September 6, 2017 Issue

New officers for the Mason Study Club, which benefits Mason County Library, are pictured beneath Fred Gipson’s Old Yeller. Did you know that Fred Gipson who wrote Old Yeller in 1956 was a Mason native? Stop by the Mason County Library and you’ll discover all sorts of things you did not know about Mason’s history!

Mason’s Scarlet Punchers, those intrepid women “of a certain age,” who absolutely insist on enjoying life to the fullest, have as much “Puncher Pride” as anyone in Mason. We are mothers and grandmothers of former or current Punchers, and, like 90% of the people in this town, we don our purple on Friday night and traipse to the stadium, where we attempt to hoist our (overweight, arthritic, or tired - the adjective is your choice) selves into the bleachers.

“Boss” Lion Jim Heidelberg gaveled the weekly meeting of the Mason Lions Club to order on August 29. Thirty members, including our newest member, were present. Lion Lyle Johansen introduced our new member, Lion Justice of the Peace J. Treg Hudson. In addition, one guest attended the meeting. “Boss” Jim reminded the members of the upcoming “hamburger cook” at the Mason Invitational Cross-Country Meet on September 6.

I have been very pleased to see the recent letters to the editor emphasizing the importance of Recycling in our community. City Commissioner Bonnie Beam has made an effort to encourage our community to recycle and last week’s letter from Jan Appleby points out the importance of recycling whenever we have events and gatherings in our town.

The Board of Trustees of MISD met for their regular meeting on August 28, 2017 at the School Administration Office. Board President Jeff Durst called the meeting to order at 5:00 pm with members Tommy Bierschwale, Jim Bob Smith, Julio Ramon, Tina Cantu-Navarro, Treg Hudson and Kathryn Martin in attendance.

The 2017 Puncher football season got off to its official start on Friday night as Mason welcomed the Goldthwaite Eagles to the Puncherdome. The lingering presence of Hurricane Harvey continued to make itself known, as the Eagles fans called ahead to Mason to make sure they would be able to fuel up for the journey home after the game.

The 2017 Puncher football season got off to its official start on Friday night as Mason welcomed the Goldthwaite Eagles to the Puncherdome. The lingering presence of Hurricane Harvey continued to make itself known, as the Eagles fans called ahead to Mason to make sure they would be able to fuel up for the journey home after the game.

This year, the Comanche Creek 18 Hole Ladies Club Championship will be held on Saturday, September 23rd, at 10:00 am. The tournament will be flighted and all members are encouraged to participate, no matter your skill level. If you are planning to play, please contact Cynthia Bauer at 325-347-7194 or email [email protected]. Also, our Cross Country Scramble and Annual Meeting will be held on Thursday, October 12th, at 9:00.

The white team played last Thursday against the Cross Plains Buffalos to open their season. The Punchers jumped out to a 16-0 lead on the back of quarterback Jax Tedder who scored both touchdowns. The Punchers carried that lead into halftime. However, in the second half, Cross Plains took advantage of the mistakes made by the Punchers and took a lead of 20-16.

The white team played last Thursday against the Cross Plains Buffalos to open their season. The Punchers jumped out to a 16-0 lead on the back of quarterback Jax Tedder who scored both touchdowns. The Punchers carried that lead into halftime. However, in the second half, Cross Plains took advantage of the mistakes made by the Punchers and took a lead of 20-16.

The JV Purple started the year with a big win over the Goldthwaite Eagles last Thursday in Goldthwaite. With a touchdown run from Tad Kirby and Gage Watson the Punchers were up 14-0 within the first 4 minutes of the game. The Puncher defense had a stellar game with 3 turnovers by Jace Eckert, Jason Karr, and Andrew Padillia. The Punchers' defense shut out the Eagles with a score of 49-0. The JV Purple will play their first home game this Thursday at 6.

The JV Purple started the year with a big win over the Goldthwaite Eagles last Thursday in Goldthwaite. With a touchdown run from Tad Kirby and Gage Watson the Punchers were up 14-0 within the first 4 minutes of the game. The Puncher defense had a stellar game with 3 turnovers by Jace Eckert, Jason Karr, and Andrew Padillia. The Punchers' defense shut out the Eagles with a score of 49-0. The JV Purple will play their first home game this Thursday at 6.

Please, to those of you who are members of the VFW and Aux., we will hold our monthly meeting on Sept. 11 at 6:30 PM in the Greater Works Center in Mason. Your efforts to attend will be greatly appreciated as you need to be aware of proceedings as we scheduled for a Post inspection within the next two weeks??

The Menard-Kimble-Mason TRTA unit will have its first meeting for the 2017-2018 year. It will be held on Thursday, September 7, at the Menard Library, at 11 :00 a.m. Menard will provide lunch. Lynn Granzin, District 15 TRTA President, will share the yearly updates from the Districtand the State. If you would like to carpool, please call Mary Ann Bartlett at 325-446-2236, Sherry Hubbard at 325-446-3809, or Jeannie Sullivan at325-446-3936. All retired teachers, administrators, and school ...

