LifeStyles 2018 DECEMBER EDITION
OF THE RIO GRANDE VALLEY
Bringing Communities & Winter Texans
See Hidalgo Festival of Lights Story pg. 14
together! Supplement of the
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2018 December Edition
LifeStyles Of The RGV
LJISD Sports & Learning Complex holds first Howling Bash for Winter Texans
By Jamie Treviño
Hoping to foster a more unified relationship with their Winter Texan neighbors, the LJISD Sports & Learning Complex recently held their first Howling Bash last Saturday. Located at 1801 N. Western Rd. in Mission, TX, the La Joya Independent School District’s Sports & Learning Complex includes a natatorium, planetarium, tennis courts and a full golf course called Howling Trails. During the Howling Bash, which the district aims to hold once a month, Winter Texans are able to take advantage of the grounds with access to the public pools, courts, planetari-
um and golf course. The event took place last Saturday morning, and was host to a co-ed golf tournament, screenings of a couple of short films at the planetarium, pickleball, lap swimming and water aerobics classes. “They kind of requested it, and we were talking with [LJISD Superintendent] Dr. Benavides, and she mentioned doing something to involve the Winter Texans,” Victor Garza, the LJISD Sports & Learning Complex Director, said. “We as a district, we came into their neighborhood, so we’re neighbors in the system, and we want to make sure we’re all in it for the sake of the children [in the La Joya school
district].” The golf tournament was the most popular part of the first Howling Bash, with 36 teams of four people (144 total) signed up and competing. “A lot of them are members [with Howling Trails], so they’re already here,” Garza said. “We have some that golf at 7:30 in the morning, some at 10 in the morning and some that golf at 2 in the afternoon. But with this, it gave them an opportunity to get with some of their friends and neighbors and play together.” Overall, the Winter Texans enjoyed the nice weather that day. “They’ve been very positive, very receptive in regards to ev-
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erything that we’ve offered,” Garza said. “So that’s been a plus. We wanted to make sure that this event is satisfying to them, and it is.” “We want that harmony with our neighbors and the school district,” Garza added. Last year, Garza met with several Winter Texans who live in nearby parks in order to gauge what they wanted to get out of the Sports & Learning Complex. They brought up several ideas, including incorporating pickleball in their tennis courts. “We had our meetings with our parks, and they kept on asking if we were going to of-
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2018 December Edition
HOWLING BASH
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fer pickleball,” Garza said. “It’s LJISD, were offered three something new. We have a times throughout the mornfew people that are probably ing. They weren’t as popular going to pick it up and have this first time, but Nelly Gara type of league that they cia, who works as the Sports & a want to have [for pickleball]. Learning Complex Specialist, e And the courts are available, said they already have a list of Winter Texans signed up for they’re public courts.” Ear Canal Examwith the Hearing Evaluation Hearing Aid Demo the next time. He was unfamiliar h “Golfing is the popular sport, which combines tennis, badminton and ping pong. Af- thing,” Garcia said. “And that’s Authorized Dealer ter they explained it to Garza, why we wanted to open this h the complex was able to set side of the complex, so that o they are aware that they can up the courts for the sport. r “It’s a paddle with a per- use both [the golf course side If hearing loss is holding you back from enjoying the company forated ball, and I had never and the side with tennis courts, of family and friends or doing the things you once loved, it’s heard of it,” Garza said. “It’s natatorium and planetarium].” time to take back control with today’s discreet and comfortable The Howling Bash was a more of a northern sport, it’s digital hearing aid solutions. American Discount Hearing is proud introduce completely freeto event, giving the latest very popular. It’s good for the technology in Hearing Aid Texans Systems the Winter theavailable! opporseniors.” At the next Howling Bash, tunity to access everything h 2 YEARS OF BATTERIES OR BLUETOOTH REMOTE with plenty of people signed in the complex, including the n with every purchase of Bluetooth Hearing Aids golfFree, course, charge up already, there mayEnjoy even be Hands Selfwithout Adjusting, Smart Technology, when they registered. Garcia a pickleball tournament. 100% “We want to have different mentioned that the district DO YOU HAVE DIFFICULTIES HEARING? Digital BTE activities,” Garza said. “Most wanted to make sure visitors (Behind-the-Ear) knew what was inside available for ear canal. of these people are already Let us take a look your Fits up to 40 db Loss Retail Price $1290 members, so really, there’s them to use. It might be ear wax. “They didn’t know if they no cost to it. It’s just bringing them out here all at one time could come in or not,” Garcia 100% to play and celebrate their said. “Everyone who came Digital CIC • 30 DAY Money Back Guarantee was excited to see that this is neighbors.” (Completely-in-Canal) • Repairs Adjustments Most Major Brands we have For available.” The water aerobics class- &what Fits up to 40 db Loss Retail Price $1490 es, taught by employees of
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2018 December Edition
Wednesday January 23, 2019 9:00 A.M. to 3:00 P.M.
