Sherlock Breaux in the Creaux's Nest

EYE WITNESS TO HISTORY

I’ve witnessed a lot of history over the years, assassinations and attempted assassinations. I was watching former president Donald Trump start a speech in Butler, PA, July 13, 2024, when an assassination’s bullet from an AR-15, 148 yards away, nipped his right ear. He moved his head right at the moment. Twenty-year-old Thomas Crooks pulled the trigger. Trump’s life was spared by less than an inch from his brains. Trump went to the floor as the Secret Service flocked over him. When they stood him up what would usually be instinct and normal didn’t happen, instead of pointing to the sky and thanking God, Trump’s first action was to locate the TV camera and always the ultimate actor, took advantage of the occasion and started doing what Trump does best, promoting himself. He never took his attention away from the camera. Despite the agents efforts they couldn’t keep his head down. He pumped his fist in the air and his first tweet from the hospital was, “I will never surrender.” The exact words Teddy Roosevelt had used after being shot. Sen. Linsey Graham and Speaker Johnson took to the airway comparing Trump to Teddy. What a joke. He’s the total opposite. Nothing in common. Teddy was never twice impeached, accused of rape, found responsible and fined millions. Teddy never was indicted and convicted of 34 felony charges, just to name a few differences. Ironically, just the week before, a Trump backed candidate for governor publicly said several times, “That some people need shooting.” One audience member, volunteer firefighter Corey Comperatore, was killed. The 50-year-old died shielding his family as the bullets rang out, according to officials. Two others were hospitalised in critical condition. Pennsylvania State Police have since announced those injured victims are stable.  The attorney general’s office and the F.B.I. are investigating the shooting as an assassination attempt and possible domestic terrorism attack. 

QUOTE FROM THE NEW YORK TIMES EDITORIAL

The New York Times editorial on Thursday called on Republicans to reject former President Trump, calling the presumptive GOP nominee “unfit’ to serve as president ahead of the party’s national convention. “Mr. Trump has shown a character unworthy of the responsibilities of the presidency. He has demonstrated an utter lack of respect for the Constitution, the rule of law and the American people,” the Times wrote in the editorial. “Instead of a cogent vision for the country’s future, Mr. Trump is animated by a thirst for political power: to use the levers of government to advance his interests, satisfy his impulses and exact retribution against those who he thinks have wronged him,” the editorial continued. “He is, quite simply, unfit to lead.” The Times, which has also called on Biden to withdraw from the race, said Democrats “are rightly engaged” in discussions over the president’s standing atop the party ticket and sharply criticized the GOP for not doing the same. The Times called the GOP a “once great political party” that “now serves the interests of one man, a man as demonstrably unsuited for the office of president as any to run in the long history of the Republic, a man whose values, temperament, ideas and language are directly opposed to so much of what has made this country great.”

TURNING BACK THE HANDS OF TIME

10 Years Ago-2014

We received a very nice letter from former teacher MiMi Hollier. She’s such a nice lady. She and husband Bob, also a retired educator, are enjoying their garden, traveling and MiMi also operates her own estate sale business. They retired 10 years ago, in 2004, from Bridge City High School. *****As of July 10, Ronnie Shugart became a new grandpa to a future baseball All-Star. Hudson Rayne Shugart-Kyle weighed in at 7 lbs., 7 ozs. He arrived 20 inches high. Parents are Mackenzie Shugart and Stan Kyle.*****Angel Sehon, of Bridge City, submitted a couple of prom pictures and was chosen to be an extra in the movie Pitch Perfect 2. She was an extra a few weeks ago in the movie for another scene but this time she was chosen to be in an action scene and get paid. Ashley Ashworth, also of Bridge City, was chosen for the second time. The film comes out in 2015. *****Congrats to Allison Morphed, Madison Lyons, Madison Woodruff, Mallory Wappler, Sydney Shepherd and Kaitlyn Ezell, six former Bridge City Strutters on the Lamar University Dance Team. The Strutters make up about one-fourth of the Lamar team 

