April 26, 2017 Issue

Each year in May throughout the U.S.A., veterans organizations like The American Legion Fort Mason Post 285 place flags on the graves of deceased veterans, to honor their memories and the legacy of their brave defense of our beloved country. This tradition of decorating the graves of fallen soldiers began with Southern women who decorated the graves of Confederate soldiers even before the end of the Civil War. With the help of its members, the Ladies Auxiliary and volunteers, Fort Mason Post 28 ...

Heart of Texas Bible Camp will be the location for Mason County 4H members to attend camp. 4H members from Brown, Callahan, Concho, Llano, Lampasas, Mason, McCulloch, Menard and Runnels counties will attend the two day camp. The deadline to register is Monday, July 3. The cost is $50.00 per 4H member.

The week after Easter has been a slow week. We are tired. The leaves are still getting raked. Grands are my helpers. We are all tired of leaves. The Ministerial Alliance Fifth Sunday Service is scheduled for April 30 at the First United Methodist Church in Mason, at 6. Class Meetings resume after the Easter Break on May 2nd with soup at 6 and the meeting at 6:30.

In the past few weeks I have written about some of the activities that seem to fill our weekends during the spring. There are many of them, and in the coming days we will have the Mason Cancer Benefit and its several activities next weekend and the Mason Volunteer Fire Department BBQ the following weekend.

Good Times Under the Sun... The number of folks who enjoy cruising is growing markedly each year, and many serious cruisers will head for a cruise port at the drop of a hat--and they’ll provide the hat. Some provide the most obscure reasons to justify another vacation on the high seas.

I’m officially out of the weather forecasting via old folk theory! No frost or freeze on April 19th. In fact it was shorts weather. Then came the cool week end. Go figure! I’ll still pay attention to the Bee Brush blooming. There is always something to do, but I’m at the stage of my life when I pick and choose.

The unfriendly skies For the record, I knew something like this was going to happen. Judging by the way I’ve been treated almost every time I’ve flown anywhere on a commercial airplane, I figured that, at some point, I was going to show up for a flight and be told, “Well, we’re a little overbooked, so your seat is on the left wing.” Which might not be too bad, if they gave me a shotgun, so I could entertain myself by shooting at birds and such. United Airlines adopted ...

Michael Stork will be back in the library on Friday, April 28th at 11:00 a.m. for an informational meeting on Alzheimer’s and dementia. He’ll also be hosting a meeting of the Alzheimer’s support group at 2:00 p.m. at the Senior Center that day. He’s a wonderful resource with thirty years of experience in the area, and you can educate yourself further with books we have here in the library, such as Living your best with early-stage Alzheimer’s: an essential guide, Alzheimer’s: a care ...

The Mason Lions Club met April 18 for its weekly luncheon meeting. 25 members attended the meeting. “Boss” Lion Jess Irwin reminded the members of several important events that occurred on April 18. In 1783, fighting ceased in the American Revolution. The old Yankee Stadium (“The House That Ruth Built”) opened in 1923 and the Yankees beat their arch rival, the Boston Red Sox.

Best Ever Gingersnaps courtesy: Barbara Blanton This recipe will yield about 50 cookies and I think you’ll be amazed at how quickly they will disappear from your cookie jar! It’s one of the few recipes that I’ve made that I say, “I would not change a thing.” These are rather “soft” gingersnaps, unlike most, which I find attractive.

The regular meeting of the Mason County Commissioners' Court on Monday began with an introduction. Sheree Hardin, formerly the Consumer and Family Sciences agent for the Mason AgriLife office has been hired as assistant to Judge Jerry Bearden. Mrs. Hardin replaces Nikki Stringer, who along with her husband, Chief Deputy Dean Stringer, has moved to Abilene.

Mason Cowgirls Varsity Grabs Lead In Sixth Inning For Victory Over Miles Mason Cowgirls Varsity took the lead late and defeated Miles 15-8 on Tuesday. The game was tied at eight with Mason Cowgirls Varsity batting in the top of the sixth when there was an error, scoring one run. Jodie Evans collected four hits in five at bats to help lead Mason Cowgirls Varsity to victory.

