Norman, Gilstrap to highlight Hall of Honor Friday night

Leaders of Howe from days gone by (and one who is still leading the charge) will be enshrined into the Howe Hall of Honor on Friday night in Downtown Howe. Four members which consist of two living and two deceased will join the 15 previously selected members. This years inductees Jean Norman, Donal Gilstrap, J.J. Chisum, and Bob Walker will join Jabez Haning, W.P. Thompson, A.M. Ferguson, Mame Roberts, Charles R. Thompson, Arthur Boyle, Tony Brinkley, L.B. Kirby, Norma Wallace, Ray Bledsoe, Carrie Waller, Elmer Schenk, Norman Dickey, Jimmy Bearden, and Steve Simmons.

The chamber received 181 responses in the online voting which also included nominations for the category of Business of the Year, New Business of the Year, Norma J. Wallace Citizen of the Year, and Volunteer Organization of the Year. The winners of those categories will be announced at the Third Annual Howe Hall of Honor & Awards Banquet on May 5 at 6:30 pm.

Jean Norman has been nominated now twice for the Hall of Honor. She will go down in Howe history in much of the same regards as Mame Roberts – a truly iconic figure among all of Howe’s finest ladies. Her fingerprints of leadership are seen throughout the community from Ponderosa to Farmington. She was instrumental in forming the Howe Public Library and eventually the Howe Community Library. Her leadership helped breathe life into the former Howe First Christian Church, not once but twice. Norman was a key member in the foundation and the formation of the Howe Historical Society in the 1980s and 90s and renovated the church previously to house a museum. Serving most recently as president of the Save the Church organization, the group has raised enough money to transform one of Howe’s oldest buildings into a beautiful wedding venue. The longtime school teacher has also been a longtime member and church leader at the First Baptist Church of Howe. She was named the 1992 Norma J. Wallace Citizen of the Year and 25 years later was nominated once again for the award. Donal Gilstrap,

Donal Gilstrap, a first-time nominee, was most known for his position as Howe High School principal during three different decades. While also serving as elementary and middle school principal, it was his gentle, yet stern approach to leadership that won his respect among students and peers. Gilstrap grew up picking cotton in the 1940’s and was not able to go to school until all of the cotton was picked, which was usually around November. His mother had a sixth-grade education and his dad received no education at all, but he was a hard oil field worker. That strength was a family trait as Gilstrap used his strength in football to earn himself a college degree at Hardin-Simmons. Post college, he spent four years in the Army including a free vacation to Korea. While stationed at Lawton, Oklahoma, he met the love of his life Barbara whom he married in 1959. Together, they had two children, Catherine and Patrick. He was recruited to Howe by six school board members who drove to Lubbock to recruit him.

James Chisum was nominated for the second straight year, was perhaps the most loved man in Howe from the time he opened Chisum’s One Stop Grocery Store in July of 1957. He was called the “One-Man- Chamber of Commerce” as he helped give information to anyone that asked. Mr. Chisum often ran open tickets for families knowing well he would never get paid. His response was always that he couldn’t stand to see anyone not have food on their table. Mr. Chisum was the Norma J. Wallace Citizen of the Year in 1985.

 

 

Bob Walker, first time nominee, most known for operating the Howe Enterprise. He put out a weekly publication for 421 consecutive weeks from 1966 to 1974. He was instrumental in reforming the Howe Chamber of Commerce in 1972 and served as the chairman of the Howe Centennial Committee which was a week long festival and celebration of the city and its fine history. He was elected as the Howe Chamber of Commerce President in the 1970s which saw the volunteer organization run at its full peak of operation at that time. Mr. Walker also served on the Planning and Zoning Commission of Howe. After selling the Howe Enterprise, he went on to own and operate Allied Office Supply in Downtown Howe for a number of years until his retirement in 1989.

Friday night will see the winners of the various chamber awards as well as the inductions. Business of the Year nominees are Abby’s Restaurant, the Howe Enterprise, and Stark Lane Farms. New Business of the Year nominees are Palio’s Pizza Cafe, Skinner Plumbing Supply, and Stark Lane Farms. Volunteer Organization of the Year nominees are Feed My Sheep, Howe Volunteer Fire Department, and Keep Howe Beautiful.  The Norma J. Wallace Citizen of the Year will go to either Jonathan Coleman, Jean Norman or Monte Walker.

The chamber will also be recognizing the oldest active businesses and organizations in Howe as well during the evening. Being recognized are the Post Office, the City of Howe, Howe ISD, FBC Howe, FUMC, Howe Church of Christ, Howe Police Department, Howe Fire Department, Howe Enterprise, Independent Bank, Remcor, Hugh’s TV, Baker Heating/Air, MagniFab, Southwest Auction, and the School Zone Academy. Tickets will be available at the door which

Tickets are $15 and will be available at the door. Catering the event is Mama Suzy’s Sweets & Eats.

The third annual event is the kickoff to the Founders Day Festival which takes place the following day, Saturday, May 6 from 2 pm – 8 pm with many activities in the downtown area.