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Winter Texan Times: Looking back 35 years

20221123 DSC 0117 1 webFood brings people together

This time of year, and practically any time of year, we all enjoy food. Nothing brings people together quite the way food does. When food comes along with an event, you know there will be people there. I don’t know exactly what it is, but that’s just the way it is.

It’s no different with Winter Texan events. We see potluck suppers, lunches, donut and pancake breakfasts, Taco Tuesday’s and so many other events centered around food. If it’s a dinner and a dance. Or a jam session with lunch served. Or crafts sales with breakfast available.

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Appointments still being set

20221026 Mission Health Fair webThe GMCC is still making appointments for their upcoming Community Health and Wellness Fair taking place on December 8th and 9th, at the Mission Event Center. 

Appointments are for blood work only. A 12-hour fast is required by the date and time of your appointment. There are other tests being done that do not require an appointment or fast.

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Edinburg calling for vendors

The City of Edinburg brings the joy of the holiday season by hosting The Lighting of the Tree ceremony to be held on Thursday, December 1st, 2022, at 6 p.m. at the City Hall Courtyard located at 415 W. University Dr.

The Lighting of the Tree event will host a variety of vendors, food, amusement attractions, joyful carolers from local schools, and music performances. Bring the kiddos to take pictures with Santa, write letters to the North Pole and much, much more. The Christmas tree and lights will remain lit for the entire month of December for families and individuals to photograph and enjoy.

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Winter arrives at IMAS

20221123 IMAS Winter Christmas Tree Forest webThe International Museum of Art & Science (IMAS) invites the community to celebrate with them in its upcoming winter festivities. IMAS will be hosting a Biodiversity Festival and Market at the Museum, its “Annual Christmas Tree Forest,” as well as Winter Programs including a Winter Camp and an Adult Folk Art Workshop.

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December programs at Bentsen-RGV State Park

20221123 Bentsen RGV State Park Feeding Time webBentsen-RGV State Park is having some fun and informative programs for all ages next month. Scheduled programs are free with park admission. Reservations are required for some activities.

On Saturday, December 3, from 1:30 to 3:30 p.m. the park will host their Festive Frontera Family Fun Day.

Bentsen Bird Walks are held Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays at 8:30 a.m. The walk will not be held on December 25th or 30th.

Read more: December programs at Bentsen-RGV State Park

Winter Texan Times: Looking back 35 years

20221116 Kansas Day HMiller 5599 webWinter Texans gather near and far

Looking through our past issues we find snippets that parks have sent in about their activities, what they did during the summer, and what they are doing now. Not much has changed since 1987. Many Winter Texans still feel the same way about the Valley, and about getting together with friends.

“We, Winter Texans are like a lot of snowflakes descending upon the sunny south,” said Jeanette Thornton of Snow to Sun in 1987. She went on to say, when we left northern Indiana before daybreak on November 20 it was snowing. When we arrived Sunday, November 22, the sun was warm and welcome.

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Golf Course Favorites voting has begun

20221116 Ebony Hills CAB webThe weather is great for a round of golf. It pretty much is nearly all year in South Texas. Therefore, we come to you to ask you what your favorite golf course, amenities, golf hole and more are each year. Valley golf courses know the value of our Winter Texans and have continually made upgrades to keep you coming back.

This week, and the next two, you will find the first impressions, and more, of most of the golf courses the Valley has to offer you.

Be sure to fill that out and send it in, or fill out our online version at www.wintertexantimes.com, by December 7. By submitting your favorites, you will be eligible to win free rounds of golf, dining, and more.

Drop-off sites open for Operation Christmas Child

20221116 Operation Christmas Samaritans Purse Courtesy 279 webAs the Thanksgiving season approaches, many families and children are giving thanks and giving back—to children in need around the world through Operation Christmas Child.

Shoebox gifts prepared by generous donors and filled with toys, hygiene items, and school supplies may be dropped off now during National Collection Week, November 14 - 21. More than 4,500 drop-off sites are now open. The Samaritan’s Purse project will collect its 200-millionth shoebox this year.

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Alamo celebrates Vets

20221116 Alamo Vets Day IMG MP webMilitary personnel were recognized for their service at the Alamo Veterans Day program Friday, who were joined by city commission members.

Food Bank RGV In Need of Donations

20221116 Food Bank vol webThe Food Bank RGV is in dire need of monetary donations to help feed people at risk of hunger this season.

Rising costs are responsible for many people turning to the food bank for emergency food assistance, many for the first time. Due to the increase in need, higher costs, and supply chain issues, the food bank is working harder than ever to meet the growing needs of the community.

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Ancient landscapes in the RGV

20221116 Landscapes DSC 0336 webBy Herb Moering

Winter Texans like to explore when in the “Valley” and one aspect they might not have considered is the landscape. In fact, some ancient landscapes still exist in South Texas according to University of Texas-Rio Grande Valley geology Professor Juan Gonzalez.

He pointed out several unique features of the RGV lands during the recent South Texas Historical Association (STHA) symposium hosted by the City of Alamo Museum.

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Native Plant Project announces guest speaker

Native Plant Project's guest speaker for the November 22nd meeting in Weslaco will be Anita Westervelt, a freelance photojournalist who has written a newspaper nature column for the McAllen Monitor for seven years.

Anita is the author of Anita's Blog, a look at the natural world of the Rio Grande Valley, for the past eight years. She has acquired over 6,600 volunteer hours as a South Texas Border Chapter Texas Master Naturalist. Anita holds a Fine Arts degree from the University of Maryland, European Division, and a Communication Degree from Pittsburg State University. She has been intrigued with plants since early childhood and, prior to retirement, photographed flora wherever she was deployed as a U.S. Navy Chief Journalist.

Read more: Native Plant Project announces guest speaker

Library holds internet basics class

By William Renner, Reference Librarian

Join Speer Memorial Library in Mission on Wednesday, November 16, from 2 p.m. to 3 p.m., or from 6 p.m. to 7 p.m., for an Internet Basics class.

Have you ever wondered what the Internet is, or how exactly to use it?

The class will give you a demonstration of how to use and navigate the Internet. You’ll get hands-on computer practice on how to use an Internet search engine to find your way across the world of online resources.

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