Hometown News For Orange County, Texas
Hometown News For Orange County, Texas
WATCH FOR SPECIAL WEEKEND EDITION
Saturday we will publish a special “Super Tuesday” issue of The Record. We will feature all local county races, with voter information.
Candidates will be highlighted with statements for your consideration.
The special newspaper will be available throughout Orange County, including Vidor.
Some of you will not receive home delivery; however, the paper will be available in over 100 locations, convenience stores, Wal-Mart, H.E.B., Market Basket, Walgreen’s, etc.
On Monday morning the paper will be at locations such as the Courthouse, banks, and other places not open on Saturday.
The special issue will also be at our Penny Record location, on Roundbunch Road, in Bridge City and at the County Record office on Henrietta Street, off of MacArthur, across from Granger Chevrolet.
We will cover the Super Tuesday presidential elections, plus extra features.
Creaux and I will have a Sherlock Breaux column and Cajun story, according to space available.
Advertising space is available.
Contact us at 735-7183 by 3 p.m.
Thursday or email [email protected].
Large distribution assures good readership.*****I've got to move on.
Come along, I promise it won't do you no harm.
REPORTS AND SURVEY SHOW BRIGHT ECONOMIC FUTURE
President Obama sends economic report to Congress on Monday.
The report predicts that the economy will grow 2.7 percent in 2016 and 2.5 percent in 2017 with an unemployment rate of 4.7 percent in 2016 and 4.5 percent in 2017.
Obama said “Claims that America’s economy is in decline that we haven’t made progress are simply not true.” The President added, “Today technology doesn’t just replace jobs on the assembly line but rather affects any job where work can be automated.” The economic report of the President was first required by Congress through the employment Act of 1946 and comes within two weeks of the President’s budget proposal.
Jason Furman, chairman of the council of economic advisers, said “The major long term drag on growth is Demographic.
The biggest difference is that population growth is slower.
The Baby Boom has turned into a Retirement Boom.” A Small Business barometer survey by insurance giant Allstate finds the environment for small businesses is certainly as good as it’s been since before the recession of 2007.
Their positive outlook is rooted in the benefits of technology, generally improving economy and better lending conditions.
These are the good old days for America’s small business owners.
According to the nationwide survey by Allstate, there never has been a better time to own a small business.
Despite some global and national economic uncertainty hometown entrepreneurs are bullish about their prospects.
Despite all the political talk about the country going to hell in a hand basket, don’t believe it, we live in a great, stable county.
CONDOLENCES
Walter “Buddy” Piat
We were sorry to hear about the death of Walter “Buddy” Piat, 83, of Bridge City, who passed away Feb. 16. Services were held Friday at St. Henry Catholic Church. He was a member of the Knights of Columbus, American Legion and a lifetime member of the VFW. He is survived by his wife Barbara, daughterElizabeth and husband Tommy, son Paul and wife Dawn and several grandchildren. Please see obituary.
Peggy Gene Knight
Our deepest sympathies to our friend Tim Knight and his family on the loss of his wife PeggyGene Knight, age 70, who passed away Feb. 17, at M.D. Anderson.
Peggy, a longtime educator, spent much of her time speaking to other faculty members across the country while Tim, a writer and historian, recorded many historical stories about the local music scene and published a book on Cajun fiddler Harry Choates.
Peggy is survived by her husband Tim, mother Gene Thomas, of Orange, daughter April Wilson, sons Andrew and wife Beverly, of Mauriceville, Richard, of Groves, and brother Tommy Thomas and wife Judy, of Mauriceville.
Services were held Sunday, Feb. 21.
May she rest in peace.
TURNING BACK THE HANDS OF TIME
10 Years Ago-2006
The Texas Longhorn Club in Vinton reopens. Special effects of a unique fog screen, invented by a Finland company, makes objects “seem to appear and move in thin air,” said general manager Tina Cotton. “’It is a screen you can walk through.” The Texas Longhorn is the first in the country to utilize this new feature.
*****Coach ‘Chief’ Wilson returns for reunion.Harold Wynne Wilson was born in Orangefield, in 1928.
Chief is a 1946 Orange High graduate and a 1950 grad from SFA. He earned his masters there in 1958.
He started coaching in 1951 at Orange High under Coach Chuck Dean. He was in the Air Force during the Korean conflict and then went to work for Coach Bum Phillips at Nederland.
Chief was still at Nederland when they won state in 1958 but Bum was gone to A&M, working for Bear Bryant.
When Chief came to Bridge City he had only 19 players.
Steve Worster was in the eighth grade.
Three years later, they played for the state championship.
