Proud Member of Fayette County Tourism Association
979.476.2757
Property Maintenance Services Lodging & Reservations
Jordan Fischman, Broker 979.476.2757 www.countrybutlertexas.com • countrybutler@aol.com • 101 N. Rusk-Offices • Fayetteville, Texas 78940 Member of the following chambers: Fayetteville, Round Top, La Grange, Columbus, Washington County, and Schulenburg.
Home & Property Care Services
ONLINE RESERVATIONS SELECT IT! CLICK IT! BOOK IT!
What can the Country Butler do for you?
Guest Lodging facilities for you in Fayette County and surrounding communities. Homes, Rooms, and Cottages. We have a variety of properties for your visit and relaxation.
EVENTS • REUNIONS • WEEKEND ESCAPES WEDDING ACCOMMODATIONS • BIKE RIDER HOUSING EXTENDED STAYS • LOCAL BREAKFAST PACKAGES FLOWERS & BASKET PACKAGES
Country Butler aims to provide peace of mind. We offer a range of services dedicated to home owners on a regular basis. • Full Service Painting Inside/Outside • Lawn Mowing Service Country Butler can play a crucial role in helping you maintain your investment as a relaxing and worry free experience.
We have an automated on-line reservation system, where you can view the properties and book it on-line 24/7/365. Or, you can call us and we will help with the process. If you need more than one place for an event or have a special need or requirement. We can help you with information about your visit to our area.
Imagine arriving at your property to find your driveway cleaned, your house immaculate, air conditioned, and stocked with provisions, for your enjoyment. ARRIVAL SERVICES • FREEZE & STORM PROGRAMS • WEEKLY PROPERTY VISITS • PHOTO UPDATES PREVENTATIVE MAINTENANCE • GARDEN SERVICES • CONTRACTOR MANAGEMENT • EQUIPMENT SERVICES . POWER/BRUSH WINDOW WASHING • HOME REPAIRS • EQUIPMENT DELIVERY & INSTALLATION . HOME CLEANING SERVICES • PAINTING - INTERIOR/EXTERIOR • PLUMBING SERVICES • ELECTRICAL SERVICES PET DOG/CAT CARE AT YOUR HOME • FEED YOUR HORSES WHEN ON VACATION . COMMERCIAL CLEANING AVAILABLE • LAW CUTTING
Don’t see a service you need, call Country Butler! We aim to please.
Lodging & Guest House Owners
Meet the Country Butler Jordan Fischman knows what you need and more importantly, knows what you expect. A strong commitment to prompt, professional and reliable service is the primary focus of the company and all associated with it.
Let Country Butler Manage Your Facility Reservations & Bookings 24/7/365
Jordan Fischman, Broker
Whether you need Property Care & Services, or need a great place to relax with our Lodging & Reservations Program, we aim to please and make it enjoyable. Insured and Bonded • References on request
We do the Billing-Payments, Hotel Tax Processing Website Programs Included & Additional Programs House Cleaning Service Laundry Services Lock Box Control Turn-Key or Reservations Only Programs
979.476.2757 “Kick Back & Relax, Let Country Butler Do The Work”
Fayette County is a land that holds tight to its heritage, but we are also proud to share it. So whatever language you might hear it in, you are “welcome” here in Fayette County. And if you’re wondering, those words at the top of the page are “welcome” in English, Czech, German and Spanish. Fayette County was founded by settlers from several different cultures and everywhere you look, from our Painted Churches to our painstakingly restored town squares, we’ve tried to cling to that heritage, but also preserve it for future generations to enjoy. As diverse as Fayette County is culturally, it likewise has such a wealth of diverse things to do and experience (hence the heft of this 116-page Visitors Guide). There are world class musical offerings at Round Top’s Festival Hill and La Grange’s Bugle Boy. You can watch Shakespeare in a theater
barn in Winedale or marvel at art galleries galore in Fayetteville. Some of the finest quilts in the world that are on display in La Grange. The local countryside – from rolling hills to hardwood forests – stands out in stark contrast to the bustling cities and suburbs of Houston, Austin and San Antonio which are all less than two hours away. Whether you’re just visiting this area, or viewing this guide while sitting on your own front porch here, we hope this magazine makes you feel welcome to explore all Fayette County has to offer. Jeff Wick, Editor Fayette County Record
p. 6
p. 78
p. 54
p. 92
p. 68
p. 104
On The Cover: The photo featured on the front cover is St. Mary’s Catholic Church in High Hill, one of the famous painted churches in Fayette County. Photo courtesy of Christina Pereyda.
Fayette County at a Glance Population – Change fm 2010 – Area (sq.mi.) – Land area (sq.mi.) – Altitude (ft.) – Rainfall (in.) – Jan. avg. min. – July avg. max. – Civilian labor – Unemployed % – Per Capita Inc. – Prop. Value – Retail Sales –
24,821 1.1% 959.8 950.0 200–590 38.61 39.2 95.5 13,434 3.9 $45,338 $4,843,484,643 $356,339,866
Physical Features: South central county bisected by Colorado River; Fayette County Reservoir; rolling to level; sandy loam, black waxy soils. Economy: Agribusiness, production of electricity, mineral production, government/services, small manufacturing, tourism. History: Lipan Apaches and Tonkawas. Austin’s colonists arrived in 1822. Germans and Czechs began arriving in 1840s. County created from Bastrop, Colorado counties, 1837; organized, 1838; named for hero of American Revolution, Marquis de Lafayette. Race/Ethnicity: (In percent) Anglo, 72.7; Black, 6.8; Hispanic, 19.6; Asian, 0.4; Other, 2.3.
Vital Statistics, annual: Births, 218; deaths, 315; marriages, 140; divorces, 87. Recreation: Monument Hill, Kreische brewery, Faison Home Museum, other historic sites including the Painted Churches; hunting, fishing, lake; German and Czech ethnic foods; Prazska Pout in August, Octoberfests.
Major Cities: LA GRANGE (4,781) County seat; electric-power generation, varied manufacturing, tourism; Schulenburg (2,974) manufacturing, food processing; festival in August; Round Top (99) music center, tourism; antiques shows; Winedale (67), historic
restorations; Carmine (269); Ellinger (386), Fayetteville (280) tourism, antiques, Lickskillet festival in October; Flatonia (1,462) food production, cattle ranching; rail history museum, Czhilispiel in October.
Minerals: Oil, gas, sand, gravel, bentonite clay. Agriculture: Beef cattle, corn, hay, sorghum, pecans, dairies. Market value $66.4 million. Firewood sold. Education: Five public school districts, three private schools,one junior college.
Published every Tuesday and Friday, except the publication immediately following Christmas, by Fayette County Record, Inc. Serving Fayette County since 1922. Locally owned by the Barton family since 1976. (USPS 188-440) 127 S. Washington, P.O. Box 400, La Grange, Texas 78945. Telephone: 979-968-3155; Fax: 979-968-6767 Email: editor@fayettecountyrecord.com; www.fayettecountyrecord.com
Publisher
Recreation: Golf courses (2), State Parks (1), City Parks (13), Museums (18), Art galleries (12). Transportation: Bus service via Capital Area Rural Transit. Hospital: St. Mark’s Medical Center in La Grange (979-242-2200) is a general medical and surgical hospital with 44 beds. Airport: Fayette Regional Air Center; 850 Airport Road, La Grange; 979242-4056;
Regina Barton Keilers Editor Jeff Wick News and Office H.H. Howze Andy Behlen Lou Ann Adcox Hertha Kruse Accounting Nonnie Barton Joy Skelton
Advertising Director Becky Weise Classified Advertising Jackie Daniels Graphic Design John Castaneda Tara Childs Bobby Bedient
Circulation Theresia Karstedt Jo Ann Mueller Bennie Vasek George Kana Leigh Ann Bedient Flor Merlos
SUBSCRIPTION RATES: Fayette County: Year $47.00; Elsewhere in Texas $55.00; Out of State $60.00. Special Rates for Senior Citizens: In county, $42; in Texas $50; US $55. For digital subscriptions via internet, go to www.fayettecountyrecord.com
The annual 4th of July Parade in Round Top is the oldest continuous Independence Day Celebration West of the Mississippi River. The Round Top celebration dates back to 1851.
Fayette Fun All-Year Round
By LUCY CARR No matter the time of year, you can find a festival to interest you here in Fayette County Here’s a partial list of our annual events:
MARCH
• Flatonia Spring Market Day, March 28 2015, with arts & craft vendors, good food, Texas Independence Relay, chalk art and music • 2nd Annual Schulenburg Sausagefest, March 28 2015. Sausage cookoff, arts and crafts and live music.
APRIL
• National Society of Artists Opening Reception, April 11, 5 -7 p.m. Ross Gallery, Fayetteville • Spring 2015 Antiques Festival in Round Top and surrounding communities. Nationally recognized as one of the largest antiques markets in America, drawing thousands of dealers to tents, fields and buildings from Fayetteville to Burton. From March 20 to April 5. (Also takes place in October 2015).
• BP MS-150. A two day, 150-mile bicycle journey from Houston to Austin to raise money for the fight against MS. This is the largest event of its kind in North America. Riders spend Saturday night at the Fayette County Fairgrounds in La Grange. Day Two starts at the fairgrounds and ends at the State Capitol. April 18-19. * 12th Annual Poetry Forum, Festival Hill, April 17-19. • Flatonia Crawfest. Crawfish, shrimp and more, music and dancing. April 18.
MAY
• Art Walk 2015, twoday fine art show, sponsored by Arts for Rural Texas. Fayetteville Square, May 2-3. • Round Top’s Spring Wine Fest, May 9. • May Fest (Slavnost) at Texas Czech Heritage and Cultural Center. A tribute to the immigrants, 10am. Live Music, 12 – 4 p.m. Car Show, noon meal and more. May 17.
Events Calendar, continued next page
La Grange
Event-Full
No matter the time of year, you can find a festival to interest you here in Fayette County Events Calendar continued from previous page
MAY
• Fayetteville Chamber Music Festival. Great classical masterworks performed by international performers at the historic Country Place Hotel on the Fayetteville square. May 8-9, 15-16. • Tomato Festival, Ellinger. May 29-31. • Annual Memorial Day ceremony, 10 a.m. May 25. Koenig & Strickland Funeral Home, La Grange. • Flatonia American Legion Memorial Day Service, May 24. • Round Top Music Festival May 31 to July 12, Round Top Festival Institute
JUNE
• Good Old Summertime Classic Bike Ride First Sunday June 7, Starts in Historic Fayetteville Town Square, The event is a fully supported ride with distances ranging from 25 to 65 miles followed by a BBQ lunch. • Main Street Flag Day celebration, June 13. Courthouse Square, La Grange. • Juneteenth Parade & Celebration, always the weekend nearest June 19, La Grange • Flatonia Freedom Fest, June 27, 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Parade, Arts & Crafts Market, Wing Fling Cookoff.
•Fayetteville City Wide Garage Sale, Second Weekend of July. Maps showing the locations of the garage sales will be available for treasure hunters on the Courthouse’s front steps starting at 7 a.m. • Schulenburg Festival, the “National Party of Texas.” Three big days of rodeo, live music, great food, and a fun run.Wolters Park, July 31-Aug. 2.
AUGUST
Blasmusik Texas Concert Aug. 1, Round Top Rifle Association Hall. The 45-piece Texas All State German band entertain the crowds with polkas and waltzes from German, Czech, Alsatian and Austrian roots.
Events Calendar, continued next page
JULY
• Round Top 4th of July Parade, oldest continuous Independence Day parade west of the Mississippi River.
A couple strolls through the Monument Hill Trail of Lights.
La Grange
Fayette County Annual Events Calendar Events Calendar continued from previous page
AUGUST
• Fayette County Sheriff’s Posse Bull Riding and Rodeo Event, Sheriff’s Posse Arena, La Grange, Aug. 7-10.
SEPTEMBER
• Fayette County Fair, La Grange, always Labor Day weekend. Music, dances, livestock shows, home ec exhibits, cookoffs, softball tournament. Sep. 3-6. •Patriot Day Ceremony, Saturday, September 12, 2015, 8:30am, Fayette County Courthouse, La Grange. •Texas Heroes Day, Monument Hill & Kreische Brewery State Historic Sites, La Grange. Sept. 19 9 a.m.-12 p.m. Free Admission. •Schützenfest, September 20, Round Top Rifle Hall. Dinner, dancing and the crowning of the crackshot König (king) are the highlights of this target-shooting competition, dating back to 1965. •Fayetteville Antiques on the Square, Sept. 19-29, Fayetteville’s Historic Town Square.
OCTOBER
• Heritage Fest & Muziky, Oct. 16 - Octoberfest on the Deck. Oct. 17- Biegarten with music, heritage demonstrations, craft venders, antique farm equipment show & antique car show, museum and village tours, Musiky in the Amphitheater 7 – 9.30 p.m, followed by fireworks finale. • Fall Antiques Festival in Round Top and surrounding communities. Nationally recognized as one of the largest antiques events in America, drawing thousands of dealers
to tents, fields and buildings from Fayetteville to Burton. Late September through early October. •Czhilispiel, Flatonia. One of the oldest and biggest chili cookoffs in Texas. Every fourth full weekend of October. Three days of live music, dancing and lots of chili. Oct. 23-25, 2015 •3rd Annual OktoBierFest, Oct. 24 Round Top Rifle Association Hall • Lickskillet Festival, Fayetteville. Polka music, barbecue cookoff, street dance, parade, queen’s pageant. Oct. 17-18. • Trick-or-Treat on the La Grange Square, Oct. 30, 4 p.m. Free trick-or-treating for children in daylight hours around the courthouse square.
NOVEMBER • Schulenburg Holiday Arts & Crafts Show, Nov. 8,
Arts & Crafts • Praha Veterans’ Day Events, Nov. 8. At Praha Cemetery; Mass, Memorial Service and Meal
DECEMBER
• Schmeckenfest, La Grange’s Old World Christmas celebration on the courthouse square. Sample wassail from participating merchants. German dancing, bell choirs, carolling, booths. Dec. 3, 5 p.m. •Flatonia C of C Wonderful Winter Winewalk. Dec. 4, 5-9 p.m. •Santa’s Party In the Park, Schulenburg, Friday Dec. 4. •Trail of Lights, Dec. 5, 11, 12, 18 & 19, 6-8 p.m. Monument Hill & Kreische Brewery State Historic Sites, La Grange. Admission fee required. • Christmas on the Square, Round Top, Dec. 5. Parade, entertainment, homemade stew and Santa. • Fayetteville Country Christmas & Historical Homes Tour, Second Saturday of December. A once-a-year chance to see inside some of many historic homes in Fayetteville, which is designated on the National Register of Historic Towns.
FEBRUARY
• Valentines Dinner & Concert, Feb 14, 4-9 p.m. Texas Czech Heritage & Cultural Center, Formal attire, featuring local wines & cuisine. Pre-sale tickets. • Best Little Quilt Show in Texas, Quilt extravaganza at the Fayette County Fairgrounds. Last Friday and Saturday in February 26 & 27, 2016.
MARCH
Wreaths await their placement on the graves of Texas Revolutionary soldiers during the Texas Heroes Day event at Monument Hill State Park in La Grange. Photo by Jeff Wick
• Best Little Cowboy Gathering in Texas, always the second full weekend in March, Fayette County Fairgrounds, La Grange. Chuckwagon exhibits, Western trade show, Horse Clinic, BBQ Cookoff, Cowgirl’s Ball, children’s activities, cowboy poetry and Story Tellin’. •La Grange Uncorked, Third Saturday in March, Courthouse Square, Wine and food festival. March 19, 2016
W
La Grange
m o le c l !! a ’ Y
Maps & Brochures Restrooms And yes, some FREE Stuff too!!
www.facebook.com/LaGrangeMainStreet
La Grange Visitors Center for a Memorable Experience
Monday – Friday 9am-5pm Saturday 10am-5pm Sunday 12noon – 5pm @ lagrangemainstreet or tag us with #lgmainstreet
171 S Main Street | La Grange, TX 78945 979-968-3017 www.visitlagrangetx.com www.pinterestcom/lgvisitorsbureau
La Grange
The Texas Quilt Museum and adjacent garden in downtown La Grange.
Photo by Andy Behlen
Museums Abound in Fayette County By LUCY CARR and H. H. HOWZE
F
ayette County is filled with a museum for just about every interest. Seeking genealogical information? Check with the extensive records in the Fayette Heritage Museum Archives of the Czech Heritage and Cultural Center. Are you a railroad buff? Visit the La Grange Depot Museum or in Flatonia, the Flatonia Rail Park and Central Texas Rail History Center. Music and decorative arts your thing? The International Festival Institute Library and Museum near Round Top will ring your bell. Does architecture of the 19th century appeal? Go to Winedale near Round Top, the Faison House, Texas Czech Heritage & Cultural Center and Old Fayette County Jail in La Grange plus the Kreische Home on Monument Hill to tour restored and furnished homes and buildings. (Or just look around you at the wonderful 100-year-oldplus homes folks are still living in all over
the county.) Interested in local, county and Texas settlement history? Try the Fayetteville Area Heritage Museum, Round Top Historical Society and E.A. Arnim Archive and Museum (Flatonia). Model airplanes? The Stanzel Model Aircraft Museum in Schulenburg. In short, there is a museum in our county for almost anyone. Just check out the times, fees and directions below. • Central Texas Rail History Museum: Artifacts, photos and documents. 104 E. South Main, Flatonia, hours: Friday 1:003:00, Saturday 10:00-12:00 and 1:00-3:00, or by appointment (713) 524-1750. • Depot Museum and M-K-T Railroad Depot 260 North Washington Street Learn the history of the local railroads and their importance to the area by touring
a railcar packed with artifacts and original furnishings. Active track right outside! Saturday 10am-4pm (except on holidays) • Old Fayette County Jail The La Grange Visitors Bureau is now housed in the old jail, with its links to Bonnie and Clyde, and its ghostly spirits said to still haunt the place. Tours are available during bureau opening hours. Visitors Bureau, 171 South Main, La Grange, open Monday – Friday 9 a.m.- 5 p.m., Saturday 10 a.m. – 5 p.m., and Sunday noon-5 p.m. • Round Top Historical Society Memorabilia, historical books, records and genealogy. 397 E. Mill Street, Round Top. http://roundtopareahistoricalsociety. weebly.com Open free to the public the 2nd Saturday of each month, noon to 3 p.m., or by appointment (979) 249-5058. More Museums, next page
La Grange
Fayette County Museum Listings, Continued • Texas Quilt Museum Showcasing the finest examples of traditional and art quilting from around the world. Exhibits change every three months. 140 W. Colorado St. in La Grange. Open 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Thursdays through Saturdays and from noon to 4 p.m. on Sundays. (979) 968-3104 www.texasquiltmuseum.org • Texas Czech Heritage and Cultural Center (TCHCC) Includes the Texas Czech Music Museum, the Czech Village of historic homes and the Texas Czech Agricultural Museum, opened in October 2014. The TCHCC is located north of La Grange on Highway 77 by the County Fairgrounds. (888) 7854500. www.czechtexas.org • Festival Institute, Library & Museum American furniture, china, paintings, music and archives of Texas composer David R. Guion; the Anders Gustav Fredrick & Josephine Oxehufwud Collection of three centuries of Swedish Decorative Arts. Dedicated to music, arts and humanities. Preserves rare books, manuscripts, photographs, recordings and art; the personal library of former Texas State Librarian, Dr. Dorman Winfrey. Concert hall built by local craftsmen. Performances by international artists and musicians. 248 Jaster Rd. off State Highway 237, Round Top. Phone: (979) 249-3129 Web: www.festivalhill.org E-mail: info@festivalhill.org Open: By appointment, Mondays-Fridays. • Monument Hill & Kreische Brewery State Park Remains of the early brewery and monument to the men of the 1842 Dawson Mier Expedition who drew the “black beans of death” after their capture by the Mexican Army at Salado Creek. See an outstanding view of downtown La Grange and the Colorado River. A Texas Heroes Day is held at Monument Hill every September featuring re-enactors and guest speakers. 414 State Loop 92 off U.S. 77 (on the bluff) Phone: (979) 968-5658 Open every day but Christmas 8 a.m. - 5 p.m.; Call for tour information.
• Texas Polka Music Museum Dedicated to preserving the history and legacy of polka music in Texas by honoring Texas polka bands and musicians of Czech, German and Polish ancestry. Located at 625 North Main in downtown Schulenburg, across the street from the Chamber of Commerce. For more information call (979) 743-4752. Website: www.texaspolkamuseum.com • Stanzel Model Aircraft Museum The history of the Stanzel brothers’ role in the development of fly-by-wire model airplanes. See the “Barn” where the early work was done by the Stanzels. 311 Baumgarten St., Schulenburg (Off U.S. 77). Phone: (979) 743-6559 Web: www.stanzelmuseum.org E-mail: museum@stanzelmuseum.org Open: Monday, Wednesday Friday, and Saturday, 10:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. • Fayetteville Area Heritage Museum History of Fayetteville area. Home of the Teddy Schultz model trains & railroads collection, plus history of the Baca Band
and local church artifacts. 119 W. Washington on the Square in Fayetteville Phone: (979) 877 5290, email fayettevillemuseum@yahoo.com. Oepn Saturday 11 a.m. – 4 p.m., Sunday to Friday by appointment. • Flatonia Rail Park Southern Pacific Tower #3 and Southern Pacific Caboose #4743; Open by appointment. Covered railroad photo pavilion (open 24/7). Main Street at Railroad Tracks Phone: (979) 743-5366, email bandit1934@att.net • Fayette Heritage Museum Archives Rotating displays on Fayette County history. Extensive collection of county genealogy, microfilmed publications, local documents, photographs and data from the early 1800s. 855 South Jefferson, La Grange. Phone: (979) 968-6418 E-mail: library@cityoflg.com Open: TuesdayThursday, 10 a.m. - 6 p.m.; Friday, 10 a.m. - 5 p.m.; Saturday, 10 a.m. - 1 p.m.; and Sunday, 1 - 5 p.m. More Museums, next page
The old Fayette County Jail serves as the La Grange Visitors Bureau.
La Grange
The beautifully preserved M-K-T train depot in downtown La Grange has been turned into a museum honoring local rail history. It’s open Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Photo by Russell Bennett
Fayette County Museum Listings, Continued • Mt. Olive Museum & Cultural Center History of the Armstrong Colony, an early settlement of freed slaves. The building was a school during segregation. Records of slave transactions. 835 Armstrong Derry Rd., Waelder (Gonzales County) Phone: (361) 865-2902 Open: Friday-Saturday from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m., 1-3 p.m. Call for special tour.
erans Museum. A separate barn contains a country life collection with a complete farm kitchen and a wide array of vehicles and farm implements.101 E. North Main, Flatonia Phone: (361) 865-3455 E-mail: arnimmuseum@att.net; www.arnimmuseum.org; Open: Thursday-Friday, 1-4 p.m.; Saturday, 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. and 1-3 p.m., or by appointment.
• E.A. Arnim Archives & Museum The museum documents the early history and continuing development of Flatonia and the surrounding communities. The ground floor showcases goods and furnishings from early Flatonia homes, businesses, clubs, schools and churches, while the second floor houses the Flatonia area Vet-
• Texas Basketball Museum A treasury of Texas basketball memorabilia ranging from Shaquille O’Neal’s high school jersey to early basketballs and scoreboards. It opened in 2009. A Hall of Fame Room details exploits of famous Texas prep basketball players. The museum is run by Bob Springer, a former
college basketball player and coach, who now publishes Texas Basketball magazine. Many items in the museum Springer collected himself over the past 40 years. Located in Carmine on the corner of Augsburg Ave. and Hauptstrasse Street. Hours vary. For more information or to set up a tour call (979) 278-4222. Schulenburg Historical Museum The main focus of this museum is to feature the equipment and methods used by early settlers to the area, 631 N. Main St., Schulenburg across the street from the Chamber of Commerce; Open Friday and Saturday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. and for special events. Call (979) 743-3614 for more information.
La Grange
Las Fuentes Mexican Restaurant & Bar
Voted BEST Mexican Food, Salsa and Cocktails in Fayette County
Catering Available
La Grange
Once used as storage space, the interior atrium of the courthouse has been restored to its original glory.
Restored Courthouse a Must-See In La Grange
T
he Fayette County Courthouse is the heart of the downtown La Grange historic district. Here’s a look at some of the history of the 124-year-old building: San Antonio architect J. Riely Gordon designed the Fayette County Courthouse, as well as 13 other Texas county courthouses, in addition to the state capitol in Arizona. This is Fayette County’s fourth courthouse. On April 9, 1891, the cornerstone for the current Fayette County Courthouse was laid by the local Masonic Lodge. A celebration with dining and dancing, attended by about 2,000 people, went on into the early hours of the next day.
The exterior of the Fayette County courthouse as seen from the east.
The three-story building is a masonry and stone Romanesque Revival structure with a clock tower rising over the main entrance. All offices and the courtroom are arranged around a 30-foot by 30-foot square central courtyard. The exterior walls are built of Belton white limestone, complemented with blue sandstone quarried at the nearby Fayette County community of Muldoon. Red Pecos sandstone stringcourses (decorative horizontal moldings) and pink Burnet granite columns and steps add to the richness of the building. At the base of the clock tower is a large stone slab on which is carved a large American eagle. On the corners of the tower and
above the entrances are dragons carved out of the eight ridge points. The roof is covered with Spanish tile made from slate. The central courtyard, which was closed-in to make space for a vault and more offices in 1949, was reclaimed during the restoration of the courthouse and now is filled with plants and a fountain. The courtroom, 85-feet by 42-feet in size, is shaped like a half moon and has been used as a set for several movies, including “Michael” featuring John Travolta. The upper courtroom gallery can seat 500 people. When the Fayette County Commissioners’ Court formally accepted the new building on December 1, 1891, the total cost
was $99,407.04. Funding for the construction was provided by the sale of 90 $1,000 bonds. In late February 1893, the courthouse was lit with electricity for the first time. In 1913, the basement and the first floor were flooded with five feet of water. After a complete restoration, the Fayette County Courthouse was rededicated on June 25, 2005. It stands as a time-honored symbol of justice in Fayette County. The courthouse is open daily until 5 p.m. and visitors are welcome to walk around, but please be aware that county business and trials may be going on. Volunteers also open the courthouse for visitors most Saturdays.
