Hometown News For Orange County, Texas
GOOD NEWS ON ECONOMIC FRONT
Manufacturing in the U.S. hit a three-year high last month. A broad rally Monday sent the Dow Jones Industrial average more than 600 points higher and gave the S&P 500, its best day in nine months. Strong consumer demand for goods, increasing business investment, a roaring housing market and our global economic growth by the Biden Administration supporting our U.S. manufacturing, will benefit our total recovery. If passed by the Senate, the $1.9 trillion COVID-19 Relief Bill, combating the pandemic and bolstering the economy, should give all citizens good reason to be optimist about better days and times in the coming year. In the short run, the relief bill will help many of our citizens who are suffering now. We all have hope that the aggressive vaccination drive by our government will, before the year is out, make the pandemic history remembered only as a crippling blow that took over 515,000 lives and affected millions more in the United States. Better days will only occur if everyone does their part and abides by the rules of health experts. I have reservations about Gov. Abbott's order to end mask mandate March 10. He made the mistake earlier to open the state too early and it backfired.
THE GOP BEYOND TRUMP
Donald J. Trump is a twice impeached, one term president and on Jan. 6, 2021, he became a has-been. That's when his political future as a successful candidate died, with the White Supremacy invasion of the United States Capital by a mob that Trump himself instigated. Sen. Lindsey Graham is right when he says the Republican nomination is Trump's if he wants it. The CPAC straw poll gave Trump 55% of the primary vote, knocking every other candidate out. However, the straw poll showed only 68% of Republicans would vote for Trump for president again. You however, can bet the farm that Donald Trump will never again be elected to public office. He will use it as a "Cash Cow" or to be a thorn to both Republicans and Democrats. His Sunday "Big Lie" speech at CPAC proved to me that Trump is done, stick a fork in him. You can bet the GOP will be looking beyond Trump after the midterm elections if not before.
TURNING BACK THE HANDS OF TIME
10 Years Ago-2011
The events of the last few days, the death of Staci Lisenby, and the arrest of her young son is depressing to me because it's just so sad. We had no doubt; from the minute we heard the slightest details that this crime wasn't done by some murderer on the loose in the area. My heart bleeds for everyone involved, the Lisenby family, the Hebert family, Staci's friends and co-workers, as well as her students and her son's classmates. It's just all so senseless, unexplainable and terrible. It wasn't a difficult crime to solve but it was a case that had to be handled diligently and without error. I believe Sheriff Keith Merritt, his officers, the DA's office and other assisting law enforcement handled this case as well as it could be under the situation. The Sheriff was in a position that he was limited on what he could release. I personally believe Sheriff Merritt, with guidance from the DA's office, did a good job on a very touchy case. Remember there was a juvenile involved.*****We were sorry to hear about the death of Allene Yokum, age 75, who passed away on Feb. 24. We had known Allene since the late 1950's. We enjoyed many hours of her picking and singing. She packed her guitar wherever she went and was ready to entertain at a moments notice. Her great voice could belt out almost any song you requested. One she always played for me was "The High Sheriff and Police are Coming After Me." She was otherwise a quite, soft-spoken lady. A good woman.*****Our condolences go out also to the family of James Otha Crumpler, 84, founder of Crumpler shipbuilding in Orange and Crumpler Machine Shop, the oldest consistent business in Bridge City. Mr. Crumpler passed away Feb. 25. Service was held Sunday, Feb. 27. To his children who we have known throughout their young lives in Bridge City, daughters, Sherilyn, Ann, Jana and sons James and Steve, their families. He was a good man.***** Roy and Betty Harmon have a lot in common. Neither one could speak English when they started school, both mostly were raised by a grandmother and both had wayward dads who flew the coupe early. *****Speaking of Cajuns, our buddy Jessie Domingue is now retired from the oilrigs and has put a band together called Jessie & Company. He's back to his first love of singing and entertaining.*****Special folks celebrating birthdays this week. Our friend coach Sam Moore marks another birthday on March 6. Sam operates The Zone, a baseball school where he teaches hitting and pitching.***A wonderful lady, Pat Pate, celebrates her day on March 8.***Carolyn Sheppard is also celebrating. She and Buddy have moved away from Bridge City. ***Franklin Scales celebrated this week.***Libby Mitchell, a nice lady, very smart, who served on Orange City Council. ***** Pinehurst city administrator Robert Ewart will resign in May and head out to the Hill Country and campout at his 15-acre place to watch the sun rise and beautiful sunsets. He will be a few miles out of Uvalde.
