April 12, 2017 Issue

The annual Steady Steps Fundraiser of the Mason First United Methodist Church will be held at the Community Center on April 22, 2017, starting at 5:00 p.m. for viewing of silent auction items with dinner to be served at 6:30 p.m. Following the dinner a fabulous cake and pie auction will be conducted.

To air is human During the past half-century or so I’ve traveled in huge commercial jets, small, private airplanes, and by helicopter. Once I even paid real, American dollars for the privilege of taking half an airplane ride, submitting myself to a fall of almost two miles without benefit of mechanical conveyance, depending entirely on a glorified bed sheet to retard my vertically downward velocity enough to keep me from being pulverized on impact with the earth.

Heidi Smith, a second grader at Mason Elementary School, completed all eighteen levels of the Lexia Core5 Computer Reading Program! Heidi set a goal for herself to complete the Lexia program, and she has worked extremely hard to master all levels which goes up to a 5th grade level. She worked the past two summers to help accomplish this goal! Lexia Core5 is available for all kindergarten through second grade students at Mason Elementary.

Hilda United Methodist Church invites everyone to its annual Easter Sunrise Service this coming Sunday at 7:00 a.m. (the sun will rise around 7:25 a.m.) in front of the John Brandenberger home on Loeffler Ln. Please bring folding chairs or blankets to sit on. Following the service will be a continental-style breakfast in the Hilda Fellowship Hall to which everyone is invited also. Directions from Mason: South on Hwy.

A free health and wellness program offered by Methodist Healthcare Ministries of South Texas, Inc. Methodist Healthcare Ministries and the United Methodist Women of First United Methodist Church of Mason invite you to attend a free educational program on human trafficking. If you have a son or daughter that you will be sending to college or younger children, this is a program for you.

The Mason Cowgirls 7th & 8th grade track teams competed in the District Track Meet in Center Point on Monday, April 3. All of the cowgirls competed well, and we had some outstanding performances by our jumpers, hurdlers, and relay teams. The 7th Grade Cowgirls track team became District Champions by winning the meet with 187 points.

Michael Stork will be giving a program on Alzheimer’s disease and dementia in the Stribling Room of the Mason Co. M. Beven Eckert Memorial Library on Wednesday, April 19, at 2:00 P.M. Mr. Stork is the owner of Morning Star Memory Care in Fredericksburg. The program is free to the public.

If you’ve been disappointed with commercially-made greeting cards, this may be the class for you! Satisfy your creative cravings and learn to make your own cards. Jan Appleby will be teaching Creative Card Construction at the Mason Co. M. Beven Eckert Memorial Library on Wednesday, April 19, from 10:00 – 12:00.

Dear Gerry, Personally, I have found the media’s and government’s reaction to the attack on the Syrian airbase disappointing. As Trump himself pointed out a few years ago, the most effective way for a president to energize flagging public opinion is to bomb someone. Americans feel strong, powerful, especially useful at a time when polls show that most people thought Trump was taking us to hell in a handbasket with his lies, mismanagement and staggering incompetence. No one should think that ...

Way to Go A HUGE thank you from the Mason County Friends of the Library! Your generous donations of books and baked goods helped us have the most successful Book & Bake sale in the organization’s history. 100% of the funds raised will be used to support our Library through the purchase of additional books, CDs, DVDs, equipment and special projects. The Mason Library is an outstanding example of what a library can accomplish in a small community by partnering with other organizations to pr ...

Jay Michael Brown, of Mason, passed away April 3, 2017. He was born in Mason County, January 9, 1941 to Arch and Lilly K. Brown. After graduating from Mason High School in 1959, he attended TCU until he joined the Army. When he got out of the Army he married Darlene Jones in 1965. Jay was a Mason and a Past Master of McCulloch Lodge #273 in Mason.

