Del Rio Grande 0519

MAY 2019

Family, faith and fighting Mussel Mama keeps lake safe VVRMC staff helps moms-to-be MAY 2019

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GRANDE / MAY 2019

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GRANDE / MAY 2019

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GRANDE / MAY 2019

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FROM THE EDITOR Moms Rule!

PUBLISHER Sandra Castillo EDITOR Karen Gleason WRITERS AND PHOTOGRAPHERS Brian Argabright Xochitl Arteaga Karen Gleason Raul G. Hurtado III Alicia Jimenez Antonio Morales Atzimba Morales ADVERTISING Xochitl Arteaga Alicia Jimenez PRODUCTION Jorge Alarcon

Roland Cardenas Antonio Morales EDITORIAL karen.gleason@delrionewsherald.com 830-775-1551, Ext. 247 ADVERTISING sandra.castillo@delrionewsherald.com 830-775-1551, Ext. 250 STORY IDEAS karen.gleason@delrionewsherald.com

2205 North Bedell Avenue • Del Rio, TX 78840 delrionewsherald.com Del Rio Grande is published by the Del Rio News-Herald.

No portion may be reproduced in whole or in part by any means, including electronic retrieval systems, without written permission of the publisher. Editorial content does not necessarily reflect the opinions of the publisher of this magazine.

Editorial and advertising does not constitute advice but is considered informative.

After my son Tim was born in January 1983, I spent only a few weeks at home with him before going back to work.

I was a nervous mother, I’ll be the first to admit it, so I rushed back to “the devil I knew” as quickly as I could. In retrospect, I believe I should probably have taken a sabbatical from work.

As the years progressed, I did take Tim to work with me whenever possible. Mike took him along to his job as well, and so he was able to learn things at our sides that he might otherwise have never been exposed to.

This helped us, too, because when it was time for Tim to attend school, we equated this with his “having a job.”

“We all have to work hard at our jobs and do our best every day,” was the lesson Mike and I both tried to impart, and since Tim saw us working hard at our jobs, it always seemed that he was working hard at his as well.

I think one of the best things a parent can do for her child is to model what it is to follow one’s passion, whatever that may be, and we have certainly found some examples of that for this issue of Grande.

May is of course the month in which we celebrate Mother’s Day, and here at Grande, we have begun a tradition of using this issue of the magazine to celebrate not only moms, but many of the other strong women who have made our little community the very special place that it is.

In this issue, writer Brian Argabright gives us a peek into the life of Del Rioan Linda Ceballos, a mother of two young sons, who has taken up competitive boxing.

Our newest writer, Atzimba Morales, took a tour of Val Verde Regional Medical Center’s women’s center, which the VVRMC offers to expectant moms and dads in an effort to help them be more comfortable when the “birthday” arrives.

Since May is also graduation month and since a mother’s most important job is readying her child(ren) for the grown-up life, we decided to shoot portraits of several mothers and their graduating sons and daughters and listen to the words they had for each other.

We hope you’ll take some time to honor the mother or mothers in your life this month, and, as always, hope you enjoy.

Happy Mother’s Day Karen Gleason Del Rio Grande Editor

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GRANDE / MAY 2019

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CONTENTS 8

CALENDAR

Keep busy this month at these local events.

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FAMILY, FAITH & FIGHTING

Mom Linda Ceballos takes up competitive boxing.

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MOMS AND GRADS

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PROUD HISTORY

Cinco de Mayo commemorates Mexico’s Battle of Puebla.

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CELEBRATING CINCO Three days of festivities planned at Brown Plaza.

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GIFTS FOR MOM

Mothers and graduating seniors have some words.

Mom will love these Mother’s Day presents.

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MONDAY MORNING SOCIAL Moms, kids relax at weekly community garden event.

CHILES RELLENOS

Traditional dish served with a seafood twist.

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MARGARITA FOR MOM Make this party favorite your own.

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CLOSET CONFIDENTIAL Juanita Robles is this month’s most stylish mom.

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MUSSEL MAMA

Del Rioan Joanny Guindin blooms where she was planted.

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OH, BABY!

VVRMC offers maternity ward tours for moms (and dads)-to-be

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LAST LOOK

Writer/photographer Brian Argabright wraps up the issue.

ON THE COVER: Del Rioan Linda Ceballos is the mother of two active boys, and she has also recently begun training toward her goal of becoming one of the city’s next competitive female boxers. Here, she trains at her home gym, the No Quit Boxing Club, owned and managed by Salvador and Karina Pascacio. Photo by Raul G. Hurtado III. 6

GRANDE / MAY 2019

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MAY CALENDAR Keep busy this month at these fun local events

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MAY 3 – 31 SPRINGFEST • GALLERY OPENING 7 P.M. MAY 3 DEL RIO COUNCIL FOR THE ARTS FIREHOUSE GALLERY• 120 E. GARFIELD AVE. The Del Rio Council for the Arts presents Springfest, previously known as the Del Rio Art League’s annual judged show. The show will be judged by an impartial juror chosen by the Del Rio Council for the Arts. Cash prizes will be awarded for first place in categories including oil, acrylic, watercolor, pastel, mixed media, fiber arts, drawings and prints and ceramic and sculptures.

MAY 3 – 5 PACHANGA IN THE PATIO • 6 P.M. TO MIDNIGHT CASA DE LA CULTURA • 302 CANTU ST. The Casa’s neighbors at the Brown Plaza Association will be hosting the annual Cinco de Mayo festivities May 3-5. Music, art and crafts vendors, kids’ art corner, tamales, gorditas, brisket tacos and so much more. A place for you to sit and enjoy the festivities.

MAY 18 VAL VERDE REGIONAL MEDICAL CENTER 60 YEARS OF CARING CELEBRATION 801 BEDELL AVE. • 3 P.M. – 7 P.M. Val Verde Regional Medical Center celebrates 60 years of caring for the Del Rio community. Join the hospital staff on the oak lawn outside the facility for barbecue, a history walk, a tour of the hospital and more.

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MAY 18 REMEMBRANCE AND AWARENESS MARCH RUDY’S COUNTRY STORE • 330 BRADDIE DRIVE 8 A.M. – NOON A march to remember and honor persons who have died while serving in the U.S. Armed Forces and to raise awareness of the high rates of suicide among veterans. Sponsored by the Val Verde County Veterans Service Office, Texas Veterans Commission and the Veterans Coalition of Del Rio. Featuring mental health information, a remembrance table and food and drinks for participants.

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GRANDE / MAY 2019

MAY 18 5-MINUTE BREAD • 10 A.M. DEL RIO COMMUNITY GARDEN• 210 JONES ST. Local chef and educator Adan Cortez will teach the public how to make delicious homemade bread in only five minutes at this educational cooking class, part of the Del Rio Parks Foundation’s 2018-2019 Education Series.

MAY 31 OPERATION GRADUATION• DEL RIO CIVIC CENTER 11:45 P.M. – 6 A.M. JUNE 1 An all-night-long alcohol- and substance-free party for graduating high school seniors. Food, desserts and beverages provided at no cost.

Games and prizes throughout the night. Only seniors are eligible to win prizes, but seniors may bring up to two guests for a fee of $5 apiece.

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Family, Faith & Fighting Local mom finds balance, peace inside boxing ring Story by BRIAN ARGABRIGHT; photos by BRIAN ARGABRIGHT and RAUL G. HURTADO III

W

hat does a mother of two with a full-time job do when she wants to unwind? In Linda Ceballos’ case, she looks to punch people in the face.

Luckily for the majority of Del Rioans, Ceballos’ punching prowess is on display only inside a boxing ring under the watchful eye of her coaches and fellow fighters, most of whom she is older than.

“Boxing helps me with stress. Inside that ring is my getaway place. It’s my ‘me’ time. I don’t drink, though I’ll have some wine on occasion, and I don’t go out and go to the club. (Boxing) is my fun time,” Ceballos said.

Ceballos, 29, didn’t begin boxing until close to three years ago. Before then, she lived what many would call a normal life. She worked, and still does work, at J’s Beauty and Barber Shop and was mom to two active boys – Demetrius Childs, 6, and Lionel Palacios, 3.

