Volume 1, 2024
O range L iving
INSIDE
Volume 1 of 2024
MAGAZINE
PUBLISHER’S DESK A SAFER HOME City leader, residents share Smoke detectors are a visions for Orange growth.........4 key component of fire protection................................22 SALVATION ARMY Dante and Tiffany Salgado DREAM WAEVER finding their way in Orange.......8 Basket work can lead to instant gratification...............................24 MARTIN LUTHER KING ON THE COVER — Views from Community members march in cold weather Jan. 15................14 the Salvation Army of Orange FIRE DEPARTMENTS Volunteers are fueling area’s first responders..............18
and recent Martin Luther King Jr. Day march. (Photos by Randy Strong; design by Candace Hemelt)
Publisher: STEPHEN HEMELT
Designer: STEPHEN HEMELT
Contributors: MARY MEAUX KYLIE MUGLESTON CHRISSIE MOUTON
Contact Information: ORANGE NEWSMEDIA, LLC PO BOX 1089 ORANGE, TX 77631
Photography: RANDY STRONG STEPHEN HEMELT
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Late in 2022, there was plenty of open space along 16th Street that seemed ready for development. Now, city leaders are touting the development of Chick-fil-A, Starbucks, Whataburger, WhiteWater Express, Dollar General and Take 5.
Vision for Orange development shared by city, local residents
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The Orange Public Library Auditorium was packed nine days into the new year. It was the first Orange City Council meeting of 2024, and numerous agenda items had seemingly packed a crowd. It certainly got the attention of the elected leaders in the building, with multiple community representatives commenting about their happiness with the large turnout. Orange Mayor Larry Spears Jr. took the opportunity, in part, to tout ongoing economic development.
“Thank you for looking forward,” he told municipal staff in attendance. “I know we have a lot of projects coming our way, new businesses coming down 16th Street, redevelopment that is taking place. Definitely want to make sure we are being proactive in those areas.” Stephen Hemelt Councilman Brad Childs expressed similar sentiment, saying he hopes everyone notices the construction happening on 16th Street.
“You can go on social media and see some before and after (photos of the area),” the District 2 representative said. “It is amazing what is happening in this town.” There was a true sense of optimism displayed about what Orange has accomplished recently and, for some, what more could be coming. Enter Stan Floyd. The Orange resident of 34 years introduced himself to the City Council as the president of American Air Boat Corporation, Cypress Land RV Park and Swamp Man’s LLC. He took advantage of the meeting’s “Citizen Comments” section to share a vision for what economic development he would like to see. Although Floyd’s time — like anyone else who speaks during this section of the meeting — was limited, he packed a whole lot into this presentation. It was short on specifics but delivered with enthusiasm, and he brought a few friends along. “I am going to build a tourist destination for Orange,” he said. “I am going to bring thousands of people into the City of Orange for tourism. I am building an Orange that is going to be 40 feet in diameter. It’s going to be a souvenir shop inside of it. I’ve got an alligator pond that is already dug for tourists.” His tourist destination proposal includes a large photo-ready sign that says, “We struck it rich in Orange, Texas.” He envisions the whole family using their phones to let everybody know they are in Orange, Texas. He talked about having 17 years of airboat ride experience. “I want to do that again and I’ll have licensed captains,” he said. “Something really unique, I have a large aluminum vessel that the Coast Guard will certify for probably 30 to 32 people. It’s 11 feet wide and 28 feet long, and we can have family reunions on
it, birthday parties; it’s unlimited what this thing can do.” Floyd said those ideas were the starting point for so much more. “There is Cypress Lake, about a 10-acre lake behind my RV park and airboat business,” he said. “We can get in that lake and go to Florida if we want to. Some cities, like Beaumont, want to build a multi-million dollar facility putting water in the middle of the town. We’ve got the water here. It’s unlimited to what we can do with that waterway.” When Floyd was done talking, others took advantage of the Citizen Comments to back his proposal. Ron Dishman identified himself as an officer with the Beaumont Police Department and resident of Orange County for the last 24 years. “Being a lieutenant, I had to go through some leadership schools. One of the things we learned in leadership school is vision. I have seen Mr. Stan’s vision for what he wants to bring Orange County. I thoroughly support what he wants to do with it,” Dishman said. “I want to show him my support and reiterate to the Council that the vision I see here would bring more tourism. Every time I come from Louisiana into Texas and see the tourist center by the bridge, that place is always full. Where this is located would bring a lot more revenue to Orange County through restaurants, motels and other places of business.” Mike White also spoke, saying he has been in Orange County for more than 68 years. “I think we finally have a City Council that understands we can’t put all of our eggs in chemical row, we can’t put all of our eggs in the shipyards. We’ve got to do everything, and tourism is a big asset as the first county coming into Texas from Louisiana on Interstate 10,” White said. “In the past, we haven’t taken advantage from the county to the city in that part of our economic growth. Tourism is probably
“Definitely want to make sure we are being proactive in those areas.”