Pamela Kay Cavaness, of Mason, passed away on Friday, April 7, at the age of 66. Pamela is survived by her husband Larry Cavaness of Mason, two sons Patrick Douglas Cavaness of Rockwall and Christopher Cole Cavaness and wife Traci of Mason a daughter Sheila Kay Cavaness and fiancé Cindy Smith of Ft.

On March 28th, Riata had their monthly meeting. Carol Dyal and Sherry Patrick were co-hostesses. Laura Tallent, Program Chairman, had planned a trip to Becker Vineyard. Twenty-eight members traveled to Stonewall where we were taken on a wonderful tour of the winery. It was especially interesting and fun because we were able to taste some of the wine made from grapes from the Tallent vineyard in Mason County. After our tour, we traveled to Fredericksburg for lunch and dessert at the beautiful ne ...

River of Life Church invites you to join us for our Easter worship services to celebrate the glory of Jesus Christ and the freedom we have through faith in Him! In preparation for Easter, we will have Passion Week (the week prior to Easter) services Monday through Friday from 7-8 p.m.

Mason’s Scarlet Punchers, those intrepid women “of a certain age,” bid a fond farewell to a stalwart member, Mary Ellen Merkel, as she begins her new life in Llano. We gathered at Willow Creek Cafe in March, and, as usual, enjoyed fun, food, and fellowship. In addition to our plethora of door prizes, we awarded Mary Ellen a special prize-a framed picture of the Scarlet Punchers, and, on the theory that you give someone else what you most want to get for yourself, a jar of chocolate. We ho ...

Armstrong Throws Shutout As Mason Cowgirls Varsity Defeats Menard Jesse Armstrong didn’t allow a single run as Mason Cowgirls Varsity defeated Menard 16-0 on Tuesday. Armstrong allowed just one hit and induced a double-play from #4 to end the game. Mason Cowgirls Varsity Jumps Out To Early Lead In Victory Over Junction Mason Cowgirls Varsity jumped out to an early lead over Junction and took home a 12-2 victory on Friday. Mason Cowgirls Varsity collected 11 hits.

Once upon a very long time ago, I loved watching movies. I always saw the latest releases, the biggest blockbusters and even the worst flops. I knew the actors, the directors and the studios. Then, somewhere along the way, I seem to lose interest. When I was a child, my exposure to movies was very limited.

The City of Mason will be holding a County Wide Tire Clean-Up scheduled to begin on Monday, April 17, 2017 and continue through Friday, April 21, 2017. The cost per regular vehicle sized tires and smaller tires will be $2 per tire. Truck and tractor tires or anything larger than a standard vehicle tire will cost $5 per tire. All tires can be dropped off during the hours of 8 a.m.

Mason County had 253 men and two women (Lillian Weidemann Cole and ____________) who served in World War I. Many served in Europe, particularly in France, but luckily, some did not see overseas combat and were stationed in various parts of the U.S., some in military hospitals. Mason lost three men during the war - all in France and killed in action.

We had 28 youth baseball players participate in a clinic this past Saturday, April 8th. It was a fun event with a focused effort on batting, pitching and fielding drills and techniques. A special thank you to our baseball instructors, Danny Jordan and Mike Brown. We appreciate Danny and Mike sharing their knowledge of the game with the youth of our community.

I’m going to sit here until inspiration comes for this week's article! Really need to do some laundry, still no service on the land phone, maybe another cup of coffee! Coffee was good, but all I thought of was the laundry. For two adults, there sure is a lot of laundry.

Once an Indian... If all of his certificates, proclamations and other awards were tacked up, Hershel Kimbrell would need a bigger room, hopefully with at least six sides. Still, there’d be other memorabilia stored, and that’s fine with him. He’s not an award-seeking guy. At age 90, memories of a life well lived are best tucked in the heart than tacked on the wall. More than 100 family members, former players and friends helped him blow out candles at his recent birthday party held in Kimb ...

