I know not everyone gets excited about the cold weather, but like it or not, as of this week, it is here!
I get more excited for the cold weather than anything else the whole fall/winter season.As a borderline minimalist for most of my adult life I am not big on decorating, doing the excessive gift thing on Christmas, etc. but I DO get excessively excited about the cold and all that comes with it–baking, cozy hot drinks, flannels, fuzzy socks, and passed down traditions I’ ve adapted for the season, like the one below:
Here is a cozy cold weather tip passed down and adapted from my grandmother:
Every year my grandma was with us, as soon as we turned on the heater she would start a daily big boiling pot of water to keep it humid in the house–which led to lower heating bills and less sickness. I have since adapted it to daily add things to mine such as lemon and orange peels, eucalyptus leaves, spices like clove, cinnamon sticks, etc. and even essential oils! Not only is my living space nice and cozy warm all winter with a lower heating bill, but it smells absolutely wonderful!
ImportantVotingDetailsYouNeedtoKnow ThisWeek Ashley Husbands
Earlyvotingcontinues thisweekthroughOctober31stwithofficialVotingDayonNovember 4th.Localvotingcenters’locations,times,etc. arelistedinthe“Local Events”sectionofthe paperthisweek.There are17propositionson theballotthisyear.
Whatisaproposition?
AccordingtoLegalClaritycomapropositionis definedasfollows,“A ballotproposition,also knownasaballotmeasure,isadirectdemocracymechanismallowing citizenstovoteonproposedlaws,constitutionalamendments,orother issues.Thesemeasures appearonastatewideor municipalballotforvot-
erstoapproveorreject, bypassingthetraditional legislativeprocess.This directparticipationempowersthepublictoinfluencepolicydecisions directly,ratherthansolely throughelectedrepresentatives.Ballotpropositions aredistinctfromvoting forpoliticalcandidates,as theyfocusonspecific policiesorissues.This processenablescitizens todirectlyenactnewlaws orchangeexistingones, ratherthanrelyingon theirelectedofficials. Theyserveasatoolof directdemocracy,giving votersadirectsayinthe lawsthatgovernthem andthepoliciesthataffect theircommunities.”
Whenitcomestovoting andsimilarmatters,thisis anewspaperthatattempts (Continued on Page 9)
NewSocial MediaAd Opportunities NowAvailable! Ashley Husbands
BeginninginNovember,TheHoweEnterprisewillbeofferinga newadvertisementopportunityforlocalbusinesses.
Traditionally,wehave offeredadspaceinthe newspaperitselfandwe willcontinuetodoso, pricesforthathaveremainedsteadyforyears despitepricesrisingon everythingelse.The
reasonwehavekeptthe pricesthesameisthatthe ownerofthispublication isnotonlyasmallindependentbusinessowner forthepaper,butcontinuestorunanindependentmassagetherapy business.Theowner “bleedsAmerican”when itcomestoindependence andtherighttopursue owningindependent smallbusinesses.Anyonewhoownsabusiness knowswehavebeenhit (Continued on Page 9)
HistoryofHalloween AswedidforIndependenceDaythisyear,we areherewithanother articleonthehistoryofa holidayheldthisweek, Halloween.Iamnohistorian,sothiswas sourcedfromHistory.comandBrittanica.com.Ihavetakenthe informationgivenand putitinhistoricaldate order,asbestasIcan withtheinformation provided.Halloween canbecontroversial,
especiallyamongthose whochoosetofollowthe Christianfaith,Ihavemy ownpersonalopinionsbut Iwillnotincludethosein thisarticle.AllIamstrivingtodowiththisarticleis toprovideahistoricalcontextfortheoriginsofthe holiday,soherewego.
2,000yearsago:
TheoriginsofHalloween datebacktothefestival Samhain(pronouncedsow -in),anancientCelticfestivalheldonthedaybefore
theyconsideredtheir NewYear’sDayonNovember1st.TheCelts livedinmostlywhatis nowIreland,theUnited Kingdomandnorthern France.Thefestivalof Samhainmarkedtheend ofsummer,harvestseason,andthebeginningof winter-whichtheyconsideredatimeassociated withhumandeath.They believedonthelastday oftheiryear,October31st thattheboundarybetweentheworldofthe (Continued on Page 12)
Your Vote Counts
Photo Credit: ar.inspiredpencil.com
Explore the ancient traditions of Samhain all the way to Halloween msn.com
Ashley Husbands
UpcomingEvents NOVEMBER5:PepRallyHMSGym
HMSFootballvs.BlueRidge HighSchoolJVFootballvs.BlueRidge
NOVEMBER6:HighSchoolVarsityFootballvs.BlueRidge(Awaygame)
NOVEMBER8:BandBoosterCraftShowandExpo
NOVEMBER10:HISDVeteran’sDayProgram/Assembly-HighSchool
NOVEMBER17:BoardofTrusteesMeetingat6p.m.
