YEARS LATER WORDS JUMP BACK AT ME

Words you read from our Out of the Past section, 20-45-50 years etc, are words I wrote all those many years ago. I just rework them for today’s publication. Some things I wrote years ago seems like I penned them recently. Example: In 45 Years Ago, you will read about Larry Spears, no not our Mayor of Orange but the Mayor’s dad, who was a big football star who I was writing about. That seems very recent. There are hundreds of examples of memories like this. *****I’m way behind so here goes, come along, I promise it won’t do you no harm.

QUEEN ELIZABETH II LONGEST

SERVING MONARCH EVER

A LIFETIME FOR MOST

The year 1952 is the year that seemed to divide the past and the future. Up until that year, most of us country folks had lived our lives with no convenience, such as indoor plumbing or city water. Our water came from a hand pump well. This was the year we would get electricity to the house, no outlets, just one card with a light bulb. Our only radio was battery operated and far different than television of today, turned on in the morning and stays on all day. The radio was used for special programs, like a speech from the president, Grand Ole Opry on Saturday, and a few other important shows. We had no way to heat or cool the house. Coal oil stove was used for cooking. We got very little news from the outside world except local news from our weekly newspaper. WWII had ended in 1945 and the Korean conflict began in 1950 and was in full swing in 1952. Harry Truman, who replaced FDR, was president. I voted for the first time in 1952. Ike was elected and would take over in Jan., 1953. Through my childhood, the Saturday cowboy shows, for less than a dime, would entertain us boys all afternoon. By this time, I had outgrown Roy Rodgers, Gene Autrey, Bob Steel, Hopalong Cassidy and most cowboy shows. In early Feb. of 1952, I attended more serious movies, like war movies, usually with a date. We would make it to the downtown theater for the 3:00 p.m. feature. I don’t recall much about this movie or who starred in it but the name of the movie was the “Glass Menagerie.” I mention it today because that’s how I learned 70 years ago, that England now had a queen. At that time, between movies, news features were shown. The King of England, in his early 50’s, had unexpectedly died and his daughter Elizabeth had become the Queen. She was only in her mid-20’s. I recall it was a cold day and my date and I were not dressed for it. After leaving the theater I ran the two miles home. I couldn’t wait to tell mom about the new queen. Little did we know what a destiny the new queen would have and that her rein would last 70 years. Her son Charles would someday replace her. Twenty years ago, I felt sorry for him. She had served 50 years and wouldn’t step down. After the death of his mother, at age 73, he was pronounced King Charles III, Sovereign of the United Kingdom. An entire life has gone by since Elizabeth became Queen, she died at age 96. My mother passed away 17 years ago and I’m just a couple years short of being married 70 years, have raised a family, and recorded many historical events since the day of the “Glass Menagerie” movie and learning of the new queen. The beautiful young lady that was my date has since passed away. I now have children who are collecting Social Security, and nine great grandchildren spread around the country. For me, who traveled the 70 years with Queen Elizabeth II, this feels like a special moment in history. On Monday, September 19, the state funeral will be televised at 11:00 a.m. President Joe Biden and leaders from around the world will attend. It will be a public holiday across the United Kingdom. The longest serving monarch in history holds a record that probably will never be broken.

CONDOLENCES

We were sorry to learn of the death of Glenn Hughes, 62, on September 9.*** Also Gregory Koci, 54, who passed away September 9. Both funeral services were held Tuesday, September 13.

