Sanger, Texas Sentinel, February 2023

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City Hall Address

502 Elm Street

Sanger, TX 76266

Hours: 7:30 AM - 5:00 PM M-TH 7:30 AM - 11:00 AM F

Phone: 940-458-7930

Online: Sangertexasorg

Facebook: @SangerTexas

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MESSAGE FROM THE CITY MANAGER

Greetings Sanger,

As the football season is approaching the grand finale for the year, I am amazed to see how the teams in the Super Bowl work so hard to become one of the elites, the final two Their training and preparation begin long before the season even starts, with workouts to condition their bodies for the road ahead. Each team goes into the season with a game plan, and as the season progresses, they make adjustments each week to improve their performance.

Making it to the Super Bowl is a great example of how hard work, dedication, and a good plan can ultimately pay off. We can certainly apply this same concept to Sanger and the 2040 Plan. We started our journey with a plan to improve the quality of life in the City Much like our Super Bowl teams, our work began long before the adoption of the 2040 Plan We started by listening to the community The feedback we received allowed us to begin to craft our plan, and we have already seen some successes with the addition of new businesses like QT, Starbucks, and a grocery store We are also making slight adjustments to our plan, like rewriting codes and creating a Division Master Plan, and we are even acquiring properties for a new destination park Additionally, we are leaning into the things that already work, such as our Freedom Fest Celebration and Christmas events All of this hard work, dedication, and careful planning are sure to lock in some wins While losses will inevitably occur at times, we will use these as opportunities to adjust our approach and improve

Warm regards,

John Noblitt City Manager, Sanger

SANGER CITY COUNCIL

Each month the Mayor recaps the council meetings To hear this month’s recap or previous months, visit our YouTube channel.

Meetings

THE SANGER CITY COUNCIL MEETS THE FIRST AND THIRD MONDAY OF EACH MONTH

PM

Historic Church

UTILITY SERVICES

UTILITY CUSTOMER SERVICE

Contact Number:

940-458-7930

EMAIL: utilitybilling@sangertexasorg

Start/Stop Utility Service

Click Here

Click Here for on line utility payments

To report a water issue after hours, call: 940-299-5358

TRASH & RECYCLING SERVICE

Trash and recycling services in Sanger are provided by Waste Connections and are billed by the City of Sanger monthly on your utility bills

For missed collections or service issues, contact Waste Connections: 800-909-9061.

For billing questions, contact Sanger Customer Service in City Hall at:940-909-9061 or email utilitybilling@sangertexasorg

For more information, CLICK HERE.

FAQs

For a list of frequently asked questions visit this site.

SANGER UTILITIES

The City of Sanger provides water service to City residents. The City also provides electric services to some areas of the community Please contact our Utility Customer Service to confirm your provider

Trash and Recycling services are provided through Waste Connections. To start or stop service, please contact the City of Sanger Utility Billing Department or visit us on line at SangerTexasorg for more information

CITY COUNCIL HIGHLIGHTS

City Council approved awarding a bid to North Rock, LLC for the Porter Park Softball field renovations.

In addition to the field renovations, new benches, receptacles, and a Teqball table have been added to the park

Mr. Clint Smith announced that Jacob Lewis was nominated Firefighter/Paramedic of the year for 2022 and read a letter of recommendation

Mr Clint Smith announced that Officer Reece Dunn and Detective Justin Lewis were nominated Police Officers of the year for 2022 and read about an operation completed by the officers

1.American Legion Post 268 presenting the awards for Police Officer and Firefighter/Paramedic of the year for 2022.

2023 SCHEDULE OF EVENTS

Sanger Clean-up Day

March 11th - Railroad Park

Spring is in the air! Let’s get out and clean-up our neighborhoods. Clean up your bulk trash, yard waste, old appliances and old electrical equipment.

Easter Egg-apalooza

April 9th - Porter Park

Join us for our annual Easter Egg Hunt and bring your camera to take your picture with the Easter Bunny!

Hooked Up Fishing Derby

May 20th - Porter Park

So, you think you can fish? Grab your poles and prove it! This free event is open to the young and young at heart Come claim your bragging rights.

Freedom Fest 2023

July 1st - Porter Park

Celebrate the end of summer! We will have plenty of fun activities for all ages. Bring your blankets and chairs We will finish the evening with a special movie in the park.

