HOWE’S
Happy Thanksgiving fromTheHowe Enterprise!
Therearemany thingstobethankfulfor!Ifyou wokeuptoday, havecleanwater, foodtoeat,electricity,andpeople wholoveyou,you arebetteroffthan many.Countour
UpcomingEvents:
AngelTreesare availableatthelocalschools.Contacttheschoolor visittheHigh Schoolduringnormalbusinesshours toinquire.
amongtheCityCouncil, severalimpactfulissues inthecommunitywere addressedbyboththe PlanningandZoning (P&Z)Commissionand theCity.
TheP&ZCommission beganthelongestmeetingoftheirknownhistoryTuesdaynightcover-
oftheCouncilmeeting, stirredupneighborswho attendedinordertovoice theirconcerns.Thedeveloperofthelandin questioninOrdinance 826,KentLowder,explainedthereasoningfor thezoningrequestasan adjustmentintheability forcertainlotsizesand squarefootageofhomes.
knownbuilderintown, willbebuildingthe homes,manyhehopes willbecustommade.
Inresponsetotheconcernsraised,Lowder stated,“Theobjective herewastomakesure thatit’saqualityproduct thatisbuiltanditremains (Continued on page 2)
HoweISD ReceivedANear PerfectRating
Ashley Husbands
Lastweek,theHowe SchoolBoardmetfor themonthlymeeting, heldthethirdMonday ofeachmonth.Each principalspokeabout recentevents,followed byanoverviewofthe ratingsanddatareceivedregardingthe district’sstatusfor20232024fromtheFinancial IntegrityRatingSystem ofTexas.
SummitHillElementaryisparticipatinginan AngelTreeopportunity tothecommunity,anda kindergartenChristmas programDecember10th , thisyearfortheholidays.Apopcornfundraiserisstillongoing, theschoolcanbecontactedtopurchasepopcorn.Asockdonation projectwasparticipated inbyboththeelementaryandintermediate schools,fortheGrayson CrisisCenter.Summit Hilldonatedatotalof 963pairs.
TheIntermediate Schoolthird-graders recentlyparticipatedina fieldtriptoaAllen AmericanHockey game,andtheschoolas awholeparticipatedina cookiedoughfundraiser.TheVeterans’Day ceremonyprogramhonoredveterans,inwhich twofourthgraders’exceptionalessayswere chosentoread,aswell astheartworkfromthe 5th gradewinnerofthe CelebrateFreedomArt Contest.FortheGraysonCrisisCentersock collection,theintermediateschooldonateda littleover1400pairsof socksintotal.Upcomingeventsincludethe
5th GradeChristmas ProgramonDecember 12th,andtheSpelling BeeonDecember17th
TheMiddleSchooland HoweISDisoffering substituteteachertrainingonDecember4th at9 a.m.,detailscanbe foundonthislinktothe schoolwebsite.Jobs openingsarealsoavailableatthelinklisted above.Incelebrationof Veterans’Day,amural wasmadeforfamilies andstudentsfrompicturesbroughtbystudents.Basketballfor boththeboys’andgirls’ teamsattheMiddle SchoolandHighSchool areupandrunningin the“fullcourtpress”of activity,fortheseason. Thecheerleadersare sellingpoinsettiasina fundraiser,themiddle schoolcanbecontacted topurchasethepotted holidayflowers.The AngelTreeproject,and Peggy’sPorch’slocal opportunitiesforstudentstopurchasegifts, areholidayeventsofferedattheMiddle School.
TheSpellingBeewill alsobeparticipatedin bytheMiddleandHigh SchoolstudentsonDecember17th
TheHighSchool’sNationalHonorSociety hostedtheVeterans’Day assembly,withlunch providedfromtheirown culinarystudentsatthe highschool.TheBulldogAngelTreeatthe highschoolisupand readyforadoptions!The highschoolputoutthe followingstatementregardingtheAngelTree“Pleasefeelfreetostop (Continued on page 2)
MonteWalker receives award at City Councilmeeting for 10 years of service to Howe as an employee
Photo Credit:Ashley Husbands
Ashley Husbands
Photo credit:Ashley Husbands
(Continued from page 1)
CityCouncilMeeting SchoolBoard Meeting
aqualityproductgoingforwardwith that{…}Iknowthere’satleastsome peopleintheneighborhoodthatwould prefertokeepthewheatfieldoutthere andweunderstandthat.Infact,where welivethepropertynexttoushas beenemptyfor40yearsanditwas recentlysoldandprobablysomething isgoingtobebuiltthere,ourhopeis thatit’ssomethingquality.Thingsare changinghere,we’vegotdevelopmentcomingfromtheNorth,South andWestandwe’regoingtobeseeing thingschangingheresoifit’sgoingto changelet’sdoitinaqualitywayand thatiswhatwearetryingtoachieve here.”Ordinances826and828regardinglandrezoningintownwere approvedbyboththeP&Zandthe CityCouncil.
