ERNA Sands is producing high quality road base essential for local road repair, construction, and more. Stop by 224 Evans Lane Mason TX M-F from 6am-3pm to view our products in person or call 325-216-4189 to place your order.

💻 Browse products and learn more: www.ernasands.com

✍️ Letter from the Editor

Hey y’all,

August has a way of humbling even the toughest Texans. The roads shimmer, the tea glasses sweat, and the only things thriving are the mesquite trees and the cicadas. But here in The Townie, we’ve decided to embrace the heat — or at least find ways to make it work for us.

This week we’re giving you lake escapes and pink sauce recipes, celebrating servers who make your pasta nights brighter, and sharing the best little luxuries to survive a Texas summer with style. We’ve got plant-saving wisdom from Hazel Mae & Fern, a Love List stacked with cool treats and hot deals, and a few reasons to get out early before the pavement starts steaming.

So pour yourself something iced, put your feet up, and let this week’s edition be your shady porch in digital form. And if you see me at Joe’s Italian asking Lauren for “the usual,” just know — she probably already had it started before I walked in.

Stay cool,
Katie

🪑 Fresh Off the Porch 08/07/25

• Junction Summer Rodeo & Dance (Aug 8–9) – Junction’s annual rodeo features bull riding, nightly dances with Rick Trevino and Jason Boland & the Stragglers, a parade, and alumni reunions for a weekend of true Hill Country tradition.

• Mason County Military Museum Open Saturdays in August – Enjoy free Saturday tours highlighting local military history from the Civil War through present day. Exhibits open at 10 a.m. in Mason.

• Fort Mason Golf Association Annual Fundraiser (Aug 9) – A fun scramble tournament and raffle to benefit Comanche Creek Golf Course, bringing golfers and neighbors together.

• Live at the Odeon: Brazosport Big Band (Aug 9) – The historic Odeon Theater hosts an evening of swing and jazz classics from the Brazosport Big Band.

• Documentary Screening: “Where the Horses Heal the Soul” (Aug 10) – An inspiring community film night at the Odeon Theater exploring equine‑assisted healing and resilience.

• Classic Movie Night: Cinema Paradiso (Aug 20) – Mason’s Odeon Theater screens this beloved international film for a nostalgic summer evening.

• Heart of Texas Honky Tonk Fest (Aug 20–23) – Brady’s Ed Davenport Civic Center hosts multiple nights of honky‑tonk music, dancing, and classic country entertainment.

• 137th Gillespie County Fair (Aug 21–24) – Fredericksburg’s historic fair features horse races, a carnival midway, a Main Street parade, livestock shows, and live music.

• SBDC Lunch & Learn: “Get Found on Google Search & Maps” (Aug 28) – A free workshop to help local small businesses improve their online visibility.

• Becker Vineyards Grape Stomp (Aug 30–31) – Join in the harvest fun at Becker Vineyards in Fredericksburg, with grape stomping, live music, wine tastings, and vineyard tours.

• Fredericksburg Peach & Balloon Festival (Aug 30) – Celebrate the Hill Country’s peach season with peach‑themed foods, local wines, live music, and tethered hot‑air balloon rides.

• Frontera Healthcare Clinic Ribbon‑Cutting (Sept 3) – Tour the new clinic in Mason, enjoy refreshments, and meet the staff during this community celebration.

• 34th Mason Bank Golf Scramble Fundraiser (Sept 13) – This annual charity tournament supports Comanche Creek Golf Course and provides a day of fun competition.

Click here to 👉 Submit your good news or upcoming event to The Townie.

Weather at a Glance

Sun’s been hot enough to fry huevos, and it ain’t lettin’ up—highs climbing into the high‑90s this week ’round here. Nights stay mild in the 70s. Grab extra water for critters and keep that shade tarp ready—this Texas heat is workin’ overtime !

Community Content & Classifieds

💼 Job Board / Help Wanted

• 🦌 Hunting Guide Needed – Fredonia, TX
  Full-time hunting guide needed for MLD season + ranch work in the off-season.
  📞 Call Justin Mondrik at 830-317-1977 for more info.

