August 16, 2017 Issue

Over the summer 8 members of St Joseph’s Catholic Church youth group along with 3 sponsors had the opportunity to attend a Catholic HEART Workcamp (CHWC) in New Orleans, LA. Catholic HEART Workcamp is about SERVICE, CONNECTION and LOVING OTHERS. Our teens joined other Catholic teens from all over the country to help restore homes in the Ninth Ward and St.

On August 5th, the Mason County Chamber of Commerce held their 4th Annual Softball Classic at the Ft. Mason Park baseball fields. With a total of 7 teams, the tournament was a great success and loaded with fun. After a very competitive tournament, the Tri County Misfits won the Championship game over The Recruits by 1 point!

Officials from Mexico, Canada and the United States will soon gather to renegotiate a trade deal vital to Texas and Mason County agriculture. The renegotiation of the decades-old North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) could begin as early as Wednesday, Aug. 16. “NAFTA lowers, or eliminates, tariffs on goods sold between the U.S., Canada and Mexico.

The Mason Lions Club met August 8 for its weekly luncheon meeting. 33 members and two guests attended the meeting. “Boss” Jim Heidelberg recognized Megan Canfield, a sophomore at Mason High School, for her tireless efforts helping to staff the Lions Club concession stand at the Mason County Rodeo. Megan arrived early that afternoon and worked the entire evening serving cheeseburgers and hot dogs to hungry rodeo fans. “Boss” Jim related that on this day in history, 1942, the US Mar ...

The heat and sun have made a full time return to remind us that it is summer in Texas. It is still a pleasing green everywhere, but being mid-August the heat will soon dry out any moisture in the ground and the green grasses will be a thing of the past.

My computer just ate two drafts of my story, this morning, so since all of this is important, I want to try to get this in for publication. I will keep it short and simple. Next Saturday, August 26th, we will have a huge group visiting from Austin...please plan accordingly. Saturday, September 9th, we will not be able to open due to road closure. Sunday, September 10th will be the last Early Morning Return of the Bats.

(August 10th, 2017) – Yes, the usual beer cans and bits of plastic were found. But so too were diapers, hygiene products, and a rotted chair. On Friday, August 4th intrepid volunteers from the Texas Master Naturalist Program met with the Llano River Watershed Alliance, Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (TPWD), and Hill Country Alliance to clean up a portion of the South Llano River south of Junction, Texas. They started at the County Road 150 river crossing, a site that is part of TPWD

The Mason County 4H Club participated in a statewide 4H effort to “Support Your First Responders.” On Tuesday, August 8, 4H members delivered water, snacks and thank you notes to Representatives of Frontera Healthcare Mason Clinic, Mason County Sheriff’s Department, Texas Game Wardens, Texas Department of Public Safety members and to the Mason County EMS and Fire Departments.

First Baptist Church will once again be offering its Afterschool Program for the 2017-2018 school year. Quality afterschool care is an ongoing problem for working parents in the Mason area. This program, funded by generous community support, strives to help parents by providing quality afterschool and homework assistance for Mason’s school children aged 4 years through 5th grade in a safe, wholesome environment.

The Cowgirls recently participated in the Abilene Christian University Basketball Camp on August 4th and 5th. The girls played a lot of basketball and had many great moments as they prepared for their upcoming season through this camp and their summer league. The Cowgirls would like to thank the sponsors who supported their Mason Summer Basketball League which was held every Monday in June and included teams from Harper, Llano, Menard, and Brady, as well as allowed them the opportunity to p ...

Bridget Langdale wanted to do an August ART CAMP and do some unusual methods of expressing one’s creative side. Painting with brushes taped to 36” dowel sticks, using liquid watercolors inside water guns, and tossing paint soaked cotton balls to add texture and opaque areas against the watercolor was justsome of the ‘art adventures’ the young artists got to experience.

The Mason Band Boosters would like to welcome all our band students and their families to the 2017-2018 school year! We would like to provide our families with the following very important band information. Information on what is up and coming in band is disseminated in a variety of ways: notes home, email, School Way, the Mason ISD website and The Mighty Mason Puncher Band Facebook Page.

The Mason County 4H Club participated in a statewide 4H effort to “Support Your First Responders.” On Tuesday, August 8, 4H members delivered water, snacks and thank you notes to Representatives of Frontera Healthcare Mason Clinic, Mason County Sheriff’s Department, Texas Game Wardens, Texas Department of Public Safety members and to the Mason County EMS and Fire Departments.

