October 20, 2021 Winter Texan Times Vol. 35, No. 1 by Winter Texan Times

r e t n Wi n a x e T

TIMES

WELCOME BACK! We’re Glad You’re Here!

A Big Welcome Back

A big welcome back to all our Winter Texan visitors. We are excited for this upcoming year and are happy that you have chosen to spend some of your time in the great Rio Grande Valley. Our regular visitors and converted Texans all know why South Texas is a favorite among Winter Texans. In fact, Texas had 17 cities make the top 100, including McAllen, Mission, and Harlingen, in a recent survey (StorageCafe) of favorite ‘Snowbird’ destinations. We hope that some of our new visitors will see why the Valley has been a hidden gem among winter visitors. Also included in that survey, were the top 100 most affordable cities for

I can’t believe it’s that time of year again. It doesn’t seem that long ago that we were telling you, our winter visitors, to travel safely and see ya next year. I hope everyone had a safe and enjoyable summer. And it was a great summer as far as weather goes. We had a very mild one in the Valley with a few thunderstorms here and there, some flooding streets. But, overall, it was a good summer to get out and enjoy nature and visit the sites. See RAMBLINGS pg. 14

RGV Woodcarvers

meetings have begun

The Rio Grande Valley Woodcarvers have begun their 20212022 season. The woodcarvers are meeting again this year at the Nomad Shrine Club, 1044 W. Nolana Blvd., in Pharr. Join the group from 8 a.m. until noon every Thursday through March of 2022. Gather with old friends, and new, to carve, visit and share ideas. Please use the north end of the See WOODCARVERS pg. 9 INDEX “On the road with Jo” Parks Calendar WintertainersTM Taste of the Valley Events Calendar Business Guide Classifieds

p 12 p 11 p 11 p 13 p 15 p 17 p 18

See WELCOME pg. 3

25th Butterfly Festival next weekend

Dubbed as the “butterfly capital of the world” by USA Today, the National Butterfly Center in Mission will host their 25th Butterfly Festival with a community day on Saturday, October 30 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Visitors are invited to comes see for themselves why the City of Mission is a hotspot for butterflies. Did you know nearly 150 species of North American butterflies can be seen only in the Lower Rio Grande Valley (LRGV) of Texas, or by traveling to Mexico? In fact, more than 300 species of butterflies may be found in the LRGV, and more than See BUTTERFLY pg. 2

Great Purple Butterfly, photo by Mariana Wright

OCTOBER 20, 2021 BUTTERFLY

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WINTER TEXAN TIMES

From pg. 1

200 species have been seen at the National Butterfly Center, including a number of rarities and U.S. records. Renowned for a volume and variety of wild, free-flying butterflies that cannot be found anywhere else in the country, deep south Texas is home to the country’s premier butterfly event, featuring field trips and educational activities for beginners to experts, private gardens and guided hot spot tours, the North American Butterfly Contest, and a free community day full of fun for everyone. The festival provides attendees with a remarkable and rewarding outdoor experience. Registrants will spend three days exploring renowned public lands and private properties with world-class trip leaders, where they might reasonably expect to see more than 60 species in a day. Two years ago, attendees from 24 states and three countries registered to experience one of the most biologically-diverse areas in North America, with the assistance of expert guides. Come see for yourself why the Rio Grande Valley has earned worldwide recognition for its outstanding butterfly and birding spots, inviting thousands of visitors each year to discover its remarkable assortment of preserves, refuges, nature parks, trails and more. Whether you are an accomplished naturalist or a beginner enthusiast, the Texas Butterfly Festival is the place to be. Here, many eyes make for exciting discoveries, including U.S. records, super rarities, subtropical strays, seldom-seen species, ‘life’ and chase butterflies that may only be found in the LRGV, where the river winds its way toward the Laguna Madre at the Gulf of Mexico. This unique region encompasses no fewer than 11 different types of habitat, from the tidal wetlands to riparian forest, brushland scrub to prairie savanna, and is home to more than 1,200 different species of plants, 500 species of birds, 200 vertebrate species, roughly 300 species of butterflies, and over 90 species of dragonflies. The community day will give attendees the opportunity to make

