Hometown News For Orange County, Texas
Hometown News For Orange County, Texas
TRUMP TO HIJAC ANNUAL CELEBRATION
President Donald Trump will probably kick off his re-election campaign with a big Fourth of July “Salute to America” celebration at the Lincoln Memorial, where he will address the nation.
The nation’s capital is already home to a vast Fourth celebration; however Trump plans on high-jacking the event.
This week Trump said this will be one of the “Biggest Gathering” in the history of Washington, including an address by your favorite president, “Me.” The gathering hasn’t been approved by the National Park Service who issues permits.
Trump said there will be fireworks, entertainment and his address.
Trump makes it sound like he’s putting on the show but it’s an annual event at the National Mall that attracts hundreds of thousands of people.
This year Trump will claim it’s his crowd who came to see him, not a salute to the American people but a Trump rally.
He made news last year when he proposed a military parade that would cost $80 million.
He wanted a parade like Kim Jung Un puts on and was unhappy when told it would cost too much.***** I have to move on.
Please come along, I promise it won’t do you no harm.
REMEMBERING “NANNY” YEAMAN
Lisa Lynn Howell “Nanny” Yeaman, 60, of Bridge City, passed away on Feb. 21. Services will be held Wednesday, Feb. 27, at Second Baptist Church. A native of Arkadelphia, Arkansas, she and Skipper raised their two sons, Jeremy and Jason, in the Bridge City community. Skipper is a quality guy, their sons fine young men. He and Nanny were married 40 years since they were youngsters. To her mother Evelyn and the entire family our sincere heartfelt sympathy. Please see obituary.
CONDOLENCES
Our condolences to the family of Jessie “Mama Jess” Johnson, 75, who passed away Feb. 22.
A celebration of life will be held at 2 p.m., Saturday, March 7, at Claybar Funeral Home of Orange.
Visitation will be held at 1 p.m.
before the service.
Folks might remember her from Sunset Grove Country Club or as the original cook and pastry chef at Tuffy’s Restaurant.
May she rest in peace.
Please see Obituary.*****We were also sorry to hear of the death of Mark Oldham, 70, who passed away Feb. 21 in Houston.
Funeral Service for the Dupont retiree will be Friday, March 1, 10 a.m., at Claybar Funeral Home of Orange.
Visitation will be Thursday, 5 p.m.
to 8 p.m.
Our sympathy to his family and friends.
Please see obituary.
TURNING BACK THE HANDS OF TIME
10 Years Ago-2009
The area mourned the untimely death of 17-year-old Destin Lairsey, killed in an auto accident.
The young Deweyville athlete was just starting in life, a junior in high school.*****I can only imagine also the shock Gary Stelly felt when his very dependable radio personality, Rex “Russell” Boehme, didn’t show up for his 9 a.m.
shift only to find out Rex had died of a heart attack while watching a movie in his apartment.
He never gave any indication he ever felt bad.
***** Many longtime residents to the area are not coming back.
Mayor Kirk Roccaforte says that now young couples are buying homes in Bridge City at great prices and that’s a good thing.
They will put roots down and raise their children helping the school district and giving new, young blood to the community.
My best guess is that at least 400 to 500 people are bailing out. The Ike storm has taken its toll on the elderly, some are dying, others have experienced failing health.
For the most part, the community is strong, with determined citizens who love their community and want to see it great again.***** “Stand by for news,” Paul Harvey Auranot, 90, who made the “rest of the story” line famous on radio, died last week.
He was born in Tulsa, where his policeman father was killed when he was a baby.
Harvey had 24 million radio listeners and 300 newspapers carried his syndicated column.
He was up by 3:30 a.m.
and always ended his show with “Good Day.”*****The Bridge City baseball team is rated number six in the state 3-A polls.
*****Basketball giant Shaquille O’Neal reached age 37 on Feb. 6.
*****Bachelor no longer to be, Coach Josh Smalley, will have a wedding shower in the teacher’s lounge at the high school all day Wednesday.
Best wishes for many happy years.
***** Steve Worster inducted into the Texas Football Hall of Fame Wednesday.
Steve rushed for 5,422 yards at Bridge City in three seasons.
Bridge City went to the state championship in 1965 and again in 1966 to become the champions.
At Texas in 1968 to 1970, No. 30 Worster and the Longhorns won 30 straight games.
Steve rushed for 2,353 yards and made 36 touchdowns.
The Horns were the National Champions and Worster was named All-American.
The Wishbone offense was designed to fit his running style.
Worster is a legend for his accomplishments.