Many folks have seen the large banner on the Highway 29 side of St. Paul Lutheran Church: “Celebrating the Reformation—500 Years of God’s Grace in Action—1517 to 2017.” Surely many are asking, “Well, what’s the Reformation?” Adults and children of St. Paul Lutheran Church will present the first of 5 chancel dramas called Papa Luther beginning this Sunday, August 20, during the 10:45 AM service of worship.

River Kid’s will be performing their summer play, Not Your Average Joe, on Saturday, August 26th at 6:30 p.m. and Sunday, August 27th at 10:30a.m. in the sanctuary at River of Life Church at 217 E. College St. This year’s play is the classic Old Testament story of Joseph that is retold in the fun times and music of the 1950’s, but the gospel truth remains the same…trust in the Lord with all your heart at all times. A collection will be taken for several of River Kid’s mission pr ...

On Sunday, August 20th, Mark Hierholzer will be performing a piano concert of German Folk songs. The concert will be at 3 PM at Hill Country Church, 107 E. Lower Crabapple. Hierholzer is a local pianist, composer and choral conductor. He is director of the Fredericksburg Chorale and for thirty years has been director of the Fredericksburg German choirs.

The Board of Directors of Operation Orphans, Inc. has selected four dates for doe hunts during the forthcoming whitetail season. They are the following Saturdays: October 28 November 18, December 2 and January 6. The October date will be an all girls’ hunt, while the remaining dates will be all boys’ hunts. This is the 58th year of the “Take a Child Hunting” program.

You’re invited to Mason’s Memory Café, a monthly gathering for people living with memory loss and their family, friends and caregivers. The Café focuses on individuals beyond the disease and offers a break from normal routines in a safe, supportive and engaging environment. There will be refreshments, music, activities and sometimes speakers. This is an improvement from our current Alzheimer’s support group in many way, including having Ann Scarth RN Wesley Nurse helping make this a ...

As part of ongoing diabetes education efforts, the Hill Country Memorial Wellness Center will host several classes beginning Aug. 17. For individuals diagnosed with diabetes, a “Self-Care Management of Diabetes” seminar will be held on Thurs., Aug. 17 from 9 a.m.-noon. This seminar will be presented again on Thurs., Sept. 21 from 9 a.m.-noon. Nanette Tisdale, a registered nurse and diabetes educator, will lead the seminars. For individuals and family members interested in learning a ...

Willow City, Fredericksburg sibling band, will open for Asleep at the Wheel and Casey Donahew at the 136th Gillespie County Fair on August 26 at 7:00 pm. Combining Folk, Bluegrass, and Gospel music, the group will perform original works and “foot stompin’ fun”. Banjo, guitar, mandolin, bass and percussion, as well as three part harmony define the group. Beecher, Ezra, Liza, and Asa have been performing for four years as “4 Proches”, but the four have recently changed their band na ...

First Baptist Church will once again be offering its Afterschool Program for the 2017-2018 school year. Quality afterschool care is an ongoing problem for working parents in the Mason area. This program, funded by generous community support, strives to help parents by providing quality afterschool and homework assistance for Mason’s school children aged 4 years through 5th grade in a safe, wholesome environment.

It was another quiet week at Art and we like it like that. I survived a day of tax free weekend. It was not as bad as I thought it would be. The crowds were medium, not huge. Of course, I chose the stores and tried to stay out of stores teens like. The Art United Methodist Church will have the blessing of the backpacks on August 20th.

What is Celebrate Recovery? Celebrate Recovery is a ministry designed to help hurting people. It is made up of regular folks like you and me who are on a journey toward wholeness - seeking recovery from and celebrating God’s healing of life’s hurts, habits and hang-ups. Leaders provide safe, confidential, Christ-centered groups where people can grow.

Bridget Langdale wanted to do an August ART CAMP and do some unusual methods of expressing one’s creative side. Painting with brushes taped to 36” dowel sticks, using liquid watercolors inside water guns, and tossing paint soaked cotton balls to add texture and opaque areas against the watercolor was justsome of the ‘art adventures’ the young artists got to experience.

The Mason Band Boosters would like to welcome all our band students and their families to the 2017-2018 school year! We would like to provide our families with the following very important band information. Information on what is up and coming in band is disseminated in a variety of ways: notes home, email, School Way, the Mason ISD website and The Mighty Mason Puncher Band Facebook Page.

MISD will hold the Box Seat drawing on Wednesday, August 23 @ 10 a.m. in the High School auditorium. They must have your check by 9:30 delivered to the auditorium to participate in the drawing. Please enter into the commons area as all other doors could possibly be locked.

