The Record Newspapers - Hometown News For Orange County, Texas

TOTAL SOLAR ECLIPSE—BIG DEAL

The much anticipated solar eclipse shifted billions of dollars across the country. The ‘first’ reports came out of Mexico, headed to Texas Hill Country and beyond. The eclipse laid a 100 mile path from Texas to Maine. It was a big deal for small towns that usually lose out to big sporting events in large cities. Unlike other major events, the 2024 total eclipse was a family affair. Families drove or flew together to unknown places throughout the country to spots that offered better viewing of the total eclipse. The arrival of people who came spent an average of four days on the road and left millions of dollars in restaurants, motels, service stations and for items to bring home from places they would never had visited if not for the eclipse. It was a welcome boost to many neon and pop locations along the route of the solar eclipse. It will be 21 years before another total eclipse and those of us up in age,, who missed this spectacular event, will probably never have another chance. Here in the Golden Triangle of Texas, heavy overcast skies prevented even witnessing a partial eclipse. Those fortunate to have witnessed the total event, they will forever count it as a special blessing in their lives which occurred April 8, 2024. It was a special four minutes of magic.*****Like the Eclipse I have to move on. Come along, I promise it won’t do you no harm.

REMEMBERING COY MORGAN

Albertice Coy Morgan, age 93, previously of Bridge City, passed away on Thursday, April 4, at his granddaughter’s home in College Station. Coy was born February 1, 1931, in Orange. He graduated from Lutcher Stark High in 1950, joined the U.S. Navy and fought in the Korean War. Coy liked to rodeo and was a true cowboy. He enjoyed working cattle at area ranches. He enjoyed entertaining family and friends and his home was always welcome to everyone. Services will be at Claybar Funeral Home in Orange, Saturday, April 13 at 2:00 p.m. Visitation will be from 1:00 p.m. to 2:00 p.m. at Claybar on the same day. Burial will follow services at Hillcrest Memorial Gardens in Orange. We had known Coy since 1963. As an Optimist Club member he helped build the first three Little League diamonds off of Sunset in Bridge City. He coached and helped build the present Little League park. He and his wife Cupal were very active in the community. See complete obituary on our website, therecordlive.com.

OUR CONDOLENCES

Funeral service was held Saturday April 6 for John Harvey Hughes. Please see obituary.

TURNING BACK THE HANDS OF TIME

10 Years Ago-2014

The UConn Huskies tops Kentucky Wildcats 60-54 to claim their third title in Texas over the last 11 years. The Lone Star state is good to the Huskies despite Kentucky having three players from Texas. The Huskies speed was just too much for every team they faced in the NCAA tournament. Kentucky’s future looks bright however, with five freshmen starters. The Wildcat twins, Andrew and Aaron Harrison, from Travis High School, were held in check for the first time all season.*****Every short guys hero, Mickey Rooney, 93, died April 6. Throughout my entire life Mickey was always around. In the pre-war years 1939-40-41, he was the country’s biggest box office attraction. He was born Joe Yule, Jr. and began his film career as a toddler in his first film, in 1926, at age 6. Of all of his many movies still around today the most well known is “National Velvet,” filmed in 1944, with 11-year-old Elizabeth Taylor. He had many hit movies and the five-foot three-inch Rooney was married eight times to some of Hollywood’s most beautiful women including Ava Gardner. Mickey was a survivor through many ups and downs.*****Lennis Hubbard, 79, passed away Tuesday, April 8, 2014. Many lawmen considered Lennis to be one of the best investigators to ever work in Orange County. Not only did he work for the Sherriff’s Department, he was a special investigator under District Attorney Sharon Bearden. Lennis worked on some of the most brutal murders in the county’s history. Hubbard wasn’t your typical ‘by the book’ investigator, he was a hound that stayed on the trail of a crime until he solved it. He was tough but also very personable.***** My buddy Margie Stephens is again fighting kidney stones. I thought I had problems until I heard hers. Her medication now is apple cider, mixed with a fair portion of beer. I don’t know if it helps pass the stones but she can get high while waiting. *****Gerald Morris and pretty wife Julia were out grocery shopping. I wonder what is the trick to getting your wife to accompany you on a shopping trip. I do the shopping, while she mows the lawn. *****George Strait was once again the fan favorite. He won the ACM ‘Entertainer of the Year’ award Sunday, 25 years after his first win.

