Hometown News For Orange County, Texas
Hometown News For Orange County, Texas
HAPPY EASTER TO YOU AND YOURS
Well, spring arrived Sunday, after a very mild winter.
It brought its usual Easter week cold front.
The only bad thing about great, mild winter weather is that it never got cold enough to kill the bugs.
Our gardens will be invaded with the pests, probably some of those white flies that are so hard to get rid of.
***** Let me let you in on a good thing.
Our friends at Robert’s Restaurantwill open Easter Sunday. They usually don’t open but this is a special occasion.
Robert, who is very community minded, will donate all proceeds to flood victims.
His great employees will donate their time and be away from their families on Sunday for this worthy cause.
Steam table lunch will be available with a big variety of food choices for only $10 a plate.
Dine in or order to go.
Meal includes dessert and drink.
You can help a good cause and get a great meal.
*****Three explosions that ripped through the Belgian capital of Brussels on Tuesday killed at least 34 people and wounded about 230 more.
This explosion raised the reality of terror once again in the heart of Europe.
The attack stepped on the political news at home when presidential primaries are being held.
Also it nearly shut down the news about President Obama’s historic visit to Cuba and beyond in South America.*****Well, I have a long way to go and little time and I’m not as quick or sharp as I once was.
I’m fortunate however to still be able to motivate.
Come along, I promise it won’t do you no harm.
OBAMA ON HISTORIC CUBAN VISIT
President Barack Obama, his wife Michelle, daughters Malia and Sasha, along with his mother-in-law, arrived in Havana Sunday for a three day visit.
It is the first time in 88 years that a United States president visited Cuba.
In 1928, President Calvin Coolidge took three days to get there by battleship.
It took Obama only three hours on Air Force One.
President Obama, with his continued belief that engaging with isolated, authoritarian regimes can bring about great prosperity, peace, democracy and human rights.
Obama’s visit upended decades of history and could fundamentally transform life on the island.
The President is focusing on rebuilding commercial ties between the two countries but also draw a harder line on human rights and abuses by the Castro government.
President Obama met with Cuban President Raul Castro Monday.
He brought with him a variety of diplomatic Americans, 11 CEO’s eager to make deals, including Arne Sorenson, the GEO of Marriott.
Starwood Hotels and Resorts announced that it has signed three hotel deals in Cuba, the first in almost 60 years.
Starwood beat out several U.S. companies.
The present hotels will be totally renovated into luxury hotels.
President Obama attended an exhibition baseball game between the Tampa Bay Rays and Cuban Nationals before departing Tuesday afternoon for Argentina.
After 55 years of unsuccessful U.S. efforts to isolate and ignore Cuba, it’s a good move by Obama to try a new approach.
United States engagement makes sense.
The President, I believe, is looking toward the future.
He may not get everything he wants now but he’s betting on the come.
The Castro brothers are in their 80’s and in the not too distant future the bus will come to get them.
Obama is positioning the U.S. to be on the front row when a new day arrives.
President Obama is no dummy and always forward thinking.
Some day the U.S. will have normal relations with a democratic Cuba and Obama is laying that ground work.
It’s a progressive move after 50 years of a stalemate that didn’t work.
Of course, there will be those who will put a negative spin on the deal, just as they have on the Iranian deal.
They won’t give him credit for his leadership and never will.
CONDOLENCES
We were sorry to learn of the death of Roxie Rascoe, age 91, which passed away March 16.
A native of Limona, Florida, she had lived in Bridge City since 1950.
She was preceded in death by her husband of 57 years, Judge Guy Rascoe.
Ms.
Roxie is survived by sons Don and David, daughters Doris and Dana and their families.
Service was held Monday, March 21, at First Baptist Church in Bridge City.
Rest in peace.
See obituary.
*****Dr.
Herman Rudeseal, 94, died March 19.
H e would have been 95 in April.
He and his wife Clydelle had been married 76 years.
Together they had six children.
He opened his Chiropractic office in Orange in 1948. Dr.
Rudeseal was a pillar of the community.
The late Bill Godwin was his son-in-law.
Our sincere condolences to his wife and large family.
Please see obituary.
TURNING BACK THE HANDS OF TIME
10 Years Ago-2006
Although a proposed low income apartment complex is in the Orange city limits, the site is in the Bridge City school district.
Bridge City citizens have pledged to stop the proposed Cypresswood Crossing.
“We don’t want you here,” Bridge City lawyer told developer Ike Akbari.
Charles Britten, who lives in Bridgefield Estates said, “People have a lot to lose by that complex.” One woman said, “We don’t want it.
Our school district will never be the same.” Britten urged citizens of Bridge City to attend a regional hearing in Lufkin to protest the complex on April 12.
