November 18, 2015 Issue

After what has been going on in Paris I really don't feel much like laughing, and I certainly don't feel like trying to write a humor column. I doubt you feel much like reading one. That may be one of the side effects of terrorism, losing our sense of humor.

On Monday, I started feeling the effects of a stomach bug that I picked up over the weekend. It's unusual for me to succumb to any type of bug, and after yesterday, I now remember why it's really not a good thing for me to be sick. After having an upset stomach, and the constant bathroom visits that accompany such an affliction, I started running fever.

Mason ISD is currently accepting nominations for the Gifted and Talented Program. Nominations will be accepted until 3:30 p.m. on November 24th. If you would like to nominate your child for the screening/testing process of the Gifted and Talented Program, please go to the Mason Elementary/Junior High Office for the necessary paperwork.

A Llano County Commissioners Court Workshop and Proposed Floodplain Map Public Meeting will be held on the 23rd Day of November at 1:00 p.m. in the Lantex Theater located at 113 W. Main St, Llano, Texas, to discuss the appeals process for the revised proposed Llano County FEMA Floodplain Maps for the area from Castell east through the City and Indian Bend.

Fredericksburg, TX (Nov. 16, 2015) – The Fredericksburg Theater Company (FTC) is excited to present the Sentimental Journey Orchestra, for three performances, Nov. 21 -22, 2015, Saturday at 2:30 and 8:00 p.m., Sunday at 2:00 pm., at the Steve W. Shepherd Theater, 1668 S US Hwy 87, Fredericksburg, TX, 78624.

We invite the entire community to visit our Book Fair in the Mason Elementary/Jr. High Library. You will get the chance to purchase best sellers, Newbery and Caldecott Medal-winning books, chapter books, picture books and hundreds of other items only available at the Scholastic Book Fair. We also invite you to support the "Give the Gift of Reading"

Bert Nesloney attended the game this past weekend pitting Hardin Simmons versus Louisiana College. Hardin Simmons won the game 82-21 and clinched home field advantage for the playoffs . The Cowboys will play inter-conference rival Mary Hardin Baylor with the game to start at 12 on Saturday. Burt says that the boys size and strength can be attributed to not only picking watermelons on his farm but eating them as well.

Eva Villanueva of Junction grew a 62 pound squash. She is the sister of Marcie Rivera from Mason, Texas.

Central Texas Electric Cooperative will be collecting food and toys at each of their four branch locations in Fredericksburg, Kingsland, Llano and Mason until Tuesday, December 15. A free koozie will be given to individuals who bring five items for the drive. CTEC is also working with the Rotary Club of Fredericksburg in their Toys for Tots program, which collects, wraps and delivers Christmas presents to needy children all over Gillespie County.

Varsity Cowgirls @ Llano Tuesday, Nov. 10 Mason 14—21—11—5 = 51 Llano 10—14—5—8 = 37 Scoring—Monaco Schmidt—5, Kenley Stockbridge--13, Justyn Tedder--6, Sara Powell--3, Cheyenne Ivey--2, Kayla Guice—16, Katy Armstrong—6. Rebound Leaders—Powell--9, Stockbridge--4, Tedder--3, Ivey--3, Guice--3. Blocks, Steals & Deflections—Schmidt--4, Stockbridge--8, Ivey--5, Guice--5, Assists—Schmidt--3, Stockbridge--5. Varsity Cowgirls vs. Brady Saturday, Nov. 14 Mason 16—15—5

Back it up! There is no worse feeling than to have years of important data (pictures, documents, etc) on an electronic device suddenly disappear due to a device failure. The easiest way to back up your important information is to purchase a USB thumb drive; Plug it in and then copy your files and paste them into the USB drive.

I came across something that made me realize it may be time to cull the herd: Etibar Elchyev of Georgia, also known as "Magnet Man," set the record of sticking 53 metal spoons on his back and chest. ...And not to be out done... A reader said in my comments on Elizabeth Warren last week I was about to misspell my own first name, writing "B...a...r...y"

I have a cook book entitled "Quick and Easy Dump Cakes and More" from which I have collected a few recipes. Almost all of them are, indeed, "quick and easy," and with the holiday season upon us, I thought I'd share a few of these recipes. Things get pretty hectic this time of year, so I'll see what I can do to make the baking chores a bit easier for you.

OLIVE LEAF is one of my favorite herbs for this time of year. I use olive leaf for immune enhancement so that I do not get the flu. However, olive leaf is more than just a great anti-viral. OLIVES in some form have been used throughout history. Olives and olive oil are referenced throughout the Bible.

