DECEMBER 3, 2025 www.wintertexantimes.com 2 WINTER TEXAN TIMES Wait times may vary. Physicians are independent practitioners who, with limited exceptions, are not employees or agents of South Texas Health System. The System shall not be liable for actions or treatments provided by physicians. For language assistance, disability accommodations and the nondiscrimination notice, visit our website. 252907866-2993963 6/25 Close-to-Home Care Home Care WITH LIMITED WAIT TIMES Visit southtexashealthsystem.com/outpatient for more information. Valley residents can rely on the freestanding emergency departments of South Texas Health System® for quality emergency care and closeto-home health checks and screenings. Our freestanding emergency departments are open 24 hours a day, seven days a week, staffed with ER nurses and physicians ready to treat a wide range of emergencies. In addition to providing quality emergency care, a variety of health checks and screenings – with limited wait times – are available, including: • Bone density and computed tomography (CT) scanning • Digital X-rays Diagnostic, imaging and lab appointments are available on a same-day, walk-in basis. Discounted rates are available for cash payments. Our freestanding emergency departments are located in: Alamo • McColl • Mission • Monte Cristo • Pharr • Ware Rd. • Weslaco • Laboratory tests • Digital mammography Everyone’s favorite festive cottages have returned Holiday Village kicked off their 16th season with a jam-packed opening ceremony recently at Dean Porter Park in Brownsville. Guests enjoyed live music, free buñuelos and candy canes, and more, as they anticipated the first official lighting of the cottages. The event was emceed by Brock Hughston, who also plays keyboard and sings vocals with the band. Other members include Frank Morris on drums and Darak Weaver on guitar. Their holiday music set, which included favorites like You’re a Mean One Mr. Grinch and Jingle Bell Rock, had the crowd feeling festive. Guests were also excited about the many door prizes that were given away during the event. Many local businesses donate these prizes each year. Monday night was an especially great bunch of prizes, featuring gift cards to local restaurants like Vermillion and Bubba’s 33, vouchers to OrangeTheory Fitness and MPower Fitness, gift certificates to Polish’d Nail Salon and Aloha Veterinary Clinic, and even a plane ride in a genuine World War II aircraft. 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. This family-friendly attraction is funded by grants and sponsors and organized entirely by volunteers. “Our small committee of volunteers is truly special, each one bringing unique talents and inspiration to our group. We’re all so excited to bring this outstanding event to our community year after year,” said Laurie Ray, Holiday Village Chair. This year’s sponsors include Brownsville Convention & Visitors Bureau, H-E-B Helping Here, Brownsville Public Utilities Board, McNair & Co., the Serafy Family Foundation, and IDEA Public Schools. Also returning to the park this year is Fritter, the Holiday Village elf. From the day after Thanksgiving through Christmas Eve, join in the fun of finding Fritter and enter to win daily and weekly prizes from the Children’s Museum of Brownsville. Patrons can also enjoy delicious treats from a variety of food vendors, as well as performances by many local dance groups, choirs, school groups and more, throughout the nearly six-week long event. Admission is free all day every day, and the cottages are lit at 6 p.m. each evening. Santa Claus will be in the gazebo and available for free pictures (bring your own camera) every Friday, Saturday, and Sunday night through December 21st. More information, entertainment schedules and Elf on the Shelf contest rules can be found at www.HolidayVillageBrownsville,com. Happy Holidays! Courtesy photo
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