Sherlock Breaux in the Creaux's Nest

GONE WITH THE WIND--85 YEARS LATER

The 1939 epic Civil War film “Gone with the Wind” celebrates its 85th anniversary. The timeless story of love and war has been re-released nine times. The nearly four hour drama, hailed as a masterpiece, has grossed more than any other movie in history. $1.7 billion. It was nominated for 13 Oscars and awarded 10, including best picture. Vivien Leigh, as Scarlett O’Hara, won best actress. Here’s an interesting sidebar, Best Supporting Actress Hattie McDaniel, was the first African American actor to win an Oscar but because of her color she was not invited to attend the 1939 premier in Atlanta. Clark Gable threatened to boycott the event. McDaniel however convinced him to attend. It should be required viewing for every teenage youngster. They have no idea about the early South, the path we’ve traveled from long, dusty, dirt roads to the present is very intriguing if one takes time to study it. Gone with the Wind is an historic lesson. Fifty years ago I purchased an original copy of this movie. While people in government are trying to change history, this movie is very much like early life was. The past should always be properly portrayed.

WALZ- VANCE VICE-PRESIDENTIAL DEBATE

The debate held Tuesday evening, October 1, was shown too late for me to comment on the issues. J.D. had the hardest job, defending some of Trump’s outrageous, lying remarks. Plus Vance, in the past, had a lot of unkind things to say about Donald, even calling him a moron. I can’t wait to see how he wiggles out of that.

HURRICANE HELENE

Many bad storms have hit the country in my lifetime and I’ve been a victim of a few, but no hurricane has ever spread disaster like Helene. She was deadly and devastated six states, totally destroyed small towns and washed out roads and bridges. President Joe Biden said, “the full force of the government will do all we can to help our people.” “God bless them.”

F.D.R. SAID WE SHOULD FEAR ONLY “FEAR ITSELF”

PROJECT 2025 IS FEAR ITSELF

Besides all the damage it will do if Trump is elected, here’s one for the books. Speaking of storms Project 2025 would eliminate NOAA, the agency that tracks hurricanes, warns citizens and saves lives.

“THE HUSTLER”

Pete Rose, former baseball player and manager who holds the MLB record for most hits and was banned from the game for betting on it, passed away Monday, Sept. 30, at age 83. Major League Baseball, which banished him in 1989, issued HYPERLINK "https://apnews.com/article/pete-rose-reaction-e1550a98c70df81066d6954b8aaaaac5" a brief statement expressing condolences and noting his “greatness, grit and determination on the field of play.” Reds principal owner said that Rose was “one of the fiercest competitors the game has ever seen.” “We must never forget what he accomplished.”

THE “POET”

One of the great song writers of our time, Rhodes Scholar, Kris Kristofferson, died Saturday, Sept. 28, at age 88. Starting in the late 1960s, the Brownsville, Texas native wrote such country and rock ‘n’ roll standards as “Sunday Mornin’ Comin’ Down,” “Help Me Make it Through the Night,” “For the Good Times” or Janis Joplin belting out “Me and Bobby McGee.” Kristofferson was a singer himself, but many of his songs were best known as performed by others. Songs that will stand the test of time.