Area 27/28AA Meet @ Harper Thursday 4/20/17 Varsity Track Results: 4x100m Relay--6th, Madison Owen, K’lee Anders, Sandra Duarte, Shay Baker, 53.95; 800m--1st, Angelica Ramirez, 2:20.28; 100m Hurdles--3rd, Victoria Baltierra, 16.37; 4x200m Relay--3rd, Madison Owen, K’lee Anders, Raegan Palacio, Sydney Anderson, 1:51.29; 400m--2nd, Angelica Ramirez, 1:00.58; 300m Hurdles--4th, Victoria Baltierra, 49.62; 5th, Shay Baker, 49.90; 200m--4th, Raegan Palacio, 27.62; 4x400m Relay--2 ...

Dennis Blocker will present The Heart of Hell: The Untold Story of Courage and Sacrifice in the Shadow of Iwo Jima on Tuesday, May 2, at 6:30 P.M. in the Stribling Room of the Mason Co. M. Beven Eckert Memorial Library, 410 Post Hill Street. Admission is free to the public. Blocker succeeded in getting Pulitzer Prize Winner Mitch Weiss to write the book.

The Texas Legislature is debating proposed changes in the states’ eminent domain process. “For too long, entities and companies with eminent domain authority have been allowed to offer landowners below-market-value for their land,” Shannon Worrell, Mason County Farm Bureau president, said. “If the landowner wants what is fair, he’ll have to pay a lawyer and sue for what is right.

Sat. April 21st from 5 - 7 PM, had a small turn out. Hopefully more will come! Buenna Tierra Farms came and had a lot of fresh vegetables; squash, zucchini, kale, chard cabbage, carrots, lettuce and beets. Camps Nursery - Camp San Saba - Zack and Danika Smith - have all kinds of Native Plants and Cactus. These folks will be back next week as well as Mark and Sande Shaw - with baked Zucchini Breads and Cookies. Will be testing a new bread, Chocolate Zucchini Bread.

And I Say It With Absolute Certainty..... I am not a person who has absolute certainty about very many things. That's not to say that I don't have strong opinions and beliefs about many things; but, I am quite certain that there are still things I have not learned, so I always maintain at least some doubt about my positions, just waiting for a bit more information every day. Some people, however, don't have such clouds of doubt.

The Hext, Texas, Homecoming and Reunion will be held on April 29, 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. The Homecoming has been held for approximately 70 years. Lunch will be served at 12:30 p.m., and all festivities are at the Hext School House, 164 Anderson Lane. Lunch is $10 per adult, $8 per child. Special Event: 2nd Annual Cooking Contest!

Bill and Nita Hight of the Long Mountain Community celebrated their 60th wedding anniversary April 19 very quietly at the eye Doctor’s office. However the event was not a lost cause. Their daughter Keeta, and her family, Aiden and Rob Sharabba of Houston, treated them on Saturday evening, the 15th, with a gala back yard party and catered dinner of an Italian cuisine at their home in West Houston at which 17 friends were in attendance.

The Hill Country CattleWomen present, “Honor The Brand,” at the 4th Annual Spring Roundup, Dinner & Dance. Featuring The Almost Patsy Cline Band. When: April 29, 2017 Where: Y.O. Ranch Hotel and Conference Center, 2033 Sidney Baker, Kerrville, TX Time: 5:30 in the Evening Cost: Tickets Starting at $75 each Contact: Please contact Bonnie Eckhardt @ [email protected] or 210.632.8480

Mason Young Life is finishing the school year strong and looking forward to the summer! The summer is a great time for adult leaders to hang out with students and build relationships with them. All that extra time with teenagers provides opportunities for leaders to demonstrate the love of Christ and to share the gospel with them in a way they will understand.

Dear Editor, Last week my husband and I attended the “town hall” meeting at the library hosted by Representative Mike Conaway. I was so proud of the citizens of Mason! They were respectful and courteous and asked intelligent, well-planned questions of the Congressman covering topics such as healthcare, the Russian investigation and the “border wall” without devolving into an angry mob like we see so often on television.

