Fayetteville, Texas

Fayetteville

TALES FROM ORSAK’S CAFE ARTS OF RURAL TEXAS BLUE MULE THE COURTHOUSE and MORE

WELCOME

FAYETTEVILLE WELCOMES YOU TO STAY A DAY, A WEEK OR A LIFETIME

Welcome to Fayetteville, Texas! We know you’ll be enchanted after one visit to this beautiful, small town filled with true Texan hospitality. Fayetteville is known far and wide for its culture, arts, 2400-acre fishing lake, music, antiques, German and Czech heritage and historic sites. There truly are treasures awaiting everyone.

Only a short five-miles from Highway 77, you’ll know you’re heading in the right direction when you pass wide, green cattle pastures and the traffic thins out. Cross over the railroad tracks and enter this welcoming community that boasts a population of only about 250.

In Fayetteville, you’ll find art galleries and one-of-a-kind shops to tempt your pocketbook. Feeling hungry? Indulge in local restaurants that offer everything from fresh, home-cooked meals to elegant chef-inspired creations. Staying awhile? We thought so. In Fayetteville, you’ll find comfortable lodging and bedand-breakfasts that’ll feel like home. How about a drink? You won’t want to miss a stop at a local winery or distillery, all within a few short miles from the historic courthouse. You’ll want to tour that, too.

We know you’ll enjoy your visit to Fayetteville. Heck, you might even decide to plant some roots here.

29.9058° N, 96.6728° W Fayettville,

Texas

Michelle Banse Stokes Partner/Publisher

© 2023 Google Maps

Lori Olivarez-Ligues Partner/Sales

Liliana Hinojosa Reporter/Photographer

Courtney Bell Copy Editor

Contributors

Emil Knodell, Janice Wasut, Yvonne McCowen, Bradley Girndt Terri McPhearson, Karen Vernon, Kevin White, Mike Gamble, Sandy Wilkinson, Lower Colorado River Authority

Editorial - 979-725-3080

michelle@tripspublications.com

Advertising and Circulation - 979-451-0826

lori@tripspublications.com

406 W. Main Street, Suite 105 Weimar, Texas 78962 www.tripspublications.com

© 2023 Trips Publications, LLC. All rights reserved.

The Fayetteville, Texas magazine is produced and published by Texas-based Trips Publications, a publisher with a focus on small towns throughout Texas. To view all of the towns in the Trips Publications family, visit tripspublications.com or call 979-7253080 to request copies.

POLKA INTO THE PAST

The Fayetteville area is an integral thread in the musical fabric of Texas. In the late 1800s, the Baca family, Czech immigrants, had formed a family band with their 13 children and gave the inspiration to thousands of subsequent musicians with a unique sound called “The Baca Beat.”

In the early 1900s, Fayetteville had two bands that played in two to four different locations. The construction of SPJST Lodge #1 Hall in 1912 consolidated the music venues into a hub of events, all with music attached to them. In 1932, the city built the bandstand that still stands and a celebration was held with the Baca Band. By the 1940s, the descendants of the original Baca Band had split into five to seven different bands, some kept the original Baca Beat, while others moved into the modern jazz and swing sounds and others played them both.

Up through the 1990s, Fayetteville remained a largely German and Czech community who loved the music of their heritage. This love generated many musicians that were mentored by family, self-taught, and/or attended the Fayetteville school system. The musicians evolved into legendary groups as The Happy Cousins, The Lee Roy Matocha Orchestra, and The Central Texas Sounds. These and other bands toured from Houston to Victoria to San Antonio spreading the happy sound that is polka. The quantity of musicians born in the area, who migrated to Houston after WWII and performed in bands is endless. After retirement many returned home and refueled the local music scene.

Prior to the War, big band, jazz, or “modern” as it was called, was all the rage with the younger folks, it was played by most orchestras of the area. The emergence of country music, and rockabilly, in the post-war era, didn’t make much of a dent in the polka and waltz climate around Fayetteville. There was a group called the Universal Sound and later the Variations that played country music. Many of the ethnic bands were working “country” songs like Mathilda (swamp pop) and Ring of Fire (nice polka) into their set lists. Into the 2000s, an oasis of live music existed on the square in the form of Baca’s Confectionary, where local musicians, like Gil Baca, Edward Baca, and Alvin Minarcik jammed with other old school polka and waltz musicians from Central Texas that usually culminated in a late-night parade around the square to the sound of When the Saints Go Marching In.

