November 2, 2016 Issue

   The White team traveled to Brownwood last week to play the Lions at Gordon Wood Stadium. It was a tough game and the Punchers played well but came out on the losing end on the scoreboard 22-16. The Lions just had the ball bounce their way in this game. The Punchers played hard though and continue to gain experience.

   Clint Lane, a Mason High School Sophomore finished 9th in his class, and 4th in his age group at the 2016 National Sporting Clays Association National Championship Main Event, held last week in San Antonio, Texas.    There were over 1934 qualified entrants representing 49 States and 13 Foreign Countries, all vying for the US National Championship in Sporting Clays.

   Mason Puncher Tavern Burgers    Mason Puncher Tavern Burgers has always been one of my favorite things about going to the Mason Puncher home football games. This is a long time Mason tradition. I have no idea how far back the tradition goes but I remember eating them when I was around 5 years old.

   Hunting Season! When I was grown up it was always on the sixteenth of November and the school had a holiday on that date. Too, hunters wore red shirts, so other hunters wouldn’t shoot them. However, rules change and life goes on.    I never was into hunting, enjoyed the holiday.

   Pedals to the metal    To be honest, it’s pretty disappointing, but not all that surprising. Poor old Cecil the Lion had his fifteen minutes of fame, but that’s over now. Animal rights activists seem to have forgotten him already. That’s a fickle bunch, those animal rights activists. Bless their hearts.    For a while there you couldn’t hardly sling a cat without hitting an animal rights activist who was all in a dither over poor old Cec ...

   We had a spooktacular Halloween with John L. Davis’s vampire presentation and Shay De Vos’s Halloween stories at the Seaquist House, and the hits keep on coming. Next week plan on attending the Friends of the Library’s annual membership meeting. They’ll have the “Biggest Liar in Texas,” author and storyteller Donna Ingham, as their speaker, and she’ll be presenting “Texas Myths, Mysteries, and Legends.” Don’t miss it!    DVDs:   & ...

   Mason County Cancer Benefit “MCCB” is a local non-profit organization. The MCCB committee will be hosting a bake sale to help with expenses for individuals fighting their battle with cancer.    We will be located beside Lonestar 102.5 KHLB Radio Station on Friday, November 4th beginning at 8:00 a.m. until sold out.

   Buddy's Animal Rescue will be selling Krispy Kreme Donuts Friday, November 4th from 8 a.m. until sold out. We will be set up in front of Dollar General, Mason Short Stop, Mason Bank, and Fredonia Peanut. If you have pre-ordered donuts they will be available for pick up at Mason Bank.    Your generous donation of $10/dozen will help support our Snip/Snip Scholarship Program which offers assistance to low income families with the spay/neuter of their pets.

   The Mason Lions Club met Tuesday, October 25th, for it’s weekly luncheon meeting. There were 35 members and 4 visitors in attendance.    “Boss” Lion Jess Irwin started the meeting on a sad note by informing us that 2nd Vice President Larry Spell had succumbed to cancer on Friday, October 21st.

   The Varsity Cowgirls and Punchers traveled to Corpus to compete in the Region IV Regional Cross Country Meet on Saturday October 29th.    On the girls' side, our district, once again, represented very well as the top three teams in the region all came out of our district with San Saba placing first, Harper second, and the Mason Cowgirls third.

   Travis and Leigh Hyatt moved to Mason from the Austin area 11 years ago with their children, in hope of living in a small tight-knit community that values God, country and family.    Leigh is a stay at home mom and enjoys baking yummy things. She has turned her love of baking into a small business.

   The regular meeting of the Mason Garden Club will be on Tuesday, November 8, 2016, at 2 p.m. in the Fellowship Hall of the St. Paul Lutheran Church., 104 S. Magnolia Street.    This meeting has been changed from the regular date and place so please take note.    The speaker will be Sheryl Yantis from Kingsland, master gardener and member of the Kingsland Garden Club.

   It is a challenge to think about winter weather during triple digit Texas temperatures, although, we all know cold weather will approach us sooner than we think! With the help of some warmhearted crafters, “From Hands to Haloes” came to life to provide 58 crocheted and knitted ear warmers for the Aug.

