Sherlock Breaux in the Creaux's Nest

HURRICANE FRANCINE PREVENTS DEBATE REVIEW

The hurricane that followed the Texas coast landed in Louisiana. A small turn however would have put it in our front yard. About 6 p.m. Tuesday winds were starting to pick up. When it’s stormy weather in Southeast Texas you always fear losing power. It is scary when its paper deadline. For us to wait until after the presidential debate Tuesday evening between Vice-President Harris and former President Trump was a gamble we couldn’t afford to take. Even though we would have liked to review the event and print our two cents worth it was just too risky. Our home delivery may be delayed until Thursday but store copies will still be available Wednesday or you can check us out on the web, therecordlive.com.

PATRIOT DAY--9-11

Patriot Day is an annual observance on September 11, to remember those who were injured or died during the terrorist attacks in the United States in 2001. On the direction of President Obama, the U.S. Flag should be displayed in homes and flown at half-mast in all U.S. government buildings around the world. Many people observe a moment of silence at 8:40 a.m. Central time. This marks the time the first plane flew into the World Trade Center. Patriot Day is not a Federal holiday. On September 11, 2001, four planes were hijacked then deliberately flown, one into the Pentagon and two into the Twin Towers of the World Trade Center in New York. The fourth crashed into a field near Shanksville, Pennsylvania. The loss of life and damage that these hijackings caused was the biggest act of terrorism ever on United States soil. Nearly 3000 people died in the attack and the economic impact was immense. George W. Bush was president at the time. Since then, the attacks have greatly increased attention to security in the United States. The flag of the United States, displayed on 9-11, reminds Americans that our country remains strong in the face of massive terrorist attacks. However, the terrorist changed our way of life in many ways. Our life style is not as casual and security is priority. We did however, have a domestic invasion of the United States Capital on Jan. 6, 2021. Patriot Day should not be confused with Patriot’s Day, which commemorates the battle of Lexington and Concord in 1775. Two of the earliest battles in the American Revolutionary War. Our government works over time to keep our homeland secure. All we hope and pray for is that God will bless America, not just on 9-11 but every day.

TURNING BACK

THE HANDS OF TIME

10 Years Ago-2014

Home boy, Bridge City native, Matt Bryant, NFL kicker for the Atlanta Falcons, kicked a 51-yard field goal to put the Falcons in overtime in Sunday’s game. Then Matt kicked a 52-yarder, flying over the crossbar with plenty of room to spare to beat the Saints. It’s always good to see one of our home gown youngsters do good.

We had watched Matt at B.C. since he was just a puppy. In fact, all three of Mary and Casey’s boys were good athletes. Matt started; his pro career with the New York Giants. Since then Matt has become one of the top, most reliable kickers in the NFL.***** On Sunday, the most impressive team besides the Falcons, was the Houston Texans. J.J. Watt lived up to his $100 million billing.*****Saying goodbye to 81-year-old Joan Rivers, who died last week in New York, was like watching a Broadway show. I had watched her on the Red Carpet and Fashion Police etc. She was always enjoyable to watch because you never knew what she would say. A simple throat procedure where a patient is put to sleep and a hose inserted down the throat was done to try to determine the cause of her raspy voice. Anytime an elderly person is put to sleep its dangerous and should be done only by a trained anesthesiologist, not a nurse. Remember what happened to Michael Jackson. Be sure you know who’s putting you to sleep.*****Judge Claude and Pauline Wimberly were honored at a 60th wedding anniversary celebration at the Masonic Lodge Saturday. Daughter Paula did a wonderful job with the arrangements, the hall was beautifully decorated, the food and cake were good and plentiful.*****The Wednesday Lunch Bunch gathered at Robert’s last week. Judge Derry Dunn attended, escorted by his doctor son Mark, who was down from Portland. The Judge is getting around but his leg is ugly. He is very fortunate to still have it.***** We were sorry to hear about the death of Austin “Goose” Gonsoulin, number 23 for the Denver Broncos. He was the first draft pick ever for the Broncos. He played seven seasons, 1960- 1966,. He holds the single season record for 11 interceptions and a single game of four. He graduated from Thomas Jefferson, in Port Arthur, in 1956 and went to the Baylor Bears where he starred as a wide receiver, running back and defensive back. He played in six pro bowls. He played his final year with the 49ers. As an all pro, “Goose” never earned more than $20,000 a year. J.J. Watt just signed a $100 million dollar contract. Many of us watched Gonsoulin in his glory days at T.J.*****The Commissioner’s Court Monday moved Sheriff Keith Merritt up one step allowing him, for the first time, to be paid more than four of his captains. The chief deputy will still be paid more than Merritt and the county judge. It was long overdue.

