January 13, 2021 Issue

More than 800 people--about 20 percent of Mason County’s population--are on the waiting list to receive the COVID-19 vaccine. The county judge’s office has been fielding around 100 calls per day from folks clamoring to get vaccinated, but the precious vials remain in short supply. “I’ve had elderly people call up here and they’re nearly in tears,” said Mason County Judge Jerry Bearden.

The Mason High School girls’ varsity basketball team is clicking as of late as the Cowgirls improved to 11-4 overall and a perfect 5-0 in District 29-2A play with victories over Johnson City High School, Harper High School, and Junction High School. Mason Cowgirls 72, Johnson City Lady Eagles 17 Last Tuesday night, this was another game that the Cowgirls were expected to win by a lot and did just that as Mason thrashed the host Johnson City Lady Eagles 72-17. Mason scored early and sc ...

Spring sports are officially on the horizon for Mason High School as the Punchers’ varsity baseball team recently revealed its 2021 regular-season schedule during Winter Break. Although scrimmages could be added in the near future, Mason will open up the regular season next month at 5 p.m. on Monday, Feb. 22 at home as the Punchers host Brady High School. Mason will have four more non-district games: 4:30 p.m.

Spring sports are officially on the horizon for Mason High School as the Punchers’ varsity baseball team recently revealed its 2021 regular-season schedule during Winter Break. Although scrimmages could be added in the near future, Mason will open up the regular season next month at 5 p.m. on Monday, Feb. 22 at home as the Punchers host Brady High School. Mason will have four more non-district games: 4:30 p.m.

Welda Armour, age 91, went to be with our Lord on January 11, 2021. She was born in Groveton, Texas to Weldon and Thelma Lee Howard on May 27, 1929. She is survived by husband, John Armour, to whom she was married for 35 years. She will be missed by surviving children Mark Lowry and his wife Barb, of Texas, Bruce Lowry and his wife Lane, of New Mexico, John Armour and his wife Robin, of Texas, and Jill Armour, of Arizona.

Forget me not As time goes by, For you will find me In the sky. Forget me not Though we’re apart, For you carry me Within your heart. Riley Miller Latham beloved husband, father, grandfather, son and brother was born on May 28, 1939 in Brady, Texas and went to be with the Lord December 26, 2020 at the age of 81. Mr.

Frances Nannette Knox, of Belton, passed away at her home on Monday, January 4, at the age of 60. Frances was born May 4, 1960, in Brady to Thomas A. Knox II and Doris Jane Capps Knox. Frances loved teaching and loved music. For many years she taught at St. Mary Assumption Catholic Church in Taylor where she was loved by the staff and children.

Howard Leslie Eads passed away on January 7, 2021 at the age of 80. He was preceded in death by his parents and his loving wife, Jane. He was born in Austin, Texas and moved to Mason in 2002, and lived his last few years in Menard, Texas. He was a lifelong avid Philatelist, stamp collector.

Rebecca “Becky” Carolyn McCorquodale Albers, 79, of Mason, passed away on Friday, January 8, 2021. Becky is survived by her husband Harold Albers of Mason, Texas; daughter Kerbey Johansen and her husband Cary of San Angelo, Texas; grandchildren Liam Emmett and Lana Celeste Johansen of San Angelo, Texas; and a brother Pat McCorquodale of Mason, Texas. Visitation with the family will be Wednesday, January 13, from 1 to 2 p.m.

Scott Jeffery Burdette, 51, of Mason, TX, lost his yearlong battle with esophageal cancer on Tuesday January 5, 2021. Scott was at home surrounded by love and passed peacefully. He was the youngest of Stephen and Deronda Burdette’s three children, born October 20, 1969. Scott grew up and attended school in San Luis Obispo, CA.

Our recent snow storm stimulated some readers to ask me how animals survive the cold weather. In last week’s Science Corner, I discussed animals that migrate to warmer places for the winter. This week, I’ll discuss species that don’t leave cold weather behind, but find ways to stay active through the winter.

This bread is not a classical Practical Baker recipe because it takes a few steps and some careful attention to detail. It also requires a bit of planning ahead, since the dough must rest for 12-18 hours. But if you decide to make it, I assure you that you will agree that it is well worth the effort.

Back in April I wrote a column titled “A lifetime Involved with Nature” about a TV series documenting David Attenborough’s life as a worldwide nature explorer and film maker and things he could teach us all. I am repeating much of that column below to introduce Attenborough to everyone who doesn’t know about him. I am doing this because he has since written a book, published this past spring, entitled “A Life on Our Planet” He is 94, and has a unique world-wide view of the condi ...

We have had snow! Now that is a date to remember! With this comes questions about soil, planting times, and when to keep a weather eye out. Let’s look at soil organic matter in the soil. This is focusing on Garden location, not lawn or wild areas. Composting is a way of life for the gardener.

Beef Stew always brings back good memories of Girl Scout campouts. The oldest evidence of stew was found in Japan, as far back as the 4th century. The first time that the Old French word “estuve” jumped to English shores as "stew," it meant either a stove, a heated room, or a cooking cauldron.

Purple is a color I am generally neutral about, but it has taken decades for me to elevate it from negative status. I’m guessing it barely made the grade for inclusion in those tiny boxes of crayons used down to the very last smidge by Early School first graders in 1944. Somebody claimed that it started out as “red,” but was left in the oven too long.

I was in and out of television as a performer from the late 1950’s to the early 2000’s. In those early years everything was “live.” I stood or sat in front of the camera and what I said and did immediately went into thousands of homes. If my tie was crooked, that’s what the viewers saw.