Topaz. Quartz. Granite. Sandstone. That’s Mason. Limestone. Sandy loam. Rocky soil. That’s Mason too. Prickly pear. Bee brush. Whitethorn. Spanish daggers. That’s Mason. Llano River. Beaver Creek. Native rangeland. Yep, Mason. Hunting. Deer. Hogs. Wild turkey. Dove. Fishing. Bass. Perch. Catfish ...

Time-honored advice espoused by our daughters is hereby heartily endorsed. My bias runs in total agreement. It is dispensed to our grandchildren daily—if not hourly—because their moms believe such observations will help their offspring stay afloat in choppy waters that lie ahead. And perhaps be helpful in identifying their drummers in the rhythm of life. “Sometimes you’re the windshield—sometimes you’re the bug,” the youngsters are told ...

“Hi again, Ms. Batty here to give you a little update on the goings on at The Eckert James River Bat Cave Preserve. Last week I talked about the pups that are being born, how they are born and how fast they grow. I promised to tell you more about our diet as we try to feed our little ones so that they will be on their own in about four weeks after they are born.

Are you a Puncher supporter? If you are, and if you have not seen the State Champion Football trophy, be sure to stop by. The superintendent has graciously allowed us to feature a display of last year’s football trophies, game balls, the First Place Team Tennis trophy, and other memorabilia.

Raw apple cider vinegar has been touted as a health tonic for many years. Its use for health is documented back to the time of Hippocrates in 400 B.C. Raw apple cider vinegar is known particularly for helping with digestion and for weight loss. The “raw” component is essential because the vinegar needs to be alive with active enzymes and cultures.

The heat is on! Nope, I’m not talking about The Miami Heat, even though they did sizzle last week. Personally, my sights were on The OKC Thunder to cool things off. Back to the subject…………folks, it’s getting hot! We’re back to the ole, “get up early and get things done before it gets too hot”, routine.

This is a topic we have all been hearing about, but all of the media attention is working! Texas leads the nation in these types of deaths (80 during 1998-2011), and it doesn’t hurt to hear it again. Nationally, there have already been four hyperthermia deaths so far in 2012, with one having occurred in Texas.

The Mason Lions club met Tuesday, June 19th, for its regular weekly luncheon meeting. There were 37 members and nine visitors in attendance. Riley Kothmann, District 3 CTEC Director spoke about the electrical needs of the state of Texas. Riley said, with demands for electrical power increasing and no new generating facilities being built, the rolling blackouts experienced in February 2011 could become more commonplace.

It’s summer time and time to go on vacation! I’ve had some great vacations in my days. I don’t plan to go by airplane, unless it’s an emergency. One set of my kids just got back from the Florida beach! They were lucky that they got out before Debbie hit.

A fellow named John Lloyd Scharf recently sent a letter to the Texas Parks & Wildlife Dept. to ask if it would be legal to shoot bigfoot in the Lone Star State. No doubt you’re thinking I made this letter up, but I assure you I didn’t. All you have to do is google ‘bigfoot,’ or maybe ‘John Lloyd Scharf,’ and in a few minutes you’ll be rolling on the floor, holding your sides, laughing hard enough to dislodge one of your favorite lungs. Sch ...

I had forgotten how good Maine smells! As we unloaded from our rental vehicle at the cottage in Pemaquid, Maine, on the Thursday night we arrived, my senses were overcome with the smell of balsam, salt water and flowers. It was a cool 53 degrees, and we made quick work of unpacking our bags and settling on the porch for conversation and cocktails. The trip to Maine was long overdue.

In last week's article about the Kothmannville School, the origin of the article was incorrectly attributed. It was written by Gilbert Kothmann, son of August Kothmann. Gilbert passed the piece on to his son, Kenneth Kothmann who relayed it to Roy Lehmberg before passing to Mary L. Schmidt and Patsy Brandenberger.

On July the 3rd, the Gillespie County Democratic Club will be hosting a reception for candidates seeking office across the state and to celebrate the Year of the Woman. Two candidates, Rebeca C. Martinez and Candace Duval will be honored at a Meet the Candidates Reception to be held at the Tatsch House at Lady Bird Johnson Municipal Park from 6:00-8:00 PM.

Ramona Kelso owned and operated Ramona’s Gallery for forty-one years. Though now retired from business, she has certainly not retired from her painting and crafting. Her talents are well-known in our community, and the library is pleased to display some of her oil paintings, room miniatures, and afghans for the next six weeks.

