April 18, 2018 Issue

AUSTIN – (April 16, 2018) – The Texas Water Development Board (TWDB) today approved financial assistance totaling $73,825,100 for water and wastewater system projects. Of this funding, $3,649,200 was approved for rural water projects. • $2,659,200 to the City of Mason (Mason County) for water system improvements • $490,000 to the Brookshire Municipal Water District (Waller County) for a Hurricane Harvey disaster recovery wastewater project • $5,490,900 to the G-M Water Supply ...

Walking is one of the least expensive and easiest ways to get fit and it sets a great example for those around you. As a parent or guardian, you are one of the most important people who shapes your child. Establishing regular physical activity – at any age – has been shown to have many health benefits, such as: controlling weight reducing blood pressure raising HDL (‘good’) cholesterol reducing the risk of diabetes and cancer improving self-confidence and self-esteem Along ...

Mason, TX April 16th, 2018— Being a part of Mason for 59 years, the Mason County SWCD #223 wants to remind you that each of us has a connection to natural resources. The National Association of Conservation Districts (NACD) is celebrating the 63rd year of Stewardship week April 29 – May 6, 2018.

The Board of Trustees of MISD met for their regular meeting on March 26, 2018 at the School Administration Office. Board President Jeff Durst called the meeting to order at 6:00 pm with members Tommy Bierschwale, Jim Bob Smith, Julio Ramon, Tina Cantu-Navarro, Treg Hudson and Kathryn Martin in attendance.

TRTA’s state convention was held at LaCantera in San Antonio April 8 – 10. Those attending from the local Menard/Kimble/Mason unit were local unit president, Mary Ann Bartlett, and local unit 1st vice-president, Sherry Hubbard from Junction; and local unit secretary, Ron Wood from Menard. The three attendees received training in their respective elected positions, as well as heard speakers regarding the state of the TX Retired Teachers’ pension fund, foundation, and health care.

The Mason Lions Club met on April 10 with an attendance of 31 members, two guests and our speaker. Lion Ted Smith introduced Mason County Appraisal District’s new Chief Appraiser, Liza Trevino. Lisa will assume command on May 1. Lion Michael Cope introduced his guest, Don Schumacher, who expressed his intentions of joining the Lions Club. “Boss” Lion Jim Heidelberg declared the Lions’ recent hamburger cook a big success.

More than $700 million over the past 10 years BRYAN, Texas – Last month, Capital Farm Credit returned $77.5 million cash to its members in the form of patronage dividends. In addition, we’re setting aside $86.3 million in Allocated Equities for future distribution to our members, for a total 2018 patronage declaration of $163.8 million. “As a borrower-owned cooperative, our members are also our owners,” said Ben Novosad, chief executive officer.

Walking is one of the least expensive and easiest ways to get fit and it sets a great example for those around you. As a parent or guardian, you are one of the most important people who shapes your child. Establishing regular physical activity – at any age – has been shown to have many health benefits, such as: controlling weight reducing blood pressure raising HDL (‘good’) cholesterol reducing the risk of diabetes and cancer improving self-confidence and self-esteem Along ...

Mason Cowgirls Varsity Overcomes Junction In Face Of Early 3-Run Inning Junction scored three runs in the third inning, but Mason Cowgirls still won 13-3 on Friday. Junction’s big inning was driven by an error on a ball put in play by #12 and #8 and a groundout by #23. Mason Cowgirls got on the board in the first inning when an error scored one run for Mason Cowgirls. Mason Cowgirls notched five runs in the third inning.

The Board of Trustees of MISD met for their regular meeting on March 26, 2018 at the School Administration Office. Board President Jeff Durst called the meeting to order at 6:00 pm with members Tommy Bierschwale, Jim Bob Smith, Julio Ramon, Tina Cantu-Navarro, Treg Hudson and Kathryn Martin in attendance.

The Mason Punchers are currently in the lead on District 29-AA with a 9-0 district record. They have an overall record of 11-1 this season. The Punchers are led by the fourth year starter Emanuel Martinez #42 and 2nd year starter and “ace” pitcher Otto Wofford #4. Emanuel, Otto Wofford, and Kyle Montoya are the pitchers this season.

