November 13, 2019 Issue

Mason’s Scarlet Punchers, those intrepid women “of a certain age,” who absolutely insist on enjoying life to the fullest, are creatures of habit. We met for years on the first Monday of the month, for food, fun, and fellowship. Then we moved it to the first Tuesday, with the same food, fun, and fellowship (and of course, prizes!) Now we’re moving it all over the calendar!

The Punchers completed district play last Friday as they traveled to Sabinal to take on the Yellowjackets. Sabinal had a win loss record of 0-19 going into Friday night's game and have been trying to build their program for several years. Coach Michael McLeod kept that fact in mind as he rotated in and out his younger, less experienced players almost from the beginning of the game. The Punchers scored on their first drive of the game on a Jose Valdez 20-yard run.

Last week the JV team traveled to Dripping Springs. The Punchers got off to a hot start scoring 19 points in the first quarter. Mason stalled out in the second quarter as the halftime score remained the same at 19-0. The production from the first quarter returned in the second half as the Punchers scored 4 more times only allowing 1 score to the Tigers.

7th/8th grade We were unable to find a game for our 7th grade Punchers for the week and we ended up combining the two teams for the final game of the season. It was a high scoring game but we were not able to come out on top as the final buzzer sounded with the score being 36-30.

With the general hunting season for white-tailed deer underway, landowners and hunters are reminded to use caution on all-terrain vehicles (ATVs). “Many Texans have died in ATV-related accidents,” Will Frey, Mason County Farm Bureau president, said. “ATVing is a popular way to get around the farm, ranch or deer lease, but that convenience also comes with a certain risk.” There are about 650 deaths and 100,000 injuries each year involving ATVs, according to the U.S.

The City Commission held a Special Meeting Nov. 7th to accept the resignation of Commissioner Bonnie Beam who will now be serving the City of Mason in a new capacity. Bonnie has accepted a position as a city employee, and will be replacing retiring Vickie Montez in our front office. Bonnie has been a dedicated and outstanding member of our City Commission representing District 2 since May 2016.

Acting Boss Lion Mark Lehmberg gaveled the meeting to order at 12:30 pm at Nacho’s Café on November 5. The Board of Director’s Meeting was held prior to the weekly meeting, and it was decided at the Board meeting that instead of having a hamburger cook dedicated to the Tennis Association Project that we would instead donate $1500. The program chair for this week was Michael Murphy.

The MHS National Honor Society is sponsoring a blood drive in the MHS library on Monday, November 18th from 10:00 AM - 2:30 PM. Donors may sign up in the MHS office or by visiting bloodhero.com. Donors must be at least 16 years old and will receive a t-shirt and Chick Fil-A coupon.

The Punchers completed district play last Friday as they traveled to Sabinal to take on the Yellowjackets. Sabinal had a win loss record of 0-19 going into Friday night's game and have been trying to build their program for several years. Coach Michael McLeod kept that fact in mind as he rotated in and out his younger, less experienced players almost from the beginning of the game. The Punchers scored on their first drive of the game on a Jose Valdez 20-yard run.

Last week the JV team traveled to Dripping Springs. The Punchers got off to a hot start scoring 19 points in the first quarter. Mason stalled out in the second quarter as the halftime score remained the same at 19-0. The production from the first quarter returned in the second half as the Punchers scored 4 more times only allowing 1 score to the Tigers.

7th/8th grade We were unable to find a game for our 7th grade Punchers for the week and we ended up combining the two teams for the final game of the season. It was a high scoring game but we were not able to come out on top as the final buzzer sounded with the score being 36-30.

Mason Jr. High had 51 students participating in the regional robotics contest Monday, November 4, at the San Angelo Coliseum. Mason had 11Invention Teams, placing 8 teams in the top 10. Out of these placings, there are 6 teams moving on to area. The students moving on to Area Robotics include: Cy Nobbles, Wyatt Row, Kamryn Loeffler (who placed 3rd), Garrett Lindsey, Walker Ince, and Emma McCrea (placing 4th), Scout Magnus, Jordan Lyles, and Cannon Rabon (placing 5th), Madilyn Williams, Sayl ...

