Bledsoe looks back on 50 years in Howe

Volume #1, Issue #5
Howe's That ?
Monday, April 14, 2014
Bledsoe looks back on 50 years in Howe
In 1999, as a 25 year-old, young,
know-it-all, I wrote an editorial to
the then weekly newspaper about
my concerns with the leadership
of Howe and where the future
might be if something wasn't done
soon. We were told of the great
DFW corridor boom that was to
hit McKinney, Melissa, Anna,
Van Alstyne and eventually
Howe.
At the time, I was
severely worried that we didn't
have the right people in place to
be able to attract the right kind of
growth needed. Well, we're 13
years from that editorial and the
"boom" finally hit McKinney, HISD SHAC 5K event raises $5,629
Melissa, Anna and is creeping
Close to 200 walkers and The event raised over $3,600
into Van Alstyne.
runners showed up
for various charitable
projects including a
In that article, I cited that our Saturday in front of
scholarship fund in the
then-mayor Ray Bledsoe and city Charles R. Thompson
council were not up for the task of Gymnsium to donate their honor of the late Howe ISD
progressive growth. I'm nearly 40 time, money and sweat to employee J.P. Martin.
now and have learned that calling help a great cause.
Assistant Superintendent
out city officials in public is not
The Howe ISD's SHAC Ritchie Bowling said that
the proper way to handle things.
(School Health Advisory $2,500 will go towards the
memorial scholarship fund.
Back then, there wasn't a Council) held it's 3rd
Facebook for a young, know-it-all annual 5K, Fun Run,
"We had more than double
college kid who thought he could Health Fair and Silent
the number of registered
change the city with a few Auction.
paragraphs. I had to actually write
an editorial and have it published
in the weekly newspaper.
The older I've become, the more
I've regretted that editorial. I had
real concerns and I should've just
talked to him man-to-man.
Problem was that I was still a kid.
I was right, but I was also wrong.
Continued on Page #4
Most men from the
generation of former
Mayor Ray Bledsoe
smelled of cheap
cigarettes. But Bledsoe
never gave in to the
nasty habit and therefore
is still mowing his own
yard at nearly 86 yearsold. The stench of
politics can sometimes
be worse than the stench
of cheap cigarettes, but
the days of running
Howe from the mayor’s
office have long since
passed. However, he just
can’t stop talking about
the city and the people
that he loved to serve.
town and without the
crowded housing in
Sherman. When his
brother-in-law showed
him the yet-to-be fully
developed Maple Street
and Mayo Street areas,
he made his decision.
Bledsoe was born in
Gunter, Texas in the
summer of 1932 and his
family moved to
Sherman, where he was
a graduate of Sherman
High School. Then his
life changed for good 50
years ago last month. As
an adult with a wife and
two small children, he
moved his family into a
newly built house on
Maple Street in Howe
where he still resides
today. Bledsoe was
looking for an
opportunity for his kids
to grow up in a small
Bledsoe’s introduction
into politics came when
he was elected Howe
Youth Baseball Program
commissioner.
The move to Howe
would move Bledsoe
into politics. Bledsoe
said, “I didn’t start out
in politics. I started out
giving my life for The
Lord in different areas
by serving the
community in various
ways.” His faith led him
to public service.
“When I arrived, there
was only one baseball
field and the high school
shared it. The coaches
from the previous year
picked two teams of 15
boys with the boys
standing right in front of
them. The ones that
didn’t get picked, didn’t
get to play. That first
year, I counted 69 boys
that were left that didn’t
Continued on Page #2
The Howe Enterprise
Monday, April 14, 2014
Page #2
Bledsoe
Continued from Page #1
that anyone wanted me to. Price
Hanning was running unopposed
and I didn’t put my name on the
ballot because I didn’t know if the
people would want me or not."
