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Jon Mark Hogg, candidate for U.S. Congress TX-11, and long-time Mason fan, spent last Wednesday in town beginning with coffee with a few locals, a visit to the Seaquist Mansion, a driving tour and discussion highlighting the many good things going on in Mason including Mason Steady Steps, Mason Habitat for Humanity, Camp Discovery at our library, the new landfill, and many more aspects of Mason.
After an interview on KHLB 102.5 FM, our local radio station, Mr.
During the worst days of the COVID-19 pandemic, all of us had to adapt to new ways of doing the most mundane and ordinary of things. Getting the mail required planning around peak times and wearing a mask. Shopping at retail stores almost disappeared from the landscape entirely. And, dining out became curbside delivery of to-go food orders from restaurants that printed up disposable menus and utilized their hard working staff to create efficient delivery systems to keep their customer base fe ...
Texas weather continues to demonstrate its changeability, yesterday it was hot at 99 and this morning it is again fall at 65 degrees with even lower temperatures expected overnight. It will be warm again in a few days, but one thing that I notice on the forecast is that there is not much chance for rain in the next week or two.
The Mason High School varsity football team and its fans had plenty to smile about on Sept. 25 as the Punchers cruised to their first win of the 2020 season with a 34-7 rout of the host Junction High School Eagles.
A big game from senior standout quarterback Matthew Kerr was needed if the Punchers were to pick up their first victory of the year and they got just that.
On the first drive, back-to-back runs for first downs by Kerr and Mason senior Rylan Jordan immediately got the Punchers i ...
Two weeks ago, Wall came to the Puncherdome to take on the JV Punchers.
Mason had its most complete game of the year starting off with two first-half scores. They added another one in the second to push the final score to 22-0. This adds another win to the total making the overall record now 4-0.
Defensive standouts were all of the defensive ends.
Another week, another very good outing for the Mason High School varsity cross country team as the Cowgirls placed first on Wednesday, Sept. 23 at the Bob Fuller Invitational hosted by Miles High School.
Individually, the Cowgirls had four of its top five runners finish in the top 11 overall in Miles in the girls’ 3,200-meter run: Kinsley Jordan in third place at 12:57, Kamryn Loeffler right behind her in fourth place with a mark of 13 minutes flat, Ana Segura in seventh place at 13:13, a ...
Mason’s Scarlet Punchers, those intrepid women “of a certain age,” who absolutely insist on enjoying life to the fullest, have not been well-served in the past two months by this writer, who in turn has been ill-served by her own memory, meaning I’ve missed the Mason County News deadlines for articles about our activities for two months in a row!
The Mason County Republican Party will be hosting August Pfluger, Republican nominee for United Sates House of Representatives, at a town hall meeting Wednesday October 7, 5:00 PM at Art General Store. Voters will have an opportunity to visit individually with Col. Pfluger before the town hall, as well ask questions during the event.
The Llano Fine Arts Guild will be holding a Christmas Bazaar Open House on Tuesday, November 24 from 10:00 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. Come and eat and drink while you shop for those one of a kind Christmas gifts. Plus a 10% discount on purchases during the Open House.
Also the Gallery will be open on Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays through December 30th.
The Llano Fine Art Guild is located at 503 Bessemer Ave, Llano, Tx.
The Llano Fine Art Guild is a 501c3, non-profit organization.
Our first place winner for our virtual dog contest is Nolan and Sam as Travis and Old Yeller! Congratulations! Second place goes to Zaine and Tex. Finally, our third place winners are Sean and his little “spider” Apollo. Thank you to everyone who participated in the contest! We would like to thank Dos Rios RV Park for providing our first place prize and Tractor Supply for donating our second and third place prizes.
Gus Gikas passed away in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, on September 22, 2020, at the age of 99. He was born April 20, 1921, in Lincoln, Nebraska, the oldest of six children of Greek immigrant parents, Aphrodite Coronis and Nestor K. Gikas.
He was raised in the oil boomtown of Borger, Texas, where as a youth, he learned to repair radios and became a HAM radio operator (call sign W5HRF), keeping his license for more than 80 years.
SMSGT Donald Howard Carlson, 90 of Erna, Texas, passed away on Friday, September 25 at 12 p.m. at home surrounded by family.
