October 19, 2016 Issue

   Healthcare    Dear Editor:    I am glad that I am an American with access to excellent healthcare. That being said, I am concerned about America’s healthcare insurance problems. It may be better than it was, but the fact is there are still too many problems that need to be addressed that affect me personally.    I don’t think that I am special, so I think these things may affect many other average Americans.

   Two thousand one hundred and fourteen.    2,114.    A very specific number.    Meaningful.    Important.    Unique.    Take a wild guess.    The balance in your bank account?    The amount of your property taxes?    The cost to fix your truck?    College tuition (for one semester)?    Your paycheck?    Guess again.    Number of stars in the sky?   & ...

   Rehearsals are starting for Community Choir, Monday, October 24th, 6:00 p.m. First Methodist Church.    We will be doing “Emmanuel, Celebrating Heaven’s Child”, Sunday, December 4 at FUMC.

   Mason ISD is excited to have Dallas Swafford, Director of Student Disability Services from Angelo State University, come and speak to students and parents about preparing for college.    She will explain students’ right and responsibilities of in preparing for postsecondary education.    Please join us at the Mason High School Library at 4:00 p.m.

   The construction that began in July of this year is moving right along at Mason Elementary. The windows in the hallways that provided the ‘natural air conditioning’ of years gone by are now framed and awaiting their new look.    For those that may not have known, Mr. Bob Snap is our construction superintendent for this project.

   I thought people might be interested in learning more about the regular vendors who participate in the fall Farmers Market, and the products they have to offer. Each week I will tell you more about one or two of our vendors.    Mark and Sande Shaw have been vendors from the very first Farmers Market.

   On Saturday October 8, 2016, The Puncher Dome served as a beautiful setting for Mason’s first ever Fields of Faith, a Fellowship of Christian Athletes (FCA) event. More than 100 students and parents attended this event. Denis Cano served as emcee and Austin Habecker led the benediction prayer.    Sun City of Brownwood did an amazing job leading worship.

   The Brady High School Art Club is sponsoring a haunted house on October 29, 30, 31st 8:30-10:30 p.m.    Come if You DARE!!!    The location is the old high school gym on west 11th Street. Just follow the goblins and ghouls for a great time.

   7th Grade Girls Purple Team-2nd Place    4th- Tori Perlicheck 15:15    8th- Alex Row 15:32    16th- Isis Martinez 16:04    17th- Mariah Avalos 16:27    22nd- Madi Carter 16:56    7th Grade Girls White Team- 8th Place    27th- Kyleigh Ake 17:24    32nd- Sterling Smith 17:35    34th- Brooke Stockbridge 17:38    39th- Reagan Norman 18:16    66 ...

   7th vs. Harper    The 7th graders had solid outing as they beat Harper 36-0. It was a strong and solid game from the beginning for the 7th grade Punchers. Derek Ontiveroz had 2 touchdowns and 3 two-point conversions and Hayden Harding had 3 touchdowns. Overall, the 7th graders played well and made a great improvement from last week.    8th vs.

   The JV Purple took on the Harper JV this past week. This is the first district game of the year and the Punchers didn’t disappoint.    With great play on both sides of the ball the Punchers were able to move the ball up and down the field with the run game behind the big offense of line.    The final score was Mason 46-0 over the Harper Longhorns.

   The last two weeks, the JV White team has taken on the freshman team from Wall.    In the first match-up, the Punchers struggled in the first half giving up a large lead. They began to find their stride in the second half though; but, in the end still lost 33-12.    In the second match-up, the Punchers played much better only giving up a few huge plays.

   Friends of the community, as most of you know, Khyren Morquecho has been battling Medullablastoma, a high-grade cancerous brain tumor for just over four months.    When the Morquechos received the news, Khyren and his family met the cancer face to face...head on. The Morquechos jumped on the emotional roller coaster and an 8 year old Khyren went through more than what any other human should have to endure.

   Vampires—supernatural, blood-drinking, dead humans—are a worldwide myth...most of the time. Some stories are difficult to classify as fiction.    Thursday, October 27, 6:30 p.m. at the Stribling Room of the Mason Co. M. Beven Eckert Memorial Library (located at 410 Post Hill Street), John L. Davis will talk about whether vampires have appeared in places other than questionable books and bad movies.    Some time ago, as a university teacher of rhetoric and lo ...