Rainbow Choco-Log Slice Cookies This is a cookie my mom would fix at Christmas, because they were colorful and festive, children especially love these cookies. I thought it would be fun to make these for Easter, one of my favorite holidays. I would still be making my kids color Easter Eggs with me, if they would!

We have been enjoying the beautiful spring weather. We have called on our kids and grands to help us get things done around here. Thus, the greenhouse is empty. That is a huge job and I am so glad it is done. Scott has the old lawnmower running again. It is leaf raking time.

Easter Sunday. Coming up. Just like all the bulbs. All over town. And all around. Spring. New life. Springing up. Resurrection. Hope springs eternal. April 16th. Easter Sunday. Also called “Pascha” (Greek/Latin). Celebrating the resurrection of Jesus from the dead. Easter is celebrated by Christians and non-Christians too. In many languages, the words for “Easter” and “Passover” are the same. Decorating Easter eggs goes back centuries. The egg symbolizing the empty tomb. Some colore ...

RESOLUTION # 17-324 A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF MASON TO AMEND THE NOTICE OF ELECTION FOR THE GENERAL ELECTION OF MAY 6, 2017, TO SET THE ELECTION DAY POLLING PLACE AT 1024 McKINLEY AVE, THE RICHARD ECKERT CIVIC CENTER. WHEREAS, the General Election scheduled for May 6, 2017 will include the voting for two places on the City Commission and concurrently include the voting for two at-large places on the Mason ISD Board of Trustees, WHEREAS, there is an expectation of a larg ...

10 years of Caring -Mason County Cancer Benefit is honored to have helped over 73 families in their battle against cancer since our inception! MCCB is excited to spread the word about this year's benefit Chili Cook off and Washer Pitching Tournament! Help us celebrate 10 YEARS and raise funds to help our community in the future! Saturday April 29th at the Mason City Park Pavilion or Community Building (depending on the weather).

Mason’s second annual Bluebonnet Choral Festival showcases performers from three states, two countries and Classical, Gospel, ethnic and popular music. Performances will be Thursday, April 20, 5:30 p.m., at the First United Methodist Church of Mason; Friday, April 21, 7 p.m., also at the church; and Saturday, April 22, at 2 p.m., in Mason’s historic Odeon Theater.

On Thursday, April 13th, The American Legion Fort Mason Post 285 will have its regular meeting at 6:30pm, at The American Legion Post Hall, 237 Post Hill [behind the Jail]. All members plus friends, family, and other interested parties are encouraged to attend. For more information on The American Legion, call Joaquin Velez, 218-2049, or Tommy Koepke, 347-6021.

On Tuesday, April 4th, five members of Mason County 4-H loaded up and headed to Coleman, Texas for the District 7 Duds to Dazzle Contest. What is Duds to Dazzle, you might ask? This new clothing and textiles contest allows 4-H members to use creativity to up-cycle unused garments or textiles into usable and stylish products in one of three categories - wearable, non-wearable, and jewelry/accessory.

On Tuesday, April 4th, five members of Mason County 4-H loaded up and headed to Coleman, Texas for the District 7 Duds to Dazzle Contest. What is Duds to Dazzle, you might ask? This new clothing and textiles contest allows 4-H members to use creativity to up-cycle unused garments or textiles into usable and stylish products in one of three categories - wearable, non-wearable, and jewelry/accessory.

We had 28 youth baseball players participate in a clinic this past Saturday, April 8th. It was a fun event with a focused effort on batting, pitching and fielding drills and techniques. A special thank you to our baseball instructors, Danny Jordan and Mike Brown. We appreciate Danny and Mike sharing their knowledge of the game with the youth of our community.

The Mason High School UIL Academics Team won the 2A Region IV Championship on Saturday, April 8th, in Corpus Christi. This was the second time in Mason’s history to win the Regional UIL Championship and MHS’s second year in a row to win the title. In addition, 12 of Mason’s students advanced to compete at the UIL State Tournament later this spring. Starting the day, the Current Events Team placed 2nd overall in their contest.

