Sherlock Breaux in the Creaux's Nest

A TIME FOR GIVING THANKS

It’s come on Thanksgiving time and we certainly have plenty to be thankful for. It looks like Thanksgiving time I remember as a boy with the changing of the leaves. It’s not New England but I still appreciate the bright colors, even on the Tallow trees, Oaks, etc. I hope you all get to enjoy a nice day with your families. This year, for the first time, too many of our tribe are away and can’t get home. On a personal note, I’m very thankful for the many years of loyalty so many of you have shown for this column. We may not always be on the same page but your readership has kept this column the most read in our trade area and that makes all the long hours spent worth the time.

ISRAEL - HEZBOLLAH CEASE FIRE ANNOUNCED BY BIDEN

President Joe Biden on Tuesday touted a cease-fire deal between Israel and the militant group Hezbollah after more than a year of fighting between the two sides. Biden said he’d spoken with the leaders of Lebanon and Israel this afternoon and that both governments agreed to the cease-fire beginning at 4 a.m. local time Wednesday. “The fighting across the Lebanese-Israeli border will end. This is designed to be a permanent cessation of hostilities.” Under the deal outlined by the president, the Lebanese army will take control of their own territory in the south, Hezbollah infrastructure will not be allowed to be rebuilt and Israel forces will withdraw over the next 60 days. Biden is still hoping for an agreement to end hostilities in Gaza. Toward the end of his speech, Biden turned his attention to the war raging in Gaza. “The people of Gaza have been through hell. Their world is absolutely shattered. Far too many civilians in Gaza have suffered far too much,” Biden said, blaming Hamas for not negotiating a ceasefire in good faith over the last few months. “Hamas has a choice to make. Their only way out is to release the hostages, including American citizens, which they hold. In the process, bring an end to the fighting which would make possible a surge of humanitarian relief,” the president said. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu appeared in a televised address and pushed his cabinet to approve the deal as soon as possible. “The length of the cease-fire will depend on what happens in Lebanon. Lebanon’s government is expected to vote on the deal on Wednesday.

TURNING BACK THE HANDS OF TIME

10 Years Ago-2014

My heart is heavy today because of the illness of so many personal friends. Don Harmon, one of the greatest persons I know is back in the hospital as I write this. Don has been transferred to Beaumont and is undergoing surgery to relieve fluid on his brain. He has always been a benefactor to anyone in need. He’s full of goodness. Don and brother Corky have been partners for 57 years and Don’s illness is weighing heavy on him. (Those two guys are now gone.)***Mayor Don Peters is very ill also. He has been in the hospital but is home now. He’s fighting a tough battle.***Attorney Lynwood Sanders is recouping at Harbor Hospice after having his leg amputated.*** Our buddy and sweetheart Ms. Pearl Burgess, 94, is on the mend. She has been facing several health problems that would have defeated most normal people. Not Ms. Pearl. She’s 98 pounds of toughness and a thousand pounds of optimism and positive attitude.*****Several months ago President Obama warned if the Congress didn’t pass a bill before the end of the year he would take executive action. Congress ignored him and more or less dared him to do it. I said at the time that if Obama did pass his executive action, you would hear the Republicans squeal. On Thursday, President Obama unveiled a landmark plan that includes more border security, rounding up criminals and protecting four million immigrants with families, who have been in the country five years, from deportation. Republicans can’t agree on their course of action. The craziest thing I’ve heard said was on the Chris Wallace show Sunday, on FOX. Sen. Ted Cruz suggested paralyzing the country. “Don’t approve anything, don’t approve nominations or any funding that doesn’t affect national security. In other words, they would sit on their hands and not approve anything.*****Gov. Rick Perry lost his bid to dismiss indictment charges. Judge Richardson over ruled the governor’s technical objections to special prosecutor Michael McCrum. Perry’s legal team immediately hung its hope that the case against Perry violates his constitutional rights. Perry, running for president, is a great way for him to raise millions, spend some and keep the rest, enough to afford appealing to the Supreme Court if need be.***** Celebrating his special day is D.J. “Ace” Amodeo, who turns 90. Ace is an interesting person with an interesting past. He knows plenty Orange County history. Ask him about the Orange jail house killing back in the 50’s.***** They threw Brady under the bus: Even Orange County friends of Congressman Kevin Brady were saying that he was a shoe-in to be named chairman of “Ways and Means.” Kevin was next in line and should have been promoted, he even believed he would be and used the promotion as a reason citizens should vote for him. Several months ago, in this column, we said not so fast, because if Paul Ryan wanted the chairmanship they would throw Brady under the bus and that’s exactly what happened. Paul Ryan will be the new chairman despite Brady being a good soldier and voting with the crazies.

