ACTOR McCONAUGHEY ASKING FOR ACTION

For Matthew McConaughey, the May 24 shooting at an elementary school in Uvalde, Texas, that left 19 children and two teachers dead, is more than just another casualty in American history. The actor is asking for action. On Monday, the Texas native wrote an op-ed for ‘The Austin American-Statesman, part of the USA TODAY Network, titled “It’s Time to Act on Gun Responsibility.” “I am a father, the son of a kindergarten teacher, and an American. I was also born in Uvalde, Texas,” the actor begins. “That’s why I’m writing this.” The actor and his wife Camila Alves share three children: Levi Alves McConaughey, 13; Vida Alves McConaughey, 12 and Livingston Alves McConaughey, 9. McConaughey writes he believes that “responsible, law-abiding Americans have a Second Amendment right, enshrined by our founders, to bear arms” but also believes “we have a cultural obligation to take steps toward slowing down the senseless killing of our children. The debate about gun control has delivered nothing but status quo,” he writes, explaining he believes there’s a difference between control and responsibility when it comes to owning guns in the United States. “Depraved acts of violence, with guns as the weapon of choice, are ripping apart families, tearing at people’s faith, and shedding the fabric of our society,” McConaughey writes. “We have an epidemic of indiscriminate mass shootings, of parents burying their children, of inaction, and buck-passing. Saving the unnecessary loss of lives is not a partisan issue. (Editor’s note: “There is a difference between control and responsibility,” McConaughey wrote. “Keeping firearms out of the hands of dangerous people is not only the responsible thing to do; it is the best way to protect the Second Amendment. We can do both.” He also pushes for a strict age requirement for the purchase of assault rifles, writing: “The killer in my hometown of Uvalde purchased two AR-15s for his eighteenth birthday, just days before he killed 19 students and two teachers. He obeyed the law. Had the law been different, perhaps I wouldn’t be writing this today.” McConaughey’s final two points explore Red Flag Laws and national waiting periods for assault rifles. “We need to focus on corrections and countermeasures that can also and immediately reduce the gun violence tragedies that have become too common in our country.”)

TURNING BACK THE HANDS OF TIME

15 Years Ago-2007

Congrats to Coach Billy Bryant and his young Bridge City baseball team. They went much farther than most people believed when the season opened. They lost 2-1 to Jasper in the third game of the Reginald Finals, which was a weird series. Bridge City lost to a good team that beat them four-out-of-five times. Coach Billy stretched the talent as far as he could. He played the odds to win. Sometimes it works. If it does, you hear very little about it, but if it doesn’t, a lot of folks become coaches. I’m proud of the great season and the way the players handled themselves in defeat.*****Last week was a tough week for our buddy Cal Broussard. Upon returning from his daughter Sara’s graduation in San Antonio, he learned of his broth Kenneth’s death. A year ago, he had buried another brother Carlton and recently had to put his mom, Ms. Gladys, in the Meadows. Kenneth, a deaf mute, had been paralyzed for 35 years. With his condition, he had beaten the odds. People who suffer from a broken neck, like Christopher Reeves, usually don’t have a long life. Reeves stretched his to seven years. The family provided for and made Kenneth as comfortable as they could, giving him everything he needed. Much credit for Kenneth’s long life goes to Jimmy Donahue, who was his caregiver for 35 years, day and night. Jimmy took care of his every need and that wasn’t always pleasant but Jimmy never complained about doing for his longtime friend. This is something Cal and his family are very thankful for.*****The Bridge City Farmer’s Market, held every Saturday starting at 7 a.m. has really gotten off the ground. It’s a great place to see old friends and get garden fresh produce. Lou Garriga brought six boxes of beautiful tomatoes and sold out by 7:20 a.m. Other folks also brought tomatoes. Mayo LeBlanc had a table set up to sell his famous hot sauces. We ran into old friend Gene Hidalgo, who was loading up. It takes a lot to load Wayne LeBlanc but he did all right. Tom Perry and about 100 other folks took advantage of the great stuff at reasonable prices.*****A little shift in the tempo here; now gays and lesbians in California prisons will be granted conjugal visits, ‘overnights’ with their partners for up to 72 hours. They must be registered as domestic partners to ask for the visits. I see one potential problem. It’s jealously from their ‘in jail’ affair partners.*****Now this is funny. Rush Limbaugh has branded everyone who ever talks about the environment as “Tree Huggers.” Sean Hannity calls them “Radicals” and Ann Coulter calls them “Looney Liberals.” Well guess what, President Bush has joined the Democrats on Green House Gas. In face, he used Democratic wording. The exact quote is, “The world is on the verge of great breakthroughs that will help us become better stewards of the environment.”*****Baghdad is out of control. Fifteen young soldiers were killed in the first three days of June with only one quarter of the city secure. Troop deaths total 3,493, injured, 26,487, maimed, 11, 702. ***** Paris Hilton is in jail for 23 days. Locked up alone, with only one hour a day out of her cell. Don’t you know some of those old gals would love to have her in the general population? A trophy they could brag about into old age. She’ll make millions from this jail sentence.