That’s when Bledsoe went to
Back then you could have write-in
work and was able to get the
candidates and Bledsoe ended up
company that he worked for,
Burlington Industries, and TP&L receiving over 80 percent of the
votes on write-ins votes only. He
(Texas Power & Lighting
Company) to basically build what accepted the position and
is now A.M. Ferguson Park on the continued for 14 years.
land that was donated to the city
by the Ferguson family to be used Bledsoe was hesitant to list his
biggest accomplishment as mayor,
as a city park.
but he did talk about the successful
“I spent 37 nights in a row away turnaround of the water and sewer
from my family trying to drum up problem that existed when he first
took office. “I had to put on my
money. Mr. Charles Thompson
gave me an old backstop that the boots and go head first and learn
what was under the ground. We
school had abandoned. I got
were able to get a new water well
TP&L to give us some old used
on the west side of town and loop
light poles and Burlington
the water supply across the city so
Industries donated the fencing. I
that if we had a leak, we didn’t
got the county to bring the sand
have to shut the whole town
and I built the dugouts and we
built a baseball park in one year. down.” Bledsoe said. “I was also
proud of the fact that we were
Well, Burlington Industries and
successful getting so many grants
TP&L built the ballfield in one
for our city.”
year, I was just an instrument.”
claimed Bledsoe. “We dedicated
When asked about the help he
that field to the city before our
received throughout his tenure as
first game even though the city
mayor, he was quick to name Ray
didn’t put one dime into the
project. When we were through, Houston as the person that helped
him the most. Houston was the
we got all of those kids together
and we formed four teams in July city administrator that did most of
1971 and we had 128 boys report the dirty work that allowed
Bledsoe to network and sell Howe
for baseball and every one of
to other places and serve on
them got to play.”
numerous boards to make sure
Howe would get its vote counted
Bledsoe retired in 1986 from
when it mattered.
Burlington Industries and soon
became involved in city
“I spent a lot of time in meetings. I
government in Howe.
spent 40 to 60 hours a week as
“I was 'baby-sitting' the mayor’s mayor. I can’t say that I enjoyed
all that I did, but I can say that I
seat for awhile as 'acting mayor'
and sat in the courtroom when the felt some satisfaction in the fact
City of Sherman sued us over the that I was able to give my time to
the people of Howe." Bledsoe said.
sewer. The city didn’t have a
mayor since Jerry Kirby left
town. I talked to some people and In looking at the future of Howe
and what he'd like to see, Bledsoe
told them that I wasn’t going to
Continued on Page #3
run for mayor because I hadn't
get to play baseball. It made me
sick, and here I was, the new
commissioner.” Bledsoe said.
Police News
Howe Police Chief Carl Hudman was the guest speaker at Howe's First
Baptist Church Thursday morning. Speaking before the XYZ
membership, Hudman provided information concerning the activities of
his department and his vision for it's future.
Chief Hudman stressed the importance of his department having a close
relationship with the community, and of the importance in having
officers maintaining an approachable attitude and demeanor". Hudman
said that he received positive feedback from the group, and that one
member commented about one of Howe's police officers recently
stopping in his neighbor and visiting with him. "He appreciated the
positive attitude of the officer," Hudman said. Adding that its as simple
as treating law abiding citizens the way he wants to be treated by the
police.
"We are able to police our communities only to the extent our
community grants us that authority. Many agencies make the claim that
their department belongs to its citizens. Not all of them really mean that.
Here, in Howe...this department really is yours." Hudman said.
Hudman told the XYZ members that he has quality police officers on
staff, and that part of his job is to insure Howe residents keep them.
Chief Hudman said he was invited by Howe City Councilor Georgia
Richardson to speak before the XYZ group and that he was honored to
do so. He said his department is available to speak before Howe
businesses or organizations about department activities, crime
prevention, or other issues of importance. Those interested may
schedule a police speaker by contacting the department directly.
Crash near Tom Bean ends in arrest
31 year old Justin Chad Williams of Howe was arrested for DWI and
Evading Arrest late Friday evening.
Around 10pm, Howe police officer Jordan Clark attempted to stop
Williams for an equipment violation on Highway 5 near Ponderosa.
However, Williams refused stop and led Clark on a high speed pursuit
as they travelled east on Hwy 902 towards Tom Bean.
DPS, Tom Bean and Grayson SO officers responded to assist.
Williams eventually crashed his vehicle on Hall Road and was taken
in to custody.
The Howe Enterprise
Monday, April 14, 2014
Bledsoe
Page #3
Continued from Page #2
that he most of all wants Howe to
secure some businesses here that
could provide some jobs.
elected officials who can take
authority and who the people will
follow.”
