The Record Newspapers - Hometown News For Orange County, Texas

MARK CALENDAR FOR APRIL 14

On this day The Record Newspapers will celebrate its 62nd anniversary. For the 20th time, The Record will announce its choice for "Person of the Year." The ceremony and presenting of the awards will take place at the Lunch Bunch gathering, Robert's Restaurant, 12 noon, April 14. Everyone is welcome. The Bunch hasn't met for a year and the gang is looking forward to gathering and dining after a year under COVID-19. The Record is inviting some special guest to the award luncheon. Like always the recipient will be well deserving for their public service. Don't forget to mark your calendar. Hope to see you there. *****I have to move on. Please come along, I promise it won't do you no harm.

BIDEN PROPOSES HUGE ENERGY WIND FARM

The Biden administration is moving to sharply increase offshore wind energy along the East Coast, it is taking initial steps toward approving a huge wind farm off the New Jersey coast as part of an effort to generate electricity for more than 10 million homes nationwide by 2030. The target could mean jobs for more than 44,000 workers and for 33,000 others in related employment. President Joe Biden "believes we have an enormous opportunity in front of us to not only address the threats of climate change, but use it as a chance to create millions of good-paying, union jobs that will fuel America's economic recovery." Biden has vowed to double offshore wind production by 2030 as part of his effort to slow climate change. Wind developers are poised to create tens of thousands of jobs and generate more than $100 billion in new investment by 2030.

TURNING BACK THE HANDS OF TIME

10 Years Ago-2011

Karen Jo Vance and retired county treasurer Vergie Moreland had lunch at Lucy's last week. They sat and talked so long Vergie forgot to pick up her grandchild. They rushed out of the restaurant, forgetting to pay their bill. The waitress ran them down waving the bill and asking if they forgot something. Returning inside they found everyone smiling. Of course Karen Jo blamed Vergie for being a bad influence. *****Speaking of beautiful ladies, one of the world's most beautiful women, when I was a young man in the early and mid-50's was Elizabeth Taylor. Liz died March 23, at age 79. She was a violet-eyed beauty from England. A child star in "Lassie Come Home," 1943 and "National Velvet, 1944. She became a woman in 1958 with "Father of the Bride." She was voluptuous and hot as Maggie in "Cat on a Hot Tin Roof," in 1958. Sixth years ago, April 1, 1961, Elizabeth finally won an Oscar for "Butterfield 8" after being nominated four years in a row. She outlived seven husbands, a brain tumor, an appendectomy, a fall from a house, tuberculosis and skin cancer and once was pronounced dead from double pneumonia. We will never see her likes again. *****We lost another pioneering woman last week. Geraldine Ferraro, the first lady and first Italian to run for national office as the vice-presidential candidate with Walter Mondale in 1984. She died March 26 at age 75. *****Friends and special folks celebrating birthdays. Garrett Clay Gros turned 26 on Monday, March 28.***Burl LaSalle celebrates April 4***Al Deroche, our ace ad executive, will celebrate April 5. Al celebrates age 83. ***Other birthdays celebrated, Laverne Ridley, Terry Stuebing, Mack McDonald, Lannie Claybar, and Joe Peery. Best wishes to all. ***FaceBook friends celebrating this week are Rhonda Fenton, March 30, Danny Carter and Sandra Jones, March 31, Cindy Mitchell, April 3, April McGee, April 4 and on April 5, Carl Himel turns a year older. *****One year ago on March 30th our friend Red Garrett died at age 79. I still can't believe "Booger Red" is gone.***** LSC-PA honor students making the President's List from Bridge City are Aaron Barton and Dana Withers. Qualifying for the Dean's List are Sheena Carpenter, Derek Winstead and Marla Mitchell, Bridge City; Dwayne Gordon, Orange; Montana Marshall,  Orangefield.*****An influential doctor's group warns of FaceBook risks. It may cause teen depression. Referring to troubled teens that are obsessed over the online site. FaceBook can make it a particularly tough social landscape to navigate for kids already dealing with poor self-esteem. Photos of happy looking people, having great times, can make some kids feel even worse if they think they don't measure up. FaceBook depression, cyber bullying, sexting and others online are a real risk. Benefits of kids using social media sites shouldn't be overlooked. FaceBook is the teen corner store. *****Rob Johnson, who managed Gov. Perry's 2010 re-election campaign and is senior adviser to Perry, is headed to Virginia next week for Newt Gingrich's exploratory campaign for president. He will be Newt's campaign manager. It's a good opportunity for Johnson, 36, to see politics at a new level but I don't believe Gingrich can make the first lap. *****I made a trip down to PawPaw's on Hwy. 1448 at Hwy. 105, for some fresh made cracklins and peanuts fried in peanut oil. I swear you can't beat either, especially them cracklins. I got enough to whip up a cracklin corn bread. I mash some and leave a few whole, just like grandma use to make.  *****I see where State Rep. Mike Hamilton is pushing gambling in Texas. The down side is that it will hurt our little part of Texas. The big cities will end up with the jobs. Hamilton knows a statewide vote would pass because the cities would outvote us and Mike's out would be that the people of Texas voted for it. It's obvious the gaming lobby has his ear.*****Thirty years after President Reagan was shot, James Brady will appear at a congressional hearing for "sensible gun control." President Reagan is the only president that was shot and survived. Brady's wife will testify at the hearing Wednesday. *****Who will be the new athletic director and head football coach at West Orange-Stark? So far Toby Foreman has expressed that he will apply. Coach Cornell Thompson is also expected to seek the job. I think it's a good thing that multiple applications will come from within. It increases the odds that someone on the present staff will be hired. Many outside applications can be expected also. *****April 1 is the target date that Judge Pat Clark will step down as 128th Dist. Court Judge. Who will replace him? I don't believe it's a done deal yet,

