COUNTY LIFE
By BARBARA GREEN
editor@bowienewsonline.com
“It’s not what you know, it’s what you do with what you know.”
Enid Justin
That quote epitomizes the drive of Enid Justin, who founded Nocona Boot Company in 1925 shocking her family who predicted it would fail, but stayed true to her vision creating a company that endured for nearly 75 years.
Author and historian Carol A. Lipscomb uses that quote to open chapter one of her new book, “The Lady Makes Boots,” the first biography of Enid Justin. Using archival material along with personal interviews with Justin family members and boot company employees, Lipscomb has created a multi-faceted story of a pioneering business woman who did things her own way breaking through societal norms to create a multi-million dollar corporation.
Lipscomb released her new book, in late November hosting numerous book signing events in the area. The wife of the late Nocona area businessman, Richard Lipscomb, the couple spent the last 20 years living in Fort Worth, but the couple raised their family in Nocona for nearly 20 years.
Richard grew up in Nocona and met Carol when they were in college. They married after graduation and after living in Arlington a few years moved to Nocona in 1979 when Richard purchased the Chevrolet/Oldsmobile/Buick dealership.
“We lived here 18 years raising our boys, Rik, Kelly and Clark. There are still so many people here I love and am happy to see when I visit,” said Carol.
While she had earned a degree in history, it was not until her boys went off to college she decided to return to school to pursue her PhD. Once completed she taught for a while at the University of North Texas, but then decided to become an independent historian to research and write on her own.
Miss Enid’s biography is not her first foray into being an author. She worked with well-known historian Robert S. Weddle to create “After the Massacre,” a historical review of the San Saba Spanish expedition.
Read the full feature including a few excerpts from the new book in the mid-week Bowie News.
Bob Blackburn has fondly been called “Officer Bob,” for many years and it is a moniker he is happy to carry, spending more than 30 years working with the schools through local law enforcement.
Officer Bob has a heart for service he has shared through a total of 34 years in law enforcement, a lengthy career that comes to an end Oct. 30 as he retires after 25 years with the Bowie Police Department. He will continue as a reserve with the BPD and also wants to substitute teach.
“It’s time. I want to enjoy my kids and grandchildren, picking them up at school and going to games. I have loved working here and there has been an honest effort to get me not to retire, but I am in a good spot,” explains Blackburn one week from retirement.
Read the full story in your Thursday Bowie News.
(Top photo – Bob Blackburn hugs Mayor Gaylynn Burris as he receives a Bowie Knife plaque at his retirement party Oct. 30.)
The Bowie City Council approved a $950,000 project to improve the walking path at Pelham Park on Oct. 27.
Bowie Economic Development Corporation Executive Director Janis Crawley said the upcoming project will repave 26,277 square feet of pathway in concrete, spanning about 0.6 miles in length.
The work covers the trail section northeast of the Blade, curving past the soccer fields and toward the swimming pool.
Another section goes around the pool and sport courts, then back down toward the Blade. The project will also widen the trail section to eight feet and add a new 36-foot bridge.
Read the full story in your Thursday Bowie News.
Bowie High School will honor veterans at 8:45 a.m. on Nov. 11 in the high school gym. Staff and students invite area veterans to join them for a veteran’s breakfast at 8 a.m. followed by a ceremony where each veteran will be recognized for their service to the country.
Veterans are asked to register at: https://bit.ly/VeteransDay2026RSVP.
The staff of the Montague County Veteran’s Service office is partnering with the American Legion Post 220 for its Veterans Day program at 11 a.m. on Nov. 11 at the post home at 801 W. U.S. 82. Veterans and their families are invited to join a complimentary lunch.
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