Hometown News For Orange County, Texas
Hometown News For Orange County, Texas
COMING SOON, BASSMASTER,
ART IN THE PARK
The Bassmaster Elite Series, hosted by the Greater Orange Area Chamber of Commerce, will be held April 6 to April 9, at the City of Orange Boat Ramp.This will be the third Elite Series the Chamber has hosted since 2013.
The series is the highest level of professional bass fishing tournaments.
Competitors must qualify for the series through the Bass Pro Shops, Bassmaster Opens or the B.A.S.S. Nation. Anglers who are already on the Elite Series must re-qualify each year by maintaining enough points throughout the season.
The pro anglers compete all season for the opportunity to win points toward the Toyota Bassmaster Angler of the Year award and to qualify for the Bassmaster Classic.
David Jones and Commissioner John Gothia are the chairmen for the event.
The daily launch time for the anglers will be at 6:45 a.m.
Daily weigh-ins will be at 3 p.m.
Flights and check-in times will be staggered to give each angler equal fishing time.
The Chamber will also host the Orange County River Festival.
It will run the same dates as the fishing tournament.
The festival will feature food vendors, craft vendors, display vendors and a carnival.
There will be free a concert on Friday night featuring Dustin Sonnier, 5:30 to 7:30 p.m.
and The Mixed Nuts, playing from 8 p.m.
to 10 p.m.
Saturday’s headliner will be Country music star Tracy Byrd, playing from 7 p.m.
to 9 p.m.
Curse and the Cure will open for Byrd at 5:30 p.m.
The Orange Convention and Visitors Bureau will host Art in thePark, along with the Chamber event.
Art in the Park is scheduled for Saturday, April 7, 9 a.m.
to 4 p.m.
at Stark Park. This is a free event that will include over 100 artist and crafters from the Southeast Texas, Southwest Louisiana and surrounding areas.
Venders will be on site serving a variety of food and drinks.
Children’s activities will be available on site.
Live entertainment, starting at 10 a.m.
till noon, will feature LN and the Crush.
Following LN and the Crush, Dreamsicles will entertain from 1 p.m.
to 3 p.m.***** .I’ve got to move on.
Come along, I promise it won’t do you no harm.
A GOOD MAN HAS PASSED
Charles Ray Wilcox, 94, passed away on March 16. Funeral service was held Tuesday, March 20, at Claybar Funeral Home. Charles was a successful farmer of citrus trees and vegetables. He owned Wilcox Market Garden, where customers came to purchase his fresh, homegrown, produce. Many people, over the years, sought him out for advice about planting a successful garden. Charles loved teaching both teenagers and adults. He was a WWII veteran and had retired from Dupont. He was buried at Jett Cemetery with full military honors. A good man has left us. Condolences to his family. Please see obituary.
TURNING BACK THE HANDS OF TIME
10 years Ago-2008
Since ‘Mission Accomplished.’ Saturday four more youngsters were killed in Iraq, bringing the number of our dead heroes to 4,000, with 26,000 injured or maimed.
That’s 30,000 total, not counting the great damage that has hit many families.
Bush, Cheney and Rumsfeld must have ice water in their veins if they can sleep at night knowing the injustice they put on the people of Iraq.
The invasion and occupation of a country that didn’t attack us has left over 100,000 dead and four million misplaced.
The American people are suffering for their wrong mistake, costing $12 billion a month and tearing our country apart. Cheney says, “So.” Some day, some way, they’ll pay.
***** We still have very important law enforcement elections to be decided.
This is possibly the most important sheriff’s race in 20-years.
Constable Keith Merritt, who led the early primary voting and incumbent Mike White, who came in second, ahead of Huel Fontenot, are both on the ballot in a runoff.
It’s important that voters return to the polls to pick our Orange County sheriff.
Also for the first time in history we will have three new constables, Pct.
4 Constable Weldon Peveto was returned to office, Mark Phillpott edged out two opponents to win in Pct.
3.
Both Pct.
1 and Pct.
2 have runoffs to pick their constables.
In Pct.
1, Sarah Jefferson Simon and Chris Humble are battling for that spot.
The constable’s race in Pct.
2 will be determined in a runoff also, between Rob Strause and A.B. ‘Yank’ Peveto.
***** Our guy in the major leagues, John Patterson, was surprisingly cut by the Washington National last Thursday.
John will now land with the Texas Rangers.
Since he is still in rehab from his forearm problem, he would probably have to serve some time in the minors.