The next year, they won Bridge City’s only state championship.
He stayed as coach 13 years coaching his last team in 1974.
*****I stayed up late to watch Apolo AntonOhno win the gold in the 500-meter, short track.
He was the United States’ bright spot at the Olympics in Toronto, Italy.
*****A jazz funeral was held in New Orleans for Clarence “Gatemouth” Brown, who grew up in Orange and was buried here Sept 17, 2005.
*****Judge Carl Thibodeaux is in Washington this week with the Work Force people.
While there he is also twisting the tail of FEMA. The Judge never quits.
*****Exhibits of Illuminated Manuscript from the 17th and 16th century are on display at the Stark Museum of Art during the Lenten season.
The earliest is dated back to 1458.
*****Longtime Methodist, Attorney H.D. Pate, will become a Catholic in April.
He followed his friend Moe Litton into the faith.
(Editor’s note: H.D.’s wife,Pat, over the last ten years, has really become a devoted Catholic and is involved in many church activities on a daily basis.)*****The Mustang Relays, with twelve area teams, was won by Nederland girls and West Brook boys.
WO-S placed third.
Leading the way for WO-S was senior Deon Beasley, who took the gold in the triple jump, 100M and 200M and was the anchor leg for the 400 yard relay.
(Editor’s note: Beasley was one of the best all around athletes I ever watched.
I don’t know what happened at Texas.)*****GONE BUT NOT FORGOTTEN: N.D. Palmer, 71, of Orange, died Feb. 12.
He is survived by his wife Jerrie and their children and step children.
*****Selma Edelle Manuel, 86, of Orange, died Feb. 19.
She was preceded in death by her husband Bernice Manuel, daughter Linda Carol Barrett and son Randall Manuel.
Left to cherish her memory are her grandchildren and their families.
*****Paul Gilcrease, 79, of Orange, died Feb. 19.
Funeral service was held at Claybar Funeral Home on Feb. 22.
He is survived by his daughter and son-in-law Janet and Buck Almaguer and several grandchildren.
*****Charles “Charlie” Phelps, 72, of Bridge City, died Feb. 22.
Service was held at First Baptist on Saturday, Feb. 25.
He is survived by his wife Carolyn and daughters Ellen Fry, Jo Lynn Matula and son Charles, Jr. *****Jacky Lynn Folsom, 51, of Mauriceville, died Feb. 21.
Service was held at Claybar on Feb. 25.
Survivors are his mother Louise Folsom, son and daughter-in-law Clinton and Jennifer, son Clarence, one granddaughter Dakota Folsom and two brothers.
40 Years Ago-1976
Betty Em Giarratano, Diane Baxter and Martha Geirretts liberated themselves from husbands and children and headed to Mardi Gras in New Orleans. Four days might also be just the break that Bernard, Frank and Bax need to more appreciate the ladies. Gordon swears he’s just sitting at Village Creek, writing. Not sure I’m buying. *****Orange County Sheriff’s Posse wins relay race run in the Astrodome against Gonzales,. Dudley Baker, Jr. wins calf scramble that earned him $275. *****Harry’s Appliance has moved to a new location on 10th Street
and Main.
Big warehouse clearance sale going on now.
*****Word has reached us that the cute Bobbie Stakes is a college student now days since her family is grown.
*****The scenery around Orange County is just beautiful.
The dogwoods, pear trees and others are putting on new leaves.*****Things are busy at Franklin’s Sporting Goods, 1700 DuPont Drive, as Little League, Pony-Colt and girl’s softball players come in for baseball equipment.
Everyone got sports gear from Mr. Franklin before Wal-Mart, Academy, etc.
*****Deweyville basketball girls lose state playoff game by two points.
Fans got rowdy, which didn’t cause the Pirates to lose but it didn’t help.
*****Mothers Grace Dumesnil and Jo Bernard were spotted skating at Brown’s Rink in Bridge City.
Those two gals are pretty agile.
*****Maxine Gothia, a B.C. High student, is also a welder in a shipyard.
*****Jack King named chairman of the 13th Bridge City Lion’s Club anniversary banquet.
Pretty Janice Lapeyrolerie is club sweetheart. *****Ann Lieby wants to know why Wilson Roberts posted a picture of a mattress that supposedly belongs to Roy Dunn, on the Howard’s Food Center bulletin board.
(Editor’s note; Best I remember it had something to do with a mattress Jimmie Conn put on the esplanade on Texas Ave. with a sign stating, “Some old gal followed Roy as far as she could with that mattress on her back.” Some more Conn bull corn.)*****Hubbard Electric ladies basketball team wins state title beating Grapevine 65-57.