Growing up, Ceballos was never the kind of person to just to stay home. She said she always had to be active. She played softball, was a member of the Air Force Junior ROTC unit at Del Rio High School and was a member of the Rage Color Guard in the Mighty Ram Band. Her initial plans for life after high school focused on a career

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Local boxer Linda Ceballos works the heavy bag at the No Quit Boxing Club’s gym.

Ceballos, a mother of two, has been boxing for nearly three years.

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Linda Ceballos is joined in the ring at the No Quit Boxing Club’s gym by her sons Lionel Palacios, left, 3; and Demetrious Childs, 6.

in the military, but her mother talked her out of that idea.

“When I was looking at what I was going to do after high school, I thought about different things. I even thought about being a math teacher because I liked math, but becoming a stylist … I never thought I would do that. I never paid attention to hair when I was growing up. Now, the boy in me loves to be a barber.

I’d say about 95 percent of my clientele are men. To me, it’s like a form of art,” Ceballos said.

After Ceballos became pregnant with her first, she

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said she gained a lot of weight, but because she said she wanted to have another child eventually, she didn’t focus on losing the weight.

“I’ve always been thick,” Ceballos said. “After my second son was born I knew I wasn’t going to have any more kids, so I got into the mentality of working out. I created my own home gym, so I could look after my boys, and started losing weight. I went from 198 pounds to 125 pounds in a year.”

With the weight gone, now Ceballos looked for ways to keep the weight off.

“I got bored just being at home. I looked for ways to help keep fit. I played flag football and kickball, but then I wanted to try boxing. It was something I always wanted to do, even when I was younger,” Ceballos said.

Ceballos reached out to local boxing coaches Salvador and Karina Pascacio and began training with them out of their home. But even after she began her trek towards a life in the ring, her plans were put on hold as she decided to take part in an ACTS Retreat through her church.

That delayed her plans to begin fully training for several months, but once she started her regimen again she was determined to see it through to the end.

“I’m the first older girl they’d trained.

Karina was very excited for me, and she’s looking forward to me having my first fight,” Ceballos said. “I need to drop some more weight, though. I want to get down to 140, so I have about 10 pounds to go.”

Karina Pascacio said Ceballos’ work in the ring attracts everyone in the gym.

“She has a heart. She comes and works out. When she spars everyone just watches because she yells at the other fighter, ‘Hit me harder!’ and everyone is just shocked,” Pascacio said. “She listens.

Everything you tell her she does it. And it’s a challenge because she’s a mom, but whenever she can come, she does. For a woman like her, around her age, with kids, it’s kind of hard, and if they do it they don’t go hard or they don’t really show they want to be there, especially when they get hit in the face. She sparred with my daughter, and my daughter is tough.”

“The first time I got hit in the face I didn’t know what to expect. It was something brand new to me. Now, I don’t even pay attention to the hits. I have to pay attention to my opponent, what to throw and my footwork. When I get hit, it just gives me motivation to train harder and learn how to dodge those hits,” Ceballos said.

Ceballos already has her fans. She said her sister thinks what she’s doing is cool, and her co-workers are already planning

Linda Ceballos, 29, said she had an active lifestyle when she was younger, playing softball, being a part of the Air Force Junior ROTC unit at Del Rio High School and participating with the Rage Color Guard as part of the Mighty Ram Band.

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Linda Ceballos works on her skills with Karina Pascacio, one of the coaches at the No Quit Boxing Club’s gym.

Ceballos began working with Pascacio nearly three years ago when No Quit was first operating out of Pascacio’s home.

Linda Ceballos, right, takes part in a sparring session at the No Quit Boxing Club’s gym. At age 29, Ceballos is one of the older boxers at the gym, but said she isn’t treated any differently by her fellow fighters and her coaches. She said she took up boxing to help maintain her fitness after losing nearly 75 pounds following the birth of her second son.

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on getting T-shirts and being there en masse to cheer her on at her first fight.

“At first we were kind of shocked she was doing this. It takes a lot of courage to get in the ring, but Linda’s the kind of person who can do anything once she puts her mind to it,” Ceballos’ boss, Jay Reyna, said. “We’ve already told her to let us know when she fights because we’ll be there in full force, supporting her. We already gave her a nickname, ‘La Perrita Wow Wow.’ We thought it was funny at first because she’s small, and people might underestimate her of that, but they shouldn’t because she’s tough and she doesn’t back down.”

There’s no timetable for Ceballos’ first fight, but her coach believes it will happen sooner than later.

“I think she’s ready … she just needs to drop a little weight. I want her to get fit, both physically and mentally so she can feel good about herself. I want her to go in there with confidence. I give her about two more months. She’s close, but it’s gonna take some time,” Pascacio said. •

TOP: Family and faith are the top priorities for local boxer Linda Ceballos, pictured at Brown Plaza with her sons Lionel Palacios, 3, and Demetrious Childs, 6. Ceballos took time away from boxing to take part in an ACTS retreat at her church, but has been dedicated to the sport ever since.

CENTER: Being a hair stylist/barber has been Linda Ceballos’ full-time job for nearly a decade. She said the support she has received from her co-workers at J’s Beauty and Barber Shop has been key in everything she’s done, especially her boxing career.

Pictured with Ceballos is the J’s team including owner Jay Reyna (seated), Dominic Perez, Jimmy Olivarez, Ross Manglona, Raul Barragan and Celina Wheeler.

BOTTOM: Linda Ceballos gives Julian Garcia, 11 months, his first haircut while parents Johnathan Garcia and Juanita Vasquez look on and help keep Julian calm.

Ceballos, who has been working as a stylist/ barber for nearly a decade, said she looks at cutting hair as a form of art.

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Into the World

Margil Piña Jr.: “Thank you, from the bottom of my heart, for always being there for me and with me through every hardship, for every class, for every last minute of studying and for being a great mother to both her boys who love her with all their hearts.”

Rosy Piña: “Stick to God. Whatever you do in life, I just want for you to be happy and always stay close to God.”

MARGIL & ROSA PIÑA

Isabelle Gonzalez: “She is either my best friend or worst enemy- there is no in between.”

ISABELLE & STEPHANIE GONZALEZ

Stephanie Gonzalez: “Isabelle, no matter how hard life gets, you’ll always have your mom.”

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Wesley Smith: “All the ups and downs are going to be worth it.”

Aracely Smith: “My son, as your mom I cannot find the words to express how blessed I am to have raised you. You are about to start a new chapter in your life, you will face new challenges but within you are the tools to succeed.”

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WESLEY & ARACELY SMITH

Nadia Martinez: “My mom is my best friend. She supports me in everything I do and loves me unconditionally.”

NADIA & CYNTHIA MARTINEZ

Cynthia Martinez: “Nadia, let the love of God drive you throughout your endeavors and remember that He is always going to give you the strength to set you down the right path of life.

I love you.”

Norma Garza: “Jesli … I love you, I’m very proud of you and I know you are going to succeed in life.”

Jesli Garza: “Mom, I love you, and I’m thankful for all the support and love you have given me.”

NORMA & JESLI GARZA

Seth English: “I can’t thank my mother enough for being this pure and kind hearted ,and I had the true privilege of being raised by someone so perfect like her.”

Laura English:

SETH & LAURA ENGLISH

“Seth— If you are willing to do what is hard now, your life will be very easy. Listen to your heart and follow your dreams and more importantly, always remember that my love is unconditional. I am so proud of you, and I love you with all my heart.”

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Brianna Venegas: “Mom, I am so thankful for everything you have done for me & taught me. I hope you know that wherever life takes me, I will always be your baby girl.”

Colleen Venegas: Congratulations my love on your upcoming graduation! I want you to know how extremely proud of you I am. Always remember no matter how old you get you will always be my one and only baby girl. Momma always loves you.”

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BRIANNA & COLLEEN VENEGAS

Yvette Valenzuela: “Muchas felicidades en tu graduacion. Te amo, eres el mejor regalo que Dios nos dio.”