In 2008, acoustic string music began being heard monthly on the courthouse grounds and still continues today. Over the years Chamber Music has been occasionally performed in the Zapp Hotel which reflects the change of culture in this community where Czech and German were once the prevalent languages spoken and lively polkas for happy people filled the air.

Submitted by Gary E. McKee, Fayette County homeboy, Vice Chair of the Fayette County Historical Commission, Editor/Photojournalist for the Texas Polka News/Polkabeat.com and Texas Dance Hall Historian.

Looking for a quiet, historical venue for a group of 20 to 50 guests? Roline’s has a garden with gazebo, outdoor brick patio, and carriage house – a perfect set up for your special event.

Experience

Come to the country and relax at Roline’s Guest House & Venue, located one block from the Fayetteville Town Square. We’ll take you back to a simpler time when in-home hospitality was a way of life.

The charming Victorian guest house, originally built in 1895, was lovingly restored in 2003. There are four beautifully furnished guest rooms available to reserve. In-house prepared daily breakfast is included. Historic Fayetteville is a lively town with lots to do. Antique shopping, both in town and in the nearby Round Top area (a 12-minute drive), is a popular activity. Visit our website for exploration ideas.

Roline’s is owned and operated by Lori Beth and Allen Jurecka. Roline, Lori Beth’s grandmother and the property namesake, had the gift of hospitality. Lori Beth and Allen offer the same gracious service.

Plan your country escape or special event at Roline’s Guest House & Venue soon. We promise to make your stay or celebration so enchanting you won’t want it to end.

SIGHTS AND SOUNDS

Explore Fayetteville

RED & WHITE GALLERY

Featuring great artists over the years, the Red & White Gallery has established itself as the place to see fine Texas art in Fayette County. And as a bonus, the four rooms that Jerry and Joan Herring had originally conceived for the second floor of the building have been well received and often booked with guests. They too exhibit original Texas art. Visit online at www.redandwhitegallery.com (gallery) and www.blackbirdfarmtexas.com (lodging).

102 WEST MAIN STREET

FAYETTEVILLE CEMETERY

This burial ground has served Fayetteville since early in the community’s history. The earliest recorded burial, of Cass Fisher, dates to 1851. Other notable burials include surgeon, military leader and public servant Dr. William P. Smith and veterans of conflicts dating to the War of 1812. Also interred here is P.J. Shaver, who surveyed and named Fayetteville; he also donated land for burial use, which was later divided into this cemetery and neighboring St. John’s Catholic Church Cemetery. Today, the graves here serve as a record of pioneer families, teachers, preachers, business owners, judges, city officials, other Fayetteville community leaders and residents.

Historic Texas Cemetery - 2006

3364 PIERCE STREET

From top, Red & White Gallery interior and exterior; Fayetteville Cemetery. Facing page, Yonder Way Farm; SPJST Hall; Fayetteville Brethren Church.

PHOTOS BY LILIANA HINOJOSA

SPJST HALL

In 1897, the SPJST Supreme Lodge formed in La Grange with 25 lodges. Lodge No. 1 in Fayetteville voted to purchase land. In October 1910, construction of a hall and two ancillary buildings was complete. The vernacular-style dance hall is clad with white board and batten siding with a gable roof.

507 EAST MAIN STREET

YONDER WAY FARM

Growing from a simple desire to find a healthier way of life for their growing family, Jason and Lynsey Kramer left big city life in 2006, moving to the country to start Yonder Way Farm. By being good stewards of the land and raising animals free of confinement in a natural environment, the Kramers put a plan in place to re-establish the almost-lost art of grass farming as a way to simplify their life. The Kramers are a full-time farming family who proudly grazes grass-fed beef, pastured pork and free-range chickens and eggs.

1055 SOUTH FM 1291

FAYETTEVILLE BRETHREN CHURCH

In 1855, a group of Protestant Czech families settled near Fayetteville in Ross Prairie. The settlers had such well-known family names of today as Hruska, Jecmenek, Sebesta, Mikeska and Chupik. Desiring to have Czech worship services, the settlers called upon Rev. John Zvolanek, who lived forty miles away at Austin’s San Felipe-on-the-Brazos. Services were held in the Ross Prairie area in the homes of the settlers, and Rev. Zvolanek’s preaching is recognized as the first Czech Protestant preaching in the state of Texas. They also attended Lutheran services in the German speaking St. John’s Church at Ross Prairie. In 1870, the members organized and in 1874, a church was built on land donated by Mr. & Mrs. Thomas Jecmenek. The approximate cost of constructing the church was $1,200. The church was dedicated in 1875. The first, and longest serving pastor at the church was Rev. Jindrich (Henry) Juren – 45 years of service from 1876 until his death in 1921. He is the only pastor buried in the the church cemetery. The church was remodeled in 1924, 1957 and 1998. In 1999, the Texas Historical Commission declared the Fayetteville Brethren Cemetery as an Official Historical Texas Cemetery. In 2005, the members held a Sesquicentennial (150 years) Celebration of service to the Savior.

