By William Renner, Reference Librarian
Speer Memorial Library in Mission invites you to join us on Tuesday, April 6, for a discussion of the book The Joy Luck Club, to take place via Zoom at 5:30 p.m. in Spanish, and at 6:30 p.m. in English. We will send a link for this virtual meeting to all who sign up.
To continue some fun at Oleander Acres, Tammy Garrison-Maier, activity director, hid several pots of gold around her park to celebrate St. Patrick’s Day. Residents were slowly finding the little black pots with some gold in them. As the pots of gold were, Tammy gave gift certificates for Krispy Kreme and other gifts. Last month Tammy hid painted rocks throughout the park. These pots of gold are not as easy to find though – there were not as many hidden. Pictured receiving their gift certificate are Harvey and Jane Diehl from Valley Center, Kansas.
Wreaths Across America Radio (WAAR) is proud to announce the first in a series of four free roundtable discussions focused on Veteran Healing through sharing stories of resilience, purpose, and success. This live discussion will take place on Thursday, March 25, at 7 p.m. EST, and can be heard exclusively on WAAR.
Read more: Wreaths Across America Radio hosts first radio round table
As the number of patients with COVID-19 continues to increase nationally, DHR Health Institute for Research and Development, which is affiliated with DHR Health, is pursuing innovative ways to treat patients infected with the potentially life-threatening disease. Through this study, first coordinated by the Mayo Clinic, DHR Health continues to provide convalescent-plasma therapy to patients in the Rio Grande Valley (RGV) hospitalized with severe COVID-19.
When you were younger, did you ever play the game with your siblings where you chose an animal that you felt most represented a member of your family? I only played it once as it seems that my siblings did not like the fact that I felt my mother was like a mother dog. With five youngsters to look after, I considered that a compliment as mother dogs are very protective of their young. Not only are they good care givers but they are also good trainers - training their young to be loyal and to defend their care givers. Now as I look back, if I were to choose what animal I would like to be, I personally would choose for myself to be an insect - a Monarch Butterfly. They are beautiful creatures.
The season is ending soon, and it just seems to have flown by so fast. While we were able to attend a few activities this year, we missed the yearly expos and other events where we get to meet and talk to you.
We have also missed some entertainment this year. Last year we were able to attend quite a few shows and activities before the season was put to a close by the virus, so we were really hoping for some similar fun this year.
I am thrilled that we did get to go on with the showcases and the Valley Star Awards and some other events. It was nice to get out there and mingle as much as we could.
It was also nice to just get outside this year. While I was working on the city stories, I was able to walk the downtowns of several Valley cities, walk in some of the nature parks, and put my feet in the sand. While it was all work, it sure did feel nice to experience the Valley in a whole new way.
If you have not had the chance to get out and explore, do some before you head back north, you will not regret it.
Seven Oaks in Mission went big this past weekend showing their appreciation for their park volunteers. Every year they hold a Volunteer Appreciation Day. It is an annual event held to show appreciation to all of their volunteers that have helped throughout the season.
“We have so many that volunteer their time in numerous ways,” said Cathy Sutton, regional manager. “It is a small token of our thanks to them for their hard work and dedication.”
They had lots of activities planned for the day. The first activity was wacky trike races. Sutton said it was a lot of fun racing friends or neighbors.
Read more: Seven Oaks shows their appreciation for park volunteers
The Museum of South Texas History will host the Sunday Speaker Series Online panel discussion, “Conjunto and Texas Folklife’s Big Squeeze in the Rio Grande Valley” at 2 p.m. Sunday, March 14, on Facebook Live.
This presentation will feature researcher and historian Evaliza Fuentes, musician and Los Fresnos High School Conjunto director Juan Longoria and Texas Folklife Program Director Sarah Rucker.
Read more: The history of the Big Squeeze competition presented at MOSTH
Since the Gladys Porter Zoo opened in 1971, it has never been the home to nurse sharks, which can grow up to 13 feet. The Zoo is excited to announce that they have added two males to their collection last month. These two male nurse sharks were brought from the Mississippi Aquarium and are now living in the 30,000 gallon Gulf of Mexico tank found in the Russell Aquatic Ecology Center. The sharks are about five feet long and are definitely larger than any other species the zoo has ever housed.
By Herb Moering
Running a business, especially a large operation, is not without complications in these times. Bob and Dana Huck’s Tropical Star Nursery in Alamo is just one example.
The couple was slated to be recognized at a City of Alamo Museum reception on Feb. 25 for the donation of vintage women’s dresses from the era of the 1900s to the 1920s. Wouldn’t you know it, a business emergency cropped up requiring the Hucks to transport 15,500 seedlings of watermelon, tomatoes, and cabbage to Houston truck farmers when their normal hauler couldn’t guarantee delivery due to the huge backlog caused by the winter storm.
