The Record Newspapers - Hometown News For Orange County, Texas

THOMAS IS TOO GOOD—HE’LL BE BACK

What was a serious fear for ‘Home Boy’ Earl Thomas came to past on Sunday when the Seahawks safety broke his leg.

Thomas had pushed for a contract extension.

His contract was set to expire at the end of the season.

He begged to be traded.

After holding out in pre-season, he returned without financial security.

As they carted him away, he raised a middle finger towards the sideline at the decision makers who had declined an extension or to trade him.

Earl’s season is over and most likely parting of the ways with the franchise he helped reach ‘back to back’ Super Bowls and a Super Bowl title in 2013.

He’ll recover and head to free agency.

He was playing as well and hard as he had ever played.

He appeared to be auditioning.

If he recovers he will still be one of the top safeties but after back to back leg injuries, he might have lost a step.

The situation he finds himself in will coast him millions.

He would have been better off to have shot the bird to the organization at the start of the season, forgone his salary, sat the season out then sold himself on the free market.

It has been reported that the Cowboys and the Chiefs had been talking to Seattle about dealing for Thomas but the Seahawks, as a bonus, wanted a second-round draft choice.

That put the trade out of reach for both teams.

My guess is that the former West Orange-Stark grad will be back on the field somewhere next season.

He will have to prove himself and that will trim his pay check. Earl is a competitor, a winner and as good as they come at what he does.

My bet is we will be singing his praises when he again shines over the next few years.

I doubt it will be with Dallas or Kansas City.*****I have to move on or I’ll be looking for a job.

Come along, it won’t do you no harm.

‘BARN BURNER’ KAVANAUGH SAGA CONTINUES

This week the FBI is investigating allegations of sexual assault and misconduct charges against Supreme Court nominee Judge Brett Kavanaugh. The FBI was given only one week to come up with a report. Majority leader McConnell vowed there would be a vote before week’s end on the confirmation.

The inquiry has been shifting directives.

The Senate says one thing, the White House another.

Kavanaugh has portrayed himself as a young man dedicated to school work, basketball and church, who sometimes drank too many beers.

Numerous Yale classmates recall him as a heavy drinker who would become belligerent.

If he drank too much in high school or college is not the issue.

If he misled senators under oath will become the issue on deciding if he’s fit to be on the Supreme Court or not.

My take, after observing people for many years with drinking problems or recovering alcoholics, I have found that most have the same MO, they all require plenty of something to drink.

They down lots of water, gallons of coffee and always have something to drink at their reach.

Kavanaugh downed at least eight bottles of water in a few hours.

Also noticeable is the complexion in people who drink heavily, for a longtime, is that they often are red faced.

I don’t know if the Judge is a drunk but he sure looks it.

What bothers me is his temperament and partisan attitude.

He’s not on the court yet and he’s blaming Democrats as well as Hillary Clinton for his own problems.

They had nothing to do with what he is accused of doing to young females.

Another thing a Supreme Court justice is expected to be cool under pressure.

He is not; even lashing out at a lady senator.

Big boys don’t cry, another weakness I found in people with drinking problems.

Kavanaugh could barely keep the tears away throughout the hearing.

Regardless of what the FBI report finds, I am convinced this guy is not fit to sit in judgment of others on the highest court in the land.

He would be making decisions that affect our grandchildren and great-grandchildren for a lifetime.

The Supreme Court is one we all looked up to.

It will be tainted if this guy is confirmed.

People for years would be suspect of any decision he made.

He has too many skeletons.

He will never gain respect.

We can do better.

There are good, conservative judges without the baggage and the right sober temperament.

TURNING BACK THE HANDS OF TIME

10 Years Ago-2008

Sunday morning here on Henrietta Street in Orange is a far different feeling than my Sunday work at the old Creaux’s Nest in Mr. Cox’s neighborhood. It’s very quiet: little traffic on MacArthur Drive.

I hear a train in the distance, that’s new.

I walk outdoors, look around but don’t find the inspiration I did under the old Hackberry tree.

The staff is still facing major obstacles but they plan to hit the streets Wednesday with another good issue.***** Our deepest sympathies to Matt and Melissa Bryant on the loss of their young son Matthew Tryson Bryant on Sept. 24.

Services were held in Groves last Saturday.

Matt flew home and won the game for Tampa Bay Sunday.***** I have been amazed at the amount of work the Bridge City School District has been able to accomplish in just three weeks.

Great work by Supt.

Jamey Harrison, Joe Chenela, John Scales and the entire crew.

I would never have believed it but school will actually start Wednesday, Oct. 8.***** Two storms in 10 days really took its toll on the elderly and frail.