Don was born on April 2, 1930, in Porter, Indiana. He joined the Army Air Corp in 1947 as a military fire chief in Roswell, NM. While he was there, he met the love of his life on a blind date at Walker AFB, Olga Myrle McDaniel.
The Golden Rule seems to be one of the few universally constant mandates of morality. Most cultures and religions around the world maintain some version of this concept. The exact phrase may vary, but the sentiment expressed by them remains the same. Sometimes it is articulated in the negative: “Do not do to others what you do not want done to you.” Other cultures formulate the Golden Rule in the positive: “Treat others as you wish to be treated.” For us Christians, Jesus tells us,
Mason’s Scarlet Punchers, those intrepid women “of a certain age,” who absolutely insist on enjoying life to the fullest, have not been well-served in the past two months by this writer, who in turn has been ill-served by her own memory, meaning I’ve missed the Mason County News deadlines for articles about our activities for two months in a row!
Last week I mentioned two of the many friends and family that have guided my life and the lives of many in Mason County. This week let me add:
RONNY ZESCH, who has been a friend to many in Mason and beyond. Behind his gruff exterior lies the biggest heart I have ever known.
Mr. And Mrs. John Gammill of Fredericksburg, Texas, and Quinton McKinney of London, Texas, are pleased to announce the graduation of their son, Robert Ethan McKinney, from Tarleton State University, August 7, 2020. Ethan obtained a BS in Geoscience with an emphasis in Geology. Ethan left Tarleton his junior year to join the United States Marine Corps.
The number one occupational hazard of being a columnist is coming up with fresh, original ideas on a regular basis. Number two is to then take that thought and flesh it out into a readable piece of writing that fits the appointed space.
Since beginning RONDOM THOUGHTS back in 1980 I have accumulated a thick file folder of seed ideas that I have not been able to nurture into full grown columns.
For example: Good/Not Good Names For Church Workers.
Coffee cakes are good in the morning, at lunch time, and in the evening. Maybe even good for a midnight snack. You’ll want to try this one from a 1968 era cookbook that I picked up at the library a few years ago.
Ingredients:
¾ cup butter
1 ¼ cups sugar, divided
2 eggs
1 teaspoon vanilla
2 cups of sifted all purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking powder
1 teaspoon baking soda
½ teaspoon salt
1 cup sour cream
¼ cup brown sugar, tightly packed
½ teaspoon cinnamon
Proce ...
I’m still reeling from Gerald’s news last week that he will be leaving as editor of the paper. His tenure here has been great! He’s been an ally, friend, advisor and confidante. We will all miss him. I just hope there is an adequate replacement for him out there somewhere.
I know, it has been a long time since I have written my silly column.
The day’s twilight came with September at its best. My wife urged me to take Sailor, our rescue dog, on a walk around the block.
So away we went, thankful for a cool breeze, gorgeous sunset and sidewalks.
We chanced to walk alongside a next-block neighbor who posed a random-as-it-gets question: “Do you remember anything from 75 years ago?”…
*****
I’d already shut down deep-thinking, but memories bubbling near the top sprang forth with the ease of hummingbirds flitting to--th ...
We are enjoying the fall weather. The cooler temperatures invite us to welcome fall with pumpkins on the porch and thoughts of fall activities like football. We welcome the church members who are venturing out to attend services after a long absence over concerns over corona virus.
Church activities are still on hold for the most part.
Dear Mr. Editor:
My Name is Buddy and I am a dog!. I have heard people say that I may be a Black Mouth Cur, which doesn”t sound like a very high falutin’ pedigree but I have also heard that my parents may have been cattle dogs on a ranch in Mason County, and that is good enough for me.
Anyway, I am sending you this letter so that I can thank SECOND CHANCE for giving me a forever home.
Tonight, the first Presidential debate will be held between President Donald Trump and Vice President Joe Biden. Political prognosticators have noted that it's highly unlikely any viewers will be swayed by what they see; but, like a demolition derby, they will simply watch for the entertainment value it promises to deliver.
It is sad that we've gotten to this stage in our republic where the selection of our leaders is predicated more upon zingers and put downs than on policy and promise.
One of Mason's most popular and entertaining events of the year will be held on Saturday, October 3rd. The 34th annual Mason County Republican Women Home Tour will throw open the doors to seven fabulous Mason homes providing an intimate look at how different people have tackled these unique homes and made them completely personal.