Cesar Valenzuela:

YVETTE & CESAR VALENZUELA

“You’ve made me the person I am today. I couldn’t live without you, Mom. Thank you and I love you.”

Matthew Gillis, 13, a resident of Arizona, folds a paper airplane, during a recent Monday Morning Social at the Del Rio Community Garden.

Play Date Monday Morning Social provides safe space for moms, kids Story and photos by KAREN GLEASON

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E

arly morning sunlight filters down through the new green leaves of a tall pecan tree growing just inside the fence of the Del Rio Community Garden. A spring breeze moves gently over the garden from the southeast, setting the branches of an orange bush at the garden’s entrance to dancing The voices of young children rise into the clear morning air as they play a game that seems to be a combination of hide-and-seek, chase-me and kingof-the-castle as they clamber on the garden’s artistic stack of colored old tires and run up and down its wide pathways.

A group of mothers watches indulgently from their seats along a picnic table near the center of the garden.

“

“

Since it’s the community garden, we try to utilize recycled materials whenever we can.

The mothers and their children have come to the community garden, maintained by the Del Rio Parks Foundation, to participate in the garden’s Monday Morning Social, a time for mothers and their young children to visit and bond in a safe and beautiful setting.

The social begins about 10 a.m. every Monday at the garden, located at 210 Jones St., about a block southeast of the city’s historic Brown Plaza.

The garden is fenced and contains several play stations for children, including the tire “mountain,” a

Shauna Schreiber shows her twoand-a-half-year-old daughter Addy how to glue paper flowers onto a ribbon to make a flower mobile.

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Norma Jaime and her three-year-old son Carlos pick crayons to use for their colored paper flowers.

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sandbox and a small playhouse. There are also toy trucks, buckets and shovels with which the youngsters enjoy busying themselves.

Shauna Schreiber and her two-anda-half-year-old daughter Addy are among the moms and kids here on this April morning.

Today, Schreiber has brought along a craft for the mothers and children to do, creating a mobile of colored paper flowers.

Schreiber and Addy and Sabrina Beltran and her three-year-old daughter Serena and Norma Jaime and her three-year-old son Carlos sit at one of the garden’s picnic tables, and the youngsters begin coloring white paper flowers in a rainbow of hues.

Once they are done, the moms help their little ones glue the colorful flowers to green ribbons affixed to pieces of construction paper curled over the bottom of white plastic hangers.

The glue is given a moment to dry and viola, a flower mobile ready for display.

The youngsters quickly lose interest in the project, as children will do, and immediately involve themselves in another chasing game.

Schreiber said the group tries to do a craft every other week, noting they have made sunflowers from paper and butterflies from recycled bottles.

“Since it’s the community garden, we try to utilize recycled materials whenever we can,” Schreiber said.

Schreiber said she and Addy began coming to the Monday Morning Social “because it sounded like a lot of fun, and it was out in the fresh air.”

Jaime, who is from Laredo and whohas been coming to the Social with her son for about a year, agreed.

“I’m new to Del Rio, so I needed socialization, and Carlos needed socialization. I also wanted him to have time away from the TV and technology,” she said.

Now, Jaime said, her son enjoys the event as much as she does.

“When we don’t come, he’ll ask me, ‘Mom, are we going to the garden today?’” Jaime said. •

Sabrina Beltran helps her daughter Serena, 3, color paper flowers, the first step in creating a colorful flower mobile, one of the crafts for moms and kids at the Monday Morning Social.

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Photo by Texas Parks and Wildlife Department Mexican General Ignacio Seguin Zaragoza, the leader of the Mexican army at the Battle of Puebla, is memorialized in a bronze statue outside his birthplace in present-day Goliad, Texas. When Zaragoza was born, the area was part of the Mexico state of Coahuila y Tejas. His mother was a cousin of Juan Seguin, who became a hero of the Texas Revolution.

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CINCO DE MAYO Cinco de Mayo marks historic battle in Mexico’s history Story by KAREN GLEASON

F

or many Del Rioans and many Americans, Cinco de Mayo is simply a party, a chance to drink a few beers, listen to music and enjoy some Mexican food.

But south of Rio Grande, the fifth of May is much more than an opportunity to fiesta. In Mexico, the fifth of May is remembered as the anniversary of the 1862 Battle of Puebla, a day on which rag-tag Mexican troops showed their courage and passion in the face of a better-trained and better-equipped enemy.

“For Mexico, this is a very important date, a civic celebration, because at that time the French Army was the most powerful army in the world, and in the Battle of Puebla, Mexico won,” said Nirce A Gómez Hernández, cultural affairs attache for the Mexican Consulate in Del Rio. The general who led the Mexican Army to victory was named Ignacio Seguin Zaragoza, who was born in the settlement of Bahiá de Espiritu Santu, at that time part of the Mexican state of Coahuila y Tejas. Zaragoza’s birthplace is near modern-day Goliad, Texas, Gómez said.

According to a brochure published by the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department, Zaragoza “was born to a military family at Presidio la Bahiá in 1829, only eight years after Mexico won its

independence from Spain.”

“Thirty-three years later, Mexico was once again fighting for its independence – this time from France. Zaragoza, now a general in the Mexican army, was at the center of that struggle,” the brochure reads.

“The importance of the battle was this: At that time, the president of Mexico was Benito Juarez, and Mexico had just come out of an internal war called La Guerra de Reforma (the War of Reformation), between the liberals and conservatives in Mexico, and the country was divided,” Gómez said.

“Zaragoza led an outnumbered, outgunned volunteer militia of farmers and merchants against a superior French army. He inspired his troops with the words, ‘Your foes are the first soldiers of the world, but you are the first sons of Mexico,’” the TP&WD brochure reads.

“The Mexican Army was just the people,” Gómez said. “The French were a professional army, better trained, with better equipment, but the Mexicans fought with courage, heart and passion. We won that battle, but later the war was lost, and the French occupation of Mexico began.”

“The is a celebration of our heritage, the Mexican heritage, and we really appreciate that in

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want to thank the Brown Plaza Association, who organize the the United States that people also take this day to celebrate the Cinco de Mayo celebration in Del Rio each year and allow us to Mexican heritage,” she added. speak about the history of this interesting and important event,” “Remembering the Battle of Puebla is important because it Gómez said. celebrates the passion of the Mexican people,” Gómez said. “They Gómez said in a department of Mexico City, San Juan de Aragón, wanted to defend Mexico, and they wanted it to stay Mexico, not be where her mother was born, a famous re-enactment of the Battle of part of the French Empire.”

Puebla is held each year.

Gomez said it is important to know that Cinco de Mayo does In 2005, the U.S. Congress issued a concurrent resolution not celebrate Mexico’s Independence Day. That celebration comes “recognizing the later in the year, on dies historical significance of y seis de septiembre, the the Mexican holiday of 16th of September.

Cinco de Mayo.”

“There is a phrase “Whereas, the Cinco that General Zaragoza de Mayo holiday is not said to our president, only the commemoration Benito Juarez, at that of the rout of the French time, and that is, ‘Las troops at the town of armas nacionales Puebla in Mexico, but cubierto de gloria,’ and is also a celebration of the translation is, ‘The the virtues of individual national army has been courage and patriotism covered in glory,’ and I of all Mexicans and remember this phrase Mexican-Americans who from my childhood in have fought for freedom Mexican schools,” Gómez and independence against said. foreign aggressors,” the Gómez said the day resolution reads. remembering the historic It adds that “Cinco de battle is commemorated, Mayo serves as a reminder with ceremonies in that the foundation of the schools and City Halls United States is built by throughout Mexico. people from many nations Zaragoza died of and diverse cultures who typhoid fever a few are willing to fight and months after the Battle of die for freedom,” and “as Puebla. In that same year, a reminder of the close 1862, Juarez proclaimed spiritual and economic Cinco de Mayo a national ties between the people of holiday.