20 Years Ago-2004

Jay Trahan is keeping the Cajun music tradition and culture going. He has written some new material and has put out a new CD titled “Cade’s Waltz.” His father-in-law Doug Childress produced the CD. “Cade’s Waltz” was originally written Jan. 21, 2001, while he and wife Carla were awaiting the birth of their son Cade who was born June 5, a month before he was due. A dozen other songs are on the CD. Jay got his first accordion from his dad when he was 17. His influence was neighbor Jackie Callier, an award winning Cajun artist.*****Judge Grover Halliburton and Franklin Scales are both out of hospital after suffering a heart attack three weeks ago. On his way home from hospital his wife Sarah had to take him to early vote. The election judge came to the car to allow him to vote. (Editor’s note: Grover and Franklin are now gone. I miss them both.)*****NOT FORGOTTEN: Jerold “Jerry” Horton, 71, died April 12. Jerry was a native of Italy, Texas. He was retired from Crown Zellerbach. This writer knew Jerry really well and visited with him at his home place in Italy, where his mother lived. His sister Doris was Mrs. Clarence Kyte. Jerry had been a U.S. Air Force staff sergeant. He was one the special people we crossed paths with and called friend.

45 Years Ago-1979

First Savings Association of Orange now offering a six-month Money Market Certificate paying 9.49 percent.***** Orange attorney Marlin Thompson has taken to flying all over the country in a private plane, practicing his trade. He’s an expert in asbestosis related cases. (Editor’s note: Thompson, his wife and Dewey Cox were later killed in an Arkansas plane accident.)*****The Bridge City Funeral Home is located at 800 Highland. Lawrence Helton is funeral director.*****Frenchie’s Discount Furniture is located at 411Donnell, Orange. *****Orange Texas is featured in a new 100-page, digest size, East Texas Vacation Guide, just released for national distribution. The guide distributes 140,000 copies at travel shows. The Orange section features the Presbyterian Church, Stark Museum, Brown Center, Farmer’s Mercantile and Delta Downs.

50 Year Ago-1974

Sen. D. Roy Harrington presents Homestead Exemption Bill. Harrington was also able to get the open beach bill adopted in the General Provision Committee. *****The Bridge City Cardinalettes volleyball 10-AAA District champs lost to Channelview in the final of the Regional Tournament. Bridge City won district for the second year in a row. All district players on the team are: Donna Calvert, Joyce Mann, Phyllis Shaw, Jana Russell and Rhonda Schexnider, Debra Wagner, Candy Etheridge and Vickie Martinez. Barbara Landry is the coach. *****Larry Gunter, longtime sheriff’s office dispatcher, is running for Justice of the Peace of Precinct 2. *****Claude J. Broussard is running for County Commissioner, Precinct 2. *****Also running in the same race is Glen Peveto. *****County Judge Grover Halliburton runs for re-election. *****Donald Gunn is running for Constable of Precinct 2. Marlin Shelton is the Justice of the Peace in Precinct 2.*****Houston Baker is denied entrance to Court of Two Sister’s restaurant in New Orleans because he was wearing jeans.*****Former Little Cypress- Mauriceville football coach Jim Crosland is now coaching with the Chicago Fire of the World Football League.

