The Record Newspapers - Hometown News For Orange County, Texas

THE HISTORICAL IMPEACHMENT OF A PRESIDENT

On Wednesday the full Houseof Representatives votes on two articles of impeachment against President Donald John Trump.

The charges are on constitutional grounds.

The first article is that Trump misused the power of his office by soliciting and pressuring a foreign government, Ukraine, to investigate his domestic political rival and interfering in the upcoming U.S. presidential election.

The second article charged that the President categorically obstructed the congressional impeachment inquiry into his conduct.

The report to the congress before voting said, “Trump is engaged in a pattern of misconduct that will continue if left unchecked.” The report also said “Trump sought to write the impeachment clause out of the constitution.” The TrumpAdministration hasn’t been forthcoming and has stonewalled the hearings at every turn.

The trial will be held in the Senate that Speaker Mitch and Senator Lindsey Graham have already declared will not be a fair trial.

Mitch is working with White House and Trump lawyers to plan strategy and “Little Lindsey,” the prosecutor in the senate, says, “Dead on arrival.” It’s really sad watching what is happening to our country.*****I’ve got to move on.

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

REMEMBERING “MISS JENNY”

Virginia Nell Cox, 91, passed away Dec. 12, 2019.

Funeral service was held Dec. 14 with burial at Greenlawn Cemetery.

I had known Jenny and MillardCox for 25 or so years.

They had been married 71 years.

Mark first introduced me to Cox as our neighbor and from that day on he became “Neighbor Cox.” His family calls him Billy. Our newspaper was located in the Creaux’s Nest building, in Mr. Cox’s neighborhood.

Cox and I spent a lot of time at an old spool table under the Hackberry tree until Hurricane Ike drove us off.

Those were great years spent with Cox and Miss Jenny.

She was a pretty lady, very nice and I always found her to be soft spoken, always a lady.

Cox would plow the soil and Jenny’s green thumb planted the seeds.

They produced great crops that the Cox’s shared with the neighborhood.

All the original folks in that neighborhood are now gone except Bill Nickum and Cox.

Over the last three years Jenny had spent her time at Golden Years Assisted Living.

Putting her in a nursing home is something Cox prayed he would never have to do.

He wanted to take care of her but because of her dementia that became impossible.

It broke his heart. He had loved her since they were youngsters in Joaquin. He visited her every day, usually bringing her fruit or nuts which she enjoyed.

I often felt sadness for him.

He is blessed with good health for a 95 year old but living alone after he and Jenny’s long life together can be very lonely.

He has a great family.

Their marriage produced a son Rodney and a daughter Karen and many offspring.

Cox, a WWII veteran, has weathered the storms of life, losing parents and all his siblings.

He’s left with a family who he’s been a great example to.

He’ll miss Jenny as we all will but Cox knows she’s better off now in her Heavenly home.

May she rest in peace.

Our condolences to all the family members and friends.

I’m proud to have shared the friendship of Jenny and Neighbor Cox. He and I will ride the rest of the trip together in friendship.

THE LONGHORNS FIRST BLACK PLAYER

Last week’s column on the 50^th anniversary of the big Texas vs Arkansas “Shootout,” that Texas won 15-14, brought a lot of response, some from far away.

What got the most attention was that the national championship game featured only all White players.

The first Black lettermanat Texaswas Julius Whittier, who made his debut in 1970, one season after the all White national championship team.

Texas Board of Regents dropped its ban on Black players in 1963, but integration was painfully slow and difficult.

Whittier, from San Antonia, was one of only 300 of the 35,000 students who were Black.

Whittier starred two years at guard then switched to tight-end as a senior in 1972.

That season he caught every touchdown pass the Longhorns threw.

In Whittier’s three seasons Texas was 20-1 in the Southwest Conference, 28-5 overall.

He earned a Philosophy and Law degree from Texas.

He went on to be a criminal prosecutor in Dallas.

He died Sept. 25, 2018, at the age of 68.

He had been battling Alzheimer’s.

In 2014, his family sued the NCAA on behalf of college players who suffered brain damage.

The case is still pending.

The rest is history at Texas with Roosevelt Leaks, Earl Thomas and many former NFL stars to follow, including Earl Thomas of Orange.

Julius Whittier started it all.

TURNING BACK THE HANDS OF TIME

10 Years Ago-2009

We would like to wish some of our special senior citizen friends a very Merry Christmas to Wilson “King” Dunn, married 72 years.***To our friend Dot Eshbach, the former world traveler with her late friend Margaret Saint.*** Millard “Neighbor Cox” and Ms.

