February 3, 2017 - POST TEXAS CITRUS FIESTA EDITION

progresstimes

SECTION B

Special Edition • February 3, 2017

Texas Citrus Fiesta

mission’s Parade of Oranges ‘family tradition’ By Joe Hinton

Two hours before the 80th annual Texas Citrus Fiesta’s Parade of Oranges scheduled 3 p.m. start, lifelong Mission resident Sandra Noyola, her three children and her boyfriend, had already set out camping chairs near the parade’s starting point at Conway Avenue and Griffin Parkway. The weather was breezy and cold. The skies were gray and seemed ready to deliver the forecasted rain. Fortunately, the rains never came. Noyola’s boyfriend, who won’t be named at his request, and Noyola’s daughter were hidden under blankets and jackets while Noyola, 34, knitted in orange yarn a small vase. Knitting is her profession. She and her children, two of whom remained in the car keeping warm until the parade’s start, were carrying out a family tradition. “I’ve come every year of my life,” said Noyola. Asked what’s her favorite part of the parade, she did not hesitate to answer. “The children and the

memories it brings back,” Noyola said. “Coming with my dad. Eating tuna casserole sandwiches. Mostly my parents and my dad since we lost him in March.” A short distance away, also set up early was the family of Mission resident Eric Martinez. On Saturday his 3-year-old son, Eric Martinez Jr., sat in his mother’s lap blowing bubbles into the air from a toy his father bought him as the family waited along Conway Avenue more than two hours before the parade started. Martinez was accompanied by his wife, Priscilla, and her brother, Alex Cisneros. “It’s a family tradition to come,” said Cisneros. “We come for the family experience,” said Martinez. “No matter rain, fifty degrees, sunny or cloudy, regardless.” The parade is also a family affair for Mission resident, Brenda L. Sanchez, 27, who was setting up seats near the Martinez family and just as early. Sanchez was with her husband, Manuel Garcia, and

her mother, Concepcion Sanchez. “We got here early because we wanted to save a place to have a good view of the parade,” said the family matriarch. Asked her favorite part of the parade Brenda Sanchez answered: “The floats. Seeing the king and the queen and seeing the different cultures, like from Mexico.” Sanchez said coming to the parade was a family tradition the weather could not stop her from enjoying. Saturday, nine members of Mission resident Maria Navarro’s family worked the parade together. Her son-in-law, Jose Vienueve, a citrus orchard worker, stoked a fire in a cut barrel grill on which he would soon be grilling chicken and fajitas for tacos the family would sell along the parade route. Her daughter, Danae Romero, manned a table display of traditional Mexican coconut, sunflower seed and wagon wheel candies her grandmother brought from Mexico for sale. Navarro was one of ap-

A view from atop the Progress Times building at 13th Street and Conway Avenue shows Sharyland High School’s marching band along the parade route. The band took second place in the High School Marching Band category. Progress Times photo by Joe Hinton

proximately 30 vendors who received licenses to sell goods – from food to toys and jewelry – along the parade route, said Nancy Chapa, the Fiesta’s parliamentarian. Saturday morning Chapa, accompanied by volunteer Rick Silva, were walking the parade route securing the TCF’s official registration documents to vendor tables. But not everyone grew up with the parade. Canadians Peter and Eugenia Komish, 73 and 70, respectively, from Manitoba, Canada, have been spending winters in south Texas for 16 years. The couple, currently staying at the Tropic Star RV Resort in Pharr, have attended the parade at least 10 years, they said. “I like the girls and the antique cars and the antique fire engines,” said Peter Komish. He and Eugenia had their chairs set along Conway Avenue by 11:30 a.m., they said. Asked her favorite part of the parade Eugenia said, “All the girls. And I feel sorry for them because

it’s so cold. And I like the floats, too, because it takes a lot of time and energy to put those up.” Speaking of the cold weather, asked if she would be uncomfortable as she sat the length of the parade atop a 2017 Chevrolet Corvette convertible, Amanda Galvan, Duchess of Lantana, covered with a brown western canvas jacket over her ball gown, was not concerned. “It’s a little chilly, but it’s OK,” she said, just prior to the parade’s start. Edna M. Carlson, 72, of Eau Claire, Wis., put her tongue in her cheek when she answered, “I guess not,” when asked if she was worried about the cold weather. For Carlson and her husband, Harland H. Carlson, 73, a retired school band director, Saturday’s parade was also a family affair. The couple were elected king and queen of the Mission Bell Trade Winds RV Resort and would be riding atop the resort’s float that was constructed by about 30 resort residents, Mrs. Carlson said. The couple didn’t

know it at the time but their float would win first place in the Winter Texan I competitive float category. Mrs. Carlson said it was the seventh year she and Harland had helped construct a float. “There’s about six of us who do all the dreaming and ideas then we get some very talented people to help us put it all together,” She said. The Carlsons said the float was made with about 33 Valley-grown products used to create a western outdoor theme decorated with native animal life figures – like road runners and other birds – made from natural materials and some from paper mache. Perhaps Canada’s Komish family best expressed the feelings of most parade goers. “It takes a lot of work to do this and it looks really good that people can get together to do all this, especially for our enjoyment,” said Eugenia with a laugh. “Oh yeah,” said her husband, Peter. “As long as our health holds out we’ll be here.”

THE SPIRIT OF LA LOMITA MISSION LIVES HERE AT OUR LADY OF GUADALUPE PARISH Congratulations to all the participants of the 80th Annual Texas Citrus Fiesta “Cheers to 80 Years”

1st Place Valley Products Our Lady of Guadalupe PADRES OBLATOS THE FATHERS: †FR. JIM, FR. PHILION & FR. ROY (†MAGNA, †SENTINEL, †MAGNO, †AUGIE, †DIDYMUS, †CHUNKLY, †GIRLY, CANTINA, VALENTINE, NEWLY, BENDITO & CHARLOTTE)

MISSIONARY CATECHIST OF THE POOR: SR. LUPITA DAUGHTERS OF MARY MOTHER OF MERCY: SR. ELIZABETH, SR. BIBIANA & SR. MADONNA † DEACON AYALA & DEACON CASTAÑEDA AND THE WHOLE PARISH OFFERS A “DOWN HOME” SOUTH TEXAS WELCOME TO ALL OUR NEW AND RETURNING MIGRANTS, WINTER TEXANS AND NEIGHBORS.

