February 5, 2020 Issue

It’s time for the annual Mason County Youth Rally! Like in years past, the rally will be held at the Mason County Community Building on Saturday, February 8th. Registration begins at 5:30; grades 5-12 are welcomed to attend. The event is over at 11:00 for 5th through 8th grades, but high schoolers are invited to stay for S’mores and fellowship until midnight. Mason County Youth Rally is an awesome community event where all the churches come together to serve our youth.

1A – 5A Football Division I and Division II Numbers 1A Division I: 59.5 – 104.9 77 schools 1A Division II: 59.4 and below 76 schools 2A Division I: 165.5 – 229 97 schools 2A Division II: 105 – 165.4 93 schools 3A Division I: 350 – 514 105 schools 3A Division II: 230 – 349 105 schools 4A Division I: 880 – 1229 95 schools 4A Division II: 515 – 879 93 schools 5A Division I: 1922 – 2219 129 schools 5A Division II: 1230 – 1921 122 schools 2020-22 Football ...

Look for New Stops Signs on Moody and Westmoreland New Stop signs are coming to Mason! The City Commission has approved four new stop signs to be installed on Westmorland during the Commission meeting on January 20, 2020. Two signs will be installed at the intersection of Pecan and Westmorland. The other two signs will be installed at the intersection on Herman and Ave.

HUNTSVILLE, Texas (February 3, 2020) - The students listed on the President’s Honor Roll at Sam Houston State University in Huntsville, Texas, are undergraduates who have achieved a perfect 4.0 grade point average in all work attempted while enrolled in not less than 12 semester hours. The university would like to recognize the following student for earning the honor for the Fall 2019 semester.

Riata Service Organization’s January 28, 2020 meeting was held in the Stribling Room of the Mason County M. Bevins Eckert Memorial Library. We were asked to participate in a very unique way. Our guest, Cory Rohlf, who offers a new health and wellness facility center to the community of Mason, “Mason Physical Therapy & Wellness Center”, led and instructed our membership in some basic Tai Chi movements.

From the world famous Kennedy Center stage in D.C. and by way of New York and Nashville the Texicana Mamas unites three of Texas’s most celebrated Latina musicians—Tish Hinojosa, Stephanie Urbina Jones, and Patricia Vonne—on stage at the Odeon theater in Mason, Texas, Saturday February 29 at 7:00 PM. Separately, their musical influences include folk, conjunto, Americana, flamenco, country, and Tex-Mex rock ’n’ roll.

FORT WORTH, TEXAS, February 1, 2020 – Mason 4H member Jarrett Shane Worrell captured Champion Spring Yearling Heifer and Reserve Grand Champion Heifer with WORR Borrowed Angel 46F ET in the Junior Polled Hereford Heifer Show at the 2020 Fort Worth Stock Show & Rodeo on January 27. The 2020 Show is hosting junior heifer exhibitors from across Texas competing for awards and over $39,000 in premiums. Of the nearly 15,000 junior livestock show entries at the nation’s longest-running livesto ...

The February 2020 meeting for the Hill Country CattleWomen will be on February 18, 2020. 10 am social. 10:30 am meeting. Lunch at noon. It will be held at Clubhouse of The Preserve at Walnut Springs in Johnson City, TX. The guest speaker will be Ryan LeBlanc, owner of The Shirley Ranch in Johnson City.

Farmers and ranchers from across the state traveled to Austin recently to shape national agricultural policy at the American Farm Bureau Federation’s (AFBF) 101st annual meeting. The Texas delegation helped chart the course for the national organization through the policy session. Language submitted by Texas farmers helped craft a national policy position that establishes guidelines for preventing further spread of cattle fever ticks. Cattle fever ticks, and the disease they carry, ...