Photo by Karen Gleason Mexico and the people of The Texas Legislature Mexico Consul Carlos Obrador waves while taking part in the 2018 Cinco de Mayo Parade. Both Mexico and the United States celebrate Cinco de Mayo. The U.S. Congress the United States. . .” in 1992 designated The resolution closes Zaragoza’s birthplace in passed a concurrent resolution in 2005 “recognizing the historical significance of the Mexican holiday of Cinco de Mayo.” with these words: “In a Goliad as “the official site larger sense, Cinco de for Cinco de Mayo.”

Mayo symbolizes the In 1980, the people of right of a free people to self-determination, just as Benito Juarez Puebla donated a bronze statue of Zaragoza, on horseback, wearing once said, ‘El respeto al derecho ajeno es la paz,’ (‘The respect of his trademark spectacles and pointing toward victory, to the state other people’s rights is peace.’)” of Texas for display at the Zaragoza Birthplace State Historic Site The resolution “calls upon the people of the United States in Goliad. to observe Cinco de Mayo with appropriate ceremonies and “For us, this is an important moment in Mexico’s heritage, and activities.” • we appreciate the celebrations that are held here. We especially

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GRANDE / MAY 2019

Painting by Francisco P. Miranda This 1872 painting shows Mexican troops defeating French forces in the Battle of Puebla. Several months after the Mexican victory in the battle, Mexico President Benito Juarez announced a national holiday, “Battle of Puebla Day,� would be celebrated in Mexico on the

GRANDE / MAY 2019

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Children from a school in Ciudad Acuña, Coah., Mexico sing the “Himno Nacional Mexicano,” the national anthem of Mexico, at the start of 2018 Cinco de Mayo festivities at Brown Plaza.

Celebrating

Cinco de Mayo Mexican commemoration morphs into a Texas fiesta Story and photos by KAREN GLEASON

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F

or three days during the first week in May, Del Rio’s historic Brown Plaza will come alive with the sights and smells of the annual Cinco de Mayo celebration.

The festivities begin Friday, May 3, said Dolores Martinez, president of the Brown Plaza Association, the organization that plans and carries out the event.

Martinez said this year’s event will again begin with a Cinco de Mayo parade at 6:30 p.m. to 7 p.m. The parade is set to start at San Felipe and West Garza streets and ends at Brown Plaza.

Opening ceremonies are scheduled for to begin shortly after 7 p.m. at the plaza.

“

We always try to have a little bit of everything in our music, too, norteño, country, tejano, mariachi, so there’s something for everyone.

“

“By this time, food is being sold, and vendors will be on the plaza starting at 4 p.m.,” Martinez said.

The opening ceremonies generally include participation by representatives of the Mexican consulate in Del Rio and from a number of organizations and schools from Ciudad Acuña, Coah., Mexico.

Following opening ceremonies is the Miss Cinco de Mayo Pageant, during which Mrs. Cinco de Mayo will crown one of seven young women who will help represent the celebration and the Brown Plaza Association at a variety of events in the year ahead.

Martinez said the naming of Mrs.

Brown Plaza Association members are again preparing for this year’s Cinco de Mayo festivities. The association includes, from left, front row, Ronnie Soto, President Dolores Martinez and Jose Maria Martinez; back row, Mario Esquivel, Secretary Priscilla Andrea Martinez, Claudia Esquivel and Vice President Roland Andrade. Not pictured are Treasurer Alanna Talamantez, Gloria Castañeda, Julie Alfaro, Marcelo Almaguer, Mari Sandoval, Patty Palafox, Jose Silva, Angie Sanchez, Gus Alcala, Blanca Coronado, Victor Coronado, Syria Ramirez and Sergio Diaz.

Left: The 2018-2019 Mrs. Cinco de Mayo Maria Martinez, president and chief executive officer of Border Federal Credit Union, rides in the Cinco de Mayo Parade. Center: The 2018 Miss Val Verde Teen Andrea Mota wears a spring green traditional dress decorated with colored ribbon accents as she rides in the 2018 Cinco de Mayo Parade. Right: The 2018 Lil Miss Val Verde Sophia Carolina Cardenas waves to fans in the 2018 Cinco de Mayo Parade. This year’s parade will begin at San Felipe and Garza streets and end at the Brown Plaza.

GRANDE / MAY 2019

35

Contestants in the 2018 Miss Cinco de Mayo Pageant pose with Mrs. Cinco de Mayo Maria Martinez. From left, Rebecca Zavala, Jennifer Elias, Monic Ortiz, Berenice Saldivar, Martinez, Jazzlyn Castañeda, Danielle Sifuentes and Maria Gonzalez.

Top: Lily Gonzalez, the 2018 Junior Miss Del Rio, has red, white and green ribbons braided into her hair and wears a matching traditional dress in white with red and green accents as she rides in the 2018 Cinco de Mayo Parade.

Center: The 2018 Miss Cinco de Mayo Junior Arissa Suday, 10, is decked out in ribbons and an intricately embroidered traditional dress as she rides in the Cinco de Mayo Parade at the start of the 2018. Cinco de Mayo festivities.

Bottom: The 2018 Junior Miss Val Verde Carolyn Michelle Leija strikes a pose as she rides in the 2018 Cinco de Mayo Parade.

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GRANDE / MAY 2019

Cinco de Mayo will be the first event leading up to the three-day Cinco de Mayo festivities. Mrs. Cinco de Mayo was named on April 18.

The Miss Cinco de Mayo candidates participated in a freezemodeling event on April 26.

Martinez said this year’s pageant will feature contestants in several age categories: Little Miss, 3 to 6 years old; Junior Miss, 7 to 12 years old; Miss Teen, 13 to 15 years old; and Miss, 16 to 18 years old.

The first night of the Cinco de Mayo celebration at Del Rio’s historic Brown Plaza will also feature music by Mariachi Relampago of Eagle Pass.

Saturday’s Cinco de Mayo events start will DJ music at 3 p.m.

Vendor booths are slated to be open at 3 p.m. as well.

“Raspa King will be having a display of their new rolled ice cream between 3 p.m. and 4 p.m., and they will be giving free samples,” Martinez said.

The Casa De La Cultura’s troop of folkloric dancers will perform at 6:15 p.m. to 7:15 p.m.

The band Tejano Heat, a Del Rio group specializing in tejano music, is scheduled to perform beginning at 7:45 p.m. to 9:45 p.m.

Lucero Del Bravo, a local group performing norteño music, will be playing at 9:45 p.m. to 11:30 p.m.

On Sunday, May 5, DJ music will begin at 2 p.m.

At 3:30 p.m., Texas Roots Revival, a Del Rio country and western band, is slated to perform, Martinez said.

They will be followed by Del Rio High School’s Mariachi Media

Brown Plaza History

Among the guests of honor at the 2018 Miss Cinco de Mayo Pageant were these three queens, from left, 2018 Miss Val Verde Ashley Villarreal, 2018 Miss Val Verde Teen Andrea Mota and 2018 Miss Queen City Andrea Padilla.

Noche.

A San Angelo group, Dzendenci, a group of norteño music, will begin performing at 5:45 p.m. on May 5.

“Our headliner is Elida Reyna y Avante, out of San Antonio, will begin performing about 8:15 p.m., and she will play until 10:15 p.m.,” Martinez said.

“We will be closing early on Sunday, at 10:30 p.m.,” she added.

Martinez said the association has made no plans yet for an alternate site in case of inclement weather.

“Every year, we want to impress people with different things to enjoy.

As you can see, we have some different things this year, such as the rolled ice cream demonstration. We want to attract people to come to Del Rio and to the Brown Plaza and show what we have here in Del Rio,” Martinez said.

“We always try to have a little bit of everything in our music, too, norteño, country, tejano, mariachi, so there’s something for everyone,” she said.

Martinez said working on the celebration every year is a labor of love.

“For me, working on this celebration comes from my heart. I love my Del Rio. I’m from Del Rio, born and raised in the San Felipe area. The Calle Guillen (Guillen Street) is named after my grandmother, and we lived only a few blocks from where the celebration takes place every year,” Martinez said.