GONE BUT NOT FORGOTTEN
Obituaries 10 Years Ago-2021
Roy Roger Brown Sr, 62, of Bridge City, died Thursday, Feb. 24. Graveside services were held on Tuesday, March 1. Roy is survived by his mother, Dorothy Sonnier; daughter, Rachel Renee Shields; son, Roy R. Brown Jr., grandchildren, Eric and Hannah Shields.****George W. Nett III, 64, of Orange died Friday, Feb. 25. Funeral services were held on Tuesday, March 1. George retired as a railroad switchman for Southern Pacific Railroad after 27 years. George is survived by his wife Melissa Nett; son, George W. Nett IV; daughters, Kimberly Tanner, Tracie Strother and Misty Fontenot; ten grandchildren.***** Judy Louise Angelle, 69, of Orange passed away on Friday, Feb. 25. Service was held on Wednesday, March 2. She was employed at Dupont as a mail clerk for many years. She is survived by her daughters, Cindy Kindle, Tena Walker; son, Ken Roddy; eight grandchildren and one great grandchild
23 Years Ago-1998
Kelly Ray Thompson, age 30, a former resident of Orange, has been charged with the stabbing death of a Washington woman on Feb. 10. Thompson confessed to the murder of Cathy Jean Jacks Webb, 41, of Tacoma. Thompson also claimed to have killed her boyfriend, which turned out not to be true. Sheriff's deputy Ted Betts had stopped Thompson on suspicion of DWI when he confessed to the murder. Law enforcement, unaware there had been a murder, went to her apartment. A large, bloody knife was on the kitchen table and Jacks Webb's body was on the kitchen floor covered with a blanket. Thompson wove a chilling tale of murders in California, Colorado and Texas. In Orange, Thompson lived at 607 Orange Ave., worked at the Brown Center where the wedding to his wife Penny, a local Orangite, had taken place. Everyone was shocked at the news. Kelly was well liked by those who knew him. He had married and settled down to make Orange home when he abruptly disappeared in January. (Editor's note: We here at the newspaper heard from Kelly for a couple of years after the murder but haven't heard since. He is serving a life sentence.)*****Vickie Edgerly, chief deputy in the district clerk's office, is running for the office. *****County clerk, Karen Jo Vance, is running for re-election. She has 22 years experience in the offices, first as a worker then as the boss. *****The quote of the week comes from Buckshot Winfree, port board president. At the going away party of port director Roger Richard, who resigned to take a job in Baton Rough, Buckshot, while presenting a going away plaque, turned to port commissioner Joel Steirman and said, "Here Joel, you present this plaque, you had more to do with him leaving than anyone else."*****Former Orangefield pole-vaulter Jacob Davis won first place at the Big 12, indoor championships, with a vault of 18.5 feet. He hopes to win the national championship for the Texas Longhorns. *****Shane Dronett signed a two-year contract with coach Dan Reeves and the Atlanta Falcons. *****Former West Orange-Stark and A&M star Kevin Smith has his contract with the Dallas Cowboys extended to 2003. *****Celebrating birthdays are pretty Vickie Brown and her dad Earl Drake. Also celebrating is Jerry Bell. *****Modica Brothers Tire dealers opens a store on 16th. St. John Broussard is the manager. *****Ted Selman, 47, filed for port board. *****Wayne Reeh announced his candidacy for county judge. *****Sheriff Capt. David Peck is a candidate for Justice of the Peace, Place 1. *****Judge Marlin Shelton asks for re-election to J.P. Pct. 3. *****A.R. Morgan is candidate for county commissioner, Pct. 2. *****Republican Cimron Campbell seeks J.P. post, Pct. 2, against longtime J.P. Marlin Shelton. (Editor's note: Campbell won and was the first Republican elected in Orange County.)*****Todd Lindsey is candidate for county commissioner, Pct. 2.*****Vanessa Meaux seeks county clerk's office against incumbent Karen Jo Vance. *****Mary Lou Klinkhammer opposes Vickey Edgerly for district Clerk.