State Rep.
Mike Hamilton supports the project.
(Editor’s note: Cypresswood Crossing was completed eight years ago in the Bridge City school district and as far as I know it hasn’t caused any problems and has brought in considerable school taxes.)*****Ron Sigler was in town from Mexico where he’s working for Beacom Maritime in Progreso, Yucatan.*****Bill O’Reilly, FOX News ‘Talking Head’ and hypocrite, paid $10 million for his obscene phone calls to a young female employee.*****St. Mary Catholic Church will celebrate 125th anniversary on April 2.
Bishop Curtis Guillory will celebrate mass.
St. Mary School will celebrate its 80th anniversary with an open house on April 2.*****Jeff Bagwell, after 15 years with the Astros, is put on disabled list and not expected to return.
No one took it harder than Craig Biggo.
“It’s rough,” he said.
The two are ranked first and second in nearly every franchise category.*****Mary Fontenot is back to work at Bridge City Market Basket after multiple illnesses.
She’s lucky to be able to come back.
She’s lost weight and is looking good.
(Editor’s note: Mary has since passed away.
She was such a wonderful lady, liked by everyone.
Gone but never forgotten.*****Bridge City Bank is back into the main bank building wrecked by Hurricane Rita.
“We’re Back and Better,” is their motto.
(Editor’s note: The bank was hit again two years later by Hurricane Ike and again had to be totally remodeled.)*****Joy Dubose Simonton enters general practice of law.*****Kent Hutchison, formerly of Orangefield, chief executive officer of the C.J. Baxter Group, an employee development and management consulting firm in Nacogdoches, will be key speaker at the Bridge City Rotary Club’s 15th annual high school academic honors celebration.
Sixty-eight Bridge City High School students will be recognized.
*****Bridge City Cardinal baseball team is looking forward to a great season with returnees Kevin Angelle, Broc Haymon, Derrick Coleman, Johnny Dishon and Cody Sparks.
Sophomore catcher Casey Jackson has stepped up to handle the job left open by catcher Ben Myers, who has moved on to play for Northwestern State.
The Cards, under Coach Billy Bryant, are 17-3 and 2-0 in district 24-3A.*****A good trivia question: Who was the last pitcher to start a game for the Montreal Expos and who was the pitcher that started the first opening day game for Washington? The answer: Orange’s own big John Patterson pitched both.
The Expos became the Washington Nationals after the league took over the Expos.*****GONE BUT NOT FORGOTTEN: *****Jerry Leemon Dearmond, 67, died March 22.
He was a retired millwright and former U.S. Army veteran.
He is survived by his daughters Wendy andDana.*****Frank Edward Turner, 61, of Orange, died March 23.
He was a retired pipefitter.
He is survived by wife Judy and their children.*****Charles A “Mac” McQuhae, 82, of Orange, died Friday, March 24.
A Army Air Corps WWII veteran, he served as county commissioner of Pct.
2.
He was plant manager at Alpha Portland Cement.
He is survived by his wife Sudie Aileen Peveto McQuhae, son, daughter and their families.*****John Elix Hebert, 71, of Orange, died March 24.
A native of Abbeville, LA., he worked at Dupont and was an Army veteran.
He is survived by his son Scott Hebert and daughter Sherri.*****Marilyn C.Bullion, 68, of West Orange, died March 25.
Graveside services were held March 27at Forest Lawn Cemetery.*****Vena Bashaw McClelland, 86, died March 26.
She was a 63-year resident of Orange and member of First Baptist Church.
She is survived by sons Robert, Charlesand Edwin and their families.
She was preceded in death by her husband Charles AlfredMcClelland.*****Della Hardy Buxton, 88, of Orangefield, died March 26.
Service was held at St. Helen Catholic Church.
She was preceded in death by her husband Walton “Cowboy” Hardy.
Della was owner of Hardy’s Café in Orangefield for over 30 years.
She was the sister of “Coon” Vincent. Other survivors are son Stephen Roy Hardy and daughter Judy Ann Forman and their families.
40 Years Ago-1976
First Savings Association names Edward D. Peterson and R. Shon Hudson to their staff.
Peterson, a native of Orange, previously was employed at Orange Bank since 1961.
Hudson, also a native, previously worked for First national Bank.
Jim Gilliam is the president of First Savings.
This coming month Dick Corder celebrates 20 years working for KOGT. A long time to put up with Ed Lovelace.*****Birthdays are coming up in a couple of weeks for belly dancers Rose Davis and Carolyn Siebert.*****Jack Whitworth, as of April 1st., will become F&I man at the Ford store.
The former banker chose to stay in Orange and go to work for Charlie Wickersham.*****Congratulations to Brenda Braquet, winner of the Bridge City Optimist oratorical contest.
