October 24, 2018 Issue

After a long and stressful week of flooding, both the communities of Junction and Mason were ready for the escapism of some Friday night football. Though the Eagles would lose 41-7, the score doesn't reflect the good game that the Junction team played on Friday night. Junction took the opening kickoff, but the Puncher defense would establish their dominance early.

The Mason County Livestock Show and Expo, Inc. hosted its Fort Mason Cookoff and Wild West Extravaganza on Saturday, Oct. 13. There was an awesome turnout for the numerous events. The Fort Mason Cookoff hosted 16 teams. Top Honors went to John Truesdell of Little John’s BBQ and Reserve Champion was awarded to Corey Albert of V Bar B Q.

Central Texas Electric Co-op would like to thank all of our members for their patience, understanding and encouragement as we dealt with outages in our service territory due to the recent historic flood. CTEC also wishes to extend that appreciation to each of our employees who have worked tirelessly to restore power as quickly and safely as possible.

On Monday, the Mason County Commissioners' Court spent the bulk of their regular meeting discussing the damages from the flooding of the last two weeks. County Road Supervisor, J. P. Murray, explained to the Court that his road crew had been dealing with the severest situations as quickly as they could; but, acknowledged that the extent of the damages were overwhelming their capacity to respond. At the end of last week, the County Road & Bridge Department had already addressed some of the m ...

We now meet annually, and this year on October 20 we intended to gather under the magnificent live oaks where we played each year through eighth grade. Because of life-giving rain, we met, instead, in our nearby grammar school. We want to share with you readers the lyrics of a poetic song portraying the character of those live oak trees that we then young students were so privileged to witness for so many, many years. Something Beautiful by Stephanie J.

With all of the recent rain and cloudy days, the ground is still saturated and even with a few beautiful days of sunshine it will be awhile before the City crews can get back to our many regular jobs. The Street crew is well aware of the many new potholes and the other obstacles that have just grown larger with the rains, but until it dries out there is no good way to patch them and expect it to hold.

The Mason Youth Football team is heading to the super bowl in Llano, Texas this Saturday at 12 p.m. where they will take on Llano's team for the ultimate prize!... Please everyone come out and support these little guys ..we will need all the cheers from Mason since we are on Llanos home turf!

After a long and stressful week of flooding, both the communities of Junction and Mason were ready for the escapism of some Friday night football. Though the Eagles would lose 41-7, the score doesn't reflect the good game that the Junction team played on Friday night. Junction took the opening kickoff, but the Puncher defense would establish their dominance early.

The JV Purple played at home against San Saba last week. The Punchers won by the final score of 41-0. Ty Spencer scored on the Punchers first possession with a 24 yard run. JJ Ake scored on a pass from Mathew Kerr from 32 yards to make the score 14-0. Jose Valdez scampered to a 18 yard touchdown making it 20-0.

Mason ISD is currently accepting nominations for the Gifted and Talented Program. Nominations will be accepted until 3:30 p.m. on Friday,November 2, 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.

The Mason County Livestock Show and Expo, Inc. hosted its Fort Mason Cookoff and Wild West Extravaganza on Saturday, Oct. 13. There was an awesome turnout for the numerous events. The Fort Mason Cookoff hosted 16 teams. Top Honors went to John Truesdell of Little John’s BBQ and Reserve Champion was awarded to Corey Albert of V Bar B Q.

It’s not too late to let your preschooler be a Book Puncher! Children five years old or younger are eligible and may sign up for the program at the Mason Co. M. Beven Eckert Memorial Library, preschool, or pre-K. The goal is to read 100 books with your child this year.

The Mason Youth Football team is heading to the super bowl in Llano, Texas this Saturday at 12 p.m. where they will take on Llano's team for the ultimate prize!... Please everyone come out and support these little guys ..we will need all the cheers from Mason since we are on Llanos home turf!

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 29, for a treat as we enjoy a surprise Halloween story and craft activity.

This past Sunday, St. Josephs Youth group spent the afternoon sprucing up Crosby Cemetery in preparation for their upcoming service project. Following in the rich tradition of the Catholic Church in the celebration of All Souls Day. The purpose is to remember and pray for not only our loved ones but for the souls who have passed before us in death.

