November 1, 2017 Issue

The Mason Study Club gathered for their monthly meeting and were served a delicious lunch by hostesses Jan Appleby, Barbara Brunken, Carol Holmes, Gladyd Kaderka and Linnda Graham. In addition, the Club was treated to a fascinating presentation by Judy Hutcherson of ShelterBox USA. ShelterBox is an international disaster relief charity that provides immediate emergency shelter and other lifesaving aid to survivors of a disaster or humanitarian crisis.

Fortunately, the Hill Country has not been impacted as wind farm developers have been rushing to start wind farm projects before the federal Production Tax Credit phase down increasingly takes effect. However, nearby areas such as Mills, Hamilton, McCullough, and Concho counties are seeing a progression in industrial wind farm projects.

Riata met on Tuesday, October 24 for their monthly meeting at the home of Tess Geistweidt. Co-hostesses were Amy Capps and Rene Ince, wth 26 members in attendance. Megan Bierschwale & the 2017 Mason High School Pioneers presented their ‘Pioneers Water Conservation Project’. The objective of this project is to irrigate the band practice field using a rainwater harvesting system.

43 girls from 9 children residential and foster homes came to Camp Gene Ashby, Friday, October 27th. The girls came to participate in the Operation Orphans, Inc. hunting program. This season will be the 58th year that Operation Orphans, Inc. has organized hunting trips for kids who are wards of the State.

On October 24, “Boss” Lion Jim Heidelberg gaveled to order the weekly meeting of the Mason Lions Club. Twenty-seven members, three visitors and our speaker attended the meeting. Our visitors were Lion Chad Smith’s wife, Angela, and Lion Mona Soland and her husband, Lion “Honey”, of Kingsland. Lion Honey said, “There’s a story behind that too.” Stay tuned. “Boss” Jim presented Lion Joel Kuykendall with a Lifetime Membership plaque and diamond lapel pin from the Texas Lion ...

The weather still seems confused with being both late summer and mid-fall in the same week, but with Homecoming and the Fall ArtFest both this past weekend and Halloween this week, I am pretty sure we are now well into Fall. The City continues to make small improvements that sometimes make big statements.

This is my favorite week. On Saturday night before I go to bed, I will take back the hour that was stolen in the spring. My clocks will be reset and my body says thank you. I have not saved any daylight. There were no more daylight hours. I was forced, however, to change my world to comply with someone who dreamed up getting up earlier for the summer months. Saturday night, November 4th, will be the Queen’s Coronation.

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.

The 2017-18 Mason Cowgirl basketball season is less than one week away from tip-off. The Texas Association of Basketball Coaches preseason poll has been released and the Cowgirls are ranked 22nd among Class AA schools. You will be able to meet all the Mason Cowgirl basketball teams on Monday, November 6th at 7:00pm in the high school gym.

In Mason's Friday night victory over Brackettville, the Punchers had 427 total yards to Brackett's 54. The Mason defense has proven itself in game after game to be capable to stopping our opponents' offensive strategies, and the final score of 66-0 reaffirms that the Mason offense is also making all the right decisions. Early in the first quarter, Otto Wofford tossed a pass to Jake Cockerham who carried the ball 18-yards for the first score of the night.

The JV took on the Ballinger Bearcats in a rematch in Ballinger. The Punchers scored two touchdowns thru the air. One came before halftime on a 50 yard bomb from Whitt Bierschwale to Aaron Reardon and the other was on a 20 yard connection from Mathew Kerr to Aaron Reardon. The defense only gave up one touchdown and had 4 turnovers.

Mason County 4H Clover Kids grades K -2nd and Junior Master Gardeners grades 3rd to 5th are selling fresh evergreen holiday decor. A choice of a Noble Fir Wreath, Holiday Centerpiece or Noble Fir Door Swag may be chosen. Prices range from $20 to $25. Orders must be turned in by November 6 and pick up will be the first week of December. These 4H kids spent this past Saturday morning making ornaments which they will offer for sale as well.

4H members are invited to join the food and nutrition project. You may participate by contacting the AgriLife Extension office at 325-347-6459. All project practices will be held on Tuesdays at 4:30 at the Community Building in Fort Mason Park beginning November 7th. Sheree Hardin, Mason County 4H Adult Leader, will lead the project.

