NOVEMBER 12, 2025 www.wintertexantimes.com 4 WINTER TEXAN TIMES Call or Email ads@wintertexantimes.com BRING US ALONG, & THERE’S ALWAYS MORE TO SEE, MORE TO DO Thanks for coming to Texas! Winter Texan TIMES Serving Winter Texans From Mission To South Padre Island Since 1987 Vol. 38, No. 24 © 2025 www.wintertexantimes.com Wednesday, March 26, 2025 INDEX Events Calendar p 4 Reunions p 6 Parks Calendar p 8 WintertainersTM p 8 On The Road p 12 Taste of the Valley p 17 Coupon Index p 20 Classifieds p 21 Business Guide p 21 Rina’s Ramblings See RAMBLINGS pg. 17 This season is ending, and I hate to see it go. We always enjoy your time with us, and our time with you, and we sure are going to miss it while you are gone. We know you are coming to the Valley for the community, the weather, lower prices, and more. We also know you are coming because of the culture and the warm welcomes you receive. But it is also your warmness that makes us love seeing you each year. Speaking of that warmness, you do so much for the communities you live in – whether it is for See THANK YOU pg. 18 Thank you for coming, safe travels, see you next season 2025 Winter Texan Fiesta. Photo by William Brunson By Herb Moering Hundreds of Winter Texans turned out Friday under picture perfect weather for the 49th annual Tourist Day in Nuevo Progreso. The event to say “thanks” to all those who come to shop, eat, purchase medicines and have dental work done in Progreso began with a brief welcome in the Bridge Authority Building from Samuel Robert Sparks Jr., the private bridge co-owner, to various area government officials and spouses and special friends. See PROGRESO pg. 20 Tourists enjoy refreshments and entertainment in Progreso Members of both delegations and honored guests took a moment out to exchange greetings and have some photos taken to commemorate the 49th Annual Tourist Day 2025. Photo by Herb Moering This season has, once again, been a blast. We have a lot of fun when we are out and about with you, sharing your news, and hearing your stories. I had the opportunity to hear many stories this year. What you see in the paper is sometimes just a bit of what is shared. I keep learning how eager you are to help others, to be there for your friends, and to teach others how to do the same. It’s amazing to see the strength you have and watch you use your experiences to help the community you live in through service, teaching, and more. We always enjoy sharing the stories of community service you do for your park, and for organizations, schools, and churches in your community. We get to see how thankful and how full of gratitude everyone is for your service – whether it be through volunteer work, making something, donating food, or any of the other multitude of ways you find to fulfill the need. We, and so many IN PRINT, ONLINE ON ANY DEVICE YOU WILL WANT TO TAKE IT WITH YOU WHEREVER YOU GO 956.580.7800 1217 N CONWAY, MISSION Follow us on Facebook.com/ wintertexantimes www.WinterTexanTimes.com FOR ADVERTISING OPPORTUNITIES all they had to do was choose a lot and camp out on it until the day of sale. Free lots were offered to representatives of several religious denominations that were in the area to build their churches – many of those churches have been on the same site since 1921. Many of the city’s founders can be found in the Weslaco Cemetery that was established in 1921 as well. Before heading to the museum, another architectural building to view is the Villa de Cortez. This building is located at South Texas Blvd. and Bus. 83. It features architectural elements of the period, crystal chandeliers and elegance that takes you back in time. A lot of this history, as well as the importance of agriculture to the area, can be found at the museum. After all, our favorite onion, the 1015 Onion, was developed in Weslaco. It is named because of its suggested planting date. The city celebrates this endeavor with its Onion Fest they hold in the Spring when it’s time for harvesting. The Weslaco Museum has one floor that features rotating exhibits. The other floor is like taking a step back in time. There are exhibits showing the beginning of the agriculture era, tools that were used, and clothing from the early days of the city. Photos show the life that was lived, and the growth to what the city is today. Volunteers love to give guided tours and tell you about each exhibit and the importance it plays in the history of Weslaco. You will learn about the city’s development, agriculture history, its product costume regalia, and so much more. If you have a group that would like a tour, just fill out the form online and they will get back with you. There is also a military area, payWESLACO From pg. 3 ing tribute to those in the area that have served. Weslaco is the proud home of Harlon Block, who served in the Marines. Block was killed in action during the Battle of Iwo Jima in World War II. In 1944, he was one of the Marines who raised the second U.S. flag on Mount Suribachi on February 23, 1945. The photo is a very well-known photo, and the museum features a painting of it in their exhibit. The museum is a nonprofit organization and relies on their volunteers that give their time and talents to collect, preserve, exhibit, and promote the history, cultural arts, and past traditions of the community. Opportunities to volunteer include tours, community outreach, field trips, clerical work, fundraisers, interviews, documentation and research, as well as artifact conservation and cataloging. You can fill out an application online if you are interested. The museum has special events throughout the year. Their Pan de Campo, an annual fundraiser for the museum, is in its 20th year and will be held on November 15. Tickets can be purchased at the museum for $50. The event will feature live music, food, an auction, and more. They have their Al Fresco event on November 20 that features music, art, and more. They also have a Saturday Speaker Series scheduled for November 22. All details can be found on their website and on their Facebook page. The museum features free admission on the first Saturday of the month. Visit the museum and discover the rich history and vibrant cultural exhibits. The museum is located at 500 South Texas Blvd. and is open 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday. Visit www.weslacomuseum. org for more information, or call (956) 968-9142.
RkJQdWJsaXNoZXIy MTczOTk5Mg==