The Record Newspapers - Hometown News For Orange County, Texas

BOLTON PROVES TRUMP GUILTY AS CHARGED

President Donald Trump’s legal team was on course to a “rush for acquittal” when they were faced with a leaked draft of Trump’s former national security advisor John Bolton’s book.

Bolton confirms that Trump told him he planned to continue to withhold nearly $400 million in military aid for Ukraine until their president announced an investigation into political rival Joe Biden and his son Hunter.

Bolton collaborated a central piece of the charges against Trump. Three Republicans moderates indicated Monday they were inching closer to joining Democrats in a vote to subpoena John Bolton.

Sen.

Mitt Romney made a strong case for witnesses when he said, “Calling witnesses would be a wise choice for Republicans, politically and substantively.” Behind closed doors Republicans were focused on the revelations from Bolton.

It put a kink in their rush towards a final verdict which was certain to be an acquittal.

Sen.

Mitch McConnell was privately angry at having been blindsided by the White House about Bolton’s account which aides there have had since late December.

Former White House chief of staff John Kelly said he believed Bolton. At the White House, Trump raged throughout the morning.

He complained to associates that the presentations from his defense team were boring and ineffective.

Ken Starr’s academic review of impeachment history and legal standards left even Trump’s most enthusiastic supporters cold.

Trump told reporters that he had not seen Bolton’s manuscript that was in the White House for a month but he then disputed all its claims as “false.” Democrats said they were newly optimistic on a vote for witnesses and documents.

“It boils down to one thing, we have a witnesses with first hand evidence of the President’s actions for which he is on trial said Chuck Schumer, the senior Democratic leader.

He added, “How can Republicans not vote to call that witness? The Trump team, at Monday’s hearing, were zeroing in on Joe Biden, who they feel will more than likely be the Democratic nominee.

Allegations that Biden acted improperly has been debunked by independent FactCheck organizations.

Biden responded that Trump’s legal team is a “confederacy of dunces.” Trump is charged in the impeachment trial of abuse of power and obstruction of Congress.

The presidential season opens Monday, Feb. 3, with the Iowa Causes.

It is obvious that the Trump team would like to see Biden denied the Democratic nomination.

Trump is the first president to be impeached and running for re-election.

In the trial, Trump’s lawyers are in effect seeking consent for an extraordinary expansion of his powers.

It would also set the prescient that presidents may flatly refuse all congressional inquiries, no matter the abuse of power.

That puts the “President above the law.” The end is coming, but not just yet.

There are still some surprises in the closet.

REMEMBERING JUDGE JANICE

We were saddened to learn of the death of our longtime friend Judge Janice Menard, who passed away January 27, five days after her 80^th birthday, on January 22.

We had known this nice lady many years.

We had visited with Janice just a few weeks ago.

She was doing well and for the third time had totally repaired her home damaged by storms.

Janice became ill and died at the hospital of pneumonia.

For years she had attended the Lunch Bunch gatherings where everyone enjoyed visiting her.

Services will be held Friday, January 31, 10 a.m.

at St. Henry’s, her longtime home church.

Visitation will be Thursday from 5 p.m.

to 9 p.m.

at Claybar Funeral Home in Orange.

May this good woman, loved by many, rest in peace.

Please see obituary.

TURNING BACK THE HANDS OF TIME

10 Years Ago-2010

Belated happy birthday to the Clark twins, Pat Jr.

and Rachel Clark’s boys, Jack and Will, turned 4 on Jan. 30, the same day grandmother Rosalie Clark, a twin to Mary Ann, celebrated their day.

What are the odds? *****Up and rolling is our tough buddy, Commissioner Don Cole.

He had a slight heart attack a few weeks ago, had a stint installed and is still keeping on.

He rolls with the punches.

He’s an okay guy with no quit.

*****The 5.7 United States economy at the end of the year is further than expected.

The fastest pace since 2003. The GOP growth started falling in 2007, went into a deep recession by late 2008 and really hit the skids in 2009.

By 2010, the economy was on the brink of a depression but was prevented by a stimulus package that saved banks and auto makers and others, a third tax was tax cuts that otherwise would have caused a domino effect and crashed the nation.*****Congrats to Judge Pat Clark, being honored by the Texas Exes.

A new endowed academic scholarship will be created in the honor of Patrick A. Clark.

The endowed scholarship will be given each year in perpetuity to an Orange County high school senior. What’s ironic is that the award will be presented on Feb. 11, exactly 30 years to the day, in 1980, that Judge Graham Bruce, who Clark replaced, swore him into office.

