathy to the family of Barbara Ackerman Nixon, 81, of Bridge City, who passed away Nov. 1. A visitation will be held Wednesday, Nov. 4, 5 p.m. until 8 p.m. with funeral service to be held at 1 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 5 at Broussard’s Funeral Home in Nederland. We had known this fine lady and her late husband Charlie and their family for many years. They always participated and were a part of functions held by the late W.T. and Ann Oliver. Barbara was a beautiful lady who through many trials always had a smile. We will never forget her. Please see obituary.

*****We were sorry to learn of the death of Shirley Ann Cone, age 90, who passed away Oct. 27.

Service was held last Friday, Oct. 30, at Second Baptist Church, Bridge City.

Ten years ago, while evacuated from Hurricane Rita, Ms.

Shirley suffered a heart attack that thankfully she eventually recovered from.

At the time of the hurricane she, her daughter and son-in-law lost most of their Frame and Art Company.

Ms.

Cone and husband Eddie and son Eddie, Jr.

operated the Village Squire, a clothing store for young people.

Shirley was also very talented as an artist and singer.

She was a special education teacher.

She is survived by her daughter Anita and son-in-law Barry Murchison and their family.

Ms.

Shirley will be missed by everyone who knew her.*****We also send our condolences to the family of Judy Weber Zampini, 72, who died Oct. 28.

She had lived in Port Arthur most of her life but was employed in Bridge City for 29 years as office manager of John Dubose, CPA. She is survived by her two sons Ralph and Brian and their families.

A memorial service was held Nov. 1.

Judy was a nice, friendly lady that we had known for the past 30 years.

May she rest in peace.

AMERICAN PHAROAH ENDS CAREER

On Oct. 31, 2015, American Pharoah ran his last race with a grand-slam win.

He won the $5 million Breeder’s Cup Classic, which attracts the best horses from around the world.

For the last year American Pharoah gave us something to cheer for.

Horse racing is America’s oldest sport and there is something special about watching a great athlete like American Pharoah. A muscled bay, he swept the Kentucky Derby, The Peskiness and the Belmont to become the first Triple Crown winner in 37 years and only the 12th in history.

Saturday he did what no other horse has done, he not only won the Triple Crown, he won the grand slam of horse racing, the mile and a quarter race in Lexington, Kentucky.

In so doing, he showed his greatness and added to his legacy as the greatest race horse ever.

It was mind blowing the way he did it.

He exploded out of the gate and dared the other seven to catch him.

He was hitting the ground with elegance and efficiency.

I sat spell bound with a friend Saturday watching this race horse that was back in Kentucky less than 30 miles from where he was born in 2012.

Presumably the colt will be transported less than ten miles down the road to begin his career as a stallion at Ashford Stud Farm. He will be cared for, fed well, and some pretty little fillies will be brought to obtain his service.

The filly owners will pay a high price for the privilege of owning an off spring from this great sire.

Over the last 50 years, I’ve watched all the great races.

In this last performance, American Pharoah beat the long shot Effinex by six and a half lengths.

He covered the mile and a quarter route in two minutes, 00.7 seconds.

In 1973, I watched the great Secretariat win the Belmont Stakes by 31 lengths to win the Triple Crown. Most of us will never see the likes of American Pharoah again in our lifetime.

He well could be the best race horse that ever lived.

I’m thankful I lived to watch him in his triumphant last race.

TURNING BACK THE HANDS OF TIME

10 Years Ago-2005

Commissioner’s Court lifted the burn ban, but Judge Thibodeaux warned he would issue an emergency ban if brush fires became a problem.

The ban has been on for several months as only an inch of rain fell by Oct. 31.

The county is still very dry and is buried under fallen trees, limbs and other debris since Rita ripped through Sept. 24.*****The Lions Club Carnival starts Nov. 9.

The repairs caused from Rita have been taken care of.

Officers are Ron Sigler, president; Jay Hall, first VP; Bill Smith, second VP and Debbie Hughes third VP. Hall is carnival chairman.*****The West Orange-Stark Mustangs are 24-3A District Champions.

After defeating the Bridge City Cardinals 41-34, the Mustangs (9-0, 5-0) will take on Huffman in the bi-district race.

The last game of the regular season was against undefeated Bridge City.

The game was played Saturday, 2 p.m.

and was also West Orange-Stark’s homecoming.

