March 29, 2017 Issue

The 7th & 8th grade Mason Cowgirls track teams competed in the San Saba relays on Friday, March 24, 2017. The 7th grade girls team finished 3rd place overall, and the 8th grade girls team finished 4th overall. 7th grade girls results 200m dash: Sterling Smith, 3rd, 30.07 400m dash: Alex Row, 6th, 73.85 800m run: Ale Row, 6th, 2:59.48 100 hurdles: Tori Perlicheck, 6th, 20.39 300 hurdles: Madison Carter, 1st, 52.76; Tristin Keller, 6th, 59.44 4x100m relay: Brooke Stockbridge, Hannah Bishop, I ...

Here we go again! Artists will be gathering in Mason for our annual Bloomin’ Arts Fest on Saturday, April 1st – no foolin’! Hill Country artists will be displaying their paintings, sculptures, photography, jewelry, pearls, fiber art, woodworking and more. While you’re moseyin’ around the square, venture down Broad Street for a tour of Mason’s 19th century historic Seaquist House.

I really enjoy the early Spring. Not too hot and not too cold. As Goldie Locks would say, “Just right!” Happy, my son in Oklahoma, said they were in a tornado watch. He said they were showing helicopters flying near one. He said they were using cameras that zoomed in on the center.

Swamped Due to the fact that a lot of people (3) are now angry with me over my recent columns about using the anti-coagulant warfarin to thin out the wild feral hog population of Texas, we’re going to move on to something else. But before we do, I just want to go on record as saying I haven’t been trying to talk anyone into poisoning hogs.

It’s almost here! The Annual Friends of the Library Book & Bake Sale will have their membership’s preview sale this Friday from 2:00 – 6:00 p.m. All items are purchased by donation, and you’re sure to want some of the tasty cakes, pies, cookies in addition to your books. This sale is the primary fundraiser for the FOL.

   The Mason Lions Club met Tuesday, March 21st, for its weekly luncheon meeting. There were 27 members and 2 visitors in attendance. “Boss” Lion Jess Irwin informed the membership that on this day 135 years ago the U.S. Congress passed a law outlawing polygamy, in 1933 a law was passed taxing the sale of alcohol, 75 years ago President Roosevelt issued an executive order establishing internment camps for U.S.citizens of Japanese ancestry, deemed necessary for our national safety ...

Johnson City Invitational Track Meet - Thursday 3/23/17 Varsity Track Results: 3200m--5th, Ella Canfield, 14:11.30; 4x100m Relay--3rd, Madison Owen, K’lee Anders, Sandra Duarte, Shay Baker, 55.17; 100m Hurdles--1st, Victoria Baltierra, 16.58; 4x200m Relay--3rd, Madison Owen, K’lee Anders, Sandra Duarte, Sydney Anderson, 1:56.83; 400m--5th, Shay Baker, 1:08.71; 300m Hurdles--1st, Victoria Baltierra, 49.56; 6th, Kayla Harwell, 55.76; 200m--5th, Sandra Duarte, 29.97; 6th, Sydney Anderson, 30.0 ...

The Mason High School UIL Academic Team won the District 2A-27 Championship on Wednesday, 3/22, at San Saba High School. By the end of the meet, Mason had amassed 656.33 points, with San Saba High School coming in second with 418 points. In all, 32 different Mason students will advance to compete at the Regional Academic Meet in Corpus Christi on April 7-8.

It was a great day to be at the ball park this past Saturday. The weather was perfect, food was amazing and it was good to see our youth on the fields having fun and competing. Thank you to everyone who provided support for Opening Day. A special appreciation to the City of Mason (for everything you do); Debra Norman (concession stand coordination); Tommy and Joyce Durst (BBQ brisket meal donation); Denver Stockbridge and Jeff Schmidt (cooks); Cade Nobles, Patrick Row, Jason Bradley and Will Le ...

The Arnold Art Gallery across the street from the Courthouse in Mason, Texas is again participating in the Mason Bloomin’ Art Fest on Saturday April with a special exhibit of paintings in oil by Jim McDonald from Wimberly, Texas. The Exhibit opens on Thursday, March and will be on view until May 30.

Former students of Texas A&M University will assemble in Menard on April 21 for the annual Texas Aggie Muster to honor all Texas Aggies who have passed away within the last year, announced Muster Chair Clint Roberson. Muster activities will begin at 6:00 PM at the Menard Country Club, 918 Country Club Lane in Menard.