— —— Orange Mayor Larry Spears Jr.
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the best asset and investment for your money. I would just ask all to please consider it, look into what yall can do to help, because I just believe we have to diversify for the future of Orange County.” Each man spoke with passion and drive, and although their messages were short on specifics, deadlines or timelines, their delivery represented a vision for the City of Orange and Orange County that just about everyone wants to see. We all want positive economic growth and more jobs and entertainment options that provide safe opportunities for our families. Coincidently, a week after that first council meeting, city leaders again touted the Orange Economic Development Corporation for its work to improve the corridor of 16th Street by collaborating with site selectors to attract new businesses. The last few years have seen the EDC line up incentives for projects such as Chick-fil-A, Starbucks, Whataburger, WhiteWater Express, Dollar General and Take 5. “The estimated total capital investment between the six projects is approximately $14 (million) with $2.5 (million) in EDC incentives,” a city release stated. “Not only does this signify growth for our city, but it also brings along various job opportunities and amenities to improve the quality of life in our community.” Visions for progress followed up by years of diligent hard work are clearly showing progress. No one knows exactly what is coming next, but there is no reason to believe that someone’s dreams today can’t become reality tomorrow. Stephen Hemelt is the president of Orange Newsmedia, which publishes Orange Living Magazine, as well as orangeleader.com and the Orange Leader, among other specialty products. Reach him at stephen.hemelt@ orangeleader.com.
(Courtesy photo)
Captains Dante and Tiffany Salgado are settling into their roles as leaders of the Salvation Army in Orange, while looking to make an impact.
Call to faithfully serve Orange through the Salvation Army New leaders looking for ways to make more of an impact, including Boys and Girls Club options and a Sunday school
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aptains Dante and Tiffany Salgado are busy settling into their position at Salvation Army in Orange while also looking to the future. “We’re working on taking steps to reopen the Boys and Girls Club,” says Tiffany Salgado. “Since we arrived, we’ve had individuals from the community ask about the club and we assessed quickly a need for the community. We want to meet that specific need for the children.” The Salgados and their three young children moved from Pasadena, where the Salgado’s were responsible for the programs and services of the Pasadena Salvation Army. According to Dante, the nonprofit routinely transfers officers to different locations every three to five years. “When a person becomes an officer in The Salvation Army, it comes with the acceptance of being moved to a new community, as Salvation Army leaderships deems necessary,” Dante says. “We are elated to be a part of this wonderful community and call Orange home. We will serve the community to the best of our abilities while appointed here.” The couple’s journey with the Salvation Army began in different stages in their youth. For Tiffany, her family sought out a Spanish-speaking church for her mother while living in Dallas. “We stumbled upon the Salvation Army,” Tiffany says. “The church was welcoming and immediately offered youth programs that taught my three siblings and I how to play brass instruments.” While Dante, on the other
(Courtesy photo)
Tiffany Salgado said she and her husband stumbled upon the Salvation Army because the church was immediately welcoming.