NOVEMBER24-28THANKSGIVINGBREAK
CrossCountryseasonis over!Nextup,Basketball andPowerliftingforthe WinterSports Ashley Husbands
Volleyball Ashley Husbands
Lastweek,theGirls’Volleyballteam playedagainstLeonard.Unfortunatelywedonothavethescoresforthis week’sgame.
TheGirls’Volleyballteam,according totheirscheduleonline,doesnot haveanymoregamesfortheseason.
Football of
from
our
Lastweek,theVarsityfootballteamplayedagainstCallisburgresultinginaloss.NextFriday,theteamwillplayinanawa ameagainstBlueRidgeat7:30p.m. MorephotoscanbefoundatTheHoweEnterpriseFacebookPage!
Manypictures
theteam
the seasoncanbefoundatTheHowe EnterpriseFacebookpage,eacharrangedinalbumsforeachgameby
talentedphotographer,Michelle Carney.
Ladies’Varsity Volleyball Team against Leonard Photo Credit: Michelle Carney
UpcomingMiddleSchoolParentMeeting HoweIntermediate&HoweMiddleSchools
Title1ParentInvolvementProgram
AI:ItsImpactonStudentsandLearning
Thursday,November13
5:30pm@theHIS/HMSCafeteria
-ClayWilson,MiddleSchoolPrincipal
FIRSTWEDNESDAYOFEACHMONTH:HoweHumpDay:8-9a.m.atSummitGardens
SECONDSATURDAYOFEACHMONTH:BulkTrashPickup
THIRDTUESDAYOFEACHMONTH:RegularCityCouncilMeeting:6p.m.atSummitGardens
PicturesfromtheHowe-lloweenFestivalHeld All picture credit for Howe-loween Festival on Pages 6 and 7 goes to the
Howe Mayor Karla McDonald Facebook Page
XYZMeeting:Every2ndThursdayofeachmonth
Men’sBreakfastFirstSaturdayoftheMonthatLocalChurch–NovemberatCommunityBibleFellowship
Ifyouhavealocalclub/group/etc.thatyouwouldliketohaveeventssharedinthenewspaper,pleaseemail ashley@howeenterprise.com
VotingDetailsThisWeekContinued (Continued from Page 1)
tobeneutralinthemainsectionsof thepaper.Wehavehadopinions submittedregardingpoliticsinthe OpinionsectionofthenewspaperlastweektheGraysonCountyConservativessubmittedanarticleabout Proposition15.Opinionsonthese propositionscanbefoundeverywhereonlinefrompeoplefarmore politicallyversedthanI.Asstated lastweek,themostneutralplaceI havefoundtogetmoreinformation isBallotPedia.com,wheretheyoffer multipleanglesofeachproposition, whofundsit,whatgroupsarefor andagainsteachone,etc.Beloware thepropositionsastheyareworded ontheballotwithnoflufforflairof personalopinion,summarization, etc.,whichactuallyismoredifficult tofindonlinethanitshouldbe.
Thepropositionsofferedontheballotthisyearare:
Proposition1(SJR59):Texas StateTechnicalCollegefunding
“Theconstitutionalamendment providingforthecreationofthepermanenttechnicalinstitutioninfrastructurefundandtheavailable workforceeducationfundtosupport thecapitalneedsofeducationalprogramsofferedbytheTexasState TechnicalCollegeSystem.”
Proposition2(SJR18):Capital gainstaxban
“Theconstitutionalamendmentprohibitingtheimpositionofataxon therealizedorunrealizedcapital gainsofanindividual,family,estate, ortrust.”
Proposition3(SJR5):Bailreform
“Theconstitutionalamendmentrequiringthedenialofbailundercertaincircumstancestopersonsaccusedofcertainoffensespunishable asafelony.”
Proposition4(HJR7):Waterinfrastructurefunding
“Theconstitutionalamendmentto dedicateaportionoftherevenuederivedfromstatesalesandusetaxesto theTexaswaterfundandtoprovide fortheallocationanduseofthatrevenue.”
Proposition5(HJR99):Taxexemptiononanimalfeed
“Theconstitutionalamendmentauthorizingthelegislaturetoexempt fromadvaloremtaxationtangible personalpropertyconsistingofanimal feedheldbytheowneroftheproperty forsaleatretail.”
Proposition6(HJR4):Securities taxban
“Theconstitutionalamendmentprohibitingthelegislaturefromenactinga lawimposinganoccupationtaxon certainentitiesthatenterintotransactionsconveyingsecuritiesorimposing ataxoncertainsecuritiestransactions.”
