Winter Texan Times

STEC holds Christmas celebration, speaker series

20221130 STEC FB Photo The South Texas Ecotourism Center (STEC) Laguna Vista will hold a Christmas celebration next week. The celebration will be held on Thursday, December 8 from 6 to 9 p.m. The event will feature Santa, food and craft vendors, and holiday performances. Admission to the event is free.

STEC will also be holding their Fall Speaker Series this coming month. The series is held every first and third Wednesday at 6:30 p.m. Refreshments are free, and the center will stay open until 8:30 p.m.

Professor provides another look into the legacy of Juan Cortina

Marie Theresa Hernandez web The Museum of South Texas History welcomes author Marie Theresa Hernández, Ph.D., as a featured presenter during the Sunday Speaker Series presentation, “History, Terror, Imagination: Stories of Juan N. Cortina” at 2 p.m. on December 4.

Texas folklorist J. Frank Dobie describes Cortina as the “most striking, the most powerful, the most insolent, and the most daring as well as the most elusive Mexican bandit, not even excepting Pancho Villa, that ever wet his horse in the muddy waters of the Rio Bravo.” The great-great grandson of Blas de la Garza Falcón, Cortina came to national prominence when he attacked Brownsville in September 1859 and began what is known as the “Cortina War.”

All is Bright at Aurora House

Those at Aurora House are excited for the holiday season, a time of reflection, gratefulness, and family. They are grateful that so many give each year; grateful that with the help of sponsors and donors, Aurora House can continue to provide these special moments to families who need it most.

Aurora House continues to provide care and give back to the wonderful community, but they cannot do it alone. Aurora House receives no funding from Medicare, Medicaid, or insurance. Donations and sponsorships from the community are crucial to continuing their mission and providing much needed comfort and care for their patients and their families.

RGV Concert Band holds Christmas concert

Give yourself an early Christmas present by attending the RGV Concert Band’s “A Christmas Celebration.” The event will be held on December 7th.

Each year local band members are joined by Winter Texan early arrivals to present a Christmas Concert at Our Savior Lutheran Church, 1107 Fern in McAllen. The 3 p.m. concert is open to the public and is given in appreciation to Our Savior Lutheran Church for allowing the band to use their facilities for practices.

Everyone’s favorite festive cottages are returning

20221123 Brownsville Holiday Village KO 6474 web The cottages of Holiday Village Brownsville have moved back to Dean Porter Park and are being prepared for the 13th annual yuletide event. With nine new and updated displays, this year there will be a total of 34 fully decorated cottages lining the sidewalks.

Winter Texan Times: Looking back 35 years

Food brings people together

This time of year, and practically any time of year, we all enjoy food. Nothing brings people together quite the way food does. When food comes along with an event, you know there will be people there. I don’t know exactly what it is, but that’s just the way it is.

It’s no different with Winter Texan events. We see potluck suppers, lunches, donut and pancake breakfasts, Taco Tuesday’s and so many other events centered around food. If it’s a dinner and a dance. Or a jam session with lunch served. Or crafts sales with breakfast available.

VSO presents A Touch of Frost

20221123 Frost 1 web Join Maestro Dabrowski, the Valley Symphony Orchestra, and the Valley Symphony Chorale for this magnificent celebration of the holiday season. Special guests for the event are Chorale Conductor Sean Taylor and Tenor David Sadlier.