Congressman Ratcliffe wins decisive re-election

john-ratcliffeRockwall, TX – Congressman John Ratcliffe has easily won re-election to the U.S. House of Representatives. With an 88% to 12% lead in early returns, the Associated Press called the race. Said Ratcliffe:

“I’m grateful for the overwhelming vote of confidence voters placed in me tonight. The opportunity to continue serving the Fourth District of Texas in the United States Congress is a privilege I do not take lightly. For the past two years, I’ve done everything in my power to fight back against President Obama’s disastrous policies and stand up for the conservative, Texas values our country so desperately needs. As I watch election results come in from across the country, I remain optimistic for a successful night for Republicans from the top to the bottom of the ticket. Regardless of those outcomes, my commitment to being a leading conservative voice in Congress will be unwavering. Thank you and God bless.”

2014 0623 Baker Heating and Air

Howe Community Library getting ready to celebrate 35 years

The Friends of the Howe Community Library are hosting a 35th anniversary reception on Saturday, November 12 from 2:00-4:00 pm at the library.  The reception will celebrate the partnership between the City of Howe and the Howe ISD and honor the library’s founder, Jean Norman.  All former employees, volunteers, students,  library patrons, and friends are invited to attend this celebration.  The library is located at 315 S. Collins Frwy and is attached to Howe Middle School campus (across the parking lot from the elementary playground).
The formation of a library in Howe began in the fall of 1980. Mr. James Ferguson, a former Howe resident, donated 11,000 books for the formation of a city library. Mr. Ferguson, eager to have these books available to the public, was referred to local citizen Jean Norman.  Never expecting how her life would change, Norman welcomed him into her home and heard his ideas.
 
That afternoon, Norman gathered her friends for a planning meeting and the vision for establishing a town library was born. The first step was to form a Friends of the Library group.  In a short period of time, the Friends group garnered advice from different sources:  the Sherman Friends of the Library, regional library system (Northeast Texas Library System), and the Texas State Library.  They also selected a library board, obtained city council approval, and began scouting for a library location.  
 
Funds were needed to purchase a site so the Friends Group held many fundraising events.  Bake sales, garage sales, talent show, pancake supper, “The Country Travelers” music show, membership dues, and requests for donations earned the group enough money to make a down payment for a house on the corner of Tutt and North Denny Streets. Purchase of the property and renovations required $20,000.  The Howe City Council provided $6,000 with the Friends group paying over $4,000 and financed the balance.
 
Once the property was purchased, the house was remodeled with shelving, story area, and work areas.  Mr. Ferguson helped organize the collection and often spent the night hand writing cards for the card catalog. Jean Norman recruited Pee Wee Cheerleaders to sort books on the shelves.  The new Howe Public Library was dedicated on September 7, 1981 with a ribbon cutting ceremony.  In the early years of the area’s history, Mr. Ferguson’s father had been the owner of Ferguson Seed Farms.  At the dedication ceremony, Mr. Ferguson said “Just as my father was responsible for much of the seed planted in this county, 75 years later I want to plant seed in Howe – the seed of knowledge.”
 
The Friends of the Library group continued to support the library by hosting fundraising events:  bike rallies,  barbecue for homecoming games, professional wresting performances featuring the Von Erich’s, and a concert by country music star Louise Mandrell.
 
In the summer of 1985, Norman and Howe ISD Superintendent Pete Simmons discussed plans for merging the library with the Howe ISD.  A board was formed to govern this new combination library.  The Howe Community Library opened in September 1986 and provided services for high school and elementary students as well as the public.  The combination library concept was fairly new in Texas and Howe’s partnership was recognized by the Texas State Library President. 
 
With the construction of a new high school building, the library moved to a renovated location on the west side of the middle school in January 2002.  The new location provided enhanced facilities, parking, and additional space for the growing library. 
 
Librarians serving during the library’s history are Darlene Cherry,Francis Neely, Peggy Bradley, Roland Commons, Becky Hogenson, and current librarian Melissa Atchison.
 
From 1980 to the present, Jean Norman has been instrumental in the library’s success.  She continues to serve on the Library Board and the Friends of the Library group.  Norman has noted that for many years she has devoted some part of her day to the library.  Her dedication and support has allowed the citizens of Howe to have access to library services for 35 years.  She provided the avenue for Mr. Ferguson’s vision to come to fruition. 
(submitted)
2016-1112-howe-community-library-anniversary
2014 0623 Baker Heating and Air

Howe at Callisburg, 2016



Photos by Michelle Carney


Pregame notes

Game #741 in school history.  Howe is 378-338-24 since 1935.

The Bulldogs have clinched the playoffs in three consecutive years for the first time since 1998, 1999 and 2000. Howe has won 20 of their last 28 games going back to 10/17/2014. Zack Hudson’s 26 wins at Howe are only 3 behind John “Buck” Smith who had 29 from 1980-84.

Wins:

Norman Dickey, 51
Jim Fryar, 41
Davey DuBose, 34
Buck Smith, 29
Zack Hudson, 26
Howe’s 32.33 points per game ranks this 2016 team as 4th all-time of 73 teams in that category.
Top 4:

34.17, 2015
33.83, 1998
33.70, 1940
32.33, 2016

Howe is 8-3 vs. Callisburg having last played them in 2011 (29-18 win).  The last time Howe played at Callisburg was in 2010 when Howe won 43-40.

9/15/19678Callisburg16
10/17/198021Callisburg0
10/16/198132at Callisburg19
9/16/198814at Callisburg7
9/22/198926Callisburg8
10/26/199027Callisburg10
10/25/199150at Callisburg0
10/27/20066at Callisburg16
10/26/20076Callisburg63
11/5/201043at Callisburg40
11/4/201128Callisburg19
11/4/2016 at Callisburg 
 261 198

1989 Callisburg at Howe gull game

1990 Callisburg at Howe full game

1991 Howe at Callisburg Highlights

1991 Howe at Callisburg full game

2010 Howe at Callisburg full game

On this day in history

Howe is 6-3 on games played on Nov. 4

1938, won at Gunter, 43-0
1948, lost to Pilot Point at Bulldog Stadium, 19-6
1966, won at Anna, 19-0
1977, lost at Pottsboro, 33-0
1983, won at Whitewright, 15-12
1988, won at Tom Bean, 31-7
1994, won at Van Alstyne, 19-13
2005, lost at Tom Bean, 36-12
2011, beat Callisburg at Bulldog Stadium, 28-19

2014 0623 Baker Heating and Air