This week was an encouraging one in covering the town of Howe.As I sat at both the City Council Meeting and the School Board Meeting I noticed how much things are on an “upward swing” in Howe. The City reported from all departments massive improvements yet again in each area. Particularly interesting to me, was the direction the Police Department is going– I didn ’t know until hearing the Police Chief speak about it, how much technology affects Police Departments. For example, Chief Sullivan explained that often when guns have to be fired in their line of work, their arms get in the way of their body cameras and obstruct the view of the camera, leading to lack of ability for the police and the public to get a true view of what occurred. These new cameras on the guns have both video and audio, meaning that both the courts and the public get an unobstructed view and audio every time a gun is drawn from the holster.Also, as a dog person, I am excited to see another dog added to the Department. I had a German Shorthaired Pointer/Lab mix as my favorite dog when I was a kid– that dog could sniff out a potato chip from across the house! It’s no wonder Prada, the new German Shorthaired Pointer, will be only one of two dogs in the whole county that can sniff out Fentanyl! It is worth coming to these meetings in your town as a citizen. I can generally report things but to hear from the town leadership itself and track the progress of the City and Schools is valuable.
Have a great week, Howe, TX!
EarlyVotingUnderwayinGraysonCounty Ashley Husbands
EarlyvotinginTexas beganOctober20thand willcontinuethrough October31st.Votingday isNovember4th.Local votingcanbedoneat SummitGardensin Howe.
Votingisatouchysubjectformostpeopleand thisyearwehave17 propositionsonthebal-
lot,themostwehave seensince2003.Some citizensdisregardvoting unlessitisapresidential year,butIwouldencourageeachofyoutoreview the17propositions,as thesearethingsthataffect dailylifeinourstate. Therearemanyopinions circulatingfromallpoliticalsidesregardingthese propositions,including someexpressedonpage 13ofthispublication.
Asavoter,Ipersonally havealwaysreadeach propositionanddecidedformyselfwhatI believeonthesubject, regardlessofparty lines.Somedisagree withthatapproach,but toeachtheirownasfar asvotinggoes.The bestwebsiteIhave foundthusfartoexplorenotonlytheactualwordageofthepropositionbutwhatit
meansinaneutralperspectiveisBallotPedia.
BallotPediaexplainseach proposition,thebackgroundofit,whatit woulddo,howitworks, andwhosupportseach sideoftheargument. Supportersandoppositionofeachproposition arelistedandthesiteoftenstateswhytheyeither supportorrejecttheidea. Iamnotparticularlypo-
liticallysavvybutasa “layman”whoneeds thesethingsexplainedto me,Ifindthissiteparticularlyhelpfuland thoughteachofyou mightaswell.Whata privilegeitistohavethe righttovoteinthiscountry,andIhopeyoueach exerciseitintheupcomingweeks.
CityCouncilConductedMonthlyMeeting Ashley Husbands
Thisweek,theCity Councilgatheredfor theirmonthlymeetingat SummitGardens.
Tobeginthemeeting, duringcitizencomments,Mr.JeffCaldwell ofBVRTIIgaveanupdateonthewastewater treatmentfacilities. Caldwellexplainedthat thespotforthenew wastewatertreatment facilityonthenorthside oftownhasbeenpurchased,andtheproperty forthefacilitythatwill beonthesouthsideis pendingbutshouldbe completedinaboutanotherweekortwo. BVRTIIandtheCity arealsoanalyzingsome datafromtestingand studiescompletedin previousyearstoim-
proveissuesintheoverallsystemofwastewater inHowe.
The“MayorBragMoment”thismonthrecognizedBeccyRoberts, UtilityClerkfortheCity ofHoweandGunter Mayor,KarenSouther. Robertswasrecognized for“herprofessionalism andgreatkindnesstothe citizensofHowe”after theMayorreceiveda letterfromacitizenregardingRoberts.The citizenexpressedthat theyarefairlynewto Howeandrecentlythere wasanissuewithabill theyreceived.Thecitizen wenttoCityHallto speakaboutthebilland stated,“Beccygottothe bottomofitandresolved theissuequicklyand withgreatcommunication.IwenttotheCity
Hallafewdayslaterto confirmsomeofthecorrectionfindings,Beccy wasverykindandsweet tomychildren,tookthe timetohelpmeunderstandthecorrectionsand evenresearchedanadditionalquestionIhad, providingaresponse ASAP.Myexperience addsasenseofpridein choosingHoweashome andIhopetheCityof Howetakesprideinhavinganemployeelike Beccy.”KarenSouther, MayorofGunter,was givena“MayorBrag” duetoherapplyingon behalfofMayor McDonaldforascholarshiptosendMcDonald totheTexasMunicipal LeagueConferencenext week.McDonaldhad previouslydecidedto onlyspendCityfundsto
sendtheCityAdministratorandCitySecretary andnotattendherself.
Southerlearnedofthis, andappliedforascholarshiptosendMcDonald, whichshereceived,and willnowbeattendingthe conferencenextweek.
PriortoDepartmental Reports,CityAdministratorMonteWalkerpresentedautilityeasement agreementtotheCouncil. Theeasementincluded additionofawaterline runningthroughalocal landowner’sproperty, whichwasagreedupon withtheowner,tosupply theTalbotDevelopment. Theagreementwas passedunanimouslyby theCouncil.