A FEW HAPPENINGS
Tuesday, March 2, was Texas Independence Day. We forget that men who came here to find a new life and new opportunities instead found war. Their belief in Texas brought death to many but Texas inherited an indomitable spirit. Actually, we should celebrate an entire week because it is also the week the Alamo fell. Those brave men at the Alamo fought to preserve this state. Had Santa Anna overwhelmed the Alamo quickly, the outcome at San Jacinto might have been different. Maybe God predetermined that Sam Houston should lead Texas because you see; he too was born on March 2, in 1782, in Rockbridge County, Va. An Orange Countian, Claiborne West, signed the Declaration of Independence, at Washington on the Brazos, and has a park named in his honor in Orange County. The late County Judge Grover Halliburton established the Claiborne West Park. Donna Scales, former park director, honors Halliburton for his foresight. Texas is not only a state in the minds of many; it is a whole other country. Thanks to the brave men who gave their lives so Texas could be a great state.*****Hard to believe that 41 years ago this week, Tuesday, March 4, 1980, the ribbing cutting and grand opening ceremonies for Wal-Mart 280th store and first in this area was held at Bridge City. Manager of the new store was Frank Boren. Over 100 city, county and area dignitaries attended. Mr. Sam Walton talked to the crowd. He commented that the Bridge City store was one of their finest and the response to the opening was the best ever. Roy Dunn, publisher of the Opportunity Valley News, served as Master of Ceremonies. In attendance were county judge Pete Runnels and Bridge City mayor Gordon Harvey, who took part in the ribbon cutting. Miss Bridge City, Teresa Hearn and Mr. Sam cut the ribbon. At the time Wal-Mart only went into communities with populations below 15 thousand. At the time Mr. Sam couldn't have envisioned how Super Wal-Mart's would end up being the largest retailer in the country and now all over the world. The Bridge City store is one of few small stores remaining in the chain.*****A few folks we know celebrating birthdays in the next few days. March 4, Cassie Bearden celebrates today as does Carolyn Sheppard. On this day 10 years ago singer Johnny Preston died.*****March 5, Jennifer Byrd and Lenzi Belcher share birthdays.*****March 6, Two good old boys, Sam Moore and Mark Brinson celebrate.***This was the date in 1836 the Alamo fell.*****March 7, former sheriff Mike White is a year older, so is our friend Libby Mitchell. A good guy Ricky Trahan celebrates along with Sharon Crumpler.*****March 8, two special ladies, Pat Pate and Liz Weaver celebrate. Both of these ladies have overcome health problems. Happy Birthday to all.***** According to Orbin Ross the following are some of the better boxers from the Orange area that fought from the 1970's until the early 1980's. They are as follows: Norris Leger, Cris Leger, Carl Gene Shafer, Lee Sanders, David Fairchild, Edward Fairchild, Nolan Broussard, Craig Chesson, Mike Harrison, Ray Posey and Ed Block. These guys were all exceptional athletes.*****Our friends Cherry and Cedric Stout are hanging in there. Cedric age 99, is fortunate to have Cherry as his nurse, caregiver and cook. With her help he is weathering his elder years just fine and looking forward to year 100.*****We ran into Bob and Virginia Fox at Gulf Coast Cardiology. She was Joe Chenella's secretary for several years and still keeps up with Joe and Nancy.*****Judge Pat Clark called the office to check on Roy yesterday. While on the phone with Janelle, we learned that Pat Jr. finished his Master's in Education at the end of 2020 and was just notified of a maintaining a perfect GPA. He also was just recently appointed as the Special Education Department Chairman at Spring ISD. The Judge's granddaughter Whitney graduated St. Thomas University in Miami last spring, and due to Covid just received her Degree in Business.*****I can't get over how bad our place looks. That deep freeze did a number on our courtyard. Many large plants bit the dust, some over 10 years old. Many palms were lost along with the citrus trees. Hopefully they will come back but it will take probably more years than I have left. All homeowners face the same destruction. The best bet to re-landscape is to call Pete at Coastal Landscaping.*****Be sure to check out the Harbor Freight insert in this paper for some great sale prices. Use the coupons in this circular and save on many items. Harbor Freight is set to open in Orange. Tell them we sent you.
