October 25, 2017 Issue

After we had lived in Mason for about a year, I asked several people how long you have to live in Mason to be called a true Masonite. I asked this question to Doris Grote and she replied with a sweet smile, “Well at least 3 generations.” The same question was given to a parent of a high school student and she replied with a question, “Well, have you had your house wrapped yet?

The Mason County AgriLife Extension along with the Natural Resource Conservation Service sponsored a Fall Range Supper on Thursday, October 19 from 4 to 8 pm at the Waltisperger Ranch. The evening program started with brush control demonstrations by Rocky Oaks Ranch Construction featuring their Monster Line Attachments. Douglas Waltisperger welcomed the guests and gave a brief history of the ranch.

U.S. Representative Conaway met with constituents on Wednesday, October 18th, at a well-attended event hosted by the Mason County Republican Women. He took questions covering a variety of topics. Representative Conaway was asked about tax cuts. One attendee questioned the effects of tax cuts on the government’s ability tackle important challenges.

“Boss” Lion Jim Heidelberg convened the weekly meeting of the Mason Lions Club on October 17. Thirty-two members attended the meeting along with three guests, Diego Ramirez, Tom Westermeyer and Brandon Willis. “Boss” Jim announced the annual Kingsland Lions Club charity golf tournament is scheduled for Saturday, October 28, beginning at 11:00 a.m.

The City is currently involved in working out the details and completing applications for some BIG projects, and things are continuing to move forward on those. Last week I received a letter notifying us that the Texas Water Development Board would be providing a principal forgiveness on the loan for our water treatment system of 50% up to $1,319,000!!

Last week was National Bus Safety Week. MISD conducted bus evacuation drills with students in PK-6th grades. We conducted two types of front door evacuations and two types of rear door evacuation. Bus behavior and expectations were also covered. Some of the students were disappointed that they did not get to practice going through the roof hatch but we verbally discussed the roof hatch and the window emergency exits. A few Bus Facts; Since 1997, 257 students Nationally have died in bus re ...

Be our Guest! The fourth grade faculty and students at Mason Elementary would consider it a great pleasure if all of our Mason County veterans would join us for a luncheon on Friday, November 10th at the Mason Elementary Library beginning at 11:00 am. A short program will also follow in the MJH gym at 12:30 pm.

After we had lived in Mason for about a year, I asked several people how long you have to live in Mason to be called a true Masonite. I asked this question to Doris Grote and she replied with a sweet smile, “Well at least 3 generations.” The same question was given to a parent of a high school student and she replied with a question, “Well, have you had your house wrapped yet?

Harper came into last Friday's matchup with the Punchers already 0-1 in district play after suffering a loss to Sabinal a week earlier. They were down key personnel, and the game went about as one would have expected. Just a few minutes into the game, Klay Klaerner bolted 33 yards for the first Mason score of the night, followed by Isa Cruz's PAT, putting the score at 7-0 with 9:04 left in the quarter. After a bobbled kickoff reception by Harper, the Punchers took control of the ball once ...

The JV White Punchers traveled to Cross Plains to take on the Buffalos. It was an evenly matched game that came down to the wire. The Punchers took a halftime lead of 14-8. Cross Plains quickly scored to open the 3rd Quarter to make the score 14-14. Good execution was the key to the game as the Punchers outlasted the Buffalos in the 4th to take the victory 32-22. The win pushes the overall record of the White team to 3-3. Offensive Standouts - JJ Ake and Joesph Martinez.

The JV Purple played Wall last week in a close match-up. Wall was able to put a few drives together but the Punchers were able to keep them out of the end-zone and get themselves another shutout on the season. Offensively the Punchers struggled, but they were able to put three scoring drives together.

It’s a “Tale as Old as Time”….. or at least 60 years. A Queen and King, as well as their court, will be chosen to represent their school at the Diamond Anniversary Queen’s Coronation. The ceremony will be held on November 4th, 2017 at 7:30 in the Mason Community Building.

Last week was National Bus Safety Week. MISD conducted bus evacuation drills with students in PK-6th grades. We conducted two types of front door evacuations and two types of rear door evacuation. Bus behavior and expectations were also covered. Some of the students were disappointed that they did not get to practice going through the roof hatch but we verbally discussed the roof hatch and the window emergency exits. A few Bus Facts; Since 1997, 257 students Nationally have died in bus re ...