DepartmentalReportsfor themonthofSeptember
weregivenbyallCity Departments.ThePolice Departmentreporteda 49percentincreasein callvolume,receiving 168callsforservice comparedto85lastyear. Seventy-sixcitations werewrittenand79 warningsweregiven. Sullivanalsoreportedof anewmemberofthe Department-Prada,a14 -month-oldGerman ShorthairedPointerwho iscurrentlybeingtrained andwillbeoneofonly twodogsinGrayson Countythatcansniffout Fentanyl.ChiefManiet oftheHoweFireDepartment/EMSreported 91callsforserviceinvolvingmultiplefire callsandmainlyEMS calls.Trainingisongoing attheFire/EMSDepart (Continued on Pg. 7)
Photo Credit: msn.com
UpcomingEvents OCTOBER23:HMSFootballatCallisburg JVFootballatCallisburg
OCTOBER24:Pictureday-HoweMiddleSchool
FamilyFoodTruckFriday–SummitHillElementary
VolleyballatLeonard–HoweHighSchool
8thgradebandatHSFootballGame
VarsityFootballvs.Callisburg(SeniorNight)-HoweHighSchool
OCTOBER27-31:RedRibbonWeek–SummitHillElementary
OCTOBER28:FallPictureRetakes–SummitHillElementary
OAPAuditions–HHSCafeteria
OCTOBER31:SpanishClubMeeting
NOVEMBER5:PepRally–HoweMiddleSchoolGym
CrossCountry Ashley Husbands
Lastweek,theCrossCountryteam competedattheRegionalCrossCountryMeetinArlington.
Theteamfinishedin12thplaceover-
Ashley Husbands
all,withtopperformancesfromAddisonDonohoin35thplacewithatime of13:29andKylieeSimmsin44th withatimeof13:53.Thisqualifying teamisyoung,withonlyonesenior.
WaytogoLadyBulldogs!
Volleyball Ashley Husbands
TheLadies’Volleyballrecentmatch inLindseywascancelledbutthenext willbeheldathomeagainstLeonard thisFriday.
Football LastFridaynight,theBulldogsplayedagainstGunter,resultinginaloss.ThisFridaynight,theywillplayathomeagainstCallisburgforSeniorNight. MorephotoscanbefoundatTheHoweEnterpriseFacebookPage! Photo Credit: Michelle Carney
Ladies’Varsity Cross Country Team Photo Credit: HoweAthletic Booster Club
HoweMiddleSchoolMonthly SeptemberStudentsoftheMonth EmployeeoftheMonth: LauraBenner,DyslexiaSpecialist 6thgrade:PaytonMoore;KarterGomez8thgrade:BrooklynEscamilla;DavidSantoyo,7thgrade:SavannaNitchmanTaylorRowland(notpictured)
Ashley Husbands
TheHoweISDBoardofTrustees conductedtheirmonthlymeetingthis week.
Mostnotableinthismeetingwasthe FIRSTratingandFinancialManagementReportgivenbytheStatetothe SchoolDistrictofHowe.Howereceivedaperfectscore,ratingthemin
SchoolBoardMeeting the“superiorachievement”category. TheFinancialManagementReport includes21markersthatdetermineif theDistrictismanagingtheirmoney appropriately,hasenoughinsavings forpotentialneeds,ismanagingbond moneyappropriatelyforconstruction projects,etc.Eachmarkerwasscored perfectly,indicatingthataccordingto theState,Howeisrightontargetfor appropriatelymanagingeachdollar
thatcomesintotheDistrict. ThesearchcontinuesforanewSuperintendent,withsecondroundsofinterviewssoonunderway.Theconstructionismovingalongsmoothlyfor districtprojectsincludingSummitHill PhaseII,whichshouldhavefoundationpouredinthefirsttwoweeksin November.ConstructionandBond
updatesfortheschoolsystemwillbe reportedonmoreregularlyinfuture articles.
FIRSTWEDNESDAYOFEACHMONTH:HoweHumpDay:8-9a.m.atSummitGardens
SECONDSATURDAYOFEACHMONTH:BulkTrashPickup
THIRDTUESDAYOFEACHMONTH:RegularCityCouncilMeeting:6p.m.atSummitGardens
CityCouncilMeetingContinued (Continued from Page 1)
ment,andvehicleshaveallrecently beenserviced.ThecontractmentionedlastmonthwithGrayson CountywassignedandHoweFire/ EMShasofficiallytakenovertheir EMSareafortheCounty.TheCity Secretaryreportedthatfinescollected inthecourtswere$33,582.43,with $16,791.21ofthatcomingtothe City,thisisthethirdmonthinarow thatthemoneyhasexceeded$30,000 infinesreceived.Twenty-sevenwarrantswereissued,andCodeEnforcementhasbeenmovedtothePolice Department.PublicWorksreported 131serviceorders,4metersetsfor newhomes,4meterleakswererepaired,10tonsofpatchingwere spreadforpotholes,3watermain leakswererepaired,12disconnectionsformoveouts,55hoursof mowing,3sewermainbackupsand 18disconnectionsfornon-payment. MonteWalker,theCityAdministrator,deliveredthePublicWorksand CityAdministratorreports.Hewantedtothankacitizenwhoreachedout aboutanareaofgrassthatneededto bemowed,Walkerexpressedthathe appreciatedthatthecitizenemailed himattheCity,asthatistheproper avenuetoactuallygetthingsaccomplished.TheCityAdministratorupdateincludedprogressoneachofthe newdevelopmentsaroundtown. Walkerisstillcurrentlyworkingon findingagrocertocometoHowe.
