COUNTY LIFE
![](https://bowienewsonline.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/05/new-princ-for-web.jpg)
By BARBARA GREEN
It was the joy of working with children and a passion for sports that led Steven Valkenaar to choose a career in education.
Valkenaar will come to Bowie this summer as the new elementary school principal. He replaces Blake Enlow who move to the junior high as its new principal.
The 32-year-old Valkenaar grew up in the Hurst area graduating from L.D. Bell High School. He then attended Texas A&M-Commerce and later graduated from the University of Texas at Arlington with a bachelor degree in exercise science.
Valkenaar recalls he had several teachers and coaches who inspired him to consider education. However, it was working with church youth that furthered his path.
Read the full feature in the weekend News.
COUNTY LIFE
Bowie, Nocona libraries wrap up summer reading this week
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Local libraries wrap up their children’s summer reading programs this week.
The Bowie Public Library brings the popular Creature Teacher with all their spectacular animals for the final event on July 23 at the Bowie Community Center.
The program begins at 10 am. The children also will receive their prize books for their summer logs.
The Nocona Public Library ends its program at 10 a.m. on July 24 at the H.J. Justin Building at 100 Clay Street. The program will be “Our Own Action Heroes -” Nocona fire, police and EMTs.
Top photo – Smokey Bear visiting Bowie last week at summer reading.
COUNTY LIFE
Color added to outside kennels at Bowie Animal Shelter
![](https://bowienewsonline.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/DSC_0081.jpg)
Rachel and Roger Whitaker gave this metal storage container a fresh look with this colorful mural at the Bowie Animal Shelter. (Photo by Barbara Green)
COUNTY LIFE
Youngsters attend swimming lessons this week
![](https://bowienewsonline.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/DSC_0115-scaled.jpg)
Swim lessons for youngsters of all ages were conducted the past two weeks at the city pool. It was a good place to be during this summer heat. See more photos in the weekend News. (Photos by Barbara Green)
![](https://bowienewsonline.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/jumping-off-the-board-970x1024.jpg)
![](https://bowienewsonline.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/learning-to-float-1024x967.jpg)
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