OrdinanceNumber828isregardinga rezoningonDavisStreet,nearneighborsCaseyandJordanDavis,and BennyHarmon,whospoketheirconcerns.Atthistime,neithertheP&Zor theCityCouncilapprovedthisaction item.TheactionitemforOrdinance Number827concerningrezoningofa smallbuildingfromacategoryofa familydwellingtoacommercial space,wasapprovedbyboththeP&Z andtheCityCouncil.
FollowingtheP&Zmeeting,rezoning requests,andaveryhopefulpresentationbythenewHowePoliceChief, JakeSullivan,thecurrentwastewater treatmentplantprocesstopicheatedup toboilingamongthecouncil.Action Itemnumber3ontheCityCouncil Meetingagenda,waslistedasthefollowing:“Discuss,considerandact uponallowingcitystafftonegotiate withBVRTIIforwastewatersolutions.”Agendasforeachmeeting,includingtheupcomingagendasafew dayspriortoeachmeeting,canbe foundatthiscitywebsitelink.
Followingthemeeting,TheHowe EnterprisereachedouttoeveryCity CouncilmemberandMayorMcDon-
ald,askingfordirectquotesfromeach viaemail,regardingthecontroversial discussionaroundthewastewater treatmentplantprocess.Inorderof responsetime,thefollowingwasreceivedfromthecounciltothenewspaper.Everythingstatedinthefollowingsectionistheexactquotesthepaperreceived,viaemailonly,asitwas writtenbythesender.TheMayor’s responsewillbeinaletter,whichwas senttothepaperviaemail,toshare withthecommunityasthelastquote.
ShawnTyler,oneofthetwomostrecentadditionstothecouncil,wasunabletoattendthemeetingbutstatedthe followingtobereadtothecouncil regardingthistopic:
“DearCitizensofHowe,Iwantto takeamomenttosharesomeinsights fromtherecentvisitthatI,alongwith othermembersofthecouncil,attendedlastweek.Thesitewalkwashighly informative,andtherepresentatives fromBVRTdemonstratedextensive knowledgeoftheirwastewatertreatmentsystems.Itwasauniqueexperiencetowitnesstheirprocesses firsthand,andIwasimpressedbythe qualityandefficiencyoftheirmethods.Weevenhadtheopportunityto drinkwatertreatedbytheirsystem, whichwasbothreassuringandatestamenttothereliabilityandenvironmentalsoundnessoftheirapproach. Thedataandinsightswegathered duringthisvisithavegivenusconfidencethattheirsolutionscouldeffectivelyaddresstheCityofHowe'simmediatewastewatertreatmentneeds. Ifyouhaveanyquestionsorwould liketolearnmore,Iencourageyouto reachouttomeorothercouncilmemberswhoparticipatedinthetour.We wouldbehappytoshareourexperiencesandprovideadditionalinformation.Thankyouforyourcontinued engagementandinterestinthefuture ofourcity.
SarahMyrick,thelongeststanding councilmemberonthecurrentCity Council,statedthefollowing: (Continued on page 4)
(Continued from page 1)
byandpickupanangelortwoanytimebetween8:00am-3:00pm.Be suretocheckoutyourangelwiththe frontoffice.Presentsareduebackto theschoolyoupickedtheangelup fromnolaterthanMonday,December 16th.”TheStateQualifying,“Prideof Howe”Band,willbeperformingtheir ChristmasConcertDecember12th
FortheFinancialIntegrityRatingSystemofTexasassessment,HoweISD Superintendent,KevinWilson,reportedanearperfectscorereceivedby HoweISDindetail.Detailsabout thesehappeningsinthelocalschools canbepersonallyseenbymembersof
thecommunitybyattendingtheschool boardmeetings,whichareopentothe public.Theratingreceivedbythe schoolwasconsideredan“A”for “SuperiorAchievement”.Theonlytwo pointsdeductedoutof100wereforthe indicatorof“Whatisthecorrelation betweenfuturedebtrequirementsand thedistrict’sassessedpropertyvalue?”. Wilsonexplainedthatthistwo-point deductioniscommoninmostschools whenarecentbondelectionhas passed,ashasrecentlyhappenedin Howe.
Manywonderfulthingsarehappening intheHoweIndependentSchoolDistrict,onbehalfoftheHoweEnterprise, thankyoutooureducatorsforeverythingyoudo,bothnoticedandunnoticed.Weappreciateyou!
HoweHighSchoolBasketball
Ashley Husbands
TheHoweBulldogsandLadyBulldogscompetedlastweek.
TheBulldogscompetedagainstCallisburgandNoconainawaygamesand sufferedlossesineachgame.
TheLadyBulldogscompetedagainst WhitewrightandCallisburginhome games.Unfortunately,duetotheholidayweek,statsforthesegamesarenot available.
Nextweek,onDecember3rd,the BulldogswillplaytheJVandVarsity teamsagainstCoalgate,Oklahoma. December5th-7ththeBulldogswill playawaygamesintheCeleste
tournament.
