The Record Newspapers - Hometown News For Orange County, Texas

WHY THANKSGIVING IS SPECIAL

Most adults today remember Thanksgiving as a fun day, plenty of food, turkey, ham, cornbread dressing, cranberries and great deserts. The youngsters, when the weather was good, enjoyed games outdoors with their cousins. The men watched Turkey Day football, while the women cleaned up, chatted and told of new recipes. In our home for 18 years or so, while the children were growing up, we attended the A&M/Texas Thanksgiving Day game, one year at Kyle Field, the next at Memorial, so until the last 30 years, we didn’t do the turkey bit. We’ve made it a fun day since. I got to thinking about the folks who started this tradition. The very first Thanksgiving was held in 1621. For three days in the fall the new world settlers from England, here less than a year, joined native Wampanoag Indians to celebrate a successful harvest. By then the original Mayflower’s 102 passengers had diminished by half after a toll-taking first year of sickness. The Pilgrims, feasting together, played games and held shooting contest. Over 200 years later, in 1863, President Abraham Lincoln proclaimed Thanksgiving a national holiday to be held on the last Thursday every November. In 1939 however, to boost holiday shopping during the Depression, President Franklin D. Roosevelt moved it up from November 30 to November 23. Not every state went along with that so in 1941 congress declared it to be held on the fourth Thursday of November, not necessarily the final Thursday. Lincoln designated it a national holiday 160 years ago and 82 years ago it was settled. Thanksgiving will be and has been every fourth Thursday and I’ve been here for all of them. In those early years we didn’t have turkey and expensive ham, maybe a wild rabbit, a big chicken and sweet potatoes, cooked on a wood stove. As a nation we’ve come a long way since that 1941 Thanksgiving. It’s not just a chicken in every pot; it’s a great expensive meal with family and friends. That’s a good thing but along the way we became somewhat complacent, non appreciative and taking the good times for granted. Those 51 Englishmen and those Indians could only dream, we live the dream everyday and take little time to be thankful. On this Thanksgiving take a moment to be thankful, not only for your bounty but also for those whose sacrifice gives us this free, great nation.*****I’ve got to move on. Please come along, I promise it won’t do you no harm.

SERVICES HELD FOR ROSALYNN CARTER

Former first lady Rosalynn Carter, the closest adviser to Jimmy Carter during his one term as U.S. president and their four decades thereafter as global humanitarians, has died Nov. 19, 2023, at the age of 96, with her family by her side at her rural Georgia home of Plains. “Rosalynn was my equal partner in everything I ever accomplished,” Carter said. Reaction from world leaders poured in throughout the day. The Carters were married for more than 77 years, forging what they both described as a “full partnership.” “Rosalynn is my best friend…the perfect extension of me, probably the most influential person in my life,” Jimmy Carter told aides during their White House years, which spanned from 1977-1981. Eleanor Rosalynn Smith was born in Plains on Aug. 18, 1927, the eldest of four children. After a blind date, Jimmy told his mother: “That’s the girl I want to marry.” They wed in 1946, shortly after his graduation from Annapolis and Rosalynn’s graduation from Georgia Southwestern College. Once when visiting our area she was photographed by Mark Dunn, Record News, of Flo Edgerly, who was representing Labor Unions, presenting flowers to Mrs. Carter.

TURNING BACK THE HANDS OF TIME

10 Years Ago-2013

State Senator Robert Nicholes came to Orange for a couple of functions Tuesday. One was to honor Pearl Burgess, 93, with a Senate Proclamation. It was a total surprise to her. She had been lured to Judge Courtney Arkeen’s courtroom on false pretences. County Commissioner, Judge Pro-tem David Dubose presented a Judges Proclamation in the absence of Judge Carl Thibodaux. West Orange Mayor Roy MacDonald spoke of Pearl’s church work as a Sunday school teacher and student. Roy Dunn handled the M.C. duties. Judge Arkeen was a gracious hostess and her staff is to be complimented. Donna Scales, Shirley Zimmerman and Christy Kourey prepared the sweets. Besides Ms. Pearl’s friends and dignitaries, two of Pearl’s lovely daughters Juanita, from Houston and Beverly, with husband Jody Raymer, attended. Judge Buddie Hahn, who has been sitting in on a three-week trial, visited his 95 year old mother at the Sabine House but returned in time to catch Ms. Pearl’s festivities and meet his new senator. It was a fun time. (Pearl passed away in May 31, 2017.)

