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

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

✍️ Letter from the Editor: The Next Big Thing in Town? You.

This week, I've been reading The Ecosystem Builder’s Playbook: A Practical Guide to Rapid Local Economic Transformation by my colleague, Dr. Dell Gines. That’s a mouthful of a title — so what does it actually mean for a town like ours?

Here’s the short version:

That belief — that real change starts with small business owners and everyday advocates — is at the very heart of The Townie. We’re not a team of outsiders with slick slogans and slide decks. We’re just folks who believe in what happens when communities grow their own solutions.

You might be thinking: “Change? No thanks, we’re doing just fine.”
I get it. But I’m asking you to consider this: if we want strong towns, vibrant main streets, and opportunities for the next generation, it starts with asking better questions and investing in our neighbors. Especially the ones brave enough to bet on themselves.

In his book, Dr. Gines outlines six elements every town needs to support a thriving small business ecosystem:

1. Skills: Business owners need access to know-how in finance, marketing, leadership, and operations.

2. Relationships: Spaces and networks where folks can learn from one another, find mentors, and connect with partners.

3. Money: Capital access matters — from personal savings to local bank loans, grants, or crowdfunding.

4. Culture: A community that celebrates entrepreneurship and treats failure as part of learning.

5. Policy: Local rules that make it easy to start and grow a business, not block it with red tape.

6. Infrastructure: Good roads, reliable internet, and physical spaces to actually do the work.

So here's your homework this week:
How would you grade your community in these six areas?
Where are we strong? Where do we need to grow? And maybe most importantly: who’s already doing the work quietly and without fanfare?

If this lights a fire in you, I’ve got a spot at the table. I’m putting together a small volunteer Steering Committee to map the assets in our communities, talk to business owners, and dream up real solutions from the ground up. Think coffee chats, community interviews, and small focus groups — all designed to make sure the next wave of support is built by locals, for locals.

So if you're in — or even a little curious — hit reply. Let’s grab coffee and talk.

And to every small business featured in this edition (all of whom advertised for free): thank you. You’re the heartbeat of our towns, and we’re cheering you on.

In solidarity and excitement,
Katie

🪑 Fresh Off the Porch

This section is our lively roundup of what’s happening in the area — news, rumors, funny overheards, mini updates, and anything that gives the flavor of life in our towns.

• Junction Summer Classic Rodeo Returns August 8–9 –
The Hill Country Fairgrounds will come alive with rodeo action, live music, and dancing under the stars. A Saturday morning parade rounds out the weekend in Junction.

• Junction’s Billie Sale Parade Marches Through August 8 –
A hometown favorite, this festive parade honors community spirit with floats, bands, and family-friendly fun.

• World Championship BBQ Goat Cook-Off in Brady –
Brady’s signature Labor Day tradition returns August 30–31 at Richards Park with BBQ competitions, live music, and family festivities.

• Ft. Mason Golf Scramble Fundraiser Set for August 9 –
The annual charity event offers a fun day of golf, prizes, and community giving at Ft. Mason Golf Association.

• Live at the Odeon: Brazosport Big Band –
Swing into August 9 with big-band jazz at the Odeon Theater in Mason. A night of lively music and local culture awaits.

• Camp DBW Youth Theater Recital in Brady –
On August 9, young performers take the stage at Brady Civic Center to showcase their musical talents in a heartwarming community recital.

• Fredericksburg Farmers Market Keeps Summer Fresh –
Held every Thursday from 4 to 7 PM at Marktplatz, the market features Hill Country produce, artisan goods, and live entertainment.

• Gillespie County Fair Weekend – August 9–10 –
Texas’ oldest county fair returns with rides, livestock shows, music, food, and family fun at the fairgrounds in Fredericksburg.

• Live Horse Racing at the Gillespie Fairgrounds –
Catch the excitement of pari-mutuel horse races in Fredericksburg during the county fair weekend, August 9–10.

• Documentary Night at the Odeon: Where the Horses Heal the Soul –
This powerful local film screens August 16 at Mason’s Odeon Theater, highlighting healing connections between people and horses.

• Fredericksburg Blood Drive at Marktplatz – July 31 –
Support local healthcare by donating blood on Thursday, July 31 from 1–6 PM. Every donation helps save lives.

• Mason Military Museum Open House Days – August & September –
The museum opens for tours August 23, 28, 30 and September 3, offering a look at local veterans' contributions from the Civil War to today.

• SBDC Lunch & Learn in Mason: “Get Found on Google” – August 28 –
A free business seminar helps local entrepreneurs learn how to improve their Google visibility.

• Frontera Healthcare Ribbon Cutting in Mason – September 3 –
Celebrate the opening of Mason’s new healthcare facility with a ribbon cutting and community reception at 5:30 PM.