Nextweek,theLadyBulldogsplay inaVarsitytournamentinCeleste, December5th-7th.TheJVteam willcompeteintheCookeCounty tournamentinLindsay,duringthe sameweekendastheVarsityteam.
GameSchedulesfortheBulldogs andLadyBulldogscanbefound here.
GoBulldogsandLadyBulldogs!
Player Parker Dunnihoo, Howe Bulldogs Basketball
Photo Credit: Michelle Carney
CityCouncilMeetingContinued
(Continued from page 2)
“Therearetwoissuesbroughtuplast nightthatIwouldliketotalkabout. Theseareprobablytoolongforyour articlebutyoucancondenseanduse whateverisbest.
1.DavisStreet.Thefactthatthecity hasdeclinedtotakebackoveraroad hasledtopropertyownersnothaving right-of-wayaccesstoresidences.This couldaffecttitleopinionsandtheir abilitytofinancethoseproperties.I willbeaskingthecitymanagerto stronglyconsidertakingthatstreet backtocityownershipassoonaspossible.
2.NegotiationwithBVRTII.Itisa shamethatthemayorandsomecouncilaresointimidatedbymethatthey feeltheneedtotrytomanipulatepublicopinionagainstme.Thetacticsused totrytounderminemewereunprofessional,tosaytheleast.Theemphasis thatweare"onlynegotiating"isimmaterial.IfIwaitedtoraisemyconcerns untilthecontractwascomplete,they couldn'tbeaddressed.Karlahasmade itclearthatshewantsittobeherway orthehighway.ButIhavenewsfor her.Iamnotgoinganywhere.AndI willNOTstopadvocatingforthebest decisionjustbecausesheandBillie Ingramwanttobullyme. Ifyouhavequestionsorwantclarification,letmeknow.”
Afterreceivinginitialanswerstothe requestforquotes,nocouncilmemberswereaskedanyfurtherquestions byTheHoweEnterpriseregardingthis week’sedition.
RickyPrice,theothermostrecentadditiontotheCityCouncil,statedthe following:
“ItwasgreattoseetheHoweCity Councilvote3-1toauthorizeofficials togathermoreinformationfrom BVRT2,ensuringwecanmakethe mostinformeddecisiononacquiringa wastewatertreatmentfacility.Again, thisvotesimplygrantspermissionfor theappropriatepersonneltogather information nothingmore.”
MoreextensivediscussionbyallCity Councilmembersoccurredinthe meeting,availabletoviewatthelink listedatthebeginningofthearticle.
MayorKarlaMcDonaldstatedthe followingregardingthemostrecent CityCouncilmeeting:
Ms.Husbands,
Thankyouforreachingoutandgiving meanopportunitytocommentonthe RegularCityCouncilMeetingon Tuesday,November19,2024. SincebecomingMayorinMayof 2023,theAgendahasbeenpacked withactionitemsandlastTuesdaywas nodifferentasIamseeingtoitthatwe aregettingthingsdoneintheCityof Howe.
ManygreatthingshappenedTuesday eveningandIinvitecitizenstojoinus everythirdTuesdayofthemonthat 6:00pmforourRegularCityCouncil
Meetings,heldatSummitGardensat 100E.O’ConnellStreet.Additionally, themeetingsarelivestreamedand recordedforconvenienceandposted onthecitywebsiteandFacebook page.https://www.youtube.com/live/ cOkD9VGaZXA
AcoupleitemsIwouldliketocommentoninclude:
ChiefJakeSullivangaveanexcellent presentationonhisplanforthePolice Departmentandhowtheyplanto moveforwardinthefutureandserve ourcommunity.Someofthepoints ChiefSullivanmentionedwerebecominganaccreditedagency,building relationships,andcreatingcommunity programs.ChiefSullivanisdoingan excellentjob,andIamveryexcited thathehashighexpectations.Iam hearinggreatthingsaboutthePolice Department,andthatmakesme proud!
TheCityofHowehasacontractual obligationtomoveofftheCityof Sherman’swastewatersystem;our contractendsonMay15,2025.Wedo nothavethepleasureofdelayingthe inevitable;weneedtobeselfsustainingandhaveourown wastewatertreatmentfacility.Therefore,IactivelybeganlookingforsolutionsbeforeIwaselectedasMayor andmetwithBVRTinApril2023. DuringtheRegularCityCouncil meetingonOctober15,2024,BVRTIIgaveapresentation,andweallowed anopportunityforpublicquestions andanswers.Thepublicreceived BVRT-IIfavorablyandIwasapproachedbyseveralcitizensinthe comingdays,askingthatwehavefurtherdiscussionswiththiscompany. Therefore,ActionItem#3wasplace ontheagenda.
