Sherlock Breaux in the Creaux's Nest

KAMALA HARRIS TAKES FIRST STEPS TO PRESIDENCY

The Vice President used Beyoncé’s 2016 Lemonade hit, “Freedom,” during her first presidential campaign appearance in Delaware on Monday. Harris walked out to the song, sparking speculations that Bey’s approval could also mean she backs her as the 47th President of the United States. After an unforgettable entrance, the 59-year-old gave a 20-minute speech where she asked citizens: “What kind of country do we want to live in: A country of freedom, compassion, and rule of law, or a country of chaos, fear, and hate?” Elsewhere in her speech, the former Attorney General and courtroom prosecutor not only praised Biden for his hard work over the last four years, but also slammed Trump for his criminal history. “I took on perpetrators of all kinds: Predators who abused women, fraudsters who ripped off consumers, cheaters who broke the rules for their own game,” she said. “So hear me when I say I know Donald Trump’s type. And in this campaign, I will proudly put my record against his.” She’s already received a record $50,000,000 in donations in one day. Since then, her funding has skyrocketed to more than $100,000,000. VP Harris secured enough delegates to become the official Democratic nominee. She issued a statement calling attention to “two different clear visions” between herself and Trump. The day after he announced he would drop out of the 2024 presidential race Joe Biden called into the campaign headquarters and urged staffers to embrace his vice-president Kamala Harris. Biden said he is not going anywhere and said he will be out on the road for Harris. It was unselfish and with love of country that Joe Biden stepped aside to save our democracy. He is the best first term president in our history. His legacy will continue to grow through the ages.

OUR CONDOLENCES

Wylba D. Hubbard, 87, of Bridge City, Texas, passed away on July 16, 2024, at Baptist Hospital in Beaumont, Texas. She was a special lady we had known a long time. A viewing for family and friends will be held from 12:00 pm till 1:30 pm at Claybar Funeral Home in Orange, Texas. Graveside services will immediately follow at 2:00 pm, Saturday, July 27, 2024, at Hillcrest Memorial Gardens in Orange. Please see obituary. 

TURNING BACK THE HANDS OF TIME

10 Years Ago-2014

I visited my friends, Sue and Tommy Simar. I probably disturbed their Saturday morning on the back porch, drinking coffee and talking about old times. Tommy, like me, is a collector of old things, equipment, tools and almost anything grandpa used. He even has his granddad’s original ox yoke.*****Gone but not forgotten: Athalene Brown Manchac, 88, died Wednesday, July 16. She was the widow of our friend Frank Manchac. We had known Athalene for over 50 years. She was a good lady who suffered a lot of heart break having lost Frank, her parents and also sons, Frank, Jr. and Mark. She also lost a grandson William Manchac. Her daughter, Margaret Boehme, is her only surviving child. *****Antionette Ragusa Moore, 63, passed away July 16. I recall, over 50 years ago, seeing her at the family grocery store on 37th Street in Orange. I went in for hot tamales which the Ragusa’s were famous for. Antionette, a real beauty, with a great personality, caught everyone’s attention. She married John Moore many years ago and they had a son, John, daughter, Olivia and several grandkids. On a personal note, she was our friends, Van and Josette Choates’ aunt.*****On July 9, Francine Tuppen, age 70, died at her residence in Bridge City. She was the widow of our longtime friend, Jimmy Tuppen. We had known her since she was a youngster in Orange. She was a nurse by training but also a lot more. She and Jimmy were an interesting couple traveling a lot to Vegas and visiting other Nevada casinos. Jimmy was a professional gambler and Francine was very sharp with numbers.***** Congrats to Bridge City and University of Houston baseball star Jake Lemoine, who is currently pitching for Team USA. Jake was voted the premier player of college baseball presented by the “Premier Players Sports Foundation.” He received the most on-line votes from a list of 20 top college baseball players. Former B.C. standout Matt Hicks, a Ragin‘ Cajun, was also listed in the top 20. Not bad for Bridge City. Two great guys.*****July 24 finds Margie Stephens a special lady and good friend celebrates a birthday, also celebrating are Lee Harris, James Rucker and Ralph Rucker. This would also have been the birthday of the late Mary Fontenot.

20 Years Ago-2004

The late Louis Dugas recalled being elected to the Texas House (That was 70 years ago this week. I found it interesting and reprinted it. I still miss Lou.) By Louis Dugas, “Fifty years ago, I was elected to the House of Representatives as representative from Orange County. Sunday, July 25, the Chronicle carried a story by its Austin reporter saying only the rich could be in political office. When I was elected, I was a law student attending the University of Texas on the G.I. Bill. I had spent my last fifty dollars to file for office. I owned no car. My campaigning was done on foot. Once elected, I went to Austin on a Greyhound bus, riding all night. In Austin, I went to the Capitol and to the House of Representatives. I met Dorothy Hallman, Chief Clerk of the House and Carrie Frinka, Contingent Expanse Clerk. Since my election was after a run off, I had little choice of seats. I took one that was next to a man from Fort Worth named Joe Pyle. In January when the session started, I introduced myself to Mr. Pyle. He did not acknowledge me then or for a month or so, one day he turned to me and says, “I went to the doctor this morning.” At that point, I did not care about his medical situation. It turned out to be a joke and Joe Pyle and I were friends there after.”*****Vacationing at Disney World are Judge Pat Clark, Roselie and granddaughter, Whitney. The little granddaughter was looking to buy grandfather a “Grumpy” doll. ***Sharon Bearden is at South Padre Island attending law classes. He left Liz at home but had to promise he would not go near the nude beach, just cruise the local beach. *****Retired Judge Flo Edgerly conducted the marriage vows of Ken and Penny Wyatt

