HOWE’S HAPPENINGS
Ihopeeveryone hadaveryMerry Christmasyesterday!Thisweekwe willhaveNew Year’sEveand NewYear’sDay beforethenext edition.Happy
SongoftheWeek:
“TheTimesThey
Thisweek’s editionisshorter duetotheholiday, andfocusesonthe newyearaheadfor thetownofHowe andourcitizens.
Electionnewswill becirculating soon,bothforthe inaugurationand localelections, staytuned!
Ashley Husbands
Karla McDonald
ANewYear=365Opportunities
This year for New Year’ s we are all preparing for the beginning of 2025. The Mayor, Karla McDonald, submitted the following letter to the newspaper regarding The New Year in Howe.
Whenthinkingabout welcomingtheNew Year,manyofusthink aboutcelebrationsand partieswithfamilyand friends,food,fireworks, stayinguppastmidnight, resolutions, andgoodlucktraditions. Asachild,Iwastold kissingsomeoneatmidnightwouldbringluckin love.Many Texanseatblack-eyed peasonNewYear’sDay inhopesthey’llhave goodluckand increasedfortune throughouttheyear.
Manyofusmakeourwell
-intendedNewYear’s resolutionsinhopesto createamuchneededor desiredchange.According toFleck (2024),arecentsurveyby StatistaConsumerInsightsshowsAmerica’s topNewYear’s resolutionsfor2025are thefollowing:
-21%wanttosavemore money
-19%wanttoeathealthier
-17%wanttoexercise more
-15%wanttoloseweight
-14%wanttospendmore timewithfamilyand friends
-9%wanttostopsmoking
-9%wanttoreduce spendingsonlivingexpenses(e.g.,food,energy)
-43%saytheyarenot makingaresolution
Ifinditinterestingthat 43%ofindividualssay theyarenotmakinga resolution.Why?Is thisbecauseourresolutionsarenotrealisticor obtainableresolutions? Dowebecome overzealousorisitthat ourexpectationsofourselvesfeelsooverwhelmingthatwegive uptoosoon?
Formanyofus,theNew Yearsignifiesanopportunityforchangeahead; wehave365 moredaysofopportunity todosomethingdifferently.Eachdaywewakeup, weare awardedanewopportunitytotryagain.Ihave oftenwondered,whywe waituntilthe NewYeartomakethese much-neededchanges wheneachdayaffordsus anew
opportunity?Ibelieve theNewYeartradition playsahugerolehere astheNewYearis asymbolofhopeand renewal.Theworldis celebrating,andweare notaloneinsetting goals.Wefeelinspired andmotivatedwhenwe workongoalstogether asagroup. Forsome,theiropportunitytotryagainmay looklikesavingmoney, losingweight, exercisingmore,stoppingsmoking,or spendingmoretime withfamilyandfriends. Whateveryourresolutionforselfimprovementis,remembertolovemore, forgivemore, andbekindtoothers becausereally,thisis whatweallwantfrom others.Givetoothers
whatwewantfrom them.Weareallperfectlyimperfecthumansonthisjourneyof life together.Wearealla workinprogresswho needloveandgrace.
So,asaperfectlyimperfecthuman,aNew Yearbringsme365 opportunitiestogive loveandgracetoothers.
BlessingsforaNew Year, KarlaMcDonald
NewBeginningsandAdventures
Ashley Husbands
MonicaWhitfield
The following is an article written by a local resident, Monica Whitfield.
Idon’tknowaboutyou, butitblowsmymindto thinkwearefiveplus yearsdowntheroad fromtheCOVIDtragedy.At thetime,myhusband andIwereretiringfrom twenty-fiveandtwentythreeyears,respectively,fromworking/ serving atourchurchinRockwall,TX.Wealways knewwewantedto downsizeandmovea littleclosertoourkids. Sowe starteddrivingdown countryroadsinsearch ofournextandhopeful-
ly,finalhome.Boy,did theLORDprovide!
InJulyof2021,we foundourperfectplace inHowe,TX!Neverin amillionyearswouldI havethoughtIwould beliving neartowheremy mothergrewupin Sherman!Although she’spassedaway,it stillbringsgreatcomforttoknowmy momstompedaround theseparts!
So,thisbringsmeto thetitleofmypiece, “NewBeginnings (Adventures)”.Iama “changeishardreserved-ratherlistenthan-talk”kindofperson.Well,hereIwasin anewtown,alotsmall(Continued on page 4)
MonicaandherMother
PhotoCredit:MonicaWhitfield
Howe
Boys’ Basketball
TheBoys’TeamlostagainstPottsboro 78-51.
Thisweekendatournamentwillbe heldinLeonardforcompetition.
NextWeekonDecember31st,the JVA,JVBandVarsityTeamswill competeagainstGunterinaDistrict Game,awayTheJVAgamebeginsat 10:00a.m.,theJVBteamgamebeginsat11:00a.m.,andtheVarsity Teamcompetesat12:30p.m..
