From the Creaux's Nest

 

Last updated 2/12/2014 at Noon



REMEMBERING OUR SPECIAL VALENTINE

Valentine’s Day rolls around this Friday, Feb. 14.

I’m fortunate to be surrounded with a group of very special ladies, week in and week out, that, to me, are special Valentines year round.

They know who they are and how much I appreciate them.

I’m sure a lot of you guys out there are also blessed with special Valentines.

So often we take them for granted so remember them this Feb. 14.

You don’t have to go overboard; it’s the thought that counts.

So to my Sweethearts, “Happy Valentine’s Day.”*****We’re coming off a bad week.

Our production last week went south on us.

This time it wasn’t the “Gremlins.” Putting out good publications every week is not always smooth going.

We really work hard to do our best to furnish a free community paper to the citizens.

No other media reaches as many consumers in our market area.

There are always going to be some days that really do test us however.

Our apologies to Robert’s Meat Market and Restaurant for leaving their ad out of the paper last week.

Robert’s will be back with his specials next week.

Robert is not only a friend of many years but he’s a good advertiser.

We have watched him over the years grow a small business into the great establishment that it is today; Robert is one of the great guys that will do to ride the range with.

Our apologies to Cotton’s Corner Bingo for running the wrong date for their big Super Bingo this Sunday, Feb. 16.

It is one of the nicest bingo halls in the south.

If you haven’t visited yet, you will be impressed when you do.

*****Things really were not all bad last week, the Richard “Diesel” Durkin benefit, that we helped promote, was a big success.

Congrats to all the volunteers who devoted their time toward its success.

*****It’s come time for me to move on.

I know our friend Gene Brown and the others who read us cover to cover are looking forward to this issue.

Gene says, “For many, the Record on Wednesday is their treat of the week.” Hop on board and come along, I promise it won’t do you no harm.

U.S. AND LOCAL OUTLOOK Rosy

USA Today quarterly economist survey, published Monday, predicts a rosy outlook.

Job gains are expected to average 200,000 a month.

The U.S. economy is headed for stronger growth in 2014 that will steadily chip away at the unemployment rate.

The jobless rate dipped to a low of 6.6 percent in January and is expected to fall to 6.3 percent by years end.

Most of the year’s expansion will be fueled by higher consumer and business spending.

The economist said their 2014 forecast are more likely to prove too conservative than too rosy.

The budget deficit has dropped from its peak by nearly two-thirds despite the failure to reach a long sought grand bargain.

The auto industry has regained its footing.

U.S. combat troops are out of Iraq and will be out of Afghanistan by the end of the year.

The stock market is up, the Dow over 16,000, five years ago it was 7,600.

Locally, a brighter future is expected to be right around the corner.

Before years end a large $34 billion expansion, hiring 20,000 workers, will start up in Lake Charles.

Additional expansions are starting up in the Sabine Pass and Port Arthur areas as well as the Port of Beaumont expansions on the Orange County side of the Neches River.

Additional industry is expected near the same location.

Chemical row will announce some growth projects and Jefferson County has some good things in the works.

Our little part of Texas is poised to capitalize on future job growth, benefiting all of us on the Gulf Coast.

Nothing hurts an area worse than bashing and crying wolf by citizens and most importantly, public officials.

It hurts our schools, cities and county.

We have great schools, well run cities and Orange County is one of the better counties in the state.

The county has fared better than most through the difficult times.

We are a debt free county that has faced shortfalls, no different than most businesses.

The budget will continue to be tight but doesn’t need drastic measures.

The climb back is slower than anyone would like but with continued good management and a better economy we can look forward to a rosy future.We’ll be fine; it’s not panic time.

CONDOLENCES

We were saddened to learn about the death of our longtime friend, Chief Steve Faircloth, 63.

We had known Steve and his entire family for many years.

His late father, Lee, mother Doris, brother Scott and wife Dorothy have all proceeded him in death.

Only his sister Pat and daughter Stephanie remain.

The Faircloths were a proud family who adopted Bridge City over 50 years ago to raise their family.

They became an important community minded family.

They helped pioneer the young city of Bridge City.

Bother Steve and Scott went into law enforcement.

Steve serving as Police Chief for 12 years, serving a total of 28 years in the Bridge City Police Department before his health forced him to retire.

Steve had faced many personal tragedies in his life including brain surgery and other health problems.

Through it all he remained a true and loyal friend.

His father was a labor leader that was a personal friend.

