13 WINTER TEXAN TIMES www.wintertexantimes.com DECEMBER 31, 2025 Happy New Year Christmas has come and gone for those of us who live in the Rio Grande Valley. But some of the world is still waiting for that special day. For some countries gifts are exchanged on January 6 or Three Kings Day for that is recognized as the day that the Wise Men arrived with their gifts for the Christ Child. All countries seem to have their own customs. For instance, at one time the custom in Holland was for the children to leave their wooden shoes out to receive their gifts. I am sure that if I had grown up in Holland, I would have looked for the biggest pair of wooden shoes that I could find. Certainly, a pair of stockings hung on the chimney can hold more than small wooden shoes. I wonder if it is still custom in Holland to put the shoes out to receive the gifts. Let me know if you know the answer to that question. Different countries celebrate Christmas in different ways, but many do exchange gifts. Exchanging gifts at Christmas time probably stems back to the time when God sent his son as his gift to us. Then along came St. Nicholas who believed in giving gifts for the less fortunate and so was born Santa Claus. We have so many gifts that we should be thankful for. I thank each and every one of you who are visiting our Rio Grande Valley. Your gift to us is the gift of sharing that you bring to this part of Texas. You share so much of your culture, your love for each other, and for those who are less fortunate. Thank you. Have a beautiful and blessed New Year. I look forward to seeing many of you on my trips this coming year. I am very busy trying to get all the contracts in place so watch for the next issue. Surely by then I will have all the dates and prices. Happy New Year! The park will host their First Day Hike on News Year’s Day with a guided hike at 9 a.m. or a self-guided hike activity is available at Resaca Vieja Trail Head from 8:30 to 11 a.m. Bird walks are held every Friday and Saturday at 8:30 a.m. (except January 2). Fire building 101 will be held on Saturday, January 17, at 5:30 p.m. Our Night Sky will be on Saturday, January 17 at 7:30 p.m. The following activities require reservations. A birding tram tour will be held on Thursday, January 8 and 22 at 9 a.m. There will be a Night Ride on Friday, January 9, at 5:30 p.m. The Winter Speaker Series will be held on Wednesday, January 14 and 21 at 6 p.m. On Sunday, January 18, you can attend a Knots for Everyday Use class at 2 p.m. Fishing for Beginners will be held on Saturday, January 31 from 1 to 4 p.m. Please call ahead to confirm program schedule and details at (956) 584-9156. Bentsen-RGV State Park is located at 2800 S. Bentsen Palm Dr. In Mission. Park grounds are open from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. Tram transportation service is available from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tram leaves from headquarters on the hour. BENTSEN RGV From pg. 6 - 0 r w - - - d l d t s - e e - o / y STHS Behavioral to highlight importance of mind-body connection at webinar The mind-body connection is vital for overall health because your thoughts, emotions and behaviors directly influence physical health, and your physical state affects mental well-being. “It’s a powerful, two-way link that communicates through complex systems like hormones, neurotransmitters and the nervous system,” says Leticia Sosa, MSSW, LCSW, LCDC-I., KAP, CLYL, EMDR Therapist, Director of Outpatient Services, South Texas Health System Behavioral. “The mind-body connection impacts everything from stress response to mood and overall vitality, benefiting everything from sleep to chronic disease management.” The principle behind holistic health, nurturing this link between the mind and body through practices like mindfulness, physical activity and healthy habits helps improve resilience while reducing inflammation and fostering better health outcomes. Unfortunately, chronic negative emotions have been linked with a number of health problems, including heart disease, high blood pressure and immune dysfunction. While about 80% of U.S. adults recognize the link between mental and physical health, according to Mental Health America, translating that awareness into holistic wellness remains a challenge. “Many people have difficulty understanding the mind-body connection because it feels abstract to them, making it harder to visualize than physical connections like our bones,” says Sosa. “But it’s scientifically proven, with research showing literal brain links between movement, thought and involuntary functions.” Restoring the mind-body connection is crucial to your overall health because it allows you to recognize stress signals early, manage chronic pain while enhancing mental clarity and boosting overall resilience. Ultimately, it allows you to foster a more holistic approach to well-being through practices like mindfulness, yoga, and breathwork. To help South Texas residents better understand how thoughts, emotions and physical health are deeply intertwined, STHS Behavioral will dedicate its latest Let’s Talk Your Mental Health webinar to the mind-body connection. Broadcast live via South Texas Health System’s Facebook page, from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m., on Thursday, January 1, 2026, the online seminar will offer practical tools to help reduce stress, improve emotional balance, and support overall wellness through mindful awareness and intentional self-care. During the online seminar, Sosa will highlight ways to integrate physical care with mental practices to improve overall health, including leveraging activities, creative outlets and social connection, as well as learning to set boundaries to reduce overwhelm and build resilience. For more information on the webinar, visit the STHS Facebook Events page. If you’d like to view previous Let’s Talk Mental Health seminars, visit https://www.sthsletstalk.com/mental-health/.
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