GONE BUT NOT FORGOTTEN

10 Years Ago-2011

Wyva Jean Bass, 75, of Orange passed away Thursday, March 24. Funeral Services were held on Saturday March 26. She served as an aide for O.C.A.R.C. and later for West Orange-Cove C.I.S.D. Wyva is survived by her loving husband of 55 years, Richard Bass;  daughters, Diane Huff and Deborah Castle; six grandchildren and three great grandchildren.*****Armando Segura, 62, of Orange passed away Wednesday, March 23. Funeral Services were held on Saturday, March 26. Armando was native of Orange since 1973. He was a landscaper and welder.  He is survived by his wife, Rosalinda Segura; mother, Dionisa Segura; daughter, SanJuanita Segura Gutierrez; five grandchildren and one great grand daughter.***** Ronnie Alleman, 49, of Orange, died Monday, March 21. Funeral Services were held on Saturday, March 26. He was a Veteran having served in the U.S. Air Force and the Texas Air National Guard and a member of Community Church. Ronnie is survived by his wife, Ellen Bergeron Alleman; mother, Laverne Alleman; sons Jeremy Alleman and Kristofer Alleman; step-children, Erica O'Quinn, Andrea Duhon, Bryan Schrumpf and Bradley Bergeron and three grandchildren.

22 Years Ago-1999

UConn upsets Duke 77-74. Connecticut spoiled the Duke invitation. The Huskies beat top ranked Duke, the team no one thought could be beaten in this NCAA tournament, to win the national championship in their first final four appearances. The win ended Duke's 32 game winning streak and their third championship in the 1990's. *****Notables having birthdays. Vice-president Al Gore will be 51 on March 31. Dick Manuel and Charlie Wickersham both celebrate on April 3. Other stars besides Dick and Wick celebrating are Leon Russell, 58 and Emmy Lou Harris, 52 celebrate April 2. Marlon Brando will be 75 on April 3. *****Congrats to photographer Chris Gunn, who had three of his prints put on view at the International Photography Show in Las Vegas.*****Ten West Orange-Stark middle school students will travel to San Antonio in April to compete in the Elite State Math/Science competition. They are Chris Clark, Corey Faulk, Bobby Seals, J.J. Hamilton, Daniel Marshall, Chris Washburn, Brandon Cezar, Candice Davis, Angela McCauley and Katy Snell. Richard Stout is their sponsor. *****Joseph Piazza, city of Bridge City water meter reader, died Sunday, March 28. Service for the 19-year-old city employee will be held March 31.