MASS SCHEDULE “Texas Friendly” spoken at all masses (and confessions) Saturday (English) ........................................... 4:00 P.M. Saturday (Spanish) .......................................... 7:00 P.M. Sunday (Spanish) ........................................... 7:30 A.M. Sunday (English)............................................. 9:00 A.M. Sunday (English)........................................... 10:30 A.M. Sunday (Tex-Mex) Mariachi Mass ......... (Noon)12:30 P.M. Sunday (Tex-Mex)............................................ 5:30 P.M. Monday - Wednesday & Friday (Tex-Mex) ....... 6:55 A.M. Thursday (Tex-Mex) ......................................... 7:00 P.M.

CONFESSIONS

Thursday ....................................................... 6:00 P.M. Saturday......................................................... 3:00 P.M.

620 DUNLAP MISSION, TX • 585-2623 • (ONE BLOCK WEST OF CONWAY ON MAGNA DRIVE (6TH ST).

page 2B

February 3, 2017

www.ptrgv.com | www.strgv.com

TCF Reception

Coronation pave way for citrus royalty By Joe Hinton The Texas Citrus Fiesta each year includes a series of events, beginning with the Product Costume Style Show and Shoebox Float Competition, followed by the Royal Reception and Royal Coronation. Finally, the Fiesta’s signature event, the annual Parade of Oranges, is held the last Saturday in January alongside the Fiesta Fun Fair, Citrus Youth Show and Fiesta 5K Fun Run. Throughout the year young women and girls who are selected as Fiesta duchesses work hard to come up with the perfect design for their floor length evening gowns that will best reflect the young woman’s title, such as Duchess of Pink Grapefruit, Duchess of Orange, Poinsettia or Live Oak, to name a few. The Fiesta Royal Court consists of King Citrus, Queen Citrianna and adult princesses—Princess of Grapefruit Blossom, Princess of Orange Blossom, and Lady-in-Waiting—and five six-year-old princesses, including Princess Anna. As explained by TCF Director Bibi Peña, the two adult princesses and the queen’s Lady-in -Waiting are chosen by judges from among last year’s 23 duchesses and thus have a second opportunity to become queen in the following year’s festivities. The 23 duchesses all have titles and are selected from applicants in the community, Peña said. Each year, the next year’s Queen Citrianna is chosen by a panel of judges from among the current year’s duchesses and princesses, Peña said. And the new queen and her attendants are named at the conclusion of the Royal Coronation ceremony. The TCF’s Royal Reception occurs six days before the coronation. It’s a debutante ball where the young women, who range from high school juniors to college students, vie for the title

Queen Citrianna. The queen takes her place beside King Citrus atop the Royal Float during the annual Parade of Oranges. This year’s queen is Bryceidee Leos, a 19-yearold graduate of Mission High School who is now studying to become a dermatologist. The reception is the first time they are all brought together for the annual festivities. “It’s like a house party for them to come together to see if their attire is up to standard,” said Bill Filut, who has been TCF’s president for 22 of his 28 years associated with the organization. “It’s a time to make any necessary adjustments to their gowns, for instance if they are showing too much cleavage in the front or too much skin in the back. They go over them with a fine-toothed comb.” The Royal Reception is also one of the final events over which the year’s outgoing king presides. The Jan. 21 Royal Reception at Balli’s Terrace Events Center in Mission was Jimmy Pawlik’s next to last function as King Citrus the 79th. He was crowned at last year’s coronation ceremony and has reigned as King Citrus for one year. Pawlik’s last formal duty was crowning his replacement, King Citrus the 80th, Dale Murden of Harlingen, at the TCF’s Royal Coronation at Mission High School, Jan. 26. Murden joined Queen Citrianna Bryceidee Leos on the Fiesta’s Royal Float for this year’s Parade of Oranges. Last year TCF royalty were involved in seven other parades around the state, Pawlik said. He rode last year’s Royal Float alongside outgoing Queen Citrianna the 79th, Hailie Ciomperlik. Looking back on his year as king, Pawlik said it was a lot of fun. “You don’t have to worry about what you look like up there because of all the good-looking girls and you know everybody’s looking at

them,” Pawlik said. Though he wouldn’t describe the experience as a life changer, Pawlik said it was a gratifying experience. “It makes you appreciate a lot of things and it’s a real honor to represent the citrus industry,” he said. “We’ve been 100 years, basically, the citrus industry, and you appreciate why it is so successful because of the work they [his king predecessors] put in before us.” Also on this year’s Royal Float was this year’s Princess Anna, Breana G. Garza, 6, of Mission. Girls aged six can submit applications to become the next Princess Anna who is selected by a panel of judges in October, said Filut. In past years, as many as 25 girls have applied. The next four girls with the highest scores become TCF princesses who, with Princess Anna, all participate in the upcoming Fiesta’s events. And sometimes the young princesses grow up to become queens, Filut said. “It happened most recently with Ms. Tunberg, as I recall,” Filut said, referring to Rachel C. Tunberg who was Princess Anna in 2003 and Queen Citrianna in 2015. This year’s young princesses were Victoria Gonzalez of McAllen, Princess of Lemon Blossom; Natalia Botello of Palmhurst, Princess of Lime Blossom; Lesley Uhrbock of Mission; Princess of Tangerine Blossom and Caitlyn Cerda, Princess of Red Grapfruit Blossom, from Edinburg. This year’s Royal Crown Bearer was William J. Kocurek of Robstown. TCF rules require crown bearers to be relatives of former kings, said his mother, Amanda Kokurek, who said her son is the great grandson of Col. Hubert Thompson who was king in 1970, and grandson of Hubert B. “Bill” Thompson who was king in 1978, she said. The royal trainbearers were Aiden A. Almaraz of

