June 28, 2017 Issue

One of 1,100 future leaders that assembled for the prestigious program Spent week at University of Texas learning about government AUSTIN, Tex. – The American Legion, Department of Texas, today announced that Cason Dudney of Mason High School has graduated from American Legion Boys State, Department of Texas, better known simply as Texas Boys State. Begun in 1935, Boys State is a unique program that educates future leaders about government, civics, and patriotism in a “learn by doing” env ...

The Mason Lions Club met Tuesday, June 20th, for it’s weekly luncheon meeting. There were 29 members and 5 visitors in attendance. Among the guests were Lion Michael Cope’s wife Leslie and Michael's Daughter. “Boss” Lion Jess Irwin passed around the sign up sheets for the Rodeo Round Up event and said we need more volunteers.

How much forage do I have? Experienced ranchers have lived through wet and dry cycles, and they understand forage accumulation and disappearance and livestock gains and losses. Some managers can just “tell by looking at it” if the forage they have is enough for the planned stocking rate and for improving the land resource. However, a systematic approach can improve decisions, evaluations, and reduce the risk to ranch resources associated with forage shortages.

Micah Walker, Extension Agent for Ag and Natural Resources is asking county producers or others interested in receiving information related to Agriculture and Natural Resources in Mason County and the region, to contact the extension offices. “The Extension Office would like to have the ability to disseminate information about local issues, upcoming classes for credit hours, and relevant information or classes related to Ag and Natural Resources”, said Micah. A newsletter will be emailed on ...

The rains this past weekend helped relieve the hot dry weather, but we will again be seeing 100 degree days and the yards will need some more water soon. The water well that we had go out a month ago is fully repaired with a new pump, updated electrical supply and some other improvements and we are not too concerned about the City’s water supply at this time.

During the week of June 11th to June 17th, Jenna Johnson and Grace Chapman represented Mason, Mason County and Mason ISD at the 2017 American Legion Auxiliary’s Bluebonnet Girls State Program, held at Texas Lutheran University in Seguin. Their attendance was sponsored by the American Legion Auxiliary Fort Mason Unit 285 here in Mason and their fees were underwritten by the generous donations of J.K.

JULY 17 - 20 JULY 24 - 27 JULY 31 - AUG 3 6-7PM All incoming girls and boys in grades 7-12 are highly encouraged to attend. There is no cost.

JULY 17 - 20 JULY 24 - 27 JULY 31 - AUG 3 6-7PM All incoming girls and boys in grades 7-12 are highly encouraged to attend. There is no cost.

JULY 31 - AUG 2 3RD - 5TH GRADES 9:00 - 10:30AM 6TH - 9TH GRADES 10:30 - 12:00PM Registration is at 8:30 in the High School gym on July 31st. The cost is $15. Bring cleats if you have some.

JULY 31 - AUG 2 3RD - 5TH GRADES 9:00 - 10:30AM 6TH - 9TH GRADES 10:30 - 12:00PM Registration is at 8:30 in the High School gym on July 31st. The cost is $15. Bring cleats if you have some.

During the week of June 11th to June 17th, Jenna Johnson and Grace Chapman represented Mason, Mason County and Mason ISD at the 2017 American Legion Auxiliary’s Bluebonnet Girls State Program, held at Texas Lutheran University in Seguin. Their attendance was sponsored by the American Legion Auxiliary Fort Mason Unit 285 here in Mason and their fees were underwritten by the generous donations of J.K.

Last week we had an incident and one of our employees was injured due to improper material being dumped into our dumpsters. He was treated and only missed a couple of days work. He is back at work and doing great but we are needing your help? If we all work together we can make this city a safer place for all of us.

The Mason Community Foundation is dedicated to granting funds for projects which improve the quality of life in the Mason community. Grants are accepted twice each year, with the next applications due by Friday, September 1, 2017. Non-profits with projects intended for the betterment of the majority of the Mason community are encouraged to submit their applications for consideration.

JULY 17 - 20 JULY 24 - 27 JULY 31 - AUG 3 6-7PM All incoming girls and boys in grades 7-12 are highly encouraged to attend. There is no cost.

The Mason Square Museum’s new summer Seek & Find Challenge has been such a success that it has been extended for the remainder of the summer! The Seek & Find Challenge’s goal is to make children from Kindergarten through Fifth grade aware of the history of Mason County in a fun and challenging format.

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 June 28, 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 June 29, 2017, we ...

Bring your appetites when you come to the Rodeo Arena on Saturday the 8th ! Mason Lions will be operating a main booth on the north end of the arena selling hamburgers and hotdogs along with chips , sodas and water while the south end stand will have drinks and chips.

Hill Country Astronomers (HCA) will meet at 6:30 PM, Monday, July 3, at Hill Country University Center in Fredericksburg. We will view Dr. Alex Filippenko’s video lecture entitled “The Intrinsic Brightnesses of Stars.” Instead of just observing the apparent brightness of a star, Dr. Filippenko discusses how astronomers can extract information on a star’s true brightness – how bright it is independent of distance and the obscuring effects of interstellar dust and gas.