Thomas Allan Knox II passed away on Monday, August 7, at the age of 83. Thomas was born in Waco, Texas on January 30, 1934, to Thomas Allan Knox Sr. and Juanita Smith Knox. He was raised in Mason and was a 1950 graduate of Mason High School. On April 6, 1955, Thomas married Doris Jane Capps Knox at the Capps Ranch in Mason County and they were together for 56 years until her passing in 2011. Much of Thomas’s career was as a music educator, working as a band director in several different ...

Jessica Ann Valenzuela, age 32, of Seguin, Texas and formerly of Mason, died Saturday, August 12, 2017, in Seguin. Jessica was born June 21, 1985, in Brady, Texas, to Jose Levrie and Marie Anna Gonzales. She grew up in Mason and moved to Seguin in 2000, where she graduated from high school.

Mr. Dayton Kuhlmann of Fredericksburg passed away on Saturday July 29th at the age of 89 years. Dayton was born December 7, 1927 in Mason County to Alfred and Rosa Jacoby Kuhlmann. Dayton married Mary Jenschke on December 29, 1949 in Fredericksburg. Dayton is survived by two daughters and spouses: Lorna and Gary Eckhardt of Mason; Vanessa and Oscar Palacios of Houston; Son-in-law: Kevin Wood of Fredericksburg; Seven grandchildren and ten great grandchildren and two great great grandchildr ...

Many folks have seen the large banner on the Highway 29 side of St. Paul Lutheran Church: “Celebrating the Reformation—500 Years of God’s Grace in Action—1517 to 2017.” Surely many are asking, “Well, what’s the Reformation?” Adults and children of St. Paul Lutheran Church will present the first of 5 chancel dramas called Papa Luther beginning this Sunday, August 20, during the 10:45 AM service of worship.

Over the summer 8 members of St Joseph’s Catholic Church youth group along with 3 sponsors had the opportunity to attend a Catholic HEART Workcamp (CHWC) in New Orleans, LA. Catholic HEART Workcamp is about SERVICE, CONNECTION and LOVING OTHERS. Our teens joined other Catholic teens from all over the country to help restore homes in the Ninth Ward and St.

River Kid’s will be performing their summer play, Not Your Average Joe, on Saturday, August 26th at 6:30 p.m. and Sunday, August 27th at 10:30a.m. in the sanctuary at River of Life Church at 217 E. College St. This year’s play is the classic Old Testament story of Joseph that is retold in the fun times and music of the 1950’s, but the gospel truth remains the same…trust in the Lord with all your heart at all times. A collection will be taken for several of River Kid’s mission pr ...

You've Got To Be Carefully Taught Who would think that anything having to do with a group called The White Nationalist Movement could ever end well? Forget saying that racism is wrong after someone dies - it should have been said before the event ever began, not two days later. When I learned that the group plans another rally on September 11 on the campus of Texas A&M, my heart sank.

As some of you already know, I got my yoga teacher certification through Living Yoga a few years ago. I’ve been teaching beginner’s yoga on Tuesday mornings at 8:00 A.M. and Restorative Flow yoga on Thursday mornings here at the library for about 6 years. Now I’m adding another morning.

An Inconvenient Electric Bill When I go to a movie, I want to see something I can’t see in my everyday life. Some may go to movies for reality, but my wife and I raised three boys. We got plenty of reality. More than our fair share, I think. I don’t need more reality.

I’ve hit a ‘dry spell!’ There’s absolutely nothing I can think of that would be interesting. Enough of the weather. We all know what’s going on in the world, the good, bad and ugly! It’s hot and the world is in turmoil! Still have my two grand dogs! The last time I talked to Happy, my son, no mention of when they would be getting them.

Look, Up in the Sky!... If you were driving recently in picturesque Palo Duro Canyon, don’t think the high elevation was getting to you, hallucination had begun or that your eyes were in trick mode. Pshaw, it really may have been a 103-year-old man zooming down the zipline. More specifically, it may have been Elvin Howell from the Carillon LifeCare Community in Lubbock. The able-bodied centenarian wasn’t alone.

It was another quiet week at Art and we like it like that. I survived a day of tax free weekend. It was not as bad as I thought it would be. The crowds were medium, not huge. Of course, I chose the stores and tried to stay out of stores teens like. The Art United Methodist Church will have the blessing of the backpacks on August 20th.

[Back by popular demand / originally published August 4, 2004] Last week Mason County News published the School Supply List for Mason Elementary and Mason Junior High. You can probably find most of these items at Dollar General. Anyway, I was so intrigued I just couldn’t put it down. The list began with Pre-K. One large box of crayons.