San Antonio and Hunter N. De Leon, Joaquin A Garza and Omar A. Gonzalez, all of Mission. Also on the Royal Float in this year’s parade were the Queen’s Lady-in-Waiting, SaraMaria Olivarez of Edinburg; Princess of Grapefruit Blossom, Julissa Alvarez, of Mission; and Princess of Orange Blossom, Karla Cantu, of Hidalgo. All of these young women are high achievers academically and in their communities. As an example, this year’s Duchess of Honeydew, Christyn Cavazos, was captain of Veterans Memorial High School’s debate team and a member of the National Honor Society, ranked 11th in her class. During the Royal Reception, Cavazos said she has worked hard to be more than just a pretty face. “I’ve worked so hard just to be on my A game since my freshman year and that’s what allowed me to get here,” she said. “And I think we’re all beautiful in our own way; every girl on this earth is. And so I’d really like everyone to know you don’t have to be just brains and you don’t have to be just beauty to do well.” Once passing muster at the Royal Reception, the newest group of duchesses and princesses are introduced at the Royal Coronation, which this year occurred two days prior to the annual Parade of Oranges. At the coronation the girls and young ladies walk an elevated catwalk as a narrator describes their dresses in minute detail and also announces the young women’s accomplishments. Here the new king is announced and he begins his reign that very night after being crowned by the outgoing King Citrus. King Citrus is chosen by a select group of men—all exkings who are leaders in the citrus industry. Following his coronation, the new king

then crowns Princess Anna and Queen Citrianna. “It’s a moment that you can’t forget,” said 18-yearold Allissa Aguilar, this year’s Duchess of Poinsettia. “Not everybody gets to experience this, so it’s nice to enjoy the time with these girls and look at all the pretty dresses.

Aguilar, who attends Mercedes Early College Academy, said the most challenging part of the entire affair was finding the perfect dress and add to it all the details that make her title evident. “It feels amazing because it fits perfectly to my body and that’s how every girl’s is whose here,” she said.

PHARMACY & MEDICAL EQUIPMENT

583-2700 • 581-5499

www.valleyag.com

(956) 585-1040

February 3, 2017

page 3B

www.ptrgv.com | www.strgv.com

81st Texas Citrus Fiesta

Royal Court Named By Kathy Olivarez “I am beyond excited with this incredible opportunity and am excited to see what I can do with this new title,” said new

Sarah Forthuber

Queen Citrianna LXXXI, Sarah Forthuber, of the title bestowed on her during last week’s Royal Coronation. “It will definitely strengthen my ties to the Rio Grande Valley now and in the future.” Sarah Elizabeth Forthuber, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Marcus Forthuber of McAllen, was selected as the Texas Citrus Fiesta’s 81st Queen Citrianna during the Royal Coronation held Thursday, Jan. 28 at the Neuhaus Center at Mission High School. In the pageant she was Duchess of Rio Red Grapefruit. Sarah is a junior at the International Baccalaureate at Lamar Academy in McAllen where she currently ranks second in her class. Sarah is involved in many activities in her high school, and dances with the Senior Company of Melba’s Dance Studio where she has the lead role in “Swan Lake.” Duchess of Butterfly, Brittany Nicole Landavazo, daughter of Brian and Nora Landavazo of Mission, was

Queen Citrianna LXXXI

selected as Princess of Grapefruit Blossom. As first runner-up, should the queen be unable to serve for any reason, Brittany would become the 81st Queen Citrianna. Brittany is a junior at Sharyland Pioneer High School and is currently the highest ranked student in her class. She is active in her school and is a member of the Hidalgo County Cotillion. “Being a Duchess of Butterfly and representing the Greater Mission Chamber of Commerce was a great honor for me. Winning Princess of Grapefruit Blossom and now being able to represent the Texas citrus industry is an even greater accomplishment and honor. I look forward to fulfilling the duties that come with this honor,” said Brittany. Olivia Renee Vela, Duchess of Live Oak, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Oscar Rene Vela of Edinburg, was selected as Princess of Orange Blossom. She is a Junior at Edinburg North High School “I was shocked when they called my name, I really did not expect to win, I was just hoping to make my community proud of me,” Olivia said. “When I was standing with all the girls who won, that is when I realized what a great experience I had during the week, meeting all the different girls and developing the camaraderie between us. I’ve

never done pageants before, but it has been a great experience. It made me open up to girls I did not know and gave me a new opportunity to live life. Hopefully this experience will help me become more open and have an impact on the little girls who look up to her in the community. It’s a great honor.” Duchess of Palm, Kennedy Lee Castillo, daughter of Annie Salazar of McAllen, was selected as Lady-in-Waiting. Kennedy is a senior at Oratory Athenaeum for University Preparation in McAllen. She is active in sports, is an Our Lady of the Lake Presidential Scholar, and is a member of Hidalgo County Cotillion. “I feel proud to have represented McAllen as the Duchess of Palms and now I am looking forward to representing the Texas Citrus Fiesta,” said Kennedy. Mariela Gonzalez, Duchess of White Wing, was selected as first runner–up. Should any one of the girls selected for the Royal Court be unable to serve for any reason, she would be moved into the Royal Court for 2018. She is the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Raul Gonzalez of Peñitas. She is a junior at La Joya High School where she is principal dancer for Grupo Folklórico Tabasco and was selected for a TCG University tour of Ivy League Universities. “It is such an amazing experience. It is my first time participating in any type of