Batteries have been a hot topic these last few years in the renewable energy industry. Researchers have been looking for batteries with higher storage capabilities, longer life and lower costs.  This is being fueled by electric vehicle developments, but is also being pushed forward by the wind and solar renewable energy markets. The traditional lead acid batteries are very heavy for the amount of energy they can store and have a short lifespan, so the battery currently filling the need fo ...

Boss Lion Michael Murphy gaveled the meeting to order at 12:30 pm at Nacho’s Café on January 28. We had two Mason Independent School District seniors visiting us today, Ofelia Resendiz and Gariela Huitron. It was Lion Chad Schmidt’s turn to be Program Chair and he introduced Homer Sanchez from The Mason Feed Store. Those of you who have small areas to treat, it is time to put preemergent on right now.

STOP SIGNS I would just like to start out by saying how thankful I am for being contacted by some of our local citizens regarding various concerns around town. This is what we as commissioners need to hear about so that we can better serve you. The one issue in particular that was brought to my attention was the concern about the speed of traffic on Westmoreland Street.

It’s time for the annual Mason County Youth Rally! Like in years past, the rally will be held at the Mason County Community Building on Saturday, February 8th. Registration begins at 5:30; grades 5-12 are welcomed to attend. The event is over at 11:00 for 5th through 8th grades, but high schoolers are invited to stay for S’mores and fellowship until midnight. Mason County Youth Rally is an awesome community event where all the churches come together to serve our youth.

Saturday evening, January 25th, the wineries and grape growers in and around Mason County hosted the second scholarship fundraiser dinner to support graduating seniors from Mason High School. The event is held on the last Saturday in January at the Library, and this year was, once again, a huge success.

1A – 5A Football Division I and Division II Numbers 1A Division I: 59.5 – 104.9 77 schools 1A Division II: 59.4 and below 76 schools 2A Division I: 165.5 – 229 97 schools 2A Division II: 105 – 165.4 93 schools 3A Division I: 350 – 514 105 schools 3A Division II: 230 – 349 105 schools 4A Division I: 880 – 1229 95 schools 4A Division II: 515 – 879 93 schools 5A Division I: 1922 – 2219 129 schools 5A Division II: 1230 – 1921 122 schools 2020-22 Football ...

The Mason Jr. High Robotics won the area robotics Inventions contest. Our 1st place team was a pipe cleaning robot by Scout Magnus, Jordan Lyles, and Cannon Rabon. The 3rd place team was an automated tractor and hay hauler by Cy Nobles, Wyatt Row and Kamryn Leoffler. These two teams have qualified for state robotics in May. Mason also Placed 4th: Madelyn Williams, Saylor Elliot, and Brooklyn Gleghorn 5th: Garrett Linsay, Walker Ince and Emma McCrea 6th:Anna Whitworth, Ainsley Burns, ...

FORT WORTH, TEXAS, February 1, 2020 – Mason 4H member Jarrett Shane Worrell captured Champion Spring Yearling Heifer and Reserve Grand Champion Heifer with WORR Borrowed Angel 46F ET in the Junior Polled Hereford Heifer Show at the 2020 Fort Worth Stock Show & Rodeo on January 27. The 2020 Show is hosting junior heifer exhibitors from across Texas competing for awards and over $39,000 in premiums. Of the nearly 15,000 junior livestock show entries at the nation’s longest-running livesto ...

Varsity Cowgirls @ San Saba Tuesday, 1/28 Mason 11—13—8—9 = 41 San Saba 18—3—8—4 = 33 Scoring—Keller—10, Hanscheck—3, Guice—3, Olson—6, Armstrong—11, Cano—8. Rebounding—Smith—1, Keller—2, Hanscheck—3, Guice—3, Olson—5, Armstrong—2, Cano—7. Assist—Smith—1, Elliott—1, Keller—4, Guice—1, Cano—4. Steals/Deflections/Blocks—Smith—2, Elliott—4, Keller—6, Guice—3, Olson—3, Armstrong—1, Cano—1. Record—25-3 (4-1). ...

