36th Annual Fish Fry

Bluegrass music and the smell of fresh, farm-raised catfish will soon fill the air as the Grassland community’s largest annual event, the Bethlehem United Methodist Church Fish Fry, gears up for all-you-can-eat catfish on Friday, July 16 on the church grounds at 2419 Bethlehem Loop Road in Franklin off Hillsboro Road.

            In its 36^th year, BUMC minister Ryan Bennett said Bethlehem Fish Fry is a good old-fashioned social with great food helping support church missions.

            “With amazing bluegrass music, a children’s game area with incredible inflatables, the best bake sale around and scrumptious, farm-raised catfish, you don’t want to miss this good old-fashioned fun and fellowship event. We are expecting almost 4,000 of our neighbors and the proceeds helps support several church missions including our upcoming 2011 River of Life area youth mission project and Kathy’s Backpacks program helping school children across our county with much needed fall school supplies and backpacks,” Bennett said.    

Started 13 years ago and named in memory of Bethlehem member Kathy Harris, the backpack program has grown just like the fish fry last year filling around 800 backpacks with school supplies serving almost 50 different schools and agencies. Donations will be accepted through August for this program that continues to grow and serve the children of Williamson County who need this help.

            Over 1,400 pounds of pond-raised catfish will be served at the fish fry along with hushpuppies, sliced tomatoes, white beans, and delicious cole slaw made from a secret recipe.  Attendees will also enjoy free refills, a silent auction, huge bake sale, used book sale, live Bluegrass music and children’s game area. The Bethlehem Fish Fry will be held on the church grounds off Old Hillsboro Road in the Grassland Area from 4:30 p.m. until 8 p.m., July 16 at 2419 Bethlehem Loop Road, Franklin (37069).  Tickets are $10.00 for adults until July 15 and $12.00 the day of the event. Children under 10 are always $5.00.  Hot dogs are available for children and a separate carryout serving area is provided. For more information and tickets, contact the church at (615) 794-6721 or www.bethlehemumc.com.    

Kristin’s Toffee Crunch Cookies

(Recipe from member Kristin Thaler. The Bake Sale always sells out so get there early!)

1 and a half cup sifted all-purpose flour

half tsp baking soda

half a tsp salt

half a cup of butter or margarine

three-fourths cup of packed brown sugar

1 egg

1 tsp vanilla

2 cups of toffee bits

Optional one-third cup of coarsely chopped nuts (Brazil, walnut or pecan)

Preheat oven 350 degrees. Combine flour, baking soda and salt – set aside. In a separate bowl, cream butter and sugar. Add egg, vanilla and mix until creamy. Stir in dry ingredients and then blend in toffee bits and nuts. Drop by tablespoons onto greased cookie sheet. Bake for 12 to 15 minutes or until golden brown.

Directions:  From Nashville, take Hillsboro Road south toward Franklin.  In Grassland area, right onto Old Hillsboro Road.  First left onto Bethlehem Loop.  Church is on the right at 2419 Bethlehem Loop Road, Franklin, TN (37069) with easy on-site parking or visit www.bethlehemumc.com for more info. 

Driving directions can be found HERE

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