pageant. Everything was a Cavazos of Mission. She is new experience. It’s really a a senior at Mission Vetercool idea to think about beans Memorial High School ing able to represent the Tex- where she ranks in the top as Citrus Industry. This ex- three percent of her class and perience is something I will is active in all sorts of school never forget.” said Mariela. activities. Gabriela Flores, Duchess “I was not expecting such of Ruby Red Grapefruit was as honor. I met so many selected as second runner-up. great girls through the week She is the daughter of Zonia and they were all great. We Castillo and Richard Flores all had a wonderful time getof Mission. She is a student ting to know each other and at Pharr-San Juan-Alamo dancing at the ball. I was reNorth High School. ally humbled that the other The Progress Times was girls thought I deserved this unable to reach Gabriela for honor,” said Christyn. comments on being selected. Miss Photogenic, one of two special honors given by the Texas Citrus Fiesta, went to Linsey Marie Garza, Duchess of Star Ruby Grapefruit. She is the daughter of Brian Garza and Stacie Gerlach of Mission. She is a sophomore at Sharyland Pioneer High School. Linsey is active in sports in school and with her family. “It is a great honor to receive that award,” said Linsey. “There were many girls there who were beautiful both inside and out. Receiving the Most Photogenic Award made that moment very special. I received a lot of flowers with the award, and I am going to save them as long as I can although the fond memories will last much longer.” Miss Congeniality Award is given to the young lady with the most charm, friendliness and pleasant personality during the pageant. The girls in the contest vote this honor to one of the girls. This award went to Christyn Cavazos, Duchess of Honeydew. She is Olvia Renee Vela the daughter of Debbie Princess of Orange Blossom

Queen Citrianna LXXXI and her Royal Court were announced at the conclusion of this year’s Royal Coronation. The new queen will preside over next year’s Texas Citrus Fiesta celebration. Pictured from left are: Gabriela Flores, 2nd Alternate; Kennedy Castillo, Lady-in-Waiting; Olivia Vela, Princess of Orange Blossom; Sarah Forthuber, Queen Citrianna; Brittany Landavazo, Princess of Grapefruit Blossom; and Mariela Gonzalez, 1st Alternate. Progress Times photo by Jim Brunson

Time is money. Manage both with online banking, our mobile app, or even by phone. LOCATIONS IN

• NEW Mobile Banking App • Mobile Deposit • Online Bill Pay • Vehicle Loans as low as 2.65% apr*

LA JOYA • PALMVIEW CALL OR CLICK TODAY!

(956) 585-6207 www.lajoyafcu.com

*Must live or work in Hidalgo County Some conditions may apply. APR: Annual Percentage Rate.

Insured by NCUA. Equal housing lender.

With La Joya FCU, you can choose what is convenient for you.

page 4B

February 3, 2017

www.ptrgv.com | www.strgv.com

‘Somos Familia’

Mayor’s brunch celebrates sister city relationships By Jose De Leon III Last week, U.S. President Donald Trump signed an executive action ordering for the construction of a border wall along Mexico to curb undocumented immigration, according to a January 2017 USA Today article. The White House later announced the possibility of financing construction for the wall via a 20 percent tax increase on all imports from Mexico. Despite the news happening in Washington D.C., the tax increase was a point of discussion during the Mayor’s International Brunch Saturday. Held at the Mission Community Center Jan. 28, the morning of the 80th annual Texas Citrus Fiesta, representatives from a total of 16 Mexican sister cities joined local public officials as a way for the city of Mission to foster and strengthen friendships with Mexico. At a press conference that was held before the brunch

began, Francisco Cabeza de Vaca, governor of the Mexican state of Tamaulipas, discussed how the proposed tariff could disrupt plans for the proposed Madero International Bridge. The international bridge, with preliminary plans to be located west of Conway Avenue, has a rail bridge component and is set to be utilized purely for cargo traffic. Feasibility studies for construction of the bridge are currently underway. “We firmly believe in the construction of bridges not only for the purchase of merchandise but also create bridges of opportunities,” de Vaca said. “With over a billion dollars in goods that are sent across both sides of the border, the need for more bridges to create an acceleration in job growth becomes much more important.” During the press conference, de Vaca announced he had invited President Trump and Mexican President Enrique Peña Nieto to visit the Rio Grande Valley in the

hopes they can see how the Valley can be affected by presidential orders. “People who make decisions in Mexico City and Washington need to understand that here at the border somos familia, we are also family, and that makes the difference,” de Vaca said. “There is a rich history between our regions where not only are we good neighbors, we are allies in difficult times and business partners. We complement each other to make this a great region that differentiates us from many different places in the world. It is here where serious repercussions are felt when bad decisions in Mexico City and Washington D.C. are made.” During the brunch, Mission Mayor Norberto “Beto “ Salinas said he was making plans to travel to Washington D.C. to talk with U.S. Senator John Cornyn to discuss the proposed tax increase and the Madero bridge. “We are working very

Tamaulipas Governor Francisco Cabeza de Vaca (center) shakes hands with Mission Mayor Norberto “Beto” Salinas (right) as Hidalgo Mayor Martin Cepeda (left) watches during a press conference for the Mayor’s International Brunch Jan. 28. Progress Times photo by Adrian Castillo.

well with cities from Mexico that send products here but they are mortified because the bridge is taking too long to build and now there’s a possibility of a high tax for them to pay to use it,” Salinas said. “We are threatened by the 20 percent tariff that may lead to a lot of people struggling to make sure their businesses can afford to bring merchandise into the country and the Madero bridge won’t be as efficient

as we hoped. Now more than ever, we all need to unite and see that they understand the damage this tax can bring to the area.” The message of unity was echoed by San Fernando Mayor Jose Rios Silva. According to Silva, San Fernando is a Mexican city in Tamaulipas that specializes in exporting seafood, cheese and other produce. For Silva, continuing a relationship with Mission is vital for his

city. “We came here to build bridges, not to build walls,” Silva said. “Salinas and his city has helped us in so many ways from sponsoring our firefighters and other projects that have helped develop our city. We need to continue that friendship and there are so many ways that we can continue supporting each other that hopefully future international brunches will help us come up with more support.”