   OCTOBER 20, 2015    Save this Date!!    Please join the Friends of the M. Bevens Eckert Library Board on October 20, for good conversation and wine and cheese at the home of Thom and Melanie Canfield.    This event is held every fall as a way of thanking the Mason community for their support of our library.

   The Mason Lions’ Club hosted its annual Gem of the Hill Country race on September 24 with runners and walkers enjoying splendid weather and sufficient challenge to build up a good appetite for the remaining activities taking place on Old Yeller Days on the square.    One runner, Marcelo Segura ( pictured here), returned from setting the course record for the 10 K last year to accomplishing the same feat in the 5 K this year.

   Tonight's the Night - Don't Miss This Debate!    It's politics! And, I go out of my way every four years to keep the political infighting out of the pages of this paper so that neighbors and family members can stay on good terms. Of course, facebook has usurped the chance to keep people from demeaning each other, so I may be fighting a losing battle.    But, there's a big difference between talking about politics and providing an endorsement of ...

   The Harper Longhorns came to Mason Friday night with a 7-0 record; but, the Mason Punchers would take home the first district win of the two teams.    Things began quickly with the Punchers' Haddon Hudson sprinting in 66 yards on one of the first plays of the game to put Mason on the scoreboard.

   The Mason Masonic Lodge Open House is this Sunday afternoon, October 22, from 2-4 p.m. All are welcome. Drinks and snacks will be served.    The lodge is located on Spring Street, just behind First United Methodist Church.

   Steven Ellison, of Mason, passed away on Tuesday, October 11, at the age of 50. Visitation with the family was Friday, October 14, from 1 to 3 p.m. at Mason Funeral Home. The funeral service was held graveside at the Wagram Cemetery at Fredonia at 4:00 p.m. Friday afternoon with Rev.

   Walter V. Barwise of Fredericksburg passed away on Tuesday October 18, 2016, at the age of 80. Walter was born to Thomas and Ruby Dudley Barwise on January 28, 1936, in Electra TX.    Mr. Barwise is survived by his son Dr. Britt Barwise and his wife Christy of Port Aransas TX, sister Patricia Hardage of Little Rock Arkansas; grandchildren Kylee Ann Barwise and Mason Thomas Barwise.    He is preceded in death by his parents Thomas and Ruby Barwise, wife JoAnn Bra ...

   It’s a Pink Fiesta and all women in Mason County are invited to attend! Invite your friends and join us on Thursday, October 20th, 5:30 p.m. at First United Methodist Church.    What is a Pink Fiesta? It is an awareness event for breast and cervical cancer that will help women discover how early detection can provide the best protection for these two cancers.

   The Mason Band Boosters would like to request the honor of your attendance at the 59th Annual Queen’s Coronation. It will be held on Saturday, November 5th at the Fort Mason Park Community Building. The doors will open at 7:00 and the event will start at 7:30 p.m. Tickets will cost $10 and will be available beginning Monday, October 17th at Mason Bank, The Commercial Bank, Benjie’s, and the High School Office.    The students of Mason High School will be presented to ...

   Mason County 4-H members Aspen Martin and Dakota Martin recently exhibited at the State Fair of Texas in Dallas.    Aspen Martin took home the Reserve Champion Dorper Market Lamb. Cody Sloan of Cameron, Missouri was the judge.    The Martin girls raised this lamb out of their own flock, and also sold the Champion Dorper Market Lamb as well.    Dakota Martin exhibited the Grand Champion Market Goat at the 2016 State Fair of Texas.

   I have worked for the past twenty years for a Criminal Intelligence Service within the U.S. Department of Justice, Bureau of Justice Assistance, Office of Justice Programs. Our extensive services and resources agenda includes a quite large training component, to include three major training conferences each calendar year.    We got to meet a real American hero last week at the ROCIC Homicide Conference in Dallas (Addison), TX.

   Members of the Mason High School graduating classes of 1968, 1969 and 1970 gathered at the Willow Creek Café on Saturday evening. Everyone enjoyed an evening of relaxation, remembering and a wonderful meal.    There were approximately 62 graduates and their guests.    We were honored to have special guests Mr.