More than 250 deaths in the area are attributed to displacement of senior citizens since Gustav. One of those victims was a great lady who we got to know over the years, Mary Lou Slocum, 88, Coach R.C. Slocum’s mom.

She died in Bryan Nursing Home in Bryan Sept. 25, after being displaced through two storms.

40 Years Ago-1978

Stella Saxon, a graduate of the University of Houston Law School, is now practicing law with Louis Dugas.

Stella is married to Mike Saxon and is Gene Saxon’s daughter-in-law.*****Bridge City Days to be held this weekend at the Community Center Park.

The annual parade will be at 10 a.m.

Saturday.

Miss Bridge City,Sharon Gregory, will reign at the first royal festivities.

*****Conley Windell will be 65-year-old on Oct. 7.

(Editor’s note: Conley died at age 90.

He was Roy’s traveling buddy.)*****First Savings Association, which opened Oct. 1963, celebrates its 15th anniversary.

Employees are Jim Gilliam, Greg Vaughn, Maria Wiley, Teri Fleming, Flaudry Plant, Doris Bratton, Phyllis Ener, Mildred Sheffield, Doris Richard, Debbie Crew, Charlotte Richardson, Faye Stidham, Betty Dillard, Ann Levitt, Tim Granger and Doug Patterson. *****Bridge City High School holds homecoming activities.

Nominees for Homecoming Court are seniors, Melanie LeDoux and Sherri Van Breemen.

Juniors, Danette Davis and Denise Soileau.

Sophomores, TammyEmerson and Tina Sigler; freshmen Gina Allen and Belinda Muckelrath.

*****Mason Hebert of Bridge City and his children Gloria, Arval, Mason Junior and Betty wish to thank friends for their kindness after the lost of Mrs. Hebert. (Editor’s note: Since then Mason Senior and Mason Junior have both passed away.)*****Happy birthday this week to a great guy, coach Troy Woodall, who celebrated on Oct. 6.

Also to Gary Perry, who turned 18 and city manager C.R. Nash, who celebrated Saturday.

*****Bubba Busceme, 26, a 1972 Olympian and Golden Gloves Champion beats Robert Turner in Beaumont.

*****The Bridge City Boxing Club won top honors at Broussard, Louisiana tourney.

Some winners were Junior Leger, 7-year-old, 50-pound class, defeated his foe.

Nathan Bendy’s 112-pounder was a unanimous winner.

*****Darlene Adams named homecoming queen at Orangefield.

*****Doug Harrington’s latest play toy is a welding machine.

He’s welding everything in sight if it needs it or not.

*****Jim Stelly elected president of the Greater Orange Area Chamber.

A FEW HAPPENINGS

Our longtime friend Essie Bellfield will be honored by the Salem United Methodist Church at 3 p.m., Oct. 18.

The church will rename the education unit of the church in Essie’s honor.

Essie was the first woman elected mayor of Orange and also first Black person elected mayor.

The City of Orange, Mayor and council unanimously voted in July to rename the downtown senior center after Essie L. Bellfield.*****Hard to believe the show Dallas started 40 years ago.

The first full season ran from Sept. 1978 to March 1979.

It first started on Sunday and switched to Friday night.

After the first year they moved from a ranch in Frisco to a ranch in Parker, outside of Plano. The Dallas skyline always opened the show.

People around the world watched the “Who shot JR” episode.

The last Dallas aired May 3, 1997.

Kids born that year are 21 today and kids born when it started are 40 years old so their entire youth was spent with Dallas.*****Our buddy, “The Lawman” Wilson Roberts, took a fall in his bathroom, fell against the door and lay there until V.J. got in from work.

She was unable to get him out and called for help.

Medics took the door down to get him out. His blood pressure had sky rocketed, then dropped to a scary low.

He was rushed to the hospital where he remained for a few days.

He’s home and slowly getting better.

He’s a tough old bird.

Wilson has quite a story to tell about the life as a lawman during some bad drug and murder days in our country. He was the first Bridge City Police Chief, served as Chief in other cities.

He was a D.A. Criminal Investigator and was on the East Texas Narcotics Force, a Deputy Sheriff at several counties and served as a Texas Fire Marshall.

I understand his badges and a history of his service can be viewed at the new Bridge City Police Station and I plan on doing that.

A speedy recovery goes out to our old buddy.*****Specking of being under the weather, Judge Joe Parkhurst is bouncing back after a hospital stay with a bout with kidney stones.

He didn’t have surgery but will probably need it soon.

Meanwhile, he’s about ready to get off the walker and get back among his friends.*****Roy is back in the saddle and ready to put in a full week and visiting with his friends at the Lunch Bunch.*****Mark returned Tuesday morning from a much needed visit with daughter Jenna and her family in New Hampshire.