I relied on him and Steve several times over the years and they were always the kind of friends I could count on.

Services will be held Friday, 10 a.m.

at Claybar Funeral Home in Bridge City.

Visitation will be Thursday, 5 p.m.

to 8 p.m.

May he rest in peace.

Please see obituary.

TURNING BACK THE HANDS OF TIME10 Years Ago-2004

Bridge City Chamber honors Tom Perry as “Ambassador of the Year.” Past president Lou Raburn said, “No one has ever deserved it more, when you think of ambassador, you thank of Tom.” (Editor’s note: Tom died a few years ago but while he was with us he worked every day to make his community better.)*****Friday the 13th brought good luck for Mike Cedars, who took over as Chief Appraiser for the Orange County Appraisal District when his friend Pat Sanderson retired.

(Editor’s note: Mike has done a great job.

We extend a happy 10th anniversary to him.)*****Joe Grossman celebrates his 85th birthday Feb. 11.

Others celebrating this week are Crystal Fusilier and Betty Jo Spence. *****Pat Johnson, at Sunset Grove Country Club, fed the Wednesday Lunch Bunch.

*****Mid-County Teachers Credit Union and SBT Federal Credit Union merge.

*****The Lutcher Theater presents Tony award winner, “Kiss me Kate.”*****Tommy Gunn and Steve Parkhurst announce the formation of the law firm Gunn & Parkhurst, Attorneys at Law.

*****Major League pitcher John Patterson works out at Sam Moore’s indoor baseball facility, “The Zone,” with W.O.-S senior catcher Ryan Crouch before returning to the Diamondbacks.

Patterson a graduate of W.O.-S signed a pro contract right out of high school in 1997.

*****Judge Don Burgess is giving up his seat on the 9th Court of Appeals.

Re-districting has made it very difficult to out vote the Woodlands and Houston area.

*****Gov. Rick Perry appointed 22 to the Energy Planning Council and not one from Southeast Texas.

Our little part of Texas is forgotten and will likely be for a long time.

*****Rev. Leo Anderson and his bride Ivalyn celebrate their 43rd anniversary on Feb. 18.

(Editor’s note: Rev. died a few years ago and I understand Ms.

Ivalyn is in a nursing home.

*****GONE BUT NOT FORGOTTEN:Perniece “Niece” Bell Ferguson, 82, of Bridge City, died Saturday, Feb. 14.

Services to be held Friday, Feb. 20 at Claybar in Bridge City.***Claiborne E. Clark, 63, of Mauriceville, died Feb. 13.***Terry Fuselier, Sr., 53, of Bridge City, died Wednesday, Feb. 11, in Columbia, South Carolina.***Margurette Smith, 81, of Deweyville, died Feb. 12.***Louise Fregia Garza, 80, of Mauriceville, died Sunday, Feb. 8.***Terri Lynn Newton, 32, of Orange, died in Bridge City Feb. 3, services were held Feb. 6.*****Those who left us 15 years ago: Roy Melvin Hatton, Bridge City pioneer, died Feb. 16, 1999.***Bennie Johnson, owner of Southern Printers, diedFeb. 16.***Ed “Buttons” Bacon III, 45, died Feb. 6.***Edna Mae Burch Callahan, 55, died Feb. 15.***Jeremy Stone, 16, died Feb. 15.

35 Years Ago1979-2004

Lennie Rutledge is named the 1979 Woman of the Year at a banquet given in her honor by the Bridge City Business and Professional Women’s Club.

Jeanne Wood made the presentation of Lennie’s life with poster sized photos from childhood to the present.

Rutledge is married to Gene Rutledgs, who is post master of Corrigan.

They have three children and two grandchildren.

*****Joe Grossmam has relocated his jewelry store from Sulphur to Orange, across from Northway Shopping Center.

Joe also celebrates his birthday Feb. 11.

*****Gerland’s food chain opens its new store on MacArthur Drive.

The store will employ over 100 workers.

*****Cynthia Hooks celebrated her birthday on Feb. 10.

A beautiful lady who is married to Dan Ray.

***W.T. Oliver “Boss Cajun” will be a year older Feb. 15.

*** Clint Britt will turn 17 Feb. 16.

Also, celebrating her birthday on the same day is lovely Betty Jo Spence.

*****Coach Willie Ray Smith was guest speaker for the Charter Banquet and Installation of Officers of the East Town Optimist Club.

Calvin Collins will serve as the clubs first president.