   The Mighty Mason Puncher Band will be attending the UIL Region 32 Marching Contest this Saturday, October 22nd. It will be held at Gupton Stadium in Cedar Park. Tickets will be $5 per person at the gate.    The band will be the 2nd band to perform at the contest and will play at 1:15 with their rating announced at 2:15.    The band’s show this year is the music of Bon Jovi, including “Wanted Dead or Alive”, “It’s My Life”, “Always”, “Bed of Ros ...

   Thread, Felt & Clay    Works by Debbie Armstrong, Kim Paxson and Gayle Sterling    October 27, 2016 thru January 7, 2017    Opening Reception: October 27, Thurs., 5-7    Arnold Art Gallery invites public to opening reception October 27.    Thread, Felt & Clay features works by Mason artists Debbie Armstrong, Kim Paxson and Gayle Sterling.    Debbie Armstrong’s vibrant quilt is inspired by papel picados from a chi ...

   On Thursday, October 13th, The American Legion Fort Mason Post 285 & the American Legion Auxiliary Unit 285 officers were installed in their respective positions for the 2016-2017 term. The installation of officers was performed by BJ Seider, the 21st District Commander, and Kimberley Seider, the 21st District Auxiliary President, for the American Legion, Department of Texas.    For more information on the American Legion, contact Joaquin Velez, 218-2049, and for info ...

   World renowned banjo player Alan Munde will be leading classes at the Hill Country Acoustic Music Camp to be held Feb 17-19, 2017 at Mt. Wesley Conference Center in Kerrville TX.    Registration, schedules, accommodations, and directions can be found at www.hcamp.org, or by calling 830-459-2120. Signup deadline is Jan 17, 2017, although directors encourage earlier registration to ensure accommodations and class preference.    Alan Munde has played banjo professi ...

   The Mighty Mason Puncher Band will be attending the UIL Region 32 Marching Contest this Saturday, October 22nd. It will be held at Gupton Stadium in Cedar Park. Tickets will be $5 per person at the gate.    The band will be the 2nd band to perform at the contest and will play at 1:15 with their rating announced at 2:15.    The band’s show this year is the music of Bon Jovi, including “Wanted Dead or Alive”, “It’s My Life”, “Always”, “Bed of Ros ...

   The Mason Band Boosters would like to request the honor of your attendance at the 59th Annual Queen’s Coronation. It will be held on Saturday, November 5th at the Fort Mason Park Community Building. The doors will open at 7:00 and the event will start at 7:30 p.m. Tickets will cost $10 and will be available beginning Monday, October 17th at Mason Bank, The Commercial Bank, Benjie’s, and the High School Office.    The students of Mason High School will be presented to ...

   The Harper Longhorns came to Mason Friday night with a 7-0 record; but, the Mason Punchers would take home the first district win of the two teams.    Things began quickly with the Punchers' Haddon Hudson sprinting in 66 yards on one of the first plays of the game to put Mason on the scoreboard.

   The last two weeks, the JV White team has taken on the freshman team from Wall.    In the first match-up, the Punchers struggled in the first half giving up a large lead. They began to find their stride in the second half though; but, in the end still lost 33-12.    In the second match-up, the Punchers played much better only giving up a few huge plays.

   The JV Purple took on the Harper JV this past week. This is the first district game of the year and the Punchers didn’t disappoint.    With great play on both sides of the ball the Punchers were able to move the ball up and down the field with the run game behind the big offense of line.    The final score was Mason 46-0 over the Harper Longhorns.

   7th vs. Harper    The 7th graders had solid outing as they beat Harper 36-0. It was a strong and solid game from the beginning for the 7th grade Punchers. Derek Ontiveroz had 2 touchdowns and 3 two-point conversions and Hayden Harding had 3 touchdowns. Overall, the 7th graders played well and made a great improvement from last week.    8th vs.

   7th Grade Girls Purple Team-2nd Place    4th- Tori Perlicheck 15:15    8th- Alex Row 15:32    16th- Isis Martinez 16:04    17th- Mariah Avalos 16:27    22nd- Madi Carter 16:56    7th Grade Girls White Team- 8th Place    27th- Kyleigh Ake 17:24    32nd- Sterling Smith 17:35    34th- Brooke Stockbridge 17:38    39th- Reagan Norman 18:16    66 ...