John has had the worst luck when it comes to staying healthy but I predict his greatness will emerge at some point.
***** Adas ‘Coon’ Vincent passed away March 17.
A memorial will be held March 30, 2 p.m.
at Claybar Funeral Home in Bridge City.
Coon was one of our unique people.
He lived his 88 years to the fullest.
He was always full of life and made it interesting for the folks around him.
He was a pioneer in many ways.
I’ll never forget what great pals he and Jimmy Segura were.
The ‘Gold Dust Twins’ were the salt-of-the-earth characters.
.
*****Nolan and Nelda Devillier also always did the Easter feast in an unusual way.
Nolan cooked up a 300-pound whole hog.
Gwen and Tony Titus, Ginger and the rest of the large family celebrated the way the pilgrims did, a hog on the pit with an apple in its mouth.
TURNING BACK THE HANDS OF TIME
40 Years Ago-1978
An awful tragedy took the life of young Jeffrey Williams last week.
He was the son of Dr.
Howard and Mrs. Williams.
Jeffery’s bride to be Melanie McGann was listed in critical condition.
She is the daughter of *****Beth Ann Clark, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Russell McCann.*****Beth Ann, daughter of Rosalie and Pat Clark was a little upset recently when her sister upstaged her at the Channel 6 filming of the St. Joseph’s Altar at St. Theresa’s church.
Five-year-old Beth Ann did not appear on television although her seven-year-old sister Mary Ann did.
When daddy Pat offered to call the station to complain about it, Beth Ann looked up the phone number for him.
*****The Orange County Bar Association presented 260th.
District Court Judge Don Burgess with a robe.
Steve Carlton, bar president, made the presentation.
It is customary for the Bar Association to purchase robes for new judges.
*****Rhonda Martin was selected for the NJCAA Region XIV women’s basketball all regional team.
Martin plays guard for Angelina College.
She is a 1977 graduate of Bridge City High and was coached by Barbara Williams.
*****Bridge City High announced Valerie Jean Mouton valedictorian and Acy B. Duhon, Jr., salutatorian.
Named to the top five-percent were Bradley J. Fisette, Mark Allan Fisette, Deborah Joyce Hardee, Lori Lynn Henderson, Elizabeth Diane James, Joe David Kemble and Brian Keith Truncale. *****Fred Chapman, KOGT engineer, is also a writer and considered to be an expert in electronics.
He has been published many times in electronic magazines.
His articles also include graphs and pictures.
***** David and Debbie Fusilier became the parents of a baby girl last week.
GONE BUT NOT FORGOTTEN
Obituaries 10 Years Ago-2008
Howard Allen Schur, 78, of Bridge City, passed away, Friday, March 21.
Funeral service was held Tuesday, March 25.
Schur served in the US Army during WWII. He was a Boilermaker for Chevron, a member of the OCAW 2-223 Union and the American Legion Post 49.
He is survived by his wife, Maudrey Schur, children and stepchildren, Richard Schur, Lynda Posten, Virginia Oceguera, Keith Gregg, Melinda Smith, Renee Degeyter, grandchildren and great-grandchildren.*****Norman Lewis Clark, 81, of Orangefield, passed away Monday, March 17.
Funeral services were held Wednesday, March 19.
He worked as a carpenter, a ranch foreman.
He was a veteran of the United States Navy during World War, II. He is survived by his wife Helen Clark, daughters, Norma Sabins and Wanda Ezernack, sons, Tommy Clark, , Bill Clark and Claude Clark, thirty-nine grandchildren, fifty-three great-grandchildren and four great-great grandchildren.***** Albert Henry “Buddy” Murray, 61, of Orange, passed away on Monday, March 17.
Funeral service was held Thursday, March 20.
He retired after almost 40 years as a Boilermaker from Local #587.
He was a member of Gulf Coast Cruisers and the Orange Peel-Out Car Club.
He is survived by his wife of 39 years, Mary C. Murray, father, Luther O. Murray, son, James Walter Murray, and grandchild, Chase Ty Murray.***** Warren J. “Dub” Stine, 69, of Orange, passed away, Tuesday, March 17.
Funeral service was held Thursday, March 19.
He was a member and former president of Orange County Sheriff Posse and Quarter Horse Association.
He is survived by his wife, Mary Stine, children, Sherrell Stine,Warren Stine, Elizabeth Stine Gillen, Jason Bryan, Jennifer Russell and thirteen grandchildren.***** Lillian H. Mercer, 83, of Bridge City, died Wednesday, March 19.