She said this year the association will place a poster detailing the history of the Brown Plaza’s most prominent feature, the kiosko – bandstand – in the plaza’s center. The sign was donated by County Commissioner Pct. 1 Martin Wardlaw and the Wardlaw family. •

The year 1908 was when San Felipe was given a new stucco building to replace an old frame school house, and it was also the year Brown Plaza came into existence.

Mr. G. W. Brown, the first county and district clerk, who served from 1886-1904, was a landowner who saw the need for a recreational center. He donated land with the expressed purpose that it be converted into a plaza or square for the community and Mr. Brown still has descendants living close to the plaza.

Leveling of the land for the plaza began with the approach of Cinco de Mayo, which marks Mexico’s defeat of France in the Battle of Puebla.

Cinco de Mayo, as well as the dieciseis de septiembre had been celebrated on the school grounds up until 1906, then moved to a vacant space in the 500 block of Garza Street.

With the donation of land, the community had a permanent location.

Construction of the first kiosko, or bandstand, large enough to accommodate six to eight people was awarded to Don Jesus Zapata, a carpenter by trade, as well as a musician.

Brown Plaza was inaugurated with a ceremony on Cinco de Mayo to express gratitude to the donor of the plaza, which to this day still carries the name “G.W. Brown Plaza.”

Plaza Brown did more than unite the community: It became the center of attraction, where friends would meet and new ones were made.

Families would come to promenade around in the old Spanish custom of bringing news of the day, a new era in the community of San Felipe.

The original kiosko was later remodeled and painted, and it was later removed and replaced with another one.

Doña Lucinda Gonzalez was responsible for building sidewalks around the plaza, which were constructed by Don Fidencio Cuellar and Don Jesus Garza.

The Camara de Comercio Mexicana from that era was responsible for the appearance of the plaza as it is today. It was remodeled by that organization in 1930.

Don Jesus Perez and his brothers made the forms, and Juan Guanajuato made the masonry.

The Brown Plaza is under the jurisdiction of the Brown Plaza Association.

The sign was donated by County Commissioner Martin Wardlaw and family in 2019. The history was written by Brown Plaza Association members in 2019.

GRANDE / MAY 2019

37

Gifts for Mom

Gorgeous bracelets featuring May’s birthstone, emerald, make a special gift for your Mom, mother-in-law, grandma or the woman who mothered you. Pick one up at Zales Jewelry in the Plaza Del Sol Mall.

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GRANDE / MAY 2019

Let Bath & Body Works in Plaza Del Sol Mall create a gift basket for your stellar mom. Included in this one are a home fragrance unit, scented candle, foaming hand soap, hand and body lotion and fine fragrance mist, all in the company’s new Rose Water & Ivy scent.

Indulge Mom with sets of bath bombs from Bealls. Available in relaxing scents like vanilla almond, lavender vanilla and berry blossom.

Treat a special Mom to this gold drop magenta statement necklace from wildly popular Texas designer Kendra Scott. Necklace and matching earrings are available at Russell True Value.

For the Mom with an edge: Gift a set of Ed Hardy perfumes in Ed Hardy for women, Hearts & Daggers, Skulls & Roses and Villain.

Available from the perfume counter at Bealls.

Sweets for the sweet! Pick up this box containing five assorted truffles with a decorative red bow and a glittery butterfly in the gift department at Russell True Value.

Perfect for the moms who like to travel in style, this Sophie train case from Austin maker Consuela features a colorful, modern pattern and an interior that’s easy to wipe clean. Big enough to hold all your makeup, brushes and skin care products. Buy it at Russell True Value.

A perfect companion to the train case is this Sophie wristlet wallet, also from Consuela. Trimmed in natural untreated leather, the interior has card slots and compartments as well as a zippered coin pocket divider. Pick it up at Russell True Value.

GRANDE / MAY 2019

39

Chiles Rellenos

Shrimp Chiles Rellenos with Cheese

De Camaron Con Queso Recipe by ALICIA JIMENEZ; Photos by KAREN GLEASON and ANTONIO MORALES

INGREDIENTS

METHOD

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GRANDE / MAY 2019

• 3 tablespoons of oil

• 1 dash black pepper

• 2 cloves garlic, finely chopped

• 1 cube Knorr shrimp bouillon mix

• ½ medium onion, finely chopped

• 1 dash oregano

• 2 tomatoes

• 1 dash cumin

• 1 lb. cleaned, deveined shrimp, size optional

• 4 eggs; separate yolks from whites

• ½ bunch of cilantro

• 100 grams mozzarella cheese

• Grill 5 Poblano chiles until skin is black. Place in a plastic bag for five minutes, then remove most of charred skin by peeling or wiping. Remove all seeds.

• Season all peeled/cleaned raw shrimp with powdered garlic, black pepper and soy sauce.

• Stuff chiles with mozzarella cheese, then add seasoned shrimp.

• Beat egg whites until stiff peaks form; blend yolks with fork and fold into egg white mixture.

• Spread egg mixture onto stuffed chiles, fry in hot oil until just browned.

• In blender or food processor blend chopped garlic, two tomatoes, ½ bunch of cilantro, one cube shrimp Knorr bouillon.

• Brown chopped onion in oil.

• Place blended sauce in pan, add onion mixture and heat.

• Once tomato and garlic sauce is bubbling, add stuffed browned chiles and heat.

• Serve immediately with side of seasoned rice.

DRGrandeRECIPE

GRANDE / MAY 2019

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GRANDE / MAY 2019

Margarita

MAGIC Recipe and photo by XOCHITL ARTEAGA

E

very day is margarita day in my opinion, whether it’s tequila Tuesday, Friday night or just your average weekday. The margarita, that deliciously sweet and salty libation, is a cocktail for any occasion. To keep it simple, a margarita is tequila, triple sec and lime.

You don’t need the pre-made margarita mix, you just need those three ingredients and whatever extras you want to add. Perhaps you like strawberry, mango or tamarindo. Nowadays, we can put our own signature to a refreshing, tasty margarita. This recipe is by far one of my favorites; my signature margarita to get the party started.

Ingredients • 5 cups ice • 1 cup tequila • ½ cup triple sec • 5 limes, more for garnish

• 1 orange • 1 cup simple syrup • 6 Corona beers • 1/3 cup coarse salt

Method • Place five limes and an orange, which should all be at room temperature, on the counter and roll them back and forth with your hand while applying gentle pressure.

• Juice the limes and the orange in a large measuring cup, then add in 1 cup of tequila, 1/2 cup of triple sec and simple syrup and combine.

• Pour 1/3 cup of coarse salt into a shallow bowl. Using one of the juiced limes, swipe the outer rim of one of your glasses. Swivel the glass upside down in the salt until the rim is covered. Repeat for each glass.

• Add a heaping cup of ice to the blender and just enough of the margarita mixture that the ice is not covered. Blend, adding more ice or margarita mix until the desired thickness is achieved. (This can be frozen margarita as well.)

• Pour the margarita into a salt-rimmed glass, pop open a Corona, and place it upside down in the glass, submerging it into the margarita. Repeat for each glass.

• Now get that party started and enjoy!

GRANDE / MAY 2019

43

CLOSET CONFIDENTIAL

Juanita Robles Story and photos by KAREN GLEASON

Editor’s note: When we were looking for a model for our May Closet Confidential feature, our classified specialist Maddie Treviño, a member of the Del Rio News-Herald’s front office staff, recommended Juanita Robles, one of her “sisters in Christ,” whom she has known for about a decade. When Maddie showed me a Facebook photo of Juanita, I knew we had our next subject! Juanita has a wonderful story: She and her husband Mario are getting ready to welcome the newest addition to their family, 18 years after they had their last baby. Juanita is also one of the women who balances a fulfilling professional life with the needs of her family. And as you can see from these pages, she does it with style and grace.

Where do you work and what do you like best about working there?

“I would wear this to a family gathering, a baby shower, even to church, depending on the accessories, or even out to an anniversary dinner with my husband. I don’t wear dresses often, but if I find one I really like, I’ll get it. I got this tangerine dress at Bealls in the mall.”