The Mason County Republican Women will hold their bimonthly luncheon on Wednesday, Nov. 20th, at 11:30 am in the Stribling Room at the Mason County Library. Members and guests will gather at 11:30 am for meet and greet with the luncheon starting promptly at noon. Our distinguished speaker will be Mike Cox, who is a Director of License to Carry for the Texas State Rifle Association, in addition to being on its Board of Directors.

Robert and Dilek Parr are happy to announce that the Wine Tasting Room for PARR VINEYARDS and CELLARS is NOW OPEN for business. We are located at 113 Austin Street, Highway 29 East, half block from the Mason Town Square and across from Mason Feed Store. This location is home to both our ParrVineyards and Cellars and to Dan and Jeanie McLaughlin’s Robert Clay Vineyards.

The Odeon theater kicks off this year’s Holiday Season Saturday November 30 with singer-songwriters Bruce Robison and Kelly Willis. This husband-and-wife duo will perform songs from their ‘Happy Holidays’ album, including ‘Baby, It’s Cold Outside’ and ‘Oklahoma Christmas’ along with a new holiday single and other fan favorites. Their performance at the Odeon is a warm-up before ringing in twenty years of Christmas shows at the historic Paramount Theater in Austin.

Classic Movie Night at the Odeon, set for Wednesday November 20 at 6:30 PM, features Gone With the Wind. The 3 hour 52 minute running time is as epic as the movie. The film received 13 Academy Award nominations and won 8 including; Best Movie, Best Director, Best Actor for Clark Gable’s role as Rhett Butler, and Best Actress for Vivien Leigh’s role at Scarlett O’Hara.

An effort is being made to compile a list of all Mason County non-profit groups and organizations. This list will be printed in the Mason County News in December. Individuals will have an opportunity to see the many worthwhile organizations in our area and perhaps decide to donate during the holiday season. Information may be sent to Lyla Crouch, text or call 325.347.7306 or mail to 5035 Operation Orphans Lane, Mason, TX 76856; Braden Hollingshead text 325.276.2798; or personal message Kara ...

The MHS National Honor Society is sponsoring a blood drive in the MHS library on Monday, November 18th from 10:00 AM - 2:30 PM. Donors may sign up in the MHS office or by visiting bloodhero.com. Donors must be at least 16 years old and will receive a t-shirt and Chick Fil-A coupon.

The Mason County Library is pleased to once again welcome acclaimed Celtic guitarist and storyteller Jerry Barlow in concert. The program will be held on Thursday, November 14th at 6:30 P.M. at the Library, 410 Post Hill Rd. in Mason. The performance is sponsored by the Library and is free to the community. Barlow’s current repertoire features many pieces that will be familiar to the audience – of course, Barlow will fill in the history, legend, and humor behind the music.

The regular meeting of the Mason Garden Club will be held on Tuesday, November 19, 2019, at 2 p.m. in the Stribling Room of the Mason County M. Beven Eckert Memorial Library. Guest speaker Beth Erwin of Georgetown will give a program on “Do It Yourself Irrigation”, with all the tips on how to get the most out of your watering system.

The countdown is on until Thanksgiving. We have not discussed family plans for Thanksgiving. We usually have plans in place a month in advance. I am sure it will all work out. This is a busy season at the Art United Methodist Church. The signup sheet for Thanksgiving sides is at the back of church.

Arnold Art Gallery and Mason Artisan Gallery will each have their final open house this Thursday, November 14. Everyone is invited to share a farewell toast to two establishments that have been cherished art venues for many years. Joyce Arnold is closing Arnold Art Gallery in order to take advantage of new opportunities in the Mason real estate market.