The Mason Lions Club met Tuesday November 10th, for it's weekly luncheon meeting. There were 32 members and 4 visitors in attendance. "Boss" Lion Joel Kuykendall announced the resignation of Treasurer Fritz Landers due to health reasons. Lion Gayland Thorn has volunteered to step in and fill the position. A get well card was passed around for Lion Fritz. Lion Harold Hoerster announced that the proceeds from the hamburger cook on Friday, November 6th brought in about $1500 with a net of about $1 ...

I'm one of those people who loves the holiday season, but there are plenty of folks who need a little help getting in the spirit. The library can help! We've got a great holiday collection of books for all ages and books on CD, too. Come on in and try one!

PART-TIME LVN needed at the LBJ Nursing Home in Johnson City. Apply at the LBJ Nursing Home. Call Billye at 830-868-4093. 11-tfn/nc CLASS A CDL DRIVER WANTED: Hazmat and tanker endorsements a plus. Five years experience preferred. Medical insurance available. Asphalt experience a plus. EEO. 1-830-833-1402.  PROFESSIONAL ROOFING SALES AND PROJECT MANAGEMENT.

I’m not much on the turkey, but I do like the go-wither’s! No Sweet Potatoes, but there’s not an Irish potato I don’t like. Not a fruit salad lover, but Pasta,Yes! Rolls, with lots of butter is so yummy. That green bean casserole is awesome. In fact I do like all the carbohydrates that are associated with the Thanksgiving feast.

Column #652 for Release Saturday, November 14, 2015, or Later Most folks whose age is within a quarter-century of my Uncle Mort's 103-plus years are happy to be moving at all. A few are willing to catch falling stars, tickled at the prospect of experiencing one final "whoosh," even if pointed downward. Mort, though, places limits on his "wagon-hitching."

After spending two weeks away from Mason on vacation it is good to be back in town and some of the same challenges are still high on the work list. Mondays are usually a bit of a mess with many extra issues to deal with, and when you have been out for two weeks there is an extra level of challenge, and today has certainly been full of problems.

Thanksgiving is sneaking up on us. The weather of the past week has put me in a holiday spirit. It is cooler, damp and a little dreary. I was humming Christmas songs today. There is a change of schedule for Sunday, November 22. We will be hanging the greens, getting our church ready for Advent and Christmas.

Blooming bee brush. Soft white flowers heralding the rain. Aromatic. Attracting bees. Texas sage. Puncher purple blooms swarming like bees all over its silvery gray leaves. Predicting rain. And then there's the green green grass. It's never been so green. Water standing in puddles in the pastures. Wet, wet, wet. Testament to rains already received. Just think. There's more to come. Thanks to El Nino. Which is Spanish for "the child." As in "the Christ Child." So says Trusty Webster. The warm in ...

It's easy to get caught up in the commercialism of the holidays, shopping for gifts and fueling anticipation of the new toys, clothes and other goodies that lie ahead. Bluebonnet CASA encourages Mason residents to delight in the season by also celebrating the joys of giving back. "Kids and adults alike deserve to experience the fun of 'getting' during the holidays, but giving can be just as fulfilling,"

Last week, the Speaker of the Texas House formed the House Select Committee on Mental Health in order to take a comprehensive view of how to improve the state's behavioral health system for children and adults. Among those members appointed to the select committee was Representative Andrew Murr (R-Junction), whose district includes Kerr County, home to one of the state's twelve mental health hospitals and the Hill Country Mental Health and Developmental Disabilities (MHDD) Centers Administrativ ...

FOR ALL YOUR PROPANE AND GAS INSTALLATION NEEDS call Community Service & Supply, Inc. Reliable and trusted since 1963.  OLIVER CONCRETE CONSTRUCTION: Specialize in slabs, driveways, sidewalk, add-ons, porches, scoring. Call for FREE estimate. 830-798-4011 or 830-798-3983, please leave message.  AA MEETING EVERY TUESDAY & THURSDAY EVENING 7:00pm AT THE HISTORICAL BUILDING. 

WINDMILLS and WATER TANKS WANTED. Call Fbg. 830-456-1988. 

PASTURE OR GRAZING LEASE FOR LIVESTOCK WANTED. Any size property considered. Call Randy 325-347-2520.  FERTILIZER APPLICATION for wheat, oats and rye, N-TEXX-15-5-5 with microbes. Organic N-TEXX soil inoculant with humas increases germination/growth. $22/acre applied. Damon Berry, 254-793-2318 or 254-702-3797.  IS PRICKLY PEAR or MESQUITE A PROBLEM ON YOUR LAND? For individual plant spraying call Gary Bates, Certified Pesticide Applicator.

