Sherlock Breaux in the Creaux's Nest

BIDEN-TRUMP DEBATE THURSDAY, JUNE 27

CNN, with anchors Jake Tapper and Dana Bash, will moderate the 90-minute debate with two commercial breaks. The Trump campaign agreed to all conditions, even microphones being muted when it’s not their turn to speak. I’ve been asked a few times who I believe will win this debate. The answer is both, depending on who you want to win. Trump may win the showmanship, plus he is the closer, last to speak. He might drop one of his woppers that he’s famous for. Nothing is too far a stretch for Trump. Fox TV viewers will find that Biden is tougher, sharper and not feeble like they have been told over and over. They will find he’s an expert in world affairs and U.S. government. Biden is sure to point out that Trump is a convicted felon, accused of rape and found to be responsible for millions in damages. Trump will also be on the attack. No one can predict where he’s coming from. I’m sure he has a few surprises. Trump can’t win if he tries to compare their records. Roe vs Wade will be a big issue for both sides. Trump will take credit for the Supreme Court’s decision two years ago this week to reverse Roe vs Wade after 50 years and Biden will blame him for it. Depends on what side you’re on. The debate will be fun to watch, but the only votes that will be changed will be some independents. Ask yourself, if Trump, a lifelong Democrat, was running as a Democrat, would you vote for him. The same with Biden, would you support him if he were running as a Republican? Don’t lie to yourself. There’s your answer, you are voting for the party not the good of the country. I wouldn’t miss the debate. There is so much on the line. My most important issue, because of the offspring that will follow me, is our democracy. We live in the world’s greatest democracy.

TURNING BACK THE HANDS OF TIME

10 Years Ago-2014

The pride of Big Mamou, Jimmy C. Newman, 86, died Saturday, June 21 in Nashville after a short illness. His first top 10 hit was “Cry, Cry, Darling.” That was 70 years ago in the summer of 1954. Jimmy was born in High Point, LA. near Mamou in 1927. A public memorial service was held at 10 a.m. June 25 at the Ryman Auditorium. He had been a member of the Grand Ole Opry for 58 years. Some of him many hits were “Lache Pas la Patate,’ ‘Alligator Man,’ ‘Joel Blond,’ ‘Diggy Liggy Lo’ and many more. I recall in the early days stopping at a club near the bridge in Mermentau, on Hwy. 90, when Jimmy was the Saturday night featured band at the big night club.*****Our buddy Sean Gros, Karen’s middle son and Roy and Ms. Phyl’s grandson was sworn into the Coast Guard this week. He flew from New Orleans to Cape May, New Jersey to start a two month boot camp. Sean is a great youngster. We wish him the best in this four-year hitch but he will be missed.*****John and Kerry Kimbrough’s son Grant, a U U.T. Austin grad, is now a medical student at UTMB in Galveston. Grant came home for Father’s Day just long enough to cook his dad John a steak, It takes total dedication to become a medical doctor. If they chose to specialize, it takes 12 years of learning and it ain’t no easy road.***** Bill Cosby is bringing his “Far From Finished” tour to the Lutcher on July 24-25.***** Roy writes in his “Life’s Highway” column about Walley Fowler, one of the most interesting celebrities he ever met. He tells about Fowler’s upbringing and the stars he helped hit the big times, the youngest of 14 children on a poor Georgia farm and how he and Roy’s paths crossed.*****Pat Clark has been batching. He has been feeling sorry for himself. No one is looking after him. Ms. Rosalie is in Houston tending to their daughter who had surgery.*****Donna Blalock, 163rd Dist. Coordinator, Judy Mingle, 260th Dist. Court Coordinator, 128th Dist. Court Judge Courtney Arkeen, 128th Dist. Court Reporter Holli Harrison and the Court Administrator’s office staff hosted a surprise lingerie shower for Judge Arkeen’s Court Coordinator, Latonia Leverett, Wednesday during lunch hour. No one missed work and a great time was had by all