FollowingtheDepartmentalReports
ChiefSullivanpresentedaHowePoliceDepartmentStrategicPlan,which canbefoundinitsentiretystarting47 minutesintothevideouploadedon YouTubetitled“HoweCityCouncil Meeting10/21/2025”.Overall,the HowePoliceDepartmentisstriving tobehighlytechnologicallyadvanced intheirapproachoftheirworkin Howe.Newequipment,including camerasontheendofgunsusedby officers,havebeeninstilledsincethe newChief’sarrivaltoensurebest practices.Sullivanhasalsomadean efforttohireofficersthatareinvested inHoweitself,andcareaboutthe community.Thestrategicplanpresentedwasdetailedinthefutureof hiring,potentialtechnologyadditions, vehicleupgradesetc.and,inthewriter’sopinion,isworthlisteningtoin it’sentiretydirectlyfromtheChief himselfonthevideoavailableonline.
Actionitemswereallunanimously approvedbytheCouncil,including thepresentedinvestmentreport,reappointingDaleRideouttotheHowe CommunityLibraryBoard,andratifyingatransferof$200,000from TexStarReservestothePoolFund andtransferof$350,000fromLOGICWastewaterFacilitytoPoolFund. ALibraryServicesContractwith GraysonCounty,aplatofNorth HilltopCommercialAddition,anda RetailWaterServiceAreaTransfer
AgreementwithLuellaSpecial UtilitiesDistrict,aConveyancePlat forLamatrixAdditionwereall unanimouslyapproved.Therewas noexecutivesession,aswasoriginallyplanned.
TheCityCouncilMeetingsareheld every3rdTuesdayoftheMonthat SummitGardensinHowe.Citizens areencouragedtobeinvolvedand havetimesetasideatthebeginning ofeachmeetingtospeakaboutissueswithinHowetheyfindimportant.
Howe- XYZMeeting:Every2ndThursdayofeachmonth Men’sBreakfastFirstSaturdayoftheMonthatLocalChurch–NovemberatCommunityBibleFellowship
Ifyouhavealocalclub/group/etc.thatyouwouldliketohaveeventssharedinthenewspaper,pleaseemail ashley@howeenterprise.com
GENERAL:
VOTINGANDPOLITICALOPINION
FARMERS’ALMANAC
RECIPES
COLUMNS:
BIRDWATCHING
TEXASHISTORYMINUTE
LIVINGONPURPOSE
VotingandPoliticalOpinions Proposition15:AParentalRightsTrojanHorse? Grayson County Conservatives Charter Board Asearlyvotingkickedoffthisweek fortheNovember4election,Texans arefacingaballotpackedwith17 constitutionalamendments.Mostgrab headlinesfortheirpromisesoftax cutsorshinynewstatefunds,but tuckedinatProposition15isaseeminglyharmlesspitch:"Theconstitutionalamendmentaffirmingthatparentsaretheprimarydecisionmakers fortheirchildren."Itsoundslikeawin formomsanddadseverywhere–whodoesn'twanttoprotectfamily freedoms?Butdigdeeper,andthis measurerevealsitselfasaclassicbaitand-switchthatcoulderodethevery rightsitclaimstochampion.
Atfirstglance,Prop15feelslikea lovelettertoparents,buttheflowery ballotwordinghidesadangerous hook.Theballotlanguageisshortand sweet,focusingonlyontheupside: affirmingparentsasthe"primarydecisionmakers."However,itdoesn't mentionthedangerousflipside. That'swheretheactualamendment text–the"switch"–comesin.If passed,Prop15wouldaddanew amendmenttotheTexasConstitution. Here'sthefulllanguagefromSJR34, straightfromthelegislativerecord:
UnincorporatedArea Sales Tax Proposal Thepicturetotherightwasreceived fromalocalresidentregardingtax proposalsinunincorporatedareas.
"Toenshrinetruthsthataredeeply rootedinthisnation’shistoryandtraditions,thepeopleofTexashereby affirmthataparenthastheresponsibilitytonurtureandprotectthe parent’schildandthecorresponding fundamentalrighttoexercisecare, custody,andcontroloftheparent’s child,includingtherighttomakedecisionsconcerningthechild’supbringing."
Noticethewordsinbold?"Nurture" and"protect"aren'tjustfeel-good phrases–they'relegallandmines.The TexasConstitutionisthehighestlaw inthestate,andoncethisisetchedin stone,courtswillhavetointerpret whatthesevaguetermsreallymean. Does"protect"meanvaccinatingyour childagainstcovid?Whatif"nurture" getstwistedtorequirestate-approved gender-affirmingcare,ortoquestion whyyou'rehomeschooling?Andhow aboutkeepingfirearmsinthehome forself-defense–isthatfailingto "protect"inajudge'seyes?
Thesearen'twildhypotheticals; they'reaslipperyslope.Theamendmentisn’texpandingrights–it'stying themtostate-definedduties.YourGod
-givenauthorityasaparent?Itmorphs intoaprivilege,revocableifabureaucratoractivistjudgedecidesyou'renot checkingthe"nurture"box.Lookat Scripture–Deuteronomy6:4-8,the bookourFoundingFathersquoted morethananyother,placesthejobof raisingchildrensquarelyonparents, notthegovernment. TherearenoreferencesinScripturewheregovernmentischargedwithdecidingwhatis inthebestinterestofachild.
