April 1, 2020 Issue

3/30/2020 - The Mason County Judge’s office continues to closely monitor the situation related to the coronavirus outbreak. I have been in constant contact with state and local officials as well as our neighboring county judges. It is the county government’s responsibility to protect public health and safety and preserve property from the effects of hazardous events, and I take that responsibility very seriously.

As all of us are adapting to changes related to COVID-19, Frontera Healthcare is providing options for care in a way that protects you and the staff of the clinic. To ensure ongoing quality healthcare needs are met, clinic providers will continue to provide care via telehealth (virtual), telephone, or in-person depending on each patient’s individual situation. Tele-Health/Virtual Visit – Available for both medical and behavioral health needs, so that most patients do not have to come ...

What’s Up? Covid-19 Responses “Transformations” is a monthly column about changes in how we live and work. Most of the time change creeps, mostly unnoticed, into our lives. The response to Covid-19 has been obviously different. Change has ranged from easy modifications to a routine on one end of the spectrum to a dramatic stop with screeching brakes at the other end.

First of all I would like to say that we are blessed to live here in Mason, a caring Christian community, where we traditionally look for opportunities to love our neighbor as ourselves. I believe we will get thru this corona virus challenge, united together, and we will find solutions that support and benefit our families, friends and neighbors.

The news continues to be challenging with fresh developments in the coronavirus situation almost daily. The City is working with the County, law enforcement, medical personnel and EMS to provide the best guidance for our community and we will continue to reevaluate and consider updated information regularly. The City Commission met in a special meeting last week on Wednesday afternoon to discuss two items that have been impacted by the challenges of social distancing, and although a decision ...

March 26, 2020: Board Chair Marilyn Aboussie announced the San Angelo Health Foundation has awarded a little under a half million dollars ($463,602) to seven area non-profit organizations. 217 organizations and 766 projects have benefitted from Foundation funding since inception. Grants Chair David Lupton said the following grants encompass public service, community improvement, basic needs, health care, and philanthropy: Alcohol & Drug Abuse Council of the Concho Valley was awarded $25,0 ...

Mason ISD uses the Remind app to inform the public, parents, and students of events. In this time where information via social media is at a premium be sure you have downloaded this app on your phone so you receive timely messages. This app is not just for parents. It is great for anyone that needs up to date school news.

Our front doors may be closed, but you can still “order-up” some great reads! Pick a “menu” number from below and we will prepare a bag for you filled with some surprise books! 1. The Regular: 2 Mysteries and 1 Non-fiction sandwiched between 2 Literary Fictions 2. The Southwestern: 3 Western Fictions sandwiched between 2 Texana 3.

Mason ISD uses the Remind app to inform the public, parents, and students of events. In this time where information via social media is at a premium be sure you have downloaded this app on your phone so you receive timely messages. This app is not just for parents. It is great for anyone that needs up to date school news.

3/30/2020 - The Mason County Judge’s office continues to closely monitor the situation related to the coronavirus outbreak. I have been in constant contact with state and local officials as well as our neighboring county judges. It is the county government’s responsibility to protect public health and safety and preserve property from the effects of hazardous events, and I take that responsibility very seriously.

Accounts have been set up for Chris and Pam Marquart, and their family, to help with the many expenses following their accident in February. One account is at Mason Bank and the other is at The Commerical Bank. Deposits can be made at both banks to “Team Marquart.” Though they have insurance to cover medical bills, their other expenses that to be considered are such items as: medications, gas, lodging, food etc.

As all of us are adapting to changes related to COVID-19, Frontera Healthcare is providing options for care in a way that protects you and the staff of the clinic. To ensure ongoing quality healthcare needs are met, clinic providers will continue to provide care via telehealth (virtual), telephone, or in-person depending on each patient’s individual situation. Tele-Health/Virtual Visit – Available for both medical and behavioral health needs, so that most patients do not have to come ...

The world has become scary in a short week. Husband John was sick Saturday and VA nurse recommended taking him to an Emergency Room. I drove him to Fredericksburg. A nurse came out to get him, gowned, with mask and gloves. She pushed him into ER and I was sent to sit in the car.

Fredericksburg, Texas - The World Health Organization declared virus outbreak, COVID-19 (Coronavirus) as an official pandemic on Wednesday, March 11, 2020. On March 19, 2020 Texas Governor Greg Abbott issued a public health disaster closing schools until April 3 and banning dine-in eating at restaurants and limiting gathering of groups to 10 or less.

Our front doors may be closed, but you can still “order-up” some great reads! Pick a “menu” number from below and we will prepare a bag for you filled with some surprise books! 1. The Regular: 2 Mysteries and 1 Non-fiction sandwiched between 2 Literary Fictions 2. The Southwestern: 3 Western Fictions sandwiched between 2 Texana 3.