9:00 A.M. to 3:00 P.M.
SOUTH
TEXAS
BLUEGRASS FESTIVAL PORT ISABEL, TEXAS
Port Isabel Event Cultural Center 309 E. Railroad Ave
Goldwing Express
With Special Guest Leslie Blasing
The Kody Norris Show
As Seen on RFD TV all the way from Tennessee
Along with many other bands For more information call Lynn Clasen (952) 261-8480 or Norma Reyes (956) 219-9072
Tickets $20.00 p/p S P O N S O R E D B Y:
LifeStyles Of The RGV
Ka Motion Sailing Adventure showcases the beauty of SPI By Bryan Ramos
If you’re spending the winter months down in South Texas, visiting South Padre Island is a must, and what better way to enjoy the island than an evening sailing the waters of the Laguna Madre. A group of Winter Texans celebrated Veteran’s Day in November with a Red, White and Blue Cruise with Ka Motion Sailing Adventure, a family
owned and operated business in SPI that offers sunset dinner cruises onboard their Catamaran with a three-course meal, drinks and a good time for all. “It’s another side of the island you don’t get to see often,” said Lynn Clasen, a resident of Casa de Sol in Donna. “It’s wonderful being out on the water like this.” Originally scheduled for See SAILING ADVENTURE
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LifeStyles Of The RGV from pg. 4 SAILING ADVENTURE Nov. 12, the day after Veteran’s Day, the wonderful time was pushed back nearly a month due to multiple cold fronts coming through South Texas, but the wait was well worth it. At 4:30 p.m. on Thursday, Nov. 29, the group of Winter Texans boarded the Ka Motion Catamaran to gloomy weather, but within minutes and just as Captain Sean Slovisky predicted, sun began to break through the clouds to give guests a beautiful view while enjoying music provided by the talented Leslie Blasing. Blasing, a professional singer for 30 years who has spent the last 25 in South Padre Island, said she loves when visitors, especially Winter Texans, get to experience all parts of the island. “I like visitors to the island to experience all parts of the island, and that includes being off the land,” Blasing said. “There’s a lot of facets that make the island shine and this is something different. There’s not many places you can go and get on a catamaran and have a wonderful three course meal and have entertainment on it also. The food is different, the service goes above and beyond to make everybody’s wish true on this catamaran, right on the water, it’s just a different view of the island. It’s just a different type of entertainment and I love it.” Located behind Tequila Sunset, Slovisky and his wife/first mate Leticia, have created one of the best experiences the island has to offer. Ka Motion
Sailing Adventure also offers the first and only Snorkel Adventure Cruise on South Padre Island. Sean and Leticia Slovisky spoke about how they love the fun times Ka Motion Sailing Adventure has been able to provide Winter Texans. “It feels good to see smiles on people’s faces,” said Captain Sean Slovisky. “It feels like we have a purpose and we’re doing something for them.” “Winter Texans are very important for the whole Valley, not just the Island,” Leticia said. “They just come to have fun and we love to have fun with them, we love them.” Blasing, who performs regularly on and around South Padre Island, sang everything from Jimmy Buffett to Joan Jett to Bruno Mars. “It’s great for a singer because they love good music,” Blasing said. “That could encompass everything from before their time, which is the 1940s all the way to present day music. They’re relaxed, they have a different attitude about life. Every single day is a Saturday, whether it’s daytime or night time, it doesn’t matter, they’re always rip, roaring, ready to go.” For more information on Ka Motion Sailing Adventure, follow them on Facebook @Kamotionsailingadventure, call for reservations at 956-4109945, or visit their website at www.kamotionsailingadventure.com.