OrtakeJohnLocke,thesecondmost quotedauthorbyourfoundersafter theBible,whocalledparentalrights "inalienable"–straightfromGod,not agovernmenthandout.Inhisessay titledTwoTreatiesofGovernment,he states,"Thepower,then,thatparents haveovertheirchildrenarisesfrom thedutywhichisincumbentonthem, totakecareoftheiroffspringduring theimperfectstateofchildhood.” Whygamblewithaconstitutional changethatcouldflipthistruthonits head?
Theamendmentlanguageisfrankly weak.Thesecondamendmentuses languagelike,"shallnotbeinfringed". Whynotbeasstrongon parentalrightswiththisamendment
andwhythehattiptogovernment oversight?Texanswouldneveracceptsuchlanguageincorporatedinto thesecondamendmenttoprotectgun rights,sowhyshouldn’ttheyexpect thesameprotectionforperhapsthe mostvaluablerightofall,parental rights.Whynotsimplyadd,“Parental rightsshallnotbeinfringed”? Some arguethatsuchlanguagecouldpermit childabuseorothercrimesagainst children.Butnoticethatthesecond amendmentdoesn'tcarveoutgovernmentexceptionsformurderorassault withagun.It'sinappropriateand doesn'tneedtosincethesearecrimes thatarehandledoutsideofthedeclarationofanabsoluteright.
Texasfamiliesdeservebetterthan deceptionbyomission.Ifyou'rea parentwrestlingwithschoolchoices, medicaldecisions,orjustraisingchildrenyourway,pausebeforemarking "yes"onProp15.We'vegotsolid lawsprotectingusalready;this amendmentputsthoseprotectionsat risk.VoteNOonProposition15to keepparentinganabsoluteGod-given right.
EarlyvotingendsOctober31and electiondayisNovember4.
Farmer’sAlmanac Ashley Husbands 10/23:Fishing/Weather:fairfishingintheevening,Unsettled Gardening:Startseedbeds.Favorabledaysforplantingaboveground crops,andleafyvegetablessuchaslettuce,cabbage,kale,andcelery whereclimateissuitable
10/24:Fishing/Weather:poorfishingintheevening,Clearing,colder Gardening:Doclearingandplowing,butnoplanting
10/25:Fishing/Weather:poorfishingintheevening,Clearing,colder Gardening:Doclearingandplowing,butnoplanting
10/26:Fishing/Weather:fairfishingintheevening,Clearing,colder Gardening:Planttomatoes,peas,beans,andotheraboveground crops
10/27:Fishing/Weather:fairfishingintheevening,Clearing,colder Gardening:Planttomatoes,peas,beans,andotheraboveground crops
10/28:Fishing/Weather:goodfishingintheevening,Wet,thenclearingskies
Gardening:Poorplantingdays.Killpoisonivy,weeds,clearland,but noplanting
10/29:Fishing/Weather:goodfishinginthemorning,Wet,then clearingskies
Gardening:Poorplantingdays.Killpoisonivy,weeds,clearland,but noplanting
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!
BakedPotatoSoup
Bittercreek
1lb.groundbeef
1mediumonion,chopped
1-2greenpeppers,chopped
1smallcanmushroomswithjuice
Onionsalt,totaste
Garlicsaltorpowder,totaste
Blackpepper,lots
2freshtomatoes,cutinto1/4’s
1(6oz.)pkg.slicedProvolonecheese
6FranciscoFrenchrolls
Browngroundbeef,addonionsandgreenpeppers.Cookuntilsoft.Addmushrooms,spicetotaste.Addtomatoesandcoverloosely.Cookuntiltomatoesare tender.SpoonintoslicedFrenchrolls,topwithcheeseslices.Wrapinfoiland heatinovenorSaranWrapinmicrowave.
Melanie Clayton
CheesyBroccoliCasserole
2(10oz.)pkg.frozenchoppedbroccoli,thawedanddrained
2lb.eggs,lightlybeaten
1cancreammushroomsoup
1cupMozzarellacheese,shredded
1cupmayonnaiseorsaladdressing
1/2cupherbseasonedstuffingmix
Combinebroccoliandnext4ingredients.Spoonintoalightlygreased2quart shallowcasserole.Sprinklewithstuffingmix.Bakeat350degreesfor30 minutes.
MaryAnn Tharp
4lg.bakingpotatoes
2/3cupbutterormargarine
2/3cupallpurposeflour
6cupsmilk
3/4tsp.salt
1/2tsp.pepper
4greenonions,choppedanddivided
12slicesbacon,cooked,crumbedanddivided
11/4cups(5oz)cheddarcheese,shreddedanddivided
1(8oz.)cartonsourcream
Washpotatoesandprickseveraltimeswithafork,bakeat400degreesfor1hour oruntildone.Letcool.Cutpotatoesinhalflengthwise,thenscoopoutpulp,and setaside.Discardskins.
Meltbutterinaheavysaucepanoverlowheat;addflour,stirringuntilsmooth. Cook1minute,stirringconstantly.Graduallyaddmilk;cookovermediumheat, stirringconstantly,untilmixtureisthickenedandbubbly.
