November 25, 2015 Issue

No doubt you've heard people say, "I wish I had a dime for every time . . . something." Depending on the situation, it could be "every time I drove home and forgot to get the milk my wife asked me to get," or "every time I drove home and forgot my wife at the store,"

Today is my 56th birthday. There's nothing remarkable about the 56th, other than the fact that you made it another year. But, I'm thankful for having reached this point, nonetheless. Next year, as happens about once every eight years, my birthday will land on Thanksgiving. Anyone who celebrates their birthday in conjunction with a major holiday will tell you, it's not always a lot of fun having to share your special day with lots of other people celebrating for a different reason. Personally, I ...

The Shooting Star is hosting Doreen Murphy's "Trilogy from Fear to Faith" book signing, 4:00 - 6:00 p.m., Nov 28, 2015, at the Shooting Star, 220 Ft McKavitt St., north side of the downtown square. Come by before the lighting of the town.

The Mason Junior High GT classes attended the ASU Robotics Fair in San Angelo and we had 7 teams that competed with kids from our area. Catherine and Caroline Lemke placed 2nd overall and will move onto the Area Competition along with 4 other Mason teams. Catherine and Caroline Lemke are the inventors of a revolutionary project named Basil the Botanist.

The Mason County Chamber of Commerce welcomed Square Head Barber Shop as its newest member last week with a ribbon cutting at the shop, locted at 929 Fort McKavitt St in Mason. Owner, Forrest West welcomes walk-ins on Monday and Wednesday, 8:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. On hand for the ribbon cutting were, left to right: Nikki Stringer, Billy Johnson, Priscilla Davis (Forrest's grandmother), Forrest West, Nina Westfall (Forrest's aunt) and Brandy Neece.

Alpha Beta Psi will be hosting its annual Light Up Our Town this Saturday. Santa will be arriving at 4 p.m. He will be on the north side of the square, so parents bring your cameras. Beginning at 4:30, area youth will entertain with music and dancing. Cookies and hot chocolate will be served by our Mason County Round-Up Queens court.

Front row left to right, Derek Renfroe, Hunter Bradley, Fisher Bradley, Case Weber, & Royce Pfeil. Back row left to right, Selah Farmer, Randee Renfroe, Sydney Renfroe, & Graci Weber.

Pictured here with their medals they earned at Convention from left to right; Fisher Bradley, Hunter Bradley, Tanner Bradley, Lauren Olson, Gracie Dick, and Madison Gomez

President Karen Bishop welcomed Bill Spiller to the November meeting of the local Heart of Texas Chapter of the Daughters of the Republic of Texas. Spiller spoke of the challenges connected with maintaining the historic Live Oak Cemetery -- originally named the Brady Cemetery. He is currently exploring the possibility of an organization to help with the maintenance of the monuments and it grounds.

Meet ARTIE. He was picked up wandering by a good Samaritan and was very scared at first but he is adjusting well to his new surroundings. He is a happy boy and quite sweet and loving but not in a demanding way. He likes to hang out and be with people.

Varsity Cowgirls vs. Lago Vista Tuesday, Nov. 17 Mason 16—32—18—5 = 71 LV 9—10— 4— 7 = 30 Scoring—Steeley Smith--1, Monaco Schmidt—4, Kenley Stockbridge--16, Justyn Tedder--4, Sara Powell--6, Cheyenne Ivey--7, Kayla Guice—22, Katy Armstrong—9. Kristen Gipson--2. Rebound Leaders—Guice--10, Stockbridge--9, Tedder--6. Blocks, Steals & Deflections—Smith--6, Schmidt--5. Assists—Schmidt--5, Guice--4, Stockbridge--3. Record 3- 0 JV Purple Cowgirls vs. Lago Vista Tuesday, ...

The Cottage Christmas isjust around the corner. SECOND CHANCE – Mason Animal Rescue invites you to join us between 5 and 8 PM, Thursday, December 3rd at 537 Westmoreland. Appetizers and Spirits. Fabulous silent auction items – jewelry, hand made ceramics – gift certificates – more. A wonderful evening benefitting the dogs and cats. $20 donation to become a PAW PAL. Please help us help those who cannot help themselves.