20 Years Ago-2004

Our neighbor W. A. “Bill” Richter, 74, died Sunday, July 18, at his home after an illness. The Bridge City Food Program, that feeds so many elderly, was he and wife Margaret’s pet project. He was involved also in many other community projects.*****Tony Houseman came through cancer surgery fine at a Houston hospital and while he was sedated for the surgery they also removed his gall bladder which was loaded with stones. (Editor’s note: Tony has since passed away but I believe he was the toughest guy I’ve ever known. He fought three types of cancer for ten years and never complained, just kept going to the last day.)*****Ray Granger, at age 73, is still maintenance director at Orangefield ISD. His wife Laverne is the OFISD attendance clerk. (Ray has since died and Laverne has retired.)****Bridge City grad and longtime BCISD employee Richard Briggs is leaving his job at B.C. for an assistant principal position at Port Neches-Groves. (Editor’s note: Richard’s life has taken several turns since then. He didn’t stay at Port Neches very long because the position of principal became available at Bridge City. He became principal but later gave it up to become athletic director, the job he said fitted him best. *****Ebb and Kim Moore, of Parlours, will be moving into the Harry’s Appliance building on Green Ave. They bought the building from Harry and Margie Stephens who are moving their appliance store to the Salvation Army building, located at 10th and Main. This is the same location that Harry started his business in. 

45 Years Ago-1979

Bridge City First Baptist Church hosted Francis LaRocque on Sunday, July 8. He preached the morning worship at 11 a.m. and present a concert at 6:30 p.m. LaRocque has recently returned to the States after performing in South Korea, Japan, Switzerland and the Holy Land. Dr. Charles Walton is pastor of First Baptist.***** Louis Dugas reports that some of our citizens display great talent in fields not involving their professions. Senator Carl Parker has a great singing voice. Ray Herman, the service station operator, is an accomplished musician and came to Orange as a saxophone player with a band. Attorney Jim Dunaway is an excellent cook and attorney Roy Wingate was a butcher and can still cut up a beef. Frank Fimchum, former football star at UT, is a chef and cartoon artist.*****Harmon Chevrolet, on July 7, opened the new car sales department at their new location, 2611 MacArthur Dr. The Harmon family has been involved in the transportation industry for over 100 years from horse and buggies to new Chevrolets. Jackie, his dad Ovie and brothers, Corky, Don and Tommy are all rightfully proud of their new 44,000 square foot facility with 34 service bays and a two-story 9,000 square foot parts storage area. The 10 acre complex will hold its grand opening in early August. Planning and engineering was done by Bill Hughes of Norstock Steel. The facility was two years in development. 

50 Years Ago-1974

A crew from Orange rode to Houston in Ed Lovelace’s travel home to see the Texans play last Wednesday night. On board, with Ed at the wheel, were Houston Baker, Leland Morrow, Mike Pasternak, Jerry Pesson, Richard Corder, Roy Dunn and Joe Kazmar. Ed wouldn’t buy hot dogs for the crew. Dunn scalped tickets to get enough to feed the boys. Local football standouts were Garland Boyette and Pat Gibbs. The Texans played the Philadelphia Bell. (Editor’s note: Lovelace, Morrow, Baker, Pesson, Corder, Kazmar and Pasternak are now deceased. Only Roy remains.)*****For 50 years, Joe Blanda has walked from home to work without anyone bothering him and his little money bag of change. Last week however, Joe was knocked down in broad daylight by a young, black male who took off with his money bag. Joe sported a shiner for several days. It was on exhibit at the Orange House Barber Shop for a few days. Blanda’s vocabulary wasn’t short of words when describing the incident. *****Jimmy LaComb and Mark Dunn, Bridge City football players, will be attending the University of Texas at Arlington. LaComb will be playing lineman, Dunn the linebacker position. UTA is where attorney H.D. Pate played football. He was recruited out of an Austin high school.