Visitors enjoy Fiesta Fun Fair atmosphere By Jose De Leon III

Attendees at the fiesta Fun Fair enjoy a spiropapa from one of the more than 20 different vendors at the event. Progress Times photo by Jose De Leon.

Despite temperatures in the mid-50s, and estimated 10,000 people attended the Texas Citrus Fiesta Fun Fair held the same day as the Parade of Oranges. While the weather was a little cooler than normal for the Valley, the rain that had been forecasted stayed away. While attendance was somewhat lower this year, due to cool temperatures and a forecast of rain, Texas Citrus Fiesta Director Bibi Peña said they had a good turnout along the parade route Saturday as the Parade of Oranges marked the climax of the annual Fiesta. The Fun Fair, located at Leo Peña Placita Park on Bus. 83 and Conway Avenue, had more than 20 ven-

OUR ROOTS ALSO RUN DEEP IN TEXAS. Frost is proud to support Texas Citrus Fiesta. And we’d be proud to help you along your financial journey too.

dors selling food and crafts as live bands entertained the crowd with their music. “It’s what attracts people to stay for the parade,” Peña said, “Since it starts at 10 a.m. and ends at night and contains a variety of talented vendors, it keeps the crowd active even after the parade ends.” Peggy Balcer and her friend Ellen Kozlowski were among the attendees of the Fun Fair. The pair from Michigan made plans to attend the Parade of Oranges together after Balcer attended last year’s Fiesta and convinced Kozlowski to join her. “Last year, everyone was just so nice and friendly here that I just had to come again,” Balcer said as she inspected a vendor’s booth selling ceramic goods. “We had to plan our vacation to ensure it coincided with the parade so we wouldn’t miss it.” Kozlowski positively compared the Fun Fair to festivals in her hometown of Bay City, Mich. “Back at home, we mainly have Polish festivals with a parade and polka music, but this is much more active and lively,” Kozlowski said. “There’s so many things to try here that I’ve never done before. I got to eat an empañada here for the first time and wondered why I hadn’t tried one earlier. I never even heard of them,” she exclaimed. Besides local residents and out-of-towners, royalty was mingling with the

Fun Fair attendees. Duchess of Honeydew Christyn Cavazos, along with Duchess of Mandarin Orange Sydney Ramirez, Duchess of Orange Cecilia Tovias and Duchess of Pink Grapefruit Jewel Ybarra, were hanging out together and were each enjoying a Spiropapa—a fried, spiral potato—and discussed how the Fun Fair was the perfect way to conclude the Texas Citrus Fiesta. “It’s super cool to see the whole community come out and support the citrus industry; it feels so much more personal and homey than a festival at a bigger city where you may not know everyone,” Cavazos said. “The coronation and the parade are great, but the Fun Fair is where everyone can enjoy everything and relax. It’s like the big after-party after a serious event. It’s fun to see all the duchesses just letting loose and have fun not in our dresses, eating everything and not being worried about fitting in them.” Queen Citrianna LXXX Bryceidee Leos was among the Fun Fair attendees. Leos echoed Cavazos’ sentiment on how the Fun Fair is vital to the Texas Citrus Fiesta. “[The Texas Citrus Fiesta] has been here for 80 years and we’re still celebrating it,” she said. “It’s really amazing to see the traditions of celebrating the citrus industry are still alive and just by being here, we’re part of this historic event.”

frostbank.com 2424 N 10th Street McAllen, Texas 78501

MEMBER FDIC

Members of the McAllen-based rock band Whiskey D. perform at the Fiesta Fun Fair Jan. 28. Progress Times photo by Jose De Leon III.

February 3, 2017

Parade of Oranges www.ptrgv.com | www.strgv.com

page 5B

1st Place Marching Units (Not Bands) Military Veterans Memorial HS- JROTC

La Joya ISD High School Coyote Marching Band

1st Place Valley Products Our Lady of Guadalupe

1st Place Competitive Float- Winter Texan I Twin Lakes RV Park

1st Place Golf Cart Division Oleander Acres RV & Mobile Park

1st Place Competitive Float- Elementary School

Leal Elementary

2nd Place Competitive Float- Winter Texan I

Bentsen Palm RV Park

1st Place High School Band

1st Place Competitive Float- General Mission CISD Maintenance Dept.

1st Place Competitive Float- Church Our Lady of the Holy Rosary Church

2nd Place High School Band

2nd Place Valley Products Mission Bell & Trade Winds RV Park

Sharyland High School Band (Rattlers)

2nd Place Competitive Float- General

City of Penitas - White Wing Festival Duchess of White Wing- Mariela Gonzalez

Special Thanks to

3rd Place Valley Products Mission High School FFA

for their support of the 2017 Texas Citrus Fiesta

page 6B

www.ptrgv.com | www.strgv.com

February 3, 2017

VIEW AND BUY THESE AND MORE CITRUS FIESTA PHOTOS ONLINE @ WWW.PROGRESSTIMES.NET/GALLERY

February 3, 2017

www.ptrgv.com | www.strgv.com

page 7B

100s

More Photos available online at: www.ptrgv.com/gallery

VIEW AND BUY THESE AND MORE CITRUS FIESTA PHOTOS ONLINE @ WWW.PROGRESSTIMES.NET/GALLERY

page 8B

February 3, 2017

www.ptrgv.com | www.strgv.com

Queen Citrianna and princesses turn to talented seamstress By Joe Hinton When asked what the biggest challenge is to being a Texas Citrus Fiesta contestant for Queen Citrianna, the invariable answer from young women is coming up with a formal evening gown that reflects one’s title such as Duchess of Pink Grapefruit, Duchess of Orange or Duchess of Poinsettia. The gowns must meet strict requirements of the Texas Citrus Fiesta while incorporating the colors and embellishments to reflect the duchess’ title. When she was 15, this year’s Queen Citrianna, Bryceidee Leos, asked one of her mother’s friends and former coworker at Dos Rios Fabric Store in McAllen to sew her quinceanera dress. Leos was so pleased with the purple creation that when she was named Duchess of Ruby Red Grapefruit last year, Leos again turned to Silvia Mendi-