Girls
’Basketball
The following was provided by Jaycee Fourkiller, The Head Girls’Basketball Coach:
ResultsfromFridaynight'sgamevs Pottsboro.
Pottsboro55
Howe40 JaedynJonesledtheteaminpoints with12points.RileyMcCollumalso haddoubledigitswith10points.
ThisweekendtheVarsityteam willcompeteintheFirstState BanktournamentinGainesville. Timesforthegameshaveyetto beannounced.
Nextweek,onDecember31st, theJVandVarsityteamsplaya DistrictGameawayagainst Gunter.Thegamesbeginat4:30 p.m..
Varsity Boys’and Girls; Basketball GameAgainst Pottsboro Photo Credit for all 3 Photos: Michelle Carney
Ashley Husbands
UpcomingElectionDates
Ashley Husbands
The local elections are coming up soon in the new year! The United States will have a new president January 20th, 2025. Followed by local elections in the following months. More will be written as the elections draw nearer, here are some important dates to remember as you are preparing for this year ’s local elections:
January1,2025–FirstDaytoapply foraballotbymailusingApplication foraBallotby Mail(ABBM)orFederalPostCard Application(FPCA)
January15,2025–FirstDaytoFile forPlaceonGeneralElectionBallot (forlocal politicalsubdivisionsONLY)
February14,2025–LastDaytoFile forPlaceonGeneralElectionBallot (forlocal politicalsubdivisionsONLY)
April3,2025–LastDaytoRegisterto Vote
April22,2025–FirstDayofEarly VotingbyPersonalAppearance
April22,2025–LastDaytoApplyfor BallotbyMail
April29,2025–LastDayofEarly VotingbyPersonalAppearance
May3,2025–ElectionDay.Lastday toReceiveBallotbyMail
U.S.President-electDonaldTrump willtakeofficeonJanuary20,2025
Moreinformationcanbefoundhere.
NewBeginningsandAdventuresContinued
erthanwhereIcamefrom,not knowingasoul.WhatwasIgoingto do?!Adearfriendhadrecentlygone throughasimilarmoveandgaveme somegreatadvice.Shesaid, “Monica,you’rejustgoingtohave to‘put’yourselfoutthere”!SoI haveandIamsogladandthankful forsteppingoutincourage!
TheLORDhassurroundedmyhusbandandmewithawonderful churchhome,CommunityBible Fellowship;itsdearpastor,Jeremy Mooreandthepreciouscongregationthatwehavecometolovelike familyanddolifewith!Wehadno ideahowspecialthetownofHowe iswhenwefirstmovedhere,butday -by-dayweseeandexperiencethe warm,welcomingpeoplethatreside here.Itisajoyandpleasuretohear storiesfromthosewhohave beenlong-timeresidentsandalso fromnewfolkslikeusjustfinding ourwayhere!
Ourtownisgrowingandwhata privilegeitistobeapartofthisadventure!Iwanttoencourageyouto stepoutofyourfamiliarcomfort zonetomeetthesewonderfulpeople.Theyaresoworthit!Yourlife willbeforeverblessed!
Howeopportunities/experiencesthat haveenrichedme:
-QuickCheckWednesdaymeatloaf
-ServingwithFeedMySheep
-BiblestudiesatCommunityBible Fellowship
-MonthlyHoweCityCouncilmeetings
-HoweEnterprisenews
-HoweMercantile(couldspend hourslooking/shopping)
-Howecitystaff/employees
-HowePostoffice/employeesandnot havingtowaitinlonglines
-Gabriella’sMexicanCocinariceand beans(thebest)
-Abby’sfriedgreentomatoes
-Palio’shotItalianpizza
-Don’sSmokehouse
-Hearingthetrainatnight
-HoweBulldogpride
-DollarGeneralforchocolateurges andreasonablegreetingcardprices
-MTYTires
-Andthemanymoreopportunities andpeopleyettomeet!
Ed and MonicaWhitfield, on the day they purchased their home in Howe.
Photo Credit: MonicaWhitfield
Monica’s Mother, in her younger years
Photo Credit: MonicaWhitfield
NewYear’sDayRecipe
Ashley Husbands
Black Eyed Peas
Prep Time: 20minutes
Cook Time:
1 hour and 15minutes minutes
Soaking time: 4 Hours
Total Time: 5 hours 35
Servings6servings
Ingredients
1lbdryblackeyedpeasrinsed andpickedover
6slicesbacon
8ozsmokedandouillesausagecubed
1largesweetonionfinelydiced
1ribcelerydiced
3clovesgarlicminced
2tspCreoleorCajunseasoning
1/2-1tspsaltadjusttotaste
1/2tspblackpepper
1/4tspcrushedredpepper flakesoptional
7-8cupslowsodiumchicken stock
2mediumbayleaves
2tspfreshthyme
2-3cupsfrozencollard greensthawed(optional)
4mediumgreenonions,thinly sliced cornbreadorcookedwhiterice forserving
Instructions
Rinseandpickoverblackeyed peasthenplaceintoapotor largebowlandcoverwith3 inches(headspace)ofcoldwater.Letsoakfor4hours.Drain well
Ina6quartDutchovenorsimilarheavybottomedpotcook
baconovermedium-highheatuntil crisp.Removefrompottoapapertowellinedplatter,thenchop.
