July 26, 2017 Issue

Mason High School graduate, Major Rusty Bradshaw, was installed as commanding officer of the Baghdad Diplomatic Support Center in a ceremony in that city on July 8, 2017. Major Bradshaw has been a member of the United States Air Force since March, 1985 when he entered basic training at Lackland Air Force Base in Texas.

Mason’s own Marshall Marquart competed in Pistol and Rifle at the Texas State Games July 9 to 14 at the Austin Rifle Club in Manor, TX. Marquart finished in 4th place smallbore camp perry round (any sight) pistol, shooting 259/300. There were 16 contestants in this competition with first place shooting 279/300.

Several weeks ago the Johnson City Volunteer Fire Dept lost one of their military brush trucks while fighting a large grass fire off of Sandy Road in Blanco County. With over 40 trucks and 90 people from many surrounding departments, they were able to extinguish that fire with no losses to any homes in the subdivision That fire burned approximately 200 acres That left them short on a much needed Brush truck. The Loyal Valley VFD’s officers met and decided to help out our buddies.

Another grandson of former Mayor Jamie Hemphill Graduates From Texas A&M College of Dentistry In Dallas. This years’ graduation class of dentists from Texas A&M’s dental school in Dallas included Jay Hemphill, grandson of former Mayor Jamie Hemphill. The ceremony was held on May 23rd at 10:00 a.m. in the morning in downtown Dallas. Jay was a member of the Odontological Society of academic honors, which included only 20 students out of the 106 in the graduating class.

For the fourth consecutive year Hill Country Memorial has been recognized by Women’s Choice Award as an America’s Best Hospital for Obstetrics and as one of America’s 100 Best Hospitals for Patient Experience. “We are honored to receive these recognitions for our obstetric care and overall patient experience yet again,” said HCM CEO Jayne Pope.

“Boss” Lion Jim Heidelberg convened the weekly meeting of the Mason Lions Club on July 18. Thirty members were present. In addition, six guests attended the meeting. “Boss” Jim related on this day in history, July 18, 1962, playing in their second season in Minneapolis since the franchise moved after 60 years in Washington, D.C., the Minnesota Twins became the first major league team to hit two grand-slam home runs in one inning.

This summer seems to be following a pattern of sudden rains during the weekend and hot dry days in between. It is great to get the extra rain, and Mason is looking green and taken care of, but with the very hot dry days ahead there are some problems that need to be talked about.

I used to wonder what it would be like to get old. What is old, and when do you admit that you are? Climbing up the hill last week at The Eckert James River Bat Cave Preserve, I wondered if at long last I was finally there. I huffed and I puffed and I slooowwly made it to the top and then down to the seating area.

The ‘The Boys of Fall’ are quickly upon us and the time to prepare is now. Registration for Mason Youth Football continues through July 31st. Registration forms are avaliable at JK and ML Schmidt’s home, across the street from the high school flag poles. The 5th-6th team has adequate registration numbers but the 3rd-4th team is short.

The ‘The Boys of Fall’ are quickly upon us and the time to prepare is now. Registration for Mason Youth Football continues through July 31st. Registration forms are avaliable at JK and ML Schmidt’s home, across the street from the high school flag poles. The 5th-6th team has adequate registration numbers but the 3rd-4th team is short.

Mason’s own Marshall Marquart competed in Pistol and Rifle at the Texas State Games July 9 to 14 at the Austin Rifle Club in Manor, TX. Marquart finished in 4th place smallbore camp perry round (any sight) pistol, shooting 259/300. There were 16 contestants in this competition with first place shooting 279/300.

Another grandson of former Mayor Jamie Hemphill Graduates From Texas A&M College of Dentistry In Dallas. This years’ graduation class of dentists from Texas A&M’s dental school in Dallas included Jay Hemphill, grandson of former Mayor Jamie Hemphill. The ceremony was held on May 23rd at 10:00 a.m. in the morning in downtown Dallas. Jay was a member of the Odontological Society of academic honors, which included only 20 students out of the 106 in the graduating class.

