Category: Howe News Bulletin

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Memorial graveside services for Brandi Caraway age 42 of Van Alstyne will be held at 7:00 pm Tuesday at the Van Alstyne Cemetery. She passed away on Saturday, August 1, 2015. Brandi was born November 30, 1972 in Sherman, Texas to Jimmy and Jan Countiss May. She is survived by her mother Jan May of McKinney and a son Brodie Seth Caraway of Van Alstyne. She was preceded in death by her father Jimmy May. In lieu of flowers the family ask that you make a donation to the First Christian Church, 264 S. Waco Street, Van Alstyne, Texas. 75495. Services are under the direction of Scoggins Funeral Home & Crematory, 637 W. Van Alstyne Parkway, Van Alstyne, Texas. 903-482-5225. You may sign the online guest book at www.scogginsfuneralhome.com

August 4 – Officers Brandon Ozuna and Jordan Clark arrested a 27-year-old Durant man and a 24-year-old Denison woman for possessing nearly a quarter of an ounce of methamphetamine. The arrest was the result of a traffic stop on US Hwy 75 that led to a Bells PD canine alert on the suspects’ vehicle. The driver was arrested by Officer Clark this past May for possessing methamphetamine. Both were booked into the Grayson County Jail for PCS PG 1 > 4 grams.

August 6 – At Approximately 5:15 pm, Howe Police Officer Jamie Morris responded to a BELO (Be on the lookout) for suspects involved in a theft from Sam’s Club in Sherman. She located the suspect’s vehicle driving south on US 75 and stopped them. A stolen flatscreen tv was found in their vehicle. Sherman PD responded and took custody of the suspects.

 

August 5 – Officer Robert Todd arrested a 33-year-old late Wednesday evening for Unlawful Carrying of a Weapon in the 700 block of W Haning Street. Officer Todd was responding to report of a fight in progress and that one of the involved men had a pistol. Officer Todd stopped the suspect as he was driving away from the location of the disturbance and located a loaded pistol in plain view inside the suspect’s vehicle. The incident is still under investigation and additional charges may be filed. Grayson County Sheriff’s Office and Van Alstyne Police Department assisted in the arrest.

A grass fire at Young Street and Collins Freeway took place and Howe Police Officers Jamie Morris and Sgt Michael Hill perform firefighting duty until the Howe Fire Department arrived. Van Alstyne Fire Department also assisted in the grass fire.

Services for Brandi May Caraway, 42, who died Sunday, August 1, 2015, are pending with Scoggins Funeral Home in Van Alstyne.

The heat of August kicked in on Saturday and Downtown Howe was rockin’ with a block party with a theme of “Back to School Blues, pt 2.” The event was the creation of Keep Howe Beautiful and the Howe Area Chamber of Commerce who partnered with each downtown business to promote local commerce.

The City of Howe’s 2010 Comprehensive Plan included the need for a “Shop Local” program and last year’s initial block party saw downtown businesses have recordsetting sales nights. This year’s event was very similar as the restaurants were flowing with a constant river of patrons in and out of each downtown business. Salvage Junky, located just outside of downtown at 200 S. Denny Street also had a big night as many people made the oneblock walk to her location where there were numerous items outside as owner Debbie Wallis had three vendors on her lot.

“I was busy with a constant flow of people until after 9pm.” said Wallis. “People didn’t seem to mind walking over.”

Howe Mercantile also saw people in and out of the newest downtown antique store. Owner Georgia Caraway had numerous items that were discounted and the sale item dollars are going towards to the reconstruction of the old church.

“It was a really fun way to meet more folks from Howe and surrounding communities.” said Caraway. “One person said that we need to do this every month.”

Lilly Avila, owner of Abby’s Restaurant, was also championing for the event to be more frequent. The restaurant did very well despite the day starting with the air-conditioner going out. She had to immediately get it fixed in time of the big bock party.

Making an appearance again in Downtown Howe was The Bill Boyd Band, who were at the initial Back to School Blues Block Party in 2014. Their electric Fender-style of rock and blues filled the downtown area with a tremendous backdrop of a good ol’ summer bash.

“The success of events such as these are tricky.” said Monte Walker, Director of Economic Development. “From the outside-in-the-streets perspective, it wasn’t overly packed, but inside each store was; and that’s the main goal from the local economic stimulator point of view.”

Another big function that these events serve is the memories it creates with the children, which plays a big role in the long-term investment of Howe.

“Years from now when these kids are graduating from college and starting a family, they’ll want to raise their kids in a community that holds something special to their own heart. They want their kids to be in a safe and fun place.” Walker said. “The memories that these block parties create for our own youth are worth substantially more than what we sometimes realize.”

Two new businesses are expected to open in the next 30 days in downtown. TLD Designs, LLC will move their 12 employees into the 103 E. Haning Street building, most recently occupied by Designer Cuts. Also, Texas Home Emporium will open soon next to Howe Mercantile in 109, 1/2 Haning St.