La Grange
The annual Flag Day celebration on the courthouse square in La Grange is just one of several events that use scenic downtown La Grange as its setting. Photo by Jeff Wick
More Than Just a Day-trip
Plan Your Weekend Getaway to La Grange By KORIN BURNETT
Executive Director, LG Area Chamber of Commerce
La Grange may only be just a short drive from Austin, San Antonio or Houston, but it sure feels worlds apart. It’s a quaint town where driving to the medical center on the other side of town takes just a few minutes and “navigating downtown” means walking around the square. La Grange gives visitors the best of both worlds. We have all the joys of a small town with the quality restaurants, accommodations, attractions and shopping you would expect from a big city – just none of the traffic! So, when you get here, turn off your GPS and put the hustle and bustle of the city to rest while you visit this sophisticated small town in the heart of central Texas. The courthouse square in La Grange is surrounded by a mix of offices, retail shops and restaurants. Visitors will find stores on
and near the square offering gifts, home décor items, clothing and antiques. The downtown square isn’t just all shopping, though. It is also home to the internationally renowned Texas Quilt Museum, the Southwest’s only quilt museum, as well as the Railroad Depot museum just next door. Art lovers and crafters will find further inspiration in the nearby galleries and craft stores. The square is full of history and architectural beauty, the focal point of which is the magnificent courthouse. Walk around the grounds to discover all sorts of facts about La Grange and its people – from the Muster Oak to the markings of past floods. Are you an outdoor enthusiast or adventure seeker? Look no further! The Colorado River runs through La Grange with public access just blocks from downtown. Kayaking, fishing and tubing can’t be beat on this river. If golf is more your thing, we also have a beautiful golf
course not far from downtown. Hit the bike trails in La Grange with twelve scenic mapped bike routes ranging 18.5 miles to 60 miles. Whether you are practicing for your next ride or simply want to enjoy the fresh air of Fayette County, you will find that La Grange has the distance you are looking for. (La Grange is also the overnight stopping point for the annual MS150 bike ride so we are used to seeing people roll by on two wheels!) Perhaps the Texas Independence Wine Trail is more your speed. Enjoy the beautiful wines of south central Texas and “declare your independence from ordinary wine” at one of 8 area wineries. Once you have filled your cup, it’s time to fill your plate. La Grange offers a variety of tasty culinary creations sure to please even the most demanding palates. From Texas faContinued on next page
La Grange
Quilts to Trains, History to Fine Food, La Grange Has It Continued from previous page
vorites like chicken fried steak and barbecue, to more sophisticated bistro dining, you are sure to be satisfied. After playing all day, you’ll need somewhere to stay. Whether you need a modern room equipped with the latest technology and easy highway access or are looking for a quaint bed and breakfast, visitors to La Grange will find accommodations to suit most every desire. La Grange’s nightlife is pretty low key, but you came for a break from the hustle and bustle, after all. A peaceful evening stroll around downtown, enjoying the illuminated buildings by night, may be all you need to relax after a full day of discovering La Grange. But if you are looking for some musical variety, try
the Bugle Boy listening room, a music venue that attracts class acts all year round. And if you come during one of our annual festivals, such as La Grange Uncorked or the Fayette County Fair on Labor Day weekend, then be prepared for more lively entertainment! So, be good to yourself and plan a getaway to La Grange. Whether you’re enthusiastic about Texas History or a quilt enthusiast, a music lover or lover of the outdoors; our picture-perfect Central Texas town, with strong Czech-German heritage, serves up a slice of the good life – small town style. Need help planning your next weekend away? Contact the La Grange Area Chamber of Commerce (979) 968-5756 or go to www.lagrangetx.org.
Home Decor,Tableware,
Gifts for Brides to Babies
and everything in between
Fabulous apparel for all ages Schmeckenfest is an annual holiday-themed event in La Grange that centers around a wassail-making competition where visitors vote for their favorite brew.
979-968-9100
On the square in La Grange
La Grange
Monument Hill State Park Showcases Nature, History
S
ituated on a bluff overlooking the Colorado River, this beautiful state park is one of the hidden gems of the system since it’s only a day park and no camping is allowed. The name Monument Hill refers to the 48-foot art-deco stone monument inside the park commemorating heroes of the Texas War for Independence, including the men of the Dawson Massacre and Mier Expeditions, that are buried on the park grounds. In the Mier Expedition, which was a reponse to the Dawson Massacre, a group of 176 Texan revolutionaries trying to avenge those massacred at Salado Creek were captured, marched toward Mexico City, and attempted an escape, General Santa Anna ordered that they all be executed, but the Governor of Coahuila begged for mercy. Santa Anna’s compromise was to draw from a jar of beans anyone who drew one of the seventeen black beans was to be executed and those that drew a white bean were spared. The 17 men who drew black beans are buried at Monument Hill.
ST. MARK’S MEDICAL CLINIC - FLATONIA Judy Vire, RN, FNP, BC.........................361-865-3302 FAMILY PRACTICE (*Including Pediatrics) Laura Birnbaum, MD*.......................979-542-9000 Debra Irwin, MD.................................979-968-2000 Teresa Kinsfather, DO......................979-542-4357 Bill D. Nolen, DO.................................979-242-5878 La Grange Family Health....................979-968-8493 Giddings Family Health......................979-542-7400 Hossain Ashraf, DO* Wess Blackwell, MD* Thomas Borgstedte, DO Wm. Mike McBroom, MD Schulenburg Clinic................................979-743-3520 Michelle James, MD* Donald Kocurek, MD Lindsey E. Tijerina, MD Pam Slaton, FNP
Texas Heroes Day is an annual event at the park on the Saturday closest to September 18. It’s a day of cermonies and music and exhibitions honoring those who fought and died for the Republic of Texas. The ruins of the Kreische Brewery are also located at Monument Hill State Park. It was the third largest brewery in the State of Texas at peak of it’s popularity. Heinrich Kreische began a brewery on this site in 1860, utilizing the cool waters of the Colorado to help bottle his beer. The Kreische brewing operation did not continue because despite having six children, none of them had children of their own. The elder Kreische died in 1882. The park is located at 414 State Loop 92 in La Grange. It’s open seven days a week year-round and admission is free. Hours are 8 a.m. – 5 p.m. and it is closed on Christmas Day.
CARDIOLOGY Austin Heart Clinic...............................979-242-5677 Phillip E. Burket, MD Long Cao, MD Paul Pagley, MD Matthew Selmon, MD, FACC David Tschopp, MD, FACC Srinath Vemuri, MD Stanley Wang, MD, JD, MPH Suzanne Wetherold, MD
NEUROLOGY/NEUROSURGERY Herbert Edmundson, MD................713-772-4600 William H. Fleming, MD...................713-772-4600 Byron Neely, MD...............................979-968-6500 J. Bradley White, MD, PhD.................800-793-9106
ALLERGY Paul Jantzi, MD....................................800-362-9633
HOSPITALIST William Torkildsen, MD.....................979-242-2200
OBSTETRICS/GYNECOLOGY Michael DiClemente, MD.................979-242-2883 Shannon Juno, MD.............................979-968-2700
PODIATRY Paul Gee, DPM....................................979-242-2205 Gerald Zeringue, DPM.....................512-447-2025
UROLOGY David W. Freidberg, MD...................512-341-2200 David Phillips, MD..............................512-443-5988 Steven H. Pickett, MD........................512-416-0444 Peter Ruff, MD...................................512-416-0444
PEDIATRICS Crystal Banks, MD..............................979-542-0710 Amy Jatzlau, MD.................................979-542-0710 ORTHOPEDICS Sandy Bahm, MD...............................979-242-2205 Russell Clark, MD................................979-242-2387
EAR, NOSE & THROAT Andrew L. deJong, MD.......................877-377-4368 Paul Fulmer, MD.................................512-656-1196 Thomas Salzer, MD............................979-680-8808 Steven Wright, MD.............................979-680-8808
DERMATOLOGY Daniel Ladd, Jr., DO...........................512-451-0139
GENERAL SURGERY Russell Juno, MD................................979-968-2700 General & Laparoendoscopic Surgeons of Central Texas..................979-242-5605 Albert L. Chorens, MD Anant Praba, MD Daniel A. White, MD
979.242.2200 One St. Mark’s Place | La Grange, Texas Located just North of La Grange on Hwy. 77
www.smmctx.org
FOR MORE INFORMATION ON ST. MARK’S PHYSICIANS, CALL 979.242.2205.
La Grange
Voted BEST
• Pizza • Sandwiches
Voted BEST
• Pizza •Soup • Sandwiches
New York Style Brick Oven Pizza • Sandwiches Salads • Soups • Fresh Fruits Homemade Pies 539 E. Colorado St. • La Grange, TX 979-968-3100
208 E. Austin St. • Giddings, TX 979-542-4700
HOURS: MONDAY - SUNDAY 10 A.M. - 9 P.M.
La Grange
Stroll the streets of downtown La Grange to find all sorts of jewelry, clothing and gift shops.
Shop Downtown La Grange
From Jewelry and Clothing to Specialty Cookware, You’ll Find it Here
T
he square in downtown La Grange offers an abundance of unique shops. You will find an assortment of boutiques, a jewelry store, a men’s wear store and even a gourmet kitchen shop. The Le Petite Gourmet Shoppe recently moved into a much larger space and is the place to find the latest kitchen utensils, gadgets and speciality products. Twice a month, Chef Mike Morphew conducts a cooking class. Heritage Hallmark is a Gold
Crown store and recently celebrated their 31st year in business in downtown La Grange. Jewelry with soul, is the best way to describe Richard Schmidt’s jewelry. The family store offers very unique jewelry. The Schmidt’s Jewelry store has been located on the square since 1977. Boutiques such as Flair and Company, Cottage Gatherings, Urban Nest, Julie B’s, Silver Barn & Co., The Mustard Seed and Tara’s Boutique have very unique items that offer something for everyone. You’ll find kolaches at Lu-
Le Petite Gourmet Shoppe (134 N Washington St.) has a massive selection of cooking supplies.
kas Bakery Monday through Saturday morning, coffee at Latte on the Square and Barbeque for lunch at Prause’s.
The square is centered around the courthouse and offers plenty of free parking and handicap accessible parking.
ET AY
TE C
O UN
BE
T Y •
ST OF F
La Grange
Voted the BEST Liquor Store in Fayette County
•
Spirits & Wine Fine Cigars Craft Beer Fishing Bait Lukas Bakery kolaches.
Kolaches: Fayette County’s Iconic Food A true kolache, despite what big-city franchises might try to tell you, are sweet pastries baked with a generous dollop of fruit (or cream cheese, cottage cheese or poppy seed) in the middle. And boy do the bakeries in Fayette County know how to make these traditional European treats. Each place has their own variations, but every one is great. All the places listed here also sell amazing pigsin-the blanket (klobasniky).
• Weikel’s Bakery at 2247 Texas 71 Business in La Grange. Call 979-968-9413. Also available at Village Market in Carmine. • Hruska’s Bakery at 109 W. Texas 71 in Ellinger. Call 979/378-2333. • Lukas Bakery at 135. N. main Street in La Grange; 979968-3052 • Original Kountry Bakery is at 110 Kessler Ave. (US 77 ) in Schulenburg; 979-743-4342.
Kegs Available upon request
Drive thru or Walk in
(979) 968-3440 1381 W. St. Hwy 71 La Grange Weikel’s Bakery kolaches.
La Grange
Merle Haggard, second from left, drew a record crowd last year to the Fayette County Fair.
Fayette County Fair A Labor Day Weekend Tradition
For 86 years the Fayette County Fair has treated local folks and area visitors to the biggest party between Houston and Austin. This year marks the 85th edition of the fair, which is always held the Thursday-Sunday of Labor Day Weekend, Aug. 28- 31, at the Fayette County
Fairgrounds just north of La Grange on Highway 77. The four day-extravaganza is packed with events too numerous to mention, but here are a few that are always included:
* A Queen’s Contest on opening night. * A Saturday morning parade through downtown La Grange. * A Carnival.
* Weekend Barbecue cookoff. * Softball Tournament. * Petting Zoo. * A wide array of local food vendors and live music at the German-Czech Mart. * Fine Arts Exhibits. * Livestock shows. * A Country Store. * Talent Show. * Headline performers every night on the main stage.
* Horseshoe and washer pitching tournaments. * A Commercial Exhibit Hall filled with vendors.
Season tickets go on sale in July, sold by candidates for Fair Queen, or one-day admission tickets can be bought at the gate. Also see www.fayettecountyfair.org.
The historic building is nestled in the secluded and picturesque valley of Holman located off FM 155 between La Grange and Weimar.
Holman Valley Steakhouse serves the finest steaks and seafood with the most comfortable and hospitable service ! Come enjoy the family owned and operated restaurant committed to keeping the traditions alive!
10204 FM 155 La Gange, TX 78945
(979) 263-4188 www.holmanvalleysteakhouse.com
La Grange
WINCHESTER DEPOT Antiques & Gift Shop
Old Fashioned Sundae’s • Milkshakes Malts • Floats • Sandwiches
ET AY
TE C
O
UN
BE
T Y •
ST OF F
211 W. Front St.
•
204 THOMAS ST. • WINCHESTER
979.242.3433
WWW.EATATMURPHYS.COM
Voted Best Steakhouse in Fayette County 2013 & 2014
La Grange
Melissa Weltner stands in front of her used clothing shop, The Swap.
Second-Hand Style
By LUCY CARR
D
o you like a bargain? Maybe you enjoy searching the racks of Goodwill, or rummaging in thrift shops for that special something? If so, there’s no need to go to the cities for the chance to find a good deal, as La Grange is home to a number of stores specializing in resale goods. The Swap is the latest addition to the La Grange resale scene. Located in a former home on South Jefferson, this quirky store sells consignment goods, from clothes to cups, in a fun, vintage setting. “My intention in every corner of the shop is to be dif-
ferent and inspiring, from the recycled glass walkway to the handmade fixtures,” explains owner Melissa Weltner. As well as selling clothes gently used, quality clothes for babies, men and women, the store also stocks shoes, jewelry, hats, furniture, and art. “Prices range from $.50 to $60 depending on the brand, quality and condition. Boots, furniture and wall art can go higher, but there are always bargains here!” explains Melissa, adding that The Swap works on consignment, where used clothes are sold on a commission basis, split between the store and the consignor. Melissa took over The Swap in October
Photo by Lucy Carr
2014, when its original owner decided to close the store to take care of her young and growing family. She moved the store to its current location on South Jefferson, just by the Fayette Library in November 2014 and spent time merchandizing and turning a former home into a funky boutique. “My goal is to be carry the most stylish clothes in an organized, easy to shop environment,” explains Melissa., who has an eclectic background as varied as the clothes in her store. “One of my favorite parts of owning this business is helping customers shop. To Continued on next page
La Grange
Every Friday morning people line up to be among the first to check out the deals inside Second Chance Emporium at 529 W Travis St., arguably the most popular resale shop in Central Texas.
Deals to Be Had in La Grange at Resale Shops
Continued from previous page me, great customer service is one of the most important factors in getting my repeat business. Making anyone who walks in my door feel like a million bucks, even if they don’t buy anything, is priority one.� The Swap - 755 S. Jefferson Hours: Tues.-Sat. 10:30 a.m. - 5:30 p.m. Sun. & Mon. - by appointment only
Facebook.com/TheSwapLG (979) 353-1140 Call or Text
Even more for your money
The Second Chance Emporium, just a short walk from the main square on West Travis, is a charitable organization run by a collaboration of local churches. The large store is a popular spot for bargain hunters
looking for clothes for men, women and children, household items, furniture and soft furnishings and toys. 4 Peas Resale, on 1346 North Jefferson, is another excellent place to shop for a bargain, be it clothing, jewelry, toys or something decorative for the home. You can lose many an hour in here, searching for vintage items and bargain goods.
La Grange
Images from a recent La Grange Farmers market, held every Saturday morning year-round.
Photos by Elaine Thomas
Farmers Market Every Saturday Morning By ELAINE THOMAS
Early on Saturday morning, follow the lead of local folks and head downtown to the Courthouse Square to visit the La Grange Farmers Market. You’ll find local gardeners selling their freshly picked seasonal fruits and vegetables, who are eager to offer
food preparation ideas. You may discover varieties that you rarely see and you’ll have the satisfaction of talking to the people who nurtured what you’re about to eat. You’ll be able to choose from home baked goodies, nuts, herbs and honey that are, oh, so fine, and may be tempted to taste test
some of the outstanding and unusual relishes, pickles, salsas and jams/jellies for sale. In addition to food, you’ll find crafts made with a generous dash of TLC. Not every vendor is present every Saturday, which spices up the experience. The early bird gets the best selection and by
noon, the vendors will be packed up and headed home to prepare and plan for the following Saturday. Sponsored by the City of La Grange’s Main Street Program and open virtually year round, weather permitting, the farmers market is a great way to start your day.
La Grange
Child’s Play Adventures Await Your Little Ones Here in La Grange
By LUCY CARR
La Grange is a family friendly place, with lots of to do in town to keep the children entertained. Here are just a few ideas.
Playing in Parks
La Grange is packed with city parks and play areas. White Rock park, at 940 Mode Lane, is located on the banks of the Colorado River. Run by the city, but developed by the Lower Colorado River Authority, the park facilities include a canoe launch area, baseball fields, a playground, picnic areas, restrooms, paved area parking and a fishing pier. Its sports fields are used for seasonal sports such as soccer and baseball. There’s a jogging and walking trail and even some static exercise machines if you are looking for a place for the whole family to work out. And for the braver among you, there’s a rope swing over the river. Kruschel Park, at 480 W Colorado, has walking trails, basketball and volley ball courts, a baseball field and swimming pool (usually open during the summer) and is another good spot for a bit of family recreation. Monument Hill State Park has a children’s playground at the top end of the park, plus miles of hiking trails to tire out the most energetic of young legs, as well as plenty of history to exercise their minds. Continued on next page
The dash is on at the annual Easter Egg hunt at the Jersey Barnyard.
Photo by Jeff Wick
La Grange
La Grange is Certainly Kid-Friendly Continued from previous page If you have kids who like to fish, take them to the fishing pier at the Boat Ramp Park, Boat Ramp Road (off Business 71, underneath the historic truss bridge), or at the Northside Park on Hanacek Road.
A little light reading
The Fayette Public Library, at 855 S. Jefferson St, also has a play area in its grounds. There is plenty of colorful apparatus for the children to climb on and slide down, all in the safety of a gravel-filled space. Indoors, the library includes a children’s section and offers story time for children at 10.15 each Wednesday morning. Fayette Public Library hours of operation. Tuesday - Thursday 10 a.m. - 6 p.m. Friday 10 a.m. - 5 p.m. Saturday 10 a.m. - 1 p.m.
Sunday 1 p.m. - 5 p.m. Monday Closed
Animal attractions
The Jersey Barnyard, on Highway 159, gives visitors the chance to tour the family farm filled with Jersey cows and a menagerie of other farm animals, including goats and hens. Families can take a guided or selfguided tour, with the chance to feed some of the animals themselves. If that’s not enough fun, there’s an array of hand-dipped ice cream flavors to choose from before you leave! The Jersey Barnyard 3117 Hwy. 159 (979) 249-3406 Open Monday-Friday 10 a.m. - 6 p.m. Saturday 9 a.m. - 6 p.m. Sunday 1-6 p.m.
134 N. Washington La Grange, TX 78945 979-639-5034
julie@julie-b.com www.julie-b.com
Please find us on instagram -julieblagrange
Indoor Fun!
The local bowling alley had a change of ownership and a makeover in 2014, making it into a family-friendly attraction, ideal for a night out or a rainy-day activity. La Grange Lanes is open Tuesday-Friday, 5 p.m. – 10 p.m., Saturday and Sunday 4 p.m. – 10 p.m., open Mondays by appointment. www.lagrangelanes.com, 385 North Main Street, (979) 968-3211, email: david@lagrangelanes.com
Time for a bite
After all that activity, it’s time for dinner. Aside from the numerous fast food restaurants in the area, many local eateries are very family friendly, including Café Dobre on the town square, where drawing on the table cloths is positively encouraged!
La Grange
Award Winning Bakery
in Fayette County!
Ladies and Missy Clothing FLAX & MATCH POINT
Home and Gift Items
EUROPEAN SOAPS • ROUND TOP COLLECTION TYLER CANDLE COMPANY
Children’s Clothing and Gifts
ADEN + ANAIS • MUD PIE • PEACHES ‘N CREAM
2247 W. State Hwy. 71 • La Grange, TX 979.968.9413 | www.weikels.com
BE •
& BEST CAKES/CUPCAKES
TE C
O T Y •
BEST KOLACHE, BEST PIE, BEST SWEETS,
ET AY
UN
Voted BEST DESSERTS, BEST BAKERY,
ST OF F
Deli Sandwiches & Grill
La Grange
Explore the Colorado River Here By H.H. HOWZE The Fayette County Record
The Colorado River is probably the most defining natural feature in Fayette County. The river was a corridor for settlement and transportation in frontier times. Today, tamed by upstream dams, it provides residents and visitors alike with access to the natural – and human – history of the area. Ten miles downstream from the Fayette-Bastrop County line is the first public access to the river at the Lower Colorado River Authority’s Plum Park. The Colorado River as it flows from Plum to La Grange is full of surprises around every turn – and there are a lot of turns. Several species of birds frequent this stretch of the river: barred owls, green and blue herons, American egrets, hawks, crows, green kingfishers and black vultures. Further downriver, a sheer white chalk bluff rises 200 feet on the east side while needle-nose gar snap at dragonflies and butterflies on the smooth surface. A two-hour float from Plum brings travelers to the broad mouth of Rabb’s Creek. This is where William Rabb and his family, members of Stephen F. Austin’s “Old Three Hundred,” settled on a threeleague headright (about 12,000
Kayakers approach the Chalk Bluff area of the Colorado River just north of La Grange. Photo by Jeff Wick
acres) in 1822. The young settlement of La Grange was established in the 1830s on the east side of a prehistoric “buffalo crossing.” Today the LCRA maintains a convenient boat ramp for river tourists under the Business 71 bridge. The river authority also provides a river guide to other put-ins and take-outs along the river. Below La Grange, the next public take-out is White Rock
Park on river left, a short but scenic one hour float. Immediately downstream from the “buffalo crossing” ramp under Business 71, Buckner’s Creek comes in on river right. Just downriver, on the prominent bluff which forces the river into a 90-degree left turn, a monument to heroes of the Republic of Texas at Monument Hill State Park is visible from the river. Watch for a small inlet suitable for a ferryboat against the
base of the cliff, the location of the “lower ferry,” where German immigrant Heinrich Kreische shuttled customers to his ingenious brewery and biergarten (also on the Bluff at Monument Hill State Park) for several decades after the Civil War. Don’t miss the White Rock Park takeout just below the high US 77 bridge because the next public access is almost 40 river miles Columbus.
VISIT THE
M-K-T RAILROAD DEPOT MUSEUM
REAL & MODEL TRAINS, PHOTOS, HANDS ON EXHIBITS
Open Sat. 9:00-2:00
A Beautifully Preserved Pioneer Home 260 N.Washington, La Grange, Texas 1 Block north of the Square, just behind the Quilt Museum Info at Chamber of Commerce 979-968-5756
822 S. Jefferson, La Grange, Across from the Library Open 2nd Sat. each month 1-4 pm and by Appointment Contact Marie Watts at marie.watts@faisonhouse.org
713-628-9065
La Grange
Fayette County a Paradise of Parks Boat Ramp Park in La Grange:
Easy access to Colorado River for fishing, tubing, and canoe trips. Boat ramp, volleyball court, picnic tables. Open daily dawn to dusk. Handicap accessible. Located under Business 71 bridge over river.
Flatonia City Park in Flatonia:
This park has a swimming pool, playground, sand volleyball court, two baseball fields, a softball field and a covered pavilion. For information on use, contact the city of Flatonia at (361) 865-3548.
Railroad Park in Flatonia: Flatonia
is one of the few cities in the U.S. to have a railroad with both North-South and EastWest routes. Railfans love this park, including the nearby elevated platform that’s a “picture-taking place.” Sidetrack Tommy has given hundreds of tours of Flatonia’s railroad tower to visitors all across the country. To tour the Historic Tower #3 and S.P. Caboose #4743, contact info@railcrossroadstx.com.
La Grange’s White Rock Park has probably the best rope swing on the entire Colorado River. Photo by Jeff Wick
Plum Park on the Colorado: Canoe put-in on the river between Smithville and La Grange. $5 fee per vehicle to enter. Offers open range for primitive camp-
ing with picnic tables, fire rings and grills. Permit information 1-800-776-5272, Ext. 3366.
Parks continued on next page
COMMERCIAL RESIDENTIAL Hillcrest Homes of Texas a division of
Kolbe-Hill, Inc.
2004 S. US HWY 77 La Grange, TX 78945
979-968-5122
kolbehillinc@gmail.com www.kolbehillinc.com
La Grange
Fayette County Park Listings, Continued Monument Hill & Kreische Brewery State Historic Sites
on “The Bluff”: Scenic, wooded park with monument to Texas heroes of the Mier and Dawson expeditions (1840s). Home and ruins of historic brewery built by early German settler. 40.4 acres located one mile south of La Grange off US 77. Walking paths; guided and self-guided tours; picknicking, nature and historical study. Arrangements can be made with park staff for weddings, family reunions or other group functions in the picnic or historical facilities. Open seven days a week from 8 a.m. - 5 p.m.; no fee. 414 State Loop 92, La Grange (979) 968-5658; monument.hill@tpwd.state. tx.us.
Wolters Park in Schulenburg: Includes a swimming pool, areas for picnicing and other facilities such as a basketball court, gazebo and playground. Wolters Park also includes Jacob Wolters’ 1835 log cabin. Located at south end of Bohlmann Street. Park Prairie Park at Lake Fayette:
Boat ramp, 12 tent- only campsites, and picnic facilities make a comfortable base for recreation at Lake Fayette. Group camping area (up to 24 people) with screened shelter (sleeps four) electricity, three campsites, picnic tables, and a grill. Reservations: see information below for Oak Thicket Park.
Oak Thicket Park at Lake Fayette:
The Gift Place at
Great Gift Shop Items & Much More! 979.242.5146 or 1.800.688.0272
3611 W. State Hwy. 71, La Grange M-F 7:30 a.m. - 5:30 p.m. & Sat. 7:30 a.m. - 5 p.m.
On 2,000-acre Fayette Lake. Features RV and tent sites, screened shelters, a large pavilion, picnic facilities, hiking trails, a sandy beach, a playground, interpretive nature exhibit, twobedroom and bunk-house cabins and a boat ramp. Here you can bike, boat, fish, hike and swim. Reservations: call Texas Parks and Wildlife Reservation Center (512) 389-8900 more than 48 hours in advance. To make reservations less than 48 hours in advance, call the park at (979) 249-3504.
White Rock Park in La Grange:
Day-use park (23.5 acres), one of the largest on the lower Colorado River. Operated by the City of La Grange, (979) 9685805. Located approximately one mile downstream of the U.S. 77 bridge in La Grange. Facilities include a canoe launch area, baseball fields, a playground, picnic areas, restrooms, paved area parking and a fishing pier.