20 Years Ago-2004

Lester and Marialeice Saucier will be marshals of the Bridge City Christmas Parade. *****Wayne Dionne, of Bridge City, catches a monster of a flounder on Bailey Road canal. It weighed 8.5 pounds and was over 23 inches long.*****Louis Dugas, who has been writing a column for many years, first in the Dunn owned Opportunity Valley News and then The Record Newspapers announced this week, in his column “LeRaconteur” that he had written his last column. He said, “In the years that I have written this column enough words were used to write at least two books. Now I want to write that book. I may not succeed but I want to try. I love writing this column and I will miss the comments, yet I must try. Maybe Roy will let me reminisce once in a while. God bless all of you.” (Editor’s note: A great friend of many years, Louis was a historian. He often amazed us all with unknown tidbits about Orange County. He was a former state representative, the youngest ever at the time and also a former district attorney and a great defense attorney. Lou started his book but didn‘t get far before he became ill and died.)*****GONE BUT NOT FORGOTTEN: body of 23 year old John David Hannagan of Orangefield was recovered from the Neches River. His truck and trailer had been parked at Esther’s Seafood several days. His 14-foot aluminum boat was recovered by two fishermen near the Entergy out flow area where Hannagan’s body was found.***Willy Bailey, 93, died Nov. 26. He was one of the original Bailey’s who came to the Bridge City area in 1926. He was the son of Capt. Henry and Mary Bailey, who settled on Sabine Lake.***Bill Gibson, 81, died Nov. 22.***Dr. Earnest Lanier, 86, of Bridge City, died Nov. 20.***Charles “Butch” Floyd, Jr., 59, of Orange, died Nov. 28.***William “Bill” Linscomb, 79, of Orange, died Nov. 26.***Lucille Fredrick, 94, of Mauriceville, died Monday, Nov. 29.***Elda Marie Suire, 85, died Nov. 25.***Marian Von Dohler, 95, of Orange, died Nov. 25.

50 Years Ago-1974

Jim and Mel Hicks of Hick’s Construction have retired and are moving to Florida.*****James Colvin, a good man, passed away last week. He was Rocky’s dad.*****Roy and Chrystal Wingate are working hard preparing for the bicentennial.*****Bill Smith and Fain Holbrooks lead the sales team at Conn’s Appliance. Fain is teaching Bill everything he knows. That can’t be good for Conn’s.*****Ace Amodeo turned 50 on Nov. 26 and didn’t want anyone to know that he had reached a half century.*****On the basketball court for the Little Cypress-Mauriceville Bears is Clint Plant, Dale McCall, Gary Mikisch, Buck Roberts and C.E. Roth.*****Lowell Scribner is the manager of Palais Royal.*****State Senator D. Roy Harrington speaks to the Bridge City Rotary.*****Jo Ann Brabham celebrates a birthday Dec. 3. (Editor’s note: She was Ms. Phyl’s sister. She passed away Dec. 2, 2023, one day before her 92nd birthday.)*****On the basketball courts for the Stark Tigers is Donald Mosby, Michael Davis, Marcus Floyd, Gerald Antoine and Robert Kelly.*****Cowboy

Bob Lilly says this will be his last year unless coach Tom Landry ask him to return in 1975 as a back-up player only.*****(I recall writing all the above 50 years ago.)

53 Years Ago-1971

A hijacker calling himself “Dan Cooper” (but became popularly known as D.B. Cooper) parachuted from a Northwest Orient Airlines 727 over the Pacific Northwest after receiving $200,000 in ransom; his fate remains unknown. (What do you believe became of him?)