The Odeon Preservation Association proudly host a performance of Mason High School's one act play, Rabbit Hole, Sunday April 22 at 5:00 p.m. After winning in Regional competition with three “1s” they take their play to Round Rock for state competition. This is Mason High School’s 6th consecutive appearance at One Act Play State Competition and is now one of the top eight plays in their classification this year. This performance is also the inaugural event for the Odeon’s newly com ...

FIRST GRADE A HONOR ROLL Isabella Balderas Parker Bownds Tanner Bradley Bella Brown Juan Calderon Emily Lumpkins Jacey Collins Jake Cortez Parker Ellis Job Garcia Brooklyn Garrett Blythe Grote Shane Haley Georgia Hicks Michelle Mun Abigail Munsell Corbyn Neece Brooklynn Orta Jaxon Price Everly Rabon Elias Sanchez Sienna Smith Koen Soto Elizabeth Whitworth Jarrett Worrell Samuel Wyatt Savannah Yates AB Honor Roll Emily Barros Cuatro ...

The Mason Study Club will be hosting an afternoon tea on Sunday, April 29 at St. Paul Lutheran Church at 3:00 p.m. Along with a wonderful selection of teas and scrumptious accompaniments served by the lovely ladies of the Study Club, there will be raffle items available. The first raffle item, donated by Mary Carlman, is a cozy underground railroad quilt made during a class taught at the Mason County Library by Carolyn Thomas and quilted by Elizabeth Evans. The second item, designed, crea ...

The Mason County Republican Women’s Home Tour will be 10:00 am to 5:00 pm on Saturday, April 21, in Mason. The home tour is a fundraiser that enables the group to provide scholarships to two graduating seniors from Mason High School each year. Tickets and maps for the event, which showcases historical homes as well as bed-and-breakfasts, are available at Market Square at 114 Moody Street.

The Odeon Preservation Association proudly host a performance of Mason High School's one act play, Rabbit Hole, Sunday April 22 at 5:00 p.m. After winning in Regional competition with three “1s” they take their play to Round Rock for state competition. This is Mason High School’s 6th consecutive appearance at One Act Play State Competition and is now one of the top eight plays in their classification this year. This performance is also the inaugural event for the Odeon’s newly com ...

Come join us for an evening of song at the Mason Co. M. Beven Eckert Memorial Library, 410 Post Hill Street. Country singer/songwriter Bernie Nelson will be here to entertain on Thursday, April 26, at 6:30 p.m. Bernie is an A-list multi-platinum songwriter who has penned songs exceeding 25 million records sold!

Barbara Ortwein has entertained audiences all throughout Texas, Oklahoma, and Germany with her unique style of Book Talks. Interspersed in her presentation, she leads the audience in a sing-a-long with her guitar accompaniment of German and English songs relevant to her books’ themes. Barbara often ends her presentations with a rousing song such as Deep in the Heart of Texas! Barbara has done intensive historical research for her trilogy set in the Texas Hill Country.

Come and meet the effervescent, energetic and ebullient Sigrid Carter, author of “Amazing Women: 4 German Girls, 25,000+ Miles, 18 Months, 0 Money” and “How to Travel Like a Millionaire Without Being One” and her traveling companions, Helga and Irene. The ladies will autograph books, visit, and lead a sing-a-long of German songs sung during their trek through Latin America.

Heart of Texas Country Music Association is proud to announce the 15th Annual Heart of Texas Country Cruisin from Galveston, Texas. This will be our first five day cruise in several years. During the cruise on Monday, October 29 through Saturday, November 3, we will be visiting Cozumel and Progresso, Mexico and hosting special shows and dances on the ship as well aboard the beautiful Carnival Valor ship. Heart of Texas Records is also proving bus transportation for our guests to Galveston f ...

The United States Department of Agriculture reports that in 2016 approximately 41.2 million Americans lived in “food insecure” households. The U.S.D.A. defines “food insecure households” as households in which members were not certain at times during that year that they would have or be able to acquire enough food to meet the needs of all members.

