Youknowtheoldsaying “nonewsisgoodnews”? Ithinkevenwithalocal paperthatsayingcan applysometimes.
Ofcourse,thereisalwaysdramathatcouldbe scroungedup–orwe couldreportallthemillionwaystheworldis fallingapartaroundus.In myformaleducationasa journalist,Iunfortunately heardtheterms“chaos createscash”,“whereit bleedsitleads”,andother similarsayings.Ihad someamazingprofessors Istillrespectwho,intheir time,didjournalismasit shouldbeandtaughtme well.Overall,though,the worldofjournalismI waseducatedforshowed howtostirpeople’semotionsupandpushparticularnarrativesratherthan actuallyreporttruthand factualinformation.If therewasn’tnews–createit,trueornotandadd somedramaticflairfor goodmeasureandmoney’ssake.Wedon’tdo thataroundhere.
So,I’mhappytoreport toyouthatalthoughthe frontpageis“boring” thisweek–thatmightnot beabadthing!The peacefultownofHowe isrollingrightalongfor nowasfarasmajor newsworthybusiness.If you’dratherseehowthe worldoutsideofHoweis fallingapartaroundyou–thereareplentyofoptionstogofindthat.
Ifyouhavesomething interestingyouwould liketobereportedon, pleaseemail ashley@howeenterprise.co m
Haveagreatweek, Howe,Texas!
TemperaturesRisingthisWeekAftera RainySummer Ashley Husbands
TheHoweFireDepartmentrecentlyinformed thepublicthataheat advisoryisineffectuntil 9p.m.thisThursday.
Thisyear,wehavenot seenthehightemperaturesoftenreportedin thesummer.Unfortunately,asweallhave heard,therehasbeen morefloodinginpartsof Texasresultingindevastatinglossoflife.It seemedtosomethatwe haveexperiencedan abnormallyhighamount ofraingenerallyand coolertemperatures overallthisyearinTexas,butareweanywhere closetoarecord?Here aresomestatistics:
AccordingtoExtreme WeatherWatch“2022 wasthewarmestJulyin Texashistory.Statewide, theaveragedailyhigh temperaturewas100.2° F,andtheaveragelow was74.3°F. 1976was thecoolestJulyinTexas history.Statewide,the averagedailyhightemperaturewas88.0°F, andtheaveragelowwas 68.0°F.”
Asfarasrainfallisconcerned,halfwaythrough themonthitwasreportedbyWFAAthatDFW hashadrangesfrom.28 inchesinFortWorthto 4.72inchesinRichardson.TheclosesttoHowe reportedwasShermanat 2.01inches.Thesestatisticsdonotcomecloseto therainiestJulysever reportedinDFW–the highestrecordedever was11.13inchesin 1973.
Ifyoubegintowantto complainabouttheheat wearenowexperiencing forthissummer–reflect onthehottestdatesever recordedinTexas.The hottesttemperaturesever recordedaretiedfortwo dates:August12,1936 inSeymourandJune28, 1994inMonahansat 120degreesFahrenheit.
Photo Credit:WFAA.com
Photo Credit: Howe Fire Department Facebook Page
UpcomingEvents AUGUST4:StaffTechnologyConferenceatHHS
AUGUST8:HHSFreshmanBootCamp
SUBSTITUTETEACHERS! Clarissia Doty
We’reonthehuntforafewgreatfolks whocanstepinwhenourteachersor staffneedtostepout. Gotaflexible schedule?Enjoybeingaroundkids? Don’tmindtheoccasionalunexpected adventure(likehelpingtie14shoes before9a.m.)?Thenyoujustmight bethepersonwe’relookingfor!
We’rebuildingoursubstitutelistand wouldlovetoaddsomeonelike you orsomeoneyouknow.No teachingdegreerequired!Justbringa positiveattitude,awillingnessto learn,andtheabilitytokeepaclassroomrunningwithminimalchaos (andmaybeasenseofhumor). Ifthatsoundslikeyourkindofchallenge,comejoinus!
Wewillhostoursubstitutetrainingon Wednesday,July30attheHoweISD trainingroomlocatedat105W.Tutt.
FIRSTWEDNESDAYOFEACHMONTH:HoweHumpDay:8-9a.m.atSummitGardens
SECONDSATURDAYOFEACHMONTH:BulkTrashPickup
THIRDTUESDAYOFEACHMONTH:RegularCityCouncilMeeting:6p.m.atSummitGardens
AUGUST4:IceCreamSocialat6:30p.m.at100E.O’ConnellSt.inHowe
OBITUARY
Juanita“Nita”GayEchols May2,1936–July19,2025 May2, 1936–July19,2025
Juanita“Nita”GayEcholsofVinton, Va.,diedonSaturday,July19,2025,at theageof89.
Shewasprecededindeathbyherparents,SidneyElfordGayandNaomi WoodroofGayofGaston,NC,brothers,SidneyFranGayofWoodbridge, Va.andNathanHenryGayofClinton, NC.