La Grange
Every April 13,000 cyclists spend the night in La Grange, which is the overnight stopover of the MS 150 charity ride from Houston to Austin. Here the cyclists get ready to leave the Fayette County Fairgrounds to begin Day Two of the ride. Photo by Jeff Wick
La Grange Welcomes Cyclists
Presents the 19th Annual
either side of the road to cheer the riders on through their last few yards as an announcer spouts biographical details about many of the bikers as they pass through. Even after they finish, not all the riders stay at the fairgrounds. Many local families open up their homes to host the same riders year after year –but most local hotels and campgrounds are filled to the brim that weekend as well.
Experience with a Personal Touch ET AY
TE C
T Y •
Friday & Saturday, February 26 & 27, 2016 Hours: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Fayette County Fairgrounds, La Grange, Texas More than just a quilt show... More Quilt Exhibits at the following locations in 2016
Texas Quilt Museum Winedale Historical Center The Copper Shade Tree Gallery, Round Top For more information visit our website: www.cvquiltguild.com
www.HartLandRealEstate.com
O UN
Voted BEST Real Estate Company in Fayette County
ST OF F
The Colorado Valley Quilt Guild
grounds turns into bicycle-central. This year’s event is April 1213. Dozens of circus tents go up where bikers rest and relax from the ride in from Houston. Bands perform and community members come together to make sure all the bikers and support staff are fed and taken care of. Even if you aren’t riding yourself, the Day One finish line at the fairgrounds is a sight to behold. Hundreds form lines on
BE
This year’s MS 150 is April 18-19. Some 13,000 bikers make their way from Houston to Austin in the two-day event and for the last 29 years La Grange has served as the extended pit-stop. Last year over $17 million was raised for the National MS Society and since the MS 150 started more than $180 million has been raised. The Fayette County Fair-
•
The scenic, winding country roads of Fayette County make this area a magnet for cyclists year-round. But every April more cyclists converge on Fayette County than anywhere else in the world. La Grange is the overnight stopping point for the MS 150, the largest charity bike ride in the world, which raises money for multiple sclerosis research and treatment.
979-968-3892 • 104 S. Main La Grange, TX
La Grange
Bugle Boy a Venue Where Listening is Art Form
T
he Bugle Boy is an intimate concert hall housed in a World War II army barracks located in La Grange. Doors opened in January of 2005 and shortly after, The Bugle Boy became one of the premier listening rooms in the country. What is a “Listening Room,” you ask? It’s just what the name implies: a space where you go to listen. Talking is discouraged during performances. A Listening Room environment creates the best and most intimate experience that an artist can share with an attentive audience. It’s like having a personal, live concert in your own living room. Artists who perform at The Bugle Boy have great things to say about this special listening environment; the audiences do too. The focus is on original, independent singer/songwriters, who perform folk, blues, rock, jazz, swing and everything in between. In addition to wonderful music, the Bugle Boy is a nonsmoking establishment and offers coffee, assorted teas, fine wines and beer. Bugle Boy takes its name from the Andrews Sisters’ 1940’s hit “Boogie Woogie Bugle Boy.” The barracks now housing the
Bugle Boy originated at the WWII Camp Swift Infantry Base in Bastrop, Texas. In 1948, the La Grange Sons of Hermann Lodge purchased the building from the U.S. Army and had it relocated to La Grange where they conducted their meetings until 2004. Since doors opened in January of 2005, The Bugle Boy has presented more than 1,000 performances of original, independ-
ent music and has become one of the premier listening rooms in the country. In 2008, supporters of The Bugle Boy created The Bugle Boy Foundation, a 501(c) (3) non-profit organization, to sustain and elevate original live music through the operation of the listening room and a variety of other exciting projects in our community. In January 2012, the Bugle
Boy became the first “Fair Trade” music venue in Texas, in recognition of our payment guarantees to performing artists. The Bugle Boy relies on your donations and a dedicated crew of volunteers to sustain the high quality of our programs. For more information on the Bugle Boy or to see their performance schedule, visit thebugleboy.org
The Bugle Boy, which opened in 2005, has hosted more than 1,000 performances.
La Grange
Home Decor-Women’s Apparel &Much, Much More 239 W. Travis St., La Grange www.FlairandCompany.com
(979) 968-6860 •ANU •Baik Baik •B-Elegant •Bryn Walker •Cheyenne •Circle E Candles •Completo •3D Belt Company •Double J Saddlery •J P and Mattie •Gretty Zuegar •Lysse •Match Point •Patricia Wolf
Soon to be Our NEW Home!
•Margee Halsch •Becky Mitchell •No Blu •OMG •Tasha Polizzi •Peacock •Roja •Scala •Scully •Tulip •Turquoise Haven •West and Company •Vintage •Yea
127 W. Travis • LaGrange
La Grange
The Texas Quilt Museum opened to much fanfare Nov. 13, 2011 and draws thousands of visitors to downtown La Grange every year. Photo by Jeff Wick
Not Your Grandmother’s Quilts
La Grange became the unofficial quilting capital of Texas on Nov. 13, 2011, as the Texas Quilt Museum opened in downtown La Grange and ever since a steady stream of tour buses has been descending upon the two-building complex that also includes a massive 75-foot mural and turnof-the-century garden at 140 W. Colorado St. “These are not your grandmother’s quilts,” said Karey Bresenhan, co-founder of the museum, who also founded the
Houston International Quilt Festival “These are quilts like you’ve never seen before.” The museum was the idea Bresenhan and her cousin Nancy O’Bryant Puentes, who together have written a trilogy of books on Texas Quilts. The choice to bring the museum to La Grange was an easy one, said Bresenhan. “La Grange is right in the middle of Austin, Houston and San Antonio. It’s a crossroads to all these areas,” Bresenhan said
prior to the museum opening. Even before the museum opened this area was already home to a vibrant quilting community. The Colorado Valley Quilt Guild holds “The Best Little Quilt Show in Texas” in La Grange every February. But the museum has sparked even more interest in quilting locally. The quilts on display change every few months. In addition to a gift shop, the museum also houses the Pearce Memorial Li-
brary and Material Culture Center which features reference books about quilting and fabric collections. The museum’s hours are from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Thursdays through Saturdays and from noon to 4 p.m. on Sundays. Admission is $8 per person but is $6 for seniors, students and groups of 20 or more when arranged in advance. For more information check out www.texasquiltmuseum.org or call them at (979) 968-3104.
La Grange
Grandmother’s Flower Garden Adjacent to Quilt Museum Grandmother’s Flower Garden, a period “town” garden typical of area gardens between 1893, when the Museum’s buildings were constructed, and 1930, is located adjacent to the Museum and is planned to inspire creativity and contemplation. It is oriented to the Museum’s large quilt mural and centered by an antique “cemetery” fence which surrounds a sundial. It was designed by Mitzi VanSant of The Fragrant Garden, and features flowers, shrubs, vines, and trees which were favored by gardeners of the past, or in some cases their somewhat more modern gardeners.
celebrate it with ...come home to your heritage
TM
South Central Texas’
Largest Independent Real Estate Firm ...
Recognized for PROVIDING DISTINGUISHED BROKERAGE SERVICES and a TRADITION of INTEGRITY.
BRENHAM 605 S. Austin Brenham, TX 77833
979.836.3633
ROUND TOP 203 N. Live Oak Round Top, TX 78954
979.249.5787
LA GRANGE 103 N. Main La Grange, TX 78945
979.968.5300
BELLVILLE 524 W. Main Bellville, TX 77418
979.865.4443
W W W. H E R I TA G E T E X A S C O U N T RY. COM
240 West Colorado La Grange, Texas 979.968.8555 Check us out on Facebook at Heritage Hallmark-La Grange, TX
WE’RE NOT THE USUAL HALLMARK STORE!
La Grange
Prause Meat Market Still Smokin’ A Century Later By H.H. HOWZE
The Fayette County Record
F
ans of fresh meat and barbecue from the historic Prause Meat Market on the courthouse square in La Grange are glad to see the place is still doing business. Last year the current generation of the Prause clan – Gary, Brian, Kathy, Mark (and sausage -maker Dennis Ahlschlager) – tried to hang up their cleavers and meat saws and sell the business, worn down to the gristle by years of 70 hour weeks. There weren’t any buyers for the market, which has been in the Prause family for more than 100 years, so they’ve just kept on selling their famous meat and barbeque. Arnold Prause started the family’s first butcher shop in 1904 on the north side of the square. The business outgrew the original location, and the Prause family moved it south in 1953 to the current space. The market is owned and operated by fourth-generation members of Gary, Mark, Kathy and Brian Prause in their iconic meat market on the La Grange square . the Prause family. Photo by H.H. Howze Continued on next page
FINANCING L AND OWNER SHIP
Grow with us.
NMLS493828
Let us finance your dreams FINANCING
SERVICES
Rural Land Real Estate Appraisal Homes Crop Insurance Farms & Ranches Leasing Operating Capital Livestock & Equipment Improvements Agribusiness
La Grange Credit Office 979.968.5750 | Toll Free 877.688.5500 CapitalFarmCredit.com proud member of the Farm Credit System
La Grange
Mark Prause cuts the wood, fires the oven and tends the barbecue behind the scenes at Prause’s Meat Market every work day. Longtime barbecue cook Monroe Schubert retired last year. Photo by H.H. Howze
Prause Meat Market: The Tradition Continues Continued from previous page
It’s one of the more interesting business places in town, featuring a colorful mural on the back wall, lots of mounted deer heads, big bass and waterfowl trophies – and don’t forget the javalina back in the “eatin’ room.” Then there’s the long wall on the left where customers line up daily to choose from the barbecue and deli offerings. The wall is a gallery of folksy wit and wisdom such as: • Do you want to talk to the boss or someone who knows what’s going on? • Born to hunt – forced to work. • The trouble with women is that they get all excited about
nothing ... then marry him. • Chickens: the only animal you eat before they are born and after they’re dead. • If a man is in the woods and no woman can hear him, would he still be wrong? And a lot of others. Lucky for locals and visitors, the Prause clan plans to carry on in the family trade, they’re just not working such long hours anymore. “We’ve cut back from 70 hours a week to 50,” Gary said. “We’re still doing plenty of business, but we’re all getting older.” Lot’s of folks hope they just keep on smokin‘ that good ’cue until they find someone else to take over.
979.249.5132 2204 E. State Hwy. 71 | La Grange
Mon-Fri 9-6 • Sat 9-5 • Sun 12-5
La Grange
Czech Mark
La Grange Home to Texas Czech Heritage and Cultural Center With its rich heritage, it’s no surprise that La Grange is the hub for celebrating the Czech culture in Texas. Over 80 percent of the Czech-Moravian families who settled in Texas at some time lived in Fayette County before they spread out across the state. Celebrating that colorful heritage, which deeply enriches this community, is the Texas Czech Heritage and Cultural Center. At its 70-acre site neighboring the Fayette County Fairgrounds just north of La Grange on Hwy. 77, is the multifaceted home of the Texas Czech Heritage and Cultural Center. A replica of a late 19th and early 20th century Czech-Moravian community is being developed
Czech singers at the La Grange Cultural Center.
there, which includes authentic old Czech homes, businesses and an old dance hall. There’s a wall depicting the names of Czech
settlers who helped to found the city, an amphitheatre built into a hill on a bank facing the mighty Colorado River, self-guided walking trails with legends in English and Czech, and a gift shop and library to trace your Czech ancestry. Work is ongoing on the varied aspects of this celebration of culture.
Why La Grange?
In December of 1995, at a meeting of Texans of Czech An-
cestry, members voted to support the project of building a statewide Czech cultural center with a library, museum, and archives. Before that, a statewide request was sent asking for any communities that were interested in such a facility to present a proposal. Proposals were received from the cities of Caldwell, Ennis, La Grange, and Temple. After a thorough examination of each of the proposals, including a visit to each site and a meeting Continued next page
The exterior of the Texas Czech Heritage and Cultural Center
La Grange
Amphitheater, Czech Village All Part of Cultural Complex Continued from previous page
with city officials, the TOCA Board Members selected the La Grange proposal. Fayette County was selected as the site for the Center because of its significance in the history of Texas Czechs. It has the largest Czech population per capita and the most Czech communities of any county in the state. Many Czech-related historical sites and events, as well as prominent Texas Czechs, can be linked to Fayette County, which has the distinction of having had more immigrants from the Czech lands of the Austro-Hungarian Empire settle there in the second half of the nineteenth century than any other county in Texas. Other reasons for selecting LaGrange included the location and the amount of land offered and the fact that Fayette County is historically significant in Texas-Czech history. Ground breaking for the new building designed by Roger Kolar, architect, was held in June of 2008. Gaeke Construction was awarded the bid for the 10,000 square foot building. Another major component of the TCHCC, now on the site, is the large Sanford Schmid
Sanford Schmid Amphitheater overlooks the Colorado River Valley with stadium type seating for 400. The annual Muziky celebration is held there every October.
Amphitheater that overlooks the Colorado River Valley with stadium type seating for 400. The Hoelscher Haus donated to TCHCC by Henry and Esther Hoelscher was moved to the site on Oct. 19, 2005. It houses the Polka Lovers Club of Texas Museum.
The Texas Czech Heritage and Cultural Center is open: Monday-Friday 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. and on Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Contact them at (888) 785-4500. The center is located at 250 West Fairgrounds Road in La Grange.
Ask to see our wine room! VOTED BEST LIQUOR/WINE SHOP IN FAYETTE COUNTY!
Locally Owned & Operated by the Laigle Family
HOURS: MONDAY-WEDNESDAY 10 A.M. - 6 P.M. THURSDAY-SATURDAY 10 A.M - 9 P.M.
(979) 968-8951 | 150 N. Vail St. | La Grange, Texas 78945
La Grange
La Grange
This photo shows the 1918 celebration locally of the end of World War I with folks holding American flags in front of the historic Muster Oak and the Schumacher Bank located at the corner of Washington and Colorado Streets in downtown La Grange. Photo courtesy of Fayette Heritage Museum and Archive Right: The Muster Oak as it appears today, still thriving on the corner of Washington and Colorado Streets. Photo by Russell Bennett
One of Texas’ Most Famous Trees On the La Grange courthouse square, jutting out into the street at the corner of Colorado and Washington streets stands a centuries old oak tree that since the days of the Texas Revolution has served as a gathering point for local soldiers before they went off to war. On one of the two historical markers near the tree, it states: “Wives, mothers and sweethearts have bade farewell here and sent their men to war.” Seeing this “Muster Oak” should be part of any trip to downtown La Grange.
...come home to your heritage
TM
Your La Grange Team
Nadine Hufnall Sales Manager
979.224.5956
Bryan Roberts 979.966.7305
Deborah Behringer 979.966.3907
Nancy Applebe 979.338.9690
Sonny Applebe 713.252.7000
W W W.H E R I TAGE T E X AS COU NT RY. C OM
Tom Falke 979.885.9434
La Grange
La Grange
A Toast to Fayette County Enjoy Locally Made Mead or Wine Here, Or Learn About One of Texas’ First Breweries
For more information go to their website rohanmeadery.com. • Rosemary’s Vineyard and Winery located at 5501 Highway 71 East, five miles east of La Grange. The first vines there were planted in 2000 and Rosemary’s opened for business in 2006. Take a stroll through their vineyard and see such grapes as Lenoir and Blanc du Bois growing on the vine before heading to the adjacent tasting room. They are open Monday through Saturday 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. and Sunday afternoons. • The Stone Cellar in Round Top holds separate Beer and Wine Festivals each year. Visit the website for details. •Check out how Kreische brewed beer and see his ingenious system of keeping it cool with spring water go to Monument Hill-Kreische Brewery State Park at 414 State Loop 92 in La Grange. Open seven days a week (except Christmas Day) from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Free.
The Germans and Czechs who settled this area loved their beer – dating back to 1860 when Heinrich Kreische started one of Texas’ first commercial breweries on the bluff above the Colorado River here. Today, Fayette County visitors and residents alike can enjoy a wide-range of locally crafted beverages. Mead is a form of wine made from honey and is believed to be the oldest form of alcohol. The Rohan Meadery began business in 2009 and opened their tasting room in February 2011 at 6002 FM 2981. It is owned and operated by John and Wendy Rohan. The meadery is open to visitors Wednesdays thru Sundays from noon to 6 p.m. A motto of Rohans Meadery is “Save the Bees, Drink Mead.”
Rohan Mead
Rosemary’s Wine
Monument Hill & Kreische Brewery State Historic Sites High on the bluff overlooking La Grange 414 State Loop 92 La Grange, TX 78945
WE HAVE AN ARRAY OF PROFESSIONAL HAIR CARE PRORDUCTS FOR ALL YOUR HAIR NEEDS!
Activities: •Historic Sites •Picnic Area •Hiking Trails •Guided Tours •Scenic Views •Wildlife Viewing •GeoCaching
•MEN’S & WOMEN’S HAIRCUTS •BRIDAL STYLES •ALL OVER COLOR •FOIL HAIR COLORING HIGH & LOW LIGHTS •DEEP TREATMENT SYSTEMS •WAXING •AIRBRUSH MAKEUP •BALAYAGE
979-968-6815
420 W. TRAVIS ST. • STE 104 • LA GRANGE WWW.REVEHAIRSALON.COM
Free Admission
(979) 968-5658
Open 8 a.m.-5 p.m. Daily
Bailey Catherine Donna
Crystal
Krystal
Gail
La Grange
Brush Up on Your Golf Game
Though part of a country club, the golf course at Frisch Auf! is also open to the public and offers lots of challenging holes with water hazards and elevation changes.
Fayette County boasts two nine-hole golf courses that are open to the public – and one disc golf course. The La Grange golf course is at Frisch Auf! Valley Country Club, but non-members can play there. It’s located at 576 Country Club Drive at the base of the bluff formed by the Colorado River. Call (979) 968-6113 for more information. The Flatonia course is at 1245 E. Highway 90 and opened in 1993. For more information call (361) 865-2922. Carts are available for rental at both courses. If disc golf is your game, Snow Farm is a 21- hole course located in the far northern tip of Fayette County on Muske-Ulrich Road. Call ahead for reservations from owner/operator Randon Dillingham at (979) 278-3536. Built in 2012, there is now a free disc golf course at the Fayette County fairgrounds as well.
You make the memories...we make them possible!
Sherry L. Callis Vice President NMLS #615337 979-968-4505
Duke M. Hengst Senior Vice President NMLS #615338 979-968-4530
Tracy L. Harris Vice President NMLS #982006 979-968-4527
Imagine the possibilities with a low rate mortgage from National Bank & Trust! We are proven, experienced lenders that provide you with the best financing solution customized to fit your specific needs. Ready to purchase your dream home to retire in or a quaint starter home to begin a family in? Maybe you need a weekend getaway out in the country? Whatever your dream may be, we have the answer!
Not only do we offer Purchase Money Loans, but we also can help you with an Interim Construction & Permanent Loan, Home Improvement Loan, or Home Equity Loan.
NBT is your full service lender! *FIRST TIME HOME BUYER PROGRAM * NO MINIMUM LOAN AMOUNT * LOW CLOSING COSTS *LOCAL PROCESSING AND SERVICING * LOW RATES * ADJUSTABLE OR FIXED RATE OPTIONS
145 W. Colorado; La Grange, TX 78945 www.nbt-texas.com
(979) 968-4525
It all starts with trust
La Grange
Kleiber Tractor Kleiber Tractor & Equipment & Equipment 1701 W. Travis St. La Grange, TX 78945 979-968-3187 www.kleibertractor.com
1701 W. Travis St. La Grange, TX 78945 979-968-3187 www.kleibertractor.com
La Grange
More Specialists, More Options, More Than Ever St. Mark’s Medical Center in La Grange offers advanced health care services right here, right now. By ELAINE THOMAS
Whether you reside here or are visiting, contact St. Mark’s Medical Center in La Grange if you experience a medical emergency or need to make health care decisions. Our local hospital offers comprehensive health services, advanced technologies and medical specialists that rival those of major metropolitan institutions. “With a team of excellent, highly skilled physicians and caring, dedicated staff, we strive to deliver top quality care at a modern, well-equipped hospital that is state-of-the-art in many respects,” says President and Chief Executive Officer Shane Kernell. Recently, St. Mark’s Medical Center opened the doors to a brand new cardiovascular imaging center that offers the latest diagnostic technology right here in La Grange. This endeavor, in partnership with Austin Heart, brings advanced capabilities, as well as expertise to diagnose
and care for heart and vascular disease in a sophisticated, comfortable environment. A trusted name in heart health, Austin Heart is the largest provider of cardiac and vascular services in Central Texas through its 13 Central Texas office locations.
Specialist Services Available in La Grange
Other specialist services available at St. Mark’s Medical Center include orthopedics such
Loads of Laundry? Come See Us! ◆ Heavy Duty Machines for Blankets, Comforters & Quilts ◆ Detergents & Softeners ◆ Convenient Change Machine Open Daily : 7 am - 9 pm Doors Lock at 9 pm
L & M Laundromat 360 S. Brown St., La Grange
as hip and knee replacements and a women’s clinic offering obstetrics-gynecology care. These specialized services are rarely available in rural hospitals; however, they have become a cornerstone of the wide array of healthcare options offered at St. Mark’s. “We expanded St. Mark’s Medical Center’s orthopedic care to treat musculoskeletal trauma, sports injuries, degenerative diseases, infections, tumors and congenital disorders. Our specialists
in orthopedic care are outstanding professionals and our hospital’s sophisticated diagnostic imaging equipment enables us to perform diagnostics quickly and efficiently. We have a multi-slice CT and MRI equipment make that possible,” Kernell explains. In addition, physical therapy delivered by highly trained personnel is readily available at our hospital. This allows patients to receive a complete circle of care Continued on next page
La Grange
St. Mark’s Offers Big-City Level of Care in Rural Setting Continued from previous page from the Emergency Department to treatment through rehabilitation. This is especially important to area residents, who are grateful to have access to excellent healthcare where they live rather than having to drive to Austin, Houston or San Antonio. In An Emergency St. Mark’s emergency department is staffed 24 hours a day, seven days a week with a medical team specifically trained and available to handle any kind of emergency. That team is comprised of a medical director Board Certified in Emergency Medicine and nursing staff trained in Emergency Nursing, including pediatric care. A multi-disciplinary team consisting of local, county and statewide services provides rapid
Some of the smiling faces you’ll find at St. Mark’s.
response to any critically injured patient. Our hospital has strong relationships with all the healthcare agencies in the community, including ambulance services and an air-transport service and the Emergency Department has two rooms designated specifically for patients arriving with chest pain.
The laboratory at St. Mark’s Medical Center offers a comprehensive range of tests onsite to support its physicians, as well as other hospitals and healthcare entities. The lab services are fully accredited by COLA, the premier independent clinical laboratory education, consultation, and accreditation organization, with
proficiency testing monitored by the American Proficiency Institute. Consulting pathologists are Board Certified in Anatomic and Clinical Pathology with subspecialties in cytopathology, dermatopathology and hematopathology. A Level IV Trauma Continued on next page
La Grange is more than just a day trip! Be good to yourself and plan a getaway to La Grange. Whether you’re enthusiastic about Texas History or a quilt enthusiast, a music lover or lover of the outdoors; our picture-perfect Central Texas town, with strong Czech-German heritage, serves up a slice of the good life – small town style. From hotels to hardware, and everything in between. We have the local businesses that will make your trip memorable.
Let the locals show you! 220 W. Colorado St. La Grange, TX 78945 979-968-5756 1-800 LaGrang
www.lagrangetx.org chamber@lagrangetx.org
facebook.com/lagrangeareachamberofcommerce
La Grange
St. Mark’s a 65-Bed Hospital
AirEvac has a transport helicopter based at St. Mark’s for transporting patients to and from the hospital as needed.
Continued from previous page Designated Facility, St. Mark’s Medical Center has met and maintained the standards directed by the Texas Department of State and Health Services. This level of care provides initial evaluation, stabilization, diagnostic, surgery and critical-care services, plus transfer to a higher level of care, if necessary. Patients requiring the highest level of acute care for vascular or heart procedures or brain surgery frequently are referred to the local hospital’s affiliate, St. David’s HealthCare in Austin. “Being affiliated with St. David’s, which is one of the largest, most highly regarded health systems in Texas, is extremely beneficial for St. Mark’s Medical Center,” Kernell says. “St. David’s has an outstanding reputa-
tion for managing very complex health issues, especially in emergency situations.”
Celebrating 10 Years of Service
Primarily serving the residents of Fayette and Lee Counties with a population base of approximately 50,000, St. Mark’s Medical Center is a 65-bed, 100,000-square foot not-forprofit hospital. St. Mark’s Medical Center will celebrate the 10th anniversary of operation this summer. “At St. Mark’s Medical Center, our mission is to provide quality, compassionate healthcare and promote wellness for our community using modern technology that is delivered by caring professionals,” Kernell adds.
La Grange
Renovated Rec Center Has Something For All Ages After about $1.5 million was spent (split equally between the city and Texas Parks and Wildlife Department), La Grange now has a sparkling activity complex (Randolph Activity Center at 653 E. Pearl Street) that has everything from a gymnastics area to a dance studio to an exercise room with the latest fitness machines. There’s even a whole room dedicated to quilting. The center is a far cry from the 80-year-old structure that was sitting mostly empty and decaying as recently as a few years ago. The site used to be the home of Randolph High, the all-black school in La Grange that closed after integration in the mid-1960s. It was used sparingly by La Grange ISD after that, until the city took ownership in 2004, and the long, slow process of finding a way to revitalize Randolph began. “This facility is a prime example of re-use of existing buildings in our community,” said La Grange mayor Janet Moerbe during the 2013 dedication ceremony. “This was once your school building, now it’s your community building.” The Randolph Recreation Center is located at 653 E. Pearl Street in La Grange. To find out about the programs currently being offered call (979) 968-5600. The facility also hosts a massive summer camp program for kids, but spot fill up fast.
The recently renovated Randolph Recreation Center at 653 E. Pearl Street in La Grange offers gymnastics and tumbling classes as well as aerobics and dance. Various senior groups meet there to play cards, dominos and to quilt. Photo by Alyson Svec
Lindemann Real Estate
BE
ST OF F
F
ST OF BE
TE C
O T Y •
TY •
•
ST OF
ET AY
UN
UN
TY •
BE
E T T E CO AY
•
E T T E CO AY
UN
F
www.lindemannrealestate.com 821 E. Travis • La Grange, TX 979-968-5803 gflind@verizon.net
Growing To Better Serve You!
NEW CONTRACTOR PRICING
Katy Michalke Broker
• Landscaping & Lawn Supplies • Roofing Materials • Paneling • Hardware • Builders Hardware • Tools • Plumbing Fixtures & Supplies • Electrical Supplies • Farm & Ranch Supplies • Valspar Paint - “The Beauty Goes On”
Unique Decor & Gifts VOTED BEST Real Estate Agent In FAYETTE COUNTY
•
Serving Fayette and Surrounding Counties for over 50 years! We are here to serve you with Courtesy, Integrity and Professionalism!