22 Years Ago-2001

Saturday, Nov. 24, the Bridge City Cardinals advance to regional playoffs against the Sweeny Bulldogs, in Pasadena. The Bulldogs have been to 10 straight playoffs, 16 times since 1982. The Cards have held seven opponents under 100 yards. Bridge City is 9-2, Sweeny, 8-3. The Cards shut out five opponents, three in district play. They beat Liberty 34-14 in the first round, and are returning to the quarterfinals for the second consecutive season. A win over Sweeny will send B.C. to the state semi-finals; farther than they have gone since Big Red won the state championship in 1966. Bridge City is led by junior Jamey Knight, quarterback, defensive back and extra point kicker. In the Liberty game Knight completed eight of nine passes and intercepted two Liberty passes. His sidekick Luke Wolfford returned a punt 83 yards for a touchdown. He scored three touchdowns. Wolfford, a senior, also led the district in interceptions. Luther Sanders caught five Knight passes for 109 yards and one touchdown. (Editor’s note: This was a bad, tough bunch of Cardinals and most were junior and sophomores.)

A FEW HAPPENINGS

On Monday afternoon the Dunn’s, Phyl and Roy, greeted their Thanksgiving guest, Clay and Amber-Dunn Greeson, and their three boys, Luke, age 7, Liam, age 5 and Rowan, age 3, who flew in from Florida. Mark and Ethel Dunn also are in town for the Thanksgiving holiday. They arrived just in time to celebrate Allen Dunn’s birthday. A large family gathering is planned to celebrate the get-together.***** Thanksgiving is here and it becomes a rush through the Christmas season with all kinds of community events across Orange County. One of the biggest attractions is the lighted strolls through Shangri La Gardens. The gardens are lit in thousands and thousands of lights and Christmas decorations that amaze all ages. The free strolls will be December 5-22 on Tuesdays through Saturdays from 6 to 9 p.m. The first week will be Family Holiday PJ Week with families invited to wear the festive seasonal pajamas. Then comes Ugly Christmas Sweater Week, and then Crazy Christmas Hat Week. It's a fun time for everyone. Shangri La is one of the Stark Cultural Venues, which will have numerous holiday special events. And they know how to celebrate. Last week, foundation President and CEO Tad McKee dressed in an inflatable turkey costume to personally give a ham to every foundation employee. The foundation knows to keep business local and purchased the hams from Danny's.*****A longtime annual event has been the Mauriceville Heritage Association's Senior Citizen Christmas Dinner with food, gifts, and fellowship. This year's will be Saturday, December 2, at 5 p.m. at Mauriceville Elementary School. The Heritage Association's tree lighting and holiday vendor shopping experience will be November 30 from 5 to 9 p.m. at the Mauriceville Community Center.*****The El Mina Shriners held a Gala and Sportsman Raffle at the OC Expo Center this past weekend. Seen in the crowd were Kenny Weaver, Mike and Tiffany Sanchez, Debie Warner, and Stephanie Roberts.*****Congratulations to Greg Willis on his retirement from the West Orange-Cove school district. He's been at the district for 37 years with a long time serving as director of maintenance, an important behind-the-scenes job that keeps the schools running.*****Atlanta Falcon football player Lacolby Tucker stopped by the Orange County Clerk's office last week for some business. The native of Sulphur, Louisiana, is 6-feet-9-inches tall. We haven't heard if County Clerk Brandy Robertson had him get some things off those high shelves. Spencer Day made sure she got 12 autographs, which he graciously gave.*****Debbie Hughes attended her first college football game this past Saturday with daughter Dr. Kayla Cheek, who is an Aggie grad and veterinarian.*****Mindy and Robert Currie traveled all the way to Tallahassee, Florida, to see Robert's favorite Florida State play. The trip was an anniversary present.*****Caroline and Mike Hennigan proudly attended the wedding of their daughter,  Allison, to Danny Estes. Mike made 12 gallons of gumbo for the after-ceremony party.*****Rray and Diztorsha  Lavan came back home for the Class of 1978 WO-Stark reunion.  Russell Bottley was there and Ishmael Jack was putting on the dance moves.*****Janois Grizzaffie and Rhonda Ritter-Fenton spent the weekend in New Orleans and of course had to take in some Boubon Street bars.*****Teenagers Annabelle Claybar and Paige McKee volunteered at the Pinehurst Animal Shelter to help Lacey Gunn Hale take photos of the dogs up for adoption. For the past few months, Lacey, a retired teacher and part of the Gunn family photography legacy, has been donating her time to posing shelter dogs for cute pictures that have encouraged more of the pups to find homes.*****Sherry Hommel had a alligator sighting in her backyard.*****Barbara Dardeau traveled to the Woodlands to meet up with longtime friends Denise St. Pierre and Kate Dean, former Orange residents.*****Roderick and Brandy Robertson went to Beaumont to see the Flava band. Other locals in the crowd included Jacoby Edwards, Kiara Foreman, Jesse Lee, and Ron Rocio.*****Birthday greetings to Leslye Bridgers, who turned 91. Others who have been celebrating another trip around the sun include Angie Williams, Monica McCoy, Jaycelyn Duval, Connie Ray, Reid Dallas, Phillip Smith, Rachael Raymer, Jimmy Lestage, Pam Cheek, Suzanne Magee, Bob Miller, John Goss, Vicki Siau Bingham, John Goss, Brandy Bonnin, Melanie Claybar, Tim Talbert, Ray Lavan, and Wesley Thompson.*****Anniversaries this past week included Robert and Betty Smith Vail, Lawrence and Iva Kay Odom, Henry and Ann Pruter Seals, and Kristian and Alley Fontenot.*** Angie and Don Breaux celebrate another anniversary.