With the merchants wanting more of these to happen more frequently, Walker will visit with each downtown business to see if they have interest in forming some a downtown coalition where they could collectively join hands and funds to bring these shop local programs on a steady basis.

The band was paid for by all of the downtown businesses including Salvage Junky, My Estrella Mexican Restaurant, Abby’s Restaurant, Howe Enterprise, TLDDesigns, LLC, Advantage Business Machines, Howe Mercantile and Don’s Smokehouse.

The next major downtown event is scheduled for November 7 with a live auction on O’Connell Street in which all proceeds will to towards the reconstruction of the old church.

 

 

 

A plan has been put in place to raise money for the restoration of the former First Christian Church on the corner of O’Connell and Denny Streets.

A committee consisting of Georgia Caraway, Jean Norman, Monte Walker, Linda Wall, Dusty Williams and others are putting together a major live and silent auction to be held on November 7. Items have already been donated and the list continues to grow daily.

The Howe Enterprise is donating however many pages it takes to list all of the auction items between now and the event starting with page 12 in yesterday’s edition.

In three weeks, new siding will go on the 122-year-old building and it will have 1-1/4 inch foam and have an extensive warranty. The cost of the siding and installation came to $24,350 which includes the replacing of any rotted wood. The color of the structure will go back to its original white.

The amount was covered by the Collins family who had set up a memorial many years ago with the city for the purpose of renovation of the old church. It just so happened that the interest that the fund had accrued over the years matched what the cost of the siding came to be after The Siding Man, Inc. gave a 10 percent discount due to the community renovation project.

The money in the Collins Memorial Fund was kept in a CD at Independent Bank in Howe where Bank President Anna Anderson was more than helpful in making the smooth transition in order to start the process.

Great Days of Service, who kick-started this renovation project with their groundwork and brush removal, will be painting the fish scale wooden siding on the upper portion of the building. It will also be white to match the new siding.

The current exterior of the building is covered in asbestos shingles which will not be disturbed and will be covered over. According to current law in regards to the asbestos shingles, this procedure is within code and will be perfectly suited for future public use of the facility.

In regards to the end-result of the building, there are several options, but the most frequented conversation is always a wedding chapel. There is a coffee shop that is interested in the structure upon completion. With the City of Howe owning the building, they will have a strong say so in the end result.

The “Save the Church” committee, as they call themselves for the moment, will be seeking donation items from businesses and individuals for the live and silent auction to be held on O’Connell Street on November 7. The auction was a borrowed idea from the one that takes place in Muenster, Texas each year. Due to the donations and the auction bidding being 100 percent tax deductible, more money can be raised. Not to mention the cause that it goes to severely affects the community morale and turns an eyesore into what will be the bright spot of Downtown Howe.

Since 2013, Downtown Howe has been completely turned over with all new businesses and there is a possibility that a new structure will be built in between City Hall and Abby’s Restaurant depending on a sealed bidding that is taking place.

On the north side of the block sits the Howe Development Alliance, TLD Designs, LLC, Advantage Business Machines, Howe Mercantile and soon-to-be Texas Home Emporium. On the south side sits My Estrella Mexican Restaurant, Abby’s Restaurant, City Hall and the Howe Fire Station.

“He we are in a new era with a lot of excitement.” said Monte Walker, Director of Economic Development with the Howe Development Alliance. “We have a great looking downtown now and yet most of that is looked over when people drive by the old church. Having that fit in with the new look of our downtown area can only be regarded as a massive benefit to the city and will certainly help with our renewed image in Howe.”

“Save the Church committee” is about to ask for the community’s support to throw in a helping hand.

The exterior is about to look great and what will be left is the interior. But in Howe, it’s the inside that counts. That’s why something special is about to happen.

**Since this article, Salvage Junky has donated a quart of Junk Gypsy Chalk Paint, a furniture painting class and a “Football, Sweet Tea and Bulldogs” t-shirt, and a retro “Bulldog Country” t-shirt.

Lets face it, starting a business in Howe hasn’t been an automatic gold mine over the last 50 years. But one restaurant has done well in the small city even in the economic downturn a few years back. With sound experienced management, Sonic in Howe is now reaping the rewards and about to upgrade the facilities by $90,000.

Back in 2005, before the concrete was even poured, Tashawna Sanders walked up to the construction site looking for a job.

“I remember walking on little piles of wood trying to get to the front door.” said Sanders. “Matt Acevedo was here then and he hired me.”

Sanders went from walking to the store to get a job as a carhop to later becoming Sonic’s general manager at the young age of 21. Currently, she’s a partner with 21 percent share of Sonic in Howe.

“It’s not something they give out. They really have to trust you and you have to put in a lot for them to even offer you to buy a share.” said Sanders. She had previously worked at Milano’s Pizza restaurant in Howe and then worked at the family restaurant that opened up soon after. She then got a job at Sonic in Van Alstyne as a carhop just before coming to Howe.