Survivorsincludedaughter,Suzanne EcholsSchuppandhusband,Joseph AlanSchupp,ofOriental,NC;son, JamesLawrenceEcholsJr.andwife, Dr.SonyaRansonEchols,ofShort Pump,Va.;andformerhusband, JamesLawrenceEcholsofVinton,Va. Survivinggrandchildren,EvanMichaelRichardson(Amanda),Whitney MarieHubbard(Curt),JosephAlan SchuppJr.,Dr.LaurenElizabethEchols,AllysonJamesEchols,Sarah SchuppandNatalieSeyle. Survivinggreat-grandchildren,Shea BelleHubbard,NoahPeeryRichardsonandLylaGraceRichardson;sisterin-law,FayeWarrenGay;twonieces; onenephew;andonegreat-nephew. Nitabeganhernewspapercareeratthe RoanokeRapids(NC)DailyHerald. ShecontinuedattheCovingtonVirginian,servedasgeneralmanagerof theRichardson(TX)TimesandgeneralmanageroftheHowe(TX)Enterpriseandretiredasgeneralmanagerof TheVintonMessenger.Overthe courseofhercareerNitawasrecognizednumeroustimesforoutstanding workbytheTexasandVirginiaPress Associations.
Followingherretirement,Nitaserved assouthwestVirginiavolunteercoordinatorfortheGubernatorialcampaignofMarkWarner.Shealsoserved asthelegislativeassistanttotheVirginiaHouseMajorityLeaderC.RichardCranwell.Uponherfinalretirement,sheservedasreceptionistatthe lawfirmofCranwell,Mooreand EmickPLC.
ShewasamemberofThrasherMemorialUnitedMethodistChurch. NitaservedasthefirstfemalepresidentofTheVintonDogwoodFestival,wasaformermemberofthe TownofVintonFairHousingBoard andwasactiveinothercivicorganizations.In1982,shewaspresented withalifemembershiptotheVirginia CongressofParentsandTeachers Association.SheattendedtheUniversityofTennessee/Knoxville.
ThefamilywouldliketothankGood SamaritanHospiceforthecompassionatecaregiventoNita.
Amemorialservicewillbeheldat12 p.m.onSaturday,August9,2025,in themainsanctuaryofThrasherMemorialUnitedMethodistChurch,707 WashingtonAvenue,Vinton,Va., withTheReverendJohnHemming officiating.Thefamilywillreceive friendsbeginningat10a.m.inthe sanctuary.Intermentwillfollowatthe ThrasherUMCColumbarium.Immediatelyfollowing,thefamily wouldliketoinvitefriendstoareceptionintheGeorgeWesleyJonesFellowshipHall.
Inlieuoffoodandflowers,please consideradonationtoWednesday DinnersatThrasherMemorialUnited MethodistChurch,aprogramcreated tofeedlocalcitizensinneedofahot mealatnocost.Donationsmaybe madetoThrasherUMC,707East WashingtonAve.,Vinton,VA.24179. Onlinecondolencesmaybemadeto thefamilyatwww.Oakeys.com. ArrangementsbyOakey’sFuneral Service,VintonChapel,(540)9822221.
Juanita "Nita" Gay Echols
Photo Credit: Oakey’s Funeral Service
GENERAL:
FARMERS’ALMANAC
RECIPES
COLUMNS:
MOTHERHOOD
REFSEZ
LOCALPASTORCONTRIBUTION
TEXASHISTORYMINUTE
LIVINGONPURPOSE
Farmer’sAlmanac 07/24:Fishing/Weather:poorfishingintheevening,hot,scattered showers,thenclearing.ShoweryTX,pointseast Gardening:Amostbarrenperiod.Killplantpestsanddogeneral farmwork.
07/25:Fishing/Weather:poorfishingintheevening,hot,scattered showers,thenclearing.ShoweryTX,pointseast Gardening:Amostbarrenperiod.Killplantpestsanddogeneral farmwork.
07/26:Fishing/Weather:poorfishingintheevening,hot,scattered showers,thenclearing.ShoweryTX,pointseast Gardening:Amostbarrenperiod.Killplantpestsanddogeneral farmwork.
07/27:Fishing/Weather:fairfishingintheevening,hot,scattered showers,thenclearing.ShoweryTX,pointseast Gardening:Amostbarrenperiod.Killplantpestsanddogeneral farmwork.
07/28:Fishing/Weather:fairfishingintheevening,hot;widelyscatteredshowers,thunderstorms,chieflyNM Gardening:Amostbarrenperiod.Killplantpestsanddogeneral farmwork.
07/29:Fishing/Weather:poorfishingintheevening,hot;widelyscatteredshowers,thunderstorms,chieflyNM Gardening:Sowgrainsandforagecrops.Plantflowers.Favorablefor plantingpeas,beans,tomatoes,andotherfallcropsbearingaboveground.
07/30:Fishing/Weather:poorfishingintheevening,hot;widelyscatteredshowers,thunderstorms,chieflyNM Gardening:Sowgrainsandforagecrops.Plantflowers.Favorablefor plantingpeas,beans,tomatoes,andotherfallcropsbearingaboveground.
