Hyacinth. Snowbell. Daffodil. Celestial. Quince. Narcissus. (Or paperwhite.) These are a few of our favorite things. And they’re blooming. Thanks to 88 degrees. And more is on the way. Flowers, that is. In spite of frost predicted. Bluebonnets leafing up and out. Promises of blooms to come. Ornamental cherry sitting pretty. Preparing the pathway to Sp ...

Even though spring doesn’t officially start for a few more weeks, it sure feels like spring to me, minus one thing—RAIN! Let’s keep praying! Happy Birthday to Johnita Bohmfalk on the 4th and Tyra Jordan on the 6th. Celebrating their anniversary on the 7th are David and Carolyn Vater. Condolences to the Gibson and Smith families on their losses. Please pray for those suffering from allergies, colds and the flu that they have a speedy recovery ...

Take another look at eggs! You’ve heard me say before that eggs and beans are two of my favorite foods- both cost wise and nutritionally. I was excited to read that eggs are actually getting better for you, due to the better diets of the chickens! According to new nutrition data from the United States Department of Agriculture’s Agricultural Research Service (USDA-ARS), eggs are lower in cholesterol than previously thought.

Cell Phones Unleashed… Not too many decades ago, decisions were fewer and much easier to make. In car-buying, color choices were black or white. There was vanilla, chocolate and strawberry ice cream; then Baskin-Robbins busted loose with more flavors than they could think of good names for. Minds grow dizzy with today’s barrage of choices—paper or plastic, regular or decaf, debit or credit, smoking or non-smoking, etc. On the cell phone fro ...

Phrases are thrown around about "Old Folks!" He/She is losing it? Personally speaking, I’m not loosing it. In fact I’m gaining it. However, I do misplace it. Senility! This is when you don’t remember stuff. Have you ever thought that when folks get older, some of the stuff isn’t worth remembering? Then there’s the "Not as sharp as a tack, anymore."

Sometime late Thursday night or early Friday morning, party or parties unknown slipped a column, clipped from the Austin American Statesman, under the door of my office. More or less. They really just wadded it into the crack between the door and the jam, but writing that in the opening sentence of this column would have made it way too long, and I’m pretty careful about making sentences too long, with too many commas and such, because people, I think, are pretty sensitive abo ...

The Mason Lions Club met Tuesday, February 22nd, for its regular weekly luncheon meeting. There were 33 members in attendance. Lion Harold Hoerster was responsible for the program and he introduced Clyde Martin of the Mason Volunteer Fire Department who spoke about the history of the department. Clyde stated that there is a family tradition in the fire department history.

Olive Leaf is one of my favorite herbs for this time of year. I use olive leaf for immune enhancement so that I do not get the flu. However, olive leaf is more than just a great anti-viral. Olives in some form have been used throughout history. Olives and olive oil are referenced throughout the Bible.

Creamy Triple Lemon Pie Courtesy, Cuisine at Home This is one of those recipes that pretty much fills the bill completely to qualify as a Practical Baker project! It’s simple to make. It’s quick to make. All the ingredients are available locally. And it tastes great! (By the way, the reason it’s called "Triple Lemon Pie"

I'm always amused when someone calls and asks me where something is located in the newspaper. For more than five years, we've stuck to a basic layout format to help people quickly and easily locate specific parts of the content. Editorials are on page 2. Obituaries are on page 3.

Dear Editor: On Thursday evening, February 17, 2011, I attended the Immigration Seminar at the Mason High School, put on by the Mason ISD Community Education, and featuring Dr. Jesus Romero. It was rewarding to hear Dr. Romero speak of his immigrating to the United States as a small child and the opportunities afforded him in this country.

Dear Editor, We Masonites had an invitation to hear a group of, senior adults, on Mon. Feb. 21, 2011 at 6:30 pm, at River of Life Church, sponsored by our Mason Chamber of Commerce. The group is called Young at Heart Ministry Choir, they range in age 74-85 in this group but some are older.

The Fine Arts Association of the Hill Country is having their 4th annual Art Show and Gala on April 30th at the Peanut Mill Warehouse in Mason, Texas. This event helps to provide funds for the Fine Arts Scholarship awarded annually to one deserving graduating senior selected from one of the four counties—Mason, McCulloch, Menard and Kimble—served by the association. This year will be particularly exciting as we will have a silent and live auction—Conlee &am ...

