SUNDAY WE HONOR OUR FATHERS
Even though my own father has long departed, crossed over to a place that awaits us all, I still hold some fond memories made a longtime ago. That said, I have found myself blessed through the years to have known and been befriended by salt of the earth men who either took me under their wing or looked out for my best interest, some older, some my age and others younger. Most are dads to their own children yet we have a brotherhood that bonds us. We know it without saying. It’s father-like, looking out for our flock. The special men we consider as having our back, who you know will always be there. You don’t wonder where they stand, you know. I’ve shared many throughout the years. On this Father’s Day, I’ll give thanks for being so blessed as to have a handful of special guys to ride down this journey with. They know who they are and they know where I stand when it’s time to saddle up. It goes without saying that’s my thanks this Father’s Day. I hope your life is so blessed, not only as a dad but also sharing those special father-like friendships. Thanks to all my offspring, 17 in all, who call me Dad or Poppa.
TRUMP ARRAIGNED ON FELONY CHARGES
Donald Trump became the first former president to face a judge on federal charges as he pleaded not guilty in a Miami courtroom Tuesday to dozens of felony counts that he hoarded classified documents and refused government demands to give them back. The history-making arraignment, centering on charges that Trump mishandled government secrets that as commander-in-chief he was entrusted to protect. He put our national security at risk. A federal grand jury in Washington had heard testimony for months in the documents case, but the Justice Department filed it in Florida, where Trump’s Mar-a-Lago resort is located and where many of the alleged acts of obstruction occurred. The case has been assigned to a District Court judge he appointed, Aileen Cannon, who ruled in his favor last year in a dispute over whether an outside special master could be appointed to review the seized classified documents. A federal appeals panel ultimately overturned her ruling. The Justice Department unsealed Friday an indictment charging Trump with 37 felony counts, 31 relating to the willful retention of national defense information. Other charges include conspiracy to commit obstruction and false statements. Trump intentionally retained hundreds of classified documents that he took with him from the White House to Mar-a-Lago after leaving office in January 2021. The material included material on nuclear programs, defense and weapons capabilities of the U.S. and foreign governments and a Pentagon “attack plan,” Beyond that, prosecutors say, he sought to obstruct government efforts to recover the documents, including by directing personal aide Walt Nauta, who was charged alongside Trump, to move boxes to conceal them and also suggesting to his own lawyer that he hide or destroy documents sought by a Justice Department subpoena. Can you believe this, Nauta did not enter a plea because he does not have an attorney. Trumps problems are just starting, he has Georgia and Jan. 6 ahead. Donald Trump turns 77-years-old today, June 14.
TURNING BACK THE HANDS OF TIME
10 Years Ago-2013
What a few natives are up to: Dist. Judge Buddie Hahn‘s wife, Carol, just returned from an 18 day trip to Morocco. She traveled with the Oats group who arranged for 15 travelers to experience Morocco first hand. Carol spent a night in a luxurious tent in the Sahara Desert and even rode a camel. That was horrifying she says. The Judge enjoyed 18 days of batching. *****Dist. Judge Dennis Powell and Connie just returned from a short romantic get away to a Louisiana plantation bed and breakfast. They won‘t celebrate their 32nd anniversary until October but to stay in good graces the Judge treats wife Connie to special little trips.*****Meanwhile, Judge Troy Johnson and his court-coordination, Dianna Edwards, share June wedding anniversaries. Stephen and Dianna celebrated 17 years last week, June 7. Judge Johnson and Veronica will celebrate 25 years on June 18. ****Jerry Wimberly was back in hospital last week. *****Our friend Don Harmon has completed his treatments for now and is working on getting his strength back. *****The Wednesday Lunch Bunch had a great gathering at Robert‘s last week. A large bunch showed up and everyone enjoyed Donna Scales’ famous Almond Joy cake. A lot of fellowship. Judge Thibodeaux drew the lucky chair.*****Lyndia and T.W. Permenter celebrated their only great grandchild Rafi Latiolais’ second birthday on Monday, June 10. ***June 17 is a special day for one of our special people, Mary Alice Cole Hartfield, .*****Caleb Kellogg, who played baseball this season at the University of Louisiana at Lafayette, was drafted in the 17th round by the Baltimore Orioles. He is a teammate of Matt Hicks. Area fans will remember Caleb when he played his junior year at Bridge City where he and Matt were teammates. He earned All District and was ranked the 30th Best Player in Texas. He moved back to DeQuincy where he finished 9-1 on the mound, with a .407 batting average and was First Team All Stater in football. He had 44 receptions for 972 yards and 15 touchdowns.