Recipes These recipes are from the yellowed, well-worn Valley View United Methodist Women’s Cookbook. If anyone can cook, it’s church potluck contributors!
Submit your own recipes for sharing to ashley@howeenterprise.com
MarinatedBrisket
31/2oz.liquidsmoke
3tbsp.Worchestershiresauce
2tsp.each.Garlicsalt,celerysalt,onionsalt,Accent,blackpepper
1tsp.each:cumin,rosemary,sage Dashofredpepper
Marinate12hours.Coverwithfoiltocook.Uncoverlasthour.Bakeat250degrees1hourperpound.(Idonotuncovermine.)Thisisforanysizebrisketyou wanttocook.
Mary Hudspeth
RanchBakedBeans
5(1lb.)cansporkandbeans
5(1lb.)cansranchstylebeans
3lbs.groundchuck
4 onions
1/2cuppreparedmustard
2cupscatsup
1cupbrownsugar
1/2cupmaplesyrupormolasses
1stickbutter
Brownmeatandonions.Addremainingingredients.Bake45minutesat400degrees.Youmaycuttherecipefortheamountyouwouldliketohave.Thisisvery goodtoservewithhamburgersandchips.
Mary Hudspeth (Barbara Brady)
MexicanCornBread
1boxJiffycornbreadmix
1pkg.Mexicancornbreadmix
1cancreamstylecorn
1cancheddarcheese,shredded
1egg
1–11/2cupmilk
1/2lb.sausage 1/2lbhamburger
Combineallingredients.Bakeat350degreesfor45minutesto1hour
MaryAnn Tharp
NeverFailFudge
5cupssugar
1tallcan(12oz.)milk
1stickmargarine
12oz.chocolatechips
101.2oz.miniaturemarshmallows
1tbsp.vanilla Pecansorwalnuts,allyouwant
Geteverythingreadybeforeyoustartcooking.Lightlybutteryourpans(Iuse two9x13cakepans).Combinesugar,milkandbutterinlargepan.Bringfire slowlyuntilmelted,stirringconstantly.Cooktosoftballstage.Removefrom heatandquicklyaddremainingingredients.Beatuntilthick.Spreadquicklyinto pans.Makesabout5pounds
Mary Watson (Amy Miller)
RefSez Anonymous Let’sdiscussinterestingfolks.
Whenyouhavebeenonthediamondorthegridiron aslongasI have,youdocomeacrosssomevery intriguingpeopletosaytheleast.
Ihavemetlegendarycoaches,players whogoontodistinguishedcollege andprocareers,a HeismanTrophy winner,first-rounddraftpicks,future criminals,mediafolks etc.
Iguessthecoolestmeetingofaperson involvedwouldhavetobebackinthe mid90’sinaDYBSub-DistrictTournament.
Duringthecontestthatinvolved11-12 yearoldkids,Itookawaterbreak betweeninningsnearthethird-base dugoutagainstthebackstop.AsI placedmywaterjugbackintoits place,Inoticedamanstandingbythe bleacherswithhiswristinacasttalkingtoseveralfolkswhowereassociatedwiththevisitingteam.
LaterinthegameasItookanothersip ofwater,thegentlemanwiththecast wasnowonthefrontrowofthe bleachersalone.Itookthischance momenttoconversewithhimandI inquiredastohowhebrokehiswrist. Hisreplywasthathebrokeitplaying ball.
Irespondedtohimthatweweretoo oldtobeplayingball. Ithenaskedif itwasasoftballgame.Thiscomment drewsomelaughterfromthevisiting fansmuchtomysurprise.
Aboutanotherinninglater,Ispoketo thefellowandIaskedhimifwherehe playedball.Hisresponsewasthathe playedfortheAstros.Iasked “Houston?”Herepliedyes.Ithen askedhisnameandherepliedthathis namewasJackHowell.
Iinstantlyrecognizedhimatthattime. ThisguyfashionedaMajorLeague careerformanyyearsandwaspretty successfulatit.NowIknowthereasonforthefanslaughter.
Acoupleofweekslater,wewere workingtheDYBDistricttournament andhisson’steamwascompetingin it.Atthistime,hewaswearingateam uniformasthebenchcoach.Throughout the tournament,Jackbroughtthe umpireswaterbetweeninningsand spoketousinarespectfulmanner whenaddressinganyissues.Ilater foundoutthathissonwasthecatcher forhisteamwhohadbeenbehindthe platewithme.
Thepointofthisarticleistopointout thatthisguywasabig-timeMajor Leaguerwhowasaperfectgentleman tothegameofficialsandwasnotatall thearrogantHot-Shotathletesome wouldimaginehimtobe.
Youdomeetthemostinteresting folksataballgame.
Untilournextlap, THEREF
Pastor JB Bryant
“Restisnotalwaystheabsenceof activity,butthepresenceofpeace."JoSaxton
Throughouthisministry,Jesususes manydifferentillustrationstodrive homeapoint.Heisthebridegroom, heistheway,thetruth,thelife,heis thecornerstone,heisthebreadoflife, andthecupofsalvation.Oneillustrationstandsouttome,however."Iam thetruevine,andmyFatheristhe vinedresser"(John15:1).