• Mason Bank’s Annual Golf Fundraiser – September 13 –
Tee off for a cause with this long-standing tournament benefitting the Comanche Creek Golf Course.

• Chamber Mixer at Fly Gap Winery – September 18 –
Mason’s business community gathers for food, networking, and door prizes at a scenic winery event.

• Old Yeller Day at the Mason Library – September 20 –
This beloved event celebrates Mason’s literary legacy with kids’ activities, music, and community booths.

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

☀️ Weekend Weather at a Glance

🧑‍🌾 Community Content & Classifieds Sections 🧑‍🌾

💼 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 🏘️

Curious about that fixer-upper off Post Oak? Wondering what that big ol’ ranch house is going for? This is where Mason County neighbors share homes for sale and rent.

Love your home again. Local decorating services and spaces you’ll love — right here in Mason. Affordable pricing, starting at $50. Call for a consultation!
📞 254-630-8950 | Facebook.com/RefugebyTessa

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.

FOR RENT

• Historic Tiny Barn Studio – $675/month. Once housed goats, now available for humans. Includes loft bed, vintage wood stove (decorative only), and an unplugged jukebox stuck on Patsy Cline. No running water, but there’s a charming outhouse and a bucket system that builds character. Ideal for aspiring novelists or ex-hippies. Call Earl (before sundown) at (325) 555-0119.

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

Business Backbone with Walt and Nadine

💼 Sponsored by WIN – Women’s Innovation Network

Looking to connect with other vibrant women in business? Make connections, strengthen your business, and grow your network with WIN.
💬 Follow WIN on Facebook for upcoming events, peer support, and learning opportunities: 👉 facebook.com/WIN.FBG

“Hey Walt & Nadine — I’ve been hearing folks talk about this ‘entrepreneurship ecosystem’ stuff and I’m not real sure what that even means. My family’s farm is out by Art, and I’ve been thinking about starting a fencing business on the side. But I don’t really know what kind of support I should be looking for — or if this ecosystem thing even applies to folks like me. What do y’all think?”

— Fencing Near the Fenceline

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

🧔🏽 Walt’s Take: “Entrepreneurship ecosystem” sounds like something cooked up in a hotel ballroom with muffins that taste like cardboard. But here’s what it really means:

You shouldn’t have to move to Austin or owe the bank your kidneys just to start a business.

If you’ve got a good idea and you're willing to work, your town ought to make it easier, not harder. That means better roads, decent internet, and someone at City Hall who doesn’t look at you like you’ve grown a third eye when you ask about a permit.

And yeah — this does apply to folks like you. Side hustlers, fence installers, pie makers, welders — you're the ones holding these small towns together. If we wait around for someone from the outside to fix things, we’ll be waiting forever. So plug in. Meet other local business folks. Share what’s working. Tell the town what you need. That’s the “ecosystem.” It’s just us. Growing something together.

💼 Nadine’s Take: Walt’s right (as usual). At its heart, “entrepreneurship ecosystem” is just a fancy way of saying community that supports its local businesses.

It means you don’t have to go it alone. You deserve access to practical help — like how to set up your business legally, how to price your fencing jobs right, where to get financing that doesn’t fleece you, or who else around here is starting something similar.

Local economies don’t change because someone in a suit draws a map. They change because someone like you starts digging post holes, builds a reputation, hires a neighbor, and keeps going. That’s what real leadership looks like in rural communities.

And if you want to help shape the kind of support future business owners get around here, consider raising your hand to “be the change you want to see”. You don’t need a title or a business degree — just a willingness to listen, speak up, and believe your town is worth investing in.

We do.

Yours in bootstraps and backbone,
Walt & Nadine

🕵️ Biz You Didn’t Know Existed

Small-town talent, big-time offerings. Support local.

• 🧘‍♀️ Alison Pounds Yoga
  • Somatic yoga for chronic stress, anxiety & trauma
  • In-person + online sessions available
  • alisonpoundsyoga.com | @alisonpoundsyoga

• 🎯 Heart of Texas Taxidermy
  • North American & exotic mounts by Joel Hull
  • Honest, dependable craftsmanship
  • heartoftexastaxidermy.com | 972-965-4090

• 🚐 RV EMT – Mobile RV Repair
  • A/C repairs, saggy awnings, parts, and more
  • Certified techs that come to you
  • rvemt.com

• 🎨 Cross Keys Designs
  • Interior spaces that reflect your story
  • Personalized design with soul
  • FB: CrossKeysDesigns | [email protected]

*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

Missed their Wallace Street Market this month? Don’t worry — more handmade joy is on the way, Aug 9th in San Saba. Follow House of Joy Art Studio on Facebook to catch upcoming markets, watercolor demos, and creative community events.
👉 facebook.com/House-of-Joy-Art-Studio

Dear Laurel and Reese, I’ve got a small side hustle that I’d love to grow into a full-time thing one day — but I don’t even know where to start with the money side. How do I figure out what to charge, when to invest in tools, or if I’m even making enough to call it a business? I want to grow smart, not just fast. — Dreaming of Doing This Full-Time

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

First of all—heck yes to dreaming bigger. Building something of your own is equal parts thrilling, scary, and wildly empowering. The fact that you’re asking about the money early on? That’s not just smart. That’s foundational.