A FEW HAPPENINGS

The Mauriceville Crawfish Festival will be held May 3 and May 4. It is always a great time, with a parade, booths, music, lots of food and all the trimmings. I remember when Owen Burton, Wesley Arabie and Amos Roy launched the first festival. Amos was the first Texas crawfish farmer. He was the granddaddy of Texas crawfish farming. Amos enlisted the help of Burton and Arabie and in 1981 the first Texas Crawfish Festival was held. Burton, Joe Heinen, Frenchie and others started producing crawfish. One of the first meetings was held at the Crawfish Bucket Restaurant in Nederland, owned by Roy Dunn and Heinen. Amos is gone, died several years ago, Burton gave up crawfish farming, Heinen moved away and is now deceased but because of their efforts in the early 1980s, the Texas legislature officially proclaimed Mauriceville the “Crawfish Capital of Texas.” Since that early day, the money raised stayed in the community. It paid for 15 acres of land that is now home to the Orange County Livestock Show, a community center has been built and playing fields for youth football, etc. has been added.***** Spring has sprung and community activities are in full bloom across Orange County. Orange's annual Art in the Park had perfect weather for visiting, strolling, buying, and having family fun. Betty Harmon made the rounds with daugher Debora Lanciaux, Dayle Ezell Foreman was selling her books, Nolan LeBlanc was making the rounds, Gina and Skipper Yeaman were also there along with Jenn Pool and Anna Drinkard Mobley. The Stark House held a special open house to go with the event and the historic Victorian Age mansion was full of fresh flower arrangements courtesy of the Bridge City High floral design class. Charlotte Chiasson was busy as she not only went to Art in the Park, she hosted her friend from BC High, Lonnie Broussard, in a tour of the BC Chamber and Museum building. The two were high school king and queen of TWIRP back in 1970. Charlotte was instrumental in saving the old Bridge City teacherage to turn it into the chamber-museum, plus she recently did the research to acquire a state historical marker for the site.*****The Lutcher Theater had the classic musical 'Annie' to introduce to a new generation of children. Looks the the touring company's sales boomed with little girls getting plush-stuffed Sandy the dog toys. Angie Williams accompanied daughter Sydney Carr and granddaughter Collins Ruth. Chris Axelson took his wife. Back in 1976, he took his parents, the late Bob and Evalyn Axelson, to see the original on Broadway in New York City.*****Former Orange resident Nancy Denmark, an expert in gardening and butterflies, made a trip home to speak in Beaumont and then at Cottage Cuttings in Orange. She also visited with friends, including Deborah Bednar, who bought the Denmark family's classic mid-century modern home in Orange. Deborah and Sandra Hoke assisted Nancy in her presentation. Maggie Benckenstein saw Nancy in Beaumont.*****Barbara Jane Hanneman is celebrating new grandson Mateo Alexander Plascencia. Parents are Jacqueline and Vitaly Plascencia.*****Congratulations to the girls with the Orangefield High Sophisticats for the next school year. Social officers will be Mina Webb, president Lexi Baggett, vice president;  Kortney Cross, secretary; and Makayla Merendino, Historian. Junior Sophisticats will be Captain Rayleigh Smith, Whitney Aylor, Kristina Boyd, Kinsley Brantley, Julia Cassidy, McKynlee Hilton, Harper Homme, Kirsten Howes, Lily Kole, Summer Kovatch, Korbyn Lucas, Nona Miller, Kinley Morgan, Payton Piet, Jaquelynn Velazquez, Ruby Wilson.*****Also kudos go to Jacob Longlois, who is the first Little Cypress-Mauriceville student to get a college scholarship for fishing team. He is one of Bassmaster's 12 High School All-American anglers and will be attending Drury University in Missouri.*****Greetings go to Fred and Darlene Thompson on their 72nd wedding anniversary. The Orange natives are now living in the Austin area near their daughter.*****

