13 WINTER TEXAN TIMES www.wintertexantimes.com DECEMBER 17, 2025 27146 McLelland Road., Harlingen, TX 78552 (956) 423-1446 Lower Valley / 956-664-1446 Upper Valley Visit us at www.gowithjo.com for complete itineraries Christmas in Mexico and San Miguel (7 Days) Dec. 20, 2025 .........................$TBA (Fly in and Bus out) Monterrey for New Years (3 Days) Dec. 30, 2025 .........................................................$TBA (Prices are per person, double occupancy) MEXICO TOURS Go...With Jo! Tours & Travel We Take Care of You! Hidalgo Festival of Lights (1 Day) Dec. 18, 2025 incl. Dinner & Trolley Ride ..............$79 (Prices are per person) ONE DAY BUS TOURS Hill Country Christmas (3 Days) Dec. TBA, 2025...........................................................$TBA (Prices are per person, double occupancy) U.S. TOURS 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 BRING US ALONG, & THERE’S ALWAYS MORE TO SEE, MORE TO DO Call or Email ads@wintertexantimes.com 956.580.7800 1217 N CONWAY, MISSION Follow us on Facebook.com/ wintertexantimes www.WinterTexanTimes.com FOR ADVERTISING OPPORTUNITIES On the road again Christmas is approaching fast. I will spend Christmas in Central Texas with my children. Right now, I am anxiously awaiting the arrival of my oldest daughter who will arrive from San Miguel Allende, Mexico on December 17th. She is more in touch with my other two children - especially age-wise - and will help me with the decisions as to what would be the best choice for their special Christmas presents. Very definitely we have to have live Christmas greenery in the house for that special Christmas smell. I suppose I better buy some Christmas candles to add to that smell as well. It has actually been quite a few years since we celebrated Christmas in my home. Do you remember when your children were small and they were just positive that Santa Claus would not be able to find them if they were not in their own home? Now everybody is all grown up, living in other cities with their own small children. So here I am “On the road again.” If you are expecting company to visit you, why not introduce them to some of our fantastic museums that tell the history of the Rio Grande Valley. From the Gulf of Mexico up to Rio Grande City and all the way to Kingsville, you will find plenty to keep you busy. Museums and historical locations with markers help us all to appreciate the history of our area. Take time to read the markers. Many of the museums tell the story in both English and Spanish. Your younger visitors will be fascinated with the stories of pirates who tied lanterns to their donkey’s legs and led them up and down the beach at South Padre Island, luring the ships ashore to plunder them of all their treasures. At the other end of the Valley, in Edinburg, you will find a very interesting Museum of South Texas History. My twelve-year-old great nephew was especially intrigued with this museum. And of course, en route to the upper Valley, you could stop off in Weslaco to visit their two museums. If you want something more up to date, there is Space X on the road to Boca Chica. This would probably be a drive by only. Whatever you do and wherever you are enjoy your family, friends and visitors as you build memories of the good times you have as you explore the Rio Grande Valley. For even more sites to see in the Rio Grande Valley, find the Rio Grande Valley Visitors Guide on the Winter Texan Times website. In there you will find plenty of places to visit in whatever area you decide to explore. d r , Museum of South Texas History
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