🛠️ Local Services & Contractors

• Powers Aquatics Construction & Landscaping
  Call Lloyd Powers at 325-446-6085

• Nailed It Clearing and Dirt Work – Josh Nail
  Land clearing + dirt work. 325-347-7665

• Twisted K Construction – Ashton Kettinger
  Rural construction work. 830-333-4589

🫙 For Sale / Local Products

• Sheri Ivy’s Homemade Salsa
  $12/pint. Made locally. Limited batch. Stop by London Grocery & Grill (17451 US-377, London, TX 76854) or call (325) 475-2296 to place your order!

• 2020 Grand Design SOLITUDE 377MBS Fifth Wheel
  $42,500. Sleeps 10. 40 ft with 4 slide outs, king bed, bunks, and Cummins Onan generator. Well maintained. Mason County. Call Joel at (830) 777-7550 for more info.

🎟️ Community Events & Fundraisers

• London Community Assoc. Raffle – Drawing Sept 13
  Win firearms or a Lyssy & Eckel gift card. Tickets: $5 or 5 for $20.
  📞 Call Philip at 325-446-5344

Click here to 👉 Submit your classified to The Townie.

Snoop that listing! — Real Estate

Real Estate Sponsor – Refuge Decor & Designs – Affordable decorating services to make your home a place you love again.
📧 [email protected] | 📞 254‑630‑8950 | Facebook

FOR SALE

• 3BR / 2BA home on small acreage in Erna, TX. 1985 double-wide mobile home needs full remodel. Well, septic, and electric in place. Nice front-yard shade tree and direct highway access. $75,000. Call Randy at (325) 347-2520.

Click here to 👉 Submit your real estate or rental to The Townie.

Business Backbone with Walt & Nadine

Olive Branch Counseling & Training – Serving ages 3 to 103. Specializing in life transitions, grief, and trauma. You don’t have to do life alone.
🌐 olivebranchsa.com | 📞 210‑564‑4310

Letter from:
Hungry to Learn, But Miles from Town

Q: Dear Walt & Nadine,
I run a small landscaping business out here where the closest Walmart is 40 minutes away. I know my trade, but I’d like to get better at the business side — money management, marketing, operations, leading my small crew. The problem is, most workshops or classes I hear about are in Austin or Dallas, and that’s a haul. Where can rural business owners like me find training that’s actually accessible? Should I be looking to Kerrville or San Angelo? Or is online my best bet?

— Hungry to Learn, But Miles from Town

Click here to 👉 Submit your Q to Walt & Nadine.

WALT: You don’t have to drive three hours to learn how to read a balance sheet.

1. First, call your bank. A good local banker will sit down and explain cash flow, credit, and loans for free.

2. Second, talk to your suppliers. They know what’s selling, what’s slow, and what other folks are trying.

3. Third, check with the county extension office. They run more business classes than you think, and they’re usually cheap.
   

   If you do go to Kerrville or San Angelo, make it worth the gas — hit two or three stops in one trip. But don’t overcomplicate it. A lot of business “education” is just common sense plus paying attention to your numbers.

NADINE: Walt’s right — don’t underestimate what’s already in your backyard.
Here’s where I’d start:

• SCORE & SBDC – The Small Business Development Center in San Angelo offers free, one-on-one business advising, plus webinars you can join from home. SCORE mentors will work with you by phone or Zoom.

• Local chambers & economic development groups – You can usually join and attend workshops or networking events in your town or even further out like, Kerrville or San Angelo.

• Community colleges – Many have short business courses online or in evening formats. Howard College and Schreiner University both have offerings.

• Industry associations – Landscaping groups, for example, have free guides, toolkits, and sometimes leadership training.

• YouTube & podcasts – Search for specific skills (“QuickBooks basics,” “crew leadership tips”) and you can get a free crash course anytime.

Blend local connections with online learning, and you’ll build the practical skills you need without losing whole days to travel.

