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December 11, 2024 - Rina's Ramblings

Wow, the weather is surely changing. It’s gotten cooler and we have had some rain here and there as well. Even though we’ll have a bit of a warmer day now and then, I am thankful for the cooler temps. I could live without the dreariness though.

It’s a great time to have gatherings with others, indoors and outdoors. This is the time of year we see many stories about what the parks are doing with their residents for the holidays. We love seeing photos with everyone enjoying their time while in the Valley.

There have been many city parades and Christmas tree lightings. I am sure the parks have been having their own type of fun as well with golf cart parades, and their own tree lightings.

We would love to include some photos in our upcoming issues of how you have decorated the park and started your December holidays.
What we would also like to see and share is how you are giving to your community this season. We know there are quilters, gift givers, food gatherers, and more that get stuff prepped to give to their communities during December, and throughout the season, but especially right now when a smile on a child’s face is so welcoming and delightful.

I do love what this season brings and what you bring to our communities. We are here to tell your stories of what you are doing while you make the Rio Grande Valley your home. Share your stories with us, let us know what your park is doing that you enjoy so much. Send your items, and photos, to news@wintertexantimes.com.

Enjoy the holiday memories

20241211 Keep McAllen Beautiful Posada 0009 webMy apologies to those of you who read this article. I am having more trouble than usual receiving contracts from hotels, bus companies and attractions. Without those contracted prices, I am unable to quote the trip cost.

Even the local transportation companies are late in answering my requests for the rates. Could it be that so many want to travel that everyone is behind in mailing out their contracts? All of us were not able to travel for so long that now we are anxious to be out and about. My suggestion is that you schedule your trip well in advance and be sure that your tickets and seats are confirmed.

My oldest daughter who has retired in San Miguel de Allende will soon arrive in Texas for the Christmas holidays. We will be driving to the Hill Country to spend Christmas with the rest of the family. Driving across Texas is always a treat - the Texas landscape changes so much from one area to another. Just the change in scenery will keep you entertained. And the Christmas decorations along the way always add to the enjoyment.

If you want to see Christmas decorations at their peak, just travel to the Hill Country. They go all out with strings and strings of lights on all the houses and trees. San Antonio is another city that turns on all the lights especially on the River Walk.

If I look back at all the places where I have celebrated Christmas there are some that were extra special. The two that come first to my mind would be the celebration of the Posada at a private home in Rio Hondo and the other would be in Bethlehem at the Church of the Nativity.
If you are ever invited to celebrate a Posada be sure to attend. A Posada is the re-enactment of Mary and Joseph as they searched for a place for the birth of Christ. Almost 27 years ago, I went to my first Posada. My son in law carried my only grandson on his shoulders so that the little one would be able to see all the procession. How special that was.

The other memory of Christmas is also very special. The Church of the Nativity is built over the stable where Christ was born. I had always imagined that the manger was a wooden trough. At that time the cattle troughs were not made of wood but were hollowed out large rocks. As the group traveling with me sang Silent Night, I gazed intently at the hard, cold hollowed stone that was the bed where the Baby Jesus was placed. Quite a difference to the baby cribs we use today.

My prayer for all is that you have a merry and blessed Christmas. HAPPY HOLIDAYS!

MWE to present "Noche Mágica" - A Night of Enchanting Music

20241211 MWE DSC05348 Enhanced NR webGather your family and friends for McAllen Wind Ensemble’s (MWE) next concert, Noche Mágica on Friday, December 20 at 7:30 p.m. at the McAllen Performing Arts Center. Audiences can expect an evening of captivating melodies and festive arrangements that celebrate the rich cultural tapestry of the holiday season. A special vocal performance from Alberto Esco will complement the musical Christmas ambiance.

Every year the ensemble decides on a theme and then has a committee that votes on the music to be played. This year, the group decided to do the same theme as the City of McAllen’s Parade, Noche Mágica. Music Director Roger Olivarez said he believes there is a magic to the season and to the music. He hopes everyone can find that magic and connection to Christmas.

“It takes them back to simpler times, maybe,” said Olivarez. “Back to happier times. Back to their childhood. Back to pleasant memories.”

“There’s already a certain amount of magic in there,” he said of Christmas music.

As a band director, preparing for a Christmas concert was something I always looked forward to, he said. It was a tradition every year, one he has always cherished.

He has been directing MWE since 2014 and the Christmas concert has always been his favorite to prepare for.

