I hope everyone had a wonderful and blessed Christmas. I also hope that whatever holiday you celebrate this time of year, that you are blessed and happy. This is the time of year that memories are made, that we fill our moments with good times, and usually our favorite people.
Christmas has come and gone for those of us who live in the Rio Grande Valley. But some of the world is still waiting for that special day. For some countries gifts are exchanged on January 6 or Three Kings Day for that is recognized as the day that the Wise Men arrived with their gifts for the Christ Child. All countries seem to have their own customs.
The Valley is full of the festive holiday spirit during the Christmas and December holidays. While I am sure you have enjoyed many events at your park, other parks, or maybe around town somewhere, there are still a few activities that you can visit to partake in the Christmas spirit.
In Brownsville you will find the Holiday Village. The Holiday Village is in its 16th season at Dean Porter Park. For those who may not know, the Holiday Village at Dean Porter Park in Brownsville is a collection of cottages, each one measuring about 10’ wide, 8’ deep and over 11’ tall, which are adorned inside and out with the most whimsical and adorable holiday trimmings. The Village is set up in the park every November, free and open to the public, and runs from the Monday before Thanksgiving through the first of the year.
Read more: Many Christmas activities are still ongoing in the Valley
It has been a great week. It has been unseasonably warmer than usual, but that means we get to enjoy the outdoors a little bit more. Because of that, you can walk around your park to see your neighbor’s Christmas lights.
A lot of parks have been having Golf Cart Christmas parades. Fully decking out their golf carts with Christmas décor, sometimes fully dressing up in ugly sweaters, or other Christmas attire, and carting their way throughout the parks. It’s a delight to see the fun that is had during these parades.
Some parks even have groups that go throughout their park singing carols. What a joy it is to see you enjoying the holiday, your friends, and the Valley, and bringing joy to others.
We love seeing photos and hearing stories of what you are doing in your park. We also love seeing what you are doing for your communities.
During this time of year, we get to see what you have been working on during the month, or with some, what you have been working on all year, so you have quilts and other handmade items to give for Christmas.
It’s such a blessing to have you in the Valley.
Last issue we had a few park stories, and we continue this week with a few more. We know there are many more parks out there that do things for their park residents and for their communities. We love to share your news. So, if you want to share something, please send it to us.
Being a Christmas issue, we thought we would deck out our paper a little for the holiday. We hope you enjoy the look this week.
I invite you to remember the reason for the season. Among other Christmas classics, we really enjoy watching the Charlie Brown Christmas during the holiday. Finding the same type of comfort that Linus did when reciting the story about a Savior being born. I also invite you to find your own way to Light the World. Anyone can find simple acts of kindness to bring joy to others.
However you celebrate this holiday, we want to wish you a very Merry Christmas and a very blessed holiday.
~ Rina
Time has just flown by. Only two more days and it will be Christmas.
And here I am in the Hill Country with my only grandson, his daddy and my two daughters. And of course, on my way to Marble Falls we stopped off in San Antonio to spend the night with my only son who soon will be living back in the Rio Grande Valley. In fact, just five houses down the street from me. It will be good to have family so close.
If you have not been to the Hill Country, do stop by on your way in or out of the Valley. Veterans will enjoy visiting Fredericksburg and the Admiral Nimitz Museum where you can view the tanks and artillery that were used in the Second World War. The ladies will find plenty of shops lining the main street.
By Barb Zanetti-Taetsch, Photos by Dennis Zanetti
At McAllen’s Elks Lodge 1402 a young girl stands before Santa with her hands on her hips and says, “Santa, do you have a naughty list?”
Santa, Wally Ostrowski, a Winter Texan from Alamo Rec Vehicle Park (ARVP), takes a second to answer her.
“Yes, I do,” he says. “But today, no one here is on it.”
“You HAVE to put my brother on that list,” she says, insisting that he take action and shaking her head, totally ignoring Santa’s absolution. “He steals my French fries … even when I’m watching!”
Read more: Elks and Winter Texans provide Christmas party for special need kids
Mission Bell/Trade Winds hosted their third annual Reverse Advent Calendar food drive. This was started in 2023 by a couple of park residents. DaLeen Markel found an article about a group of people that did this, and she shared it with Rick Anderson, and a decision was made to give it a go. And it has turned into a highly successful event that the sister parks do together.
Read more: Mission Bell – Tradewinds donates over 1,800 pounds of food
By Herb Moering
Winter Texans Bill and Nancee Fisher and David and Margie Jones picked a very good time to come see their first Alamo Christmas Parade on Friday, December 12.
First, the weather was in the balmy 70s range all evening, which helped them to forget the cold and snow of Ohio. In fact, the Fishers had just arrived in Alamo four days ago, leaving behind a couple inches of snow.
The Golf View Estates ladies who love to sew continue to make baby blankets for Mission Regional Medical Center. This season, the group of ladies also started making stuffed bears, dogs and other knitted items. The ladies have made and donated baby blankets and stuffed animals for newborn babies at hospital. This year, the group donated 360 blankets and 45 stuffed animals.
On the evening of December 13, parking lots were full, and crowds lined both sides of Texas Blvd. to attend the Weslaco Lighted Christmas Parade. There were those that opted for the reserved seating, and plenty more that found opportune spots to sit or stand with friends and family. With a seemingly endless line of festive floats and vehicles, Weslaco had an atmosphere of Christmas cheer.
Thankfully, the weather was nice, too. No rain and a gentle breeze made it easy to enjoy being outdoors for the entirety of the event. During the parade there were some vendors along the route offering food and beverages just in case you found yourself needing something tasty or refreshing.
Read more: Weslaco’s parade was only part of the Christmas fun