Players are Barbara Williams, Donna Evans, Julia Lambreth, Kay Moody, Regina Myers, Donna Seals, Faith Crawford, Ernestine Finley, Melinda Peck, Nelva Welch, Patricia Pace, Vonda Light and Sara Lane.
A FEW HAPPENINGS
A benefit for Donald Wayne Cole will be held Saturday, Feb. 27, at the Bridge City Community Center, from 11 a.m.
to 8 p.m.
Music by “One Way” at 12 noon, “Three Legged Dawg” at 2 p.m.
“Still Kicking” 4 p.m., “Eazy” at 6-till.
There will be plenty of food, silent and live auctions, children’s activities, etc.
Wayne is fighting cancer and can use help with his medical expenses.
He’s a great guy and worthy of your help.
Come have a good time for a good cause.
*****We haven’t heard how things are going for our friend Bobby Fillyaw, who is running for county judge in Newton.
His dad was a longtime county judge there. Bobby and Shirley Zimmerman ran Orange County EDC for several years and are both running for public office.
*****Congratulations to West Orange-Stark quarterback Jack Dallas and linebacker Steven Tims, who both won the Willie Ray Smith award.
Dallas got the offensive award and Tims won defensive award.
It is the first time one team took home both awards.
Dallas is a junior and will be returning, Tims is a senior.
Cornel Thompson is WO-S head coach.
*****The Beaumont Enterprise endorsed Sheriff Keith Merritt. Even though this publication doesn’t make endorsements in local races, as a column and opinion writer, I agree with the reasons the Enterprise gave for endorsing the Orange County Sheriff for re-election.
By the way, Sheriff Merritt will have a big, free barbecue at the VFW Hall Tuesday evening for campaign watch.*****The Wednesday Lunch Bunch had a fun gathering at JB’s Bar-B-Que last week.
John Roy Fredrick, a stand in for Nova Dee, and Pete are always good for a story.
Judge Thibodeaux always has one or two new ones to tell.
The Bunch was honored to have 94-year-old, Pearl Harbor survivor Cedric Stout and wife Cherry, who looks after him.
He’s a real hero.
The group meets at Robert’s this week and P.K.’s Grill next week.
*****Happy 60th anniversary to Cliff and Helen McCardle. They were married March 3, 1956, in Gulfport, MS.*****On Feb. 25, 1963, 53 years ago, Cassius Clay became heavy weight champion by TKO in the seventh round, defeating the “Big Bear” Sonny Liston.
Clay, who later adopted the name Muhammad Ali, was 21-years-old.
I saw that fight with Judge Sid Caillavet and Joe Blanda.
Those two great guys are gone now.
We enjoyed many sporting events together.
It’s hard to believe 53 years have gone by since Clay beat Liston.*****What’s up with the Bridge City boys:Cameron Dishon had a big weekend for the Rebels, going 3 for 8 at the plate, with a double, two singles and two walks.
Ole Miss went 3-0 on the weekend with a sweep over FIU. ***Matt Menard went 2-10, while drawing 3 walks for the Bears.
Matt was hitting in the three hole and playing catcher.
Baylor lost the series 1-2 to Washington.***Texas closer Chase Shugart threw three scoreless innings while surrendering no hits and striking out three.
He was throwing up to 97-mph.
The Longhorns won the series 2-1 over UNLV. Shugart will be looking for his first collegiate save as Texas takes on Stanford this weekend.
***Zach Smith has gotten off to a hot start for Texas A&M Kingsville, hitting 333.
The Javelins are 4-3 for the year.
*****A few folks we know celebrating birthdays in the next few days: On Feb. 24, our friend Doug’s widow, Regina Harrington, celebrates and also Dalton Bonds, Bill Bennett, Scarlett Fontenot and Taylor Brownlie.
The are joined by celebrities actors Billy Zane, 50 and Edward James Oimos, 69 and boxer Floyd Mayweather, 39.*****Feb. 25 finds Orangefield school board member, Bridge City assistant chief and motorcycle cop Brad Frye celebrating.
Joining him are Angela Brinson, Zelda Jones and Doris Byrd. Celebrities celebrating are comedian Carrot Top, 50 and actress Tea Leoni, 50.
*****On Feb. 26, a great guy, everyone’s friend, Coach Moe Litton celebrates another birthday.
Much water has run under his bridge.
Also celebrating are Claudia Williams, Braelyn Baugh and Amanda Beeson. They join singer Michael Bolton, 63 and pianist and rock & roll singer Fats Domino, 88.