Biz You Didn’t Know Existed

1. Cross Keys Designs – Interior design that tells your story through your space.
   📧 [email protected] | Facebook

2. WIN Women’s Innovation Network – Networking and learning for women in business.
   📧 [email protected] | Event Info

3. Heart of Texas Taxidermy – Preserving your hunting trophies for a lifetime.
   🌐 heartoftexastaxidermy.com | 📞 972‑965‑4090

4. Alison Pounds Yoga – Somatic yoga for chronic stress, anxiety, and trauma.
   🌐 alisonpoundsyoga.com | 📧 [email protected] | 📞 423‑295‑5294

*sponsored 👉 Click here to advertise in The Townie — all ads free until Oct.

💼 Job of the Week

Hunting Guide – Fredonia, TX

Love the outdoors? Know your way around a ranch?
We’re looking for a full-time hunting guide for the MLD season — with year-round ranch work in the off-season. 📞 Call Justin Mondrik at 830-317-1977 to apply.

ERNA Sands is Hiring!

Join a growing team at Mason’s own sand plant. Entry-level role with warehouse + office tasks. Must be 18+, able to lift 50 lbs, and eager to learn. We’ll train the right fit.
📧 Apply: [email protected]

*sponsored 👉 Click here to advertise in The Townie — all ads free until Oct.

Career & Money with Laurel and Reese

RV EMT – Mobile RV repairs, reliable parts, and gear to keep your adventures rolling. Certified techs, warranty work, and a stocked parts store.
🌐 rvemt.com | 📧 [email protected] | 📞 512‑228‑1669

Q: Laurel and Reese, My husband and I have been renting a house in town for several years now. The owner has it listed for sale and we would like to buy it but we can't afford the listing price. What are some creative ways we can turn this into a win for our family as well as our landlord?

— House Hungry-but hopeful

Click here to 👉 Submit your Q to Laurel & Reese.

Dear House-Hungry but Hopeful,

First—kudos for wanting to turn this into a win-win instead of a tug-of-war. The fact that you’ve been solid tenants for years already gives you leverage most buyers can’t match: the seller knows you, you know the property, and there’s zero turnover hassle. That’s worth money in their pocket.

Here’s how to think creatively about this:

1. Pitch the “Easiest Sale They’ll Ever Make”

You can skip showings, staging, realtor commissions, and months of uncertainty. A typical seller pays 5–6% in agent fees alone—on a $300K home, that’s $15K–$18K. Use that to justify a lower price.

Script:

2. Ask About Seller Financing

Instead of you getting a bank loan right away, the seller becomes the lender for part (or all) of the purchase price. You make monthly payments directly to them, often at a rate you negotiate. This could bridge the gap between what you can borrow now and the list price.

3. Propose a Lease-to-Own

You keep renting but with part of your monthly payment going toward the purchase price. This lets you lock in a buy price now while giving you time to save for a bigger down payment or improve your credit.

4. Offer a Quick, As-Is Sale

If the house needs repairs, offer to take it as-is (no inspection haggling) in exchange for a price cut. This could appeal if your landlord is eager to sell and move on.

5. Sweeten with Flexibility

Find out their “real” goal—fast cash? Moving by a certain date? Avoiding capital gains? If they need time to relocate, you could buy but lease it back to them for a few months. If they need liquidity, maybe you make a bigger down payment in exchange for a lower total price.

Reese’s curveball: If they’re resistant on price, ask for value elsewhere. Could they throw in appliances, furniture, or pay some closing costs? Or—wild card—could they finance part of your down payment as a gift of equity (not as rare as it sounds)?

The big takeaway: Don’t start with “We can’t afford it”—start with “We want to make this sale the simplest and most profitable it can be for you.” Lead with the benefits to them, then show how the numbers make sense for you.

If you want, we can help you draft an exact proposal letter that makes it hard for them to say no.