TURNING BACK THE HANDS OF TIME

10 Years Ago-2012

Capt. Mike Trahan, former Delta pilot, the only child of “Crip” and Sadie Trahan, writes about his mom. He details her fight to live, her funeral before her death, an event she called the best day of her life. Sadie was a rare breed that everyone loved. The native of Loreauville made every life’s moment count. Interesting and entertaining. (Has anyone heard from Mike in the last few years?)***** I discovered Orange‘s best kept secret right here on the river in the Cove. It‘s the Muddy Water Marina. Ike, a very interesting guy and his bride, Lynn, run the place. Anytime of the day they will serve you a meal. (Ike has since passed away and the place is closed.)*****Bridge City‘s star in the NFL, Matt Bryant, kicked two field goals and three extra points in the Falcon 27-21 win over Peyton Manning and the Broncos’ Monday night. So far Matt‘s six for six in field goals.*****Cowboy Churchgoers witnessed something Sunday never before seen in Orange County—Pam Scales Crew speechless. While she was giving announcements about the upcoming church anniversary, Rusty Honeycutt approached her, dropped to one knee and proposed. Needless to say, it caught everyone by surprise and rendered Pam mute. Once she caught her breath and said yes the congregation erupted in applause. *****The Wednesday Lunch Bunch dines at Robert’s this week and back at Novrozsky’s next.*****Last week, Donna Scales back from Hawaii, said she was quite a hit on the beach.*****Shirley Zimmerman made it to Oklahoma where she held and fed her new grandbaby.

20 Years Ago-2002

Dewey Cashwell Jr., former city manager of Shertz, TX, fills Orange city manager’s position left vacant by Chuck Pinto, who became manager at New Brunfels. (Editor’s note: Best I recall, I believe he turned out to be a dud.)*****Fred Brent becomes principal at Orangefield High School, Jacqueline Kyle, Junior High principal and Jami Lee is named Elementary principal.*****Orange County appoints Deborah “Debbie” Rawls to fill the auditor seat vacated by Todd Nixon. Rawls, 50, joined the auditor’s office in Jan. 1994 and worked her way up. *****Veda Tinsley, born in 1902, turns 100, the year before the Wright Brothers. She was 25 years old when Charles Lindbergh made his first Atlantic flight in 1927. The former teacher taught in East Texas, Little Cypress and at Hatton and Sims schools in Bridge City.*****Quarterback Johnny Unitas, one of the best to ever play the game, died Sept. 11, at age 69. He had passed for 40,239 yards, with 290 touchdowns and was a Pro-Bowler 10 times.*****Tim Montgomery set a world record in Paris for the 100 meters by clocking 9:78 seconds, breaking Maurice Green’s record of 9:79.*****Michael Johnson owns the 200 meters world record at 19:32.*****Americans wealthiest, Bill Gates, is only worth $43 billion. He has lost $20 billion since January 2000.*****Judge Martin Andoin, former Pct. 2, JP dies at age 99.*****Longtime friend Dick Manual, 79, died Sept. 14.*****Wayne Willey also died suddenly over the weekend.****Dr. Howard Williams turned 77 years old last week, Sept. 9. He still sees patients everyday. *****West Orange-Stark Mustang kicker Jason Shuman is the twin brother of pretty cheerleader Jaclyn Shuman.*****Mary and Casey Bryant drove to St. Louis to watch son Matt, the kicker for the New York Giants, in a game played against the Rams. Matt kicked four field goals and two extra points to beat the Rams 26-21. Matt scored over half of the game points.*****The Vernon Mathews, along with A.J. and Lois Judice, and Pookie and Debbie Roy drove to Dallas to watch Bridge City native Jason Mathews, with the NFL Titans, take on the Dallas Cowboys. Dallas won 21-13 but the Bridge City crew were proud of Jason, former Bridge City star.

45 Years Ago-1977

Big girls at Bridge City are Dena Addison, Miss Bridge City; Jan Mulhollan, Terry Medley and Cynthia Soileau, all beauty queens.*****The Bridge City police chief is Hank Eckhardt.*****Judge Grover Halliburton resubmits his name to the governor for judgeship of 260th District Court.*****W.T and Ann Oliver throw surprise birthday party for Phyllis Dunn. W.T. cooked black forest pork chops, exactly one-inch thick, basted with cherry brandy and baked with cherries and walnuts on top. Ann served up her special coffee to go along with June Bishop’s birthday cake. Eight different liqueurs from around the world were served. A birthday she will never forget.*****Dale Parish resigns as head of County Parks Department effective in four to six weeks.*****Orange County’s only Curtis Mathis TV outlet opens at the Morrow’s location on MacArthur Drive. Leland and Vivian Morrow are owners.*****Bobby Houseman had his car parked on a Port Arthur street when a drunk took dead aim at it and destroyed it.*****Former West Orange football star, Larry Spears, is a hard-hitting linebacker for West Texas State.*****David Jones, Bridge City quarterback, runs for a 44-yard TD in the second quarter of Bridge City’s 40-0 win over LC-M. Jones put on a one man show, rushing at will against the Bears.*****Orange Chamber announced that Robert Nelson, assistant manager, resigned to accept the general manager post at the North Channel chamber on Houston’s east side.*****Nine-year-old Tray Ewers is motocross racing champion. Bonnie and Larry are his parents.