their own banana brew, attend ‘Butterfly U’, enjoy arts and crafts and more. Vendors and exhibits will be set up in the visitor’s pavilion and in the gardens for all to enjoy. The center is located at 3333 Butterfly Park Drive. Organizers are excited to be able to gather again; to have the commitment of quality guides; and to enjoy the outdoors, safely, for the love of butterflies. The excursions are scheduled for October 30 through November 2, with registration packet pickup on October 30. For a full schedule of events, or to register, visit their website at https://www.texasbutterflyfestival. com/festival-events/schedule. Due to the increased risk of liability and increased cost of sanitation for this event that will bring people from all over the country together, the price per person for tours for the weekend will now be $575. There will be a discount incentive for those that are fully vaccinated. To provide a safer environment for tours, registrants will belong to cohorts that will stay together for all three days of excursions. All cohorts will go East, West and In-Between, so choose a cohort based upon the area you wish to see first, to accommodate your travel plans. Specific destinations will be determined based upon scouting reports a week or so prior to the festival. Guides will choose their cohort based upon their preferences and schedules. There will be no vans – all registrants must have their own ground transportation or negotiate carpooling with other registrants. Each year, the National Butterfly Center provides engaging environmental education programs to thousands of children in the LRGV. The proceeds from the festival support these high-quality, conservation programs and provide scholarships to very low-income students and schools. The free community day is just one more way in which the center is “Growing Connections” between people, plants, and the Winged Wonders that make our world so colorful. If you would like to be a sponsor or volunteer, call (956) 583-5400.

Malachite Butterfly, photo by Mariana Wright

Photo courtesy of the National Butterfly Center

Ruddy Daggerwing, photo by Mariana Wright

WINTER TEXAN TIMES

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OCTOBER 20, 2021

Victoria Palms Softball

WELCOME From pg. 1

SPI Sea Turtle Trail

Ed Martens

Winter visitors. All but one of the top 10 was a Texas city. The Valley cities of Brownsville, Harlingen, McAllen, Edinburg and Mission were the top five, in that respective order. So, what brings you here? It’s not just to get out of the cold weather the northern states experience. Sure enough, when we talk to Winter Texans that visit the Valley, they will often tell you it’s the people. After that, it’s the activities and weather. The subtropical climate, abundance of things to do, and affordability bring Winter Texans to the Valley – year after year. Last year, we had some difficulties with things to do at the parks, but there are always sights to see in the Valley. The Valley abounds with history, nature trails, museums, and there is always the beach. You can find places to see in our visitors

Shuffleboard

guide on our website where we included regional maps this year. This year, parks are ready with activities to entertain you. Nearly all the parks we have talked to will have activities throughout the year. Our Parks Calendar is evident that there will be dances, bingo games, dinners, church activities, and more for you to enjoy. Soon we will be showcasing our Wintertainers™ that will be making their trips to the Valley to entertain you with their music and shows. Everyone is ready for a fun filled year. Parks have been telling us their reservations this year are what their peak was last year, or nearly there. This is a good sign that y’all are coming and are ready for all the Valley has to offer. We look forward to getting out there with you and enjoying the activities, music, and weather as well.

Painted Bunting Edinburg Scenic Wetlands

Historic Brownsville Museum

OCTOBER 20, 2021

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Feathered friends returning

By John Brush, Urban Ecologist, City of McAllen There is a special joy that comes with reunions. It is a mix of happiness at picking up where a friendship left off and a delight in seeing growth and change; nostalgia blended with the prospect of new memories to be made. People coming together again. Connections re-established. I think that reunion joy goes beyond just people, extending to include the plants and animals that share our spaces; the huisache flowers that welcome us to spring, the toads that trill after heavy rains, the birds that return to us each fall. That is why I consider bird migration to be more than just a chance to see dozens of colorful species. It is an opportunity to see old friends returning for winter and to become more connected to acquaintances only met in passing. Fall migration feels different than spring migration. In the spring, birds are in a rush to return to their breeding grounds. They need to find