Spring has sprung at the Doss CCSD Campus. The Organic Garden continues to grow and new crops are added each week. Swiss Chard was planted last week and the lettuce was harvested, which included eight different varieties and kale. A workstation has been added to the green house for conducting classes and projects. March has been a busy month.

The Mason Garden Club members work diligently and continually support the efforts to keep the Mason Co. M. Beven Eckert Library grounds beautiful. They mightily succeed! Even before their March meeting, they put in extra time planting new roses and blackfoot daisies in the flower bed bordering the Old Yeller statue.

Micah Walker, Mason County AgriLife Extension Agent for Ag and Natural Resources has announced the dates for the Hill Country Commercial Heifer Show and Sale as October 24, 2017. The event will be held in conjunction with the TSWCR Ranch Gathering. The commercial heifer project provides youth with realistic experiences to gain knowledge inside the commercial cattle industry. Entry forms are due to the Mason County Extension Office at 505 Moody St.

Jackson Chapman attended the Angelo State University Writers Conference on Thursday, March 23, in order to receive the first place prize for best personal narrative in the ASU Young Writers Contest. For the contest, ASU’s English department solicited essays on the theme of “Life in West Texas--Trials and Triumphs” from area students enrolled in dual credit English courses.

7th 4x100m Relay - Fernando Callejas, Tate Spencer, Ranger Schmidt, Brody Baker - 5th - 56.56 110m Hurdles - Gabriel Ortiz - 1st - 19.98, Derek Ontiveroz - 2nd - 20.51, Blake Lewis-3rd- 20.85 4x200m Relay - Fernando Callejas, Blake Lewis, Gabriel Ortiz, Hayden Harding - 1st -1:46.74 300m Hurdles - Brody Baker - 6th - 55.81 200m Dash - Hayden Harding - 1st - 26.78 4x400m Relay - Blake Lewis, Gabriel Ortiz, Fernando Callejas, Hayden Harding - 1st - 4:04.59 Team Results Lampasas - 195 Early - 100 ...

Always Waiting for Something Stranger to Happen..... I like boring. I've found that, with most things in life, what is exciting for one person is going to be stressful for another. So, just give me a straightforward, uneventful, boring week. But, life doesn't do that. In fact, it seems that the cosmos often holds things back and then lets go of them all at once....

Let’s celebrate our Texas heritage! Come see “Legends of the Lone Star State!” to be performed by the Bright Star Touring Theatre at the Mason Co. M. Beven Eckert Memorial Library, 410 Post Hill Street, on March 28th at 6:30 p.m. in the Stribling Room. These professional actors bring to life legends, stories, music, humor, and heroes from Texas.

Most of our fire departments in the Hill Country are manned by volunteers from their respective communities but that doesn’t mean there are no costs involved. All of our equipment must be maintained and, from time to time, upgraded or replaced. Vehicles must be insured as well as our responders and our responders have to stay up with ongoing education.

On March 22nd, past, present and future Pioneers of Mason High School attended Texas Water Day at the state Capitol. Pioneers Board of Directors member and President and CEO of the Texas Water Foundation, Carole Baker, invited the students to be a part of Texas Water Day to learn about our state’s current water issues and pending legislation that would affect our region.

Charles D. Brown went to be with his Lord on March 23, 2017. He was born December 10, 1931, in Laredo, Texas, to Maury B. Brown and Arvilla Seaman Brown. In the late 1930s, the Browns relocated to Fort Worth, Texas. Charles graduated from Riverside High School in Fort Worth in 1949, and received a bachelor of arts degree from the University of Texas in 1954. Following graduation, he was commissioned in the United States Air Force and served in that service for 30 years.

Diana Lucille Ramon went to be with the Lord Monday March 27, 2017, in Ballinger, Texas. She was born March 15, 1944, to James and Roberta Marrs in San Angelo, Texas. She spent significant portions of her life living in San Angelo, Cisco, Mason, and Ballinger. Diana will be remembered for her friendliness, hospitality, and sense of humor.

Glenn George Capps, 52 years of age, died in his home on December 25, 2016, after a thirty-year battle with multiple sclerosis. George was brilliant, witty, charming, and brave and inspired everyone lucky enough to have known him. Even as he faced several life threatening challenges in the last six weeks of his life his courage, dignity, grace, sense of humor, and zest for life did not waver. George was born in Galveston, Texas on June 22, 1964, to Glenn Rupe Capps and Ann Schlesselman Capps.

