February 19, 2020 Issue

Ochoa, Wills are players of the year BRYAN – Refugio quarterback Austin Ochoa and linebacker Zavien Wills swept player of the year honors on the Texas Sports Writers Association’s Class 2A Football Team. Ochoa threw for 3,004 yards with 30 touchdowns along with 552 yards rushing and 13 touchdowns. The senior, who will play baseball at Texas-San Antonio, led Refugio to a 16-0 record and the Division I state title.

Throughout the country there has been a good deal of election talk with the party primaries underway and locally with the Primary election for County Sheriff. The Texas Primary election is March 3 with early voting already started, and I encourage everyone who wishes to have your candidate succeed to get out and cast an informed vote.

Boss Lion Michael Murphy gaveled the meeting to order at 12:30 p.m. at Nacho’s Café on February 11. Mason Independent School District Seniors Kelsey Doss, Grace Perlichek and Maddy Heath were introduced. The Program Chairman was Paul Smith. He introduced Bill Strickler as the guest speaker. Bill introduced his wife, Linda. Let me start with an explanation how my wife and I came to be in Mason, Texas.

Mason, Texas- Hochheim Branch 160 which serves the Mason and Brady areas announced their Annual Board meeting today. The meeting is scheduled for March 3, 2020, at 5:30 pm and will convene at the Mason Community Building. Each year Hochheim invites members and the public to attend their open Annual Board meeting to hear a report of the financial condition of the Branch to the membership, nominate and elect Branch directors, and to conduct business in the best interest of the Branch and the As ...

Boys: Aaron Reardon 83 Conner Leifeste 87 Sutton Graves 111 Jorge Lopez-Ibarra 141 Girls: Kenzie Ake 115 Isela Rodriquez 119 Sydney Hardin 121 Kyleigh Ake 130 Madison Martinez 131

Center Point @ Varsity Cowgirls Tuesday, 2/11 Mason 26—27—20—19 = 92 CP 10—4—6—2 = 22 Scoring—Smith—7, Stockbridge—3, Elliott—9, Keller—7, Hanscheck—7, Cockerham—5, Guice—15, Olson—15, Armstrong—6, Cano—18. Rebounding—Smith—4, Elliott—4, Keller—2, Hanscheck—5, Cockerham—2, Guice—2, Olson—6, Armstrong—3, Cano—1. Assist—Smith—2, Stockbridge—5, Keller—2, Elliott—3, Keller—2, Hanscheck—1, Cockerham—2, Guice—5, Ols ...

Boys: Aaron Reardon 83 Conner Leifeste 87 Sutton Graves 111 Jorge Lopez-Ibarra 141 Girls: Kenzie Ake 115 Isela Rodriquez 119 Sydney Hardin 121 Kyleigh Ake 130 Madison Martinez 131

TXDOT will hold a public meeting at the Mason County Courthouse on Monday, February 24th at 9am to discuss the proposed White’s Crossing Bridge Replacement Project. The public is invited to attend to learn about this project and how it will affect the public during its construction and after it is completed.

BUDDY’S ANIMAL RESCUE is asking for food donations for the Mason City Pound. With an annual budget of $3,000, we are seeking local help to take care of our pound animals. This Thursday and Friday, February 20 and 21: Items needed: Dry Dog and Cat food, CANNED kitten food and cat litter would be so helpful and appreciated. Drop off locations: Mason Bank, Radio Station and City Hall. Mason Critters THANK YOU.

Can you feel a touch of spring in the air? Every day that is really pretty makes me want to get out and do yard work. However, it seems that winter pounces back in just a few days. I have spotted paper whites blooming, as well as a few daffodils and iris.

A Scripture Most Timely…. The tale unleashed in this space this day is difficult to categorize. Some will say it is typical of “fake news”; others will insist that it best “fits” somewhere in the dizzy, digital world of social media. his column reminds me of the line TV’s long-running series, Hee Haw, tossed at viewers regularly: “I hate to repeat gossip, but don’t know what else to do with it.” I’m turning a blind eye to names, places and situations, but the story i ...

