When doctors handed Marianne and Billy the news that their newborn son Blake had Down syndrome back in 1996, one medical text cruelly suggested an "expiration date" for his life. Fast forward nearly three decades, and Blake has not only defied those limitations—he's shattered them while building a legacy that's changing minds across the country.

Blake isn't just Sanger's first business owner with Down syndrome. He's a hometown celebrity who's been football captain, prom king, opened the New York Stock Exchange, had his logo featured on NASCAR vehicles alongside Fortune 500 companies, and inspired state legislation. His snow cone business, Blake's Snow Shack—approaching its 10th anniversary—has become both a beloved local institution and a powerful platform for changing perceptions.

What makes Blake's story so compelling isn't just his impressive list of accomplishments. It's the philosophy behind them. As his mother Marianne explains, "Blake has Down syndrome, but that's not who he is." This approach—seeing Down syndrome as just a small part of Blake rather than his defining characteristic—guided his parents to raise him with the same expectations as his older brother. When Blake would say "what about me?" wanting to participate like everyone else, his family made sure he had opportunities.

The impact reaches far beyond Sanger. Through the Blake Powering Entrepreneur Scholarship, Blake helps others with Down syndrome start their own businesses. The Blake Powering Act established October as a celebration month for entrepreneurs with disabilities in Texas. But perhaps most importantly, Blake's story challenges fundamental assumptions about support and independence, reminding us that everyone needs and deserves appropriate assistance to thrive.

Visit Blake's Snow Shack at the corner of 5th and Oak in downtown Sanger, follow them on social media, and experience firsthand how a snow cone business is changing lives one scoop at a time.

You have been listening to The 266 Express, the official podcast of Sanger, TX. IF you have comments or suggestions, please send them to dgreen@sangertexas.org

What does it take to transform a small-town school district into a destination for families and educators alike? Deputy Superintendent Jenny Flaw takes us behind the scenes of Sanger ISD's remarkable journey.

A 1990 Sanger graduate with 24 years of service to the district, Jenny shares how this educational ecosystem operates much like a city – with departments, leadership structures, and strategic planning all aligned toward a singular purpose: making decisions that center on students first. Through intentional curriculum alignment, financial ingenuity, and community partnerships, Sanger ISD has created an educational experience that defies the resource limitations typically faced by smaller districts.

The conversation reveals how Sanger's bold move to a four-day instructional week has yielded "off the charts" approval from teachers, students, and families alike. This innovation has dramatically improved teacher recruitment and retention, bringing in educators with hundreds of years of combined experience who are choosing Sanger specifically for its forward-thinking approach.

The crown jewel of their transformation is the stunning new 250,000-square-foot high school opening in August 2025. This "pure awesomeness" as Jenny describes it, features specialized spaces for everything from culinary arts to criminal justice, health sciences to fine arts – all designed with extensive community input. Perhaps most impressive is Sanger's commitment to career pathways, offering fifteen different CTE programs when only one is required by the state.

Whether you're a parent considering educational options, an educator looking for inspiration, or a community member interested in how schools evolve to meet future needs, this conversation offers a blueprint for educational excellence built on student-centered decision making and community partnership.

Ready to see what Purple Pride is all about? Discover why families and teachers are making Sanger ISD their destination of choice.

You have been listening to The 266 Express, the official podcast of Sanger, TX. IF you have comments or suggestions, please send them to dgreen@sangertexas.org

Laura Klinke, Director of the Sanger Public Library, envisions her institution as "the living room of the community" – a vibrant gathering place where residents dance, watch movies, study, and connect. Far beyond traditional book lending, Sanger's library offers an expanding array of services from hotspots and STEM kits to cognitive care resources and board games.

With Sanger's growth bringing young families alongside longtime residents, Klinke and her passionate staff have strategically developed programming for every life stage. While preschool story times have always been popular, they've expanded to serve the "awkward years" of middle school, high school students planning their futures, and adults in their 20s through retirement. Their innovative offerings range from Kids Can Cook classes and puzzle races to aluminum pours and period parties in collaboration with TWU Nursing.

What library school never prepared Klinke for was the significant social work component of modern library service. Staff regularly help patrons in crisis access essential services through partnerships with organizations like Denton County United Way. This personal touch defines Sanger's approach, where staff pride themselves on knowing patrons by name and witnessing families grow over time. Digital resources like Cloud Library and Peterson's career prep materials complement their physical collection, while participation in a six-library consortium allows resource sharing across communities. Anyone – not just Sanger residents – can get a library card and access these valuable resources.

Looking ahead, Klinke dreams of an outreach vehicle to bring library services directly into neighborhoods. Whether through volunteering, joining Friends of the Library, or simply spreading the word about available resources, community members can help support this vision of a library that truly serves everyone from birth through retirement. Visit SangerLibrary.org to discover everything your community living room has to offer!

You have been listening to The 266 Express, the official podcast of Sanger, TX. IF you have comments or suggestions, please send them to dgreen@sangertexas.org