You cannot miss Port Isabel. Especially if you are going to South Padre Island. Port Isabel is a welcoming small town with little shops, a museum, piers, and a beautiful lighthouse. Lots of history sits in the little square just before the Queen Isabella Causeway.
Charlotte Underwood
The Mission Historical Museum (MHM) is now accepting submissions for its Turning of the Quilts program. The museum is looking for antique, vintage, or unique quilts to be featured in a special presentation, where each quilt will be revealed and celebrated one by one. A knowledgeable presenter will provide historical context and details about each quilt's story.
Read more: MHM calls for Antique Quilts for "Turning of the Quilts"
McALLEN – As the year comes to a close, The Salvation Army invites the community to Give With Joy and make a lasting impact on neighbors in need. Your generosity helps provide food, shelter, emergency assistance and hope, not just during the holidays, but all year long.
The City of McAllen’s Public Works Department encourages residents to keep the holidays clean and green by recycling properly and taking advantage of convenient local recycling services. By following a few simple guidelines, residents can help reduce contamination, protect local resources, save landfill space, and support the creation of new products from recycled materials.
Read more: Reduce holiday waste and make recycling easy, convenient, and impactful
Entering The Grove Farmhouse, you’re greeted by cheerful staff, appetizing smells, and happy chatter. The establishment was busy the Sunday afternoon I visited, though we were still seated quickly and didn’t have to wait long for service. They offer both a breakfast menu and a dinner menu with sweet and savory entrees throughout. There’s also specialty coffee and tea options as well as a full bar with a cocktail menu.
Read more: The Grove Farmhouse: Country Chic and Country Flavor
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.