and claim a territory, find a mate, and build a nest all in a short span to capitalize on the spring’s burst of productivity. Because of that, spring migration feels condensed, with dozens of species passing through the Valley over the course of a month or so; temporally compact. In fall, migration feels more relaxed (though I am not one of the birds making a stressful, long-distance journey). As early as July we start enjoying familiar feathers returning south – Orchard Oriole, Louisiana Waterthrush, and Least Flycatcher in the same trees that our Green Jays are feeding the latest fledglings. More species trickle through in August, and then, as summer percolates into fall in September, there is a burst of flycatchers, hummingbirds, vireos, and warblers on their way to Mexico, Central America, and South America. But that is not all. October and November bring more of the migrants that are returning for a seasonal stay. Sandhill Cranes rattle over agricultur-

WINTER TEXAN TIMES

Wilson’s Warbler

al fields, joined by the honking of thousands of Snow Goose and Greater White-fronted Goose. Orange-crowned Warblers will oftentimes return to the exact same spot they have stayed before; a five-inch bird that can make a migration of thousands of miles, not only surviving the flight but showing off incredible navigation skills. Behind each arrival, a thrush here or a sandpiper there, there is the intricate and wonderful science of migration. Birds need to know when to leave their summer grounds, have to stock up on fat (their fuel) for

American Kestrel

the journey, and then navigate vast distances to their winter homes. I marvel at the biological spectacle of migration and scientific articles about the process. But perhaps more meaningful for me is the return of friends I have not seen in months. I hope you will go, meet them, and form friendships of your own. For information about programs at Quinta Mazatlán, call (956) 6813370 and follow Quinta Mazatlan on social media.

WINTER TEXAN TIMES

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Let the music play

UTRGV Patron of the Arts is excited to welcome back visitors to their concert halls for in-person performances. The concerts will showcase UTRGV School of Music students, faculty, and guest performers, featuring a wide array of musical performances. From the powerful sound of a full orchestra to beautiful solo performances, there is a little bit of everything for music lovers everywhere.

Upcoming performances include Bottesini’s 20th anniversary concert, Mariachi Aztlan, UTRGV Jazz Big Band, Fall Trumpet Musical Harvest, Jonathan Guist (clarinet), Octubafest, and so many more great performances and concerts. All Patron of the Arts performances will be free of charge through the end of the year, so grab your friends and take in a concert in Brownsville, Edinburg, or online.

Open now through December 15 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., by appointment, and during all Edinburg Patron of the Arts events, will be “The Continual Journey – Articulations in Steel.” The exhibit explores the artist’s tireless fascination with the geometric forms. Brian Wedgworth is best known for his oxidized welded steel sculptures. The selected works, created within the last 27 years, celebrate Wedgworth’s studio process, which incorporates found and fabricated steel forms. Working with balance and repetition, he uses electrode welding to accentuate the seams. This process gives the work a scarred or stitched effect, much like the process of learning and growing from an experience.

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Wedgworth is one of the founding members of the McAllen Art Council and plays an active role in the Rio Grande Valley art community. He is a board member of the Texas Sculpture Group, one of three affiliates operating in cooperation with the International Sculpture Center. He maintains Titan Studio located in Harlingen. For more information, call the office of public art at (956) 665-2353. A full calendar of events can be found at https://www.utrgv.edu/patron/events/index.htm. For the safety of all attendees, performers, and staff at in-person performances, programs will be shared digitally, social distancing will be encouraged, and all are welcome to wear face masks.

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Quinta Mazatlán will celebrate Texas Native Plant Week on Thursday, October 21st, from 5 p.m.-7 p.m. Join us for an opportunity to learn, appreciate, and cultivate native plants with a Presentation by John Brush and Plant Sale by Mike Heep. In 2009 Texas Legislature officially designated the third week of October as Texas Native Plant Week in efforts to conserve and recognize the importance of native plants and their role in the environment. A native plant is one that has “developed over a period of time (hundreds or thousands of years) in a particular region or ecosystem.” Native plants