Addpotatopulp,salt,pepper,2tablespoonsgreenonions,1/2cupbacon,and1 cupcheese.Cookuntilthoroughlyheated;stirinsourcream.Addextramilk,if necessary,fordesiredthickness.Servewithremainingonion,baconandcheese.
Note:Insteadofdiscardingpotatoskins,sprinklewithgratedcheeseandalittle baconifdesired.Placeoncookiesheetandheatinovenuntilcheeseismelted. Servewithpicantesauceand/orsourcream.Makesagreatsnack.
JanAnderson
World’sEasiestCookies
1pkg.cakemix(yourfavorite)
1/3cupoil
2eggs
Mixallingredients.Spoon1inchballsontoungreasedcookiesheet.Bakefor15 minutesat350degreesuntilbrown. Tishie Mae Kile
MotherhoodColumn EricaWells
.Standingupforyourself,andothers, hasbeenonmymindlately.Ihadthe chancetomeetwithschoolofficials whensomethingseemedoff.Wehad somereallygoodconversations.When youfeelsomethingneedstochange, speakup.Berespectful,haveyour thoughtsorganized,andgoinreadyto bothshareandlisten.I’velearnedto bringmyideastothetablebutalsobe opentobetterones.
Ourschoolstafftrulywanttohelpeverystudent,buttheyneedparentswho arewillingtoworkwiththem.Going inangryorjusttocomplaindoesn’t helpanyone.Iheardtheterm “informationgatherer”recently it meanswhensomeoneoffersadvice, feedback,orevencriticism,youtakeit in.Youtryitout.Maybeitworks, maybeitdoesn’t butyoudon’tget offendedbyit.
Ialsorealizedthisweekthatyoucan’t helpsomeonewhodoesn’twantto helpthemselves.Somepeopleonly wanttovent,notfix andthat’shard forafixerlikemetowatch.
Asamom,I’vebeentryingtoteach mykidstobecollaboratorsaswell,to speakupforthemselvesandothers, andtohandlewhattheycanwithout mesteppingin.(Istilloverstepsome-
times I’mlearning!)Butthebest lessonistoleadbyexample.Instead ofjustcomplaining,goanddo. Ps-thatincludesvoting.
BirdwatchingColumn Sue and Dick Malnory
Didyouknowthatpigscanfly? Well, notexactlybutwedohavewhatwe callflyingpigsinourbackyard. The correctnameisWhite-wingedDoves, butwehavenicknamedthembecause oftheirpiggishbehavioratthefeeders.
Youcanidentifythesebirdsbythe smallheads,whitestripealongthe foldedwings,redlegs,andblueeye rings. Theyareaboutafootlongfrom headtotail.
Inourstate,formanyyearsyou wouldhaveseenWhite-winged DovesmostlyinSouthTexas,their summerhome. AccordingtoTexas BreedingBirdAtlaspublishedbyTexasA&M,overtheyears,habitatdestruction,aseriesoffreezes,and warmingtemperatureshaveresulted intheirspreadovermostofTexas. I thinkwefirstbeganseeingthemoccasionallyatourplaceabout25years ago. Nowtheyareprolific,andiffeed isavailable,willstickaroundthroughouttheyearratherthanmigrating.
Inourbackyardtheyseemtoenjoy justabouteverytypeofbirdseedwe putoutandwillcrowdoneanotherto gettothefeeders.Theywilleatatthe groundtrayorthehangingtrayorany feederwithenoughflatareaforthem toperchon. Onlyoursquirrelproof feederseemstodeterthem. When startled,theflocktakesoff,makinga
loudwhooshingsoundwiththeir wings.
InadditiontotheWhite-wings,inour area,butprobablynotatthefeeders, weveryoccasionallyseethesmaller MourningDove,identifiablebythe blackspotsonthewings. Another occasionalvisitoristheEurasianCollared-Dove. Thisbirdispaleandhas adark“ringaroundthecollar”markingthebackofitsneck. Ornithologist DavidSibleydescribestheirsongas “amournfulhooting,oftenmistaken foranowl”,thesongoftheflyingpigs “isarhythmichooting”thatornithologistsagreesoundslike“Whocooks foryou”.
TexasHistoryMinute Halloweenisfast approaching,aday filledwithexcitement,chargedwith thespiritofadventurethatmakes childhoodsucha memorable time. Manychildrenneveroutgrow theirloveforthedayandpassonthe joyoftrick-or-treatingtotheirchildren andgrandchildrenorenjoyHalloweenpartiesasadults. Schoolsand churchesregularlysponsortrunk-ortreateventsandHalloweenparties. Itis mostpopularintheUnitedStates,Canada,andGreatBritain Halloweenhas ahistorydatingbackcenturies.
TherootsofHalloweenlaydeep inoldChristiantraditions. HalloweenisseparatefromtheoldharvestfestivalscommoninEuropebeforethe arrivalofChristianity,butelementsof thesetraditionswouldcontinueincelebrationsintheBritishIsles.
