October 17, 2018 Issue

ger/oct 17 mason vs brackett Mason Opens District Play with 49-0 Upset of Brackett By Gerry Gamel Mason began 2018 district play last Friday, welcoming the Brackett Tigers to the Puncherdome for the opening game of the season. Brackett received the opening kickoff, and made a series of impressive drives; but, couldn't quite get within scoring range before turning over possession to the Punchers.

The white team traveled to a neutral spot to take on the Kermit Yellowjackets. The Punchers jumped out to a quick lead of 6-0. The Yellowjackets returned the next kickoff for a touchdown, taking the lead at halftime 8-6. In the second half the Punchers out scores Kermit. In a great showing, Mason won the game 20-16. Offensive standouts were the entire offensive line.

The Mason Central Appraisal District is entering the collection phase of the calendar. The 2018 tax rates have been adopted and set by the local taxing jurisdictions. Tax bills will be mailed out approximately October 19, 2018. For those of you new to our county the bills will be mailed on PINK paper.

As I am writing this on Monday morning the rains continue to come down and the summer weather has definitely fled! With the ground saturated from the rains of the past few weeks, every time that we get just a little more rain brings a threat of rising creeks and rivers, and if you have to travel about the County I hope that you are being careful and not taking any risks with flooding waters.

“Boss” Lion Marty Bentson gaveled to order the weekly meeting of the Mason Lions Club on October 9. Lion Bentson introduced Russell Livingston, our District Governor of District 2A-2, and his wife, Toni, of Midland. Lion Governor Russell announced that he and his wife had just become proud grandparents and were enjoying the new and wonderful feelings that go with that status. Lion Governor Russell swore in and introduced two new members of the Mason Lions Club, Lion Paul Smith and Lio ...

First Grade A Honor Roll Kyson Barnett Dominic Barros Cali Bierschwale Matthew Bierschwale Emersyn Boyd Corban Brewer Mila Carrillo Kynnedy Chamberlain Tyson Crocker Adrian Dominguez Aliyah Dominguez Myles Dyson Jager Eckert Angel Garcia Mollie Grimes Holt Grote Brynlee Halamicek Shane Haley Henry Hills Taylor Holbert Alayna Hyatt Charlotte Ingleby Kaden James Mason Jarvis Olivia Langehennig Waylon Levy Hector Lopez Diego Martinez Ki ...

ger/oct 17 mason vs brackett Mason Opens District Play with 49-0 Upset of Brackett By Gerry Gamel Mason began 2018 district play last Friday, welcoming the Brackett Tigers to the Puncherdome for the opening game of the season. Brackett received the opening kickoff, and made a series of impressive drives; but, couldn't quite get within scoring range before turning over possession to the Punchers.

The white team traveled to a neutral spot to take on the Kermit Yellowjackets. The Punchers jumped out to a quick lead of 6-0. The Yellowjackets returned the next kickoff for a touchdown, taking the lead at halftime 8-6. In the second half the Punchers out scores Kermit. In a great showing, Mason won the game 20-16. Offensive standouts were the entire offensive line.

The JV Purple took on the Lake View Chiefs two weeks ago. The Punchers dominated this game with a final score 40-0 and the Punchers getting their second win on the season. Offensive stand out for this game were Hayden Harding, Aaron Estrada, and Tyler Schmidt. Matthew Kerr Threw for two touchdowns. Defensive Standouts were Conner Leifeste, Jose Valdez, Blake Lewis, and Michael Longoria.

District 27AA Meet , Tuesday, 10/9 Girls Varsity Individual Results: Presley Anastas 5th 13:13; Ana Segura 6th 13:15; Peyton Anastas 15th 13:52; Alex Row 18th 14:55; Graci Weber 20th 15:24; Sydney Anderson 21st 15:30; Isis Martinez 22nd 16:07; Girls Varsity Team Standings: San Saba 31, Harper 38, Mason 63. Boys Varsity Individual Results: Riley Potts 6th 19:48; Colby Brown 16th 23:06; Zach Smart 17th 23:20; Carlos Watson 18th 23:59; James Potts 18th 24:24; Boys Varsity Team Standings: ...

The JV Purple team traveled to Coleman to take on the Stamford Bulldogs. This game was high scoring with the Punchers coming out on top 51-24. Offensive standouts were Joseph Martinez, Hayden Harding, and Ty Spencer. Defensive Standouts were JJ Ake, Jose Valdez, and Blake Lewis. The Punchers had 3 turnovers on defense with a fumble recovery by Jose Valdez, an interception by Conner Leifeste, and an interception returned for a touchdown by Mathew Kerr.

7th vs. Comanche The 7th grade Punchers played a hard fought game against Comanche but ended up losing 6-0. We played great defense but were unable to stick it in the endzone on offense due to some untimely turnovers. Overall, they played hard and are improving from week to week. 8th vs.

First Grade A Honor Roll Kyson Barnett Dominic Barros Cali Bierschwale Matthew Bierschwale Emersyn Boyd Corban Brewer Mila Carrillo Kynnedy Chamberlain Tyson Crocker Adrian Dominguez Aliyah Dominguez Myles Dyson Jager Eckert Angel Garcia Mollie Grimes Holt Grote Brynlee Halamicek Shane Haley Henry Hills Taylor Holbert Alayna Hyatt Charlotte Ingleby Kaden James Mason Jarvis Olivia Langehennig Waylon Levy Hector Lopez Diego Martinez Ki ...