20 Years Ago-2004

Dominating the news is the turning over of Iraq’s sovereignty. The Bush administration declared victory by freeing the people of Iraq. The reason given for invading Iraq in the first place by Bush/Cheney was the idea that Iraq had weapons of mass destruction and was a threat to the Unites States and Iraq’s neighbors. That’s what so many young Americans were killed, wounded and maimed for. Now the Bush team is doing a victory lap. (Editor’s note: That was one of the biggest lies told to the American people in my lifetime. Today those same liars are trying to shift the blame to President Obama claiming he owns the problems in Iraq. The truth is we had *****Nolton and Jessie Brown are recognized at the State Democratic Party convention as Mr. and Mrs. Democrat of Orange County. (Editor’s note: Both of these fine people have died in the past 20 years. It was my great pleasure to have known and worked with them on political issues. They were true grassroots.)*****Mark Carter, 49, is named new Orange County Democratic Chairman. He is the son of Leon and Billie Carter, nephew of Judge Flo Edgerly and is a lifelong Democratic.*****GONE BUT NOT FORGOTTEN: Lee Fults, 76, died June 23. Service was held at Claybar Funeral Home in Bridge City on June 26. Fults, a Korean War vet, is survived by wife, Ethel, daughter, Sharon Gearhart, sons, Randy, Larry, Wayne and their families. *****James Smith, 76, “Mr. Lock and Key” died June 26. He was in the Calvary during WWII. He is survived by wife, Thelma.

45 Years Ago-1979

New Bridge City Bank on Roundbunch nears completion.*****Bridge City Rotary held installation at Wayside Inn. C.R. Nash was installed as president replacing Albert Gore.*****Leon Smith gives disco lessons in Beaumont Club to lovely ladies Beth Dugas, Marty Conway, Phyllis Dunn, Betty Harmon, Martha Hughes and Virginia Gilbeaux.***** A collector’s item being sought is a recording of “McDonald’s Place,” released by county judge Pete Runnels in the early 1960’s. The recording did not make the top 100 and Judge Runnels is not planning to re-release. *****Allen (Bull) Middlebrook, Ronald Smith and Nolan Wayne Gaspard, three young Bridge City men, were killed in a car train accident in Port Arthur. Also killed was a young lady from Jefferson County. *****Harmon Chevrolet is scheduled to move into their new location on MacArthur Drive on July 6. *****June 30 always seems to be an important historical day. That is the birthday of lovely Barbara Mulhollan. We knew her when she was a young girl in the D.A.’s office. She was Jim Morris’ “Girl Friday.” *****Dallas Cowboy “Too-Tall” Jones switches from football to boxing.

50 Years Ago-1974

Wally Fowler brings International Gospel Music Festival to Orange Sheriff’s Posse Arena. Ten Nashville groups, including The Stamps, performed at the sundown to sunup show. A packed house attended the all night concert. *****Mr. and Mrs. Earnest Willard Franks will celebrate their 37th anniversary on July 7. He writes beautiful poetry.*****LaPlace on 6th Street, owned by Ernest and Ann McCollum, now serves Orleans beignets.