“We need to be something more
than a bedroom community and
that’s what we are. I made that
statement at a chamber of commerce
meeting once and got crawled all
over for it. But I still stand beside
it. People in Howe have to do
business with businesses in Howe
for this city to ever grow. We have
to let our businesses turn a profit so
they can stay. We’re eight miles
from Sherman and a lot of our city
people trade in Sherman to save a
nickel. We have to educate our
townspeople to do all of the
business they can locally. There
have been a number of businesses
come and go in our city and until
we trade locally, we’ll always be a
bedroom community.” Bledsoe said.
“We need younger people that love
the city and love the people enough
to do like I did and give themselves
to the community. We need young
In his last few years as mayor,
Bledsoe said he felt like he had to
fight to get things done for
Howe. He wanted the connector
road between Highway 5 and
Collins Freeway (that Dollar
General now rests) and had a
struggle to get it pushed through
because of a few council
members that were opposed to it
because of curbs and gutter
restrictions on any new roads.
Because it was termed a
'connector road' instead of a 'city
street', the ordinance allowed for
the non-use of curbs and gutters.
“I told the council that the state is
building this road for us for free.
We bought the right-of-way and
gave $5,000.00 out of the city’s
money to the people for the rightof-way. One of them was Ward
Paxton of Plano who had five
acres and I made a deal with
him. Paxton sold the city his five
acres needed and turned around
and gave half of that money back
as a donation.” Bledsoe said.
in favor." Bledsoe recalled.
The addition of the connector
road was a great benefit to the
city, however, the naming rights
became a jumbled up mess.
"I thought to myself, oh no, I
didn’t want that street named
after me.” Bledsoe said.
“I’ve always been thick-skinned
because I try not to let things
bother me that I have no control
over, but we had to name to street
in order for The State of Texas to
turn it over to us. We had a
meeting with our council
members, Jimmy Don McMillion,
O.B. Powers, Marion Allison,
Carrie Waller and Hank George.
George motioned to let “The
Texoma Enterprise” put an
application in each week’s paper
for nominations to name the new
road. That was to go on for a
month and the council voted 5-0
The final tally from “The
Texoma Enterprise” came in
favor for Bledsoe Road.
When the motion came to go
along with the previous meeting’s
motion to name the street after
the election results, two of the
council members voted against
naming it Bledsoe Road. With
Hank George not present at the
meeting and two voting in favor
of, that left a deadlock. Any
deadlock motion goes to the
mayor to break the deadlock with
his or her vote.
Bledsoe said to the council, “I
know two of you resent me
Continued on Page #9
The Howe Enterprise
Monday, April 14, 2014
Howe Ag teacher constructing A new
career
Howe High School agriculture
teacher Josh Vincent will soon
trade lesson plans for construction
plans. The Howe ISD alumni will
join his family’s home construction
business soon after school is out.
Josh Vincent is a product of Howe
and went to Howe schools from
kindergarten through graduation in
2007. His family has literally
placed their foundation in Howe
and now Vincent will leave his
career as the agriculture science
Josh Vincent
teacher at Howe High School to
join the family business in
construction.
“I’ve kind of always wanted to
go into construction. That’s
Vincent joined Howe High’s staff what my family’s always done,
in 2011 after graduating from West is build custom homes. It took a
Texas A&M University.
while to decide and figure it out,
but I’m pretty excited.”
“Coming in and already knowing
the people made it a little easier in Vincent Construction has been
some ways and in some ways it
in business for more than 40
makes it a little harder. But for me, years, building many homes in
it made it mostly easier.” Vincent Howe and surrounding areas.
said. “I credit Stevie Horton, my
Howe graduate, and owner
former AG teacher for being my
Larry Vincent (Josh’s
biggest inspiration in becoming the grandfather), after getting his
AG teacher here.”
start with Murray Akins, started
Vincent Construction Company
The biggest accomplishment for
and now has his son and
Vincent was winning the county
grandson working with him.
pig shows two out of the three
years at HHS.
Even though the younger
Vincent only taught for three
Some of the students found out
years, he still values the
beforehand, but Vincent made the connections and impact he had
formal announcement that he was on students’ lives. He noted he
what he will miss the most will
leaving Howe ISD on Monday
be the students, showing pigs
night at the agriculture booster
and the shop.
meeting.
City council elections cancelled
The city council has cancelled elections that were to take place on
May 10, 2014 due to each seat being unopposed.
The unopposed returning council members are Sam Haigis,
Georgia Richardson, and Dennis Bozeman.
