The Record Newspapers - Hometown News For Orange County, Texas

WHAT DOES THE FOURTH OF JULY MEAN TO US

Yesterday We Celebrated Our Independence

The year was 1776 when a brave band of men put together the ‘Declaration of Independence.’ The first few lines always affects me, “We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are endowed by their creator with certain unalienable rights, that among those are life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness.” As a child these were just words, but after living all these decades, I’ve learned to appreciate them. The presentation of these unalienable rights is the purpose of government said our founding fathers. This philosophy is reflected in our constitution, “We the people of the United States, in order to form a more perfect union, establish justice, ensure domestic tranquility, provide for the common defense, promote the general welfare and secure the blessing of liberty to ourselves and our posterity do ordain and establish the constitution of the United State of America.” Once again, freedom and liberty. Remember the stirring beginning of Abraham Lincoln’s Gettysburg address? “Four score and seven years ago, our fathers brought forth on this continent a new nation, conceived in liberty and dedicated to the position that all men are created equal.” Again liberty and freedom. Times have changed since I was a boy there seems to be so much hate and venom spewed daily on the internet, talk radio and far-right television. I believe they misunderstand what our founding fathers really meant.

TURNING BACK THE HANDS OF TIME

10 Years Ago-2013

A big celebration, “Born on the Bayou,” was held the Fourth of July evening at Bridge City. The Bridge City historical group presented fireworks, music, food and fun.*****Our deepest sympathies go out to the family of Chief Jerry Wimberly, who passed away June 27. Services were held at Claybar Funeral Home, Sunday, June 30. Jerry had fought the cancer battle but the odds were just too great to overcome. He stayed in good spirits until the end was in sight. Jerry liked being around friends and took every opportunity to do so. He was solid and any secret was always safe with him. As fire chief I remember the toy fire truck collection in his office. I was reminded of that when I saw the massive fire truck parked at the funeral home for Chief Jerry’s service. He and Ruby really enjoyed a long life together.***** Doug and Shelley Manning and their three children, Mason, Robert and Maya, just returned from Honduras. They had been there since June 21. Attending also were Dr. Nina Leifeste and Doug’s dad, Jerry. This was their second trip. While there Shelley worked with the children and held Bible school. Doug worked with others to build a house for a family using funds from Hope Coffee that began in 2009. Doug’s dad also helped build houses. *****The “Riders in the Sky” musical group will appear at the Lutcher Theater for one show on July 14 at 3 p.m.*****I’m looking forward to Randy Travis’ new single due out in the fall. The single is a tribute to George Jones, “Tonight I’m Playing Possum” written by Keith Gattis. I hear this might be another hit. Maybe Randy has his act together. He’s a great singer that went off the deep end. Also Erik Thorson and a couple of friends have written a song, “George Jones Jones” in George‘s honor. ***** Murder/suicide on McFadden Beach, where Eric Barragan, 32, of Bridge City, shot and killed his ex-girlfriend, Lauren Brack, 31 and Regino Antonio Maybit, 31, and then killed himself is another case that lately has been happening way too often. In recent months several murder/suicides have occurred, also way too many youngsters are being killed in auto accidents.*****Firefighters all over the country are mourning the deaths of 19 firemen who tried to gain control of a stubborn, swelling wildfire Sunday near Prescott, Arizona. Only one of the 20 member, highly trained, Hotshot team survived. They were killed when a windblown wildfire overcame them. Most of those brave young men were in their 20’s. The erratic winds, thunderstorms, with no rain, and shifting winds turned on them. The nation feels the pain of loss, but only a fireman understands what those young men must have gone through. It was heart breaking to see 19 white vans, carrying those 19 bodies, pass under arched ladders of fire trucks, on the way to the medical examiner’s office. A big American flag was in the background. President Obama hailed the fallen as heroes. Flags at fire stations around the country are at half-staff. The fires continue to burn in Arizona with no relief in sight.