Tothedrippingsinthepot,add andouille.Cookfor2-3minutesthen removewithaslottedspoon.Setaside.
Addonionandcelery.Cookovermediumhighfor3-5minutesoruntilsoftenedandbeginningtobrown.Add garliccookfor1minutelonger.
Tothepotadddrainedblackeyedpeas, CreoleorCajunseasoning,salt,black pepper,redpepperflakes,bayleaves andfreshthyme.Add7cupsstockreserving1cupfortheendofcookingto thin,ifneeded.
Coverandcookoverlowheatfor7590minutesorjustuntiltheblackeyed peasaretenderandthebrothiscreamy. Stirperiodicallytoavoidstickingtothe bottomofthepot.(Youmayneedto cooklongerdependingonhowvigorouslythebeanssimmer.Testandaddor deducttimeasneeded)
Tothepotaddandouille,1/2cooked baconandcollardgreens.Mixwell, simmeringuncoveredforaround5-10 minutesorjustuntilheatedthroughand slightlyreduced.Removebayleaves andthymestems.(Thisisthepointyou canaddextra1cupstocktothin,ifdesired.Likewisetothicken,remove someblackeyedpeasfromthepotand mashthenaddbacktothepot.))
Serveimmediatelywithcornbreadgarnishedwithreservedbaconandgreen onions.
Recipefoundonline,here.
NewYear’sLetter fromtheEditor
Ashley Husbands
Irecentlyheardofatraditionfrom anacquaintanceofminethatIfindto bequitelovelyfortheNewYear. Insteadofcomingupwithalaundry listofgoals,thingstofixaboutyourself,etc.,shepicksawordanddecidesconsciouslytoembodyit throughouttheyear,whentheopportunityarises.Forexample,ifthe wordyouchooseis“peace”,when stressfulmomentsariseinyourlife, youchoosetoremindyourselfof yourcommitmentto“peace”inyour life.
Forapersonalwordoftheyear,I willlikelychooseaBiblical“fruitof theSpirit”:love,joy,peace,patience, kindness,goodness,faithfulness, gentlenessandself-control.Ifeel thoseareagoodplacetostart.
ForTheHoweEnterprise,Iwould likeforthewordoftheyeartoactuallybetwowords,“engagement” and“growth”.Myvisionforthepaperwillrequirecommunitysupport andinput.Iwouldloveforthispaper togrowwiththetownasitgrows intoaslargeasHowechoosesto become.Inordertoreachthatgoal,I wouldlovetohavemoreinputfrom thecommunity.
Thefirstwordis“engagement.”A communityiswhatmakesapaper
whatitis.Icannotpossiblyknowall oftheeventshappeninginatown, norcanIknowalloftheeventsimportanttoeachofyou.Igenuinely wanttoknowwhatevents,groups, etc.areavailableintown,andwhat theystandfor.Whatisimportantto eachofyou?Whatwouldyoulike thegrowthofthepaper,andtownto looklike?Whatinputdoyouhave aboutthecommunityyoulivein?
Ihopetoprovideinformationabout Howenotonlytothelong-timeresidentsbutthenewcomerstoourcommunity.Toeffectivelycreateanengagingpaperwithyouall,thismust beatwo-way-street.Iwillbeasking inthepaperandviatheFacebook pageforparticipation.Emailsare alwayswelcometoashley@howeenterprise.comregarding anythingcitizenswouldliketohave inputon.Icannotpromiseallinput willmakeittothepaperbutIgreatly appreciateandwillconsiderallofit.
Thesecondwordis“growth.”As weallknow,thetownofHoweis expanding.Asthetowngrows,the paperwillalsoneedtogrow.New thingsandpeoplewillbecomingto town:businesses,employees,many townchanges,etc.andIamvery excitedtohighlightthosechangesin apositivelight.Iwouldlovetohave “localgooddeed”highlights,spot(Continued on page 8)
(Continued
lightsonnewbusinesses,andsimilar content.Please,asareader,ifyou wouldliketoseesomethingnewin thepaper,anidea,astory,morecoverageoncertainthings,Iwouldlove thefeedback.
Questionsregardingpaperchanges arealsowelcome.Thevisionforthe paper’sfutureincludesaplanfor physicalpapercopiestobeavailable. Afewchangeshavebeenmadethus far,suchasremovingthepastpapers fromthebackofthenewspaper. Changessuchastheseareinpreparationforaphysicalprintpaper.The costsofthephysicalpaperwillbe keptataminimumtokeepeasyaccessibility.Theonlineandemaillist forthepaperwillcontinue.Moreinformationaboutgettingonamailing listwillbepostedinthecoming weeks.