45 Years Ago-1977

After several months effort, the old J.O. Sims house has been jacked up from its foundation and relocated one block south of the original location at Front and Eight Streets in Orange. It has been restored and opened as the only history museum in Orange County. The new location is on Division Street. Some responsible for meeting a Heritage House goal are Nadine Slaughter, Coilia Hales, Roy Wingate, Bill Nugent, and Hubert Meadows. The first slate of officials for the House is Mrs. Joe Powell, President; Mrs. James Pledger, Vice-President; Mrs. Douglas Hales, Treasurer. Board members are Nugent, Nick Matsoukas, Meadows, Wingate, Mrs. Thomas Brennan and Mrs. Len Savignano. Frances Reid was named coordinator with the Texas Historical Commission. The names of persons on the charter list were hand lettered, for permanent display by John Klinkhammer (Editor’s note: It’s hard to believe it’s been 45 years. Many of these folks responsible are now gone. I couldn’t help but notice that 45 years ago a ladies first name was seldom used, it was mostly Mrs. husband’s name).*****Homer Flanagan has adopted a chicken, which he keeps at the Harmon Chevrolet car lot.*****Speaking of Harmon Chevrolet, Kyle Block is new car salesman there. *****Ann Lieby writes, in her ‘Between the Bridges’ column, that on June 5, Phyllis Dunn gave Roy a great birthday party at their home. The party was attended by over 100 merry guests. Ann describes it as a strange gathering, a unique menagerie of Roy’s friends attended. Don Jacobs, in his column, tells about how several friends decided it was time for an old-fashioned Roy Dunn Roast. The roast was done with poetry, song and comedy routines and described Roy’s outrageous gifts; some wrapped in Bob Axelson’s ‘P.S.’ columns. Sheila Beeson baked the cake with a mounted outhouse on top. Jacobs concluded the Dunn’s throw great parties (Editor’s note: Many of Dunn’s friends who attended are no longer with us such as W.T. Oliver, Judge Grover Halliburton, Louis and Beth Dugas, Betty Em, ‘Teddy Bear’ Cox, Tim Lieby, Judge Harold Beeson, Gordon Baxter, Conley Windel, Allen and Viola Bendy, Big John Ottea, Louise Wood, Corky Harmon, Doug Harrington, Don Jacobs, James Fontenot and many others).*****Tim Hughes celebrated June 5 and Helen Harrington on June 6.*****Congressman Charlie Wilson celebrated his 44th birthday last week, in his office with a four-piece band. Wilson staffer, Candy Shy, presented him a pound of chopped liver shaped into two large four’s. 