“I’ve never quit. I’ve never left.” said Sanders. “I’ve been here since day one, through all of the ups and downs.”

Sanders is a strong-willed woman with high expectations of herself and the 2005 Howe High School graduate hasn’t spent her life traveling the easy road.

“I had my first child at the age of 15.” said Sanders. “I was out to prove everybody wrong. The stigma of being a pregnant teen is that you’ll never graduate and you’ll never amount to anything and you’ll have seven kids before you turn 21 and all that. I was out to show those people that wasn’t true. You can go through the worst of the worst and it’s your choice to decide whether you want to be a good person or a bad person.”

When Sanders became a shareholder in the local Sonic, she then knew what her life would be like day-in and day-out. She still puts in 10-hour workdays, six days a week and is on-call 24-7.

“I enjoy it. I still love coming to work after these ten years.” said Sanders who does everything from manage and pay all of the bills to help with the staff. She says that she’s learned to be a do-it-yourself maintenance woman who tries to take care of everything internally before shelling out resources.

In 2007 and ’08, Sanders pointed as the most difficult time with the store due to only two managers.

“We literally didn’t get a day off for six months.” said Sanders. “At that point, this was not something I was interested in doing. But my feet were already plunged into the water pool so I just had to stick it through and keep faith.”

Upon entering the plan as a shareholder, she had to pay a $430 note payment for that percentage.

“It was your goal every month to have a profit in the partnership.” said Sanders.

About the same time as Sanders had to start making the partnership payments, the great housing market collapse happened and the country fell into a deep recession. The remnants of the effect it had on Howe can still be seen in the lack of homes in the developed Summit Hill neighborhood.

“That was the hardest time.  Not seeing any end in sight. But you know what? you have to do this. This is what feeds your children. You have to suck it up and work.” said Sanders.

Sanders says that the best part of her job is knowing that she’s here to help people try to get a start in life.

“I’m a people person and I genuinely care about strangers.” said Sanders. “People will come in and give you a sob story and you can tell right off-the-bat that it’s not going to work. But I’m the person that gives them a chance to prove themselves right or wrong.”

Sanders has five employees that have been there for over six years. There are another two that have been at Sonic in Howe for nearly two years.

“We have a core group of eight people, which isn’t a lot.” said Sanders. “So we work our butts off. These carhops do everything. They make all of the drinks, bag all of the food, and then clean everything.”

The most popular food item at Sonic in Howe is the double meat cheeseburger followed by any chicken item.

Sanders estimates that the cherry limeades and ocean water are the most popular drinks.  It is estimated that in the 10 years, over 108,000 cherry limeades have been sold at the Sonic in Howe. She also claimed that massive amounts of Diet Coke have gone through the store as well.

When talking about the ten year milestone, Sanders said that she hasn’t made a big deal of it because she’s been so busy.

“I honestly just work.” said Sanders. “I go home and I have three kids and I try my hardest to let my kids understand that mom has to work, but also has time for them too.”

Through the hard work and years of not making a profit from her shares, Sanders has now paid off the note that was $430 per month and will now own 21 percent of the store for the rest of her life.

“All of that hard work is now, 10 years later, starting to pay off.” said Sanders.

Howe customers will soon reap the benefits of those dividends with a massive upgrade to the site. The $90,000 project includes the updating of all of the menus to the digital stalls as in Sherman.

“You’ll see your order come up on the screen like Braum’s or McDonalds.” said Sanders. “Eventually the technology will allow the regulars to wave their phone at the screen and it will identify that person and ask them if they want their regular item or something different.”

The credit card process outside will be much improved with new technology and new processing. Inside the store, they will also get new screens and the attendents will have new headpieces to wear.

“It’s supposed to make the everyday procedures smoother which will make the customers more happy.” said Sanders.

The outside will cost less in Howe than other locations because there are only 11 stalls in Howe compared to over 20 at larger Sonic restaurants. The new menu boards are approximately $5,000 each.

Sanders wanted to end the great debate on tipping at Sonic. She said that it can be confusing because some Sonics are different than others. In Howe, the employees are paid minimum wage to do their job, so they don’t necessarily live on tips.

“It’s a personal preference.” said Sanders. “It’s not always because they did a good job. Sometimes people will tip because a carhop was so nice to them. Most of tips comes from the fact that people are just genuinely nice to people. We know that people will take their bad days out on us. That’s just the way it is. We just try to make them smile. For my guys, a tip is great because they are literally working and working hard.”

Sanders understands that Sonic will not forever be the only fast-food location in Howe, but have been the beneficiary of the 10-year head start on anyone new that does come to Howe. One thing is for sure, it will be very unlikely for anyone to outwork her. The determined girl has fought through adversity and has chosen to be a good person.