Page #4
Howe ISD SHAC 5K and Fun Run
from last year, and raised almost
triple what we did the first year. We
are extremely pleased with the turn
out, and the community spirit behind
this event." Bowling said.
Superintendent Kevin Wilson was
quick to point out the hard work of
everyone to put on such an event and
was elated at the support.
Continued from Page #1
ran the 5K, but finished first in his
classification. Stonebarger said he
wanted to run in this event because
of the cause, but says that he's still
very active.
"I run at 5:30 every morning, two
miles, five days a week." said
Stonebarger.
Ritchie Bowling commented, "We
"I'm overwhelmed by the number of want to thank Johnson Burks
people that have come to support this Plumbing Supply in Sherman,TX
for their generous donation directly
event that is for two great causes."
Wilson said. Those two causes were to the scholarship fund. We also
The American Cancer Society and
want to thank all the volunteers,
the previously mentioned memorial
donors, businesses, and the Howe
scholarship for J. P. Martin.
Enterprise in making this a
wonderful success."
"We're very blessed to live in a
community that supports the schools" The event brought in a net of over
Wilson said.
$4,500 after the cost of t-shirts.
$2,000 will be donated to The
One of those supporters was 77 year- American Cancer Society.
old Jesse Stonebarger who not only
The Howe Enterprise
Monday, April 14, 2014
Page #5
Bulldog Sports
HHS District Track
Results
Garrett Fulenchek vs. Whitewright last Tuesday night. Photos courtesy of Michelle Carney
Howe girls golf team came in 2nd in district with a combined
score of 485. They have advanced and are in Stephenville
troday in regional competition. L-R, Holly Hawkins, Jessa
Hough, Ashlyne Ellis, Anna Counts and Peyton Groves.
Lady Bulldogs stay alive in playoff hunt
The Howe Lady Bulldogs
traveled to Callisburg Friday
night looking for revenge after
the Lady Wildcats beat them at
home on March 18 with a 7-2
loss. Allison Streetman pitched
4 one-hit shutout innings while
striking out 4. In the 4th, the
Lady Bulldogs began its hitting
streak and scored 3 runs.
Tinney and Anderson both
walked and Streetman doubled
to center and scored Tinney
and Anderson. Duffee singled
allowing Streetman to advance
to 3rd. Fulenchek put down a
perfect sac bunt to score
Streetman.
Madisyn Hargrove took the
circle at the bottom of the 5th
inning and allowed no hits.
The Lady Bulldogs gained 2
more runs in the top of the 5th
with Ross walking, Tinney and
Anderson doubling to center
and Anderson bringing in Ross
and Tinney to score.
Quinton Harris and Jessa
Hough both placed 3rd in
district golf and are competing
today at regionals.
while Hargrove had a triple
and Upchurch and Duffee both
doubled. Fulenchek reached on
error with a sac bunt to bring
in a run. In the bottom of the
7th inning, Hargrove finished
by striking out the side. The
final was 16-0 which was a big
win for the Lady Bulldogs as
they prepare to travel to meet
up with the Bells Lady
Panthers on Tuesday night.
In the 7th inning, The Lady
Bulldogs bats were hot and
scored 11 runs in the inning.
Story submitted by Christine Tinney
Ross singled twice, Tinney
doubled and Anderson singled
and both also homered in the
7th, Streetman had two singles
District Champion 4x100 relay team: (L-R) Bailey Tyler,, Aurian James, Riley Harvey &
Tiffany Lallierm ey
BOYS VARSITY
100 meter dash - 4, Anthony Hawthorne,
11.45, 7, Brent Masters, 12.02.
400 - 5, Stratton Carrol, 55.35, 6, Garrett
Fulenchek, 55.38.
3200 - 8, Justin Dueer, 12:39:71.
110 meter hurdles - 8, Dawson
McDonald, 22.43.
300 - 6, Tyler Nicholson, 45.09.
4x100 relay - 5, Nicholson, Hawthorne,
Masters, McDonald, 45.08.
4x200 - 6, Masters, McDonald, Michael
Kehrer, Hawthorne, 1:40:53.
4x400 - 4, Brandon Wall, Levi
Mrozinski, Carroll, Fulenchek, 3:41:42.
High jump - 5, Fulenchek, 6-02, 6,
Kehrer, 6-0.
Triple jump - 5, Sam Akins, 40-02.75.
Discus - 4, Hawthorne, 110-09.950.
