Church getting love from The Siding Man

Phase II of the church renovation is clearly underway.  With the foundation now repaired, The Siding Man, LLC is now starting the process of re-skinning the exterior of the church with premium insulated mastic white siding to match the white paint that Metal Masters and Great Days of Service provided this past weekend.

Q and A with 80-year-old Bulldog Stadium

2014 0808 Bulldog StadiumQ: What do you remember about that first season?

A: Well, sonny boy, I’m 80-years-old, so my memory isn’t what it used to be. But I was just taking a nap one day when all of a sudden this man with the biggest feet I’d ever seen came tromping around and cutting the weeds. I was just full of Johnson grass at that time. This feller’s name was Barnes Milam and he had played for the Philadelphia Eagles and I’m telling you his foot was a size 16 or some such. It hurt when he walked around. Anyway, this feller became Howe’s first head coach back in that first year of 1935.

Q: How do you feel about the recent upgrades that you’ve received?

A: I think it’s great. There for a while I was smelling like one of those cats at the corner of 75 and 82. A nice young man named Hudson helped clean me up. But I’m telling you, he’s pretty strict on me. He gets mad when I have just one weed. He makes me comb my hair five times a day. I don’t think I’ve had anyone pay me this much attention since I was 50 or so. He’s definitely been great for me. He keeps me looking good and I just call him Mr. Sir and try to keep clean.

Q: What was the most embarrassing moment for you?

A: Well, you see, those kids of the 80’s used to leave coins all in the endzone in pregame and it must have did something to me. It wasn’t long after that I had some vein work done. They tore me open and put this great big pipe down the middle of my chest. After that, I couldn’t control my stadium bladder and I’d tinkle all over myself at the exact same times every day. It was so embarrassing, but now everyone likes it because the grass stays greener.

Q: Who was the first star player?

A: That first year in 1935 was amazing. I’d never seen football before. I imagine Howe started playing football because of this kid Billy Bryant Cloud. He was amazing. He ran so fast, I never even felt him. It was 50 years or so before anyone else could do what he did. That Geer and Ogle kid came close, but nothing was more special than the first one.

Q: What are the best games that you remember?

A: Well, that homecoming game in ’88 when it was raining so hard. I had mud in my eyes and I couldn’t see the Hail Mary, but I heard everyone yelling. Also the next year we hosted a playoff game. They put a bow tie on me and dressed me up real nice. I got a clean shave and everything. That sure was some night. Then that game vs. Bells in ’90. That was a true humdinger. Yeah boy. Last year vs. Tom Bean was a record setter with all of those yards.  Easton had those picks – I remember his dad was quite the player too. Lots of memories. Lots of memories. Yeah boy.

Q: How do you remain so active as the oldest stadium anywhere around?

A: Well, I take a lot of nitrogen now-a-days which keeps me healthy. Most stadiums around here have passed on. Sherman’s is almost as old as me. Denison is close too, but they just about made a robot out of that guy. Everyone wants a young whipper-snapper with all of these fancy seats and scoreboards. People think you need to trick everything up these days with fake grass and spread offenses and adding that darn red to our colors. I tell you what I’m for, sonny boy. I’m for real grass, running the football and black and white.

Q: Have you ever thought of the possibility of turf?

A: Why in tarnation would I do that? I have a full head of hair at age 80? You want me to look like that Trump guy? Or Rand Paul? I’m a real stadium. Yeah boy.

Q: What has it been like to have so many people visit you every Friday night each fall?