Jenny, who received an early present Tuesday from grandson Kevin Duplechain and wife Erin. They are the proud new parents of a baby girl.

His mom, Karen, former Bridge City teacher, was traveling from her home in Oklahoma to Dallas to see she and Keith’s first grandchild.*** Best wishes to WWII veteran, Pearl Harbor survivor Cedric Stout and his bride Cherry.

He makes us proud to know him.***A very Merry Christmas to a new friend we found this year, Pearl Burgess Stanfield, age 89, a remarkable, lovely lady.***To Anabel Anderson, our friend of many years.

We will always cherish the friendship A great lady with an outstanding family.***To one special gal, Inez Hearn, who has been a joy to know.***To Joyce “Poche” Bernard, a Cajun queen.***Shannon Messer, a prince of a guy.*** Adolph “the old coach” Hryhorchuk.

(Editor’s note: Today all are gone.)***** We were saddened to learn of the death of Joel Elliott Jeffcote, 64, who passed away Sunday.

Services were Wednesday (Dec. 23).

In his life Joel accomplished a lot.

We knew him as a power broker with Gulf States who blazed a trail in both Louisiana and Texas.

Joel was a doer, very active and exceptionally smart, no matter where he traveled Bridge City was always home.*****Texas Monthly published their Bum Steer of the Year awards.

The 2010 Bum Steer of the Year goes to Tom DeLay.

I believe he should get it for the last decade.

Gov. Perry made the list also with a host of others.

GONE BUT NOT FORGOTTEN

Obituaries 10 Years Ago-2009

Bravo Frederick Jr., 82, of Mauriceville, passed away Wednesday, Dec. 16.

Funeral services were Saturday.

Bravo worked as a safety inspector for Mobil Oil and retired after 36 years.

He served in the U.S. Army and was also a member of Masonic Lodge.

Bravo is survived by his son Russell Frederick; grandchildren, Michael Frederick and Becky Frederick; four great-grandsons, one great-granddaughter and sister, Wanda Linscomb.***** Edith L. Rhoads, 95, passed away Tuesday, Dec. 15.

Services were held on Friday.

In 1954, they moved their family to Orange, and took ownership of the Dairy Queen on Park Avenue.

That store was built in 1945, and when it was demolished in 1974, to make way for the new building now still standing, was the oldest continuously operating Dairy Queen in the State of Texas.

They owned the Orange County franchise for Dairy Queen, and continued in the business, eventually opening three more stores in Orange County.

She is survived by her three children, Benny Rhoads, Bartley Rhoads; daughter, Claire Rhoads Smith; five grandchildren, and six great grandchildren.

40 Years Ago-1974

Editor’s note: Below are some of the people who were in our lives, friends we have written about, folks who played an important part in our community.

We can’t cover them all but here are some who have made an impact 40 years ago.

Judge Sid Callavet, W.T. Oliver, Sheriff Chester Holts, Dewey “Teddy Bear” Cox, A. J. Judice, Cecil Beeson, Louis Dugas, T.L., Sue and Buzzie Gunn, Jimmy Conn, Judge James Neff, Henry and J.D. Stanfield, Jackie Harmon, Paul Cormier, Bill and Elaine Townes, Tony Dal Sasso, Frank Zeto, Jim Morris, Bubba Hubbard, Fred Gregory, Leon Parish, Elmer Newman, Gus Harris, Maurice Collier, Sally Frazier, P.M. “Red” Woods, Arthur Simpson, D. Roy Harrington, Judge Graham Bruce, Alvin Keown, Ann and Jimmy Segura, Major Inman, Larry Gunter, Jim Stelly, Bob Montagne, Jim Gilliam, C.R. Nash, Larry Ward, Leland and Vivian Morrow, Marlin Thompson, Judge Malcolm Dorman, Davis Cooper, Charlie and Juliet Patton, Patsy Fisette, Tim Lieby, Joe and Inez Runnels, Bill Cunningham, Bill Hughes, Henry and Tony Houseman, Ed Bacon, Allen and Viola Bendy, Butch Lusigan, N.J. “Vic” Vicnair, Aton Williams, Dick Bevins, Tony, Frank and Betty Em Giarratano, Frank Manshack, Charlie Fredrick, Grover Halliburton, Lowell Scribner, Houston Baker, Gordon Baxter, Ed Lovelace, Vivian Dorman, J.B. Thibodeaux, A.J. Broussard, Uncle Jim McKay. (Editor’s note: All of the above people were mentioned in the pages of our newspaper in 1979 and are all today deceased.