BIRTHDAYS THIS WEEK

A few friends celebrating birthdays in the next few days. Nov. 22; This is the date JFK was killed in 1963. Celebrating birthdays are Judge Rodney Price, Butch Campbell, Jason LeLeux, Cecil Broom, Larry, Bridges, Misty Moody, Barbara Trahan, Belinda Thibodeaux, Jackie Roberts, Carolyn Hagen. The late H.D. Pate celebrated on this day, *****Nov. 23:: THANKSGIVING DAY….. Heather Colleen McKinny isn't that old, only 57. She will have a Thanksgiving birthday, as will the Record's Dan Perrine, John-Charles Newcomer, Haylie Belcher, J.O. McCune, Ann Caples, Rodney Petty, Scott Mackey.*****Nov. 24: Kim Hubbard, Debbie Hughes, Steven James,  Cindy McLaughlin, Dae Leigh Sandlin, Thomas Hutchison, Jeff Hollis, Candace Todora, Jessica Stark, Justin McCarthy, James Crocker,*****Nov. 25: Judge Courtney Burch Arkeen, Joel Gilbert, Rebecca McLemore, Sherry Hickman, Serena Simonton, Vivienne Mathews, Amber Permar, Christie Smith, Sherry Hommel, Kelly Stanley, Michael Chapman.*****Nov. 26: Eric Andrus, John Kimbrough, Holly McKinley, Christi Nelson, Mason Grizzaffi, Shelly Hollier, Taryn Hubbard, Katie Deal, Wanda Monogue, Colby Daville, Dana Bryant, Emily Fischer, Jessica Harkness.***** Nov. 27: Sharon Gregory, Betty Simonton, Mark Bourgeois, Melissa Fisher, James “ Red” Powell, Nick Miller, Bobby Adams, Tena Kenney, Abby Floyd. Comdu Juckabay, Don North, Mildred Frank, Georgietta Daves.*****Nov. 28: Penny Thompson, David Fusilier, Russell Dillow, Andrea Tupper, Bette Smith, Haley Barlow, Lynda Walther, Preston Shuford, Tiffany Osborn, Cassandra Carpenter, Drew Craft, Melissa Jenkins.

