January 17, 2018 Issue

Last Friday the JV Punchers started district with a thriller against Harper that did not end in their favor. The Longhorns jumped out to an early lead which they kept for most of the game. The Punchers, being down by as much as 10 in the second half, found a way to claw back and force overtime.

Twenty-two Mason County youth and 6 accomplished judges were living the ‘sweet life’ at the 2018 Mason County Livestock Show and Expo! Could you smell the yummy aroma of cakes, candies, pies, and cookies in the air on Saturday morning as the Foods and Nutrition Exhibitors carried their delicious homemade goods into the courthouse?

The 2018 Farm Bill is on the horizon, and it has many in agriculture eyeing funding, challenges and defining needs as farm policy talks continue. As part of the dialogue surrounding the new farm legislation, the U.S. House Agriculture Committee this month launched a farm bill landing page to serve as a central location for updates and information throughout the process of crafting the 2018 Farm Bill. The new web page, which can be found at https://agriculture.house.gov/farmbill/, includes ...

First Vice President Marty Bentson convened the weekly meeting of the Mason Lions Club on January 9. Thirty-two members and four guests attended the meeting. Lion Marty asked our two Mason High seniors to introduce themselves. They were Shay Baker, who intends to attend Texas Tech following graduation, and Cason Dudney, who will “go far away” to continue his education at Montana State University. I introduced my daughter, Hilary Henry, who resides in Norfolk, Virginia.

I was rather surprised last week to see a news story from CBS News highlighting the issues regarding Radium in the Public Drinking Water systems throughout our country. This is an issue, as was reported, for a majority of the municipal and private public water systems nationwide, however the article highlighted the fact that Texas leads the nation in this problem.

As 2018 rolled in, did you challenge yourself to start a new healthy habit? Get fit? Spend more time with friends or loved ones? Texas A&M AgriLife Extension and Mason ISD are inviting community members to join in the effort to walk 830 miles across Texas. Walk Across Texas is a fun and flexible exercise program that fits every schedule and lifestyle.

Last Friday the JV Punchers started district with a thriller against Harper that did not end in their favor. The Longhorns jumped out to an early lead which they kept for most of the game. The Punchers, being down by as much as 10 in the second half, found a way to claw back and force overtime.

Mason ISD is currently accepting nominations for the Gifted and Talented Program. Nominations will be accepted until 3:30 p.m. on Friday, January 26,2018. If you would like to nominate your child for the screening/testing process of the Gifted and Talented Program, please go to the Mason Elementary/Junior High Office for the necessary paperwork.

Twenty-two Mason County youth and 6 accomplished judges were living the ‘sweet life’ at the 2018 Mason County Livestock Show and Expo! Could you smell the yummy aroma of cakes, candies, pies, and cookies in the air on Saturday morning as the Foods and Nutrition Exhibitors carried their delicious homemade goods into the courthouse?

Varsity Cowgirls vs. Junction Tuesday, 1/9 Mason 27—17—4—4 = 52 Junction 3—6—2—6 = 17 Scoring—Pr. Anastas—5, Dudney—6, Hanscheck—2, Herrington—2, Palacio—2, Pe. Anastas—6, T. Guice—3, Magnus—16, Armstrong—6, A. Guice—2, Cano—2. Rebounding—Pr. Anastas—2, Dudney—3, Baltierra—2, Hanscheck—6, Herrington—2, Palacio—2, T. Guice—2, Magnus—6, Armstrong—2, A. Guice—3, Cano—6. Assists—Pr. Anastas—4, Dudney—1, Hanscheck—1, ...

As 2018 rolled in, did you challenge yourself to start a new healthy habit? Get fit? Spend more time with friends or loved ones? Texas A&M AgriLife Extension and Mason ISD are inviting community members to join in the effort to walk 830 miles across Texas. Walk Across Texas is a fun and flexible exercise program that fits every schedule and lifestyle.

The Mason Senior Center would like to wish everyone a Happy New Year! 2017 is officially in the record books now, so onward with 2018. It’s a new year and the future looks sunny especially since the weather outside is comfortable. However, we know about this Texas weather! It’s the season to bundle up in the mornings and dress down in the afternoon.

BROWNWOOD – The Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service will conduct Money Matters, A Financial Wellness Workshop from 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Jan 27 at the Family Services Center, 901 Ave. B in Brownwood. “Money Matters, as the name suggests, is an educational financial wellness workshop, which will address healthy saving and spending habits, credit matters and identity theft,” said Courtney Parrott, AgriLife Extension family and community health agent in Brown County.

Don Day, a retired technical writer and a local photo historian and camera collector, renovates old film cameras (particularly Kodaks), many of which still make outstanding pictures. He has created a fabulous exhibit sharing a few of the many stories that lurk in his collection. Don stated, “Artes Lucidae Studio represents my passion for collecting photographica and making artful prints of—and from—historical materials.” To go along with the current exhibit of vintage Kodak cameras ...

Aileen Roberts’ program, “The Bloody Handprints of Alice Todd,” that was scheduled for Thursday at Mason Co. Library has been postponed because of the weather.

The Habitat Care-A-Vanners will begin arriving shortly to help build the new Habitat for Humanity House in Mason. We are scheduling folks to serve lunches for them. If you haven’t had the opportunity to share a meal with these great volunteers, you are missing out! We have 30 lunches to book between February 6th and April 13th.