The Hill Country Chapter of Texas Master Naturalists (HCCTMN) invites the public to attend its upcoming field days at Mason Mountain Wildlife Management Area (WMA) on May 5th (1-4p) & May 6th (9a-Noon). The WMA staff will give an overview of the WMA, including its history, purpose and ongoing scientific studies, with special focus on the WMA’s Quail Management Study and its partnership with the HCCTMN. Volunteers with the HCCTMN assist the WMA staff with vegetation data collection for two ...

There are four candidates competing for two positions on the Mason City Commission. Incumbent Bonnie Beam is being challenged for the District 2 seat by Anna Velez. Incumbent William Beaty is being challenged for the District 4 seat by Vicki Reichenau Enrigue. Four candidates have declared for the two at-large positions on the Mason I.S.D.

We will start spraying between the hours of 5:30 pm and 9:30 pm. Please stay indoors during these and times. We want to thank everyone for their cooperation in advance in keeping Mason safe!!! Wednesday April 26, 2017, we will be spraying the south side of Mason, streets are: Austin, Fuchsia, Willow, Hackberry, Schuessler, Fir, Oak, Pine, Orange, East Rainey, Post Oak, East Kettner, South Live Oak, Schmidt, Magnolia, Smith, Steapp Ln, Hofman, City park, Landfill road. Thursday April 27, 2017, w ...

The Mason Volunteer Fire Department will be doing a public demonstration of the new brush truck on Saturday April 29 from 9 a.m. to noon at the picnic area across the street from the fire station. So come on down and see what the new truck can do.

Gerry Lee Watson, 77, of Tow, Texas, passed away April 17, 2017. She was born to J.W. and Rachel (Kyle) McCaslin on June 27, 1939, in Austin, Texas. Mrs. Watson enjoyed fishing and playing games but most of all she loved spending time with her grandchildren. She is survived by her son Ben Watson Jr.

Mason Punchers defeated Ozona 4-2 last Tuesday after taking the lead late in the game. Mason Punchers tied it all up at 2-2 in the bottom of the sixth inning when Lucas Martin hit a two run homerun to give the Punchers the go ahead lead. Mason Punchers collected nine hits.

Members of Mason’s UIL Academic Team had a lot of success competing at the State UIL Meet last Friday in Austin. The Current Events team, made up of Elijah Timms, Austin Habecker, Scott Harwell, and Zachary Norman, placed first and earned a State Championship in the event. The Current Events team earned their trip to the State Meet as the State Wildcard team, meaning that they had to come from behind in order to place first.

Operation Orphans, Inc. hosted 68 boys from eleven child residential and foster homes April 21st and 22nd. 68 boys came from Big Springs Children’s Home, Leakey; Presbyterian Home, Waxahachie; Roberto Araujo Home, Elmendorf; Presbyterian Children’s Home, Itasca; Texas Boys Ranch, Lubbock; Foster Home, Stephenville; Gulf Coast Trades Center, New Waverly; Collard Home, Walnut Grove; Big Springs Ranch, Vanderpool; Texas Baptist Children’s Home, Round Rock; and Families Especial, Converse.

Members of Mason’s UIL Academic Team had a lot of success competing at the State UIL Meet last Friday in Austin. The Current Events team, made up of Elijah Timms, Austin Habecker, Scott Harwell, and Zachary Norman, placed first and earned a State Championship in the event. The Current Events team earned their trip to the State Meet as the State Wildcard team, meaning that they had to come from behind in order to place first.

Mason Punchers defeated Ozona 4-2 last Tuesday after taking the lead late in the game. Mason Punchers tied it all up at 2-2 in the bottom of the sixth inning when Lucas Martin hit a two run homerun to give the Punchers the go ahead lead. Mason Punchers collected nine hits.

There are four candidates competing for two positions on the Mason City Commission. Incumbent Bonnie Beam is being challenged for the District 2 seat by Anna Velez. Incumbent William Beaty is being challenged for the District 4 seat by Vicki Reichenau Enrigue. Four candidates have declared for the two at-large positions on the Mason I.S.D.