ThemotiontoallowcitystafftonegotiatewithBVRT-IIforwastewater solutionswasapprovedbytheCouncil witha3to1vote.AsMayor,Ibelieve theCouncilmadeadecisionthatisin thecity’sbestinterest.Thisallowsthe citystaff(i.e.,theMayor,CityAdministrator,CityAttorney,CityEngineers, etc.)tohavefurtherdiscussionswith BVRT-IIsowecandeterminewhether thisparticularentityisrightfortheCity ofHowe.Withoutthisapproval,we couldnotdoourduediligenceand havefurtherdiscussions.Itisimportanttounderstand,thismotiononly approvesnegotiations.Afinalapproval tomoveforwardwiththisentityorany otherentitywouldbesubjecttoCouncilapproval.
AsMayor,Itakemyelectedposition seriouslyandwillalwaysdomybest tomakedecisionsbasedonwhatis bestfortheCityofHoweandthecitizens.Tohelpmedothis,Imustbe willingtolistentoandbethevoicefor thecitizens;Iamdoingjustthat. IbelievetheCouncilwhovotedin favorofthismotionsharemybelief. GreatthingsarehappeningintheCity ofHowe!Iamproudtoserveas MayorfortheCityofHoweandam lookingforwardtorunningagainthis comingMay.
“ThePeople’sMayor” RegularCityCouncilmeetingsare heldonthethirdTuesdayofeach month,at6p.m.atSummitGardensin Howe.
Obituary PatriciaAnnStewart
FollowingalongillnessPatriciaAnn SimsStewart,age85,ofDorchester, Texaspassedtoherfinalrewardjust beforenoononNovember16,2024.
PatriciawasbornApril2,1939in Sherman,Texas.SheattendedShermanpublicschools,graduatingfrom ShermanHighSchoolin1957,and receivedherbachelor’sdegreesin businessandeducationfromtheUniversityofTexas,andmaster’sdegree ineducationfromEastTexasState University.
PatriciamarriedStanleyStewartin 1962.ShetaughtintheTomBean, HoweandGunterpublicschoolsand afterretiring,workedasaMaster TeacherfortheTexasA&Msystem.
PatriciawasactiveinFirstBaptist ChurchDorchesteraschurchpianist from1962until2019.Shealsoserved asanelectedmemberoftheHowe SchoolBoard,wonmanyacademic andteachingawards,andwasselected fortheHoweHallofHonorin2021.
Patriciaissurvivedbyadaughter, KimberlyandherhusbandBryan
Dodson,theirchildren,Emilyand MatthewDodson,ason,Kennethand hiswifeAuraStewart,Brotherand Sisters-in-laws,RobertandBarbara Welch,WillamandEmilyPowell, ShirleyStewart,andmanynieces, nephews,cousinsandfriendsaccumulatedoverherlifetime.
“Whenyoubeenmaturinatin’‘longas Ihave,they’safewultimatumfacts about lifethatjestcan’tbeignored,”
Withthat,ourfavoriteold-timecamp cook,mulepackerandoccasionalpredictor ofthingsthathaven’thappenedyet, WindyWilson,stirredthesugarinhis coffee andlookedattherestofus.Wisely. Well,aswiselyasoldWindyevergets. Weknewwewereinforanotherdose ofcampfireeducation,evenifit’stotally wrong.Wesmiled.Somepeopleneed cableTVtofindthiskindoffun. “Likethemmeasurementalsweuse whenwe’recookin’,hesaid.“Ifyou lookin themrecipebooks,theyslamabuncha measurementalsonyathatyounever
HomeCountryColumn
heard ofandnoonetoconverttheminto plainAmerican,likewespeakhere.” “Youjesttakeintherethembakin’ recipes,”hesaid.“Cupsathis,then yougotta shiftthemsotheydon’tsticktogether withstuffyoualreadytossedinabowl … likeadramblin’ofthisorastickerof butter.Youeverseethatstuff?Howin the everlastin’hootowldrumsticksthey spectus,‘wayoverhereintheUnited States ofOurCountrytofiggerthatout? Hesippedandstirredandlookedupat usinthatsamewayoldSamElliott does whenhefindsagreenhornhewantsto setstraight.
“Let’sfiggeroutrealcowboymeasurementsanduse‘em.That’swhatI say.”
“Likewhichones,Windy? “Why,Doc,didyaknowthereare themcaf-materialladiesalloverthe place
don’tknowwhatahermanis?Truth. Aherman,asallofusknow,isacubicfistful.
Jestrighthandyfermakin’biscuitsin aDutchoven.Set‘eronthatcampfireand let‘ergo!Gitstoohot?Hey,jestpull ‘erbackamite‘tilshe’ssettin’more inthe coalsoutwherethestatelinewould beifcampfireshadstates.” Ourresidentworkingcowboy,Steve, gotuptopayhisbillandleave.
“Don’trunoff,Steve,”saidWindy,“ wasjest‘bouttostart‘luminatin’on stuff
likegloogles,gurgles,bellyachetrig-
gers,slushesandnips.”
“Nexttime,Iguess,”Stevesaid overhisshoulderasheheadedout thedoorfor hisgetawaypickuptruck.
