15 WINTER TEXAN TIMES www.wintertexantimes.com OCTOBER 29, 2025 (956)566-1157 of a meal,” Masabni said. For example, consider cucumbers or tomatoes. People typically don’t eat them as desserts, he said. They often eat cucumbers and tomatoes in salads or cooked meals, so they may think of them as vegetables, even though they’re fruits. “The pumpkin is a tricky one, though,” he said, “because some people make soups or stews from pumpkins, which is a meal, while others make pies, which is a dessert. So that can lead to confusion.” What’s the difference between a fruit and a vegetable? The difference between a fruit and a vegetable lies in whether the produce starts as a flower. “All plants start from a seed,” Masabni said. “Let’s take the example of lettuce as a vegetable. It makes more and more leaves, and then you harvest them and eat those leaves. If you let it go even longer, it will eventually make a flower stalk and make seeds that we harvest and store for next year’s crop.” A pumpkin plant starts the same. However, its flowers eventually turn into the fruit we eat – in this case, the pumpkin itself. “A pumpkin starts as a small plant with a few leaves, and as the leaves grow and more branches develop, flowers will start to bloom on the plant,” he said. “Those flowers then need to be pollinated by bees or other pollinators. Once a flower is pollinated, it develops into a fruit that we consume. So ultimately, fruit relies on pollination of the flower to become the thing we eat.” What other ‘vegetables’ are actually fruits? Besides pumpkins, some other fruits that are typically confused with vegetables are cucumbers, tomatoes, eggplants, corn, zucchini, okra, string beans, squash, and peppers. So, does it matter? Maybe not at the dinner table, but it’s a fun fact to share at your next fall gathering. “The fruit and vegetable debate is a fun one that hangs on the technical, scientific view of these plants that we consume,” Masabni said. “At the end of the day, we want to inform people, but we also want them to enjoy these plants as gardeners and at the dinner table.” Submitted by Laura Muntean, Texas A&M AgriLife. PUMPKIN From pg. 11 with Workforce Solutions and the city’s economic development group to offer job readiness support. From resume-building and mock interviews to HR workshops for small business owners, the library is helping community members find their footing in a changing job market. With visitors coming from nearby Mission, La Joya, and beyond, the library serves a population far exceeding its city limits. “We’ve had people come in just to use the internet for job interviews,” said Jaime. “That’s how essential this space is.” What’s Next? While Palmview Municipal Library has come a long way, Jaime is already thinking ahead. “This building wasn’t made to be a library. I’d love to have a space that’s designed for what we do, with study rooms, more programming areas, and eventually things like RFID check-in.” They’re also looking to expand the garden, add more nature backpacks, and bring in a 3D printer to strengthen STEAM offerings. In just one year, Palmview Municipal Library has become more than a place for books, it’s a launchpad for opportunity, wellness, and belonging. With dedicated staff, strong community partnerships, and a whole lot of heart, this small Texas library is making a mighty impact. Palmview Municipal Library is located at 603 Palmview Commercial Drive. For more information, call (956) 432-0316. Find out more about the library at https://cityofpalmview.gov/departments/library/. Originally published August 5, 2025, on the Texas State Library Archives Commission (TSLAC) Websites Library Developments Blog (www.tsl.texas.gov). Photos courtesy of TSLAC. PALMVIEW From pg. 7 Concerto No. 21 in C Major. Her artistry and elegance promise a captivating performance you won’t want to miss. On December 5 the VSO will present their holiday concert “A Touch of Frost.” Their winter celebration with the VSO chorale is full of festive and heartwarming music to ring in the holiday season. A sonic galaxy awaits with Star Wars + Four Hands on February 6, 2026. The concert will feature iconic movie moments and a dazzling four-hand piano concerto from Bogdanov (North American premiere). It will also feature piano soloists Haysun Kang and Christopher Guzman. The VSO will present The Beatles & Rutter Soul, featuring the VSO Chorale, on March 6, 2026. They will close the season with a powerful tribute to Maestro Dabrowski’s enduring impact with Legacy of Sound on April 10, 2026. You can find out more about their upcoming concerts, and purchase tickets, by visiting https://www. valleysymphony.org/. The McAllen Performing Arts Center is located at 801 Convention Center Blvd. VSO From pg. 12
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