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 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 Monterrey for New Years (2 Days) Dec. 31, 2025 .........................................................$TBA (Prices are per person, double occupancy) MEXICO TOURS Go...With Jo! Tours & Travel We Take Care of You! MERRY CHRISTMAS & HAPPY NEW YEAR FROM GO...WITH JO! TEAM Hill Country Christmas (3 Days) Dec. TBA, 2025...........................................................$TBA (Prices are per person, double occupancy) U.S. TOURS Valley Star AWARDS SHOW F E B 1 1 2 0 2 6 15th Annual Brought to you by Who will be the 2026 Entertainer of the Year? Find out in person at this year’s Valley Star Awards Show ? SAVE THE DATE Valley Star Awards Show Wednesday, February 11, 2026 Tickets on Sale January 2026 Ballots available January 14, 2026 Have a beautiful and blessed Christmas Time has just flown by. Only two more days and it will be Christmas. And here I am in the Hill Country with my only grandson, his daddy and my two daughters. And of course, on my way to Marble Falls we stopped off in San Antonio to spend the night with my only son who soon will be living back in the Rio Grande Valley. In fact, just five houses down the street from me. It will be good to have family so close. If you have not been to the Hill Country, do stop by on your way in or out of the Valley. Veterans will enjoy visiting Fredericksburg and the Admiral Nimitz Museum where you can view the tanks and artillery that were used in the Second World War. The ladies will find plenty of shops lining the main street. There is a lot to see in this part of Texas. If you missed the Christmas trip to the Hill Country, you missed a real treat in Johnson City. Their county courthouse sits on a full city block just covered with big trees. Every tree will be strung with Christmas lights from the ground up. Last year one lone tree was covered with bright white lights while all the other trees were decorated with electric blue lights. SPECTACULAR! Cars lined up for blocks waiting their turn to circle the square and even vied for space to go around a second time. I wonder what the color scheme will be this year. If you want a different taste of Texas, why not try some of their German cooking. This entire area was settled first by immigrants from Germany so you may still hear some German spoken. You might even add in a visit to a German beer garden or perhaps a visit to nearby Shiner, Texas for a sampling of Shiner Beer, a light mild beer. There is plenty to see and do in our vast beautiful state. Enjoy this special time of the year with family and friends. And have a beautiful and blessed Christmas. WINTER TEXAN TIMES www.wintertexantimes.com DECEMBER 23, 2025 13
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