7th grade The 7th grade Punchers played hard as they beat Harper 34-6. Allowing only one score, the defense was able to keep the Harper from moving the ball down the field. Scoring for the Punchers were Brody Comey with a touchdown and a two-point conversion, Cason Jacoby with four touchdowns and Faustino Montellano with two-point conversion pass from Ivan Wofford.

There will be Hunters Education Course offered in Llano on Monday, November 20, 2017, from 9:00 am to 5:00 pm at the Texas AgriLife Extension Office-Llano County, 1447 East State Hwy. 71-Unit E, Llano, TX 78643. The cost of the course is $15.00 and payment is due the day of course.

The Cowgirls and Punchers competed at the Region IV Cross Country Meet in Corpus Christi on Monday, October 22nd. In the past, District 27 has dominated the girls side of the regional meet. This year proved no different. The top three teams out of our district will once again represent Region IV at the State Cross Country Meet in Round Rock at Old Settlers Park on November 4th.

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.

Mason Chamber of Commerce’s Wild Game Dinner is just around the corner on November 11th. This year, the Chamber has over $50K worth of prizes with raffle tickets at just $1.00! That’s more than 50 guns and a customized 2017 Kawasaki Mule 4010 Crew with Hunters Package! Catch a glimpse of the Mule on display at Mason Feed Store and pick up your tickets every Friday 2-5pm and every Saturday 8-noon.

In an effort to get former members of Veterans of Foreign Wars to re instate their membership, the National Hdq. has reduced the renewal fees to $ 21.50 for those who wish to re-new membership in the organization. There is a time frame which is from November 1st thru December 15th of 2017.

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.

The Mason Study Club gathered for their monthly meeting and were served a delicious lunch by hostesses Jan Appleby, Barbara Brunken, Carol Holmes, Gladyd Kaderka and Linnda Graham. In addition, the Club was treated to a fascinating presentation by Judy Hutcherson of ShelterBox USA. ShelterBox is an international disaster relief charity that provides immediate emergency shelter and other lifesaving aid to survivors of a disaster or humanitarian crisis.

The ability to read is more than just a fundamental life skill; it is the gateway to a healthy and productive life. November 1st is National Family Literacy Day, and it's time to celebrate! The number of people in the United States who cannot read or write varies -- but according to a 2016 U.S.

Mason-Llano County USDA Farm Service Agency (FSA) Executive Director CED Randy Maenius, reminds producers, the signup deadline is December 1, 2017 for producers interested in 2018 Noninsured Crop Disaster Assistance Program (NAP) coverage on their grapes and grasses for Grazing, Hay or Seed. Maenius stated the NAP program protects your ranching operations grasslands for losses from natural disasters, such as drought, excessive heat, and excessive moisture, along with excessive wind in conju ...

The 2017-18 Mason Cowgirl basketball season is less than one week away from tip-off. The Texas Association of Basketball Coaches preseason poll has been released and the Cowgirls are ranked 22nd among Class AA schools. You will be able to meet all the Mason Cowgirl basketball teams on Monday, November 6th at 7:00pm in the high school gym.

Sunday, Nov. 5th, after worship, St. Paul Lutheran dedicates a county historical marker for the little Sunday School Building across the street at the park. The building cornerstone is dated Jan 11, 1917. A special congregational meeting met in the building on Mar. 15, 1917, to vote on releasing Pastor Carl Ziehe to got to Maxwell as pastor.

Susanna Dickinson, Messenger of the Alamo, is brought to life in Songs of Susanna, an historical program of song, verse, and lecture by author/historian Donaly Brice and songwriter Fletcher Clark. Clark’s epic ballad, There Must Be a Good Man in Texas, provides a panoramic tale of Susanna—in itself a microcosm of the emergence of Texas.

Sgt. Javier Rodriguez will be coming to the Mason Co. M. Beven Eckert Memorial Library on Thursday, November 9, at 6:00 P.M. to present “Children at Risk.” The program is for adults, and they will learn learn the pitfalls of social media, Internet privacy laws, how to identify child predators, and more.