Armstrong Throws Shutout As Mason Cowgirls Varsity Defeats Menard Jesse Armstrong didn’t allow a single run as Mason Cowgirls Varsity defeated Menard 16-0 on Tuesday. Armstrong allowed just one hit and induced a double-play from #4 to end the game. Mason Cowgirls Varsity Jumps Out To Early Lead In Victory Over Junction Mason Cowgirls Varsity jumped out to an early lead over Junction and took home a 12-2 victory on Friday. Mason Cowgirls Varsity collected 11 hits.

The Mason Cowgirls 7th & 8th grade track teams competed in the District Track Meet in Center Point on Monday, April 3. All of the cowgirls competed well, and we had some outstanding performances by our jumpers, hurdlers, and relay teams. The 7th Grade Cowgirls track team became District Champions by winning the meet with 187 points.

Heidi Smith, a second grader at Mason Elementary School, completed all eighteen levels of the Lexia Core5 Computer Reading Program! Heidi set a goal for herself to complete the Lexia program, and she has worked extremely hard to master all levels which goes up to a 5th grade level. She worked the past two summers to help accomplish this goal! Lexia Core5 is available for all kindergarten through second grade students at Mason Elementary.

San Saba Armadillo Relays Thursday 4/6/17 Varsity Track Results: 3200m--3rd, Ella Canfield, 13:30.20; 4x100m Relay--5th, Madison Owen, K’lee Anders, Sandra Duarte, Shay Baker, 53.94; 800m--1st, Angelica Ramirez, 2:22.97; 100m--6th, Sydney Anderson, 13.62; 4x200m Relay--3rd, Madison Owen, K’lee Anders, Sandra Duarte, Sydney Anderson, 1:53.60; 300m Hurdles--4th, Shay Baker, 50.44; 200m--5th, Sydney Anderson, 29.32; 6th K’lee Anders, 29.40; 1600m--2nd, Angelica Ramirez, 5:44.53; 4x400m Relay ...

Do you remember watching the opening ceremony of the 2016 Olympics in Rio on your favorite electronic device? Maybe wishing that you could travel safely to such a place and enjoy all that the culture offers? Especially good food and wine? Well, on Saturday, April 22 you can enjoy a taste of Brazil!

On Thursday, April 13th, The American Legion Fort Mason Post 285 will have its regular meeting at 6:30pm, at The American Legion Post Hall, 237 Post Hill [behind the Jail]. All members plus friends, family, and other interested parties are encouraged to attend. For more information on The American Legion, call Joaquin Velez, 218-2049, or Tommy Koepke, 347-6021.

Mason’s second annual Bluebonnet Choral Festival showcases performers from three states, two countries and Classical, Gospel, ethnic and popular music. Performances will be Thursday, April 20, 5:30 p.m., at the First United Methodist Church of Mason; Friday, April 21, 7 p.m., also at the church; and Saturday, April 22, at 2 p.m., in Mason’s historic Odeon Theater.

10 years of Caring -Mason County Cancer Benefit is honored to have helped over 73 families in their battle against cancer since our inception! MCCB is excited to spread the word about this year's benefit Chili Cook off and Washer Pitching Tournament! Help us celebrate 10 YEARS and raise funds to help our community in the future! Saturday April 29th at the Mason City Park Pavilion or Community Building (depending on the weather).

RESOLUTION # 17-324 A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF MASON TO AMEND THE NOTICE OF ELECTION FOR THE GENERAL ELECTION OF MAY 6, 2017, TO SET THE ELECTION DAY POLLING PLACE AT 1024 McKINLEY AVE, THE RICHARD ECKERT CIVIC CENTER. WHEREAS, the General Election scheduled for May 6, 2017 will include the voting for two places on the City Commission and concurrently include the voting for two at-large places on the Mason ISD Board of Trustees, WHEREAS, there is an expectation of a larg ...