This year CTEC offered twenty-five $1,000 college scholarships, bringing the combined amount of financial help awarded to area students over the program’s 20-year history to $534,000. In 1997, a bill was passed by the Texas Legislature that allowed nonprofit electric cooperatives to put unclaimed capital credit funds, previously collected by the Comptroller Office for the State General Fund, to use for student scholarships. CTEC would like to congratulate this year’s local recipients ...

This year we will host a Fundamental basketball camp for 3rd through 8th graders. The Fundamental camp will be July 31-- August 3 & will be from 9am to Noon. The cost for the Fundamental will be $50 per camper. Checks for the Fundamental Camp should be made out to Jeff Guice.

Are you ready? The first day of school is Monday, August 28th! For all of our returning students, most of the paperwork for registration will be submitted on-line this year. This is an easy, two-step process designed to save you time. No more filling out pages and pages of information!

The ‘The Boys of Fall’ are quickly upon us and the time to prepare is now. Registration for Mason Youth Football continues through July 31st. Registration forms are avaliable at JK and ML Schmidt’s home, across the street from the high school flag poles. The 5th-6th team has adequate registration numbers but the 3rd-4th team is short.

The Long Mountain Improvement Corp., the Cemetery, will hold their annual meeting the last Saturday of July, being July 29, at 10 AM at the Long Mt. Community Center. They will conduct a business discussion as well as elect officers for the FY 2017=2018. Need those interested in the Corp. attend.

Carol Tucker will be teaching Photoshop at the Mason Co. M. Beven Eckert Memorial Library, 410 Post Hill St. The class will begin at 6:00 P.M. on Monday, July 31st , and will continue on Monday evenings through August 28th. The class is free, and the library’s computers may be used.

Do your children love to color? Then enter them in the Mason Co. M. Beven Eckert Memorial Library Coloring Contest! Pre-K to First Grade will be judged together, and Second Grade to Fifth Grade will be judged as a separate group. First Place, Second Place, and Third Place ribbons and cash prizes of $25, $15, and $10, respectively, will be awarded.

Hill Country Astronomers (HCA) will meet at 6:30 PM, Monday, August 7, in the H-E-B Community Activity Center at Hill Country University Center in Fredericksburg. HCA member Dan Posey will present a program on asterisms – what they are, why we see them and how to view them. Dan will share a number of examples along with a description of the Astronomical League’s (AL) Asterism Observing Program. One of the asterisms in the AL Program, the Rocketship, was originally identified and submi ...

Fredericksburg, TX (July 24, 2017) – Tickets for the Fredericksburg Theater Company’s (FTC) production of The Marvelous Wonderettes go on sale to the public Monday, July 31st at 9:00 a.m. The smash hit musical travels ten years, starting in 1958 at the Springfield High prom where Betty Jean, Cindy Lou, Missy, and Suzy, four girls with hopes and dreams as big as their crinoline skirts, entertain their classmates as The Marvelous Wonderettes.

The House Committee on Agriculture wants to know what you think about the farm bill. The committee will host the only-scheduled farm bill listening session in Texas on July 31 in San Angelo. “These listening sessions are an opportunity for us to tell lawmakers what we need in the next farm bill before they write it,” Shannon Worrell, Mason County Farm Bureau president, said. The 2014 Farm Bill expires Sept.

This year we will host a Fundamental basketball camp for 3rd through 8th graders. The Fundamental camp will be July 31-- August 3 & will be from 9am to Noon. The cost for the Fundamental will be $50 per camper. Checks for the Fundamental Camp should be made out to Jeff Guice.

I am working on this column Sunday afternoon and my phone keeps telling me there is lightning in the area. I pray that we also get a shower. It has been so hot. We would welcome any moisture. Last week was busy. John and I spent several days in San Antonio while he had his cataract surgery.

Are you ready? The first day of school is Monday, August 28th! For all of our returning students, most of the paperwork for registration will be submitted on-line this year. This is an easy, two-step process designed to save you time. No more filling out pages and pages of information!

Kyle was born in Lubbock, Texas on June 16, 1982. He attended school in San Angelo: Bonham Elementary, Glenn Junior High, and Central High School. His favorite activity, other than being with friends, was the band where he played drums in the percussion section. After high school, he attended the University of Texas and North Texas State University.