A: It’s so much fun to see everyone. And it’s so much better now that I look good again. There for a while, other teams were embarrassed of me. I had just let myself go. But I’m back to feeling great and I’ve seen more people lately than ever before. You know I had my knee replaced, right? Yeah, they took out the old one and built a new fieldhouse. That did wonders for me. I sure am grateful for those people who put in the track 35 years ago or so. I used to get lonely. But now people come see me all year. I was sure glad to see the varsity practice here last year in the playoffs. I only get five special nights a year and I like to welcome everyone the best I can. This year is the all-school reunion so I’ll be cleaned up real good. Since I’m 80, I ramble on sometimes so just stop me whenever. What’s Norman Dickey doing these days? He used to spend a lot of time here, but I hardly see him now. He’s probably hanging out with Buck Rose. Is he still fishing? Yeah boy. I used to have a stock tank. Tracy Beaty and… (cut off by question)

Q: How did you feel when they stopped playing football from 1948-1958?

A: Abandoned. It was the worst time of my stadium life. There used to be this old junk yard just west of where the field houses are now. I had to look at that and be reminded that I was a part of that junk yard. But then Mr. Charles Thompson showed up one day and they started putting light poles up. I knew something special was about to happen. I didn’t figure they’d make me some youth soccer field. I just knew I’d be the home of the Bulldogs again and it came true in ’58. Yeah boy, this kid named Arterbury was pretty good. I’ve been here ever since. Later on we got Norman Dickey. Me and him spent a lot of time together. He had the first field house built in ’66. I could tell you some stories about Norman. Yeah boy.

Rhoten finds happiness for “me and my three”

Wes RhotenFor the past two seasons, Wes Rhoten has been the head coach and athletic director at Whitewright. But the move to Howe, he says, has found himself in a comfortable situation for his family and surrounded by leaders.

A native of Arlington, Texas and a graduate of Arlington High School in 1991, Rhoten ended up playing football for Harding University in Searcy, Arkansas.

“When I was playing up there it was NAIA, but now they’re in the Lone Star Conference.” said Rhoten. “I was red-shirted and played there four years.” He met his wife, Kristi, during that time who is originally from Canton, Texas. Upon graduation, he and Kristi went to Nashville because a friend of his had offered him a coordinator position.

“I had no idea what I was doing.” said Rhoten. “When I got Nashville, there were three coaches. I learned pretty quickly that it was a lot of hard work. We did it all, from painting the field and everything. It was a real culture shock to me.”

After being in Tennessee for nine months and both he and his wife (who is also a teacher) missing Texas, an opportunity came open for him to get a coaching position at Flower Mound Marcus in 1996. That first year, Marcus went 10-4 and followed that up with a 14-2 state championship in 1997.

“That was pretty cool. I was more of a scout guy and helping out with the grunt work.” said Rhoten.

He left Marcus and started coaching in Belton as offensive coordinator, where they went 9-2 the first year, but followed that with an 0-10 season. That put the head coach on the chopping block and he told the assistants to start looking elsewhere. Rhoten went to Paris Chisum

“That was my first taste of small school Texas football.” said Rhoten. “My oldest girl Landry was in third grade and I thought that a school that size was where I wanted my child to grow up in. I like the feel of a small school.”

While at Chisum, he developed a friendship with with Lance Angel, the former coach at Cooper. Angel had tried to get him to come to Canton where he had just taken the head coaching position. After initially refusing, when the offensive coordinator position opened up, he jumped all over it. With his wife Kristi being from Canton, it was an easy sell.

“It was a good move.” said Rhoten. “It was my dream place to be because she’s from there and where we always called home.”

2015 0722 Football Camp elementary day one (20)While at Canton, he coached future NFL player Keavon Milton and was surrounded by really talented players. They started running the “Tony Franklin spread offense system” which is a fastpaced no-huddle offense that feels like you’re watching a NASCAR race. After Angel left after a 5-5 season, Rhoten became a lead man for the first time in his career as the athletic director and head coach at Canton in 2010.

“We went 10-2 and got beat by Lindale and Carthage. It was a stellar year.” said Rhoten. “Our quarterback threw for about 4,000 yards that year. We were lighting it up.”

During that time, Kristi’s mom was diagnosed with cancer and underwent hospice in their house and she passed away in their daughter’s bed.