John Ernest Jordan, 56, of Mason, Texas, passed away on March 23, 2017, in Mason, Texas. He was born in Mason to Sterling and Carlita Jordan on December 1, 1960. He married Susie Jordan on January 4, 1986 at Art UMC. John’s personality was so special and everyone knew him as a person with a twinkle in his eye, a joke and a story to tell, of course - he was a Jordan!

Kenneth Walker Polk, of Pontotoc, passed away on Thursday, March 23, at the age of 80. Mr. Polk was born in Streeter, Texas, on August 5, 1936, to Walker Polk and Lela Kuhlmann Polk. He married Carla Beth Capps on June 23, 1960, at the Church of Christ building in Mason.

Ouida Schuessler, of Mason, passed away on Monday, March 20, at the age of 80. Ouida is survived by her husband Dwain Schuessler, of Mason, a daughter Tori Dutton and J.P. Murray of Mason, three grandchildren Lindsi Dutton of Houston, Kinsey Dutton of Mason and Tanner Dutton of Brady and two great-grandchildren Delaney Rein Terry and Madison Dutton. Ouida was born on August 8.

Sterling Sam Jordan, 90, of Art, Mason County, Texas, passed away on Sunday, March 26, 2017, at Knopp Nursing & Rehabilitation Center in Fredericksburg, Texas. Sterling was the son of Ernest and Clara Brandenberger Jordan, and was married to Carlita Luckenbach Jordan. After attending Mason High School, Sterling left his parents’ ranch in Art, Texas, to enlist in the United States Navy in 1944.

The Mason Punchers defeated Ozona 9-5 thanks to a strong start. They earned the victory despite allowing Ozona to score three runs in the fourth inning. The Punchers scored four runs in the third inning. The big inning was thanks to a double by Haddon Hudson and a single by Fernando Torres.

The date for the 31st Mason County Republican Women’s Home Tour is set for April 8, 2017. The proceeds from the Tour will fund scholarships for graduating Mason County college or trade bound seniors. Each year community minded citizens graciously invite us into their homes or businesses in support of this scholarship Home Tour.

In preparation for the State Fair in 2017 and major shows in 2018, all families who will be exhibiting livestock will need to order their Steer, Lamb and Goat tags by April 20. You can do this by contacting the Mason County AgriLife office at 325-347-6459. A fee increase from $10 to $15 has been implemented by the Texas 4-H and FFA Livestock Validation Program.

Mason Cowgirls Varsity Downs Junction, 7-5 Mason Cowgirls Varsity took home a 7-5 victory over Junction on Tuesday. Bridgit Herrington earned the win for Mason Cowgirls Varsity. She threw seven innings, surrendering five runs, seven hits, and striking out four. #18 took the loss for Junction. She tossed five innings, surrendering five runs, four hits, striking out eight, and walking one. Mason Cowgirls Varsity had six hits in the game.

The Mason Punchers defeated Ozona 9-5 thanks to a strong start. They earned the victory despite allowing Ozona to score three runs in the fourth inning. The Punchers scored four runs in the third inning. The big inning was thanks to a double by Haddon Hudson and a single by Fernando Torres.

On March 22nd, past, present and future Pioneers of Mason High School attended Texas Water Day at the state Capitol. Pioneers Board of Directors member and President and CEO of the Texas Water Foundation, Carole Baker, invited the students to be a part of Texas Water Day to learn about our state’s current water issues and pending legislation that would affect our region.

The 7th & 8th grade Mason Cowgirls track teams competed in the San Saba relays on Friday, March 24, 2017. The 7th grade girls team finished 3rd place overall, and the 8th grade girls team finished 4th overall. 7th grade girls results 200m dash: Sterling Smith, 3rd, 30.07 400m dash: Alex Row, 6th, 73.85 800m run: Ale Row, 6th, 2:59.48 100 hurdles: Tori Perlicheck, 6th, 20.39 300 hurdles: Madison Carter, 1st, 52.76; Tristin Keller, 6th, 59.44 4x100m relay: Brooke Stockbridge, Hannah Bishop, I ...

7th 4x100m Relay - Fernando Callejas, Tate Spencer, Ranger Schmidt, Brody Baker - 5th - 56.56 110m Hurdles - Gabriel Ortiz - 1st - 19.98, Derek Ontiveroz - 2nd - 20.51, Blake Lewis-3rd- 20.85 4x200m Relay - Fernando Callejas, Blake Lewis, Gabriel Ortiz, Hayden Harding - 1st -1:46.74 300m Hurdles - Brody Baker - 6th - 55.81 200m Dash - Hayden Harding - 1st - 26.78 4x400m Relay - Blake Lewis, Gabriel Ortiz, Fernando Callejas, Hayden Harding - 1st - 4:04.59 Team Results Lampasas - 195 Early - 100 ...