Funeral service was held Friday, March 21.
She is survived by her daughter, Sandi and son Jerry, four granddaughters, Angie Mercer, Melanie Mercer Smith, Tami Mead Jackson and Jessica Mead and great-grandson, J. C. Smith.
A FEW HAPPENINGS
A Little About the Natives
Eli Peveto, a junior at Little Cypress-Mauriceville, is a distance runner leading all area runners in the 1,600 and 3,200 meter races.
He has the state relays as a target.
Eli is the youngest son of Bridge City teacher Robin and attorney Rex Peveto. Orange County track fans will be watching his progress and will be pulling for him.*****Last week two local old timers, Jerry Priddy and Joe Payne, met up at Harmon’s Used Cars, where Joe is now working, to talk about the good old days.
Both are well in their 80’s but their memory is amazing.
*****Friday, Judge Pete Runnels and Roy were visiting and recalling politics of the past.
Both agree that back then political elections were a lot more fun than today.
They both recalled when Pete’s dad, Joe Runnels, who was running for county judge, brought the Louisiana Hayride in for a concert for his election.
Tillman Frank, the boss and voice of the Hayride, was a friend of Joe’s.
Tillman was the driver of the car in which Johnny Harton was killed.*****Speaking of politics, Mark Carter was in talking to Dave Rogers about something that has gone astray in the local Democratic Party.*****Speaking of Democrats, I met a nice lady who really impressed me.
Carol Edwards is a democratic activist who is very astute.
*****Our buddy H.D. Pate is now in rehab in Vidor according to wife Pat.
H.D. is much improved although she is worn out from the long stay of Pate at St. Elizabeth.
Pat says he’s the most stubborn person she has ever known and for that reason she believes he may someday return home.
Something she once believed impossible.
*****Our friend Judge Derry Dunn has been undergoing procedures to break up some kidney stones.
I believe last Wednesday was his last trip to the doctor.
The procedure doesn’t hurt but a wee-weeing a bee-bee.
It takes true grit.
I’d better be nice to him, tomato season is coming.
He raises a lot and doesn’t eat any.*****Something we all learned a long time ago, but still can’t resist doing, is putting a Q-tip in our ear.
Our next door buddy Glen Oliver knows better but he did it anyway.
His ear got infected with a fungus and hurts a lot.
His warning, “Keep Q-tips away from your ears.”*****Our friend-girl Marlene Merritt came by with our annual supply of deer sausage.
Another one of her traditions is that she gives Roy a big chocolate rabbit every Easter.
She may not get to do that this year, Thursday she will undergo foot surgery for the second time.
The first time must have been a bad job.
Hopefully this surgery will take care of the pain she has been enduring.*****Sue and Tommy Simar stopped by last week.
Sue is concerned that Tommy is not following up with this therapy after knee surgery and that his legs will completely shut down.
She’s right Tommy, you and Roy need to do what you know needs doing.****A great guy, Lou Garriga, that we have known over 50 years, is now bedridden in an Orange rehab house.
We hear he’s doing much better.
Lou is former NFL quarterback Brett Farve’s cousin.
We hear also that one of Lou’s daughter’s will take her Sacred Vows to become a nun in May. I’ll find out more about that.*****We were sorry to hear about the death of Sally Vance, 88, who passed away March 10.
The longtime wife of Pastor Dale Vance, who preceded her in death, was the mother-in-law of our friend Karen Jo Vance.
To Robert and his family our condolences.*****Pauline Wimberly, wife of the late Judge Claude Wimberly, and some friends have just returned from a trip to Israel.
It wasn’t Pauline’s first visit there.
I asked why Israel? She said, “That’s where it all began.”*****At the Lunch Bunch get together last week, Eugene Godeaux and JB Arrington, both over 90 years old, visited about their Navy days in WWII. Gene served on the Dyson, built in Orange.
J.B. had a dozen other assignments.
They both speak with pride about their military service.*****The Wednesday Lunch Bunch dined at Van Choates’ Tuffy’s this week and back at Robert’s next week.
Everyone always welcome.*****The ‘First Day of Spring’ was Tuesday, March 20.
I checked the Pecan tree, still no buds.
Oldtimers say winter ain’t over till the Pecan tree buds.
BIRTHDAYS
A few folks we know celebrating birthdays in the next few days.