20 Years Ago-2004

Vada Tinsky turned 102 on Sept. 8. She was born in 1902, the year the Kansas City Southern Railroad reached Orange. Also the year the town plat for West Orange was filed *****Gone But Not Forgotten: We lost Bobby Houseman this week. Bobby was an active community leader and president of the Lamar Foundation.*****Virginia “Ginny” Plunk, 83, died Sept. 12. What a sweet lady she was.*****James Allen Young, 68, of Orange, died Sept. 11.*****Huel “Shorty” Swindell, 79, died Sept. 13.*****Stella Floyd Goodwin, 88, died Sept. 13.*****Kenneth ‘K.P.’ Lamaire, 64, of Orangefield died Sept 11.*****Robert Lee Livingston, 72, died Sept. 9.*****Harold Wayne Kirby, 74, of Orangefield, died Sept. 9.*****Donald Oceola Edwards, 64, of Orange, died Sept. 11.*****Gerald Wade Gearen, 52, of Mauriceville, died Sept. 6.

50 Years Ago-1974

On August 14, Bridge City Band officials, Boy Scouts and Bridge City School District representatives planted the first of 200 Live Oak trees, given to the community by Bridge City Bank. The Bank is now making available to customers free Live Oak trees who can then donate them to the school district. Several have already been planted at all campuses. Scouts participating in planting the first tree were Arnold Majors, David Nabours, Joe Brody, Pat Burleigh, Elton Myers and Brandal Herman. George Besse was scout master of troop 133 sponsored by Knights of Columbus 3406. ***** Steak lunch at Bonaza will set you back $1.19. This includes crisp, tossed salad and Texas toast. Free refills on beverages. You might want to leave a 15-cent tip. Twelve ounces Ribeye special on Tuesday night, only $1.99. ***** John Holland, a former professional actor on the New York stage, is now an Orange resident. John is now handling the promoting for Orange Community Players.***** The new head football coach at Little Cypress Mauriceville is Randall Dorsett.*****Bill Powers, #52 and Neal Jenkins, #33, will both play multiple positions for the Bridge City Cardinals.*****Reggie Kelly, #80 and #51, Dale Dailey, will be big guns for Stark. Tough linemen for the West Orange Chiefs are #55, Junior Henry and #52, Junior Lacagton.*****Phyllis and Jim Berwick are the proud parents of Alica Renee’, 9-pound, 4-ounce baby girl. Grandparents are the Wilburn Stokes and the David Landry’s.*****Spotted eating gumbo at LaPlace this week was two great Italians, Tony Pavia and Tony DalSasso. Those two guys were eating Cajun like they were born in the swamp. *****McLaury’s Appliance is now home owned by Joe Norman and Bill Robinson and will continue to be managed by Larry Bergeron. *****Last week, Charles Patton “Mr. Gravely Tractor” cut one of his fingers off. When the hospital sent someone to retrieve the finger, the cat was sniffing it and even the dog wouldn’t have anything to do with it. They sewed it back on.