We have been enjoying the beautiful spring weather. We have called on our kids and grands to help us get things done around here. Thus, the greenhouse is empty. That is a huge job and I am so glad it is done. Scott has the old lawnmower running again. It is leaf raking time.

Mason County had 253 men and two women (Lillian Weidemann Cole and ____________) who served in World War I. Many served in Europe, particularly in France, but luckily, some did not see overseas combat and were stationed in various parts of the U.S., some in military hospitals. Mason lost three men during the war - all in France and killed in action.

The City of Mason will be holding a County Wide Tire Clean-Up scheduled to begin on Monday, April 17, 2017 and continue through Friday, April 21, 2017. The cost per regular vehicle sized tires and smaller tires will be $2 per tire. Truck and tractor tires or anything larger than a standard vehicle tire will cost $5 per tire. All tires can be dropped off during the hours of 8 a.m.

The annual Steady Steps Fundraiser of the Mason First United Methodist Church will be held at the Community Center on April 22, 2017, starting at 5:00 p.m. for viewing of silent auction items with dinner to be served at 6:30 p.m. Following the dinner a fabulous cake and pie auction will be conducted.

If you’ve been disappointed with commercially-made greeting cards, this may be the class for you! Satisfy your creative cravings and learn to make your own cards. Jan Appleby will be teaching Creative Card Construction at the Mason Co. M. Beven Eckert Memorial Library on Wednesday, April 19, from 10:00 – 12:00.

Michael Stork will be giving a program on Alzheimer’s disease and dementia in the Stribling Room of the Mason Co. M. Beven Eckert Memorial Library on Wednesday, April 19, at 2:00 P.M. Mr. Stork is the owner of Morning Star Memory Care in Fredericksburg. The program is free to the public.

A free health and wellness program offered by Methodist Healthcare Ministries of South Texas, Inc. Methodist Healthcare Ministries and the United Methodist Women of First United Methodist Church of Mason invite you to attend a free educational program on human trafficking. If you have a son or daughter that you will be sending to college or younger children, this is a program for you.

MHS Family, Career, and Community Leaders of America Just in time for Easter! Friday, April 14th , 9 a.m. -1 p.m. @ Lowe’s Market & Mason Feed Store All proceeds benefit the Mary Beth Ince Family & Consumer Science Scholarship

We have all been waiting for the fresh vegetables grown by Buenna Tierra Farms. They will be back on Saturday, April 15th, 5:00-7:00 pm, behind Santos and the wine bar. Currently they have beets, carrots, lettuce, kale, chard, cabbage and basil for sale. Sue Gierisch will be there with canned goods, fresh baked breads, and farm eggs. Mark and Sande Shaw will be selling fresh picked onions, baked goods, and farm eggs. Note the new day and time: Saturdays, 5:00-7:00 p.m.

WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Representative K. Michael Conaway (R-Texas) will hold a Town Hall at the M. Beven Eckert Library on Tuesday, April 18, 2017 at 9 to 10 a.m. The town hall is open to members of the media and the public. WHAT: Mason Town Hall Meeting WHO: U.S. Rep. Mike Conaway WHEN: 9:00 – 10:00 am. Tuesday, April 18, 2017 WHERE: Mason County Eckert Memorial Library, 410 Post Hill St, Mason, TX 76856

Pamela Kay Cavaness, of Mason, passed away on Friday, April 7, at the age of 66. Pamela is survived by her husband Larry Cavaness of Mason, two sons Patrick Douglas Cavaness of Rockwall and Christopher Cole Cavaness and wife Traci of Mason a daughter Sheila Kay Cavaness and fiancé Cindy Smith of Ft.

Jay Michael Brown, of Mason, passed away April 3, 2017. He was born in Mason County, January 9, 1941 to Arch and Lilly K. Brown. After graduating from Mason High School in 1959, he attended TCU until he joined the Army. When he got out of the Army he married Darlene Jones in 1965. Jay was a Mason and a Past Master of McCulloch Lodge #273 in Mason.

