May 6, 2009

Jatelyn Waite has been diagnosed with EPENDYMOMA, and had a large tumor removed from her brain on April 27th. Unfortunately the worst of our fears was confirmed. This is a very aggressive cancer. Jatelyn’s tumor was determined to be at STAGE 3. Jatelyn will begin radiation treatment the first week of June.

On Saturday, September 5th, 2009, you are invited to join Mason County at the First Annual Labor Day Weekend Festival resulting from family fun in Mason’s 25 year apple orchard. The Fest will be held on the Courthouse lawn in the downtown Square of historic Mason, Texas. There will be many vendors as well as a variety of events to visit.

DATES TO REMEMBER May 1st, Final date to file acreage report for small grains May 14th , Producers Meeting May 25th, Office Closed for Memorial Day June 4th, Llano Beef Range Day July 3rd. Office Closed for Independence Day July 15th. Final Certification Date FARM PROGRAM MEETING Texas AgriLife Extension and FSA are partnering to hold regional meetings to explain new programs added by the 2008 Farm Bill.

Dorrett Townsend's Cactus/Experimental won the "People's Choice Award" at this weekend's Fine Arts Association Gala & Art Show. Photo by Kyle Martin.

The County will hold an election on sales/use tax on Saturday, May 9, from 7:00 a.m. till 7:00 p.m. All voting will be done at the Commissioners' Courtroom rather than the separate polling places voters might be accustomed to in other elections. The City of Mason will be electing a Commissioner for District 1 to fill the unexpired term of Eloise Burges.

The National Women Build Week event at the newest Habitat home in Mason brought out ladies from all over the county to help with the latest build. There were up to 30 women working on the house (along with some very lucky gentlemen), including four women who are already living in Habitat homes.

Beginning with this school year Rochelle ISD will begin hosting our their own Project Graduation. In the past Rochelle has participated with Brady and Lohn for a county wide Project Graduation at Curtis Field. This year Rochelle Project Graduation will take place in the old gym from 9:30 p.m. to 4:30 a.m.

The first S.O.S. “Save Our Summer” City Swimming Pool fundraiser was held last Friday, May 1st. The shirt & bake sale was a huge success and we appreciate all those who baked the wonderful goodies and everyone who made donations. The new S.O.S. shirts made their debut on Friday and include the pool’s new mascot, Simon the Frog.

Periodically, a telephone scam where a caller appears to be a representative of the court system resurface to target potential victims, leading to identity theft. To protect you and your customers' identities from being stolen, please be aware of how the scam works so preventive measures can be taken. How the Scam Works An individual calls claiming to be a jury coordinator and questions why you did not report for jury duty as required.

Financing college is becoming a little easier, thanks to the 2009 economic stimulus bill. For 2009 and 2010 – perhaps longer, pending Congressional approval – several education assistance programs are being expanded by hundreds of millions of dollars. Here are highlights: Pell Grant increases. The maximum annual amount for Pell Grants (free scholarships for lower-income students) increases from $4,731 to $5,350 in 2009.

Drought, increasing costs may encourage conservation tillage in Texas UVALDE – Increasing production costs and prolonged drought should provide Texas producers with more of an incentive to use conservation tillage techniques, said Texas AgriLife Research and Texas AgriLife Extension Service experts. “Conservation tillage has not been well established in many areas of Texas, but it has tremendous water- and labor-saving potential for the state’s farmers,” said Dr.

Applications for emergency farm loans for damages and losses caused by Drought, above-normal temperatures, and associated wildfires on January 1, 2009, and continuing are being accepted at the Farm Service Agency (FSA) office located in Hamilton County, D. Dale Vann, Sr. said today. Mason is 1 out of 170 counties in Texas recently named by Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack eligible for loans to cover part of actual production losses resulting from the damages and losses caused by drought. ...

