May 20, 2020 Issue

It has been a month since we have provided information about Mason County Food Bank activities. During that time we have seen an extraordinarily generous response to the request assistance for the Food Bank. Our citizens have given money, volunteered to purchase and pick up supplies, donated fresh fruits and vegetables, packed boxes and distributed food. In the past, we have served an average of 65 households during the 3 days we were open a month.

The Mason FFA Chapter, as all our outstanding organizations, was unable to host their 2019-2020 Banquet. This banquet has been an annual event where the current FFA chapter officers prepare a fajita supper and honor all those students competing in various contests throughout the school year. Students, family members, and guests are invited each year to enjoy the evening and reflect on their participation in FFA. The school year begins with fall judging teams known as Career Development Even ...

A very special shout-out to the graduating Seniors who will have their special graduation ceremony on Thursday evening. It is different from previous, but it seems that maybe it is better, a symbol of the extra work and challenges that this year has been. Congratulations to each of you and your families for a job well done, and with the successful completion of this step in your education and life, you have proved that you can deal with most anything and come out triumphant.

Books-to-Go! 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! The Regular: 2 Mysteries and 1 Non-fiction sandwiched between 2 Literary Fictions The Southwestern: 3 Western Fictions sandwiched between 2 Texana The Hero: 2 Thrillers and 1 Non-fiction sandwiched between 2 Action/Adventure The Lighter Side: A tossed together selection of 2 Romance ...

Picture this: 44 graduates dressed in their Sunday best, file into the auditorium to the tune of “Pomp & Circumstance.” The audience is filled with family and friends of the seniors, not to mention, the many local scholarship donors who have come to give away thousands of dollars. The students are seated on the stage in front of the giant purple Horsehoe M as they wait in anticipation of hearing their name called to receive their scholarship certificate, the culmination of four years of h ...

Eighteen Mason High School students have earned the ServSafe Texas Food Handler Certification. The Food Handler course is administered by the National Restaurant Association and tests students’ knowledge over basic food safety, personal hygiene, cross-contamination and allergens, time and temperature controls, and cleaning and sanitation.  Students completed the coursework as a requirement of their Lifetime Nutrition and Wellness course.

It’s graduation time, and we are looking forward to a new kind of celebration! The faculty and administration of Mason High School is well aware that the numbers of persons who have tested positive for COVID-19 continue to grow in our county. We take this situation very seriously, and it has been in the forefront of our minds as we made plans to hold a graduation parade.

The Mason FFA Chapter, as all our outstanding organizations, was unable to host their 2019-2020 Banquet. This banquet has been an annual event where the current FFA chapter officers prepare a fajita supper and honor all those students competing in various contests throughout the school year. Students, family members, and guests are invited each year to enjoy the evening and reflect on their participation in FFA. The school year begins with fall judging teams known as Career Development Even ...

Picture this: 44 graduates dressed in their Sunday best, file into the auditorium to the tune of “Pomp & Circumstance.” The audience is filled with family and friends of the seniors, not to mention, the many local scholarship donors who have come to give away thousands of dollars. The students are seated on the stage in front of the giant purple Horsehoe M as they wait in anticipation of hearing their name called to receive their scholarship certificate, the culmination of four years of h ...

The staff and management of the Community Thrift Store is pleased to announce that we will soon be reopening. On Tuesday, May 26, the day after Memorial Day, we will open at 9:00 in the morning and be open till 2:00 that afternoon. It is expected the store will follow these hours for the next several weeks to allow the staff time to clean and disinfect the store each afternoon to provide a safe and pleasant shopping environment.

Eighteen Mason High School students have earned the ServSafe Texas Food Handler Certification. The Food Handler course is administered by the National Restaurant Association and tests students’ knowledge over basic food safety, personal hygiene, cross-contamination and allergens, time and temperature controls, and cleaning and sanitation.  Students completed the coursework as a requirement of their Lifetime Nutrition and Wellness course.

It’s graduation time, and we are looking forward to a new kind of celebration! The faculty and administration of Mason High School is well aware that the numbers of persons who have tested positive for COVID-19 continue to grow in our county. We take this situation very seriously, and it has been in the forefront of our minds as we made plans to hold a graduation parade.

Central Texas Electric Cooperative’s Board of Directors has made the difficult decision to cancel the cooperative’s district meeting that was scheduled for June 2, 2020, as a precaution in the fight against COVID-19. “Our concern for our community means we have to take into consideration the health and welfare of our members, staff, and board” said Bob Loth, CEO.