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GRANDE / MAY 2019

“I work for the Texas Department of Health and Human Services, and I’m a Medicaid eligibility specialist, a caseworker. I started working there in 2007. I really enjoy my work. I started working as a clerk there and moved up to caseworker. The best part is helping people, and I think that’s what I enjoy the most.

“I help people find out if they’re eligible for Medicaid. I started with the elderly and disabled, with a savings program, that’s what it’s called and

“My husband Mario gave me this Michael Kors gold watch for our 19th wedding anniversary. I’ve always wanted a gold watch, and I like the width of the band.”

This is a look I would wear to work. The colorful, patterned blazer, which I got at Bealls, is my absolute favorite because the flowers and multi-colors give the black slacks and the white blouse a real pop of color.

“My co-workers pitched in and bought me this Michael Kors handbag for my 35th birthday. They know me really well, so this is what they got me.”

“

“

“This is a gel nail polish that’s my favorite. I got it online, and whenever I get my nails done, this is the color I take with me. It called, ‘Naturally Beautiful,’ and it’s a pinkish-nude color.”

GRANDE / MAY 2019

45

“My husband gave me this set of silver bangles with his initial and my initial set with little diamonds. He has very good taste, and he picked these out for me for Valentine’s Day one year. I like to wear them together.”

“I got this cuff from a woman that sold jewelry. I liked it because black is also something that you can wear with everything. I love the size of cuffs because you don’t need a lot of other accessories when you wear something like this.”

“This is my casual look: jersey knit striped dress, with a jean jacket and Converse All-Stars.

It’s super-comfortable.

This would be perfect for shopping, the movies, an afternoon at the park.”

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GRANDE / MAY 2019

“I got this cuff at the boutique inside Herman Sons Steak House in Hondo, Texas, about four years ago. They have the nicest things in there. I love the multi-colors and the gold setting. It goes with everything.”

“This is a turquoise and white patterned top that I’ve paired with white jeans and one of my favorite necklaces and matching earrings.”

it helps pay the premiums and co-pays of their Medicare. Recently, there were some changes at work, so now I also do food stamps. I really enjoy it because I really like being able to help people.”

Where do you like to shop?

“I do most of my clothes shopping at Marshall’s and Ross. When I go to San Antonio, I’ve shopped at Old Navy, but to be honest, even when I go out of town, my go-to stores are still Marshall’s, Ross and Target. I buy some clothes online, but not a lot because you can’t always tell about the sizing. It’s never exact.”

Tell me a little bit about your pregnancy. Was it unexpected?

“Definitely unexpected! 18 years after my last child. I have two girls right now, Ashley, she’s currently studying education at UTSA, and the youngest – currently, Nathaly. She’s a senior at Del Rio High School, and she’ll be graduating this year.

She’s my little jockette. She does all sports, and she just finished playing soccer this season. The baby is a boy, and his name is Matthew Joel Robles. God willing, he’ll be with us in the month of July. We’re all very excited to meet him.” •

I’d wear this look to go to church or to go out with my friends for lunch or dinner.

I always wear this coral lipstick with this necklace, too.”

“

“

“I love this James Avery charm bracelet. One of the charms is a ‘half-charm,’ so my husband has the other half, and it says, ‘God be with you, together and apart.’ There’s also a charm that says ‘Mom,’ and my initial. There’s a cross and a Christian fish symbol, a Virgin Mary and a hand spelling out ‘I love you’ in international sign language.”

“Nude is one of my favorite colors in shoes because it goes with everything. I shoeshop at Marshall’s and Ross because you can always find something good there. I got this pair at Festival Shoes in the Plaza del Sol Mall. If I like the shoe, I don’t really care too much about the brand.”

GRANDE / MAY 2019

47

VAL VERDE WINERY

LAUGHLIN HERITAGE FOUNDATION MUSEUM

DEL RIO COUNCIL FOR THE ARTS

FIRST FRIDAY ART WALK (First Friday of each month)

CASA DE LA CULTURA

SAN FELIPE SPRINGS GOLF COURSE

AMISTAD NATIONAL RECREATION AREA

• Shopping

• San Felipe Creek

• White Shaman Preserve

• Dining

• Noches Musicales at

• Fort Clark Springs

• Paul Poag Theatre • Del Rio Downtown

Association

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WHITEHEAD MEMORIAL MUSEUM

GRANDE / MAY 2019

Brown Plaza

(Every Friday June – August)

• Seminole Canyon State Park • Judge Roy Bean Center

• Kickapoo Caverns • Devils River State

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WE ARE LOOKING FOR MEN AND WOMEN TO MODEL IN FUTURE ISSUES OF THE MAGAZINE. If you are interested, send photos and contact information to Sandra Castillo at the following email: sandra.castillo@delrionewsherald.com or call 830-775-1551.

For story and photo ideas, email Karen Gleason at the following: karen.gleason@delrionewsherald.com

GRANDE / MAY 2019

49

Mussel Mama Joanny Guindin Puerto Rico native helps keep Lake Amistad safe from zebra mussels Story and photos by Karen Gleason

L

ike all working moms, Del Rioan Joanny Guindin’s life is a balancing act.

The Puerto Rico native never intended to have a life in Texas. Indeed, she never intended to live “on the mainland” at all.

“I never thought I would leave the island. I moved to Texas when I was 29 years old, and it was actually the first time I had left the island, my first time to the mainland, my first time in an airplane, the first time away from my family, so it was a big, big change,” Guindin said.

Guindin met her husband, Cristian Medina, in Puerto Rico when she was 21. They married when she was 24, and she said she looked forward to living her life on the island, surrounded by familiar sights and sounds, family members and friends.

“We had been married about six years when he decided he needed a change. He was a police officer in Puerto Rico, but things there were getting difficult, and we struggled. It was difficult for me to find a job, and as a police officer, he wasn’t making enough money.

“For me, it was okay, you adjust, and I had all my family and friends over there. I was going with the flow, but for him, as a professional as well, he didn’t feel like it was enough, so he decided to try for the Border Patrol,” Guindin said.

She stayed in Puerto Rico while her husband attended the Border Patrol Academy in New Mexico.

“At that time, I was a high school teacher. I was teaching environmental science and chemistry and working on my master’s degree,” Guindin said.

After her husband successfully completed the Border Patrol academy, he was stationed in Del Rio. Guindin admitted she had never heard of the place.

“I was like, ‘Where?’ I’d never heard of Del Rio. I didn’t

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GRANDE / MAY 2019

have a clue about it. In my mind, I was like, ‘Maybe he’s not going to like it,’ so I’m not going to stress out about it, but I never thought that I would leave the island.

“When I was doing my bachelor’s degree at the University of Puerto Rico, one of my professors in marine biology was always telling me how difficult it was to find a job as a marine biologist here and told me I had to come up with a ‘Plan B,’ or I would have to leave the island, and I always said, ‘No, that’s not going to happen; I’m not leaving.’ But he enrolled me in education classes so I could also teach, but in my mind, I still couldn’t think of leaving Puerto Rico.

That was not in my plans, ever, ever, ever,” Guindin said.

But, as the saying goes, life is what happens to you when you’re making other plans.

Guindin said when her husband told her he would be moving to Del Rio, she briefly considered “making drastic decisions,’ but after a long talk with her mother, who encouraged her to “give it a try,” Guindin got on a plane and moved here in 2009.

She was accompanied by her best female friend, and her three dogs, which, she said, made the move a little easier.

The woman stayed with Guindin for three weeks, then returned to Puerto Rico.

“That’s when reality hit me, and it hit me hard, really hard. No family. No friends. The language was an issue because I didn’t speak English at the time. I knew the basics, since in Puerto Rico we learn English in school, but you don’t have conversations. At that moment I was really afraid,” Guindin said.

Her main concern was that her English was not good enough for her to go out and find a job.

“It was a shock, but you adapt. You make it work,” she said.

Guindin buckled down to work on her English, but then

Puerto Rico native Joanny Guindin has found her niche as a member of the Amistad National Recreation Area staff, where she works as a biological technician.

GRANDE / MAY 2019

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Guindin stands by a sign at the Black Brush boat ramp urging anglers and boaters to help the NPS stop the spread of invasive zebra mussels. Guindin helped design the program the park uses to help prevent these damaging mussels from invading the reservoir.