17 Years Ago-2006
The Bridge City Cardinal baseball team ended a 33-6 season in the UIL conference 3A state baseball tournament in the semi-final round against Texarkana Liberty.- Eylan, 7-3. The Cardinals claimed the Region III championship for a second straight year. The loss to Texarkana came on the 16th birthday of sophomore catcher, Casey Jackson. Junior, Johnny Dishon, was a two-time veteran of the state championship tournament. Senior, A.J. Hecker, was trying to decide if he would play baseball for Lamar or be a place kicker for Stephen F. Austin. Cody Sparks is headed to Tulane to be a Division I defensive end. Pitcher, Broc Haymon, will join former teammates Derek Blacksher and Hunter Hayes at McNeese. Ace pitcher, Kevin Angelle, called a “Phenomenon” is weighing a pro contract with the Texas Rangers or accept a full ride at Texas A&M. In his senior year he struck out 169 batters. Phillip Meeks and Jeff Stringer relieved Angelle in the Texarkana loss. Coach Bryant, in his third year at Bridge City has a 93-17 record and two trips to Round Rock state championship games.*****Bridge City Police Chief Steve Faircloth has overcome many difficulties but losing his wife Dorothy, age 55, on June 8, is the hardest blow yet. Services were held June 12. *****Father Jim McClintock, pastor at St. Henry Catholic Church, celebrates 20 years in the priesthood. He was ordained at St. Anthony, in Beaumont. A reception was held June 11 at St. Henry’s Activities Building. *****Services were held June 4 for James A. “Jim” Stelly, 79, at Claybar Funeral Home. Officiating was the Rev. Larry David, Deacon. Stelly had a long history of community service in Orange County.*****Thomas “Tommy” Broussard, 89, died June 9. A resident of Orangefield, he was an oilfield pumper for Cormier Well Service most of his life.
47 Years Ago-1976
Carl Parker is elected state senator over Chester Slay. *****Ed Parker elected sheriff over Sheriff Buck Patillo.*****Arthur Simpson elected county commissioner of Precinct 1.*****The H.D. Pates are touring the Big Bend country.*****John Martin elected Lion’s Club president.*****Roy, Phyllis and Karen Dunn are attending the Rotary International convention in New Orleans this week. They went a week early. Dennis Hall presented Roy with a new, hand engraved smoking pipe for the trip. *****Ralph Smith, Paul Eason and Tim Lieby went deep sea fishing last week. They caught a lot of fish, also bad sunburn and enough seasickness to last them all year. *****New Boilermaker’s Hall dedication and ribbon cutting held. Officers present were Dewey “Teddy Bear” Cox, business manager; B.E. Herford, president of Local 587; Harold Bowie, International president. *****The Bridge City and Orangefield communities to build center as Bi-centennial project. Estimated cost is $400,000. W.T. Oliver is campaign chairman; captains are Paul Cormier, Jimmy Hanson, Ralph Smith, Alvin Keown, Bernis Bobbit and Faye Linscomb. Officers of the non-profit organization are Bobby Smitherman, president; Cormier, vice-president; and Sandy Parkhurst, secretary. Roy Dunn is publicity chairman.*****Sharon Bearden has issued an in-office memo stating that none of the secretaries will be allowed to write a book about office happenings.*****The Triangle Savings and Loan of Bridge City holds ground breaking. Roy Ingram is the new manager.
A FEW HAPPENINGS
Last Wednesday Jane and Derry Dunn arrived in New York right in the thick of the Canadian forest fire smoke. Ten-million acres of burning smoke covered the eastern United States. Derry said from the plane coming in nothing was visible. The Dunn’s returned Sunday and Derry is attending a school board member conference in San Antonia this week.*****High Tides closes. Wesley and Rhonda Dishon, owners of High Tides, on Cow Bayou, have sold the property to Chevron Phillips. The highway expansion prevented the restaurant from operating. I hear they got a nice sum for the land and are looking to relocate on the water. Good for them.***** Orange County is celebrating setting another attendance record for the Bassmasters Elite fishing tournament. The Bassmasters organization announced the OC tournament and river festival had 42,000 people attend during four days. We beat our previous record of 40,000.*****Dr. Tom Johnson and Lamar State College Orange hosted the June breakfast connection for the Greater Orange Chamber of Commerce. The dapper college president had on a light green shirt, but no bow tie. Of course Ida Schossow from the chamber was there, along with ambassador and photographer Kimberly Manning. Leigh Anne Harrell, city of Orange events planner, spoke and told of upcoming events. Of course the biggest upcoming event for her is the birth of her first child, a daughter. Denisha LaFleur was spotted in the crowd along with Paul Dickerson, Mary McKenna, and Meritta Kennedy.*****As the temperatures soared into the 90s this past week, Edie Burch and Richard Teague took their kids to a cool place, the mountains of West Virginia. They even needed sweatshirts.*****Leah Guillote-Stark was traveling through the American West with stops at the Grand Canyon and Grand Teton National Park.*****Scott and April Goodman found a relaxing time in Isla Mujeres, Mexico.*****Steve and Gail Maddox toured DC with grandson Kase. Steve brags they legally got to see the White House.