The upcoming cooler months remind us to be thankful, to have gratitude and to be giving to others. With the changing of the season upon us, I thought I would take the opportunity to introduce myself and to express my gratitude. My name is Rebecca Burns and I am the Mason County Nutrition program director at the Mason Senior Center.

Mason County Republican Women are offering a ride to the polls on November 6th. Anyone needing a ride can contact one of the following people depending on your precinct. Your precinct is listed on your voter registration card. Call on or before Tuesday November 6th: Joni Matthews 281-222-0081 -Precinct 210- or if you vote at the County Courthouse-upstairs Annette Thomas 512-940-9456 -Precinct 302- or if you vote at the Eckert Center Sabin Nelson 325-347-2715 -Precinct 101-or if your v ...

The Disaster Relief application is entirely online and automated. Upon completing and submitting their online application, applicants will receive an email with a link they can follow to see the progress of their application through the approval process. This automated system should make response times much faster and eliminate uncertainty. Applicants are encouraged to fill out the application entirely before it is submitted.

Aileen Roberts, author and researcher, will present “The Bloody Handprints of Alice Todd” during the annual membership meeting of the Friends of the Library. The meeting will be held on November 1, 2018 at 6:30 pm in the Stribling room at the library. Everyone is invited, and admission is free. Ms.

Mason ISD is currently accepting nominations for the Gifted and Talented Program. Nominations will be accepted until 3:30 p.m. on Friday,November 2, 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.

Come one and all one and all! It’s time once again for a fun-filled day in Magical Mason on Saturday, October 27th! Kick things off with the Mason Arts Fest from 11am-4pm. The Hill Country is full of artists and craft-folk of all kinds, and we are proud to have some of the best (and most fun) to take to our canopy-covered sidewalks on the Square in Mason! Among those artists who are participating are local talents like our “forever child,” Dayna Fowler Haines whose imagination takes f ...

The public is invited to the opening reception for “Dia de Muertos” exhibit on Thursday, October 25, 5 pm to 7 pm at Arnold Art Gallery. Barbra Riley will exhibit her series of Dia de Muertos photographs documenting how the ancient tradition continues to be celebrated in modern Mexico, sometimes in funny and surprising ways.

It’s not too late to let your preschooler be a Book Puncher! Children five years old or younger are eligible and may sign up for the program at the Mason Co. M. Beven Eckert Memorial Library, preschool, or pre-K. The goal is to read 100 books with your child this year.

Last week I wrote the column on Sunday evening before the storm became so serious. We had cool temperatures and more rain than I remember. The rivers and creeks were on a rampage. My Grandpa always said one extreme follows another. Wet follows dry. The workday at the Art Schoolhouse was cancelled on Saturday due to weather.

Larry Gene Thompson, affectionately known as “Pops”, was born January 28, 1947, to Gene and the late Emogene Thompson of Munday. Pops peacefully went home to Jesus October 21, 2018, in Knox County Hospital surrounded by his family and friends. Larry is a lifetime resident of Munday with the exception of four years at Texas Tech where he met the love of his life, Cindy Zesch of Mason, on the steps of the Tech library.

Eula Mae Martin told her family and friends that she was going to have a “miracle”…her body would be healed, no more pain. She would stand in a field of white flowers before her Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. On Monday, October 15, 2018 she heard “Eula Mae, work is finished, come home.

Charles Ray Loeffler was born September 14, 1950. His parents were Gilbert and Marie Loeffler. After attending Mason schools he enrolled in the University of Texas. Charles was a member of the 1970 Longhorn National Championship Football Team. He graduated from UT with a degree in accounting. In 2000, he and wife Susie moved to Mason to live their dream on Circle Oaks Ranch.

Date of Death: Wednesday, October 17, 2018 Edward Ray Sheppard was born November 13, 1936, to Roy E. Sheppard and Bertha Schrader. He grew up in and around Llano, Texas. He had such a fondness for the land and the animals of the Texas Hill Country. Edward worked as a plumber but his employment did not define him, it was only a means to an end.

Amelia Ory, known to her friends as Tince, went to her heavenly father October 21, 2018, in Fredericksburg. The funeral service will be on Wednesday, October 24, 2018, at 2:00 p.m. at First Baptist Church of Stanton, Reverend David Harp officiating. Visitation was Tuesday, October 23 from 5:00-7:00 p.m. at Gilbreath Funeral Home. Tince was born to Grover and Mamie Digby Griffice March 31, 1918, in Big Spring, Texas.