Read more: MWE to present "Noche Mágica" - A Night of Enchanting Music

Keep McAllen Beautiful celebrates the Christmas Posada

20241211 Keep McAllen Beautiful Posada 0009 webKeep McAllen Beautiful will be hosting its third annual Christmas Posada at Archer Park, located at 101 N. Main St. on Saturday, December 14, starting at 7 p.m. The free, family-friendly event will feature the traditional posada procession that reenacts Mary and Joseph’s search for lodging.

This year’s event promises to provide entertainment for everyone featuring a special performance by Nikki Rowe’s Razz Ma Tazz Show Choir. The posada procession culminates at a nativity scene, with shepherds and the Three Wise Men. The posada will be accompanied by traditional singing during the procession and will include Christmas songs performed by choirs from The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints missionary choir, colibrí children’s choir, and the La Joya ISD Seguin Elementary choir and cheer team.

Read more: Keep McAllen Beautiful celebrates the Christmas Posada

Winter Texan Orchestra holds performances

20241211 Winter Texan Orchestra Courtesy webThe Winter Texan Orchestra will be presenting a Christmas Concert on Sunday, December 15, at Texas Trails RV Resort, 501 W. Owassa Road, Pharr. This free concert is open to the public and will begin at 3 p.m.

The symphony orchestra will perform the same program on Tuesday, December 17, at Tip O’ Texas RV Resort, 101 E. Sioux Road, Pharr, at 2 p.m.
This hour-long concert will feature favorite Christmas tunes, and a door prize will be given at each venue.

Read more: Winter Texan Orchestra holds performances

Time running out to adopt angels

20241211 AngelTreeTagsLeft webSupport needed to fulfill Christmas wishes for children in our community

With two days left for all Angel Tree gifts to be returned, The Salvation Army still has about 150 angels yet to be adopted. There is still time to help.
“We still have angel tags hanging on the Angel Trees and are praying all will be taken by the last day for adoption on Thursday, December 12,” said Major Jan Zuniga of The Salvation Army of McAllen. “We often see a late rush in adoptions and have staff and volunteers ready at the Angel Trees ready to help those who would like to take an angel and provide Christmas for a child in need.”

Read more: Time running out to adopt angels

Last chance to catch a Christmas parade

20241211 Alamo Parade DSC 0771 1 webThis weekend might be the last chance you have to catch some city Christmas parades. Nearly every city in the Valley has had, or plans on having, a holiday parade. All of them are lighted parades, so they bring out more festive decorations and fun.

The City of Edinburg had theirs originally scheduled for last week, but due to weather conditions, they have rescheduled it for tomorrow. The Annual Night of Lights Parade will now take place on Thursday, December 12, at 6 p.m. It will be held downtown along Closner Blvd.

Read more: Last chance to catch a Christmas parade

Music series features mariachi and folklorico performers

20241211 Quinta Illumina Fest 12 16 21 40 webThe holiday spirit continues at Quinta Mazatlán with the second night of its Holiday Music Series! On Thursday, December 12, head out to Quinta Mazatlán, 600 Sunset Dr., starting at 6:30 p.m., for an enchanting evening filled with traditional mariachi and folklorico performances from La Joya Palmview High School that will bring the sounds and colors of the season to life. Doors open at 6 p.m.

Read more: Music series features mariachi and folklorico performers

Mr. Codos returns to Pharr Community Theater

20241211 A Tejano Christmas Ray Perez Veronica Garza webThe Pharr Community Theater, once again, proudly presents, A Tejano Christmas Carol, December 12 to 20 in Pharr.

This delightful classic from Charles Dickens and adapted by Pedro Garcia is set in the RGV with a cast of 20 local performers who have been in rehearsals since October.

In this tale the well-known Ebenezer Scrooge, played by Ray Perez, becomes Ezequiel Codos an RGV attorney and powerful water broker whose greed threatens to dry up the famous Rio Grande River.

Read more: Mr. Codos returns to Pharr Community Theater

MHC to host McGrinch event at La Placita Park

20241211 McGrinchlogo webThe third annual McGrinch event hosted by the McAllen Heritage Center (MHC), McAllen’s museum of history and culture, will be held on Saturday, December 14 from 2 to 7 p.m. at La Placita Park, 301 S. Main St. McGrinch is a free, family event and will feature a meet and greet with the very friendly McGrinch. Free photos with McGrinch are welcome, so attendees can bring a cell phone or camera. There will be local vendors by STX Markets, holiday music, food vendors and free kids’ goody bags, while they last, which will make the event diverse, fun and exciting.

Read more: MHC to host McGrinch event at La Placita Park

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