*****On Feb. 27, our lifelong friend Anna Belle Rost celebrates a big one.
Also David Claybar, Butch Choate, Jeffrey Fregia celebrate, along with Darryls’s better half Gretta Brinson. Celebrities celebrating are singer Josh Groban, 35, actress Joanne Woodward, 86 and Bill and Hillary’s kid, Chelsea Clinton, 36.*****Feb. 28 finds Nolan LeBlanc celebrating his special day, also Ginger Romero, LaVerne McDonald, Kurt Reeves, Amy Ball, Kathy McKenzie and Anna Marshall. Celebrities celebrating are country singer Jason Aldean, 39, race car driver Mario Andretti, 76 and actor Gavin MacLeod, 85.*****On Feb. 29, we just get to wish these Leap Year babies happy birthday every four years but here goes.
I’m going to start with my buddy Logan Dubose, who I’ve known since birth and he’s been hyper since.
He’s Joyce and John Dubose’s grandson, Johnny’s boy and in this case the acorn didn’t fall far from the tree.
Also celebrating a Leap Year birthday are 80-year-old twins, Tabitha and Taylor Holste, who are celebrating their 20th birthday thanks to Leap Year.
Having a birthday on this day is a brilliant young man Will Brinson, also Kevin Jones and George Cassidy.
Joining them are self-help author Tony Robbins, 56 and actor Antonio Sabato, Jr. 44.*****On March 1, Jennifer Thomas is a year older and Mr. John Repasky, of Bridge City, turns 99 and looking forward to 100.
Best wishes John. Joining them are singer Justin Bieber, 22, director/actor Ron Howard, 62 and country singer Tate Stevens, 41.*****We hear Jasper received an overload of trout fish so they sent them to Claiborne West Park.
The trout were released at the park lake Tuesday.
CAJUN STORY OF THE WEEK
Otto Thibeaux’s 19-year-old daughter Agnes tells her papa and mama Clotile, dat she tinks she is expecting, her. Da parents dem, are very worried. Dey go to Harrington’s Drug Store and buy a pregnancy kit. Da test results show dat sur-nuff, Agnes is pregnant. Otto him, starts shouting, cussing and kicking da cat. “Who is dat pig wat did you like dat?” Otto axe, “Tell me, Agnes, I want to know me.”
Agnes her, pick up da phone and makes a call.
Bout half hour later, a Ferrari stops in front of Thibeaux’s house.
A mature, distinguished man in an expensive suit get out of da car and come into da house, him.
He sits in da living room with Otto and Clotile and dere daughter, Agnes, and tells dem, “Your daughter has informed me of da problem.” “I can’t marry her me, because of my personal family situation, but I’ll take da responsibility, me.” If a girl is born, I will bequeath her two retail stores, a town house, a beach villa and $1 million in da bank.” “If it’s a boy, my legacy will be a couple of factories and $2 million in da bank.” “If it’s twins, I’ll give a factory and $1 million to each.”
“Now, Mr. Thibeaux, if dere is a miscarriage wat do you suggest I do?”
At dis point, Thibeaux, wat had remained silent, place a hand firmly on da gentleman’s shoulder and tells him, “Mais, den you can try again.”
C’EST TOUT
President Obama’s plan to close Gitmo was released just before the Nevada caucus and a few hours before the GOP debate.
This news gave the candidates new talking points and changed the conversation.
It also gave the talk radio ‘Talking Heads’ fresh material.
It will be debated over and over.
Mitch McConnell and others will say it can’t be done.
If you were betting, who would you bet on?*****By this time next week the local election season will be all over but the crying.
We have really enjoyed visiting with the candidates.
Those we have met have all been very nice folks.
They are working hard to gain your vote. Every precinct has a local race.
In Pct.
1, five candidates are vying for commissioner to replace David Dubose. For the fist time in several years a woman is running to be on the court. Marcel Adams was the first woman to serve and Sue Bearden the second.
Four women are running for other countywide seats.
Two incumbent JP’s are being challenged, David Cagle, in Pct.
2, and Weldon Peveto, in Pct.
4.
Sheriff Keith Merritt faces opposition and also county commissioner John Banken, in Pct.
3.
With so many local races, it should be the largest Republican turnout in a primary in county history.; My guess has been 12,000.
I might be low.
Early voting usually accounts for 35 to 40 percent of the vote.*****My time is up, thanks for yours.
Please take time to vote. If you are a Democrat who doesn’t want to cross over, go vote Democratic, but vote.
It’s a patriotic thing to do. I’ll be back in our weekend special edition.
Take care and God bless.
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