IenjoyHoweforwhatithasbeenand is.Iwouldliketoretainasmanyof thegreatthingsaboutHowehighlightedaswepossiblycan,fromboth itstraditions,andthenewopportunitiescoming.
Iamhonoredtobeeditorofthetown
newspaper.Ihopethispaperand thetowncanbewelcomingand aresourceforallcitizens.
IwantthistobeYOURtown paper,withcontentyoueach wanttoread.Greatthingsareon thehorizonforthetownof Howe,andforthenewspaper,as well.
Thankyouallforyourreadership,Ilookforwardtothisfirst yearundernewownershipand alloftheopportunitiesandrelationshipsitwillbringwithinour community.Iwouldloveto meeteachofyou,pleasefeel freetoreachoutateventsand strikeupaconversation.
Thankyouforhelpingmeembodythevisionforthepaperof engagementandgrowththis nextyear.Maybeyou,too, wouldliketopickawordor wordsfortheyear. Ihopeyour wordbringsyouanattainable andmindfulgoalfor2025.
HappyNewYear,fromThe HoweEnterprise!
PostingID 16797583
Location Sherman
PostingCloseDate
3/10/25
PostingLink
https://bit.ly/4gCpuyi
Description
Alocalcompanyislooking foraCONTROLSTECHNICIANwhowillberesponsibleforoperating,maintaining,repairing,andtroubleshootingfacilityPLC, SCADAandallplantancillararysystems. Thisincludescalibrationofsystem instrumentationfielddevices,managementofPLC controlpanels,ladderlogic, fieldinstrumentationloops, networkcommunications, andalarmmanagement. ThispositionrequiresaHigh SchoolDiplomaorEquivalent,andaminimumof5 yearsofrelatedexperience.
PostingID 16781451
Location Denison
PostingCloseDate 1/30/25
PostingLink
https://bit.ly/4gF0tSU
Description
Alocalcompanyis lookingforCAREGIVERSwhowillprovide avarietyofnonmedicalservicesinthe TexomaAreathatallowseniorstoremain intheirhome.ThispositionrequiresaHigh SchoolDiplomaor Equivalent,andavalid driver'slicense.
BulkTrashPickup2ndFriday ofeachmonthinHowe.
CityofHowe
SECONDS
COUNTINANEMER-
GENCY!That's whytheCityofHowehas institutedthe CodeREDEmergency NotificationSystem -anultrahigh-speedtelephonecommunica- tionserviceforemergency notifications.This systemallowsustotelephoneallortargeted areasincaseofanemergencysituationthat requiresimmediateaction (suchasaboil-waternotice,missingchildorevacuationnotices).The systemiscapableofdialing60,000phonenumbersperhour.Itthen deliversapre-recordedmessagedescribingthesituationstoalivepersonoranansweringmachineintheaffectedareapossiblyincluding instructionsrequiringactiononthepartoftherecipient.Oncethesituationisremedied,anothercallwillbeplacedtotheareasignalingthat theissuehasbeenaddressedandthatnormalactivitiescanberesumed.
Thefollowinginformationisrequiredtoaddatelephonenumberinto the"CodeRED"database:firstandlastname;address(physicaladdress,noP.O.boxes);city;state;ZipCode;andprimaryphonenumber.Thesystemworkswithcellularphonesbutrequiresavalidstreet address.Whenenteringinformation,pleasefilloutallofthescreens becausethenewestdataenteredwillreplacetheolddata.Signupby visitinghttp://www.co.grayson.tx.us/page/oem.cred
2022-23Localtaxation
StateSalesTax
GeneralRevenueSalesTax
EconomicDevelopment(TypeB)
SalesTax
Total
CityofHoweTaxRate
HoweI.S.DTaxRate
GraysonCountyTaxRate
GraysonCollegeTaxRate
Total(per$100valuation)
City Hall
116 E. Haning St., 903-532-5571
Mayor: Karla McDonald
City Council: Michael Hill, Rodney Hough, Billie Ingram, Sarah Myrick, Joe Shephard
City Administrator (interim): Monte Walker
City Secretary: Regina Harris
Utility Billing and Municipal Court
116 E. Haning St. 903-532-5571
Utility Clerk: Beccy Roberts Court Clerk: Tammy Grisolia (After hours night drop available)
Public Works
317 S. Hughes St.
Public Works Director: Mickey Phillips
Code Enforcement
317 S. Hughes St.
Code Enforcement Officer: Benjamin Fuhr
Howe Volunteer Fire Department
118 E. Haning 903-532-6888 (nonemergency)
Fire Chief: Robert Maniet
Howe Police Department
700 W. Haning St. 903-532-9971 (non-emergency) Dispatch 903813-4411
Police Chief: Carl Hudman
Economic Development
100 E. O’Connell St. 903-532-6080
EDC Director: Monte Walker
& Zoning
TexasHistoryMinute
Once Christmashas passed,theworld lookstoanew year. Manywonderwhatthenew yearwillbring whileplanningtheirownwaysofringingin2025. Somewillmarkthenew yearquietlywhileotherswillcelebrate withfriendsandfamily. Thenewyear willseemanyimportantevents,as withanyotheryear. Newlawswill takeeffect,newpoliticianswillbe swornintooffice,andnewelections takeplaceinothercountries. Importantdiscoverieswillbemade,scandalswillerupts,triumphsandtragedies alikewillbeseen. Butwhatthese eventswillbeisyetunknown. On NewYear’sEve,theworldwillpause toreflectononeeventfulyearandlook aheadtoanother.
