Sherlock Breaux in the Creaux's Nest

DNC TOPS TV VIEWERS

Twenty-nine million TV viewers watched Kamala Harris’s speech, 14 percent higher than for Trump’s July 19 address, which scored 25.4 million viewers. Nielsen data showed that Harris’ well-received acceptance speech was watched by viewers across 15 networks. The speech caped a successful week for the Democratic National Convention, which topped the audience for the GOP’S gathering every night last week. MSNBC, saw its largest audience ever for a Democratic convention, averaging 6 million Thursday and 5.2 million viewers over four nights. CNN was second for the week with 3.6 million viewers, followed by ABC (3.3 million), NBC (2.5 million), CBS (2.2 million) and Fox News (2.4 million). MSNBC also had the most viewers in the 25-to-54 age group. Fox News, which injects conservative, pro-Trump commentary into its coverage, made a concerted effort to book more Democratic politicians this year, four times as many as it did in 2016. The network has never been a first stop for the party’s convention. After Harris completed her speech, Trump called into Fox News to criticize it. Several times he pressed the keys on his phone as he ranted to anchors Bret Baier and Martha MacCallum. Harris’ speech was probably watched by millions more people on streaming platforms.

CONDOLENCES

Calvin Walter Stakes, Jr., 70, of Orange, Texas, passed away on August 24, 2024, at The Medical Center in Port Arthur. A memorial service will be held 2:00 p.m., Thursday, September 5, 2024, at First United Pentecostal Church in Orange, Texas. Calvin was the son of Calvin W. Stakes, Sr. and Bobbie Jean Granger Stakes. Calvin spent his professional life as an electrician, owner, and operator of Stakes Electric. He is survived by his daughter, Citori Stakes; his sister, Kellie Muckleroy; and numerous other loving family members and friends. Calvin will be missed.

OUR SYMPATHY

We were saddened to learn of the death of Brent Edward Huckabay, age 61, who passed away August 18. Funeral services were held Tuesday, August 27, at Claybar Funeral Home in Bridge City. Born in Port Arthur, April 3, 1963, he was the son of Lawrence Earl Huckabay and Geraldine (Landry) Huckabay. Brent was a graduate of Bridge City High School, and earned a bachelor’s degree at Lamar. He is preceded in death by his wife, Sandi Huckabay and brother Bruce Huckabay. Funeral services were held Tuesday, August 27, at Claybar Funeral Home in Bridge City. Officiating was Deacon Steven Obernuefemann. Burial followed at Greenlawn Memorial Park in Groves. We send our deepest sympathy to Brent’s family and friends. May he rest in peace.

ON A SAD NOTE

We learned also of the passing of Laura Free. Laura, a former Orangite, died last week in Austin. At this time we have no further information as funeral services are still pending at our deadline.

TURNING BACK THE HANDS OF TIME

11 Years Ago-2013

The United States finds itself at the crossroads in Syria. The Obama Administration seems all but certain to retaliate over the use of chemical weapons. The gut wrenching images of the dead, including the young, have rocketed around the globe. Calibrating the right response without drawing the U.S. into Syria’s civil war requires precision, both militarily and politically. The American people are weary of war. Iraq and Afghanistan are hard learned, expensive lessons. However, ignoring the use of chemical weapons killing hundreds, including sleeping women and children, would invite worse. It would hurt U.S. creditability and years of international effort to prevent use of chemicals would be undercut. The Obama Administration has been cautious, wary of war, weighing options, gathering alliances and not just rushing into a war that could see us bogged down for ten years.*****Gone but not Forgotten: We were saddened to learn of the death of Mildred “Millie” Lemoine, 83, passed away August 25, 2013. Service were held at St. Henry Catholic Church. Millie was born in Louisiana but was raised in Orange, in the Cove. At age 17 she was one of the early telephone operators in Orange. She and Louis had been married 55 years and had five children, Jody, Jada, Jana, Jude, June and many offspring. Mildred was the big sister of Judge Janice Menard and one of her strongest supporters. Everyone who knew Millie had to love her. She was quite a character who never met a stranger.*****Aug. 31 is a big day for a pair of twins; it’s their 44th wedding anniversary. Rosalie is married to Judge Pat Clark while sister Mary Ann claims John Scofield as her longtime husband.*****Sept. 12 is the Bridge City chamber roast of civic leader, businessman Ross Smith. What a great guy. It will be hard to find anything negative to roast him with.*****Even though she is retired Susan Kazmar, longtime school teacher, is back in the classroom. She is putting in some time as a ninth-grade Algebra teacher at Orangefied.*****The state of New York charges Donald Trump with fraud and seeks $40 million from Trump University, which is not a licensed university. The attorney general calls it a scam. Trump is squealing like a stuck hog.*****Wednesday, Aug. 28, marks the exact date 50 years ago that Dr. Martin Luther King made his famous, historical “I have a Dream” speech. When you view that day as a citizen that remembers the times and the high hill that was climbed, it is really ironic, almost unbelievable, that 50 years later the President of the United States is a Black man speaking about the event that led to his election, unlikely before “I have a Dream.”