Larry Gene Thompson, affectionately known as “Pops”, was born January 28, 1947, to Gene and the late Emogene Thompson of Munday. Pops peacefully went home to Jesus October 21, 2018, in Knox County Hospital surrounded by his family and friends. Larry is a lifetime resident of Munday with the exception of four years at Texas Tech where he met the love of his life, Cindy Zesch of Mason, on the steps of the Tech library.

This past Sunday, St. Josephs Youth group spent the afternoon sprucing up Crosby Cemetery in preparation for their upcoming service project. Following in the rich tradition of the Catholic Church in the celebration of All Souls Day. The purpose is to remember and pray for not only our loved ones but for the souls who have passed before us in death.

Recent Flooding Brings Out the Best!!! Last week, as streams all over the Hill Country continued to rise, I was watching Jim Spencer on KXAN out of Austin. He noted that it was not unusual for any of the rivers in the LCRA service area to flood; but, it was unusual for the Pedernales, the Llano, the San Saba, the Concho and the Colorado to all have flooding situations occurring at the same time. As we are putting the paper together this morning, Austin is still dealing with the rains from ...

Outrage This is an OPEN LETTER to Republican Representative Conaway and Republican Senators Cruz and Cornyn. Republicans created a $2 trillion hole in the federal deficit to fund a tax cut for the rich and a steep cut in corporate taxes. Now Republican leaders are saying the solution to fix their budget shortfall is to cut Medicare, Social Security, and Medicaid.

Voting Gerry- This is a very important election on Nov. 6 Please Vote All of this spitting and in your face in restrunts is so childish. So if you like winning, (like our Punchers) and the direction our country is going Vote If you like loosing and don't like our country as it is today, then vote So get up out of your easy chair and Vote Thank you, Emeth Bauer

Blueberry Buttermilk Muffins courtesy: Shurfine® Company This simple little recipe will result in your having a dozen of the most moist, delicious blueberry muffins you’ve ever tried. The biggest problem is trying to keep from eating them all in one sitting! Ingredients: 2 cups all-purpose flour 1 tablespoon baking powder ½ teaspoon salt ½ teaspoon cinnamon ¼ teaspoon nutmeg 2 large eggs 1 cup buttermilk ¾ cup granulated sugar, plus extra for topping ½ cup vege ...

Know. Knew. Knowledge. Knit. Knot. Knead. Knife. Knee. Words with a silent “k.” As though they start with “N.” But it wasn’t always that-a-way. So says the Smithsonian magazine. The “k” lived well into the 15th Century. And was spoken as such. Who k-new? And even prevailed in northern England and Scotland through the 19th Century. No kidding. He k-nelt down on one k-nee in his kilt. How fun. Hand me that k-nife, please. My k-nitting yarn h ...

Last week I wrote the column on Sunday evening before the storm became so serious. We had cool temperatures and more rain than I remember. The rivers and creeks were on a rampage. My Grandpa always said one extreme follows another. Wet follows dry. The workday at the Art Schoolhouse was cancelled on Saturday due to weather.

Amon Carter and Fort Worth…. By all accounts, the late Amon Carter Sr. was the “real deal.” This icon--founder of the Fort Worth Star-Telegram in 1906--was a “mover and shaker” who would gain wide renown. Never one to sit back and watch, his “MO” was to dive in and deal. He was to Fort Worth and Texas what the energizer bunny is to battery-powered devices, this major player in “all things Fort Worth” for more than 40 years. His newspaper had the largest circulation in ...

Unbearable The bad news is that I didn’t get a bear. The good news is that a bear didn’t get me, too. So I guess my bear hunting trip was a wash. Jerry Seinfeld once said his scuba diving experience consisted mainly of swimming around trying not to die. Bear hunting is a lot like that.

Although several events were cancelled due to the wet weather, we’ve had folks dropping in getting books, magazines, movies, or other material. It is good reading weather and a great time to just “cozy in” and watch a movie. It’s great to see you, but, remember, Overdrive’s ebooks and audiobooks are a great option when you can’t get out. DVDs: Siberia Gotti The Sea Gull Leave No Trace Hotel Transylvania 4 Hotel Artemis Skyscraper Hallmark Triple Feature: Harvest ...