(L-R) Sherry Zindars, author/historian Mary Helen Dodson and Alicia Whipple. Approximately 25 enthusiastic fans of the 1888 Fannin County Courthouse filed into the historic building on Wednesday, February 18, 2026, to hear a presentation by author/historian Mary Helen Dodson, the great-granddaughter of Wesley Clark Dodson, the architect of several Texas courthouses, including the imposing structure that dominates downtown Bonham. (courtesy photo)

With the passing of the candidate filing deadline for the city of Bonham general election on May 2, 2026, the ballot is beginning to take shape. However, the filing period in the May 2 special election for mayoral candidates, as well as candidates in the Ward 4 race, is February 10 to March 2.

All events are sponsored by the Friends of Hagerman and occur at the Hagerman National Wildlife Refuge Visitor Center: 6465 Refuge Road, Sherman, TX 75092, unless stated otherwise.

Celebrate America’s 250th birthday with some trivia! We’re having our Big Fat Quiz of the U.S.A. on February 27 from 5:30 – 6:30 p.m. at the Sam Rayburn House State Historic Site. This fun, no pressure quiz features questions about different aspects of American history and culture! Players must pay $1.00 to participate and the winners get a prize! The first people to arrive get the first choice to play – individuals are allowed but may be put into teams if possible.

This county does not get better by pitting “old families” against “new folks,” or tradition against change. We need both. We need the wisdom of people who’ve been here long enough to know what works, and the fresh eyes of people willing to ask why things are done the way they are. Progress doesn’t come from bulldozing tradition, and stability doesn’t come from shutting out new voices. We also don’t need a group of people with agendas pitting us against each other.

1732 – birth of George Washington, American general and politician, 1st President of the United States. George Washington (February 22, 1732 – December 14, 1799) was a Founding Father and the first president of the United States, serving from 1789 to 1797. As commander of the Continental Army, Washington led Patriot forces to victory in the American Revolutionary War against the British Empire. He is commonly known as the Father of the Nation for his role in bringing about American independence. Washington set enduring precedents for the office of president, including republicanism, a peaceful transfer of power, the use of the title "Mr. President", and the two-term tradition. His 1796 farewell address became a preeminent statement on republicanism: Washington wrote about the importance of national unity and the dangers that regionalism, partisanship, and foreign influence pose to it. Washington's image is an icon of American culture and he has been extensively memorialized. His namesakes include the national capital and the State of Washington. In both popular and scholarly polls, he is consistently considered one of the greatest presidents in American history.