Career & Money with Laurel & Reese

Home and Garden with Hazel Mae & Fern

Seaquist House – Mason’s historic home is open for public tours. Proceeds benefit restoration projects.
🌐 seaquist.org | 📞 325‑347‑4058

Dear Hazel Mae & Fern,

It’s hotter than the hinges of Hades out here, and my patio plants are throwing in the towel. The basil’s gone bitter, the petunias look like jerky, and my potted lemon tree is dropping fruit like it’s mad at me. I’ve tried watering in the morning, the evening, even whispered encouragement, but everything’s still wilting. My neighbor says to “just give up till fall,” but I’m not ready to surrender. How do I keep my plants — and my sanity — alive until the first blessed cold front?

— Sweatin’ in San Saba

Click here to 👉 Submit your Q to Hazel Mae and Fern.

Hazel Mae:
Honey, August in Texas is not for the faint of heart — or leaf. Right now, even the weeds are considering early retirement. First things first: stop fighting Mother Nature like she’s your meddlesome aunt and start playing defense. Anything in a dark pot? That’s just a stovetop for roots — slide those into the shade, pronto. Cut back your basil (don’t mourn, it’ll bounce back) and pinch the petunias down so they’re not wasting energy on half-hearted blooms. And for the love of sweet tea, water deep, not just a polite sprinkle. You’re not baptizing ’em, you’re trying to reach the roots.

Fern:
Hazel’s right — this is the season for protecting more than producing. Think of your plants as guests you’re sheltering from the heat. Group pots together so they create a little oasis for one another. Lay down a layer of mulch or even shredded leaves to keep the soil cool. Water at dawn when the air is still kind, and if you can, use collected rainwater — it’s softer on stressed plants. And remember, some of what you’re seeing isn’t failure; it’s adaptation. When the first cool front rolls in, they’ll greet it like an old friend.

Hazel Mae:
And if all else fails? Give yourself permission to “go dormant” too. Stick a lawn chair in the shade, pour something cold, and tell that neighbor of yours you’re just practicing strategic waiting.

Contractor’s Corner – House of Joy Art Studio
If your patio plants have waved the white flag, don’t despair — swing by House of Joy Art Studio in San Saba. Along with crafts, bakery treats, and home décor, you just might find a live plant or two ready to perk up your porch, plus friendly folks with tips for coaxing life back into the ones still hanging on. Vendor spaces available.
🌐 houseofjoyartstudio.com

Ladies, it’s hotter than a stolen jalapeño out there — but that’s no reason not to look and feel fabulous. We’ve rounded up our favorite treats, deals, and little luxuries to help you survive August with style. Click, shop, and smile knowing you’re keeping The Townie humming right along. Go on, darlin’ — treat yo’self.

🎒 Nike – Back to School Sale: 20% Off Select Styles
Fresh kicks and gear for the whole family — use code SPORT and strut into fall.
Shop Nike Deals

📸 Walgreens Photo – 40% Off Custom Gifts
Turn your summer snapshots into mugs, blankets, or school gear with code GIFTS-40.
Create Your Gift

🌿 Mixhers – Greens Supplement
Balance and detox without tasting like the lawn — sip your greens, feel like a queen.
Get Your Greens

🐾 BarkBox x Funboy – Free Splash Pad
Keep your pup (and toes) cool with a free Funboy splash pad on 6–12 month subscriptions.
Snag the Deal

💇‍♀️ dpHUE – Free Gloss+ Sheer Deluxe Sample
Touch up your roots and score a deluxe Gloss+ Sheer sample while supplies last.
Claim Your Gift

🎤 Stevie Nicks 2025 Tour – Tickets Available
Catch the queen of rock live — twirl, sing, repeat.
Find Your Seats

💻 FlexJobs – Legit Remote Jobs
Work where your iced coffee is — no scams, just real, flexible jobs.
Browse Remote Jobs

🥗 Green Chef – Healthy Meal Kits
Organic produce, premium proteins, and recipes delivered to your door.
Try Green Chef

🍽️ Local FAV: Lauren Youngblood at Joe’s Italian

The only thing brighter than Lauren’s smile is her razor-sharp wit. This gal keeps Joe’s Italian dining room humming like a well‑oiled machine, remembering your order before you’ve even unfolded the menu. She’s also the reason my BYOB wine has a proper glass waiting in the back — a small-town luxury if there ever was one. Bonus: she’ll tell you exactly what “pink sauce” is, and trust me, you won’t be disappointed. Stop in, ask for Lauren, and tell ’em The Townie sent ya.

