April 20, 2016 Issue

Award-winning Texas author Reavis Z. Wortham will give a book talk and author reading at the Mason Co. M. Beven Eckert Memorial Library on Tuesday, April 26th. The program will begin at 6:30 P.M. The library is located at 410 Post Hill Street, and admission is free to the public. Mystery People listed Wortham as one of the Top 5 Texas Authors for 2015.

At its April 18 Board meeting in Johnson City, Pedernales Electric Cooperative’s Board of Directors approved the ballot for the 2016 PEC election, which will have three Co-op members running for director positions. The following candidates, whose names are listed in the order they will appear on the ballot, qualified to run for seats on the Board: ·District 4: Jim Powers ·District 5: Carlos Palasciano; James Oakley The candidates achieved nomination by getting the required 50 member signatu ...

Hello Neighbors! Another beautiful day in wildflower heaven brought YOUR City Council together. Pastor Malcolm McQueen opened the session with our shared desire for guidance in making good decisions on behalf of the community. All welcomed two new police officers: Mike Kelly comes after retiring from the Houston Police Department after 26 years of service in various divisions as Lieutenant and on the staff of the Chief of Police, Air National Guard Reserve service, with a Master Degree in Crimi ...

Trying to read, and trust, weather forecasts when you live in Texas is a difficult endeavor. You know that the forecast is only a suggestion of what might occur, not a certainty. Last week, I kept glancing at the long term forecasts with pessimism and interest. According to everything that the meteorologists were predicting, we were in for a rain event that could last for five to seven days!

Drive three miles south on Ranch Road 386 from Fredonia Texas and you will encounter a short strip of road that bends east to west. This is one of the many scenic views along RR 386. Descend to a cozy low water crossing and ascend to an outcrop of geologic wonder.

Tony Meinert, the Veteran WRAP Coordinator for Hill Country MHDD stopped by Mason on Monday to alert the News that he would now be visiting Mason on the third Monday of every month to offer services to Mason County veterans. Tony will be at the American Legion Hall from 10:00 a.m.

Tony Meinert, the Veteran WRAP Coordinator for Hill Country MHDD stopped by Mason on Monday to alert the News that he would now be visiting Mason on the third Monday of every month to offer services to Mason County veterans. Tony will be at the American Legion Hall from 10:00 a.m.

The Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) will conduct a public meeting to receive comments on the FY 2017-2020 Rural Transportation Improvement Program (TIP) for Blanco, Gillespie, Llano, Lee and Mason Counties. The TIP is a mechanism used by TxDOT and FHWA to fund projects for the next four years and includes all federally funded projects.

St. Joseph Catholic Church will have their BBQ pits fired up this Sunday – April 24th - for their Annual BBQ Chicken Dinner. The dinner offers a plate full of delicious food for a minimum donation of $10. You may ‘Dine In’ at the Parish Hall and visit while you eat or ‘Drive Thru’ to pick up your order. The parishioners appreciate the community’s support for this fundraiser and look forward to serving you.

Mason, TX April 13th, 2016— Mason County SWCD #223 wants to remind you that each of us has a connection to natural resources. The National Association of Conservation Districts (NACD) is celebrating the 61st year of Stewardship week April 24 – May 1, 2016. The 2016 Stewardship Week hinges around the theme “We All Need Trees.” Trees provide us with a multitude of benefits and services including, but not limited to: clean air and water, healthy soil, shade, wood products, fuel and jobs. C ...

After Tuesday night’s wild weather and rain, plus the way the weather looked Wednesday morning, I thought we might have to call off the Scramble because of the wet conditions. But by 3:30 or so it had begun to clear off; by 5:00 it was clear and warming up nicely; by the time we teed off, the weather was perfect. The 22 people who turned out to play were formed up into 5 teams and began swinging their clubs promptly at 5:30.

The forecast Monday looked like a repeat of last year. Three storm systems, with heavy rains, all verging on Corpus Christi. But, during the course of the night, the rains split and spared Corpus. The skies were cloudy but no rain. The Punchers played their rounds at Gabe Lozano Golf course and the girls were at Oso Golf course.