Let’s break this down into three key zones: what you charge, how you spend, and when it starts being a “real” business (hint: if you’re asking, it probably already is).

1. Pricing: Stop Guessing, Start Grounding

Pricing isn’t just about what feels “fair”—it’s a mix of math, market research, and mindset.

• Know your costs. List everything: materials, subscriptions, shipping, your time (even if you’re not paying yourself yet). You can’t price sustainably if you’re not clear on expenses.

• Check the market. What are others charging for similar work? Where do you want to position yourself—budget, premium, niche?

• Don’t forget your time. If it takes you 4 hours to make something you’re selling for $50… you’re working for less than minimum wage. Start calculating your effective hourly rate to see what’s really happening.

• Quick gut-check: If you’re wincing every time you say your price out loud, you’re probably undercharging. Confidence is part of the business model.

2. Reinvest Wisely

Every dollar you make has a job. Your early profits can go three main places:

• Reinvestment. Upgrading tools, improving branding, outsourcing tasks that drain you. This is how you grow smart.

• Paying yourself. Even a small, consistent amount helps clarify your real income and builds the habit of seeing yourself as a legit business owner.

• Savings. Taxes, slow months, or bigger future goals—build a cushion now so you’re not scrambling later.

If it helps, think of it like the 30/30/30/10 rule: 30% reinvestment, 30% personal pay, 30% saved for taxes/goals, 10% buffer/tithe/bonus. Adjust as needed, but start tracking so you’re not flying blind.

3. Business vs. Hobby?

The IRS has its own criteria, but here’s our test:

• Are you consistently making money?

• Are you marketing, improving, or reinvesting?

• Are you keeping any kind of records?

Then yes—this is a business, and it deserves your respect and strategy.

And beyond the spreadsheets: when you build something that sustains you, you’re modeling economic agency for others in your community too. Your pricing power, your boundaries, your growth? That’s not just personal finance. It’s community wealth-building.

Laurel: Slow growth isn’t sexy, but it’s sustainable. Take the time to build margins that work, systems that support you, and pricing that honors your talent.

Reese: Don’t wait to “get serious” until you’re making six figures. Set it up like a real business now—and the rest will rise to meet you.

You’ve got this.

Signed,
Career & Money with Laurel & Reese

Home & Garden with Hazel Mae and Fern

Dear Hazel Mae & Fern,
I’ve been thinking about turning a piece of my family’s land into something more usable — maybe a garden, a little Airbnb cabin, or even just a nicer backyard setup. But I’ve got no clue where to start. Should I clear it first? Test the soil? Call a contractor? I don’t have a big budget, but I want to make smart choices.

– Dreaming Big on a Budget

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

Hazel Mae: Well now, Dreamer, I like the way you're thinking — with your boots on the ground and your eyes on the horizon. First off, breathe. Rome wasn’t built in a day, and neither was Granny Jo’s back porch oasis.

Start small and start smart. If you're dealing with overgrowth taller than your nephew at Christmas, clearing makes sense. But don’t bulldoze the whole thing just yet — you might have good soil, native trees worth saving, or even wildflowers putting on a quiet show under all that mess.

Before you go calling contractors, take a Saturday, walk the land with a notebook, and listen. Where does the sun hit just right in the morning? Where does water pool after a rain? That’ll tell you where your cabin might belong, and where your garden definitely shouldn’t go.

If it is time to call in help, keep it local and honest. You don’t need a fancy design firm out of Austin. We’ve got fine folks right here who’ll help you clear, grade, or shape that land without charging city prices. I’d start with these:

Local pros who can help:
• Powers Aquatics – 325-446-6085
• Nailed It Dirt Work – 325-347-7665
• Twisted K Construction – 830-333-4589

Let ‘em know you’re working with a modest budget and big dreams — most of these folks’ll meet you halfway if you meet ‘em with respect and a cooler of cold tea.

Fern: Sweetheart, Hazel’s right — this is as much about vision as it is about labor. What you’re really doing is tending possibility. That land carries stories, roots, and a future you’re still imagining.

If you want a garden, a simple soil test from the county extension office is a low-cost, high-value place to begin. It’ll tell you what your land is hungry for — compost, nitrogen, drainage — and that knowledge is worth more than any Pinterest board. A good patch of ground can feed your family or your community for years to come.