TURNING BACK THE HANDS OF TIME

10 Years Ago-2014

I wasn’t aware that Percy Bordelon, 93, had passed away on Sept. 22. He and his friend, the late Joe Burke, entered many ventures. He was another from the Greatest Generation having served in the U.S. Navy in World War II. *****I understand lil’ Al Judice is bringing his famous Cajun food recipes, started by Maw Maw Judice over 70 years ago, to Orange County, on Texas Ave. in Bridge City.*****Gerald Morris, who is in a Houston hospital, is showing improvement. He’s breathing on his own now and has some arm movement. Best wishes for a full recovery for this good Christian man.*****Joe Romano turned 85 over the weekend. Back in 1949, 65 years ago, Joe became an Eagle Scout. Last month, his grandson Dominic Romano earned his Eagle Scout badge. *****Congratulations to Jenna and Robby Ballou on the birth of their new daughter, Willow Grace. She was born Sept. 30, Willow is the grandchild of Mark Dunn and great granddaughter of Roy and Phyllis Dunn. She is welcomed by her big brother Nate and sister Delilah. ***** Derek Jeter said goodbye to baseball Sunday at Boston Fenway Park. Jeter is one of the Yankee greats. Baseball will miss him. He may remain as a coach with New York. Clay Buchholz paid tribute to Jeter by throwing only fast balls that Jeter hit for a single.*****Jordan Zimmermann pitched a no-hitter for the Washington Nationals, who will be vying for the first D.C. title in 90 years. Jose Altuve went 2 for 4 and became the Astros’ first batting champion with a 341 average, the most hits by a second baseman since 1936.*****Blake Shelton goes back to country roots with “Bring Back the Sunshine” out this week. It’s been 13 years since Blake’s first album. He first hit the country charts with songs such as “Austin,” “Ol’ Red” and “The Baby.” Blake’s early heroes were Earl Thomas Conley, Alabama, and the late Freddy Fender. Shelton is 38, married to super star Miranda Lambert.

20 Years Ago-2004

Port of Orange decreases tax rate 10 percent. In 2001 taxes were decreased by 25 percent. “The taxpayers are paying enough,” board president Buckshot Winfree said. Keith Wallace made the motion to reduce taxes and the vote was unanimous. *****The Bridge City Cardinals reclaim Bayou Bowl from the Orangefield Bobcats. The Buzzie Gunn trophy was presented to Coach Claude Tarver by Bridge City Rotary president Steve Quibodeaux.*****Superman Christopher Reeve, paralyzed from a horse accident eight years ago, died Oct. 10. The day before his death he sent a voice message to Sen. Kerry to keep up the fight for stem cell research.*****Matt Bryant had been chosen for the Dallas Cowboy kicking job when he pulled a hamstring. Six weeks later, Bryant, who was free lancing at $25,000 a game to any team that needed his help, was called up by Indianapolis to fill in for Colt’s kicker Mike Vanderjagt, one of the league’s best, who also pulled a hamstring.*****Don “Cochise” Shockley made a hole-in-one at Sunset. He will probably have that ball bronzed. (Editor’s note: “Cochise” is no longer with us; he passed away suddenly in 2013.)*****Emily Jackson, a senior at Bridge City High School, earns the highest Girl Scout honor, the Gold Award. It takes two to three years to complete all the requirements and fewer than one percent earn the award.*****Former constable and county commissioner Morris Collier, 84, died Oct. 10, after a long battle with Alzheimer’s. He was born in Washington, LA., in 1920. He first served as a motorcycle policeman for the City of Orange. He was a real cowboy making many rodeos where he was an accomplished calf roper. Politically he ran for sheriff against longtime sheriff Chester Holt, served as Pct. 2 constable for 12 years and served four terms as commissioner in the 1970’s. He leaves behind his wife of 58 years Doris, three children and several grandchildren.*****Mavis McClure, 85, longtime Orange City Secretary, serving 24 years, died Oct. 4, in Double Oak, TX. She was the widow of Jack McClure. *****Thomas E. “Tommy” Gordon, 58, of Bridge City, died Oct. 7. He was preceded in death by two brothers Danny and Jimbo Gordon. He is survived by wife Geneva Smith Gordon.*****Rex Peveto is a candidate for State Representative, Dist. 19, running against incumbent Mike Hamilton. Peveto claimed Hamilton supported Tom DeLay’s plan to redistrict Southeast Texas and transfer local congressional power to Houston. Peveto said on July 7, 2003, Hamilton voted against an amendment which would have left the congressional line unchanged and Jim Turner as congressman. (Editor’s note: Rex lost the race because of a big block vote in Hardin County. Rex, like his dad Wayne, would have been a good representative. Hamilton was later defeated by the same Hardin County voters who elected him. Today Rex is District Judge Peveto, proof that sometimes bad things happen for the best.)