Source: fayettevillebrethrenchurch.org

1022 KRAMR ROAD

Orsak’s Café

Old school diner meets small-town Texas and offers an experience that is anything but ordinary

BY LILIANA HINOJOSA

Orsak’s Cafe is an iconic Fayetteville staple that has been around for more than 60 years. Originally opened in 1962, this former domino parlor is popular with locals and out-of-towners alike and it’s easy to see why.

Terri McPherson worked for the original owners for 24 years before deciding to purchase the family-oriented restaurant in 2002. Now her kids and grandkids work here, too.

“I love the café,” Terri said. “It’s been my whole life for 45 years . I have raised my kids and grandkids in this café and now they all work for me. It’s a family thing.”

“We have the best work staff ever and I am very proud of them all,” she continued. “I have several employees that have been here 20, 25, 30-plus years.”

When she’s not behind the scenes whipping up delicious made-from-scratch meals, Terri enjoys talking to her customers and seeing new faces walk through her doors. She is quick

Above, there is plenty of seating, including three dining areas and a bar top, at Orsak’s.

TERRI MCPHERSON

Tammie

Royer can be found slinging delicious, made-fromscratch dishes from open to close. She has been with Orsak’s for fifteen years!

to pick their brain to find out just how the heck they ended up in this little town in the middle of nowhere.

“We greet everyone that comes into the café with welcoming smiles and treat everyone the same, locals and out-of-town people,” she continued. “We’re kind of a legend.”

As I made my way into Orsak’s, I found exactly what Terri was talking about. I was instantly greeted by the kindest staff and had a hot cup of coffee in front of me before I knew it.

The walls of the restaurant are filled with family photos, knickknacks and vintage décor. The bar top features a selection of wines from surrounding wineries and everyone inside was happily eating away, some having roaring laughter-filled conversations, others too content to talk as the sounds of silverware hitting the plate filled the air.

Continued on page 10.

The menu is simple and the food is delicious and reasonably priced. Orsak’s specializes in chicken fried steaks, onion rings, hamburgers and homemade desserts. All of their items are made from scratch and not a single thing comes from a can.

When asked why people keep coming back to Orsak’s, Terri said that it was simple.

“We are a hole in the wall with good country service with a smile. Treat people the way you want to be treated and everything will be just fine.”

Orsak’s is located at 121 West Fayette Street.

From top, these two girlfriends love to visit Orsak’s to enjoy their classic breakfast specials; the restaurant is covered with family photos, knickknacks and vintage décor.

The Fayetteville Precinct COURTHOUSE

Historic structure, built in 1880, welcomes tourists and history buffs a chance to learn about Fayette County’s bygone days

PHOTOS BY LILIANA HINOJOSA

FAYETTE COUNTY PRECINCT NO. 2 COURTHOUSE

Fayetteville citizens raised $600 in private funds, received $200 in tax money from the county commissioners’ court, and built this Victorian Precinct Courthouse in 1880. A ball held in the new building netted funds for painting. The two-cell calaboose upstairs was completed in 1887. A ladies’ club donated the clock in 1934. In early Texas, Precinct Courthouses were very rare. Recorded Texas Historic Landmark - 1977

DOWNTOWN

HISTORIC FAYETTEVILLE, TEXAS

FAYETTTEVILLE AREA HERITAGE

MUSEUM - Fayetteville Area Heritage Museum was established on May 22, 1986. It was founded by Janette Donaldson, Louis “Buddy” Polansky and his wife Irene. Buddy, the visionary, dedicated his life to salvaging, collecting, and then preserving precious items from Fayetteville and the area during a time when “newer was better.” Buddy (pictured at the door) is gone, but his spirit survives. In addition to being the Home of the Teddy Schultz Model Trains and Railroad Collection, the museum also houses Memorabilia from the Baca Band, remnants from the demolished St John Catholic Church circa 1911, and many other fascinating historic artifacts reflecting the area’s Czech, German, and African American Heritage.