44 Years Ago-1979

Saturday, July 7, the Harmon family of Orange opens the doors on their new building at 2611 MacArthur Drive. The Harmon family has been involved in transportation for more than 100 years and has been the Chevrolet dealer for 10 years. The building has 44,000 sq. feet, 24 service bays and a two-story, 9,000 sq. ft. parts storage area. Planning and engineering was done by Bill Hughes of Norstock Steel. The building was two years in development. The Harmons are Jackie, Corky, Don and Tommy and their dad Ovie. *****H.D., Sue and Penny return from their trip to Gatlinburg, Tenn.*****Mr. and Mrs. Willard Frank celebrate their 42nd anniversary on July 7. They married in 1937 at 7 p.m. and spent their honeymoon in room 1007. *****Jo Amodeo has worked for Orange County Abstract for several years. She is returning to Port Arthur Abstract where she previously worked for six years. On Aug. 1, she will be married to Ace 14 years.*****Frenchy Credeur, head mechanic at P.S. Tire, will race his Wild Man racing Ford at Chenault Air Force Base. He looks to capture the NHRA-sanctioned Louisiana state championship bracket series event.*****James “Bubba” Busceme returns to pro boxing and will fight Camillo Ibarra of Mexico on July 24 in a 10-round fight at the Beaumont Civic Center.*****Winning the fishing tournament for OCBC were Jimmy McKee, 21-1 pounds for first; Darwin Fowler, Kenny Hudson, Willis Stout, Leslie Holt, Kenny Linscomb and Carl Thibodeaux all weighed in with more than 10 pounds. Hudson snagged the largest fish, 4.10 pounds. *****John Martin wins the second fishing tournament ever in DERA history. Other winners were Troy Woodall, Willie Hayes, Jim Prewitt, Mac Guillory and Larry Schrode. *****Donna Summer has the No. 1 & 2 spots on the Billboard charts with “Bad Girls” and “Hot Stuff.” “Bad Girls” is also the top album.*****Waylon Jennings’ “Amanda” is No. 1 Country.*****A brand new 1979 Cadillac Coup Deville at Smith- Lee will set you back $9997 loaded. A ‘79 Olds Cutlass Supreme, new, loaded, $4997.*****The Texas Avenue Grocery specials: ground beef, 5 lbs. for $6; baby beef veal chops, $1.79 lb; Pabst Blue Ribbon beer, 6-pack, $2.99; Mrs. Tucker’s shortening, 42 oz., $1.19.

A FEW HAPPENINGS

On July 7, the City of Bridge City celebrates its 53rd birthday. Almost everyone who had anything to do with the city’s birth is now gone.*****We learned recently that Hunter Uzzle had given up coaching to enter the world of business. After watching 80 years of youngsters pursuing their dream in sports I never saw a youngster who was more dedicated and committed to being the best he could be. Hunter loved baseball and was a great example to all youngsters with his dedication and work ethic. It’s still hard to believe Hunter would leave it all behind. He had a great run.*****The sweltering temperatures have sent people off to cooling waters. Sometimes you don't even have to travel far. Linda Hanauer and Nancy Allison met up in Linda's backyard pool and sipped wine.*****In Bridge City, the kids were finally able to play in the water again after the city finished repairs at the popular splash pad.*****Local folks took off for the lake at Redneck Yacht Club at Toledo Bend. Those enjoying a holiday weekend with friends were Terri and Brad Childs, Janois and Mark Grizzaffi, Rhonda Ritter-Fenton and Mistie Layne. The women decked out in red, white, and blue swimsuits. Janois is retired from the Orange County Sheriff's office, but can still rock a patriotic bikini.*****Larry and Renee Fisher met up with daughter Halee in Atlanta and traveled to Ashville, North Carolina to see the sites which included a 1920s Donald Ross golf course. He also designed Sunset Grove Country Club in Orange back in the 1920s. They also visited the historic Biltmore Estate.*****Angel Mills and hubby took off for Fort Worth to see Tanya Tucker at Billy Bob's.*****Lori Westover Gall returned to Orange from her East Coast home and visited familiar sites, including the Orange Boating Club*****Pat and Patty Cook continue their 50th wedding anniversary road trip with a long stop to visit relatives in Nebraska. Their son drove up with a big mess of crawfish to treat the Midwesterners.*****Brandi Griggs took her two youngest on a cruise that included a stop in Costa Maya. Suzie and Frank Wallace were riding the Bolivar Ferry when Brandi and kids left Galveston harbor for the cruise and gave the cruisers a wave.*****Edie Burch and Jennifer Byrd visited the Woodlands and their adventures included riding in a push shopping buggy. Edie was hopping around this past week, especially when she went to Beaumont and did bungee cord exercises.*****People watching the U.S. Women's Open at Pebble Beach this weekend need to keep an eye out for the Santa Claus looking guy at the 13th hole. Orange native Woodrow Bishop is the 13th hole marshal captain for officiates at the tournament. Their uniforms are red shirts and he has a big white beard.*****Evan Manshack treated his grandparents, Cathy and Mike Manshack, to a home cooked breakfast. He got his cooking talents from Cathy.*****Judge Jim and Callie Bearden took off for a trip to Gulf Shores for a vacation.*****Orange Mayor Larry Spears reports he's tired of the hot weather and is ready to put out fall decorations and declare pumpkin spice for the Fruit City flavor. Don't think his plan to change the seasons early is scientific, but it gives hope. Only three more months to Orangetober Fest.*****Birthdays this past week are bittersweet. Pete Runnels would have turned 80, but left this work before he could celebrate. The former county judge and Pinehurst mayor will long be remembered here.*****The Record's former editor, Dave Rogers, had another birthday as did former reporter David Ball.*****Carolyn Curran had a landmark birthday, but isn't showing her age.*****Becky Henry had a birthday lunch at Bluebird Fish Camp, while Katie Futch Swope was honored with a big 65th birthday party.*****Others with birthdays included Cheryl Bradford, Jon T. Harmon, Leigha Barron, Chuck Knipp, Chance Henson, Kent Miller, Morgan Young, Wanda Johnson, and Christopher Griffin Jr.*****Paul Dickerson also celebrated a birthday and an expansion. The owner of downtown's Orange Stationer is growing his territory through the region.*****Friends Sue and Tommy Simar made contact over the weekend. Sue is hanging in there and Tommy, like the rest of us, is just standing his ground, trying not to fall.*****Ellis Breaux, no kin unless she’s Uncle Sostan’s granddaughter, was named Miss Texas Saturday in Richardson. Some reports say she is not Cajun at all.*****Our friend Phillip Welch loaded up the family and headed out to a dude ranch in Bandera. He says he’s leaving the riding to the younger folks and will ride in the chuck wagon.*****Political races are just around the corner. Candidates are starting to approach the starting gates. Some old hands like County Tax Assessor Karen Fisher won’t be seeking re-election. What a loss. Karen is a people friendly person who is doing a great job. Another good one, County Attorney John Kimbrough, after all these years, will be hanging up his spurs. Judge Troy Johnson is also ready to go to the house. From all reports Troy has been and is a good judge. I understand Sheriff Mooney is announcing this week that he is running for re-election. Stay tuned to the Record Newspapers for all the latest political news.