Bruce was also a UT grad.

He was appointed by the governor.*****You might not know that Saint’s quarterback Drew Brees is a Texan.

A native of Austin, he attended and played for St. Andrew’s Episcopal High School in Austin before transferring to Austin West Lake. He played his college ball for Purdue.***** We understand our buddy Quincy Procell is scheduled to have knee replacement surgery on Feb. 16.

We wish him the best.

*****Steve Worster will be honored as Citizen of the Year at the Bridge City Chamber banquet, Feb. 20, a well-deserved honor.

Out-of-town guests expected are some of Steve’s former UT players, possibly Darryl Royal, who coached All-American Worster and the National Champion team.

Now organizers are trying to locate Steve’s Bridge City High teammates for the years of 1966-67 and ’68.

GONE BUT NOT FORGOTTEN

Obituaries 10 Years Ago-2010

Roland Gaspard, 61, of Bridge City, died Wednesday, Jan. 27. Funeral services were held Jan. 30. He served in the U.S. Marines, where he served in Vietnam. He was an insulator for Asbestos Local 112. He is survived by his wife, Janet Gaspard; son, Mandan Gaspard; daughter, Mandi Gaspard Potts; and step-daughter, Kristina Hilton; five grandchildren and three great-grandchildren.

*****Joe Parker Jr., 75, died Monday, Jan. 25.

He was a retired operator with B.F. Goodrich Plant in Port Arthur.

He owned a small engine repair shop– Joe’s Mower and ATV. Joe served his country in the Army during the Korean War.

He is survived by his daughters, Cheryl Parker Biddy and Carol Parfait, three grandchildren, three great-grandchildren and one great-great grandchild.***** Margarita Yazmin Gomez, 20, of Orange passed away on Friday, Jan. 29.

A memorial service/rosary was conducted Wednesday at the funeral home.

Margarita was born in Torreon Coahuila, Mexico and had lived in Orange for eleven years.

She was a senior at Bridge City High School.

Survivors are her parents, Joe Manuel and Margarita Ramirez; brother, Jose Manuel Gomez Ramirez; and sister, Mirna Natalie Gomez Ramirez.

40 Years Ago-1980

All candidates for the Democratic Primary have filed with Chairman Bob Montagne.

Candidates for sheriff are incumbent Ed Parker and Fred Hill.

Commissioner Pct.

1 candidates are incumbent Arthur Simpson and Forest Hudson.

Commissioner candidates for Pct.

3, are Preston “Red” Wood, Jarvis Buckley, Thomas “Tick” Granger and Clyde Mitchell Chesson.

(Editor’s note: Granger won after a runoff with Wood.) Running for constable Pct.

1, Jack Thompson, Charles Griffin, Paul Risinger, Jack Jones and Lawrence Powell.

Constable Pct.

2, Joe Don Hubbard and S.H. “Bill” Dickerson.

For constable Pct.

3, John Ford, Hubert Marshall and Jack Granger.

Constable Pct.

4, Clyde Jordan, H.J. Harrington, I.D. Whitmire, Lester Fulmer and F.O. “Frankie” Langston. No Republican candidates filed.

Incumbents without opposition are State Rep.

Wayne Peveto, Judge Pat Clark, 128th Court, Judge David Dunn, 163rd Court and Judge Michel Shuff, County Court. Unopposed are District Attorney Bill Wright and tax assessor Louvenia Hryhorchuk. *****Klieg Lights herald opening of the Lutcher Theater.

One hundred tickets have been sold for the after theater dinner featuring Liberace at the Brown Center.

Liberace and the “MacBeth” matinee are sold out.*****Carl Thibodeaux and Doug Harrington hold grand opening of their new West Orange pharmacy on Thursday, Feb. 7.

Instead of a ribbon-cutting, they will again cut a chain of boudain like they did six years ago opening their first store at Danny’s Food Market.

*****Feb. 1 one and a half inches of snow covered everything.

Ninety-five-year old Uncle Jim McKay was the only one to predict it.

All the television meteorologists were caught off guard.*****Janet and James Fontenot hosted their annual homemade hot tamale party.

Some of the folks in attendance were R.J. and Marty Conway, Corky and Betty Harmon, Ace and Jo Amodeo, Bill and MarthaHughes, Roy and Phyllis Dunn, Bob and Susan Poskitt, Will and Catherine Frey, Louis and Beth Dugas and Frank and Nancy Finchum*****Gerald and Vera Dolly celebrate their 25th anniversary.