Congratulations to our graduates. It is a different year for them. And, it is a different time for parents and family. Our grandson John will graduate on the 29th from Texas Leadership Charter Academy in San Angelo. At first we were told there would be no graduation. Now, there is graduation.

Picture this: 44 graduates dressed in their Sunday best, file into the auditorium to the tune of “Pomp & Circumstance.” The audience is filled with family and friends of the seniors, not to mention, the many local scholarship donors who have come to give away thousands of dollars. The students are seated on the stage in front of the giant purple Horsehoe M as they wait in anticipation of hearing their name called to receive their scholarship certificate, the culmination of four years of h ...

Victor M. Castillo of Mason, passed away Sunday, April 19, 2020 at the age of 81. Victor is survived by his wife Frances, his son Eli and wife Gigi Castillo of Mason, Tx., Adrian Castillo of San Antonio, Tx., and daughters Cindy and husband Javier Villareal of Mason, Sonia Castillo of Austin, Tx.

Mary Beth Fleming was born in May 1940 in Wellington Texas to Gladys Manley Kelso and James Kelso. She passed away on May 15, 2020, at the age of 79. Mary Beth was preceded in death by her beloved husband Robert, and her parents. Mary Beth grew up in Wellington Texas involved in just about everything!

Iva (Ivy) Jean Shearer, age 87, passed away May 13, 2020. She was born September 19, 1932, to Dennis and Iva Armour in Voca, Texas. She was raised in Voca and Mason, Texas. She graduated from Mason High School and Southwest State Teachers College in San Marcos, Texas. She married her husband of 67 years on July 22, 1952.

What Makes You Purr? The two retired Reverends restfully rocked on the riverfront cabin porch. Faces glowing from the reflection of the setting sun off the tranquil water, they blissfully savored nature's twilight serenade. A breath of breeze gently strummed the wooden shingled roof with fingers of Live Oak leaves. The bass of bullfrogs joined the tenor of tree toads in throaty harmony.

The Class of 2020 - Changes! This year's graduating class members have been to state competition in football, golf, tennis, basketball, UIL academic events, UIL performance events,,,, they've been in all of them and they've excelled. As spring events began to increase, there was even a hope that they, along with their Mason High School classmates, might be able to win the UIL Lone Star Award for a third time. And then, they went on spring break, and never returned. All of their usual co ...

Neighborly Spread LOVE THY NEIGHBOR AS THYSELF Mathew 22:39 Dear Gerry, When my husband and I moved to Mason almost ten years ago, I was able to say that I felt safe and truly at home for the first time in my life. After living most of my life in South Africa where everyone lives behind high walls and fences with security gates and burglar alarms, it was a good feeling. I felt so safe here that sometimes I didn’t bother to check if the doors were locked before retiring at night and ...

Irish Soda Bread courtesy: Nora (O’Sullivan) Moran Few folks can resist a big slice of soda bread, and this recipe should have appeal to you folks who don’t care to do the kneading trick or to sit about and wait for the dough to rise once or twice. Ingredients: 1 tablespoon of butter, softened ½ cup sugar 2 cups milk ½ teaspoon baking soda 2 tablespoons caraway seeds 1 cup raisins 4 cups A/P flour 1 tablespoon baking powder 1 ¼ tablespoons salt Process: Preh ...

Curbside service is back! We are doing curbside service again this week. You can call us or reserve your books and DVDs online (or order off our menu) and we will run them out to your car when you arrive. We are also offering curbside printing and faxing again! We are hoping to open the library to browsing soon.

A Book by a Back-Up… “No one is an idol to his valet.” Historian/writer Thomas Carlyle so contended two centuries ago. In one case dating back 60+ years, Carlyle would have been “dead wrong” about a couple of Brownwood High School athletes. Lawrence Elkins--the “idol”--re-wrote dozens of records in four sports, dazzled at Baylor in football and might have re-written National Football League stats if injuries hadn’t “done him in.” His “valet”--a year behind him--s ...

Firecracker Shrimp Packets I grill pretty much year-round, not just because it is healthy, but I really enjoy grilling. One of the things I enjoy about it is that I can sit on my patio or the river, with friends and family and relax. I hope everyone has a GREAT Memorial Day weekend.

Congratulations to our graduates. It is a different year for them. And, it is a different time for parents and family. Our grandson John will graduate on the 29th from Texas Leadership Charter Academy in San Angelo. At first we were told there would be no graduation. Now, there is graduation.