GIRLS VARSITY
100 meter dash - 8, Kamryn Fulenchek,
13.95.
200 - 8, Aurian James, 27.85.
800 - 6, Addison Hughes, 2:39.17.
3200 - 9, Cat Little, 15:40.06.
100 meter hurdles - 5, Morgan Carney,
18.45.
300 - 2, Carney, 53.63.
4x100 relay - 1, James, Tiffany Lallier,
Riley Harvey, Bailey Tyler, 51.67.
4x200 - 2, James, Lallier, Harvey, Tyler,
1:49.12.
4x400 - 2, Kendall Nelms, Hughes,
Lallier, Tyler, 4:23.30.
High jump - 5, Lallier, 4-10.75, 9, Tyler,
4-06.
Long jump - 4, Ashlyn Ellis, 15-01.75.
The Howe Enterprise
Monday, April 14, 2014
Photos of the Week
2 year-old Mason Layton
crosses the finish
Howe Middle School Principal
Clay Wilson
77 year-old Jesse
Stonebarger finishes strong
Page #6
Photos contributed by Ashlock Photography
The Howe Enterprise
Monday, April 14, 2014
Local Church Calendar
This Week's HISD Calendar
Monday, April 14th
-8 a.m. HISD Regional Golf at
Stephenville
-6 p.m. HISD JVW baseball vs. Blue
Ridge
Tuesday, April 15th
-4:30 p.m. HISD JVB and Varsity
Baseball at Bells.
-5:30 p.m. HISD J.V. and Varsity Softball
at Bells.
-7:00 p.m.Howe Athletic Booster Club
Meeting in High School Lecture Hall
Wednesday, April 16th
-8:00 a.m. Region 5 FFA Wildlife CDE
Thursday, April 17th
-6:00 p.m. HISD School Board Meeting
Friday, April 18th
-4:30 p.m. HISD JVB and Varsity
Baseball at home vs. Pottsboro-5:30 p.m.
First United Methodist Church of Howe
Thursday, 4/17 - Maundy Thursday, 7 pm
Friday, 4/18 - Good Friday, 7 pm
Satuday, 4/19 - Community egg hunt, 11 am - 1
pm at Howe High School.
Sunday, 4/20 - Easter service, 10 am
City of Howe News
April 15, 6:00 pm - Downtown Open House
April 15, 6:30 pm - City Council Meeting
May 10, 8:00 am - Founders Day Car Show
May 10, 9:00-noon - Founders Day
Celebration in downtown Howe with kids
bicycle parade.
Founders Day Info
Howe Founder's Day is Saturday May 10,
2014 from 9am to 12pm.
Howe Middle School News
Howe Middle School cheerleading &
mascot tryouts for incoming 7th and 8th
graders. Mandatory practices Monday,
April 14 - Wednesday, April 16 @ Charles
Thompson Gymnasium from 4:00 - 6:00
p.m. Tryouts: Thursday April 17 @ 4:00
p.m.in Charles Thompson Gymnasium.
SCHOOL DANCE
Sponsored by the 8th Grade BASH
Saturday, April 26th
7:00 p.m. - 10:00 p.m.
H.M.S. Cafeteria
6th - 8th graders ONLY
Howe Elementary News
TITLE 1 PARENT INVOLVEMENT
MEETING
Howe Elementary School will be hosting
two Title 1 Parent Involvement Meetings.
Both meetings are open to ALL parents of
Howe Elementary School students.
Wednesday, April 16, 2014 @ 8:15 a.m. in
the Howe Elementary Science Lab
Wednesday, April 16, 2014 @ 3:30 p.m. in
the Howe Elementary Science Lab
Page #7
Booth Set up starting at 8:00am and is
recommended that you remain up until the
end of event at 12pm. Booths are outside
spaces on the street. Size 12X12 (large areas
are available for bounce house if need be)
and cost for registration is $20.
Registration forms with checks can be
brought to City Hall, in care of Rebecca
Stanley, or mailed to: Howe Founder's Day
Committee PO BOX 518 Howe, TX 75459
IMPORANT; FIREWORKS, WEAPONS,
AND TOBACCO PRODUCTS CANNOT
BE SOLD AND FOOD VENDORS MUST
HAVE AT LEAST ONE PERSON IN
BOOTH WITH VALID GRAYSON
COUNTY FOOD HANDLERS PERMIT
Electricity will not to be provided, unless
discussed beforehand. If your booth requires
electricity, it is your responsibility to bring a
generator, cords, or contact (903) 816-9046
in advance.