A FEW HAPPENINGS

It was 3:00 a.m. when I started watching the Queen’s funeral procession travel through Scotland. I enjoyed seeing the countryside and all the small villages, even though the event was sad.*****I visited with Coach Les Johnson over the weekend. He tells me that Amy and Chad Hank’s son has made quite a name for himself as a high school football star.***** The sequins, gold, and black ties were on display Saturday night at the Orange County Expo Center as St. Mary School had its fundraising gala with the theme “Old Hollywood Magic.” Stephanie Do was the chair of the event and word is she outdid herself with the food and decorations. The Dominican nuns at the school spent some time at the blackjack table, but we haven’t learned whether luck was with the nuns. Attendees included Ambrose and Cindy Claybar with Cindy dressed in black with a fascinator headpiece,  Karl and Rosalie Eason, and Stump and Dayle Weatherford.*****Terri Childs celebrated a birthday with husband, Orange City Councilor Brad Childs, along with lots of friends at Tia Juanita’s. The group enjoying the festivities included Lucy Terry, Shari Rule, Mark and Janoise Grizzaffi, Brian and Shannon Halliburton, and Allisha Bonneaux. The Childs also went to Houston for a birthday weekend.*****Ron McAnnelley celebrated the big 5-0 with wife Becky. Anna Mobley marked another year, but isn’t showing it. Marquarius Ledet turned 25 last week, while Scott Hasty’s favorite girl, niece Elle, turned 9. She calls him P Star.*****Other birthdays included Cheri Burch, retired constable Mark Philpott, and Cindy Claybar. Collins Ruth Brittain had a Two-ti-Fruity for her second year with lots of friends, family, and balloons. It’s debatable who spoils Collins the most, Momma Sydney Brittain or grandparents Kevin and Angie Williams. *****Grandparents Day was on the weekend and schools across the state were celebrating. Some of our local grannies and pawpaws traveled out of town to make some school visits. Others got to stay closer to home. Kitty and Mike Mazzola made it to different schools for grandkids Maggie, Ella, Mia and Addy. They didn’t leave out little Michael and made it to soccer tots for him. Kenneth Wheeler, known as Poppy, had grandparents school breakfast with Nesey. *****The Bonnin family did Nashville during the weekend with Rita Bonnin Monson taking mom Della Gallien and Melany Marie Monson. They met up with Rita’s brother, Richard, who lives in the Houston area. Besides seeing lots of famous sites, they went to the Grand Ole Opry and saw Blake Shelton with a surprise appearance by Gwen Stephani. They also took a riverboat dinner cruise.*****Gov. Ann Richards was inaugurated as governor on January, 15, 1991. Nearly 10,000 of us Texans marched up Congress Avenue to the State Capital building to attend. Mary Beth Rogers was Ann’s campaign manager. Students at Texas Women’s University had designed and made Ann’s beautiful white suit she was wearing that day but at the last minute she had to be fitted for a bullet-proof vest, so the jacket had to be enlarged. Mary Beth has written a book about those years she was Ann’s chief of staff, called “Hope and Hard Truth.” I can’t wait to get the book. I’m not sure Senator Parker, who was so much a big player at the time, knows about the book. No Democrat has been elected governor since. Some believe change would be a breath of fresh air.