ola, a seamstress who works out of her home near McAllen High School. Mendiola created a light red formal gown with a large V-neck collar and bustle featuring handcrafted sliced red grapefruit surrounded by green leaves centered on a large red bow attached in back of the dress at the waistline. The dress, along with her stunning looks, charming personality and stellar academic record, helped the now 19-year-old Leos win the coveted title of Queen Citrianna the 80th. So when it came time to fashion her queen’s garb Leos again turned to Mendiola, who, following Leos’ design, created a white satin, floor-length gown with a high collar only the queen and Princess Anna are allowed to wear. The outfit’s bodice, skirt, collar and three-quarter length sleeves are almost entirely covered in gold colored lace mesh.

In the back, a row of buttons rise above a small bustle created by flower blossoms with green leaves. With the help of her sister, Maria Lopez, and her daughter, Nallelly, Mendiola also sewed the dresses for this year’s Princess Anna, Breana G. Garza; the Princess of Lime Blossom, Natalia I. Botello; Duchess of Butterfly, Brittany Landavazo; and Duchess of Royal Palms, Zayde Hernandez. “And I had three more requests but I didn’t have enough time, so I had to turn them down,” Mendiola said Monday during an interview in the converted bedroom she uses as a sewing space in her home. The room is filled with piles of old dresses and ones in the works. It contains a china cabinet filled with various ornate high-heeled white boots adorned with white lace, sequins and costume jewels.

The cabinet also contains ornate small handbags, hats and small flower bouquets. Leaning against one wall is a bouquet of flowers with peacock feathers and nearby is a group of white lace parasols of varying design. The walls are covered with photos of clients wearing Mendiola’s creations including a large poster of her daughter in the quinceañera dress Mendiola sewed for her 10 years ago. Now 50, Mendiola said she began sewing clothes at the age of eight under the tutelage of her late mother, Josefa Amador de Rodriguez, in her home town of Ciudad Gustavo Diaz Ordaz in Tamaulipas, Mexico, which is about a 45-minute drive from McAllen, she said. Mendiola said her mother sewed all the clothes for her six children. In 1985 Mendiola moved to Texas after marrying her husband, Norberto, a Tex-

as native. In 1989 she began selling fabrics at Rio Bravo Fabric store in McAllen. From 1991 – 2002 she sewed men’s slacks four days a week for the Haggar Co. before it closed its Edinburg factory. And from 2000 -2006 she worked weekends selling fabrics at Dos Rios. Between 1990, when she sewed her first quinceañera dress for a friend’s daughter, and 2006, when she sewed her own daughter’s quinceañera dress, Mendiola said she had an occasional client. But things took off after her daughter’s dress was unveiled. Since then she averages about one dress a week or 50 a year. She held up one strapless evening gown saying it had taken just two hours to sew. On a model stand was another quinceanera dress in the making she said would take her two days to complete. And while she was sewing the five Citrus Fiesta dresses

Silvia Mendiola, who operates Silvia’s Dresses, shows one of her latest creations, a quinceañera dress. Mendiola sewed five Texas Citrus Fiesta participants’ dresses this year including dresses for Queen Citrianna, Bryceidee Leos and Princess Anna, Breana G. Garza. Progress Times Photo by Joe Hinton

for the queen, princesses and duchesses she also sewed ten more quinceañera dresses. All since October, she said. Leos said she spent about $3,000 on her dress and accessories, such as shoes, gloves and jewelry, which she paid for through sponsorships, fundraisers and modeling. Mendiola said her fees for formal gowns range from about $1,200 to $3,500, although her most expensive dresses cost her client, a Houston based owner of an electricity provider, $6,500. And that client purchased two similarly-priced quinceañera dresses for two daughters three years apart. Mendiola said the first dress was adorned with hand-painted peacock feathers she commissioned an artist to paint, which she attached to the skirt. Three years later, she created another dress with sea shells featuring a mother of pearl colored motif. Mendiola said her sister and daughter are the only two persons she allows to help her sew the gowns. She said she shows them where to sew on the lace and mesh appliques’ and they do the fine stitching. “I’ve tried hiring other helpers, but when I go back to inspect the work it’s just never up to my standards of quality,” she said in her native Spanish. Mendiola said it is gratifying to see how the beautiful dresses accentuate the beauty of the girls who wear them as the girls accentuate the beauty of her creations. “I’m enchanted when I see them in my dresses,” Mendiola said. “I get very emotional when I see the reactions of the people when the girl steps out and they see them in my creations.” As for Leos, she loves the way the dress makes her feel. “I’ve haven’t been able to see it all in the mirror because it’s so big, but when I see the pictures it makes me feel wonderful because it’s so beautiful,” Leos said.