   The Former Texas Rangers Foundation are hosting a tribute to the German Pioneers of the Texas Hill Country and their descendants by featuring the North American Premiere of the German film, “Herman der Apache” - The life of Herman Lehmann and Esther Lehmann’s oral testimony.    Herman Lehmann, born in 1859 near Mason, Texas to German immigrants, was captured as a child by Native Americans.

   7th vs. Junction    The 7th grade Punchers had a tough go to start the game with the Eagles going in at halftime with a 20-0 lead.    The Punchers’ attitude and demeanor changed as they came out in the second half but it wasn’t enough as the final buzzer sounded with a final score of 28-24, Junction.    Scoring for the Punchers were Derek Ontiveroz with a touchdown and 3, 2 point conversions.

   The past two weeks, the JV Purple has been on the road and playing tough competition.    On Thursday, October 20, the JV Purple team traveled to Sonora. The Broncos would strike first with an 18 yard touchdown pass. The first quarter would end with the Punchers down. However, the Punchers take the lead quickly in the second quarter with a screen pass to Tyson Keller.    On the very first play of the Broncos ensuing drive Rudy Rochat intercepts a pass.

   2016 Is Fading Fast,,, Where Are We Going?    As we came into the office this morning, we ripped October off all the calendars in the office and jumped directly into November. It was a bit jarring to realize that we've already made our way through the first ten months of the year, and that we are 61 days from 2017.    I never understood, when I was a child, that adults would constantly focus on how quickly time passes.

   Donna Ingram, three-time winner of the Biggest Liar in Texas, will be speaking at the Annual Meeting of the Friends of the Mason Co. M. Beven Eckert Memorial Library at 6:30 on November 10, 2016 in the Stribling Room. Donna is a mostly-retired college professor turned storyteller and author who captures what is quirky and iconic about the Lone Star state while passing on universal truths—but with a Texas twang.    Donna is a recipient of the John Henry Faulk Award for o ...

   The Mason Punchers took one more step to its sweep of the district championship last Friday when they defeated a perennial opponent, the Junction Eagles.    The boys from Junction came into the game with much of the public opinion already predicting their defeat; but, they played a game worthy of champions, keeping the Punchers to a low scoring game, even if they weren't able to score themselves.    The Punchers made their first touchdown of the game on an Otto ...

   The 2016-17 Mason Cowgirl basketball season is just one week away from tip-off. The Texas Association of Basketball Coaches preseason poll has been released and the Cowgirls are ranked 8th among Class AA schools. You will be able to meet all the Mason Cowgirl basketball teams on Monday, November 7th at 7:00pm in the high school gym at Meet The Cowgirl Night.    TABC Class AA Preseason Rankings: Weimar, 2.

   Mason County AgriLife Extension Agent for Family and Consumer Sciences, Sheree Hardin continued her Learn, Grow, Eat and Go lessons this past week talking about nutrients.    3rd graders from Mrs. Edwards class with help from high school students in Mrs. Dudney’s class learned the importance of eating from different food groups and how a variety of plants are needed for growing.

   Nolan Donop’s life has revolved around selfless service to others. Regardless of whether you are a rancher with thousands of acres of land or an individual with a few chickens in their back yard, you are treated like a respected friend. From the moment you meet Nolan, whether you’re a total stranger or a community member whom he has known for a lifetime – you get an overwhelming impression that he truly cares!

   Kenneth Jerry Burleson was born in Riverside, California on July 28, 1940, to Doris and Barcene Burleson. Jerry attended elementary and middle schools in Carlsbad, New Mexico, then spent his high school years playing football and other sports for the Dell City, Texas, Wildcats. While there, he earned the state rushing record for six man football which he held for many years.    Jerry completed his education at Sul Ross University in Alpine, Texas, on a football scholarshi ...

   Opal Inez "Pete" Meyer, 82, passed away on Friday, October 21, 2016 at Runningwater Draw Care Center in Olton. Graveside service will be 10:00 a.m., Tuesday, October 25, 2016 at the Memorial Park Cemetery in Flomot. Arrangements are under the care of Moore-Rose Funeral Home in Quitaque.    She was the wife of Willie Fred "Billy"

   Susan E. Richardson, 70, of Longmont passed away October 30, 2016 at Medical Center of the Rockies. She was born May 28, 1946 in Longmont to Thomas and Marion (Johnson) Bowden.    Susan graduated from Longmont High School in 1964. She married David Schell in 1966. They later divorced. She married Gaylord Richardson in 1985, and they also later divorced.    Through the years Susan worked in many positions.