BREAUX BIRTHDAYS

A few folks we know who celebrate in the next few days. Sept. 14: Our longtime childhood friend, Faydra Thebeaux, who was named “Mother of the Year” when she had nine children in six years, (3 sets of twins) celebrates today. Also celebrating are Donna Barrera, Robin Woods, Lori Lista, Kim Norris, Janis Leyendecker and Nikki Wingate. Also a special Happy Birthday to Betty L. Nezat who turns 83 today.*****Sept. 15: Ethel Dunn is one of three Dunn women celebrating this week. We wish her a very Happy Birthday. Also celebrating is longtime friend Cathy Garretson, Lori Porter, Ken Rippy, Tara Smith, Shonna Hunt, Harold Tally and Jon Berry.*****Sept. 16: The monarch of the Dunn clan, Ms. Phyl, marks another birthday. Best wishes for many more healthy years. Also celebrating today are Mary Frazier, Lori Campbell, Landin New, Todd Estes, Mark Conner.***Happy Anniversary to Mel and Joey Campbell on 44 years of marriage.*****Sept. 17: Head of the Montagne clan, Darlene, celebrates today. She shares birthdays with Kevin Doucet, DeLana Huebel, Stacey Key, Lynda Stout, Chase Burch and Delana Huebel.*****Sept 18: Kelly Byrd, Debra Gauthier, Ben Ludwig, Mark Anderson, and Joy Evans.*****Sept. 19: Kemon Zeno, Kara Killmman, Leslie Sparks, Sue Plagens and longtime friend, lawman George Navarro.*****Sept. 20: Celebrating today are Jennifer Marion, Matt Carter, John Clark, Jan Thurman, Gary McAllister and Michael Wuske.

CAJUN STORY OF THE WEEK

Dats My Story and I’m Sticking To It

Clovis Thibodaux takes a day off from work him and decides to go golfing. On da second hole he notice a frog sitting on da green. Da fog say, “Rabbit 9 iron.” Dat surprise Thibodaux. He look around but don’t see nobody. He put his club up and grab a 9 iron him, to prove dat frog wrong. Boom, he hit’s a birdie. He is shocked. He say to dat frog. “You must be a lucky frog you.” Da frog say, “Ribbit lucky Frog.”

Thibodeaux bring dat frog to da next hole. Da frog say, “Ribbit 3 wood.” Thibodaux takes out a 3 wood and boom, a hole in one. By da end of da day Thibodaux had played his best game of golf in his life. “O.K., where to next?” he ax.

“Ribbit Las Vegas,” say da frog. Dem da go to Vegas. Thibodaux ax, “O.K. Frog, now what?” “Ribbit roulette,” say da frog. Upon approaching da roulette table Thibodeaux ax, “What should I bet?” “Ribbit $3,000, black 6,” say dat frog. A million to one odds but after the golf game Thibodeaux figure wat da heck.

Thibodeaux take his winings an buy the best room in da hotel. He sits da frog down and say, “Frog, I don’t know how to repay you, me.” Da frog reply, “Ribbit kiss me.” Thibodeaux figure, Wat da heck, after all da frog did for him, that’s da least he can do. All of a sudden dat frog turns into da most gorgeous 16-year-old girl in da world. “And dat you honor is how dat girl ended up in my room.”

C’EST TOUT

TIME MOVES ON-17 YEARS AGO

Seventeen years ago, on Sept. 24, 2005, Hurricane Rita came a calling. She brought a lot of wind and the most destruction of any storm I’ve even known. Besides the destruction of many structures, Rita took down a half million trees in Orange County. Water oaks and pine trees took the blunt. One hundred year old water oaks were uprooted and the pines were sheared at mid trunk. Because of Ike’s water damage we view it as a worse storm but Rita was brutal. Some of us had as many as three oaks crush our houses. Damage was everywhere. Seventeen years have gone by and meanwhile Ike came, making us seem to forget about Rita. During hurricane Rita few roads were passable, few homes were spared. So it was, as we get by that anniversary, we also improve the odds that we will not have a hurricane this year and that’s OK by me. Rita made Gary Stelly as famous as Richard Corder and KOGT.com was born.*****Well, time has caught up with me. This is all I can do. I’m a little surprised I got this far. Thanks for your time. Read us cover to cover and please shop our family of advertisers. Take care and God bless.