Their contributions while on this earth were many.

Over the years they have been thought about often by friends and family.

A FEW HAPPENINGS

Our condolences to George Sehon and his large family on the death of his mother, Mary, who passed away Dec. 12, on George’s birthday.

Funeral service was held Monday, Dec. 16, with burial at Oak Bluff Memorial Park, Port Neches.

Mary gave much of herself for the good of others.

May she rest in peace.*****Condolences to Chief DeputyJohn Tarver and his family on the loss of his mother Marie Tarver, age 82, who passed away Dec. 10.*****We also were sorry to learn of the death of Larry Stringer, 80, who died Dec. 10.

He was a great guy and will be missed by everyone who had the pleasure of knowing him.

Our deepest sympathies to Judge James Stringer and his family.*****We were glad to hear that Court-at-Law judge Troy Johnson ended up without an opponent.

Judge Johnson has earned a second term.

He cleared a clogged docket and earned the praise of most Orange County bar members.

We hope to see Troy around a little more in the next term.*****We got a nice visit from longtime friend Lyle Overman.

He suffered a stroke sometime back but has come a long way in regaining his physical abilities and speech.

Unfortunately, the lifetime entertainer has lost his ability to play the piano and sing.

He has entertained many over the years and was considered the best.

Lyle was H.D. Pate’s favorite entertainer.*****Speaking of Pate, Henry Aimsworth, longtime union man, brought me a picture of Pate and his daughter Penny, then about 12 years old, meeting presidential candidate Michael Dukakis at Jefferson County airport. Pate and Henry both were “Yellow Dog Democrat.”*****A few of our friends celebrating in the next few days.

Mayor Brown Claybar celebrates a birthday on Dec. 18.***Longtime friend Gina Cessac has a birthday Dec .

19.***A great guy, Drainage District board member, longtime union leader Kenny Pigg celebrates another birthday Dec. 20.***A guy we’ve known since he was a young lawyer, the boy from Sanderson, in West Texas, retired district judge Buddie Hahn celebrates a birthday on Dec. 21.

Two days later, on Dec. 23, he and Carol mark their 53^rd wedding anniversary.***On Dec. 22, Dan and Manon Mohon celebrate their 57^th anniversary.

They are the mayor and first lady of Pinehurst.***Our buddy, a boy I remember in short pants, Buzzy and Dayle’s first born, Chris Gunn, celebrates a birthday Dec. 23.

His claim to fame is that he’s married to pretty Cindy.

Also happy birthday on Dec. 23 to Sue Cowling.***Al’s other half, Helen DeRoche, celebrates Dec. 24 and best wishes to Billy Moore and Mikey Dillon who have birthdays on Dec. 24.*****Houston Astros Gerrit Cole became a New York Yankee pitcher for a $324 million, nine-year contract plus other incentives.

This figures to be $36 million a season, about $1.2 million per game or for an average of 110 pitches in seven innings of pitching.

Not bad pay to play.*****Our friend John Heard came through with our Christmas citrus.

We got a couple of bags of fresh picked grapefruit and a large bag of Orange County Navel oranges.

The crop was a little late this year.

Merry Christmas to John, Linda and their family.

*****Sean and Collin Gros, of Bridge City, attended the big history making game Monday night at the New Orleans Superdome.

Sean, an avid Saints fan, has watched the team at home and away.

He was in the right place to witness the Saint’s 34-7 win over the Colts. He and Collin were able to watch Drew Brees break Payton Manning’s touchdown record of 539 by tying him, then Drew broke the record with another TD pass, making it 540.

He then set a new record with touchdown 541.

Today, Brees is four ahead of Tom Brady, who has 538.

Sean was so excited he sent Ms.

Phyl, his grandmother, a picture of what was happening in the stadium at the time.

It was a special outing for the brothers.

Brees is a Texas native who played high school at Austin West Lake.*****The Wednesday Lunch Bunch will hold its annual Christmas gathering at Robert’s this week.

Hope to see many friends.

The Lunch Bunch will not meet again until Jan. 8, 2020 to start the New Year. Everyone always welcome.

BREAUX BIRTHDAYS

On Dec. 18, Mandy Hoffman, Tracey Lynn Broussard and Mayor Brown Claybar celebrate birthdays.

Also actors Brad Pitt 56, Ray Liotta, 65 and singer Christina Aguilera, 39.*****Dec. 19, finds Kirstie Parkhurst, Gina Cessae, Kristen Broussard, Christina Carpenter, Mitch Hidalgo and Bill Cardner celebrating birthdays.