One of the many things I love about Mason is that people sometimes tell me the most "interesting" things. The other day Warren Grote at Country Collectibles told me, "I wrecked my little car I call Peaty." (Really Warren...Peaty?) I think it's a late model Snert or something. Anyway Warren said, "I was towing it, stopped too rapidly and it rear ended me."

Here's the second of my "quick and easy" recipes for Holiday Season 2015! A cranberry-based offering seemed appropriate, what with Thanksgiving right around the corner. While Ms. Mitchell calls this a "cake," the results I got were more like a cobbler! Very tasty, but it really can't be eaten like a slice of cake, and is more comfortable in a bowl.

ENZYMES are catalysts that run hundreds of thousands of biochemical reactions in our bodies. Also known as "sparks of life", they are essential for digesting food, stimulating the brain, providing cellular energy and repairing all tissue. There are TWO TYPES of enzymes: digestive enzymes that help us utilize the nutrition in our food; and metabolic enzymes that are responsible for the chemical reactions within our cells such as energy production and detoxification. Our enzyme producing potentia ...

The Mason Lions Club met Tuesday, November 17th for it's weekly luncheon meeting. There were 33 members and 2 visitors in attendance. "Boss" Lion Joel Kuykendall announced the resignation of Treasurer Fritz Landers due to health reasons. Lion Gayland Thorn has volunteered to take the position. The club voted unanimously to accept him. Lion Harold Hoerster was responsible for the program and introduced Billy Johnson, a retired federal marshal who spoke about his career in law enforcement.

PART-TIME LVN needed at the LBJ Nursing Home in Johnson City. Apply at the LBJ Nursing Home. Call Billye at 830-868-4093.  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. Top rate Texas Company.

I did it! Yep, I'm on facebook! However, most of the time, I'm unable to sign in. Have a feeling it's me with the problem. The kids ask me why I haven't posted anything on it? Well, I just haven't had anything to post! Too, I was told not to use Cap's, as this says I'm yelling.

I did it! Yep, I'm on facebook! However, most of the time, I'm unable to sign in. Have a feeling it's me with the problem. The kids ask me why I haven't posted anything on it? Well, I just haven't had anything to post! Too, I was told not to use Cap's, as this says I'm yelling.

Column #653 for Release Saturday, Nov. 21, 2015, or Later Americans searching for "musical mountains"--and clean programming in range of "hound's tooth" hygiene--agree on one destination: Branson, Missouri--if they're well-traveled at all. For more than a half century, the Ozarks have been enlivened by hundreds of musical groups migrating to Branson. Most bands are full-blown--with fiddles, of course, and their massive impact on the mountains nearby might overwhelm mere hills.

7 Layer Dip We all tend to eat too much during Thanksgiving but in our family about mid afternoon we like to have a few snacks and watch a little football. This 7 layer dip is super easy and a beautiful dish to entertain with. I usually serve with corn chips. Ingredients: 16 oz.

The weather is finally feeling much more like fall with cold nights and very pleasant daytime temperatures. There has also been just enough rain to keep the landscape green and one of the things that we are noticing around town is that the leaves are still not falling with any regularity.

Happy Thanksgiving. Hope you all have a great day celebrating with friends and family, watching football or movies, or just visiting. I plan to watch a parade, cook, and enjoy family. Our church calendar is full. Next Sunday is the first Sunday in Advent. We decorated Sunday in preparation for Advent after enjoying breakfast. Looking forward, the Ministerial Alliance Advent service will be Sunday, December 6, at St.

Thanksgiving. Brought to you in living Technicolor. And bigger than any wide-screen TV. Don't touch that dial. The moment has come. Dinner is served. Thanksgiving—a traditional meal of many colors. Equal to a painter's palette. Each dish bringing something different to the table. Kinda like people. The golden brown turkey. The golden yellow yams. Turkey dressing colored in camouflage. Orange carrots. What's green, brown, and beige, and always served at Thanksgiving? Yep, green bean-onion ring ...