Physicals for all incoming 7th, 9th, and 11th grade athletes will be administered in the high school gym on May 18th from 5 - 6:30 p.m. All girls and boys that will be participating in athletics and are entering these grades are required to get a physical prior to participation in athletics.

Spanish classes at the Mason Co. M. Beven Eckert Memorial Library will resume the second week of May. Carmen Griffith will teach a beginner’s level at 9:30 A.M. on Thursdays and an intermediate level at 10:00 A.M. on Thursdays. The classes are free of charge. Please register in advance by calling 325-347-5446.

Spanish classes at the Mason Co. M. Beven Eckert Memorial Library will resume the second week of May. Carmen Griffith will teach a beginner’s level at 9:30 A.M. on Thursdays and an intermediate level at 10:00 A.M. on Thursdays. The classes are free of charge. Please register in advance by calling 325-347-5446.

Great food, amazing drinks and fantastic auction items!!! Second Chance will be holding its first formal Capital Campaign event this coming Saturday. Our PawTails Party will be on April 23, 2016 beginning at 6:30 p.m. at the home of Keith and Sue Kaan. Second Chance is a 501 (c) (3) tax exempt Texas non-profit corporation dedicated to the rescuing of dogs and cats within Mason County.

Would you like to use Microsoft Word or Excel, but don’t want to have to purchase the software? Now you can, using OneDrive and Office Online. Both of these tools are accessible from anywhere with an Internet connection, and both are free. Office Online is accessed through Microsoft’s OneDrive, a cloud-based storage service that allows you to create, upload, and share Office documents and other files. Please contact the Mason Co.

April 14, 2016 - AUSTIN - This morning, Texas Parks and Wildlife Department Executive Director Carter Smith honored several men and women for their outstanding acts of service at the 12th annual Law Enforcement Division Awards Ceremony. The ceremony recognized Texas game wardens, non-commissioned TPWD employees, first responders from other agencies and members of the general public. "We are extremely proud of our game wardens, our fellow first responders and members of the public who exemplify ...

Varsity Cowgirl Results--Area 27/28 AA Championships Flatonia--Saturday, April 16 Shot Put--Kristen Gipson--1st--39’ 1 ¼”--New Mason HS Record; Discus--Kristen Gipson--1st--116’ 5”; Triple Jump--Shay Baker--4th--33’ 8 ¾”; 200m--Raegan Palacio--3rd--27.63; 800m--Angelica Ramirez--3rd--2:26.21; 100m Hurdles--Victoria Baltierra--5th--17.27; 300m Hurdles--Sandra Duarte--6th--52.48; 4x200m Relay--3rd--1:52.54--Raegan Palacio, Mackenzie Carter, Madison Anderson, Kirsten Allen; 4x400m Re ...

The Mason Lions Club met Tuesday, April 12th , for it’s weekly luncheon meeting. There were 33 members and 4 visitors in attendance. Among the visitors were 2 Mason High school Seniors, Tyler Mayfield who plans to attend A.S.U. and pursue a degree in business or marketing, and Andy Gilley who plans to attend C.S.T.C.

Today is National Volunteer Recognition Day, and I want to thank all the people that make our classes and programs possible: Bob Laury, Linda Lloyd, Jane Lakin, Trudy Irwin, Wendy and Craton Hastings, Christy Keller, June Hall, Carol Tucker, Carmen Griffith, Carolyn Thomas, Jutta Dreyer, Carol Kothmann, Craig Grote, Rosemary Davis, Margaret Persky, Martha and Riley Kothmann, Mistie Lehne, Ceil Worden, Nanci Gibbons, the Friends of the Library members, and Mason Study Club members.