Her topic was “Tomorrow’s Promise.” (Editor’s note: Brenda, who is Ms.
Phyl’s niece, is now a CPA with her own business, is married to Scott Wilbur. They have two boys, one grandson, and live in Hamshire.*****Bealls Department Store is planning to move into their new quarters at MacArthur Shopping Center.*****Congressman Charlie Wilson and wife Jerry are home from Washington and are politicking together in the district.
She writes a column, ‘Petticoat Politics,’ for the Opportunity ValleyNews.*****Chanisse Meyers, 10, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. SidneyMeyers of Mauriceville, was the high point 4-H’er at the 4-H open horse show.
She was presented a gold and silver, engraved belt buckle.
The show had over 450 entries.*****W.T. Oliver isrunning for state senator, district 4.
The Bridge City resident has as his motto, “An Orange County Voice in Austin, Instead of a Seat.”*****Chief and Charles Atkinson win DERA Bass Club tourney fishing with a 35 pound stringer.
Gary Glende and Tommy Humphrey took a second place with a 24 pound catch.
Gary caught the largest fish, 5 pounds, 6 ounces.
Most of the fish were caught on worms in shallow water around stickups.
They fished out of San Augustine, on Sam Rayburn.*****Howard Matthews, W.W. “Bill” Hutto and HamLaughlin re-elected to the Bridge City water board.
Bill Van elected as school trustee for the first term.*****Attending the bi-district Rotary convention in Galveston were Wayne and Sherry Morse, Doug and Helen Harrington, Tim and Ann Lieby, Roy and Phyllis Dunn.
All are from the Bridge City club.*****Bob Breaux, who for several years was an active little league coach, lost his battle against cancer this week.
Bob was very good with the youngsters, not only teaching them the sport but giving them a love for baseball and made it fun, win or lose.
A FEW HAPPENINGS
A couple of weeks ago, our friend, Judge Joe Parkhurst broke his hip and has been in hospital.
It seems the ball of his hip had to be replaced and he’s now doing therapy.
Best wishes for a complete recovery.*****The Wednesday Lunch Bunch will dine at PK’s this week and at JB’s Barbeque next week.
Hopefully Judge Parkhurst can be back with us by then.
Everyone always welcome.*****The St. Mary’s St. Joseph Alter celebration Saturday drew a capacity crowd, more than expected but there was plenty of food for everyone.
Roselie Clark was somewhat handicapped due to the fact that her twin sister, Mary Ann, her right hand in overseeing the preparations of the Alter, had just gotten out of the hospital the day before.
Roselie was quick to give credit to all the wonderful volunteers who were a big help.
Judge Pat did his part as well.
Even H.D. Pate attended.
We spotted Margaret Toal sampling the different Italian dishes.
I came away with a loaf of the special bread and bought the best, homemade, Italian cream cake I’d ever eaten.
Everyone had a blessed, good time.*****The old timers knew where the best spots on bluffs were to build their homes so they would not flood.
A perfect example is Tommy and Sue Simar’s home at Echo.
Despite everything flooded around them, the old house Tommy’s grandpa built stayed high and dry.
There are many examples of that foresight around the county.*****We ran into our friend Shaun Davis and his dad Walt “Buddy”Davis, former Aggie, Olympic champion in the high jump and NBA basketball star and although the old guy was at the doctor’s office, he still seems to be doing quite well.
He probably could still shoot a few baskets if he didn’t have to run up and down the court. Those are two fine guys.
Shaun is director and manager of the Southeast Texas Regional Planning Commission and longtime husband of Tammy Davis, a lovely, sweet lassy.
They just returned from Nashville having visited with their entertainer son Hunter,who just got a publicist for his music.*****A few folks we know celebrating their special day in the next few days.
On March 23, our buddy of many years Euel Norwood is getting older.
Soon he’ll be catching up with Roy. Celebrating also are sweet Renee Dillon, Jimmy’s better half, also gospel singer Helen Clark has a birthday as does Natalie Sarvar, Chad Gearhart, Kenneth Kemp, Lance Eads and Grady Rawls all celebrate.
Celebrities celebrating birthdays on this day are country singer Brett Eldridge, 30 and R&B singer Chaka Khan, 63.*****On March 24, Coach Joe Blanda celebrates as does doctor to be, Grant Kimbrough, our longtime buddy, newspaper reporter, retired from Lamar Louise Wood. We haven’t heard from her or Rush in a while.
Brenda Edwards has a birthday and also Matt Hanson.
They are joined by football player Peyton Manning, 40, fashion designer Tommy Hilfiger, 65 and Big Bang Theory actor Jim Parsons, 43.*****March 25 finds a great guy, Warren Claybar, having a birthday.