Thank You Fiesta Supporters and Workers For Another Successful Texas Citrus Fiesta TCF Corporate Sponsors 2017

The Texas Citrus Fiesta board of directors extends a heartfelt “Thank You” to the sponsors, supporters, volunteers and workers who made this year’s Citrus Fiesta such a great success. Our sponsors were wonderful this year, making each fiesta event possible from the parade to the coronation and Los Vaqueros CookOff, and of course, the great entertainment at the Fun Fair. The City of Mission and the Mission Consolidated Independent School District have been faithful supporters of the Fiesta year after year, but this year have outdone themselves providing facilities and extensive resources including assistance by the City Parks and Recreation Department, Streets, Police, Fire Department & Health Department, The Mission Historical Museum and many other city and school staff members’ assistance in this monumental effort. A special thanks goes to neighboring Police Departments, DPS, Sheriffs Dept. & Border Patrol. Of course, there would be no Citrus Fiesta without our many volunteers, Fiesta committee members and workers, as well as individuals who contributed much time and effort in setting-up for our events, building floats and working on the various aspects of the Fiesta. To each and everyone who participated in this year’s Fiesta, we extend our sincere thanks. Your devotion and loyalty are what make the Texas Citrus Fiesta the best fiesta in Texas!

A Special Thank You To The Following For Your Contributions & Assistance That Helped Make This Year’s Texas Citrus Fiesta a Success: Mayor Beto Salinas, Genco Services, Inc.

February 3, 2017

page 9B

www.ptrgv.com | www.strgv.com

Product Costume Show designers offer unique costumes By Kathy Olivarez The Texas Citrus Fiesta Product Costume Style Show, held Saturday, Jan. 14, continued the longtime Fiesta tradition of making costumes using citrus and other RGV agricultural products to decorate the dresses and other costumes. Product costumes were originally produced as a marketing tool for the budding citrus industry in the Rio Grande Valley. The costumes from the Fiesta’s first Style Show in 1932 were placed in the display windows of Joske’s in San Antonio for weeks; then invitations came to do the same in Corpus Christi, Houston and New York City.

Originally, the product costumes were decorated using fresh citrus. In 1947, dehydrated agricultural products were used to make the Citrus Fiesta costumes instead of the fresh fruit. Using dehydrated products the costumes would last much longer and could be displayed at different times of the year. Today, the product costumes must adhere to the Texas Citrus Fiesta theme for the year. However, since the Fiesta is celebrating 80 years of holding the annual celebration, the costume designers were allowed to choose any previous Citrus Fiesta theme from the past 80 years. As one of five excellent full costume designs presented in this year’s show,

People’s Choice award went to “Little Miss Party Barbie” modeled by Tyra Alvarez and designed by Dalia Vivian. In the Primary/Elementary Division for children ages four to 12, Tyra Alvarez’s costume represented Little Miss Party Barbie, 8th edition. The costume, based on the Fiesta theme from 2014 of Western Glitz and Glamour, featured several western designs on it. The base of her outfit was covered in a blend of powdered orange, grapefruit, lemon and lime leaves. Dehydrated orange and tangerine slices were scattered on the front and back of the dress, and pumpkin seeds were used as trim. The dress featured several patches with different themes. One was a flag while another was a bird that sat on her shoulder. The front of the skirt had a large Texas patch. There was a double horseshoe patch, a tree, and a large boot with a spur on the front of the dress. She carried a cake and goblet to celebrate the 80th

anniversary of the Texas Citrus Fiesta. Products used to create this costume included purple and white onion skin, powdered citrus leaves, burgundy bougainvillea, sunflower petals, mesquite sawdust, burnt citrus product, and lemon, lime, tangerine, and orange slices that were dehydrated. This was the only costume in the Primary/Elementary Division. In the Teen Division, Briana Garza modeled a costume created by Jovita Garza. This costume represented the 1966 theme “Fiesta of Fun and Flowers.” The square collar on the “Little Miss Fun and Flowers” dress was covered with dried sunflower petals. This costume won second place in this division. Also in the Teen Division was Sara Mae Gonzalez, better known as “Adventurer Sara,” representing the 1969 theme “Fiesta of Adventures.” Sara was both the designer and model for her first prize-winning costume. She chose a blouse with

a jacket, shorts, and sturdy hiking boots. Her hiking accessories, including a canteen for water, binoculars for bird watching and a compass, were all decorated with Valley products. She also carried a walking stick made of citrus wood. In the Adult Division, Kristal Lynn Garza was “Miss Pop Art” representing the year 2016 with the theme of “Cartoon and Comic Book Characters.” Garza was both designer and model for her costume, which won first place in the Adult Division. Miss Pop Art wore a fashionable dress that featured polka dots. She carried a clutch purse and wore heels. In keeping with the pop art theme, she had words on patches. The word “WOW!” was on her dress while “Hi!” was attached to her headband. Destiny Gonzalez chose the 1985 theme “Citrus By the Sea” for the costume she designed and modeled. Her costume represented the mermaid “Curious Ariel.” The outfit was a two-piece

costume consisting of a top and a mermaid fin skirt. The top was fashioned of pink bougainvillea petals, white onion skin, crushed yellow onion skins, and lemon and esperanza petals. The mermaid fin skirt was made of powder lemon leaves, and burnt orange peels, slices of lemon and palm tree leaves In the Hat Division Leyana Gonzalez won third place as “Queen Elizabeth” represented the 2006 theme “Hats Off to Citrus in the Spring.” Her hat was designed by Sylvia Gonzalez. Winning second place, Matthew Gonzalez modeled as “The New Sheriff” of Mission from the 2001 Fiesta theme, “Wild, Wild, Citrus Round-up.” His Stetson was covered with burnt citrus peels. Robert Rivera modeled the first place hat, “Sir Fantasy Citrus” from the 1973 “Citrus Fantasy Fiesta” theme. He donned the flamboyant top hat ready for attending the Royal Coronation of King Citrus and Queen Citrianna.