Rhoten said that even though he had the coaching position he had dreamed of, his family wasn’t happy. “It was a real turbulent time with the family there and God was telling me to step back and prioritize. So I went to Waco Robinson to become the offensive coordinator. Me and my three have to be happy. That’s what it’s about.”

“It was just unbelievable.” said Rhoten. “Where we left off in year four in Canton, the kids in Robinson picked it right up in year one.”

After being happy at Robinson for a couple of years, he decided to put in a resume at Whitewright in 2013 for the athletic director and head coaching position. That year, Zack Hudson was also a finalist for the Whitewright job.

“I kind of felt like I was being called to continue the AD side of things.” said Rhoten. “God was telling me to get back in to what I was supposed to be doing.”

While at Whitewright, he soon felt that it wasn’t the right fit. After sending his resume out for several athletic director positions, he was offered one, but turned it down.

“Through the last four or five years, I’ve just been led to believe that it’s not really where you’re at, but who you’re with.” said Rhoten. “And (Zack) Hudson and (Kevin) Wilson and the leadership here is outstanding. They are just good people and I just kept getting a pull to be here. Logic just kept telling me to create some normalcy by staying put. Give your family a home and everything here just felt right to us.”

Rhoten will take on the role of defensive coordinator in football and middle school assistant principal. The administration side is new for him but he feels like it could be a great opportunity for him and his family. Kristi was also hired by the district and will teach third grade.

So how does a spread offensive coach who’s had 4,000 yard passing quarterbacks on multiple occasions feel about the slot-T and a team that threw the ball a total of 23 times last year?

“Scouting Howe this time last year, I was impressed with how efficient they were and I admired how the coaches were able to install something so quickly and look so sharp so early.” said Rhoten. “Coach Hudson putting his trust in somebody in turn it all over to them is special. These kids here have latched on to this stuff. As far as philosophies, you do what you have to do for the kids to understand to make it work and win. Howe is living proof that if the kids buy in and do it right, within a year’s time it can turn around. Do I think we need to be throwing the ball? Absolutely not. That’s not my job anymore anyway.”

Rhoten says that playing against Howe’s slot-T offense was tough but transitioning and meshing with the coaching staff has been easy. He was quick to point out that it all starts out at the top with Zack Hudson and says that he’s a coaches coach.

“He wants to do the profession right.” said Rhoten. “These guys here know what’s going on. You want to try to maintain respect within the profession and these guys are great. We’ve developed our own camaraderie.”

Rhoten said that as good as Hudson is at coaching football, he’s equally knowledgeable of the maintenance side to the athletic facilities and has to have saved the district a lot of money.

“I learn something new everyday from him; from killing ants to whatever. He’s got a plan.” said Rhoten.

As unhappy as Rhoten and his family were at the end of the Canton stay, he says all is well now.  “Me and my three are happy. I’ve got one chance to be a daddy. It needs to be God first, but as it filters down, my family has got to be what I’m doing everything for.” said Rhoten.

Oldest daughter Landry will be a junior and a major contributor to an already highly touted Lady Bulldogs basketball team. Emory is the youngest daughter and will be in sixth grade and out from under mom’s elementary nest for the first time. Although, her daddy will be the assistant principal.

But getting back to Landry and the Lady Bulldogs. She received all-district honorable mention last year as a sophomore basketball player as well as academic first team. She’s a 5’9 point and has already started working with the team in the off-season.

“Kind of like myself, anywhere she can contribute is what she wants to do.” said Rhoten. “She’s not coming in here and expecting to start or anything like that. She just wants to contribute and be a part of this thing and help out where she can. The way I see it, it’s going to be a really deep bench.”

This summer, Coach Lands took them to a basketball camp where they went undefeated. They also went undefeated in a Pottsboro camp. Rhoten feels like this year’s Lady Bulldogs have a great chance to claim their first state championship.

“These girls have just been phenomenal in embracing my girls and making them feel comfortable here.” said Rhoten. “A lot of times the proximity and being opponents can play a factor, but they are athletes and they’re already a family.”