MASON, Texas. UK based Tarian Films is delighted to announce that their most recent film production, WE WENT TO WAR, commissioned for Film4 by Channel 4 in the UK and created by British filmmakers Michael Grigsby & Rebekah Tolley, will have its U.S. premiere in Mason, Texas, Saturday, July 14, 2012, 2pm at the Odeon Theater. WE WENT TO WAR returns to the heartlands of Texas 40 years after Michael Grigsby’s film I WAS A SOLIDER was released to continue the story of combat vet ...

Congratulations on your decision to make physical activity a part of your lifestyle! There are so many advantages of your choice. A free Lunch ‘N Learn program open to all citizens of the Mason area focused on your interest in exercise is offered by the Wesley Nurse at First United Methodist Church.

The Gillespie County Historical Society is offering the public the opportunity to meet Charles Kettner , Ph. D., editor of the book, Die Kettner Briefe, on Saturday, July 7, 2012 at the Vereins Kirche on Marktplatz from 10:00 A. M. to noon. Kettner will be available to review his book as well as sign the book which contains 39 letters exchanged between Franz Kettner and his family in Germany during the years 1850 - 1875.

Second Chance – Mason Animal Rescue would like to announce the start of our 2012 Sponsorship Drive. Our mission is to advocate for the humane treatment of animals and stray animal control, facilitate a spay and neuter program, prevent abandonment of animals, and provide education in animal care, behavior and humane treatment of animals. Second Chance is looking to members and businesses in the community to help us with our mission. If you or a business would like t ...

Computer Basics III: Thursday, June 28, 6:30-7:30 P.M.

After a wonderful rain that cancelled our May meeting. The Hill Country CattleWomen met on June 19 at the Wild Seed Farm in Fredericksburg. A short social was held then the business meeting at which time our scholarship recipients were announced to the membership. The recipients and their respective counties are: Trey Brooks of Llano, Karley Griffin of Bandera, Mollie Lastovica of Gillespie, Elizabeth (Beth Anne) Klein of Gillespie, Jesse Ovard of Gillespie, and Michael Torzewski of K ...

The Fine Arts Association of the Hill Country officers met on Wednesday June 20th at COCOA LUNA in Mason, Texas, to continue planning an exciting year of programs, creative sessions and opportunities for all to enjoy. Kicking off our events in September will be a field trip to Mason resident and famed world sculptor and artist, Bill Worrell, at his studio and Outdoor Art Installation. Consider joining this organization, as you will then have the opportunity to explore the arts as they ...

I recently went to the Rolling Plains Bobwhite Brigade. The Brigades are a five day long, intense camp where you learn about conservation, leadership, teambuilding, media skills, and at the Bobwhite Brigade; quail. If you didn’t want to learn about quail, the Texas Brigades have more to offer. There are two Bobwhite Brigades, two Buckskin Brigades, Bass Brigade, and this year the 1st Battalion Waterfowl Brigade.

Pet Tip of The Week: Healthy, young dogs should receive at least 30 minutes to an hour of exercise daily. Break up the time and vary activities to keep your dog (and you!) interested. Second Chance would like to thank our anonymous donor for offering to pay for the spaying of one of our recently adopted dogs, as well as another anonymous donor whose donation made it possible for us to spay one of our foster dogs.

The James River Cowboys put together another very successful two and a half day fishing trip out on the river, June 9, 10 and 11, pulling out all of their fishing know-how once again, despite fidgety fingers and somewhat wobbly legs on nearly 80-year-old body frames. Closing out another annual yearly event with the fray and some extra good homemade victuals from the wifes, afternoon of June 21st at the Charles and Barbara Pluenneke residence here in Mason.

A Preschool Graduation Ceremony was held on May 20, 2012 at Little Punchers Child Development Center for eleven children who will be attending Pre-K at Mason Elementary next year. The center was overflowing with over 85 attendees, as friends and family shared in the recognition and celebration. One of the business goals of Little Punchers is to award scholarships to each of the children who graduate from the preschool program.

Audra Head, 22, daughter of Walter and Diana Head of Art, Texas, won the title of National Champion at the Intercollegiate Horse Show Association National Finals in May 2012. Audra is a senior at West Texas A&M University in Canyon, Texas, majoring in equine business. Audra traveled to Raleigh, North Carolina, for the IHSA National Finals with other members of the WTAMU equestrian team, and ultimately took the top award.

