Texas History Minute:

movie included a role in the science-fiction film Them! (1954) about a race of mutated, Texas-sized ants

Dr. Bridges is a Texas native, writer, and history professor. He can be reached at drkenbridges@gmail com

The 1950s and 1960s introduced Americans to television and riveted audiences with tales of the frontier One of the most noted actors of the era was Texan Fess Parker He became one of the most popular actors of the time, giving life to legendary American figures such as Davy Crockett and Daniel Boone in his portrayals

Fess Elisha Parker, Jr, was born in Fort Worth in 1924 At a young age, his family moved to a farm outside San Angelo where he grew up His childhood was largely uneventful, but this soon changed When World War II erupted, he enlisted in the navy He was too tall to become a pilot as he had hoped, and he eventually served as a radio operator in the Marines After his discharge from the service, he enrolled at HardinSimmons University in Abilene in 1946 through the G I Bill His interest in acting developed, and he appeared in a number of student plays The next year, he transferred to the University of Texas where he majored in history He earned a history degree from UT in 1950 and transferred to the University of Southern California in Los Angeles to study theater history He quickly found work as an actor, albeit a small role In what became his first film role, he had an uncredited appearance in the classic 1950 comedy Harvey as a limousine driver

Parker appeared in various student plays at USC while working on his outside acting career He would ultimately appear in 40 films and television shows. He appeared in several westerns and television shows in the early 1950s One

In 1954, the Walt Disney Company offered him a film contract and signed him to play the legendary Texas hero Davy Crockett in a series of one-hour televised features He appeared in all seven episodes between 1954 and 1956, forever making Parker and Crockett synonymous with the coonskin cap Just as television was capturing the imagination of American viewers, Fess Parker became a hero to countless children and families across the nation

In 1957, he appeared in another Disney classic, Old Yeller, portraying the father of a young boy who found and befriended a yellow dog Frustrated that the roles that Disney offered were all variations on a theme, Parker left in 1958 to find other roles. He found work in several movies, including westerns such as The Hangman (1959) and war movies such as Hell is for Heroes (1962) In 1962, he also starred in a short-lived series Mr Smith Goes to Washington, a television version of the classic 1939 film

Shortly afterward, he won the role of another legendary frontier figure, this time playing famed Kentucky frontiersman Daniel Boone The show lasted for six years on NBC After Daniel Boone left the air in 1970, Parker had only two more screen appearances

In spite of the many fans he had after his iconic roles playing Davy Crockett and Daniel Boone, Parker grew frustrated with the few parts he was otherwise offered After 1974, he largely retired from acting He began a successful winery operation in California His wines are known for having a coonskin cap on the labels, and his family still operates the company today

Parker died quietly at his home in California in 2010, leaving behind his wife of 50 years, two children, and a generation of fans

Park

continued from page 1 your opinion as to whether you agree or disagree with the city developing more parks and your reasons for each

The survery lists options that are very important, somewhat important, not important or no opinion

The options for facilities at the new proposed park would be items such as baseball/softball fields, basketball courts, football/soccer fields, hiking/jogging trails, skateboard facilities, tennis courts, playground, picnic area, pavilion, and several others

The city council will listen to the public audience for opinions on the park in Tuesday's city council meeting Surveys are to be completed and returned to the City of Howe or Howe ISD by today

America’s Favorite Old-Fashioned Big Top Circus is Coming to Town!

Thanks to the sponsorship of Keep Howe Beautiful, Culpepper & Merriweather Circus, America’s Favorite Big Top Circus is coming to Howe, TX on Friday, October 7th, 2016 to the Jones Park located at 414 E Davis Street with scheduled performances at 5:00 & 7:30 p m Now in its 31st edition, C&M Circus has become internationally known for quality family entertainment This authentic One-Ring, Big Top Circus has been featured on National Geographic’s Explorer TV series, Entertainment Tonight, The Los Angeles Times, The Chicago Tribune, Arizona Highways Magazine It has also been featured on the A&E Special: Under the Big Top and most recently, On the Road with Circus Kids, a Nickelodeon special featured on the Nick News Program

Bring your friends and family out circus morning to watch as a familiar place in your town is transformed into a bustling Circus City Activity swirls around the grounds as animals are unloaded, the Big Top is erected, and rigging is prepared for performances later in the day Enjoy the magic and tradition of the American Circus with your family and create memories that will last a lifetime

Between 9:00 and 9:30 a m come watch the raising of the Big Top, then stay for the FREE Tour This presentation offers a unique faceto-face opportunity for families, schools, and interested community members to meet and learn all about the Culpepper & Merriweather Circus family and includes a walking tour of the circus grounds Learn interesting facts about our performers, the history of our show and the different species of animals in our Circus Family In this presentation we will also address topics such as hygiene, grooming and the veterinary care all of our animals receive In recent years the Tent Raising and Morning Tour has become a popular program for families and interested community members It is presented in a way everyone, young and old can learn many interesting facts about the

Culpepper & Merriweather Circus Family This is a special part of Circus Day that should not be missed!

On circus day, our performers bring the magic of the circus to life in each 90-minute performance This year’s lineup includes an All-Star group of performers and entertainers that include: Miss Simone and her breath taking single trapeze, Miss Paulina’s proud “Big & Little” prancing ponies, The Arlise Troupe on their wild and crazy unicycles, Natalie’s American Eskimo Escapades, Miss Georgia displaying flexibility to the extreme and for the first time, the Wheel of Destiny & Tight Rope by The Perez Family But, let’s not forget our favorite performing Jungle Cats, Soloman, Delilah & Francis, presented by Mr Trey Key, that will certainly have you on the edge of your seats! All accompanied by original music composed by the talented, Matt Margucci from Los Angeles, California Our performers are sure to amaze, delight and entertain the audience members of all ages beyond your wildest imagination The costumes alone are certainly of Las Vegas quality

For more information, visit our Facebook page with videos, photos and comments from past sponsors and patrons For a direct link you can go to wwwcmcircus com and click on the Facebook link

SAVE MONEY by purchasing your tickets in advance at the following locations: Independent Bank, Howe Post Office, Kyrie’s Coffee Co , Van Alstyne Post Office and the Gunter Post Office Prices for advance tickets are $10 00 for adults and $7 00 for seniors (65 and over) and children ages 2 to 12, children under 2 are always free On show day tickets will be $13 00 for adults and $8 00 for seniors and children Reserve your tickets early and save For more information or to reserve discount tickets call 866 BIG TOP 6 Reservations will be available even on show day but, only at this number till 4:00 p m Monday – Friday, Central Time

The future Howe Bulldogs continued to keep the train moving as the JV defeated the Caddo Mills JV by a score of 44-24 on Thursday night at Bulldog Stadium

Arturo Lowder scored three touchdowns en route for the victory Spencer Akins scored twice and Devin Porter scored as well

The eighth grade Bulldogs

couldn't overcome the size and speed of 4A Caddo Mills as they were defeated

The seventh grade also suffered a loss, 25-8

Due to Callisburg not having a JV team in week 11, Howe has picked up games with Bells next week This includes seventh, eighth and junior varsity The games will be played in Bells

This years date is October 22, from 7:30 am - 2:00 pm

Residents of Precinct 1 are invited to bring in unwanted household items including appliances, furniture, scrap metal etc

Whitmire also says they cannot accept hazardous materials such as paint, oil or chemicals Household garbage is also not in the cards for your cleanup