Hello, everyone. The pictures below are of the new Blessing Box recently installed at the Mason Food Pantry. Our Blessing Box was built by Jake Newell & Angela Sayler, 2 caravan members for the Habitat for Humanity. They built it in honor and memory of Greg Lurz, the former Construction Crew Leader. A Blessing Box is considered a little emergency food pantry.

Mitchell Lee McGowan was born on March 16, 1973, to Eldridge (Juan) and Joyce McGowan in Mason, Texas. He passed away at the age of 47 on Monday, March 16, 2020.  Mitchell is survived by his daughter Tori McGowan of Mason, son Dawson McGowan of Mason, his mother Joyce McGowan of Fredonia, sister Cindy McGowan-Miller and husband Bruce Miller of Mason, brother Allen McGowan and wife Toreen (Tori) McGowan of Brady, sister-in-law Barbie McGowan of Fredonia, friend and ex-wife Kim Kring of Mas ...

Lewis Howard Schuessler, 72, passed away peacefully on Thursday, March 26,2020. He was born on January 27, 1948, in Llano, Texas to Howard Schuessler and Myrtle Gage. He spent most of his life living in Pecos, Texas, working in the oilfield. He also served his country during the Vietnam War. He was preceded in death by his parents and siblings, Dorothy Ashing, Larry Schuessler and Sharon Schuessler. He is survived by his daughters, Tammy Prather and husband, Mike, Lisa Wilson and husband, ...

Joyce Comer, of Mason, passed away on Thursday, March 26, at the age of 70. Mrs. Comer is survived by her husband, Gary Comer, of Mason, her aunt Oleta Kuhlmann, a brother-in-law Seth Comer and wife Brenda all of Mason, two nieces Donna Tally of Stephenville and Shelia Thomas and husband Craig of Combine along with numerous cousins and great- nieces and nephews. Joyce was born in Mason on August 19, 1949, to Edmund “Eddie” Kuhlmann and Eloise Farmer Kuhlmann.

Even With Covid-19, So Much to Be Thankful For.... Every day, we get just a bit closer to the limits of our ability to cope. With the terrifying numbers of infected and deceased, it would be easy to allow ourselves to become overwhelmed by the sheer scale of this pandemic and to allow ourselves to falter in our resolve to continue on with our daily lives. Of course, our daily lives are not what they once were.

Mason’s Scarlet Punchers, though intrepid, are “that certain age” where, if we want to enjoy life to the fullest in the future, we must follow the “new normal” as required. You hear on the news the exhortations that we must all do as we are told to save the health and lives of the most vulnerable.

Thanks Lowe's A huge THANK YOU to our Lowe’s grocery team here in Mason! You have really upped your game and done an amazing job - especially during the last few weeks. Not only have the quantity of products increased significantly, but the quality of the products as well. You have worked tirelessly to keep the shelves stocked, and made it a pleasure to shop locally. Thank you to the entire team for all you are doing!

Covid-19 Facing The Corona Virus Gerry: After reading Dr. David Jeremiah’s Turning Points message on 3/28 about dealing with the Corona Virus Pandemic I also had some of my own thoughts on the subject I would like to share with your readers. Dr. Jeremiah’s first suggestion was to concentrate on prayer rather than fear.

The Feast of Fools April Fools Day. It has its roots in a long forgotten Christian religious festival. No fooling! To quote Harvey Cox: "During the medieval era there flourished in parts of Europe a holiday known as the Feast of Fools. On that colorful occasion ... even ordinarily pious priests and serious townsfolk donned bawdy masks, sang outrageous ditties, and generally kept the whole world awake with revelry and satire.

English Muffin Toasting Bread courtesy: King Arthur Flour I have always enjoyed English Muffins. During my many years as a road warrior for IBM, I got to spend a lot of “quality” time eating breakfast in diners and hotel lobbies across the States. I found that I could always have a decent meal if I used an English Muffin as a centerpiece.

Although our front doors have been closed, we have had a number of patrons use our curb-side service for books and DVDs. We have even had a few “menu” orders! The menu is a great choice if you love to read, but you’re not sure what exactly to get. It’s especially fun for kids!

Mort and Furrowed Brows…. It’s a challenge my 106-year-old Uncle Mort hasn’t faced--not ever--and the same is true for the rest of us. The world teeters on a fulcrum of fear, much of it unknown. Enough is known, though, to shiver the strongest timbers and shake the boots previously best known for moving little dogies along and kicking aside rattlesnakes, as well as other critters that think it’s their home and their range. Mort has been hanging around the general store down in t ...

Smothered Chicken Casserole When you have had one of those days or one of those weeks that you need something to make your life easier this one-dish chicken casserole will make your day. It is also a great dish when you have company over or need something to take to a friend’s house, when we are all past the Social Distancing.

The world has become scary in a short week. Husband John was sick Saturday and VA nurse recommended taking him to an Emergency Room. I drove him to Fredericksburg. A nurse came out to get him, gowned, with mask and gloves. She pushed him into ER and I was sent to sit in the car.