Good luck to Coach Hooks and Coach Tarver and their Mustangs and Cardinals in the playoffs.*****Imogene McKinney is battling cancer.*****Sherry Harris, principal of Mauriceville Elementary, said she recorded 39 boxes of supplies sent by students from West Nyack, New York to help student evacuees of Katrina.

The supplies arrived just before Hurricane Rita.******Audrey Katheryn Leleaux, daughter of Shawn and Eryn Leleaux, celebrates first birthday on Nov. 3.

(Editor’s note: Happy 11th birthday Nov. 3.*****Brenden Berlinger, age 8, of Bridge City, bagged his first deer Oct. 29, with a perfect shot with his 7mm O8.*****GONE BUT NOT FORGOTTEN: Jack W. Johnson, 51, of Orange, died Sept. 19.

His funeral had been canceled because of Hurricane Rita.

A memorial service was held Nov. 6.******This week in 2005, Nancy Lee Amsden, 81, died Oct. 31.*****Dorothy “Dot” Hare, 77, died on All Saints Day, Nov. 1.

She was a 1946 Orange High graduate.

She retired from the Stark Museum where she was a receptionist.*****Eula T. Hoffpauir, 95, of Orange, died Nov. 2.

She donated her remains to the advancement of medical research.

Born in Abbeville, Louisiana, she was preceded in death by her brother Crip Trahan and wife Sadie, brother Eli Trahan and wife Mable, sister Beulah Simpson and husband Arthur.*****Dorothy Lucille Harmon, 77, of Orange, died Nov. 1.

She was the wife of Sherman Harmon.*****Clora Beatrice Gautier, 79, died Nov. 5.

A native of Comanche, Texas she was a life long resident of Orange.*****Vernon Glenn Rachal, 79, of Orange, died Nov. 4 of Leukemia.

He was a local 195 Pipefitter and a 50 year member of the Masons..*****Joyce Ann Harley, 45, of Orange, died Nov. 4.

She was the wife of William “Bill” Harley and mother of April Shaver.

*****Curtis Leon Sadler, 89, of Orange, died Nov. 5.

he was a WWII navy veteran.

He worked for several car dealerships as an auto body repair man.*****Mary Lorena Mullins, 82, of Orange, died Saturday, Nov. 5.

She was born in Choupique, Louisiana.******Bernie Gonzales, 64, of Mauriceville died Sunday, Nov. 6*****Mildred Riley, 68, of Orange, died Nov. 4.

She was the daughter of John and Lucille Tarver.

She is survived by her husband James, mother and children.

40 Years Ago-1975

The pioneers of country music and the trail blazers of tomorrow went home with awards from the 50th Grand Ole’ Opry celebration.

Minnie Pearl was inducted into the Hall of Fame, John Denver won Entertainer of the Year and Waylon Jennings won Male Vocalist of the year.

Winnie Texas’ own barber, Huey Meaux, won Producer of the Year with “Before the Next Tear Drop Falls” sung by Freddie Fender. “A Legend in My Time” by Ronnie Milsap won the Best Album.*****Dudley Baker appointed County Commissioner of Precient 1, replacing Casey Peveto.*****Jo Amodeo’s parents, the D.T. Sterns, celebrated 42 years of marriage at Leo and Willies Restaurant with their five children and grandkids.

He retired after 29 years at Texaco.*****Bridge City Police Chief Wilson Roberts celebrates a birthday at Steak-N-Ale, given by friends.

He wasn’t satisfied so he threw his own party at GERA which was attended by over 300 lawmen and other dignitaries.*****Tracy Addison is going a long way from home.

He received orders for an 18-month tour on the island of Krete, Greece.*****On Nov. 13, Debbie McCardle will become Mrs. David Fusilier.

Deb is employed by the Opportunity Valley News.

She started as a D.E. student under Bridge City instructor Rusty Wilson.

Today, she is a top hand at the OVN and makes 90 percent of all the ads, sets type and operates the new headliner machine.

She and David are both Bridge City folks. (Editor’s note.

Debbie and David raised three children David, Jr., Derek and Crystal, have grandkids and are still in love.)

65 Years Ago-1950

Jane Jackson, ninth grade student at Carr Junior High was crowned homecoming queen. She was presented flowers by Hurricane team captain Jerry Peveto. Princesses were Janet Whitmire, Joann Alford and Dorothy Marsh. Team co-captain Lance Honeycutt presented flowers to those girls.

