Sherlock Breaux in the Creaux's Nest

RUN OFF—WHO CAN VOTE

The Primary runoff election between incumbent Dade Phelan, Speaker of the Texas House, and newcomer David Covey is Tuesday, May 28. Early voting begins May 20 and ends May 24. Some people seem to be confused as to who is eligible to vote in the runoff. If you voted in the Republican primary, you can vote again. If you voted in the Democratic primary, you can’t vote. If you didn’t vote in either primary, you are free to vote in the runoff. Democrats didn’t have anyone running in the primary, so a Democrat is free to vote for either of the Republican candidates, who they feel best represents their views. If you are 65 or over, Democrats or Republicans, you are eligible to vote early, by mail, or however. You must request a ballot by filling out a form with your identification number, driver’s license, etc. Mail it to Elections Administration, 123 S. 6th. St., Orange TX. The last four digits of your Social Security number will work if you don’t have a driver’s license. This is a great, second chance to vote in a very important election.

REMEMERING BEVERLY PARKER

We were saddened to learn of Dr. Beverly Parker’s passing on April 25, just a month after the death of her husband Sen. Carl Parker. She was 86 years old. Even though she was the wife of a legendary politician from Southeast Texas, Beverly is remembered for a lifetime of accomplishment in her own right as an educator and community leader. She died at M.D. Anderson Cancer Center in Houston. On Friday, May 3, Beverly will be laid to rest next to Carl at the Texas State Cemetery in Austin in a gravesite service at 1:00 p.m. We had known Beverly for many years. She was as kind and gracious as she was beautiful. She always presented herself as the wife of a statesman, always aware of who she was and the citizens she served. She and Carl were inseparable all through the years. They will be back together after many years of accomplishments. Our condolences to family and friends. Please see obituary.

CONDOLENCES

Funeral services for Peggy J. Patterson Bean, age 97, of Lufkin will be held Saturday, May 4, 2024 at 10:00 a.m. in the Carroway Funeral Home Chapel. Interment will follow at Magnolia Cemetery in Woodville. Mrs. Bean was born July 18, 1926, in Port Arthur and died Saturday, April 27, 2024 in Lufkin. Peggy was a devoted mother. She was married to Huge Ray Bean over 50 years. They were longtime residents of Bridge City. Please see obituary.

TURNING BACK THE HANDS OF TIME

10 Years Ago-2014

Glenn Pearson, 80, died Sunday, April 22, at his home on Toledo Bend Lake. Glenn was a former Bridge City ISD superintendent but had held many positions, serving as coach, mentor, church deacon, etc. He was currently superintendent of Hemphill ISD. He is survived by his wife of 62 years, Annie, daughters, Terri and Paula and brother, James. Services were held at 4 p.m. Wednesday, April 30, in HISD Athletic Complex. *****Congratulations to Dr. Michael Shahan, our 56th anniversary recipient for ‘Person of the Year.’ Dr. Shahan is an outstanding choice. Under his leadership Lamar Orange has come a long way and has much to offer. ***** Earl Thomas III, an Orange native and W.O.S. grad, became the highest paid football safety in the NFL. This week he agreed to a $40 million contract for four years with Super Bowl champions, the Seattle Seahawks. That’s not all, Earl has also signed a contract with Nike’s Jordan brand that should make him more millions in the future. *****Congrats to Bridge City Lady Cardinals softball team. They keep on keeping on. They play a one game playoff against West Columbia Friday, 7 p.m., at Goose Creek. Lady Card Miste Henderson is hoping for her 201 win. *****Speaking of Bridge City, over the years Bridge City High has produced doctors in several fields. The latest is Dr. Richard Guillory, Jr., a 2000 B.C. grad who recently opened his Cardinal Chiropractic practice at 490 Texas Ave. The former Marine is the son of Richard Guillory, who for 25 years has owned All-In-One Tire Service where Jr. worked for his dad. We are glad he chose to come home to open his practice. He is married to Dr. Brittiny Guillory and have two children, a boy and a girl. ****The death of Murray Harris, 96, on April 20, in Tyler, brought back many memories of when Murray was in Orange. From 1957 to 1974, he was in the law firm with Frank “Dub” Hustmyre and Malcolm Dorman. The firm was located on Front Street. In 1964 they were joined by James “Jim” Dunaway. After Hustmyre took his own life after losing the district judgeship, Harris, Dorman and Dunaway stayed on in the firm. When Harris left in 1974, the firm became Dorman, Dunaway. Jim now has his own law firm. A few years ago he was Orange mayor. He’s a good attorney but more than that, he’s a great guy. *****May 5, is Cinco deMayo, a big day in Mexico and also Texas and other states. Celebrating on this day is Bridget Touhey, Butch Meyers, Matt Williams, Lindsey Dardeau, Amanda Dumesnil and Susan Spencer.***** On April 29, 2012, my old friend Wilson King Dunn passed away at age 93. He was born June 16, 1918, one of eight children. At age 18, he married Eloide Linscomb, 16. She passed away in January, 2011, just before their 74th wedding anniversary. They are survived by six children, Nita, Andrew, Derry, Danny, Nancy and Thomas. King was from the Greatest Generation. He joined the Army in WWII and served in Europe. He is a friend I’ll never forget. *****Our buddy, Judge Joe Parkhurst, Pinehurst City Administrator, is taking a few days off after having a 20 pound fluid reduction. Now he will be lighter and also faster.