Landry has always played volleyball also, but decided that she would run cross country instead and help the football team as a water girl. Just as Landry is being taught to be unselfish to better the team, her father is practicing what he preaches. As a former athletic director and head coach, he could still be holding those positions, but he’s being a team player for his family, for his new coaching colleagues and for his players.

Next year, the Howe Bulldogs will be re-aligned and move up to play the likes of Pottsboro, Van Alstyne and larger schools regularly. But for Bulldogs fans, right now, this very fall is the time to enjoy the best overall coaching staff this town has ever seen.

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Williams replaces Bowling; Doty replaces Williams…again

WilliamsDWitDotyCh former Assistant Superintedent Ritchie Bowling accepting the superintendent position at Maypearl ISD recently, it created an opening and Howe ISD chose to remain loyal and fill the position by promoting a qualified administrator from within. That role swap created another administration opening and it also was filled by a qualified administrator already employed by the ISD. And for the record, this is the second time that Bowling’s progress has affected these same two administrators.

Darla Williams has been the elementary principal for the past five years and she was promoted to fill the position of assistant superintendent. To fill the elementary school principal role is Clarissia Doty, who has been the assistant elementary principal for the past five years.

Five years ago, Bowling was promoted to assistant superintendent from elementary principal. That moved Williams to elementary principal and Doty into Dean of Students.

If all of this happens again, in five years, Williams will be the superintendent at Maypearl and Doty will be assistant superintendent here.

Doty, the former Clarissia Farrer, attended Howe ISD from kindergarten through graduation. Her fondest memories of being a student in the same building that she’s now the principal was square dancing in Mrs. Wormsbaker’s kindergarten class. Between Wormsbaker, Texanna Norman and Gayle Skipworth, she said that something about those ladies stood out and inspired her. Doty graduated from Southeastern Oklahoma State University in 1994 and was asked to substitute teach immediately that fall.

“After about a week of subbing, the teacher was going to have a baby and was put on bed-rest. I finished out the year.” said Doty. “The following fall, I started as a kindergarten teacher.”

Doty stayed as a kindergarten teacher for several years. She taught third grade, but as she stated, she liked to bake the cake instead of putting icing on it.

IMG_2551Doty went back to Southeastern and finished her masters degree which was the same year that Williams was promoted to elementary principal. That qualified Doty to replace her as Dean of Students in which she remained in that role for five years. Now that Williams has been named the assistant superintendent, that made the natural progression of Doty to fill the role of elementary principal.

“There are certain aspects of the assistant principal role that I will miss.” said Doty. “I think you distance yourself from the students another step. When you’re a teacher, you know those kids inside and out. When you become an assistant, you don’t know as much about them. When you come here, you’re a step closer to knowing the parents more than the students.”

Howe ISD has the reputation of being an extremely quality school and a special place for kids to get the proper education needed. Doty says the difference in Howe and other schools is that the teachers make it a priority to know the kids one-on-one.

“Sometimes in bigger schools, you lose that personal attention because they’re too worried about bureaucracy said Doty. “I think we’re still small enough and I think our administration recognizes that it’s important to have that relationship with kids. If you take the time to let them know you care, they’re willing to jump through hoops for you.”

Doty says Williams has provided tremendous leadership at Howe Elementary and has the ship sailing smoothly and no major changes will be made because of that.

“She had very high expectations and we worked side-by-side for the past five years.” said Doty. “The teachers know what to expect and I don’t forsee that changing.”

Growth will play a major role in the future of Howe ISD and Doty sees it as an exciting, yet challenging situation. With Abbington Meadows apartments due to open for lease in the fall, that could have an impact on the school as early as the November.

“I’ve already sat down and pictured where we could move things and turn one classroom into two.” said Doty. “We currently have room for growth, but if we double our population, we don’t have room for that kind of growth. At that point, it would be time for a new facility.”

The thought of having two separate elementary schools would sadden Doty, being a life-long Bulldog because she says that the teacher-student relationships needs to remain close.

