OCTOBER 29, 2025 www.wintertexantimes.com 10 WINTER TEXAN TIMES Buy 1 Packet of Batteries Get 2nd Packet FREE* FREE HEARING EVALUATION *Must present this ad Your perfect match Personalized hearing McAllen/Pharr 3906 N. Jackson Rd., South of Nolana (956)632-0908 Weslaco 413 W. Pike Ste C (956)647-5061 Harlingen 913 N. Ed Carey Ste A (956)423-4400 Brownsville 1474 W. Price Rd. Ste 2 (956)621-2085 John D. Druley Board Certified Over 30 years in hearing aid industry Beltone Achieve™ Custom Beltone Achieve™ RIE Jabra Enhance™ Plus All Insurance Accepted Edinburg seeks parade entries The City of Edinburg extends an invitation to the community to participate in the much-anticipated annual Veterans Day Parade, scheduled for Saturday, November 8. This year’s parade begins at 9:30 a.m. and will showcase a remarkable assembly of patriotic floats beginning at Richard R. Flores Stadium. These creatively crafted floats will follow a designated route ending at Kuhn Street. The event is entirely free and open to the public, providing an opportunity for everyone to come and celebrate. This year, the top three entries in the “Most Patriotic Float” competition will receive trophies. Judging will focus on the overall appearance of the floats and will take place at 8:30 a.m. All participants must be onboard at that time. Trophies will be awarded for first, second, and third place. It’s important to note that only entries featuring pick-up truck beds, farm wagons, flatbed trucks, or trailers are eligible for the contest. A $250 fee will be charged for all political entries. Those who are interested in participating in the parade can register online at https://www. edinburgarts.com/veteransparade. Attendees are encouraged to join the Veterans Day Parade to celebrate the heroism and dedication of those who have served the country. The event promises to be a memorable tribute to veterans and a heartwarming experience for the entire community. For further information, or if you would like to join this event, please call (956) 388-8224. Registration open for Texas Master Naturalist training Texas Master Naturalist program training registration for the 2026 new class session is open through December 15. Weekly classes are scheduled January 8 through March 26, 2026. Registration is open to Winter Texans and residents of Cameron, Hidalgo and Starr counties over the age of 18 to join the South Texas Border Chapter that meets in Pharr. Texas Master Naturalist is a unique educational volunteer program sponsored by Texas Parks and Wildlife Department, Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service and Texas Sea Grant Program. “Texas Master Naturalists are volunteers with diverse interests. They receive in-depth training about the wildlife and natural resources of the Rio Grande Valley’s unique ecosystem,” said Texas Parks and Wildlife Department Park Superintendent and chapter advisor Javier de Leon. “Volunteers work with community partners in approved activities and help educate others about the special land in which we live and how to help sustain it.” Students attend a three-hour evening class, held once a week at the Edinburg Scenic Wetlands and World Birding Center. Classes are taught by local university professors and other field experts, including those from the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department; National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration; and U.S. Department of Agriculture. Daytime and two evening field trips are arranged for trainees, providing special access and learning opportunities. Trainees join volunteer teams with other chapter members and work among more than 60 local partners that include the chapter’s special projects, federal and local wildlife parks, coastal naturalist programs, cities, schools, and other public entities. Hundreds of opportunities are available to volunteers from studying wildlife to developing public native gardens, learning about native plants and habitat, citizen science projects, bird migration and shore birds to Gulf and beach inhabitants and trends. Class size is limited. The cost is $150 and includes textbook, fees, T-shirt, name tag and one-year membership. Scholarships of $100 are available and completed form is due by December 15. To apply for the class or request a scholarship, follow the instructions in the pdf icons on the New Class Webpage at https://www.stbctmn. org/the-next-class. If you have questions, please contact the new class director, Jim Gerry, at jimgerry@gmail.com or (630) 464-4622. Check out the chapter website at https://www.stbctmn.org/. Get a head start, learning about local nature through articles at https:// www.stbctmn.org/blog, and attend monthly chapter meetings. The South Texas Border Chapter meets at 6:30 p.m., the third Monday of each month, except December, with a guest speaker. Meetings are at St. George Orthodox Church Hall, 704 W. Sam Houston, in Pharr; they are free and open to the public. South Texas Border Chapter Texas Master Naturalist members (from left) John McKee, Cynthia McKee, Jenna Rektorik and Irma Kirpes set up an outreach table during the Bentsen-Rio Grande Valley State Park’s Outdoor Skills Showcase. (Photo by Gene Reed)
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