He’s Brown’s boy, proving an acorn doesn’t fall far from the tree.
Also celebrating are Matt Thompson, Katie Birdwell and Mike Vincent.
They join singer Elton John, 69, race car driver Danica Patrick, 34 and activist Gloria Steinem, 82.*****On March 26, everyone’s friend, attorney Joe Alford, marks another birthday.
Our prayers are with our friend.*****A nice lady, one of the late Steve Stevens lovely daughters, Sherry Stevens, celebrates as does “The Mailman” Billy LeLeux. They join rock singer Steven Tyler, 68, singer Diana Ross, 72 and country singer Kenny Chesney, 48.*****On March 27, Ruth Platt, Nancy Crew, Jane Scherer all join Bridge City grad Dale Forse as they celebrate birthdays.
Celebrities celebrating on this day are director Quentin Taranino, 53, pop singers Mariah Carey, 46 and Fergie, 41.*****On March 28, Garrett Clay Gros, Karen’s oldest of her three sons, Roy and Phyl’s oldest grandson celebrates on this day.
Also celebrating are Dorothy Keith, Jason James, Jean Jackson and Mike Roberts.
They join pop singer Lady Gaga, 30, country singer Reba McEntire, 61 and Cowboy coach Jason Garrett, 50.*****On March 29, Dean’s big brother, Al Granger,celebrates another birthday.
“Where’s the party?” Rev. Leo Anderson’s widow, IvalynAnderson, who is in a nursing home, celebrates today as does John Norwood and KaydeeWingate. Celebrities celebrating are model Elle McPherson, 52 and football player EarlCampbell, who turns 61.
This was also the day our 90-year-old friend Anabel Anderson passed away.
Gone but not forgotten.*****We heard from Jan, from the Bridge City Senior Citizens Hall, who said that when all the evacuations were taking place last week, there were many requests to keep the BC Senior building and the City agreed.*****Also being good neighbors were the folks at Five Point Credit Union who provided lunches to the Senior building.
All food and deserts were bought at Bridge City businesses.
A big thank you goes out to Five Point.
*****Dancing with the Stars returned to ABC Monday night.
Len Goodman, age 72, after a year away from judging, is back with the original judges, Carrie Inaba and Bruno Tonioli. Twelve celebrities were paired with the professional dancers.
Three NFL football players preformed, MVP Von Miller, Antonio Brown and “Hail Mary” Doug Flutie, Marla Maples, former Mrs. Donald Trump, did good enough but she’s thin and doesn’t have the well-stacked body I recall.
Poor Geraldo got a 13 out of 30 score.
He’s as bad as I am.
He won’t be around long.*****Our friends at David Self Tractor, in Buna and Winnie, are having a special sale, with great terms, for anyone coming from a county that has been declared a disaster area.
Save on all Mahindra tractors and utility vehicles.
There is no better time to visit them.
Tell our buddy George in Buna we sent you.
CAJUN STORY OF THE WEEK
An elderly Cajun couple, Agnes and Joe Comeaux, return to a Mercedes dealership in Lafayette, where de salesman has just sol’ de car dey was interested in buying to a beautiful, busty blonde.
“I tought you say you would hold dat car till we come back wit’ de $75,000 axing price,” ol’ man Comeaux say. “But I just heard you close de deal for $65,000 wit’ dat lovely young lady dere. You tol’ me dere was no discount on dis model.”
“Well, wat can I tell you, me?” de salesman say. “She had de ready cash and just look at her, how could I resist?”
Jus den de young woman approached de ol’ couple and give dem de keys.
“Dere you go,” she say to Comeaux, “I tol’ you I would get de smart ass to drop de price. See you later, PawPaw.”
Never mess with the elderly….
C'EST TOUT
Congrats to Kee-Kee and crew: The Bridge City Chamber of Commerce has announced that Dupuis Tire and Service Center has been named Business Member of the Month for March.
Earl Duhon accepted the award, sponsored by Sabine River Ford, from board member and ambassador LucyFields. The March networking coffee was hosted by MCT Credit Union.Dupuis Tire received gifts from several local merchants.
Dupuis Tire and Service Center is one of Bridge City’s oldest businesses, established over 73 years ago by Paul Dupuis.
Paul retired in 1967 and his son Kenny bought the company and still owns it today.
Dupuis Tire andService Center sells new and used tires and Interstate batteries as well as offering a wide range of maintenance services and repairs for vehicles.
Dupuis is Orange County’s only full service gas station.*****Well, my time is up, and I thank you for yours.
Here's wishing you a very nice safe holiday.
May your basket be full of goodies.
Stay safe if going to Grandma's house.
Shop our family of advertisers when you can.
Take care and God bless.
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