BREAUX BIRTHDAYS THIS WEEK

A few friends we know celebrating birthdays in the next few days. April 10: Janet Montagne, Katie Olson, Barbara Goins, Elliot Purcell, Johnnie Nicks, K'Lynn Ess, Matt Day, Nancy Hood, Alivia Duhon, Austin Brent.*****April 11: David Thacker, Jackie Schell, Chelsea McLemore, Becky Myers,      Bob Arnold, Dustin Kemp, Roy Gill, Travis Miller, Amanda Ginn, Cortland Savage.*****April 12: This is the date the Civil War starter in 1861. It ended in 1865. Celebratmg on tjos day are Don Breaux, Amanda Toups, Jaclyn Phillips, Jill Lemoine, Kathy Vessel, Leslie Staudenmier, Jaclyn James, Shellie Holmes, Zackary Busby, Abby Noah, Ann Glover.*****April 12: Connie Angelle, Jo Ann Collins, Roy Farias, Dawn Mason, Gene Bellard, Kaylin Abshire, Virginia Fox.*****April 14: Sam Carpenter, Jr. Stephen Gault, Kasie Moerbe, Phillip Elmore, Reatha Bradberry, T-Lew Van Metre, Kevin Huckebaby, Randy Renfrow, Robbie Bethes, Tiffani Thompson, April Stone, Christy Swanson.*****April 15: Judge Pat Cook, Linda Claybar, John Langlinais, Shani Lawson, Patrick Cooks, Debbie Aarons, Jaclyn Eickenhorst.*****April 16: Chuck Sterling, Judy Pittman, Kirby Cruse, Lillian Mercer, Marie Duett, Quentin Billeaud, Betty Foreman.***** Former state representative Wayne Peveto turned 85. Bet he would have choice comments about our current local run-off race for the position. Geraldine Richard turned 82. At the other end of the age spectrum, Bodie Bearden turned 5. He's the son of City Judge Jim Sharon and Cassie Bearden and grandson of Sharon Bearden.***** Others with birthdays included Tom Henry and his son Chris Henry, Scott Hasty, Tori Arceneaux, Robb Maddo, Janet Bland, Marcella Knox,  Lynn Theriot and Chuck Prewitt. Ian Cheek, grandson of Debbie Hughes, turned 3 and his mom, Dr. Kayla Cheek had a birthday a couple of days later.

CAJUN STORY OF THE WEEK

Wen Oris Comeaux walked into Tee Boy’s Bar and Grill he noticed his friend Mayo Boudreaux was sitting by hisself at da end of da bar. Wen he walked up to Boudreaux, he could tell dat he was really tying one on. Oris say to his friend, “Mayo, why you getting so drunk you?”

Boudreaux answer, “Well Cuzz, I had it all me, I had money, a beautiful home, a nice car, a big Harley bike, two pirogues and a beautiful woman, den jus like dat, it was all gone.”

Comeaux say, “Really, what happen hanh?”

Boudreaux took another drink, tears run down his cheeks and he say, “My wife, Stella Mae, she found out her.”

C’EST TOUT

Will Debate Between Phelan and Covey Take Place

A debate between Texas Speaker of the House Dade Phelan and his District 21 challenger David Covey is finally set but whether both runoff candidates will actually show up is unclear. Phelan has announced that he accepted an invitation from KFDM/Fox 4 to debate now-runoff opponent David Covey in a live, televised event May 7. “I am deeply committed to telling the truth about my record and vision for House District 21 and believe that Southeast Texas voters are owed the opportunity to make an informed choice, especially in such a pivotal, high-stakes runoff election,” Phelan said in a release announcing the move. “I look forward to participating in this debate and thank our sponsors for their commitment to a fair and productive discussion.” Covey, however, as of Tuesday, has yet to respond to debate organizers. National PAC to spend nearly $1M against Speaker Phelan in GOP runoff election set for May 28. Covey and his positions are not very well known. A debate would be most useful for the voters.*****Read us cover to cover and when you shop our family of advertisers thank them for bringing you this paper free each week. We thank you for your time and loyalty. Stay in touch, check us out on our website at  therecordlive.com. My time is up and I made it through another week and beat the deadline. Take care and God bless.