Bridge City owes a lot to him for putting the city on the map and kick starting the great community.
***** Speaking of the great days, we had a nice visit with Coach Chief Wilson.
He spoke about how hard it was with just one team advancing to the playoffs.
“You had to be loaded with talent,” he said.
Chief’s 1973 Bridge City team lost only one game and didn’t advance to the playoffs.
That was his last coaching season.
He lives in College Station and he and son Rusty, and nephew, Harry Lee Chester, sometime back, visited Bum at his Goliad Ranch.
Chief was trying to make arrangements to attend Worster’s honor in Waco Wednesday.
He’s 81 years old.
***** Special happy birthday this week to longtime friends Vivian Dorman and Vickie Brown, lovely ladies.
Also happy birthday to our buddy Pat Pate.
Rick Trahan, Carolyn Sheppard, Kristen Rucker and Mike White all celebrate this week.
Best wishes.
(Editor’s note: Remember this was 10 years ago.)
GONE BUT NOT FORGOTTEN
Obituaries 10 Years Ago-2009
Funeral services for Jackie Thompson were held Feb. 28.
She was a 1949 graduate of Lutcher Stark High School and was a member of the Bengal Guards.
She is survived by sons, Hammon D. Thompson, Stephen W. Thompson daughter, Cyndi Tindel, five grandchildren and twin sister, Gerry Frensley.*****Randy Hubbard, 54, of West Orange, died Wednesday, Feb. 25.
Funeral services were Feb. 28.
Randy was a longtime resident of the Orange / West Orange areas.
He is survived by son, RandyHubbard, Jr., daughters, Misty Duhon and Tiffany Cole, and eight grandchildren.***** Adam Merriman, 29, of Orange, died Sunday, March 1.
Funeral services will be at 10 a.m.
Thursday at Claybar Funeral Home in Orange.
Graveside services will follow.
He is survived by his mother, Jane Gentry, father Augustus Merriman, stepfather Olan Gentry, grandfather, Earl Waters, daughter Katlyn Marie Merriman, sister, Melissa Kovatch and brother, Mark Gentry.***** Rodney L. Lamb, 71, of Bridge City, died Thursday, Feb. 26.
Memorial services will be at 1 p.m.
Thursday at Claybar Funeral Home in Orange.
He was retired from DuPont, a member of the Merchant Marines and also a member of the Lionel Train Club.
He is survived by wife, Mary Jo Lamb; son Andy Lamb, stepsons Bruce Willingham, BrianWillingham, Bobby Willingham and Darren Willingham and 11 grandchildren and one great-grandchild.
40 Years Ago-1979
Beatrice Barrett, referred to simply as Bea, died this week.
For five months she had been at M.D. Anderson. She was a rare lady with pioneer ways and the mental toughness of our early settlers, yet she was kind and helpful to many.
*****Uncle Jim McKay is looking forward to his 94th birthday March 10.
*****Pretty Vicki Curtis celebrates a birthday March 6, as does Trubie Shelton.
Trubie’s hubby, Judge Marlin, will celebrate on March 13.
*****The Bob Hope Telethon was held in Houston last weekend.
One million, two hundred thousand was raised to build the Bob Hope Vocational HighSchool at Hughen School for Crippled Children in Port Arthur.
W.T. Oliver promoted the affair.
Many Orange Countians attended the two-day event.
Some of the stars appearing: Kenny Rogers, Jimmy Dean, Andy Williams, Vic Damone, Johnny Desmond, Dennis James, Buddy Rogers, Nancy Ames, Lynn Anderson, Pia, Allison Arngrim, Doug Kershaw, Kathy Crosby and 23 other entertainers.
Orange County folks having a ball were Joe and Patsy Norman, the Bill Hughes’, Earl Bishop’s, Curtis Lee’s Weldon Leger’s, Charles Johnson’s, W.T. and Ann Oliver, Roy and Phyllis Dunn.
Joe Norman, of Norstock Steel, and Hughes present a photo of the proposed Bob Hope High School to Dennis James for Hope.
Joe Norman is general contractor for the project.
45 Years Ago-1974
Jim Crossland, athletic director and head football coach at Little Cypress-Mauriceville, as of March 1, became defensive co-coordinator for the Chicago Fire, in the new World Football League.
Crossland had a 43-28 record and a district championship while at LC-M.*****The Scarbroughs, Randy, Robert and Ricky, along with Matt Carlin, Guy Gann, and ScottGann, played a benefit for Lauri Fish, a leukemia patient March 2 at LC-M auditorium.
(Editor’s note: I wonder if any of those guys still play music.
