LUNCH BUNCH WELCOMES PRIMARY WINNERS

The Wednesday Lunch Bunch gathered at JB’s Barbeque last week.

We were glad to welcome Theresa Bauchamp, and husband Frank, who attended for the first time.

Many old timers will remember him when he and Dickie Colburn were football stars for the Stark Tigers of Orange.

Theresa is the Republican nominee for Pct.

2, County Commissioner.

She has an opponent in the General Election.

Her mother, Marcell Adams was the first woman county commissioner in Orange County.

Theresa,for the most of her adult life has been in education but served on the Orange City Council for several terms.

Also in attendance was Vidor mayor, Robert Viator, who defeated Jody Crump to become Commissioner of Pct.

4.

Many people in east Orange County don’t know him yet but they will.

On first meeting, he gives a great impression.

He’s well polished and seems to be a people’s person.

I know I was impressed.

He’ll be a good public servant.

County Judge nominee Dean Crooks, a regular at the Lunch Bunch, will be our next county judge,unseating Brint Carlton after one term.

I predict Dean will be a good and fair judge.

Much like former judge, Carl Thibodeaux, he’s bold, smart and wants to serve for the right reasons.

With the election of those three, which are most likely to assume office in January, along with Johnny Trahan and John Gothia, Orange County could have one of our better Commissioner’s Courts that will be around for awhile.

Chad Jenkins, incoming Justice of the Peace, replacing Judge Derry Dunn, also attended the lunch.

Chad told the story about how Derry got him to become a teacher overnight, a job that has lasted a career.

I suspect Judge Dunn also has something to do with him becoming Judge Jenkins.

Pct.

1 JP, Hershel Stagner, Jr., reminded everyone that he still has an opponent in the November election.

The Judge, is doing a good job and has completed all of the state required education.

Other office holders at the gathering including all JP’s, Judge Joy Simonton, Pct.

3, Judge Rodney Price, Pct.

4, alongwith Dunn and Stagner.

Also Christy Khoury, county treasurer, who was reelected with 79% of the vote, David Cagle, constable Pct.

2, Pinehurst mayor Pete Runnels and Orange city councilman Brad Childs.

Several stories were told and everyone had a good time.

Theresa told about her bowlegged dad, Cowboy Adams, growing three inches after getting the bow out of his ‘cowboy horse rider legs.’ Judge Price had to leave early because of a death in Rose City and Sheriff Merritt had to miss the gathering because of the same incident.

The Lunch Bunch meets every Wednesday.

Everyone always welcome.

This week, the Bunch is at Novrozsky’s and will be back at Robert’s next week.*****I’d better move on.

Come along, I promise it won’t do you no harm.

REMEMBERING NETTIE

Nettie Ann Roy, age90, passed away April 5. Funeral service was held Monday, April 9, at St. Henry Catholic Church in Bridge City. We were sorry to hear of her passing. We had known this wonderful lady and her husband Paul for over 50 years. They had been married for 70 years and had raised a great family, all well known in the community. Nettie was a personable lady and to known her was to love her. She and Paul were the salt-of-the-earth couple and a perfect example to anyone on how life should be lived. Our sincere condolences to Paul and his large family on this great loss.

CONDOLENCES

We were sorry to learn about the death of Billie Rae Stelly, 88, who died April 6. Graveside service will be held Saturday, April 14, 10 a.m. at Hillcrest Memorial Gardens, near Bridge City, on Hwy. 87. Billie was married 57 years to the late Jim Stelly. The couple belonged to many service organizations. At one time Jim was governor of the Rotary Club. They both graduated from LSU and were big Tiger fans. They gave back plenty to Orange County through their many civic endeavors. Our condolences to family and friends.

OUR SYMPATHIES

We were sad to learn about the death of Betty Jean Martin, 83, of Orangefield, who passed away April 7. A memorial gathering will be held this Wednesday, April 11, 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. at Claybar Funeral Home in Bridge City. Betty was a beautiful lady, a former teacher, grandmother to many and the mother of our longtime friend, legal secretary Jackie Roberts. Our condolences to her and her siblings and their families.

TURNING BACK THE HANDS OF TIME

10 Years ago-2008

Three new lawmen were elected to become the law west of the Sabine and east of the Neches.

Keith Merritt won 33 of the 34 boxes, losing one by less than 10 votes.

He received nearly seven out of every 10 votes cast.

It’s obvious people were ready for a change.

To know Keith is to like him.

He must have met a lot of folks.