All Legionnaires and interested veterans are invited to our monthly meeting this Friday, Nov. 15 at 6:30 p.m. at the American Legion Hall. Please note the change of date from Thursday to Friday due to the football game this week. For more information, contact Cdr. Tommy Koepke at (325) 347-6021 or Holly B.

ger/nov 13 obit-doug willmann digital pic on ger William Douglas Willmann Written by Doug. I was born on March 24, 1940, to Gladys (Matthews) and Walter “Pinkie” Willmann with the help of a mid-wife in a house in Mason, Texas. First through Sixth grades attended Austin Elementary in Odessa, Tx. Seventh through Ninth was at Crockett Junior High and Tenth through Twelfth was as Odessa High.

Mason Scrambles to Winterize Over the weekend, everyone was carefully watching the forecasts for Monday through Wednesday of this week. On Monday morning, the details of that forecast were being tweaked and fine tuned by forecasters, and we all watched them carefully. Monday morning, it was still a comfortable 62 degrees when I got to the office.

Veterans Dear Gerry, My Best Veteran’s Day After celebrating Veteran’s Day for nearly forty years, I finally had a best Veteran’s Day. Sunday night I spent the night with my daughter, Kathryn, and her family so that I could attend the 7:30 am celebration of Veteran’s Day at Eanes Elementary School where my grandson, Colton, 11, is in the fifth grade. This would be my last celebration there with Colton since he is moving up to middle school next year.

Perspective Dear Editor Gamel: I meant to submit this before the election; the election itself reminded me to do so. There will always be another election. These numbers will always be true. A Bit of Perspective One thousand seconds = 16.6 minutes One million seconds = 11 days 14 hours One billion seconds = 31 years 7 months One trillion seconds = 31,709 years Source: The internet, of course, but I checked the math. Best Regards, Mathew Haley Mason Texas

Another Question Kendal’s Cancellation: For a few weeks Mason has been in a confusion about the cancellation of Kendal Hemphill’s Outdoor column. As stated by the editor, was it because Kendal had moved out of the county? Many found this excuse a little lame. You may note that his column is syndicated in several newspapers and magazines, none of which have cancelled his column.

A Hunting We Will Go (For 24 years I hosted a group of Lutheran Pastors on our ranch for the opening week of deer hunting season. This was a fertile source of column material.) The door to the hunting blind slowly opened. A blaze-orange-cap-covered head appeared, followed by a body clad in camouflage coveralls.

Chewy Jumbo Chocolate Chip Cookies courtesy: Land O Lakes This recipe was found on the inside of a Land O Lakes butter package! And, while I really like the tried and true original Toll House Cookie recipe, “Jumbo” cookies have got to be even better, so I gave the recipe a try-out and it won 1st place!

We’re in for a real treat tomorrow night in the Stribling Room at 6:30! Jerry Barlow, acclaimed Celtic guitarist and storyteller, will be back! Jerry entertains not only with his music but also with his humor and Celtic history. There will be ample opportunity for some toe-tapping, some sing-along, and even some step dancing if audience members are so inclined.

When Clocks Go Unwatched… OK, I admit it. My memory of clever ads and lots of other stuff dates back to the early years of World War II. One I recall simply won’t dislodge. It promoted what the world has long described as being “an adult beverage.” I’ll not call it by name. For all I know, the trumpeted “distillery process” may have been about the same length as others, but it always bragged about not “watching the clock for seven long years.”… ***** I’ll give ...

Slow-Cooker Pork Tenderloin with Cabbage I bet most husbands don’t come home with three pork loins and instruct their wife not have a party and grill them for her girlfriends!! I actually thought that was a pretty good idea. If you haven’t guessed, I am the griller in the family. This is one of his favorite so I’m doing this in honor of his birthday week. This is an easy one dish meal using the “other” white meat.

The countdown is on until Thanksgiving. We have not discussed family plans for Thanksgiving. We usually have plans in place a month in advance. I am sure it will all work out. This is a busy season at the Art United Methodist Church. The signup sheet for Thanksgiving sides is at the back of church.