Source - www.fayetetvilletxmuseum.org

119 West Washington Street 979-249-6249

fayettevillemuseum@yahoo.com

HOURS

Sunday-Friday, by appointment

Most Saturdays 11am-2pm

Extended hours by request.

Tour Groups and School Groups are welcome. Call or email to schedule a tour.

ADMISSION - FREE

Donations appreciated

WALKING TOURS

Self-guided walking tours are available upon request.

Above, the third prisoner spot ball-and-chain. If the cells were full, this is where the third inmate was held; bottom, histoic court logs. These two photos courtesy of the Fayetteville Area Heritage Museum.

Arts for Rural Texas

Built from the ground up out of a desire to save the arts in downtown Fayetteville ... and beyond

BY LILIANA HINOJOSA

ARTS, or Arts for Rural Texas, started as a desire to keep art alive in the small town of Fayetteville. Twenty years ago, the school district had to cut funding to arts programs, but concerned citizens came together. The after-school program they started eventually grew into the ARTS Ross Gallery that sits on the historic Fayetteville Square today.

“The towns and residents recognize how essential the arts are in developing creative, problem-solving citizens,” said Karen Vernon, ARTS executive director. “By enriching lives and developing interpersonal and intrapersonal skills, the arts offer opportunities for all to succeed. Art exists in every aspect of our lives and enriches our days. Because of its many contributions to everyday life, people are drawn to it and support it.”

Through programs such as their free Fine Art Assemblies, Art After School programs and ARTS Summer Camps, ARTS delivers creative experiences and elicits creative expression.

“Our mission is enriching lives through art and art education with an emphasis on opportunities for children,” said Kevin White, ARTS events director.

Above, the exhibitions rotate every few months and most pieces are available for purchase.

Kevin relocated from the Sugarland suburbs to Fayetteville and immediately fell in love with the town.

“It’s such a vibrant community,” he said. “There are kind, wonderful people here. People with just a really great sense of that Texas hospitality that you just love to be a part of.“

Kevin’s involvement with Arts for Rural Texas had a bit of an unusual start. His son got a text to register for art classes in Fayetteville and, without knowing what ARTS was, clicked the link to register on their website where it all clicked for him.

“Oh, that’s the place on the square!” he laughed.

Today the walls of Ross Gallery are covered in an assortment of beautifully framed pieces of art with just about any kind of medium that you could imagine - torn paper, watercolor, acrylics.

“We’ve got kids’ art in frames under glass on the wall,” Kevin said, pointing to the row of art behind him. “It says ‘Your work as a kid is not just for the refrigerator.’ We give it some value and when kids see that, they light up.”

ARTS hosts two major events in an attempt to raise money to keep their programs accessible to children of rural Texas. Art Walk, which is held the first weekend of May every year, and Harvest Fest, held in November.

“We have over fifty artists of all media set up on Fayetteville’s historic square, selling their original paintings, pottery, ceramics, sculptures, jewelry and more. Live music plays throughout the weekend in the bandstand by the old courthouse,” Kevin said.

These events give the community a time to celebrate each other and the creativity that Fayetteville has while raising funds for their important cause.

“We see the value of what we do for these kids in this community and in the neighboring communities. Donating to ARTS gives us more of the opportunities to do that. We can serve more children, we can serve more parents, we can serve more seniors,” he said.

Continued on page 20.

From top, Kevin White, events director, armed with a charming smile and a passion for helping children, encourages the community to donate to this amazing organization; ARTS has a permanent home on the Fayetteville Square.

As a non-profit organization, ARTS relies on the generous funding by private donors and corporate sponsors to provide the free and low-cost children’s programming that is central to the mission of the organization.

“ARTS could not exist without contributions from the citizens and communities,” Karen emphasized. “ARTS has been fortunate to receive funds from several foundations, lodges, church groups, corporations, and private donors. It has opened the door to opportunities that rural children might never have had were it not for ARTS.”

“We’ve got some great community members here who have come up through our program, gone to art school, gone to college with art degrees and are becoming professional artists,” Kevin added. “And we are always looking for more artists! We are searching for professional artists who want an opportunity to share their gifts and talents, whether they present in our galleries or they are artists in the Art Walk, or they want to teach a class. We are always open to visiting

with people that want to be involved at whatever level they’re able and prepared for.”

And visiting this special place in downtown Fayetteville is the first stop on what just might become a lifelong journey.