A FEW HAPPENINGS

Leigh Anne Dallas Harrell had two big birthdays this week, daughter Honey turned one and a couple of days later Leigh Anne hit the big 3–0. She and Husband Broderick Harrell managed to get an adult night to celebrate her big one with friends that include Sarah Ragsdale Nash and Jake Nash, Jada and Kody Campbell, Estefano Cardenas, Samantha and Estevan Cardenas.*****Craig and Elva Couvillion are off on another Caribbean cruise.*****Alicia and Gary Bonneaux dressed up to attend the Garth House Gala. Gary is a retired prosecutor in Orange County for the US Attorney’s office in Beaumont so he knows firsthand the good work Garth House does for abused children.*****West Orange City Counselor Lanie Brown made a trek to Waco with Cissy Kyburz Sommer and Donna Jerednames and of course included a trip to the Silos. Lady WhistleBreaux wonders how much of Chip and Joanna products they bought.*****Clint and Kimberly Ray put on their pirate garb and went to the Renaissance Festival.*****Orange’s Chad Richard, who moved to the Hill Country for his singing and songwriting career, did a concert with Marcia Ball who grew up in in Vinton and was born in Orange at the old City Hospital, which was where the Shangri-La parking lot is now.*****Celebrity priest Father Jim Sichko who grew up in Orange is making national news again, this time for auctioning a bottle of rare Pappy Van Winkle bourbon that was signed by Pope Francis. Father Jim is a Papal Missionary of Mercy for the pope. Money raised from the auction will go to Father Jim’s favorite charities, including the Southeast Texas Hospice in Orange. Did you know our local hospice was the first in the state of Texas and one of the first in the nation?*****Some good news: After spending 25 days in a Houston hospital bed, Judge Derry Dunn is home. It was a long haul for Derry and Jane. He begins rehab next week and has a positive attitude.*****Happy 46th wedding anniversary to Janelle and George Sehon, on Dec. 1. They are really enjoying their new home at the lake. The birds are plentiful, even several Eagles. Janelle says they make a unique sound.*****Longtime friend, the daughter of the late Norris and Pat Brandon, Evelyn, celebrates her birthday Nov. 30. Happy birthday to our former Record staffer from all of us.*****Kenny Brown, Bridge City’s “Good Samaritan,” who is known to prepare meals to share with friends, Sunday delivered a great meal to us old folks. Thanks Kenny, good stuff.*****Orange County, for the first time in a long time, will not have a high school football team in the third round of the playoffs.*****A little tale about two great guys who are very much alike in character and deed. J.W. Dalton wanted to lease some property in Colmesneil, near Chester, to take his grandkids hunting. He had sold his great show place in Leon County, off Hwy. 45, to some rich Huston folks and needed a smaller place. He asked former commissioner Owen Burton, who he thinks a lot of, to lease him his 300 acres to take his boys. Owen said, “I’ll do better than that, I’ll just sell you the place.” Surprised but glad, that’s how J.W. ended up with the place Owen and Nelda had loved. J.W. does everything first class. In a couple of years it won’t be just a place to hunt, it will be a show place. Two old boys who will do to ride the range with.