Friday, October 26th is the 2018 Mason Homecoming football game. The Punchers will be playing the Center Point Pirates. Wednesday, prior to the game, will be the bonfire. Bonfire pep rally will start around 7:30 p.m. Game time will still be 7:30 with halftime presentations of Band Sweetheart and Football Sweetheart during halftime. Friday’s Pep Rally will begin at 3:00.

Mason ISD provides many educational programs to meet the needs of our students. One of the programs offered is the Gifted and Talented Program, which has been planned for young, able learners. Listed below are a few characteristics of children who may benefit from the program. Please review these characteristics to see if they describe your child.

Storytime is held Mondays at 10:30 a.m. in the Kid’s Zone of the Mason Co. M. Beven Eckert Memorial Library. Children ages 2-6 are welcome and should be accompanied by a parent or caregiver. Weekly stories are led by Carol Lampman, an elementary school teacher specializing in early childhood development. Join us Monday, October 15, for an all-time classic as we encourage the little engine over the hill in The Little Engine That Could retold by Watty Piper. 

ODEON THEATRE OPENED; LARGE CROWD ATTENDED That was the byline in the Mason County News in October 1928 when Otto Schmidt opened the Odeon theatre. The reporter stated that “it is the most attractive playhouse in this section of the country…and there is nothing within 50 miles that compares equally with it.” The Odeon Preservation Association (OPA) will celebrate the 90 year anniversary of the opening Wednesday October 24 at 7:00PM.

We are expecting real fall weather this week. Lately the weather reports have seemed exaggerated. We will see how low the temperatures go and how much rain we get. Remember, we live in Texas where extremes are our norm. The Art United Methodist Church Trustees will have a workday at the old school house on Saturday, October 20.

Friday, October 26th is the 2018 Mason Homecoming football game. The Punchers will be playing the Center Point Pirates. Wednesday, prior to the game, will be the bonfire. Bonfire pep rally will start around 7:30 p.m. Game time will still be 7:30 with halftime presentations of Band Sweetheart and Football Sweetheart during halftime. Friday’s Pep Rally will begin at 3:00.

Mason ISD provides many educational programs to meet the needs of our students. One of the programs offered is the Gifted and Talented Program, which has been planned for young, able learners. Listed below are a few characteristics of children who may benefit from the program. Please review these characteristics to see if they describe your child.

The cooler temperatures here, fall agritourism locations in the area are set to open. Several family-friendly pumpkin patches and farm businesses will open their farm gates to visitors and offer a look at Texas agriculture. “Fall is a wonderful time in Texas,” Shannon Worrell, Mason County Farm Bureau president, said. “Families can pick that perfect Texas-grown pumpkin, navigate a corn maze, go on a hay ride and so much more.” It’s also fair time in Texas. Although dates var ...

Stephanie Ertle, Democratic candidate for state representative will hold a Town Hall Meeting at Nacho’s Restaurant, back room on Friday, Nov 19 from 2 – 4 p.m. Everyone is invited to drop by and visit with her on issues of concern to residents.

Only A Short Time Till... For the last two weeks, our attention here at the News office has started to been drawn to the biggest publication we produce all year, "The Fall Hunters' & Visitors' Guide." It doesn't come out until October 31st; but, it requires lots of advance preparation in order to meet all the printing deadlines. We've gone as large as 64 pages, but usually settle in at 58, which is probably where we'll be this year.

Signs To whomever stole my Beto for Senate yard sign, Your actions show you do not respect free speech or democracy. Your attitude and actions threaten the survival of the USA. Think about it. Furthermore, very time you steal a sign, the Beto Campaign gets another contribution from me, and the sign goes up again. Sherry Alexander

Gerry- I read with great interest Jim Stanley's article "How Does a Tree Work?" This is a superb article. It made me realize the sophistication of nature. It also made me realize, with all of the plants and animals, the complexity of our world. Just because we do no see it or are aware of it, does not mean something is not happening. Pat Ellebracht Lawrence, KS

We are expecting real fall weather this week. Lately the weather reports have seemed exaggerated. We will see how low the temperatures go and how much rain we get. Remember, we live in Texas where extremes are our norm. The Art United Methodist Church Trustees will have a workday at the old school house on Saturday, October 20.

Old-Timer Doubts Thomas…. The caller was gracious, complimentary and far more composed than some of the senators who “duked it out” during the recent Supreme Court confirmation hearings. Before long, though, he uttered an often-chilling word: “however.” It usually suggests a change of direction, usually downward. “You made a mistake in last week’s column,” he advised. Oh, I could argue being “half right,” but he had good reason to “doubt my Thomases.”… ***** ...

Wet Texas J. Frank Dobie, probably the foremost chronicler of Texana, didn’t introduce me to the vagaries of Texas weather, since I grew up in it, but he did enlighten me to the saying, “Nobody but a fool or a newcomer will prophesy weather in Texas.” My dad used to watch the weather forecast on television every night, even though it was often unreliable.

National Friends of the Library is next week, and I want to say I have phenomenal Friends! Membership has grown tremendously since the first year I was here in 2011, and these folks are workers! They do a bang-up job of raising funds, offering the English class, and advocating for the library, and I appreciate every single one of them!

One Hour Rosemary Focaccia Bread courtesy: flavorthemoments.com We really enjoy Italian food and prepare it in some form or another at least 3 times a month. Italian food cries out for a bread to accompany it, so, over the years, I've accumulated quite a few recipes for Italian bread. Some of it is a bit “fussy” to prepare, but this recipe is right in the Practical Baker's wheelhouse: simple, just a few ingredients, and ready to put on the table in about an hour.