For Sale: One slightly used rocket Just the other day I was saying to my wife, “You know, I’d sure like to get hold of a second hand steam-powered rocket, but you never see them for sale anywhere.” And then, out of the blue, I found one. As luck would have it, Mad Mike Hughes wants to sell his. A while back someone sent me a link to a story in ‘Scientific Method’ about ‘Mad’ Mike Hughes, a 60-year-old limo driver/stunt man from California.

Oh my, It ‘s raining! Which means, you better have a rain gauge if you live in Mason. Around these parts the first thing you’ll be asked when there is a rain is,”How much rain did you get.” Of course, some seem to get more. You’re just thankful for what you got and go on. Another thing in Mason County is, waving at on coming cars.

Assaulted by Words... A different kind of avalanche sure to qualify as “breaking news” may soon come crashing down. And lesser ones will follow. Crumbling fast are some universal, rock-solid beliefs the masses have believed to be unchanging truths. To illustrate, I cite findings I didn’t even know I was looking for during a recent visit to Globe Life Park, where the Texas Rangers play baseball. At the outset, I point to an adage dating back to 1862: “Sticks and stones m ...

Lye Soap This week I am taking a different twist. I found my mom’s recipe for lye soap and I had to share. I have good memories about lye soap or the process of making it. When I was a young girl I spent a lot of time at our neighbor Aunt Alice Doyal’s house.

For the past several weeks there have been a number of questions and concerns regarding the City’s consideration of alternatives to the local law enforcement. While this issue has been under consideration by the City Commission for about a year, after the past two months meetings where numerous citizens of the City and County attended and most comments were negative toward establishing a Police Department, it is important that we provide opportunity for accurate information and concerns to be ...

What a beautiful rainy week. As I write this Sunday evening, we have emptied over 3 inches from the rain gauge. I hope the oak tree pollen is all washed away. John had another kidney stone episode this week. He had two more removed at Audie Murphy VA Hospital in San Antonio.

All aboard! Line up, everyone. Two by two. Keep moving. That’s right. Keep the line moving. There’s room for all The Ark is now loading. Yep. Michael, row the boat ashore. Hallelujah. When it rains, it pours. And that certainly proved to be true. As it poured and poured these past couple days. Night and day. Day and night. Didn’t stop the hummingbird. But all the other birds took cover. Hummingbirds don’t have that luxury. Their lives are on the line. And no time to waste. Bless their t ...

WHEREAS, in Federal fiscal year 2015, the Texas Department of Family & Protective Services confirmed 66,721 cases of child abuse or neglect, including 72 in Mason, Menard, McCulloch Kimble & Edwards counties. WHEREAS, child abuse and neglect is a serious problem affecting every segment of our community, and finding solutions requires input and action from everyone in our community; and WHEREAS, our children are our most valuable resources and will shape the future of Texas; and WHEREAS, ...

Top 4 will advance to regionals Regionals is April 29, 30 in Kingsville Long jump-Levi Hofmann 18’3” 7th Triple jump-Bode McMillan 36’4” 8th Discus- Bricio Balderas 144’4 3rd, Xzavier Herrera 128’6 5th Shot-Xzavier Herrera 40’6” 8th 3200-Cason Dudney 11:07. 2nd 1600-Cason Dudney 4:56.0 3rd 100-Josh Herrera 11.5 4th 400-Spencer Bierschwale 52.9 3rd 110H-Bierschwale 15.46 2nd, Caleb Hyatt 15.9 4th 300-Jackson Chapman42.2 3rd 4x100-Segura, Martinez, Chapman, Herrera 8th 4x200-Segur ...

Drive three miles south on Ranch Road 386 from Fredonia Texas and you will encounter a short strip of road that bends east to west. This is one of the many scenic views along RR 386. Descend to a cozy low water crossing and ascend to an outcrop of geologic wonder.

Trying to read, and trust, weather forecasts when you live in Texas is a difficult endeavor. You know that the forecast is only a suggestion of what might occur, not a certainty. Last week, I kept glancing at the long term forecasts with pessimism and interest. According to everything that the meteorologists were predicting, we were in for a rain event that could last for five to seven days!