December 16, 2020 Issue

Members of Mason Study Club presented the library with the proceeds from our last two fundraisers which included the bake sale held during the October Arts on the Square and our annual November Chili off/on the Square. The librarians will use these funds for the needs of the library. Items such as replacement books, subscriptions and computer upgrades are just a few of those needs. Due to the Covid virus, MSC members did a wonderful job of staying safe while participating in these fundraise ...

The lights are on, and the barns are full. The smell of fresh shavings and dirt fill the air. Although the stands aren’t packed, the excitement and anticipation builds. Because youth exhibitors are on the fairgrounds, ready to show in the first-ever United Livestock Show. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic and social distancing requirements cancelling many events, the Heart O’ Texas Fair & Rodeo and the State Fair of Texas partnered to host the unique, one-time youth livestock show in Waco. ...

The Mason High School girls’ varsity basketball team picked up one blowout win and suffered two losses over the past week as the Cowgirls began to wrap up non-district play heading into the new year. Mason Cowgirls 58, Coleman Lady Bluecats 23 On the road at non-district 2A foe Coleman High School on Dec.

SAN ANGELO, TX (12/10/2020)-- Angelo State University in San Angelo, Texas, has announced the students achieving the Dean’s List designation for the 2020 fall semester. To be eligible for the ASU Dean’s List, full-time undergraduate students must maintain a 3.25 or better grade point average on a 4.0 scale. The complete fall 2020 Dean’s List is available at angelo.edu. Students in your area making the Dean’s List include: Brookelyn Doss of Mason (76856) Kelcey Doss of Mason ...

It was announced over the weekend that Mason High School girls’ varsity cross country senior standout runner Ana Segura was voted to the 2A Girls’ Cross Country All-State team, according to the Texas Girls Coaches Association. Segura was the Cowgirls’ top runner for the 2020 cross country season and helped lead the way to a 2A District 29 championship for Mason on Oct.

Sharon Lynnette Petrosky of Marble Falls passed away on Sunday, December 6th, at the age of 50. She was the youngest of three children, born May 11, 1970, in Austin, Texas, to Donald and Joan Thomas. Sharon studied Nutrition and Food Science at the University of Central Oklahoma and completed her Master’s program in 1993.

Leonard Walter (Dub) Schuessler, of Bedford Texas, passed away on Thursday, December 10, 2020. Dub was born in Mason Texas on October 4, 1934. He graduated from Mason High School in 1953. In 1983 he married Barbara Ward, his loving wife, in Albuquerque, New Mexico. Dub retired from Benjamin Moore paint company where he was a sales representative for many years.

This time of year, is a time for us to remember of things past and look to the promise of the future. When I was kid, I would start celebrating Christmas in August after school started. Then roll Thanksgiving to New Year’s Day all together. Later in life it seemed to get busy and all the celebrations seemed to come and go before you knew it.

Though much of the conversation concerning the November 3rd election has concerned the top of the ticket, in Mason County, it's the item at the bottom of the ticket that now needs to command our attention. I had been told by the oldtimers of Mason for years that if a successful petition drive to put making Mason County wet on the ballot ever happened, the voters would approve it overwhelmingly.

Dear Editor, Last week’s letter to the Mason County News about the Covid-19 virus presented an alleged anti-Covid strategy as if it was “sensible.” It is anything but. In fact, Dr. Bhattacharya’s strategy is not only dangerous, it is irresponsible, particularly during a period of increasing infections and deaths as a result of the deadly virus.

Things that I still see in Mason County. Although neighbors are not able to get together much, they truly care about one another. When troubles come, people respond generously. Children still respect their elders for the most part. They answer with yes or no, sir or ma’am. I would like to complement them for still holding doors for others.

1 -- My favorite Christmas carol is ______. 2 -- Our family has this custom at Christmas of ______. 3 -- My most memorable Christmas was ______. 4 -- This year for Christmas I am ______. 5 -- For me a Christmas tree is ______. 6 -- When I think of Christmas, I think of ______. 7 -- I was ____ years old when I learned the truth about Santa Claus. 8 -- The best gift I ever received at Christmas was ______. 9 -- I was ____ years old when I learned the truth about Jesus. 10 -- M ...