2018 December Edition
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2018 December Edition
LifeStyles Of The RGV
Finding The Way By Bryan Ramos For more than 1,000 years, people have traveled from across the world to walk the Camino de Santiago, a network of pilgrimages leading to the shrine of the apostle Saint James the Great in northern Spain where the saint was buried. Walking one foot in front of the other, step by step for nearly 500 miles, sometimes alone with your thoughts, sometimes in conversation with somebody you just met from the other side of the planet, the experience of walking the Camino de Santiago is different for every person who attempts to travel the route. Dr. Charles Proesel, a dentist originally from Illinois who has spent his last five winters in Mission at Bentsen Grove Resort, has made the trek twice in the past three
years, recently finishing his second attempt at walking the Camino de Santiago just last month. “I found that I liked the simplicity of the life,” said Proesel. “You get up in the morning, pack everything you have for your journey into your pack, and the day is just one step in front of another, sometimes up, sometimes down, sometimes on level. You meet interesting people, you see interesting sites, you pass through history. It’s a spiritual journey.” Proesel was inspired to embark on his journey after learning about the movie ‘The Way’ from a friend in a prayer group. The 2010 movie, written, produced and directed by Emilio Estevez who costars with his father, Martin Sheen, is about an American dad who travels to France to retrieve the body of his esSee FINDING THE WAY
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LifeStyles Of The RGV
2018 December Edition
La Joya ISD Winter Choral Festival Kicks off Holiday Concert Series LA JOYA, TX, December, 2018 La Joya ISD student artists are preparing for a series of FREE holiday concerts at the Alejandro “Alex” H. Saenz Performing Arts Center. Members of the community are invited to December’s holiday concerts featuring our Choir, Orchestra, Classical Guitar, Dance, Mariachi, Conjunto, and Band groups. This Friday, December 7, the holiday season kicks off with the 2nd Annual Winter Choral Festival. This event features choir groups from all three high schools and 8th grade
honor members from all eight middle schools, as they perform your holiday favorites. For the grand finale, all 270 students will be on stage for one final selection. You won’t want to miss this one. The remainder of the month will also feature our Band, Orchestra, Classical Guitar, Conjunto, Mariachi, and Dance groups. All concerts are free and open to the public. La Joya Independent School District is recognized by the NAMM Foundation as a 2018 Best Communities for Music Education.
MISSION HISTORICAL
useu Presents
MHM LECTURE SERIES
“Mexican American Folk Medicine in Local Perspective”
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Alejandro “Alex” H. Saenz Performing Arts Center
Fall 2018 Calendar of Events ALL EVENTS ARE FREE TO THE PUBLIC
December 7 La Joya ISD Winter Choral Festival • 7:00 PM December 10 La Joya HS Band Cluster Winter Concert • 6:30 PM December 11 La Joya HS Choir Cluster Winter Concert • 6:00 PM December 12 La Joya HS Orchestra & Classical Guitar Winter Concert • 6:00 PM December 13 Juarez-Lincoln HS Band Winter Concert • 7:00 PM December 15 TMEA All-Region MS Band Concert • 4:00 PM December 17 JFK Christmas Program • 6:00 PM December 18 La Joya HS Fine Arts Winter Concert • 7:00 PM December 19 Irene Garcia MS Orchestra Winter Concert • 6:00 PM December 20 Palmview HS Band Cluster Winter Concert • 7:00 PM
Saturday, December 15th, 2018 11:00 am (Free Admission)
Dr. Servando Z. Hinojosa Professor of Anthropology UT-RGV
900 DOHERTY AVE. MISSION, TX 956-580-8646 WWW.MISSIONMUSEUM.ORG
Alejandro “Alex” H. Sáenz Performing Arts Center FOR MORE INFORMATION
(956) 323-2898
604 N. Coyote Drive La Joya, Texas 78560
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2018 December Edition
LifeStyles Of The RGV