Proposition7(HJR133):Taxexemptionforveterans’spouses
“Theconstitutionalamendmentauthorizingthelegislaturetoprovidefor anexemptionfromadvaloremtaxationofallorpartofthemarketvalue oftheresidencehomesteadofthesurvivingspouseofaveteranwhodied asaresultofaconditionordisease thatispresumedunderfederallawto havebeenservice-connected.”
Proposition8(HJR2):Inheritance taxban
“Theconstitutionalamendmentto prohibitthelegislaturefromimposing deathtaxesapplicabletoadecedent’s propertyorthetransferofanestate, inheritance,legacy,succession,or gift.”
Proposition9(HJR1):Inventory andequipmenttaxexemption
“Theconstitutionalamendmentto authorizethelegislaturetoexempt fromadvaloremtaxationaportionof themarketvalueoftangiblepersonal propertyapersonownsthatisheldor usedfortheproductionofincome.”
Proposition10(SJR84):Taxexemptionforhomesdestroyedby fire
“Theconstitutionalamendmentto authorizethelegislaturetoprovidefor atemporaryexemptionfromadvaloremtaxationoftheappraisedvalue ofanimprovementtoaresidence homesteadthatiscompletelydestroyedbyafire.”
Proposition11(SJR85):Schooltax exemptionfortheelderlyordisabledhomeowners
“Theconstitutionalamendmentauthorizingthelegislaturetoincrease theamountoftheexemptionfromad valoremtaxationbyaschooldistrict ofthemarketvalueoftheresidence homesteadofapersonwhoiselderly ordisabled.”
Proposition12(SJR27):Changing theStateJudicialConductCommission
“TheconstitutionalamendmentregardingthemembershipoftheState CommissiononJudicialConduct,the membershipofthetribunaltoreview thecommission’srecommendations, andtheauthorityofthecommission, thetribunal,andtheTexasSupreme Courttomoreeffectivelysanction judgesandjusticesforjudicialmisconduct.”
Proposition13(SJR2):Increased schooltaxexemptionforhomeowners
“Theconstitutionalamendmentto
increasetheamountoftheexemption ofresidencehomesteadsfromadvaloremtaxationbyaschooldistrict from$100,000to$140,000.”
Proposition14(SJR3):Funding fordementiaresearchandprevention
“Theconstitutionalamendment providingfortheestablishmentofthe DementiaPreventionandResearch InstituteofTexas,establishingthe DementiaPreventionandResearch Fundtoprovidemoneyforresearch onandpreventionandtreatmentof dementia,Alzheimer’sdisease,Parkinson’sdisease,andrelateddisorders inthisstate,andtransferringtothat fund$3billionfromstategeneral revenue.”
Proposition15(SJR34):Codifying parentalrights
“Theconstitutionalamendmentaffirmingthatparentsaretheprimary decisionmakersfortheirchildren.”
Proposition16(SJR37):Clarifying citizenshiprequirementforvoters
“TheconstitutionalamendmentclarifyingthatavotermustbeaUnited Statescitizen.”
Proposition17(HJR34):Property taxexemptionforbordersecurity infrastructure
“Theconstitutionalamendmentto authorizethelegislaturetoprovidefor anexemptionfromadvaloremtaxationoftheamountofthemarketvalueofrealpropertylocatedinacounty thatborderstheUnitedMexican Statesthatarisesfromtheinstallation orconstructiononthepropertyof bordersecurityinfrastructureandrelatedimprovements.”
Again,tofindwheretovoteonthese propositionsonEarlyVotingDays andVotingDayitself,checkoutour LocalEventssection.HappyVoting!
NewSocialMediaAdvertisingAvailableContinued (Continued from page 1)
veryhardsincethepandemicandit neverstopped.Thelastthingsmall businessesneedisanotherobstacle ofincreasedadpricing-sowehave madethedecisionatthisnewspaper tokeepitaffordable.
Anotheradvertisingopportunityis nowavailablethroughourFacebook platform.TheFacebookpagefor TheHoweEnterprisehasgrown massivelyinthelastseveralmonths afterourdecisiontoofferlocal sports’picturestothecommunityfor freetotheconsumer.Wehavean averageof115,000viewsonthe pagepermonthandover5,700followerstoTheHoweEnterprise page.Manylocalbusinesseshave
Facebookpages,butfew,ifanyhave thatmuchofafollowingonsocial mediathatallowsagreateramountof peopletoseethem.Wewouldliketo offerbusinessestheopportunitytopay foraone-timeadthatwillbeposted ontheFacebook.Accordingtoseveral websites,theaveragecostofdoing thiskindofthingforouramountof followersis$25-$100perpost-again, wehavechosentomakeitmoreaffordableandleantothelowerendof $50perpost.Businessesarenotlimitedtotheamountofone-timeads theycanpurchase.