(Courtesy photo)
Dante Salgado said he and his wife are elated to be a part of Orange, calling it a wonderful community to serve to the best of their abilities.
hand, found the organization during the tragedy of September 11, 2001, in Houston. The Houston Temple Corps decided to keep their evening programs as scheduled to help the community take their mind off the attack. “Their kindness and love for Jesus and others were contagious, and I knew I wanted to be around and catch it,” Dante says. The couple met while attending Divisional Music and Arts Rehearsals at the Salvation Army, Camp Hoblitzelle located in Midlothian. Both play the cornet. “Dante and I were a part of Texas Brass, the top band for young musicians,” Tiffany says. The camp had a great impact on both of their lives. “I became a Christian and received my calling to Salvation Army Officership there,” Dante says. The Salgados were ordained as Salvation Army Officers in 2016. “Three days later, I married my nowwife, Tiffany Salgado, and we have been on this journey together ever since,” Dante says. That journey has taken them from San Antonio, to Pasadena, and now to Orange. “When a person is called to full-time ministry within the Salvation Army, we understand that we have different skill sets, different passions and ministries that God will use to build His vast kingdom,” Tiffany says. “Our leadership team takes the appointment process very seriously and try to appoint officers (pastors) to locations that will be beneficial for the family and community alike.” While in Orange the couple will be responsible for all church programs and social services, including the Family Store, Boys and Girls Club, disaster relief, discipleship programs and worship services. The Salgados say many people don’t realize the Salvation Army, which was
founded by William Booth back in 1865 in London, is a church. “Here in Orange we offer Sunday church services at 10 a.m. and Women’s Ministries Tuesday at 10 a.m.,” Tiffany says. “We are working to have Sunday school at 9 a.m. and we’re looking to start a mid-week Bible study as well for adults.” The Salgados say discipleship is always present and the Salvation Army is an organization that believes in the Bible and stand very firm in Christian beliefs to help their neighbors without discrimination. “Having a place to worship is essential for us,” Tiffany says. The Salgados also embrace their founder’s mantra: soup, soap, salvation. “If someone was dirty, they wouldn’t be able to hear about Jesus. You couldn’t hear how Jesus was the living bread of life until you gave them some soup,” Tiffany says. Food insecurity is on the rise with inflation, so the Salgados know the importance of their food pantry as well as their Family Store. “The food pantry is open Mondays and Thursday from 9:30 to 11:30 a.m.,” Tiffany says. “Just come with your ID, showing you’re an Orange County resident.” The Family Store offers a wide variety of clothing and furniture to fit the community’s needs. “We take in donations from the community,” Tiffany says. “We sort them and are able to resell at good, affordable prices for the community to come and purchase.” Located at 414 Donnell Street, the Family Store is open Mondays through Fridays from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. More than three months into their new position, the Salgados are grateful for their new location. “We have found Orange to be a great place to raise a family,” Tiffany says. “The community here knows how to take care of the fellow neighbors. We are privileged to be here.” Call 409-291-8400 or visit southernusa. salvationarmy.org/orange for more information about the programs and services available at the Salvation Army or to donate. — Chrissie Mouton
(Courtesy photo)
Tiffany Salgado said she and Dante were a part of Texas Brass, the top band for young musicians.
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Living Magazine March in Orange
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old weather on the morning of Jan. 15 did not chill the importance of civil rights and coming together in Orange. Many community members marched in honor of Martin Luther King Jr., with The NAACP Orange, Texas Branch, Unit #6211-B hosting a “Communities in Action, Empowering the Dream”themed event. The gathering was planned from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., beginning at Salem United Methodist Church in Orange and concluding at Riverfront Boardwalk and Pavilion.
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— Photos by Randy Strong
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1. Mallorie Bias, 13, Amanda Richard and Janet Parks 2. Pastor Ronnie Crockett Senior and his son, Ronnie Crockett Jr. 3. Cindy Mathis and Paul Burch
4 4. A crowd marches for “Communities in Action, Empowering the Dream” 5. Young Jun Kim and Chance Park 6. Tracie Parzen, Lila Parzen, 10, and Georgia Parzen, 12.
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1. Ava Ecter 2. Asher Ecter, 4, and Eric Ecter 3. Vianna Brooks 4. Kaleigh Dunbar sang the National Anthem 5. Orange Mayor Larry Spears Jr. 6. NAACP Orange Chapter President John Jefferson 7. Adam Brown, EHS&S Manager for Golden Triangle Polymers, and Holly Pollet, Finance Manager for Golden Triangle Polymers
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(Courtesy photo)
Pictured, from left, are Orange County Emergency Services District 4 team members Ryan Pevey, Wes Journeay, Bruce McCormick, Amber McCormick, Lee Anne Brown, Justin Journeay, Naomie Journeay, James Journeay, Sara Moore, Kelley Moore and Sharon Patton.