Severalweeksago,Ifinallygota gymmembershipandstartedlifting andexercisingagain.Needlesstosay, afterseveralyearsofnottouchingany weights,I'mnotasstrongasthehigh schoolversionofmyself.Shocker,I know.At35,I'mrealizinghowdrasticallydifferentthegoalsinthegymare nowcomparedtobackthen. "Strength"hascometomeansomethingcompletelydifferenttome.I don'twanttoliftsomethingincredibly heavyjustonce,simplytohavethe statswrittenontheteamchartlikeI didforfootballandbasketball.Now, myhealthandlongevityneedmore endurance-basedgoals.
Whatkindofstrengthdoesourfaith require?I'vebeenthinkingaboutthis
EricaWells
Motherhood Sometimesthisparentinggigisjust hard.Sometimesitfeelsliketoo much.Right?
I’vealwaysbelievedthatbeinga motherisadivinecalling.It’ssomethingIwascreatedfor.It’sthesingle mostimportantthingIcandointhis life.Noteveryonefeelsthatway andthat’sokay!Regardlessofwhy youchosetobecomeamother,we canprobablyallagree:sometimesit’s morethanwecanchew.
IknowIcouldn’tdoitalone,andI’m incrediblygratefulformyhusband. Forthoseofyoudoingitsolo hang inthere.Truly.
Justafewdaysago,ouroldestson helpedourdaughterthroughapretty intensepanicattack.Itwasloud, messy,emotionallyandphysically exhausting forherandforanyone nearby.I’vesatthroughmanyofher panicattacks.Itishardanddraining. Aftershecalmeddown,Ilookedat myson.Hisblankstaresaiditall.He hadjustbeenthroughabattletoo.He wasexhausted,overwhelmed,confused,andfrustrated.Iwasn’tsureif hewassilentlyjudgingmefor “letting”thishappenorifhewasfinallystartingtofeelsympathy for her,forus,forallofit. Eitherway,inhisfaceIsawwhatI feeleverytimeshestruggles.That deepache.Theconfusion.Thefatigue.Andthedrivetopushforward anyway foreveryone.
Soifyou’redealingwithsomething similar,somekindoftrial Iseeyou. Youarenotaloneinthestruggle,the exhaustion,orthetears.
Ikeepcomingbacktothisideaof beingcreatedformotherhood orat
LivingOffTheVine alotbecauseIkeephittingthese boutsofspiritualandemotionalexhaustion,eventhoughIfeel"strong" inmyfaithatthemoment.Spiritually speaking,IfeelasthoughIcouldgo outanddeadliftathousandpounds! Butjustonce.Askmetodoitasecondtime,andIdoubtIcouldeven budgeit.Icanhandleoneinconvenience,annoyance,trial,orevenfailure,sure.But,handmetwoofthose inasingledayorweek,andIalmost immediatelyfalterunderthiswaveof exhaustion.AndwhenIgetexhaustedlikethat,Igetirritated,whenIget irritated,Igetresentful,andwhenI getresentful,Istartgettingdoubtful ofwhetherGodiseventhereorlisteningatall.
Youmayhaveseenthisillustration before,butIneedyoutoimagine beinghandedaglassofwater.Nothingtoofancy,justaregularol'glass ofroomtemperaturewater.Now, you'retoldtoholdthatglassinyour handandextendyourarmstraight out.IfIweretoaskyouifthatglassis heavy,youwouldundoubtedly chuckleatthequestionandtellme that,ofcourse,it'snotheavyatall. "Good,"Itellyou,"now,keepholdingitupanddon'tletitdropaninch." Iwalkofftogoaboutsomebusiness, andyou'releftholdingtheglass.Sud-
leasttonurture.It’ssomethingIdeeplybelievein,butalsosomethingI havetoremindmyselfofdaily. Iremembercallingmyfirst2-year-old “mytrial.”Shewastough.Butalso shewastwo.Ilookbacknowandfeel alittlesadthatIsawherthatway.But Iwasyoung,pregnantagain,andconstantlyputtingmyselfontheback burner.Itwasalot.I’msuremost momshavehadthosemoments. Thetruthis:there’sonlysomuchwe cando.Wedoourbest.Andthenwe tryagain.That’swhatmatters.We keepshowingup.Weloveourkids. Wepraisethem.Weletourjoybe foundintheirgrowthandlittlevictories.Andwhenthemistakescome orthepanicattackshitlikeastorm wetrustthatsomehow,itwillbeokay. Maybeyou’rereadingthisthinking, “Yeah…easiersaidthandone.”AndI agree.Youhavetofindwhatworks foryouandyourfamily.Maybeyou oryourchildisneurodivergent,and you’refightingbattlesnooneelsesees orunderstands.