have adapted to survive their environment and developed mutually beneficial symbiotic relationships with the local wildlife. Native plants have the potential to offer ecological services that benefit humans, animals, and even the landscape itself. Native plants attract a diversity of wildlife, support a healthy and more sustainable ecosystem, require less water, reduce strain on local water supply, add aesthetic beauty, and give character and a sense of place to a region. The more we know and understand our native plants the better we can help our environment. The nature that surrounds us tells a story of the land and its people from a long time ago. Each region has a special imprint in the form of the type of flowers, shrubs, and trees that can be found there. The Rio Grande Valley is one of the most biologically diverse regions in the nation with rare finds that can only be seen here. Come explore the beauty of South Texas and be part of the mission to help protect and conserve our native plants. Native Plant Night tickets, $3 per person, can be purchased online at quintamazatlan.ticketleap.com. Follow current COVID-19 Safety Guidelines while in park. For more information, contact Quinta Mazatlán at (956) 681-3370 and follow Quinta Mazatlán on social media.

WINTER TEXAN TIMES

OCTOBER 20, 2021

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Fiesta de Palmas announces Eco Rio

McAllen’s Fiesta De Palmas, taking place on October 22-24, is proud to announce the largest environmental educational festival called Eco-Rio happening inside the McAllen Convention Center during the cultural festival. EcoRio is designed to help build student STEAM skills (Science-Technology-Engineering-Art-Math) and environmental leadership. Eco-Rio is open on Saturday and Sunday from 12 noon to 7 p.m. Stay late for the Laser Spectacular and Firework Fiesta at 8 p.m. nightly and music, food, and tons of entertainment at Fiesta De Palmas. This weekend-long event will include live music from local and international acts, vibrant dance performances, a variety of international cuisine, and an eclectic array of cultural activities for guests to participate in. Attendees will be treated to an

array of sights and sounds, courtesy of live music and dancers across the event layout. Guests are encouraged to navigate the different stages and booths to experience all the festival has to offer. Nature education takes many forms and Eco-Rio offers over 40 educational booths with opportunities to see live animal ambassadors up-close. A must see is the largest dinosaur traveling exhibit in the country with over 150 museum pieces from the earliest life on earth. Come early for Eco-Rio and stay late for many exciting Fiesta De Palmas activities. For more information, visit www.fiestadepalmas.com. Fiesta De Palmas is free for youth 12 and under with a $5 admission fee for other guests on Friday, and a $10 admission fee on Saturday and Sunday.

Master Gardener Plant Sale this weekend

Welcome back Winter Texans. The Deep South Texas Master Gardeners will be holding its fall plants sale on October 23 from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. The event will take place at the educational garden located at 509 E. Earling Rd. in San Juan. There will be a large variety of landscaping and house plants, cactus, succulents, Texas superstars, and native plants for sale. There will also be fruit trees such as fig, pink and white guava, and of course, banana as well as some native trees. There will be decorative trees including Jacaranda, Flamboyant, Kapok and Moringa available.

All of the plants have had loving care for over the last several months and will provide your home with some of the best landscaping plants here in the Valley. There will be informational booths to answer all your questions on composting, herbs, rainwater harvesting, and making your own rain barrels. Rain barrels will be available for sale with 30-gallon barrels starting at $30 and 55-gallon for $55. Those attending the event may purchase raffle tickets for $1 each and a chance to win a decorative rain barrel.

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Acting and screenwriting MOSTH hosts Día de los Muertos event classes in Pharr

The Pharr Community Theater, Co. will offer classes in acting and/ or in screenwriting for children, teens and adults. Each workshop will consist of eight one-hour classes starting November 1 through November 26. The cost is only $60 per student, class size limited to the first 10 to register per class. Screenwriting classes for adults will be held online through zoom on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 7 p.m.

to 8 p.m. Class will be instructed by local Screenwriter Robert Longoria from November 1 through November 26. Learn how to write and format a movie script from your own ideas. Students will review selected scenes as they plot out their story, then apply lessons to build their own film scripts. Class Workshops include plot your story, build your theme, develop your scene, craft your character, write from your heart, and format your script. The Thanksgiving Day classes will be made up in early December. To register and secure your spot for any of these classes, please go online to PCT’s Eventbrite page at tinyurl.com/pctactingclasses or tinyurl.com/pctscreenplays, or for more information visit the PCT FB page or text (956) 655-9308.