REGISTER TO HAVE A VOICE

Don’t forget National Voter Registration Day this September. It’s crucial to reflect on the significance of the right to vote, a fundamental pillar of democracy that many fought tirelessly to secure. Voting is more than a civic duty, it is an expression of your voice, your values, and your vision for the future. In early America, voting rights were reserved for white, land-owning men, excluding entire populations who were deemed unworthy of having a say in the government of their country. Women, Black Americans, and other marginalized groups. Voter participation in the United States remains alarmingly low. According to the U.S. Census Bureau, only about 66% of eligible voters cast a ballot in the 2020 presidential election. National Voter Registration Day, the fourth Tuesday of September, is an opportunity to reclaim our power. Whether you’re registering for the first time, updating your information, or helping others get registered, taking this first step is crucial to making sure your voice is heard. Registration is just the beginning. Voting requires commitment, especially in a system that can seem hostile. That’s why we must educate ourselves about the issues, understand the stakes, and recognize the impact our votes can have.

A FEW HAPPENINGS

It’s Bayou Bowl Week in Bridge City and Orangefield. The two high school football teams meet and the winner is awarded the Buzzie Gunn Trophy. Bridge City’s coach Josh Smalley had coached both teams through the years. The former Bridge City quarterback is the Cardinal Head Coach and AD.*****Congratulations to Cowboy Church on their new arena. It is something to be proud of. It is available to all of Orange County.*****Judge Carl Thibodeaux had heart surgery Monday morning in Webster at Clear Lake Health Clinic. The procedure was to remodel his old pacemaker, installing a new one with new wiring. According to Micha everything went well. His heart will be much stronger now. “Tib” is one tough Cajun.*****The wonderful cool front last weekend couldn’t be enjoyed long enough as everyone prepared for another storm, Francine. A collective sigh of relief went out as the storm moved away from Texas. Prayers for our neighbors in Louisiana.*****Texas Longhorn fans were celebrating a big victory over Michigan on Saturday. Michael Catt and friends Aaron Harrison, Patrick Bell, and Mike Rogers, made the trip to Ann Arbor to see the game.***** Trump and Vance are dead wrong. Economist unanimously agreed that United States tariffs are a tax on American consumers.*****Democrats flew a small airplane over Michigan Stadium Saturday with a banner spotlighting ‘Project 2025.’*****

Phillip and Pat Caillavet are continuing their European trip with a jaunt to Italy to enjoy the food and wine.*****Bob and Cheryl Stalnaker took a vacay to New Orleans.*****Orange City Councilor Matt Chandler with wife Brittney loaded up the car with their children and headed to Houston for an Astros game.*****Jay and Summer Hall were in town and they gathered with old friends, lots from Lions Club work, for dinner Saturday. Attendees included Butch Campbell, Nancy Broussard, John and Bonnie Backer, and Linda Craft.*****Tony Perry went to Garner State Park for another visit and hiking.*****Kevin and Angie Williams were among the guests as granddaughter Collins Ruth Carr celebrated her fourth birthday with a princess theme party. Parents Sydney and Cody Carr are expecting another baby soon.*****Congratulations to Mel and Joey Campbell on their 46th wedding anniversary.***Congrats also to John and Julie Hurn on 58th years together.***Others with anniversaries including Phillip Jr. and Katie Caillavet, plus David and Amy Ingram with 31 years.

