June 20, 2018 Issue

The Texas Department of Transportation gave a presentation June 5 on its plans for the next few years.Cathy Kratz and Michael Dutton of TxDOT were at a sparsely attended meeting at the Llano Library to receive comments on the Rural Transportation Program for fiscal years 2019-2022 for Llano, Blanco, Mason, Gillespie and Lee counties. Those who did not attend the meeting can get more information online at https://www.txdot.gov/contact-us/form.html.

The Texas Republican Convention was held in San Antonio at the Gonzalez Convention Center June 14-16. Mason County delegates Bruce Lehmberg, Juhree Lehmberg, Will McCann, and Wanda Rueffer, along with Jan McCann as an alternate delegate. The convention was exciting, with all colors, shapes, sizes of delegates in a stirring display of grassroots involvement. The delegates passed a platform of conservative and patriotic planks. This was an exciting and interesting opportunity for averag ...

Garrett Rice (25) has received his Doctor of Jurisprudence Degree, (JD) and his certification as a court appointed State of Texas Mediator, from South Texas College Of Law Houston (STCL), during the May 2018 commencement exercises. He will be specializing in business litigation. Garrett Rice (JD) will be joining the Law Offices Of Susan Rice, ( Houston, Dallas, Austin San Antonio).

“Boss” Lion Jim Heidelberg convened the weekly meeting of the Mason Lions Club on June 12. Twenty-nine members and five guests attended the meeting. Lion Gene Gammill introduced his guests, son, John, and two grandsons, Julian and Christian. “Boss” Jim reminded members that President-elect Lion Marty Bentson is circulating sign-up sheets for volunteers to work the hamburger cook fundraiser at the Mason County Rodeo in July. There will be no club meeting or board meetings on July 3 ...

Summer activities are in full swing and the work load at the City continues at full pace. The City swimming pool is open and kids of all ages are enjoying a cool dip on these hot days. If you need specific information on swim times or would like to reserve the pool for a party or gathering, please call the City office for help.

Summer baseball tournaments began this month for Mason Youth Baseball. Our Intermediate Division (13 and under) hosted a tournament on June 2nd and finished 2nd place. This was a round-robin tournament and area teams participating were Brady and Harper. The following weekend our Minor Division (10 and under) dominated Brady and Burnet.

June 13 at college station at the 4H Roundup Ashley Hahn was 2nd High Individual in the meats judging contest & the Gillespie Co team won 2nd place & is going to nationals in Denver in January. Ashley is a senior at Fredericksburg high school, president of the Doss 4H Club & daughter of Marsha & Blaine Hahn of Doss.

Llano River Watershed Alliance, in conjunction with Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (TPWD), will host the RACA River Float on the South Llano River on June 30th from 9am to 1pm. TPWD’s River Access and Conservation Area (RACA) program aims to increase sustainable fishing and paddling access to rivers and streams across private lands.

The emergency alert sirens will be tested on Thursday, June 28 at noon. The test will only be performed if there are no clouds. Regular tests of the siren system is necessary to check for any problems and to be fully prepared should the siren be required for actual use.

Folks at the Odeon theater in Mason kicked off their 90th year anniversary celebration with a fantastic concert by Guy Forsyth and his band. Guest were already asking for a return engagement on leaving the theater. Now, they are gearing up for another fantastic show from a visitor from the Land Down Under. Kara Grainger brings her fiery slide guitar work, her sultry mesmerizing vocals, and her engaging songwriting talent to the Odeon theater in Mason Saturday July 7 at 7:00 PM.

June 23rd and 24th is the Gun Show Fund Raiser for the Loyal Valley VOLUNTEER Fire Department in Mason at the Mason Community Center. I stress “volunteer” for a reason, so let me give you some examples. It’s a Saturday morning and you have guests arriving for the weekend but your toilet just overflowed all over the bathroom.

July 9th - 12th (M - TH) July 16th - 19th July 23rd - 26th July 30th - Aug 2nd 6:00 to 7:00 p.m. All incoming 7th through 12th grade girls and boys are highly encouraged to attend. There is no cost for this camp.

The weatherman has predicted rain. My poor yard is crying for water. Hopefully, by the time you read this, we will have had a nice rain shower. Tomorrow, June 21, is the first day of summer. With all the hot weather we have had, I hope that we have had our share for this summer. Happy Birthday to John Palacio on June 24th and to Dylan Hamilton on June 25th.