45 YEARS AGO-1979

Barber Joe Blanda is recognized for 50 years of service in the barber business. *****Kenny Rogers recognized as the “Male Vocalist of the Year,” by the Country Music Association. Willie Nelson is named “Entertainer of the year.”*****The Harmon family, Ovie, Jackie, Corky, Don and Tommy celebrate grand opening of their new Chevrolet car dealership on MacArthur Drive, in Orange. Ribbon cutting ceremonies held Thursday, Oct. 11. Salesmen are Homer Flannigan, Bob Jones, Donnie Harmon, Preston Fuller, Ray Pousson, Jim Young, David Harmon, Joe Payne, Tom Ewing and Jim Elhert.*****Uncle Jim McKay, 94, prepared five pies for the folks at The Opportunity Valley News. One apple, one cherry, one chocolate and two lemon. No one is a better pie chef than Uncle Jim.*****The Dallas Cowboys have won 12 of 13 games in which Tony Dorsett has run the ball 20 or more times.*****Bridge City Card Bryan Ward runs for 250 yards in a Cardinal 34-6 win over Cleveland.*****Bridge City homecoming court nominees are seniors Danette Davis and Christi Ballard; juniors Tina Sigler and Tammy Emerson; sophomores Brenda Berry and Ronda Stevens and freshmen are Myra Rasberry and Gina Goodyear.*****Ronda Rhodes was named homecoming queen at Lamar University. She is the daughter of Luther Rhodes of Orange, who now lives in Bridge City. *****June Gregory and Edna Lusignan are co-chairs of the Bridge City Day’s style show. Great looking ladies.

A FEW HAPPENINGS

Special thanks to Thelma Sterling and Kay Williams for the great cake from Nanny’s Sweet Temptations in Port Neches. It was a delicious Bundt cake with apple, maple and pecan drizzle. It had a great New Orleans praline taste. Just wonderful. Our thanks go out to these great neighbors and Nanny.*****The Boston Red Sox announced the winners of the organization’s 2024 Minor League Awards and Chase Shugart is the ‘Relief Pitcher of the Year’. Shugart, 27, has made five appearances for the Red Sox in 2024, his Major League debut, posting a 4.70 ERA (4 ER/7.2 IP) with one save. The right-hander also went 6-2 with a 4.46 ERA (35 ER/70.2 IP) and 80 strikeouts in 36 games (five starts) with Triple-A Worcester. In his final eight Triple-A outings of the season, Shugart recorded a 1.64 ERA (2 ER/11.0 IP) and .190 opponent batting average (8-for-42). The Bridge City native was selected by Boston in the 12th round of the 2018 First-Year Player Draft.*****A nice crowd turned out Sunday at the Oaks Event Center in Vidor to wish the legendary fiddler Huey Buxton a happy 90th birthday. Of course he played. Huey has been playing musical instruments when he was a child growing up in Jefferson County and he has made his home in Vidor for years. Pam and Rusty Honeycutt went to the birthday bash as did Stephanie Roberts, who got to sit with Jivin' Gene. Local music scene fan Ann Vincent was also there. Jivin' Gene did perform with Huey. Huey often plays with local musician and singer Britt Godwin on Wednesday evenings at the VFW post in Orange.*****The Orange Texas Run Club wasn't satisfied with getting crowds to run or walk along 16th Street in Orange. They decided to run across the Veterans Memorial Bridge outside of Bridge City early Sunday morning. No Sunday morning sidewalk for them.*****Matt Chandler and his son got to see the Texas Longhorns win at Memorial Field.*****Edie Burch and Richard Teague took a trip to historical Jefferson, Texas, where Edie shopped for vintage glass. Richard is glad he got some good barbecue.*****The Sabine Neches Region of CASA, Court Appointed Child Advocates, will be having the next gala fundraiser. It's set for Saturday, October 16, at the Orange County Expo Center with the theme Monte Carlo Night. Word is there will be a casino set up. The event will honor Gisela Houseman, Jane Stevenson, and Dana Rogers, who were instrumental in establishing the group that provides trained adults to help children in child protection cases through legal proceedings.*****Texas State Teachers Association endorses Colin Allred for U.S. Senate. “Allred is a policymaker who will work in a bipartisan fashion in the Senate on education and other issues of critical importance to all Texans; Republicans, Democrats and Independents alike.”*****Speaking of endorsements, the New York Times and New Yorker Magazine endorsed Kamala Harris. Both said Trump is not fit to be president. The New Yorker said Trump would be dangerous and Russia’s Putin would have a front row seat in Trump’s cabinet. Former Arizona Republican Sen. Jeff Flake and 200 other GOP officials also endorsed Trump. Flake said, “Voting country over party is a conservative thing to do.”*****In the last few weeks Wendee and Judge Chad Jenkins have been under heart breaking pressure with the passing of his dad Jimmy Jenkins. Last weekend they met friends in Houston and on Saturday, along with some of Chad’s classmates at Sam Houston, attended the Bearkats game against Texas State at NRG Stadium. I hope he had a great time. How could he not with Wendee in tote.