LONE STAR STORAGE: Four sizes available NOW - as low as $45.00 per month. Call 347-6238 or 347-4226.   TRIPLE AAA STORAGE UNITS now available, 1429 East Hwy. 29. Call 347-5360.   BAXTER STORAGE UNITS for rent. 5x10, 10x10, 12x20. Please call 325-347-2811 or 325-347-7134.   MOVE IN SPECIAL. (2) One Bedroom. Come by 511 Merrill Street.

HAY FOR SALE: Round and square bales for sale. Mason Feed Store. 325-347-6381.  WHEAT & OAT SEED (Locally Grown) Bagged Wheat $15/bag. Bulk Wheat $28/100#. Bagged Oats $14/bag. Bulk Oats $24/100#. Fredonia Peanut Company 325-429-6211.  REGISTERED BLUE LACY PUPPIES with papers. $200. 325-429-6224.  FLEETWOOD SINGLE WIDE MOBILE HOME. Kitchen and master bath remodeled in 2006.

HARDWOOD FLOORS installed by a Certified Installer. Installation of all hardwood floors at reasonable price - Call 830-392-6013 or 830-385-2005. Installers are certified by Armstrong Flooring. References available upon request.  WELDER REPAIR: MIG, TIG, Bobcats & Plasma Cutters. Full Service. Miller & Hobart Authorized. Spring Tune-Ups. Call 325-347-6477.  SHREDDING, field mowing, plowing, garden preparation.

Varsity Cowgirls @ Llano Tuesday, Nov. 10 Mason 14—21—11—5 = 51 Llano 10—14—5—8 = 37 Scoring—Monaco Schmidt—5, Kenley Stockbridge--13, Justyn Tedder--6, Sara Powell--3, Cheyenne Ivey--2, Kayla Guice—16, Katy Armstrong—6. Rebound Leaders—Powell--9, Stockbridge--4, Tedder--3, Ivey--3, Guice--3. Blocks, Steals & Deflections—Schmidt--4, Stockbridge--8, Ivey--5, Guice--5, Assists—Schmidt--3, Stockbridge--5. Varsity Cowgirls vs. Brady Saturday, Nov. 14 Mason 16—15—5

The 2015 football playoffs began on Friday as Mason headed to Austin and met up with Rosebud-Lott at the Tony Burger Stadium. The Punchers would put their stamp on the game in the opening minutes. Rosebud received the ball to open the game; but, the Punchers pushed them deep into their own territory, before finally forcing a punt.

Central Texas Electric Cooperative will be collecting food and toys at each of their four branch locations in Fredericksburg, Kingsland, Llano and Mason until Tuesday, December 15. A free koozie will be given to individuals who bring five items for the drive. CTEC is also working with the Rotary Club of Fredericksburg in their Toys for Tots program, which collects, wraps and delivers Christmas presents to needy children all over Gillespie County.

Mason ISD is currently accepting nominations for the Gifted and Talented Program. Nominations will be accepted until 3:30 p.m. on November 24th. If you would like to nominate your child for the screening/testing process of the Gifted and Talented Program, please go to the Mason Elementary/Junior High Office for the necessary paperwork.

"The Mason Knitting and Spinning Guild starts up on November 19th. The first session will cover "Crochet for Knitters." Meetings are 1-4 at the Senior Center Cafeteria and are free. For more info and complete schedule contact Jurate at 347.5439 or [email protected]." Mason Knitting and Spinning Guild Tentative Schedule 2015-2016 All classes at Mason Senior Center Cafeteria, 1-4 pm. November 19 – Knit – Crochet for Knitters December 3 – Spin – Colorful Handpainted Top December 17 – Knit ...

The Mason Co. M. Beven Eckert Memorial Library will close for the Thanksgiving holiday at noon on Wednesday, Nov. 25 and will also be closed on Thursday, Nov. 26 and Friday, Nov. 27.

Alpha Beta Psi invites everyone to join them on the east and south sides of the Courthouse Square at 4 p.m. on Saturday, November 28th as Santa arrives by Mason Firetruck to welcome in the season, spread candy, cookies and offer hot chocolate to all present. Hot chocolate for the event is graciously provided by The Line Shack.

The City of Mason will be closed Thursday and Friday November 26 and November 27 for the Thanksgiving Holidays. Trash trucks will run and pick up as scheduled Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday (November 23, 24, and 25). Thursday trash pickup, November 26, will be on Tuesday November 24. Friday trash pickup, November 27, will be on Wednesday November 25. Landfill operations will resume Saturday November 28 from 8:00 to 12:00 noon.

On Monday, I started feeling the effects of a stomach bug that I picked up over the weekend. It's unusual for me to succumb to any type of bug, and after yesterday, I now remember why it's really not a good thing for me to be sick. After having an upset stomach, and the constant bathroom visits that accompany such an affliction, I started running fever.