25 Years Ago-1999

 West Orange police investigate murder-suicide of father and son. Twenty-two year old Jason Miller shot and killed his father, 43-year-old Kenneth Ross Miller, then turned the gun on himself. According to Asst. Police Chief Jesse Romero, Kenneth’s wife came home from work and found the bodies of her husband and stepson. Patrolman Craig Domment responded to the call at 2 p.m. The son had recently moved in with his father. *****The Globetrotting Grandmas, Dot Eshbach, 77, and Margaret Saint, 78, just returned from a month of touring Europe and Asia. (Editor’s note: Those two wondering women are gone now. They didn’t let any grass grow under their feet after their spouses died. What a joy they were to everyone who knew and loved them. They traveled the country in a big RV bus. What a sight those two old gals were pulling out in that luxury bus saying, “You’ll see us when we get back.”*****Bridge City Mayor John Dubose gets national recognition. The National Center of Small Communities awarded Dubose for outstanding leadership. Out of the $5,000 award money, Dubose will donat e $2,500 to the Chamber, $2,000 will go towards building a pavilion at Bridge City Park and $500 will be donated to the Helen Phillips Memorial Scholarship fund.*****Pinehurst Mayor Pete Runnels announced a big Senior Citizen’s Labor Day Picnic which he hopes to make an annual senior citizen gathering. There will be plenty of food, watermelon, etc. served. (Editor’s note: Judge Runnels is gone now. It’s still hard to believe.)*****Louisiana Governor Jimmie Davis reaches 100-years-old Sept. 3. In the 1940’s he recorded “You Are My Sunshine.” and later, “Come Home Jimmie, It’s Supper Time.” He also starred in movies. (Editor’s note: Jimmie died a few years ago, I believe he was 103.)*****The new Bridge City football coach is James Conway and former B.C. High star Jeff Mathews is the new head coach at Vidor. High school football to start soon. A few names in the spotlight will be, at Bridge City, Curt Lucia and Steve Curl; LC-M, Michael White and Michael Rowe; WO-S, Jartis Soleman, Jamal Warnell and Gayron Allen and at Orangefield, Charles Chester and Jay Bruce. Randy Theriot is head coach.*****Roy’s mother Marie and P.T. Parker both passed away on Sept. 2.

40 Years Ago-1974

Bob Montagne and Sue Pate are the political powers in Orange County. Bob has a strong roots organization in the county. Sue has far-reaching arms into Austin and state politics. *****Doug Harrington claims he can run a mile and a half in under 13 minutes. Most folks are wondering if that’s with someone shooting at him. *****Ed Bacon ends up in a hospital after a feast at Harper’s Party Shack. More than 100 pints of mountain oysters were prepared--all Peveto and Zummo Packing could provide--plus a grass sack full of frog legs and a lot of beverages. Ed partook of more than his share of it all. Millie Harper just couldn’t chew the oysters. Doctors said Ed’s blood pressure going through the roof didn’t have anything to do with the choice of food. (Editor’s Note: Milly Harper and Roy Dunn are possibly the only people left who remembers that party.) *****Judge Sid Caillavet was operated on in Beaumont. He’s doing better--he was overheard raising hell with Ms. Dennis because she wasn’t home cutting fire wood for the coming winter. She promised him she would have a cord cut by the time he gets home.*****Faye Linscomb and daughter Kathy were in Arlington last week to watch Bridge City football players