PopeGregoryIIIestablishedAllSaints’ DayonNovember1asadayofremembranceinthe730s. Fromitsearliestdays,thenightofOctober31was markedasthebeginningoftheobservance. AllSaints’Daywasconsideredtobeadaytorememberthedeceased,particularlythesaintsandmartyrsofthechurch. TheEnglishbegan referringtoAllSaints’DayasAllhallowtideorHallowmasby1471. The wordcamefromolder,morearchaic words“hallow,”whichmeant“holy” while“tide”meant“time.” Onthe nightbefore,AllHallow’sEve,many RomanCatholicsatthetimewould visitcemeteriesandprayforthe dead. Overtime,“AllHallow’sEve” or“AllHallow’sEvening”waswhittleddownto“Halloween.”
Elementsoftrick-or-treatingbeganin theMiddleAgesasthepoorwouldgo tothewealthyandaskforspecialtreats fortheday,soulcakes,inexchangefor prayingfortheirdeceasedloved ones. Bythe1800sinScotlandand Ireland,trick-or-treatinghadevolved intodressingintocostumesandgoing door-to-doorfortreatsandmovedaway fromthereligiousobservance. InPoland,thetraditionforHalloweennighthaslongbeenthatpeople wouldprayoutloudastheywalked throughforestsinordertocomfortthe soulsofthedeceased. InSpain,church bellsringthroughthenighttoremind thefaithfultoprayforthedead. In EasternOrthodoxcountriesofEastEurope,however,prayervigilsarestill sometimesheldonthenightofOctober 31. AsmoreScottishandIrishimmigrantsmovedtotheUnitedStates,the trick-or-treatingtraditioncamewith them. ManyAmericanchildrenbegan makingtheirowncostumesforHalloweenbythelate1800s. Theterm“trickor-treating”begantoappearintheearly twentiethcentury,andthefamedHalloweentraditionhadfullyestablished itselfacrossthenationbythe1920s. Today,variousestimateshavestated thatasmanyas40millionAmerican childrenparticipateintrick-or-treating eachyear.
ManyotherfeaturesofHalloweenare centuriesold. InIreland,thejack-olanternwascarvedfromturnipsand carriedonAllHallow’sEvetoscareoff evilspirits,atraditiondatingbackcenturies. Bythetimethistraditionarrived intheUnitedStatesbythenineteenth century,thenativepumpkinbegantobe usedinstead. Bobbingforapples,a
popularHalloweengame,datestothe 1700s.
UnlikeChristmas,Halloween,particularlyasitispracticedintheUnited States,isnotaswidelycelebrated aroundtheworld. ManyofthetraditionsobservedinAmericaarepracticed inCanada,Scotland,andIreland. HalloweenisslowlycatchingoninJapanandinareasofSouthKorea,Germany,andIndia,mostlyintheformsof costumesandHalloweenparties. Itis startingtogainpopularityinItaly, Greece,andFrance. EvenSaudiArabiabegancelebratinginrecent years. AcrossMexicoandLatinAmerica,AllSaint’sDayandDayofthe Deadarecelebratedback-to-backon successivedays. Observancesforthe DayoftheDeadarepreferred,taking placeeachyearonNovember2as manywilldressupasthedeadonaday torememberfriendsandfamilywho havepassedon. Apopularlegendon theDayoftheDeadinLatinAmericais thatthespiritsofthedeceasedwillwalk theEarthoncemoreonthat night. SchoolsinIrelandwilloften closeonHalloweenwhileinMexico, schoolswilloftencloseontheDayof theDead.
Inmoderntimes,Americansbuyupwardsof90millionpoundsofcandy eachyear. Thisamountstonearly$4 billion. Themostpopularcandyin 2024wasReese’sPeanutButterCups followedbyPeanutM&Ms,according toordersfromInstacart. Utahorders themostcandyofanystatepercapita, about50%abovethenationalaverage. InTexas,2024'smostpopular candywereSourPatchKids. Themost popularchildren’scostumein2024was Beetlejuice,followedbyDeadpool, bothinspiredbythepopularityoflast year’sfilms. Spidermanwasthemost popularin2023,withanestimated2.6 millionchildrendressingupasSpidermaninsomeform. Americanstypicallyspendmorethan$8billioneachyear oncostumesanddecorationsforthe evening’sfestivities,accordingtothe NationalRetailFederation. USAToday,however,reportedthatAmericans couldspendasmuchas$13billionon Halloweenthisyear.
Halloweenhasbeenaspecialpartof childhoodforgenerations. Withits continuedpopularityandmountainsof candy,itwillcontinuetobeapartof Americancultureforyearstocome.
Theeasywayisnot God’sway Seekingcomfortandnot beingwilling tostand againstsin leavesuslukewarmandvulnerabletodefeatanddestruction. Christians whoavoid gettingtheir handsdirty withprayerandobediencemighthave religiousknowledge,butaredevelopingspiritualmuscleatrophy.Ifwestay onthecouchandonlyeatrichfoods anddreamofpleasures,beforelong, wewillnotbestrongenoughtotake careofourselves.Thisiswhathappens inthespiritrealmwhentheonlyoutwardsignofbeingaChristianistalking“about”God.Manydonotreador studytheBibleontheirownandjust rememberwhatsomeoneelsehassaid. Why?Becausetheyarelazyandhave anxietythattheLordisgoingtodemandthemtogiveupeverythingthey haveandfollowHim.Matthew,Mark, andLuketellthestoryofarichyoung rulerwhospoketoJesusabouthowhe couldobtaineternallife.It’scommon tofeelpitywhenweonlyseethisasa selfish,arrogantpersonwhowould ratherremainincontroloftheirown life.However,itbecomessobering whenwerealizethisisalsoadirect demandtoallwhocallthemselves disciplesofChrist.