BREAUX BIRTHDAYS THIS WEEK

Oct. 2: Glenn Ray, Jason Ray, Collin Stanley, J.V. Chauvin*****Oct. 3: Jason Montagne, Regina Pounders, Logan Bonds, Sherry Baker, Alexandra Bates, Eddie Free.*****Oct. 4: Benny Boudoin, Jason Menard, Bobbie Burgess, Carol Kennedy, Ryan Dubose, Kyle Ezell, Lori Ess, Sarah Armand, Tricia Prosperie, Candy Hughes, Dakota Rowley, Jami Anderson*****Oct. 5: Kevin Staudenmier.*****Oct. 6: Troy Woodall, Jimmy Smith, Brad Lanthier. Elicia Dillon, Jared Dillon, Kay Bilbo, Jerald Ziller, Mildred Gammage, Lori Harmon, Barbara Angelle, Inell Lingan.*****Oct. 7: Connie Elkins, Joby Brown.*****Oct. 8: Darrin Baudoin, Sandy Frye, Elizabeth VanMetre, Shelly Rose, Blaine Huff, Connie Bland, Darrell Fisher, Larry Welch. *****Others celebrating birthdays recently included Jenn Pool, Theresa Beauchamp, Brook Harrison, Kelli Patin, Richard Boehme, Byron Buchanan, Sherry Singleton Windham, Ronald Peveto, Phyllis Regia, Kenny Myers, Sandra Brent, Rex Gibson, Stelleshia Mitchell, Christi Moerbe, Craig Horn, Darren Copeland, Priscella Burns, Robert Vance, Nancy Hayes Allen (who has recently moved back to Orange), Skylar Rowley, and Victoria Bounds.*****Congrats to Frederick and Beverly Robinson who marked their 30th wedding anniversary.

CAJUN STORY OF THE WEEK

MODERN CAJUN STORY

Roy told a group that in October it would be his 72nd class reunion. Den Roy says, “I believe I might be da last student left.”

His Cajun friend, Carl Thibodeaux, from Mamou him, is always ready to help. He say to Roy, “I’ll help with yu class reunion me, I’ll send out da invitation.”

(Editor’s note: Dem are two Cajun boys that came a lot further than expected but still hold on to dere Cajun roots. French is their first language.

C’EST TOUT

JIMMY CARTER AT 100

Already the longest-lived of the 45 men to serve as U.S. president Jimmy Carter reached the century mark. The 39th president, who remains under home hospice care, turned 100 on Tuesday, Oct. 1, celebrating in the same South Georgia town where he was born in 1924. Carter. The 19th Amendment that extended voting rights to women, almost exclusively white women at the time, was ratified in 1920, four years before Carter’s birth. The Voting Rights Act that widened the franchise to Black Americans passed in 1965 as Carter was preparing his first bid for Georgia governor. Now, Carter is poised to cast a mail ballot for vice President Kamala Harris. She would become the first woman, first Black woman and first person of South Asian descent to reach the Oval Office. Carter’s grandson, Jason Carter, said the former president is holding on in part because he is excited about the chance to see Harris make history.*****On a personal note: I’m getting ready to mail my “Mail-In” vote for some friends, namely Courtney, Rex, Rodney, Kirk, even Brad and others I’ll tell you about in a couple of weeks.*****My time is up. Thank you so much for yours. Please shop our family of advertisers, check us out 24-7 on the web, therecordlivel.com. Take care and God bless.