Other officers are Charles Wright,VP; Curt Booker, VP; Ronald Jenkins, secretary; andRoy Jenkins, toastmaster.

Board members include Al Wright,C.O. Smith, George Lovette, Rev. S. Wills, Rev. C. Breaux and Roy Jenkins.*****Bridge City boxers, the Pipps brothers, dominated regional tournament.

James, Joseph and Patrick each won his respective boxing match.

The Bridge City Boxing Club won the team trophy at the Beaumont City Auditorium.

Coach Roy Bendy said, “We entered the tournament with 17 boys and had 13 in the finals and won nine of those fights.”*****Sen.

Carl Parker sponsors bill to permit hunting in Sea Rim Park.

*****Melonee Willey, a 16-year-old junior at LC-M, will represent the Future Farmers of America Chapter at the district Sweetheart Banquet.

She will compete with 24 other candidates from around the area for the title of District Sweetheart. Melonee is the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Wayne Willey.

40 Years Ago1974-2004

Since Jerry Dearmond quit drinking the brew, alcohol consumption is down 18.2 percent according to friends.

They say insurance rates should also go down.

*****Andy Griffin, 37, head coach and athletic director at White Oak will assume those duties at Bridge City on March 1.

Griffin replaces H.W. Chief Wilson who resigned to become vocational adjustment coordinator in the BC school district.

Griffin’s hiring was recommended by Superintendent Glenn Pearson.

*****Mary Wickersham Lemmond is leaving Orange and heading for Atlanta where a good job awaits her.

*****LC-M Bearetts are basketball zone champions.

Team members are Angela Kanoy, Theresa Duncan, Debbie McClelland, Debbie Martinez, Molly Malone, Doris Flanagan, Sheryl Miller, Julia Knight, Tanya Strickland, Karen Kachtik, Becky Dunn, Linda Bean, DeDe Crawford, Donna Peveto, Brenda Burch and Linda Warner.

A FEW HAPPENINGS

It didn’t take long; retailers across Colorado are baking, injecting, spraying and infusing marijuana in every conceivable food as the race to meet the demand for edible pot.

Brownies are best known.

Pot in candy, olive oil, granola bars, chocolate truffles and even spaghetti sauce is being pot made.*****A representative from Sen.

Ted Cruz’s office was in town last week and he got an ear full from citizens affected by the proposed flood insurance plan.

Cruz, along with Sen.

Cornyn, voted against delaying the plan but a four year delay was passed by the senate.

Now the bill is up to the house.

It could end up in a closed door house/senate conference.

Cruz’s representative misrepresented the truth.

He said the delay would cost $29 billion.

However, the congressional budget office says it would cost only $2.1 billion in subsidizing insurance in high risk areas.

None of us came in on a watermelon truck.

We know Cruz and Cornyn are protecting insurance companies.

It didn’t bother Cruz when the government shut down, which he helped cause, cost the country $39 billion.

*****Harry and Margie, at Harry’s Appliance, are holding their annual “President’s Day Sale.” Check them out.

Specials on Maytag throughout the store.

If your Valentine has been wanting a new Maytag washer and dryer, the world’s best, now is the time to buy.*****Last week, a ribbon cutting was held at the new Expo Center.

It’s a real Orange County treasure.

What some people don’t know is that the center was the brain child of Don Kachtik, one of Bear Bryant’s boys at A&M and former Ag agent for Orange County.

The CHAMPS organization raised $134,000 to buy the land and donated it to the county.

*****We had a nice visit with Bridge City native Mike Hatton last week.

He’s a VP inUncle Walter’s Community Banks.

Mike’s sister Milla Don was visiting him and Nancy from Arkansas.

*****Gene Smith is doing a great job as Orange County Veterans Officer.

He has one employee vacancy in the VA office that needs to be filled.

Veterans and widows fill that office daily seeking help and the federal government has cut veteran funds.

We certainly don’t need to short change our veterans here at home.

We should fill that job.

I know Gene, he wouldn’t ask if not badly needed.

*****Judge David Peck has just returned from attending Justice of the Peace classes at Baylor Law School.

JP’s are required to take a certain amount of classes yearly, plus they take refresher courses throughout the year.

They have to keep up to date with all the new laws and practice them everyday.

They really become experts in that field.

*****A few folks we know celebrating their special day this week.

Feb. 12 is the birthday of Christy Reeves, Marjorie Gandy and Sara Childs.