20 Years Ago-2004

Former Bridge City and University of Texas football great Steve Worster was the guest speaker at the Bridge City Athletic banquet. The female Cardinal Pride award went to Meagan Godwin; the male award went to Joe Willey. Outstanding Female Athlete was Katie Faulk; Outstanding Male, Athlete was Michael Gauthier.*****The Bridge City Cardinals are sending three to the state track meet. Senior speedster Michael Goeddertz, Michael Gauthier and Aaron Brannen.*****Eric Eshbach, the pride of Orangefield, wins Big 12 track meet in Oklahoma. He won with a vault of 17.9. Eric won many pole vaulting events for Coach Joe Hester while at Orangefield. Debbie and David Fusilier were in Oklahoma when Eric won the championship.*****Judge Grover Halliburton is in St. Elizabeth battling a heart problem that has put him in and out of hospital for several years. (Editor’s note: Judge Halliburton died a few days later on May 7, 2004.)

50 Years Ago-1974

The good folks at Jess Davis Realty are: Carmon Davis, Brooks Hill, Margie and A.C. Roberts, Jack Moore, Bill Fite, Diana Hill, Bruce Sawyer and Jane Dorman.*****Ed and Joan Lovelace leave for their honeymoon in Acapulco. Ed has been on extra strength vitamins for three week. (Editor’s note: Before Viagra.)*****J&J Hardware and Sporting Goods is now open on MacArthur Drive.*****Huey Simon and Don Barron recently returned from a Colorado big game hunt. Huey got a lion and Don a good sized bear. *****Curtis Barns owns the Bamboo Club and makes the best pizza in the area and serves the coldest beer. *****Patty Retzlaff is in M.D. Anderson hospital, a victim of leukemia. Funds are being sought. *****W.T. Oliver named ‘Boss Cajun’ for the Texas Louisiana Gumbo Festival set for May 24-26 on Pleasure Island. Oliver is a three time winner of the distinguished service award (DSA) which is presented by the United States Chamber of Commerce. He is the only American to win the honor three times. A 450-gallon gumbo pot was brought over from St. Martinsville, where it serves as a syrup cooking pot. The 450 gallon pot will be used to make the world’s largest gumbo. Manning the pot will be Laurence Foux, Earl Bishop, Ethel Foux and Roy Dunn. Oliver “Oink” Theriot will be in charge of the special brew. Ingredients for the gumbo; 200 pounds smoked sausage, 3,000 large pieces of chicken, 1/4 acre of green onions, 1/2 acre of rice, (1,000 pounds), and 42 gallons of roux.*****Spotlight on the 1974 West Orange Chief’s baseball team: James Long, Randy Cormier, Ray Pousson, Paul Richardson, Junior Henry, Bo Guillory, Randy McMillian, Ricky Manuel, James Lancaster, Chris Ulery, Micky Smith, Kenneth Hodge, Andre Robertson, David Chesson, Ralph Callier, Joe Baker, Kenneth Richard and Marlon Richard. Head coach is Ronnie Anderson, asst. coach is Harold Fugua. (Editor’s note: What a team, what a coach. Pousson and Andre went on to become the two most famous.)