Broughttoyoubythatmarvelous stockingstuffer,HomeCountry (thebook)
LocalGoodDeed
ThankyoutoGeorgiaCarawayoftheHowe Mercantilefordonatingenoughpalletsof watertolastayearfortheHoweFireDepartment,HowePoliceDepartment,andHowe PublicWorks!SheisseenherewithPublic WorksDirectorJustinJohnson,FireChief RobertManiet,andPoliceChiefJakeSullivan..
Asownerofthepublication,Iwouldliketo personallysay,thesethingsarethetypeof newsIlovetosee.Thecurrentmediaseemsto befilledwith unfortunatethingsthatarehappeningintheworldandourcommunity.In thespiritofpositivityinourcommunityI wouldliketoencouragemorestorieslikethis inthepublication.Ifyou,asareader,noticea “gooddeed”intownyoufeelyouwouldap-
preciaterecognitionforthe giver,pleaseemail thenewspaperatashley@howeenterprise.com
Additionally,anyideassuchasthisyouwould liketoshareviaemail,Iwouldloveandappreciatetohearfromyou!
From Left to Right: PublicWorks Director Justin Johnson, Georgia Caraway, Fire Chief Robert Maniet, and Police Chief Jake Sullivan
Photo provided by MonteWalker, owner of the publication at the time photo was taken
JobTitle CUSTOMER SERVICECLERK
workintexas.com
PostingID16788241
Location Sherman
PostingCloseDate 12/16/24
PostingLink https:// bit.ly/4hXFjRw
Description Alocal companyislookingfora CUSTOMERSERVICE CLERKwhowillinteract withcustomersbyphone toanswerproductandjob orderquestions,heavy dataentryofinformation (willworkwithseveralsystems),dofollowupoutreachtoexistingcustomers,supportsalesand shippingstaffandother dutiesasassigned.This positionrequiresaHigh SchoolDiplomaorEquivalent,andaminimumof2 yearsofrelatedexperience.
DATA
PostingID16785220
Location Sherman PostingCloseDate
PostingLink https:// bit.ly/3AUj3Hs
Description Alocal companyislookingfora DATAENTRYSPECIALISTwhowillberesponsibleforenteringandmanagingdataensuringthat informationisaccurateat alltimes.Thisrolerequiresastrongattention todetail,proficiencyin varioussoftwareapplications,andtheabilityto handleclericaltasksefficiently.ThispositionrequiresaHighSchoolDiplomaorEquivalent,and aminimumof1yearof relatedexperience.
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
City Council meets third Tuesday at 100 E. O’Connell St. at 6 pm.
& Zoning
TexasHistoryMinute
KenBridges
Inwhathasmost certainlybeenone ofthemostunusualyearsin memory,thenationwill
markThanksgivingonceagainonthis FourthThursdayinNovember. Itis partofalongtraditionthathas spannedmanygenerations.
Oneofthemostwell-knownandone oftheearliestThanksgivingfeastswas thatofthePilgrimsatthePlymouth ColonyonNovember22,1621. Ithad beenadifficultyearfortheEnglish settlerswhohadarrivedinMassachusettsthepreviousNovember. The Wampanoagtribe,whichcontrolled mostofMassachusettsandRhodeIsland,madeoffersoffriendshiptothe Pilgrims,sharingtheirfoodasthecolonistsstruggledthroughthewinterand thentaughtthemaboutfarminginthe completelynewenvironment.
Afterabountifulharvestthatfall,the Pilgrimsdecidedtoorganizeafeastto givethankstoGodfortheirgoodfortune. Inthespiritofgratitude,the Wampanoagswereinvitedtojoin theminwhatbecameathree-day feast. Themealwasquitedifferent thantheusualfareseenonAmerican tablestoday. Usingwhatwasavailablelocally,theyateswans,seals,deer, fish,andlobsters.
Suchcelebrationstogivethanksto GodwerenotunusualamongEuropeansingeneralduringthattimeperiod. Bythetimeofthefamous 1621ThanksgivingatthePlymouth Colony,otherfeaststogivethankshad occurredalreadyinotherpartsofthe nation. In1565,SpanishconquistadoresledbyPedroMenendezdeAvile atthesettlementofSt.Augustine,Florida,heldaspecialRomanCatholic massandlaterafeasttogivethanksto Godfortheirsafearrival. Theyinvited membersofthelocalTimucuatribeto jointhem. In1598,morethan500 SpanishcolonistsledbyDonJuande OnatearrivedatSanElizario,near modern-dayElPaso,andhadaspecial daytogivethanksfortheirowngood fortune. OnDecember4,1619,EnglishsettlersarrivingineasternVirginia atBerkeleyHundredhadafeastto givethankstoGodfortheirsafepassage. However,regularThanksgivingobservancesdidnot continueintheseareas. Thougheach communityclaimstobethesiteofthe firstThanksgiving,themodernholiday stemsfromthetraditionthatbeganat Plymouth.