A FEW HAPPENINGS

On June 28, Capt. Danny Gray was killed at Orange City Jail in a shoot- out with Billy Wayne Dowden and Clifford Blansett in an attempt to break Dowden’s brother out of jail. A stray bullet caught Gray in the head and killed him. Danny was one of the rare breed you hear about. At age 31, he was highly respected throughout the area. A ten year veteran of OPD, he had advanced rapidly through the ranks and was furthering his professional career by attending law enforcement classes at Lamar. Hundreds of officers from throughout Texas and Louisiana paid homage at his funeral rites, proving how well he was thought of. (Editor’s note: Those involved, with the exception of Blansett, who died in prison, were prosecuted by D.A. Sharon Bearden and are still in prison serving life sentences.) In the early 1970’s were trying times in Orange County for law enforcement and the D.A.’s office as many brutal crimes of murder and drug related offenses took place. Today, Bearden, a longtime criminal attorney who practices with his son, Jim Sharon, has worked both sides of the street. If I could pick only one person to have my back, it would be Bearden. I also know the stock from which he came.*****Don't forget to head out to the Bridge City Park on Friday and Saturday for the big Independence Day festival with a drone show on Saturday night. Mayor David Rutledge can't wait for this big community event to take off. Admission is only $10 with kids free. Bring some lawn chairs...Lots of locals were disappointed in the outcome of the College World Series with the A&M Aggies losing out to the Tennessee Volunteers. However, Tony and Nancy Dallas were still cheering Tennessee because their son, Chad 'Cheddar' Dallas, now playing in the minor leagues, pitched for Tennessee. Granddaughter Honey Harrell wore orange and white Tennessee overalls to watch the games with her grands. Honey, who is barely walking, later took her first dance class.*****The classic rock groups Foreigner and Styx drew a big crowd to the Woodlands this past weekend.  Local fans attending the concert included County Commissioner Johnny Trahan with wife, Becky; Parrish Bird and Tim Talbert; plus local music writer and photographer Tommy Mann.*****Congratulations to Benitris Edwards for her special award from the Order of the Eastern Star in recognition of her community service through the Stars of Gate City No. 57.*****Jody Chesson and Adam Conrad attended Shangri La Gardens Sip 'n Stroll last week, though they may have done more sipping than strolling. For the weekend, they headed out to Toledo Bend, where Adam refused to get up and watch the sunrise over the lake.*****Cliff and Sally Hargraves got in some Gulf beach time, a break from their bayou-fronting home in Bridge City.*****Brandi Griggs was once again tubing in cool Hill Country rivers and finding time to go to a New Braunsfels watering hole, the saloon kind, not the swimming kind. Joining her were Justin Rieson, Christina and Pat Standley, Julie Gerkin, and Cindi Gipson. Kelsey Mullen and Lauren Reed don't have to travel far to the Hill Country these days. They live there..*****The Special Angels Rodeo auction and banquet benefit has been set for September 28. If anyone is interested in tickets or making donations, just call Farmers Mercantile and ask for Jo Harris.*****Once again, drivers in Orange are proving it’s hard to break old habits. The Texas Department of Transportation, after months, years, and what seems like decades, finally opened up the Interstate 10 ramps at Simmons Drive. However, there's now a four-way stop. People are cruising through without stopping.***** Judge Buddie Hahn rode with Sharon Bearden to Roy’s 90th birthday party. Thanks to Bearden they soon found out they were a week early. On June 5, Bearden made the party with attorney Eric Peveto but Buddie was having a medical procedure and couldn’t attend. Longtime friend Buddie sent Roy his regrets.*****Speaking of Bearden, twice he rode to Bridge City to shop the farmer’s market that Dunn told him about. Both times Sharon round the park empty. Those two old boys sound like the “Blind leading the blind.”*****Wednesday, July 8, would have been Pete Runnels birthday. Roy was campaign manager when Pete was elected County Judge. Hard to believe Pete is gone.*****On June 25, the Korean War started in 1950.