He’ll be a great sheriff and is very prepared.

*****The surprise race was for Pct.

2 Constable.

Most folks would have bet that Yank Peveto would have won it.

He led by 500 votes in the primary.

Rob Strause did what I had never seen done before in a race that didn’t have an incumbent involved.

Usually, less than half of the voters return to the polls in the runoff, yet Rob got over 300 more votes the second time around.

He received 1,000, and then raised it to 1,333.

Yank worked hard and would have been a good constable.

Two good candidates ran for constable in Pct.

1.

Chris Humble, beat out Sarah Jefferson-Simon who ran a good race.***** A celebration honoring the late Charlie Wickersham was held at the Brown Center.

Invited guest attended from around the country.

Besides daughters Jean and Liz, the list of guest was very impressive.

CEOs, heads of worldwide banks, etc.

Even lifelong friend Hubert Spradling attended without his llama.

He made a long, soft speech.*****Having birthdays in a few days are Kirby Cruse, Cheryl Puntes, Cheryl Patterson, Beverly Raymer, Bill Nickum, Christian Dubose, Jason Smalley, Paul Zoch, Jeff Fisette, Gus Harris and Marriet Litton.

GONE BUT NOT FORGOTTEN

Obituaries 10 Years Ago-2008

We were saddened to learn about the death of Olivia Mobley, 83, who passed away on Friday, April 11.

Some of our staff here at The Record, Debbie, Mark, Roy and others had known Mrs. Mobley for 35-years.

Her daughter, Sandi Huckabay, worked on the staff of the OVN as a high school student.

She lost her dad, Capt.

Lewis Mobley and brother Ken Fontenot many years ago.

To daughters Pam Dupree and her family, Sandi’s family, sisters, Hilda and Marian, two brothers Junior and Percy Benoit, grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

(Editor’s note: Sandi passed away a few years ago.)***** Freddie Stimac, 90, of Orange, died Saturday, April 12.

Funeral services were held Tuesday, April 15.

She was a longtime resident of Orange, a member of Community Church, the Spice of Life group at the church; and enjoyed quilting and crocheting.

Freddie is survived by her sons, Johnny R. Stimac, Kenneth Stimac and Larry Stimac, four grandchildren, numerous great-grandchildren and five great-great-grandchildren.***** Charles “Chuck” Salisbury, 75, passed away on April 7.

Memorial services were held April 7.

Charles was a talented woodworker as well as an artist and avid sailor who even built his on sail boat.

He was a U.S. Army veteran.

He is survived by his wife of 22 years, Joan Salisbury, daughter, Cynthia Salisbury Harland, son, Charles Grady Salisbury, and daughter, Jackie Sutherland and step-daughters Karen Neild and Beci Amy, grandchildren and great-grandchildren.***** Shirley Harvey, 54, passed away Friday, April 11.

She is survived by her daughter, Angela Foreman, son and daughter-in-law, Patrick and Brandy Foreman, mother, Lera Mae Dickey.***** Katherine Lois Ezell Perry, 83, of Orange, passed away Sunday, April 13.

Funeral services were held April 16.

She is survived by her husband, Alfred Perry, daughters, Hazel Ezell Bell, Dayle Ezell Foreman, son, Reggie Ezell, grandchildren, Wayne Revia, Lisa Lloyd, Laurie Manning, Terri Foreman Childs, Rabon Ezell and John Cheek.

40 Years Ago-1978

Rev. C.W. Holt is pastor of West Orange Assembly of God Church.

He is a good promoter for the faith.

His slogan is “A going church for a coming Christ.” The church is located at 1301 Irving St. Music, music, music, anointed, inspiring, positively uplifting.

Pastor Holt always has a faith-building message.

See him on T.V. station KJAC, Channel 4 each Sunday, 9:30 a.m.*****Gary Gauthier turned 20 years old last week.

Mark Fisette reached his 18th and Charlotte Bittle turned 17.

(Editor’s note: There is nothing like youth.

Can you believe 40 years have flown by?)*****A few of the Wranglers C.B. Club are ‘Lovely Lady,’ ‘Cotton Eye,’ ‘Spark Plug,’ ‘Lady Window Buster,’ ‘Texas Lady’ and ‘Lady Porky Pig.’*****The Opportunity Valley News editor Sheila Beeson received three awards from the Texas Press Women.

Top winner for Sheila was her story, ‘Angel Dust, Tea, Sprinkled in County.”*****Jo Amodeo celebrates a birthday this week.