TherewasatimeKingDavidgrew wearyofhisstruggles.Hewassotired inhissoul,soembattledandbesetby troubles,allhewantedwastoescape toaplaceofrestandcomfort.InPsalm 55:4-8weread,“Myheartissore painedwithinme:andtheterrorsof deatharefallenuponme...AndIsaid, OhthatIhadwingslikeadove!For thenwouldIflyaway,andbeatrest...I wouldhastenmyescapefromthe windystormandtempest.”Thereisa valuablelessontobelearnedwhenwe substituteourresponsibilitytoobey Godwithaneasier,morerelaxing,and pleasurableway.Ifyoureadabout crabs,theyarecreaturesthatliveina rough,dangerousenvironmentamong jaggedrocks.Crabsareconstantly pummeledbythewavesandattacked oneverysidebycreaturesfromdeeper waters.Theirlivesareacontinualbattletoprotectthemselves,butover time,theydevelopanendurance,a strongshell,andpowerfulinstinctsfor survival.However,somegiveupthe struggleandsearchforamorecomplacentwaytolivebytakingupresidence intheabandonedshellsofotherocean dwellers.Thesecrabsareknownas hermitcrabs.Theyescapethehard worktorelaxincomfort.
However,whenthecrabsbecomeinactiveandstopfightingthegoodfight, atrophysetsin,andtheirbodiesdeteriorate Eventheirorganswitherdueto lackofuse,andeventuallytheyloseall powerofmotion,aswellastheability todefendthemselvesfromtheirenemies.Astheirclawsfalloff,theyare leftwithapowerlessexistence.Like-
wise,goingthroughthemotionsofa nominalandmediocrereligiousexistenceisnotwhatGodwants.Whenthe Christiansurrenderstothetemptation toliveincarnality,theynolongercare aboutbeingalivingsacrifice.Yes,the battleishard,andit’smucheasierto hideintheshellofreligionthantoactuallydowhatGodisdemanding. ReadMatthew24:13-15.
Ephesianschaptersixtalksaboutthe seventypesofarmorthatChristians havebeencommandedtowearinthis life,asGodhascalledustobefearless warriorsinthebattleagainstevil.We havethehelmet,breastplate,shield, sword,boots,thebelt,andthemost importantweapon–prayer.Whena soldierengagestheadversary,theyare protectedfromthefront,butthereisno mentionofprotectionfromtheback. Thecalltowaristostandfirmagainst theenemy,asthisallowsfaithand powerinGod’snametoboldlyconfrontthedarknessfacetoface.The saintmustnotturnandrunawayin fear,asthisexposestheirback,and theybecomeavulnerabletargettobe easilybroughtdownwithdeadlyarrowsandspears.Itwouldbebetterto remaininprayerandcontinuedevelopingwisdom,discernment,andfaith thantoparticipateinspiritualwarfare unprepared.RememberthetrueaccountinMathew17:19-21.Awaken, andtakeyourplaceonthefrontlines today!Thedeviltriestopersuadeusto takeiteasy,butremember,hismission istosteal,kill,anddestroy.Asaliar anddeceiver,heappearstobefriendly andtriestopersuadeuswithcompromises,butisholdingadaggerbehind hisback.
Dr. Holland is a minister, chaplain, and author. Read more about the Christian life at billyhollandministries.com.
KenBridges
Dr.BillyHolland
“Seeing the people, He felt compassion for them, because they were distressed and dispirited like sheep without a shepherd. Then He said to His disciples, “The harvest is plentiful, but the workers are few. Therefore, beseech the Lord of the harvest to send out workers into His harvest.” CommunityBibleFellowship JeremyMoore,pastor
415SCollinsFwy,Howe,TX75459
Wednesday
6:30pm-FoodandFellowship
7:00pm-CommunityKids(ages3-
6thgrade,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
Matthew 9:36-38 NASB1995 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,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
WanttoplaceYOURadinTheHoweEnterprise?
TheHoweEnterprisehasanaverageofover75,000viewsperyearandgrowing!TheFacebookpage,withover5,000followers,averagesover40,000viewspermonth! Upgradeyourbusinessadvertisingthismonthbycontacting ashley@howeenterprise.com
Pricesofadscurrentlyareasfollows:
FullPage(11x17)$600permonth.
HalfPage(10x8)$300permonth.
QuarterPage(5x8)$200permonth.
Midsize(5x4)$150permonth.
BusinessCard(3.33x2)$75permonth
PDForJPGispreferred.ChecksareacceptedorOnlinepaymentsareavailablethroughSquare.Paymentscanbemademonthlyorallatonceforaspecifiedtimeframe.
JobTitle MACHINE OPERATOR(3RD SHIFT)
workintexas.com
PostingID 16804105
Location Sherman
PostingCloseDate 2/28/25
PostingLink https:// bit.ly/4adm3w2
Description Alocal companyislookingfor aMACHINEOPERATOR(3RDSHIFT)who willoperateblow-mold/ PET/injectionmolding machines(including wheels,reciprocatingor shuttlemachines)to ensureproductionof qualitybottles.ThispositionprefersaHigh SchoolDiplomaor Equivalent.