Rebecca Burns and Chel Terrell have completed the required education and are now Master Volunteers for AgriLife Extension. They have started their first project by continuing the Learn, Grow, Eat and Go program with Mason ISD 3rd graders. Last week was children completed their Know and Show Sombreros. The hats were to “show” the students that they “know” the six items plants need in order to survive: P-L-A-N-T-S need: Place to grow; Light; Air; Nutrients; water because they are Thirst ...

Be our Guest! The fourth grade faculty and students at Mason Elementary would consider it a great pleasure if all of our Mason County veterans would join us for a luncheon on Friday, November 10th at the Mason Elementary Library beginning at 11:00 am. A short program will also follow in the MJH gym at 12:30 pm.

St. Joseph’s parishioners invite you to mark your calendars for Sunday, November 5th; this year’s date for their Annual Mexican Dinner. Serving will begin at 11 AM in the Mason I.S.D. Cafeteria on College Street. You may “Eat In” at the cafeteria and enjoy visiting with other diners or you may request “Take Out”. Each plate is $10.00 and the meal consists of enchiladas, beans, rice, salad, tea and a dessert.

The MKM (Menard-Kimble-Mason) TRTA Unit will meet on Thursday, November 2, at 11:00 a.m. The annual “Fun Day” fundraiser will be held at the Kimble County Library, and the money raised will go to the Foundation to be awarded to active and retired teachers. If you are a member of TRTA or a retired school employee, please come join us.

The Mason Fall Arts Fest on October 28th offers a wonderful opportunity for fun and discovery. Everyone is invited to a Raku ceramic firing demonstration given by Greg Reuter at the corner of Broad and Fort Mckavett Streets between 11:00 a.m. and 1:00 p.m. Raku is a traditional Japanese method of firing ceramics in a low-fire kiln.

An account has been set up at Mason Bank to help the family of Seir're Ann Morris with funeral expenses. Donations will be accepted with the payee set as "Roy Morris Funeral Account."

Get into the Halloween spirit at the library tomorrow night, Thursday, October 26, at 6:00 P.M.! Noted storyteller Carolina Quiroga-Stultz will entertain with Halloween stories for adults. Carolina, a professional storyteller performer, graduated in 2013 with a Masters in Storytelling from East Tennessee State University (ETSU). Her large repertoire of bilingual stories (English/Spanish, English/French, English/Nahuatl, and English/Quechua) explores the Native Latin American and Hispanic My ...

Hours of operation: the second Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday of each month from 3 to 5:30 p.m. People whose last names begin with the letters A-G, pick up food on Mondays. People whose last names begin with the letters H-M, pick up food on Tuesdays. People whose last names begin with the letters N-Z, pick up food on Wednesdays. Distribution dates for remainder of 2017: Nov.

River of Life Church will be holding their 11th Annual Fall Festival on Tuesday, October 31st from 5 - 8pm. There will be free food, a variety of fun games, Cake Walk, Giant Inflatable Slide, Bouncy Castle, Laser Tag, Prize Booth and of course plenty of candy! Once again this year they will have our Photo Booth, get a photo taken of your family and you will receive a free 5 x 7 picture.

It’s a “Tale as Old as Time”….. or at least 60 years. A Queen and King, as well as their court, will be chosen to represent their school at the Diamond Anniversary Queen’s Coronation. The ceremony will be held on November 4th, 2017 at 7:30 in the Mason Community Building.

That morning chill that awaits us as we step outside every day reminds us that fall weather is here! The dog days of summer are behind us and a new breeze transforms our scenic landscapes with a new color. The trees change their leaf colors and the autumn shades of orange, yellow and brown flourish the countryside.

Another great week is in the books. Sometimes I sit down on Sunday evening to write this column and find that I can’t remember what I have done for a week and can’t reflect on the week. This happens when I spend the week in the car taking people to doctor’s appointments and taking grandkids to appointments.

Mason County Cancer Benefit is hosting our Annual Bake Sale Friday November 3rd at the Mason Feed Store from 8am until sold out! Please come support a great cause and stock up on some tasty treats just in time for opening weekend! If you would like to donate backed goods please just drop off on friday morning at the sale. Thank you

Rebecca Burns and Chel Terrell have completed the required education and are now Master Volunteers for AgriLife Extension. They have started their first project by continuing the Learn, Grow, Eat and Go program with Mason ISD 3rd graders. Last week was children completed their Know and Show Sombreros. The hats were to “show” the students that they “know” the six items plants need in order to survive: P-L-A-N-T-S need: Place to grow; Light; Air; Nutrients; water because they are Thirst ...