Jimmy Lacombe, her son, and Mark Dunn play in an intrasquad game at UT-Arlington. She said the two athletes did quite well.*****Dewey “Teddy Bear” Cox challenges Harrington to a mile race next month.*****Mr. and Mrs. Roger Easterling , newlyweds, win $120 in groceries from Howard’s in BC in KOGT’s Dial-a-Door contest.*****Bridge City State Bank donates 200 oak trees to the city. Bank officials and Boy Scouts plant the trees on school district grounds and at local churches. (Editor’s note: Now we know all those oaks are 40 years old.)

A FEW HAPPENINGS

What’s it Worth appraisal event had a good outcome this weekend. It wasn’t wall to wall people, but a steady stream, which gave the appraisers more time to spend with each person. Many happy campers left with good outcomes. Someone brought in a framed photograph of Calvin Coolidge and his wife, along with Charles Lindbergh and his mother. The picture had been signed by all of them. More research will be done to get a closer valuation, but initial estimates put the picture’s worth at $800-$4000. A Tiffany vase came in valued $10,000-$30,000 and a small doll, approximately a half inch tall, sporting a crocheted lederhosen dress, was valued $65-80. The appraisers from Houston visited the Orangefield Cormier Museum when they arrived Friday night before the event and were impressed by the extensive collection of items exhibited.*****We heard from our longtime friend Constable Brad Frye. Brad loves being a constable and also serving on the Orangefield school board.***** Lady Whistlebreaux has learned that it's too late to get tickets to the St. Mary School 100th anniversary gala on September 14. It's sold out. Father Jim Sichko, who grew up in Orange and is now a papal missionary of mercy, is making sure the prizes will and bidding items will be like no one here has seen before.*** That date will also have another big local draw, Bridge City's lighted Hot Air Balloon Glo Festival. It will be the first time several lighted hot air balloons will be on display in OC at once.*** The next week, Saturday, September 21, the city of Vidor will be having a big music jam at Conn's Park. Thanks to cities, chambers of commerce, and local non-profit groups, the OC has family-friendly activities all the time. Don't whine about 'there's nothing to do here.'.*****Music concerts last week enticed locals to make some day trips to see their favorites. Sammy Hagar played in The Woodlands with Orange City Manager Mike Kunst and wife, Jill, enjoying the show. Local music writer Tommy Mann went his wife, Dana, along with Troy and Annette Jones, and Lisa and Kevin Martin.*****The Claybar crew all went to Houston to see Chris Stapleton and Miranda Lambert. Peggy Claybar went with sons David and Constable Lannie Claybar and their families with daughters-in-law Melanie and Sabrina, plus grandkids Keller and Breelyn, and Annabelle and Caroline. Kelli Patin also enjoyed the show.*****Della Gallien and daughter Rita Monson went across the river to the Golden Nugget to see John Anderson.*****Cathy Manshack finally pulled husband Mike away from the OC to enjoy some time at Crystal Beach and dinner at the Stingaree.*****Brandi Griggs and Justin Riesen took their blended kids all for lots of adventures in Dallas including Six Flags. After all, Kiley plus twins Karson and Kolby had birthdays to celebrate.*****The Bridge City-Orangefield Rotary had a big turnout for the annual fundraiser Guy's Game NIght. Money goes to high school scholarships. Internet podcaster Gary Stelly called the bingo numbers as Eric Andrus served as DJ.***** Phillip Welch and son Sterling attended the Houston Astro game last week against the Boston Red Sox, the team Bridge City’s Chase Shugart plays for. They had front row seats and Sterling was given balls which were autographed by Houston pitchers Yusel Kikuchi, the new pitcher traded for from Toronto and Ronel Blanco, who pitched a no-hitter early in the season. The Astros lost the game but Phillip and Sterling had a great time.