According to a recent study, 20 percent of teenagers have electronically sent or posted naked or semi-naked photographs of themselves online. Even more teens are sending suggestive or explicit e-mails, instant messages (IMs) or text messages – in some cases to people they have never met in person, but only know online. While most expect that the content will only be viewed by a trusted boyfriend or girlfriend, too often that is not the case.

The Hill Country Chapter of the American Red Cross, Kerrville, Texas reminds everybody that it is important to stay informed and adapt your plans and supplies to meet your personal needs in the event of an evacuation due to tornadoes and high winds for mobile homes, RVs and temporary trailers.

Roundup parade applications are now available at the Mason Chamber of Commerce. You may stop by to pick up a form or we can fax it or mail it to you upon request. There is no charge for entering the parade. However, we must receive a written description of 25 words or less for the parade announcer with each entry.

If your child will be attending Pre-Kindergarten NEXT school year (August 2009), please remember to come by the school anytime between 7:45 am and 3:45 pm to register your child. The following are the guidelines for registering your child for Pre-K: · Your child must be 4 years old on or before September 1st to attend Pre-K.

Mason Elementary/Jr. High School will be hosting a Scholastic Book Fair Monday, May 11th thru Wednesday, May 13th in their Library. We will be open from 8:00-11:00 and 1:00-3:00 on Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday. There will also be a special opportunity to select books with your child at our Family Night on Tuesday, May 12th from 5:00-7:00 p.m.

Riata's April meeting was held at the home of Florene Hofmann, with Becky Griffith serving as co-hostess. Rita Ash was welcomed as our guest speaker and gave a very interesting talk about their experiences as missionaries in Nigeria. She and her husband, Pastor Ray Ash, served as Baptist missionaries there from 1989 until 1994.

ABILENE - Planning for the unexpected is the theme of a multi-county Texas AgriLife Extension Service estate-planning seminar set for May 18 in Abilene. The seminar will be from 9 a.m.-3:30 p.m. in the Big Country Hall located next to the AgriLife Extension offices in Taylor County, 1982 Lytle Way in Abilene.

Date: May 14, 2009 Location: Jacoby’s Café, Melvin TX 2:00 Welcome, Introductions, Review of Agenda 2:15 Overview of 2008 Farm Bill Bill Thompson- Extension Economist, Texas AgriLife Extension Service 2:45 Payment Limitations, Direct Attribution and Adjusted Gross Income Thresholds Bobby Schmidt- McCulloch County FSA Executive Director 3:15 Break 3:30 Supplemental Agricultural Disaster Assistance Wade Polk-Risk Management Specialist, Texas AgriLife Extension Service 3:45 Average ...

Dortha A. “Dot” McWilliams died May 1, 2009, in Papillion, NE. Born May 12, 1924, in Mason, TX, to Ed and Drucilla (Ferguson) Doyal. Married Milton B. “Mac” McWilliams on May 9, 1942, in San Antonio, TX. During her sixty-five year marriage she encountered many adventures as a military wife of twenty-five years.

Nonie A. Simpson, a life time resident of Castell, Texas, passed away on Thursday, April 30, 2009, in Fredericksburg, Texas, at the age of 96. She was born on October 4, 1912, to Henrietta (Schneider) and Jim Kothmann in Castell, Texas. Mrs. Simpson had a passion for crocheting, flower gardening, peacocks, and visiting with people.

Carol Dyal, Bob Dyal, Van Rea and Willeda Rea enjoy visiting at Friday night's art gala.

The following people worked on cleaning up the fort Tuesday April 28. Tom & Brenda Koepke, George & Judy Shoenfeld, Fran Hoerster, Delores Keller, Bridgett langdale and Dane Phillips.

A smorgasbord of stimuli was available to taunt, tease and please one’s senses at the recent art show held in Mason. Naturally, the “eyes” had it: it was, after all, an art show. The mediums used ranged from oils to photography, to metal sculptures to jewelry. After a while some of the artist’s styles were recognizable. The aural sense could delight in the buzz of friendly conversation and laughter which ran the gamut from “tinkling” to hearty, booming guffaws.