Findahobby.Ahealthyoutlet.Gofor awalk,paint,enjoyquiettime,plana datenight,rearrangeyourfurniture. IfyoubelieveinGod,turntoprayer. Myregularreadersknow Ifirmly believeprayercanchangeourmood, ourmindset,andbringpeaceinmomentsoftotaloverwhelm.Notoneof usisperfect.Butwe’reinthistogether.
Hanginthere andhangontight.If you’dliketosuggestatopicoraska question,pleasesendmeanemail ataskericawells@gmail.com “Don’tyouquit.Youkeepwalking. Youkeeptrying.Thereishelpand happinessahead Itwillbeallright intheend.TrustGodandbelievein goodthingstocome.” -J.Holland
denly,afterevenjustacoupleof minutes,whatwasatfirstlaughably lightandeasytoholdupbecomes heavierandheavierasthemusclesin yourhand,arm,andshoulderstartto feelthestrainofgravityworking againstyou.5minutespass.Thatinnocentglassofwaterhasnowbecometheheaviestobjectintheworld toyou.
WhenChristtellsusthatHeisthe vineandwearethebranches,Heuses theperfectimagerytoshowushow crucialtheconnectionbetweenGod andustrulyis.ListentoJesus'words, "Iamthevine;youarethebranches. ThosewhoabideinmeandIinthem bearmuchfruit,becauseapartfrom meyoucandonothing.Whoever doesnotabideinmeisthrownaway likeabranchandwithers;such branchesaregathered,thrownintothe fire,andburned."WhilethisisareferencetotheeternallifefoundinChrist andeternalseparationfoundoutside ofChrist,itisalsoaboutthelifewe livehereandnow.Itisimpossiblefor ustolive"awayfromthevine."Yet eachandeveryday,wefindwaysto attemptthefeat.Whetherit'sbecause wegetananswerwedon'twant, thingsaremovingtooslowlyforour liking,orwefeelthatconfident,we convinceourselvesthatitmaybetime
toleavethevineandsetoutforwhat weimaginearegreenerpastures. Perhapswecanlastamoment.We chuckleathowlightandeasytheglass istoholdup.Whywereweeverattachedtothatvinetobeginwith? Clearly,itwasn'tneeded,andweare betteroff.
Butasthesecondspass,theburden grows.Theweightaddsup,andexhaustionsetsin.Soonourarmistremblingandwearebeggingforrelief, suddenlyrealizinghownecessaryour attachmenttothevinetrulyis.
Thereissimplynolifeapartfromthe vine.Thereisnosalvationapartfrom Christ.Thereisnopeaceapartfrom ourCreator.Haveyoubeenfeeling worndown,unabletocatchyour breathorfeelevenanounceofpeace andconfidence?It'stimetoreturnto thevine.
"Ihavesaidthesethingstoyousothat myjoymaybeinyouandthatyour joymaybecomplete."(John15:11).
Today,setasidesometimetosimply sitwithGod.Maybeyouhavesomethingyou'dliketotalkabout,maybe youdon'thaveanywordsatall. Whetherinwordsorinsilence,return toHispresence.
TexasHistoryMinute Intheyearsafter Mexicowonits independence fromSpainin 1821,thousandsof Americansettlers crossedintoTexas tostartnew lives. AmongthosewasHadenEdwards,whobecameanimportantearly empresarioandsoughttomakeafortuneinthenewland. Instead,he wouldfinddisasterinoneoftheearliestbattlesbetweenMexicoandTexassettlers.
HadenEdwardswasborninVirginiain1771. Hisfather,JonathanEdwards,movedthefamilytoKentuckyin1780wherehequicklybecameawealthylandowneranda prominentcitizen,eventuallybecomingaU.S.Senator.
Inspiredbyhisfather’ssuccessinreal estate,theyoungerEdwardsbecame determinedtomakeafortunehimself. In1820,hemadehiswaydown toMississippiwithhisyoungerbrother Benjaminandacquiredalargeplantation.
Notlongafterward,heheardabout Spain’sattemptstopopulateitsnorthernfrontierterritoriesinTexasbyinvitinginAmericansettlers. WhenMexicowonindependencein1821,itpursuedthesamepolicies. Edwards teamedupwithStephenF.Austinand otherstogainlargelandgrantsthat theycouldsubdivide. In1823,MexicoagreedtomakeAustinandEdwardsempresarios.Afternegotiating termsofsettlementwiththegovernmentandhelpingfinanceAustin’scolonizationefforts,Edwardssettledin theNacogdochesareain1825. Nacogdocheswasalreadyagrowing settlement. Thecommunityproduced thefirstEnglish-languagenewspaper inTexas. Edwards’scolonywasallowedtobringin800families,but therewerealreadyanumberofland claimsintheareadatingbackdecades.
Edwards,however,grewincreasingly frustratedinhisrole. Olderland claimsintheareaclashedwiththe landshewastryingtoselltocolonists whileheincreasinglyantagonisticto Austinoverloansandwithcompeting claimsfromAustin’scolony. Asa result,EdwardsdecidedinSeptember thathewouldhavethesoleauthority toverifylandclaims. Hemadean edictstatingthatifanyonecouldnot verifytheirclaimswithatitledeed.He wouldconsiderthelandhisandsubjecttosale. Hequicklydeclareda numberofoldSpanishtitlestobeforgeries. Thisimmediatelyledtoaclash withtheMexicangovernment,which demandedEdwardshonortheold claims. Divisionsinthecommunity rosequickly.