Volunteers are fueling area’s fire departments With the popularity of the “Thin Red Line” showing respect for firemen injured or killed during service, it can be easy to forget many of those firemen signed up for no other reason than to serve their community. Without the volunteer aid of dedicated men and women working fire and EMS calls, many places (including ones right here in Southeast Texas)
would not have basic fire and medical services. In fact, the Pinehurst Fire Department relies entirely on volunteer firemen, while many
other departments in the area rely heavily on volunteer services. Marshall Braus, 18, is a volunteer with Pinehurst. He began his commitment to the community early on, having participated in the Juniors Firefighting program for four years. He provided details on the training the volunteers for the Pinehurst department go through in order to help their community.
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Volunteers learn basic firefighting skills, such as forcible entries, how to properly wield and roll a firehose, driving the fire engine and other skills. While there are no physical requirements, the department trains volunteers with the hands-on knowledge they would need to succeed in aiding others. “All I’ve ever wanted, since I was younger, is to give back to my community,” Braus said. When addressing any firefight, the first thought that goes through his head is a verse from the Bible, Isaiah 6:8-13 — “Then I heard the voice of the Lord saying, whom shall I send? And I said, ‘Here I am, send me!’” A deep compassion for others is critical for any firemen or EMS — but for those interested in becoming one, many local departments welcome volunteers. Kelley Moore, the Chief for ESD4 and Assistant Chief of the Groves Fire Department, says “the greatest asset to any department is its people.” Acknowledging that some might feel discouraged by the prospect of fighting fires but still feel the desire to serve their communities, he assures “there’s a place for everyone.” Whether it’s driving the engine, maintaining equipment, assisting on EMS calls or simply helping out around the firehouse, the help is valued and appreciated, according to Moore.
(Courtesy photo)
A Pinehurst Fire Department fire engine is pictured.
Emphasizing the “ground up” style of training, Moore says “training determines safety, it’s the most important — especially as a volunteer.” In recent years, volunteer firemen and EMS workers have dropped in numbers — in fact, even the Red Cross reached out to local firemen seeking volunteers from them to assist in disaster aid services. “We need ‘em,” Moore said. “If you want to help your community, here’s a place to start.” Importantly, volunteering with your local fire department can play a major role in deciding if you’d like to pursue a career in firefighting. It will give you hands-on, valuable training that transfers over to any department, and offers a great foundation for anyone who may want to pursue the duties full time. If you’re interested in volunteering for the Groves Fire department, you can head by the fire department on Thursdays at 6:30 p.m. and get more details. We’d like to thank all emergency responders for their service, and recognize the risks that volunteers take to be apart of those efforts. — By Kylie Mugleston
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How to make homes Over a five-year period beginning in 2015 and 2019, fire departments across the United States responded to roughly 347,000 home structure fires per year. That data, courtesy of the National Fire Protection Association, underscores the significance of home fire protection measures. Smoke detectors are a key component of fire protection, but there’s much more homeowners can do to protect themselves, their families, their belongings, and their homes from structure fires. • Routinely inspect smoke detectors. Smoke detectors can only alert residents to a fire if they’re working properly. Battery-powered smoke detectors won’t work if the batteries die. Routine smoke detector checkups can ensure the batteries still have juice and that the devices themselves are still functioning properly. Test alarms to make sure the devices are functioning and audible in nearby rooms. Install additional detectors as necessary so alarms and warnings can be heard in every room of the house. • Hire an electrician to audit your home. Electricians can inspect a home and identify any issues that could make the home more vulnerable to fires. Ask electricians to look over every part of the house, including attics and crawl spaces. Oft-overlooked areas like attics and crawl spaces pose a potentially significant fire safety threat, as data from the Federal Emergency Management Association (FEMA) indicates that 13 percent of electrical fires begin in such spaces. • Audit the laundry room. The laundry room is another potential source of home structure fires. NFPA data indicates around
(Courtesy photo)
Routine smoke detector check-ups can ensure the batteries still have juice and that the devices themselves are still functioning properly.