   On Saturday October 8, 2016, The Puncher Dome served as a beautiful setting for Mason’s first ever Fields of Faith, a Fellowship of Christian Athletes (FCA) event. More than 100 students and parents attended this event. Denis Cano served as emcee and Austin Habecker led the benediction prayer.    Sun City of Brownwood did an amazing job leading worship.

   The construction that began in July of this year is moving right along at Mason Elementary. The windows in the hallways that provided the ‘natural air conditioning’ of years gone by are now framed and awaiting their new look.    For those that may not have known, Mr. Bob Snap is our construction superintendent for this project.

   Mason ISD is excited to have Dallas Swafford, Director of Student Disability Services from Angelo State University, come and speak to students and parents about preparing for college.    She will explain students’ right and responsibilities of in preparing for postsecondary education.    Please join us at the Mason High School Library at 4:00 p.m.

   Second Chance – Mason Animal Rescue is hosting its second annual Halloween Soiree, a costume and cocktail party this Saturday, October 22, 2016. The party will be held at the Seaquist House beginning at 7 p.m. and will feature spooktackular appetizers, deserts and drinks. Prizes will be awarded for the best individual, couple, funniest, scariest and most original costumes!    Or come as yourself!    This is a wonderful opportunity to see how much fun an event ...

   World renowned banjo player Alan Munde will be leading classes at the Hill Country Acoustic Music Camp to be held Feb 17-19, 2017 at Mt. Wesley Conference Center in Kerrville TX.    Registration, schedules, accommodations, and directions can be found at www.hcamp.org, or by calling 830-459-2120. Signup deadline is Jan 17, 2017, although directors encourage earlier registration to ensure accommodations and class preference.    Alan Munde has played banjo professi ...

   Thread, Felt & Clay    Works by Debbie Armstrong, Kim Paxson and Gayle Sterling    October 27, 2016 thru January 7, 2017    Opening Reception: October 27, Thurs., 5-7    Arnold Art Gallery invites public to opening reception October 27.    Thread, Felt & Clay features works by Mason artists Debbie Armstrong, Kim Paxson and Gayle Sterling.    Debbie Armstrong’s vibrant quilt is inspired by papel picados from a chi ...

   The Mighty Mason Puncher Band will be attending the UIL Region 32 Marching Contest this Saturday, October 22nd. It will be held at Gupton Stadium in Cedar Park. Tickets will be $5 per person at the gate.    The band will be the 2nd band to perform at the contest and will play at 1:15 with their rating announced at 2:15.    The band’s show this year is the music of Bon Jovi, including “Wanted Dead or Alive”, “It’s My Life”, “Always”, “Bed of Ros ...

   The Mason Band Boosters would like to request the honor of your attendance at the 59th Annual Queen’s Coronation. It will be held on Saturday, November 5th at the Fort Mason Park Community Building. The doors will open at 7:00 and the event will start at 7:30 p.m. Tickets will cost $10 and will be available beginning Monday, October 17th at Mason Bank, The Commercial Bank, Benjie’s, and the High School Office.    The students of Mason High School will be presented to ...

   It’s a Pink Fiesta and all women in Mason County are invited to attend! Invite your friends and join us on Thursday, October 20th, 5:30 p.m. at First United Methodist Church.    What is a Pink Fiesta? It is an awareness event for breast and cervical cancer that will help women discover how early detection can provide the best protection for these two cancers.

   The Mason Masonic Lodge Open House is this Sunday afternoon, October 22, from 2-4 p.m. All are welcome. Drinks and snacks will be served.    The lodge is located on Spring Street, just behind First United Methodist Church.

   OCTOBER 20, 2015    Save this Date!!    Please join the Friends of the M. Bevens Eckert Library Board on October 20, for good conversation and wine and cheese at the home of Thom and Melanie Canfield.    This event is held every fall as a way of thanking the Mason community for their support of our library.

   Vampires—supernatural, blood-drinking, dead humans—are a worldwide myth...most of the time. Some stories are difficult to classify as fiction.    Thursday, October 27, 6:30 p.m. at the Stribling Room of the Mason Co. M. Beven Eckert Memorial Library (located at 410 Post Hill Street), John L. Davis will talk about whether vampires have appeared in places other than questionable books and bad movies.    Some time ago, as a university teacher of rhetoric and lo ...

   Friends of the community, as most of you know, Khyren Morquecho has been battling Medullablastoma, a high-grade cancerous brain tumor for just over four months.    When the Morquechos received the news, Khyren and his family met the cancer face to face...head on. The Morquechos jumped on the emotional roller coaster and an 8 year old Khyren went through more than what any other human should have to endure.

