October 6, 2021 Issue

Folks might soon see scaffolding being erected along the walls of Mason County’s historic courthouse as some construction work could begin later this month, according to a county official this week. The 111-year-old structure was severely damaged, allegedly by an act of arson, earlier this year. “I’d expect to see the general contractor begin to erect scaffolding around the Courthouse soon so that they can take measurements,” said Mason County Judge Jerry Bearden on Monday.

Not a stranger to the Hill Country, Mason ISD Superintendent, Stan Whittle has remained close to home throughout his life. Growing up in Marble Falls, Texas, where he attended PreK through 12; Mr. Whittle moved his family to Mason in 2018. Together with his wife, Holly, and their three children, the Whittles are extremely proud to live in “such a positive community.” Mr.

The Mason High School varsity football team is coming off a much-needed bye week and will play their third consecutive home game on Friday, Oct. 8 in the 2A-1 District 14 opener against Center Point High School. Compared to non-district play in 2020, when they started the season 1-4, the Punchers have flipped the script and head into this Friday night’s contest with an impressive 4-1 overall record.

The Llano River was once a famous place for observing and collecting freshwater mussels (a group of clams). In the late 1800s and early 1900s, before the advent of plastics, our native freshwater mussel shells were in great demand for use in making buttons for clothing. Small circles were drilled from the mussel shells, and fashioned into “mother of pearl” buttons.

With a lot of news lately about global warming and fossil fuels, I thought it would be helpful to discuss the carbon cycle. The carbon cycle is a very important natural recycling process which we should all understand. The carbon cycle is best described in two stages; the first being the purely natural process that has been taking place for eons before mankind came along, and the second being the effects that industrialized man has had on that cycle. The natural carbon cycle begins with the ...

Mark your calendars for Trick or Treat at the Library! On Halloween night, we will pass out candy from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. Stop by to see Harry Potter theme decorations and enjoy some candy! Happy Reading! New to the Library: DVDS Blacklist Season 8 Edward Scissorhands F9: The Fast Saga Hallmark Classics: The Love Letter Spookly the Square Pumpkin When Calls the Heart Year 8 Fiction: (all quotes from publishers’ summaries) Forever My Own by Tracie Peterson (F PET Lad. ...

While pumpkin is considered to be a “seasonal” food offering, I find that the taste of it appeals to me year around. If you want something a bit different and it isn't quite Thanksgiving, give yourself some thanks and make up a batch of these. Everyone will agree it was good idea. Ingredients: 2 cups all-purpose flour 1 tablespoon baking powder ¼ teaspoon salt ½ to 1 teaspoon pumpkin pie spice, to taste ½ cup cold, unsalted butter ¾ cup grated sharp cheddar cheese; Cabot ...

Puns are better read than said. In my career as a public speaker it took me a while to learn that. When audiences hear a pun the common reaction is to shake their heads and groan. “This makes puns counterproductive,” says comedy writer Robert Orben. “The goal of good speech humor is to get a laugh and bring the audience closer to you.

This is the season when the ‘ugly’ yard is most apparent. Especially after the freeze of last winter. So many of our plants went to mush, never to revive. Beloved fruit trees and bushes were frozen down below the soil line, and got cut back to never return. Then there were the frozen cacti.

What a wonderful week we have had. Since my last column, we have had soaking rains. And, our great grandson, Tanner, came to visit us and stay overnight. It is such fun to watch a little boy run and play and jabber all the time. By the time he leaves, I understand more of what he is saying.

There are some demographics you can make fun of, and some you can’t. For example, it’s fine to make light of Christians, but not Muslims. You can poke fun at rednecks, but not transgender people. You can laugh at skinny folks, but not fat ones. Matter of fact, of all the groups it’s not OK to denigrate these days, obese people are probably the largest.