Adults and children of St. Paul Lutheran Church are continuing a series of chancel dramas called Papa Luther which celebrate and tell the story of the 500th anniversary of the Reformation of the Church, which began in 1517, in Wittenberg, Germany. “God’s Word is Alive!” is the title of the drama which will be presented during the service of worship this Sunday, September 10, at 10:30 a.m.

The Board of Trustees of MISD met for their regular meeting on August 28, 2017 at the School Administration Office. Board President Jeff Durst called the meeting to order at 5:00 pm with members Tommy Bierschwale, Jim Bob Smith, Julio Ramon, Tina Cantu-Navarro, Treg Hudson and Kathryn Martin in attendance.

The Old Yeller Day celebration will be held Saturday, September 30th, from 9:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. on the Mason County Courthouse lawn. This annual event, sponsored by the Mason County M. Beven Eckert Memorial Library, will bring to life the frontier times of Mason County and its literary heritage Mason author Fred Gipson. The event will showcase re-enactors and demonstrations emphasizing the 1870’s time period in which Old Yeller was set and include such things as storytellers, starving a ...

The Long Mountain Community Club will hold their monthly meeting Friday the 8th of Sept. at 6:30 PM Supper will be whatever is brought and that is usually good enough. We had major damage to a roof section on the 17th; but, it is ready for your inspection and repairs came to $1790.

The Mason Co. M. Beven Eckert Memorial Library invites the public to a free showing of the documentary Alive Inside! The showing will be a matinee at 2:00 P.M. this Saturday, September 9th at the Odeon Theater, 122 S. Moody St. Ann Scarth, Wesleyan Nurse, and the Ministerial Alliance are also sponsors of this fascinating “cinematic exploration of music’s capacity to reawaken and uncover the deepest recesses in the very soul of people living with Alzheimer’s disease and other forms of ...

This year, the Comanche Creek 18 Hole Ladies Club Championship will be held on Saturday, September 23rd, at 10:00 am. The tournament will be flighted and all members are encouraged to participate, no matter your skill level. If you are planning to play, please contact Cynthia Bauer at 325-347-7194 or email [email protected]. Also, our Cross Country Scramble and Annual Meeting will be held on Thursday, October 12th, at 9:00.

Seinfeld Writer and Tonight Show Guest Stars in Comedy Fredericksburg, TX (September 4, 2017) – Opening this Friday, September 8th at the Fredericksburg Theater Company (FTC) is The Wonder Bread Years, a one-man show starring comic and former Seinfeld writer Pat Hazell. The show will only have two performances, Friday and Saturday, September 8th and 9th, at the Steve W.

Monday holidays seem like such a good idea. However, at this stage of retirement and dealing with grands, it becomes a distraction. Sorry, I sound a little grumpy. I will work on my happy face. It was a long week keeping up with Hurricane Harvey and the friends and relatives in the path, or proposed path.

Who’s ready to celebrate?! The MHS Class of 1997 will have their 20-year class reunion on Saturday, Sept. 23 at 7 p.m. at Lea Lou Co-Op on the east side of the Mason Square. Make plans to attend this fun evening and catch up with your classmates. Spread the word and check the “Mason Class of 1997” Facebook page for updates or contact Chel Terrell at [email protected] or Kylie Kaderka at [email protected]. Not a member of the Class of ‘97?

September brings a busy month for the Hill Country CattleWomen. They will have a booth at the Kendall County Ag Day on September 14, 2017 in Boerne. Each year the different counties in and around the Hill Country have Ag Days. Fourth graders from the different counties participate in a Field Day.

On Thursday, Sept. 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]. At this meeting, the officers of Fort Mason Post 285 & the Ladies Auxiliary will be sworn in at their new positions.

Alive Inside is a cinematic exploration of music’s capacity to reawaken and uncover the deepest recesses in the very souls of people living with Alzheimer’s disease and other forms of dementia. This rousing documentary features Dan Cohen, social worker and founder of the nonprofit organization Music and MemoryTM as he works to demonstrate music’s ability to improve the lives of patients living in a nursing home.

Second Chance – Mason Animal Rescue will be hosting its third annual Halloween Costume Party on Saturday, October 21, 2017. The party will be held at the Seaquist House beginning at 7 p.m. and will feature appetizers, deserts and drinks. Prizes will be awarded for the best individual, couple, funniest, scariest and most original costumes! This fun event will benefit the Second Chance Capital Campaign for the construction of a no-kill shelter in Mason.