Back 2 School Bash

August 12th - Switzer Park

Celebrate the end of summer! We will have plenty of fun activities for all ages. Bring your blankets and chairs. We will finish the evening with a special movie in the park

Sanger Clean-up Day

October 7th - Railroad Park

Summer is over It’s time to prepare for fall and the upcoming holidays. Bring your bulk trash, yard waste, broken swings, old appliances, and broken electrical equipment. We will ensure everything is disposed of properly.

Christmas on the Square and Holiday Parade

December 2nd - Downtown Park

The magic of Christmas comes alive on our Downtown Square. Join us for a Holiday Vendor Market, Crafting with Mrs. Claus, a visit with Santa and our Holiday Parade

S A N G E R E D C

Property Enhancement Incentive Program

Are you a business in the City of Sanger that is looking to enhance your existing site visually or in ways that increase the viability of your property for business use? This program provides grants in the form of reimbursement up to ten thousand ($10,000) for eligible improvements to facades in the City of Sanger. Participants are eligible for up to one (1) grant in a twelve (12) month period from completion of the previous grant The Program’s grant application process is administered by the City of Sanger’s Economic Development Corporation – applications and program guidelines are available online at www.sangertxedc.org. You can also call 940-458-2059 to speak directly with the Economic Development Office about the program, find out if your proposed improvement may be eligible for consideration, or with any questions or comments

QUARTERLY NEWSLETTER

NEW WEBSITE COMING SOON LET'S CONNECT

Our focus is assisting Sanger businesses with their needs and developing a working relationship to connect them with resources and programs that will improve the business climate and achieve economic success.

We want to get to know you and your business! If you would like to schedule an on-site meeting, please contact Shani Bradshaw at 940-458-2059 or by email at sbradshaw@sangertexas.org to arrange a time that is convenient for you. We look forward to hearing from you!

UPCOMING CONFERENCES

Economic Development staff will be attending the TEDC's 2023 Legislative Conference on February 22 - 23, 2023. The legislative conference program will discuss the TEDC's legislative priorities and other legislative session matters. The 88th Texas Legislative Session began January 10, 2023.

The new website, created by EDSuite, is designed to further strengthen our online presence and foster economic growth. The website will be user-friendly across all devices and effectively uses data and graphics to help tell the story of Sanger.

The 4B Sanger Economic Development Corporation Funds Porter Park Improvements

The City’s 40-acre Porter Park is undergoing renovations to all three softball fields. Renovations include moving the current location of the home plate to the correct distance from the backstop and moving all the field in conjunction with the move, including infield dirt, outfield grass, irrigation, fences, and foul poles. Other improvements will include new scoreboards on each field.

ICSC Conference

The Sanger Economic Development Corporation attended ICSC Red River January 18 - 20th. The ICSC conference allows cities, businesses, innovators, and dealmakers the opportunity to create connections that help drive the marketplace industryforward

The SEDC met with many potential business partners during the conference. Follow-up meetings will occur over the next few weeks where our EDC will outline for interested parties, the growth coming to Sanger and our vision for the future

SANGER PUBLIC LIBRARY CALENDAR

DAN DAVIS”

By Sanger Area Historical Society and Museum (interview by Eunice Sullivan Gray of Ruby Davis Cherry)

The late 1880s brought much to the newly formed 1886 community of Sanger, Texas New people arrived in the community with ideas of building and showing progress in the area by opening businesses, churches, a school, a post office, and a government of the people for the newly formed town Many of these transplanted folks were to be instrumental in building Sanger.Theycamefrombothlocalareasandout-of-state.

Dan Davis came to Sanger from Illinois in December 1902 An early Sanger resident, Barlow Everly, remembered Davis arriving on the Santa Fe train He was called “dapper” as he wore a black derby hat, a Van Dyke beard, carried an umbrella, and wore gloves. This was quite a sensation for the citizens of Sanger, who witnessed this young man’s arrival. Davis walked south of Bolivar Street to the west and back easterly on the north side, viewing the small community's businesses and perhaps allowing himself to be viewed

Davis was a locomotive and stationary engineer by profession who was to become a jeweler, watch repairman, and part-time stationary engineer. He rented a room at Mrs. Howard’s boarding house He married Lizzie Ledbetter Thatcher She was the widow of Frank Thatcher, who had built two major industries in Sanger and died in 1904. Davis and his wife had one child, Ruby Davis. Ruby married Lockett Cherry, and their daughter was Lona Joyce Snellgrove

Davis was a genial Yankee gentleman who purchased Charlie Henderson’s interest in the waterworks business With his mechanical ability, he kept the town of Sanger supplied with water. He also operated his jewelry store and watch repair shop, first in the back of Bower’s Drugstore and later in Kay’s Drugstore

Davis studied engineering and worked for the Denver Great Smelting Company. He later volunteered for the Spanish American War and spent time in the Philippines

Dan Davis at his jewelry and watch repair shop about 1910

Dan Davis, in later years, working on a watch.