42 Years Ago-1979

Carroll Rosenbloom, 71, drowned while on an outing. He was the owner of the Los Angeles Rams. *****On April 6, Edna V. (Mrs. Felix) DeMary will be 85. She makes her home with daughter Anabel and son-in-law Arthur Anderson at 904 Cherry St. (Editor's note: Since then Edna, Arthur and Anabel have died.)*****Craig Corder, Richard and Ruth's youngest turns 9 years old in a few days. *****Tina Bendy turns 14. *****Selected senior class favorites at Bridge City were Traci Taylor and Kenny Ronsonette. Best all around were Alice Martinez and Kirk Harmon. Most likely to succeed, Holli Day and David Dutshman. Friendliest were Nina Scales and Kenny Ronsonette. Most beautiful was Sherri VanBreeman; Brian Murphy was selected most handsome. *****Mary Behnke and Joe Ben Welch are running as a team for the WO school board. *****Jimmy Singletary is running for mayor against longtime incumbent Glenn Seale at West Orange.

A FEW HAPPENINGS

I recall in the early 1950's when retail in Orange ruled. It was wall-to-wall retail businesses. Banks and movie theaters were crammed downtown as well as several restaurants. The Bengal Café and Mary Ann's Restaurant were around the corner, on Green Ave. ABC Grocery and Market was also on 5th Street. Several meat markets were scattered around town. Green's Department store and Belile's Men's Wear were on 5th Street. Judge Sid Callivet had a store on Front Street. There also was Conn's Furniture and other retailers on Front. Saturday was the big day when country folks came to town. I miss those old days and hair cuts at the old Holland Hotel and a banana split from the Sugar and Spice.*****I don't fish or hunt anymore but like many of you I read Capt. Dickie Colburn's and Capt. Chuck Uzzle's columns every week. Of course, I've been reading Kaz for over 40 years. All three do great work and The Record is proud to publish them.*****Speaking of Capt. Chuck Uzzle, he brought by some sausage and fish last week, it sure was delicious in my breakfast, gumbo and red beans the last week.****A few folks I know who will be celebrating birthdays in the next few days. March 31, is a special day for a special young lady. Coree Guerra, who I've known since she was 7-years-old. Christy Koury's little angel is now a 17-year-old young lady. Time travels fast. I bet Christy is thinking that in just a few years a childhood has come and gone as Coree moves on.*****A special lady with a green thumb, Ms. Arlene Dodge, celebrates on April 3.*****April 4, Easter Sunday, marks the day Martin Luther King was killed in 1968 at the hands of James Earl Ray.*****April 5, finds three good guys celebrating. Former State Representative, lawyer and rancher Wayne Peveto celebrates.***Also, Earl Duhon, owner of Dupuis Tire and Service and longtime friend Al DeRoche, who turns 93.***Race Dearborne, one of the late Doug Harrington's grandsons, celebrates.*** Happy birthday today also to Nancy McWhorter. Where ever she is we know she is reading The Record online. It would be nice to hear from her.*****April 6 finds one of the good guys, Judge Chad Jenkins, celebrating. The former educator has several tasks, one is an auctioneer and is also a great dad to three boys.***On this day one of Buster Scales' pretty daughters, Vance's wife, Cyndie Chauvin, celebrates.*****On this historical day in 1917 the United States enter WWI, the war that cost more American lives than all other wars combines.*****Wedding bells: I was so glad to hear that two good people I know are going to tie the knot. Well, it's more than that, it's two wonderful people who at this stage in life needed someone special they could live out the rest of life with. Commissioner Kirk Roccaforte and County Treasurer Christy Kourey, after dating for awhile, realized how much they cared for each other. They are now engaged but no wedding date has been set yet. I'm happy for them and believe they are a perfect match. Congrats and best wishes.*****I had a phone visit with our friend Judge Rodney Price. He is really looking forward to attending the Lunch Bunch gathering on April 14.*****Marlene and Keith Merritt have just returned from a weeks vacation touring North Texas in their travel trailer. They even made the Fort Worth's stock yard. Marlene and Keith enjoyed traveling and caravanning with her two sisters. They had lots of fun where ever they stopped to camp. The Sheriff is enjoying being away from the pressure.*****I'm blurred eyed from watching so much March Madness. What I never expected was that Houston and Baylor would both be in the final four. Many players have been very entertaining but I really liked watching Michigan's pint-size guard Mike Smith. He puts on a clinic. This is Houston's first Final Four since the 'PhiSlama Jama' days 37 years ago. What a pleasant surprise that Houston and Baylor are in the Final Four.