Go...With Jo! Tours & Travel Welcome Back Winter Texans! U.S. TOURS Eagle Pass Gambling (2 Days) Nov. 2, 16; Dec. 7.............................................$165 San Antonio Christmas (3 Days) Dec. 12, 3 meals..........................................$399 New Orleans Extravaganza (6 Days) Nov. 20, 4 meals....................................$970 Big Bend Adventure (6 Days) Feb. 10, 7 meals.............................................$985 (Prices are per person, double occupancy)

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Copper Canyon ................................................................................................... $TBA Monarch Butterflies (6 Days) Feb. 4, 9 meals .................................................. $TBA Monterrey Tres ..................................................................................................... $TBA San Miguel de Allende (5 Days) ...................................................................... $TBA (Prices are per person, double occupancy)

ONE DAY BUS TOURS King Ranch Hand Breakfast (1 Day) Nov. 20, Incl. Breakfast........................$75pp King Ranch (1 Day) Dec. 27; Jan. 20; Feb. 3; Mar. 10, Incl. BBQ Lunch ...........$95pp Surf & Turf - A Link to the Past (1 Day) Feb. 25; Mar. 4, Incl. Lunch .......$79pp Farm Tour (1 Day) Feb. 17; Mar. 10, Incl. Lunch...................................................$75pp King Ranch Farm Tour (1 Day) Feb. 24, Incl. Lunch + Feed Lot & 12 mile loop rd...$105pp

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Save the date for Saturday, Oct. 30, as the Museum of South Texas History (MOSTH) presents Día de los Muertos: Recuerdos y Ofrendas, an event that showcases regional music, dance, educational activities and heritage. This year marks the 19th annual Día de los Muertos event featuring a partnership with H-E-B and the community at large. Día de los Muertos: Recuerdos y Ofrendas celebrates traditions of religious and spiritual worship based on oral and written histories and memories. The event will be held from 4 to 10 p.m.

The centerpiece of this event is the Community Altar Exhibit featured in the museum’s Courtyard Gallery. The exhibit displays community-built altars that share stories and memories and honor the lives of the dearly departed. The exhibit opens on Saturday, Oct. 23, and closes on Sunday, Nov. 7. Visit the museum’s website at www.mosthistory.org/events for the latest details on this community-favorite event. For more information, contact Community Engagement Officer René Ballesteros at rballesteros@mosthistory.org.

Empty Bowls event is October 26

The 15th Annual Empty Bowls Luncheon and Silent Auction will take place from 11 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. on October 26, at Bert Ogden Arena in Edinburg. This year’s Empty Bowls Luncheon and Silent Auction will benefit the Food Bank RGV’s 1,000,000-holiday meal campaign, which will ensure that RGV families have healthy and complete meals on the table this season. Food Bank RGV’s signature fundraising event features food from over 30 local restaurants, music, silent auctions, and raffles. Restaurants wishing to

participate in and support Empty Bowls may still sign-up. Empty Bowls 2021 tickets are available for purchase at Bert Ogden Arena Monday through Friday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. or anytime online at www.bertogdenarena.com. For more information, contact Philip Farias, Manager of Corporate Engagement & Special Events, at (956) 904-4513 or by email at pfarias@foodbankrgv.com. For information about food bank programs or services visit www.foodbankrgv.com

WINTER TEXAN TIMES WOODCARVERS

Edinburg celebrates Poetry Festival

From pg. 1

Bob Corriveau

parking lot for parking. Also, please use the back door to enter the building. Participants will be setting up their own tables for the time being. Be sure to clean up your area before

OCTOBER 20, 2021

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leaving at the end of the day. Mark Your Calendar The RGV Woodcarvers Show is also going to be back on January 13 and 14, 2022. There will be carvings of just about every carving category on display. Many displayers will have carvings and supplies available for sale. George Vaughn will be at the show with all of your carving tool needs. The Rally on the Rio is also back for 2022. There will be 18 of the best instructors from all over the United States coming to share their knowledge and skills. The rally will be held January 16 through 21, 2022. Classes in all types of woodcarving and pyrography will be available. Stop by the Nomad Shrine Club on Thursday mornings or check them out online at rgvwoodcarvers.org. Information on the club, show, and Rally on the Rio are available on the website. You can also call Fred at (651) 485-0580. Both events are being held at the Nomad Shrine Club in Pharr.