45 Years Ago-1979

Phyllis and Kenneth Haas, with kids Stephanie and Kenny have returned from a week in Panama city, Fla. Traveling with them were Marilyn and John Green and daughter’s Cori, Lori and Christy.*****Last week, fourteen students from Phyllis’ Dance School attended the Dance Olympics in Houston where they studied under the best instructors in the country. Students attending were Audra Measle, Sandy Castille, Jannine Fair, Colleen Smith, Melanie Jordan, Laurie Landry, Robyn Lusignan, Laura McLeod, Shelly and Kim Titus, Paige Guilbeaux, Shelly Flowers and Liz and Ann Lieby. *****Hubbard Sound and Electronics holds ribbon cutting. B.C. city manager C.R. Nash, along with chamber president Bill Nickum do the honors with owner Jeff Hubbard.***** Judge Pat Clark and Johnny McHugh named outstanding young men in America. Clark is county court at law judge, McHugh has received his doctorate at the University of Texas medical branch.*****Thirteen year old Gary Dwayne White was killed in an auto accident near Park City, Utah.*****Lance Runnels is recovering after being shot in the head by a pellet gun. The shot entered his head. He is the son of Judge Pete and Carol Runnels. Grandparents are Inez and Joe Runnels.

A FEW HAPPENINGS

Unfortunately two of our officials won’t be able to attend Karen Fisher’s retirement gathering at Robert’s Wednesday, July 24. Judge Derry Dunn had knee surgery last week and Mayor David Rutledge had eye surgery. We wish a speedy recovery to both. Heavy rain is expected on that day. We hope folks will be able to come honor Karen.***** Bridge City Little League had two representatives in the 2024 Texas East State tournament. The 12U team, led by Randall Courville, finished 3rd in the tournament while the 10U team, led by Johnny Dishon, won the state championship wrapping up a 10-0 season.*****Our hero of the week is Jim Sharon Bearden, or Judge Bearden. After all, he presides over Orange Municipal Court. The judge got his three-year-old daughter a stuffed unicorn. Well, yes, any daddy can go to a store and buy the toy. But the judge described himself as a 50-year-old 'competitive idiot' trying to win his little girl a stuffed toy from one of those amusement machines with the movable claw. He wasn't successful after spending $40. But a couple of days later at another machine, he finally grabbed the unicorn and a big smile on his daughter's face. No word on how much that darn unicorn cost.*****The Orange County United Way brought back another evening of Dueling Pianos at the Orange VFW Hall, decorated for the entertaining fundraiser. The crowd included new Bridge City City Councilor Gina Mannino,  West Orange City Councilor Lanie Brown, Tad and Thereze McKee, Jessica and Andre Couvillion, Jennifer Gross, Noell Walters, Amy Prouse, Sherry Hommel, Jamie Merriman, Carly Thibodeau, Emily McKee Mellen, Jessica LeJeune, Stacey Nichols, and Melissa Evans.*****Devin Nolan and James Scales ran into the international computer meltdown just as they were leaving from Europe back to the states. They got a personal look at Milan from exchange student Elisa Azaolina, who spent the 2022-23 school year attending Bridge City High. Their flights were all messed up on the way back, but they finally made it home.*****I will visit Gulf Coast Cardiology this week. Dr. Morbia has kept me heart healthy for many years. I once accused him of giving his patients his cell phone number was a gimmick. I’ve since had the occasion of testing it in the middle of the night. He answers on the first ring. He recently attended a wedding function for his son in Italy. Even though he can afford to travel anywhere in the world, his favorite place is at his office with his patients. He once got stranded in Dallas due to canceled connections to Beaumont. He hired an Uber to get home in time to fix a patient up with a stent at 6:30 a.m.