Saturday evening, January 25th, the wineries and grape growers in and around Mason County hosted the second scholarship fundraiser dinner to support graduating seniors from Mason High School. The event is held on the last Saturday in January at the Library, and this year was, once again, a huge success.

Look for New Stops Signs on Moody and Westmoreland New Stop signs are coming to Mason! The City Commission has approved four new stop signs to be installed on Westmorland during the Commission meeting on January 20, 2020. Two signs will be installed at the intersection of Pecan and Westmorland. The other two signs will be installed at the intersection on Herman and Ave.

The Mason County Republican Women will be hosting a Valentine’s Day Mixer on Feb 14th , from 5:30-7:00 at Lea Lou Coop. Our special guests will be : Brandon Batch, Casey Gray, J.Ross Lacy, Robert Tucker, and Wes Virdell . These gentlemen are all candidates for the US Congressional Seat , District 11 for the Republican Party to replace the retiring Mike Conaway.

The Llano Country Opry will host the Johnny Bush 85th Birthday Bash on Saturday, February 8, featuring Johnny Bush and his award-winning band The Bandoleros with special guest Mary Lou Turner at the Lantex Theater in downtown Llano, Texas. The show will begin at 2:30PM and tickets are $25. They are on sale at www.heartoftexascountry.com or by calling (325) 247-5354. Johnny Bush began his career as a member of Ray Price’s Cherokee Cowboys.

Geistweidt & Company is pleased to announce the promotion of Patrick Figer, CPA to partner. As of the new year, the name of the firm is Geistweidt, Figer & Company. Patrick has been practicing public accounting since 2011, earned his CPA license in 2014, and joined the firm in 2018.

January sped by. In our family, we have many birthdays in January and February, so we had our big celebration Saturday. It was a great time of food, fellowship, laughter, and memories. I have just watched parts of the super bowl halftime show. I was disgusted by a pole dancing woman who believes she can sing with all the gyrating dancers around her.

The City of Mason will be holding a City Election, Saturday, May 2, 2020. City positions up for election this year are: Mayor at Large, City Commissioner District 1 and City Commissioner District 3. Residents of the City of Mason who desire to place their name on the ballot for one of these positions may do so beginning Wednesday January 15, 2020 until Friday February 14, 2020.

Recruiting Underway Nationwide for More Applicants January 7, 2020 – The U.S. Census Bureau is ramping up its national recruiting efforts to hire up to 500,000 temporary, part-time census takers for the 2020 Census in communities across the country to reach its goal of more than 2 million applicants. The positions offer competitive pay, flexible hours, paid training, and weekly paychecks.

Etta Fay Caylor, of Weatherford, Texas, entered into the Presence of her Lord and Savior on January 27, 2020. She was 88. Etta Fay was born on the family farm in Grit, Texas, the 11th child born to Isaac Melvin Beam and Emma Elizabeth Beam. After graduating from Mason High School, she enrolled in nursing school in Brady, TX, where she became an LVN.

Daymond Brandenberger, of Mason, passed away on Thursday, January 30, at the age of 77. He was born in Brady on March 19, 1942, to Howard and Dessie (Kothmann) Brandenberger. He was a life-long rancher in Mason County. On January 21, 1967, Daymond married Betty Ersch in Fredericksburg. Their marriage was blessed with two daughters, Debra and Denise. Daymond was a member of St.

Annelle Therese Lehmberg Virdell passed away peacefully from this life on February 2, 2020, at Celeste Care in Llano. Born in Llano County, September 23, 1924 on Flag Creek at her maternal grandparent’s home, Alfred and Wilhelmine Weber, she spent her early years on the family ranch of her parents, Albert and Therese Lehmberg in the Prairie Mountain Community.

