Hometown News For Orange County, Texas
Hometown News For Orange County, Texas
TRUMP WON’T FIGHT WHITE SUPREMACIST
Violent extremism and homegrown terrorism have not abated since Neo-Nazis and White Supremacists marched two years ago in Charlottesville, Virginia.
At the time President Trump made his now famous quote, “There where very many fine people on both sides.” Six months after, a gunman shouted, “All Jews must die” and killed 11 people at the Tree of Life Synagogue in Pittsburgh.
Another gunman, in another synagogue, killed one lady worshiping and wounded three in Poway, California, in between that time, White Supremacists burned three black churches in Louisiana.
The Trump Administration has decreased our nation’s ability to address these serious threats to national security.
Policies, such as the Muslin band and separating families at the border, while preaching hate, has led to extremist violence brewing in our own communities.
It will only get worse as long as we have a president who encourages it with his words and a federal government unwilling to evaluate this type of terrorism and work to defeat it.
They must lead, if not, White Supremacists terrorism will claim many more innocent American lives.
It’s difficult for agents of government to curb violent activities when the Commander-in-Chief views those type people as his base of support.*****I have to move on.
Please come along, I promise it won’t do you no harm.
BRIDGE TO PEGGY’S COMING SOON
The East Roundbunch Road Swing Bridge, which has been closed for repair for two years, is being removed from a barge and re-installed.
The bridge and the historic swing gate works were reconditioned in Channelview.
Because of its length (about 150 feet) two barges were joined end-to-end for transport down Cow Bayou. The trip took 18 hours over two days for Peninsula Marine.
According to Luis Morales, Gulf Coast project manager for Ragle, Inc., the bridge might be installed as early as Friday but TxDOT Sarah Dupre said it could be several more weeks before the bridge opens to public auto traffic.
I think it will be just a few weeks or sooner.
TURNING BACK THE HANDS OF TIME
10 Years Ago-2009
We congratulate Kelly Hanks Nichols, a young mother of two sets of twins as Mother of the Year. The twins are Jerry and Grace, second graders and William and Kerry, first-graders.
It’s very unusual for two sets of twins, a girl and three boys, to be so close in age.
In fact, Kelly has home help from another twin, Lynn Greenwall, one of Ace Amodeo’s twin girls.
She and sister, Leslie, were born in 1951 and understand what it’s like to be raised a twin.***** United States soldiers sue Halliburton and its former subsidiary, KBR, claiming they were poisoned from the burning of toxic trash while serving in Iraq.
KBR, hired by the U.S. government to manage waste disposal at military sites, burned lithium batteries, munitions boxes, medical waste and human corpses in open-air pits.*****Thousands of Kenyan women vowed to begin a weeklong sex strike to protest their countries bickering leadership.
Leaders from the Women’s Development Organization said they hope the boycott will persuade Kenyan men, cut off of sex, to pressure the government to make peace.
That won’t work.
Some will cheat, men will use the age-old sales pitch, “No love at home,” plus have you seen those Kenya women, it might be a welcome relief.
*****The U.S. House will consider a measure allowing counties to keep unclaimed money found on deceased paupers to recoup the burial coast incurred by the county.
*****A Federal judge has awarded a former Army Special Forces commander nearly $500,000 because she was rejected from a job at the Library of Congress while undergoing a gender change from a man to a woman.
Diane Schroer applied for the terrorism analyst job while still David, a man.
He was offered the job but when he said he was going to have surgery to become a gal – the job was pulled.
The judge awarded $491,190 in back pay and damages because of sex discrimination.
***** Carol Keeton Strayhorn is in a tough fight to win back her old job, mayor of Austin.
Carol longtime Democrat then Republican also ran for governor as an Independent.*****Sen.
Arlen Specter has bailed out of the Republican Party. He’s not the only Republican looking for a chance to leave that sinking ship.
The voters of America have made it clear where they stand.
Look for other moderate Republicans, like Sen.
Olympia Snow and Sen.
Susan Collins, both from Main to take a hard look and possibly jump ship.
The Republican Party of Abe and Ike has been taken over largely by a mixture of Far-Right talk show hosts such as Rush Limbaugh and Sean Hannity, who denounce any attempt at moderation.
Like it or not, that’s where the country is.*****Dr.
Howard Williams called to tell us our Jean Lafitte story we had failed to mention that the pirate was also a slave merchant.
The slave runner had a big pen at Niblett’s Bluff.
