A Beautiful Parish Bazaar in Granger

One of the interesting things about living in Central Texas is taking in the culture of the area.   In Granger, just a few miles up the road from my home in Taylor, Saints Cyril & Methodius Catholic Church has been hosting an annual parish bazaar for longer than anyone can remember.   The church steeped in Czech culture dates back to the late 1880s and has been an integral part of that community.   I’d suggested a story for the Williamson County Sun

, not knowing what to expect, thinking maybe something to document would be there.   Wow, was I ever surprised!  This is a huge fundraiser for the church.   Even though the Sunday I was there was the start of dove hunting season, church volunteers beat the hunters to the punch, preparing wonderful portions of chicken, barbecue and all the fixings. Folks like church members Henrietta Hajda and Linda Knapek were on hand in the recreation center kitchen by 4a.m.  to get the treats prepared for hungry attendees.   The huge space in the rec center filled with diners, including 2-year-old Kaleb Amidon, sitting with his grandpa, Billy Meissner (opening photo).   Of the over 1,200 plates served, more than 500 were “to-go” orders, where customers lined up outside for their orders.  It was a very long line that included David Eschberger of Taylor, accompanied by his little dog Cujo, the pup’s nasal passages obviously liking the aroma.   One fellow, Granger’s Mike Anderson, joined by his girlfriend, Rose Rollins, arrived on his 1952 rickshaw.   Once the eating was done, the afternoon included a live auction and bingo.   As evening settled, the tables were cleared for a dance of traditional Czech music provided by The Fabulous Six.    No doubt about it, I made the right call in driving to Granger!