Marianita “Anita” Morquecho passed away on January 27, 2020 in Pflugerville, Texas at the age of 77. Anita was born on January 7, 1943 in Mason, Texas to Julia and Alfredo Martinez. She married the love of her life Juan Morquecho Sr. on May 22, 1959. Together they were blessed with 10 children, 27 grandchildren, 48 great grandchildren, and four great great grandchildren. Anita was a devoted mother and a loving wife.

Starting Every Day With Jasper Over the course of the last five years, I've developed a morning routine. Each day begins with the same thing, no matter the temperature, no matter if it's raining, no matter how early I need to leave the country to get into town. After I've finished getting ready, I start heading for the door.

On Broad Street in Mason, a half a block north of the courthouse square, stands an imposing brick façade broken by glass storefront windows on the south end and a large loading dock door on the north. Faded painted letters high above the doors proclaim, ‘Mason Warehouse, Inc.’ and ‘Wool and Mohair’ while a cracked marble tile on the lower right corner is engraved ‘J.W.

Blue Oak Dear Gerry, How is it that the City can get away with not paying their bills? The citizens of Mason should be outraged at the costs of the lawsuit: Blue Oak Engineering, LLC versus City of Mason because Blue Oak is simply attempting to collect on unpaid invoices that the city is refusing to pay. The City hired Blue Oak Engineering, LLC to produce the documents necessary to get a new Landfill permit.

A Special Town Some thoughts on what makes Mason so special: ‘Quality of Life’ is an all-inclusive term to describe the standard of our health, comfort, and satisfaction with life experience. The term includes our ability to participate in the joys of life and to appreciate that experience; to enjoy physical, emotional, and aesthetic experience as well as economic security.

Standing on Holy Ground On January I, 1984, after 23 years in the ministry, I resigned my position as Lutheran Campus Pastor at Southwest Texas State University to take the risky venture of being a free-lance "communicator" (speaker,actor, writer). People ask me how I was able to do that? How was I able to leave the security of a regular paycheck for the iffy financial prospects of self employment? Well, I'll tell you. I made that move because of a strong will - a strong will in which ...

Onion/Cheddar Cheese Bread Here’s another original that I dreamed up on one of those cold, windy days that’s not fit for any outside activities! This one has a slightly lighter “crumb” than other no-knead breads, and I accomplished this by adding one beaten egg to the mixture. Ingredients: 12 ounces warm (100-110 degrees) water 1 packet (2 ½ teaspoons) instant dry yeast 3 cups all purpose flour, sifted 3 teaspoons baking powder 1 teaspoon salt 1 egg, beaten ¼ cup s ...

He’s coming, he’s coming! Back by popular demand, country singer and musician J. L. Wilkins will be entertaining us next Tuesday evening, February 11, at 6:30 P.M. in the Stribling Room. He is truly amazing, accompanying himself on guitar, bass, mandolin, fiddle, drums, and keyboard. Trust us—you’ll love him! Free admission! DVDs: The Driver Zombieland Double Tap Firefly Red Lights Maleficent 2 The Paperboy Great Courses: The American West Motherless Brooklyn The A ...

Hither and Yawn… From time to time, I resort to writing about short, unrelated topics that some folks have described as “Mother Hubbard” columns. This reminds them of ministers who preach “Mother Hubbard” sermons. Poke a little further into this comparison and the truth hits dead center, or very nearly. These columns (and sermons) are so named because of yesteryear’s “Mother Hubbard” dresses.

Mom’s Strawberry Cake With Valentine’s Day right around the corner it makes me think of my mom’s Strawberry Cake. I always knew that I would have a Red Velvet cake for my birthday and a Strawberry Cake for Valentine’s Day. My mom would make her strawberry cake and a homemade valentine, complete with doilies and a poem for Valentine’s Day.

January sped by. In our family, we have many birthdays in January and February, so we had our big celebration Saturday. It was a great time of food, fellowship, laughter, and memories. I have just watched parts of the super bowl halftime show. I was disgusted by a pole dancing woman who believes she can sing with all the gyrating dancers around her.