Anideaofhowthiscouldworkinaction:Businessescouldpostanad featuringinformationabouttheirbusiness,oracouponforservicespeople canbringinandshowatthetimeof
purchase.Couponscouldbeagood wayoftrackingiftheadisworking foryourbusinessornotandifitis worthpurchasinganother.Seasonal businessescanalsobenefitwiththis asthereisnolongtermcommitmentandcanbeused“asneeded” basedonyourindividualneeds.
Theowner’shopeistomakeiteasierandmoreaffordableforbusiness ownerstoadvertise-wehaveagreat platformwe’vebuiltonourFacebook,whynotuseittoallofour benefit?Userscangetaveryaffordableadonafrequentlyvisitedsite withnocontracts,tiesorlong-term commitments.Wehavemadethe processquickandeasy.Thereisa linktoourpurchasingsite,Square, whereyoucanpurchaseaone-time
adfor$50,thenemailashley@howeenterprisewithdetailsof whatyouwouldliketosayandapicture-ifyouhaveaspecificdateyou wouldlikeitposted,wewilldoour besttoaccommodatethat.Eachpost islistedonSquareasanindividual item,youcanpurchaseasmanyas youwouldlike.Ifyouarepurchasing multiple,theprocessisthesame, emailtheownerwithwhatdatesand informationyouwouldlikeyourad postedandwewilldoourbesttoaccommodatethat.Hereisthelink: https://square.link/u/JOmVjSbz
Welookforwardtosupportinglocal businessinthisnewway!Ifyouhave anyquestions,pleaseemailashley@howeenterprise.com.Thank you!
(Continued from Page 1)
HistoryofHalloweenContinued livingandthedeadwasblurredand thattheghostsofthedeadreturnedon thatnight.
TheCelts’basisofbelievingthe ghostsofthedeadreturnedtothe earthonOctober31stledtosome associatedbeliefsandtraditions.They believedtheirpriests,calledDruids, incommunicationwiththespirit realm,couldmoreeasilypredictthe futureonthatnight.Thepeople wouldbuildbonfirestosacrifice cropsandanimalstoCelticdeities whilewearingcostumesandattemptingtotelleachother’sfortuneswith thehelpoftheperceived“thinner line”betweenthespiritandphysical realmstheybelievedthenightto hold.Attheendofthefestivalthey wouldre-lighttheirhearthfiresfrom thesacredbonfireinhopestoprovide protectionforthemselvesandtheir familiesallwinter.
A.D.43 DuringthistimetheCelticpeople weremostlyconqueredbytheRomanEmpire.Duringthe400years theRomansruledCelticlandsthey combinedtheCelticfestivalofSamhainwithtwooftheirown,Feralia andPomona.FeraliawasaRoman holidayheldinlateOctoberthatcommemoratedthepassingofthedead. PomonawasaRomanholiday,also heldinlateOctober,thathonored Pomona,theRomangoddessoffruit
andtrees.Pomona’ssymbolwasthe apple,whichisconsideredalikely explanationfortheadditionof “bobbingforapples”lateraddedin Samhaintraditions.Withthecombinationofthesethreefestivals,allthe traditionsofeachwerecombined intoone,celebratedonOctober31st .
A.D.609 PopeBonifaceIVofficiallydecided thatyearthataCatholicfeastand festivalwouldbeheldNovember1st calledAllMartyrsDayintheWesternChurch.AllMartyrsDaywould honorallsaintsandmartyrsforthe faith,itwasoriginallygoingtobeon May13th butwasdecidedtobe movedtoNovember1st
8th and9th Century
PopeGregoryIIIdedicatedachapel inSt.Peter’s,RomeonNovember1st inhonorofallsaints,andthedaywas keptfromthenon.TheeveningbeforeAllSaints’DaywaslaterdesignatedasAllHallows’Eve-whichled totheevolutionofthenameHalloween.
18th CenturytoCurrent
Inthissectionwewillcoverhowthe oldholidayofwhateventuallybecameHalloweencametobecelebratedinAmerica.
InearlycolonialisminAmerica, therewasameshofbeliefsandcus-
tomsduetodifferentEuropeanethnic groupsandAmericanIndiansall combinedinoneplace.Halloween wasnotwidelycelebrateddueto widespreadProtestantbeliefsbut thosewhodidcelebrateitincluded “playparties”thatcelebratedtheharvestwhereneighborswouldshare storiesofthedeadandghoststories, telleachother’sfortunes,singand dance.
Inthesecondhalfofthe19th Century Americawasfloodedwithmany newimmigrants,includingmillions ofIrishimmigrantsfleeingtheIrish PotatoFamine.TheIrish,ifyourememberfromearlierinthisarticle, haddeepCeltichistoricalrootsand traditions.