Mason Young Life is finishing the school year strong and looking forward to the summer! The summer is a great time for adult leaders to hang out with students and build relationships with them. All that extra time with teenagers provides opportunities for leaders to demonstrate the love of Christ and to share the gospel with them in a way they will understand.

Area 27/28AA Meet @ Harper Thursday 4/20/17 Varsity Track Results: 4x100m Relay--6th, Madison Owen, K’lee Anders, Sandra Duarte, Shay Baker, 53.95; 800m--1st, Angelica Ramirez, 2:20.28; 100m Hurdles--3rd, Victoria Baltierra, 16.37; 4x200m Relay--3rd, Madison Owen, K’lee Anders, Raegan Palacio, Sydney Anderson, 1:51.29; 400m--2nd, Angelica Ramirez, 1:00.58; 300m Hurdles--4th, Victoria Baltierra, 49.62; 5th, Shay Baker, 49.90; 200m--4th, Raegan Palacio, 27.62; 4x400m Relay--2 ...

Mason Cowgirls Varsity Grabs Lead In Sixth Inning For Victory Over Miles Mason Cowgirls Varsity took the lead late and defeated Miles 15-8 on Tuesday. The game was tied at eight with Mason Cowgirls Varsity batting in the top of the sixth when there was an error, scoring one run. Jodie Evans collected four hits in five at bats to help lead Mason Cowgirls Varsity to victory.

POINT TOTALS: MASON 146 HARPER 95 WEIMAR 75 JUNCTION 74 SAN SABA 61 SHINER 61 YORKTOWN 45 CPOINT 22 FLATONIA 21 GANADO 20 LOUISE 2 Men’s 400m Dash AA: McMillan, Bode: 53.77 3RD Men’s 1,600m Run AA: Dudney, Curtis: 5:03.66 1ST Men’s 3,200m Run AA: Dudney, Curtis: 11:07.52 1ST Men’s 110m Hurdles AA: Hyatt, Caleb: 15.69 3RD Chapman, Jackson: 16.25 4TH Men’s 300m Intermediate Hurdles AA: Chapman, Jackson: 40.88 1ST Kirby, Thaddeus: 42.29 3RD Men’s 4 x 100m Relay AA: A: ...

“There Ain’t No Mountain High Enough!” is the theme for this year’s 4H Leadership Lab, June 27 to June 30. Teen participants will be headed to the Aspendale Mountain Retreat Center in Cloud Croft, New Mexico. Leadership Lab is held annually in June and 4-H members from ages 13-18 may attend.

Heart of Texas Bible Camp will be the location for Mason County 4H members to attend camp. 4H members from Brown, Callahan, Concho, Llano, Lampasas, Mason, McCulloch, Menard and Runnels counties will attend the two day camp. The deadline to register is Monday, July 3. The cost is $50.00 per 4H member.

The Hext, Texas, Homecoming and Reunion will be held on April 29, 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. The Homecoming has been held for approximately 70 years. Lunch will be served at 12:30 p.m., and all festivities are at the Hext School House, 164 Anderson Lane. Lunch is $10 per adult, $8 per child. Special Event: 2nd Annual Cooking Contest!

Heart of Texas Bible Camp will be the location for Mason County 4H members to attend camp. 4H members from Brown, Callahan, Concho, Llano, Lampasas, Mason, McCulloch, Menard and Runnels counties will attend the two day camp. The deadline to register is Monday, July 3. The cost is $50.00 per 4H member.

“There Ain’t No Mountain High Enough!” is the theme for this year’s 4H Leadership Lab, June 27 to June 30. Teen participants will be headed to the Aspendale Mountain Retreat Center in Cloud Croft, New Mexico. Leadership Lab is held annually in June and 4-H members from ages 13-18 may attend.

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).

The week after Easter has been a slow week. We are tired. The leaves are still getting raked. Grands are my helpers. We are all tired of leaves. The Ministerial Alliance Fifth Sunday Service is scheduled for April 30 at the First United Methodist Church in Mason, at 6. Class Meetings resume after the Easter Break on May 2nd with soup at 6 and the meeting at 6:30.