A FEW HAPPENINGS

The first week in May brings up memories of special folks. H.D. Pate, first city attorney in Bridge City and county attorney died May 6, at age 79, in 2019, five years ago.***Judge Grover Halliburton lost the battle with heart ailments 20 years ago, in 2004, on May 7.***Our longtime friends and educators Joe and Nancy Chenella, moved away many years ago, They were Bridge City residents and very active in the BCISD. He and Nancy now make their home in College Station. Happy Birthday to Joe who celebrates May 7 and to Nancy who celebrates a week later, May 15.*****The Chenella’s friend, educator Gina Mannino, celebrates on Joe’s birthday. Also on this date, All Pro, NFL star Earl Thomas will have his 35th birthday. Earl is a Orange native and WO-S grad.***** Judge Derry Dunn was fitted with a Pacemaker in Houston and according to his wife Jane everything went well. The doctor had told Derry how much better he would feel but he hasn’t noticed much difference yet. I think pacemakers are oversold because they affect everyone differently. I’ve noticed they can lead to mood swings. However, emotional swings are common for heart patients. They often tear up for no reason. I’ve watched it over the years. It almost seems normal, just a side effect of the problem. Other than that, pacemakers are a great invention and have saved many lives.***** Orange County Emergency Management Director Joel Ardoin was a lot more relaxed late Monday morning. The line of strong thunderstorms that moved through the area during the night and early morning spawned no tornadoes. Also, no major damage was reported. Orange County Commissioners on Tuesday talked about how even the heavy rains, up to seven inches in some spots, drained quickly. Spring storms are not over and hurricane season will begin in a month. Guess this is a good time to tout the regional disaster expo to be held at the Orange County Expo Center on May 11.*****GOALS, the local literacy group, held its annual Spelling Bee fundraiser last week with a team from the Stark Foundation taking first place. The team members were Sarah Boehme, Deb Wiles, and Joshua Schamber. Orange City Councilor Caroline Hennigan served as the MC with  Andy Preslar of LSCO as the word pronouncer. Judges were Judge Mandy White-Rogers, Dr. Ni Song of LSCO, and Amanda Smith, also from LSCO. Future District Attorney Krispen Walker got the award for best individual speller.*****The Leaf and Pedal Garden Club took a field trip to DeRidder to see the garden of James and Patty Burnett. Betty Harmon and Cecil Broom made the sunny-day trip. Others included Juliette Smith, Theresa Cronin, Nevalla Toal, and Sandra Cash.*****80-year-old Mick Jagger rocked out  with the Rolling Stones in Houston on Sunday as the group started its USA tour sponsored by AARP. Of course, Allisha and Gary Bonneaux weren't going to miss it. Ben Wernig got to see the Stones in person for the first time. Ron Sigler also made the trip for the concert.*****Spring weather has turned the new Cove Marina on Adams Bayou into a popular gathering place. Skipper and Gina Yeoman were there recently with Juanita Smith.*****Janois and Mark Grizzaffi, along with Robert Strauss are proud of their son Cody. Not only is he now an Army paratrooper, he's also a talented singer and is a member of the 82nd Airborne All American Chorus.*****Old Stark High Classes had reunions this past weekend. The Class of '61 gathered at the Old Orange Cafe. Dayle Gunn and Gay Richardson were in the crowd. Over at the Train Depot, the Classes of '65 and '66 met. Those attending included Jeep and Carolyn Colburn, Pauline Colburn Hargrove, Suzie Bass Van Horn, David Bruce, Joey Robins, Bruce Beneke, and Becky Smith Robins.***** Anniversaries included 20 years for Clifton and Chari Clifford. Also celebrating were Ricky and Lacey Hale Deville.