A Celebration of Life in the RGV What began as a mere idea for a Winter Texan music fest, Party on the Boulevard quickly grew into something much bigger – a celebration of pride for the people, businesses, and artists across the Rio Grande Valley. In fact, Tim Mull, representative of Winter Texan Home Sales, whose idea inspired the event, shares with delight, “Party on the Boulevard is going to be greater than I ever imagined.” That initial seed of an idea grew leaps and bounds after Tim, along with Donna Schroeder, enlisted Cheryl Palacios to help plan the festival, which will take place at the Rio Grande Valley Livestock Show Grounds on the first Saturday in February. Cheryl has spent the last six years cultivating relationships with Winter Texans and those who want to do business with them. Observes Cheryl, “Everyone I talk to is excited about this festival -from the artists to people from the community and Winter Texans alike. They’re all extra excited with such involvement from all across the Valley!” This anticipation saw the festival sign up support from sponsors like: L& F Distributors, Boggus Ford Lincoln, Encore RV Resorts, Harlingen Texas Convention & Visitors Bureau, City of Matamoros, Winter Texan Times, Gulf Coast Eye Institute, Payne Auto Group, Progress Times (LifeStyles of the RGV), Harlingen Medical Center, Knapp Medical Center, Mission Regional Medical Center, and of course, Winter Texan Home Sales, who created the concept. The same interest
translates into a diverse roster of Valley-wide vendors for their artist and artisans marketplace, musicians and performers, food trucks (not just local, but also visiting food trucks from Hill Country and the Coastal Bend area), a biergarten for your refreshment pleasure, and a car show staged along the festival’s boulevard thanks to the Antique Auto Club of America. To add an extra dose of charm and personality, Party on the Boulevard will also be host to a slew of fun demos and competitions. With the Super Bowl taking place the day after the event, they have concocted a festival within the festival, the Dog Bowl! Visitors are encouraged to bring their pups to walk in the pet parade and vie for awards like Dog Bowl King and Queen, Best Tail Wagging (by the dogs, not their handlers), Best Costume, and Best Mirror Image, riffing on that age-old observation that pets and their humans are sometimes remarkably similar. They’re also incorporating a classic American festival tradition into the mix, the Party on the Boulevard kissing booth for celebrating Valentine’s Day a little bit early! More competitions and demos – and all kinds of other fun and a complete schedule of entertainment and vendors -- will be revealed in greater detail as the event date draws closer, so stay tuned to their website (www.partyontheblvd.com), where you can also find a parking coupon, and social media (www.faceSee PARTY ON THE BOULEVARD
Pg. 9
LifeStyles Of The RGV from pg. 8
PARTY ON THE BOULEVARD
book.com/partyontheblvd). Thanks to the support of their community of sponsors and participating vendors, all the above and more will be offered to the public with free admission to the event. Parking fees are $10 for the carload. For those interested in joining the festival as a vendor, just head to the Party on the Boulevard website or Facebook page for complete info and contact details. This won’t be your typical expo or market; Party on the Boulevard is a true celebration of life in the RGV.
EVENTS
CALENDAR
December 7-8 - PSJA North High School Thespians present “The Wiz”. Dates are also December 13-15, December 20-21 at 7p.m., and December 9 & 16 at 2 p.m. For more information call 956-354-2388. Dec. 7-16 - Holiday Sand Castle Village is filled with unique holiday sand sculptures built by incredibly talented sand artist. This new outdoor exhibit will include a lighted musical performance starting at dusk. Open Friday, Saturday and Sunday at the South Padre Island Convention Center. Dec. 7-16 - The Camille Playhouse Theatre Group will present “Annie”. For more details and show times visit www. camilleplayhouse.net/shows or call (956) 542-8900. Dec. 7 & 8 - Sharyland Pioneer High School Alpha Theatre presents “Chicago” High School Edition. Showtime is 7 p.m. with additional dates December 14 & 15 and December 16 at 3:30 p.m. Pioneer is located at 10001 N. Shary Rd., Mission, TX 78572 Call (956) 271-1600 for more details. Dec. 7-30 - The Costumes of the Americas Museum in Brownsville presents its new exhibit, “Triple Treat”. The exhibit depicts the “Evolution of the Rebozo”, “Guatemalan Market” and “Designs, Colors and Flowers” on Mexican textiles. Open Tuesday- Saturday 10 a.m.- 5 P.M and Sunday 12- 4 p.m. Closed Monday. For more information call 956-547-6890. Dec. 7-30 - Holiday Village at Dean Porter Park in Brownsville is bringing Santa Claus to Town! Come stroll through the Holiday Village and be magically transported to the North Pole. Admission is Free and the Memories are Priceless. Dec. 10 - Fused Glass Jewelry Workshop Create unique pieces of fused glass jewel-
2018 December Edition
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Tuesday, January 8, 2019
pg. 9
9:00 A.M. to 3:00 P.M.