InOctober1826,theMexicangovernmentcancelledEdwards’sempresario grant. Edwardsandhisbrothergatheredseveralsupportersanddecidedto strikeback. Thesituationspiraledout ofcontrol,andseveralEdwardssupportersarrestedlocalofficialssupportersbytheoldsettlers. EdwardsdecidedtostrikebackagainsttheMexican governmentandprotecthislandand investments. InDecember,heanda groupof 30supportersseizedNacogdochesanddeclaredtheareainde-
pendent,formingtheRepublicofFredonia. Heformedanalliancewith CherokeechiefRichardFields,put togetherafightingforce,andeven formedaflag–aredandwhitebanner with“Independence,Freedomand Justice”writeracrossthetop. Lt.Col.MateoAhumadagathereda strikeforceof110troopsinSanAntonioandheadedtoNacogdoches. Austin,shockedbytheactionsofEdwards, decidedtohelptheMexicangovernmentandsentagroupof250volunteerstoassist. WhenAhumada’sand Austin’sforcesarrived,theCherokees decidedtostayoutoftheconflict,and Edwards’sfollowersscattered. The RepublicofFredonialastedonlyfive weeks.
Inresponsetotherebellion,Mexicobrieflysuspendedallimmigration fromtheUnitedStatesin1830. Edwards,however,brieflyreturnedtothe areainAugust1832whensettlers clashedwithMexicanauthoritiesatthe BattleofNacogdoches. Dozensdied inthebitterfirefightastheTexians crushedthearmydetachmentandtook theremaining250prisonerstoSan Antonio.
Edwardsagainleftforashorttimeand quietlyreturnedtoNacogdochesin 1835duringtheTexasRevolution. Nowage64,hisinfluencehad diminished,butheremainedavocal criticofMexicanauthorities. Afterthe war,heremainedinNacogdochesfor theremainderofhisdays. Hediedin August1849atage78. HisbrotherBenjamineventually movedtoMississippiandwouldnever return. DuringtheTexasRevolution, heattemptedtoraisemoneyand troopsfortheTexascause. Hediedin 1837atage57whilerunningforgovernorofMississippi.
FortheTexansbaskingintheirvictoriesoverMexico,thereputationof HadenEdwardsonlyincreasedinlater years. In1858,EdwardsCountyin WestTexaswasnamedforhimbythe statelegislature. TheEdwardsPlateau, thehugegeologicupliftlayingtothe westofSanAntonioandAustinand extendingouttothePecosRiver,is alsonamedforhim.
AllglorytoGodforthis milestone Iwantedto takeamoment tosayhow muchIappreciateyou,the reader,fortakingtimeeach weektoread “LivingOn Purpose.”I’ve writtensermons,songs, andbooks,for over40years, butonlystartedthisfaithcolumnon January2016.Eachofmycolumns havefilenumbers,andasseveraleditorshavenoticed,thisweekisnumber 500.It’shardtobelievethat10years hasgonebysoquickly.Weknowthat 500weeksofmessagesissmallcomparedtomanypastorsandteachers whohavepresentedthousandsofsermons.Sharingmyheartwithyouis veryspecial,andthisweekI’mcelebratingGodandgratefultoHimfor makingitpossible.
Theinspirationtowritebeganinthe eightiesandninetiesintheformof writingChristianmusic.Whileinmy twenties,Iwasworkinginourchurch asapraiseandworshipleader.Inthis particularstylechurchbackintheearlyeighties,theycalledussongleaders orministersofmusicwhichisfine. I’vealwaysenjoyedplayingandsinging,butafterafewyearsofsinging whatothershadwritten,Ibeganto writemyownsongswithapassionto expresswhatIwantedtosay.Itraveled aroundandplayedthemwhendoors wouldopen,andIeventuallyrecorded severalstudioalbumsandlatersome compactdiscs.OccasionallyIwillofferthemasafreegift.