A FEW HAPPENINGS

Coach T held an impromptu book signing for his new book about the history of WOS football at his home over the weekend and we hear tell he sold out. We received a signed copy Monday and look forward to reading it in the following days. Be sure to check out Dan’s story in this week’s paper. They plan on having an official book signing sometime this week, but the details are yet to be determined. If you’re a fan of the winningest team in Texas, the WOS Mustangs, season ticket are now available for the general public to purchase through Aug. 29 at Payk12.com. A book signing will be held Saturday, at Granger’s, 16th and Green, 11:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. *****County Judge John Gothia and former judge Carl Thibodeaux will head up a Lunch Bunch gathering to honor Tax Assessor Collector Karen Fisher, who is retiring July 31 after many years in the tax office. Current employees, past employees, former elected officials and friends are invited to Robert’s Restaurant at noon, Wednesday, July 24. Buy your own lunch, Robert’s has a great buffet.***** Lady Whistlebreaux loves writing about Wimbledon and this week, Thereze Sichko gives her a chance. Her brother is celebrity priest Father Jim Sichko and somehow he managed to get special box passes from tennis great Andre Agassi to the famous tournament. Haven't heard if the group imbibed in some refreshing Pimm's cup drinks at the event. Father Jim is supposed to be the 'baby' of the Sichko children, but how come Thereze looks younger? And while we're talking about Father Jim, he's arranging for some fabulous things for the St. Mary School Gala in September. The big fundraiser with the theme 'Met Gala' will also celebrate the school's centennial. Sponsorship tables are already sold out with only a few individual tickets left on sale.*****Looks like Brandi Griggs has used Lady Whistlebreaux's suggestion to bring together Chris Kovatch, who serves on the Orangefield school board, and Orange Mayor Larry Spears Jr., together to design an Orange, Texas themed Hawaiian shirt. Mayor 'Dubby' Spears celebrated his birthday this past week and the city honored him with his photo next to a baby picture of him. Looks like he was wearing the baby version of a Hawaiian shirt before he could walk.*****Griggs' version of fashion design diplomacy shows that perhaps she would be good on the Bridge City City Council. After all, she's a military veteran and a hard-working single mom. Besides, bet daughter Kiley would enjoy getting some VIP seats to see BC's drone show next year.*****Hawaii continues to be a popular destination. Justice of the Peace Joy Dubose-Simonton and daughter, Joyce, were visiting the islands. Also, Karl and Karen Wickham took their grown children and grandchildren on an aloha trip.*****Kenneth and Beth Wheeler went with their grown kids and grandkids to another tropical paradise, Costa Rico. Ask Kenneth about the fish he caught.*****James Scales is off with Devin Nolan in Italy visiting with the exchange student who stayed here a year ago attending Bridge City High School.*****Donna Scales took her two angel granddaughters, Stella and Indie, to see The Sandlot on the big screen at the classic Jefferson Theater. Wonder what antics the two girls will try to copy from the movie?.*****Congratulations to Ron and Becky McAnelly for the success in Triangle Rescue here. The business is thriving so much they are building another training center off Interstate 10 in the Houston area. The Triangle Rescue training for fire, medical, and rescue responders was started with a grant from the City of Orange Economic Development Corporation.*****Orange City Councilor Caroline Hennigan with husband Mike are visiting grands in Maine and learning to fit into the community. We'll have to see if there was any culture shock between Maine and the swamps of Texas.*****Tony and Nancy Dallas are adding to their grandkids. Chad and Madison Dallas have announced they are expecting. Chad, of course, is a minor league baseball pitcher. Tony and Nancy already have two-year-old Drue and Honey, who isn't quite a year old.*****Professional race car driver Chase Murray and his wife, Mariah, also announced they are expecting their first.*****Looks like Sydney and Cody Carr are raising their expectant son to be an Astro. They took daughter Collins Ruth and Sydney's mom, Angie Williams, to watch a game in the Crawford Box. Will the baby's name be Crawford Michael Carr? 