Mason, Texas was once again the hub of much art activity this past weekend. Everyone driving through town or simply around the square on Friday evening knew, without a doubt, that a party was either about to begin or was already in progess on the northeast corner of the beautiful, historic square.

NAVAL AIR STATION PATUXENT RIVER, Md., April 22, 2009- Lt. Cmdr. Michael D. Durst, Integrated Product Team Co-Lead for the Naval Air Systems Command (NAVAIR) Hawkeye Greyhound Program (PMA-231) retired from the United States Navy at Naval Air Station, Patuxent River, Md., March 27, after 20 years of service. “This retirement is an opportunity for retrospection,” Durst said.

The "survivor lap" during Mason's recent cancer relay.

The Mason 4-H Club had 19 participants in the District 7 Livestock Judging Contest on April 22, 2009, in San Angelo. We had one Senior team, two Intermediate teams and two Junior teams. The Senior team consisted of Garrett Allen, Jeffrey Burton and Zach Graves. The Senior was 6th High in Reasons and 8th High Team Overall. The Intermediate team made up of Rio Schmidt, Katherine Koock, Coby Velez and Rylee Owen came in 1st Place Team Overall, High Team in Swine and High Team in Sheep/Goats.

Lots of little things to run through this week. Oddly enough, this is one of the first weeks I've had in a while that has absolutely nothing scheduled, and that makes me a bit nervous! Oh well, everyone needs breathing room. Truancy Cases The San Antonio Express-News had a front page Metro article about a truancy case in Mason.

Dear Gerry, Congress is considering legislation which would have a profound effect on patient’s access to vital medical supplies, including diabetic supplies, canes, and walkers. The federal government is requiring community pharmacies like mine to go through a lengthy and costly “accreditation” process in order to continue to provide my senior patients Durable Medical Equipment (DME), even though 17 other health care providers are already exempt from this process.

Joe Martinez, at center, was honored on Friday by the City of Mason for his 30 years of service (so far) to that entity. Left to right: Marcus Martinez, Amanda Orozpe, Joe, Irene Martinez, and Joe Martinez Jr.

Dale and Kaelyn Geistweidt announce the engagement and approaching marriage of their son Matthew Baze Geistweidt to Ashley Carroll McCauley, daughter of Cliff and Denisa McCauley of San Antonio, Texas. Miss McCauley is a 2004 graduate of McArthur High School in San Antonio and a 2008 graduate of Texas A&M University in College Station with a degree in Accounting.

Kambree Kothmann happily announces the birth of her brother, Kanyon Lee Kothmann. Kanyon was born March 26, 2009, at Hill Country Memorial Hospital weighing seven pounds five ounces and measuring twenty inches long.. He is welcomed by parents, Kevin & Melissa Kothmann, grandparents, Steve & Karen Toone and Billy & Marsha Kothmann, and great grandmother, Etta Marie Mutschink.

Ellie Blair, daughter of Michele and Paul Smith received a first place at the Texas UIL Regional Academic Competition competing in Poetry Interpretation. The competition was held in Brenham, Tx. Ellie will advance to compete at the UIL State Academic competition being held in Austin, Tx. later this month. Her family and friends wish her well!

Mark Hurta is shown holding his desk plaque and three of the certificates he received April 30th at the Tyler Junior College Leadership Banquet. Tyler Junior College held their Annual Leadership Banquet. Mark Hurta of Mason received recognition certificates in four categories. “Organization of the Year Leadership” as president of the Resident Housing Association.

Walmart in Brady recently made a number of donations to groups in the Mason and Brady area. At top, Mason County Habitat for Humanity accepts a $1,500 donation. Left to right: Bob Smithson (Walmart manager), Curtis Schulze, Paul Branch, Jamie Medrano (Walmart), Rene Schulze and Gerry Gamel. Middle photo: Walmart donates $1,000 to Bluebonnet CASA which serves Mason, Kimble, Menard and McCulloch counties.