Observancesofthenewyeardateback thousandsofyearsasancientpeoples recognizedtheregularshiftingpatterns ofstarsatnightandthesunintheday andtheirconnectiontoparticularseasons. TheearliestobservancesofJanuary1forthebeginningoftheyear beganwiththeRomansaround713 BC. TheRomansnamedthefirst monthoftheirlunarcalendaryearJanuaryaftertheRomangodJanus,who supposedlywasthegodoftimeand alsothegodofbeginningsandtransitions. Accordingtolegend,Janushad twofaces,onelookingintothepast andtheotherlookingintothefuture. It wasadaymarkedwithgreatcelebrations.
InNewYorkCity,thefamousdroppingoftheTimesSquareBallwill markthenewyear. Itisatradition datingbacktoNewYear’sEve1907 whenAdolphOchs,thenownerofThe NewYorkTimes,deviseditasaway ofcelebratingthenewyearbyhaving theglassballloweredontheroofofhis newspaperbuilding. Themodernball, itsfifthincarnation,isglass,twelve feetindiameter,andweighsnearly12,000pounds. ItwasmanufacturedbyWaterfordCrystalandhas morethan32,000LEDlightsilluminatingit. Itisthemostpopularnew year’sobservanceintheUnitedStates, withuptoonemillionpeopleattendinginpersoneachyear.
ThetraditionofRoshHashanah marksthetraditionoftheJewishnew year,whichmeans“headoftheyear” inHebrew,atraditiondatingbackto theOldTestament. Thisholidayisnot observedinJanuarybutsometimein SeptemberorOctober,dependingon thelunarcalendar. Thetwo-daycelebrationincludesmanysymbolicfoods, includingapplesdippedinhoneyto markasweetnewyear. Itisanational holidayonlyinIsraelandUkraine. In 2025,itwillbeginatsunsetonSeptember23.
FortheHopiandZunitribesof theSouthwest,thenewyearistraditionallycelebratedonthewintersolstice,December21. Itismarkedwith prayers,rituals,andfeasts,allofwhich canlastuptoninedays. TheNavajo observethenewyearwiththenew mooninOctober,usuallythefirstnew moonafterthebeginningoffall.
Inmostcountriesthroughout theworld,January1isanofficialholi-
daytomarkthebeginningofthenew year. Evenmanynon-westerncountrieswillobserveJanuary1asNew Year’sDaybecauseoftheoverwhelminginfluenceofEuropeanandAmericanbusinessandcultureforthepast fewcenturiesastheyultimatelyadoptedthemodernGregoriancalendar usedthroughouttheWest,eveninofficiallyatheistnationslikeChina.
TheChineseNewYearwillnot startuntilJanuary29. UndertheChineseZodiacsystemdatingbackmany centuries,2025willmarktheYearof theSnake. InChina,thesnakeisassociatedwithintelligencebutalsotrickeryanddeceit. InChina,fireworksare setofftomarkthenewyearandto alsoscareoffdemonsandforcesof darkness. InChina,familiesoften gathertocelebratethenewyear.
Similarly,January29willmark thetraditionalVietnameseNewYear, knownasTet. TheVietnameselunar calendarisverysimilartotheChinese calendar. TheVietnameseZodiacalso makes2025theYearoftheSnake. By tradition,agreatfeastisprepared,familyreunionsareheld,andmanycelebrationsareheldincitiesacrossthe country. ManyinVietnamseeTetas thebeginningofspringas well. Cleaningthehomeisalsopartof thetraditionalobservancestosymbolicallycleanoutthebadspiritsfromthe previousyear.
Differenttypesoffoodarealso associatedwiththeNewYear’scelebrations. InIndia,riceiseatenfor prosperityinthenewyear. Buttered breadissupposedtobegoodluck inIreland. InSpain,peopletraditionallyeat12grapesatmidnight,oneat eachchime,tobringluckforthe year. IntheAmericanSouth,blackeyedpeasareeatenforgoodluckfor thenewyear. Leafygreenvegetables likecollardgreensaresupposedto symbolizeprosperity.InScotland,gifts ofsilverwareorpastriesaretraditionallygivenforluck. InthePhilippines, ChristmasandNewYear’sDaycelebrationsareoftencombined.
Manycelebrationswillmark thebeginningoftheyearastheworld headsintothefuture.
JoyToTheWorld,The LordHasCome!