BREAUX BIRTHDAYS THIS WEEK

A few folks we know celebrating in the next few days. July 17: Edee Pratt, Daniel Eaves,Theresa Krout, Deborah Ashcraft, Don Hightower, Harold Lonadier.*****July 18: Sandra Navarro, Cheryl Richard, Cynthia Chantaignier, Don Fields, Harry Barclay.*****July 19: Emma Briggs, Pam Honeycutt, Diane Grooters, Kurt Moerbe, Shirley McCall, Marion Whittle, Matthew McKinney, Michael Hoke, Robin Thibodeaux, Dorothy Hagy, Melissa Martin, Paige Williams, Preston Wayne Sullivan.***** July 20: Kylie Jones, Carrie Hunt, Amanda Stephson, Preston Sullivan, Kenyettia Foster, Megan Stephson, Rebecca Toal.*****July 21; Amanda Jo Stephson-Pringle, Todd Hurst, Summer Stephson, Amiel Leleux, Danika Dubose, Joel Bourdier, Patricia Tamplim. (GONE BUT NOT FORGOTTEN:  Cal Broussard died July 21, 2009. A great friend. It’s hard to believe 15 years have gone by.) *****July 22: Jeff Anderson, Lori Frederick, Rocky DeCuir, Renee Clark, Paige Dohmann.*****July 23: Travis Estes, Albert Bates, Daniel Peet, Jim Reves, Linda Brinson.*****Other birthdays celebrated Peggy Claybar celebrated her birthday this week with a trip to Bolivar with grands Annabelle, Caroline, and Keller Claybar. They fished, watched the sunrise on the waves, and the night lights sparkle on the water. Sounds like a perfect event. Peggy also partied earlier with Faye Beth Purifoy. The two share grands Annabelle and Caroline, plus share the same birthday. At least Constable Lannie Claybar won't forget his mother-in-law's birthday, and vice versa for Melanie Claybar.*** Another birthday friend this week was Rebecca Flickinger, a trailblazing woman who had different careers. Plus, she plays piano.***Retired courthouse employee Thelma Laughlin turned 92. Others who had birthdays this past week included Kaylard LeBouef, Jessica Crowell, John Backer, Joyce Wilkinson, Michael Manshack, Nick Cheek, Candace Aras Mulhollan, Jone Dotson, Jim Gunter, Nancy Byers, Louis Blanda, Ronald Rubin, Ginger Broomes, County Treasurer Christy Khoury Roccaforte, Willow Willey, Jay Wallace, Shon Garrison, Jody Sanders, and Mattie Purgahn.*****Happy Anniversary Linda and Brown Claybar.***Congratulations to Ethel and Mark Dunn who celebrate their 8th.***Mike and Peg Shearer had their 55th wedding anniversary.***Also David and Patty Mouton marked another year of marriage.

CAJUN STORY OF THE WEEK

   When Joe Boudreaux died, he left a widow, Gladys, and four little chillums. Gladys was determined dat her family would be like all da uttas. She made her little girls nice feed sack dresses and her two boys feed sack shirts with shiny buttons. She did everyting to keep the family normal.

   Owning a dog was considered a social status, but dey was too poor to feed a dog. Gladys could just barely feed da family. She was very proud however so when she saw company coming up da dirt trail, she made Ned, the fourteen-year-old, get under the house and bark like a dog so folks would think they had one. 

   Gladys would always say, ‘Dat ‘Blue Tick’ will bark at everyting and howls at da moon.”

C’EST TOUT

THE OTHER MAN ON THE MOON

On July 20, 1964, 60 years ago, the words came from the moon. “Tranquility Base, the Eagle has landed.” Those were the words of the other man on the moon, the pilot of the lunar module, Edwin “Buzz” Aldrin, just a few minutes before Aldrin stepped on the surface of the moon. Neil Armstong spoke the words heard around the world. Armstrong, being the first man to step on the moon, became famous, a hero, but he never capitalized on it. He could have made millions on endorsements, books and speaking engagements. Instead he turned to teaching. Aldrin, who landed on the moon at the exact time as Armstrong did not get the same notoriety even though he was far more outgoing and well liked. I got to meet him once briefly. When they returned to the module Aldrin shut the door. When Armstrong was asked in Houston why they bothered to shut the door he said, “So people wouldn’t say we were born in a barn.” Aldrin, the second man to walk on the moon that July day attended West Point, flew jets in Korea. He earned his doctorate in aeronautics. He retired as a Colonel from the United States Air force. He wrote his autobiography and two science fiction books. In 2002, he was in the news again when a conspiracy theorist, Bart Sibrel, said there was no moon landing and called Buzz a coward and a liar. Aldrin, then 72, punched him out. Sibrel went to the police but they wouldn’t file charges on one of the best known astronauts in history, the man who landed Neil Armstrong on the moon. Two famous men landed on the moon for the first time. Thanks to President JFK, it happened in our lifetime. *****Gotta get out of here. Read us cover to cover, patronize our advertisers and check us out on the web. Take care and God bless.