   Operation Orphans, Inc. held its first deer hunt of the 2016 season October 28th and 29th. 39 girls harvested 40 animals from 15 area ranches. The children who participate in the Operation Orphans, Inc. hunting and fishing program are wards of the State and reside in Texas children residential facilities or foster homes.

   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 ...

   St. Joseph’s parishioners invite YOU to come enjoy a delicious Mexican Dinner this Sunday, November 6th. Serving begins at 11 AM (11 AM-2PM) in the Mason I.S.D. Cafeteria on College Street.    You may “Eat In” at the cafeteria and enjoy visiting with other diners or you may request “Take Out.”    Each plate is $10.00 and the meal consists of enchiladas, beans, rice, salad, tea and a dessert.

   The Mason Study Club held its monthly meeting and luncheon October 26 at the Mason County Library with hostesses Deana Handlin, Nan Larrimore, Linda Kesler, Pam Scott, and Corrine Wright. Guest speaker was Texas author Rosa Walston Latimer who discussed her book Harvey Houses of Texas: Historic Hospitality from the Gulf Coast to the Panhandle, the first book of her fascinating Harvey House series published by The History Press.

   The City of Mason will be closed Thursday and Friday November 24 and 25 for the Thanksgiving Holidays. Trash trucks will pick up as usual Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday (21st, 22nd, and 23rd). Thursday will be on Tuesday 22nd and Friday will be on Wednesday 23rd. Trash will resume back on normal Monday.

   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 2016-17 Mason Cowgirl basketball season is just one week away from tip-off. The Texas Association of Basketball Coaches preseason poll has been released and the Cowgirls are ranked 8th among Class AA schools. You will be able to meet all the Mason Cowgirl basketball teams on Monday, November 7th at 7:00pm in the high school gym at Meet The Cowgirl Night.    TABC Class AA Preseason Rankings: Weimar, 2.

   The Mason Punchers took one more step to its sweep of the district championship last Friday when they defeated a perennial opponent, the Junction Eagles.    The boys from Junction came into the game with much of the public opinion already predicting their defeat; but, they played a game worthy of champions, keeping the Punchers to a low scoring game, even if they weren't able to score themselves.    The Punchers made their first touchdown of the game on an Otto ...

   The White team traveled to Brownwood last week to play the Lions at Gordon Wood Stadium. It was a tough game and the Punchers played well but came out on the losing end on the scoreboard 22-16. The Lions just had the ball bounce their way in this game. The Punchers played hard though and continue to gain experience.

   The past two weeks, the JV Purple has been on the road and playing tough competition.    On Thursday, October 20, the JV Purple team traveled to Sonora. The Broncos would strike first with an 18 yard touchdown pass. The first quarter would end with the Punchers down. However, the Punchers take the lead quickly in the second quarter with a screen pass to Tyson Keller.    On the very first play of the Broncos ensuing drive Rudy Rochat intercepts a pass.

   7th vs. Junction    The 7th grade Punchers had a tough go to start the game with the Eagles going in at halftime with a 20-0 lead.    The Punchers’ attitude and demeanor changed as they came out in the second half but it wasn’t enough as the final buzzer sounded with a final score of 28-24, Junction.    Scoring for the Punchers were Derek Ontiveroz with a touchdown and 3, 2 point conversions.

   The Varsity Cowgirls and Punchers traveled to Corpus to compete in the Region IV Regional Cross Country Meet on Saturday October 29th.    On the girls' side, our district, once again, represented very well as the top three teams in the region all came out of our district with San Saba placing first, Harper second, and the Mason Cowgirls third.

   Clint Lane, a Mason High School Sophomore finished 9th in his class, and 4th in his age group at the 2016 National Sporting Clays Association National Championship Main Event, held last week in San Antonio, Texas.    There were over 1934 qualified entrants representing 49 States and 13 Foreign Countries, all vying for the US National Championship in Sporting Clays.