The Friends of the Mason County M. Beven Eckert Memorial Library invite you their annual meeting on November 2, 2017 at 6:30. Using song, verse and lecture author/historian Donaly Brice and songwriter Fletcher Clark will bring to life the tale of Suzanna Dickson, the messenger of the Alamo. Don’t miss this opportunity to see this presentation and learn about this Texas heroine! 2018 officers will be elected, and refreshments will be served.

Mason County 4H Clover Kids grades K -2nd and Junior Master Gardeners grades 3rd to 5th are selling fresh evergreen holiday decor. A choice of a Noble Fir Wreath, Holiday Centerpiece or Noble Fir Door Swag may be chosen. Prices range from $20 to $25. Orders must be turned in by November 6 and pick up will be the first week of December. These 4H kids spent this past Saturday morning making ornaments which they will offer for sale as well.

4H members are invited to join the food and nutrition project. You may participate by contacting the AgriLife Extension office at 325-347-6459. All project practices will be held on Tuesdays at 4:30 at the Community Building in Fort Mason Park beginning November 7th. Sheree Hardin, Mason County 4H Adult Leader, will lead the project.

Hill Country Memorial Hospice announces the upcoming meeting schedule for its Alzheimer’s and Dementia Support Group for anyone affected by those conditions, their families and caregivers. The Alzheimer’s and Dementia Support Group will meet on Tues., Nov. 14 from 2-3 p.m. in the second-floor conference room of the Brune Building at 808 Reuben St.

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

The Doss Community Improvement Club is a non-profit organization. The members must either live in the Doss community, be landowners of the Doss community or be active participants in the Doss community. The club meets once a month. The purposes of the Doss Community Improvement Club include encouraging the community to come together, providing educational speakers at the monthly business meetings, and doing community service for Doss and Gillespie County. There is only one fundraiser each ...

The Hill Country Livestock Raisers Association Fall Program and the Llano County 4-H/FFA Programs are joining forces for the 1st Annual Commercial Heifer Pair Auction to be held at the John L. Kuykendall Arena and Event Center, 2200 Ranch Road 152, Llano 78643 on Tuesday, November 7, 2017. The HCLRA Fall Program registration will be at 8:00 am with coffee and donuts and the program will begin at 9:00 am. Topics include “Mineral Use in Beef Cattle” by Jeff Prokop from Purina Feed and “ ...

There will be Hunters Education Course offered in Llano on Monday, November 20, 2017, from 9:00 am to 5:00 pm at the Texas AgriLife Extension Office-Llano County, 1447 East State Hwy. 71-Unit E, Llano, TX 78643. The cost of the course is $15.00 and payment is due the day of course.

This is my favorite week. On Saturday night before I go to bed, I will take back the hour that was stolen in the spring. My clocks will be reset and my body says thank you. I have not saved any daylight. There were no more daylight hours. I was forced, however, to change my world to comply with someone who dreamed up getting up earlier for the summer months. Saturday night, November 4th, will be the Queen’s Coronation.

William “Wayne” (Papaw) Keller was born December 4, 1931, in his Grand Parent’s (John & Annie Tinney) home to Henry W. Keller, Jr. and Gladys (Tinney) Keller in Loyal Valley, Tx, and died Monday October 23, 2017, in his beloved Mason County, Tx home. He is survived by his children; Henry James (Hank) Keller of Mason, Donna Gayle Nettles of Mason, DeeAnn and husband Keith Willey of La Vernia ; grandchildren: Henry James “Jae” Keller II of Livingston, Amy Chism of Livingston, Joshua ...

Margaret Doyal Kennedy passed away Thursday, October 19, 2017, in Fredericksburg, TX. She was of the Baptist faith. She was born in Grit, TX, to E.W. and Dicie Doyal on January 19, 1919. She married Roy Kennedy on November 29, 1936, in Brady, TX. Margaret is survived by daughter, June Myers of Llano, TX; grandchildren, Cindy Robertson, Doyal Myers (Tommi), Melanie Myers (Brian) and Kenneth Henderson; great grandchildren, Levi Robertson, Kendra Motz (Brad), Cody Myers, Kristen Pennington, ...