ThePlymouthcolonistsandthetribes didnotrepeattheoccasionin1622. In 1623,afteradifficultyearofdroughts thatthreatenedthecrops,laterains rescuedtheharvest. Asitprovedtobe muchmorebountifulthanexpected, thecolonistsagainhadacelebrationto givethanksthatNovember. Tragically,relationswiththe Wampanoagtribedeterioratedinthe ensuingdecadeswiththeinitialgesturesoffriendshipforgottenandthe tribeshatteredbywar. Nevertheless, NewEnglandresidentswouldcontinuetohaveperiodicThanksgivingobservancesinthe yearsafterward,oftenorganizedbythe
localchurches.
Inspiteofafewinstances ofThanksgivingobservancesinthe South,itdidnotcatchonasanannual observanceasitdidinNewEngland. Thetradition,however,spread northwardintotheBritishcoloniesin Canada,whereobservancesremained mostlylocaluntilthelate1800s. It wasestablishedasanofficialnational holidayinCanadain1957,andbecauseofCanada’sshortergrowing season,onthesecondMondayinOctober.
NewYorkbecamethefirststateto declareThanksgivingaholiday,startingin1817. Effortsweremadeto makeitanationalholidayinthe1820s, ledbynotedwriterandeducatorSarah JosephaHaleofNewHampshire. Up untiltheCivilWar,thedate ofThanksgivingwaslefttothestates andmademoreofalocalobservance. Dates forThanksgivingrangedfromearly OctoberthroughtheendofDecember. In1863,SecretaryofStateWilliamH.SewardconvincedPresident AbrahamLincolntomakeitanational holidayonthelastThursdayinNovember. LincolnannouncedtheholidayasadaytogivethankstoGodfor theblessingsthenationhadandadded thatallAmericansshouldremember thewidowsandorphansthewarcreated. In1941,theholidayofficiallybecamethefourthThursdayinNovemberfromthatpointonward. President HarryTrumanstartedthetraditionof pardoningoneturkey forThanksgivingin1947. OthernationshavealsoadoptedThanksgiving,inspiredbythe Americanexample. Liberia,which wasfoundedbyformerAmerican slaves,marksThanksgivingasthefirst ThursdayinNovember,datingbackto 1821. BrazilmadethefourthThursdayinNovember itsThanksgivingholidayin1966after theirambassadortotheUnitedStates sawtheAmericanholiday firsthand. InhonorofthePilgrims, whohadcometoTheNetherlands beforeembarkingontheirvoyageto Plymouth,manychurches haveThanksgivingcelebrationsinthat samespiritofthanks.
Turkeysaleshavetopped$1billion annuallyinthepastfewyearswith tensofmillionstravelingtomeet friendsandlovedones. Manychurchesandcommunitiesstillcontinuewith theinitialspiritofThanksgivingby reachingouttothepoorandhomeless withfooddrivesandcommunityThanksgivingmealspreparedand servedbyvolunteers. Thoughthe coronaviruspandemicmaydampen manytravelplansandgatheringsout ofprecautionsforpublichealth,millionsofAmericans,wherevertheyare, willstillpausetoconsiderwhatthey arethankfulfor.
Livingpeaceably, groundedinGodliness
WiththeRepublicanvictoryoverthe Democrats, manyarereflectingonthe directionof theUnited States.For theTrump side,thisoutcomebrings hopeandasenseofreliefthatthe countrycanstartheadinginabetter direction.FortheDemocraticside, thereisconcern,uncertainty,andeven despairthataprogressiontowarda moreliberalagendahasbeenhindered. Whateveryourviews,Godwantsusto havearesponsethatisgrounded andguidedbytimelessbiblicalprinciples,regardlessofwhoispresident. TheCommanderinChiefisapowerfulposition,butwealsorealizethat whoeverholdsthistitlecanonlydoso much.Thegovernmentismassiveand hasmanymovingparts,namelypeoplewhoholdpositionsofauthority.It seemstherearesomanyconnections andcollaborationswithinthehuge spiderwebwecallgovernment,that it’s difficulttoimaginehowallofthese “chains”operate.Manytimesgood andbadideasarestoppedbythe majorityofvotes,soagain,thepresidentneedsbipartisancooperation. InITimothychapter2andverses1-4, theapostlePaulwroteandIwilluse theNewLivingTranslation,“Iurge you,firstofall,toprayforallpeople. AskGodtohelpthem;intercedeon theirbehalf,andgivethanksforthem. Praythiswayforkingsandallwhoare inauthoritysothatwecanlivepeacefulandquietlivesmarkedby godlinessanddignity.Thisisgoodand pleasesGodourSavior,whowants everyonetobesavedandto understandthetruth.”Irealizeit’sdifficulttograciouslylose,butthispassagecontainsthreeimportantmessages thathelpusputtheelectionprocess intoperspective.
ThefirstthingwenoticeisthatPaulis instructingChristianstoprayregardlessofpersonalopinionsand convictions.Ifwearesupportinga certaincandidateandadministration andtheydonotwin,westillhavea
trol?