*****The AAU National Boxing tournament in Biloxi, Mississippi, has two Orange Countians competing.

Nathan Bendy, 106 pounds from Bridge City, and Gene Shaffer, fighting in the 125 pound class from Orange.

The finals will be televised on ABC Wide World of Sports.

*****Houston Baker is now operating Cody’s Chrysler-Plymouth on MacArthur Dr.

(Editor’s note: Houston passed away many years ago but what became of the Plymouth? I once owned a Fury.

Sharp and fast as a jet and looked like one with its fins.)*****Pam Hoosier turns 18 years old this week.

*****Karen Ratcliff wins an Office Hound T-shirt in Kresge contest.

*****The new telephone system is in operation at the County Court House.

*****Congrats to a team from Bridge City High who took overall third place in Lamar’s first computer programming competition.

The students are David Dutchman, Lynn Matthews and Ted Spurlock, all juniors, Mike Trevathan, senior.

(Editor’s note: That was the first computer competition held but I didn’t realize computers have been around for over 40 years.

Seems to me the mad craze got here yesterday.)

A FEW HAPPENINGS

Hurricane season again predicted to be above normal.

The 2018 Atlantic hurricane is expected to have 14 named storms of which seven will be hurricanes.

Three of them will be major, category three or more.

My prediction is that none of them will land in our part of the Gulf Coast.

I believe the East Coast will get two major storms.***** This week, 157 years ago, April 12, 1861, marks the beginning of the Civil War between the states of the North and South.

It was a four year war that ended on June 22, 1865.

The war had a lot of casualties and unbelievable destruction, especially in the South where many plantations and antebellum homes were set on fire.*****Urban Meyers, Ohio State football coach, will be the highest paid public school football coach in 2018, being paid $7.6 million.

That’s crazy.

Where will it end?*****For the first time in 60 years, a Castro won’t rule Cuba.

Fidel Castro’s brother Raul, who took over for him, is retiring.

The Cuban National Assembly will meet April 19 to name a new president.

This is not a transition to Democracy by any means, Castro’s successor likely will be Miguel Diaz Canel, 57, who has risen through the ranks of the communist party of Cuba.

That is not a guarantee because Raul hasn’t said it is yet.*****Carrie Underwood fell at her home in November and received 50 stitches to her face.

Now getting back into the swing of things, HYPERLINK "https://www.usmagazine.com/celebrities/carrie-underwood/" she has shared a new photo that shows a glimpse of her whole face five months after the accident.

She is having a lot of work done and hopes the change in her looks will be minimal.*****The truth is that Trump is attacking Amazon because Jeff Bezos, the world’s richest person, worth over $100 billion, also owns the Washington Post that has broken numerous, accurate stories about the chaos in the Trump administration, plus Bazos is more successful than he is.

*****A big congrats to the Bridge City baseball Coach Chad Landry on his 300th win Friday night.

The Cardinals won 6-0 over WOS.*****People have been missing our own Kerry Cooper and Greg Picazo from their regular line ups on our local news stations.

It seems cut backs in the TV industry as they did not renew their contracts.

They are surely missed.*****A benefit for “Andy” Stacey to assist with medical expenses will be held April 14, noon until at the American legion Post 49, 108 Green Ave. Live entertainment consisting of “Three Legged Dog” “Dancehall Junkies and “Karaoke by Chad.” A raffle for a Remington 12-gauge pump shot gun will be held, food, full bar.

Cash only, ATM available.

For more information call 886-1241.

Last Thursday we got fried fish dinners from those good folks.

I swear it was some of the best take out food we’ve eaten.

They have one heck of a chef.

BIRTHDAYS

A few folks celebrating birthdays in the next few days.

April 11: Becky Myers, Chelsea Lemoie, Jackie Schell, Patsy Evens all celebrate today.

Also celebrating are Actor Joel Grey is 86.

Actor Peter Riegart (”Animal House”) is 71.

Actor Bill Irwin (”Law and Order: SVU”) is 68.

Country singer-songwriter Jim Lauderdale is 61.

Singer Joss Stone is 31.*****April 12: Celebrating today are Jill Lemoine, Kathy Vessel, Roy Mazzagate III, Don Breaux, Amanda Toups and Jaclyn Phillips.

Joining them areTalk-show host David Letterman is 71.

Singer J.D. Nicholas of The Commodores is 66.

Singer Pat Travers is 64.

Actor Andy Garcia is 62 and Actor Nicholas Brendon (”Buffy the Vampire Slayer”) is 47.

