"Jak Se Mas?" is Czech for "How's It Going?" And in Dubina, Texas, an early Czech settlement, it was going strong all day Sunday, July 3. This is the Feast of Saints Cyril and Methodius and the annual picnic and homecoming at the local Catholic church.

[imgcontainer] [img:fairlane530.jpg] [source]Bill Bishop[/source] “Jak Se Mas?” is Czech for “How’s It Going?” And in Dubina, Texas, an early Czech settlement, it was going strong all day Sunday, July 3. This is the Feast of Saints Cyril and Methodius and the annual picnic and homecoming at the local Catholic church. [/imgcontainer]

The long July 4th weekend was in full swing Sunday in Fayette County, Texas. The annual feast of Saints Cyril and Methodius Catholic Church in Dubina, the first Czech settlement in the state, began at 8:45 a.m. with Mass, and then poured on the sunshine, fried chicken, and dance music until 9 pm.

This year an antique tractor show was a chug fest of old John Deeres and International Harvesters (plus assorted pumps and beer can crushers). Lines were long for the dinner of “Dubina-Style” (a.k.a. heavily breaded)  fried chicken, sausage, green beans and saukraut-over-mashed-potatoes.

Did we mention 10 hours of free polka music? The Shiner Hobo Band, 26 members strong, led off, with Mark Halata and Texavia and the Ennis Czech Boys trading off from 2 until 9 p.m.

[imgcontainer] [img:polkayoga530.jpg] [source]Bill Bishop[/source] Matt Prasifka of Houston hunkered down over his fried chicken and sausage dinner at the church picnic in Dubina, TX, Sunday before hitting the dance floor. Matt said his wife had this fabulous t-shirt made for his 40th birthday. [/imgcontainer]

As for today, July 4th, the place to be is St. John the Baptist Catholic Church, for the Shiner Hobo Band, then walzes, polka and a grand march to patriotic music by the Dujka Brothers  and Red Ravens. The toughest part is finding St. John (on FM 957, about five miles SW of Schulenburg).

No fireworks this year, folks. Texas is in a historic drought and there are burn bans across much of the state.

Wishing all Yonder readers a Grand 4th of July. Let us know how you celebrate.

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