March 21: Barbara Mosier, Pam Nugent, Kyle Anderson, Harold Scales, Tanya Simon and Johnny Dishon all celebrate.
Celebrities joining them Scott Eastwood 31, actor, Rosie O’Donnell 55, TV host, Matthew Broderick 55, actor, Gary Oldman 59, actor*****March 22: Wanda Taylor, Carsen Carpenter, Robert Thomas, along with Reese Witherspoon 41 actress, JJ Watt 28 football player, William Shatner 86 TV actor all celebrate.*****March 23: Euel Norwood, Kenneth Kemp, Lance Eads, Chad Gearhart, Natalie Sarvar, Renee Dillon and Helen Clark all have birthdays on this day.
Also celebrating are Perez Hilton 39, blogger, Brett Eldridge 31, country singer, Keri Russell 41, actress.*****March 24: Today is Palm Sunday, celebrated around the world.
Celebrating birthdays today are James Stone, Coach Joseph Blanda, Louise Wood, Brenda Edwards and Grant Kimbrough.
Also having birthdays on this day are Peyton Manning 41, football player, Jim Parsons 44, TV actor, Alyson Hannifin 43, TV actress, Tommy Hilfiger 66, fashion designer.*****March 25: Today Katie Birdwell, Matt Thompson, Warren Claybar, Mike Vincent all celebrate birthdays, joining them are Elton John 70, rock singer, Sarah Jessica Parker 52, actress, Aretha Franklin, 75, soul singer, Danica Patrick 35, race car driver.*****March 26: Sherry Stevens and Billy LeLeux, the postman celebrate.
Joining them are Diana Ross 73, singer, Keira Knightley 32, actress, Steven Tyler 69, rock singer, Kenny Chesney 49, country singer.*****March 27: Nancy Crew, Ruth Platt and Dale Forse celebrate along with Mariah Carey 47, pop singer, Fergie 42, pop singer, Quentin Tarantino 54, director, Pauley Perrette, 48 TV actress.
CAJUN STORY OF THE WEEK
Back in January, Thophile (Tee Dez) Desomeaux him, went duck hunting way up north pass Shreveport. He bagged his limit, tree ducks, and put dem in da bed of his pickup truck. He was bout to drive back home to Abbeville wen he was confronted by an ornery game warden.
Officer Melvin Johnson didn’t like Cajuns him. He axe Tee Dez to show his hunting license. Tee Dez show him a valid Louisiana license.
Office Johnson pick up one of dem duck, sniffed its butt and said, “Dis duck ain’t from Louisiana, dis here is a Texas duck.” Well boy, he axe, “Do you got a Texas license?” Tee Dez him, produced a Texas hunting license.
Da game warden looked at it, reached over and grabbed da second duck, sniffed it’s butt and said, “Dis ain’t no Texas duck, it’s from Arkansas.” “You got an Arkansas license you?”
Tee Dez produced an Arkansas license.
Da warden reached over, picked up da turd duck and sniff its butt. “Dis ain’t no Arkansas duck, dis is a Mississippi duck.” “You got a Mississippi hunting license,” he axe wit a big grin on his face.
Desomeaux him, dig in his wallet and out came a Mississippi hunting license.
Game warden Johnson him was extremely frustrated by now. He yell at dat Cajun, “Just where da hell are you from anyhow?”
Desmeaux him, he turn around, bent over, dropped his pants to his ankles and said, “Mister, you tell me, you da expert.”
C’EST TOUT
MARCH IS TEXAS HISTORY MONTH
March 2, 1793, was the birth date of Sam Houston.
Texas declared its independence from Mexico on March 2, 1836.
The Alamo fell on March 6, 1836.
After Houston was elected commander-in-chief of the Army of the Republic of Texas he took to the field March 7, determined to relieve Travis at the Alamo.
Roy says his family helped settle the state.
This week, in his ‘Down Life’s Highway’ column, he writes about his grandfather Allen arriving in Rising Star with his mom, a Civil War widow from Searcy, Arkansas, March 1865.
Few people are alive today that had grandparents living during the Civil War.
Roy’s dad Clay also was a WWI veteran, who fought hand to hand combat in France.
The old Cemetery at Sipes Springs, just out of Rising Star, has people buried there dating back to the Civil War.
Roy’s story is a historical one.
Hope you enjoy it.
Also we are glad to have him back at his desk.*****My time is up, thanks for yours.
Please patronize our ‘Family of Advertisers.’ Take care and God bless.
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