In 1902 Sanger had 900 residents Dr Bower’s Drugstore was located in the building recently known as the Bolivar Street BBQ. The Bert Jones, Happy Hour Theater was later located in this building. Davis eventually moved to the Sanger Pharmacy Building owned by Dr. J.C. RicewhichlaterwastobecomeKay’sandSullivan’sDrugstore.

Davis gained the confidence of the people of Sanger and could buy anything he wished on credit His importance to the community increased, and the Sanger Courier wrote in 1909 that a man couldn’t do anything in Sanger without seeing Dan Davis about it first. He helped the owner of the Sanger Courier when assistance was needed in getting more advertising for an issue of the paper. He manufactured a piece for a Linotype machine so the paper could go to press His jewelry business became a thriving business for jewelers across the United Statesashecouldrepairthefinestforeign-madeclocksthattheirclientelehadinvestedin.

Thatcher (Davis’ wife’s first husband) and Charlie Henderson first owned a shallow water windmill pump and a Fairbanks pumping engine. Once the main line was enlarged in the town, a 15-horsepower Stover engine was installed, and an 8 x 8 Ingersol air compressor with a Myers Bulldog pump was placed in the water system This was in 1908, and in 1910 the old wooden water tower fell and was replaced with a steel and wooden tank. The tank held 900 bbl. and was located on the Davis lot on the southeast corner of 4th and Locust Streets. It was stated that the bottom of the tank was four feet higher than the highest point in Sanger. Until recently, the top of this well could be viewed from the street behind the home of Lona JoyceSnellgrove’shome.

In 1919, the engine room was destroyed by fire, and new equipment was installed to a capacity of 23,000 gallons a day. Ruby Cherry, the daughter of Dan Davis, was quoted as saying, “we had to wait for the tank to fill before we could go for a ride in our Model T.”

1921 brought a new engine house at the cost of $1,500, and other improvements were to follow. The entire Sanger community was covered with 81,000 feet of mains for Sanger’s 1,500 inhabitants.

Dan Davis at work in his local business

Davis and Calvin Dodson installed Sanger’s first light plant at the corner of Locust and 2nd Streets. J.M. Stratton introduced acetylene gas lighting to Sanger in 1910 and was a relief to those who could afford to be relieved of using kerosene lamps. This new system was not without fault, though, as Dr Rob Chambers was quoted saying sermons were sometimes halted while one of the deacons went to investigate what had plunged the auditorium into darkness. For a few years, Sanger returned to kerosene

lamps, but 40 years later, a young man named Thomas Edison made his first public exhibition of a new phenomenon, and electric lights came to Sanger The light plant was sold to Claude Brown, and in 1924, the City of Sanger took over and put in the present water, sewer, and light systems.

Davis’ daughter, Ruby Davis Cherry, talked about the early days of Dr Rice’s medical practice of traveling the country roads to minister to patients’ illnesses. Dr. Rice had purchased a motor buggy to arrive in Sanger in 1909 and paid $650.

It was impractical, so he sold it to Dan Davis as the buggy didn’t hold up to the roads, and Dr. Rice went back to riding his horse. The following year he purchased his first automobile. This motor buggy had no top over the back seat, the seat had no springs in it, and it folded up when not in use Ruby described how many people in Sanger had memories of getting a ride in this unique motor buggy

Davis and Emmett Kirkland were the first to make radios in Sanger. Emmett finished first because Dan had to rewind the coil on his device. Bessie Kirkland (sister of Emmett) helped Dan wind the coil by hand. D.H. Minick was the next man in Sanger to make his radio

Dan Davis was a unique man, and Sanger was fortunate to have this fine citizen who helped the community advance in its growing years.

Bud Tyson, Dan Davis, and Carlos Anthony at Sanger City Light Plant

Dan Davis helped install new equipment at Sanger City Light Plant

Note: Photographs provided were donated by Dan Snellgrove, who was the greatgrandson of Dan Davis.

Dan Davis’ schematics for preparing a new watch in his shop.