BREAUX BIRTHDAYS
Celebrating birthdays this week are Joan Broussard, Andy Pryor, Donna Sullivan, Jo Young, Barron Nimitz, Carolyn Hillsten, Jerry Maldonado, John Philps, Genevieve Simon, Jennifer Barclay Misty Thurman, Leisa Miller, Shelly Granger, Christi Wiegreffe, Ryan Buker, Angela Burris Don Grooms, Santiago Baca, Jordon Doiron.
CELEBRITY BIRTHDAYS
March 3: Actors Julie Bowen, 50; Christian Oliver, 48; Natalie Kelly, 35.*****March 3: Basketball player Drayman Green, 31; Actors Patricia Heaton, 63 and Catherine O'Hara, 67.*****March 5: Actor Eva Mendes, 47; Magician Penn Gillette, 66; Model Niki Taylor, 46.*****March 6: Basketball player Shaquille O'Neal, 49; Comedian DL Hughley, 58; Actor Moira Kelly, 53.*****March 7: Comedian Wanda Sykes, 57; Actors Bryan Cranston, 65 and TJ Thyne, 46.*****March 8: Actors Freddie Prinze, Jr., 45 and Camryn Manheim, 60.*****March 9: Actors Matthew Gray Gubler, 41 and Brittany Snow, 35; TV Show Host Steve Wilkos, 57.
CAJUN STORY OF THE WEEK
Marie Primeaux stop by Dr. Mouton's office. She had some bad bruises and maybe a broken jaw. Dr. Mouton ake, "Mais Marie, wat happen to you hanh."
Marie say, "Well, it's like dis Doc everytime Tee Man come home drunk him, he beat me up."
The doctor said, "I believe I have a good remedy for dat me."
"Wat's dat," Marie ake.
"Well do wat I say, " said da doctor. "Wen he come home and he's been drinking, jus take a glass of sweet tea, swish it around in you mouth, jus swish but don't swallow until he goes to bed and fall asleep."
"O.K. Doc, I'll so dat me," Marie said.
About four or tree weeks later, Marie come back to da doctor's office.
"Doc," she say, "Dat was da best idea, everytime Tee Man come home drunk, I swish dat sweet tea until he go to sleep an he don't touch me. See, I got no bruises."
Da doctor look at Marie and he say, "Marie, now you see how keeping you mouth shut helps."
C'EST TOUT
Recalling Mardi Gras Days
Mardi Gras in my youth was a long time ago. I've traveled a lot of miles since those early days in that little Cajun town. All the good people of those Mardi Gras and Lenten days are now gone. The Mardi Gras celebration didn't happen this year because of COVID-19. It doesn't even feel like the Lenten season now. Over the years the Mardi Gras one day celebration had really changed but this year, due to the pandemic, not even small celebrations were held. For country folks, Mardi Gras day began early in the morning with masked horseback riders going through the countryside collecting chickens for a big gumbo to be enjoyed later in the day. It was a day filled with laughter, fun, games and pranks. While the gumbo was simmering, a made up band furnished the music. The gumbo was brewed on an open fire using the chickens the men had gathered and the women had plucked and prepared. The women always did the chores except when a big iron pot was cooking cracklins. The men attended to that. The lard would later be used for soap makings. Too many hot cracklins could very well serve as a purgative. Even today, I can still taste how good those big, meaty cracklins were. The band always had an accordion, fiddle, and a harmonica, a bass fiddle made with a washtub, string and broomstick. Someone always played the scrub board, while others played the spoons, two big spoons were bounced off a leg, clinking together. I don't ever recall seeing a guitar. John Thibeaux had a big house and the furniture was moved outdoors and the living room became a dance floor. The party lasted all day and into the night. When the weather was bad, the celebration moved into someone's barn. The youngsters played games like hide and seek, marbles, lagging washers, skipping rope, playing hopscotch and others. Older boys hid behind the barn to smoke corn silk or grape vines. The celebration was a Cajun tradition. Schools were closed and businesses shut down. Mardi Gras is instilled in the hearts of every Cajun kid who ever took part. Those old Cajun people of my youth would never believe how high society their one-day celebration has become. Mardi Gras celebrating was started by Cajuns in the 1800's.*****My time is up. Take care, stay safe and God bless America.
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