Winter Texan Times

Angel Tree Program: Making Christmas dreams a reality

The Angel Tree Program, along with The Salvation Army’s iconic Red Kettle Campaign, is one of The Salvation Army’s best-known Christmas efforts. More than 100,000 children across Texas will experience the joy of opening presents on Christmas morning thanks to generous donors and the help of The Salvation Army.

“The Angel Tree program provides toys and clothing to children, seniors, and families who might be struggling to afford Christmas gifts this year. As we continue to navigate the lingering pandemic, families are still putting their lives back together and trying to make ends meet,” said Lt. Aguirre of The Salvation Army. “Angels are available for adoption by community members and businesses, who in a small way will deliver the magic and message of Christmas to those in need.”

MHM accepting quilt entries

20150121 MHM Quilts KO 7171 web The Mission Historical Museum will soon be accepting entries for its Sixteenth Annual Quilt Show. Entries will be accepted in three categories: Hand-quilted bed quilts, Machine-quilted bed quilts, and Wall hangings. The show is open to all quilters, both Winter Texans and year-round residents.

Texas Master Naturalist certification program opens

Texas Master Naturalists at Estero Llano Grande State Park Photo by Joseph Connors web PHARR, TEXAS – Registration is open to join the 2022 South Texas Border Chapter of the Texas Master Naturalist training class. Hidalgo, Starr and Cameron county residents, over the age of 18, and Winter Texans are welcome.

Texas Master Naturalist is a unique educational volunteer program sponsored by Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service, Texas Sea Grant Program and the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department.

Indigenous Immigration in the RGV

MOSTH Martin Salinas The Museum of South Texas History welcomes Martin Salinas to present “La inmigración indígena en el bajo río Bravo o Grande,” a Sunday Speaker Series Online bilingual presentation, at 2 p.m. Dec. 5 on Facebook Live.

The presentation will cover the immigration patterns of the indigenous groups in the Rio Grande Delta. Due to different reasons, members of multiple ethnic groups of the continent immigrated to the lower part of the Rio Grande or Bravo during the second part of the 18th and 19th centuries, among which are Pames, Huastecos, Tlaxcaltecas, Tonkawas, Karankawas, Cherokees and, especially, the Comanches and Lipan Apache. The latter two ethnic groups began to prey on the lower part of the river shortly after the colonization of Nuevo Santander, on a seasonal basis. They are part of the cultural portent of the Great Plains and Prairies of the United States and Canada that emerged after the reintroduction of the horse in New Mexico in the late 16th century. The purpose of this presentation is to differentiate cultural adaptations of these ethnicities compared to that of the natives of the Rio Grande.

Mission Health Fair reminder

The Mission Health and Wellness Fair will be held next week, 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.

The event is free to the public and will provide free screenings, blood tests and doctor-led webinars.

To receive the blood test, you must make an appointment by calling the Mission Chamber office at (956) 585-2727 and a 12 hour fast is required.

Palm Gardens Ladies tour Harlingen

20211111 Trophy Gardens Luncheon Ladies Courtesy 7058299D 671A 4DAA 8DAA 922C7E96491D web The Palm Gardens Ladies Luncheon group started off this season catching up with old friends, getting to know some of the new residents, while enjoying a great lunch at the New York Deli in downtown Harlingen. After a nice, leisurely lunch, the group of 18 ladies ventured out to the streets to view the more than 20 larger-than-life-size murals which depict various aspects of the Rio Grande Valley’s history and culture. In addition to the amazing murals that are part of the walking tour, there are many more wonderful murals to see in the downtown area.

The Salvation Army seeks holiday volunteers

The Salvation Army seeks volunteers web 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.

Gelman Stained Glass Museum announces opening date

20211103 gelman web 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.

PVAS celebrates Giving Tuesday

GT logo stacked2 web 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.

Whooping Cranes Are Making Their Way to the Texas Coast

20211110 Whooping Crane web 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.