If you're thinking long-term — like building a cabin or hosting guests — think about utilities, shade, and the view. What would make someone linger? What would make you linger?

And don't forget: smart choices often start with the people who already know this land — the neighbors who’ve been watching the mesquite creep up since ’92 and the local pros who can tell caliche from clay by feel. Lean on that.

Most of all, don’t wait to feel “ready.” The first step is the one you take now.

Hazel Mae: And if you’re fired up to help our region grow, not just your own patch but the whole garden — well, now’s your time. Our editor’s lookin’ for local volunteers to help shape what the next chapter of this community looks like. No fancy title needed. Just heart, grit, and a pair of work gloves.

Now get out there and make something beautiful. One shovel, one seed, one step at a time.

– Hazel Mae & Fern

Small-town hustle meets big-time deals.

• 🧴 Lancome – Up to 40% Off Sets
  Glow up season is here. Skincare and fragrance deals that feel like self-care.
  Shop Lancome Deals

• 🎒 Nike – Extra 20% Off Back to School
  From the bus stop to the ball field, Nike’s got your kids (and you) covered.
  Grab Your Nike Gear

• 🧊 Stanley x Messi – Limited Edition Drop
  Two legends, one cup. Grab this iconic collab before it disappears.
  Shop the Collection

• 👖 True Religion – Up to 75% Off
  Denim that dares to be different. Steep discounts while they last.
  Score the Sale

• 💻 FlexJobs – Legit Remote Jobs
  Real, flexible work. No scams. Just screened, high-quality listings.
  Browse FlexJobs

• 🥕 Green Chef – Healthy Meal Kits
  Organic produce and clean proteins delivered to your door.
  Try Green Chef

• 🛒 Thrive Market – Organic Groceries Online
  Great prices on healthy staples — shipped right to your mailbox.
  Shop Thrive Market

🍽️ Local FAV: Onion Rings at London Grocery & Grill

Y’all. I have never had better onion rings in my LIFE.
We’re talking golden, crispy, perfectly seasoned circles of joy. I swear the secret’s in their fry oil. My husband surprised me with lunch there today after a meeting — and yes, I packed my own Whataburger Spicy Ketchup. Chef’s kiss.
📍 17451 US-377, London, TX
📞 (325) 475-2296
🕒 Open Wed–Sat (check hours!)
💬 4.8⭐ Google reviews
🍔 Burgers, breakfast, desserts — but get those rings. TO. DIE. FOR.

(Click here to 👉Submit a fav!)

🍅 Try This Ingredient: Summer-Ripe Tomatoes

There’s no season like tomato season. If you’ve got a backyard bumper crop or a neighbor with a few extra on the porch, take full advantage: fresh BLTs, roasted tomato toast, or a just-salt-and-slice snack. But here’s a spicy idea…

👉 Call up Sheri Ivy and ask for her famous salsa recipe. If enough of us ask nicely, maybe — just maybe — she’ll host a community cooking class to teach us how to make it ourselves. Fundraiser, anyone? 😉
You can also pick up a jar at London Grocery & Grill — $12/pint and worth every chip.

(Click here to 👉 Submit your recipe)

🧳 Travel & Dreamers

For when you want to wander (but not too far).

Step back in time without leaving town. The beautifully restored Seaquist House is open for public tours on select Saturdays — including self-guided tours with booklets full of local history, architecture, and stories you won’t hear anywhere else.
📍 405 Broad St., Mason, TX
🕒 Check their website or Facebook for upcoming dates
🔗 seaquist.org

💭 Dreamer Spotlight: “What If I Finally Started That Business?”

Submitted anonymously

I’ve had this idea for a while now. A business I can run from home, during school hours, maybe even involve the kids in someday. I’ve mapped it out in my head a dozen times — the name, the product, how it would work. I believe in it. But I haven’t told many people. Not really.

Because… what if I fail?

What if the other moms think I’m getting too big for my britches? What if the folks at church say it’s a distraction from my “real” job as a wife and mom? What if I try, and it flops, and I have to look people in the eye and admit it?

But then I think: what if it doesn’t flop?
What if it works?
What if it gives my kids a front-row seat to what it looks like to chase something you care about?

This week’s Letter from the Editor said something that stuck with me:

What if we could build that kind of culture here?

Where trying is celebrated. Where “failure” is just another word for feedback. Where we look at someone who gave it a shot and say, “Good for you.” Not, “Who do you think you are?”

So maybe I will start that business.
Not because I know I’ll succeed, but because I’m learning to believe that trying is worth it.

📝 Have a dream you’re scared to say out loud? Hit reply and share it. You’re not alone. And we’re listening.

🧭 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.”

It costs nothing to click “Share,” tell a friend, or hit reply and tell us what you think — the good, the bad, or the “y’all missed a comma.”

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