80 Years Ago-1935

Members of the sheriffs department were engaged in summoning state witnesses for the trial, to take place in Houston, of the Rev. Edgar Eskridge for the murder of chief of police Ed J. O’Reilly.***** Students of Curtis School who made the honor roll the first six weeks were: Betty Sue Coleman, Leo Burke, Betty Ann Carpenter, Juanita Honeycutt, Dennis Vercher, Maxine Davis, Manuel Fantis, Junior Norris, James Rodgers, Earl Verette, Ruby Henry, Juanita Riser and Juanita Wilson.

A GLANCE BACK TO YESTERYEAR

90 Years Ago-1925

Chief of Police G.V. Denman was furnished a Dodge roadster by the City of Orange. The new car dealt misery to speeders. Some were caught speeding 35 to 40 miles an hour down the main thoroughfares. The judge threw the book at them for running wide open.*****The motor tug Jack Dempsey, of the Sabine Ferry, was destroyed by fire and sunk to the bottom of the ferry channel.

A FEW HAPPENINGS

A benefit for Shane Ponder will be held Saturday, Nov. 7, at Well of Hope Church in Bridge City, (behind Dairy Queen) starting at 10 a.m.

Ponder was recently diagnosed with Guillain-Barre syndome, which is an auto-immune disease that can cause rapid onset paralysis.

There will be a link sale, bake sale and a silent auction.

All proceeds will benefit the family with treatment and living expenses as Ponder will be out of work for several months due to physical therapy.*****The biggest disappointment in college football is the Texas Longhorns. I don’t look for any improvements in the near future.*****The Dallas Cowboys are hanging in close enough to make the game interesting but never again will be the quality of “America’s Team” of the past.*****Saints quarterback Drew Brees is the super hero of the week throwing seven TD’s and guiding the Saints to a 52-49 win over Eli Manning and the Giants.*****It’s hard to believe high school regular football season is coming to an end.

West Orange-Stark Mustangs, ranked number 8 in the state 4-A district, could go all the way.

It takes more than talent, it takes some good fortune, like key players staying injury free.*****Bridge City and Orangefield have had better seasons then most people expected.

Hopefully they can go at least two or three deep in the playoffs.*****Last week I predicted the Royals would beat the Mets in seven games.

They won the World Series in only five games.

Very impressive for the Kansas City Royals.*****Monday evening, 25-year-old Ava Lewis and her 6-year-old daughter, Lamya Newhouse, were killed in a hit and run accident in the 2100 block of MacArthur Dr.

Police are still investigating the accident.

The suspected vehicle may be a late model white Ford Focus with damage to the front end.

Anyone with information on this accident is asked to call the Orange Police Department at 409-883-1026.*****A few folks we know celebrating birthdays in the next week.

On Nov. 4, Kim Moore, Gail Hass, Pam Guyote, Louise Fuselier all celebrate.

Celebrities celebrating on this day football player Dez Bryant, 27, actor Matthew McConaughay, 46 and former First Lady Laura Bush, 69.*****On Nov. 5, Sharon Dunn Primeaux and Pat Stanton celebrate.

Also on this day Mary and Don Stanton celebrate their anniversary.

They are joined by reality star Kris Jenner, 60 and actress Tatum O’Neal.*****On Nov, 6, CPA John Dubose is a year older as is Johnny Montagne, Jackie Litton, Robin Schaffer, Faye Harrington and Greg Broussard. They join celebrities basketball player Lamar Odom, 36 and the ’Flying Nun’ Sally Fields.*****Nov. 7 finds our friend, Pearl Harbor survivor, Cedric Stout, 94, celebrating.

Mr. Stout was on the Utah which was sunk.

Our buddy, former longtime law man Wilson Roberts celebrates also and he and V.J. celebrate their 27th anniversary.

They are joined by folk singer Joni Mitchell, 72, religious leader Billy Graham, 97 and actor Christopher Knight, 58.*****On Nov. 8, Debra Burch, Dee Moran, Aaron Hommel, Keith Longlois and Dixie Brint celebrate as does celebrity chef Gordon Ramsay, 49 and singer Bonnie Raitt, 66.*****Nov. 9 finds Susan Verillon, L.C. Boudreaux, Keith Royal and Donna Bradley celebrating.

They join celebrities singer Nick Lachey, 42 and Incredible Hulk Lou Ferrigno, 63.*****On Nov. 10, Steve Carlton notches another year, also JoAnn Alford, Judy Hunt, Trey Todora, Jeff Bland and Lora Hawks.