Ben Bjork received a superior rating in Division 1/First Year Art Student for his oil pastel titled “Still Yet Moving” at the state competition of the Texas Visual Art Scholastic Event at the University of Houston Clearlake held on April 17th. The state event juried 1200 works out of 20,000 works of art from high school students that competed across the state this year.

Emerald. Esmeralda. Lily of the Valley. Lilies DeValle. English or Spanish, May is here. Mayo e aqui. Green as an emerald. Thanks to the mighty rain. Such power to paint an entire county. And in every shade of green at that. The official May flower is blooming too. As are a plethora of others. May is not full of promise. It IS the promise. Of new life. And rebirth. The joyful Gaillardia. And perky Spiderwort. The hawk. The doves. Mourning. White-winged. And Inca. The glim ...

Greetings! These are beautiful days to get out into God’s world and explore the greatness of His creation. Have a happy day. Wish Mark Mutschink a very happy birthday on April 14th. Have a really great day Mark! Our sincere condolences go to the family of John and Susan Ceynowa after the death on Sunday morning of their son Scott’s three year old step-daughter Mallary.

It is very possible for this flu outbreak to reach a pandemic level, which would mean we should all stay at home. You can prepare for an influenza pandemic just in case! To plan for a pandemic: Store a two week supply of water and food. During a pandemic, if you cannot get to a store, or if stores are out of supplies, it will be important for you to have extra supplies on hand.

Flu Bug Flying High… Column #314 for Release Saturday, May 2, 2009 Dogs’ barks, the saying goes, typically are worse than their bites. Not so, however, with swine flu, whose potential dangers loom to be far more ominous than a porcine’s “oink.” There’s never a convenient time for epidemics, or even worse, world-wide pandemics.

I’ve got bad news. Peaches, the little runt of Pearl's litter, died. She was the one that was so tiny and was marked like a Holstein cow. However, there’s good news, too! Cooter and Sadie May are doing well. Sadie May has two black spots on each side of her tail and two black horns on top of her head.

There are certain things an outdoor writer is definitely not supposed to do, and getting lost is about four of them. We are also not supposed to, while loading a firearm, say “I never can remember which way these bullet doo-hickeys go in there.” And certainly, under no circumstances, are we supposed to say, “Ewwwww” when we’re field dressing an animal.

Summer is a busy time at the M. Beven Eckert Memorial Library with Reading programs beginning Monday, June 8. Volunteers are needed to lead or help with a one week activity program for young children, help with the Read To Swim program, and to shelve children’s books. If you would like to help children have a fun experience at the library please call 325-347-5446 or come by 410 Post Hill. NEW ARRIVALS - Quotes are from the cover or summary. Wear Your Life Well: Use What You Have to Get What ...

The Good Old Days The elderly like to say “take me back to the good old days,back to the days when reading and writing and rithmetic were taught to the tune of a hickory stick. Back to the days when everyone thrilled to love songs filled with memories of a girl in calico writing on her sweetheart’s old time slate ‘I love you Joe’.

This article is for those of you that got the email on swine flu prevention and care listing N-Acetyl-Cysteine and Oscillo as the 2 must have products for the coming epidemic. Many had never heard of either product – this will explain the first. N-Acetyl-Cysteine (NAC) is an amino acid. It is used by the liver and the lymphocytes to detoxify chemicals and other poisons.

No-Knead Bread (again!) Back in August of last year I shared a recipe with you that is fast, simple, and really requires none of the kneading that people seem so concerned about. It’s a great loaf of bread, and it graces our table on a regular basis. I just found a recipe for another “no-knead bread,” and just got through baking it and taste testing it.

The Mason Lions Club met Tuesday, April 28, for its regular weekly meeting. There were 31 members and 3 visitors in attendance. Lion Charles Pluenneke was responsible for the program and introduced John Davis who spoke about the Institute of Texas Cultures. It cam about because of Hemisfair, one of the last World's Fair.