The Record Newspapers - Hometown News For Orange County, Texas

20 Years of Interacting in Fellowship

The Wednesday Lunch Bunch was started 20 years ago, in 1992, quite by accident.

The group that gathers weekly has no specific reason, no committees, no speeches, no dues, just fellowship, exchange of ideas and sharing common interest and stories.

The group is made up of all political and religious persons but neither subjects are discussed except in a kidding way.

For example, if someone spots a piece of bacon in Joel’s beans he is kidded about being Jewish.

Over the years, hundreds of people have attended, ranging from age 21 to 92 and every decade in between.

Everyone is welcome; some time total strangers stop in.

The group is never the exact same people.

Visitors come and go as they please, however, there is a core group that attends at least a couple of times a month.

Ironically, last week at the 20th year celebration hosted by Robert’s Steakhouse, many of the regulars were unable to attend due to other office and Christmas time obligations A nice bunch did attend to help with the celebration.

In the beginning a few guys, led by Judge Grover Halliburton, met for lunch on Wednesday, mostly because that was a day the civic clubs like Rotary, etc. didn’t meet. At first the Bunch moved around from place to place making it difficult for people who wanted to attend to locate. It was decided that the Creaux’s Nest column would be used to inform folks about the weekly location. For years the Bunch dined at the Golden Corral, Van Choates’ Tuffy’s and today are at Robert’s and Novrozsky’’s every other week. Changes may be made to also visit other restaurants in the coming year.

Over the years, we broke bread with some of the most interesting, down home folks you could ever hope to meet. In my case and vocation, it’s given me a why to know what’s under most rocks around the county. We have a great time and invite anyone who likes people to join us at anytime, once a week, month or year.

I’m thankful for the time I’ve spent at the Lunch Bunch with interesting people who are no longer with us.

Shorty Taylor was a dedicated WWII Air Force pilot who was shot down in enemy territory.

Parker “P.T.” Thompson, a lawman with a different story every week.

A real buddy to everyone he met was Cal Broussard, who was compassionate about helping everyone that needed it.

Rev. Leo Anderson was a kick, always had a good story about his travels to tell.

He ate a double meat burger, fries and trimmings, told his stories on Wednesday and four days later he was dead.

Wilson “King” Dunn, 93, had lived an early life that we could only hear about.

We were close.

I still miss him.

Jack Lovet was a master electrician and much more, he had invented several inventions, was a WWII hero who wrote books about his life story going back to being an orphan.

Tony Houseman brought a different prospective, he had spent years on Wall Street.

His knowledge was always valuable.

There were more but I just wanted to give you a sampling of sharing a few minutes a week with people from different vocations and experiences.

Today, we are fortunate to still have Cedric Stout, a WWII Pearl Harbor survivor, and a lot of interesting young people who enjoy visiting with those of us who have witnessed a large slice of life and are willing to share it. Join us if you like, it doesn’t cost anything but pays benefits Down Life’s Highway.

Pictured:

The Wednesday Lunch Bunch marks 20 years of fellowship hosted by Robert’s Restaurant. Ages range from 21 to 92.

Left to right: Front row: Sheriff Keith Merritt, Marline Merritt, Judge Claude Wimberly, Roy Dunn, Shirley Zimerman, Misty Songe, Cherry and Credric Stout and standing, Darlene Montagne.

Second row: Robert Remeriz, Judge Rodney Price, Donna Scales, Christy Kourey, Joel Steirman, Rev. John Bernadini, Nova Dee Strickland, Pete Fredrick, Hubert “Sprad” Spradlin, T.W. Permenter, Commissioner Owen Burton.

Third row: Republican chairman Zach Johnson, County Judge Carl Thibodeaux, Corky Harmon, Phillip Welch, Judge Joe Parkhurst, Pinehurst Administrator, Chief Jerry Wimberly, Judge Derry Dunn, Brandy Slaughter.

A dozen or more members were unable to attend due to other obligations. People attend at their leisure and the group is never the same. Everyone is welcome to attend at anytime. No dues or fees, no speeches, just fellowship, exchange of ideas and a few good stories.

Photo by Gunns Studio.