December 30, 2020 Issue

The year 2020 has affected us all in many ways, and we are all looking forward to a better 2021. Fund raising opportunities have been virtually non-existent and most non for profits are needing a bit of help. Crosby Cemetery has been without a proper sign for over six years and the Crosby Cemetery Association is in the process of having a nice sign erected.

Wanda Mae Polk, 96, of Belton, Texas. On December 23, 2020, Wanda passed away peacefully at Watkins Logan Texas State Veterans Home in Tyler, Texas. Wanda was born in Mason, Texas, to Shirley and Ruth (Gleghorn) Stapp. She was an only child. She married David Beck Polk on January 25, 1947.

Wanda Faye Jordan, of Art, passed away on Friday, December 25, at the age of 86. Mrs. Jordan is survived by her husband Nathaniel Jordan, of Art, a son Darrell Jordan of San Antonio, a daughter Deborah Baxter and husband Don of Mason. Grandchildren Derek Baxter and girlfriend Allison Paris of Austin, Matt Jordan and wife Lauren of Midland, Chad Jordan and wife Alexa of Midland, and Denay Skaggs and husband Wade of San Angelo.

Honorable Bill J. Spiller, age 62 of Brady, Texas, passed away Saturday, December 26, 2020, at his residence in Brady. Bill was born November 4, 1958, in Brady, Texas, to Jack Spiller and Peggy (Broad) Spiller. He graduated from Brady High School and attended the University of Texas in Austin. He graduated as a proud Longhorn with a degree in communications. Bill was a “people person” and after graduating from college, banks were looking for people with strong “people skills”.

I've been putting off writing this final column for three months. I don't usually write my columns in advance, so that's not unusual. But now, it's Tuesday morning of my final week, and rather than leave a huge gap over on page 4, I'm doing what I've done for years and letting the words flow from my stream of consciousness. We've been joking around the office that this particular issue doesn't really exist, as our printing year officially began on Wednesday, January 1, 2020.

(A couple of notes regarding the following. It was originally written in pre-colonoscopy days when routine colon exams involved x-rays and barium enemas. Secondly, if you detect a subtle connection to what we've gone through in 2020, you may be right.) It was not the most pleasant 15 minutes of my life. I had not been looking forward to the test.

This is a nice, quick brownie recipe with no special ingredients needed. You don’t even have to break out your electric mixer, since all ingredients are either whisked or folded in! YUM! Ingredients: 1/2 cup unsalted butter, melted 1 cup white sugar 1/4 cup unsweetened cocoa powder 1.5 teaspoons vanilla 1/4 teaspoon salt 3 large eggs 1 cup A/P flour 1 cup chocolate chips 1 cup coarsely chopped pecans (divided) Process: Preheat the oven to 350 grease a 10 inch cast ir ...

I have never read columns as entertaining as those penned by the late Erma Bombeck, who survived by cancer surgery, only to be claimed by kidney disease at age 69. Her battle was valiant as she underwent five years of dialysis before ultimately failing to survive transplant surgery that came too late.

With us coming into the New Year I know everyone has their traditions on New Year’s Day, making resolutions in the hope of new beginnings, or eating certain foods to start to the New Year off. We usually have ham, black-eyed peas, scalloped potatoes, and cabbage. The black-eyed peas or for luck and cabbage is for folding money (wealth).

Happy New Year. Farewell to 2020. We all hope that 2021 will be a great year with our lives returning to their former style. If you listen to the news, the media will tell you this is only the beginning or that this will last at least another year. I prefer to pray to God that he will end this virus and put truth in the mouths of the media. Class Meetings resume at the Art United Methodist Church on January 6.

Merry Christmas from my house to yours. This will be a different looking celebration than we have had in the past. It will be that way for many. My prayer is that we all remember that we are celebrating the birth of our Saviour. The parties and decorations, food and drink, and the gifts from family and friends are just sideline events.

Mason’s Scarlet Punchers, those intrepid women “of a certain age,” who absolutely insist on enjoying life to the fullest, kicked up their heels (well, maybe knee-high!) at December’s Christmas party, held at the ever-changing house of Sherie Clarkson, who keeps us guessing with her remodeling saga. We are so grateful to her for hosting us THREE TIMES during 2020!!

Thanks Lowe’s of Mason and the Mason community, the Mason County Food Bank will start the year with food for our neighbors who are facing tough times. The Food Bank, a ministry of the Mason Ministerial Alliance, depends upon donations of food and money to operate. Mike Rychlik, Lowe’s manager, organized and promoted this event and the community responded in an astounding way.

About Cheeto, he was rescued in the summer of 2017 and subsequently adopted. Now about four years old, he has come back to us due to his adopter’s illness and life changes. Luckily he was able to return to his former foster home and quickly settled in. He is a sweet little guy with a lot of positive attributes: housebroken, crate trained, loves cats!, makes instant friends with other dogs, is an expert at cuddling and boy is he cute.

It is common knowledge that 2020 has been a challenging year and there have been many ways in which our daily lives have been changed and our expectations have not always been met. The Mason Community Foundation, and the local Thrift Store, would like to share with you how we have met the challenges of this year and have continued to thrive.

This year, several readers have contacted me and asked what individuals can do to help restore and conserve the natural beauty and biodiversity of Mason County. Even a small yard or garden provides opportunities for positive action. Ranch owners may wish to take on larger projects. Anyone can volunteer for projects and workdays with the Llano River Alliance or Mason Mountain Wildlife Management Area.

We will be closed this week on Thursday, December 31 and Friday, January 1. We are also still offering curbside services only. Have a Happy New Year! New to the Library: DVDS: PBS American Experiences: Influenza 1918 The Jetsons, The Complete Series Murdoch Mysteries, Seasons 5-8 Tenet Hallmark’s Winter in Vail Nonfiction: The Devil in the White City: Murder, Magic, and Madness at the Fair that Changed America by Erik Larson (364.15 LAR) “Bringing Chicago circa 1893 to ...