Mostpeoplebelievetheyarecorrectin theirspeculationsandprinciples,but thespiritualconceptofprayeristo intercedeforGod’swilltobedone ratherthanwhatwewanttosee.Heis notdependentonus,wearedependent onHim.Sureweallhavepreferences, butGodistheonewiththeperfect plan.
Thenextpointwenoticeisthatifwe cantakethehigherroadandsincerely prayforthosewedisagreewith,it willprovideuswithanattitudeofrest wherewecanliveinspiritualpeace insteadofbeingagitatedand depressed.Whatdoesthismeanand howcanwedoit?LivinginGod’s peacemeanswearewalkingonan even
keel,steadyandconsistentwithpatienceandintegrity,evenwhenothers areagainstus.Asthosearoundus noticeourself-control,webecomea moreeffectivewitnessforChrist.Of course,thisappliesnotjusttoour prayersbuttoourthoughtsandactions aswell.HavingJesusasourLord meansthatweaskHiminfaithtohelp ushavemorestabilityandstrength underpressure,andHewill. Ourlastthoughtistoberemindedthat oftenwearemerelypeepingthrougha crackinthefencewhenGodis seeingeverythingallatonce.Weagree withPaulhere,inthatourhighestpriorityistoseeeveryonesavedand comprehendingthetruth.Livingby God’sWordisourpurposeandistruly beyondanysocialorpolitical movement.Peopleandideasarehere onedayandgoneanother,butGod’s truthiseternal.Whateverwesupport andareinvolvedinletusremember wearecontributingtoGod’sultimate purposeandthatistodrawmoresouls intoHiskingdom.Ipraythisisthe focusandfoundationofourprayers. Yes,alotisatstakeinthenatural realm,butthisnaturalearthlyenvironmentisnotoureternalhome.God’s childrenarecitizensofheavenandHe isoureternalLordandKing!TheAlmightyhasbeencarefullyguiding theworldsinceHecreatedit,andHis planshaveneverbeeninjeopardy! Thiselectionisnotjustabouttheprice ofachuckroast,it’saboutbeingsubmissivetoGod’svoiceasHehelpsus prepareforthetribulation,thereturn ofChrist,andthemillennialreign.He hasaneternalplan-notjustafouryearplan.
Dr.BillyHolland
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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
“Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the Lord’s people.”
Ephesians 6:10-18
The Patriot Pony
Federal appeals court blocks removal of Texas razor wire along southern border with Mexico
Therulingwasissuedina2-1vote,withJudgeIrmaCarrillo Ramirez,whowasappointedbyPresidentJoeBiden,dissenting.
By: Misti Severi
FederalappealscourtonWednesday blockedtheBidenadministration's effortstoremoverazorwirethatwas putupbyTexasofficialsalongitsborderwithMexico.
StateofficialssuedtheadministrationlastyearafterBorderPatrolagents wereorderedtocutthewiredfencing inEaglePass,thatwasimplemented aspartofGov.GregAbbott’sborder securitymission,OperationLoneStar.
TheBidenadministrationarguedthatit hadsovereignimmunityandlater claimedthewirehadimpededfederal effortstorescuetwoillegalimmigrants whodrownedatthebeginningofthe year,whiletheappealsprocessplayed
out.ButTexashasdisputedtheargumentthatthefencingharmedeffortsto savethemigrants,accordingtoCNN.
The5thCircuitCourtofAppealsrejectedtheadministration'sarguments onsovereignimmunityonWednesday,andagreedwithalowercourt's rulingthatthestate'sactions“hadonly amarginaleffectonBorderPatrol’s accessandhadnothingtodowiththe drownings.”
Therulingwasissuedina2-1vote, withJudgeIrmaCarrilloRamirez, whowasappointedbyPresidentJoe Biden,dissenting.
Trumpsayshehada'productive conversation'withMexico'snew leaderaboutdrugsandtheborder
TheformerpresidentonTuesdaypledgedtoimposea25%tariff MexicoandCanada,anda10%tariffonChinaoverillegalimmigrationandfentanyl.Healsovowedtoimposethetariffsonhis firstdayinofficethisJanuary.
By: Misti Severi
President-electDonaldTrumpon Wednesdaynightannouncedthathe hada"productiveconversation"with Mexico'sPresidentClaudiaSheinbaumPardoontheillegalflowoffentanylintotheUnitedStatesandillegal immigration.
Trumpmadebordersecurityoneofhis biggestprioritiesduringhispresidentialcampaign,andpromisedtocrack downonillegalimmigrationifhewas electedbacktotheWhiteHouse.
TheformerpresidentonTuesday pledgedtoimposea25%tariffMexicoandCanada,anda10% tariffonChinaoverillegalimmigrationandfentanyl.Healsovowedto imposethetariffsonhisfirstdayin officethisJanuary.