Williams, in her 22nd year in education is now the assistant superintendent. She was looking at doing something different and had gone back to school to do the coursework required for the superintendent certification andwas hoping that it would open up doors for her.

IMG_2552A Pecan Gap, Texas native and Fannindel High School graduate, Williams received her bachelors degree from East Texas State University (now Texas A&M Commerce). Her first teaching job was at her dear own Fannindel ISD where she taught junior high reading and science while also coaching.

Upon meeting her husband Brett, also in the teaching field, they both took positions with Dodd City. With Brett Williams going back to school to obtain his administration certificate, the both relocated back to the Commerce area at Campbell ISD, then Farmersville ISD.

“In the life of coaching and administration, you land in a lot of places.” said Williams. After spending a few years at Anna ISD and obtaining her masters degree for administration, in 2005, a position opened up at Howe ISD for dean of students. It was the same year that Bowling was hired as the elementary principal position. She spent five years as dean of students and then was promoted and spent five years as the elementary school principal after Bowling moved to the assistant superintendent position.

“With every step that I’ve taken, there’s some things that I do miss.” said Williams. “I went from the classroom to an administrative role and you still have the interaction with the students, but it’s a campuswide role. When you’re in the classroom, you get to really know each and every student and make those personal connections. When I moved into an administration role, I got to not just learn my group of kids, I got to have that same relationship with an entire campus.”

Williams says that the assistant superintendent role is completely different. As elementary principal, she worked with teachers and the leadership that goes on there along with the instruction of the students. As assistant superintendent, her role changes to working now with the campus principals on a districtwide instructional approach.

Williams says that Howe ISD is different from other school districts. The small town feel and community support is something that she attributes to making Howe special. “This is a place, I can honestly say that you don’t go out searching to leave.” said Williams. “You get a spot over here in this school district and it’s one where you want to call it home and make a career out of it. I’ve worked at some really good places, but Howe remains at the top.”

Williams, much like Doty, commented that the district is prepared for the growth that is set to come upon Howe, which will affect the school district.

“You just have to keep your calculations of the growth that you can anticipate and look at the accomodations on the three different campuses and space you have available.” said Williams.

Williams says that the most challenging part of her new role has been the acclamation of the position itself. She says that luckily she has speed dial and email support from Bowling, who has helped her with the transition.

Williams’ husband Brett is a high school teacher at Whitewright and they have a 15-year-old son named Seth who will be a sophomore and a 13-year-old daughter named Hannah who will be in 8th grade at Whitewright. Both of their children are heavily involved in athletics.

Doty is married to Michael Doty of Howe and they have three girls. Jessica is a senior at Howe High and is a cheerleader and softball player. Mikayla is a freshman and is a basketball player. The youngest girl is 5th grader Jentrie.

The fact that Howe ISD looks to promote from within speaks of the leadership at the top of the chain. Maybe that interconnection is why so many former Howe students are bringing their own kids to Howe. There seems to be an element of comfort within the walls.

2014 0623 Baker Heating and Air

Maybank man arrested for DWI

Aug. 16, 2015 – At approximately 5:00am, Howe Police Officer Robert Todd arrested a 24-year-old Maybank, Tx resident for DWI at the intersection of S. Collins Freeway and Farmington Road. Officer Todd found the man sitting behind the wheel of a car parked on the wrong side of the roadway. Upon meeting with the suspect, Officer Todd found him to be intoxicated. The suspect failed a sobriety test and was arrested.

2014 0623 Baker Heating and Air

 

Texas Home Emporium to have soft opening Saturday

Howe’s new2015 0814 Texas Home Emporiumest downtown business will have a soft opening tomorrow starting at noon.  Texas Home Emporium, owned by Brett Jones says that the regular hours will be Wednesdays through Saturdays from noon – 8pm.  The location is in between Howe Mercantile and Don’s Smokehouse in downtown Howe.