Micah Walker, Extension Agent for Ag and Natural Resources is asking county producers or others interested in receiving information related to Agriculture and Natural Resources in Mason County and the region, to contact the extension offices. “The Extension Office would like to have the ability to disseminate information about local issues, upcoming classes for credit hours, and relevant information or classes related to Ag and Natural Resources”, said Micah. A newsletter will be emailed on ...

Are you planning your next venture in public awareness? Thinking of saving the bees, or ending world hunger? Perhaps you are thinking more of helping your local community members with services they need and deserve. If you said yes or made a little tilt of your lips and a glance into the netherworlds for an answer, then, “We Want You”! The Mason Senior Center receives funding from the Area Agency on Aging (AAA) of the Concho Valley for our nutrition program.

The 4th of July is this week. I hope that instead of party time, the citizens of this great country will take the time to review the constitution written so long ago and understand what our country’s founders dreamed for this country. We could all use a refresher course on the law of the land set out in the beginning of our great country. As I write this on Sunday evening, I look back on the week.

Johnnie Bierschwale, Jr. was born on November 16, 1934, in Harper, Texas, to John Russell and Lydia McDougall Bierschwale. Johnnie passed away on Saturday, June 24, 2017, at his home in Harper, Texas, at the age of 82. Johnnie grew up in Harper as a member of the First United Methodist Church with his siblings, C.

Having Discussions Makes Us Stronger After the election of President Barack Obama, there were letters to the editor commenting on his election. They didn't start coming in till over three months after the election, which shows remarkable restraint as our readers waited to see how the "first 100 days" of his term was heading. During the following eight years, there continued to be letters.

Priorities Tested President Trump’s budget director, Mick Mulvaney, approached the proposed 2018 federal budget with a simple question: Would taxpayers want their money spent on this? The result is a budget with trillions of dollars in tax cuts with the largest cuts going to the top 1%. According to the Economic Policy Institute, “In the years following the financial crisis, the top 1% of Americans pocketed 85% of total income growth.

Legislature To My Mason County Constituents Many of us in Mason County are frustrated with the steady increase in property taxes, which seems to be led by increases in property values. Local governmental entities have struggled to make ends meet and keep tax rates as low as possible. We understand that there is a tendency to look close to home to place the blame for increased tax rates and property values.

Presidential Rally Truth Takes a Holiday in Cedar Rapids President Trump landed in Cedar Rapids, IA last Tuesday for a 70-minute speech to hand-picked supporters. Based on the number of lies in that speech, the truth must have been on a flight that was outbound when Trump landed. Here are some of the Trump whoppers. Trump Whopper #1: The time has come for new immigration rules which say that those seeking admission into our country must be able to support themselves financially and should not u ...

Yes, it’s true—DVDs have become our #1 checkout category. We have about 3,000 to choose from now, and they include current releases, classics, Christian movies, children’s and family movies, and American and British TV series, and documentaries. We have the best deal in town—up to five per household for one week FREE!

Grill o’ my dreams Those of you who care to check the gimme calendar you picked up at the bank or the feed store last January will notice that there is an impending holiday impending right down upon us, namely The Fourth of July, otherwise known as Independence Day. This is the most American of all the American holidays, and as a Patriotic American it is your Patriotic Duty to celebrate it to the fullest extent of the law.

I lost my little Nacha Girl! She was up in years and had been with me the longest. She was my girl, only tolerated Z! She was a barker and let me know when someone drove in the driveway. She gave me years of affection and comfort. I’ll miss her. Losing two pets in less than a month is a lot to take in.

Uncle Mort Hits 105… It may be that my Uncle Mort and George M. Cohan, “the man who owned Broadway,” may not have as much in common as we’ve been led to believe. For years, Mort has claimed that he and the “Yankee Doodle Dandy” share the same birthday. “Yep, July 4th was the big day for him and it still is for me,” Mort has bragged, until the world looked level. “The song says he was ‘a real live nephew of my Uncle Sam, born on the Fourth of July’,” Mort reminds us, brea ...

The 4th of July is this week. I hope that instead of party time, the citizens of this great country will take the time to review the constitution written so long ago and understand what our country’s founders dreamed for this country. We could all use a refresher course on the law of the land set out in the beginning of our great country. As I write this on Sunday evening, I look back on the week.

Fourth of July. Just around the corner. Next Tuesday, in fact. Supposed to be in the 90s. Hot and dry. That’s Texas weather for ya. Hot-and-dry fits right in. After all, it IS summer. Celebrate outdoors. Parades. Picnics in the shade. Cold ice tea. Sweet tea. Cold soda. Cold Kool-Aid. Cold beer. Cold wine. Cold anything. Hot dogs. Hamburgers. Barbecue. Fried chicken. Potato salad. Cole slaw. Sliced tomatoes. Pickled okra. Ice cream. Cold watermelon. Cold water. Jump in the river. Jump in the ...