The U.S. had made it illegal but the Republic of Texas had not, so Jean ran his enterprise out of Texas.Right here down the Sabine.***** The Cajun boys, South Louisiana’s jockeys, continue to win at the Kentucky Derby.
Calvin Borel, from St. Martinville, won Saturday on a 50-to-1 longshot, Mine That Bird.
He also won the Kentucky Oaks on Rachel Alexandra, the day before.
Cajun boys Randy Romero, Shane Sellers and Kent Desormeaux from Maurice and cousin to the Bonin twins, have all won the Kentucky Derby.
Desormeaux and jockey Theriot were both on mounts challenging their Cajun brother Borel last Saturday.
Over the last 20 years Cajun jockeys have led the pack.
Calvin’s brother Cecil was a jockey until his weight got him.
He’s well-known around Delta Downs where he’s a trainer.
Calvin started his career in Vinton at Delta Downs.***** Congrats to Blake Hubbard, Bridge City Cardinal, elected to the coaches all star team.
The game will be played at Round Rock.
Blake is a third baseman and leads number three state ranked Bridge City in RBI’s.
He also is an honor student.
GONE BUT NOT FORGOTTEN
Obituaries 10 Years Ago-2009
Cleta Marie Bailey Ashcraft, 90, of Orange, died Monday, May 4.
Service was held May 6.
She was a homemaker.
She is survived by her son, the Rev. Lynn Ashcraft, granddaughter, Lynae Sanford, great-grandchildren, Dyllon Sanford and Rebecca Sanford, sister Allene Lummus, three nieces and two nephews.*****Migtonio “Mike” Prazeline Gomez, 63, of Orange, died April 28.
Funeral services were held May 1.
He is survived by his family, Gracie G. Walk, Aldo Lopez, Migtonio Prazeline, Mario Prazeline, Marvin Prazeline, Veronica Prazeline, Adilia Prazeline, Nuvia Prazeline and numerous grandchildren.***** Tommy L. Witterstaeter, 65, passed away on April 30.
A Texaco retiree, he was a Master Mason and served in the Army Reserve.
He was an avid hunter, fisherman and Dallas Cowboys fan.
He is survived by wife, Jerrie, daughter Cherry, brother Robert, mother-in-law Billye Whitt, stepsons Joel Hickey and Jeff Hickey.
40 Years Ago-1979
Hank Eckhardt became the second police chief in Bridge City to resign.
Chief Wilson Roberts resigned earlier.
*****Sheri Brack is in the hospital in Galveston.
*****Doug Harrington was named Boss of the Year by Bridge City DE class.Tammie Thibodeauxnominated Doug. *****Arlene Turkel is a correspondent for the Beaumont Enterprise. (Editor’s note: Arlene went on to be editor of the Penny Record and County Record.
She later received a doctorate and for several years has taught at Lamar-Orange. A nice lady.)*****Lainey Bean is bookkeeper at KOGT. *****Martha Hughes, who was hosting the whole WO-S senior class, ruined the first 10-gallon batch of gumbo and had to start over from scratch.
*****State Rep.
Wayne Peveto cuts ribbon for opening of the Boarding House Restaurant, 1725 16th St. Owners are Louis and Beth Dugas, Beverly and Nick Matsoukas, Nancy, Frank and Tab Finchum.
45 Years Ago-1974
Jess Davis Realty adds Bruce Sawyer, Jane Dorman and Diana Hill to their service.
Other employees are president, Carmon Davis, vice-president, Brooks Hill, secretary, Marge Roberts, A.C. Roberts, Jack Moore, and Bill Fite salesmen.
(Editor’s note: What a crew.)*****Glenn Earle, of television Channel 4, will monitor a televised candidate forum Sunday at 5 p.m.
Glen will do the questioning of county judge and commissioner candidates.
*****Huey Simon and Don Barron just returned from a Colorado big game hunt.
Huey got a lion and Don a good-sized bear.
*****Coach Ronnie Anderson coaches West Orange Chief baseball.
Team members are James Long, Bohn Dorman, Randy Cormier, Ray Pousson, Paul Richardson, Junior Henry, Bo Guillory, Randy McMillan, Ricky Manuel, James Lancaster, Chris Ulery, Mickey Smith, Kenneth Hodge, Andre Robertson, David Chesson, Ralph Caillier, Joe Baker, Kenneth Richard and Marlon Richard.
Assistant coach is Harold Fuqua. (Editor’s note: I don’t know what happened to most of the players but Pousson got a full-ride scholarship to the University of Colorado.