Kenneth Wayne Ferguson, 1948-2015

Kenneth FergusonKenneth Wayne Ferguson from Gunter (Farmington), Texas passed from this life into his heavenly rest on August 12, 2015 in Sherman, TX. Kenny was born on March 16, 1948 in Sherman, Texas. He attended Howe schools until graduation in 1966. He served our country in the U.S. Army early after graduation. Later, he was employed by Johnson and Johnson in Sherman for over 30 years as a mechanic.

Kenny loved spending his time with his family, grandkids mostly. He also enjoyed working outside despite a devastating spinal cord injury 6 years ago. Kenny never met a stranger, although he never did have much to say. When he spoke, you better listen.

Kenny is survived by his wife, Genece, of Gunter, mother, Irene Ferguson of Collinsville, TX, sons Brian Ferguson and wife, Jamie of Commerce, TX and Michael Ferguson of Gunter, TX. He is also survived by his daughter, Brandi Polnac and husband, Michael of Gunter, TX. Kenny loved all of his family, but grandkids truly were the lights of his life. Braden and Morgan Ferguson of Whitehouse, TX, Kevin Horn and Abby Rhodes of Commerce, TX, Bayli and Ashlyn Wood of Gunter, TX, Tyler Polnac currently serving our country in South Korea and Colby Polnac of Mesquite, TX. Also one great-granddaughter, Kenzi Wood of Gunter, TX., and very special niece and nephew Teri, and Terry Calhoun.

He was preceded in death by his father Charlie Ferguson; a sister, Joann Ferguson; a brother Sonny Ferguson.

Funeral services will be held on Monday, August 17, 2015 at 10 am at Scoggins Funeral Home in Van Alstyne, TX. with Chris Campbell officiaitng burial will follow at the Van Alstyne Cemetery. Visitation will be held at Scoggins Funeral Home Sunday, August 16, 2015 6-8 pm.

Pallbearers will be Dean Campbell, Stan Pullum, Bruce Elvington, Braden Ferguson, Michael Polnac

Denison man gets 12 years for Aggravated Assault of a Deadly Weapon

DelmarPriceOn August 12th, 2015, Delmar Price, 36, of Denison, pled guilty to a charge of  Aggravated Assault of a Deadly Weapon and was sentenced to 12 years in prison.  The sentence, handed down by 397th District Court Judge Brian Gary, was the product of a plea agreement Price reached with the Grayson County District Attorney’s Office prior to trial.

On the evening of December 4th, 2014, Sherman police responded to two 911 calls made by concerned Grayson County citizens. The 911 callers reported that a tan 4-door Chrysler was all over the road and had almost struck several other vehicles, including the callers. While Sherman Police were in route to intercept the suspect vehicle, witnesses observed it to rear-ended a vehicle at the intersection of Loy Lake and the Highway 75 access road, sending the vehicle and its four occupants through the intersection. One of the occupants in the vehicle sustained significant neck and back injuries.

Sherman Police arrived within a short time and identified the driver of the suspect vehicle as Price.   Price was extremely aggressive, cursing officers, refusing to follow commands, and exhibiting signs of intoxication.   Officers noted that Price had slurred speech, smelled like alcohol, and had an open container of alcohol in his vehicle. Price refused to provide a sample of his blood for testing.   Officer applied for and received a search warrant for the Price’s blood.   Laboratory testing determined Price’s blood alcohol content to be .345, over four times the legal limit of .08.

“This was a dangerous situation,” said Grayson County District Attorney Joe Brown.   “This man absolutely could have killed someone that night, as drunk as he was.   The young man that was hurt in the other car was a college football player at Southeastern Oklahoma State University, and his injury from this night prevented him from being able to play in a Division 2 college bowl game.”

Price will not be eligible for parole until at least half of his sentence is served.   Assistant District Attorneys Jeremy Wood and Nathan Young prosecuted the case.   Price was represented by Sherman attorney Reggie Smith.

2014 0623 Baker Heating and Air