BREAUX BIRTHDAYS THIS WEEK

A few folks celebrating birthdays in the next few days. May 1: Chad Prouse, Jo Lynn Salazar, Frank Carpenter.*****May 2: Megan Cornwell, Amy Wiebold, Glenda Dailey. *****May 3: Monica Lemon, Nicole Gibbs, Stacie Hollier, Kay Boudreaux, Jeff Harrison.*****May 4: Julia Hoke, Lauri Miller, MacAlan Trammell, Jenna Dismukes.*****May 5: Bridget Toohey, Brad Broussard, Matt Williams, Butch Myers, Ricky Zirlott, Lindsey Dardeau, Travis Coffey, Ashley Eby.*****May 6: James Scales, Debbie Gregg, Lisa Nixon, Johnny Moreno, Brandon Bond.*****May 7: Gina Mannino, Andrea Beadle, Earl Thomas, Joe Chenella, Josh Sanders, Connie Angelle.***** Birthday greetings this past week go out to the ageless Brandi Griggs, 85-year-old Mary Johnson, K.J. Miller, Jimmy Davidson, Ida Schossow, Sid Lofton, Zoe Winn, Ruth Hancock, Lisa Kay Foyle, Jaxson Campbell, Dennis Baggett, Amy Faircloth,  Ann Mooney, Dr. Amy Judice Townsend, Shana Ivey, and David Broussard.

(To published birthdays or anniversaries free of charge call 409-886-7183 or email therecordlive.com.)

CAJUN STORY OF THE WEEK

Clovees Comeaux and Otis Thibodeaux was camping in the Atchafalaya Basin, a trip dey had planned a long time. Dey set up da tent jus as night fell, went in an ate dere sandwish, den blew out da light.

Dey talked a while bout da different sounds from da night creatures. Jus before dey was sound asleep a rustling noise outside sprang dem to dere feets.

Peeping through da flap, dey see a big, mean, hungry looking, black bear rummaging for food. Figuring the bear would soon make it to dere tent and rip it open Comeaux put his boots on him.

He was lacing dem up when Thibodeaux axe, “Mais Comeaux, why for you putting dem boots on hanh?” “You know dat bears dem run fas, fas, dem boots ain’t gunna make you no faster dan dat bear.

”Comeaux answer, “Tib, I don’t need to run faster dan dat bear no, I jus need to run faster dan you.”

C’EST TOUT

POLITICAL ADS GO ‘DEEPFAKED’

In the many years that I have followed politics I have never seen so much money spent to unseat an incumbent in a state or federal election. I’ve lived through many elections called ‘dirty’ or ‘mud slinging,’ but never before have I seen modern methods (photo-shop, etc.) used to distort the facts, mislead, lie, in mail outs and commercials, as in the state representative’s race between Dade Phelan and David Covey. This runoff has brought out the worse. Here are some facts found in the “Texas Tribune.” A recent “deepfaked” ad targeting House Speaker Dade Phelan could inspire further legislation to crack down on doctored imagery in political ads. At the end of Monday’s hearing of the House Select Committee on Artificial Intelligence and Emerging Technologies, political attorney Andrew Cates suggested the committee should recommend an update to Senate Bill 751  “Not to bring up sensitive stuff, but the speaker got hit a couple days ago with a fake image, or a deceptively altered image,” Cates said. I received that mailer, paid for by the Jeff Yass-bankrolled Club for Growth Action PAC, depicted Phelan in an intimate hug with former U.S. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, apparently a remake of Pelosi hugging new House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries. Less publicized was the flip side of the mailer, which falsely depicted Phelan at a lectern speaking at a Texas House Democratic Caucus news conference. Both lies and photo shopped. “It was multiple images, one on each side.” The chairman said, that the Legislature may need to update the law. “It’s deliberately made to deceive individuals —especially because AI can make things look so realistic and, obviously, neither of those two images actually happened.” There have been other doctored mailers. Cates suggested that the Legislature also expand the law to include radio, sound, speech and text. He also suggested making it a third degree felony. The committee isn’t conducting official interim hearings yet, but Capriglions also co-chairs an AI panel that is set to submit recommendations before the end of the year. *****Read us cover to cover and shop our family of advertisers. Remember always try to shop Orange County first, keep your tax dollars at home plus help our local businesses grow. We can make the Orange County economy healthier by pulling together. Thank for your time, mine is up. Take care and God bless.