   The Brady High School Art Club is sponsoring a haunted house on October 29, 30, 31st 8:30-10:30 p.m.    Come if You DARE!!!    The location is the old high school gym on west 11th Street. Just follow the goblins and ghouls for a great time.

   I thought people might be interested in learning more about the regular vendors who participate in the fall Farmers Market, and the products they have to offer. Each week I will tell you more about one or two of our vendors.    Mark and Sande Shaw have been vendors from the very first Farmers Market.

   Rehearsals are starting for Community Choir, Monday, October 24th, 6:00 p.m. First Methodist Church.    We will be doing “Emmanuel, Celebrating Heaven’s Child”, Sunday, December 4 at FUMC.

   Walter V. Barwise of Fredericksburg passed away on Tuesday October 18, 2016, at the age of 80. Walter was born to Thomas and Ruby Dudley Barwise on January 28, 1936, in Electra TX.    Mr. Barwise is survived by his son Dr. Britt Barwise and his wife Christy of Port Aransas TX, sister Patricia Hardage of Little Rock Arkansas; grandchildren Kylee Ann Barwise and Mason Thomas Barwise.    He is preceded in death by his parents Thomas and Ruby Barwise, wife JoAnn Bra ...

   Steven Ellison, of Mason, passed away on Tuesday, October 11, at the age of 50. Visitation with the family was Friday, October 14, from 1 to 3 p.m. at Mason Funeral Home. The funeral service was held graveside at the Wagram Cemetery at Fredonia at 4:00 p.m. Friday afternoon with Rev.

   It’s a Pink Fiesta and all women in Mason County are invited to attend! Invite your friends and join us on Thursday, October 20th, 5:30 p.m. at First United Methodist Church.    What is a Pink Fiesta? It is an awareness event for breast and cervical cancer that will help women discover how early detection can provide the best protection for these two cancers.

   Tonight's the Night - Don't Miss This Debate!    It's politics! And, I go out of my way every four years to keep the political infighting out of the pages of this paper so that neighbors and family members can stay on good terms. Of course, facebook has usurped the chance to keep people from demeaning each other, so I may be fighting a losing battle.    But, there's a big difference between talking about politics and providing an endorsement of ...

   Healthcare    Dear Editor:    I am glad that I am an American with access to excellent healthcare. That being said, I am concerned about America’s healthcare insurance problems. It may be better than it was, but the fact is there are still too many problems that need to be addressed that affect me personally.    I don’t think that I am special, so I think these things may affect many other average Americans.

   Most of us will be watching for good sales as the holidays come around, and we have some great bargains here at the library. In addition to the books we sell for a $3.00 donation, we have a collection of paperbacks that we sell at a “best bargain” price of 25¢ each for regular size and 50¢ for the large ones!

   Man Tax    Opinions are a lot like noses. Almost everyone has at least one, and some smell a lot better than others. Since we live in a world of great diversity, and since I write a weekly humor column which contains my opinion, I often hear from people who disagree with me.

   The time has come to do stuff. However, my piddling days will return. I try not to collect stuff, but it seems to keep coming my way. Gee, I sometimes wish I could really get rid of all my stuff, but then, I just get more stuff.    This past weekend was full of class reunions.

   Hope for Days to Come...    I don’t know who first said it; perhaps it was the late radio newsman Paul Harvey. Whatever, it wasn’t dissected by WikiLeaks, a come-along lately “source” that sounds like a product “do-it-your-selfers” might use to repair automobile radiators in the comfort of their very own garages.    Anyways, Harvey occasionally used the admonition to encourage his millions of listeners from sea to shining sea.

   It was another busy week at our house. My brother, Fred, came to visit for a few days. And, we always have a busy social life, translated, visits to the doctor. John and I attended two class reunions on Saturday. His class, MHS Class of 1963, celebrated with lunch at Nachos.

   Two thousand one hundred and fourteen.    2,114.    A very specific number.    Meaningful.    Important.    Unique.    Take a wild guess.    The balance in your bank account?    The amount of your property taxes?    The cost to fix your truck?    College tuition (for one semester)?    Your paycheck?    Guess again.    Number of stars in the sky?   & ...