Theauthorof thisstoryis unknownand ithasbeen toldbymany people throughoutthe years.The gentlemanto whomI’m goingtointroducewasnota Scrooge,buta kind,generous manwholovedhisfamilyandwas upright inhisdealingswithotherpeople.He couldnotunderstandhoworwhyJesuscametoearthtosaveusfromour sins.Itdidnotmakesenseandhewas toohonesttopretendotherwise.“I’m trulysorrytodistressyou,”hetold hiswife,“butI’mnotgoingwithyou andthekidstochurchthisChristmas Eve.”Hewentontosay,hewould feellikeahypocriteandthisyearhe wouldmuchratherstayhome.He wouldjustwaitupandreaduntilthey returned.Andso,hestayedbehindas thefamilywenttothecandlelightservice.
Shortlyafterthefamilydroveaway, snowbegantofall.Hewenttothe windowandwatchedastheflurries becameheavier.Hethenwentbackto hischairinfrontofthefiretofinish readinghisnewspaper.Ashortwhile laterheheardathuddingsound...then another,andthenanother.Hisfirst thoughtwasthatitsoundedlike someonethrowingsnowballsagainst hislivingroompicturewindow.Ashe openedthefrontdoortoinvestigate, hefoundseveralbirdshuddledmiserablyinthesnow.They’dbeencaughtin thestormandinadesperatesearch forshelter,didnotrealizetheglass barrierwaskeepingthemfromenteringthesafetyofhishome.Well,he couldnotjustletthepoorcreatures freeze,sohehadanideathatthebarn thathousedhischildren’sponywould provideaperfectplacefromthestorm ifhecouldonlyfigureouthowtolead themintoit.
Throwingonhiscoatandrubber boots,heheadedoutintothedeepeningsnowtothebarn.Heopenedthe doors wideandturnedonthelight,butthe birdsdidnotmove.Figuringthatfood wouldenticethemtocomein,he hurriedbacktothehouse,grabbed somebread,andstartedmakingatrail ofcrumbstothelightedstable.Butto hisdismay,thebirdspaidnoattention andcontinuedtoflaparoundhelplesslyinthesnow.Tryingtocatchthem becamecomicalastheyweretoofast andhisattempttoherdthembywavinghisarmsonlymadethingsworse astheyscatteredineverydirection exceptwherehewantedthemtogo. Suddenly,herealizedtheyweresimply overwhelmedwithfear.“Imustseem likeadangerousandterrifyinggianthe thought,ifonlyIcouldthinkofa waytoletthemknowtheycantrust me.
”
“IfIcouldjustconvincethemthatI’m notgoingtohurtthemandsincerely wanttohelpthem.Buthow?
WheneverImovetheygointoapanic andseemtobeconfusedandsuspiciouslydeterminedtonotlettheir guarddown.”Thenitdawnedonhim, ifonlyhecouldbecomeabird,he couldminglewiththemandspeak their language.“Thenhopefullytheycould cometoknowmeandlearnthereisno needtofear.Icouldshowthemthe waywheretheycanbesafeandcontent.Becomingoneofthemwould allowmetodemonstratemycompassion
andthentheycouldreceivemygrace.” Atthatmomentthechurchbellsbegan toringthroughthecrispstillness andashestoodtherelisteningtothe melodyof“Ocomeallyefaithful”he thoughtabouthowmostpeople, (includinghimself)aregenerallyafraid ofGodandhaveadifficulttimewith faith.“Hmmm...soGodsentHis Sontorescuethosewhowilltrust Him.”
Themanfeltconvictionwithinhissoul andrealizedforthefirsttimehowthe SonofGodisthehopeofeternal salvation.Jesushadtosomehowprove Hisloveanddyingonthecrossbecamethatway.Afteralltheseyearshe embracedGod’sloveandwhyhe neededaSavior.Atthatmoment,he humblyfelltohiskneesinthesnow and askedGodtoforgiveandsavehim. “ChristmasDayisthecelebrationof eternalsalvationastheincarnationof ChristcomesfromtheLatinversionof John1:14,whichdeclares,“TheWord (Christ)becamefleshandmade Hisdwellingamongus.”Thereisno greatergiftthantoknowGod’slove!
Dr. Holland is a Christian author, outreach minister, and community chaplain. Check out his books and read more about the Christian life at billyhollandministries.com
KenBridges
Dr.BillyHolland
AttendtheChurchofYourChoice
EachSunday...