He visited with his four grandchildren and saw the latest, Chase, for the first time, got to attend 4-year-old Willow’s birthday celebration and 9-year-old Delilah’s dance recital.

He also really enjoyed spending time with 16-year-old Nate.

Robbie and Jenna were great hosts.*****Speaking of “Up North,”Columbus Day is next Monday, Oct. 8 and that is an important Italian holiday in the North.

I’ve attended some of those celebrations.*****On Saturday, Oct. 13, 7 p.m., Second Baptist Church in Bridge City invites everyone to a free movie event.

“I Can Only Imagine” is a touching movie you will never forget.

The movie stars J. Michael Finley, Madeline Caroll, Trace Adkins, Priscilla Shirer, Cloris Leachman and Dennis Quaid.

The story that started as a song illustrates that no one is ever too far from God’s love.

Mark your calendar.

Thanks to Second Baptist for hosting the free movie.*****On Thursday, Oct. 4, the big Chemical Row Chili Cookoff will be held at what was DERA. Contestants will be teams from the plants and contractors on Chemical Row.

A bowl of chili and the trimmings and a drink is $7.

For only $20, you can taste all the chili entries.

This will be a fun place for lunch on Thursday, 11 a.m.*****Leaders around the world laughed at Trump. They viewed him a buffoon.

Three hours after being laughed at, which we all saw on TV, Trump declared those leaders were laughing with him, not at him.

He tells his Bubba’s, “Believe me, not your lying eyes,” and they bought it.

Trump says he and Kim Jong Un fell in love.

Kim is one of the world’s most brutal dictators.

Trump is a businessman, I’ve told you for a longtime to watch the bottom line.

With the Trump Brand, he sees virgin territory for Trump Towers when it’s all over, plus opportunities in Russia with his other love affair with Putin.*****This week, 110 years ago, Oct. 1, 1908, Henry Ford introduced his Model “T” Ford automobile.

Believe it or not, that’s the car I learned to drive with.

A 30 years old neighbor let me drive his when I was 14 years old.

He really got mad at me when I looked off at some friends, nearly lost control when the narrow tires went off the gravel road.

My first car was a 1932 Ford.

The model was the first V-8.*****Texas voter registration has grown to 1.6 million since 2014.

That is a record 15.6 million registered to vote.

Another nearly half million could be registered this week.

If you are not registered you should be.

Registration is open until Oct. 8.****Loretta Lynn, 86, will release a new album Friday titled “Wouldn’t It Be Great.” The 13 tracks are described as phenomenal.

Loretta wrote or co-wrote all but one of them It’s getting great reviews from insiders.*****If you’re looking for a good party this weekend, the Sons of American Legion Post 179, in Sulphur, is presenting a “Swamp Pop” concert and dance party.

The “Godfather” himself, the boy from Abbeville, Warren Storm, will perform with Willie Tee.

The location is 1403 Napoleon St. (Hwy.

90).*****Point of interest.

Ten years ago, Cimron Campbell was the only Republican to be elected to a county office.

He served as JP, Pct.

2.

Today, all elected officials in Orange County are Republican, forced to switch because of straight party voting.

My bet is the majority are not Trumpers They rode the tide against Obama on straight party voting.*****A special thanks to Mary Holland and the ladies from the Thrift & Gift shop in Orange for the delicious Fruitcake Cookies they brought to the gang at the office.

Be sure and shop their 1st Saturday sale this week.*****From time to time Sen.

Robert Nichols pops in unexpectedly.

This trip he didn’t have his old sidekick J.D. with him.

J.D. wanted a change of pace and is working for the Texas builders.

The Senator had two employees with him, Jake Ellis, a young man with experience and qualifications, who is replacing J.D., and Sydni Mitchell, communication director who has been with the Senator several years.

They had attended the mayor’s breakfast Tuesday and held a meeting with all the county school superintendents at 9:30 a.m.*****The Wednesday Lunch Bunch meets at Robert’s this week and J.B.’s next week.

Everyone is welcome.

BIRTHDAYS

Folks celebrating birthdays in the next few days.

Oct. 3: Logan Bonds, Bobby Romero, Eddie Free, Judy Craig, Keith Staudt, Jason “Tornado” Montagne andTony Fuselier celebrate..

Joining them are singer Gwen Stefani, 48, actors Lean Headey, 44 and Neve Campbell, 44.*****Oct. 4: Jason Menard, Makayla Warren, Bbby Burgess, Bonnie Swanson, Ruth Scales, Ryan Dubose, Lori Ess, Candy Hughes, Jami Anderson and James Cardner all celebrate.