Proud to be part of the 2017 Texas Citrus Fiesta

www.cityofpalmview.com

Gerardo Perez Mayor

Joselito Hernandez Mayor Pro-Tem

Ricardo Villarreal Councilman

Javier Ramirez Councilman

Joel Garcia Councilman

Linda Sarabia Councilwoman

page 10B

February 3, 2016

www.ptrgv.com | www.strgv.com

Grand Champion - RPM Cooking Team

Mi Pedasito Ranch

1st Place Citrus Presentation, 1st Place Pork Ribs, 1st Place Peach Cobbler, 3rd Place Pan de Campo, 3rd Place Fajita

2nd Place Pork Ribs, 2nd Place Citrus Presentation, 2nd Place Pan de Campo,

Texas Edition

La Munequita Ranch

Sizzlin’ Racks

1st Place Pan de Campo, 3rd Place Peach Cobbler

1st Place Fajitas, 3rd Place Ranchero Beans

2nd Place Fajitas, 2nd Place Peach Cobbler

Kill ‘em n Grill ‘em

Smoking’ Moe’s BBQ

2nd Place Ranchero Beans

Special Thanks to

3rd Place Pork Ribs

Los Primos BBQ

1st Place Ranchero Beans

for their support of the

2017 Texas Citrus Fiesta

February 3, 2017

page 11B

www.ptrgv.com | www.strgv.com

Bryan Elementary librarian keeping shoe box float tradition alive Six winners announced in 2017 competition By Joe Hinton Approximately 210 fourth and fifth grade students submitted entries in this year’s Citrus Fiesta Shoe Box Float Competition with all but 10 coming from Bryan Elementary School Students. Though all elementary schools in the Mission and La Joya school districts were invited to participate in the children’s event of the annual Texas Citrus Fiesta just three entries were submitted from Mims Elementary and seven from Cavazos Elementary, the rest came from Bryan Elementary School. And all six winners of the shoebox competition were from Bryan. Elizabeth Mendez said when she became Bryan’s school librarian four years ago the number of children participating in the event had dwindled to about 10. Mendez recalls helping her two now grown sons work on shoebox floats when they were Bryan students. And having been a Bryan student herself – now married to a Bryan teacher – Mendez said she was determined to keep the tradition alive. “The tradition dwindled down because the teachers that would push it have retired so that’s when I said, OK, we need to get it going because the kids need to know about our city and the traditions that we have,” Mendez said. Now constructing a shoebox float is an assignment for every fourth and fifth grade Bryan student, all of whom attend an hour class Mendez presents on how to turn Rio Grande Valley-grown fruits and flowers into usable products to adorn their miniature floats. Mendez received her instruction and products from Dalia Vivian, who has two children attending Bryan and who both were winners in separate competitions this year. Vivian’s 6-year-old daughter, Tyra Alvarez, took

first place modeling a headto-toe cowgirl outfit designed by Vivian. And Vivian’s 9-year-old son, Gilbert J. Perez-Scheubach, took first place in the fourth grade shoebox float competition. Vivian said involving her children in Citrus Fiesta events has been a way to bond with them. Though Gilbert is autistic, Vivian said for the past three years he has helped with her fiesta-related creations. “He helps me and Tyra go picking flowers and leaves and he enjoys it,” she said. “And Gilbert and Tyra will put product in the microwave and they both like putting things in the blender. They take turns doing that.” Vivian said Gilbert was also involved in designing his shoebox float, which is an homage to the outfit his sister wore in the Product Costume Show. The float features a green-eyed Barbie with dark hair in a dress designed like the one Tyra wore. She said Gilbert objected to the float’s back drop because he thought it was too dark. But then she explained it represented the night sky with a half orange slice representing the moon and small white lights representing stars. “And when I put in the batteries [to the lights] he was very excited,” Vivian said. “And every time he’d see the float he’d say, ‘Turn on the lights, turn on the lights.’” The third place winner in the fourth grade Shoebox Float Competition was Diamond Lopez, whose float is a recreation of the Border Theater on Conway Avenue. She said she chose to replicate the theater because she and her family used to attend church there. “And my mom’s always saying, ‘You can’t forget history,’ so when I learned it was part of history I thought, why not do it?” Lopez said she spent be-

tween five and six hours over two weeks making the float. “It takes time because you have to use glue and let everything dry,” she said. Jose Luna took second place in the fourth grade competition. In the fifth grade competition first, second and third place winners were Sarah Garcia, Kyle Gerlach and Ever Torres, respectively. The winners were announced as votes were tallied in the Product Costume Show Jan. 14 at the Mission Community Center. And though the event was sparsely attended, in the opinion of at least four attendees whose family members were not involved, that was the loss to anyone who failed to attend. Judy McClelland of Edinburg attended with longtime friends and Dallas residents, Phyllis and Andy Prycer and their daughter, Melissa Prycer. Phyllis Prycer said her father, Fred Henke, was a citrus grower in Pharr and her mother, Jane Henke, was

involved in the first Citrus Fiesta in 1932, “back before anyone thought of dehydrating the fruit before wearing it,” she said. Despite that, the Prycer’s had never before attended a Product Costume Show nor seen a shoebox float. But after the event each said they were impressed by the creativity on display.

McClelland said she was surprised when Fiesta Director Bibi Peña told her popularity in the event has been waning over the years. “And I don’t understand why they’re not attracting more Winter Texans because they don’t know what they’re missing,” McClelland said. “That’s exactly it because

this is wonderful,” said Prycer. “They need to come and see it because it’s really unique; the only one in the world.” The Shoebox Float Competition is sponsored by the Progress Times.

Dalia Vivian, with her son Gilbert and 6-year-old daughter, Tyra Alvarez

Awards were presented to the top three entries from each grade in the Shoebox Float Competition during the annual Product Costume Style Show at the Mission Community Center. From left to right, they were fourth graders Diamond Lopez, third place; Jose Luna, second place; and Gilbert Perez, first place. And fifth graders Ever Torres, third place; Sarah Garcia, first place; and Bryan Elementary School librarian Elizabeth Mendez accepted the second place award for Kyle Gerlach who did not attend the ceremony. Progress Times photo by Joe Hinton