MONDAY-FRIDAY: 7:00 A.M. - 5:30 P.M. SATURDAY: 7:30 A.M. - 12:00 NOON
515 E. Travis • La Grange • 979-968-3161
La Grange
148 N. Washington, La Grange, Texas 979.966.0111
152
N.
La
Grange,
Washington, Texas
979.966.0555
CottageGatherings.com Shop till you drop
La Grange
A Sweet Success Story Kay Carlton, left, founder of Katy Sweet confections, shares a laugh with her employees.
Photo by H.H. Howze
Local Pralines a Nationwide Hit, Business Expanding to Downtown Square
ET AY
TE C
O UN T Y •
ST OF F
What’s kosher, gluten-free, all natural, locally made, distributed nationwide and coming to the La Grange courthouse square? If you guessed Katy Sweet confections, you may, for a modest sum, treat yourself to
one of their delicious pecan pralines. (You may be wondering about “kosher” candy. It took a while, but sure enough, a rabbi now comes up from Houston every three months to inspect the premises and process. It’s about being inclusive and it’s savvy marketing. “We want everyone to be able to enjoy
BE
The Fayette County Record
•
By H.H. HOWZE
our products,” Carlton said.) Katy Sweet began with Kay Carlton making small batches of family-recipe candy in her home kitchen to give away at Christmas 16 years ago, has outgrown their current headquarters on SH 71 West and sometime Continued on next page
Voted BEST Breakfast & Home-Style Cooking in Fayette County
Turkey and Dressing Fried Chicken w/ all the trimmings Served Every Sunday Private Dinning Room For Any Occasion Hours: 7am - 3 pm Open 7 Days A Week 1225 Carroll Lane La Grange, Texas
979-968-5506
La Grange
La Grange Pralines Enjoyed Nationwide Continued from previous page this year – “hopefully by June,” Carlton said – will move their retail candy sales and administrative offices to the former D&Z Man’s Store premises at 245 W. Travis Street in La Grange. D&Z ceased operations at the end of 2014. Extensive remodeling followed. Carlton’s kitchen hobby grew into a thriving little business retailing boxes of signature pralines, but it really started to take off when son-in-law Garland Hart asked her, “Wouldn’t you like to sell pallets of candy instead of boxes?” Why not? Carlton got on the telephone and one of the first wholesale customers she landed was none other than Nieman-Marcus department stores. N-M is not one
of the bigger customers these days, but the iconic firm’s cachet lingers. “We fix up gift baskets and they sell them for $200,” she said. Katy Sweet went from cooking candy in a small gasfired kettle to a large one and now has eight doublemixing kettles capable of cooking enough candy mixture to make 800-1000 pieces of candy per load, according to Hart. There are now 33 full-time employees, some of whom have been with the firm the whole way. Several pallets of candy leave the factory everyday on trucks bound across
the United States. Hart, now the company’s general manager, said Katy Sweet sells under its own label as well as under private labels for “multiple national accounts and Texas chains.” “We’ve been very blessed,” Carlton said softly. They’ve also been very good business people. Besides additional space for actual candy-making at the current plant (which will be expanded,) another reason for the move was to raise the operation’s local visibility. As wholesale business out on the highway expanded, Carlton explained, “we had to pull back” on some product varieties and stop hosting tour busses – the
100-person tours were just too disruptive to the process and not particularly profitable. The new location puts a more public face on a very successful local enterprise. “We think it will be a great draw,” Carlton said, adding that in addition to candy sales, she would like to install a nut roaster to add interest. She said she looks forward to hosting tour busses at the new location. With the Quilt Museum diagonally across the square already hosting several tour busses a week, downtown La Grange has an axis of high profile tourist attractions. That could be the proverbial tide (of tourists) which lifts all boats around the square. Carlton projects a grand opening by Christmas 2015.
La Grange
MORE SPECIALISTS. MORE ADVANCED.
Adding to our extensive array of services, St. Mark’s announces the NEW Cardiovascular Imaging Center. Our relationship with AUSTIN HEART – a trusted resource for heart health and an anchor on our campus for many years – allows us to elevate the level of services we offer to patients with cardiac needs. Together, we provide patient education and the technologies, as well as expertise to diagnose and care for heart and vascular disease.
St. Mark’s Orthopedics..........................................(979) 242.2387 St. Mark’s Women’s Clinic...................................(979) 242.2883 St. Mark’s Medical Clinic - Flatonia...................(361) 865.3302 St. Mark’s Cardiovascular Imaging Center....(979) 242.2360 St. Mark’s Medical Center....................................(979) 242.2200
One St. Mark’s Place | La Grange
www.smmctx.org
Located just North of La Grange on Hwy. 77
Round Top
The Civil War-era replica cannon on the Round Top courthouse square signals the start of the annual 4th of July parade. Photo by Jeff Wick
Round Top Exploding With Things to Do By KATHY JOHNSTON
On any given weekend, a stop in the quaint central Texas town of Round Top will treat its visitors to a surprising amount of activity. The town, located on State Highway 237 half way between Brenham and La Grange, is reputed to be among the smallest incorporated cities in Texas with a population of 91. This historical treasure is at once charming in its authenticity and a surprisingly exciting place to be, when one experiences it fully. For, what could easily be just a sleepy, don’t blink or you’ll miss it point in the road has now become a destination and center for arts and diverse fun. So, slow down at the flashing yellow light that marks arrival at the town’s square with its historic courthouse, and make a left turn to experience most of the action. Round Top offers virtually something for everyone from beer and wine festivals to Shakespeare, and music that ranges from classical to hoe-down, traditional polkas and classic rock. Well-known for its twice annual (Fall & Spring) antiques fairs that span miles
and attract thousands, there is a lot more to enjoy year round. In town there are no less than five art galleries including one that has featured works by internationally known watercolorists, underscoring the fact that Round Top has truly become an artful destination. Others feature everything from folk art, top quality western art, to craft as art, as well as traditional media. For a one-square mile town, there is also a wide variety of shops tucked on the Square, and around it in historic Henkel Square Market, and Bybee Square. One can locate everything from antiques, quality gifts, fashionable clothing, lovely jewelry, and home decor, both sophisticated and ranch-like; and there’s not a ‘kitschy’ tee shirt in sight; how refreshing. Round Top’s German heritage is noticeable even today as architectural controls have preserved many of the town’s earliest structures. Many of the structures on Bybee Square and Henkel Square, for example, are original to Round Top, or the nearby area. Not to be See Round Top, next page
Country music star Miranda Lambert, front and center in this photo, has enjoyed shopping for antiques in Round Top.
Round Top
Round Top a Mix of History, Culture Continued from previous page
missed are the old German immigrant homes and sites that can be found two blocks south of the square on Highway 237 including the historic Bethlehem Lutheran Church. On the two blocks that now contain the Round Top Inn, Hotel St. Vincent, and the Moore’s Fort across the way with its landmark century oak tree. Prost, located at the corner of Round Top Road and White Street, is housed in Round Top’s most historic stone home. You can savor all the history, right along with a stellar glass of wine. Truly, in Round Top, it’s nice to see that so much has not only been preserved, but given new life in such charming ways. If you haven’t arrived hungry, after your walk about, you will be. So don’t travel any further because within two blocks in any direction you’ll find great food and good variety. Sample any place and it won’t disappoint from Italian style, thin crust pizza at The Stone Cellar, to top notch steaks, pastas and seafood at Round Top’s famous Royers’ Round Top Cafe. Los Patrones on 237 at the Square has excellent Mexican fare and serious Margaritas. Down-home country comfort food is always to be found at Scotty’s & Friends - fried green tomatoes, anyone? If you’re eating ‘on the fly’, try a top notch, made-to-order deli sandwich from the newly expanded Round Top Mercantile where they literally do carry everything from soup to nuts. Or, grab a piece of pie, savory or sweet, with a latte from Royers’ Pie Haven in Henkel Square Market.
Henkel Square Market (above) & Bybee Square, both in the heart of Round Top, are quaint shops and galleries, all in historically significant structures.
Travelers here will no doubt be plain tuckered out after their Round Top experience. So, why go home? Instead, go to www.roundtop. org to choose from any number of charming accommodations, B&B or guest house style, located in Round Top’s proper, or the surrounding area. No hotel chains here, just abundant hospitality, and the perfect flavor of evening respite after a long day (and perhaps, night) of enjoying Round Top’s offerings. Here, the welcome mat is always out, and your accommodation will come with an evening sky where you can virtually pick the stars out of the night. Not to be missed Sites & Events: • Round Top Festival Institute, with acres
The young and the young at heart line up to watch the annual Fourth of July Parade in Round Top, shown here passing in front of Royer’s Cafe.
of gardens & 1200-seat concert hall plays host to both a summer festival, monthly concerts and year-round programs • Henkel Square Market & Bybee Square - quaint shops & galleries, all in historically significant structures • Round Top Family Library, a community treasure and a beautiful garden • Historic Bethlehem Lutheran Church • Five Art Galleries in and around Round Top, including those located in Bybee Square and Henkel Square Market Year-round Events • Spring Beer Festival • Fall Wine Festival • Spring & Fall Antiques Festival (October & April) • Spring Guitar Festival, Summer Concert Series & monthly Concerts and/or events at Round Top Festival Institute • Fall Quilt Festival • Numerous gallery openings and shows • 4th of July Celebration (longest continuously celebrated this side of the Mississippi) • Summer Shakespeare Festival • Christmas town-wide celebration with Santa on the Square (first Saturday in December) • Annual Chili Cook-off sponsored by the Round Top Family Library, the smallest accredited Library in the state of Texas. Schedule every January For complete and periodic information, the Chamber’s website is the place to go: www.roundtop.org.
Round Top
Festival Hill a World Famous Music Complex Located in historic Round Top, Texas, The James Dick Foundation for the Performing Arts and its sole project, Round Top Festival Institute, were founded in 1971 by worldrenowned concert pianist James Dick. Begun with a handful of gifted young pianists in rented space on the town square, the project is now an internationally acclaimed music institute for aspiring young musicians and distinguished faculty. Over a forty-three year period and with the help of its patrons and friends, The James Dick Foundation for the Performing Arts has developed superb year round education and performance programs. It has also created a unique 210-acre campus – Festival Hill – containing major performance facilities, historic houses, extensive gardens, parks
One of the students at last year’s Festival Institute shows off her instrument to a young visitor after the annual a free Kids Concert.
and nature preserves. Through its singular collection of rare books, manuscripts, archival material, music and historic recordings, photographs and objects, Round Top Festival Institute is also
A Special Place We are the Smallest Accredited Library in the State of Texas Stop by to check out our book, audiobook, and DVD collections or attend one of our community service programs for all ages. The Library is funded through private donations, events, volunteers, grants, and community partnerships.
206 West Mill, Round Top, TX 78954 • (979) 249-2700 • www.ilovetoread.org
known as an important center for research and scholarly study.
The Campus
Home of Round Top Festival Institute, the Festival Hill cam-
pus opened officially in 1976, and was just about six acres large. Today, it has grown to over 200 acres. It has been generously planted with thousands of trees and bushes of various species. It offers to visitors shadowing lakes, picnic areas, jogging trails and wonderful herb gardens. In addition to the School Building (1956), the only building on the original 6-acre site, the William Lockhart Clayton House (1885) from La Grange and the Menke House (1902) from Hempstead came to Festival Hill soon after its creation and today provide lodging, meeting, rehearsal, dining and practice space for the Young Artists, Faculty and staff. In 1994, the Edythe Bates Old Chapel (1883), formerly the Travis Street United Methodist Church of La Grange, was added Continued on next page
Round Top
Festival Hill a Musical Gem to the campus. The landscaping of the grounds is spectacular, offering various settings. More recent additions include the Texas/ Mediterranean Albert and Ethel Herzstein Stone Chapel and Memorial Plaza, the Log House and the three Artists Residences. The center piece of the campus is the magnificent 1,000 seat Festival Concert Hall, a peerless acoustical master work.
Concerts
The two-concerts season in 1971 have grown up into more than 30 concerts during June and July each year. The Augustto-April Series, the International Guitar Festival, the Theatre Forum, The Poetry Forum, and the Herbal Forum bring the total number of year-round events to more than fifty. The repertoire extends from the Ancient to contemporary music. The first commissioned work “Etudes for Piano and Orchestra” by Benjamin Lees was nominated for the Pulitzer Prize. The Festival-Institute commissioned a new concerto for piano and orchestra, “Shiva’s Drum” by American composer Dan Welcher as part of its twenty-fifth anniversary celebration. James Dick performed the work with
the Texas Festival Orchestra conducted by Pascal Verrot on June 11, 1994. Another work for piano and orchestra, “Theme, Variations and Fugue” titled “Rasmandala” by British composer Malcolm Hawkins was premiered on June 8, 1996. In January 1997, the Festival-Institute commissioned Professor Chinary Ung to write a Choral-Fantasy for piano, chorus and orchestra titled “Rising Light”. The world premiere was performed on June 27, 1998 at Round Top. Students from conservatories and universities in the United States and abroad pursue their musical studies at Round Top under the guidance of an international faculty. While the number of Festival-Institute alumni is in the thousands, the project manages to give each student the personal attention that has been a hallmark of its program: it is both a festival and an institute, where students and faculty perform for appreciative and large audiences. For more information on Festival Hill, or to view a concert schedule, visit www.festivalhill. org or call (979) 249-3129. Festival Hill is located at 248 Jaster Rd. Round Top.
ROUND TOP, TX 78954
Y
our Artful Escape begins
right here. Discover the art of delectable food and fine wine; the art of comfort in well appointed accommodations; the art of ‘shop ‘til you drop’ in fabulous boutiques that hold everything from clothing to one-of-a-kind decor & gifts. Perfect the art of bootscootin’, just as well as porch sitting. Revel in artful pursuits such as world-class music, and exhibitions in several highly respected
galleries.
And,
Round Top’s Festivals are varied, fun & frequent. So, plan your Artful Escape soon, or right now by visiting...
www.roundtop.org
ROUND TOP AREA CHAMBER OF COMMERCE
The interior of the Festival Hill concert hall.
Round Top
James Dick –The Man Who Started Festival Hill Who would dare to stand in a cow pasture in the heart of central Texas, and declare it to be the future site of one of the world’s greatest performance and learning centers? A young concert pianist from Hutchinson, Kansas by the name of James Dick. Over the next 40 years, he would guide the development of the Round Top Festival Institute and its campus, Festival Hill. How did this internationally famous Center for Performance and Learning, situated a half mile from the town square of Round Top Texas come to be? There were two dreams in James Dick’s life. To create and grow Festival Hill and to become an internationally famous concert pianist. Both would come true. James Dick began his career by playing the triangle in his kindergarten classroom. Encouraged by his parents, he eventually, would study piano with Dalies Frantz, a noted American pianist at the University of Texas at Austin. After graduating with honors in piano, James received two back-to-back Fulbright Fellowships, and has received many honors, including the 2009 Texas Medal of Arts and the Distinguished Alumnus Award from his alma
James Dick
mater. He also took top prizes at the Tchaikosky, Busoni and Leventritt International Competitions. Besides his own concert career, James Dick had another burning passion. To establish a teaching institute. He recognized how important his teachers and mentors had been to him, and he wanted to pass this gift along to others. Several locations were considered but, ultimately, Round Top was chosen. Miss Ima Hogg was an early James Dick fan, and noted for her knowledge of historic homes, beauty, craftsmanship and gardens. With Richard Royall – a recent Princeton
and University of Texas Law School graduate – as managing director, James started Round Top Festival Institute, the sole endeavor of The James Dick Foundation for the Performing Arts. The effort to attract talented faculty, motivated students with professional aspirations, appreciative audiences, and philanthropic support began. The goal was to raise full scholarships for each participating young artist. In the early years, piano-only performances were held in rented space, with ten young artists studying and performing with the Institute for two weeks of the summer. Practice areas and lodging for students and faculty was provided in the homes of interested neighbors throughout the nearby country side, including the Round Top home of Miss Ima Hogg. While Round Top is tiny, its location turned out to be the perfect place to build a dream. A place that provides year-round arts and humanities programs, houses museum and library collections, and continues with its centerpiece project, the Summer Music Festival, now providing training and orchestral performance opportunity to eighty-five young artists each summer.
Round Top State Bank TOM BAKER INSURANCE AGENCY
•Traditional Banking Services •Mortgage Lending •Home Equity •ATM at each location •Commercial and Consumer Online Banking
Full Service Agency Located at Round Top State Bank - Tommy Baker III, Agent Not a Deposit. Not FDIC Insured. Not Insured by any Federal Governmental Agency. Not Guaranteed by the Bank.
979-249-2126
• ROUND TOP 301 N. Washington 979-249-3151
• JARRELL (Eagle Bank - a Branch of Round Top State Bank) 12345 N. IH 35 512-746-2531
• LA GRANGE 2010 Hwy. 71 West 979-966-0556
• GIDDINGS 1442 E. Austin 979-542-7872
• ROUND ROCK (Eagle Bank - a Branch of Round Top State Bank) 2250 N. A.W. Grimes Blvd. 512-218-3903
• LEXINGTON 8681 St. Hwy. 77 979-773-2227 ROUND TOP FINANCIAL SERVICES
ROUND TOP STATE BANK INSURANCE AGENCY Your local Germania Agent - Tim Huebner Not a Deposit. Not FDIC Insured. Not Insured by any Federal Governmental Agency. Not Guaranteed by the Bank.
Full Service Brokerage - Reece Cernoch, Broker and Tom Baker III, Broker
EOE Your Hometown Bank Since 1912
Member FDIC
www.roundtopstatebank.com
Securities and insurance products are not FDIC or NCUA insured, not bank or credit guaranteed, may lose value, not insured by any federal government agency, and not a bank or credit union deposit. Securities and insurance products offered by LPL Financial and its affiliates, member FINRA/SIPC. LPL Financial and Round Top State Financial Services are independent entities.
Round Top
Round Top
TV’s Junk Gypsies Based in Round Top Two years ago The Junk Gypsies (Jolie SikesSmith, her sister Amie Sikes and their mother Janie Sikes) opened their decor and clothing store in Round Top, the latest in a vast empire that includes an television show on the GAC network, a booming online business as well as their prominent presence in Warrenton at Zapp Hall during the annual spring and fall antique shows. If you are not familiar with the Junk Gypsies, they’ve created their thriving brand in the last decade out of finding interesting items at flea markets (and in some cases re-purposing them) and then reselling them. “First and foremost we’re junkers,” Amie said in an earlier interview with the Fayette County Record. “And I guess we’re accidental designers.” They have their own line of clothing and jewelry and up until recently were based out of College Station. The Junk Gypsies have been the longtime hosts of one of Antique Week’s most popular events, the Junk-O-Rama Prom, at Zapp Hall. “We’ve been coming here for 10 years. There is such a spirit and energy here. It’s like a soul vaca- Two years ago the nationally famous designers, the Junk Gypsy family, opened their “world headquarters” in Round Top. They are shown here on opening day at their store. tion,” Jolie said of Antiques Week.
Round Top
Winedale & Shakespeare
Celebrating Summer Together for 45 Years
Just like Fayette County music ranges from polkas to symphonies, there’s world-class theater here, too. It’s heart lies in Winedale. That’s the tiny Texas community that Miss Ima Hogg fell in love with and literally bought – then turned it over to The University of Texas. Shakespeare at Winedale began as an English Department course in 1970. It grew out of
a meeting between Professor James Ayres (“Doc” to his students) and Miss Hogg, the philanthropist regarded as “the First Lady of Texas.” Miss Hogg had recently restored and donated to the University the Winedale Historical Center, a 270-acre area of pasture, woodland and historic pioneer buildings in central Texas. Noting the resemblance of an 1880s hay barn to an Elizabethan theater, she suggested that Ayres try having his students perform Shakespeare there. He agreed, and Shakespeare at Winedale was born. As the program grew in size and reputation, it began to attract students from outside the English Department and eventually beyond the University of Texas. Continued on next page
Shakespeare at Winedale students perform at a special 40th anniversary party for the program back in 2010.
Round Top
College Students Perform Shakespeare in a Barn Theater Continued from previous page The broad spectrum of students served by the program reflects its emphasis on performance as a learning method and a means of selfdiscovery, rather than an end in itself. For more than 40 years, Shakespeare at Winedale has drawn students with different cultural and academic backgrounds from universities around the United States. Their interests have ranged from medicine, law and physics to music, theatre, and English. They’ve met every June at Winedale to begin a journey that takes them well beyond their expectations and themselves. The program has now expanded to include year-round activities, including special programs for younger children such as Camp Shakespeare and an Educational Outreach Program. The Winedale Historical Center is part of the Briscoe Center for American History at the University of Texas. To get there, go to Round Top, then at the blinking light, turn right onto FM 1457. After about 3 miles, turn left onto FM 2714. Drive one mile down the road. When you get to Winedale, there will be a split rail fence on the right. The visitor’s center is on your left and the Meadows Conference Center is just past the visitor’s center. 2015 performances: July 16-Aug. 9: Twelfth Night, Henry V, Pericles and The Duchess of Malfi. Reservations strongly recommended, particularly for Saturday performances and can be made by visiting the Shakespeare at Winedale website at www.shakespeare-winedale. org or calling (512) 471-4726. Tickets $5 for students, $10 for adults.
ET AY
TE C
O
UN
BE
T Y •
ST OF F
Original Oil Paintings by Dorothy Little
•
108 N. Washington Round Top, Tx 78954
979.249.3770 dorothylittlefineart.com dlittlegallery@gmail.com
Jim ‘Doc’ Ayres is the founder of the Shakespeare at Winedale program. Photo by Jeff Wick
Round Top
Round Top’s Famous 4th of July Fest The Round Top community has celebrated the Fourth of July every year since 1851. In fact, it’s known as the longest running Fourth of July celebration west of the Mississippi. The rest of the year, Round Top boasts an impressive population of 90 souls, many of German origin. But on the Fourth of July, our neighbors from Houston, Austin, San Antonio and everywhere in between travel into Round Top for a taste of an old-time, small-town Fourth. The replica civil war-era cannon roars at 10:30 a.m., announcing the parade of handmade floats, antique cars and tractors, fire engines, trail riders and longhorn cattle. The parade circles Round Top square to the enthusiastic strains of Round Top’s own Brass Band. Children dart out for candy and trinkets while families and neighbors visit on the town square. As the parade wraps up, everyone heads a few blocks down FM 1457 to the historic Round Top Rifle Hall. Association members have been up all night preparing
mouthwatering brisket, pork, and sausage on the Hall’s huge wood fired pits. German style potatoes, green beans, fixin’s, and homemade desserts round out a delicious buffet lunch. The afternoon continues with music, a raffle, and games for the kids until 4 p.m. when the local band sets up for the afternoon’s dance. Come join us for a fun-filled old fashioned Fourth!
That blasted cannon
Traditionally in Round Top, a cannon was fired as the official start of the July 4 celebration. In 1889, for some reason, the cannon did not fire. The President of the Rifle Association, John George Kaiser, bent over to inspect the cannon when it suddenly exploded. Mr. Kaiser was severely injured and died several days later from loss of blood and infection. A replica cannon is now used for the An entry in last year’s Round Top 4th of July pastart of the parade. It can be heard all over rade. The parade draws thousands of spectatown. tors. Photo by Jeff Wick
...come home to your heritage
TM
Your Texas Casual Cottages Team
Frank Johnston Sales Manager
979.249.7315
Sandi Shurley 832.418.3208
Betty Powell 281.850.7626
Vicki Holland 832.754.8555
W W W.H E R I TAGE T E X AS COU NT RY. C OM
Nancy Applebel 979.338.9690
Round Top
Round Top Schützen Verein Keeps German Roots Alive The Round Top Schützen Verein (shooting society) was formed in 1873 by the town’s German heritage inhabitants. The original charter of the Round Top Schützen Verein was to be a sporting club for the “encouragement of innocent out-door sports, such as bicycle riding, target and trap shooting, open air athletics, games, dancing and others of like character.” Of these different activities, only a few are still practiced; dancing and target shooting. The Rifle Association hosts many dances throughout the year. The primary event of the target shooting is the annual Schützenfest. The next evening, the members and public gather for the crowning of the König, followed by several hours of dancing to the music of a local band. Continued on next page
Marvin Marburger, this year’s Schützen-König (Shooting King) of the Round Top Rifle Association and Paulaner Brewery rep John Slaughter celebrate the ceremonial tapping of a traditional wooden keg of the famous brew at Saturday’s OctoBierFest. The keg was tapped using a wooden mallet to knock in a spigot near the bottom of the keg. Slaughter said the keg of beer is (was?) one of only 15 in the state. It cost about $200 for slightly less than eight gallons, but Saturday it was going for $3 a cup for as long as it lasted. This was the second year for the Fest which features German food, music and, of course, bier. Photo by H H Howze
“Wow” is a common reaction.
Ma Mu Rou y 3 sic nd 1 - Fe To Jul sT p y 1 iva 2, 2 l 015 Concerts
Dance Theatre Poetry Conferences Forums Retreats Celebrations Weddings Receptions Picnics Campus Tours Group Lunches Family Reunions Photo Shoots
Round Top FesTival insTiTuTe
International Center for Performance and Learning (979) 249-3129 • www.festivalhill.org
Round Top
Shoot – It’s Always a Good Time When Round Top Schützen Verein Puts on an Event Continued from previous page In preparation for the ceremony, the previous year’s König makes a crown of cedar boughs. At 6 p.m., the new König is escorted into the hall by a procession of all the members. Following his introduction to the crowd, he is crowned by the previous king. At that point, some members (usually youngest and strongest) hoist the new König into the air three times to the shouts of “Hoch sol er leben, hoch sol er leben, drei mal hoch”. The new König does have responsibilities though. The first of which is to treat the RTRA members and their guests to a nice cold keg of beer.
Blasmusik
Enjoy the toe-tapping strains of an authentic German Brass Band. Blasmusik Texas, the Texas All-State German Band travels to the Round Top Rifle Hall on the first Saturday of August each year. Come and enjoy the free concert – and kick up your heels to a rousing polka refrain! The Hall opens at 4 p.m. for social hour and a delicious German meal will be available in the kitchen at 5 p.m. The concert begins at 6:30 p.m., but get there early for a good seat! Admission to the concert is free. The German meal (sausage, sauerkraut, german potatoes, pickles, peaches, bread and tea) is $8.