Best I recall, for a young group they were very good.
Somewhere, before Ike came, I had an original tape made by the Scarbroughs at the time Robert was a senior in high school, Ricky, the drummer, was a 9th grader and little Randy, who sang and played rhythm guitar was in the seventh grade.)*****Officers of the Bridge City Youth Basketball Association are Milton Briggs, president, Bill Godwin, vice president, Patsy Munlin, secretary, Horace Foremon, player agent, Jack King, PR, Ray Ener, player welfare Don Cole, chief officer.
Coaches were James Spector, Sam Street, T.R. Woods, Casey Bryant, Fred Kressman, and Horace Foreman.
Milton Briggs, was assistant coach.
55 Years Ago-1954
Cassius Clay became World Heavyweight Champion defeating Sonny Liston on TKO in Miami, Beach, Feb. 25.*****Judge Sid Callivet, Sheriff Chester Holts, Roy Dunn and Joe Blanda, all from Orange, watched the fight on big screen in Lake Charles. Clay later changed his name to Muhammad Ali.
A FEW HAPPENINGS
Orange Depot has received a state historical marker to be unveiled at a ceremony Thursday, March 7, at 5 p.m.*****A couple of weeks ago Gus Harris and Bobby Cormier visited Joe Heinen and reported Joe, thoughstill in bad health, is showing improvement.
Joe sold his Honey Bee Ham operation in Lake Charles in the last few weeks.
Everyone likes Joe.*****March 2, is both Texas Independence Day (1836) and Sam Houston’s birthday.
Without these two events we might all be talking Spanish instead of broken English.
Really, both days are important in Texas history and should be celebrated.
*****Wilson Roberts, the old lawman, can see again after being blind with cataracts.
He had surgery and he and the little pink truck will soon be back on the road again.
He said he didn’t recognize V.J. when he got his eyesight back.
*****Belated Happy Birthday, Feb. 21, to Paulette Stephens, a longtime special friend who is special to everyone who knows her.
*****Some folks we know celebrating birthdays in the next few days.
Wed., Feb. 27, Anna Belle Rost marks her 84th birthday.
She and Roy made their First Communion together 75 years ago at St. Mary Magdalene in the real Cajun town of Abbeville.
David Claybar, a boy we knew as a youngster, Lannie and Margie’s oldest, celebrates on this day also.
***Feb. 29, a longtime little buddy, one of a kind, Johnny’s high wire act, Logan Dubose, is a year older today.***Friends of Gene Bouillion, Port Director, will be saying goodbye come Thursday, Feb. 28.
I for one will miss him.
He’s been a good friend over the years.
We wish him a great life in retirement.
We will never forget the boy from the rice capital, Crowley, LA. *****Our buddy Judge Derry Dunn made a trip to Utah for a few days and got in some skiing time.
Jane stayed home.
She’s still teaching despite retiring earlier.
*****We had a visit from David Harmon last week.
He has been battling cancer over the last year and is still taking treatments but is now getting around some.
It was good to see him.
***** New JP Chad Jenkins got a brutal, sad, first inquest when he presided over the death of little two-year-old Savannah Roque, who was beaten to death with a hammer by her father, Yovahnis Roque.
Judge Hershel Stagner ordered an autopsy.
*****A strange plane trip. A passenger was discovered unconscious in the bathroom of a plane while it was in the process of landing at Jefferson County from Dallas.
Dr.
Amber Dunn-Greeson and seven-month-old son Liam wereon board in a trip from Kansas to visit family.
Amber, the only medical doctor on the flight, started CPR and although he had no pulse or heartbeat she continued working on him until the plane landed and EMT arrived.
The man was transferred to Houston but died soon after arrival.*****USA Today Air Play Chart names #1: “This Is It” by Scotty McCrery; #2: “Beautiful Crazy,” by Luke Combs; #3: “Girl Like You,” Jason Laden; #4: “What Makes You Country,” Luke Bryan; #5: “Take It From Me,” Jordan Davis.*****While having test at Gulf Coast Cardio, I ran into former Bridge City police chief Andy Verette, also having test.
I learned from Dr.
Morbia why his blood pressure is a healthy 96 over 56.
Every evening his wife fries him six to eight jalapeño peppers in olive oil.
I didn’t ask if she removes the seeds but I don’t believe so.
You might ask him.
I’m going to raise some peppers this spring and try it.
He’s the healthiest most energetic guy I know.
Of course, like I tell him, “All you eat is grass.” He carries a zip lock bag full of green veggies for lunch, never coffee, meat or good old Cajun food.