BREAUX BIRTHDAYS THIS WEEK

A few folks we know celebrating birthdays in the coming week. July 5: Dr. Rod Fisette celebrates alson with Shane Hanks, Susie Bickham, Charlotte Pruter, Billy Boehme and Debbie Moreau.*****July 6: Former president George W. Bush turns 77. Lori Winstead, Makayla Peveto, Tom Arnold and Arnold Myers celebrate.*****July 7: Happy Birthday to Donna Peterson, Alyson Nickum-Smith, Necey Mumbach, and Jason Barclay.*****July 8: Lynda Barulich, Margie Bean, Amber Seiler, Anita Hennigan and Elizabeth Dupuis celebrate.*****July 9: Teri Chaffin, Kayla Gallegos, Laverne Joseph, Liz Barclay, Glenda Whitley, Patrick Halliburton and Steve Stanley have birthdays today.*****July 10: Happy Birthday to Theresa Fukuda, Edyn Patterson, Kathy Fraccastoro and Donna Riley.*****July 11: Kathy Lynd, Michael Brinson, Miranda Welker, Charlotte Stout, Cleon Hogan and Lana Griffith are all a year older today.*****(Note: To publish birthdays or anniversaries free of charge contact The Record at 409-886-7183 or therecordlive.com.)

QUOTE OF THE WEEK

Quote of the week comes from Texas Monthly’s Texanist. He says Texans have been telling untruths for the sport of it for a long time, going back to Mody Boatright and his friend J. Frank Dobie. “Quote: “Bull-shitting, after all, is our birthright and that’s no lie!”

CAJUN STORY OF THE WEEK

One day, “Tee Man” Breaux was riding da Grayhound bus from Abbeville to Lafayette wen da bus stopped in Maurice. Mary Ann Marceaux and her baby climb on da bus. Da bus driver, “Grumpy” Primeaux, look at dat baby and he say, “Keyaw,” Dats da ugliest baby I ever saw me.”

Mary Ann her, goes to da back of da bus and sits in da seat across from “Tee-Man” and she start crying.

“Tee-Man” unaware of wat had transpired, axe Mary Ann, “Wats da matter hanh?”

She says, “Dat mean old bus driver insult me so bad. I don’t know wat to do me.”

“Tee-Man” says, “Well, I’ll tell you wat to do, you go up dere and give dat old man a piece of you mind. In fact, while you go up dere, I’ll be happy to watch you puppy me.”

C’EST TOUT

Famous Texas TV anchors. In the past 70 years Texas has produced four famous TV network journalist. Walter Cronkite attended high school in Houston and attended the University of Texas. His papers and documents are on display there. Dan Rather’s name is on the Mass Communication building at Sam Houston State. Bob Schiefer is the namesake of TCU School of Journalism in Fort Worth. Scott Pelly, CBS present anchor, was born in San Antonio. At age three, his family moved to Lubbock where he attended high school and Texas Tech. These four Texans also have the CBS connection in common, where they all showed the world their Texas talent.*****I’ve gotta go. Please read us cover to cover, shop our family of advertisers when you can. Thanks for your time, mine is up. Take care and God bless.