They are known on to CBers as Dagwood and Blondie. *****Ronnie Theriot is the new manager of Courtesy Pontiac.*****Gene Goza returned from New York after visiting daughter Traci, who is dancing on scholarship with the American Ballet Company.

Gene, wife Carol and daughter Misti are proud of Traci who has appeared in several ballets, including the Nutcracker.

A FEW HAPPENINGS

Next Sunday, Feb. 2, is Ground Hog Day.

In South Louisiana, our Cajun friends go by the Nutria “Pierre C. Shadeaux.” Next week we will verify if “Pierre” saw his shadow or not.

(See story inside.)*****Tuesday of next week, Feb. 4, is a full moon.

Strange things happen during full moon. I bet this time it will be out of Washington.

Watch for it.*****Well, its fast coming on Super Bowl Sunday. This year the Bowl features the KC Chiefs and SF Forty Niners.

Place your bets.

The Chiefs are a 1.5 point favorite.

My bet is more betters will take the points.*****It’s hard to believe it’s been 40 years since the Lutcher Theater opened.

I attended the first performance by Liberace and many since.

We are indeed fortunate to have such a wonderful theater right here at home.*****Can you believe next Wed., Feb. 5, Roger Staubach will be 78 years old and Hank Aaron turns 86.

Where has the time gone.*****Last week I learned from Kaz’s Korner that A&M had replaced Bradley Peveto as linebacker coach.

Joe said he had one year left on his contract but didn’t say if they had let him go.

Bradley is a good, longtime coach.

He’ll land somewhere.*****I ran into my longtime friend Paul Roy at the store.

He’s 93 years old but still drives.

He was with a caregiver who accompanies him on outings.

A very nice lady.

I believe he said her name was Irene but chances are that’s wrong.

One thing that leaves you when you get old is names.

I need to write the name down right then.

Anyway, I was glad to see my friend Paul doing well.

Some of his great grandchildren are also Bearden’s grandkids.

It’s a small world.*****Pete Fredrick is a special guy and very talented.

We were glad to hear his surgery went well and he’s on the rebound.

We pray for better health down the road.*****A few folks we know celebrating birthdays in the next few day.

On Jan. 29, a very nice, pretty lady, Bobby’s longtime bride, Devra Cormier, celebrates today.***Also celebrating on this day is Mary’s friend Wyman Ogden.***The oldest twins I know, “Ace” Amedeo’s girls, Lynn Greenwell and Lesie Smith also celebrate.*****Jan. 30, finds former WO-S high school star, former major league pitcher, who started the Washington National’s very first game, John Patterson, marks a birthday today.*****Jan. 31, celebrating today is Skipper’s little boy, Scott Free.*****Feb. 1, Jim Dunaway, a guy I met when he landed in Orange, celebrates his 80^th birthday.

Jim is a great guy and good real estate attorner.***Everyone’s friend Melvin Hogan turns 80 today.

He’s catching up with Bearden.*****Feb. 2, “The Old Aggie,” one heck of a nice guy, who survived coach Bear Bryant’s Junction Bood Camp, Don Kachtik, celebrates today.***Our buddy Norris “Paul” Brandon ain’t jumping too high but he’s happy to be celebrating another birthday today.*****Feb. 3, attorney Nolan Leblanc ain’t the kid he once was but he’s not letting that slow him down.

Every weekend is a holiday.***Also celebrating today is Melissa Haley and Honey Staudenmier.*****Feb. 4, A youngster we’ve known since he was a puppy, former state and national pole vaulting champion Eric Eshbach celebrates a birthday.

I watched him win the state championship in Austin when he was flying high for Orangefield.

He was grandmother Dot’s pride and joy.

I miss her as I’m sure he does.***Happy Birthday to all.

Please see complete list.*****Patrick Mahomes, KC Chief quarterback, becomes third from a Texas high school to start a Super Bowl.

Mahomes is from Whitehouse, in East Texas but was born in Tyler.

The other two Super Bowl quarterbacks are Drew Brees, from Austinand Nick Foles, of Westlake.

Port Arthur’s Todd Dodge, former all state quarterback at Thomas Jefferson, worked with all three of the Super Bowl starting quarterbacks.

Mahomes grew up as a QB in a training system that Dodge developed in the late 1980s.

Many Bridge City folks, formally of Port Arthur, have great memories of Dodge at TJ.*****The Wednesday Lunch Bunch will meet at Southern Charm Restaurant this week and Robert’s Restaurant next week.

Everyone always welcome.