Tickets are $20 and can be purchased at Market Square, or at any of the homes on the tour.
The Mason County Republican Party will be hosting August Pfluger, Republican nominee for United Sates House of Representatives, at a town hall meeting Wednesday October 7, 5:00 PM at Art General Store. Voters will have an opportunity to visit individually with Col. Pfluger before the town hall, as well ask questions during the event.
5 CEUs
1 Laws & Regulations
1 Drift
3 General
October 7- 20 Murchison-Whitehead Complex–Hwy 190 W, Menard, TX.
Limited to 40 Producers due to COVID 19 Protocol
To Register call: 325 396 4787 or 325 396 4708
Registration 7:45 to 8:00 $25 per person
Corey Pence – TDA Representative - Pesticide Laws & Regulations
Dr. Bob Lyons – AgriLife Extension - Thistle Species ID, Herbicide Options
Dr.
Ample spring rains and continued growth of the white-tailed deer population could lead to a favorable deer harvest this upcoming season in the Lone Star State, including west-central counties like Mason.
Deer hunting is a family tradition for many in Mason County.
“I’m a deer hunter but no an avid trophy hunter,” said Augusta L.
The Llano Fine Arts Guild will be holding a Christmas Bazaar Open House on Tuesday, November 24 from 10:00 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. Come and eat and drink while you shop for those one of a kind Christmas gifts. Plus a 10% discount on purchases during the Open House.
Also the Gallery will be open on Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays through December 30th.
The Llano Fine Art Guild is located at 503 Bessemer Ave, Llano, Tx.
The Llano Fine Art Guild is a 501c3, non-profit organization.
Jon Mark Hogg, candidate for U.S. Congress TX-11, and long-time Mason fan, spent last Wednesday in town beginning with coffee with a few locals, a visit to the Seaquist Mansion, a driving tour and discussion highlighting the many good things going on in Mason including Mason Steady Steps, Mason Habitat for Humanity, Camp Discovery at our library, the new landfill, and many more aspects of Mason.
After an interview on KHLB 102.5 FM, our local radio station, Mr.
Hill Country Memorial is “back in business” for many types of health screenings and elective surgery, according to James Partin, MD, Chief Medical Officer at Hill Country Memorial.
“We are trying to take care of everything we can,” Partin said. “We are watching closely what happens in the county regarding COVID-19.
Texas Farm Bureau (TFB) will once again offer college students an opportunity to develop problem-solving skills through the Collegiate Discussion meet.
But this year, the contest will be held virtually.
“Although the COVID-19 pandemic has altered the way we’re hosting this year’s contest, it’s still a great opportunity for college students to dive into current issues facing agriculture,” Jesse Wieners, TFB Young Farmer & Rancher Advisory Committee chair, said.
Eligible contest ...
Our first place winner for our virtual dog contest is Nolan and Sam as Travis and Old Yeller! Congratulations! Second place goes to Zaine and Tex. Finally, our third place winners are Sean and his little “spider” Apollo. Thank you to everyone who participated in the contest! We would like to thank Dos Rios RV Park for providing our first place prize and Tractor Supply for donating our second and third place prizes.
Pretty little Frida is waiting so patiently for her forever home! She is such a lovable girl who is having a hard time finding those special humans looking for a devoted companion. She is so attentive to her humans that her current fosters call her “shadow”! Frida is between 1 and 2, up to date on all of her vaccinations, spayed and on heartworm preventative.
If you have hummingbird feeders filled with sugar water right now, you are likely seeing lots of Black-chinned and Ruby-throated Hummingbirds. You may even be lucky enough to spot one of our rarer migrant hummingbirds of Mason County, such as a Rufous or Calliope Hummingbird.
Our only regular nesting hummingbird in the summer is the Black-chinned Hummingbird, which is abundant locally.
We have our Old Yeller Virtual Dog Contest winners! Thank you to everyone who participated! Our Old Yeller Days display in the foyer will remain up until Friday, so stop by to take a look at some Old Yeller items and some photos from the very first Old Yeller Day.
New to the Library:
DVDS:
Deep Blue Sea 3
The Heart Guy Series 4
Killing Eve Season 3
The Monroes, the Complete Series
Succession, Season 2
Waiting for the Barbarians
Fiction: (all quotes from publishers’ summari ...