Rock skippers of all ages can test their skills during a new event at this year’s Llano Earth Art Fest (LEAF) and World Rock Stacking Championship taking place March 13-16, 2020, at Grenwelge Park in Llano, Texas. The contest is something that Richard Houston, one of the organizers, has wanted to add to the lineup for some time. “It fits the general theme, and everyone likes to skip rocks,” he said.

The MCF is now accepting applications for our spring grant cycle. In the past thirteen years, the MCF has awarded over 135 grants for more than $360,000. We have provided grants for upgrades in medical services in our community, area fire departments, school programs, city beautification, and many other areas.

All early voting will be held on the first floor in Mason County Courthouse. You have to show a photo ID and bringing your Voter’s registration card will help speed up the process. This year the cards are orange. Early voting began February 18 and goes thru February 28. The last day to request a ballot to be mailed to you is February 21st.

If you own tangible personal property that is used to produce income, you must file arendition with the Mason Central Appraisal District by April 15. A rendition is a report that lists all the taxable property you owned or controlled on Jan. 1 of this year. Property includes inventory and equipment used by a business.

Elites, Deplorables, Racists and Socialists,,, Oh My! "Sticks and stones may break my bones; but, words will never hurt me!" Except words can be painful. And, during the last 20 years, the exchange of words has escalated to the point that we use broad generalizations to negatively comment on all those with whom we disagree.

Can you feel a touch of spring in the air? Every day that is really pretty makes me want to get out and do yard work. However, it seems that winter pounces back in just a few days. I have spotted paper whites blooming, as well as a few daffodils and iris.

A Scripture Most Timely…. The tale unleashed in this space this day is difficult to categorize. Some will say it is typical of “fake news”; others will insist that it best “fits” somewhere in the dizzy, digital world of social media. his column reminds me of the line TV’s long-running series, Hee Haw, tossed at viewers regularly: “I hate to repeat gossip, but don’t know what else to do with it.” I’m turning a blind eye to names, places and situations, but the story i ...

The library has been joyous over music the past few weeks! First, the Piatigorsky concert; next, folk singers Hungrytown; then, country musician and singer extraordinaire J. L. Wilkins; plus, the Chamber Music Festival dinner—WOW! If you haven’t been paying attention, you are missing out! But that’s not all—we’ve also been embroidering, knitting, learning about solar power and hospice services, reading and watching movies with the Library Book Club, meeting local candidates, reading ...

Potato Bread courtesy: Idahoan Potato bread recipes abound. I’ve tried a bunch of them, and they all seem to work very well. This one is from the Idahoan Company and, of course, uses their product as the potato base. It’s simple, easy, requires only a bit of kneading, and the bread is delicious.

"Back-Jack" Backus The background of how Jack Backus got his nickname "Back-Jack" began when he was a teenager living on the family ranch off of Blackjack Road. His Daddy bought a new pickup and gave the old one to Jack. The truck had too many problems to drive it off the place, but it was still OK for use around the ranch. One day Jack loaded the vintage vehicle with sacks of range cubes and drove it to the back of a pasture to feed cattle.

"Elites" Contrary to popular belief (among the "elites"), we do not have an elite class in this country. The self-proclaimed elites are no more elite than my big toe. They are simply people who have an excess of human pride and who have exalted themselves above their fellow citizens. Their haughty spirits have caused them to think better of themselves than they ought. I think the Biblical truth that "Pride comes before destruction and a haughty spirit before a fall"

Sheriff's Race A few weeks ago I attended the Republican Women's Forum that introduced the candidates for Sheriff. Both candidates answered a series of questions. Both candidates have law enforcement experience. Chief Deputy Lancaster has 30+ years continuous service. Mr. Haley is not presently employed in law enforcement due to his personal actions. The last question at the Forum was, why did you leave your last job?

Beyond us Dear Gerry: It is beyond us, and many agree, that the use of a public forum should be flooded with lengthy, vitriolic letters from family members and sympathizers for Blue Oak. The sole purpose being to badger the City Commissioners about a subject that they cannot comment on publicly or to any person.