Every two years the University of Texas Rio Grande Valley (UTRGV) and the Winter Texan Times partner to conduct the Winter Texan Survey. The survey serves as a census of the Winter Texan population and gathers data about the attitudes, behaviors and economic impact of Winter Texans in the Rio Grande Valley.
This week, the Winter Texan Times includes the Winter Texan Survey as an insert in the newspaper and we invite our readers to complete the survey, and in so doing, be entered in a drawing for one of three $200 cash prizes.
Read more: 17th Bi-Annual Winter Texan Survey
The Mission Historical Museum (MHM) Presents the 16th Annual Mission Quilt Show exhibit. The exhibit opened on Wednesday, January 12, and continues through Saturday, February 12.
Quilts will be exhibited in the Museum’s Post Office building (200 E Tom Landry). The quilts will be judged by a panel of independent judges, with ribbons awarded for first, second and third places in each category. Best-of-show and Viewers’ Choice ribbons will also be awarded.
Read more: MHM Quilt Show exhibit is on
The Valley Red Hatters are currently planning their Festival of Tables to be held on Wednesday, February 23. The event will be held at Trophy Gardens beginning at 10 a.m.
The event is by advance sales only and space is limited. Tickets are $18 per person. RGV Red Hat Queen Council Members tickets should be purchased before February 3rd from Jan Bergman. Non-members must purchase their tickets before February 14th. Red Hat attire is required.
Read more: Red Hatters plan Festival of Tables
It’s getting busy in the Valley. Things are picking up here and there with activities being held throughout the valley – just for you. I know everyone is still being really careful with things, but I also know that everyone is ready to get out and enjoy this great weather and being with friends when we can.
There is so much to do in the Valley that doesn’t involve being in close proximity to people to, so keep that in mind as well. Look at our issues from last year and see the many things we highlighted in the bigger cities in the Valley. I hope to highlight some of our smaller cities as well in some future publications.
The Valley is full of parks, birding centers, trails, museums, and so much more that we can take advantage of. It's just fun to get out every once in a while, to see the sights, or to visit somewhere you haven’t really noticed before.
Speaking of events though – the activity directors just had their first entertainers showcase event and the next one will be held this week. This is an opportunity for activity directors and park managers to hear some entertainment options and try to book them for their park. They get to listen to an entertainer for a few minutes that showcases their hits, or favorites.
It’s so much fun listening to these groups all in one place – getting a taste of a hopeful show in the future. We have some great entertainment that comes to the Valley to entertain and do shows for you. These entertainers really have some talent and enjoy what they do.
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Also thinking of events… we have been trying to get out a bit more as things are happening, but it’s so hard to get to everything. We would love to attend everything if we could, but it gets a little hectic with in office duties and getting to events.
So, please send us your photos and give us some information on what you are doing at your park. We love seeing what you are doing in your community. We love hearing about your trips, tours, meals, and other events y’all enjoy at your parks and around town.
We share what we can in our paper and online. Send photos, write ups, contact information, and story ideas to news@wintertexantimes.com.
By Herb Moering
Great weather brought out the crowd of mainly Winter Texans on opening day, Jan. 13, for the 15th annual two-day Ron Hoover RV & Marine Center open house in Donna.
Sue Stsauver, from Trails End Mobile Home and RV Park in Weslaco, came to see the grand prizes to be given away after having a dream she won a four-wheel all-terrain vehicle and had it shipped home to Minnesota.
Read more: Winter Texans enjoy Ron Hoover open house
The Museum of South Texas History kicks off the 2022 Sunday Speaker Series with a book presentation and signing featuring Robert Saldaña at 2 p.m. on Jan. 16 at MOSTH in Edinburg.
Saldaña’s book titled, “Tejano Experience: The History and Genealogy of My Maternal Grandfather’s Garza & Olivares Families in South Texas” is a case study in Spanish and Mexican American genealogy which resulted from his efforts to learn more about himself, his family and fellow Tejanos. Guests can purchase a copy of the book, while supplies last, at the Museum Store that can be signed by the author.
Read more: Author chronicles family history in South Texas
The Texas corridor is a huge birding spot for many and is a huge migration area for thousands of birds as they escape the colder climates for warmer weather, and then come back through in the spring and summer searching for cooler weather. This year, while we have been finding new ways to entertain ourselves, the birds still continue on their patterns.
The Valley is a hotspot to several migrating patterns and the Lower Rio Grande Valley has had a huge fallout this season. In the fall months, South Padre Island was full of color as Buntings and other birds passed through the area. Birders were flocking the area getting once in a lifetime photos to add to their collections.
Read more: Bat Falcon makes appearance in US
The 2022 Rio Grande Valley Woodcarving Show will be held from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. this Friday and Saturday, January 14-15, at the Nomad Shrine Club, 1044 W. Nolana in Pharr. Admission for the event is a $3 donation.
The show features exhibits by carvers, carving instructors, tool vendors, and wood vendors. Door prizes will be given every 30 minutes with three large door prizes given at the end of the show.
Read more: RGV Woodcarvers show January 14-15
This cooler weather has been quite welcoming. It has made it feel like winter finally. It hasn’t been too cold, or too nasty wet outside with it either. I think it has been exactly what I have needed to feel like it is the correct season. After it just being a little too warm for Christmas, I was ready for that cooler weather to bring some of the holiday spirit with it.
My thing is, I don’t want it to get much cooler than it is. The 50- and 60-degree temperatures are just right for me. Any lower and I just want to stay inside for the most part.
Read more: January 12, 2022 - Rina's Ramblings
Stefano’s in Harlingen was hit with a tragic fire just days before Christmas. We would like to support our advertiser by inviting our readers to support them, by visiting their other location in Pharr.
According to news reports, the damage to their Harlingen location was deemed a total loss by the fire department. The restaurant has been reduced to fragments, said the news.
Read more: Let’s support Stefano’s
The idea came to the duo of Emma Zamora and Jaelin Lopez last spring during their junior year at Veterans Memorial High School (VMHS). With the return of in-person instruction and the start of their senior year this year, the team has worked their idea into a community service project for their DECA organization.
Last week, the Brownsville-SPI International Airport held a ribbon cutting for the opening of a photography exhibit, “Women in Aviation and Space History.” This exhibit celebrates the accomplishments by women since the early days of aviation, to space exploration to recent commercial space flights. It consists of 35 images and will remain on display through January 22, 2022.
Christmas is fast approaching. Shoppers will soon be greeted by the familiar sound of The Salvation Army bells ringing at stores. But did you know that you can set up your own virtual fundraiser and be part of the Red Kettle Challenge without even leaving your house? This is a simple and fun way to engage your family and friends while supporting the red kettle campaign, The Salvation Army’s major fundraising event of the year. 
Join Mission Historical Museum as Dr. Russell Skowronek presents a captivating lecture on Saturday, December 11th at 11 a.m. at the MHM. Admission is free to the public. Coffee and light refreshments will be served.