The regular meeting of the Mason County Commissioners' Court on Monday began with an introduction. Sheree Hardin, formerly the Consumer and Family Sciences agent for the Mason AgriLife office has been hired as assistant to Judge Jerry Bearden. Mrs. Hardin replaces Nikki Stringer, who along with her husband, Chief Deputy Dean Stringer, has moved to Abilene.

Dennis Blocker will present The Heart of Hell: The Untold Story of Courage and Sacrifice in the Shadow of Iwo Jima on Tuesday, May 2, at 6:30 P.M. in the Stribling Room of the Mason Co. M. Beven Eckert Memorial Library, 410 Post Hill Street. Admission is free to the public. Blocker succeeded in getting Pulitzer Prize Winner Mitch Weiss to write the book.

Sat. April 21st from 5 - 7 PM, had a small turn out. Hopefully more will come! Buenna Tierra Farms came and had a lot of fresh vegetables; squash, zucchini, kale, chard cabbage, carrots, lettuce and beets. Camps Nursery - Camp San Saba - Zack and Danika Smith - have all kinds of Native Plants and Cactus. These folks will be back next week as well as Mark and Sande Shaw - with baked Zucchini Breads and Cookies. Will be testing a new bread, Chocolate Zucchini Bread.

Each year in May throughout the U.S.A., veterans organizations like The American Legion Fort Mason Post 285 place flags on the graves of deceased veterans, to honor their memories and the legacy of their brave defense of our beloved country. This tradition of decorating the graves of fallen soldiers began with Southern women who decorated the graves of Confederate soldiers even before the end of the Civil War. With the help of its members, the Ladies Auxiliary and volunteers, Fort Mason Post 28 ...

The City of Mason has extended our County Wide Tire Clean-Up. It will now continue through Friday, April 28, 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 at the City of Mason Recycling Center at 510 N.

Bill and Nita Hight of the Long Mountain Community celebrated their 60th wedding anniversary April 19 very quietly at the eye Doctor’s office. However the event was not a lost cause. Their daughter Keeta, and her family, Aiden and Rob Sharabba of Houston, treated them on Saturday evening, the 15th, with a gala back yard party and catered dinner of an Italian cuisine at their home in West Houston at which 17 friends were in attendance.

The Hill Country CattleWomen present, “Honor The Brand,” at the 4th Annual Spring Roundup, Dinner & Dance. Featuring The Almost Patsy Cline Band. When: April 29, 2017 Where: Y.O. Ranch Hotel and Conference Center, 2033 Sidney Baker, Kerrville, TX Time: 5:30 in the Evening Cost: Tickets Starting at $75 each Contact: Please contact Bonnie Eckhardt @ [email protected] or 210.632.8480

Mason Young Life is finishing the school year strong and looking forward to the summer! The summer is a great time for adult leaders to hang out with students and build relationships with them. All that extra time with teenagers provides opportunities for leaders to demonstrate the love of Christ and to share the gospel with them in a way they will understand.

The Hill Country Chapter of Texas Master Naturalists (HCCTMN) invites the public to attend its upcoming field days at Mason Mountain Wildlife Management Area (WMA) on May 5th (1-4p) & May 6th (9a-Noon). The WMA staff will give an overview of the WMA, including its history, purpose and ongoing scientific studies, with special focus on the WMA’s Quail Management Study and its partnership with the HCCTMN. Volunteers with the HCCTMN assist the WMA staff with vegetation data collection for two ...

There are four candidates competing for two positions on the Mason City Commission. Incumbent Bonnie Beam is being challenged for the District 2 seat by Anna Velez. Incumbent William Beaty is being challenged for the District 4 seat by Vicki Reichenau Enrigue. Four candidates have declared for the two at-large positions on the Mason I.S.D.