Bythelate1800’sAmericanshad borrowedfromEuropeantraditions andbegandressingupincostumes andgoinghousetohouseaskingfor foodormoney.Theoriginalancient practicewastoleavefoodandwine outassacrificestoroamingspirits.To keepghostsawaythatnight,people alsoplacedbowlsoffoodoutsidein hopestoappeasethespiritsandpreventthemfromcomingintotheir homes.InEnglandduringtheAll Soul’sDayfestivitiesofNovember 1st,therewerecakescalled“soul cakes”whichpoorcitizenswouldgo fromhousetohousebeggingforin returnfortheirpromisetoprayfor thefamily’sdeadrelatives.ThecombinationsofthesebeliefsandpracticesevolvedearlyoninAmericainto
anactivitycalled“goinga-souling” andwaseventuallytakenupby childrenwhowouldvisithousesin theirneighborhoodandbegiven ale,foodandmoney.Thetradition ofdressingincostumesforHalloweenwasfoundinbothEuropeanandCelticroots.OnOctober 31st,whenpeoplebelievedghosts returnedtotheearthlyworld,they fearedencounteringspiritsifthey wentoutside,sotheyworemasks afterdarksoghostswouldmistake themforfellowspirits.
Sometimeinthelate1800’sitis saidthattherewasapush-bywho Iamnotsure-tomoldHalloween intoaholidaymoreaboutcommunityandneighborlygatheringsand nowfocusedonchildren.Parties wereheldforbothchildrenand adultsfocusedongames,foodand “festive”costumes.Inthe1900’s “goinga-souling”waschangedto becalled“trickortreating”and wasre-establishedintowhatitis today-intheory“tricksbeing played”werepreventedbyprovidingtheneighborhoodchildrenwith smalltreats.
TheAmericanversionofHalloweenhascontinuedtogrowinto whatisnowthesecondlargest commercialholidayafterChristmas.Theyearlyamountofmoney spentbyAmericanstowardthe holidaytotalsoverawhopping$11 Billion.
GENERAL:
FARMERS’ALMANAC
RECIPES
COLUMNS:
HOMECOUNTRY
BIRDWATCHING
TEXASHISTORYMINUTE
LIVINGONPURPOSE
Farmer’sAlmanac Ashley Husbands 10/30:Fishing/Weather:goodfishinginthemorning,Wet,thenclearingskies
Gardening:Poorplantingdays.Killpoisonivy,weeds,clearland,butnoplanting
10/31:Fishing/Weather:badfishinginthemorning,Clearing,Wet,thenclearing skies
Gardening:Extragoodforvinecrops.Favorabledayforplantingaboveground cropswhereclimateissuitable.
11/01:Fishing/Weather:badfishinginthemorning,Stormy,SouthernPlainsto Texas
Gardening:Extragoodforvinecrops.Favorabledayforplantingaboveground cropswhereclimateallows
11/02:Fishing/Weather:fairfishinginthemorning,Stormy,SouthernPlainsto Texas
Gardening:Seedsplantednowwillgrowpoorlyandyieldlittle
11/03:Fishing/Weather:fairfishinginthemorning,Stormy,SouthernPlainsto Texas Gardening:Seedsplantednowwillgrowpoorlyandyieldlittle
11/04:Fishing/Weather:goodfishinginthemorning,Clearing,cold Gardening:Fineforplantingbeans,peppers,cucumbers,melons,andother abovegroundcropswhereclimateissuitable.
11/05:Fishing/Weather:goodfishingintheevening,Clearing,cold Gardening:Gooddayfortransplanting.Gooddaytoplantrootcropswhereclimatepermits
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!
Cornbread
1boxJiffycornbreadmix
1stickbutter,melted
½pkg.choppedbroccoli,cookedanddrained
½cuponions,chopped
½cupcottagecheese
2eggs
Mixtogetherandbakeat350degrees.(Usemuffincups.)
Jeanne Cullington
BeefSourCreamEnchiladas
12tortillas,softenedinoil
2cupmediumwhitesauce
1cupsourcream
½lb.groundchuck,brownedandsalted
¼lb.MontereyJackcheese,grated
½cuponion,chopped
Groundcumin
¼lb.cheddarcheese,grated
2or3jalapenopeppers,sliced
Mixwhitesauceandsourcream,pour1/3ofmixtureina9x13-inchbaking dish.Assembleenchiladas;oneachtortillaput1tablespoongroundbeef,1tablespoonMontereyJackcheese,2teaspoonschoppedonion,and2dashesground cumin.Rolleachtortillaupandplaceintheprepareddish,sprinklewithanyremainingMontereyJackcheeseandonions.Pourremainingsourcreammixture overtheenchiladas,sprinklewithcheddarcheeseanddotwithjalapenoslices. Bakeat325degreesuntilitbubbles,about20minutes.Serves4to6.Thiscanbe madethedaybeforeandisactuallybetterthesecondday.