Jackson Chapman attended the Angelo State University Writers Conference on Thursday, March 23, in order to receive the first place prize for best personal narrative in the ASU Young Writers Contest. For the contest, ASU’s English department solicited essays on the theme of “Life in West Texas--Trials and Triumphs” from area students enrolled in dual credit English courses.

Spring has sprung at the Doss CCSD Campus. The Organic Garden continues to grow and new crops are added each week. Swiss Chard was planted last week and the lettuce was harvested, which included eight different varieties and kale. A workstation has been added to the green house for conducting classes and projects. March has been a busy month.

It was a great day to be at the ball park this past Saturday. The weather was perfect, food was amazing and it was good to see our youth on the fields having fun and competing. Thank you to everyone who provided support for Opening Day. A special appreciation to the City of Mason (for everything you do); Debra Norman (concession stand coordination); Tommy and Joyce Durst (BBQ brisket meal donation); Denver Stockbridge and Jeff Schmidt (cooks); Cade Nobles, Patrick Row, Jason Bradley and Will Le ...

The Mason High School UIL Academic Team won the District 2A-27 Championship on Wednesday, 3/22, at San Saba High School. By the end of the meet, Mason had amassed 656.33 points, with San Saba High School coming in second with 418 points. In all, 32 different Mason students will advance to compete at the Regional Academic Meet in Corpus Christi on April 7-8.

Johnson City Invitational Track Meet - Thursday 3/23/17 Varsity Track Results: 3200m--5th, Ella Canfield, 14:11.30; 4x100m Relay--3rd, Madison Owen, K’lee Anders, Sandra Duarte, Shay Baker, 55.17; 100m Hurdles--1st, Victoria Baltierra, 16.58; 4x200m Relay--3rd, Madison Owen, K’lee Anders, Sandra Duarte, Sydney Anderson, 1:56.83; 400m--5th, Shay Baker, 1:08.71; 300m Hurdles--1st, Victoria Baltierra, 49.56; 6th, Kayla Harwell, 55.76; 200m--5th, Sandra Duarte, 29.97; 6th, Sydney Anderson, 30.0 ...

KERRVILLE— The Cailloux Foundation (the Foundation) in Kerrville, Texas, has awarded 13 college scholarships to area students. The 2017 recipients have been chosen from high schools in Bandera, Barksdale- Nueces Canyon High School, Center Point, Comfort, Harper, Ingram, Kerrville- Tivy High School, Leakey, Mason, Rocksprings and Utopia. Awards are up to $14,000 per recipient annually and are for undergraduate study only.

JV Team Totals: Mason 195 Irion County 90 Sonora 72 Iraan 71.5 Christoval 42 Eldorado 32 Reagan County 32.5 Forsan 24 100 - Fluhmann 11.81 3rd 1600 - Potts 5:33.6 1st, Shoemaker 6:06.3 5th, Harwell 6:17.0 6th 200 - Burke 26.22 3rd 3200 - Potts 12:34.8 1st, Shoemaker 12:04.5 4th 400 - Watson 57.06 1st, Adame 1:00.01 4th 110H - Nail 18.88 2nd, Rochat 19.81 3rd 300H - Kirby 45.9 1st, Fluhmann 46.37 2nd 4x100 - Kirby, Silerio, Fluhmann, Keller 47.9 1st 4x200 - Watson, Powell, Keller, Silerio 1:41.3 ...

In preparation for the State Fair in 2017 and major shows in 2018, all families who will be exhibiting livestock will need to order their Steer, Lamb and Goat tags by April 20. You can do this by contacting the Mason County AgriLife office at 325-347-6459. A fee increase from $10 to $15 has been implemented by the Texas 4-H and FFA Livestock Validation Program.

The date for the 31st Mason County Republican Women’s Home Tour is set for April 8, 2017. The proceeds from the Tour will fund scholarships for graduating Mason County college or trade bound seniors. Each year community minded citizens graciously invite us into their homes or businesses in support of this scholarship Home Tour.