SOUTH
Saturday, February 2, 2019 11:00am-9:00pm Rio Grande Valley Livestock Show Grounds 1000 N Texas Avenue, Mercedes, Texas www.partyontheblvd.com ry in this fun two-hour workshop! Register on our website www.mcallenstainedglass. com or call us at 956-687-8682. Advanced registration is required. Dec. 12- 13 - Livingway Family Church presents The Singing Christmas Tree, a FREE outdoor Christmas event for the whole family at 1234 E. New Hampshire in Harlingen. There will be a petting zoo, face painting, balloon animals, and food trucks, which will open at 6pm nightly. The tree will come to life with song at 7pm. Call 956-548-2223 for more information. Dec. 13 - Quinta Mazatlan in McAllen is kicking off the Holiday season with a music concert in the forest consisting of wonderful holiday songs performed by The Swing Street Big Band at 6 p.m. Come and enjoy the songs and sounds that transport you back to your most cherished childhood memories during this holiday season! Call Quinta Mazatlan at 956-6813370 for more details. Dec. 15-16 - A Veterans Christmas Celebration at the DAV Chapter 121, American Legion Post 205, and the VFW Post 2410 in Harlingen are joining for a night camaraderie, good food, and fun to gather non-perishables and toys for local food banks and to assist veterans in need during the holidays. Call Joanna Granadao at 573-855-2095 for information. Dec. 22 - Join the buffalo soldiers at Resaca De La Palma State Park as they transform into the historic Iron Riders. Join our modern day Buffalo Soldier living historians as they take you on a guided 8 mile bike ride to the beautiful Resaca De La Palma State Park in Brownsville, from 10am- 3pm. For more details call 956350-2920. January 1, 2019 - Take a plunge into the Gulf of Mexico and join us at Clayton’s in SPI for the Annual Polar Bear Dip & New Years Day Party! New Year’s Day Registration at 10AM – Dip at 12PM
TEXAS WINTER FEST
PORT ISABEL, TEXAS
Port Isabel Event Cultural Center 309 E. Railroad Ave
Danica Rae Bird
Goldwing Express
Greg Jones
LIVE MUSIC!
Leslie Blasing
The Kody N Show orris
Vendors: $400 To Sponsor an entertainer: will receive 3-4 weeks of free advertising throughout the RGV. Entrance, with table and chairs to South Texas Winter Fest. $100.00 includes, entrance, table and chairs. Hand out Literature, Coupons, Discounts, talk to Locals & Winter Texans one to one.
For more information call Lynn Clasen (952) 261-8480 or Norma Reyes (956) 219-9072
S P O N S O R E D B Y:
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2018 December Edition
LifeStyles Of The RGV
Winter Texans play vital role to Rainbow Rooms in RGV By Bryan Ramos
With the holiday season upon us, there’s no better time to help those in need, especially when those in need are children in search of hope. Local Winter Texans play a vital role in helping children in need in the Rio Grande Valley as they have teamed up with Rainbow Rooms across the RGV for years, donating things like clothing, toys, and their time to help little ones in need. “We get a ton of assistance from several Winter Texan parks all across the Valley from places like Alamo Rec-Veh Park, Tip O’ Tex-
as RV Resort, Snow to Sun RV Resort,” said Emma Menchaca, the Rainbow Room Coordinator of South Texas Child Protective Services. “So many different parks have made different monetary, clothing and toy donations for our kiddos. Every year our Winter Texans come through with shining colors.” A Rainbow Room is an emergency resource center available to CPS caseworkers to help them meet the critical needs of abused and neglected children. It consists of a store-like setting that allows Child Protective Services workers to go “shopping” for the children and families on their caseloads.