You are also responsible for tables, chairs
and canopies.
First Baptist Church of Dorchester
Saturday, 4/19 - Egg hunt at the church from 3pm
to 5pm. There will be a Bible Study, crafts,
games and the egg hunt.
First Baptist Howe
Monday 4/14 - 6:30 pm Ladies’ Discipleship
Class
Tuesday 4/15 - 10:00 am Ladies’ Discipleship
Class
8:00 pm Ladies’ Bible Study
8:00 pm Men’s Bible Study
Wednesday 4/16 - 6:30 pm
FUEL (4 years-6th
grade)
6:45 pm
Youth RUSH Hour
6:45 pm Adult Bible Study
Thursday 4/17 -10:30 am XYZ program and
lunch (Seniors 55 & up)
Saturday 4/19 -8:00 am Men’s Breakfast (at
FBC Howe fellowship hall)
The Howe Enterprise
Monday, April 14, 2014
Page #8
Howe and Van Alstyne pray for Riley
It was "one of those moments" in Van
Alstyne this past week when little 8 year-old
Grayci Oldfield from Van Alstyne went to
Howe's coach Darrin Savage and asked if
the Howe softball team would join them in a
"Pray for Riley" before the two teams faced
off in an 8U contest. Oldfield has done this
many times before her games whether in
basketball or now softball.
"Pray for Riley" is a familiar term to many
around north Texas in support of 16 yearold Riley Sprowl, who was seriously injured
in a sledding accident that left with him
with limited movement due to the spinal
injury.
The Howe Enterprise
Monday, April 14, 2014
Page #9
Bledsoe
Continued from Page #3
terribly as long as I’ve known you, but I’m
going to vote for the will of the people.
And the will of the people were 23 votes to
1 and I’m going to break this tie and name
it Bledsoe Rd because that’s what the
people want.”
Keep Howe Beautiful logo contest
The newly formed organization, Keep Howe
Beautiful, is sponsoring a logo contest. The
group is looking for a logo to put on signs,
flyers, and newsletters for their organization..
The goal of the group is to show that Howe is a
great place to visit and live.
The contest is open to children and youth living
in the Howe area. Three entries from each age
level (elementary, middle, & high school) will
be selected as finalists. Finalists and the Grand
Prize Winner will be recognized at the Howe
Founder's Day event on May 10, 2014. Entry
forms are available at the Howe Community
Library. The due date for submission of ideas
has been extended to April 17, 2014.
Upcoming Keep Howe Beautiful projects
include planting crepe myrtles and painting sign
posts & fire hydrants.
him a favor.
“I was relieved, but when I began to see the
way things were turning, it made the hair
stand up on my head.” Bledsoe recalled.
Bledsoe says that he actually feels better
about the recent changing of the name to
honor Howe’s own World War II hero,
L.B. Kirby.
Looking through the numerous awards and
achievements that hang in Bledsoe’s house,
it’s evident to see the many years of sweat
equity put into serving the people of the
community, all as an unpaid mayor.
“I think the world of L.B. Kirby. I’m just
glad I don’t have to listen to people saying
that I named the street after myself
anymore.” Bledsoe said. “I don’t hate
anybody and I don’t dislike anybody, but
I’m just living in Howe now. I took my
work somewhere else.”
“A lot of people see things like this (awards
on the wall) as looking for publicity. And a
lot of people see it as dedication. I’ve
always taken everything that’s bestowed
upon me and used it for the benefit for
doing things for my community.” Bledsoe
said.
And that he did. Bledsoe was a major part
of the Grayson County Fair and the
Christmas Lights Exhibit, both at Loy
Park. As reported by Congressman Ralph
Hall to the Speaker of the House in
Washington, “Ray was at the Grayson
County Fair unfolding chairs, moving
extension cords, and setting up booths.
Earlier he built a fence around a statue of
Judge Jake Loy, then got on his hands and
knees and landscaped around it. Ray is
willing to help with any task--no matter
how large or small.”
Bledsoe’s most recognized achievement
came in 1997 when received the National
Hometown Leadership Award, given by the
National Association of Small Cities. Only
300 officials in the country received this
award. He was presented on the House
Floor in Washington.