IrarelyplanwhatI’mgoingtodiscuss eachweek,Ijustgointomyoffice, pray,andbegintocommunicatewhat comestome.There’sasigninmy officethatsays,“Youdonotwritebecauseyouwanttosaysomething;you writebecauseyouhavesomethingto say.”I’mnotimplyingthateveryword ItypeisGodspeaking,butIammindfulaboutwhatIrelay.Ihavemyown opinionsandinterpretationslikeeveryoneelse,butit’salsointerestingtonote thatifwearededicatedtruthseekers, it’snotimpossibleforustochangeour viewsafteranalyzingaparticularsubject.I’vecometotheconclusionthat noneofusreallyknowasmuchaswe thinkwedo.Thisisprovenbythe amountofdifferingideasandopinions thereareaboutthesameBiblepassages.It’ssaid,themorewelearnthe morewediscoverwedonotknow. InthelateninetiesIenrolledina2yearBibletrainingschool,andfrom thereIappliedandwasacceptedinto ChristianBibleCollegeandSeminary whereIcompleted3degreesthere includingadoctorateofdivinityin ChristianCounseling.Ithenearneda doctorateinChristianEducationfrom fromAndersonvilleTheologicalSeminary.Astimewenton,Ifeltcompelled towriteabookaboutworship.With yearsleadingcongregations,along withmypersonalBiblestudies,I sensedtheLordwasrevealingthat worshipismorethansingingsongs, it’sdevelopinganawarenessofHis
constantpresence.ThepersonalintimacywassomethingIbelievedGod wasmoreinterestedinthanthepublic programs.So,in2015Ireleased,“A LifestyleofWorship–LivinginThe AwarenessofGod’sPresence.”Two morebooksfollowed,Convictionsand Considerations–Encouragementfor theSoul”andin2021,ReceivingOur Healing- GoingtoWaronOur Knees.”Alsointhelast5yearsI’ve completedaPhDinChurchHistory andoneinBiblicalHistoryfrom NorthwesternTheologicalSeminary. Ialsowanttoexpressaspecialthank youtoalltheeditorsandpublishers thatpresentsthecolumninyourhard copiesandwebsites.Ialsowanttosay Isincerelyappreciatethoseofyouthat sendencouraginglettersandemails. Withthecolumngoingto1100publicationseachweek,thelastIchecked, it’sbeingpublishedinmultiplepapers within37states.Thisdoesnotinclude thegiantglobalnewsagenciesthat pickitupfromnewspapersandpostit fortheirsubscriberstoread–forfree ofcourse.Yes,thismeansmyweekly readershipisinthemillions,but98 percentofthepapersthatpublishmy workdonotcompensateme.I’mcurrentlyamagazinecontentcoordinator forBestVersionmedia,thechaplain forourCountyFireDistrict,asinger andactorinourlocaltheatre,wedistributefoodthroughournon-profit charity,andI’mhonoredtohelpwith baptizingandservingcommunionin ourlocaljailministryledbyMrs.BarbaraBurton.And,ofcourseI’mhappy andexcitedtocontinuewiththiscolumnforaslongastheLordwants!
Dr. Holland is an ordained minister, chaplain, and author. Read more about the Christian life at billyhollandministries.com. Email psalmz103@gmail.com
KenBridges
Dr.BillyHolland
“Awise person will hear and increase in learning, and a person of understanding will acquire wise counsel, To understand a proverb and a saying, The words of the wise and their riddles. The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge; Fools despise wisdom and instruction.” Proverbs 1:5-7 NASB 2020 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
5:15pm-FreeMeal
6:15pm-AblazePrayerMeeting
6:15pm-Children'sMid-Week
6:30pm-WednesdayNightYouth
Sunday 9:15am-SundaySchool
10:30am-WorshipServiceBible Study
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 Zach
11831FM902,Dorchester,TX 75459903-476-5525
Wednesday
6:30pm-Worshipservice
Sunday
9:00am-Men'sPrayerTime
9:45am-SundaySchool
10:45am-WorshipService
5:00pm-EveningService
SummitViewChurch BrettandDebHetrick,pastors
910SDennySt,Howe,TX75459 903-532-6828
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,TX 75459903-532-6441
Wednesday
7:00pm-BibleClasses (allages) Sunday
9:00am-BibleClasses (allages)
10:00am-WorshipService
5:00pm-WorshipService
Poling,pastor
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Description Alocal companyislookingfora COUNSELOR-LPC, LMFT,LCSW,PHD.We offerindividual,group, marital,and/orfamily counselingdesignedto helpclientsandtheir familiesidentify,then movetowardresolution oftheirissuesaffecting mind,body,spiritand emotions.Thisposition requiresaMaster'sDegree/currentlicense.
BulkTrashPickup2ndFriday ofeachmonthinHowe. CityofHowe SECONDS
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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
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City Hall
LocalJobPosting JobTitle:PreschoolTeacher
Location:HoweWeeCare–Howe,TexasReportsTo:Director,HoweWeeCareClassification:Part-Time
Contact:SharonWoodsbyemailingHoweWeeCare@gmail.com
JobDescription
HoweWeeCare,aministryofHoweMethodist Church,isseekingacompassionate,dependable,andprofessionalPreschoolTeachertojoin ourearlychild-hoodeducationteam.Theideal candidatewillcreateanurturinglearningenvironment,supportthedevelop-mentalneedsof youngchildren,andupholdthemis-sionandvaluesofHoweWeeCare.