Most of our fire departments in the Hill Country are manned by volunteers from their respective communities but that doesn’t mean there are no costs involved. All of our equipment must be maintained and, from time to time, upgraded or replaced. Vehicles must be insured as well as our responders and our responders have to stay up with ongoing education.

Let’s celebrate our Texas heritage! Come see “Legends of the Lone Star State!” to be performed by the Bright Star Touring Theatre at the Mason Co. M. Beven Eckert Memorial Library, 410 Post Hill Street, on March 28th at 6:30 p.m. in the Stribling Room. These professional actors bring to life legends, stories, music, humor, and heroes from Texas.

Micah Walker, Mason County AgriLife Extension Agent for Ag and Natural Resources has announced the dates for the Hill Country Commercial Heifer Show and Sale as October 24, 2017. The event will be held in conjunction with the TSWCR Ranch Gathering. The commercial heifer project provides youth with realistic experiences to gain knowledge inside the commercial cattle industry. Entry forms are due to the Mason County Extension Office at 505 Moody St.

Former students of Texas A&M University will assemble in Menard on April 21 for the annual Texas Aggie Muster to honor all Texas Aggies who have passed away within the last year, announced Muster Chair Clint Roberson. Muster activities will begin at 6:00 PM at the Menard Country Club, 918 Country Club Lane in Menard.

It was a great day to be at the ball park this past Saturday. The weather was perfect, food was amazing and it was good to see our youth on the fields having fun and competing. Thank you to everyone who provided support for Opening Day. A special appreciation to the City of Mason (for everything you do); Debra Norman (concession stand coordination); Tommy and Joyce Durst (BBQ brisket meal donation); Denver Stockbridge and Jeff Schmidt (cooks); Cade Nobles, Patrick Row, Jason Bradley and Will Le ...

The City of Mason will be holding a General Election for City Commissioner District 2 and District 4 on Saturday, May 6, 2017. Early voting begins Monday, April 24, 2017 in the City Office Building, 124 Moody St., and concludes Tuesday, May 2, 2017. Early voting hours are 8:00 a.m.

The Second Annual Mason Chamber Music Festival will take place the first weekend in April in Mason, Texas. The theme of the weekend of performances by Austin’s Artisan String Quartet is Mostly Mozart and will include two Friday performances, the Saturday Gala Performance at Mason’s Historic Odeon Theater and a Sunday performance. Spokesman for Austin’s Artisan String Quartet and Artistic Director of the Festival, Bruce Williams, commented, “We are so pleased to be coming back to Mason f ...

The Castell Area Wildlife Management Association will be hosting a pot luck meeting on Saturday, April 8, 2017 at 12:00 noon at the Trinity Methodist Church Fellowship Hall in Castell, TX. The CA WMA invites anyone to attend who is interested in meeting their neighbors and fellow hunters as well as anyone interested in wildlife management practices. Members who harvested deer on their property and/or who have hunters who harvested deer need to bring their jawbones along with the respective harv ...

Looking for a good book and a delicious dessert to enjoy while you relax and read? Then the Friends of the Library Book and Bake Sale is an event you don’t want to miss! On March 31, April 1, 3 and 4, 2017 the Friends of the Library will hold their Annual Book and Bake Sale.

Here we go again! Artists will be gathering in Mason for our annual Bloomin’ Arts Fest on Saturday, April 1st – no foolin’! Hill Country artists will be displaying their paintings, sculptures, photography, jewelry, pearls, fiber art, woodworking and more. While you’re moseyin’ around the square, venture down Broad Street for a tour of Mason’s 19th century historic Seaquist House.

Sterling Sam Jordan, 90, of Art, Mason County, Texas, passed away on Sunday, March 26, 2017, at Knopp Nursing & Rehabilitation Center in Fredericksburg, Texas. Sterling was the son of Ernest and Clara Brandenberger Jordan, and was married to Carlita Luckenbach Jordan. After attending Mason High School, Sterling left his parents’ ranch in Art, Texas, to enlist in the United States Navy in 1944.

Ouida Schuessler, of Mason, passed away on Monday, March 20, at the age of 80. Ouida is survived by her husband Dwain Schuessler, of Mason, a daughter Tori Dutton and J.P. Murray of Mason, three grandchildren Lindsi Dutton of Houston, Kinsey Dutton of Mason and Tanner Dutton of Brady and two great-grandchildren Delaney Rein Terry and Madison Dutton. Ouida was born on August 8.