safer from fires 3 percent of home structure fires begin in laundry rooms each year. Strategies to reduce the risk of laundry room fires include leaving room for laundry to tumble in washers and dryers; routinely cleaning lint screens to avoid the buildup of dust, fiber and lint, which the NFPA notes are often the first items to ignite in fires linked to dryers; and ensuring the outlets washing machines and dryers are plugged into can handle the voltage such appliances require. It’s also a good idea to clean dryer exhaust vents and ducts every year. • Look outward as well. Though the majority of home fires begin inside, the NFPA reports that 4 percent of such fires begin outside the home. Homeowners can reduce the risk of such fires by ensuring all items that utilize fire, including grills and firepits, are always used at least 10 feet away from the home. Never operate a grill beneath eaves, and do not use grills on decks. Never leave children unattended around firepits, as all it takes is a single mistake and a moment for a fire to become unwieldy. • Sweat the small stuff. Hair dryers, hair straighteners, scented candles, clothes irons, and holiday decorations are some additional home fire safety hazards. Never leave candles burning in empty rooms and make sure beauty and grooming items like dryers, straighteners and irons are unplugged and placed in a safe place to cool down when not in use. Fire departments respond to hundreds of thousands of home fires each year. Some simple strategies and preventive measures can greatly reduce the risk that a fire will overtake your home.
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Emma Hughes helps a student with a basket. Mary Meaux/Orange Living
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DREAM WEAVER Basket work leads to instant gratification for craftsperson connecting with classic art Emma Hughes isn’t a history buff, but she’s keeping alive a craft that’s been around for thousands of years each time she intertwines dampened reeds to form a basket. Her own knowledge of technique and style comes from decades of work and traveling. There’s the New England Nantucket Basket originally used by workers on lightships more than a hundred years ago. These baskets use a mold to create.
There’s the South Carolina Sweet Grass Baskets that use pine needle coiling, and there’s a Coushatta Basket. “Every region in the U.S. has it’s own type basket,” Hughes said while admitting she’s not up on the history of the baskets like she should. MATERIALS, SHAPES Basket weaving materials vary by the type of basket being made. White oak, pine needle,
Photo by Emma Hughes/basket by Emma Hughes
Cherokee twill, the pattern reverses from outside to inside, made of natural and dyed reed.
Photo by Emma Hughes/basket by Emma Hughes Photo by Emma Hughes/basket by Emma Hughes
Double wall, the inside wall is woven separate from the outside wall it is joined in the bottom at the rim. The walls are woven separate.
Small Cradle is woven on a wooden base with round reed spokes and flat oval and flat reed for sides and finished off with a braided rim.
philodendron, leather, day lily leaves, honeysuckle; basically any type of pliable vine. Baskets can be woven in a variety of shapes. “Cradles,” she said of a type of basket she creates that resembles a baby cradle. “Market Basket, which is a simple beginner basket.” HUGHES Hughes, 80, is a Sulfur, Louisiana, resident who worked for Camp Fire years ago. She always had an interest in basket weaving but never pursued the craft. One summer she ordered some kits for a simple basket for the youth but none of the counselors knew how to put it together. She figured it out. Later on, a friend brought her a basket of cookies and she marveled at the basket and found out who were the people who taught the craft. She would use her lunch breaks to learn. “It was like an instant love,” she said. “It comes real natural to me.” After leaving Camp Fire she mulled her next step in life and ended up teaching basket weaving classes at McNeese State University in a leisure-learning course open to the community. Her interest in the craft led her to visit basket-weaving conventions in North Carolina, where she got her first real exposure to people who really knew how to weave. As her thirst for knowledge grew so did her skills. She’s teaching several classes at the Texas Basket Weavers Association conference in Houston. She also teaches classes at The Cottage Quilting + Embroidery in Nederland and at St. Paul Episcopal Church in Orange. THOUGHTS Hughes uses a variety of materials and even dyes them herself, which is cost effective, she said. As for the baskets, a “normal” basket can take three to four hours to weave. “I used to blow it out in an hour or two but I’ve slowed down so much with the aging process,” she said. “I love it. It gives an instant form of gratification.” — By Mary Meaux
Mary Meaux/Orange Living
ABOVE: Katie Folwell works on her basket during a class at The Cottage Quilting + Embroidery. BELOW: Emma Hughes, left, gives instruction to Suzanne Reeves at The Cottage Quilting + Embroidery.
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