We will start spraying between the hours of 5:30 pm and 9:30 pm. Please stay indoors during these and times. We want to thank everyone for their cooperation in advance in keeping Mason safe!!! Wednesday April 26, 2017, we will be spraying the south side of Mason, streets are: Austin, Fuchsia, Willow, Hackberry, Schuessler, Fir, Oak, Pine, Orange, East Rainey, Post Oak, East Kettner, South Live Oak, Schmidt, Magnolia, Smith, Steapp Ln, Hofman, City park, Landfill road. Thursday April 27, 2017, w ...

The Mason Volunteer Fire Department will be doing a public demonstration of the new brush truck on Saturday April 29 from 9 a.m. to noon at the picnic area across the street from the fire station. So come on down and see what the new truck can do.

Gerry Lee Watson, 77, of Tow, Texas, passed away April 17, 2017. She was born to J.W. and Rachel (Kyle) McCaslin on June 27, 1939, in Austin, Texas. Mrs. Watson enjoyed fishing and playing games but most of all she loved spending time with her grandchildren. She is survived by her son Ben Watson Jr.

And I Say It With Absolute Certainty..... I am not a person who has absolute certainty about very many things. That's not to say that I don't have strong opinions and beliefs about many things; but, I am quite certain that there are still things I have not learned, so I always maintain at least some doubt about my positions, just waiting for a bit more information every day. Some people, however, don't have such clouds of doubt.

Dear Editor, Last week my husband and I attended the “town hall” meeting at the library hosted by Representative Mike Conaway. I was so proud of the citizens of Mason! They were respectful and courteous and asked intelligent, well-planned questions of the Congressman covering topics such as healthcare, the Russian investigation and the “border wall” without devolving into an angry mob like we see so often on television.

Best Ever Gingersnaps courtesy: Barbara Blanton This recipe will yield about 50 cookies and I think you’ll be amazed at how quickly they will disappear from your cookie jar! It’s one of the few recipes that I’ve made that I say, “I would not change a thing.” These are rather “soft” gingersnaps, unlike most, which I find attractive.

Michael Stork will be back in the library on Friday, April 28th at 11:00 a.m. for an informational meeting on Alzheimer’s and dementia. He’ll also be hosting a meeting of the Alzheimer’s support group at 2:00 p.m. at the Senior Center that day. He’s a wonderful resource with thirty years of experience in the area, and you can educate yourself further with books we have here in the library, such as Living your best with early-stage Alzheimer’s: an essential guide, Alzheimer’s: a care ...

The unfriendly skies For the record, I knew something like this was going to happen. Judging by the way I’ve been treated almost every time I’ve flown anywhere on a commercial airplane, I figured that, at some point, I was going to show up for a flight and be told, “Well, we’re a little overbooked, so your seat is on the left wing.” Which might not be too bad, if they gave me a shotgun, so I could entertain myself by shooting at birds and such. United Airlines adopted ...

I’m officially out of the weather forecasting via old folk theory! No frost or freeze on April 19th. In fact it was shorts weather. Then came the cool week end. Go figure! I’ll still pay attention to the Bee Brush blooming. There is always something to do, but I’m at the stage of my life when I pick and choose.

Good Times Under the Sun... The number of folks who enjoy cruising is growing markedly each year, and many serious cruisers will head for a cruise port at the drop of a hat--and they’ll provide the hat. Some provide the most obscure reasons to justify another vacation on the high seas.

The week after Easter has been a slow week. We are tired. The leaves are still getting raked. Grands are my helpers. We are all tired of leaves. The Ministerial Alliance Fifth Sunday Service is scheduled for April 30 at the First United Methodist Church in Mason, at 6. Class Meetings resume after the Easter Break on May 2nd with soup at 6 and the meeting at 6:30.

Go fly a kite. Go jump in the lake. It’s perfect weather for both. Well...maybe the water is a little cold. But it sounds fun just the same. Especially flying a kite. Kite flying is as old as the hills. Three thousand years old, give or take. Like before Christ. China invented the kite. They had silk. They had bamboo. So they said, “Let’s make something.” Only they said it in Chinese. And then they flew them as instruments of war. Kites lifted fireworks up in the air to scare the enemy. ...