They join country singer Miranda Lambert, 32 and actor Tracy Morgan, 47.

Also Mayor Kirk Roccaforte and his lovely wife Shirley celebrate 37 years of wedded bliss on this date.*****Belated happy 80th birthday to a lovely lady, our friend Donna Peterson, Sr., who celebrated on Oct. 30.

Best wishes for many more healthy years.

By the way, we haven’t seen Donna Jr.’s new son Victor yet but the girls at the Bridge City Branch Bank say he’s a beautiful baby.

If he takes after mom and grandmother he can’t miss.*****The Wednesday Lunch Bunch dines at PK’s Grill this week.

Texas Monthly gave PK’s a great review and named them the “Hometown Best” in the Golden Triangle area.

Next week the Bunch will dine at Robert’s.

Everyone welcome.*****Auditions are scheduled for the remainder of Season 58 at Orange Community Players, Inc., ending Nov. 9, with the casting of "Into the Woods." Actors, singers and dancers of all ages are invited to try out for parts for any or all of the upcoming productions.***** Orange County Christian Writers Guild will meet on the second Tuesday of the month instead of the first in November at Brown's Hearing Center.

December's meeting will be held on the first Tuesday as usual

BIRTHDAYS THIS WEEK

Loretta Meadows, Marilyn Prewitt, Pam Guyote, Gail Hass, Kathy Arceneaux, Kim Moore, Louise Fuselier, Myrtice Moore, Ruth Walker, Camden Walton, Sharon Dunn, Chris Rogers, Gina Beaulieu, John Dubose, Kember Ess, Margaret Thibodeaux, Robert Rubel, Viola Thibodeaux, Carrie Larson, Derek Grooms, Faye Harrington, Kathy Johnson, Kay Wingate, Johnny Mantagne, Robin Schaffer, Jackie Litton, Greg Broussard, Claris Collins, James Bergeron, Barbara Lopez, Bob Johnston, Cheryl Swenson, Chuckie Ganze, Dee Moran, Bryana Hernandez, Debra Burch, Keith Longlois, Aaron Hommel, Dixie Brint, Jim Reid, Madalyn Carpenter, Sue Barnes, Eric Meadows, Linda Faulk, Pauline Chatelain, Keith Royal, Susan Veillon, Cecil Welborn, Charlotte Wooten, Donna Bradley, L.C. Boudreaux, Rana Miller, Steve Carlton, Troy Crochet, Della Buxton, Jean Levingston, Jeff Bland, Judy Hunt, Joann Alford, Patricia Kemp, Karen Clopp, Trey Todora, George Roberts and Lora Hanks.

CAJUN STORY OF THE WEEK

Joe Primeaux, at age 89, is in good physical shape him. He does all his chores and plants a big garden. His one problem, like so many elderly, is dat his memory has gone bad. He forgets wat he planted and has to wait for the crop to come up to find out. Last week, he was driving down Highway 14, between Abbeville and Kaplan wen da highway patrolman chase him down and pull him over. He axed for his drivers license. “Mr. Primeaux,” he says, “you were speeding, wats you hurry?”

Old man Primeaux answer, “Well, Mr. officer, it’s like dis, if I don’t hurry and get dare, I’ll forget me, where I’m going.”

(Editor’s note: Officer Romero said dat was a new excuse for speeding. He believed he had heard dem all. He gave Primeaux a warning ticket.)

C’EST TOUT

Walgreen’s will buy drug store chain Rite Aid for a $17.2 billion deal that will put the nation down into two massive competitors.

The deal will combine the second and third largest drug store operations and intensify the already fierce competition between Walgreen’s and CVS which has 58 percent market share in the drug store business.

Walgreen’s controls 31 percent.

Pharmacies are fending off competition from mail order prescription discounters.

I don’t know why that merger is important to us except to show that the mom and pop is not far in our future.

The other thing is I’m surprised that Wal-Mart holds such a small share of the drug business.*****It’s been that kind of week.

Besides everything else, our buddy David Ball is leaving us to join the Port Arthur News.

It’s an advancement for him and we’re glad for him, however we will miss him.

He’s a good reporter that does good work.*****Well, I’ve got to get out of here.Thanks for your time. Patronize our family of advertisers and tell them we sent you.

Check us out on the web 24/7 at therecordlive.comlink.

Take care and God bless.