New Year’s Eve
Every New Years Eve, the
Round Top Rifle Association hosts a community party to ring in the new year. A toe-tapping band plays and partiers of all ages take to the dance floor. Yummy hamburgers are served in the kitchen. At midnight, cheers and toasts bring in the new year and the Hall serves the traditional cornbread and black-eyed peas (for good luck in the upcoming year!) Tickets go on sale in late November and are available at local Round Top merchants and from the Round Top Rifle Association members.
OctoBierFest
Every October the Round Top Schützen Verein hosts a festival which includes German food, music and, of course, bier.
2015 Schützen Verein Events • Round Top 4th of July Parade, oldest continuous Independence Day parade west of the Mississippi River. • Blasmusik Texas Concert Aug. 1, Round Top Rifle Association Hall. The 45-piece Texas All State German band entertain the crowds with polkas and waltzes from German, Czech, Alsatian and Austrian roots. • Schützenfest, September 1920, Henkel Hall - Henkel Square Market. Dinner, dancing and the crowning of the crackshot König (king) are the highlights of this target-shooting competition, dating back to 1965. • 3rd Annual OktoBierFest, Oct. 24 Round Top Rifle Association Hall
C
ome and meet MimiBella. Beautiful linenwear, unique jewelry, Ropin West leather and other fabulous finds! 1234
Bellville 979.865.2121 Round Top 979.249.5757 faceBook: mimiBellafinelinenweaR on ByBee SquaRe, Round Top open yeaR Round mimiBellaS.com info@mimiBellaS.com
Round Top
Round Top Family Library A Gem Inside and Out The Round Top Family Library opened its doors in 2000 and is situated on an approximate 2.5 acre site. Round Top Library Assoc. Inc. is now purchasing the land and the Rummel Haus from Bybee Foundation. The Rummel haus restoration is a project at this time. Today the facility is composed of two buildings, including the historic Rummel House which hosts a variety of Library programs. The larger building, called the Sterling & Marianne McCall Library Building, was formerly the Hope Lutheran Church, a historic gothic building first constructed in 1925. It was dismantled and moved in seven pieces from Milam county to Round Top and immaculately restored. The project was made possible by a generous gift from Sterling and Marianne McCall. Among the events the library hosts are: Garden Workday - first Monday of each month at 9 a.m. Contact Jeanette Schoenst at (979) 278-3239 for more
information. • Afternoon Yoga - every Monday with Betty Melton at 5:30 p.m. Betty has been conducting this class for over five years. Because of its popularity, it is now held in the Bethlehem Lutheran Church community room. Come find the healthier, more limber you. • Walking, Exercise or Sit & Be Fit - Tuesday & Thursday 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. at St. John’s UCC in Burton. Morning Yoga - Wednesday 7:30 to 8:30 a.m. at St. John’s UCC in Burton. For information, contact Connie at (979) 203-0524. • ESL Classes - Every Thursday beginning Jan. 15, 2015 at 5:30 p.m. Contact S. Simpson (979) 966-7550 (speaks spanish) or M. Leitko at (979) 966-7563. Round Top Library Association, Inc.; 206 W. Mill; P.O. Box 245 - Round Top, Texas 78954 (979) 249-2700 Hours: Monday - Saturday 1:30 to 5:30 p.m. Closed Sunday.
Above is what the Round Top family library looked like before it was moved to town and renovated, and, left, is how it appears now.
Round Top
History and Shopping Mix at Henkel Market
N
estled in a historical setting, Henkel Square Market is a collection of shops which contain artwork, real estate, pies, artist demonstrations, and clothing. The mid-1800s Haw Creek Church is a spectacular wedding destination that is surrounded by beautiful live oak trees. The church has been renovated and is ready for the bride and groom. A spectacular hand-painted stenciled ceiling adorns the church. Other amenities: pipe organ, ample seating, bell tower, landscaped for photo opportunities. Henkel Hall, an 8,000 square feet building, located beside Haw Creek Chapel, is a state of the art building. The beautifully landscaped Henkel Hall includes the following amenities: solid oak wooden floor, dynamic sound
Arlene Johnsey 713.724.1125
Frank Johnston 979.249.7315
system, 22 foot long walnut serving buffet, doors that open to The Grove (cluster of centuries-old live oak trees that have their own lighting), full catering kitchen, two multi-purpose rooms, event parking, strolling pathways throughout the grounds, band accommodations, maximum 300 guests, table and chairs for up to 200 guests, and on-site manager. Schedule your event for wedding receptions, concerts, art exhibits, performing arts, reunions, meetings, classes, etc... For information regarding your event plans, please contact Gerald or Debbie Tobola at (979) 249-5840. Henkel Square Market will be open Thanksgiving Week for you to get started on your Holiday Shopping. Most shops open from 10 a.m. until 5 p.m. Monday thru Wednesday.
Royer’s Pie Haven at Henkel Market
...come home to your heritage
TM
Your Round Top Team
JoAnn Ayres 979.249.7494
Betty Melton 979.966.3088
Peg Richardson 979.249.7584
W W W.H E R I TAGE T E X AS COU NT RY. C OM
Maxine Coppinger 979.702.0425
Ken Powell 281.802.0270
Carmine
The spacious Village Market has given travelers yet another reason to stop a while in Carmine while traveling on busy Highway 290. Photo by H.H. Howze
Carmine, a Truly Unique Antique Town The little town of Carmine is right on the beaten path. Located directly between Austin and Houston on Highway 290, Carmine (pronounced “kahr MEEN”) is a perfect mid-way stop for travelers and antique shoppers. “Many people stop here for gas or a short break and then come back when they see what the town has to offer” explains Vicki LaRue of the local Economic Development Board. “We have the basketball museum, the train depot and visitor’s center with displays of the history of Carmine in its earlier days as a cotton and railroad city. We have a beautiful shaded park for the kids or pets to get some fresh air, and we have great art galleries, antique stores and more.” With the best antiques shows in the country scattered over the surrounding area during the fall and spring, Carmine touts itself as the “Gateway to the Antiques Festival”. But Carmine’s antiques aren’t just on the roadside a few time each year, many of the historic buildings house antiques stores that are open
all year around. With a wonderful blend that ranges from fine furniture to “repurposed” junk, there is something for everyone. Founded in 1883, Carmine is located in the heart of Central Texas. In fact, the city motto is “The little city with a big heart.” With thousands of cars passing right through town on 290 everyday it makes the city the northern entrance to all of the other communities of Fayette County. Carmine was incorporated in 1973 with an active city government, an excellent consolidated school system (Round Top-Carmine I.S.D.) with the high school campus in Carmine and the elementary campus located in Round Top. Carmine Bank, a well-established area bank, is famous for once being robbed by members of the Bonnie and Clyde gang. The small population and quiet atmosphere allow for a great getaway from the stress of the larger cities. Carmine is only about a 1 ½ hour drive from Austin or Houston making
it an easy day or overnight trip to the country. Visitors can enjoy shopping for antiques, visiting the cities museums, experiencing the events and activities of the area and enjoying the accommodations at local Bed & Breakfast. The City of Carmine also has a beautiful public park with picnic tables, barbecue pits, a playground for children and a pavilion for family gatherings, birthday parties and other events. Carmine is a great place to live if you are raising a family or looking for a place to retire. If you are looking for a place to start a small business please consider Carmine. There a many business opportunities in Carmine which has low taxes, local incentives and a very supportive community. With its wonderful history, great antiques shopping, beautiful Fayette County countryside, and friendly people, there is something for everyone in Carmine.
Carmine
Antiquing Heaven
Northern Fayette County Welcomes Thousands of Vendors for Spring and Fall Shows By H.H. HOWZE
The Fayette County Record
E
ven before Texas Governor Rick Perry made plans to build a home near there, the tiny community of Round Top was well-known to antiquers and flea market browsers all over the United States and beyond. The Round Top antiques markets started there in 1967 but long ago outgrew its origins and spread all over the countryside – initially north to Carmine and west to Warrenton. The shows now encompass six little towns, sixty venues and thousands of vendors, quickly followed by tens of thousands of shoppers. Traditional dates are “the first full weekends of April and October,” but in practice, many venue owners require 10-16 day booth space rental. Setting up, tearing down and moving out take another 10 days. All in all, it’s about a month of paranormal activities in the countryside twice a year. Lines of vehicles on farm-tomarket roads are the key indicator – along with miles of white tents and almost-continuous
Continued on next page
Carmine
Dozens of folks line up just to be the first ones in the door on opening morning of the Big Red Barn antique show last spring near Round Top. Photo by Alyson Svec
It’s an Antiques Extravaganza Continued from previous page roadside attractions – that the twice-yearly event is occurring again in northern Fayette County. Rooms are booked in all area motels, B&Bs and private homes far in advance. There’s no overall organizing authority, according to Robert Alvarado, who probably has a better grasp of the phenomenon than anyone. He has been publishing his guide to the venues, Show Daily, since 2000. It is the serious shoppers’ bible, but there’s so much to see, just wandering around also works fine for most people. Over the last several shows, many female shoppers have affected a certain style which might be described as “gypsy cowgirl” meets “shabby chic.” It consists of tapered jeans or flowing skirts, high boots – western or high fashion – and faux-battered cowboy hats. The fashion statement has been popularized by the Junk Gypsies, a College Station mother-and-sisters act and “Shabby Chic” fashionista (and London ex-pat) Rachel Ashwell. The Gypsies’ tongue-incheek name for themselves reflects a departure from the rather
hoity-toity tone of the original antiques show in Round Top. Although their original venue location was in Warrenton, a new Junk Gypsy “world headquarters” is located near Round Top. Ashwell’s home turf is a bed and breakfast retreat northeast of Round Top on the way to Shelby. It’s dubbed “The Prairie.” The irony is that what is now a massive middle-class phenomenon started as a rather exclusive party for wealthy Houstonians. How it grew so big – it’s acknowledged to be one of the largest markets in the country – is an interesting tale. The original Round Top antiques show was the idea of three Houston matrons way back in 1967. There was one venue – the historic Round Top Rifle Hall. Hazel Ledbetter, Faith Bybee and, most notably, philantropist Ima Hogg, were all involved with the “discovery” of the rich local heritage of European-influenced art, craft and architecture. Their interest in buying, restoring and furnishing 19th-century homes in the area – especially Hogg’s work at Winedale and Bybee’s in Round Top – attracted the interest of their circle Continued on page 72
An estimated 5,000 antiques and collectibles vendors descend on northern Fayette County every spring and fall for a month-long extravaganza of shows and exhibits.
Carmine
Carmine
It’s a good idea to bring a truck to the antique shows. Never know what you might want to take home.
Photos by H. H. Howze
Antiques Shows Here Began in 1967 – With 22 Vendors Continued from previous page of friends in Houston, some of whom bought ranches and built homes in the area. They became known locally as the “mink and manure set.” In 1967, Ledbetter, Bybee and Hogg recruited their antiques dealer friend, Emma Lee Turney, to set up the first Round Top show. It was scheduled to coordinate with activities at Winedale. The show was intended to be a rural entertainment for country gentry and others drawn by the
restoration efforts. Ralph Willard, one of Turney’s original 22 vendors, described it as “a real sort of society thing.” There were the usual fine American and European antiques, but the hottest items were pieces of handmade 19-century Texas furniture which had suddenly become “hot” due to the collecting efforts of Hogg, Bybee and others. The show became a regular event on the River Oaks social calendar in the late 60s and early
70s. As concerts and other cultural activities flourished at Hogg’s Winedale and Bybee’s Henkel Square (including piano concerts by Hogg’s artistic protege, James Dick,) the antiques show grew too, becoming twice-yearly, originally, “the first full weekend of April and October.” Money attracted money and social cachet didn’t hurt. Quite soon, Round Top was not just another dying little agricultural town – it was re-invented, much in the manner of Santa Fe, as a
cultural and artistic center. Meanwhile, in the late-1980s, down the road in Warrenton, the growing popularity of the Round Top shows was not going unnoticed. Bernitta McCormick and her neighbor B. J. Renck both opened up venues along SH 237. It was the beginning of the Warrenton shows. Now venues stretch from La Grange to Burton along SH 237 and US 290 including shows in Fayetteville, Shelby and everywhere in between. Happy shopping.
Carmine
At Round Top
Rustic B&B Ranch Weddings Retreats
Bob Springer is shown here at his Texas Basketball Museum days before its grand opening in 2009. It’s only grown since then. Photo by Jeff Wick
Texas Basketball Museum Calls Carmine Home The Texas Basketball Museum located halfway between Austin and Houston just one block south of highway 290, had its Grand Opening on June 14, 2009 and since then hundreds of visitors every yeat enjoy the great display of memorabilia of Legends of the Past, all from the High School ranks to the Professionals. Visitors from as far aways as Sweden, Switzerland, England, Germany and Brazil have made the stop into the Basketball centerpiece of Texas. Everyone who is recognized in the Texas High School Basketball Hall of Fame and displayed in the Museum is
from Texas, where they played or coached high school basketball. So, if you are a lover of Basketball, its a good stop to stretch your legs and take in all of the displays that feature items from the Olympics, including uniforms, vintage basketballs, whistles, cards, games, trophies, photographs, shoes, knee pads, stamps, first day covers, banners, and signatures of the greats. Please call in advance for large parties at (800) 364HOOP (4667) or contact us at texasbkb@swbell.net For more information go to our website www.texasbasketball.com.
Just ten minutes from Round Top is a 70 acre homestead where you’re always welcomed like family. Sit by the fire, share stories, drink wine and enjoy the essence of Texas.
The adventure begins where the blacktop ends! Rustic charm with a Texas Kick 972-689-0386 Www.NightBirdRanch.com
Carmine
Train Depot Serves as a Museum in Carmine Located at 248 Sylvan Street, the building housing the museum was the actual Southern Pacific Railroad Depot building for the City of Carmine. Through the generous donation of the land by Mrs. Gladys J. Krause and the building by Mr. & Mrs. Wayne Wagner, the depot, which had been moved out of the city of Carmine was returned to the city and restored to become the city’s historical museum. Numerous area residents have donated historical items for the museum and today it provides a historical review of Carmine dating back to its founding in 1883. The museum is open on the second and fourth Fridays and Saturdays of every month from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Special tours may be arranged by calling (979) 277-4613.
The Carmine Depot Museum.
Photo by H.H. Howze
Carmine’s Albers-Muehlbrad Park Perfect for Play, Picnics The Carmine city park was created by the generous donations of the land to the City of Carmine by Mr. & Mrs. Emil Albers and Mr. & Mrs. Fred Muehlbrad. The vision and hard work of local leaders and community volunteers with the donation of materials, labor, money and time to clear and shape the land and construct and install playground equipment, benches, picnic tables, barbecue pits and the bridge across the creek and the pavilion created the park over the course of four years. The park was dedicated in 1982 as a community park for all to enjoy. In 2010, after six years of planning and raising money, which enabled the city to receive
grants from Texas parks and Wildlife and the LCRA, the city installed sidewalks, new playground equipment, picnic tables, benches, more barbecue pits and lighting, as well as refurbishing some of the existing equipment and making the restrooms ADA compliant. The park and the pavilion are available to rent for special events by calling (979) 278-3273.
Carmine
Shopped CARMINE Lately? Be sure to check out the Little City with the BIG Heart.
Carmine City Hall 979-278-3273 www.cityofcarmine.org Chamber of Commerce 979-278-4200
Market Realty 979-830-9600 Wellmann Insurance 979-836-3613 Ronnie Eckhart
HALLS for RENT Carmine Lions Club 979-278-3613 Carmine Hall 713-553-4122 carminehall@yahoo.com Carmine Volunteer Fire Dept. 979-278-3250 Carmine’s Muehlbrad- Albers Pavilion 979-278-3273
FOOD 4G Convenience Store 979-278-3000 JW’S Steakhouse 979-278-4240 The Village Market 979-278-3333
MUSEUMS Carmine Chamber of Commerce Museum & Visitors’ Center 979-278-4200 Texas Basketball Museum 979-278-4222 SERVICES Carmine Charolais Ranch 979-278 3270 Carmine State Bank 979-278-3244 www.csbcarmine.com Carmine Feed & Fertilizer 979-278-3111 City Garage 979-278-3377 Darlene’s Custom Sewing 979-278-3325 Diane Langley, Realtor Associate Round Top Real Estate 979-525-1324 Honest to Goodness Growers 979-278-3053 J.R Flasowski Septic Service 979-830-3643 L.A. Mayer Enterprises Monty Mayer 979-542-7988 Lila Garlin, Realtor Associate Round Top Real Estate 281-705-4647 Lisa Mayer, Broker Associate Round Top Real Estate 979-966-3686
BUSINESSES D&T Antiques 979-865-2136 Hour Glass Trading Co. 979-278-4040 Antique Mall 979-278-3866 Hill Country Collectibles 979-278-3314 McCall Style mccallstyle@yahoo.com Neese’s Antiques & Collectibles 979-278-3280 Stoney Creek Antiques 713-898-7667 Texas Casual Cottages 979-278-3015 Unique Antiques 979-278-3690 West of Brazos Trading Co. 979-278-3010 LODGING Aunt Clara’s Guest House 713-569-9274 Pecan Grove Inn 979-278-3965 Umland Street Sunday Haus 832-514-9345
RV PARK
Dixieland RV Park 979-278-3805
Carmine
The Communities That Make Up Fayette County Ammannsville
FM 1383, 9 m. SE of La Grange Settled during the 1870s by German and Czech immigrant farmers. The first settler in the community was Andrew Ammann, who arrived on March 12, 1870. He was a noted architect as well as a farmer.
Carmine
U.S. 290, at Washington Co. line Still an incorporated city, Carmine and Round Top share a school system. The elementary is in Round Top, the high school in Carmine. The Carmine bank was robbed by Ray Hamilton and others from the Barrow Gang in the 1930s. Now it’s known for its antique dealers.
Cistern
State Hwy. 95, 12 mi. NW of Flatonia Settled during the 1850s on a hill overlooking fertile prairie land. Water wells in the area contained such high concentration of minerals that residents were forced to build cisterns to trap rainwater for domestic use.
Dubina
FM 1383, 2 mi. N of U.S. 90 First Czech settlement in Texas, beginning in November 1856. Named Dubina (Czech for “oak grove”). As favorable reports about Texas reached the old country, the number of Czech settlers entering Dubina increased greatly, and Dubina became the stopover place for Czechs entering Texas. In 1873, the railroad bypassed Dubina.
Ellinger
Hwy. 71 at FM 2503 Famed for kolaches and barbecue, Ellinger is 11 miles southeast of La Grange. It was established as a point on the La Grange Tap spur of the Galveston, Harrisburg and San Antonio Railway.
Engle
U.S. 90 between Schulenburg and Flatonia Settled by Bohemian and Czech immigrants in the 1850s. Named for J. E. Engle, an engineer on Galveston, Harrisburg and San Antonio Railway line. Post office established in 1888 and the first store in 1890.
Fayetteville
State Hwy. 159 at FM 955 The Congress of the Republic of Texas es-
tablished Fayette County in 1837, and the community of Fayetteville was officially founded shortly thereafter. Fayetteville had a post office and postmaster during the Republic of Texas.
Flatonia
Interstate 10 at Texas 95 Established on April 8, 1874, on land acquired by the Galveston, Harrisburg and San Antonio Railway, it was named for pioneer merchant F. W. Flato. At that time residents of the original Flatonia settlement, one mile southeast, and Oso, three miles northeast, loaded their homes and businesses on wagons and moved to the new location on the tracks. The post office that had been established at old Flatonia in 1870 was moved to the new town without changing its name.
Freyburg
FM 956 at FM 2238 Founded about 1868 by Germans and named for a town in Germany. In 2004 the recently restored Freyburg Methodist Church celebrated its 125th anniversary.
High Hill
FM 2672, 14 mi. SW of La Grange Settled in the 1830s. According to some sources, residents of High Hill refused to allow the Galveston, Harrisburg and San Antonio Railway to build through their community in 1874, fearing the railroad would destroy the tranquility and culture of the town. The line went to nearby Schulenburg and many of High Hill’s residents moved there. St. Mary’s Church is on the National Register of Historic place.
La Grange
State Hwy. 71 at U.S. 77 The county seat of Fayette County, this is where La Bahia Road crossed the Colorado River. Aylett C. Buckner settled near here about 1819 and in 1826 John Henry Moore built a twin blockhouse within what are now the city limits. A town was platted in 1837. The Republic of Texas named Fayette County in honor of the Marquis de Lafayette. La Grange was the name of Lafayette’s home, which came from his wife’s family.
Ledbetter
U.S. 290, 8 mi. E of Giddings In extreme north Fayette County, it was the first community in the county to be served by a railroad, which reached it in 1870.
Nechanitz
FM 3011 at FM 2145 Settled in 1853 by Wenzel Matejowsky, the first settler from Bohemia to enter Fayette County, it was named after his native city in Bohemia.
Muldoon
FM 154, 9 mi. N of Flatonia On a grant of land originally made in 1831 to Father Michael Muldoon, the Irish Catholic priest who officially “converted” nonHispanic Texas settlers to meet the legal requirements of Mexico. The town was not platted until 1886, when the Waco branch of the San Antonio and Aransas Pass Railway extended its line between West Point and Flatonia.
Plum
Hwy. 71, 8 mi. W of La Grange Plum Grove is the second oldest established community in Fayette County, dating to 1828. It still has its own post office, which was first established in 1880.
Praha
FM 1295, 3 mi. E of Flatonia In 1858 the Bohemian settlers changed the town’s name from Mulberry to Praha in honor of Prague, the capital of their homeland. Since 1855 the community has celebrated the Feast of the Assumption on August 15. The event now attracts more than 5,000 visitors, many of them Czechoslovakian.
Round Top
State Hwy. 237 One of the smallest incorporated communities in Texas, on the old La Bahía Road between La Grange and Brenham. Area first settled in 1826. Oldest continually celebrated July Fourth celebration west of the Mississippi, since 1851.
Rutersville
State Hwy. 159, 5 mi. NE of La Grange This site on the La Bahía Road was surveyed in 1838 and incorporated by the Republic of Texas on Jan. 26, 1839. Rutersville College, chartered in 1840 by the Republic of Texas, was the first Protestant college in Texas. In 1856, by an act of Congress, Rutersville College was consolidated with the Texas Military Institute of Galveston.
Schulenburg
Interstate 10 at U.S. 77 Founded in 1873, when the Galveston, Harrisburg and San Antonio Railway built through the site, it was named for Louis Schulenburg, who donated land for the railroad. The community was granted a post office in 1874.
Swiss Alp
U.S. 77, 11 mi. S of La Grange Established about 1865 by German settlers, who were followed by Wendish families from Serbin in Lee County.
Waldeck
FM 1291 at FM 2145 Purchased in 1843 by Count Ludwig Joseph von Boos-Waldeck, who was an agent for the Adelsverein, an association of German noblemen who planned for emigration to the Republic of Texas.
Warda
U.S. 77, 10 mi. N of La Grange Named for Wartha, Saxony. Wendish immigrant A.E. Falke established a general store here in 1874 and other Wends soon arrived.
Warrenton
Hwy. 237, 12 miles NE of La Grange Founded by William Neese, who landed in Galveston in 1847 and named the new settlement that grew around his store for Warren Ligon, another early colonist.
West Point
Hwy. 71, 12 mi. W of La Grange Intersection of Union Pacific’s north-south tracks (Waco to Victoria) and east-west tracks (Houston to Smithville, formerly MKT Railroad).
Winchester
FM 153 at FM 448 First settled in 1827. The town was platted in 1857 and named for Winchester, Tenn. It was a shipping point on the Waco branch of the San Antonio and Aransas Pass Railway.
Winedale
FM 2714, 4 mi. NE of Round Top Winedale Historical Center, in northeast Fayette County near Round Top. Ima Hogg purchased more than 130 acres, restoring the buildings and eventually donating them to UT.
Carmine
Ledbetter Lane of Lights a Local Holiday Tradition The annual Ledbetter Lane of LIghts has become a local holiday tradition. It’s an annual fundraiser and community service of the Ledbetter Volunteer Fire Department. Enjoy a hayride through nearly a mile of lighted Christmas scenes including numerous animated displays. Stop to view two historic houses, visit Santa, enjoy the
Ledbetter Homemaker’s homemade cookies, drink hot chocolate and wassail, amble along the walking trail, and enjoy music and singing by the warm and toasty campfires. Santa is present every night and has small treats for the children. Located in Ledbetter at the corner of
US 290 and FM 1291. The hayride trailers will pick you up from Stuermer’s store and return you to this location. Check us out on facebook: Ledbetter Laneoflights. Email questions or comments to: ledbetterlaneoflights@yahoo.com Every Friday and Saturday evening beginning Thanksgiving weekend.
Small Town, Big Steaks JW’S Steakhouse has earned quite a reputation as one of the better resturants in the area, thanks to their Angus beef steaks. JW’s is located at 122 Hauptstrasse Street in Carmine.
Stuermer Store in Ledbetter.
An Old Time General Store The Stuermer Store is a working museum located in the original 1870 General Store and features antique store furniture and merchandise; crafts supplied by local artisans such as bonnets, crocheted items, painted wood designs.
The saloon is restored and operates as an ice cream and sandwich shop. It is open daily from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. and located at 100 US 290 East at FM 1291 in Ledbetter. Their phone number is (979) 249-5642.
Little Bank in the City with a Big Heart Health Savings Accounts (HSAs) are now available at Carmine State Bank
235 Centennial Street Carmine, TX • 979.278.3244
Jeff Wunderlich, right, is the owner and operator of JW’s Steakhouse in Carmine.
STUERMER STORE 979-249-5642
Open Mon-Fri 8am-4pm Breakfast 8am-10:30am Lunch 11am-2pm
Take a step back in time when you visit Stuermer Store, which has been owned and operated by the same family since 1891.