*****April 13: Celebrating today are Connie Angelle, Bruce Peveto, Gene Bellard, and Jo Ann Collins.

Also having birthdays on this day areActress-comedian Caroline Rhea (”Sabrina the Teenage Witch,” `’The Biggest Loser”) is 54.

Guitarist Marc Ford (Black Crowes) is 52.

Actor Ricky Schroder is 48.

Actor Bokeem Woodbine (TV’s “Fargo,” `’Saving Grace”) is 45.

Actor Glenn Howerton (”It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia”) is 42.

Actress Kelli Giddish (”Law and Order: SVU”) is 38.

(”Law and Order: SVU”) is 38.*****April 14: Joy Learned, Reatha Bradberry, Phillip Elmore, Sam Carpenter, Jr., Kasie Moerbe, and Countryland Properties ower Stephen Gault.

*****April 15: Patrick Cooks, Linda Claybar, Debbie Aarons all celebrate.

Joining them are Country singer Loretta Lynn is 86.

Actor John Shea (”Gossip Girl,” `’Lois and Clark”) is 69.

Actor Brad Garrett (”Everybody Loves Raymond”) is 58.

Actor Robert Carlyle (”Once Upon a Time”) is 57.*****April 16: Judy Pittman, Kirby Cruse, Chuck Sterling and Betty Foreman all celebrate.

Also April 16: Actor Peter Mark Richman ("Dynasty") is 90.

Singer Bobby Vinton is 82.

Actress Ellen Barkin is 63.

Actor Michael Gill ("House of Cards") is 57.

Actor Jon Cryer is 52.

Actress Sadie Sink ("Stranger Things") is 15.*****April 17: Janice Todora, Kaylie Byrd, Ronnie Harmon, Marla Zoch, Whitney Anderson Phillips, Cheryl Puntes and Matthew Franklin all celebrate.

Joining them are Rapper Afrika Bambaataa is 60.

Actor Sean Bean ("Lord of the Rings") is 58.

Actress Leslie Bega ("The Sopranos") is 50.

Actor Henry Ian Cusick ("Scandal") is 50.

Actress Jennifer Garner is 45.

Singer Victoria Beckham of the Spice Girls is 43.

CAJUN STORY OF THE WEEK

Joe and Clotile Comeaux had been having problems wit dere marriage. Clotile her, decided dat after 22 years she had enough and wanted out. She accompanied Joe to da bank to witdraw and split da money from dere checking and saving account.

While in line waiting to see da teller, a man at da front of da line drew a pistol and robbed Lula da teller. When she reached to press da red button, da robber shot her. Den he turned to Clovis Dartez, lined up behind him and axe, “Did you see what I did?”

Clovis answer, “Sho did.” So da robber shot him too.

Den he axe Joe Comeaux, “Did you see wat I did?”

Joe answer, “No, I don’t se nutten me, but my wife Clotile did.”

C’EST TOUT

GOP quite on deficit mark.

The combined effect of President Donald Trump’s tax curs and last month’s budget-busting spending bill is sending the federal deficit toward the $1 trillion mark next year, according to a new analysis by the Congressional Budget Office.

The CBO report says the nation’s $21 trillion debt would spike to more than $33 trillion in 10 years, with debt held by investors spiking to levels that would come close to equaling the size of the economy, reaching levels that many economists fear could spark a debt crisis.

Republicans once laced into President Barack Obama for trillion-dollar-plus deficits but mostly fell quiet on Monday’s news.***** Last spring, when President Trump signed an executive order rolling back environmental protections installed by Obama on the nation’s coal industry, he turned to the miners beside him and repeated a promise he made often during the campaign, “You’re going back to work.” He received nods of approval and applause but nothing has changed for the ailing coal industry since Trump moved into the White House.

Coal employment and production remains the same.

Coal consumption is down and coal prices have fallen below where they were when Trump took office.*****To feed red meat to his base, Trump needed to look tough on immigration.

When he found out he couldn’t send the military, he ordered the National Guard to the southern borders.

It’s all political theater since the funding bill didn’t include enough for a border wall and heat was coming from conservatives.

The Trump wall is a must for Trump. It’s his monument.

That’s the one thing, if nothing else, Trump has to have a wall with a plaque that reads, “Built under the Administration of President Donald J. Trump.” The military theatrics is his way of putting pressure on congress to find the money.

The National Guard is just there to watch.

They can’t arrest or do anything.

They can just back up border patrol.*****My time is up.

Thanks for yours.

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Take Care and God bless.