Heavy rains in Menard and Kimble County raised water levels in the Llano and San Saba Rivers over the weekend. This was the scene at the Highway 87 roadside park on the San Saba River in McCulloch County on Friday afternoon.

Two weeks ago, the Teens in the Driver’s Seat organization at MHS started off a very busy and important week by conducting a school-wide pledge in cooperation with “It Can Wait,” AT&T’s nation wide campaign to bring awareness to the dangers that texting while driving pose to our nation’s teens.

On Monday, May 20th, members of the Mason Bluebonnet Study Club carpooled to the Long Mountain Community Club. There, Mr. & Mrs. Bill Hight gave a history of the building which was the area’s school in the early part of the 1900’s and followed by several stories involving students and teachers that attended the country school.

Mason Community Foundation, Inc. awarded funds to the Mason ISD Student Health Advisory Council for Shattered Dreams, an educational experience designed to remind people of the dangers associated with drinking and driving. The reinactment was held Tuesday, May 14, at the high school. The project is brought to Mason ISD every four years and involves student actors, local emergency and public safety personnel, Air Evac Lifeteam and many others.

The latest Mason City Commission held their first meeting since the May 11th election last week. Left to right: Commissioner William Beaty, City Secretary Pattie Grote, Commissioner John Gammill, Commissioner Sabin Nelson, Mayor Brent Hinckley, Commissioner Anna Velez and City Administrator John Palacio.

The Kerrville Air Evac Lifeteam crew recently participated in Mason High School’s Shattered Dreams event. The school-based program promotes responsible decisions among high school students, and shows how choices like drinking and driving can shatter a life. Mason County EMS also participated in the annual event. Pictured is Air Evac Lifeteam flight paramedic Terry Fritz.

On Friday, May 10th the Lamplight Designs sponsored student art show culminated with a closing reception at the Topaz Confections bakery. The show consisted of 49 students exhibiting 52 works of art. Present at the reception were a handful of students, friends, and family. I would like to acknowledge one particular person in attendance: Linnda Graham.

Bill Hight, with the assistance of his grandson, Aiden Sharabba of Houston, will conduct Memorial Day Services at the Long Mountain Cemetery, Monday morning at 9 AM, May 27, 2013. The subject will be comparisons of the two Armies in accordance to numbers in service and losses in the Civil War.

May 8th was an exciting day at Mason Elementary. We had our 1st Annual Leadership Luau. The Leadership Luau was an opportunity for the students at Mason Elementary to show how The Leader in Me program has been put into action throughout our school. As most of the community knows, Mason Elementary received a grant to implement The Leader in Me program, which teaches leadership skills to our students by learning and practicing the 7 Habits of Highly Effective People.

On Monday, May 13th and Tuesday, May 14th, Mason High School, along with many community volunteers and the Student Health Advisory Committee of Mason ISD, presented the Shattered Dreams program. Around 35 student participants attended a retreat on Monday night at the Eckert Civic Center where they listened to TABC Officer Michael Deans and Deputy Sherriff Lewis Herrington as they discussed legal issues involved in alcohol use among teens, true stories of shattered dreams and the importance of ...

The Mason Community Thrift Store is moving to the Old Post Office building on the southwest corner of the Square. Our current leased site at 330 Ft. McKavitt is no longer available. That building has been sold. We are planning to move before Round-Up weekend in mid-July. Until the move is completed we will continue to operate at our current site. The Mason Community Foundation, which operates the Community Thrift Store, is purchasing the Old Post Office.

Last week, the Wibby Shearer Archives Room was dedicated at Fort Mason. A large crowd of friends and family members were on hand to celebrate the opening of this wonderful addition to the Fort. The family of Wibby Shearer assembled in the new archive room for this photo. Back row, left to right: Kris Lloyd, Billy Bob Lloyd and Bill Sheppard.

Last week's hail storm followed a path from Hext, to Streeter, then on to Erna, Hilda and Loyal Valley. These large stones fell at Ray and Judy Uherek's.