*****Beth and Kenneth Wheeler are traveling in Scotland, with Beth even trying haggis. She compared it to boudain, which is a great description and will people not afraid to try the oatmeal and meat-filled sausage.*****Bridget Trawhaon met up with cousins in Charleston, South Carolina.*****Angelique Catt got her lifetime trip to visit the archeological site of Pompeii, destroyed by Mount Vesuvius in A.D. 70. It was part of her tour of Italy with husband Michael Catt. They have been traveling for their 25th anniversary together. Unfortunately, Michael learned the hard way about the old adage of only eating oysters in months with the letter ‘y.’*****Lucy Terry continued dancing, cooking, and eating her way across Italy in a separate tour from the Catts. Her tour included Karen and Karl Wickham of Orange. Can’t wait to see what new items Lucy’s Cafe will have after she returns.*****All five of the Singleton siblings who grew up in Orange got together for a family wedding. Sherry Singleton Windham Carter still lives here. She posed for a photo with brother, Leo Singleton, and sisters Terri Ross, Gail Corder, and Annette Quimby.*****Dow Chemical held its annual barbecue cookoff fundraiser with 20 teams competing in the beef, pork, and chicken categories. Judges included Rodney Townsend, Paul Burch, Rita Monson, and Gary Stelly. Haven’t heard how many antacids they needed that night.*****Linda and Keith Cloessner celebrated their 51st birthday and Linda, who owns the Garden District restaurant and catering service, didn’t have to cook. They went to the Monument Inn for a quiet meal together.***** Patricia Kemp and husband marked anniversary No. 57.*****Myra and Alan Sanders have now been married 46 years. They’ve been living in Galveston, but their roots are deep in Orange.*****Birthdays the past week included Orange City Councilor Paul Burch. He and husband, Raul traveled this weekend to help his longtime friend Brooke Lemley Doss hold a garage sale. Brooke also had a birthday. Paul did Brooke’s and her mother, Susan Tiger, hair for years.***Adam Caillavet turned 40 and Marsi Jo Simar had her 39th. Also celebrating was Dorothy Mazier.***On June 18, Country singer Blake Shelton and former Beatle Paul McCartney share birthdays. Blake, 47; Paul, 81.*****New in Bridge City. Hop Avenue Brewing Company, 75 Ferry Drive, co-owned by Bill Mungai and Donny Delatte, offers great food, family atmosphere and an on the spot brewery. Give them a try.
BREAUX BIRTHDAYS
Birthdays celebrated in the next few days. June 14: Today is Flag Day. Former Bridge City mayor Bobbie Burgess, Carley Swenson, Brandon Duhon and Brandy Aldridge celebrate. It is also the 77th birthday of former president Donald Trump. *****June 15: A special Happy Birthday to our “Girl Friday” Janelle Sehon. Also celebrating are Adam Dupuis, David Cardner, Charlie Burnaman, Ryan Richard, Tina Romero and Sharon Fisher.*****June 16: Charlotte Potter, Beverly Perry, Jennifer Harrison, Ruby Bell and Alex Brent celebrate today.*****June 17: Delmi Roy, Justin Johnson, Andrew Riedel, Belinda Welch and a special shout out to our special friend Alice Cole-Hartsfield.*****June 18: Brandy Slaughter, Janice Babin, Krystal Leonard, Amber King all have birthdays on this date.*****June 19: Celebrating are Taylor Landry, Christie Kasko, Shelby Permenter, Chelsie Moerbe, Cortnie Moerbe, Marianne Choate.*****June 20: Trish Williams, Cindy Overman, Keith Kay, Justin Roberts, Debbie Johansson, Lynda Phillips are all a year older.*****June 21: Happy Birthday to Shelly Arceneaux, Jane Johnson, Tyler Bailey, Dustin Hartsfield, Sarah Claybar, Sharon Wright, Wesley Darbonne and David Dubose.
CAJUN STORY OF THE WEEK
Mary Margaret Thibodeaux, a nice, calm, very respectable lady went into Landry’s Drug Store and axe
for Mr. Landry, da pharmacist. She look him straight in his eyes and said, “I would like to buy some cyanide
me.”
Landry axe, “Why in da world, Ms. Thibodaux, you
need cyanide, hanh?”
“I need to poison my husband Joe, me, ” said Mary
Margaret.
Da pharmacist’s eye got big, big and he said, “Lord, Lord, Ms. Thibodaux, have mercy.” “I can’t give you no
cyanide to kill you husband, dat’s against da law, dey
would trow both of us in jail and me, I’ll lose my license.” “I can’t let you have no cyanide.”
Mrs. Thibodeaux reach into her purse and pull out a picture wat show her husband in bed with Agnes, da
pharmacist Landry’s wife.
Landry him, he look at dat picture a long time him, den he turn to Mrs. Thibodeaux, “Well, now dats different, you didn’t told me you had a prescription.”
C’EST TOUT
Wednesday Lunch Bunch—Roberts 12 noon
I’m looking forward to being with my friends at The Lunch Bunch gathering this Wednesday. It has been a couple of years since I have been out of the cage and seen any of them. I’m sure, like me, they have changed. At least two years older. I’m sure the ladies are just as pretty, many of the men are now wearing beards and a few who were with us two or three years ago are now gone. I have belonged to civic and service groups but The Lunch Bunch is different than all of them. For the most part, it’s fellowshipping with friendly people who mostly share the same interest worldwide. Everyone is welcome, no dues, come as often as you want. A sure thing is that every time you attend you will learn something new from the folks who have their ear to the ground. Y’all come.*****Thanks for your time; mine is up. Take care and God bless.
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