BREAUX BIRTHDAYS THIS WEEK

Special folks we know celebrating birthdays in the next few days. It is a big week for the Dunn clan. The family monarch, Phyllis Dunn, celebrates on Monday, Sept. 16. Ms. Phyl married Roy right out of high school.***Granddaughter Jenna, who is Mark’s youngest, celebrates on the 13th.***Mark’s wife Ethel on the 15th. *****Longtime friend since Abbeville days, Fadra Thibeaux, celebrates on Sept. 14.***Special friend, Cathy Garrison, who sold advertising for the Dunn newspaper 50 years ago, celebrates on September 15 as does Thomas ‘Bubba’ Lund, husband of employee Brenda Lund, who will celebrate on September 12.*****Others celebrating are: Sept. 11: Ester Jeans, Andrea Peoples, Beth Arnold, Billy Fontenot, Casey Stephenson, Chris Kovatch, Donna Lanthier, Shannon Sparks. The September 11 attacks, commonly known as 9/11, took place on this date 23 years ago.*****Sept. 12: Greg Ball, Jona Gilchrist, Karen Warner, Llyd George, Molly Anthony, Shannon Eickenhorst, Tiffany Higgs, Bryan Riedel, Buffy Bean, Collin Findlay, Cynthia Claybar, David Haddock.*****Sept. 13: Kade Hanks, Margaret Jeffcote, Connie Swope, Gregory Barclay.*****Sept. 14: James Braus, Justin Granger, Kim Norris, Morgan Milligan, Nikki Wingate, Pat Tilley, Bo Dilbert, Greg Choate, Janis Leyendecker.*****Sept. 15: Jon Berry, Madison Lewis, Ginger Ellis, Nick Heil, Shonna Hunt.*****Sept. 16: George Navarro, O’Shanique Foster, Ian Putman, Stephanie Morris, Todd Estes, Valerie Gilbeaux, Mark Conner, Tommy Purdy, Landin New, Linda Schulz.*****Sept. 17: Darlene Montagne, Mark Anderson, Delana Huebel, Lynda Stout, Chase Burch.*****Also celebrating are Alva Thibodeaux, known as ‘Grandmeaux’ to her grands on down to great-great-great-grands, celebrated her 98th birthday.***Local film maker and writer Penny LeLeux had two birthdays in her family. Husband Gerald LeLeux and daughter Janet LeLeux. The family went to see a movie.***Others who had birthdays included Ron McAnelley, Norma Harper, Cheri Burch, Mark Ledet, April Crim Goodman, Frank ‘Shot’ Coffin Jr., Crystal Pachuca, Shaun Mayfield, Adrianne Garrett, Bruce Perry, Judy Prudhomme, Craig Holland, Shelia Dove, Kacey Burnitt, twins Trevor and Treyvon Trahan, Lisa Blackstock, Beverly Roberts Hanes, retired sheriff Keith Merritt, Jeff Brown, and Kyle Eatman.

CAJUN STORY OF THE WEEK

Sugar Bee and Sostan’s little granddaughter Casey, the eight year old daughter of dere daughter Agnes, was talking to her teacher, Miss Landry, bout whales.

Miss Landry told Casey it was physically impossible for a whale to swallow a human because even though it was a very large mammal, its throat was very small.

Casey, her, is like her grandma Sugar Bee and very headstrong. Casey told Miss Landry dat Jonah, him, was swallowed by a whale.

Irritated by now, Miss Landry said, “Casey, I told you a whale could not swallow a human. It’s physically impossible. Now, that’s it.”

Casey wasn’t finished jus yet. She said, “Well, Miss Landry, wen I get to Heaven me, I will axe Jonah myself.

The teacher axe, “Well, Casey, wat if Jonah went to hell him?”

Casey, frustrated wit da teacher, answer, “Den you can axe him.”

C’EST TOUT

MEMORIES OF IKE-2008

The hurricane blew in during the wee hours of Sept. 13, sixteen years ago, in 2008. I was upstairs about 2 a.m. the blowing wind was deafening; the house seemed to be shaking. I went downstairs to fine the water coming in. I awoke everyone, and then it got worse. Madelyn Bailey made it up into her attic then the snakes got so plentiful when the winds died down and daylight came, she made it to her roof. The next few days seems like a bad nightmare. On every block and every street people’s belongings were stacked four to six feet high on both sides of the road. At the time, it seemed impossible that Bridge City would ever recover. Our county was hit the hardest, yet thanks to Judge Thibodeaux and the leadership, we were the first to recover. Thibodeaux used the county reserves and started digging us out. I couldn’t be any prouder for Mayor Roccaforte and the city’s leadership during those trying times. Just as important is the recovery and tremendous improvements the city has made since that awful night that brought so much destruction. Bridge City today is far better off than anyone would have expected. The storm was damaging to many small businesses that never recovered. Following week after the storm, we published a special Ike edition, with many photos taken by Mark Dunn, who stayed through Ike. .*****Gotta go. Thanks for your time and loyalty. Please shop our family of advertisers. Take care and God bless.