While some may think it is still a little early to unpack the holiday decorations, The Salvation Army has been hard at work, planning Christmas programs for several months. Now, as the red kettles are appearing outside stores, and Angel Trees are being set up, volunteers are needed to help ensure men, women, and children in need throughout our community experience the joys of Christmas.
The Gelman Stained Glass Museum in San Juan is scheduled to open its doors soon. The 16,000 square foot state-of-the-art museum is home to the most comprehensive collection of stained-glass windows in the United States. The museum is conveniently located across from the Basilica of Our Lady of San Juan Del Valle.
The museum, still currently under construction, is scheduled to open its doors on December 1. Days and hours of operation have yet to be determined.
Read more: Gelman Stained Glass Museum announces opening date
This GivingTuesday, November 30, consider donating $1 to Palm Valley Animal Society (PVAS) every time you have wanted to adopt a pet or help an animal in their care.
GivingTuesday is a global giving campaign built by individuals, families, organizations, businesses, and communities worldwide. It encourages people to take action to improve their communities, give back in better, more imaginative ways to the charities and causes they believe in, and help create a better world. GivingTuesday demonstrates how every act of generosity counts and that they mean even more when we give together.
AUSTIN — With the first sightings of iconic, endangered whooping cranes along the Texas coast being reported, the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (TPWD) is reminding Texans to be on the lookout for these impressive birds as they move through the state.
Whooping cranes are the tallest, rarest birds in North America. Currently, there is a population of around 506 individuals. Thanks to coordinated conservation efforts, whooping cranes are slowly returning from the brink of extinction.
Read more: Whooping Cranes Are Making Their Way to the Texas Coast
AUSTIN— Texas State Parks and the Texas Historical Commission are hosting their biggest holiday season yet with more than 80 unique holiday events happening across the state. Having started this past Saturday, Nov. 20, 47 Texas State Parks and eight State Historic Sites are presenting themed guided walks, scavenger hunts and more.
Anyone planning a trip to a Texas State Park is highly encouraged to reserve their day pass in advance since some parks are expected to reach their capacity limit. Day passes can be reserved online (https://tpwd.texas.gov/state-parks/park-reservation-information/reservations) through the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (TPWD) website or over the phone by calling (512) 389-8900.
Read more: Greet the holiday season at a Texas State Park, THC Historic Site
Happy Thanksgiving. And we have so much to be thankful for. We live in a beautiful, wonderful world alive with trees and flowers and friends. Blue skies and warm sunshine. Most of us have plenty of food, a warm bed, and a sheltered home waiting for us at the end of each day. But not everyone is so blessed. Some families are without jobs and have too many mouths to feed. Or maybe they are handicapped or a single parent with just more than too much responsibility. Let us all give thanks for what we do have. Truly the months of November and December are months of celebration and thanksgiving.
Thanksgiving is this week and I do hope you all have a great one. With this, it means that cities throughout the valley are getting ready for their Christmas tree lightings and parades. If you get a chance, visit one, or more, of these and celebrate with your community. It’s a wonderful time of year, and it’s even better when we have the chance to spend it with others.
During this time of year, I like to reminisce back to my younger years. Back to gathering at my grandparents’ house. Eating whatever veggies were brought in from the field within the last week – plus the customary green bean casserole, mashed potatoes, stuffing, turkey, and ham. My aunt always made a white cake with coconut – very reminiscent of your traditional Italian cake.
Mission Regional Medical Center, in coordination with the Mission Chamber, is sponsoring their yearly Community Health and Wellness Fair. It will be held Wednesday, December 8 and Thursday, December 9, from 7:30 to 11:30 a.m. The event will be held at the Mission Event Center, 200 N. Shary Rd. These are new dates from what was previously sent out to the public.
The cottages of Holiday Village Brownsville have moved back to Dean Porter Park and are prepared for the 12th annual yuletide event. With nine new and updated displays, this year there will be a total of 33 fully decorated cottages lining the sidewalks.
For those who may not know, the Holiday Village at Dean Porter Park in Brownsville is a collection of miniature cottages, each one measuring about 10’ wide x 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.
The Harlingen Community Theatre, located at 1209 Fair Park Boulevard, presents the charming and fast-paced Off-Broadway smash hit, The Marvelous Wonderettes, which opens Friday, November 19 at 7:30 p.m., running two weekends November 19-21 and December 3-5.
The Marvelous Wonderettes, written and created by Roger Bean with musical arrangements by Brian William Baker and orchestrations by Michael Borth, features over thirty classic ‘50s and ‘60s musical hits, that will keep audience members joyfully entertained during this must-take musical trip down memory lane.
Read more: Harlingen Community Theatre presents The Marvelous Wonderettes