The Castell School will host an Old Fashioned Christmas Open House on Sunday, December 6, 2015 from 1 - 3 p.m. The Castell School will "Deck the Halls" and provide the refreshments, so please come join in for an afternoon of holiday fellowship and fun. The winning silent bid for the beautiful one-of-a-kind hand made quilt by Vera Honig will be announced as well as raffle ticket winners.

NEW YORK CITY What a Great Christmas Gift for Your High School Student!! The sign up deadline for the New York trip has been extended until Friday, December 11, 2015. All high school students from Brady, Mason, Rochelle, Lohn and the surrounding area are eligible to join me on a trip of a lifetime to New York City. The trip will be June 10-13, 2016. For more information contact ALICE POWELL 325-456-1596 [email protected]

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.

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. 

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.

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.

Varsity Cowgirls vs. Lago Vista Tuesday, Nov. 17 Mason 16—32—18—5 = 71 LV 9—10— 4— 7 = 30 Scoring—Steeley Smith--1, Monaco Schmidt—4, Kenley Stockbridge--16, Justyn Tedder--4, Sara Powell--6, Cheyenne Ivey--7, Kayla Guice—22, Katy Armstrong—9. Kristen Gipson--2. Rebound Leaders—Guice--10, Stockbridge--9, Tedder--6. Blocks, Steals & Deflections—Smith--6, Schmidt--5. Assists—Schmidt--5, Guice--4, Stockbridge--3. Record 3- 0 JV Purple Cowgirls vs. Lago Vista Tuesday, ...

Pictured here with their medals they earned at Convention from left to right; Fisher Bradley, Hunter Bradley, Tanner Bradley, Lauren Olson, Gracie Dick, and Madison Gomez

The Grace Christian School Warriors journeyed to Palacios, Texas the first week of November for the Coastal Plains Junior Convention. This convention is for our younger students up to age twelve. Along with parents and supervisors, five students opted to attend this annual event. This week long convention brings together Christian school students from across Texas for academic and athletic competition.

First Grade A Honor Roll Richardo Alvarez Nathan Baker Rodee Brooks Derric Burch Hudson Burns Victoria Dominguez Reese Edwards Reece Evans Grace Gonzales Ruby Hills Whitley Lopez Mia Martinez Ava McCrea Jancie Miller Grant Nobles Natalie Rodriguez Davis Rosberg Tristyn Salinas Camille Schmidt Leah Schmidt Heidi Smith Noah Sparks Hudson Terrell Toryn Tinney Cruze Torres George Velez Travis Vinson Derek Wartenbach AB Honor Roll Hadley Couvillion Izzabella Gaskins Jeremiah Gloria Genesis Martinez ...

The Castell School will host an Old Fashioned Christmas Open House on Sunday, December 6, 2015 from 1 - 3 p.m. The Castell School will "Deck the Halls" and provide the refreshments, so please come join in for an afternoon of holiday fellowship and fun. The winning silent bid for the beautiful one-of-a-kind hand made quilt by Vera Honig will be announced as well as raffle ticket winners.

The Cottage Christmas isjust around the corner. SECOND CHANCE – Mason Animal Rescue invites you to join us between 5 and 8 PM, Thursday, December 3rd at 537 Westmoreland. Appetizers and Spirits. Fabulous silent auction items – jewelry, hand made ceramics – gift certificates – more. A wonderful evening benefitting the dogs and cats. $20 donation to become a PAW PAL. Please help us help those who cannot help themselves.

Alpha Beta Psi will be hosting its annual Light Up Our Town this Saturday. Santa will be arriving at 4 p.m. He will be on the north side of the square, so parents bring your cameras. Beginning at 4:30, area youth will entertain with music and dancing. Cookies and hot chocolate will be served by our Mason County Round-Up Queens court.

The Shooting Star is hosting Doreen Murphy's "Trilogy from Fear to Faith" book signing, 4:00 - 6:00 p.m., Nov 28, 2015, at the Shooting Star, 220 Ft McKavitt St., north side of the downtown square. Come by before the lighting of the town.

The Mason Co. M. Beven Eckert Memorial Library is partnering with Howard College to offer a G.E.D. Test preparation class. The class is FREE, and participants may begin now by coming to the library on Tuesday or Thursday nights at 6:00 P.M. There's never a better time than now to take the first step towards a brighter future!