Bledsoe’s time as mayor in Howe seems to
epitomizes the old phrase, “You can please
some of the people all of the time - you can
please all of the people some of the time
- but you can’t please all of the people all
of the time.”
It was talking about personal tragedy and
adversity that brought a tear to Bledsoe’s
eye. He lost his wife in 1984 and his son
Mike passed away in 2009 at the young age
of 55. “I’ve had tragedies, but I’ve always
had God. That’s the key. Things don’t just
happen. Things happen for a reason or a
purpose and we don’t know what it is and
we sometimes may never learn until we get
where we’re going.” Bledsoe said. “Good
things can happen out of bad.”
After seven consecutive terms as the Howe
Mayor, Bledsoe was finally defeated in an
election by an employee of the school
district. Bledsoe recalled that he received
numerous phone calls from people that
didn’t vote because they assumed he’d
win. He told them that they actually did
Bledsoe's daughter had trifolds
made for him at his 80th
birthday celebration. They are
decorated with numerous
articles and pictures from his
past achievements in various
leadership roles.
The Howe Enterprise
Monday, April 14, 2014
Page #10
City of Howe to recognize new businesses
Tuesday
City Administrator Joe Shephard announced last Monday at
Keep Howe Beautiful's monthly board meeting that there
would be an open house and ribbon cutting celebration for
the new businesses in Howe. With several business opening
recently and with the lack of a chamber of commerce to do
the honors, the city wanted to show their appreciation for the
new businesses. The open house and ribbon cutting will be
open to the public on Tuesday Apil 15 at 6pm.
The new locations are My Estralla Mexican Food Restaurant,
Abby's Restaurant, Don's Smokehouse, Sparks Trailers,
Salvage Junky, The Howe Enterprise and the new owner of
the car wash, Don McGrath.
Hailey Defrange signs letter of intent to play volleyball for
Presentation Collge in Aberdeen, SD. Seen here with parents Tom and
Leslie Defrange and Howe coach Jennifer Sluder.
Howe Community Library receives
audio book donation
30 audiobooks from TEI Landmark Audio in Indianapolis, IN were
delivered to The Howe Community Library recently. TEI often
supports public libraries by providing donations of books on CD.
Audiobooks and other items are free for the public to check-out with an
active library card. The library is located at 315 S. Collins Frwy in
Howe (across from the elementary playground).
Titles the library received include: Zero Day by David Baldacci, The
Jefferson Key by Steve Berry, El Paso by Matt Braun, The Devil’s Own
by Sandra Brown, Feast Day of Fools by James Lee Burke, The
Elephant to Hollywood by Michael Caine, The Water is Wide by Pat
Conroy, Crescent Dawn by Clive Cussler, The Ideal Man by Julie
Garwood, The Silent Girl by Tess Gerritsen, Ghost Night by Heather
Graham, The Litigators by John Grisham, Night Road by Kristin
Hannah, The Judas Gate by Jack Higgins, Devious by Lisa Jackson,
Eve Iris Johansen, Turn in the Road by Debbie Macomber, Betrayal by
Fern Michaels, Kill Alex Cross by James Patterson, A Daughter’s
Inheritance by Tracie Peterson, Relic by Douglas Preston, Quicksilver
by Amanda Quick, Chasing Fire by Nora Roberts, Tehran Initiative by
Joel Rosenberg, Wagons West Colorado by Dana Fuller Ross, The Best
of Me by Nicholas Sparks, Then Came You by Jennifer Weiner.
The Howe Enterprise
Monday, April 14, 2014
Page #11
Howe and Whitewright 14U softball pray together before their game.
Howe's head coach is Michael Mosier and the prayer was led by
Mikayla Doty. Photo courtesy of www.SaShaePhotography.com
District Champion Lady Bulldogs 4x100 relay. Photo courtesy of Michelle
Carney
The Founders Day event will include a kids bicycle
parade to start at 10 AM. Awards will be given to
the following categories:
1. Most School Spirited
2. Most Patriotic
3. Most Environment Friendly
Howe ISD Assistant Superintendent Rithie Bowling with students just as
the SHAC event was getting underway.
Kids are to bring their decorated bikes to the
downtown area no later than 9:40 AM on May 10.
The Howe Enterprise
Monday, April 14, 2014
50 years ago this week
Page #12

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