Cindy Tilton
ChristmasMorningCasserole
1lb.porksausage,browned
2cupsmilk
4eggs,beaten
6slicesbread,tornorcutintosmallpieces
1tsp.salt
1tsp.driedmustard(optional)
¼lb.sharpcheese,grated
Mixallingredientstogether.Pourintoa9x13panwhichhasbeengreased.Refrigerateovernight.Bakeat325degreesforonehour.
Kelly Taylor
ButterCake
1pkg.DuncanHinesyellowcakemix
1cupbutterflavorWessonoil
4eggs
1cupsourcream
½cupsugar
1tsp.butterflavoring
Mixwellandpourintobutteredtubepan.Cookat350degreesfor45minutes. Letcoolseveralhoursbeforetakingoutofpan.Foravarietyyoumayusechocolateorstrawberrycakemixinsteadofyellow.
Gloria Watkins
HomeCountryColumn Slim Randles
Haveyoubeencountingtheminutes untilelectiondaywhenyourneighbors canremoveallthosecampaignsigns fromtheirlawnsforanothertwo years?Yes,thesearemid-termelections,justasseriousasthepresidential electionyettocometwo yearsfromnow,butnotasinteresting. Whynot?Becausethegreatcandidate VerminLoveSupremeonlyrunsfor Presidentanddoesn’tmessabouttryingtobesomeone’sgovernor.V.L., whoappearstobeabeardedcrossbetweenArchimedesandAlexanderGrahamBell,tendstostandoutina crowd.Thatislargelybecausehe’s usuallywearingaboot onhisheadandiscarryingagiant toothbrush.
Unlikemostpoliticians,whobasically askustovoteforthembecausethey havetheirnamesonseveralyardsigns andcanproveit,Ol’Vermisn’tafraid tofacehiscountryhead-onandtellus whatwereallyneed.
Lasttimearound,whiletryingto wedgehisgoalsintotheNewHampshireprimaries,Verminmadenobones ofhisplatform:1.Passinganational lawthateveryonemustbrushtheir teeth,2.Dedicatingmillionsoftaxdollarstodelveintotimetravel,3.InvestigatethepossibilitiesofaZombieinva-
sion,and4.Givea ponytoeveryoneinthecountry.
Lestyoubescratchingyourheadover thetime-travelexpenditures,Vermin LoveSupremeisquicktopointout thatoncesciencehaswhippedtime travel,hecanthengobackintimeand killAdolfHitler.Howcanyoubeata campaignsloganlikethat?Notonlyis itfun,butjustpicture250millionpeopleridingponiesaroundandshowing offtheirshinyteeth.Justtwomore years wecandoit.Twomore years.
Brought to you by a mysterious conglomerate that we’ve never heard of and who just do silly things.
BirdwatchingColumn Sue and Dick Malnory
Wehadasomewhatunusualsighting atourplacelastweek.Thetaskat handwasrakingupafewgazillion acornsinthefrontyard,andapparentlytherakingstirredupenoughinsects toattractaboutadozenBluebirdsto ourfrontyard.
WehaveseenasmallgroupofBluebirdsthatmainlykeeptothewooded areaattheedgeofourpasture,but theyseldomapproachtheyardaround thehouse.Occasionally,whenthe weatherisreallydry,theywillcometo thebirdbathforadrinkandabath.In theaccompanyingphoto,theseBluebirdsfoundawelcomeddrinkfromat ourheatedbirdbathduringfreezing weather.
Ithadbeenacoupleofyearssincewe hadseenanyBluebirdsintheneighborhood,butthispastspringapair
movedintoaBluebirdhouseinthe pastureandproducedfouryoung.
EasternBluebirdsareseenyear aroundintheeasternhalfofour stateandacrosstotheEastCoastof theU.S.Theirdietisprimarilyinsects andberrytypefruits.Theydolike mealworms!Dickusedtofeedthem livemealwormsthatheorderedby mail;hefastenedasmallcupontopof avacantnestboxinthepasture andtheylearnedhisroutinewell enoughthathecouldwhistle,put outsomewormsforthem,walkaway fromthefeederandthentheywould flytoit.Weneverseemedtogetthem toeatthedriedmealworms,butothers havereportedsuccesswiththedried ones.
We’llbetalkingmoreaboutbluebirds alittlelateron;inthemeantime,a greatwebsiteforlearningmoreabout themiswww.sialis.org.
TexasHistoryMinute KenBridges
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.
KnowingGodthrough Hisword Evenwith somethingas simpleas prayingand readingthe Bibleevery day,it’sachallengeevento thosewhoare determined andsincerely seekingGod’s divineguidance.Asa Christianwriterandteacher,Iencourageeveryonetomaketimeandfind thesecretplaceofGod’spresence wheretheycanspendqualitymomentsalonewithHim.I’venoticeda hugedifferencebetweenreadingnonreligiousbooksandreadingtheBible. Thereisnoresistancewhenreading novelsandordinarybooks,butwhen wereadandstudytheBible,alarms sound,andtheatmospherechangesas itdrawstheattentionofdarkspiritual forces.