BREAUX BIRTHDAYS THIS WEEK

Celebrating birthdays in the next few days are, Nov. 27: Sharon Gregory, Mark Bourgeois, Melissa Fisher, Nick Miller, Bobby Adams, Cindy Huckabay.*****Nov. 28: David Fusilier, Russell Dillow, Haley Barlow, Preston Shuford, Cassandra Carpenter.*****Nov. 29: Jim Bob Aven, Erik Tutt, Angela Harkness, Shirley Beaudion, Abby Reynolds, Keith Lange.*****Nov. 30: Kirk Ellender, Vance Chauvin, Tish Garrett, Erin Evans, Brad Braus, Ryan Anderson.*****Dec. 1: Stephen Ylupp, John Garrison, Kelsey Dardeau, Mitchell Backer, Wesley Duncan, Amanda George.*****Dec. 2: Lisa Walker, Beverly Blalack, Eddie Robertson, Marie Moran, Cheryl Fornols.*****Dec. 3: Carolyn Andrus, Chris DeCuir, Wayne Scales, Barbara Blackwell, Sandra Huthison, Todd Wilson.*****Others making another trip around the sun this past week included Cecil Broom who turned 94. She’s Orange’s true, sweetheart. She was one of the tiny mascots for Lutcher Stark’s, famous Bengal Gaurds, the drum and bugle corps back in the 1930s.***Leslye Bridgers turns 92.***Bob Manning had a birthday, but didn’t get to go out with wife Kimberly and ended up in the emergency room instead. Big rescue pup Blue jumped on Bob and scratched his eye.***Others having birthdays included Sydney Carr, Tim Talbert, Alex Vaughan, Phillip Smith, Brandon Fisher, Tanner Barnwell, Rachael Raymer, Tommy Thompson, Wayne Guidry, Kirby Read, Jason LeLeaux, Jason Burch, Paula Ragsdale, Kristian Jack, Ann Capler, Heather McKinney, Gina Gonzales, Mary Anderson, Butch Campbell, John Goss, and Derrick Perry.*****Anniversaries celebrated: Mike and Caroline Hannigan reached number 24. A school break allowed them to sneak off to Gulf Shores Alabama.*** Also Christopher and Regina Marple at 18 years, and Tank and Jennifer Gross.*****Happy 46th Anniversary to George and Janelle Sehon.

CAJUN STORY OF THE WEEK

Pooldo Comeaux’s a 70-year old, extremely wealthy widower who owns several big rice farms an da big bank in Abbeville. One day he showed up at da Abbeville Country Club wit a breathtakingly beautiful, sexy, 25-year old blond dat knocks everyone’s socks of with her youthful sex appeal and charm. She hangs on to Comeaux’s arm an listen intently to every word he says.

His buddies at da club can’t get over it. Dey corner him an axe, “Pooldo, how you get dat trophy girlfriend, hanh?”

Comeaux him, he replies, “Girlfriend? She’s my wife!”

Dat really knocked dem over. “Pooldo, how you persuade such a gorgeous young woman to marry you?”

“Mais, I lied bout my age, me,” Comeaux replied.

“Wat do you mean?” dey axe. “Did you tell her you was 50?”

Pooldo, him, he smile and say, “Mais no, me, I tole her dat I was 90.”

C’EST TOUT

TRUMP ELECTION INTERFERENCE CASE DISMISSED

After special counsel Jack Smith asked the judge to toss the case due to a long-standing Justice Department policy that bars the prosecution of a sitting president. Smith earlier Monday filed a motion to dismiss the case, as well as the appeal of Trump's classified documents case, ahead of Trump's impending inauguration, due to the DOJ's presidential immunity policy and not because the charges lacked merit. U.S. District Court Judge Tanya Chutkan dismissed the election interference charges against Trump without prejudice, leaving open the highly unlikely possibility of a future prosecution. In a two-page opinion, Judge Chutkan wrote that dismissing the case without prejudice is "appropriate" and would not harm the "public interest," agreeing with Smith's argument that Trump's immunity would not cover him when he leaves office. "Dismissal without prejudice is also consistent with the Government's understanding that the immunity afforded to a sitting President is temporary, expiring when they leave office," Chutkan wrote. However, it's extremely unlikely that any prosecutor would attempt to bring the same charges in the future, in part because the statute of limitations for the alleged crimes will have expired by the time Trump leaves office in four years. It seeks to keep the appeal in place for Nauta and De Oliveira, two Trump employees who pleaded not guilty to obstruction charges. "The appeal concerning the other two defendants will continue because, unlike defendant Trump, no principle of temporary immunity applies to them," the filing said. Trump however, with 34 felonies, plus other charges, is on the way to beating all the raps. So much for the law applying to everyone. Trump is the oldest ever elected president.*****Read us cover to cover and please shop our family of advertisers. Thanks for your time and have a nice, safe Thanksgiving. Take care and God bless.