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The room is stocked with new items such as clothing, shoes, toys and games, diapers, formula, school supplies, hygiene products and Every cleaning products. item in the Rainbow Room is donated or purchased from donations. Opal Womack, an 80-yearold resident at Alamo RecVeh Park, has organized a group of ladies at her park that make quilts for children in need which are then donated to different Rainbow Rooms across the Valley in time for the colder months. There are eight Rainbow Room locations across the Rio Grande Valley, including Brownsville, Edinburg, Har-
1418 E. Bus. 83 Mission, TX
When donating items to neglected and abused children, it’s easy to focus in on See RAINBOW ROOMS
Pg. 11
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lingen, McAllen and Weslaco. “They have such giving hearts,” Menchaca said. “They understand the need, and I think it’s the wisdom of their years that really helps them gain perspective and it really helps them see that children are something that we’ve got to nurture, and we have to teach that giving back is the way to create a better future, and they just do a wonderful job showing that spirit, especially now during the holiday season.”
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LifeStyles Of The RGV from pg. 10
2018 December Edition
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RAINBOW ROOMS
the little ones, but there are also a number of older kids .and teenagers in CPS custody as well looking for something that can help make ,them happy during the holfidays. s Rainbow Room RGV and dits community partners are currently hosting a Christtmas Toy Drive where they are accepting donations no later than Friday, Dec. 14. Those alooking to donate a new, untwrapped toy can drop it off at the CPS Office in McAllen, wlocated at 1919 Austin, 78501. “Even though we’re providing all these material items ofor these kids, these material -items for the kids represent something so much bigger for the kids, they represent hope,” Menchaca said. “So, DANCES – 7 – 10pm
Dec. 14 - Steve May Dec. 28 – Diego Reserved seating tickets sold in the Activity Office Concessions available
SHOWS - 7pm
Dec. 21 - Ralph Kuster Christmas Show Jan. 15 – Leslie Show Jan. 22 – Senior Ambassadors Jan. 29 – Lawless & Mae Show
Concession available - Doors open at 6:15pm
yes we need all of these things, but when the community comes together, they really give these kiddos hope in a moment in their lives when they think that there’s none left , and to me, that’s the most important thing our Rainbow Rooms can do for our kiddos and the biggest way the community can help. For more information on how you can help South Texas Rainbow Rooms, contact Emma Menchaca, Rainbow Room Coordinator for South Texas Child Protective Services, at 956-270-2284. You can also visit their website at McAllenRainbowRoom.org or find more information on their Facebook pages @rainbow.room.mcallen or @EdinburgRainbowRoom. ROCK & ROLL JAMS By RK Welander Every Tuesday During Jan., Feb., and Mar. Lunch available 11:30 – 1pm Jam - Noon - 2pm Ice Cream, Popcorn & Soda JOIN THE FUN!!!
CRAFT SHOWS
SQUARE DANCING WITH JOE & CHRIS SALTEL
First Friday in 2019 Dec. 7, Jan. 4, Feb. 1, Mar. 1 7:30 – noon Breakfast and Lunch available COME VISIT THE FOOD COURT!!!
ROUND DANCING WITH RON & GEORGINE
New Year’s Eve Dance
For more information call 956-283-7581 www.joesaltel.com For more information call 360-789-8657
Dec. 31 - Roger Kenaston Band Call for more information
Quilters of the Rio Grande Valley display quilts they’ve made at Alamo Recreational Vehicle Park in November. The quilts are often donated to Rainbow Rooms across the Rio Grande Valley who gives them to children in need. Courtesy: Karen K. Stone.