Come join us Sunday, March 6 for hamburgers on the square! Serving begins at 11:30 a.m. and continues until 1:00 p.m. Get a hamburger, chips, and a drink for $6.00 and help Mason Youth Baseball/Softball get their 2011 season started! You may also register your child for baseball and/or softball during the lunch - this will be the last day to register your children at the $45.00 per child rate.

Story Time at the Mason County Library will be on spring break next week. They will resume meeting on March 18th at 10:00 a.m.

WHEN: March 6, 2011 TIME: All Day WHERE: Church of Christ, 507 N. Llano St., Fredericksburg, TX 78624 WHAT: Hemphill, a resident of Longview, TX, will be speaking on his book, My Search for the Real Heaven. What do you see in your mind’s eye when you hear the word ‘heaven’? Do you see transparent people floating on clouds and playing harps?

Join us Saturday, March 19 at Ft. Mason Community Building for a delicious meal catered by Zavalas, followed by the annual Steady Steps cake auction. We will also have a silent auction and an activity corner for the kids to enjoy. Doors open at 6:00 pm. The catered meal is by donation only.

Don't miss Riata's Rummage Sale to be held on Saturday, March 5th at the American Legion Hall at 8:00 a.m. There will be something for everyone.

Mason, TX. February 28, 2011 – The Mason Tea Party will meet Thursday, March 3, 2011, at the Richard P. Eckert Civic Center in Mason, 6:00 – 8:00 p.m. Featured speaker: Roy Wilson, U.S. Border Patrol Officer (Ret.d). Roy has served our country for 29 years in border security. He is a popular speaker across Texas and shares his experiences of past memories, all the way to our current issues.

The Heart of Texas Country Music Association will celebrate its 22th Anniversary on Friday and Saturday, March 18th and 19th, and Friday and Saturday, March 25th and 26th at the Ed Davenport Civic Center in Brady. The festivities will include a Welcome Party and Dance on the Friday nights, an afternoon Matinee Concert at 2:00 PM on the Saturdays followed by a Dance on Saturday night beginning at 8:00 PM. Tickets can be charged by calling (325) 597-3491.

The Hill Country CattleWomen will hold their March meeting on Tuesday, March 15th at the United Methodist Church, 800 Wright St. in Llano. The Social and Sign In will begin at 10AM and the meeting at 10:30AM with lunch following. Reservations are necessary to attend at the cost of $14.00. We will be completing the preparations for our Annual Style Show and Luncheon to take place in Kerrville on April 19 th.

If you have watched the talented team producing awesome cakes the Food Network’s "Ace of Cakes" and thought: "I would like to do that!" here is your chance to learn how: Mason ISD Community Education is sponsoring a class on Tuesday, March 15 from 6:00 to 7:30 p.m. on basic techniques in cake decorating using fondant and gum paste.

The Cherokee Hog-Dog Tournament has been scheduled for March 11-13. Contact Travis Shannon at 325-372-1449 for more information.

1st Place - Kody Eckert, Kyle Eckert, Joe David Langehennig 2nd Place - Brent Rabon, Jason Young, Forrest Moore 3rd Place - Cody Schuessler, Jim Roy Atchison, Jim Jordan Heaviest Bobcat - Mindy Thomas, C. J. Bradford, Jeanie Hunter Biggest Hog - Kory Kunc, Kolby Yonker, Justin Yonker Longest Eared Jackrabbit - Jimmy Stiles, Cesar Balderas Biggest Raccoon - Joe Angel Gonzales, Jimmy Palacio, Raudel Gomez, P.

Saturday afternoon several students from the Mason Puncher Band competed in Solo and Ensemble competition in Brownwood. Katherine Koock, Savannah Kast, Bianka Martinez, Raena Moneyhon, and Claudia Canfield competed at the High School level. First divisions were given to Katherine, Savannah and Claudia. Katherine and Savannah will be competing in State Solo and Ensemble in May. The Junior High Band was also well represented in Brownwood on Saturday.

The Mason Study Club met on February 23 in the Stribling Room of the Mason County Library. Hostesses were Florence Smith, Deanna Handlin, Gerry Daniel, and Mary Freytag. Vice-President Diane Evans introduced our speaker, Judge Jerry Bearden who presented the program, "Outlook for Mason County". He began by talking about the past year and all the county went through with the CREZ Transmission lines possibly going through Mason County.