CAJUN STORY OF THE WEEK

George Boudreaux and his wife, Thelma Lou, was preparing for bed dem wen she say, “George, you left da light on in da garden shed.”

George him he open da back door to go turn it off wen he spot some mens in da shed stealing his tings. He pick up da phone him and call da police, “Hello, dis is Boudreaux and some mens are in my shed, come quick.”

Da police him he axe, “Is dem mens in you house?”

“Mais no,” Boudeaux answer. “In da shed.”

“Well den,” say da policeman, “All patrols are busy dem, so Boudreaux, jus lock you door and an officer will come by wen

he’s available.”

Ok,” say George, and he hung up and counted to 30 and he phone da police again. “Hello, dis is Boudreaux, I jus call you a few seconds ago bout dem mens in my shed, well, you don’t have to worry bout dem cause I jus shot dem all me,” den he hung up.

Boy, in tree or two minutes, four police cars and one ambulance wit sirens blaring and lights flashing come to a screeching halt at Boudreaux’s house. Da police caught all dem burglars red handed dem.

One policeman came up to George and axe, “Mr. Boudreaux, I tought you said dat you had shot demall?”

“Dat’s right said Boudreaux, but I thought me dat you said dere was no police available, hanh?”

C’EST TOUT

COURSE OF HISTORY CHANGED 60 YEARS AGO

We can all speculate at how the assassination of President John F. Kennedy, November. 22, 1963, changed the course of history but that’s not reality. History is real. It happened. You can’t alter it. True steps of history, big and small, are cast for the hereafter. We’re all free to think about what might have been if certain events wouldn’t have occurred. At the time of his death President Kennedy’s popularity was wobbling, just a fraction of the tremendous popularity that came five minutes after his death and since. The first three years of his presidency weren’t a great success. The “Bay of Pigs” invasion of Cuba was a disaster. His popularity bounced back some when he backed Russia down on the “Cuban Missal Crisis.” Those Russian ships making a U-turn made Kennedy a hero. What the American people didn’t know was that a deal had been cut for the U.S. to remove missals from Turkey. Russia might have backed down anyway but without the Turkey deal who knows. Personally, I believe his greatest accomplishment was one he didn’t live to see, the space program, on the moon in one decade. Many have speculated that Kennedy would drop Vice-President Lyndon Johnson in a run for a second term. I don’t buy into that. LBJ helped elect him and Kennedy would need Texas if he hoped to get re-elected. I believe he would have gotten a second term. LBJ would never have been elected on his own. Liberals like to claim JFK but he was more centered, leaning to conservatism. He was strong on tax cuts. He believed in a strong military and built it up even more than President Ike had. Kennedy drug his feet on the Civil Rights Act. He had promised it but he was reluctant to implement it. His death in Dallas came as no surprise to the FBI. They suspected an attempt might happen in Dallas. The city was home to some billionaire haters, ultra conservative segregationist, including H.L. Hunt. They wanted to stop the Civil Rights Act at any cost. They preferred LBJ, who openly used the “N” word and “Black Boys” was a favorite saying of his. Well, after Lyndon became president he threw those known as the “Superpatriots” in Dallas and conservatives around the country a real curve. He signed the Civil Rights Bill, the rest is history. I believe Kennedy would have handled Vietnam differently but that’s not history. John Kennedy was a fresh, young face after Ike and the old guys before him. He gave hope to the young, much like President Obama, who’s, according to my judgment, first term was far better than Kennedy’s because he came into office facing terrible circumstances, two wars and a failed economy. JFK had the Cold War but things were far better at home. His assassination made him a martyr. I saw grown people cry when he was shot. Who changed the times more, JFK or LBJ? President Johnson made it possible for a person of color to be elected president of the United States. My guess is if Bobby Kennedy had not been killed, he might have been elected when John’s term ended, even though he was liberal and unlike John, leaned for to the left. Who knows? We’re positive about the history; the rest of the story we will never know.(See Roy’s Down Life’s Highway column for his recollections of that day and the times.)*****Well, I’ve come to the end of my time. Thanks to our advertisers for making this all possible. Read us cover to cover and check us out on our website therecordlive.com. Take care and God bless.