BG
BENTSEN GROVE RESORT 1645 S. Bentsen Palm Drive Palmview – 956-585-0703
Every Sunday – 8:30am
Nondenominational Church Service
Followed by Prayer Meeting Every Monday 4:30 – 6pm Dinner Call for menu changes every week Every Thursday Lunch – Burgers & More 11 – 12:30pm Country Jam – 12:30 – 3pm
Tropic Star
1401 S. Cage Blvd. Pharr – 956-787-5773
Every Friday Alternating Pizza & Salad Bar 11 – 12:30pm 2nd Saturday Each Month Craft Sale – 8am – 12noon Breakfast & Lunch available
Dances Every Friday 7-10pm Dec. 7 – Renaissance Rockers - $10 Dec. 14 – Karaoke w/Paul Donations 7-9:30pm Dec. 21 - The Cruiser - $10 Dec. 22 - Gatos Locos - $8 (Saturday Night) Dec. 28 - Regan James Hired Hands - $6 Jan. 4 - Daddy D Three - $8 Jan. 11 - Swing Street Big Band - $10 “Singles are Welcome” Entertainment 7pm Dec. 9 – Razz Ma Tazz - Donations Dec. 11 – Lindley Creek Christmas Show - $8 Dec. 19 – Pharr Community Theater Show - $7 Jan. 9 - Goldwing Express - $10 Jan. 10 - Absolutely Country - $7 New Year’s Eve Dance Rewind - $15 - 8:30 pm – 12:30 am w/ Late Lunch
All Events Open to Public Peggy Creach – Co Director / Kathy Taylor – Co Director
pg. 12
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from pg. 6
2018 December Edition
LifeStyles Of The RGV
FINDING THE WAY
tranged son who died while attempting the pilgrimage to Spain’s Santiago de Compostela, where Saint James’ bones are reportedly buried. The father decides to take the journey himself in an effort to understand his son and spreads his cremated remains along the Camino de Santiago. “A few months after that, I happened to be surfing Dish and saw it was on one night, so I decided to watch it, was impressed by it, but unfortunately, I was working all year long at that point and couldn’t take a month off to go walk the trail,” Proesel said. Fast-forward to his 70th birthday two years ago and Proesel found time to make the trip during the fall. He loved the experience so much, he decided to make the walk again this year for
his 72nd birthday. “The first time I took six weeks off and was actually walking for about five and a half weeks,” he said. “Ran out of time and did not get to go to the ocean, which is what I wanted to do, so about a year ago I decided I wanted to go back and do it again, so I took seven weeks this time, so I’d walk all the way to the ocean.” Proesel started each day walking at about 8 a.m. and would walk anywhere between six to eight hours carrying a 20-30 pound backpack filled with clothes, food and first-aid items that proved to be essential. “The first person I met and walked with for a while, a man from Washington state, was having medical problems on the side of the trail, sitting on a rock, panting, sweating,
very uncomfortable,” Proesel said. “He had a Fit-Bit on so I asked his heart rate and he said 145, I said that’s not too good. So I stayed with him because on the trail, it could be an hour before somebody comes along or it could be three minutes. So I stayed with him for an hour and I decided I was going to walk with him until he recovers and we walked together for a week.” The trip wasn’t without hiccups. On his second journey, Proesel was coming off of meniscus surgery on his knee and happened to aggravate the injury. An Australian woman who he met on the walk just so happened to have a brace because of knee issues of her own, so she lent him the knee brace until he could find a pharmacy along the way to purchase his own. Weather also proved to be a factor ranging from above
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90 degrees to waking up to three inches of snow on the mountains of Galicia. “There’s a saying, ‘the camino provides’, and I found that true dozens of times,” Proesel said. “Somebody develops a blister, somebody has something to help it. Somebody falls, somebody says walk with me and I’ll take care of you or I have an ACE bandage. Everybody’s helping each other, the camino provides.” At night, Proesel stayed in hostels and albergues for about $15 a night and ate simple meals like meat with pasta or salad. He also took his ukulele along with him which he’d play for a group of travelers or just to himself in the corner. There are many different routes to take that lead to See FINDING THE WAY
Pg. 13
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LifeStyles Of The RGV from pg. 12
FINDING THE WAY
Santiago de Compostela, but Proesel went with Camino Frances, the most popular and well-known which begins in France. He started walking in Saint-Jean-Pied-de-Port De Port (France),went down through Roncesvalles, Pamplona, Leon, Astorga, all the way to Santiago de Compostela. He said the alone time allowed him to look inward and learn about himself and from