It was a great privilege for me to have spent a couple of hours with the people of your community last week in order to share information on immigration issues. I wished to write a few lines in order to summarize some of what I presented. The work I do as Director of the Immigration Service and Aid Center (ISAAC), a collaborative ministry between Baptist University of the Américas and the Baptist General Convention of Texas, is a nationwide effort to utilize local chu ...

The CROP Walk held at Schreiner University in Kerrville this past Saturday was a great success! The Hilda United Methodist Church recruited walkers from First UMC, Art UMC, and Trinity UMC (in Castell) to walk and raise money for the cause to eradicate hunger in the world. We had thirty-three walkers and as of this writing, they had raised a little over $6500, and there was more coming in.

In The Haven Family Shelter’s continued mission to reduce the incidence and impact of domestic violence and/or sexual assault in McCulloch, Mason, and Menard Counties, and in the surrounding areas, FREE counseling services are offered through the shelter. If you have been a victim of one or both of these types of violence (either as a child or as an adult), if you are a loved one who has been affected, or if you are in need of further services (such as grief or family counselin ...

Author Judith Barton of Streeter presented an amusing and informative program to members of the Mason Bluebonnet Study Club at the Richard Eckert Center on February 21. A timeline of how her children’s book entitled "Too Many Chickens" became a reality was outlined in sometimes fun details, other times serious ones.

Local business owners Gary Hahn, 45, and wife Jeannie Hahn were recently honored with a Lifetime membership in the Texas Equestrian Trail Riders Association in recognition of years of service to trail riders across the State of Texas. The Hahn’s joined TETRA in 2001 and became members of the Board in 2002.

Angora Goats Steeley Smith 2nd Doe Kid 6th and 10th Yearling 6th Aged Doe Breeding Sheep Gabe Jennings Reserve Champion Southdown Ewe 2nd and 6th Ewe Lamb 2nd and 3rd Aged Ewe Meat Goats Gabe Jennings 10th Light Baylee Owen 7th Light Heavy Rylee Owen 8th Middle Heavy Chama Martin 1st Light Heavy Aspen Martin 3rd Middle Heavy Kirsten Shaw 4th Middle Heavy H ...

FORT WORTH, TEXAS – KIRSTEN SHAW of MASON, a MASON COUNTY 4H student, was among the winners in the Calf Scramble event during the January 29, 7:30 evening performance of the Rodeo at the 115th edition of the legendary Southwestern Exposition and Livestock Show. Parents of the winner are CHRIS AND APRIL SHAW.

The Artisan Gallery is once again open for business. The Gallery has expanded its horizons, and has added new items and some antique art. These factors will be of interest to the public and art lovers here in Mason and beyond. The new items will make nice gifts for friends or family.

Mrs. Mildred Whitehead passed away Sunday, February 27th, at the age of 93. Millie is survived by step children, step grandchildren, numerous nieces & nephews & a brother, Clarence Nixon & wife Margaret. Millie was born March 8, 1917, in Doss, TX, to William & Octavia Ransleben Nixon. She married Jack Whitehead on January 12, 1957, in Brady, TX.

Mary Lou Klein, 66, of Stonewall, died Friday, Feb. 25, 2011, at her residence. Visitation was from 3 p.m. to 7 p.m. Monday at Schaetter Fuenral Home. Service was at 10 a.m. Monday at St. Francis Xavier Catholic Church in Stonewall, with burial in Stonewall Community Cemetery. Survivors include her husband, Charles W.

Cora Leifeste was born May 30, 1914, in Mason. Cora was the fourth of eight children born to Robert Priess and Dora Umfrid Priess. She was a life-long resident of Mason County until her health required a move to the nursing home in 2002. Cora passed away on Saturday, February 26, at the age of 96. On January 28, 1933, Cora married Theo Leifeste.

C.H. Smith, of Mason, passed away on Wednesday, February 23, at the age of 82. Mr. Smith is survived by his wife Carolyn Smith of Mason, two sons Terry Smith of Mason, Ted Smith of Mason and special friend Jane Miller of Doss, three grandchildren Heather Lock and husband Brandon of San Angelo, Koby Smith of Kerrville and Brigett Mikulik and husband Garrett of San Angelo and one great granddaughter Addison Lock of San Angelo.

The Mason Punchers traveled to Kenedy High School to take on the Santa Maria Cougars in the Area Round of the basketball playoffs. The game would start off with both teams playing good defense as there was very little scoring in the first quarter. Santa Maria got on the board with an early three point basket while the Punchers went inside to get their points as the first quarter would end 9-5. The second quarter started with an explosion of offense by Mason as they p ...