Seir’re Ann Morris, age 21, passed away on October 13, 2017 in Brady, Texas. She was born in Corpus Christi, Texas on October 24, 1995 to William Roy Morris and Dawn Seir’re Chatham. Seir’re was raised in Mason, Texas, where a majority of her family resides. Some of her hobbies included spending time with family and friends, drawing, and reading her books. Seir’re was preceded in death by grandfather Charles “Boogie” Morris, grandmother Betty Beam Robertson, and uncle Franklin ...

St. Joseph’s parishioners invite you to mark your calendars for Sunday, November 5th; this year’s date for their Annual Mexican Dinner. Serving will begin at 11 AM in the Mason I.S.D. Cafeteria on College Street. You may “Eat In” at the cafeteria and enjoy visiting with other diners or you may request “Take Out”. Each plate is $10.00 and the meal consists of enchiladas, beans, rice, salad, tea and a dessert.

Slowly Seeing the Changes On Sunday morning, I walked into the sanctuary at church and glanced up at the altar area. I knew it was Laity Sunday, and since Pastor Colleen was standing next to me without her Sunday vestments, I knew it was going to be someone from the congregation up in the pulpit, but I was curious who had stepped forward to assume those duties. I saw a man arranging his notes and Bible "just so"

My Bloodlines I submit to this paper’s readers this information about me. One of my grandmothers was about one-quarter American Indian. That fact makes me about 1/16 American Indian. The rest of my bloodlines are, I think, more or less, mostly from England, some from France, some from Ireland. But who knows; maybe I also have family blood connections to the people of Chad or Mali. And here is something else about me and mine.

Questions Open Letter to U.S. Rep. Conaway, Senators Cornyn and Cruz Dear Sirs, During a town hall meeting Wednesday, October 18th, U.S. Representative Conaway stated tax reform will unleash economic growth. Last Thursday the Senate passed a budget blueprint which included a $473 billion cut to Medicare, a $1 trillion cut Medicaid, AND $1.5 trillion INCREASE in the national debt over the next 10 years. Question: Rep.

Planning Dear Editor: Because of my care and concern for the citizens of Mason I'm writing to suggest that you carefully consider your options at the death of a loved one. I would be extremely cautious about trusting your home or other property with anyone other than your adult children. Carol Chilian

We’re very excited about tomorrow night’s “Spooky Stories for Grownups” program at 6:00 p.m. in the Stribling Room. Carolina Quiroga-Stultz is a professional storyteller performer who earned a Master’s in Storytelling degree. She’s very good and brings stories from other cultures. On Saturday from 11:00-12:00, Shay DeVos will be at the Seaquist House to tell stories to the kids.

Bearly believable The general deer season is about to begin pretty much all over Texas, so it’s time once again for our annual public service announcement about hunting safety. We offer this annual public service safety announcement every four or five years as a service to the public. The general message is to be safe while hunting, and the basic premise for the announcement is basically that the public is a bunch of boneheads.

It’s sort ’a Fall! One day it is and the next it isn’t! However, that’s what I like about Texas weather. Too, Texas weather is like that of the grocery store. You get used to items being in a certain place and the next week it’s changed up. They do this to get you to buy items that aren’t’ on your list. Grocery lists are made and then left on the kitchen counter.

Taking a Stand… The current standing/kneeling/sitting controversy--played out by a sliver of our population but on the minds of most Americans--seems to have no end. Most of us yearn for bygone days, when allegiance could be paid and reverence shown, if only for the sake of civility and respect, whether or not we were in total lockstep agreement. Sadly, “agree” in some quarters has become a dirty word.

Here we are in October of 2017 and suddenly, we realize that our extra special HOST for the Halloween tricksters will be missing from the crowd which le loved so much at his Halloween party, not only for the youngsters, but those of us who attended who were to old to trick so we only came along for the treats and his company.

Another great week is in the books. Sometimes I sit down on Sunday evening to write this column and find that I can’t remember what I have done for a week and can’t reflect on the week. This happens when I spend the week in the car taking people to doctor’s appointments and taking grandkids to appointments.

Halloween Coming soon to a haunted house near you. Meantime, there’s HALLOWINE. At Sandstone Cellars Winery. Saturday, October 28th. From 6 – 10 pm. Just east of the Square. Tuesday, October 31st is actually Halloween. Can’t believe it’s here already. Time flies. Whether on a broomstick or not. Black comes to mind. As in black cats. And witches’ robes. And pointed black hats. “A dark cave.