June 27, 2018 Issue

I looked up the definition of independence in the dictionary. It means not subject to the authority of another and not dependent on or part of some larger group. That is what our country was founded on. I was four months old when Pearl Harbor was bombed, beginning WWII. People sacrificed so much back then for the war effort.

To me, Independence Day means just that – independence. Knowing that I live in a country where anything is possible. That I can make whatever life I want for myself if I’m willing to work hard enough for it. That the same can be said for my children and their children because of the efforts of those that came before us.

Mason County 4H member Makenna Palacio performed at State 4H RoundUp’s competition on the campus of Texas A&M University on Thursday, June 14. Makenna had a great performance in musical/instrumental finishing 11th. Makenna placed first at District 7 competition giving her the opportunity to advance to the State 4H RoundUp competition for the first time.

Mason residents gathered last Tuesday in the Stribling Room to hear U.S. Congressional candidate, Jennie Lou Leeder who is challenging the incumbent, Representative Mike Conaway. Leeder grew up in Llano and has a degree in Agriculture Education Southwest State University and a Masters from Ohio University. Leeder describes herself as an educator, a businesswoman, a coach, and active in local politics since 2007. Leeder made her case for change by noting too many policies supported by Repres ...

Mason County Delegates, Lynn Reichenau, Dennis Evans, and Spencer Bierschwale attended the 2018 Texas Democratic Convention in Ft. Worth June 21 – 23. It was a great experience meeting all the Democratic candidates for election Tuesday, November 2. We heard from Beto O’Rourke – US Senate, Lupe Valdez – Governor, Mike Collier – Lt.

The Bear Den from Mason’s Cub Scout Pack 281 had a fun outing recently. They fished the Llano River at Camp Gene Ashby on Saturday morning, June 23. Scouts included Miguel Menchaca, Jacob Cortez, Jackson Cortez and Jenson Allin. Bonnie Beam serves as the Den Leader. Miguel had not caught of fish before, so he was especially excited to be there with his friends, his Grandfather and his Mother.

“Boss” Lion Jim Heidelberg called to order the June 19 meeting of the Mason Lions Club. Distinguished guests included Glover Davis, San Diego State University Professor Emeritus of Creative Writing, and Lions District Zone Chairman Mona Soland and her husband, Lion Pat “Honey” Soland, of Kingsland. Ella Canfield dined with her dad, Lion Tom Canfield.

It has been hot outside, and although summer has just now officially started I think that most of us are about ready for it to be done. Of course, July and August are still to come and since we are in Texas we can count on more hot, dry weather!

The Fourth of July should be celebrated as a commemoration of those who fought for our nation’s independence. The Fourth of July is a day to remember how lucky we are to live in a country whose history would have been much different if it hadn’t released itself from the hands of the British.

On July 4, 1776, our great republic was born as the United States of America, so declared by the Declaration of Independence. This historic document chartered America’s freedom as an independent nation among the powers of the world. On July 8, 1776, the first public readings of the Declaration took place in Philadelphia’s Independence Square to the ringing of bells and band music.

The 49th Bauer reunion was held Sunday, June 3, 2018, at Castell Texas. After a catered lunch, President, Shirley Switzer, descendant of John T Bauer , conducted the meeting. Raymond Fritze, one of the oldest members, gave a prayer in German. It was noted that two family members had passed away during the last year. Doris Lee Bauer Best age 94 on March 17, 2018, and Jamie Arlene Wartenbach Stephens age 76 on April 2, 2018. 2019 will mark fifty years since the Bauer cousins began having ...

The June 18 regular meeting of the City of Mason Commission lasted over three hours, with much of that time focused on a topic that covers new ground for the City - solar power. At earlier meetings, the Commission had heard a proposal from Ted Smith regarding his planned construction of a solar farm on the south face of Post Hill.

I love quotes...funny, serious, inspirational...it doesn’t matter, if it hits a note with me, then it made its point. I was in a quote kind of mood when I sat down to write this column and went to a site that has tons of famous quotes for every situation. When the FAMOUS QUOTES webpage opened up, there was an ad that popped up that had an anonymous quote, “Allergy season is here.” Ok, that did it, enough said!

Mason County 4H member Makenna Palacio performed at State 4H RoundUp’s competition on the campus of Texas A&M University on Thursday, June 14. Makenna had a great performance in musical/instrumental finishing 11th. Makenna placed first at District 7 competition giving her the opportunity to advance to the State 4H RoundUp competition for the first time.

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 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.

Do you own property along the river? Would you like to earn some extra monthly income? Come out to the banks of the South Llano at Boone’s Crossing (County Road 150) Saturday, June 30th at NOON to learn more about a new opportunity for landowners…and enjoy some great BBQ. Texas Parks and Wildlife Department’s River Access and Conservation Area (RACA) program aims to increase sustainable fishing and paddling access to rivers and streams across private lands.

Hello LTP Members and Friends! July 4th Celebration “A Walk Through History” will be held at the American Legion! FAMILY FRIENDLY! *Reminder: NO REGULAR MEETING THURSDAY JULY 5TH! * Doors will open at 10am --- presentation of colors 10:20 --- program to follow with Justice James (Jimmy) Blacklock, Justice Melissa Goodwin and Col.

Story Slam Winner 2018 Texas Storytelling Festival Kim Lehman, “The Bee Lady,” is coming to the Mason Co. M. Beven Eckert Memorial Library on Tuesday, July 3, at 1:00 p.m. Admission is free. This program is in lieu of Read to Swim that day, but participants will receive swim passes. She’ll be presenting “The Buzz about Bees” and leading the children in games, songs, and crafts about honey bees.