“There can be an intimidation with the idea of an art gallery. You walk in and you all of a sudden start talking a little lower,” Kevin said. “We have pieces on the wall in the gallery that are not figurative, or they’re abstract. You look at that and it’s like, ‘Am I supposed to know something about this? Am I supposed to think something about this?’ But with our galleries, you can think however you want about it. You don’t have to come in with some high ideals of what art is or should be. Come in. Like what you like. See what you want. If you see birds in that abstract piece, then it has birds for you! There’s a place for seeing and learning about art here in rural Texas.”

Arts for Rural Texas is located at 114 N Live Oak Street and online at artsforruraltexas.org.

“You don’t have to come in with some high ideals of what art is or should be.”

Above, the gallery has a welcoming feel and encourages art lovers to sit and be with the art; right, The Ross Gallery has a wide variety of art on their walls.

FAYETTEVILLE

Christmas Tree Display

Enjoy a maze of beautifully decorated Christmas trees and a Christmas Village that is so enormous it will leave you completely in awe!

FREE • OPEN TO THE PUBLIC

Say “Hello” to Santa and Mrs.

Contact: (979) 968-3155

info@czechtexas.org or fayetteishome@gmail.com

405 East Main Street, Fayetteville 832-775-3681

Blue Mule Winery

Local winery stays true to its roots and shares long-standing family traditions with guests

BY LILIANA HINOJOSA

On a hill north of Fayetteville, just two miles from Warrenton, lies Blue Mule Winery. It’s a farm complete with free range chickens, alpacas, donkeys, a vineyard, and sweet Fula Marie.

Fula, Mike Gamble’s ten-year-old dog, has been with him since she was a tiny pup and is well-known around the farm and winery. Heck, she even has a bottle of wine with her sweet little face on it! Fula sits at the entrance of the Tasting Room and eagerly greets happy wine drinkers as the guests begin their afternoon of tastings, eating cheese and playing board games at Blue Mule.

“We moved out here in 2011,” said Ashley Gamble, Mike’s daughter and sidekick. “It was just my mother and my Mimi out here full time to start with. I found myself coming out here on my days off and Mike would come out from Houston on the weekends.”

It was during those weekends that Mike began experimenting with making his own wine. This self-taught vintner got the opportunity to perfect his craft at Blissful Folly Farms that his wife, Beth, happened to be working at.

the challenges of making good wine.”

“One day she decided to serve the wine that I was making and it was a huge hit,” Mike said.

That success is what pushed the couple to open a winery of their own.

“I like the challenges of making good wine,” he continued. “Everything is done right here by hand. We make all the wine and then we bottle everything right here, too. Since we are a family owned-andoperated business, we all pitch in together at every stage. Growing the vines needs a lot of love.”

And you can certainly feel that love at Blue Mule Winery. Inside the Tasting Room you will find walls covered in art, family photographs that depict a simpler time, and bottles upon bottles of wine - each adorned with a unique, colorful label.

“Mom and I both felt that we needed a label that would pop and stand out against the hundreds of thousands of wines that are out there,” Ashley said. “We talked about doing western pin-ups from movies or getting someone to draw us something. Then it hit me.

“I said, ‘Mama, we got some beautiful ladies in our own family,” Ashley continued. “I can remember a picture of Mimi where she is turned and smiling so big at the camera!’ Mama told me to go find it so I walked myself over to my Mimi’s cabin and told her I had to look through some of her photos to find a specific picture of her. Once I found it, I giggled and said, ‘This is the one!’ I ran the pic to Mama and she worked her magic and created our first label, Paint the Town Red. From that moment, we started to go through all our photos and find the pictures of the people so dear to our hearts.”

Continued on page 24.

Facing page, the wine labels are special to the Gamble family as they decided to use old family photographs to market their bottles. From top, Mike Gamble, winemaker, has been experimenting with locally grown grapes to provide a wide range of flavors to suit any palette; Bryan, Megan and Bodhi Rohrbacher enjoyed their afternoon playing board games and sampling wines. The winery is dog and kid friendly, perfect for families of any size!

“I like

Clockwise, Nancy Naiser Davis not only tends to the farm but also serves wine and smiles from behind the bar. She’s also wellknown for her expert knitting; Blue Mule winery has plenty of outdoor seating, fresh air and wine to go around; the farm is home to free range chickens, donkeys and alpacas. You can purchase donkey feed inside of the tasting room should you feel the urge to splurge on these cuties.

The winery currently has seventeen bottles in their line, made from locally grown Blanc du Bois and Lenior grapes, some which have won awards at the Houston Rodeo and at Grapefest. They keep a balance of white and red, dry and sweet to satisfy their clientele.