the others he encountered on his journeys. “You learn about yourself, there’s a lot of inward talking, but you also learn from your fellow pilgrims and share stories,” he said. “Sometimes you open up more to strangers than you do to your close friends or your spouse, and when we meet on the Camino, we’re all doing the same thing, walking mile after mile. It’s kind of safe to open up
2018 December Edition and tell people your deepest thoughts, fears, share problems that you wouldn’t share with anybody else.” When not walking across Europe or practicing dentistry, Proesel is a first responder in his park, is part of the men’s chorus, ukulele group, and a pickleball player. He encourages anybody seeking adventure to walk the Camino de Santiago. “It’s not a difficult journey in that you don’t have to be
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pg. 13
a mountain hiker,” he said. “Yes, there are hills and you get tired, but it’s doable. I met people in their 80s, I met very few older than myself, but I met a lot of people near my age. You should get in shape for it, get used to carrying a 20-30 pound pack. Travel light and you find out how little you need to survive. It’s a minimalistic existence and you find out that you’re really happy that way.”
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2018 December Edition
LifeStyles Of The RGV
Hidalgo’s month-long Festival of Lights attracts hundreds of thousands from all over By Bryan Ramos
If you’re in the Rio Grande Valley and looking to get in the Christmas spirit, look no further than Hidalgo’s Festival of Lights, a holiday tradition now in its 28th year that features more than 5 million lights and over 500 illuminated displays along three miles in South Texas. Now through Dec. 31, the month-long festival in Hidalgo offers nightly tours of the Christmas lights, musical and artist performances, a carnival for the kids and the chance to meet the jolly, bearded one himself, Santa. This year kicked off with the Hidalgo Illuminated Parade, which featured a Dr. Seuss theme and broke its previous
attendance record. “The Festival of Lights started in 1990, with displays in the city hall courtyard,” said Selenne Garza, the City of Hidalgo Special Events Coordinator. “It has grown to include other parts of the city, including the other city buildings, parks, and the Historic Pumphouse Museum and World Birding Center. The city now puts up over 5 million lights each Christmas, and new displays are made every year. This year, our city employees transformed the area in front of city hall to Who-Dalgo (spin off from Who-Ville), featuring everyone’s favorite characters from Dr. Seuss.” The festival has grown into
one of the largest in Texas, and in 2013, traffic counters placed in front of Hidalgo City Hall in December versus other months of the year showed the lights were seen over 800,000 times. The Christmas fun lasts all month long with nightly performances by local school’s choir, mariachi, folklorico and bands. “Each night, we have performances on our community Christmas stage located directly in front of City Hall,” Garza said. “Next to the stage we have Santa’s cottage for pictures with Santa, the guided tour starting point, and the carnival. On the other side we have our food court and Christmas
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LifeStyles Of The RGV
from pg. 14 FESTIVAL OF LIGHTS residents and tourists from both sides of the border. tThe Posada, which officially starts with a ribbon cutting -ceremony at 5 p.m. on Dec. n20, includes a toy giveaway to more than 10,000 low-inecome children. The City of mHidalgo, along with the genterous donations of several h
local businesses, and from the Hermes Music Foundation all partner to provide these toys. More than 40,000 people are expected for the Ramon Ayala Posada, just one of Hidalgo’s many attractions of the monthlong Festival of Lights. “Hidalgo is a small city
2018 December Edition that is known for big entertainment,” Garza said. “As the entertainment capital of the Valley, we strive to bring a wide variety of entertainment to our community and to the rest of the Valley. From our shows at the State Farm Hidalgo Arena, to the award winning Hidalgo Borderfest, we take pride in hosting
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pg. 15
these large events. Every light display at the Festival of Lights is constructed right here in the city of Hidalgo by our talented and dedicated employees. For more information and to see the event calendar for the month-long holiday festival, visit www.HidalgoFestivalofLights.com.
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2018 December Edition
LifeStyles Of The RGV
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