BREAUX BIRTHDAYS

Natives celebrating their big day in the next few days. Terry Seal, Dana Myers, Danny Carter, Hunter Wilson, Rececca Hunter, Race Dearborne, Carolyn Whittaker, Pam Savoy, Steve Adams, Angie Sellers, Vickie Foreman, Jason Vincent, Kellie Fontenot, Michael McAllister, Mikayla Kohn, Arline Dodge, Desirea Wilson, Deana Blackmon, Aliceson Haynes, Geoff Rendall, Jason Ballard, Jeremy Simmons, Sandra McRight, Niki Viola, Libby Harrison, Lisa Coffey, Cyndie Chauvin, David Blanton.

CELEBRITY BIRTHDAYS

March 31: Actors Christopher Walken, 78; Rhea Perliman, 73; Politician Al Gore, 73.*****April 1: Pop Singer Susan Boyle, 55; Country Singer Hillary Scott, 35; Wrestler Randy Orton, 41.*****April 2: Radio Host Bobby Bones, 41; Actors Christopher Meloni, 60; Cara Santana, 37; Adam Rodriguez, 46.*****April 3: Model Paris Jackson, 23; Actors Eddie Murphy, 60 and Alec Baldwin, 63.*****April 4: Actors Robert Downey, Jr., 56; Jamie Lynn Spears, 30; David Cross, 56. R&B Singer Jill Scott, 49.*****April 5: Pop Singer Pharrell Williams, 48; Actor Sterling K. Brown, 45; Wrestler Charlotte Flair, 35.*****April 6: Actors Candance Cameron-Bure, 45; Todd Chrisley, 54; Paul Rudd, 52; Billy Dee Williams, 84.

CAJUN STORY OF THE WEEK

Clovis Comeaux him, made a good crop of rice las year so he plan to take his wife Agnes on a vacation to Australia. While on da trip Clovis met a nice chap, an Aussie farmer. Dey got to talking about farming dem. Da Aussie him, showed Clovis his rice field wat cover a few acres.

Clovis him laugh and say, "Mai, we have rice fields in Sou'h Loosianna dat are four or tree times dat size us."

Dey walk around da place and da Aussie show him his fish pond. Clovis say, "We got crawfish bigger dan dem little fish us."

Den da Aussie him show him his canary birds dat he's raising.

Clovis say, "Mai us, we got mosquitoes as big as you little birds."

Den Clovis him see a herd of Kangaroo hopping in da field. "Kee Yaw" Clovis say, "Mai, wat da hell is dem tings, hanh?"

Da Aussie farmer him, look Clovis rat in da eye and he axed, "Wat's wrong mate, don't you guys have grasshoppers in Louisiana?"

C'EST TOUT

Holy Week Heads to Easter

I was raised in a Cajun, very Catholic family. My grandmother, who lived to be 92-years-old, recited her Rosary every day, sometimes more often if she had need of extra prayer for personal or a country crisis. Holy Week started with Palm Sunday. Good Friday was a meatless day, even though most Catholics didn't eat meat on any Friday. I don't recall if Catholics worked on that day, however, I remember you were not permitted to dig in the ground on that day. I recall my Grandmother, who spoke only French, telling me if I dug in the dirt I would see the blood of Christ. All of my life I wondered what the translation or explanation was for her comment. I don't believe she literally meant I would see blood but it meant something I never understood. She and I made many trips to the big church, walking the two miles. Easter Sunday Mass was always a must. She wore her Easter bonnet; all the ladies at that service wore their special Easter hats. Women wearing something on their head was a must when entering a church. On Easter we all wore our Sunday best. Most women had made their own special dress or had one made by a relative who could sew. There were few store-bought dresses by country folks. It was a very special service to this Catholic boy. I also enjoyed making the Stations of the Cross, referred to as the "Way of the Cross" during Lent. Easter day was celebrated with a big special meal, maybe chicken and sausage gumbo, sometimes a big pork roast with Grandma's special potato balls, filled with seasoning, rolled in flour and fried. I remember Gar Balls made that way also. Remembering Grandma's cooking has moments, like time trips, with me. It was said she could make a meal, even with a shoe sole. Her Catfish Sauce Picante, over a bed of rice, was one of my favorites. Grandma never cooked a bad meal. Regardless if it was tripe, cow tongue, rabbit, etc. Well, this is my contribution to the 2021 Easter season. My recollections of being brought up in a religious family. That good lady's teaching often had me right my course if I went astray. She ruled in two ways, religion and a leather strap. Happy Easter to you and yours.