When asked about the inspiration behind the name, Mike talked about an uncle who had a tomato farm up in Central Texas. He would always plow with a mule until the day he bought a mechanical one that was - you guessed it - blue!

“The first time he bought a mechanical plow it was blue so they called it the Blue Mule and the name kind of stuck,” he laughed. “We are just a hard-working family striving towards the same goal: to make a living by sharing our great wine with Texas and whoever visits this great state. So, come to our tasting room, drink wine, listen to stories, make new friends and stay a while. There’s a stool waiting for you!”

Blue Mule Winery is located at 8127 N FM 1291 in Fayetteville and online at bluemulewines.com.

CALENDAR OF EVENTS

FEBRUARY

>Fayetteville Brethren Church taco breakfastsecond Saturday

>St. Paul's Lutheran Church pancake supperFat Tuesday

MARCH

>Fayetteville Courthouse Antiques Show

>Fayetteville Antiques Off the Square

>Original Round Top Antiques Fair

APRIL

>Lions Classic Car Show

>St. Paul's Lutheran Church Spring Chicken Dinner - fourth Saturday

MAY

>ARTS for Rural Texas ArtWalk on the Square - first weekend

>Fireman’s Feast - first Saturday

JUNE

>Good Old Summertime Classic Bike Ride - first Sunday

>ARTS for Rural Texas Art Camp

JULY

>City Wide Garage Sale - second Saturday

>ARTS for Rural Texas Art Camp

AUGUST

>St. Mary's Catholic Church Feast - last Sunday

SEPTEMBER

>St. John the Baptist Catholic Church FeastSunday before Labor Day

OCTOBER

>Lickskillet Days - third weekend

>Fayetteville Courthouse Antiques Show

>Fayetteville Antiques Off the Square - SPJST Hall

>Original Round Top Antiques Fair

NOVEMBER

>City of Fayetteville Turkey & Dressing Dinnerfirst Thursday

>ARTS for Rural Texas Harvestfest Gala – first Saturday

>Fayetteville Rock n’ Road 100 –second Saturday

>St. Paul's Lutheran Church Fall Turkey Stewsecond Saturday

DECEMBER

>Annual Homes Tour – second Saturday

>Country Christmas and Lighted Parade - second Saturday - downtown

>City of Fayetteville Christmas Trees at the Old Fire Station

At one time, Fayetteville was named LICKSKILLET because, as rumor has it, people showing up late to community festivals complained that all the food was gone and were told to “lick the skillet.” So, don’t be late! Held every October around the Fayetteville Square, this family-friendly festival offers a little something for everyone and includes children’s activities, ice-cold drinks, food, baked goods, arts and crafts, silly contests, both an onsite and online auction, and fun raffles. There’s even a Fun Run Walk and challenging 5K. The SPJST Hall hosts their barbecue and bean cook-off, there’s a competitive horseshoe tournament, and always fun live music. Vendors around the square offer their wares. Cowboys boots are the suggested attire at the ever-popular street dance that lasts until midnight. Sunday features the Lickskillet Days Parade featuring unique floats, trail-riders, antique cars, and local charm that ends with a fried chicken dinner for all. Plan to stay for the entire weekend of funfilled events and experience the small town of Fayetteville - the way Texas used to be. For more information, visit www.fayettevilletxchamber.org.

Photo courtesy Emil Knodell.

THE FAYETTEVILLE CHRISTMAS TREE DISPLAY is a maze of beautifully decorated Christmas trees and a Christmas Village that is so enormous it will leave you completely in awe! The display is set up by local individuals, families, businesses, and organizations.

Come out and wander through the Old Fire Station and enjoy the display then stop in to say hi to the Clauses. The event is free and open to the public beginning the first Friday in December through Christmas Eve 5:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. and also by appointment. The event is held every Christmas Season in the Old Fire Station with Santa and Mrs. Claus visiting on Fridays and Saturdays. Great photo opportunities with the Clauses for kids of all ages including fur babies. Fayetteville is definitely worth the drive to enjoy some Small Country Charm at Christmastime.

COUNTRY CHRISTMAS ON THE SQUARE in December is a weekend full of all of the joys the season has to offer. A pet parade, the ever-popular Hot Chocolate Family Fun Run, arts and crafts, kids’ activities, music, a home-decorating contest, and fine fare all come together to ring in the holiday spirit Fayetteville-style. Horse drawn carriage rides are available for touring all of the beautiful Christmas tree lights in Fayetteville. For more information, visit greaterfayettevillechamber.org.