BREAUX BIRTHDAYS THIS WEEK

A few folks celebrating birthdays in the coming week. July 24: A special Happy Birthday to our friend Margie Stephens on July 24. She shares a birthday with 54-year-old Jennifer Lopez. Congrats also to Thomas White, Chassidi Cude, Karen McKinney, Ralph Rucker, James Rucker, Renee Newson, Judy Batchelor, Lee Harris and Madge Fontenot.*****July 25: Julia Morris, Allison LeLeux, Lori Smith, Marsha Brown, Misty Cappel, Mutt Eason, Ryan Kimbrough, Bobby Batchelor, Evelyn Toney, Larry Wingate.*****July 26: April Hawkins, Sherry Gauthier, Laura Berman.*****July 27: Matt Chandler, Lisa Simmons, Marie Slaton, Bruce Perkins, Doug Richter, Helen Philen.*****July 28: Happy Birthday to Blaze Montagne, Paula Richey, Regina Cameron, Allison Donnell, Angela Rhodes, Chaelynn Wilson.*****July 29: Celebrating today is Robby Ballou, Chris Abshire, Florence Pelham, Hannah O’Grady, Jeff Fruge, Lisa Faulk, Art Miller, Laurie Davis.*****July 30: Dr. Amber’s middle son Liam Greeson turns 6-years-old today. Also celebrating are Keith Goss, Lisa McCall, Paula Schenider, Ronda Hale, Troy Hillsten, Chris Lopez, Conner Godwin, Daniel Faircloth, David K. Boileau.*****Birthday greetings go out to 90-year-old Jack Burney, who celebrated with his daughters, granddaughters and great-grands..***Also having birthdays were Trey King, Danny Kennedy, Bill Smith, Pam Scales Honeycutt, Camille Fuller, Sharon Hargis, and Laura Alford Watters.***Marica Ball, born in Orange at the old hospital where the Shangri La parking lot is now, turned 75.***** Happy anniversary to former Pinehurst Mayor T.W. Permenter and his sweetheart Lyndia as they celebrate No. 64. Jerry and Mindi Vandervoort had No. 31, while Aaron and Latouria DuBois marked their tenth.

NOTE FROM LONGTIME FRIENDS

We received a nice message from Shaun Davis. He said he just wanted us to know that he and Tammy are living their best life on the big river in Natchez, MS. They follow us on the web and write, “We appreciate your wise editorials and perspectives.” Tammy was an ad executive for us and also a great friend. We have fond memories of them. Shaun, like Dr. Tom Johnson, was a “Swamper” for Congressman Charlie Wilson before becoming manager of Reginal Planning. He says he has the perfect retirement gig managing the Delta Music Museum across the Mississippi River, in Ferriday, LA., hometown of cousins Rev. Jimmy Swaggart, Mickey Gilley and Jerry Lee Lewis. He gets to talk music all day with people from all over the world at the museum. Shaun and son Hunter have always been deep into music, writing, playing, etc. I wonder what Hunter is up to. Last I heard, he was in Nashville. I believe one daughter Carly Thibodeaux still lives in Bridge City. Some great folks we’ve been blessed to know. They send “The Best” to all their SETX friends.

CAJUN STORY OF THE WEEK

Alsiod Thibodaux was forced to take a day off from work to appear for a minor traffic summons. Thibodeaux, him, he got restless as he waited hour after hour for his case to be heard. Finally, wen his name was called late in da afternoon, he stood up and said, “Dat’s me, I’m Thibodeaux,” and went and stood before da judge.

Da judge say dat da court would be adjourned for da rest of da afternoon and he would have to return da next day.

Thibodeaux, frustrated, snapped, “Say wat?”

His Honor equally irked by a tedious day, and Thibodeaux’s sharp query, roared, “Twenty dollars, contempt of court! Dat’s wat!” Den da Judge notice Thibodeaux checking his wallet. The Judge softened his tone and said, “Dat’s all right, you don’t have to pay now.”

Thibodeaux, still aggravated, answered, “I know dat, me. I’m just seeing if I have enough money for two more words.”

C’EST TOUT

ON A PERSONAL NOTE—A PREDICTION

When Kamala Harris was elected district attorney in San Francisco, I read how she had united all the different factions to win big. Her popularity spread and she threw her hat in the ring for California attorney general. She joined 20 other candidates. She emerged as a very popular winner. I wrote in this column to watch this lady, she will keep climbing the political ladder. When she overwhelmingly won the California U.S. Senate race, I wrote, “I told you so. She’s not done yet, she could very well be president of the United States someday.” I then wrote, “Remember where you read it.” Then Joe Biden picked her as his vice-president and I wrote, “At least I got close.” I figured it would be eight years before she could even be a candidate for president and I wouldn’t be around that long. I had written 20 years ago that a Black man would be elected president before a woman. If ever. Eighty-percent of women vote the way their husbands do. My mother, who was in the first group of women allowed to vote in Louisiana, expressed that she would have liked to have seen a woman elected president before she died. I told her that probably wouldn’t happen even in my lifetime. After she passed away, I at least saw a mixed Asian, Black and female elected V.P. This was after a male Black man was elected president. Last winter, I was very sick with very poor odds to survive. My mind ran over the years I had lived and I thought of my mother’s wish. I made a joke out of the fact that I would never see a woman elected president. Then the odds changed. My health improved and President Biden cut four years off of my waiting time when he passed the torch to his vice-president, the lady I had predicted many years ago could someday be president. She is the Democratic nominee, facing former president Donald Trump in November. She may not win, but the odds that I’ll get to witness a lady president in my lifetime have really improved. She has never lost an election. I have witnessed a lot of history making events and if the Lord is willing and leaves me here till November, I’ll cast a vote for the prediction I made and for what my mother and many other women have waited so long for.*****The old clock on the wall shows it’s time to get out of here. Thanks for your time. Take care and God bless.