Robertson, who was just a junior back then, later ended up with the New York Yankees.
60 Years Ago-1959
Western movie star Smiley Burnette, who plays the role of “Frog,” Gene Autry’s sidekick, will be at the Orange Jaycee Rodeo Labor Day weekend. (Editor’s note: Do you remember the name of his horse?)*****Bridge City principal Austin Floyd announced honor students. Valedictorian, Beverly Breaux, Salutatorian, Peggy Bryant, highest-ranking boy, George Stone. *****Jane Clark will compete in the Miss Water Sport Beauty Pageant at the Orange Boat Club’s seventh annual water show.
70 Years Ago-1949
Members of the Stark High baseball squad who finished tied for the District 11-AA championship are Jimmy Taylor, L.C. Kirkham, Darrell Skidmore, Don Granger, Dale Lewis, Howard Owens, Mike Lingo, Robert Barnes, Ken Reese, Bubba Herring, Bill McDonald, Bobby Joe Fisk, Skipper Weaver, Orley Bletz, George Poland, Allen Barkart, David Broussard and O’Neil Gauthier. (Editor’s note: I believe he was Judge Janice Menard’s brother. Her dad had the same name and they were both great athletes. It’s easy to see why so many of the Gauthier offspring are such good Bridge City athletes, past and present.)
A FEW HAPPENINGS
I really enjoyed sports writer Joe Kazmar’s column last week on Orange native coach R.C. Slocum.
For nearly 50 years Joe has been doing a great job.
We have just been informed that Coach Slocum’s son John Harvey collapsed while playing golf Sunday morning in Midland.
He was unconscious and had to be given CPR. They lowered his body temp and he was put in an induced coma.
We hope to have more news on his health later.
Our prayers are with John and the Slocum’s.*****Judge Joy Simonton and County Treasurer Christy Koury have been working out to improve their health during the lunch hour and it’s producing great results, both with their weight and figures.*****Our very longtime friend Mayor Essie Bellfield celebrates her 87th birthday May 7.
Happy birthday and best wishes.
*****Deonte Thompson, West Orange-Stark grad, Alabama star, became the latest Orange County youngster to join the Pros.
He was drafted 139th in the fifth round by the Arizona Cardinals. He should have gone in the second or third round.
He recently had knee surgery that hurt his selection.
I agree with pro-safety Earl Thomas who said, “Thompson will make some teams sorry they passed on him.” I predict he will be one of the great ones and they got him cheaper than they should have.
*****Happy 52nd wedding anniversary on May 5, to our friends Cynthia Harmon Fisher and Howard Fisher.
Best wishes for many more healthy years.
*****McDonald Baptist Church turns 88 years old on May 1.
There has been some great folks attend that church over the years.
*****Our buddy Corky Harmon, 89, died two years ago this week on May 3.
We also lost our friend Grover Halliburton whopassed away 15 years ago on May 7.
*****May 1 would have been our late friend Dot Eshbach’s birthday.
We think of her often.
*****George Washington became the first president of the United States on April 30, 239 years ago, in 1780.
*****Last Wednesday Bobby Fillyaw was talking up the Newton Eagles’ new coach.
Bobby says they just need an offensive coordinator and will be all set for another great season.
Bobby is the “Voice of the Eagles on radio.”*****May 5 is Cinco de Mayo. I recall some great days on this day in the Rio Grande Valley. They really celebrate.
A Little About the Natives
John Roy Frederick had major surgery but is getting around holding a small pillow over his belly.
He’s a good guy and we wish him continued improvement.
*****Our buddy Robert Ramirez went to Houston for his first medical checkup one year after cancer surgery and was given a clean bill of health.
Robert is a special guy who helps a lot of folks.
*****Over the weekend teacher Jane Dunn developed bad pain in her shoulder.
Judge Derry got her to the hospital and Ms.
Jane came home a member of the stint club.
She had blockage the stint took care of.
Dodging a heart attack is fine with her.
*****Barry Burton’s dad Tommy has been battling kidney stones for some time.
I mentioned that I have heard Mauriceville has a lot of folks who have problems with kidney stones.
Barry confirms what I had heard.
Those older country people drank a lot of tea and it has been proven tea contributes to stones.
*****Tommy’s brother, Owen, has been battling several ailments; one is stomach problems that won’t allow him to eat tomatoes.
He planted a dozen plants anyway.
I don’t have any problem eating them.
Derry says his plants are loaded with little ‘maters.’ Good news Derry doesn’t eat tomatoes but he has a friend that does.