   The City of Mason will be closed Thursday and Friday November 24 and 25 for the Thanksgiving Holidays. Trash trucks will pick up as usual Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday (21st, 22nd, and 23rd). Thursday will be on Tuesday 22nd and Friday will be on Wednesday 23rd. Trash will resume back on normal Monday.

   The Mason Study Club held its monthly meeting and luncheon October 26 at the Mason County Library with hostesses Deana Handlin, Nan Larrimore, Linda Kesler, Pam Scott, and Corrine Wright. Guest speaker was Texas author Rosa Walston Latimer who discussed her book Harvey Houses of Texas: Historic Hospitality from the Gulf Coast to the Panhandle, the first book of her fascinating Harvey House series published by The History Press.

   St. Joseph’s parishioners invite YOU to come enjoy a delicious Mexican Dinner this Sunday, November 6th. Serving begins at 11 AM (11 AM-2PM) in the Mason I.S.D. Cafeteria on College Street.    You may “Eat In” at the cafeteria and enjoy visiting with other diners or you may request “Take Out.”    Each plate is $10.00 and the meal consists of enchiladas, beans, rice, salad, tea and a dessert.

   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 ...

   Donna Ingram, three-time winner of the Biggest Liar in Texas, will be speaking at the Annual Meeting of the Friends of the Mason Co. M. Beven Eckert Memorial Library at 6:30 on November 10, 2016 in the Stribling Room. Donna is a mostly-retired college professor turned storyteller and author who captures what is quirky and iconic about the Lone Star state while passing on universal truths—but with a Texas twang.    Donna is a recipient of the John Henry Faulk Award for o ...

   The Former Texas Rangers Foundation are hosting a tribute to the German Pioneers of the Texas Hill Country and their descendants by featuring the North American Premiere of the German film, “Herman der Apache” - The life of Herman Lehmann and Esther Lehmann’s oral testimony.    Herman Lehmann, born in 1859 near Mason, Texas to German immigrants, was captured as a child by Native Americans.

   The regular meeting of the Mason Garden Club will be on Tuesday, November 8, 2016, at 2 p.m. in the Fellowship Hall of the St. Paul Lutheran Church., 104 S. Magnolia Street.    This meeting has been changed from the regular date and place so please take note.    The speaker will be Sheryl Yantis from Kingsland, master gardener and member of the Kingsland Garden Club.

   Travis and Leigh Hyatt moved to Mason from the Austin area 11 years ago with their children, in hope of living in a small tight-knit community that values God, country and family.    Leigh is a stay at home mom and enjoys baking yummy things. She has turned her love of baking into a small business.

   Buddy's Animal Rescue will be selling Krispy Kreme Donuts Friday, November 4th from 8 a.m. until sold out. We will be set up in front of Dollar General, Mason Short Stop, Mason Bank, and Fredonia Peanut. If you have pre-ordered donuts they will be available for pick up at Mason Bank.    Your generous donation of $10/dozen will help support our Snip/Snip Scholarship Program which offers assistance to low income families with the spay/neuter of their pets.

   Mason County Cancer Benefit “MCCB” is a local non-profit organization. The MCCB committee will be hosting a bake sale to help with expenses for individuals fighting their battle with cancer.    We will be located beside Lonestar 102.5 KHLB Radio Station on Friday, November 4th beginning at 8:00 a.m. until sold out.

   This was another busy week at Art and surrounding places. The Art United Methodist Church had a very successful cleaning on Saturday. Everyone picked a job and got busy. It looks great. And, this is the great week when Daylight Savings Time ENDS.    Next Sunday at the Art United Methodist Church, our District Superintendent Steve Purdy will preach and will conduct our charge conference.

   Susan E. Richardson, 70, of Longmont passed away October 30, 2016 at Medical Center of the Rockies. She was born May 28, 1946 in Longmont to Thomas and Marion (Johnson) Bowden.    Susan graduated from Longmont High School in 1964. She married David Schell in 1966. They later divorced. She married Gaylord Richardson in 1985, and they also later divorced.    Through the years Susan worked in many positions.