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GRANDE / MAY 2019

found out she was unexpectedly pregnant.

“Three weeks after moving to Del Rio! It’s the water,” she said with a laugh.

“It was difficult, but it brought me and my husband together in a new way,” she added.

To add to her worries, when she was four months pregnant, she learned she had a “placenta previa,” a condition in which the placenta is low in the uterus and may cover the cervix.

“It can cause a lot of complications. You can bleed out. You can lose your child,” she said, shaking her head at the memory.

Guindin also was forced to rest, a condition that chafed her active, outdoors nature.

But her baby was born, a healthy boy, Cristian Guindin uses a pressure washer to clean a sign reminding anglers on Lake Amistad to help stop the spread of invasive zebra mussels by cleaning, draining and drying their boats.

“

That’s what I work for, and that’s what I like about my job, that I’m working to preserve and conserve natural resources for future generations.

“

Guindin holds up a container of water she drew from the end of the boat dock at the park’s Diablo East boat ramp. The sample will be sent to the lab and tested for the presence of zebra mussel larvae.

Guidin makes notes about the water temperature during a sampling session for the presence of zebra mussel larvae.

Jose “C.J.” Medina Guindin, in 2010.

In the meantime, she also continued working hard on her English, and when C.J. was about 18 months old, she went to the Amistad National Recreation Area, where she and her husband met Greg Garetz.

Garetz sent her to the visitor center to speak with Lisa Nielsen, the park’s education specialist.

Nielsen encouraged Guindin to begin volunteering at the park, saying Guindin could assist her, due to her background as an educator.

“I would help her with her program with the fifth graders, when they did their trips in the houseboat. Whatever she needed me to do, I was willing to do,” Guindin said.

She became pregnant again and had her second son, Joshua Emmanuel Medina

GRANDE / MAY 2019

53

Guindin pulls up a tow net she uses to monitor areas of Lake Amistad for the presence of zebra mussel larvae.

Guindin’s job frequently takes her out on Lake Amistad

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GRANDE / MAY 2019

Guindin, in 2012.

When Joshua was seven months old, Guindin returned to work at the National Park Service. She worked the front desk at the visitor center when she was pregnant, and because of that experience, she accepted a job as an emergency hire for two months, then went back home.

Then the park’s biologist left and Garetz called her again, saying that he believed Guindin would be right for the position because of her background in marine biology.

“He told me he needed my help because the park had been assigned a budget specifically for aquatic invasive species, so he needed to put together a program. He told me I would be working with zebra mussels,” Guindin said.

After her term of two months was up, Guindin went back home. When the park hired a new biologist, though, and she saw the zebra mussels program Guindin had developed she asked park management to bring Guindin back.

“So they did. They called me and they offered me a sixmonth seasonal position working for the biologist. I have been working with her since then,” Guindin said.

She worked two seasonal sessions and is now a parttime permanent employee.

“I am now a biological science technician. The biologist has me as the lead inspector for the aquatic invasive species. That’s what I do most of the time. I’m in charge to schedule boat inspections and to work with interns to give them the training they need to work with us in that specific program. I’m the one doing the monitoring of that program as well, so I go out on the lake and do my tow sampling, and I do my water quality data,” she said.

Guindin said she believes the most important part of her job is conserving the natural resource.

“That’s what I work for, and that’s what I like about my job, that I’m working to preserve and conserve natural resources for future generations. That was exactly what got me into college back in Puerto Rico, because that’s what I always wanted to do.

“When I was a little girl, I saw the movie ‘Flipper,’ and I told my mom, ‘I want to save Flipper,’ and I grew up and I still want to save Flipper, somehow. I’m protecting the lake from an aquatic invasive species that can damage the ecology of the lake, and not only the ecology of the lake, but the economy of Del Rio, so I think it’s really important what I do. We need the natural resources. We are doing it for the future generations,” she said.

Like many transplanted Del Rioans, Guindin has bloomed where she was planted and has learned to love her life on the Texas-Mexico border.

“One thing at a time, you can make changes, and I feel proud of that. I feel lucky as well, that I had the opportunity to work on my profession. In Puerto Rico I was a teacher, and I loved the two years I was teaching, and I had great experiences, and I know I made a difference, but in my heart, I always wanted to be in the field,” Guindin said.

“God has blessed me and opened doors that I never thought would be opened for me,” she said. •

Guindin checks a length of PVC pipe for young zebra mussels.

Guindin, a native of Puerto Rico who moved to Del Rio in 2009, works out at The Gym with her husband, Cristian Medina.

Guindin outside The Gym with her sons, Cristian Jose “C.J.�

Medina Guindin and Joshua Emmanuel Medina Guindin.

GRANDE / MAY 2019

55

Oh, baby!

VVRMC offers BIRTHday tours Story by ATZIMBA MORALES; Photos courtesy of VAL VERDE REGIONAL MEDICAL CENTER

T

he thought of being a mother frightens me, and this got me thinking about everything an expectant mother may need to know before she delivers her

baby.

One place that definitely has some of the answers to those questions is the Val Verde Regional Medical Center. There, I met with a registered nurse Tara Windle for VVRMC’s monthly BIRTHday tour for moms-(and dads) to-be.

VVRMC hosts the tour on the first Thursday of every month. The tour consists of showing expectant mothers and future fathers the maternity ward, also known as the women’s center, information regarding the delivery process and visitation procedures.

Those attending the tour are guided through the first floor before they are taken to the women’s center on the second floor.

“Expecting mothers will be sent to admittance first if the doctor gave them orders. They will come in for orders for a sonogram, a non-stress test (NST), lab work, and if it’s time for delivery, they will have orders for induction or a planned C-section,” Windle said.

The admittance office is open at 6:30 a.m. and closes at 5:00 p.m. Those that have orders but do not fall within that time range can go to the emergency room, and the staff there will accept the orders.

Expectant mothers can also pre-register at the admittance office. It is recommended for them to pre-register as it will speed up the process when they are admitted.

The women’s center is a locked unit, and Windle explained visitors must be buzzed in.

A new mother and her immediate relatives can rest easy knowing unexpected or unwanted visitors will be denied access. The women’s center does have a visitation policy.

Each mother is allowed two visitors besides the father or support person. Children ages 12 and under are not allowed to enter unless they are siblings of the newborn child.

“When visitors come in, they will stop at the labor and delivery nurses’ desk. The staff will write down the visitor’s information and who they are registered with, then give them a tag,” Windle said.

All visitors will be provided a tag with an assigned room number and will return the tag on their way out. The tag helps nurses make sure the visitors are in the correct location.

The women’s center has five labor/delivery/recovery rooms, one triage room and two observation rooms. The triage room and observation rooms are used when a patient comes in for an NST, sonogram, when their water may have broken and if they are possibly in labor. If a patient is in early labor, she would be placed in one of those rooms first, Windle said.

VVRMC staff members try their best to make sure the labor process is as natural as possible.

Those with a planned C-section or being transferred to a C-section will be taken to the operating

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David Ramirez and his wife Kristela hold their newborn son, Christian David, at Val Verde Regional Medical Center. Christian was the first baby born at VVRMC this year.

The entrance to the women’s center at Val Verde Regional Medical Center. The hallway is decorated with baby photos.

room within the women’s center.

When an expectant mother is taken into the women’s center, the first thing nurses will do is place the mother on monitors in order to check on the baby’s vital signs. The monitors allow staff members to check on the baby’s heart rate and to track the mother’s contraction patterns.

When a mother is already in labor or an induction is planned, staff will place an IV. This is recommended as the staff does not want to be in an emergency where they do not have IV access.

As a guideline for the staff, they prefer for patients to be at least four centimeters dilated before they place the epidural. They understand every patient is different, and they will call a physician to get the order if they need to.

Once the epidural is placed into the mother, they will continue the process by bringing out a birthing ball, better known to the staff as a “packing peanut.” The staff has “peanuts” in three sizes and uses them to help stretch the soon-to-be mother’s hips.