Irealizesomebelievethisissillyand thereisnosuchthingasinvisibleentitiestryingtohinderus,butwhenwe makeavowtoobeyChrist,wenot onlyfacehostilityfromourcarnalnature,butalsoaggressiveattacksfrom demonicenemieswhoopposeGod. I’mnotcondemningthosewhoread secularbooks,watchmovies,orplay videogames,etc..,butwouldyoube surprisedifItoldyouthatIknow churchmemberswhohaveconfessed theyneverreadtheBible?Howcana ChristianknowGodpersonallyorunderstandwhatHerequiresifwe refusetoreadorstudyHisword? WhataboutpassagessuchasMatthew 4:4?“ButJesusansweredandsaid,it iswritten,manshallnotlivebybread alone,butbyeverywordthatproceeds fromthemouthofGod.”
Arethereindividualswhocanspend significantamountsoftimeentertainingthemselveswhilealsobeing devotedtodailyprayerandBible study?Theconcerncomeswhenthe hourspeoplespendontheirphones, internet,andtelevisionadduptobe significantlymorethanthetimethey spendinprayerandabsorbingGod’s instructions.Therewasatimewhen statementslikethiswererespectedas truthandbroughtconvictiontothe listener.However,ascompromisingis morepopulartodaythanever,lame excusesarenowjustifiedas legitimatereasons.Asthereligious continuetofallintothesnaretrapsof rebellion,denial,anddeception,we nowcommonlyhearpeopledeclare howtheydonotwantanyonemeddlingintheirpersonalbusiness.
Lately,we’vebeentalkingaboutour responsibilitytoengageinintercessory prayerandspiritualwarfare,andwe cannotoveremphasizehowcriticalthis istothosewhohaveapassiontobean overcomerforChrist.SinceGod hasexplainedthesymbolismofour spiritualarmormentionedinEphesianschaptersix,wearelefttoponder whyapersonwhosaystheyareaservantofGodwouldignoreit.Whyisit
thatsomechurch-goersassumethe pastorandeldersdotheworkofthe ministrywhiletheaveragepewsitteris exempt?Manybelievethatifthey contributemoneytothechurch,thisis alltheyneedtodo.However,ifapersonistrulysavedandfilledwiththe HolySpirit,theyalsohaveearstohear whatGod’sSpiritistellingthemtodo. EveryChristianhasbeengiven thegifts,talents,anointing,authority, andthefruitsoftheHolySpirit,which meanswearecommandedtowalk, work,andobeyHisvoice.WereadinI Corinthians12:4-6,Matthew28:1520,Acts1:8,andIICorinthians3:56,thatastheLord’sdisciples,weare responsiblefordoingtheworkofministry,andbeconstantlyawareofHis presence.
Everythoughtanddeedshouldbea reflectionofGod’sloveandgrace,and ifitisnot,weareguiltyofthesins ofomission.IPeter4:10isnotasuggestion.“Eachofyoushouldusewhatevergiftyouhavereceivedtoserve others,asfaithfulstewardsofGod’s graceinitsvariousforms.”Choosing toliveindenialandonlythinkhappy thoughtsdoesnotmeanthespiritual warbetweenlightanddarknessisnot ragingallaroundus.ThomasGray, aneighteenth-centurypoet,declared, “Whatyoudon’tknowcan’thurt you,”butweknowthisrevealsthe immaturityanddeceptionofthose whotakecomfortinfalsesecurity.It’s probablethedevilwouldnotneedto wastehistimehinderinglukewarm religiousindividuals,astheyareno realthreattohisagenda.Infact,they arehelpingpromoteSatan’stwisted anddistortedphilosophies.It’sthedevotedandobedientfollowerofJesus whoreadstheirBiblesandintercedes, andareengagedonthefront-linesof spiritualcombat.Thedarksidefears thechildrenofGodasdemonsknow thatgreaterisHethatlivesinusthan hethatisintheworld.
Dr. Holland is a minister, chaplain, and author. Read more about the Christian life at billyhollandministries.com.
Dr.BillyHolland
“My Son, if your heart is wise, My own heart also will be glad;And my inmost being will rejoice when your lips speak what is right. Do not let your heart envy sinners, but live in the fear of the Lord always.” Proverbs 23:15-17 NASB1995 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
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
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Coming Soon! LocalJobPosting JobTitle:PreschoolTeacher
Location:HoweWeeCare–Howe,TexasReportsTo: Director,HoweWeeCareClassification:Part-Time Contact:SharonWoodsbyemailingHoweWeeCare@gmail.com
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HoweWeeCare,aministryofHoweMethodistChurch, isseekingacompassionate,dependable,andprofessionalPreschoolTeachertojoinourearlychild-hood educationteam.Theidealcandidatewillcreateanurturinglearningenvironment,supportthedevelopmentalneedsofyoungchildren,andupholdthemissionandvaluesofHoweWeeCare.