Kenneth Walker Polk, of Pontotoc, passed away on Thursday, March 23, at the age of 80. Mr. Polk was born in Streeter, Texas, on August 5, 1936, to Walker Polk and Lela Kuhlmann Polk. He married Carla Beth Capps on June 23, 1960, at the Church of Christ building in Mason.

John Ernest Jordan, 56, of Mason, Texas, passed away on March 23, 2017, in Mason, Texas. He was born in Mason to Sterling and Carlita Jordan on December 1, 1960. He married Susie Jordan on January 4, 1986 at Art UMC. John’s personality was so special and everyone knew him as a person with a twinkle in his eye, a joke and a story to tell, of course - he was a Jordan!

Glenn George Capps, 52 years of age, died in his home on December 25, 2016, after a thirty-year battle with multiple sclerosis. George was brilliant, witty, charming, and brave and inspired everyone lucky enough to have known him. Even as he faced several life threatening challenges in the last six weeks of his life his courage, dignity, grace, sense of humor, and zest for life did not waver. George was born in Galveston, Texas on June 22, 1964, to Glenn Rupe Capps and Ann Schlesselman Capps.

Diana Lucille Ramon went to be with the Lord Monday March 27, 2017, in Ballinger, Texas. She was born March 15, 1944, to James and Roberta Marrs in San Angelo, Texas. She spent significant portions of her life living in San Angelo, Cisco, Mason, and Ballinger. Diana will be remembered for her friendliness, hospitality, and sense of humor.

Charles D. Brown went to be with his Lord on March 23, 2017. He was born December 10, 1931, in Laredo, Texas, to Maury B. Brown and Arvilla Seaman Brown. In the late 1930s, the Browns relocated to Fort Worth, Texas. Charles graduated from Riverside High School in Fort Worth in 1949, and received a bachelor of arts degree from the University of Texas in 1954. Following graduation, he was commissioned in the United States Air Force and served in that service for 30 years.

Always Waiting for Something Stranger to Happen..... I like boring. I've found that, with most things in life, what is exciting for one person is going to be stressful for another. So, just give me a straightforward, uneventful, boring week. But, life doesn't do that. In fact, it seems that the cosmos often holds things back and then lets go of them all at once....

It’s almost here! The Annual Friends of the Library Book & Bake Sale will have their membership’s preview sale this Friday from 2:00 – 6:00 p.m. All items are purchased by donation, and you’re sure to want some of the tasty cakes, pies, cookies in addition to your books. This sale is the primary fundraiser for the FOL.

Swamped Due to the fact that a lot of people (3) are now angry with me over my recent columns about using the anti-coagulant warfarin to thin out the wild feral hog population of Texas, we’re going to move on to something else. But before we do, I just want to go on record as saying I haven’t been trying to talk anyone into poisoning hogs.

I really enjoy the early Spring. Not too hot and not too cold. As Goldie Locks would say, “Just right!” Happy, my son in Oklahoma, said they were in a tornado watch. He said they were showing helicopters flying near one. He said they were using cameras that zoomed in on the center.

Uncle Mort on Facebook... The new owner of the thicket’s general store has “hit the ground running” on her promise to introduce changes, one of ‘em featuring “bait and grab.” (When dealing with clientele like my 104-year-old Uncle Mort, grabbing is easier than switching.) Anyways, she’s got him “hooked” on the Internet’s Facebook site, and as far as he’s concerned--a shorter distance than he admits--she can delete all the other websites. Maybe Mort is a distant relative of ...

Cavatini This dish brings back a lot of fond memories. It is actually my sister Judy Lehmberg’s recipe but it was a favorite of many Girl Scout outings and Girl’s weekends. There’s nothing like a little Italian food to bring friends or family together, whether it’s at the river or in the dining room. 2 lbs breakfast sausage (Owens’s) 1 large bell pepper, chopped 1 large onion, chopped 1 pkg.

This has been a tough week for our community. As I write this on Sunday evening, I reflect of the death of John Jordan. He fought a tough battle with cancer. And then this evening, I learned that John’s father, Sterling Jordan, had passed away in Fredericksburg where he lived in the nursing home.

Texas redbud. Ringing in Spring. They’re out there. And Spring is officially here. If you ever plan to motor west. Take the highway that’ll show you the best. Take Texas State Highway 29. A glorious one awaits you near the county line. From there to Menard it just gets better and better. They’re mostly on the right. On the north side of the highway. Wonder why that is. You can’t miss ‘em. Profundity of purplish-pink blooms in the midst of cedar green. Or no green. Wild as March hares ...