BREAUX BIRTHDAYS

Folks celebrating birthday in the next few days are Jan. 29: Caitlyn Eubanks, Traci Anderson and Paula Perkins.

They are joined by Oprah Winfrey, who will turn 66, actor Tom Selleck, 75 and “Queen” frontman Adam Lambert, who will be 37.*****Jan. 30, Lindsey Garrett, Shirley Whitley Jeanie Kreger and Ted Blanchard all celebrate birthdays today.

Also celebrating are actors Christian Bale, 46, former VP Dick Chaney, 79, and singer Phil Collins, 69.*****Jan. 31, celebrating on this day are C.B. Burns, Eric Mangham, Regina Gaspard, Steven Kimball and twin Lucas Adams.

Celebrities now a year older are actors Minnie Driver, 50, Bobby Moynihan, 43 and actor and singer Justin Timberlake, 39.*****Feb. 1, Nicole’s other twin, Lucas’s brother, Manson Adams celebrates today.

Also celebrating are Brittany Leonard, Garrett Kerger and Bobby Anderson.

Celebrities celebrating today are Elvis’s daughter Lisa Marie Presley, 52, MMA fighter Ronda Rousey, 33 and actor Pauly Shore, 52.*****Feb. 2, Having birthdays today are Darie Rogers, Kelly McBride and Vance Thomas.

Joining them are actors David Jason, 80 and Emily Rose, 39 and model Christie Brinkley, 66.*****Feb. 3, Michael Hilliard, Rosalie Jones and Alssa Allensworth all celebrate birthdays.

Also celebrating are actors Morgan Fairchild, 70, Nathan Lane, 64 and Isla Fisher, 44.*****Feb. 4, celebrating today are Lydia Wilson, John LeBlanc, Lindsey Hollingsworth and Mary Bull.

Also celebrating are Rock singer Alice Copper, 72, Pop singer David DeGraw, 43 and boxer Oscar de la Hoya, 43.

CAJUN STORY OF THE WEEK

Kee-Kee Dupruis wanted a good store-bought shave him, so he went to see his buddy, barber Ray Leleux. Kee-Kee sits in dat barber’s chair and while LuLu is foaming him up he mentions da problems he has getting a close shave around his cheeks.

LuLu tells him “Kee-Kee, I’ve got jus da ting me.” He takes out a small wooden ball from a nearby drawer and say, “Kee-Kee, jus place dis ball between your cheek and gums.”

Kee-Kee him, he place dat ball in his mouth and LuLu precede wit da closest shave Kee-Kee has ever experienced him.

After a few strokes, Kee-Kee axe, “LuLu, wat if I swallow dat ball, hanh?”

“Dat’s no problem,” Lulu answer, “Jus do like everyone else do, bring it back tomorrow.” (Editor’s note: LuLu is gone now. What a guy.)

C’EST TOUT

THE TRADIC DEATH OF KOBE BRYANT

Sunday, January 26, 2020, Kobe Bryant, one of basketball’s greatest players, was among nine people who died in a helicopter crash in Calabasas, CA., including Bryant’s 13 years old daughter Gianna.

In 1996, the Charlotte Hornets, with the 13^th overall pick, selected 17 year old Bryant right out of high school.

They immediately traded him to the Lakers in exchange for center Vlade Vivac and Bryant spent his entire 20 year career with the Lakers.

Many stories will be told about his many exploits in basketball.

One that I particularly recall is in January, in 2006, Bryant scored 81 points against the Raptors.

I was hooked and like millions of others couldn’t watch enough of Kobe.

The same as Michael Jordan and now LeBron James.

I felt the same about Larry Bird. Millions of words can’t express the impact Bryant had on pro-basketball.

Born Aug. 23, 1978, Bryant was a prep-phenom at Marion, in Ardmore, PA. In 1996, he was named USA Today’s boy’s high school “Player of the Year.” Instead of college, he entered the NBA draft. It was the beginning of his Hall of Fame career.

Later this year it’s a sure bet Bryant will be enshrined in the Basketball Hall of Fame in his first year of eligibility.

In his very last game in the Staples Center, on the day of retirement, Kobe scored 60 points against the Jazz to end his career.

Kobe Bryant was only 41 years old, just a youngster, when he died.

His 13 years old daughter, who went everywhere with him, followed him in death in that tragic helicopter crash.

He was also an Academy Award winner.

What other great accomplishments might have been.

1978-2020.

I have socks and neckties that are older.

He was here only a short time.*****Thank you for your time.

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Take care and God bless.