50 Years Ago-1972

LC-M coach Jim Crossland writes in his Opportunity Valley News column about his meeting with Coach Bum Phillips, and leaving his head coaching job at Eastern, Oklahoma A&M to join Bum’s coaching staff at the University of Texas at El Paso. Bear Bryant came to Texas A&M and he and Bum became friends. Bear was impressed with Bum’s development of the ‘numbers defense communication system.’ When Bryant left for Alabama, he begged Bum to go with him, but Bum wouldn’t leave Texas. Bum took the head coaching job at Jacksonville, then to Amarillo, then to El Paso. Crossland wrote, “He made my eyes pop with his fantastic grasp of the game. I’ve never met anyone before or since who understood the game any better. I firmly believe that Bum has the finest mind for defensive football in the world.” Jim talked about their days at Port Neches and with Hayden Fry at SMU. He said Bum did more to influence high school football in Texas than any other man during that time. (Editor’s note: After that column by Crossland, Bum went on to pro-football as head coach of ‘Love You Blue’ Houston Oilers and later the New Orleans Saints. He and his son, NFL coach Wade Phillips, were born in Orange County and Bum, throughout his career, was proud of his Orange County upbringing and his heritage. As of today, the civic and political leaders have yet to recognize that those two world class individuals were born in Orange, Bum on John St. and Wade at the downtown Orange hospital. Something should be done to recognize them and also Coach R.C. Slocum, Texas A&M’s most successful coach. He is still remembered as a star high school football player at Stark High, who as a poor kid earned his money with his shoe shine box. He has come a long way and we should show our pride. By the way, R.C. still has that shoe shine box.***** Fifty years ago this week, 65 young men returned home from attending the Fellowship of Christian Athletes conference in Colorado. (Editor’s note: Many of those players, between the ages of 66 and 68, are still around.)

A FEW HAPPENINGS

J. W. Dalton and business partner, Dennis Malone, celebrated their Grand Opening Saturday with several people in attendance at Top Deck Flooring Co. Food was served, along with many door prizes and give aways. Some spotted in attendance were Sheriff Lane Mooney, who visited with many of the guest; Port Commissioner Keith Wallace and wife Shelly looking to make a purchase; City Councilman David Bailey was making rounds and shaking hands. Also seen were Van Jordan, President of HOG, Chapter #4974 and The Record’s Mark Dunn. A good crowd came from throughout the area. Mark brought his dad a Top Deck cap and shirt that made him happy on his birthday. J.W.’s daughter Jessica and son Jake are good representatives of the company.*****Summertime travels abound. Bridge City's Charlotte Chiasson and crew have been touring Europe on a river cruise, taking in the sights across Spain, France, Italy, and Monaco. Of course The Vatican and the Sistine Chapel were on the list.*****Fred and Linda Hanauer went to Las Vegas and enjoyed tours and museums as much as the casinos. Looks like Fred, a law enforcement officer and former Pinehurst Police chief, had fun at the Mob Museum. Pawn Stars pawn shop was on their list and they even got to see "The Old Man's" car. Linda celebrated a birthday on Tuesday.*****Becky Trahan has now spent 40 years married to Johnny, who serves as Orange County Precinct 1 Commissioner. They celebrated across the river with dinner and a casino. The couple now has grandchildren and love to brag about them.*****Edie Burch and Richard Teague went RVing through the back roads of Oklahoma and Arkansas with kiddos. The trip included lots of hiking and nature watching.***** Jody Chesson and Adam Conrad made a trip to Destin, Florida, with a stop in their favorite city, New Orleans, on the way. Their beach house included a front-row view of a wedding, but we don't know whether they crashed the festivities. Adam's mom, Dana McMillan Strokos was home dogsitting. She marked another birthday on Tuesday. Adam has resigned his position as theatre director at Vidor High School to become a school counselor. Stacy Webb, the Bridge City High theatre director, has resigned and will take the Vidor drama teaching job.*****I checked with Tonya Birdwell to see how she was doing after suffering a stroke just over a month ago. She has a therapist coming regularly and they say she is slowly making good recovery. Husband Tommy is cooking good meals. By the way, this past Monday, June 6, was their anniversary. They married 47 years ago at Mauriceville Baptist. Congrats.*****Our buddy, native Orange Countian, WWII vet, 96 year old J.B. Arrington, will celebrate a 50 years anniversary of J.B.’s Barbecue. On June 14, Commissioner Court is expected to issue a proclamation. I’ve seen stories of barbeque places around Texas but no one can smoke meat any better than the old Ag teacher, who has developed the only one of a kind J.B.’s Barbecue sauce. He says it’s better than Viagra.*****Peggy Claybar and her grandchildren raised almost $5,000 for Traci's Texas Tails dog rescue group during their annual lemonade and cookie sale in the Old Orange Historic District. Grandchildren are Keller Claybar, son of David C. Claybar and Jennifer Claybar; Breelyn LeMaire, daughter of David C. and Sabrina Claybar; plus Annabelle and Caroline Claybar, daughters of Melanie and Constable Lannie Claybar.*****On June 7, Darlene and Johnny Montagne mark their 47th wedding anniversary. I remember that event. Darlene says from time to time she runs across a copy of what we wrote about the wedding in “Ear to the Ground” by the Office Hound, printed in the Opportunity Valley News in 1975. She and Johnny are doing good, however Johnny is still fighting leg problems. I have learned that his kind of problem is common place and not much can be done about it. Judge Pat, Roy and many others are fighting similar leg problems.*****I spoke with Darlene’s dad, WWII Navy veteran, 100 years old Pearl Harbor survivor, Cedric Stout, on Monday, D-Day. I saw a national television story about San Antonio having only three survivors. I believe Cedric is our area’s only Pearl Harbor survivor. He’s still active and looking forward to 101. Thank God for Cherry’s supervision and nursing.