Also, Feb. 12 is the birthday of President Abe Lincoln and another good man, the late F.L. McClain, former superintendent at Orangefield.***On Feb. 13, Liz Fontenot, Jeremy Delano and Judy Ford celebrate.

In 2013, on Feb. 13, we lost Joyce Young, the wife of our friend Kenneth.

Joyce was a special lady and friend.*****Feb. 14 is Valentine’s Day and also the birthday of our friend, former Pinehurst mayor T.W. Permenter, Dan Batchelor, Judy Harrison and Jordan Guidry.*****On Feb. 15, our friend Harold Forse celebrates his 94th birthday.

We send this good man our best wishes.

Also celebrating is a man we have long respected, Robert Montagne, former Orangefield superintendent.

*****On Feb. 16, our buddy Port Director Keith Wallace celebrates, as does Clint Britt, Vicky Stanley and Patricia Davis.

*****Feb. 17 is President George Washington’s birthday and also President’s Day, a national holiday.

Celebrating on this day are Kim Harmon, Mellisa Tuttles, John Chauvin and Lucy Pulliam.

*****On Feb. 18 our friend Norman Berry turns 74.

Just the other day he was one of the youngsters in the KKK, (Kroger Koffee Klub).

Also celebrating is Leah Gunstream and Justin Broussard.

Happy birthday to all.

Please see complete list.

*****I’m enjoying the Winter Olympics being held in Sochi, Russia, and pulling for the USA to bring back more metals.

*****Speaking of sports, Michael Sam is moving the bar.

He will test the mindset of the NFL as the only openly gay pro-football player.

I’m sure he’s not the first but you have to admire him being courageous enough to say, “Here I am and I’m gay.”*****This week the Wednesday Lunch Bunch will dine at Novrozsky’s next week back to Robert’s.

Everyone is welcome.

*****I understand T.W. and Lyndia Permenter are new great-grandparents as of last week.

It’s their second but I don’t know the particulars.

Birthdays This Week

Christy Reves, Delondra Cooper, Frank Skeeler, Dola Rucker, Jordan Guererro, Marjorie Gandy, Michele Moore, Sara Childs, Frank Skeeler, Judy Ford, Lee Ann Jaarah, Liz Fontenot, Jeremy Delano, Fred Kennedy, Judy Harrison, Jordan Guidry, Dan Batchelor, Robert Montagne, Drew Doman, Inez Jones, Judy Brownlie, Mandy LeBauve, Patricia Davis, Vicky Stanley, Ann McDuff, John Chauvin, Kim Harmon, Mellisa Tuttle, Rolf Schulz, Alayna George, Tom Edwards, Lucy Pulliam, Ashley Floyd, Bernice Say, Justin Broussard, Jeremy Crocker, Betty Drachenberg, Leah Gunstream and Charlotte North.

CAJUN STORY OF THE WEEK

Orellia Comeux and Josie Menard were talking dem and Orellia her, was complaining dat her husband always came home late, no matter how she try to stop him.

Josie responded, “Once my old man him, came home at tree o’clock in da morning and from my bed I called out, Jim, is dat you honey? And dat cured him yea.”

“Cured him? Orellia ax, but how’s dat, hanh?”

Josie answer, “Well, my old man’s name him, is Clovis.

C’EST TOUT

It’s been a worse than normal winter but sunshine and spring is right around the corner.

Next week gardeners should start breaking ground for their spring gardens.

We still have a frost or two left and this winter will be all done.

*****The up coming election is finally showing a little interest locally but not much interest that I can see, in the congressional and state races.

Early voting starts next Tuesday, Feb. 18. There is so much political negativity on the national level that I believe many voters are turned off.

The radical element has gotten louder and louder and more extreme.

It’s changed over the years and not for the better.

That should not be a reason for not voting, in fact it should be a motivation to vote, otherwise the extremist win.

I even hear now about a local Party official endorsing candidates in the Primary.

It’s not ethical and may be unlawful.

*****We’re running short handed so I’d best finish up and get this turned in.

Be sure to read us cover to cover.

Shop our family of advertisers when you can and tell them we sent you.

If you go off over the President’s Day weekend be real careful.

Lately, we have lost for to many of our people in auto accidents.

It’s always sad but it makes you mad when you hear about a senseless death like 16-year-old Nicole Bertrand of Vidor.

Thanks for your time.

Take care and God bless.

 

Reader Comments(0)

 
 

Our Family of Publications Includes:

County Record
Penny Record

Powered by ROAR Online Publication Software from Lions Light Corporation
© Copyright 2024