Equipment to care for newborns awaits the next patients in the Val Verde Regional Medical Center Women’s Center.

GRANDE / MAY 2019

57

A room in the VVRMC Women’s Center is ready for the next mother-to-be and her retinue. The room features a couch that can be used by the new dad or other family member who wants to stay close to the mom.

Once the baby is born, the first thing the doctor will do is place the newborn onto its mother’s chest.

Mothers are encouraged to let the staff know at admission and once again during delivery if this is what they want to have happen.

“There’s a lot happening during the delivery process, so please let us and let your doctor know,” Windle said.

The baby will receive two bracelets after it is cleaned.

The mother and the mother’s support person will each receive a bracelet as well. Based on the baby’ sex, the bracelet will be color- coded pink or blue. This helps nurses identify the baby individually, as the bracelets will have a matching number.

Afterwards, the baby will be assessed and stay in the same room as the mother. The assessment consists of

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GRANDE / MAY 2019

taking the baby’s weight, length and overall condition.

A baby nurse and mom nurse will be assigned to the patient. The baby will only leave the room in the mornings for nursery room assessments and within 12 hours of life have a hearing test. Other than these brief forays, the baby will stay with the mother.

Mothers will recover in their delivery room and after an estimated two hours they will be moved to a postpartum room. Nurses will continue to check on the mother and baby in the postpartum room.

Mothers are given the option to begin their baby’s vaccines with the VVRMC. It will begin with the first three vaccines taking place after the baby’s birth followed by another vaccine in two months.

Mothers can choose to do the vaccines with their

considered future fathers may not know what to expect the day preferred pediatrician. It is highly recommended for expectant of delivery. This could later be taken into consideration when the mothers to have a pediatrician in mind when being admitted. fathers are frantically seen in movies following their child at every Within 24 hours of life, the staff will perform a phenylketonuria step until they are delivered to their mother.

(PKU) test on the baby and send the results to the pediatrician.

Much of this may seem like new information for some and for VVRMC staff members try their best to provide privacy to the others it may also just be refresher. Yet, there are some tips the mothers and make sure each mother is given a private room. The VVRMC maternity staff does suggest prior to coming to the hospital. maternity ward has a few rooms that have two beds, but they have RNs highly recommend not bringing the baby’s car seat into the rarely had to occupy both beds. room until the baby is ready to go home. The car seat will just sit in Each room does have a piece of furniture that is designed for the the room and take up space that could be used for maternity staff to overnight guest to relax in. The majority of the single bed rooms better maneuver around the room. have a sofa that can be turned into a pull out bed, whereas the rest Another suggestion to of the rooms have a reclining keep in mind is to pack couch. clothes for the mother and Yet, usually people think child only for when they are the hospital stay is longer ready to go home. Hospital than it actually is. At the clothing is available for the earliest, a mother and mother and child. It will also her child can be released make it easier for nurses to within 24 hours. Although move equipment around the expectant mothers are to mother’s abdomen when keep in mind when going they are wearing a hospital through a C-section, the gown and by wearing the hospital stay will be longer hospital clothing the child due to the mother’s recovery can be identified as a patient from the abdominal surgery. of the ward.

For those feeling insecure Some mothers may want as to who their nurse may to wear their own gowns, be, it is always best to keep in but are advised by the staff mind the color coding of the to wear the one from the nurse’s ID tag. A women’s hospital as things can get a center RN will have a pink little messy during delivery.

RN tag whereas a regular RN Personal hygiene items are will have a blue RN tag. also available, and the staff The few times regular RNs understands if the patient will be seen in the maternity wishes to bring her own ward are when the maternity items to use after she has staff is busy and the “regular” given birth. nurses are available to help The most important piece out. of advice from the staff is Future fathers are not left to constantly remind them out of the process, as the specific preferences furniture in the recovery A delivery room in the women’s center at VVRMC. Expectant mothers in the community of throughout the delivery rooms is designed for are given the opportunity to tour the center during monthly BIRTHday tours. process. They can be notified their stay. During the tour, the moment the couple checks in, and they will write it down to someone asked if a father had ever passed out during the process. notify the rest of the staff, but the moment the delivery process The maternity staff paused, but then answered with complete begins, things will get hectic. It is best to notify staff throughout honesty it is prone to happen. If a father were to “go down” during the procedure and not wait until the moment something is about the procedure, he is not ignored, rather, a nurse will immediately to happen. retrieve a sugared beverage and have him sip it to make sure he is It is a lot of information to take in, and the staff understands that. alright.

It’s reassuring to know they work very hard to put the health of the The scenario was greeted with some laughter from the expectant mom and baby as top priority. The women’s center staff is more mothers visiting, as one of the future fathers was a muscular man. than willing to provide information for expecting mothers.

The wife of the man joked that it was usually the “strong guy that Those with questions can call the VVRMC Women’s Center at passes out.”

830-703-1711. • As funny as the implication of the scenario can be, it could be

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61

Last Look

Greetings and salutations –

One of my favorite memes has a picture of musician Justin Timberlake and the phrase, “It’s gonna be me!” written underneath except his singing voice makes it sound like “It’s gonna be May!” And here we are – May 2019.

May is that transitional month in Texas where cool weather is still welcome, but hot weather starts to become the norm. And we’re not talking about an inconvenient heat here. We’re talking not wanting to open the car door because it feels like a blast furnace kind of hot.

Speaking of heat, you’re going to want to keep a beverage handy as you dive into our recipe this month – chiles rellenos. Good thing our beverage is something our own Xochitl Arteaga calls Margarita Magic. You’ll be amazed at how fast they’ll disappear.

May is also a special month in Del Rio because not only does it mean Mother’s Day has arrived, but we also celebrate Cinco de Mayo, and we celebrate the transition for some families as another high school class graduates and hundreds of teens begin the next phase of their lives.

We honored moms and their grads with a special photo shoot this month. It’s something we hadn’t done before at Del Rio Grande, but the response we received when we pitched this to the public was more than we expected, and we are grateful to all our supporters.

Speaking of moms, we also shined the spotlight on some amazing moms here in Del Rio. We’ve got moms like Joanny Guindin, who works to keep Lake Amistad safe from zebra mussels, and Linda Ceballos, who balances a full-time job, two kids and a burning ambition to become a boxer.

If you’ve lived in Del Rio long enough you’ve been a part of the Cinco de Mayo festivities at the historic Brown Plaza in south Del Rio. If you haven’t, we’ll get ready for a crash course in what this holiday means to our unique border community – from the history to the pageantry to the food. It’s more than just another excuse to imbibe.

Remember, we are always posting suggestions and invitations to be a part of our magazine on our official Facebook page - https:// www.facebook.com/derionewsherald/ - so if you want to be a part of our future issues, keep an eye there and chime in when the call goes out! We’re always looking for new faces and new people to spotlight.

Thanks for reading, and we’ll see you next month.

Brian Argabright Grande Writer/Photographer

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Clockwise From Top: Photo by Brian Argabright: Raul G. Hurtado III takes a photo of Not Quit Boxing Club coach Salvador Pascacio and local boxer Linda Ceballos while Hurtado’s daughter, Gianna Hurtado, assists with lighting. The Hurtados’ work is featured in this month’s Del Rio Grande as part of the feature on Ceballos.

Photo by Atzimba Morales: Del Rio Grande writer/photographer Brian Argabright raises the steel shutter on the Del Rio News-Herald’s loading dock as the Grande team prepares for a photo shoot.

Photo by Karen Gleason: Del Rio Grande writer/photographer Atzimba Morales looks over a proof of this month’s Del Rio Grande magazine. A typical issue of Del Rio Grande will go through several revisions before it’s sent off to the printers.

Photo by Brian Argabright: Del Rio Grande Editor Karen Gleason shows Colleen Venegas and her daughter Brianna Venegas one of the photos from the mother/daughter photo shoot at the Del Rio News-Herald offices. In honor of May being both Mother’s Day and high school graduation, several local moms and their children were selected to be included in a special Grande photo shoot.

GRANDE / MAY 2019

63

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