Dan Davis served in the Spanish American War

Dan Davis in his later years

HISTORY OF VALENTINE'S DAY

Valentine’sDay,alsocalledSt Valentine’sDay,isaholiday(February14)whenloversexpresstheir affectionwithgreetingsandgifts Giventheirsimilarities,ithasbeensuggestedthattheholidayhas originsintheRomanfestivalofLupercalia,heldinmid-February Thefestival,whichcelebratedthe comingofspring,includedfertilityritesandthepairingoffofwomenwithmenbylottery Attheend ofthe5thcentury,PopeGelasiusIforbadethecelebrationofLupercaliawhichissometimes attributedtoreplacingitwithSt Valentine’sDay,butthetrueoriginoftheholidayisvagueatbest Valentine’sDaywasnotcelebratedasadayofromanceuntilaboutthe14thcentury.

AlthoughseveralChristianmartyrsweremartyrsnamedValentine,thedaymayhavetakenitsname fromapriestwhowasmartyredabout270CEbytheemperorClaudiusIIGothicus.Accordingto legend,thepriestsignedaletter“fromyourValentine”tohisjailer’sdaughter,whomhehad befriendedand,bysomeaccounts,healedfromblindness.OtheraccountsholdthatitwasSt. ValentineofTerni,abishop,forwhomtheholidaywasnamed,thoughitispossiblethetwosaints wereactuallyoneperson.AnothercommonlegendstatesthatSt.Valentinedefiedtheemperor’s ordersandsecretlymarriedcouplestosparetheirhusbandsfromwar.Itisforthisreasonthathisfeast dayisassociatedwithlove.

Formalmessages,orvalentines,appearedinthe1500s,andbythelate1700s,commerciallyprinted cardswerebeingused.ThefirstcommercialvalentinesintheUnitedStateswereprintedinthemid1800s.ValentinescommonlydepictCupid,theRomangodoflove,alongwithhearts,traditionallythe seatofemotion Becauseitwasthoughtthattheavianmatingseasonbeginsinmid-February,birds alsobecameasymboloftheday Traditionalgiftsincludecandyandflowers,particularlyredroses,a symbolofbeautyandlove

Source: Historycom,EncyclopediaBritannica

MARDI GRAS

MardiGrasisaChristianholidayandpopularculturalphenomenonthatdatesbackthousandsof yearstopaganspringandfertilityrites AlsoknownasCarnivalorCarnaval,it’scelebratedinmany countriesaroundtheworld-mainlythosewithlargeRomanCatholicpopulations-onthedaybefore thereligiousseasonofLentbegins Brazil,Venice,andNewOrleansplayhosttosomeoftheholiday’s mostfamouspublicfestivities,drawingthousandsoftouristsandrevelerseveryyear

TheoriginsofMardiGrascanbetracedtomedievalEurope,passingthroughRomeandVeniceinthe17thand 18thcenturiestotheFrenchHouseoftheBourbons.Fromhere,thetraditionalrevelryof"BoeufGras,"orfatted calf,followedFrancetohercolonies

WhenChristianityarrivedduringthemedievalyears,religiousleadersincorporatedthepopularlocaltraditions ofthesepagancelebrations(thinkparadesandlotsofeatinganddrinking)intotraditions.Theybecamea preludetoLent the40daysoffastingandsacrificebetweenAshWednesdayandEasterSunday.TheFrench laterdubbedtheTuesdaybeforeAshWednesday"MardiGras,"whichtranslatesto"FatTuesday"

IntheUnitedStates,though,MardiGrasbeganin1699 beforeAmericawasevenAmericaatall Asanarticle onHistory.comexplains,the1699celebrationoccurredwhenFrenchexplorersPierreLeMoyned'Ibervilleand SieurdeBienvillearrivedintheNewOrleansareaforthefirsttime.Naturally,theycelebratedtheirarrivalwitha celebration,callingitMardiGras

Astimepassed,otherFrenchsettlersintheareacontinuedthetraditionswithsomeofthedetailsthatwesee today(elaboratefood,maskedballs,etc.).ThoughalaterSpanishruleoftheareameantMardiGrasparties brieflydisappearedfromtheyearlycalendar,theyreturnedin1812whenLouisianabecameastate.

PopularTraditions

MardiGrasBeads-throwingplasticstringsofbeadsfrombalconiesontoparade-goersisatraditionthatgoes backtothe1800swhencarnivalkingswouldgivetheirsubjectstrinkets.

KingCake-Aculinarytraditionyoumightbemorefamiliarwithisthatofkingcake,whichisactuallyfirstserved onJan 8untilMardiGras,accordingtotradition Thesweetcakeiscolorfulanddecadent,butitsdefiningdetail isthatatinybabyfigurineisbakedintoit.Whoevergetsthepieceofcakeisconsideredlucky andinchargeof hostingtheMardiGraspartythenextyear

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