Jeff and Deborah Whitaker of Devine, Texas and Doug and Carla Paneitz of Houston, Texas are pleased to announce the engagement and approaching marriage of their children Regina Janette Whitaker to Michael Andrew Paneitz on September 29, 2012, at the Lone Oak Winery in Burleson, Texas. Bride-elect Regina is a 1999 graduate of Devine High School and a 2003 graduate of Tarleton State University with a Bachelor Degree in Agricultural Service’s and Development and a Master’s Degree in Ag ...

Kurt Hofmann and Kimberly Davis were united in marriage on Saturday, February 25, 2012, at Rocky Point Baptist Church in Stephenville, Texas. Kurt is the son of Bruce and Kerry Hofmann and grandson of Raymond and Odessa Kimbriel , and the late Herbert and Verna Lee Hofmann, all of Mason. Kimberly is the daughter of Brad and Avonna Davis of Denton, Texas. The Officiant was Pastor Derek Dodson.

Matt Hey of Mason and Talina Higuchi of Leander, Texas, are pleased to announce the engagement and upcoming marriage of their daughter, Chelsea D’Lynn Hey to Gregory Daniel Crawford, son of Clarence and Teri Crawford of Falls City, Texas. Chelsea is a graduate of Mason High School and is a licensed Physical Therapist Assistant accredited through Austin Community College’s Allied Health Institute program.

STEPHENVILLE, TX (06/21/2012)— Makenzie Mitchell of Mason was recently named to Tarleton State University’s A Honor Roll List for the spring 2012 semester at the university’s Stephenville campus. Mitchell is majoring in Kinesiology. Students making the list have a 4.0 grade point ratio on the 4.0 system and are taking a minimum of 12 credit hours.

STEPHENVILLE, TX (06/21/2012)— Tarleton State University’s spring commencement was held May 12, 2012 at Tarleton’s Memorial Stadium. The following candidates have satisfactorily met the university’s requirements for their individual degree programs and have been awarded their diplomas. Honor designations for undergraduate degrees are: Summa Cum Laude (Highest Honors), Magna Cum Laude (High Honors) and Cum Laude (Honors). Amy Whitaker of Mason graduated f ...

The newly elected board members of the Mason I.S.D. held their first meeting as a group on June 18. One of the first orders of business was to elect officers. The board members, and their offices are: left to right: Jeff Owen (President), Tina Cantu (Secretary), Treg Hudson (Vice-President), Jeff Durst, Chad Lemke, Tommy Bierschwale and James K.

Attention….. Attention Very important Food bank will have new hours for the Summer Open July 9th at 8:30 till 11:00am August 13th at 8:30 till 11:00am If raining on the hand out day then we will be open the next day. *****************************Atención ..... Atención Muy importante Banco de alimentos tendrá nuevos horarios para el verano Abra 09 de julio -08:30 hasta las 11:00 am de agosto- ...

Mrs. Kenneth N. Striegler nee Dora Rosa Jung of Fredericksburg formerly of Mason passed away on Sunday, June 17th, 2012 in the Knopp Health Care & Rehab Center in Fredericksburg at the age of 87 years. Dora was born on March 13th, 1925 in Gillespie County, Texas the daughter of Joseph H.

Robert Preiss, Jr. of Hobbs, New Mexico, passed away on May 24, 2012, at Lea Regional Medical Center at the age of 86. He was born April 6, 1926, in Mason, Texas, to Robert and Dora Umfrid Priess. He married Lizzie Marie Henrich January 1, 1944, in St. Paul Lutheran Church in Mason, Texas.

Shaun Robert Capps died June 21, 2012, when life support was removed after 16 days in a coma. He was in a Denver, Colorado, medical center after suffering a stroke on June 2, 2012. Shaun was born July 16, 1965, in Abilene and had lived in the Lampasas and Dallas area most of his life.

Bradley Laxson from Streeter recently attended the FFA Ag Clay shoot in San Antonio, Texas. He shot his first 75 and 100 straight in the trap competition by shooting four perfect rounds of 25 each. This was the first 100 recorded since the beginning of the FFA Ag Clay shoot five years ago. This is Bradley’s second year to compete in the FFA shoot and his fourth year to compete in 4-H Shotgun Shooting.