Congrats to WOS grad Grant Anderson who won his second World Series ring. (First was with the Rangers in 2023). I’ve been asked several times why he wasn’t used in the postseason. It’s because he’s not on the World Series roster. BUT he was part of the Brewers success to get to this point so he will get a ring and more importantly a playoff check.
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Betty Harmon was surprised with a 90th birthday party Tuesday and I was glad to be in attendance. We had a good conversation and I also got to see a few people I haven’t seen in a while so it was a real treat for me. I got to see local legends Cecil Broom who will be 95 at her next birthday. Also Charlotte Chiasson, Boss Ross and Eva Smith, Sandra and Jim Cash, Chrisleigh Dal Sasso, Councilman Paul Burch and the soon to be retiring, first lady of West Orange, Theresa Van Meter.
I met Theresa when she worked with Betty at the Chamber along with Cynthia Jackson and later Cheryl Green who was also at the party. Hard to believe how long ago that was but good times.
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I want to give a shoutout to Laurie and Heather who work at the Wal-Mart Pharmacy. Those ladies are always helpful and willing to go out of their way when they don’t have to.
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Heard some good news on the business front. I’m told the owners of Cajun Charlies Restaurant in Sulphur have bought property near 1442 and 105.
Also there’s a new neighborhood of homes coming up behind the new Candlewood Suites. Not sure how many homes as they’re just now putting down roads and drainage.
I’m told the big red metal building coming up on Hwy, 62 just north of 105 will be the new home of the Cardinal Training Group which is a training ground in heavy equipment.
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BC Coach Josh Smalley recognized the 2001 football team that reached the 3A semifinals, furthest they’ve been since the Worster years. I think it’s great that schools/coaches do that because they represented the school, they deserve it, and the current players should see that their time and effort is appreciated. I talked a little more about the team and coaches here, but had a chance since then to look up a few more tidbits of interest.
Sam Lucia was the Superintendent back then and my old press box buddy Terry Steubing was the principal. Terry if you read The Juice hope you and Ella are doing well. The school board consisted of Tim Latiolas, John Scales, Kirk Ellender, Mary Bryant, Lon Hubbard, Brian Beard and a woman who is still on the board, Rebecca Rutledge.
BC Elementary Principal Jason Yeaman was on that team as well as BC Assistant Coach Chris Lee and James Robbins, who just passed away a few weeks ago, was on the coaching staff.
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So proud of the Orangefield Marching Band for making it to State. Something like 46 years since they’ve been which would’ve been around my time at the school. I remember something about the bandmembers having jackets that said “Giant Killers.” Somebody fill me in on the details if I’m remembering correctly.
Hopefully we can add LCM and Bridge City to the State Qualifiers list. They’ll both perform on Saturday in Longview in the Area competition. They’ve both made the finals before but I believe it would be a first if they both make it.
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I wanted to share a story that I’ve come across while going through the KOGT archives. In 2000, I received a Marty Robbins album in the mail and it came with a handwritten letter. The letter started, “Dear Sir, I’m returning this album that I ‘borrowed’ thirty years ago.” The album was Robbins’ self titled album from 1958.
He would go on to say that the album had two songs “Judy” and “The hands your holding now” on it that we played and he was not able to find the album or the two songs on a 45 single. He promised me he did not break into the building and he would not say how or who let him borrow the album thirty years prior. He also said he did not use the album for financial gain but did make several cassette copies for his friends.
You can imagine my facial expression as I was reading it and why I’ve saved it all these years. And although I don’t know how he got the album, it wasn’t hard (in my opinion) to put the pieces together that it was Richard Corder who probably played the album cuts because he was a big fan of the country crooner.
Reminders that we fall back one hour Saturday night and then Election Day is Tuesday with rain in the forecast. As in the past KOGT.com will have first hand results from Orange County and the Deweyville School Board race.
Have a great weekend and hope your team wins!
-Gary Stelly-
gstelly66@gmail.com
Volume 2 No. 11
The Juice is a column where Gary Stelly discusses things that’s happened in the area and mixes it with 40 years of being involved in the Orange County community. (If we think of a better way to explain it we’ll change it) You can also check out his podcast by clicking on the Behind the Mic banner on the KOGT.com front page.
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