CommunityBibleFellowship
JeremyMoore,pastor
415SCollinsFwy,Howe,TX75459
Wednesday
6:30pm-FoodandFellowship
7:00pm-CommunityKids(ages36thgrade,nurseryavailable)
7:00pm-YouthandAdultBible Study
Sunday
10:30am-WorshipService
FirstBaptistChurchHowe RogerTidwell,pastor
100E.DavisSt.,Howe,TX903-5325504
Wednesday
5:30pm FreeMeal
6:30pm-TeamKid
6:30pm-YouthMinistry
6:30pm-AdultBibleFellowship
Sunday
9:15am-BibleFellowship
10:30am-WorshipService
6:00pm PotluckFellowshipand BibleStudy
HoweMethodistChurchofHowe JBBryant,minister
810NDennySt,Howe,TX75459 903-532-6718
Tuesday:
8:30am-1:00pmWeeCareDaycare (Registrationneeded)
9:30am-Women'sBibleStudy 6:30pm-BoyScouts
Wednesday:
9:00am-WednesdayWorkers
6:00pm-1stand3rdWednesdays
FamilyNight
Thursday:
8:30am-1:00pm-WeeCareDaycare (Registrationneeded)
Saturday:
9:00am-12:00pm-FeedMySheep (1st&3rdSat.ofeachmonth)
Sunday:
8:30am-CoffeeandDonuts
9:00am-SundaySchool
10:00am-WorshipService 3:00pmCubScouts
FirstBaptistChurchDorchester ZachPoling,pastor
11831FM902,Dorchester,TX75459903-476-5525
Wednesday
6:30pm-Worshipservice
Sunday
9:00am-Men'sPrayerTime
9:45am-SundaySchool
10:45am-WorshipService
5:00pm-EveningService
SummitViewChurch BrettandDebHetrick,pastors
910SDennySt,Howe,TX75459903-532-6828
Wednesday
7:00pm-RadiateYouth 7:00pm-Sanctuaryofforprayer
Sunday
9:30am-SundaySchool(kids,youth,women,men) 10:30am-WorshipService 10:30am-KidsChurch
HoweChurchofChrist AaronAlsbrook,minister
1205NCollinsFwy,Howe,TX75459903-532-6441
Wednesday
7:00pm-BibleClasses(allages)
Sunday 9:00am-BibleClasses(allages)
10:00am-WorshipService 5:00pm-WorshipService
Abide in Me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in Me. 5 “I am the vine, you are the branches. He who abides in Me, and I in him, bears much fruit; for without Me you can do nothing. John 15:4-5 NIV
The Patriot Pony
World’sNo.3Automaker
TwoofJapan'sleadingautomakers, HondaandNissan,haveformallyannouncedtheyareexploringplansto merge.Themovewouldcreatethe world'sthird-largestcarmanufacturer byrevenue($191B)afterToyotaand Volkswagen(seemore).
HondaandNissansignedamemorandumofunderstandingyesterday,with thegoalofestablishingajointholding companybyAugust2026andbringinginNissanpartnerMitsubishi.AnalystsviewthedealasalifelineforNissan,whichannouncedplanstoslash 9,000jobslastmonthand whoseprofitshavetumbledpartlydue toanoutdatedmodellineupintheUS andlaggingsalesinChina.
However,HondaandNissanexecutivessaidthemergerwouldaidindevelopingnewtechnologiesamida transitionfromfossilfuels,including managingthecostsofbuilding
intelligentcarsandelectricvehicles. DiscussionsaresettoconcludeinJune 2025.Hondasharesclosedupnearly 13%onthenews.
GovernmentShutdownAverted
AstopgapfundingbillclearedCongressSaturdaymorningshortlyaftera midnightdeadline,avertingafederal governmentshutdown.Themeasure fromHouseSpeakerMikeJohnson (R,LA-4)wasapprovedbytheRepublican-ledHousebyavoteof36634Friday,whiletheDemocratic-led SenatefollowedsuitearlySaturday morningbyavoteof85-11.
Theshort-termextension,knownasa continuingresolution,fundsthegovernmentatcurrentlevelsthrough March14whileadding$100Bfor disasteraidand$10Bforagricultural assistancetofarmers.Iteliminates President-electDonaldTrump'sdemandtoraiseorsuspendthedebtceiling,whichRepublicanleadersindicate willbeaddressedseparatelyinupcomingtaxandborderpolicydiscussions nextyear.
Thedebtceilinglimitsthetotalamount ofmoneytheUScanborrowtomeet itsexistingfinancialobligations.The USdebthasrisentoroughly $36Taftertheceilingwassuspended fromJune2023;thatsuspensionexpiresJan.1.
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ManofSteal”Dies
MajorLeagueBaseballlegendRickey HendersondiedFridayatage65. Knownasthe"ManofSteal,"theHall ofFamerholdstheall-timestolenbase recordwith1,406andrunsscoredwith 2,295,andwaswidelyconsideredthe greatestleadoffhitterinbaseballhistory.
Hendersonendedhis25-seasoncareer in2003afterplayingfornineteams thelongesttenurewithhishometown team,theOaklandA's.Inthattime, HendersonwontwoWorldSeriestitles:hisfirstwiththeA'sin1989and hissecondwiththeTorontoBlueJays in1993.Hendersonalsoheldthealltimerecordforwalks(2,190)before BarryBondssurpassedhimin2004. Hewasa10-timeAll-Starandbecame afirst-ballotHallofFamerin2009.
Hendersonwasalsoknownforhis styleandeccentricity,oftencelebrating homerunswithasignaturejerseytug
orfingerdance.