Burgers • Sandwiches • Blue Bell T-Shirts • Toys • Pottery • Watkins Honey • Staples Located in Ledbetter Hwy 290 @ F.M. 1291
Bus tours please call ahead
Fayetteville
Local royalty rides on the Fayetteville float in the annual Lickskillet Days Parade in downtown Fayetteville. Lickskillet is held the third weekend of October every year. Photo by Jeff Wick
Fayetteville – The Way Texas Used to Be By PAT JOHNSON
Fayetteville is a paradise for history buffs and cultural explorers alike with its museum, preserved architectural traditions as well as community celebrations like Lickskillet Days on the historic square. Our art scene is lively and diverse. You can hear Mozart in a historic hotel and see world class art at the galleries. Visit Fayetteville and wake up the artist within youǃ There is a good reason that Fayetteville has drawn artists here for decades. Whether you are 8, 18 or 80 years old, get inspired by the unique blend of history, arts and cultural heritage. Remember to look around every once in a
while, the Fayetteville landscape with its rolling hills and wildflower prairies can be the best canvas of all. Arts for Rural Texas (ARTS), headquartered in Fayetteville, enhances the area’s exposure to the visual and performing arts. Founded in 2003, they have been augmenting school art programs in Fayette, Colorado and Austin counties with Art after School and Fine Art Assemblies. The assemblies bring individual artists and groups, such as the Houston Grand Opera and the Austin Ballet, to perform and teach in local schools. Summer Art Camp is held annually for area school children. It
provides art enrichment through five-week summer sessions. They also host art exhibitions, music events and film screenings. Check out their website for schedule of events and times, www.artsforruraltexas.org. ArtWalk is the annual outdoor juried fine art show on the square in Fayetteville held May 2 – May 3. ArtWalk promotes local, regional and national artists. There are over 60 participating artists, a schedule of performing musicians and children’s art instruction and activities. Over $6,000 is awarded to the artists selected by a judge’s panel. In addition to the art, there are wine tastings, food booths and other
attractions that make for a wonderful “fresh air” event on the historic courthouse lawn. The Red and White Inn and Gallery has further placed Fayetteville on the art radar. The old Red and White, built in 1835, has had many businesses in it over the years including the original grocery store. Owners Joan and Jerry Herring restored the upstairs of the historic two story building into a 4-bed, 4-bathroom inn. On the first floor the Red and White Gallery shows solo and group exhibitions. The gallery opened in December 2012 with Edgar von Minden’s folk art building of Continued next page
Fayetteville
Since its opening three years ago, the Red and White Gallery in Fayetteville has consistently brought major exhibits to Fayette County.
Fayetteville Called the Artful Escape – With Good Reason Continued from previous page Fayetteville. Then they featured Jesus Moroles, internationally recognized sculptor and 2008 recipient of the National Medal of Arts. He exhibited work in granite, steel and paper. Other exhibition include painter William Anzalone, watercolor artist Mary Quiros and photographer Laura Wilson. This spring noted Houston designer and artist, Jerry Jeanmard will present works on paper from the recently published book of his work. New to the Fayetteville art scene is The Artist’s Vault, a unique venue situated in the Old Bank Building on the town square. Exhibits showcase local talent as well as guest artists. Come stroll through the old bank to see what is on display on the walls and in the vaults. Located at 123 N. Washington it is open Monday-Friday 8:30 a.m. - 3 p.m. Throughout Fayetteville’s history, music has always been an important part of everyday life. Traditional Czech music can still be heard on the square
during the Fayetteville Chamber of Commerce Lickskillet Days the third weekend in October. This family friendly event offers something for young and old. Located around the Fayetteville Town Square and SPJST Hall, activities including kids’ activities, pumpkin patch, kiddy train ride, ice-cold refreshments, hamburgers, pastries, pies & kolaches, arts & crafts, silly contests, live music, BBQ and Bean Cook-Off, horseshoe tournament, and parade. The Texas Pickin’ Park is a free jam session also held under the shady trees on the town square. Traditionally bluegrass, jams are the second weekend of each month April thru November. There are always free workshops starting at 11 a.m. on Saturdays (except November when there is plenty of stew and goodies to eat). Jamming goes on all afternoon and into the evening hours. Some folks come out on Friday night for a smaller jam in the old Fire House. They ask that you only bring acoustic instru-
ments...oh, and a good attitude. For additional information email at info@texaspickinpark.com or contact Tom Duplissey at (512) 415-3177 Fayetteville Chamber Music Festival is proud to continue the musical tradition. Every year, extraordinary musicians from Europe and around the United States come to the Fayetteville Chamber Music Festival to rehearse and perform. The Festival presents house concerts throughout the year. For a complete schedule visit www.fayettevillemusic.org. Each May, the Fayetteville Chamber Music Festival presents concerts of chamber music during which the audience sits near the musicians and experiences the music close-up. The Annual May Music Festival is performed in the 100 year-old Moravian Room at the Country Place Hotel, in downtown historic Fayetteville where the natural acoustics bring a perfect warm, intimate sound to the musicians’ violin, clarinet and
piano. The first concert honors Fayetteville’s Czech heritage by performing exclusively Czech music. Open Rehearsals, Preconcert Lectures, and School Concerts are included. Friday and Saturday concerts will be held May 8 through the 16th. Many events make the Country Place Hotel a center for the arts. The Country Place Gallery is located across the garden from the Country Place Hotel and is also the studio for local artists and architects Clovis and Maryann Heimsath. Other studios around the square include stained-glass artist Dick Bour who has been producing large scale stained glass projects with the assistance of Fayetteville High School students. Religiously-themed work is a Bour Studio specialty. Artist Pat Johnson has been working in clay for over 25 years in the old Schuhmacher Bank Building on Live Oak Street. Johnson was commissioned by Fayette County to produce a bust Continued on next page
Fayetteville
Fayetteville is on National Register of Historic Towns Continued from previous page
of the Marquis de la Fayette for the County Courthouse. Her studio is open by appointment only. One of Fayetteville real art treasures is a group of paintings located in St. John the Baptist Catholic Church. Recovered and restored in the early 1990s they were discovered to have been painted by Moravian painter, Ignaz Johann Berger, 1822 - 1901. Berger was most well-known for his religious paintings. He was commissioned to paint the images in St. John’s in the late 1800s by the Fayetteville parishioners. The paintings in St. John’s are impressive for their scale and intense detail. Berger’s works shows his early training in Vienna and reflect a highly skilled and educated artist. Even after his death, his work was seen and appreciated as etchings used to illustrate calendars, hymnbooks and religious texts. The church is open during the week so visitors may view the six paintings. And if you love history and architecture, you’ve come to the right place, too. Fayetteville’s rich past is preserved in historic landmarks located throughout the city. Fayetteville is designated on the National Register of Historic Towns with over 400 structures on the list including a Georgian-style mansion and several arts and crafts bungalows. Once a year, during Country Christmas, the second Saturday in December, Fayetteville’s Chamber of Commerce hosts their Homes Tour and invites residents and visitors to have an inside look at some of these unique structures. The Ringing of the Church Bells and Lighting of the Luminaries surrounding the Courthouse sets the scene for the horse drawn carriage rides. Tours take the curious and romantic alike about town, showcasing Fayetteville’s unique architecture and Christmas lights. Fayetteville is a magical, exuberant, colorful journey at any time of the year. Our history and culture will fascinate and inspire you. The slow and gentle pace of Fayetteville will rejuvenate you. Settle yourself into the country comforts of local inns and B&Bs, partake of our sumptuous local cuisine and treat yourself to our art and architecture. For more information on the many art’s events in Fayetteville check out the Fayetteville Chamber of Commerce website, www. fayettevilletxchamber.org.
The charming Fayetteville precinct courthouse and bandstand.
Fayetteville
Fayetteville Hosts ArtWalk Every May ArtWalk is a juried fine art show sponsored by Arts for Rural Texas (ARTS) which is based on the Fayetteville town square. The show is held the first weekend in May on the lawn of the courthouse square in the historical community of Fayetteville. ArtWalk promotes local, regional and national artists. There are over 60 participating artists, a schedule of performing musicians and children’s art instruction and activities. Over $6,000 in award money is given to the artists selected by judges. In addition to the art, there are wine tastings, food booths and other attractions that make for a wonderful “fresh air” event.
ArtWalk 2015
May 2, 10 a.m. - 5 p.m. May 3, 11 a.m.- 4 p.m. On the Square in Fayetteville
If you would like to exhibit at ArtWalk call (979) 378-2113 or email info@artsforruraltexas. org.
The Fayetteville town square is filled with art and art lovers every May.
Fayetteville
Lake Fayette’s Always Full (of Fish and Water)
F
or fishing, boating or just relaxing, one of Texas’ finest small lakes is found in Fayette County. Lake Fayette is located 10 miles east of La Grange off SH 159. Bass lovers have flocked to it for the past 30 years. You’ll need a state fishing license available at Walmart in La Grange. There is a 14-24 inch slot limit on black bass. Anglers may keep five bass 14 inches or less and one bass 24 inches or over. Lake Fayette was constructed by the LCRA and the City of Austin as a 2,400-acre cooling pond for the Fayette Power Project. Warm water discharged into the lake means that it can be fished year round. Park Prairie and Oak Thicket Parks Two parks provide access to Lake Fayette for boating, fishing, camping or family reunions.
Park Prairie and Oak Thicket parks are located on the north end of the lake. Daily access fees are $4 for adults; $2 for seniors (65+); children 13 and under are free. Oak Thicket Park At 85 acres, Oak Thicket is the largest and most developed park on the lake. Twenty RV sites with water, 30-50 amp hookups and a dump station are available. There are also cedar cabins of various sizes, screened shelters and tent sites. Amenities also include a pavilion for large gatherings, a children’s playground and a bird watching and nature loop. A multi-use trail runs from Oak Thicket Park around the perimeter of the lake to Park Prairie Park. Park Prairie Park Park Prairie is the smaller of the two parks at 14 acres. It fea-
Guide John Sparks holds up a big Lake Fayette bass.
tures a boat ramp, dock and pier, tent camping and restrooms. Potable water is available. Reservations for facilities at both parks can be made by
calling the Texas Parks and Wildlife reservation line: (512) 389-8900 (choose option 2) or on short notice (979) 249-3344. Have fun!
Fayetteville
Fayetteville
This Area Has Lots of Art Galleries to Choose From For an area the size of Fayette County, visitors will find a surprising number of art galleries, many of which host regular exhibits by internationallyknown artists as well as our local artisans. Here’s a look at some of the options for art lovers: Fayetteville:
ARTS for Rural Texas
Tuesday-Saturday 10 a.m. - 3 p.m. (free) 114 N. Live Oak, Fayetteville 979.378.2113 www.artsforruraltexas.org
Red & White Gallery
Friday 4-8 p.m. Saturday 10 a.m. - 8 p.m. 102 W. Main, Fayetteville www.redandwhitegallery.com
The Artist’s Vault
Monday-Friday 8:30 a.m. - 3 p.m.
123 N. Washington St. (Mailing: P.O. Box 72), Fayetteville 979.378.2221 Round Top:
The Gallery at Round Top
Wednesday-Sunday 11 a.m. - 5 p.m. (free) 203 East Austin, Round Top 979.249.4119 www.thegalleryatroundtop.com
Copper Shade Tree
10 a.m. - 5 p.m. (free) 101 N. Live Oak, Round Top Henkel Square 979.249.4127 www.coppershadetree.com
Thunderbird Fine Art
Art of the American West Thursday-Sunday 11 a.m. - 5 p.m. Monday-Wednesday Appointment Only 206 E. Mill Street, Round Top 979.525.1930 www.thunderbirdranchfineart.com
Art Stokes and Jerry Brown, noted local photographers, study Jeannette Bergen’s photography work which was on display through April 4, 2015. Photos by David Stall
D. Little Gallery
Friday-Saturday 11 a.m. - 5 p.m. Sunday Noon - 4 p.m. Or by Appointment 108 N. Washington St., Round Top 979.249.3770 www.dorothylittlefineart.com
Beth Anderson Gallery
Thursday-Sunday Noon - 4 p.m. 110 Schumann Lane, Henkel Square Market, Round Top 979.249.5962 www.bethandersonarts.com
The Orchid Tree Gallery
453 N. Washington St., Round Top www.orchidtreeparkandgallery.com
La Grange:
Texas Quilt Museum
Thursday-Saturday 10 a.m. - 4 p.m. Sunday Noon - 4 p.m. 140 W. Colorado St., La Grange 979.968.3104 www.texasquiltmuseum.org
The Green Door Gallery
Thursday-Saturday, 10 a.m. - 8 p.m. 213 W. Travis, La Grange greendoorart.wix.com/index
The Noble Swede
107 Colorado St., La Grange (979) 308-6005
Fayetteville
BEST KOLACHES & BEST PIGS IN THE BLANKET
Fayetteville
School children perform a traditional dance as part of the Lickskillet Days Festival in Fayetteville.
Photo by Jeff Wick
Lickskillet Days Honors Fayetteville’s Heritage Over the years, German and Czech immigrants called the small community of Fayetteville home, naming and renaming it many times. At one time, Fayetteville was named Lick Skillet (Lickskillet). Supposedly, latecomers to the numerous commu-
nity festivals, who complained that all the food was gone, were told to “lick the skillet.” Lickskillet Days Festival takes place third weekend in October. Fayetteville celebrates its German and Czech heritage. This family friendly event offers something for young
Prelude to ! May Festival
As part of the Frank & Jean Raymond Foundation Concert Series
SEASON 9 MAY 8-16, 2015
World-class performances, downtown Fayetteville Opening concert of Czech compositions, in the Grand Lobby of Fayetteville Bank Other Festival performances at Country Place Hotel Tickets & Program Information:
www.fayettevillemusic.org Visiting performing artists: Altius Quartet Bion Tsang, cello • Phillip Bush, piano Charles Wetherbee, violin Bruce Williams, viola • Clive Smith, cello David Korevaar, piano • Peter Nagy, piano and, Festival Artistic Director Håkan Rosengren, clarinet The Festival is a Texas 501(c)(3) non-profit organization
March 22 Henkel Hall on Round Top’s Square with Håkan Rosengren, clarinet, James Ryon, oboe Bruce Henniss, horn Benjamin Kamins, bassoon, and David Korevaar, piano and May 2 Festival Hill Concert Hall Håkan Rosengren peforms with the Austin Symphony Peter Bay, conducting
and old. Located around the Historic Fayetteville Town Square and SPJST Hall, activities including kids’ activities, pumpkin patch, kiddy train ride, ice-cold refreshments, hamburgers, pastries, pies & kolaches, arts & crafts/folk art, silly contests, live
music, BBQ and Bean Cook-Off, horseshoe tournament, parade, and raffles. There are tours of historic sites. For more information contact the Fayetteville Chamber of Commerce, 112 N. Washington St.; (979) 378-4021 or (979) 877-5290.
Fayetteville
Enjoy Chamber Music Fest Every May in Fayetteville Throughout Fayetteville’s history, music has always been an important part of everyday life. Fayetteville Chamber Music Festival is proud to continue the musical tradition. Every year, extraordinary musicians from Europe and around the United States come to the Fayetteville Chamber Music Festival to rehearse and perform. The Festival presents house concerts throughout the year. The Annual May Music Festival, a magnificent musical feast, is performed in the 100 year-old Moravian Room at Country Place Hotel. The first concert honors Fayetteville’s Czech heritage by performing exclusively Czech music. Open
Rehearsals, Pre-concert Lectures, and School Concerts are included. 2015 FESTIVAL CONCERTS Friday, May 8, 8 p.m. Saturday, May 9, 3 p.m. Saturday, May 9, 8 p.m. Friday, May 15, 8 p.m. Saturday May 16, 3 p.m. Saturday May 16, 8 p.m. The Chamber Music Festival is performed in the Country Place Hotel, on the Square in historic Fayetteville. 123 Washington Street Fayetteville, Texas 78940 For more information visit www.fayettevillemusic.org.
The Chamber Music Festival takes place in the Moravian Room at the Country Place Hotel in downtown historic Fayetteville where the natural acoustics bring a perfect warm, intimate sound to the musicians’ violin, clarinet and piano. Photo by H. H. Howze
Find Bargains at City-Wide Garage Sale Find bargains and treasures at Fayetteville’s famous City Wide Garage Sale on the second Saturday of July. Antiques dealers, collectors, and junk enthusiasts will revel in the variety of garage sale items spread out around Fayetteville and in the square. During the day, enjoy the specials held by the local merchants and then set up your lawn chairs for Texas Pickin’ Park activities. Maps showing the locations of the garage sales will be available for treasure hunters on the Courthouse’s front steps starting at 7 a.m. Saturday, the day of the City-Wide Garage Sale.
Fayetteville
Fayetteville Couple Captures the Magic of Fayette County in New Photo Book When Joan and Jerry Herring moved from Houston to Fayette County in 2009, they were the new kids in town, and everything around them seemed very new and special. Or very old and special. The couple sold their home and gallery near downtown Houston, and traded their very active and busy life of urban living for a new pace in the country. Their new home, which they call Blackbird Farm, is just a mile out of Ellinger in a rolling valley very different from the densely populated neighborhood of townhouses and warehouses from which they moved. Although Joan had a picture framing business and Jerry had a graphic design firm, both are
photographers who have exhibited and sold their work for some years. So when they drove around their new environment, their cameras where always nearby. The new landscape, the colorful sunsets, the rolling hills of flowers or grasses all caught their eye. But that was just the beginning. The Herrings began taking their camera to local events and gatherings. And what they found was that the hustle and bustle of the big city was quickly replaced by a new hustle and bustle. This was a community that constantly gath-
ered to celebrate, make music, worship, have fundraisers, serve food or engage in any number of outdoor activities. There were world-class cultural events and local rodeos, large gatherings for fairs and smaller groups at local churches, and thousands of people shopping for antiques while others gathered for cattle auctions. And visual wonders to take in, such as the county’s Painted Churches or La Grange’s nowfamous Texas Quilt Museum. So after taking pictures for
five years and generating thousands of images, the couple edited their collection into a 168-page, hard cover book that they call Images of Fayette County. “While we are very proud of the book, and the wonderful comments and stories we have heard since its publication,” Jerry said. “It was very hard to pause and make this book happen. Every day there is a new image or scene that reminds us how special this place is. There is really no end to the amount of photographs of this unique area that we would love to share with people.” This book was published by Jerry’s company, Herring Press, where he has published some 40 books since it’s inception in 1983. Visit www.herringpress.com.
Elegant Fayetteville Lodging
A luxurious 5-bedroom Inn, two classic Texas country houses and a 4-room Inn on an historic square — art and antique filled lodging in and around Fayetteville near Round Top. Contact Joan at 713-818-9766 or Joan@BlackbirdFarmTexas.com www.BlackbirdFarmTexas.com
Fayetteville
Downtown Fayetteville – Alive With History
The Town Square
Fayetteville’s square is complete on four sides with no gaps which is something of a rarity in Texas. Several buildings, although now serving different purposes, still retain the original storefronts, in some cases even the previous signage. Courthouse on the Square Built in 1880, the first court was held on Feb. 17, 1881. A calaboose (jail) was added in 1887 - the jail still exists on the second floor complete with leg irons! The bandstand gazebo built in 1932. The town clock was erected in 1934 by the Fayetteville women’s “Do Your Duty” club, for the Texas Centennial and still strikes the hour and the half-hour, making Fayetteville the smallest town with a four-face town clock.
Picnic Oak
comE Bank With us • ExcEptional customEr sErvicE • GrEat ratEs • BusinEss accounts • consumEr, commErcial & rEal EstatE loans • FrEE Bill pay • FrEE onlinE BankinG • FrEE E-statEmEnts • FrEE chEckinG • monEy markEt, savinGs & cD’s • moBilE BankinG & much morE • Full-sErvicE BrokEraGE sErvicEs - not FDic insurED
Fayetteville
107 W. Fayette St. P.O. Box 9 Fayetteville, Tx 78940 (979) 378-4261 Fax: (979) 378-2934
Schulenburg
200 N. Kessler Ave. P.O. Box 52 Schulenburg, Tx 78956 (979) 743-4576 Fax: (979) 743-5082
La Grange
366 W. Travis St. P.O. Box 537 La Grange, Tx 78945 (979) 968-3200 Fax: (979) 968-4962
www.FayettevilleBank.com
The Tree-in-the-Street Sorority and “Old Ironsides” - Fayetteville is a member in good standing of the Tree-in-theStreet Sorority - a group of small towns from Columbus south to Goliad and west to Bigfoot and Uvalde. As a matter of fact, this lone tree is Fayetteville’s membership card. Without it, membership would be withdrawn. In the aforementioned towns and others, settlers recognized the majesty of the Live Oak. They also noticed its stubborn resistance to ax blades and wedges and moved on to cut trees that weren’t so tough.
Buildings Around The Town Square
The Fayetteville Area Heritage Museum - on the west side of the Square - comprises two buildings, one which once housed the first Fayetteville post office, and then the Cufr Store. The Western Auto Store operated first by the Dybala’s and then the Heinsohns, occupied the other building. Both buildings were combined to house the Museum in 1995. The Museum includes many artifacts of the good ol’ days including the historic altar from the original St. John’s Catholic Church (removed for rebuilding in 1969), the pipe organ from St. Mary’s Catholic Church, pre-historic bones & arrowheads, a cotton gin, the Dawn Theater’s movie projector, a fire engine pump, farm equipment and even a restored 1965 Chevy Bellaire. Memorabilia from the Baca Band is also displayed. For more information, to book a tour, etc., call (979) 877-5290 The Gulf Service Station - southeast corner of W. Main St. (Hwy. 159) and S. Washington St. was built in 1927 and owned by J. R. Kubena (the great grandfather of current Fayetteville Mayor Ronnie Pflughaupt). It operated as a gas station until 1996. (Side note: the curved tricycle tire tracks on the west end of the pump island were made in the wet concrete in 1927 by a little five-year-old girl who lived next door. That little girl, now in her 90s, still lives next door.) The Old Kurtz House - next door on the left, continuing east on W. Main St. (Hwy. 159) - is white with red trim and was built about 1890. It is now the private residence of the 5 year old little girl who drove her bicycle through the wet cement and left tire tracks in the Gulf Station 85 years ago. The S. S. Munger Home - next door, continuing east on W. Main St. (Hwy. 159) - is now Cottages on the Square. Built about 1850, it is one of Fayetteville’s oldest homes and had a detached kitchen. The Munger family was one of earliest settlers and had a Mercantile Store in Fayetteville as early as the 1830s.
Continued on Page 91
Fayetteville
SHELBY HISTORIC INNS “Bed & Breakfast” 5072 Voelkel Rd., Shelby, TX. 78940 8 Miles East of Round Top at FM 1457
For Reservations:
Cel: 979-208-9834 Office: 979-421-9248
email: ShelbyHistoricInns@gmail.com or: lynnen.yakes@gmail.com
Single, Double and Group occupancy in Four Historic Homes
Book Your Wedding at Our Country Chapel
Various Indoor & Outdoor Spaces within our 4 acres of scenic property for: Weddings, Receptions Art Exhibits, Dance, Theater, Opera, Chamber Music, Corporate Conferences & Workshops
Fayetteville
A Downtown Fayetteville Tour Continued from Page 89 The Red & White Store - corner of W. Main Street and S. Live Oak Street is a twostory building believed to be the oldest commercial building in the area, built about 1835 by S. S. Munger. It was used as a grocery store, then an opera house, a Masonic Hall, a hat shop and eventually a grocery store again. Today it is The Red & White Gallery, operated by Joan and Jerry Herring. The upstairs was a residence for many years and a cafe and it is now The Red & White Inn, a four-bedroom, four-bath inn. The Dawn Theater - the addition on the right side of the Red & White Store was the Dawn Theatre from the early 1900s to the 1960s, providing entertainment for the community until television became common. Later it housed the Blaha cleaners and tailors. The building is now a part of the Red & White Gallery. The Zapalac Drug Store - north of the Shaver House and Store - was constructed in 1926 by Emil Zapalac who previously shared a store with Rudolf Baca and Dr. Schramm further up the block. It is now Dybala’s Photography and Framing. The Otto Vetter Saddle Shop - north of the Zapalac Drug Store, and now Yesterday’s Past - was partly destroyed by fire in 1893 and later rebuilt. Mr. Vetter lived on the second floor. The bottom floor also included the post office as well as the Knippel Meat Market, later the Bertsch Meat Market. The ARTS-Arts for Rural Texas - next to the Otto Vetter Saddle Shop - occupies two buildings that once contained the Fojtik Tin Shop and the Kubala Saloon. The ARTS-Arts for Rural Texas, a non-profit organization exhibits artwork of local artists and student artists. Classes for children, young adults and adults in visual arts and music are also held, as well as weekend concerts. Exhibition hall hours are Monday to Saturday, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. The Baca Saloon & Confectionary - the two buildings next up the square - now houses Joe’s Place. Both buildings are over 100 years old and that closest to the Art Guild was once a grocery store and an antique store. The second, larger building on the left was once the old Rudolph Baca Ice Cream Parlor, shared by Rudolph Baca, Emil Zapalac and Dr. Schramm. It has an ornamental bar with stained glass. For many decades, the Baca family had a band and performed regularly there. Baca made delicious ice cream and custard, and it is said that some of his recipes may now be used by a popular ice cream company. The Schumacher’s Bank of Fayetteville - next up the Square and now Pat Johnson’s art studio - was built in 1907 as Fayetteville’s first bank, and later the Fayetteville State Bank where SPJST business was conducted. For many years, this building was a liquor store and watch repair shop. The J. R. Kubena Store - next up the Square on the corner of E. Fayette St. and N. Live Oak St. and now Jerry’s General Store - originally had a dance hall on top. Later the corner was made into a Ford car dealership operated by Kubena’s son and John Cufr, Sr. Still later it was the SPJST business office until such moved to Temple in about 1950, following which it housed the Kubena Cafe. Henry Steves’ Furniture & Hardware Store - northeast corner of N. Live Oak St. and E. Fayette St. and now Jane’s Joy and Serendipity - is a two-story building. Steves was the postmaster and the store held the post office from 1889 to 1893, before most of the northeast side of the Square was destroyed by fire. Steves was the first captain of the Fayetteville Volunteer Fire Department. The Fayetteville Masonic Lodge no. 240 occupies the second floor. Kaderka’s Office - now Country Glam - served as Dr. Kaderka’s office and his music studio where he made violins. Orsak’s Cafe - next building west on W. Fayette St. - comprises two buildings. The right building was the first Fayetteville movie house and was operated by the Michalsky family; it was also a saloon. The left building was the old Pagel Tire building, formerly a steam cleaning/pressing tailor shop, and a ladies’ ready-to-wear operated by R. B. Spacek - still contains the old clothing racks. The Zapp Building - northwest corner of the Square on N. Washington St. and W. Fayette St. and now the Country Place Hotel - displays the name of the first owner, Zapp, a prominent local family who started their business in 1865. Constructed in 1900, the building served first as a mercantile store.
Schulenburg
The Schulenburg Historical Museum has a huge collection of memorabilia from Schulenburg High School, home of the Shorthorns.