The Fayetteville Lion’s Club hosts the FAYETTEVILLE CLASSIC CAR SHOW annually in downtown Fayetteville. The mission of the Lions Club is Service and giving back to the community is what the car show is all about. The show donates to the scholarship fund for Fayetteville Independent School District. Hosted by the Lions Club, the show is open to antiques, classics, hot rods and trucks and typically sees over 100 entries. The show takes place annually in April on the historic downtown square in Fayetteville. Email John Dennis at jhd1255@aol.com for more information or visit their website, fayetteclassiccarshow.com.

ANTIQUES OFF THE SQUARE (The Fayetteville Antiques Show) happens each Spring, Fall and Winter as part of Round Top Antiques Week. A Fayetteville tradition for two decades, the show is a favorite of designers, decorators and dealers alike. Carefully curated by friendly dealers the show presents a wonderful mix of American antiques, primitives and other treasures. SPJST Hall, 507 E. Main St., Fayetteville, Texas 78940. Free admission and free parking is available. There is a live auction on the last day of Spring Show. Shoppers can also visit COURTHOUSE ANTIQUE SHOW vendors around the courthouse square in downtown Fayetteville.

Starting at top, Christmas Tree Decorating Contest; Country Christmas on the Square; Lions Club Classic Car Show; Antiques Off the Square. Second and fourth photos courtesy Emil Knodell.

THE BEST OF FAYETTEVILLE

SHOPPING

COUNTRY GLAM ANTIQUES

115 West Fayette Street 979-378-2719

COUNTRY PEDDLER ANTIQUES

2844 State Highway 159 979-249-5361

FAYETTEVILLE STORE 401 East Main Street 979-378-2237

FAYETTEVILLE VINTAGE GALLERY

202 North Live Oak Street 714-272-8867

HRUSKA’S 109 West Highway 71, Ellinger 979-378-2333

LUCKY GIRL VINTAGE 124 North Live Oak Street 713-504-7256

PURE WEST – PURE VINTAGE 107 North Washington Street 512-321-5472

THE SPOILED QUILTER 405 East Main Street 832-775-3681

THE STORE AT THE GRAND 201 West Fayette Street 713-818-9766

THE VINTAGE ROSE MARKET 124 North Live Oak Street 281-658-2552

WESTSIDE SHAMROCK 306 North Rust Street 979-378-2215

YESTERDAY’S PAST 112 South Live Oak St. 979-378-4273

YONDER WAY FARM 1055 South FM 1291 979-530-4444

LODGING WORSHIP

FAYETTE COUNTRY HILLS - RV

800 North Rusk Street 979-702-0293

GRAND FAYETTE HOTEL

201 West Fayette Street 713-818-9766

www.grandfayetethotel.com

KRENEK KABIN

309 Franklin Street 979-702-0293 or 979-250-1813

www.AirBnB.com

LAKE FAYETTE OAK THICKET PARK

4819 Highway 159

979-249-3504

camprrm.com/parks/texas/lcra/ oak-thicket-park/

ORSAK’S B & B

126 North Washington Street 979-702-0293 or 979-250-1813

www.AirBnB.com

RED AND WHITE

102 West Main Street 713-818-9766

www.redandwhitegallery.com

THE SWEDISH COTTAGE 420 North Rusk Street 979-266-0220

ingrid@theswedishcottagetx.com

WISTERIA BEND COTTAGE

Airbnb Fayetteville

www.airbnb.com.br/ rooms/17325043

EATS & DRINKS

BLUE MULE WINERY

8127 North FM 1291 713-226-9344 www.bluemulewines.com

BUSTED OAK CELLARS

6195 Round Top Road, Carmine 281-795-2588 www.bustedoakcellars.com

JOE’S PLACE  120 North Live Oak Street 979-378-9035

ORSAK’S CAFÉ 121 North Fayette Street 979-378-2719

RED HILL DISTILLERY 2737 East TX-159 512-751-4953

THE 159 JUNCTION 3024 East Highway 159 979-249-5523 www.the159junction.com

BIG SPRING HILL BAPTIST CHURCH

1944 Roznov Road 979-347-7182

Worship 10am Sunday

CEDAR OF LEBANON CHURCH OF GOD IN CHRIST 1946 Highway 159  979-378-2990

FAYETTEVILLE BRETHREN CHURCH

1022 Kramr Road 979-278-4816

Worship 2nd, 3rd and 4th Saturday at 10am

ST. JOHN THE BAPTIST CATHOLIC CHURCH

205 East Bell Street

979-378-2277

Worship Saturday 6pm, Sunday 10am

ST. MARY CATHOLIC CHURCH

815 St. Mary’s Church Road, Ellinger

979-378-2277

Worship Saturday 4pm, Sunday 8am

ST. PAUL LUTHERAN CHURCH

201 North Rusk Street

979-249-3155

Worship Sunday 10:30am

THE VINE 25642 Bernard Road, New Ulm 713-553-9797 www.thevinetx.com

THE WINE BAR AT THE GRAND FAYETTE HOTEL 201 West Fayette Street 979-716-6988 www.winebaratthegrand.com