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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
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City Hall
•Mustpassabackgroundcheck
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•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
EDC Director: Monte Walker
ofHoweWater,Sewer, Refusecollectionrates-onebill
The Patriot Pony MelissaSlamsJamaica Texasvs.Tylenol HurricaneMelis-
sahitJamaica’ssouthwest coastyesterdaywith185mphwinds. TheCategory5stormisamongthe strongestAtlantichurricanesandthe mostpowerfultohitJamaicasince record-keepingbegan174yearsago.
Thestormcausedwidespreadpower outagesandroadclosures,makingit difficulttoimmediatelyascertain damageandpossiblecasualties. PrimeMinisterAndrewHolnesshad warnedthatJamaica’sinfrastructure wasnotbuilttowithstandthestorm, whosewindsdoubledfrom70to 140mphovertheweekend.Melissa isthefourthofthisseason’sfiveAtlantichurricanestoundergorapid intensification aspeedincreaseof atleast35mphin24hours.Scientistssaywarmerwatersfuelthephenomenon.TheCaribbeanwaters Melissatraveledoverwere2.5degreesFahrenheitwarmerthanaver-
ageforthistimeofyear.
Melissaisforecasttomoveacross southeasternCubatodayandintothe Bahamasbythisevening,asofthis writing.
TexasAttorneyGeneralKenPaxton filedalawsuitTuesdayagainstJohnson&JohnsonandKenvue,alleging thecompaniesmarketedTylenolas safeforpregnantwomenwithout disclosingpossiblelinksbetween neurodevelopmentaldisordersand acetaminophenuse.Thelawsuit claimsthecompaniesviolatedconsumerprotectionlawsandcitesrecentpublicstatementsfromPresidentDonaldTrumpandHealthSecretaryRobertF.KennedyJr.
ThesuitcentersonclaimsthatprenatalacetaminophenusemaybeassociatedwithautismandADHD,referencingaHarvardandMountSinaireviewthatfoundcorrelationsbut didnotestablishcausation.Health expertsandleadingmedical groupshavedisputedthoseconclusions,sayingcurrentevidencedoes
OpenAIforBusiness OpenAIannouncedTuesdayit hascompleteditsreorganization a multibillion-dollareffortallowingit tooperatemorelikeatraditionalforprofitcompany.Thenewstructure willenableOpenAItomoreeasily raisefundsandmaypavethewayfor aninitialpublicoffering.
Underthenewarrangement,the companywilloperateasafor-profit publicbenefitcorporation anindustrystandardadoptedbycompetitorsincludingAnthropicandxAI. Thenonprofitarmdedicatedto healthandAIresilience calledthe OpenAIFoundation willholda 26%stakeinOpenAIGroupPBC. Valuedat$130B,thestakemakesthe OpenAIFoundationtheUS'most valuablenonprofit,outpacingthe GatesFoundation’s$86B.Microsoft willretaina27%stakeintheforprofitwithsomechangestoitscurrentrelationship.
TherestructuringallowedOpenAIto secure$40Binpromisedfunding fromSoftBankandotherinvestors.It alsoendsanexperimentalstructure,
notsupportacausallink.
Johnson&Johnson,whichtransferreditsconsumerhealthbusiness toKenvuein2023,hassaiditretains noliabilityforTylenolfollowingthe divestiture.Thelawsuitallegesthe movewasintendedtoshieldassets unlawfully.Kenvuemaintainsthat Tylenolremainssafeforuseduring pregnancy.
whichsawOpenAI'snonprofitarm controllingbusinessoperations.
World’sOldestPresident Cameroon’stopcourtMondaydeclared92-year-oldincumbent PaulBiyathewinnerofacontroversialpresidentialelection.Biya alreadytheworld’soldestheadof state isnowsettoremaininpower through2032,whenhewillbenearly 100yearsold.
Theannouncementfollowsnationwideproteststhatresultedinatleast fourciviliandeathsandover100 arrests.Demonstratorsallegeelection fraudhaskeptBiyaaspresident since1982.Biya’sformerallyturned primarychallenger,76-year-oldIssa TchiromaBakary,claimstohave wontheelectionwith54.8%ofthe vote.Officialresults,however,show TchiromaBakarywith35.2%to Biya’s53.7% thenarrowestmarginsince1992.Earlierthisyear, Cameroon’selectoralcommissionbarredhigh-profileopposition leaderMauriceKamto,71,fromrunningoncontestedgrounds.
BiyaisCameroon’ssecondpresident sinceindependencefromFrancein 1960,andtheonlypresidentmost
citizenshaveeverknown.Over70% ofthecountry'spopulationisunder theageof35.