Mason ISD is currently accepting nominations for the Gifted and Talented Program. Nominations will be accepted until 3:30 p.m. on Friday, January 26,2018. If you would like to nominate your child for the screening/testing process of the Gifted and Talented Program, please go to the Mason Elementary/Junior High Office for the necessary paperwork.

Welcome to winter in Texas. It is freezing for a day or two and then it is almost spring. We enjoy a blazing fire in the fireplace for a few days and need the warm days to shovel ashes. Stay safe on the bad weather days. This is best accomplished by staying home and making soup and cookies. Class meetings continue at the Art United Methodist Church.

Mason, Texas- The Third Annual Mason Chamber Music Festival will take place the weekend of April 5th – 8th and is sure to be the gem of a full weekend of festivities including the Spring Arts Fest in Mason, Texas. Each year the Odeon Preservation Association hosts a Cocktail Performance Fundraiser to raise funds in support the Chamber Music Festival in our town. This year The Allegro Chamber Trio will be performing at the annual fundraiser which will be held at the River of Life Church Ev ...

Auditions for FTC’s spring production, Barefoot in the Park are scheduled for Monday and Tuesday, February 19th and 20th at 7 pm at the Steve W. Shepherd Theater, located at 1668 U.S Highway 87 south in Fredericksburg. All roles are available for auditions. Auditions will be conducted by cold readings from the script.

Carl Robert Keith, 78, of Brady, surrounded by loved ones went peacefully to his heavenly home on Thursday, January 11, 2018, in Fredericksburg . Visitation was held at Heritage Funeral Home in Brady on Friday, January 12, 2018, from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. Funeral Services were at the First United Methodist Church in Brady on Saturday, January 13, 2018, starting at 2:00 p.m. Carl Robert Keith was born in Mason, Texas, to his parents, Jasper William Keith and Beulah (Tuckness) Keith on January 25 ...

“Alex” Alexander Ray Arteaga, of Austin and formerly of Mason, passed away on Saturday, January 13, at the age 36 after a short illness. Alex was born in Brady on January 21, 1981, to Miguel J. Arteaga and Barbara Martinez Arteaga. He was raised in Mason and was a 2000 graduate of Mason High School. During his high school years Alex was involved in FFA and was a very active member of the Mason Puncher Band where he played saxophone and led the band as drum major his junior and senior ...

Ice Storms and Missle Attacks - Early Warnings! As we made our way though Monday, the warnings began to get more urgent and dire. Mason could have up to an inch of ice and sleet, followed by snow. Temperatures would drop into the low to mid 20s during the day and the teens overnight Tuesday.

Pull Apart Garlic Bread I've made this bread several times, and it always comes out great. It's one of the few recipes I've found that I didn't feel like I had make any alterations to it to “improve” the taste or texture. Chunks of it torn off the loaves and dipped in a bit of warm marinara sauce or infused olive oil go great with just about any meal you plate up for the family.

If you’re interested in local history and legends, don’t miss Aileen Roberts’ program, “The Bloody Handprints of Alice Todd” tomorrow night at 6:00 P.M. in the Stribling Room of the Mason Co. Library, 410 Post Hill St. Hear the legend and then the research! Admission is free! DVDs: Victoria & Abdul The Hero Mother Stronger Blood Alley Dunkirk Brad’s Status Battle of the Sexes Crocodile Dundee/Crocodile Dundee II Bones: Seasons 3 & 4 Since You Went Away Ja ...

Got gas? For the past two decades I’ve been poking fun at the folks in California, making light of their strange habits, using their silliness for my own enjoyment. There’s a simple reason for this – California is full of space cadets. No other state in the union leads with its chin as often as California, except maybe Florida.

We could use some of that “Global Warming” about now! All of us can’t just stay indoors, there are those who have to be out in the cold/hot! However, you can always put on more layers that you can take off! Hard on the livestock. I would love to write about a couple of things, but then they might get thrown out!

Extending a Coaching Trail… At their wedding 52 years ago in their hometown of Bangs, TX, Virginia and Lowell Bishop repeated “old school” vows. When she murmured the “whither thou goest” commitment, however, she gave little thought to the “whither thou stoppeth” milestone. Now, she’s not sure. Combined service for the career educators totaled 75 years (her, 38; him, 37) when they retired in 2001.

Beef Stroganoff Boat When it is time for Super Bowl I usually try to serve something like sub sandwiches or nachos, also when I can find another good recipe with ground beef I am glad to share. Onion Soup mix always makes things better and it cuts down on having to use as much seasoning. 1 loaf fresh French bread (Olive oil or Canola oil) 1-1/2 lbs.

Welcome to winter in Texas. It is freezing for a day or two and then it is almost spring. We enjoy a blazing fire in the fireplace for a few days and need the warm days to shovel ashes. Stay safe on the bad weather days. This is best accomplished by staying home and making soup and cookies. Class meetings continue at the Art United Methodist Church.

What’s bugging you? Perhaps an “injurious insect.” Not just a bug. But a harmful one. At least, one likely to cause injury. So says Trusty Webster. There’s more than 50 to choose from. Some sound familiar. Others sound diabolical. The list begins with Bedbug. Which can be found just about everywhere. Then, two kinds of Mosquito. (Like one ain’t enough.) Followed by the all-too familiar Flea. And Body Louse. Not to be confused with Chicken Louse. Body ...

For those who may not have read the story “A Dog’s Tale” by American writer, Mark Twain, Chapter I begins: “My father was a St. Bernard, my mother was a Collie, but I am a Presbyterian.” That statement, which is a metaphor for what are known as mixed breeds, is decisively representative of most of the homeless dogs in the world.