how do I make it say it once?
Move the irrecv.resume() out of the switch/case.
case 0xFF6897:
lcd.write("Howdy");
digitalWrite(52, HIGH);
break;
}
irrecv.resume();
}
Remove the delay from the switch/case for a more responsive sketch.
Guess they didn't have ir remote plans in mind:
pins 0 & 1 are for the Serial port, they have noting to do with IR remote.
I put it on those pins because I looked up a diagram and that was how it was wired.
What you saw was probably the wiring for a LCD to an I2C expander. Not applicable for your LCD.