JobTitle COUNSELOR-LPC,LMFT, LCSW,PHD workintexas.com
PostingID 16788010
Location Sherman PostingCloseDate 2/13/25
PostingLink https:// bit.ly/4gOxf4K
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
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
LocalJobPosting JobTitle:PreschoolTeacher
Location:HoweWeeCare–Howe,TexasReportsTo: Director,HoweWeeCareClassification:Part-Time Contact:SharonWoodsbyemailingHoweWeeCare@gmail.com
JobDescription
HoweWeeCare,aministryofHoweMethodistChurch, isseekingacompassionate,dependable,andprofessionalPreschoolTeachertojoinourearlychild-hood educationteam.Theidealcandidatewillcreateanurturinglearningenvironment,supportthedevelopmentalneedsofyoungchildren,andupholdthemissionandvaluesofHoweWeeCare.
MinimumQualificationstobeaTeacher
•Mustbe18yearsofage
•MustbeeligibletoworkintheUnitedStates
•Musthaveahighschooldiplomaorequivalent
•Mustpassabackgroundcheck
•Mustcompleteannualtraining
•MusthaveasimilarstatementoffaithtothatofHowe MethodistChurch
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
CityofHoweWater,Sewer, Refusecollectionrates-onebill
The Patriot Pony SecondLongestShutdown Japan’sNewLeader Thefederalgovernmentshutdown entersits23rddaytoday,afterbecomingthesecond-longestfunding lapseinmodernhistory,eclipsingthe 1995-96shutdownduringtheClintonadministration.
Theholdupcontinuestobeover healthcare.TheHouselastmonth passedaseven-weekbillextending governmentfundingatitscurrent levels.Democratsseekanextension ofCOVID-erasubsidiesfor healthcareplans,otherwisesetto expireDec.31.Morethan24million peopleintheUSareinsuredthrough theprograms,withnearly4million expectedtolosecoverageifcosts increasenextyear.Federalsubsidies costanestimated$1.8Tin2023, roughly7%oftheUS’grossdomesticproduct.
TheSenatefailedtopasstheHouse billyesterdayforthetwelfthtime. Tomorrow,federalworkerswillmiss theirfirstfullpaychecks;hundredsof
thousandsofemployeesreceived partialpaychecksonOct.10.
JapanelectedconservativeSanae Takaichiasitsfirstfemaleprime ministerTuesdayafteracoalition dealbetweenherLiberalDemocratic Partyandtheright-leaningJapan InnovationParty.Takaichi,64,succeedsShigeruIshiba,whoresigned lastmonthafterelectionlossesleft theLDPwithoutanoutrightmajority inparliamentforthefirsttimein15 years.
AnallyofformerPrimeMinister ShinzoAbe,Takaichisupportsconservativefiscalanddefense policiesandhaspledgedtostrengthennationalsecurity,expandsemiconductorproduction,andincrease energyself-sufficiency.Shecalled forUScooperationonregionaldefenseandtradeandisexpectedto meetPresidentDonaldTrumpnext week.
Somecriticsexpressedconcernthat
MediaGiantMullsSale WarnerBros.Discoverysaidyesterdayitisweighingafullorpartial saleafterreceivingunsolicitedinterest.Thenewscomesroughlyfour monthsaftertheconglomerateannouncedplanstosplititsstruggling cablenetworksfromitsmoreprofitablestudioandstreamingarms,creatingtwopubliclytradedcompanies. TheHBOandCNNparentcompany didnotdisclosepotentialbuyers,but SkydanceMediafounderDavidEllisonhasreportedlyexpressedinterest.Ellison,thesonofOraclecofounderLarryEllison,acquiredCBS ownerParamountforroughly$8Bin August,formingParamountSkydance.Healsoboughtconservative newsstartupTheFreePressfor about$150Mthismonth.Streaming companyNetflixandNBCowner Comcastarereportedlyinterested partiesaswell.
WarnerBros.Discoverysaiditwill continueworkingtowardsplitting thecompanybymid-2026asitevaluatesoffers Separately,thecompany yesterdayraisedpricesforHBO Maxstreamingplans.Sharesclosed
up11%.
herpoliciescouldslowprogresstowardgenderequality.Womenhold lessthan16%oflowerhouseseats andabout10%ofcabinetposts.Japanranked118outof148countriesinthe2025WorldGenderGap Report,thelowestamongG7countries(theUSranked42).
AnybodyWantaPeanut? NewfoodallergiesintheUS havedropped36%in10years,accordingtoastudypublishedyesterdayinPediatrics.Thedropfollowsa 2015landmarktrialonpeanutsand shiftingnationalguidanceonearly introductiontofoodallergens. Researchersanalyzedelectronic healthrecordsforroughly125,000 childrenfrom48pediatricpractices acrosstheUS.Theylookedatcohortsofchildrenages0-3beforeand aftera2015trialfoundfeedingpeanutproductstobabiescuttheirallergyriskbyover80%.Guidancewas updatedlaterthatyeartoencourage earlyintroductionofpeanutstohighriskchildren;todayparentsareencouragedtointroducepeanuts andeightothercommonallergensto childrenasearlyasfourmonthsold, regardlessofrisklevel. By2020,anestimated57,000fewer childrendevelopedfoodallergies alongsidetheevolvingrecommendations,accordingtoyesterday'sstudy, aspediatricpracticesslowlyupdate theirguidancetoparents.