Joining them are actors Jake Gyllenhaal 39, Alyssa Milano 47, Jennifer Beals, 56.*****Celebrating on Dec. 20 are Joy Boyd, Jeremy Granger and Kenneth Pigg.

Also celebrating are actor Jonah Hill 36, singer David Cook, 37 and baseball player David Wright, 37.*****On Dec. 21, Glenda Granger, Paula Hall and Rachel Guidry celebrate birthdays, also actors Samuel L. Jackson 71, Kiefer Sutherland 53, Jane Fonda 82, Ray Romano 62.*****Celebrating on Dec. 22 are Rodney Harmon, David Mohon, Yvonne Veillon, Debi Foster. They are joined by singers Meghan Trainor 26, Jordin Sparks, 30, new anchor Diane Sawyer, 74.*****On Dec. 23, longtime friends Chris Gunn and Sue Cowling celebrate birthdays.

Also celebrating are actors Susan Lucci 73 and Sofia Black D’elia, 28 and model Holly Madison, 40.*****Dec. 24 finds Billy Moore, Terri Estes, Helen DeRoche and Mike Dillion having birthdays.

Also celebrating are singer Ricky Martin 48, TV host Ryan Seacrest 45 and MMA fighter Jason Miller, 39.

CAJUN STORY OF THE WEEK

A letter from Cuzzin Sostan.

Dear Cuz,

I’m dropping you a line to let you know wat’s going on with some of da old folks here. Miss Florene , Sugar Bee’s 93 year old aunt, drove to Lafayette las week to do some Christmas shopping. Da family didn’t know she was gone. While dere she call 911 on her cell and told dem dat her car had been broken into. Florene is hysterical her, she explains to da dispatcher, “Dey stole da stereo, da steering wheel, da brake pedal and even da accelerator.” Da dispatcher say, “Stay calm officer Comeaux is on his way.” A few minutes later Comeaux radios in, “Disregard,” da officer says, “She got in da back seat by mistake.”

I went to Abbeville Sunday to visit our old uncle Harold Breaux. I axe him, “Wat do you old folks do now dat you retired?”Uncle Harold say, “I’m fortunate me, I have a chemical engineering background. One of da tings I enjoy most is turning beer, wine, scotch and margaritas into pee and me, I’m damn good at it too.”

I hope you have a Merry Christmas.

Sostan

C’EST TOUT

TECHNOLOGY HAS AND WILL CHANGE US

Over my lifetime we have come from a pair of mules pulling a load of sugar cane, four party phone link and electric lights to the internet and Smart phones.

Who could have imagined that? The changes I’ve witnessed would take this entire column to cover so let’s just take a peek at just the last decade.

Ten years is a long time for most every industry and in consumer tech it might as well be a lifetime.

At the turn of the decade, 2010, Alexia was just another female name, self-driving cars were just a pipe dream, the IPad hadn’t launched yet or the photo sharing phenomenon Instagram, Folks being consumed by Facebook was yet to come.

When Steve Jobs unveiled the IPad in January, 2010, it was considered the most famous tablet, second only to Moss’s tablets.

It was always unrealistic to expect tablets to fully replace laptops that through the decade had been made possible by speedy advances in wireless bandwidth.

Digital downloads gave way to streaming.

Most of the products since 2010 have been labeled “Smart,” Smart thermostats, Smart refrigerators, Smart watches, Smart TV’s and Smart speakers such as Amazon Echo and Google Home. A big thing for consumers this past decade are the voice based personal assistants that live in Smart speakers in our phones, cars and even in our bathrooms.

The Google assistant and Seri were not yet a thing 10 years ago.

Consumer tech has come a far way in a short span.

Now we can ask Alexa to flush the toilet.

In just a few weeks we will embark on a new decade with changes coming so rapidly that it will blow our minds if it comes all at once.

By the end of the new decade, in 2020, today’s progress will be old hat, just like the pair of mules is today.

I won’t be here with you when that New Year’s Eve rolls around in 2029 and a new dawn, in a new decade, reveals things not yet thought of.

Meanwhile, I hope to have finally mastered this old Smart phonethat has been dumped for the newer Smart phone.

As a boy I’ve drawn water from a pump well and read by the light of a coal-oil lamp.

A sad iron pressed our clothes which had been washed on a scrub board.

We shaved with a straight razor, kept sharp on a razor strap that doubled as a spanking tool for Mom to mostly threaten with.

Yes, technology has followed me all these years and I’m not done yet.*****I’ve gotta go.

Take care and a special blessing to all.