By Bobby Tingle

Orange Living is a new publication about living in Orange. Orange Living is published quarterly; the first issue has been printed, shipped and mailed. Look for it in your mailbox, your favorite restaurant or in waiting rooms of doctors, dentists and other places people congregate.

Orange Living has been a work in progress for more than a year. It places a spotlight on you, the Greater Orange Community.

It is a magazine, full of color, fun, entertaining and focused on people, places, events, culture, entertainment and our heritage.

The inaugural issue features photos from recent events and who was On The Scene and about town. Lamar State College – Orange opened its brand new addition, the Cypress Center, and you will find photos of locals attending the ribbon cutting ceremony. Best Day Spa and ABC Counseling Education Services also held ribbon cuttings with several locals attending and their photos featured in the section.

The Greater Orange Area Chamber of Commerce annual banquet was well attended. You will recognize many of the folks showcased in photos from this event held in December.

December was a full month of activities and community events. American Real Estate hosted an open house at their Jerry Hughes Team realty office. From the photos published it looks like the open house produced a full house of locals enjoying the food and fellowship. Also in December, the Service League of Orange hosted their annual Toy Coffee. Photos of attendees from this year’s event brighten several pages of your new community magazine.

Earlier in the year the Bridge City Chamber held their annual Bridge City Night Out shindig. You can see who was on this scene in Orange Living.

On the cultural scene, Courtney Zetar’s feature on Preserving the Cajun Way details the work of the local chapter of the Gulf Coast Cajun-French-Music-Association. Rusty Benoit has presided over this group for eleven years motivated by his desire to the preservation of the Cajun culture and heritage.

Holly Westbrook features a local day trip destination, the Big Thicket National Preserve, an off the beaten path opportunity to get those couch potatoes up and at ‘em.

Van Wade spent some time exploring the life of Frances Thompson, wife of Cornell Thompson West Orange Stark High School football coach, and you can explore her perspective on her world in his feature article. Wade also spent time researching a local culinary tradition: Cajun Crawfish Etouffee.

Orange Living explores the historic home of James and Annette Pernell complete with photos and its rich historical perspective in a report by Dawn Burleigh. Adding to the historical aspect of the publication, Mike Louviere, a local historian, details the beginnings of The Woman’s Club and the Library.

Orange Living would not be possible without the many local sponsors whose goods and services are showcased throughout the magazine.

Eric Williams and Randy Strong contributed photos, which help bring to life the people, places and events the Greater Orange community offers local residents.

Take some time with this quarterly publication and get to know or get reacquainted with your community. The reading is light and easy. The photos are colorful and entertaining. The people showcased in its pages make the magazine.

Orange Living is a community publication, brought to you by local residents and focused on the people and events that set Orange apart.

We look forward to your feedback and hope you enjoy it as much as we did putting it together.

 

Bobby Tingle is publisher of The Orange Leader. You can reach him at bobby.tingle@orangeleader.com.