   Opal Inez "Pete" Meyer, 82, passed away on Friday, October 21, 2016 at Runningwater Draw Care Center in Olton. Graveside service will be 10:00 a.m., Tuesday, October 25, 2016 at the Memorial Park Cemetery in Flomot. Arrangements are under the care of Moore-Rose Funeral Home in Quitaque.    She was the wife of Willie Fred "Billy"

   Kenneth Jerry Burleson was born in Riverside, California on July 28, 1940, to Doris and Barcene Burleson. Jerry attended elementary and middle schools in Carlsbad, New Mexico, then spent his high school years playing football and other sports for the Dell City, Texas, Wildcats. While there, he earned the state rushing record for six man football which he held for many years.    Jerry completed his education at Sul Ross University in Alpine, Texas, on a football scholarshi ...

   The Former Texas Rangers Foundation are hosting a tribute to the German Pioneers of the Texas Hill Country and their descendants by featuring the North American Premiere of the German film, “Herman der Apache” - The life of Herman Lehmann and Esther Lehmann’s oral testimony.    Herman Lehmann, born in 1859 near Mason, Texas to German immigrants, was captured as a child by Native Americans.

   2016 Is Fading Fast,,, Where Are We Going?    As we came into the office this morning, we ripped October off all the calendars in the office and jumped directly into November. It was a bit jarring to realize that we've already made our way through the first ten months of the year, and that we are 61 days from 2017.    I never understood, when I was a child, that adults would constantly focus on how quickly time passes.

   Be our Guest! The fourth grade faculty and students at Mason Elementary would consider it a great pleasure if all of our Mason County veterans would join us for a luncheon on Friday, November 11th at the Mason Elementary Library immediately following the Veteran’s Day Service on the courthouse lawn.    Please come and let us thank you in person for your extraordinary service to our country!

   Nolan Donop’s life has revolved around selfless service to others. Regardless of whether you are a rancher with thousands of acres of land or an individual with a few chickens in their back yard, you are treated like a respected friend. From the moment you meet Nolan, whether you’re a total stranger or a community member whom he has known for a lifetime – you get an overwhelming impression that he truly cares!

   We had a spooktacular Halloween with John L. Davis’s vampire presentation and Shay De Vos’s Halloween stories at the Seaquist House, and the hits keep on coming. Next week plan on attending the Friends of the Library’s annual membership meeting. They’ll have the “Biggest Liar in Texas,” author and storyteller Donna Ingham, as their speaker, and she’ll be presenting “Texas Myths, Mysteries, and Legends.” Don’t miss it!    DVDs:   & ...

   Pedals to the metal    To be honest, it’s pretty disappointing, but not all that surprising. Poor old Cecil the Lion had his fifteen minutes of fame, but that’s over now. Animal rights activists seem to have forgotten him already. That’s a fickle bunch, those animal rights activists. Bless their hearts.    For a while there you couldn’t hardly sling a cat without hitting an animal rights activist who was all in a dither over poor old Cec ...

   Hunting Season! When I was grown up it was always on the sixteenth of November and the school had a holiday on that date. Too, hunters wore red shirts, so other hunters wouldn’t shoot them. However, rules change and life goes on.    I never was into hunting, enjoyed the holiday.

   Mason Puncher Tavern Burgers    Mason Puncher Tavern Burgers has always been one of my favorite things about going to the Mason Puncher home football games. This is a long time Mason tradition. I have no idea how far back the tradition goes but I remember eating them when I was around 5 years old.

   This was another busy week at Art and surrounding places. The Art United Methodist Church had a very successful cleaning on Saturday. Everyone picked a job and got busy. It looks great. And, this is the great week when Daylight Savings Time ENDS.    Next Sunday at the Art United Methodist Church, our District Superintendent Steve Purdy will preach and will conduct our charge conference.

   Headache blue.    As in, the Autumn sky.    That’s what some call it.    Deep as the ocean.    Bluer than blue.    Mold allergy will give you a headache too.    The Green House has a good remedy.    But a blue sky needs no cure.    Only appreciation.    Maybe play hooky.    Take a longer lunch.    Or a short nap.    Wander around.    Dawdle in the suns ...