BREAUX BIRTHDAYS THIS WEEK

A few folks we know celebrating birthdays in the next few days. Aug. 28: J. S Bearden, Charlie Broussard, Randy Elkins, Sierra Hutchison, Debbie Stark Angie Jones, Bobbie Brown and our special friend Barbi Childress.*****Aug. 29, Janise Overman, Danny Cole, Gary Bonneaux, Rick Beaulieu, Wendy Fontenot, Blake Tally, Buddy Hancken, LLeta Prinrose. Our friend Glenda Dyer would have celebrated her birthday on this day. Sadly she passed away April 20, 2024 at age 80.*****Aug. 30: Patty Collins, Mike Cedars, Judy Marsolan, Dotsie Robbins, Jon Weidner, Brooke Snowden, Cristi Harper, Crytal Killman, Dal Moreau.*****Aug. 31: Dominic Nguyen, Dorene Scott, Elise Domas, Erin Weidner, Mary Behnke, Paul Vandervoort, Ron Kincade, Alex Murphy, Buddy Cox, Jay Odom.*****Sept. 1: Haley Aldridge, Pamela Layman.*****Sept. 2: Brenda Wilber, Vernon Dixon, Cody Knight, Hannah Hall, Peyton Choate.*****Sept. 3: Mayor T.W. Permenter, Debby Schamber, Tammy Stevens, Rusty Dubose, Tracy Hollingsworth, Kacey Harrell, Rachel Briggs, Robert Boehme, Ryan Fisette, Cynthia Wedekind.*****Birthday greetings go out to Louis Nance, who reached 89. The man in the softball hall of fame still goes on morning walks. Judy Landry is another octagenarian with a birthday along with Darleen Thompson. Others marking birthdays recently have included Carly Thibodeaux, Meri Elen Jacobs, Debi Derrick, Paulette Howington, Lynae Sanford, Troyshetta Angelo, Christine Bonneaux,  Mia Davila,  Glee Lobb,  Amberly Craft, Dax Fregia, Dana Mann, Breelyn Lemaire, Natalee Smith,  Mary Jackson, Linda Garrett,  Stephnay Holman, Judy Lilback, Melissa Shaw, Theresa Allen, Valli Lott, and Stephanie Roberts. Donna Scales had a great birthday party, but apparently she is partying all the time with granddaughters Stella and Indie Jaymes. We won't reveal what their Uncle James calls them.*****Happy anniversary and congratulations to Bill and Ellen Nickum, who have been married 59 years.***Ray and Ruth Hancock are just a couple of years behind.***Happy Anniversary also to Rosalie and Judge Pat Clark. We wish them many, many more.*** Also celebrating anniversaries were Skipper and Gina Yeaman, plus Tom and Joyce Sanders.*****(Notice: To post birthdays or anniversaries in this publication free of charge email to therecordlive.com or call 409-886-7183.

CAJUN STORY OF THE WEEK

Tee-Neg Dartez went fishing on Bayou Tech him, wit senior citizen Clovees Arceneaux.

While sitting dere Tee-Neg axe, “Mister Arceneaux, how old you are hanh?”

Clovees say, “I don’t rightly know me, it changes every year. I was born during da depression me, so I know I’m getting old.”

Tee-Neg say, “Mister Arceneaux, don’t worry bout old age you, because it don’t las dat long.”

C’EST TOUT

FORMER REPUBLICAN LEADERS ENDORSE KAMALA HARRIS

Over 200 Republicans who previously worked for Bush, Romney, or McCain have endorsed Vice President Kamala Harris for President. The endorsement, announced in an open letter includes 238 signatures, marking a significant political shift. The letter, which follows the Democratic National Convention in Chicago, showcases the growing discontent within the GOP. At least five former aides to President George H.W. Bush also signed the letter. Signatories include prominent figures such as Mark Salter and Chris Koch, former chiefs of staff to McCain; Jean Becker, longtime chief of staff for George H.W. Bush; and David Nierenberg, Romney’s 2012 campaign finance chair. They cite concerns over Donald Trump’s leadership and the potential impact of his policies, notably Project 2025. The letter concludes with a warning about the consequences of another Trump presidency, both domestically and abroad, urging voters to prioritize the country’s future over party loyalty. This endorsement represents a growing trend of Republican leaders opposing Trump’s re-election. On Tuesday, it was announced that former four-star general, who served under George W. Bush’s administration, is endorsing Harris. *****Thanks for your time, mine is up. Have a safe Labor Day weekend. Check us out daily on our website therecordlive.com. Take care and God bless.