River of Life Church invites you to join us for our Easter worship services to celebrate the glory of Jesus Christ and the freedom we have through faith in Him! In preparation for Easter, we will have Passion Week (the week prior to Easter) services Monday through Friday from 7-8 p.m.

Hilda United Methodist Church invites everyone to its annual Easter Sunrise Service this coming Sunday at 7:00 a.m. (the sun will rise around 7:25 a.m.) in front of the John Brandenberger home on Loeffler Ln. Please bring folding chairs or blankets to sit on. Following the service will be a continental-style breakfast in the Hilda Fellowship Hall to which everyone is invited also. Directions from Mason: South on Hwy.

Once upon a very long time ago, I loved watching movies. I always saw the latest releases, the biggest blockbusters and even the worst flops. I knew the actors, the directors and the studios. Then, somewhere along the way, I seem to lose interest. When I was a child, my exposure to movies was very limited.

Easter Sunday. Coming up. Just like all the bulbs. All over town. And all around. Spring. New life. Springing up. Resurrection. Hope springs eternal. April 16th. Easter Sunday. Also called “Pascha” (Greek/Latin). Celebrating the resurrection of Jesus from the dead. Easter is celebrated by Christians and non-Christians too. In many languages, the words for “Easter” and “Passover” are the same. Decorating Easter eggs goes back centuries. The egg symbolizing the empty tomb. Some colore ...

We have been enjoying the beautiful spring weather. We have called on our kids and grands to help us get things done around here. Thus, the greenhouse is empty. That is a huge job and I am so glad it is done. Scott has the old lawnmower running again. It is leaf raking time.

Rainbow Choco-Log Slice Cookies This is a cookie my mom would fix at Christmas, because they were colorful and festive, children especially love these cookies. I thought it would be fun to make these for Easter, one of my favorite holidays. I would still be making my kids color Easter Eggs with me, if they would!

Once an Indian... If all of his certificates, proclamations and other awards were tacked up, Hershel Kimbrell would need a bigger room, hopefully with at least six sides. Still, there’d be other memorabilia stored, and that’s fine with him. He’s not an award-seeking guy. At age 90, memories of a life well lived are best tucked in the heart than tacked on the wall. More than 100 family members, former players and friends helped him blow out candles at his recent birthday party held in Kimb ...

I’m going to sit here until inspiration comes for this week's article! Really need to do some laundry, still no service on the land phone, maybe another cup of coffee! Coffee was good, but all I thought of was the laundry. For two adults, there sure is a lot of laundry.

Way to Go A HUGE thank you from the Mason County Friends of the Library! Your generous donations of books and baked goods helped us have the most successful Book & Bake sale in the organization’s history. 100% of the funds raised will be used to support our Library through the purchase of additional books, CDs, DVDs, equipment and special projects. The Mason Library is an outstanding example of what a library can accomplish in a small community by partnering with other organizations to pr ...

Dear Gerry, Personally, I have found the media’s and government’s reaction to the attack on the Syrian airbase disappointing. As Trump himself pointed out a few years ago, the most effective way for a president to energize flagging public opinion is to bomb someone. Americans feel strong, powerful, especially useful at a time when polls show that most people thought Trump was taking us to hell in a handbasket with his lies, mismanagement and staggering incompetence. No one should think that ...

After all was said and done, this year’s book sale was the best ever! Even with so many books sold, Wendy and Craton took a truckload of books to the Concho Valley Adult Literacy Council. This organization uses some of the books in their literacy programs, puts them in their own book sale, and ships books to Third World countries.

To air is human During the past half-century or so I’ve traveled in huge commercial jets, small, private airplanes, and by helicopter. Once I even paid real, American dollars for the privilege of taking half an airplane ride, submitting myself to a fall of almost two miles without benefit of mechanical conveyance, depending entirely on a glorified bed sheet to retard my vertically downward velocity enough to keep me from being pulverized on impact with the earth.