BREAUX BIRTHDAYS THIS WEEK

A few folks celebrating birthdays in the next few days. June 26: Becky Hodgkinson, Marie Williamson, Reggie Rogers, Jan Henry, Judy Cagle, Rodney Davis, Sherby Dixon, Barbara Whitrock, Bridgett Teaff, David Kimbell.*****June 27: David Ball, Jody Raymer, Claudine Hogan, Jessica Simon, Lynn Nell Guidry, Judy Lewis, Kristin Lollar, Shanna MacCammond, Shanna Scott, Trevor Kimbell, Jeff Bourdier, Jeri Whitmire.*****June 28: Kelly Kimbrough, Karen Tomlin, Kourtney Derouen, Leighia Barron, Tina Bernard, Brett Barclay, Connie Berry, Eric Broom.*****June 29: Ann Lieby, Wayne Rice, Jana Fisette, Nancy George, Cobey Sonnier, Rebecca Griffin, David Sandlin, Katie Keneson.*****June 30: Dave Rodgers, Mayor Roy McDonald, Angela Schram, Chris Huebel, Nancy Wood, Beverly Haggard, Sonya Jarreau, Deanna Shuford, Betty Derrick.*****July 1: Shirley Dougher, Marcy Strahan, Wendy Young, Reilly Shaw, Dian Arnold, Jeff Eby.*****July 2: Nancy Dupuis, Marla LeMoine, Kristy Davis, Lisa Wilson, Sonja Cooper, Maria Garcia, Brennon Mitchell, Elizabeth Williams, Mary Martell.*****Other birthdays celebrated Happy Birthday to local theater icon Diana Hill, still looking beautiful and going strong to promote the arts and Orange Community Players.*****Others celebrating another year around the sun included County Clerk Brandy Robertson, Gary Stelly (next year will be a big one for him), Scott Raney, Linda Richardson, Patty Mouton, Tank Gross, Lauren Bonneaux, Casey Peveto,  Anna Marroquin, David Worsham, Anne Rasmussen Edwards, Jordan Bates, Becky Hare Snell, Theresae Kovatch, Betty Merchant, Patricia Shaw Hebert, Thomas Sigler, and Aiden Bosio.*****Those celebrating wedding anniversaries last week included Larry and Renee Fisher with No. 37.*** Billy and Wendy Young also married 37 years.*** Ron and Sandra Theriot at No. 30, along with Hammond and April Willey, Nick and Kayla Cheek, and Aaron and Roxy Scarborough.

CAJUN STORY OF THE WEEK

Tophile Robicheaux wat is in his early 70’s was having him some drinks at TeeBoy’s Bar and Grill Saturday wen dis beautiful young woman came in and sat at da bar two stools down from him.

He tole TeeBoy to put the lady’s drink on his tab.

Da young woman tanked him and dey struck up a conversation.

Before long, Robicheaux and dat young beauty walk out of da bar. A block down from TeeBoy’s dey walked into Fontenot’s Jewelry Store.

Robecheaux tell Fontenot, “I’m looking for a nice diamond ring for my girlfriend.”

Fontenot take out a $5,000 ring.

Robeicheaux say, “Look, you don’t’ understand, I want someting very unique me.”

Fontenot say, “Here’s a stunning ring dat cost $40,000.

Robicheaux look at da young woman and he axe, “You like dat one Babe?”

Her eyes sparkled, “Mais yea, I like dat me.”

Robicheaux say, “Fontenot, I’ll take dat one me.”

“How you gonna pay for it?” Fontenot axe.

“I’ll write a check me and you can phone da bank Monday

morning, den I’ll come fetch da ring me.”

Monday morning Fontenot was mad, mad, him, wen he called Robicheaux. “You lied to me; dere is no money in dat account.”

Robicheaux say, “Mais, I know, but boy Fontenot, can you imagine wat a fantastic weekend I had me.

C’EST TOUT

TRUMP CAMPAIGN NOW CLAIMS ERROR TRUMP’S MONDAY EMAIL

Former President Trump’s campaign in a Monday fundraising email criticized his treatment at the Fulton County Jail in Georgia, saying he was “tortured” while getting his historic mug shot at the jail. Trump has frequently sought to raise funds from the mug shot. “I want you to remember what they did to me. They tortured me in the Fulton County Jail, and TOOK MY MUGSHOT. So guess what? I put it on a mug for the WHOLE WORLD TO SEE!” the fundraising email said. Trump has repeatedly seized on his arrest and mug shot and began selling merchandise shortly after the booking. The merchandise included T-shirts, mugs, koozies and bumper stickers that featured his mug shot. Trump’s case in Georgia is one of four criminal cases he has been charged in, including one the former president was convicted in last month in New York. He was found guilty on all 34 counts of falsifying business records. My question, “If so, where were his Secret Service officers? He has 24-hour protection.”*****Read us cover to cover and please check out our advertisers who bring you this publication free each week. Shop with them when you can and tell them we sent you. Give us a call at 886-7183 or email at [email protected]. *****My time is up; thanks for yours. Take care and God bless.