Just about every park has something special for New Year’s Eve. Many have special entertainment lined up with dinner and other events throughout the night. Many of these parks sell out of tickets weeks before New Year’s Eve. So, if you didn’t get a ticket in time and are still looking for things to do, there might be a few places you can go to still have some fun.
By Herb Moering
Remote car racing has grown in popularity in the past few years with dirt and paved track ovals popping up in recreational vehicle parks in the Rio Grande Valley.
Quinta Mazatlán invites you to end your year with a morning of Birding, Wednesday, December 31, from 8:30 to 10:30 a.m., with Education Specialist and life-long birder Isidro Montemayor. Winter is a great time to get out Birding welcoming an amazing variety of Valley Specialty birds, like the Green Jay, Great Kiskadee, and Plain Chachalaca to name a few. The season also welcomes birds that spend their winter down in South Texas. Ducks, sparrows, owls, even rare birds from Mexico can be seen in the Valley during winter. From binocular basics to bird calls and behavior, you’ll leave this guided experience feeling more in-tune with our avian friends.
The mind-body connection is vital for overall health because your thoughts, emotions and behaviors directly influence physical health, and your physical state affects mental well-being.
Read more: STHS Behavioral to highlight importance of mind-body connection at webinar
AUSTIN – Celebrate the beginning of a new year and the start of America’s semiquincentennial (America 250) with a First Day Hike at a Texas State Park.
Read more: Kick start 2026 with a First Day Hike at a Texas State Park
There are many upcoming programs at Bentsen-RGV State Park to enjoy this January. Several programs are continuing, and there will be a double dose of the speaker series. There will also be two birding tram tours offered in addition to the regular bird walks. Thomas “TC” Riddle, park interpreter/volunteer coordinator at the park says they are hoping to add even more programs, so keep an eye on the park website or Facebook page for the latest updates on programs.
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.
University Draft House is yet another one of those places that I’ve heard plenty about, from the food to the entertainment and events, but haven’t had the opportunity to try before. The restaurant itself is interesting, having been an old pump house that was renovated to make it into the facility it is today. Throughout you’ll see old pipes and machinery, maintaining its history. There’s indoor and outdoor seating, a bar upstairs, and multiple TVs.
Upon arriving, we were informed that the transition from the brunch menu to the lunch menu was happening shortly. That gave us plenty of time to look over the options as sometimes my appetite is a little indecisive. While checking out the entrees, we ordered a calamari appetizer. I’ve had calamari from quite a few places, but this one was a hit with my boyfriend and me. It was crispy and had good flavor, having a sweet and spicy sauce along with sauteed red bell peppers and green onions.
Of course, I had to try out a burger, and I didn’t dwell on this for too long. Once I saw The Player, pulled pork on Texas toast with lettuce, pickles, raspberry chipotle BBQ, chipotle mayo, and house slaw, I knew that was my pick. My boyfriend had The Graduate: a hearty burger with an angus beef patty, BBQ caramelized onions, sauteed mushrooms, brie cheese, arugula, and truffle aioli. As someone that really enjoys pulled pork and all things BBQ, I was more than pleased with my meal. It was savory and delicious throughout. I can confirm that his burger was just as good, having had a few bites myself as always.
There are options for sides and different ways to dress up your burger, and salads, too. The aforementioned brunch menu is something I’ll want to try out another time, as well as Taco Tuesday and Happy Hour. On Tuesdays, they serve $1 tacos – obviously a good deal, and a tasty one, I’m sure. Happy Hour takes place every day from 3 to 7 p.m., featuring half price selected appetizers and cocktails.
University Draft House has two locations. Find them in McAllen at 100 W. Business 83 and in Edinburg at 2405 W. University Dr.
By Barb Zanetti-Taetsch, Photos by Dennis Zanetti
At McAllen’s Elks Lodge 1402 a young girl stands before Santa with her hands on her hips and says, “Santa, do you have a naughty list?”
Santa, Wally Ostrowski, a Winter Texan from Alamo Rec Vehicle Park (ARVP), takes a second to answer her.
“Yes, I do,” he says. “But today, no one here is on it.”
“You HAVE to put my brother on that list,” she says, insisting that he take action and shaking her head, totally ignoring Santa’s absolution. “He steals my French fries … even when I’m watching!”
Read more: Elks and Winter Texans provide Christmas party for special need kids
Mission Bell/Trade Winds hosted their third annual Reverse Advent Calendar food drive. This was started in 2023 by a couple of park residents. DaLeen Markel found an article about a group of people that did this, and she shared it with Rick Anderson, and a decision was made to give it a go. And it has turned into a highly successful event that the sister parks do together.
Read more: Mission Bell – Tradewinds donates over 1,800 pounds of food
By Herb Moering
Winter Texans Bill and Nancee Fisher and David and Margie Jones picked a very good time to come see their first Alamo Christmas Parade on Friday, December 12.
First, the weather was in the balmy 70s range all evening, which helped them to forget the cold and snow of Ohio. In fact, the Fishers had just arrived in Alamo four days ago, leaving behind a couple inches of snow.