Hill Country Memorial announces the third quarter dates for its Obstetrics Department Tour & Open House for expectant parents. The open house will be held on Thurs., July 5 from 5:30-7:15 p.m. in the HCM Women’s Pavilion (1011 S. Milam St.). Light refreshments will be served. The event will continue to be held on the first Thursday of each month, including Aug.

Individuals considering joint replacement surgery are invited to a free “Destination Restore” program presentation with lunch at the Brady National Bank (101 S. Blackburn St.) on Thurs., July 12. A complimentary lunch will be provided at 11:30 a.m., with a presentation to follow. Hill Country Memorial Restore Program Coordinator Marilyn Berry and orthopedic surgeons will discuss types of hip, knee and shoulder replacement implants and information about pre-operative classes and coachi ...

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.

We are officially in the lazy, hazy days of summer. It has been hot. The rain has been scarce. Our hope is that since summer came early, fall will also come early. There will be no United Methodist Women meeting in July. Class meetings continue at the Art United Methodist Church. There will be no meeting on July 4. Happy Birthday to Max Jordan on June 30 and to Susie Jordan on July 3.

Hill Country Astronomers (HCA) will meet at 6:30 PM, Monday, July 2, in the HEB Activity Room at Hill Country University Center in Fredericksburg. The program will feature two video lectures from Professor Edward M. Murphy’s “Our Night Sky” course. Following the videos, club vice president, Bruce Barton, will lead a discussion. In “Observing the Planets with a Telescope,” Dr.

Tammye Lew Shipp, 59 of Lometa, TX died Wednesday June 20, 2018, at her home. She was born March 6, 1959, in San Saba, TX, to Lewis C. Waldon and Betty J. (McLeod) Waldon. Tammye grew up in Pontotoc and graduated from Mason High School. She later earned her nursing degree from Howard College in Brownwood.

Doris Simon, of Mason, passed away on Thursday, June 21, at the age of 74. Mrs. Simon is survived by four sons: DeWayne Simon and wife Sheri of Mason, Robby Simon and wife Kimberly of Mason, Kenny Simon of Lake Buchanan and Corey Simon and wife Candice of Liberty Hill, 9 grandchildren: Wesley Simon and wife Kaley, Casey Simon and wife Tiffany, Cody Simon and wife Sharon, Tina Jordan and husband Brendan, Bradley Simon and wife Chelsea, Zane Simon, Ashlyn Simon, Ryan Wilson and Alyssa Wilson, ...

Next week's paper will have the dateline of July 4, 2018. As always happens when a production deadline falls on a holiday, we've had to figure out how to schedule our work to mesh with the folks down at our printer and up the street at the post office. There are times that, even with all that advance planning, things still don't quite work out the way we would like. We wanted to include a tribute to Independence Day, and with the paper datelined July 4th, what could be easier?

As I was a youngster back in the late 30’s and early 40’s, the 4th did not have much meaning in the Long Mountain area unless the 4th was on a Friday and that meant that we would go to the LLANO for a long weekend and fish. However, if during the week, it had no meaning as we baled or hauled hay in the usual manner, or worked sheep or whatever needed to be done on a farm.

Best Town Thank you to everyone that helped us put together an essay for the Readers Digest contest about what makes Mason one of the ‘Nicest Places in America’. Out of hundreds of entries, we did not make the top ten, but we plan on entering the contest again. The love and pride in the stories we received made Mason, Texas number One in our eyes. Thank you for your support. Doris Grote and Cheri Glass

Real Facts Sticks and stones may hurt my bones by words will never hurt me? Well whoever came up with that saying is so wrong. Our country is in a real state to turmoil, parties against each other, both wanting their own way. The one thing that we need to keep in mind is that our country was not founded on the grounds that our government stands on today. I truly believe that the news and social media fuels the fire of contention and deceitfulness.

Easy Peesy French Bread Some folks get a bit anxious about trying to make up a nice crusty loaf of French Bread since there’s so many false tales circulating around about how difficult French Bread is to make correctly. It ain’t true, folks! You can whip this loaf together in about an hour and there’s not a French person in Mason who could tell you that it’s not “on point.” Ingredients: 1 ½ cups warm water 1 tablespoon honey 1 ½ teaspoons salt 1 tablespoon active dry ...

The fun continues at the library this week with Read to Swim and Read with a Dog, and next week on July 3rd, “The Bee Lady” Kim Lehman will tell us The Buzz about Bees and lead the kids in songs, games, and crafts while teaching them about honey bees.

Escape. Sort of. Not long after my wife and I got married, I tried to teach her how to play golf. This was a big mistake. Part of the problem was that I was pretty vague on how to play golf, myself. I still am. Another part of the problem was that I was pretty vague on how to teach anyone anything.

Man Does Not Live by Buns Alone…. I don’t know how butchers and candlestick makers are faring, but bakers these days have their hands full of more than dough. Fast-food places want them to “work their buns on.” Dough isn’t being kneaded fast enough to meet their needs. This observation may come across as half-baked, but what else is new? Texans’ heads jerked and eyes crossed recently with the announcement that three fast-food chains--count ‘em, THREE--blamed “insufficien ...

We are officially in the lazy, hazy days of summer. It has been hot. The rain has been scarce. Our hope is that since summer came early, fall will also come early. There will be no United Methodist Women meeting in July. Class meetings continue at the Art United Methodist Church. There will be no meeting on July 4. Happy Birthday to Max Jordan on June 30 and to Susie Jordan on July 3.

The days are clear, Day after day, When April’s here, That leads to May, And June Must follow soon: Stay, June, stay! - If only we could stop the moon And June! ---Christina Georgina Rossetti O well. Nobody can stop time. That’s the way it goes. First your money. Then your clothes. But less is more. The hotter it gets--- Less is better. Such as haiku. So much can be said with so little words. Butterflies Flit in a field of sunlight That is all ...