John Scott Brown was born October 14, 1950, in Coronado, California to John Franklin Brown and Audrey Adams Brown. He passed away July 16 in Baylor Scott and White in Round Rock, Texas, after a short illness. He graduated from Canyon High School in New Braunfels, Texas in 1970. He attended Southwest Texas State in San Marcos for several years.

Doris Marie Varga went home to meet her Lord on July 18, 2017, in Brady, Texas. She was born on January 12, 1950, in Mason , Texas. Doris and Craig Varga were married at Bergstom Air Force Base Chapel in Austin, Texas on May 16, 1970. She was preceded in death by her parents Ben and Mattie (Crouch) Cavness, brother Jessie Cavness, sister Ella Ruth Parker and sister Mildred Gardner. She is survived by her husband Craig Varga of forty-seven years of marriage; her son Jonathan Varga and wi ...

"I'll Give You Something To Do..." There are certain phrases that, when uttered by a child, can cause a reaction in an adults somewhat akin to hearing fingernails on a chalkboard. "I'm bored." "There's nothing to do." These phrases are uttered by kids who have cell phones, video games, scooters, bicycles, swimming pools, dogs, trampolines, baseballs and unlimited television channels.

Many of us are not aware that Texas Parks & Wildlife maintains a record book of “Junior Angler” fish records for fish caught in the Llano River. Evidence of this is that currently there are no Junior Angler records from the Llano River for the following species: Largemouth bass, Guadalupe bass, any type of perch, any type of catfish, gar or carp.

Senator Perry Open letter to Texas Senator Charles Perry I am opposed to state legislators who convene every two years and who do not live in my community dictating which ordinances my city council can or cannot pass. This includes tree ordinances, speed limits, property tax, signage, etc. Local governments need flexibility to meet the unique challenges of their communities.

Thanks for Mason WE ARE SO FORTUNATE The longer I live in Mason, the more thankful I am. My family roots go way back in this area, both in Junction and Menard. But when my husband & I considered moving out this way 10 years ago, Junction and Menard were never on our radar.

The Pool I am so grateful our City has seen fit to designate the MWF 5:30 to 6:30 time for adults to enjoy our pretty pool. It is so refreshing, good exercise, and a fun time to visit with friends. Not many adults take advantage of this great opportunity, which is a real shame.

Remember, we have our last special program for the kids today at 10:00 A.M. Books and Art Fun will be based on the award-winning children’s book Journey, with art activities to follow. It’s been a super summer—thanks to all the parents, grandparents, and babysitters who took the time to bring the kids to the programs.

If I’m lion I’m dyin’ Welp. Here we go again. Remember Cecil the Lion? The one that was killed a couple of years ago by a Minnesota dentist named Walter Palmer? The one that caused pretty much every animal rights activist, social justice warrior, and whining bedwetter in the world to get their socks in a wad, even though the hunt was entirely legal and ethical?

Rain! Was good and cooled off a hot day! If rain can cool off a hot day, it might just be the trick for a hot head! Getting all hot under the collar isn’t good for your blood pressure. Too, your friends will avoid you! Just stay cool! I actually drove in Austin!

A Stop at the Wrong House… It is a story from decades ago that I’ve retold countless times. Its punchline--wadded up into a few words--sums up the conundrums that hit us daily with tornadic force. Allow me, please, to set it up: At a country shack--one that could easily be a “poster house” for poverty--a government guy knocks on the door. A “mountain man” (or woman) responds with a curt, “Whadda ya want?” greeting.

I am working on this column Sunday afternoon and my phone keeps telling me there is lightning in the area. I pray that we also get a shower. It has been so hot. We would welcome any moisture. Last week was busy. John and I spent several days in San Antonio while he had his cataract surgery.

Wednesday. July 26. 2017. Just another ordinary day. Perhaps. Going back in time… July 26 wasn’t always an ordinary day. Many significant things happened on that date. War, for one. We’re going way back. In 657, the first Muslim civil war occurred along the Euphrates River. Then, in 811, the Bulgarians beat the Byzantines (Score: 1-0). In 1267, the Inquisition formed. So far, July 26 isn’t exactly a party day. 1469—Wars of the Roses. In 1656, Rembrandt ...