The weather was a little warmer then normal for this time of year as a large crowd of people with Polish roots in Robertson and Falls county came together in Bremond, the Polish Capital of Texas, to celebrate St. Mary’s Catholic Church annual homecoming bazaar on Sunday, October 21, 2012. The early Polish settlers built their first small wooden church in Bremond in 1878.
The annual bazaar began with Holy Mass celebrated at 9:30 am and followed with a delicious barbecue brisket and sausage dinner with all of the trimmings including homemade desserts and ice tea served in the large parish hall. Beef, sausage and chicken by the pound for take home was available outside at the barbecue pits.
A new addition to the bazaar this year was live traditional Polish music by Polska Kapela in the hall during the meal. Diners and dancers alike enjoyed the music played by Dr. Jim Mazurkiewicz, James Mazurkiewicz, Mark Hopcus, CJ Jozwiak, Ron Kasowski, Jake Kasowski, Charles Bossman, Andrew Bolin and several guest performers.
There were fun activities for all ages including the Country Store, Toy and Plant Booth along with an inflated bouncy obstacle course and other activities for the kids. Sandwiches, funnel cakes, soft drinks and beer were available outside and the Homemade Goods booth sold lots of delicious Bremond homemade bread, pickles, jam and other goodies. Bingo in the hall started at 4:00 pm and the raffle drawings were held at 8:00 pm.
The outdoor bleacher seats and surrounding area filled up with people at 1:00 pm for the live auction. Cattle, bales of hay, furniture, tools, quilts and homemade items were sold throughout the afternoon.
One of the highlights of the auction was a beautiful handmade Houston Texans quilt signed by Texans coach Gary Kubiak whose family was one of the early Polish settlers in Bremond. Kubiak had originally purchased the quilt at a Plantersville-Stoneham Volunteer Fire Department fundraiser and donated it to the Knights of Columbus who then donated it to St. Stanislaus Catholic Church in Anderson for their bazaar auction. Pearland residents Johnny Patke and Jannette Patke Tucker, owners of Parts Unlimited and Patkes Auto Parts purchased the quilt in Anderson and donated it to St. Mary’s in Bremond. After some spirited bidding, the quilt was sold to Joann Biezenski of First Star Bank, SSB for $3300.
Below are a few photos of the fun and there is a slideshow of more photos on page 2
James Smock has always held an interest in his Polish ancestors and heritage. He is a native Houstonian with Polish roots in Bremond, Marlin and New Waverly, Texas.