I’m not sure where this recipe originated, but it would not surprise me to find out that it began out on the Texas prairies well over a century ago! It’s the kind of recipe that would work well to feed a bunch of hungry cowboys back then, and it would do the same today.

The subject of footwear has hit me dead center in recent days. Following are details of unlikely happenings last week. Remembrances are hand-on-the-Bible truths to which I am sticking. Said topic involves a frustrated kindergarten teacher, the boots-were-made-for-walking tune and a mystery involving one of my shoes. As suggested in Julie Andrews’ Do-Rey-Mi song that set well with the herd of kids fleeing Austria in The Sound of Music, let’s start at the very beginning, a very good pla ...

Picante sauce adds just the right amount of spice to this easy-to-make skillet dish loaded with chicken, pepperoni, green pepper, and mozzarella cheese…. served over rice, it’s an absolutely yummy dinner! Ingredients: 1 Tablespoon canola oil 1 medium green pepper, cut in pieces 1-pound skinless, boneless chicken halves 1.25 ounces pepperoni, chopped 1 cup picante sauce 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning, crushed 4 Tablespoons shredded part skim mozzarella cheese for garnish 1 ...

The first day of winter will be December 21. I have been outside a few mornings already this year that felt very much like winter. I have not put the heater in my greenhouse and it may be time to get it out there. I am ready to be like a bear and hibernate.

The winners of the “first annual” Joe Martinez Smallest Trout Contest held on December 5 were Miguel Menchaca (Mason) and Jaya Torres (Menard). They tied with fish measuring 8 inches in length. Jaya won a $25 gift certificate to Lea-Lou’s Coop and Miguel won $25 cash. The contest was the idea of Irene Martinez who knew that such a fun contest is exactly what her husband Joe Martinez would enjoy watching.

Hill Country Memorial (HCM) has earned an ‘A’ rating for the Fall 2020 Leapfrog Hospital Safety Grade, continuing its streak of receiving the top score for the 15th consecutive rating period. Using data analyzed by the Leapfrog Hospital Survey and the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, all general hospitals across the country are assigned an ‘A’, ‘B’, ‘C’, ‘D’ or ‘F’ grade.

The Mason County Courthouse will be closed December 21-25, 2020 in order to accommodate the move to the new Annex and to celebrate Christmas. Courthouse offices – Judge, Treasurer, Justice of the Peace, and Clerk - are scheduled to reopen in the new Annex (205 Westmoreland St.) on Monday, December 28, 2020. District Judge’s Office will be located at Mason Bank on the second floor.

We would like to thank Mason’s Study Club for their recent donation to the library. Thank you so much to all of you for your support! New to the Library: DVDS: Ava Buddy Games The Code, Season 2 Made in Italy Perry Mason, Season 1 Seachange: Paradise Reclaimed Upside-Down Magic Fiction: (all quotes from publishers’ summaries) Confessions on the 7:45 by Lisa Unger (F UNG) “Selena Murphy is commuting home on the train when she strikes up a conversation with a stran ...

Lead poisoning results in over half a million human deaths worldwide every year. Far more people than that are harmed by lead poisoning. Our brains and nervous systems are especially sensitive to lead. Lead poisoning is strongly associated with a wide range of neurological problems, including lowered IQ, increased rates of Attention Deficient Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), memory problems, sleep disorders, depression, and hearing loss.

Dixie Girl is waiting for some lucky person, couple, or family to adopt her. She has all the best qualities of a cattle dog mix -- athletic, super smart, loyal, playful, and affectionate. And at around 2-years old, Dixie is thankfully past the puppy stage. As this is being typed, Dixie is basking in the sun with three other dogs after playing a rousing game of chase with the youngest of them. Dixie often checks on her foster parents as they work in the yard.

The Seaquist House will be only available for private tours from Monday, Dec. 14th through Wednesday, Dec. 23rd and again from Dec. 27th through Dec. 31st.You will need to contact Jan Appleby, Tour Director, to schedule a day and time. Groups will be limited to 9 people or less. (We will not be having tours during the month of January).