Valera Wanda Jeffrey Slaughter passed away on Saturday, August 12, 2017, in Austin, Texas. She was born on January 18, 1930, in Austin to Letha Black Jeffrey and Ira Cheston Jeffrey. Wanda is preceded in death by her husband of 58 years, Archie Howard Slaughter, parents, and step-mother, Alice Biddy Jeffrey. She is survived by her daughters, Alana Slaughter Oehler and husband, Charlie and Dona Slaughter Jordan and husband, Tim; five grandsons, Ryan Jordan, Mason Jordan, Trey Jordan and Ir ...

Adults and children of St. Paul Lutheran Church are continuing a series of chancel dramas called Papa Luther which celebrate and tell the story of the 500th anniversary of the Reformation of the Church, which began in 1517, in Wittenberg, Germany. “God’s Word is Alive!” is the title of the drama which will be presented during the service of worship this Sunday, September 10, at 10:30 a.m.

Museum Decision Dear Gerry, Beware! A plague moving across America has finally come to Mason. The plague is called Anathema, because it suddenly strikes people and makes them terrified of commonplace things that had been around them for decades without causing them any problems. This plague would so upset visitors to our little museum on the square that the visitors would turn on the docents and say something that might possibly upset the docents.

Rocks Gerry- Pattie and I have attended other churches from time to time as visitors, and this past Sunday we had occasion to attend services at the St. Paul Lutheran Church here in Mason. We having been invited by some Lutheran Friends to their annual fund raising and fish fry Sunday. During this time of great fellowship, I was reminded of a story that was told to me several years ago, by the late Willie Ray Willman, and I would like to pass this on to everyone at this time. This conve ...

Box Cake Cookies; The Fastest, Easiest Cookie Recipe Ever! With a few holiday coming up over the next several months, I thought this little gem of a recipe would really help the cooks of the families out there. It’s as easy as falling off a log; maybe easier, and the folks who eat these cookies will be mighty impressed. Ingredients: Any box cake mixture that you like 2 eggs ½ cup of cooking oil (I use Canola) Process: Heat oven to 350 degrees Add all of the ingredients to a ...

I want to invite everyone to see Alive Inside! This fascinating look at the effect of music on Alzheimer’s and other dementia patients is showing at the Odeon Theater this Saturday, September 9th, at 2:00 P.M. The library is co-sponsoring this event, and admission is free! Also, be sure to come by and see our jigsaw puzzle display in the foyer of the library.

What storm? Hurricane Harvey, I’ve been told, is the worst natural disaster on U.S. soil (or mud, more accurately) in history. I don’t know if that’s true, but Harvey certainly caused a lot of damage. There are specific numbers about how much rain fell from the storm, but I hesitate to offer the ones I’ve seen, because they sound ridiculous. OK, that’s enough hesitation.

Like others, I’ve been watching Harvey on TV. The news crews are in shock and awe over the fact that Texans help others. They came in monster Pick Ups, with boats. They offered their homes, food to total strangers. Guess, they don’t do this in New York? What a shame! The law enforcers have warned, “We carry in Texas, so don’t loot!” The coast has a long way to recover, but they will!

‘Greasy Spoon’ Lingo… They were called “greasy spoons,” those folksy diners of yesteryear. Printed menus were limited, but waitpersons had their slang menu “down pat.” The one I remember best had a single line of stools, and patrons typically waited in outdoor lines for weekday “lunch runs.” Admittedly, I’ve already used this week’s quota of quotation marks, but strong in my memory is how the “waitperson” yelled food orders to the nearby cook, who had to be “qu ...

Garden Stroganoff Skillet Meal There are a lot of convenience foods out there and Hamburger Helper that has stood the test of time since 1971. The Hamburger Helper mascot is the “Helping Hand” or “Lefty”. Some of the varieties include; Cheeseburger, Cheeseburger Macaroni, Lasagna, Philly Cheesesteak and Bacon Cheeseburger. You know I love simple and inexpensive it possible and everything in one dish.

Monday holidays seem like such a good idea. However, at this stage of retirement and dealing with grands, it becomes a distraction. Sorry, I sound a little grumpy. I will work on my happy face. It was a long week keeping up with Hurricane Harvey and the friends and relatives in the path, or proposed path.

S. As in, September. The 19th letter of the English alphabet. From the Greek sigma. A borrowing from the Phoenicians. They might want it back. “Pardon me, but that S belongth to uth. And we’re tired of lithping.” But sigma is the name of the 18th letter of the Greek alphabet. Not 19th. According to trusty Webster. Makes Sense. Makes your head Spin. S. Around the Square. The “S” word. A game to play when you’re feeling Silly. Or Smart. After play ...

Before Harvey ever made its first landfall on the Texas coast, I remember having a conversation with a friend and discussing some of the problems with a hurricane striking the upper Texas coast. As we've seen, its flat topography makes the area susceptible to flooding, even when weaker systems move through the area. What concerned me was the heavy concentration of ports and refineries in the area from Corpus Christi up to Beaumont.