GermanChristmasMarketAttack
Anassailantrammedacarintoa crowdedChristmasmarketinGermanyonFriday,killingatleastfive peopleandwoundingatleast200 others.Thedetainedsuspect a50year-oldSaudidoctor wasknown toaccusetheGermangovernment ofprioritizingMuslimimmigrants oversecularones;policehavenot identifiedamotive.
Theattackoccurredinthecentral GermancityofMagdeburg,nearly 80mileswestofBerlin.Shortly after7pmlocaltime,thedrivermaneuveredarentedcarthroughagap inthesecuritybarriersbeforeacceleratingthroughthecrowdedmarket.Theassaultlastedthree minutes.Policearrestedthedriverat astreetcarstopashetriedtodrive awayfromthesquare.
The Patriot Pony
PelicotVerdictReached
DominiquePelicotwasconvictedand sentencedto20yearsinprisonyesterdayforthedruggingandrapeofhisex -wife,GisèlePelicot.Thejudgment capsanearlyfour-monthpublictrial likenedtoFrance's#MeToomoment.
DominiqueandGisèle,bothofwhom are72yearsold,hadbeenmarriedfor 50yearswhenpolicerevealed Dominiquehaddruggedandsexually assaultedGisèlefrom2011to2020. Dominiquehadalsoinvitedatleast50 othermentoparticipateandadmitted toplacinganti-anxietymedicationin Gisèle'sfoodtofacilitatetheassaults.Themen,betweentheagesof 26and74,wereeachconvictedofat leastonechargeyesterday,withsentencesrangingfromthreeto15years inprison.
Gisèleoptedforapublictrialtoshed lightontheissueofsexualconsentin France.ThedecisiontowaiveanonymitypropelledGisèleintothespotlight,withmanyheraldingherasa hero.
TikTokHeadstoSCOTUS
TheUSSupremeCourthasagreedto hearTikTok'schallengetoafederal lawbanningthevideo-sharingapp unlessitsUSoperationsseparatefrom ChineseparentcompanyByteDance. ArgumentsaresetforJan.10,nine daysbeforethelawtakeseffect.
Thehighcourtwillreviewalowercourtrulingupholdingthelegislation overnationalsecurityconcernsand rejectingTikTok'sargumentthatitviolatedtheFirstAmendment.Congress enactedthemeasureinApriloverconcernsfromUSofficialsChinacould accessthepersonaldataofAmericans usingtheapp,includingbrowsinghistory,location,andbiometrics.TikTok, whichbecameavailableintheUSin 2018(seetimeline),boastsroughly 170millionactiveUSusers.
ByteDancesaiditwon'tsellits USoperations.Ifbanned,federallawwillpreventappstores fromlettingusersdownloador updateTikTok,andinternet hostingserviceswon'tbeableto supportit.WhileusingTikTok won'tbeillegal,itcouldbecome inoperable.
AIWhiskeyMaster
Amachinelearningprogramwasable tomeetoroutperformprofessional tastersinidentifyingwhiskeynotes, accordingtoanewstudy.Thedemonstrationmarksamilestoneinsensory perceptionusingartificialintelligence.
Dataanalyststestedtheirprogramon 16whiskeysamples(sevenAmerican, nineScotch)previouslycategorizedby 11humanexperts.Theprogram usingstatisticalmodelsandneuralnetworks identifiedmoleculesineach whiskeyandusedthemtopredictthe sample'stopfiveflavornotes.Researcherscomparedthesefindings againstthetopfiveflavornotesaggregatedfromhumanexperts’descriptions.
Thistypeofanalysishashistorically beenchallenging;whilesomechemicalmixtures likevanillin aredirectlyassociatedwithaspecificaroma, others likewhiskey canrelyon over40compounds.Notably,theprogramfoundmoleculeslikementhol andcitronelloluniquetotheAmerican whiskeysandassociatedwith“caramel -like”notes.Methyldecanoateand heptanoicacid,uniquetoScotchwhiskeys,weremorelikelytobeassociated withapple-likeorsolvent-likenotes.
SyphilisOriginsStudy
Themodernformofthebacteria causingsyphilislikelyoriginatedin theAmericaswithinthelast8,000 years,accordingtoresearchpublishedyesterday.Thediscoveryfurthersacenturies-longdebatearound thecurable andnowresurgent condition,counteringalong-held beliefthatthediseasearrivedinthe AmericasafterEuropeancolonization.
Researchersidentifiedearlyversionsoftheaffliction-causingmicrobe,Treponemapallidum,on bacterialDNAextractedfromthe remainsoffivesickindividuals frompre-ColumbianCentraland SouthAmerica.Analystscautioned thelimitednumberofancientDNA specimensofthebacteriaworldwideminimizesanyconclusions fromthestudy,withonescientist suggestingtheproto-bacteriamay havefirsttraveledwithhumans fromEurasiatotheAmericas.
Syphilisisasexuallytransmittedinfectionthatisofteninitiallyasymptomaticbutcandevelopintosignificant brainandcardiovascularissues (watchoverview).Roughly8million newinfectionsofsyphilisoccurannually.Theinfectionistreatablewith aroundofantibiotics.