Buda Bits
by SANDRA GRIZZLE
The 31st Budafest is now a thing of the past. Saturday was crowded with people of all ages enjoying the more than 125 food and craft booths as well as the entertainment and the carnival. The parade was one of the best in years to walk down Main Street. Sunday was cold and windy with fewer folks braving the weather. Those who did come out seemed to like the cold, making it a little more like Christmastime weather. The most popular spot was the gazebo area where Mr. and Mrs. Santa Claus sat and listened to all the wish lists from the hundreds of boys and girls. A great big “thank you” to all the members of the Budafest committee who worked so hard to make this year’s event so special. Budafest 2011 will be Dec. 3 & 4. See you there.
•••
Moving from the Budafest greenbelt area Sunday night, many senior citizens gathered at Santa Cruz Catholic Church for a free meal of turkey and dressing with all the trimmings. The Knights of Columbus served around 250 plates of food. Door prizes were given out and entertainment was provided for all to enjoy.
The drawing for the queen size quilt made by the Buda Bees of the Onion Creek Senior Citizens was held later in the evening at Santa Cruz. Winner of the quilt was Alice Henigin of Austin. Henigin, a member of the Austin Quilt Guild, had purchased her ticket at B&B Fabric Shop in Buda. The raffle tickets totaled $3,408 for the quilt. Thanks to all who supported the senior citizens.
•••
Next big event for Buda will be the Holiday Extravaganza in downtown Buda Dec. 16-18 from 6 to 9 p.m. each night. There will be carriage rides and local merchants will stay open late for holiday gift buying. Tickets for the carriage rides can be purchased in advance by calling (512)295-7446. The ride is about 15 minutes long and will depart from Buda City Hall. Tickets cost $5 for adults; $3 for children ages 4-12 and children under age 3 are free.
•••
The 2nd annual Trail of Lights with activities at Stagecoach Park will be Dec. 16-22 from 6 to 10 p.m. Visitors will enjoy a spectacular display of twinkling lights illuminating Historic Stagecoach Park. This is a free event with complimentary shuttle to the park from the parking area at Cabela’s.
•••
Relay for Life Team “Mighty Mel Kyser” will have a fundraiser on Sunday, Dec. 12 from 1 until 4:30 p.m. called Santa Paws at the Buda Fire Station #1. People can have a professional picture made with their pets and Santa Claus. The cost is a $10 donation to the American Cancer Society. Mel Kyser was a retired teacher at Hays High School...he was an American Cancer Society Hero of Hope and very active in Relay for Life. Mel lost his battle with cancer on August 13 of this year. His wife, Karen Kyser, and his children are determined to carry on his fight.
•••
A&E Signs and Graphics is looking for names, photos, rank, branch of service and where stationed of our local military men and women so that all can be posted in the windows at their shop. Stop by A&E at the corner of Houston and Railroad streets in Buda or give them a call at 295-7446.
•••
A benefit garage sale will be held on Saturday, Dec. 18 in the parking lot of Faith Assembly of God Church, which is located at 1030 Main Street in Buda. Brooke Durham, ten-year-old granddaughter of Rita Durham, spent days in the hospital recovering from a diabetic coma. The family recently moved here from California and are without insurance. Mark the date, Sat., Dec. 18, starting at 8 a.m. and help the family with donations for the sale as well as shopping the garage sale.
•••
Belated birthday wishes go out to Nica Eckols on Dec. 3. More birthday wishes go out to four-year-old Georgia Sue Lincoln, Jeffrey Cremer and Valerie Odell on Dec. 9; Shirley Burrell and Cecil Allen Clark on Dec. 10; Karen Herrmann and Beth Smith on Dec. 11; Pat Vallejo on Dec. 12; Jack Caraway on Dec. 14.
•••
Be sure to drive around our Buda area and look at all the great display of lights and don’t miss the lights in downtown Buda. Let us know where the prettiest and best light displays are located – just email us at [email protected].