BREAUX BIRTHDAYS

A few folks celebrating birthdays in the next few days. June 8: Happy Birthday to Walter Riedel, Tana Hightower, Carolyn Sexton and Crystal Wells.*****June 9: Celebrating today are Jennifer Rives, Pressley Huebel, Dennis Monk, Karli Choate, Paige Olive, Jessica Hilliard and Debbie Vidrine.*****June 10: Happy Birthday James Ardoin, Tyler Derouen, Jennifer Broussard, Caroline Hennigan and Chris Riedel.*****June 11: Happy Birthday to Judge Mandy White Rodgers, Lacey Wallace and Jane Minor.*****June 12: Several good folks celebrating today are Ronda Dishon, Lindsay Hallman, Candice Steele, Kaaren Kline, Jesse Walles and Caitlyn Villanoueva.*****June 13: Happy Birthday today to Shawna Gauthier, Ryan Kelly, Susan Fischer, Duane Anthony and Steven Crabtree.*****June 14: Former Bridge City mayor, Bobbie Burgess celebrates a birthday. Also celebrating are Zoe Ann Hinds, Brandy Aldridge, Sylvia Galbreath, Brandon Duhon and Betty Jean Lonadier. Happy Anniversary to Peggy and David Claybar.*****If you or anyone you know is celebrating a birthday or anniversary let us know at HYPERLINK "mailto:[email protected]" [email protected] or call 409-735-5305. We will be happy to help you celebrate the big day.

C’EST TOUT

PANEL TO REVEAL JAN. 6 FINDINGS

A special House Committee opens hearings Thursday, 7 p.m., on the January Sixth Insurrection and Donald Trump’s part in it. The Committee’s investigation will tell the tale of a violent uprising fueled by the venom and lies of a defeated president. A bi-partisan committee is setting out to establish a historical record of an event damaging to the collective idea of Democracy itself. After more than 100 subpoenas, 1,000 interviews and 100,000 documents, the committee promises to tell a story for the ages. It is a story of the most heinous and bastardly political offense ever in the history of the United States, organized by a president, his follows and his entourage. It was an inside coup with a violent attack by “Neo-Fascists.” Much is already known because the attack played out on television with Trump urging supporters to “fight like hell” in shouts heard around the world. Dozen of the insurrectionists have been brought to justice, guilty of serious crimes. But the Committee’s goal is larger. How will the seven hour gap in White House telephone logs of Trump calls during the insurrection be explained? The Watergate affair, which exposed Nixon’s cover-up of politically motivated criminal acts which destroyed his presidency, centered on a question posed by a Republican senator, Howard Baker, “What did the President know and when did he know it?” The question now is about Trump’s involvement in the offense What did the President do, and when did he do it? My guess is by the time the entire Trump findings come out, it will make Nixon look like a choirboy next to Trump trying to overthrow his own government and it’s Democracy. The Far-Right, including FOX News will go all out to refute the truth of what we will all hear and see exposed. *****Please shop with the good folks who bring you this newspaper every week. I don’t know how well I’ve done, but I’m all done in. I’m headed to the wagon. Take care and God bless our America.