Adventure Awaits Just Off The Interstate in Schulenburg By ANDY BEHLEN
The Fayette County Record
S
chulenburg sits about halfway between Houston and San Antonio on Interstate 10. The town has long been a stopping point for travelers on the long trip between those two cities – first by railroad and later by automobile. Just about anyone who has ever made the trip knows about the two iconic restaurants along the Interstate, Frank’s Restaurant and Oakridge Smokeshouse. Both are definitely worth making a stop. But Schulenburg has so
much more to offer the adventurous traveler who treks a little further off the highway. The Hitching Post is a great place to start any visit to Schulenburg. Owner Donnie Dittrich can set you up with a new cowboy hat and a pair of sharp-looking boots – essential gear when walking the streets of Schulenburg. While waiting for Donnie to crease your new hat, grab a cup of coffee and a cone of hand-dipped Blue Bell Ice Cream. For such a small town (pop. 2,750), Schulenburg has an inordinate number of museums. The Schulenburg Historical Museum,
located at 631 North Main Street, is a great place to start any visit. The museum chronicles Schulenburg’s history. Some of the museum’s treasures include the town’s original horse-drawn fire engine and a ceremonial sash worn by “The Flying Bull,” a Holstein bull calf that the Carnation Milk Company flew to Schulenburg from Wisconsin in an airplane in 1929 as part of a publicity stunt. The museum also holds the second-largest barbed wire collection in Texas. The Stanzel Model Aircraft Museum, Continued on next page
Schulenburg
Schulenburg’s History Alive and Well Continued from previous page located at 311 Baumgarten Street, showcases the history of the Victor Stanzel Company, which built model airplanes in a Schulenburg factory from 1929 to the early 2000s. Some of their early models, which are on display in the museum, were powered by gasoline and could reach speeds of over 100 miles per hour. Next door to the city museum, travelers can get a taste of the area’s culture by visiting the Texas Polka Museum. Located at 625 North Main Street, the museum houses numerous artifacts from early polka bands from the area like Julius Pavlas and the Gold Chain Bohemians and Adolph Hofner and the Pearl Wranglers. Those bands are largely forgotten today, but in the 1930s and 40s their music could be heard on the radio from coast to coast. The Gold Chain Bohemians performed on a weekly radio show broadcast nationwide from the Cozy Theater at the Von Minden Hotel, located just around the corner from downtown at 507 Lyons Avenue. The hotel was built in the 1927 and is the last hotel-theater still operating in Texas. From there, head over to Wolters Park to see the oldest building in town – the Wolters Family Log Cabin. The Wolters were one of Schulenburg’s most influential families. They donated land to the City for the park, which now bears their name. Joseph Wolters built the cabin in the Austin County near Industry in 1835. The Wolters Family moved it to Schulenburg for preservation in 1941. Wolters Park is also home to a historic Bedstedt Iron Truss Bridge. The bridge was built around 1888 at Mulberry Creek,
The Von Minden is the last combination hotel-theater still operating in Texas. Photos by Andy Behlen
a few miles south of Schulenburg. The bridge was replaced in 2007 and moved to Wolters Park, where it now carries foot traffic across the creek that runs through the park. Another famous bridge, Piano Bridge, sits across the Navidad River just a few miles east of Schulenburg. The bridge was built in 1885 and connects the two farming communities of Dubina and High Hill on Piano Bridge Road. The bridge got its name from the old wood planks that would bounce up and down like piano keys as cars crossed. The county partnered with the Texas Department of Transportation to restore the bridge in 2012. The new boards no longer bounce, but the bridge’s name stayed the same. Those looking for a place to eat might try Schulenburg’s newest restaurant, Garden Company Café and Marketplace, located
at 217 Kessler Avenue (US-77). Schulenburg residents have been shopping for plants and flowers at the Garden Company Nursery for years. Owners Jeff and Stevie Thompson converted the old farmhouse that served as the business storefront into a restaurant in 2014. Inside, Chef Kenny Kopecky dishes out brick oven pizza
and some of the finest gourmet fare to be found anywhere in the county. Of course, these are just a few suggestions. Visit the Greater Schulenburg Chamber of Commerce to find out more. The Chamber is located at 618 North Main Street. Call them at (979) 743-4514.
The oldest building in Schulenburg, the Wolters family log cabin, located in the aptly named Wolters Park.
Schulenburg
A small sampling of the 30 displays at the Stanzel Model Aircraft Museum.
Photo by Andy Behlen
The Sky’s The Limit at Schulenburg’s Stanzel Model Aircraft Museum By LINDA STALL
In Schulenburg, art can be found in an unlikely but extraordinary place: the Stanzel Model Aircraft Museum. As a young man, Schulenburg native Victor Stanzel was fascinated by flight. Like many of his generation, his first exposure to flight was the sight of military airplanes flying overhead his home. To pursue his love of aircraft, Victor studied drafting and welding. He may never have thought of himself as an artist, but visitors to the museum will see that
among his many talents he was indeed an accomplished sculptor, graphic artist, and commercial design artist. In the early 1920s Victor refined what had been a hobby, carving solid, true scale ornamental models of military aircraft. He began with meticulously carved and decorated Curtis Falcon AC3s, selling them to the cadets in flight training at Kelly Air Force Base. To stay current on aviation trends he studied industry publications of the time, such as Popular Aviation and Aviation Digest.
In the 1930s he began advertising his ornamental models for sale in the same magazines. These beautifully detailed military aircraft models demonstrate Victor’s artistic skill. Victor worked first from his mother’s home. His brother Joe joined the business after graduating from high school. As their business grew they hired staff, built a manufacturing building, and traveled extensively to promote their models. The business grew from ornamental models, to tethered flying models, kits and ready-to-fly
models, even amusement park rides. In 1933, they built their first full-sized amusement ride, the “Fly-A-Plane.” In 1936, their “20th Century Stratos-Ship” was placed on exhibit at the Texas Centennial Exposition in Dallas. True renaissance men, the Stanzels designed the company’s manufacturing equipment, packaging, marketing displays and advertising. They personally developed the company advertising artwork and logo designs. Victor studied drafting so that he could do his own blue prints for the Continued on next page
Schulenburg
History Takes Flight in Schulenburg Continued from previous page balsa wood model kits, and later the plastic flying models. The blue prints themselves stand alone as art, “suitable for framing.” Visitors to the Stanzel Model Airplane Museum will be impressed with the scope of the Stanzels’ creativity. And they will be transported visually to the early days of model airplane toys. The packaging artwork is distinctly evocative of its time, capturing images of happy children enjoying flying model airplanes. But beyond the “toy” or the “model” one sees images that stand alone on their artistic merit. Crisp images and bold colors catch the viewer’s eye. Utilizing strong primary colors, their signature look, the packaging and advertising illustrations attract the attention of the consumer. The images are designed
to illustrate the movement of the flying model airplanes. The airplanes are shown climbing and swooping, simple brush strokes create the motion of flight. The museum displays give the visitor an opportunity to see examples of the artwork separately before they were incorporated into the store displays and product packaging. These preliminary designs allow the viewer to appreciate the true artistic quality of the images. Images designed to entice buyers as intrigued by flight as Victor Stanzel was as a young boy in the fields near Schulenburg watching military aircraft overhead. Victor Stanzel and Company began in 1930, finally closing its doors in 2001. The Stanzel Family Foundation operates the Stanzel Model Aircraft Museum. For more information visit www.stanzelmuseum.org.
LANDSCAPE & IRRIGATION DESIGN
full-scale nursery, bedding plants, shrubs, trees & lots more
the garden co. | marketplace & café marketplace 979.743.4648 | café 979.743.4677 lunch mon-sat & dinner thurs-sat 217 kessler ave | schulenburg, texas 78956
The Stanzel Brothers Factory Museum is one of three parts of the museum complex, also including the Main Museum and the historic Stanzel home. Photo by Andy Behlen
firepits | outdoor kitchens | patios & more
delicious lunches, mouth-watering dinners & wood fired pizza
the garden co. at round top gifts & plants 979.249.5889 round top, texas 78954
www.thegardencoandcafe.com | gardenco@cvctx.com | find us on facebook - the garden company
Schulenburg
Sausagefest a Hit in Schulenburg Schulenburg Home to Blinn College Campus Schulenburg is home to a branch of Blinn Junior College. Located in the renovated Bishop Forest High School campus location, Blinn-Schulenburg offers a variety of academic transfer, workforce training and continuing education classes. It is located at 100 Ranger Dr., Schulenburg, Texas 78956. Call (979) 743-5200. Blinn-Schulenburg offers a variety of traditional courses for students planning to transfer to four-year schools, but many people in Fayette County participate in a variety of continuing education classes offers by Blinn-Schulenburg, ranging from Czech language classes to computer literacy courses. More information can be found at www.blinn. edu/schulenburg.
Schulenburg seems to have hit a home run with its newest festival. The Schulenburg Sausagefest drew an estimated crowd of 600 folks (double what organizers expected) for the first-time event in downtown April 5, 2014. The 2015 event was scheduled for March 28. For more information on the 2016 event visit www.schulenburgsausagefest.com Pork, polka and pivo – it’s a Bohemian paradise. The free event celebrates this area’s rich cultural heritage by bringing together homemade sausagemakers from across the area who will compete for prizes in a one-of-a-kind competition. Bragging rights and cash prizes will be awarded in five categories: • Smoked Sausage, • Fresh Sausage (made on-site), • Sausage-based Concoctions (gumbo, jambalya, etc.), • Everything But The OINK (boudain, head sausage, etc.) • and Klobasnicky (pigs-in-the-blanket). The Sausagefest includes a homemade sausage cook-off, a variety of arts, crafts and food booths, and a number of bands.
Polka Royalty at last year’s Sausagefest.
Schulenburg Hosts the “National Party of Texas” Every August The first weekend in August every year, thousands of folks folk to Schulenburg for the annual Schulenburg Festival, which has been dubbed the “National
Party of Texas.” This year’s festival is July 31-Aug. 2, 2015 and will include three nights of rodeo performances, the grand Festival Parade, numerous bands,
A panoramic view of the main stage area at the Schulenburg Festival.
cookoffs, game food booths and a carnival. Most of the events are centered in and around Wolters Park. The Festival weekend is also when Schulenburg natives
flock home as most class reunions are scheduled to coincide with Festival time. For a full schedule of festival events visit www.schulenburgfestival.org.
Schulenburg
The crowd is always huge at the annual Praha church picnic.
Life’s A Picnic
Photos by Andy Behlen
The Magic of Fayette County’s Country Church Feasts By ANDY BEHLEN
The Fayette County Record
T
here is no better way to experience the culture of Fayette County than to visit one of the annual picnics put on by the Catholic churches scattered throughout the countryside. The Czech and German settlers who came here in the mid- to late-1800s were predominantly Lutheran or Catholic. As soon as they got their fields plowed and their cabins build, they joined together to build churches. Every year during the summer, usually around the time of the feast day of the church’s patron saint, parishioners would gather together for a big feast. The tradition lives on in the small Catholic communities of High Hill, Praha, Ammannsville, St. John, Dubina, Cistern, Holman, Plum, Ellinger, Fayetteville, and Hostyn.
The practice came over from the Czech and German lands. In the old days, each family would bring a chicken from their coop, or a pot of potatoes or green beans picked from their garden, a jar of peaches or pickles, and maybe a loaf of bread. When the entire parish got together for the feast, there was enough food for everyone. And the meal was often free. If you come to one of the picnics for nothing else, come for the meal. The recipes often date back to the late 1800s when Czech and German settlers founded the churches. Traditional fare invariably consists of fried chicken, german potatoes, sauerkraut, green beans and pickles. The meal also includes either beef stew or sausage, depending on parish tradition. While the meals are no longer free like they were in the old days, they are still a deal –
Ladies cut chicken for frying at the annual St. John picnic every 4th of July.
usually $8 to $9 a plate. Each community puts their own spin on the meal. In Ammannsville, the cooks use cracker crumb breading for the fried chicken. The ladies of St. Wenceslaus Church in Holman save a few of the boiled potatoes and
mash them up with the potato water to create the all-important mashka, which they add to the sauerkraut. The men of Sts. Peter and Paul Church in Plum grind, stuff and smoke homemade sausage before the picnic and serve it Continued, next page
Schulenburg
Dancing at the High Hill Church picnic. Photo by Andy Behlen
Music, Food and Fun Nearly Every Sunday Continued from previous page at the meal. Those who eat inside the hall at St. John get treated to sliced tomatoes picked fresh from local gardens, but only if it rained enough that year. The bands that perform at these picnics play both kinds of music – polkas and waltzes. The summertime picnics form a sort of concert circuit for bands like the Shiner Hobo Band, Mark Halata and Texavia, the Red Ravens, and that young group from another part of Texas where some Czechs settled, the Ennis Czech Boys. Many of the songs they perform came over from the Czech lands in the 1800s. If you visit one of the picnics, you’ll likely hear locals singing along in Czech to standards like “A Já Sám” (All By Myself) and “Když Jsme Opustili Prahu” (Farewell to Prague, or the Shiner Song, depending on who’s singing). But other tunes were inspired locally, sometimes by the picnics themselves, as in the case of the great Dujka Brothers number
“Grandpa Drank Too Much at the St. John Picnic.” The picnics are regular stops for the red- and white-festooned dancers of the Polka Lover’s Club of America. If you don’t know how to dance the polka or waltz, just ask one and they’ll happily teach you. Each parish holds an auction at their picnic to raise money for the church, and it’s often the church’s biggest fundraiser of the year. For those visiting from out of town, it can be a great opportunity to bring home a piece of Fayette County culture. Parishioners donate items to sell in the auction like pickles, noodles, homemade molasses, baked goods, local crafts and antiques. Each parish usually has a few venerable matrons who produce masterpiece quilts for the auction. But be prepared to spend thousands of dollars if you want one of those. Bring the kids and grandkids, too. The grounds at each picnic are filled with old-fashioned games for the kids like ring toss, Continued on next page
A girl tries to chase down an armadillo during one of the kids games at the St. John picnic. Photo by Andy Behlen
Schulenburg
Something For All at a Church Picnic Continued from previous page
dunking booths, cake walks and train rides. And when the kids run out of quarters for the games, you don’t have to dip into your biergarten fund to keep them happy. Most of the picnics have a recycling station set up where they pay the kids in quarters to pick up aluminum cans from around the picnic grounds. Many of the churches are on the famous Painted Churches Tour. If you plan on visiting the Painted Churches, you could schedule your trip to coincide with one of the picnics. We won’t say which picnic is the best – that might start a holy war – but you can always visit them all and decide for yourself.
A girl dances to the sounds of a Polka Band at the Ammannsville picnic.
Photo by Andy Behlen
A Guide to Local Church Picnics 1st Sunday in May & 1st Sunday in October • Queen of the Holy Rosary Church in Hostyn; 936 FM 2436 La Grange, Texas 78945 (979) 247-4441 hostynch@cvctx.com 1st Sunday in June • Sacred Heart Church in Flatonia 516 South Faires Flatonia, Texas 78941 (361) 865-3568 sacredheart186@sbcglobal.net 2nd Sunday in June • St. Rose of Lima Church in Schulenburg 1010 Lyons Avenue Schulenburg, Texas 78956 (979) 743-3117 srolc@cmaaccess.com
3rd Sunday in June (Father’s Day) • St. John the Baptist Church in Ammannsville 7850 Mensik Rd. La Grange, Texas 78945 (979) 743-3117 Last Sunday in June • Sts. Peter and Paul Church in Plum 126 Plum Church Road La Grange, Texas 78945 (979) 242-3600 hostynch@cvctx.com
Schulenburg, Texas 78956 (361) 798-5888 Always August 15th • Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary Church in Praha 821 FM 1295 Flatonia, Texas 78941 (361) 865-3560
1st Sunday in July • Sts. Cyril and Methodius Church in Dubina, FM Road 1383 Dubina, Texas 78956 (979) 725-8461
4th Sunday in August • Sts. Cyril and Methodius Church in Cistern 113 Manchester St. Cistern, Texas 78941 (361) 865-3568 • St. Mary Church in Ellinger 815 St. Mary’s Church Rd. Ellinger, Texas 78938 (979) 378-2277
Always July 4th • St. John the Baptist Church in St. John; 7026 FM 957
Sunday before Labor Day • Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary Church in High Hill
2833 FM 2672 Schulenburg, Texas 78956 (979) 561-8455 • St. John the Baptist Church in Fayetteville; 209 E. Bell St. Fayetteville, Texas 78940 (979) 378-2277 stsjm@stjohnfayetteville.com 3rd Sunday in September • St. Wenceslaus Church in Holman 9538 Anton Salas Loop Holman, Texas 78945 (979) 743-3117 Last Sunday in October • Sacred Heart Church in La Grange 539 East Pearl Street La Grange, Texas 78945 (979) 968-3430 sacredheartlg@cmaaccess.com
Schulenburg
Fayette County’s Famous Painted Churches
C
atholic immigrants from Europe brought ideas of what a church should look like with them when they came to Fayette County in the 1800s – it should look as much as possible like the great cathedrals they were used to. That’s the reason congregations paid itinerant painters to create interiors that appeared to have marble columns and vaulted ceilings. Elaborate gold-leaf ornamentation and statuary on the altars augmented the illusion of grandeur. The painted effects are still vibrant today. The Painted Church Tour serves as the center-piece for the Schulenburg Chamber of Commerce. “The structures, located in the communities of Dubina, High Hill, Ammannsville, and Praha appear unassuming as you approach them, but as you enter the front doors prepare to have your breath taken away by the beauty found inside,” the chamber says. “The colorful spring flowers enhance the country churches, but they don’t compare to the vivid hues of the interiors.” There are more than 20 painted churches around Texas, ranging from simple to extremely elaborate. In 1984, 15 of the churches were listed in the National Registrer of Historic Places. The Painted Churches have
been featured in numerous magazines, television programs and newspaper articles. A scenic tour of the churches in Fayette County is an easy day trip from Austin, Houston or San Antonio. Brochures are available outside the Schulenburg chamber of commerce office, 618 N. Main Street. (979) 743-4514. Several tour groups offer trips to the Painted Churches. Information is available from the chamber. Many of the churches have fascinating stories behind them. According to Alan Oakes, C.S.P., St. Mary’s in Praha has one of the best. “Local history says that a keg of beer was offered to the man who dared top the church steeple with a cross. At over 130 feet, climbing to the top was no doubt a harrowing feat. Evidently a man who put crosses on steeples for a living took the community up on their offer. After he bravely affixed the cross to the top of the steeple the man proceeded to do a handstand on top of the cross. Makes me wonder if he might have been sipping some of the winnings before the climb,” says the Catholic priest, who was executive producer of a television documentary on the Painted ChurchesVisitors can learn similar stories at all the churches, if they take a little time to meet the people of these fascinating communities.
St. Mary’s Church of the Assumption 821 FM 1295, Praha community
Located just south of the railroad tracks that run parallel to SH 90. Prior to the coming of the Czechs, Praha was called Mulberry by the Anglo settlers. Praha has a huge gathering every year when thousands descend on the church grounds for a veteran’s reunion. Built: 1895; Architect: O. Kramer Artist: Gottfried Flury, Rev. Louis Netardus, and Gene A. Mikulik Mass Times: Weekends: Saturday 4:30 p.m. Sunday 8 a.m. Picnic: 8/15 & Sun. before Veterans Day Church related information on Praha—Call 361-596-4674 • PLEASE NOTE: St. Mary’s Church at Praha will be closed from Jan. 12, 2015 until Aug. 14, 2015 for renovations. If all goes as planned, the church will re-open for it’s feast day and celebration on Aug. 15.
Rural Texas Tourism, LLC Tours, Marketing, Press & More (as showcased in Texas Highways Magazine)
Continued on next page
Make magical memories with over 10 incredible rural tours depicting early Texas heritage & cultures
979-561-6667 cc@cvctx.com www.ruraltexastourism.com
Schulenburg
Painted Churches, Continued
D E T N I PA
S E H C CH U R
St. John the Baptist Catholic Church 7745 Mensik Rd., Ammannsville community.
The Catholic church and a school opened in 1890. Destroyed by the hurricane of 1909, the church was rebuilt. It burned shortly thereafter and had to be rebuilt a second time. Built: 1918; Painted:1919 Architect: John Bujnoch Artist: Fred Donecker and Sons Mass Times: Weekends: Sunday 9:30 a.m. (Odd Months). Sunday 8 a.m. (even months). Church related information on Ammannsville - Call (979) 743-3117
To book a tour or for more information, please call (866) 504-5294 or see our web site: schulenburgchamber.org
Schulenburg
Fayette County’s Painted Churches, Continued
St. Mary: Nativity of Mary, Blessed Virgin 2833 FM 2672, High Hill community.
Elaborate faux-marble columns and vaulted ceilings make this church one of the ones not to miss. The grayish blue stone capping the buttresses and accenting the brick was quarried from the nearby town of Muldoon. Built: 1906 Mass Times: 6:30 p.m. Saturday and 7 a.m. on Wednesdays Picnic: Labor Day Sunday Church related information on High Hill - Call (979) 743-3117 Painted:1912 Architect: Leo Dielmann; Artist: Stockert and Kern Builder: Frank Bohlman
Schulenburg
Fayette County’s Painted Churches, Continued
Sts. Cyril and Methodius Church FM 1383 Dubina community.
Featuring simple stenciling and framed Stations of the Cross, the church is just west of Weimar off old Hwy. 90. Other than Sunday, the church can be viewed from the entry only. It can be opened for groups. Just north of the church is the old Dubina grocery. Following the road
around the corner will take you over the “Piano Bridge” – one of the few remaining iron bridges in Fayette County. Painted: 1909; Architect: Leo Dielmann Mass Times: Weekends: 8:45 a.m. Sunday Picnic: Sunday before 4th of July Church related information on Dubina - Call (979) 725-6714
Flatonia
This mural in downtown Flatonia celebrates the town storied railroad history.
Flatonia Growing, but Still Holding Onto its Old-Town Charm
Strolling down Main Street in downtown Flatonia is like taking a trip back in time. If you close your eyes and open your imagination, it’s easy to visualize how this quaint community has developed into one of Fayette County’s most unique and charming towns. Old, yet architecturally significant buildings line both North and South Main Streets in downtown Flatonia. They are remnants of a past when everything social was centered in downtown. Today, Flatonia remains a bustling community. The town is filled with friendly people who appreciate their heritage and relish their history. Flatonia and the surrounding area continues to rely on farming and ranching as one of its main sources of revenue, while recent oil and gas production is beginning to play into the town’s economic wellbeing. Fairs, festivals, music, food, architectural
landmarks, recreational opportunities are only a few of the attractions that lure people to the rolling hills and lush fields in and around Flatonia. If a person is looking for a prime example of small town Texas, then Flatonia is the place to be.
CZHILISPIEL
A benchmark on the Flatonia social scene is the town’s annual Czhilispiel festival. Drawing more than 10,000 festival goers each year, Czhilispiel is held on the fourth full weekend in October in downtown Flatonia. This annual event has been going on for more than 45 years, and every year the crowds get larger, the music gets louder and the food gets tastier. It’s hard to beat a Czhilispiel weekend in Flatonia. Czhilispiel is a Czech German flavored festival featuring more than 200 Czhili cook-
ing/showmanship contestants, 75 BBQ Bean cooking teams, continuous musical entertainment, and one of the State’s largest Biergartens. The festival also hosts contests to pick the best Margarita, bravest Jalapeno Eater, a 5K Run/Walk, plenty of arts & crafts, a judged car and truck show, and a variety of other options to make your visit to Czhilispiel a memorable one! Visit www.chilispiel.com or call (361) 865.3920 for more information.
E. A. Arnim Archives and Museum
The E. A. Arnim Archives and Museum was established in 1988 and has grown to be one of the largest museums in rural Central Continued on next page
Flatonia
Flatonia’s Czhilispiel festival, which this parade float promotes, is held the fourth full weekend of every October.
Flatonia Filled With Festivals, History Continued from previous page Texas. It is devoted to preserving the cultural history of small town life in Flatonia and its surrounding communities. The ground floor of the main building is a showcase of goods and furnishings from early area homes, businesses, clubs, schools and churches. The second floor houses the Flatonia area Veterans Museum with displays of uniforms, flags, weapons, war memorabilia and a special “Wall of Honor” with more than 300 photos of local veterans in uniform spanning the decades from World War I to the present day. A separate barn contains a country life collection with everything from a complete farm kitchen to a wide array of vehicles and farm implements spanning decades of local agricultural use. Historical photographs, letters, documents, and advertising memorabilia throughout the exhibits in both buildings add an extra layer of detail to the story of Flatonia. The museum is open on Thursdays and Fridays from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. and Saturdays from
10 a.m. to noon and 1 to 3 p.m., or by appointment. For additional information call (361) 865.3455, email arnimmuseum@att.net or visit our website at www.arnimmuseum.org.
Central Texas Rail History Center
At one time, the railroads ruled this small Central Texas community. Farmers, ranchers and merchants depended on the trains to deliver the necessities of their livelihood. For the town’s citizens and those from surrounding communities, train transportation was their connection to the outside world. Today, the history of the rails in Flatonia lives at the Central Texas Rail History Center, located at 114 South Main Street across from the post office. The Center houses many historical artifacts, model train displays and photographs from when ‘rail was king’ in Flatonia. Across from the Center stands old Tower No. 3, which was built in 1902 and served as a switching
facility just west of downtown at the interlocker. Located at the interlocker is the Rail Photo Pavilion, a covered, elevated facility that affords rail fans an up-close view of trains traveling East-West and North-South. The photo pavilion is located only blocks from the Central Texas Rail History Center. For additional information visit the Center’s website at www.railcrossroadstx.com or call (713) 471-8068.
Crawfest
A Flatonia Chamber of Commerce event for the past 11 years, Crawfest is quickly becoming one of the fastest growing festivals in Fayette County. Held annually in April, the festival is a feast full of good food and fun. In addition to Gulf Coast crawfish and shrimp, the menu includes Joel’s BBQ sausage, corn on the cob, potatoes, beer, wine, and live music and dancing. Crawfest is held at the American Legion Hall and additional information can be obtained by emailing www.flatoniachamber.
com or email flatoniacofc@sbcglobal.net. You can also call the Chamber office at (361) 8653920.
Golf Course
Flatonia’s nine-hole golf course has been described by many out-of-towners as the “best kept secret in Fayette County.” With oak tree lined fairways and a scattering of water hazards, the Flatonia course is a challenge to any player…no matter your skills. Carts and clubs are available for rent and a practice range is open and ready for your warmup swings. The clubhouse is open Tuesday through Thursday from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Friday through Sunday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. For more information visit www.flatoniagolf.com or call the clubhouse at (361) 865-2922.
Finding Flatonia
Flatonia is the center point between two of Texas’ fastest growing areas. The town is centrally located halfway between Houston and San Antonio on I-10.
Flatonia
Ceremonial shots are fired as part of the Praha annual Veterans Program.
Photo by Beverly Ponder
Veterans Event in Praha Not to Be Missed
Nine Residents of Small Community Killed in WWII Remembered Every Nov.