Spared from an Easter freeze or direct hit by hailstorm (thus far), spring vegetables look to be ready for the grand opening of the Mason County Farmers Market this Saturday at 5 p.m. Farmers at Buena Tierra in Fredonia, for instance, will be harvesting broccoli, butter lettuce, beets, basil, dinosaur kale, garlic, radishes, squash.

The 2018 Spring Meeting of the Edwards Plateau Historical Association (EPHA) will convene Saturday morning, May 5, at 10:00 o’clock in the Mason County Library [south of the Courthouse on Post Hill Street and one block south of the jail (with a statue of “Old Yeller” in front)]. Registration and coffee service begins at 9:30 o’clock. The program this time will consist of four unpublished research papers concerning historical topics about Mason County: “Old Koocksville – Older th ...

Hear ye! Hear ye, one and all. Sherrie Glass and I, almost housebound, have decided to enter the Reader's Digest contest to nominate Mason as "The Best Little Town in America." So, if any presidents of any civic organizations, club, or individual, would like to help us, please write us a paper of what you do; or what project you have; or anything deserving of recognition - please mail it to me at PO Box 413, Mason, Texas.

Let Citizen Responsibility Prevail! Next Monday, early voting begins in the City of Mason election. I cannot recall a time when we had so many candidates vying for seats on the Commission, though I've known several elections that were just as rife with angst and drama. There are eight candidates running for three positions on the City Commission.

Smart Voting Gerry, I wanted to take a minute to reflect on what it is in my heart. As I drive through town and look at all the election signs, I start to pray and thank God for the awesome community that I live in. I believe that as a whole, we do get along. I know that there will always be a battle between the two forces of dark and light.

No-Cook Cheesecake This one is quick and so easy it I place it under under the classification of “falling-off-a-log-easy!” The most time used in the making of this delicious cake is while you;re waiting for it to set up in the refrigerator. Ingredients: 1 eight ounce package of cream cheese, softened 1 graham cracker crust I can of condensed milk 1/3rd cup lemon juice 1 teaspoon vanilla Process: Place all ingredients in a bowl and mix thoroughly to combine Poure mistur ...

Check out our other articles in today’s paper about two special programs next week. German author Barbara Ortwein will be here next Tuesday to give an unusually lively (with music!) book talk about her trilogy set in the hill country, and country songwriter and singer Bernie Nelson will be singing for us Thursday evening.

Truth? Kendal Hemphill Turn on your television, listen to your radio, scroll through any form of social media, and you’ll hear people offering solutions for America’s ‘gun problem.’ Politicians usually say whatever they think people want to hear, and groups with an agenda say what they think their followers want to hear.

Give Smiles a Try… Songs are often slathered in over-simplification. We’ve generally gone along with the musical proclamation that our smiles trigger the rest of the world to smile with us. Wait a minute. The world ignores, remaining ambivalent, whether we’re smiling or not. This is not to say there is not value in smiles; they are worthwhile if they do nothing more than brighten a few lives in our own little world.

Drumsticks with Butternut Squash Spring is here and it makes me want to start planting things I also get hungry for the fresh veggies that are more abundant this time of year. I have started composting and so far I have planted onions, peppers and lettuce. I also have a small herb garden started. I saw this recipe with butternut squash and had to share it.

The Ceynowa household has had a crazy week. I totally forgot last week’s column because hubby John was in the hospital. We are so grateful for our EMS team that came to the house quickly and took John to get help. He had a heart attack on the sixth and we are hoping he will be released from the hospital in the next few days.

Seventy-four million. 74,000,000. That’s a lot. That’s an estimate. Not for how many stars are in the sky. Or much the latest lottery is worth. An estimate. Of pet dogs in this country. Just in this country. And y’all know what dogs do. Each pet poops three-quarters of a pound a day. (Kinda gives “QuarterPounder” a whole new meaning.) That’s an approximate figure. I wonder who had to run that test. Hmmm, let’s see. Watch where you step. Look out f ...