IMPORTANT CONTACTS

FAYETTE COUNTY FIRE & EMS

202 West Main Street - 911 - (979) 968-8991

Fayette County Sheriff ’s Office 1646 North Jefferson, La Grange (979) 968-5856

POST OFFICE

212 East Main Street - (979) 378-2513

M-F 7:30-11:30 a.m. 1-3 p.m. Sat 7:30-10 a.m. Lobby Always Open

SCHOOL - Fayetteville Independent School District 618 Rusk - Phone (979) 378-4242

ELECTRIC - Bluebonnet Electric Cooperative (800) 842-7708

info@bluebonnetelectric.coop

To report unplanned power outages call (800) 949-4414

PROPANE

Fayetteville Propane Company (979) 378-2213

NEWSPAPER

Fayette County Record (979) 968-3155

FAYETTEVILLE CITY HALL

202 West Main Street (979) 378-2559

Open Monday-Friday 10 a.m. - 2 p.m., except city holidays

www.fayetteville.texas.gov

Water/Wastewater Services

Water/Wastewater services are provided by the City of Fayetteville. For information contact the City Secretary, (979) 378-2559.

Waste Management/Recycling Information 800 Columbus Lane

Open Tuesday 1-5 p.m. - recycling on this day

Open Friday noon -5 p.m. Must use Fayette County blue or pink bags. Bags are sold at City Hall in dowtown Fayetteville. In addition, there is a disposal site for trees and limbs only.

www.fayetteville.texas.gov

Photos courtesy Janice Wasut.

Lake Fayette & Oak Thicket Park

The 87-acre Oak Thicket Park is connected to Lake Fayette, a 2,000-acre lake that is regarded as a fisherman’s dream. It is considered to be one of the best bass fishing lakes in Texas. The day use area is a popular destination, and offers opportunities for fishing, boating, picnicking, biking, hiking, and birding, making these parks the ultimate family getaway! Walking trails connect Oak Thicket Park and Prairie Park, allowing visitors the chance to get out and explore nature through the woods, prairies, and marshlands. The park is covered in live oak trees, which provide shade during the Texas summers and stay green year-round.

The campground includes 20 wooded RV sites which include 30/50 amp electric, water, a paved RV pad, picnic table, and fire ring/grill combo. Both tent and RV camping are permitted. Oak Thicket Park also has a dump station and pump-out service. In addition to the regular campsites, Oak Thicket Park also provides six screened shelters with two bunk beds which sleep up to four persons. Each shelter has electricity, a ceiling fan, outside electric and water spigot, a picnic table, and fire ring/grill combo. Restroom and shower facilities are available for shelter guests.

Oak Thicket Park has waterfront cabins with varying options for larger families. The park is pet friendly, however the cabins have a no pets policy.

• Four efficiency cabins (101, 102, 103, 104) that sleep four. These have a large bathroom, small refrigerator, microwave and coffee pot.

• Two bunkhouse cabins (106 & 108) that sleep up to eight. These have a full kitchen with cooktop, full size refrigerator, microwave, coffee pot, and large bath.

• Two two-bedroom cabins (109 & 110) that sleep

four. These have a full kitchen with cooktop, full size refrigerator, microwave, coffee pot, and large bath.

The large outdoor pavilion has multiple picnic tables and grills, electricity, and can seat up to 60 people.

Lake Fayette Oak Thicket Park is located at 4819 W. State Hwy 159 and online at camprrm.com/parks/ texas/lcra/oak-thicket-park.

PHOTOS COURTESY LOWER COLORADO RIVER AUTHORITY

CAMP KUBENA

A rustic wedding venue, conference facility and retreat center that impacts lives through positive outdoor experiences. Camp Kubena offers 10 climate-controlled cabins that sleep 16 each, a fantastic dining hall with professional food service operations, and many beautiful areas such as our ponds, barns, and tall oak trees.

Situated on 182 picturesque acres in northern Fayette County, Camp Kubena has the staff and facilities to host your next gathering. Call or email us today!