ALERT..ALERT..ALERT.. the baby bats are being born right now! There are a few things that potential bat viewers need to be mindful of. #1.Check the bat hotline @325-347-5970 for current gate opening time..#2 To reduce stress to the bats, everyone needs to get up the hill and in their seats before the bats head out..#3 The bats have been coming out shortly after 7 P.M.

June 13 at college station at the 4H Roundup Ashley Hahn was 2nd High Individual in the meats judging contest & the Gillespie Co team won 2nd place & is going to nationals in Denver in January. Ashley is a senior at Fredericksburg high school, president of the Doss 4H Club & daughter of Marsha & Blaine Hahn of Doss.

Roman Velez Sr., of Mason, passed away on Wednesday, June 13, at the age of 82. Mr. Velez is survived by his children: Roman Velez Jr. and wifePhyliss of Christoval, Hilda Gierisch and husband Terry of Mason, Valentin Velez and wife Letty of Mason, Enrique Velez and wife Deanna of SanDiego, California, Melissa Velez of San Angelo, Zelma Martinez and husband Abel of Mason and Beatrice Zepeda and husband Miguel of Georgetown, 2 brothers Louis Velez Jr .of San Antonio and Paul Velez of Kyle, 1 ...

Mr. Goff is survived by his wife, Ann Goff, of Mason, a daughter Donna Johnson and husband Billy Karl of Mason and a son Mike Goff and Jimie Langehennig of Mason, a sister Jean Alexander of Llano, three grandchildren Jenna Johnson, Vicky Bankston and Chris Goff and two great-grandchildren, Blain and Bryce Bankston.

Stand and Fight? or, Take Flight? In nature, biologists have identified that every creature, no matter how submissive they may be by nature, will eventually turn and defend itself in whatever way it can. The term they use for this behavior is the "fight or flight" response. Human beings, though a highly advanced life form, still retain many of our biological urges, and the fight/flight response is still one of the strongest.

Cinnamon Swirl Bread for the Bread Machine Somewhat like chocolate goodies, I’ve not met a cinnamon pastry that I’ve not liked. It’s one of my many weaknesses, and the fact that you can let the bread machine do all the heavy lifting makes it even more attractive. (If you don’t have a bread machine, you can always do the mixing the old fashioned way.

We had a huge turnout and great fun with Wild Things Zoofari last week, but the fun doesn’t stop there! Today, Ranger Shawn is coming from Dinosaur Valley State Park to tell us about dinosaurs, footprints, and fossils. The program starts at 1:00 p.m. Swim passes will be given, and admission is free! Non-fiction: Gold Wings, Blue Sea: A Naval Aviator’s Story by Rosario Rausa, Captain, USNR (358.4 RAU) Women behind Stained Glass: West Texas Pioneers by Dana Glossbrenner (T 976.4 GLO) ...

Disney something For years I’ve been poking fun at Floridians which, I admit, is kind of like robbing a bird nest on the ground. People in Florida do strange things. For example, a couple of years ago a fellow named Joshua James threw a three and a half foot alligator through the drive-through window at the Wendy’s store in Palm Beach County.

June’s Bustin’ Out All Over… A childish “giddiness” engulfs my Uncle Mort annually about this time. Maude says his behavior is as predictable as the arrival of hummingbirds to the colorful feeders the couple hang each summer. “Come to think of it, Mort goes for the ‘red stuff,’ too,” she said. “But his weakness is for the season’s first delectable watermelons.” The old couple learned long ago that May melons don’t usually measure up, serving only to make the bu ...

The weatherman has predicted rain. My poor yard is crying for water. Hopefully, by the time you read this, we will have had a nice rain shower. Tomorrow, June 21, is the first day of summer. With all the hot weather we have had, I hope that we have had our share for this summer. Happy Birthday to John Palacio on June 24th and to Dylan Hamilton on June 25th.

Hot dang. Dang, it’s hot. Summertime. And the livin’ is easy. Summer is here. Splish splash. Dive into the City of Mason swimming pool. Located just south of the Mason County Library. Back at the ranch, cool off in the concrete tank. Sit on the porch and take in the breeze. Row row row the kayak. Gently down the stream. Or jump in the river. Swim with the fish. Fish with the swimmers. Roll out those lazy hazy crazy days of summer. Reading, writing, riding. ...