*****Maybe Spring has arrived but I’m not convinced.
I haven’t seen any buds on the Pecan trees.
The Mayhaws at Bridge City Chamber grounds are in full bloom, a sure sign of spring.
Old timers however always wait on the Pecan tree buds.
*****Novrozsky’s shut down the restaurant on 16 St. in Orange this week.
Even though the food was always good, business had been declining.
We know of no plans to relocate.*****The Wednesday Lunch Bunch will dine at Robert’s this week and JB’s Barbeque next week.
Everyone welcome.
BIRTHDAYS
Friends celebrating birthdays in the coming week.
Feb. 27: Jeffrey Fregia, Butch Choate, Greta Brinson and Sarah Havens all celebrate.
Also singer Josh Groban, 37 and comedian Kate Mara, 35.***** Feb. 28: LaVerne McDonald, Kathy McKenzie and Ginger Romero all have birthdays.
Joining them are country singer Jason Aldean, 42 and rock singer Patrick Monahan, 49 and chef Ainsley Harriott, 61.*****Feb. 29: Will Brinson will be a year older.
He is joined by rapper Ja Rule, 42, rock singer Mark Foster, 34, pop singer Korede Bello, 22.
*****March 1: Having birthdays this day are Jennifer Thomas, Monica Wilson and Robert Forster.
Celebrities celebrating are pop singers Justin Bieber, 24 and Kesha, 31.***** March 2: Kay Butler, Craig Nugent, Tommy Andrus celebrate.
Joining them are rock singer Jon Bon Jovi, 50, football player Reggie Bush, 33 and actress Rebel Wilson, 38.****March 3: Having birthdays today are Lori Bonds, Andy Pryor, Donna Sullivan and Carolyn Miller.
Also celebrating are actors Julie Bowen, 48, Christian Oliver, 46 and Nathalie Kelley, 33.*****March 4: Darrell Evans, Travis Reeves and Carolyn Sheppard all celebrate, also basketball player Drayman Green, 28, actors Patricia Heaton, 60 and Catherine O’Hara, 64.***** March 5: Celebrating birthdays today are Lenzi Belcher and Don Bayliss.
They are joined by actress Eva Mendes, 44 and model Niki Taylor, 43.
CAJUN STORY OF THE WEEK
Wen Oris Fontenot’s boy Tee-Not returned to Lafayette he needed a job him. His PaPa told him he heard da post office was hiring dem. Tee-Not him goes to da post office and applys for a job. Alex Boudreaux da interviewer axe him, “Are you allergic to anyting?”
Tee-Not replied, “I’m allergic to caffeine me.”
“Have you ever been in da military?” Mr. Boudreaux axe.
“I was in Iraq for two years me,” Tee-Not answer.
“Dat’s good,” said interviewer Boudreaux. “Dat will give you five extra points towards employment.” Den he asked, “Are you disabled in any way?”
Tee-Not answer, “I sho am, an IED exploded by me and I lost boat my testicles.”
Boudreaux grimaced and den he say, “OK, you got enough of dem points for me to hire you rat now, our normal hours dem are from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. You can start tomorrow at 10 am. and plan on starting at 10 a.m. everyday.”
Tee-Not him, is puzzled and says, “Mais, if da hours are from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. why don’t you want me here until 10 a.m., hanh?”
“Well dis is a government job,” the interviewer said, “For da first two hours we jus stand around drinking coffee and scratching our balls. Dir’es no point in you coming in for dat.”
C’EST TOUT
Attorney Michael Cohn’s live appearance in front of Congress will dominate the nation’s news this week.
His testimony and what he discloses will run into days of news.
He will expose much of the illegal things he and “The Donald” were involved in over the years.
The White House will brand him as a liar.
That’s like the pot calling the kettle black.
By the end of this month Trump, according to FactCheck, would have told 9,000 lies since becoming president.
Meanwhile, the U.S. President is having a second summit with North Korea’s Kim Jung UN. Trump says he and the “Little Rocket Man” fell in love and Kim has sent him some beautiful letters.
I suspect the timing of the summit in Vietnam was to take the spotlight away from the Cohen revelations.
It won’t work however.
Many in Trump’s cabinet and supporters are concerned about what Trump might give away to Kim, like removing 28,000 U.S. military personnel from South Korea.
Trump will spin about the successful summit, but the only way it will be successful is if North Korea gives up all nuclear war heads and agrees to inspections by the UN. The next few days should be interesting.
Watch for more people to be charged with perjury.
*****My time is up.
Thanks for yours.
Your loyalty is important to us.
Take care and God bless.
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