T
he small Fayette County community of Praha, just outside Flatonia, has one of the most historic and moving Veterans Day programs anywhere. Praha, which has a population of just a few hundred, had nine of its residents killed during action in WWII. Here is a history of the annual memorial event, which is always held the Sunday before Veterans Day (In 20015 that’s Nov. 8) no the grounds of St. Mary’s church in Praha: The Praha Veterans Club held its first Veterans Day program Nov. 11, 1962, an event that would grow to be one of the most notable of such observances each year in Texas. The annual obser-
vance in the rural Fayette County community was started under the direction of the late Rev. Marcus Valenta, a World War II chaplain and survivor of Pearl Harbor who had come to St. Mary’s Parish in 1954. Ernest Chaloupka recalls that Father Valenta met with a small group of veterans at the cemetery to organize the club in 1962. It would be under his direction that memorial services were first held, that also being a year when the national holiday was on a Sunday. On other years, the observance - now known as All Veterans Day in Praha - is held on the Sunday before Veterans Day. Chaloupka, Adolf Masek, Edwin Mikulik and Charles Lev were among those who helped
Father Valenta with that first observance. The club was formally organized in 1968 with Chaloupka as chairman; Masek, vice chairman; Lev, secretary; Mikulik, treasurer; and Julius Jasek, director. The activities occur near where “Praha’s own little national cemetery” was created within the confines of the larger cemetery to honor nine men who gave the ultimate sacrifice for their country during World War II. While there are many other veterans from World War II and other wars buried at Praha, including 24 from World War I, there are no other known war dead. The present national Veterans Day was created in 1954 from
the former observance of Armistice Day for World War I. The war dead from World War II include Rudolf L. Barta, a machine gunner killed in the invasion of Normandy; Robert V. Bohuslav, who manned a bazooka and was killed in North Africa; Anton Kresta Jr., killed in action on Luzon in the Philippine Islands; Joseph Lev, killed by a sniper on Luzon; Edward J. Marek, killed by machine gun fire on Peleliu Island; George D. Pavlicek, died in France from wounds received in action; Adolph E. Rab, a cannoneer killed in North Italy when an enemy shell landed near his foxhole; Jerry R. Vaculik, killed in action in France.
Continued on Page 108
Flatonia
FLATONIA CHAMBER OF COMMERCE WWW.FLATONIACHAMBER.COM
2015 Annual Events March 28 - Spring Market Day with the Texas Independence Relay April 4 - Flatonia Rail Fan Pavilion Party April 11 - Knights Ride for Wounded Warriors April 18 - Flatonia C of C CRAWFEST May 2 - Flatonia Rotary Club Golf Tournament May 24 - Flatonia American Legion Memorial Day Service June 7 - Flatonia Sacred Heart Church Parish Picnic June 27 - Flatonia C of C Freedom Fest, Patriotic Parade & Wing Fling Cook Off August 15 - St. Mary’s Church - Praha Prazska Pout Picnic August 23 - Sts. Cyril & Methodius Church - Cistern Picnic September 4 - Health Fair at Civic Center by Oak Manor Nursing Center October 23-25 - CZHILISPIEL 43 - Czhili & BBQ Cook-offs November 7 - Flatonia Rail Fan Pavilion Party November 7 - E. A. Arnim Museum Stew Dinner Fundraiser, Auction & Play November 8 - All Veterans Day Memorial Service at Praha December 1 - Lighting of Christmas Village with Santa December 4 - Flatonia C of C Wonderful Winter Wine Walk December 5 - Flatonia C of C Merry Market Day, Cookie-Candy Carnival and Santa
Area Attractions E. A.ARNIM ARCHIVES & MUSEUM CENTRAL TEXAS RAIL HISTORY CENTER FLATONIA GOLF COURSE FLATONIA LIVESTOCK COMMISSION St. MARY’S CATHOLIC CHURCH, PRAHA (Painted Church)
HOME OF CZHILISPIEL FLATONIA RAIL PARK PAVILION GREAT SHOPPING, RESTAURANTS and LODGING
Flatonia
Praha Honors Veterans Continued from Page 106 Also, there is an empty grave honoring Eddie Sbrusch who was captured in the Philippines and was lost at sea when the ship transporting him and other prisoners of war to Japan was torpedoed by an American submarine. In honor of these nine men and all others who have served their country in all wars, the All Veterans Day program typically includes a mass at 9:30 a.m.; memorial service at 11; and flyovers by the U.S. Air Force and a flower drop over the cemetery by the Commemorative Air Force. Following that at the hall, there is the serving of a Prahastyle fried chicken dinner. There is no greater reward for those who served than to be remembered.
Arnim Archives and Museum Offers Unique Look at Flatonia’s History
The annual Veterans event in Praha is held on the grounds outside St. Mary’s church.
The E.A. Arnim Archives & Museum is dedicated to preserving the history of the Flatonia area, including its people and its culture, and making its collections available to the public for both research and entertainment. E.A. Arnim, Sr. and partner Jonathan Lane opened the Arnim & Lane Mercantile Store on Flatonia’s North Main Street in 1886, when the town was still in its infancy. Arnim’s eldest son, Judge E.A. “Sam” Arnim, Jr. spent a lifetime amassing an extensive collection of objects of local historic significance. In 1988, the Judge’s widow, Ann, had the idea of establishing a museum in Flatonia in his memory. The Flatonia State Bank offered its building, located across the street form the old Arnim & Lane store, to house the Arnims’ original collection along with a wealth of additional donations from nu-
merous other families with deep roots in Flatonia history. The museum’s exhibits illustrate the settlement, early history and continuing development of Flatonia and the surrounding communities. The ground floor of the main building is a showcase of goods and furnishings from early Flatonia homes, businesses, clubs, schools and churches, while the second floor houses the Flatonia area Veterans Museum. A separate barn contains a country life collection with everything from a complete farm kitchen to a wide array of vehicles and farm implements. Located downtown in the old Flatonia State Bank Building. 101 E. North Main Flatonia, Texas Hours: Thursday & Friday 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday 10 a.m. to noon and 1 p.m. to 3 p.m.
CENTRAL TEXAS RAIL HISTORY CENTER Model Trains • Photos Galore • Railroading Artifacts Train Books, Magazines & Parts Manuals OPEN SATURDAYS 104 S. Main St. 10 a.m. - 3 p.m. Flatonia, TX 78941 Children Welcome!
WWW.RAILCROSSROADSTX.COM
Flatonia
Czhilispiel Keeping It Spicy in Flatonia By H.H. HOWZE
The Fayette County Record
What’s in a name? Take “Czhilispiel” for instance. The famous chili cookoff and community celebration with the funny name (which this year will be held Oct. 23-25 in downtown Flatonia) causes newcomers to want to know: Exactly what kind of word is that? “We needed a catchy name,” retired 155th District Judge Dan Beck said. Beck is the man most often given credit for initiating the an-
A Czhilispiel float from years’s past. Czhilipiel turns 43 this year.
nual event. “The ‘Chilympiad,’ one of the original chili cookoffs, was already a big deal.” Chili plus “spiel” (German for “play”) was Beck’s suggestion. Long-time Flatonian Edwin
Zapalac claims credit for the “z” in “czhili.” “It acknowledges that there are Czechs as well as Germans in town,” he said in a phone call. That was actually year two.
The first cookoff – without the distinctive name – was part of the town’s centennial celebration in 1973. Beck wants to set the record Continued on next page
Flatonia
Czhilispiel 43 This October Continued from previous page straight as to whose idea the first chili cookoff really was: “Mike Herzik was a young lawyer – even younger than me – and he came up with the idea of a chili cookoff to help celebrate the centennial.” Herzik was from Praha and still practices law in Katy, according to Beck, his old employer and friend. “He’s done very well as a lawyer – no doubt as a result of the excellent training he got in my office,” Beck laughed. The centennial was a onetime event. Why did the chili cookoff re-appear the next year with the unusual name? “We needed a doctor.” Beck said. “Flatonia was a one-doctor town and old Doc Moorehead had died. It was a one-lawyer town too – but there were three of
us,” he added with a chuckle. The idea was to raise money to help send a young person to medical school who would agree to come back and serve the town for at least five years. It worked like a charm. “We got a committee together and decided to continue the cookoff and dedicate the proceeds to the medical education of a young woman. She graduated and practiced medicine in Flatonia for a lot longer than five years,” Beck said. Czhilipiel’s cookoff started off small with 10-12 entrants, but grew rapidly. In those days chili cookoffs were in their heyday. “At one time it claimed to be the second-biggest cookoff in Texas with 150 to 175 cookers,” Beck recalled. He estimated the current number at 50 to 60. Now music is a big draw. There is always lots of bands, lots
A Czhilispiel reveler from the early days of the festival.
of dancing and lots of beer. The big show takes a big tent, and Czhilispiel boasts the “World’s Largest Tented Beer Garden.” For the actual event, “We shut down U.S. 90,” he said. “Arts and crafts and food booths line the
streets.” Czhilispiel clearly still brings a lot of welcome cash into the local economy. Czhilispiel 43 is Oct. 23-25, 2015 in Flatonia. For more information visit: www.flatonia chamber.wix.com/czhilispiel.
Farms & Ranches • Residential & Commercial FOR SALE: 109 W. SOUTH MAIN, FLATONIA
Owned since 1977
Margie Cecil Office:
109 W, South Main Flatonia, TX. 78941
Mail:
5134 FM 2762 Flatonia, TX 78941
Spouse Retiring. Approx. 8,000 Sq. Ft
Includes 5 Apartments, Office, etc. $295,000 Call or Text 979.561.7187 e-mail: margie.cecil@att.net
Flatonia
Fayette County Judge Ed Janecka, right, leads U.S. Senator Michael McCaul and Texas Senator Lois Kolkhorst on a tour of Saints Cyril and Methodius Church in Dubina, one of this area’s famed Painted Churches. Photo by Jeff Wick
Fayette County Churches Assembly of God Asamblia of God Vida Abudante AG; 124 S. Franklin St.; Pastor Mario and Tereza Ortez; Domingo 10 a.m.; Miercoles 7-9 p.m.; 338-0235 Gospel Lighthouse Assembly of God 144 S. College; Pastor Walter Williams; S.S. 9:45 a.m.; W.S. 10:45 a.m. & 6 p.m.; Wed. 6 p.m.
Baptist Bible Baptist 820 N. Jefferson; Pastor Gary Blake; S.S. 10 a.m.; W.S. 11 a.m. & 6 p.m.; Wed. 7 p.m. Big Spring Hill Baptist Oldenburg; D.A. Shelton, Min.; S.S. 9:45 a.m.; W.S. 11 a.m. Ebenezer Baptist 829 N. Jefferson; Norris Eason, Min.; S.S. 9:30 a.m.; W.S. 11 a.m. & 6 p.m. First Baptist 121 S. College; Pastor Jonathan Smith; S.S. 9:15 a.m.; W.S. 10:30 a.m. & 6 p.m.; Wed. 6 p.m.
Flatonia Baptist Tim Rowell, Min.; S.S. 9:30 a.m.; W.S. 10:45 a.m. Little Bethal Baptist 3242 Loehr Rd.; Pastor Louis Zachary; S.S. 10 a.m.; W.S. 11 a.m. Muldoon Baptist Pastor Will Martin; S.S. 9:45 a.m.; W.S. 11 a.m. New Union Missionary Baptist 715 MLK, Flatonia; E.F. McDuffie, Min.; S.S. 9:45 a.m.; W.S. 11 a.m. Peaceful Rest Baptist 808 E. Fannin, 968-6843; Michael Sims, Min.; S.S. 9:45 - 10: 30 a.m.; W.S. 11 a.m.; Bible Study 6:30 p.m. Wed. St. Matthew Missionary Baptist H.L. Penson, Min.; S.S. 10 a.m.; W.S. 2nd & 4th Sun. 11:30 a.m.; Wed. 6 p.m. Second Baptist 1010 Von Minden; S.S. 9:15 a.m.; W.S. 10:30 a.m. Shiloh Missionary Baptist Leo Taylor, Min.; S.S. 9:30 a.m.; W.S. 1st & 3rd Sun. 11:30 a.m.
United Baptist C. Henson, Min.; S.S. 9:30 a.m.; W.S. 1st & 3rd Sun. 11:30 a.m. Bethel Baptist Church Joel Rumbaugh, min.; 650 S. Ellinger Road; Bible Study, 10 a.m., Morning Worship 11 a.m. Concord Baptist Church Rev John Ates, Pastor; SW 10:30 a.m. every second Sunday of the month.
Catholic Holy Rosary Catholic Hostyn; Rev. Daniel P. Kahlich, Deacon John McCourt; Sat. Mass: 5 p.m.; Sun. Mass: 8 a.m. Sacred Heart Catholic 539 E. Pearl; Rev. Joseph Varickamackal; Thurs. Mass 7 a.m.; Fri. School Mass: 8:30 a.m.; S.S. 8:30 a.m.; Sat. English Mass: 5 p.m.; Sun. English Mass: 9 & Sun. Spanish Mass: 11:30 a.m. Sacred Heart, Flatonia Eddie Winkler, Pastor; Sat. Mass: 5 p.m.; Sun Mass: 9:30 a.m.
St. John The Baptist Catholic Ammannsville; Sun. Mass: 9:30 a.m. St. John’s Catholic Fayetteville; Rev. Nock Russell; Sat. Mass: 6 p.m.; Sun. Mass: 10 a.m.; Wed. 7p.m. St. Mary’s Catholic Near Ellinger; Rev. Nock Russell; Sun. Mass: 8 a.m.; Thurs. 6:00 p.m.; Wed. & Fri. 7 a.m. St. Mary’s Catholic High Hill; Tim Kosler, Min.; Sat. Mass: 6:30 p.m.; Wed. Mass: 7 a.m. St. Mary’s Catholic Church Praha; Rev. Gabriel Maison; Masses Sat. 4:30 p.m.; Sun.8 a.m. St. Peter & Paul Catholic Plum; Rev. Daniel P. Kahlich, Deacon John McCourt; Sun. Mass: 10 a.m. Sts. Cyril & Methodius Cistern; Eddie Winkler, Pastor; Sun. Mass: 8 a.m. Sts. Cyril & Methodius Dubina; 725-6714; Sun. Mass: 8:45 a.m.
Flatonia
Fayette County Churches Church of Christ Church Of Christ 646 E. Hwy. 71 E.; Scott Elliott, Min.; S.S. 9 a.m.; W.S. 10 a.m. & 6 p.m.; Wed. 7 p.m.
Church of God Cedar Of Lebanon Church Of God In Christ Hwy. 159 in Fayetteville; Pastor Lakeith McKinney.; Bible Study Wed. 7:30 p.m.; YPWW - Fri. 7:30 p.m.; Sun. W.S. 11:30 a.m. Miracle Temple Church of God In Christ 1008 E. Fannin; Elder Melvin Thomas, Min.; S.S. 9:30 a.m.; W.S. 11:30 a.m.; Bible Study Wed. 7 p.m.
Episcopal St. James Episcopal 156 N. Monroe, 968-3910; Eric Hungerford, Rector; S.S. 9:15 a.m.; W.S. 8 & 10:30 a.m.
Shared Lutheran Shared Lutheran Ministry of Fayette County Rev. Marcia Kifer, Lead Pastor St. John in Ellinger Corner of Grover & Fayette; W.S. 8 a.m., Communion every Sunday. St. Paul in Fayetteville Corner of Fayette St. & Hwy. 159; W.S. 10:30 a.m., Communion every Sunday. St. John in Rutersville 5743 State Hwy. 159 East of La Grange; S.S. 9 a.m.; W.S. 10 a.m., Communion every Sunday. St. John in Warrenton 4446 S. State Hwy. 237; W.S. 8:30 a.m., Communion every Sunday.
a.m., Second Saturday 6 p.m. Mt. Calvary Lutheran 800 N. Franklin; Rev. William Qualman, Pastor; S.S. & Bible Classes 10:15 a.m. Wed. 10 a.m; W.S. Sat. 5 p.m. & Sun. 9 a.m.; L.C.M.S. St. Michael’s Lutheran Winchester; Pastor Nate Hill; 242-3444; S.S. 10:15 a.m.; W.S. 9 a.m. St. Paul Lutheran Church 110 W. Walnut; Sr. Pastor Candis O’Meara; S.S. 10:30 a.m.; W.S. Sat. 5 p.m.; Sun. 9 a.m. St. Peter Lutheran Prairie Valley Rd. of Hwy. 71 West.; W.S. 8:45 a.m.; 361-798-0155 United Evangelical Lutheran Swiss Alp; Lemae Higgs, Min.’ S.S. 10:15 a.m.; W.S. 9:15 a.m. Waldeck Lutheran Waldeck; Willie Rotter, Min.; S.S. 10:15 a.m.; W.S. 9 a.m. Zion Lutheran Schulenburg; Rev. Al Gallmeier, Pastor; S.S. 9 a.m.; W.S. 10 a.m
Methodist Bethlehem AME 2200 Bethlehem Rd., 247-5010; Edward Heard, Min.
First United Methodist Flatonia; Rob Clopton, Min.; S.S. 10:45 a.m.; W.S. 9:30 a.m. First United Methodist 1215 N. Von Minden; J. Paul Bruhn, Min.; Traditional W.S. 9 a.m.; Sunday School 10:10 - 11 a.m.; New Life W.S. 11:10 a.m. Freyburg United Methodist 4520 FM 2238; Pastor Phillip Hefner; W.S. 8:30 a.m. every Sunday. St. James United Methodist 710 N. Jackson; Rev. Morris Daugherty, Min.; S.S. 10 a.m.; W.S. 1st & 3rd Sun. 11 a.m. St. Paul AME 729 E. Guadalupe; Herman Pwell, Min.; S.S. 9 a.m.; W.S. 10 a.m. Winchester United Methodist 8933 FM 153; Wilson Pruitt, Min.; 512689-7855, 512-533-2925; W.S. 1st & 3rd Sun 8:30 a.m. Living World Ministries Muldoon; Don McKenzie, Min.; W.S. 10 a.m.; Wed. 7:30 p.m.
Presbyterian First Presbyterian 205 S. Franklin St.; S.S. 9:15 a.m.; W.S. 10:30 a.m. St. Paul Presbyterian, Schulenburg Corner of Hillje and Summit; W.S. 10:30 a.m.; Adult B.S. 9:30 a.m.
Seventh-day Adventist Seventh-day Adventist 1000 E Hwy 71; Ken Olin, Min; SaturdaySabbath School 9:30 a.m., WS 11 a.m.
Cowboy Church Colorado River Cowboy Church 5122 Hwy. 71 - between La Grange & Smithville; Pastor Bubba Fowler; 10 a.m. Worship Service
Pentecost
Others
United Pentecostal 311 N. Horton St.; Jim Hancock, Pastor; S.S. 10 a.m.; Church Services 10:45 a.m.; Sunday Services 6 p.m.; Tuesday
Family Christian 2124 N. Hwy. 95, Flatonia; Gordon & Pam Johnston, Mins.; W.S. 10 a.m. & 6 p.m. Fayetteville Brethren 1022 Kramr, Ross Prairie; S.S. 9:45 a.m.; W.S. 10:45 a.m. RT Church Christian Fellowship 440 E Mill St; Matthew Diehl, Min.; S.S. 9 a.m.; W.S. 10:30 a.m.; Monday Morning Men's Breakfast 8-9 a.m. Temple Israel of Schulenburg 211 Baumgarten, 247-4504; High Holy Days, Pesach,; Kabbalat Shabbat The Remnant Church 2010 Von Minden Rd., 968-5065; Pastors Dennis & Jan Hill; Sunday Service 10 a.m.; Monday Prayer 7 p.m; Wednesday Family Life Night 7 p.m. Crossroads Christian Fellowship Contemporary Worship, NonDenominational; 701 Lyons Ave. in Schulenburg; Pastor Nathan Johnson; Bible Study 9:30 a.m.; Worship Service 10:30 a.m. The Living Vine Christian Church 124 S. Water St., La Grange; Pastors Gordon & Pam Johnston; Sunday 10 a.m.; Wed. 6:30 p.m. Bible Study adults & youth. Mars Hill Tabernacle Hwy. 159, Fayetteville; 9 a.m. Saturday with Bible Study 1st & 3rd Wednesday of month.
Lutheran St. Paul Lutheran Shelby; Rev. John David Nedbalek; S.S. 10 a.m.; W.S. 8 a.m.; Bethlehem Lutheran Rev. John David Nedbalek, S.W. 9:30 a.m.; S.S. 10:15 a.m. on first and third Sunday; 4th Sunday, Friendship Bunch, 10:15 a.m. Holy Cross Lutheran FM 1482, Warda: Rev. Dennis Tegtmeier, Pastor; S.S. 10:15 a.m.; W.S. 9 a.m. Martin Luther Lutheran 211 Luther Lane, Carmine; Rev. David Tinker, Pastor; S.S. 10:10 a.m.; W.S. 9
Ladies Prayer 9 a.m., Men’s Prayer 7 p.m.; Bible Study 7 p.m. Thursday. Crusade For Souls Ministry 5911 Wynne Ln. in Walhalla, 249-3874; Herbert & Dorothy Shelby, Mins.; W.S. 12 noon 1st & 3rd Sun.
St. James Episcopal Church in La Grange, which was built in 1885, is a Texas Historic Landmark. The original furnishings, which were handmade by the rector and congregation, are still in use. Photo by Jeff Wick
Flatonia
Wildflowers Put on a Show Here Every Spring
With Longhorns in bluebonnets, what more do you need for a great springtime photo?
On March 7, 1901, the Texas legislature proclaimed the bluebonnet the state flower. In the 1930s the state began a highway-beautification program that included scattering bluebonnet seed beside roadways, thus extending the flower’s range. That seeding was later extended to other Texas wildflower
species characteristic of south central Texas in general and Fayette County in particular. Our “painted roadsides” are now worldwide tourist attractions on a par with other famous “destination” foliage-watching opportunities. Usually by the first week of March, Texas wildflowers – first
bluebonnets and Indian paintbrush, later Indian blanket, and Black-eyed Susan – are already popping up along the highways and byways of Fayette County. For bloom updates, visit sites such as www.wildflowerhaven. com, www.wildflowersightings. org and www.texasbluebonnetsightings.com. The Texas Depart-
Photo by H.H. Howze
ment of Transportation will start providing sightings sometime in March at (800) 452-9292. Locally some of the best wildflower drives are along Highway 71 through La Grange, Highway 159 and 237 between La Grange and Round Top and along Interstate 10 between Flatonia and Schulenburg.
E. A. Arnim Archives & Museum This beer cooler was rescued from an abandoned saloon in Cotulla, Texas and brought to us for restoration. We refinished the extrior, re-lined the interior and polished all the hardware. It is now the focal point of the owner’s home. We can restore your family’s heirlooms for future generations, too.
Two buildings house a unique collection that will take you on a journey back through Flatonia’s cultural and historical past to its founding in 1873. Hours: Thursday and Friday 1 – 4 p.m. Saturday 10 a.m. to noon and 1 – 3 p.m. Available for special tours by appointment.
361-865-3455 or arnimmuseum@att.net 101 E. North Main St., Flatonia, Texas www.arnimmuseum.org
We offer services from simple stripping for the customer to refinish, all the way to complete restoration including duplication of missing parts, hardware replacement, veneer repairs or replacement, chair caning and lamp rewiring.
Call Len Waska at 361-865-9326
This grotto, fashioned after the one in Lourdes, France is just one of several beautiful outdoor chapels at Holy Rosary Catholic Church in Hostyn. Photo by Alyson Svec
Holy Ground
Hostyn Church Grounds Worth the Short Drive from Larger County Towns
I
f you’re interested in unique, religious architecture, the Holy Rosary Catholic Church in Hostyn at 936 FM 2436 just outside La Grange has numerous landmarks on site to view. The present church, the fifth one in Hostyn, was built in 1966. The massive Our Lady of Lourdes Grotto outside the church (pictured above) was built in 1925 replicating the famous grotto in Lourdes, France, with statues of Angel Gabriel, Saint Bernadette, and Our Lady Lourdes. The grotto was built in Thanksgiving at the end of a long drought. Saint Wenceslaus Chapel was built in 1929 to commemorate the millennium of
Saint Wenceslaus, king and patron saint of the Czech’s, standing on top of the chapel. Inside is a statue of Saint Jerome. The School Monument honors the teachers who taught at Holy Rosary School from 1924-1966. The school, which stood on the area that is now the parking lot was torn down in 1994. Civil War Cannons were placed here by the U.S. government, in honor of Hostyn residents Joseph and John Lidiak. The father, Joseph, volunteered for the Confederacy. The son, John, was drafted by the Union when he was delivering a load of cotton. The Log Cabin was constructed in 1933
by traveling craftsman who made concrete to look like petrified wood. The structure is a replica of the first Hostyn church, named Holy Trinity Church. Saint Anthony Chapel was built in 1926 featuring petrified wood interior with the statue of Saint Anthony of Padua. The Outdoor Stations of the Cross are 14 stations that symbolize the Way of the Cross. The inscriptions are in Czech and English. A monument honoring Father Miguel Muldoon, who celebrated the first known Mass in Bluff (Hostyn) in 1831 was moved to the church grounds in 2008, from its former location on State Highway 77.
DINE IN/TAKE OUT | CATERING | PRIVATE PARTIES | OUTDOOR SEATING
Lunch & Dinner • Happy Hour 3-6 pm • Lots of TV’s!
What You’ll Find At The Only Quilt Museum In The Southwest • • •
Upcoming Exhibit Schedule
Changing exhibits in three spacious, high-ceilinged
JANUARY 8-MARCH 29, 2015
galleries within meticulously restored 19th century buildings, winners of Preservation Texas and Main Street awards
“Selections from the Book 500 Traditional Quilts”
APRIL 2-JUNE 28, 2015
A Museum store featuring quilt-themed products and artisan-created gifts
“Sue Benner: Circling the Square”
Quilts…History in the Making, a specially designed
“Vintage Apps: Block Quilts and Applique”
13x85 foot outdoor mural painted by a well-known Texas muralist
Grandmother’s Flower Garden, a period “town” garden
typical of Texas gardens between 1893-1930, planned to inspire creativity and contemplation
“Antique Log Cabin Quilts from the International Quilt Study Center and Museum”
JULY 2-SEPTEMBER 27, 2015 “Intuitive Symmetry: Works on Silk by Judith Content” “Kimono Quilts and Kimonos” “Antique Four-Poster Quilts”
The Pearce Memorial Library and Material Culture Center, where research can take place in a quiet setting, and researchers can apply for a grant to conduct extended study (open by appointment)
Space for educational lectures and presentations
Photo by Dana Waldon Photography
Photo by Gensler
OPEN Thursdays through Saturdays ......10 - 4 Sundays ................................................. Noon - 4 Check website for holiday scheduling ADMISSION General .............................................................$8 Seniors & Students ..........................................$6 Tours of 20+ when arranged in advance .....$6
BE
TY •
ST OF
E T T E CO AY
UN
F
Photo by Hester+Hardaway
Texas Quilt Museum
@TXQuiltMuseum
•
140 West Colorado • La Grange, Texas • 78945 • Phone 979-968-3104 • Fax 979-968-6010 • projects@TexasQuiltMuseum.org • www.TexasQuiltMuseum.org