*****Sue and Tommy Simar stopped by and dropped off a couple gallons of figs.
All I have to do is buy the sugar for my partner to cook them into preserves.
Sue and Tommy are both going through regular ole folk’s aches and pains.
They say late frost might make for smaller fig crops in June.*****Neighbor Cox, who can’t farm anymore, did till a few rows of sod to plant okra seeds as soon as the nights get warm.
Glad to see the 94-year-old giving it his best shot. *****Speaking of active elder folks, Pete Fredrick is always involved in restoring an old car or tractor and he’s good at it.
It is said that Pete can fix anything but a broken heart. He says over the years he’s left that to his cousin Wayne. *****Pat Pate tells us H.D. hasn’t been doing so great lately.
She hopes to get a hospital bed so she can keep him at home and out of the hospital.
We pray things will turn around for him.
*****Judge Derry Dunn, a longtime friend of Joe Parkhurst, reports Joe has been very ill.
He spent two weeks in the hospital, came home for five days, then returned to the hospital Monday.
Judge Derry, who worked with Joe for many years in education, spent time with him Tuesday. Judge Parkhurst is as good person as I’ve ever known.
I pray for his complete recovery.
BREAUX BIRTHDAYS THIS WEEK
May 1: Cindy Landrum, Loretta Phillips, Frank Carpenter.
Also celebrities are Country singer Tim McGraw, 51, actors Jamie Dorman, 36 and Joanna Lumley, 72.*****May 2: Christina Johnston, Mary Stewart, Megan Cornwell and Amy Wiebold.
Joining them are soccer player David Beckham, 42, race car driver Kyle Bush, 33.*****May 3: Nicole Gibbs and Kay Boudreaux also celebrating a birthday on this day are Country singer Eric Church, 41, Pop singer Frankie Valli, 84 and actress Christina Hendricks, 43.*****May 4: Laurie Miller and Julia Hoke.
Celebrities having birthdays are Country singer Randy Travis, 59, NSYNC singer Lance Bass, 39, sportscaster Erin Andrews, 40.*****May 5: Butch Myers, Bridget Gunn Toohey, Lindsey Dardeau.
They are joined by Pop singers Adele, 30 and Chris Brown, 29, Reality star Brooke Hogan, 30.*****May 6: Beverly Millsap, Debbie Gregg, Doris Raynor and Brandon Bond.
Also having birthdays are football player Jason Witten, 36, Rock singer Bob Seger, 73, actor George Clooney, 57 and baseball player Willie Mays, 87.*****May 7: Gina Mannino, Joseph Chenella, Sherri Thompson, Caitlin Allen and Connie Angelle.
Celebrities celebrating birthdays are Football player Earl Thomas, 29, actors Bracken Meyer, 44 and Betsy Rue, 39.
QUOTE OF THE WEEK
Historian Ron Chernow, speaking at the White House Correspondents dinner Saturday evening, said the following quote, “Politicians are like diapers, they must be changed often, for the same reason.”
CAJUN STORY OF THE WEEK
After retiring Calvin Comeaux went to da Social Security office to apply for his Social Security. Da woman axe for his driver’s license to verify his age. Calvin say, “I’m sorry me, I forgot it, I will have to go home and get it.”
Da lady behind da counter say, “Unbutton your shirt.”
Calvin did dat him, revealing his curly silver hair. Da lady say, “Mr. Comeaux, dat silver hair on you chest is proof enough for me.” Den she processed Calvin’s Social Security application.
When he got home he told his wife Clotile about his experience at da Social Security office. Clotile say, “Comeaux, you crazy Cajun, why didn’t you drop you pants, you might have got disability too.”
C’EST TOUT
The Wednesday Lunch Bunch
Last Wednesday the Lunch Bunch dined at Van Choate’s Tuffy’s.
Port Commissioner Keith Wallace and his side-kick Logan, introduced Bridge City native Lorrie Taylor, new Executive Port Director, to the group.
Penny highlights Lorrie in a feature in this week’s paper.
Van serves an unbelievable meal; gumbo, all the fried shrimp and fish you can eat, home cut French fries and hush puppies, served with Tuffy’s famous rolls and your choice of homemade pie.
It’s always worth the drive.
This week the Lunch Bunch is at Robert’s and next week will dine at Guadalajara Mexican Restaurant, on the circle in Orange.
Great fellowship is always served up at the Wednesday Lunch Bunch and everyone is welcome.
Come dine with great folks.
*****Till next time, take care and God bless.
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