PardopreviouslycriticizedTrump overhisthreattoimposethetariffson goodsimportedfromtheneighboring country,statingthatdrugswereaproblemfortheU.S.,andthatatariffwould beplacedontheU.S.inresponse,The Hillreported.
Theformerpresidentdidnotgointo detailsabouttheconversationon Wednesday,butsaidtheydiscussed
SpeakerrebukesBiden'shandling ofIsraeliwar,saysceasefirewas 'despite'WHnot'becauseofit'
Johnsonchastisedthecurrentadministration'sresponsetothe war,whichheclaimedincludedwithholdingweaponstoIsrael thatwasnecessarytodefeattheterroristorganizationsHamas andHezbollah.
By: Steven Richards
HouseSpeakerMikeJohnsonon TuesdaycondemnedPresidentJoe Biden'shandlingofthewarinIsrael, statingthattheceasefireagreement betweenIsraelandHezbollahwas "despite"theWhiteHouseand"not becauseofit."
BidenannouncedonTuesdaythatthe ceasefireagreement,whichwasfacilitatedbytheUnitedStatesandFrance, wouldtakeeffectearlyWednesday. TheceasefiregivesIsrael60daysto pullitsforcesoutofLebanon,which willoccurgraduallytogiveLebanese forcestimetomobilizeandmoveinto thearea.
Johnsonchastisedthecurrentadministration'sresponsetothewar,which heclaimedincludedwithholding weaponstoIsraelthatwerenecessary todefeattheterroristorganizations HamasandHezbollah.Hamasstarted thewarlastyearafterinvadingIsrael.
"WhiletheBiden-HarrisAdministra
tioncelebratesthis announcement,rememberthatitis STILLwithholdingweaponstoIsrael," JohnsonpostedtoX."ThisAdministrationputuproadblockafterroadblockonIsraelanddraggedoutthis conflict.TheyrepeatedlyappeasedIran ratherthanshowunequivocalsupport toourclosestallyintheregion. "Israel’smilitarysuccesshasbeenin spiteoftheWhiteHouse,notbecause ofit,"hecontinued."Wealwayshope forpeaceintheregion,andstilldoduringthis60-dayceasefire.ButitisPresidentTrump’sAdministrationthatwill pavethewaytolastingpeace,because peaceonlycomesthrough STRENGTH."
Thegoaloftheceasefireagreementis topermanentlyendthewarinIsrael, thepresidentsaid.WhileIsraelwill slowlypullitsforcesfromLebanon, Hezbollahisexpectedtopullitsforces andheavyweaponstotheLitaniRiver, locatedabout20milesawayfromthe Israeliborder.
MattGaetzfollowsinGeorgeSantos'sfootstepsandjoinsCameoto sellpersonalizedvideomessages
Cameoisavideoserviceinwhichpublicfiguresgetpaidtodeliver personalizedvideomessagestofans.
whatcouldbedonetostemthe flowoffentanyl,andendmigrationthroughMexico.
"JusthadawonderfulconversationwiththenewPresidentof Mexico,ClaudiaSheinbaum Pardo,"hepostedonTruthSocial."Shehasagreedtostop MigrationthroughMexico,and intotheUnitedStates,effectivelyclosingourSouthernBorder.
"Wealsotalkedaboutwhatcan bedonetostopthemassivedrug inflowintotheUnitedStates, andalso,U.S.consumptionof thesedrugs.Itwasaveryproductiveconversation,"headded. Trumppreviouslysaidthathe spokewithChineseleaderson endingtheirpartintheillegal flowoffentanyl,butclaimed thattheyhavefailedtoholdup theirendofthedeal,despite promisingtoimposethemaximumpenaltyonanyonecaught helpingtosendfentanylintothe country.
Theformerpresidentisscheduledtobeswornintoofficeon January20.
By: Charlotte Hazard
FormerFloridaGOPCongressman MattGaetzhasjoinedCameo,a videoserviceinwhichpublicfiguresgetpaidtodeliverpersonalized videomessagestofans.
FollowingGaetz'sbeingnamedas President-electDonaldTrump's nomineeforattorneygeneralinhis newadministration,hegaveuphis seatinCongresstofocusonthe confirmationprocess,butultimately decidedtowithdrawhisnamefrom consideration.Shortlythereafter,he createdanaccountonCameo.
FormerRepublicanRep.George SantosalsojoinedCameoafterhe wasexpelledfromtheHousein 2023followinghisguiltypleato twofederalcounts,wirefraudand aggravatedidentifytheft. OnThursday,Gaetzwithdrewhis
nameafterawaveofnegativepublicityandtheapparentrealizationthathe wasprobablynotgoingtobeconfirmedbytheSenate.FormerFlorida GOPAttorneyGeneralPamBondi wasappointedafterGaetzwithdrew. “I’mstillgoingtobeinthefight,but it’sgoingtobefromanewperch.I donotintendtojointhe119thCongress,”GaetzsaidduringaninterviewwithTurningPointUSAPresidentCharlieKirk.