Celebrities celebrating are actors Dakota Johnson, 28, Susan Sarandon, 71, Live Schreiber, 50.*****Oct. 5: Celebrating birthdays today are Brad Lanthier, Darlene Stephens, Elicia Dillon and Jared Dillon.

Also celebrating are entrepreneur Nicky Hilton, singer Brian Johnson, 70 and actor Kate Winslet, 42.*****Oct. 6: Jimmy Smith, Troy Woodall, Lori Harmon, Barbara Angelle and Charlie Dorman celebrate today.

They are joined by actors Elisabeth Shue, 54 and Amy Jo Johnson, 47.*****Oct. 7: Connie Elkins, Mary Moore, Joby Brown, Carrie Richard and Brooke Hatton celebrate on this day.

Joining them are entrepreneur Simon Cowell, 58, singers Toni Braxton, 50 and John Mellencamp, 66.*****Oct. 8: Darren Boudoin, Elizabeth VanMetre, Sandy Frye, Connie Bland, Darrell Fisher, Larry Welch, Lisa Havens celebrate today.

Celebs joining them are singer Bruno Mars, 32, actors Nick Cannon, 37, Chevy Chase, 74 and Sigourney Weaver, 68.

This is also Columbus Day. *****Oct. 9: Carrie Reider, Kay Ayre, Kirsten Perricone, Linda Myers, Logan Conner and Megan Benoit all celebrate on this day.

They are joined by Ozzy’s wife Sharon Osbourne, 65, country singer and American Idol winner Scotty McCreery, 24.

CAJUN STORY OF THE WEEK

Our kinfolk Sostan Breaux says dat our cussin, Tee-Neg Breaux, got a letter from his old World War II Army buddy, Clovis Dartez dat went like dis.

“Tee-Neg, if my body was a car, dis is da time me, I would be tinking bout trading it in for a newer model.

I’ve got bumps and dings and scratches in my finish, my paint job is more dan a little dull.

Dat’s not da worst of it no, my headlights dem are out of focus, my traction is not as graceful as it once was, I slip and slide and skid and bump into tings.

My white-walls are cracked and spotted, my fluids need changing, my fuel filter needs a flush and we won’t even discuss my upholstery.

Tee-Neg, here’s da worst, almost every time I sneeze, cough or laugh me, eiter my radiator leaks or my exhaust it backfires.

Utterwise, I’m doing OK me.

Signed Clovis.

C’EST TOUT

THE TED/BETO BATTLE FOR TEXAS VOTERS

Texas Republicans are looking to re-elect Sen.

Ted Cruz with the help of Straight Party voting.

It’s a practice that’s going out of style.

Texas is one of only eight states with Straight-Party voting and that will stop after this election.

That practice has helped Republicans sweep statewide elections over the past two decades.

That’s what Cruz is counting on in his hot race against Congressman Beto O’Rourke.

Cruz is reaching for the party line, the Trump base, rather than relying on swing voters.

He’s betting on straight party base voters.

Last Saturday, on a wet, muddy night, thousands of fans screamed for O’Rourke. They had waited for hours standing in the mud and rain waiting to hear a U.S. senatorial candidate speak.

O’Rourke delivered a stump speech brimming with his trademark optimism.

Willie Nelson, along with soul singer Leon Bridges, Joe Ely, Carrie Rodriguez and Tameca Jones preformed at the free concert but the crowd had come to hear and see Beto.

He briefly joined Willie to sing, “On the Road Again.” Beto has visited all 254 Texas counties.

The Austin Statesman reported Beto was the most popular celebrity on the stage.

Nelson has written a song for Beto inspired by the young candidate.

“If you don’t like who’s in there” vote ‘em out, vote ‘em out, and when they’re gone we’ll sing and dance and shout.

We’ll bring new ones in and we’ll start the show again, and if you don’t like who’s in there, vote them out.” O’Rourke has been compared to Sen.

John McCain, with his straight talk and putting country before party.

Experts agree, he’s an ideal choice to represent Texas in the senate, giving the state a senator from each party.

He and Republican Senator John Cornyn are already sponsoring legislation together.

Experts also say it’s an uphill climb for O’Rourke because of name ID. Does he have enough money and time to gain the recognition he needs.

Beto is depending on moderate Republicans, Independents and Democrats. Will enough turn out to overcome Cruz’s Straight Party vote and the Trump endorsement? Cruz, as an incumbent, has the upper hand but young Beto O’Rourke is on his heels and he’s gathered many swing voters along the way, many are bi- partisan.*****Thanks for your time.

Take care and God bless all of you.