MinimumQualificationstobeaTeacher
•Mustbe18yearsofage
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•Mustcompleteannualtraining
•Musthaveasimilarstatementoffaithtothatof HoweMethodistChurch
116 E. Haning St., 903-532-5571
Mayor: Karla McDonald
City Council: Michael Hill, Billie Ingram, Sarah Myrick, Shawn Tyler, Ricky Price
City Administrator : Monte Walker
City Secretary: Michelle Hewitt
Utility Billing and Municipal Court
116 E. Haning St. 903-532-5571
Utility Clerk: Beccy Roberts
Court Clerk: Amy Bond (After hours night drop available)
Public Works
317 S. Hughes St.
Public Works Director: Justin Johnson
Code Enforcement
317 S. Hughes St. Code Enforcement Officer:
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: Jake Sullivan
Economic Development
100 E. O’Connell St. 903-532-6080
EDC Director: Monte Walker
City
CityofHoweWater,Sewer, Refusecollectionrates-onebill
The Patriot Pony AIActionPlan GlobalClimateRuling PresidentDonaldTrumpunveiled hisadministration’sAIpolicyyesterday.The23-pageframeworkoutlinesactionsthegovernmentwillpursueacrossdozensof federalagenciestopromoteitsAI goalsandoutpaceChinaondevelopment.Readthedocumenthere.
ThepolicybroadlyseekstoaccelerateAIinnovationintheUS.That includeslooseningenvironmental regulationstospeeduptheconstructionofdatacenters.Thegovernment willalsoinvestintrainingeffortsfor high-demandpositionslikeelectriciansandHVACtechnicians.Inall, thereareover90federalpolicyactionsthegovernmentaimstotake withinoneyear.
Trumpsignedthreeexecutiveordersyesterdaytokick-startthepolicy effort oneonfast-trackingpermits fordatacenters,onetopromoteex-
portingAItoolstofriendlynations, andonerestrictingfederalcontracts toAIchatbotstheadministration deemstobefreeofideologicalbias.
TheUnitedNations’topcourtruled yesterdaythatfailingtocombatclimatechangecouldviolateinternationallaw.Thoughnonbinding,the opinionassertsasustainableenvironmentasahumanright,layingafoundationforglobalagreementsand futurelawsuits.
Thedecision,bytheInternational CourtofJustice’s15judges,follows acampaignbyVanuatutoclarify countries’climateobligations.The 83-islandarchipelagointheSouth Pacificranksasthe20thmostclimate-vulnerablenation,partlydueto risingsealevelsandpoorinfrastructure.Over130countriesbackedVanuatu;toppollutersChinaandthe USarguedexistingclimateagreementsweresufficient.
Thecourtsaidfailuretoadoptambi-
tiousclimateplanswouldbreach internationallaw.TheopinionappliestoallUNmemberstatesand allowsdevelopingnationstoseek compensationfrommajoremitters forclimate-relateddamages.
TheICJ’srulingfollowssimilar opinionsbyLatinAmerica’stophumanrightscourtthismonth andEurope’slastyear.
CaneSugarCoca-Cola IsraelExpandsOperations Coca-Colasaiditwilllaunchaversionofitsflagshipsodasweetened withcanesugarinsteadofhighfructosecornsyrupthisfall,followingpublicstatementsbyPresident DonaldTrumpaboutthechange. Thecompanysaidthenewedition alreadysoldinMexicoandpartsof Europe willnotreplacetheexistingversion.
Themovefollowsapushfrom TrumpandHealthSecretaryRobert F.KennedyJr.toreduceartificial ingredientsanddyes.Bothsweetenerscontainfructoseandglucose,but HFCStypicallyhasslightlymore fructose.Becausefructoseismetabolizedintheliver,someresearchsuggestsexcessiveintakemaycontributetofatbuildupandinsulinresistance.ExpertsmaintainHFCSis safeandnutritionallysimilarincaloriestocanesugar.
Criticswarneliminating HFCScouldcostthousandsofjobs and$5.1Binfarmrevenue.CocaColaoriginallyswitchedfromcane sugartoHFCSintheearly1980s
duetorisingsugarprices andsubsidizedcorn.
Israelexpandeditsgroundoperations intothepreviouslysparedcityof Deiral-BalahincentralGazaforthe firsttimeMonday.Deiral-Balahis oneofthearea'sprimaryhumanitarianhubs,wheredisplacedPalestinianshavebeensheltered,andcontains aidwarehouses,healthclinics,and criticalwaterinfrastructure.Nearly 88%oftheGazaStripisestimatedto havebeenevacuatedorclassifiedas militaryzones,withroughly2millionPalestiniansdisplaced.
TheIsraelimilitaryadvancecomes asofficialsbelievesomeofthe 50remaininghostages,abducted duringHamas'cross-borderattackon Oct.7,2023,maybeheldinDeiralBalah.Atleast20ofthehostagesare thoughttobestillalive.
Meanwhile,theUK,Canada,Japan, and25othercountriesissuedajoint statementyesterdaycriticizingIsrael's approachto,andrestrictionson,aid deliveryinGaza.TheHamas-run GazaHealthMinistryreportedmore than1,000Palestinianshavedied sincelateMaywhileattemptingto
accessaid,andtheUNhas saidnearly800casualtieshaveoccurredenroutetoorataidsitesoperatedbytheUS-andIsraeli-backed GazaHumanitarianFoundation.