Enrique Palacio of Mason passed away on Sunday, October 29, at the age of 78. Mr. Palacio is survived by his wife, Mary Palacio of Mason, a son, John Palacio of Mason, a daughter, Norma Castaneda of Fredericksburg, brothers Daniel, Louis, David, Moses and Pete Palacio, sisters Louisa Palacio, Rosalinda Martinez and Irene Gloria. Visitation will be Wednesday evening from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m.

Sunday, Nov. 5th, after worship, St. Paul Lutheran dedicates a county historical marker for the little Sunday School Building across the street at the park. The building cornerstone is dated Jan 11, 1917. A special congregational meeting met in the building on Mar. 15, 1917, to vote on releasing Pastor Carl Ziehe to got to Maxwell as pastor.

I Blame the Fall Weather! There are those who say Texas only has two seasons - summer, and not quite as hot. In Mason, there are definitely four seasons, even if they sometimes pass so quickly you may miss them if you're not paying attention. Winters in Mason don't exactly evoke Currier & Ives.

Providing Care Dear Gerry, Johnson city, Junction, Menard, Comfort, Llano, Brady, Fredericksburg, Kerrville.the list goes on. These communities have assisted living facilities, or long term nusing facilities to care for the members of their community.Having local options allows greater contact with family members and friends. Sadly, Mason residents must be placed in one of these other communities, the least of which is 35 miles away. That being said we really shouldn’t complain, a ...

Church 500 Gerry, I would like to say thank you to St. Paul Lutheran Church for the wonderful 500 celebration. Job well done. David Scarth

Herb Bread This is a variant on other “basic bread” recipes, that adds just a hint of herb, for those of you looking for a slightly savory bread. Feel free to add or subtract any of the herbs listed here; it just so happens that we like this particular combination. Ingredients: 10 ounces warm water (1 cup plus 2 tablespoons) 2 ¼ teaspoons yeast (1 packet) 3 cups all purpose flour 1 teaspoon salt 1 teaspoon parsley 1 teaspoon thyme 1 teaspoon basil 1 teaspoon oregano ...

I hope your Halloween was a fun, spooky day! Don’t forget the Friends of the Library membership meeting tomorrow evening. It’s the perfect time to join or to renew your membership. A special treat will be the program, Songs of Susanna, presented by author/historian Donaly Brice and songwriter Fletcher Clark.

Dangerous weapons Wade Gelinas is causing a stir on AlGore’s interwebnets lately, after a Facebook rant he posted about his school. Wade is a senior at Bonny Eagle High School in Standish, Maine. Seniors were asked to provide a photo of themselves for their yearbook, and Wade sent in a picture of himself standing in the woods, wearing blue jeans and a plaid shirt, and holding his shotgun.

It has been said, “You can medicate the crazy. You can educate the ignorant. However, you can’t fix stupid!” This says it! The television shows are full of STUPIDITY! The commercials are full of STUPIDITY! And, the government is full of STUPIDITY! The common sense flower just doesn’t grow in their gardens.

Long Distance, Information… Early in the 66-year marriage of Dr. and Mrs. Seale T. Cutbirth, she was named “Mrs. Texas.” At his memorial service recently in Brownwood, the 88-year-old physician was remembered for contributions to his community, church and family. Leaning on common sense, deep Christian faith and unending energy, the family physician/surgeon did what had to be done.

Karo Crazy Crunch Halloween always brings back good memories of my Mom’s Halloween parties. She would always have wonderful goodies and games planned, usually including a treasure hunt. The one thing I remembered she always had was Karo Crazy Crunch. There was usually pimento cheese sandwiches, Chex mix and caramel apples.

Topaz. Now there’s a gem of a gem. November’s birthstone. And Mason’s own indigenous rock. You might find one at Country Collectibles. Or Benjie’s. Maybe in Underwood’s Antique Mall. Or Market Square. And The Thing Is. Or Shooting Star. You can also see a huge one on display at Mason Square Museum. And Country Collectibles. Topaz. It’s a beauty. So is chrysanthemum. Official flower for November. Try saying that three times. Chrysanthemum chrysanth ...