📍 212 Fort McKavitt St, Mason, TX 76856 (also in Brady!)
📞 (325) 294‑4856
🍝 Pasta, pizza, pink sauce — and a server who’ll make you feel like family.

🍅 Try This Ingredient: Summer-Ripe Tomatoes

Tomatoes are strutting their stuff right now, and we say lean all the way in. Whether they’re from your backyard, the farmers’ market, or a neighbor’s “take some!” basket, these beauties deserve more than just a quick slice and salt.

👉 This week’s idea? Make your own Pink Sauce — Joe’s Italian–style. Word is, it’s a velvety marriage of tomato sauce and cream with just the right kick of garlic and herbs. Perfect over pasta, spooned onto chicken, or as a decadent dip for bread.

Here’s the gist: sauté garlic in olive oil, stir in crushed summer tomatoes, simmer with a pinch of sugar and salt, then swirl in heavy cream until it blushes. Toss in fresh basil before serving and watch everyone at the table go quiet with joy.

Travel and Dreamers: for when you want to wander but not too far…

Inks Lake State Park

When the temps soar, it’s time to head to the water — and Inks Lake is a Hill Country gem worth the short drive. Hubs and I hauled our new mini boat out there last weekend, cruised past limestone outcroppings, and even dropped a line or two. No trophy fish, but the views? Big win.

Pro tip: get there early. You’ll skip the entrance line and have first pick of the paddleboards, kayaks, and pedal boats for rent. The lake stays at a steady level year-round, so the water’s always ready for a swim, ski, or slow float. If you’d rather keep your feet on land, there are nine miles of shady hiking trails, picnic spots, and two fishing piers you can use without a license.

For a little adventure, check out Devil’s Waterhole — a short hike that rewards you with a swim and, if the creek’s running, waterfalls to explore. Or just plant yourself at a picnic table with a Kona Ice and watch the sunset paint the cliffs.

With nearly 200 campsites, 22 cabins, and plenty of family-friendly loops, Inks is perfect for a weekend getaway or a spontaneous day trip.

📍 3480 Park Road 4 West, Burnet, TX 78611
📞 (512) 793‑2223
🕒 Open daily, 6 a.m.–10 p.m. | $7 Adults, kids under 12 free
💻 Make a Reservation

🧭 Newcomers Welcome

Because moving to the Hill Country isn’t the same as figuring out how to live here.

📘 This Ain’t Austin: A Guide for Newcomers with Sense (and a Sense of Humor)
💵 Preorder for $6.99 | Grab it here

Whether you bought land in Mason, rented a fixer-upper in Junction, or showed up in Menard with big dreams and no clue what a stickerburr is — this lovingly irreverent guide is your unofficial survival manual for small-town Texas life.

Inside, you’ll find straight-up wisdom from real locals on how not to end up in the ER, the gossip column, or both.

Here’s a peek from Chapter 1: Welcome, Stranger —

This isn’t Austin. It’s not supposed to be. And that’s the point.

🗺️ Covers Mason, Menard, Junction, Fredericksburg & Brady
📥 PDF delivered straight to your inbox when the book drops
👉 Preorder now

Been here a while?
Tell us what you wish newcomers knew. Hit reply with your favorite bit of rural survival wisdom — we might feature it next week.

💌 SHARE THE LOVE

Small businesses like yours don’t survive on hopes and wishes — and neither do we.

If you enjoyed this edition of The Townie, hit the button below and share it with a friend, your neighbor, or that one cousin who’s always “thinking about moving out here.”

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Every click, comment, and forward helps keep this modern-day front porch going. We appreciate the heck out of you.