The City of Edinburg and Craft poets from different regions of the Cultural are teaming up and excited Valley perform their original for the to announce Edinburg’s first Spo- first time. ken Word Poetry Festival, Untamed Come out for some tasty food, Tongues: Poets Sin Fronteras. This drinks, live music, vendors and even poetry festival celebrates the Mex- a lowrider display. Music will be cuican Amerrated by Rio ican culture Grande Valley on the South artists DJ FlaTexas borcucho, Fronderlands. terawave, and The culture Genesis, with explores the a special perpast, presformance by ent, and fuSan Antonio ture through Hip Hop Emthe art of cee, MexStep. storytelling. This event Join Ed- Photo courtesy of Craft Cultura Facebook is free and inburg for a open to the night full of art and culture at the public. Parking will be available at McIntyre Promenade Courtyard City Hall. (415 W. University Dr.) on Friday, For more information, visit craftOctober 22, at 6 p.m. Celebrate life cultura.com. on the borderlands as an array of

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From the Cheap Seats Swinging, searching and talking A perfect day on any golf course It didn’t take long for Larry Riesselman and I to strike up a conversation. After all, we were on a golf course and, as everyone knows, other than swinging, and looking for your ball, the time is spent telling tales and reminiscing about days gone by. I happened to run into Larry, his wife Pat and Steve Glass on Palm View Golf Course in McAllen. Larry has been golfing since he was in his 20s and, well, since he’s a Winter Texan (who lives here 6.5 months a year now while back in Minnesota for 5.5 months), that means he’s

done a lot of swinging (he has two holes-in-one!), a lot of looking for golf balls and a ton of conversing on the courses. In fact, since it was an incredibly hazy and more humid day than usual, the first thing we talked about, of course, was the weather. Larry, who has spent his career pretty much in IT services, shared this funny story about when he was mentoring a man from Zimbabwe. “Well, I was asked to be a mentor for the University of Minnesota under this program where they have third-world scholarships and a men-

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tor program,” he said. “He was the head of data centers in Zimbabwe, and he was coming here with his wife to further his education.” Larry and the man and his wife headed to a nice steak place after picking them up and the man noticed a bunch of lights fairly far out along the landscape. “He asked what they were, and I told him they were people who were ice fishing. He couldn’t believe it,” Larry said. “I told him I’d be happy to take them out there on the frozen lake and those people would be more than happy to tell him all about ice fishing. He replied, ‘Oh no, that’s just fine.’ “His wife wouldn’t take off her winter coat or stocking cap, even during dinner at this fine steak restaurant. It was that cold for them.” The trio are members at Palm View, but Larry said they also at times enjoy Tierra Santa in Weslaco and Los Lagos. Golf in the Valley is very different than Minnesota, kinda like comparing ice fishing with bay fishing… if those two things are even comparable.

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“There are some nice courses here and there’s more wind than in Minnesota” Larry said. “There’s not much elevation changes and back in Minnesota we have thick, tree-lined fairways. Sometimes you can’t even find your ball in the middle of the fairway with all the leaves that have fallen. “One time I was playing at the University of Minnesota course and I hit this blind tee shot and when we got around to the fairway, the leaves were covering the course. Then a gust of wind blew, the leaves all flew away and there were like eight balls there, but none of them were mine.” Larry, Pat and Steve are regular golfers who, while down here, live at Victoria Palms in Donna. Larry and Pat started coming to the Valley in 2008 and he said they enjoy golf, card games, dances and other activities. They also volunteer to help those within the park who may need computer help or repair, even offering some classes. “It just works out real well in the park,” Larry said. “It’s very satisfying too to be able to help others.”

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PARKS

CALENDAR

EDITOR’S NOTE: Items for the Parks Calendar must be open to the public activities in the parks only and must be submitted by park owners, managers or activity directors. Listings must come from the park and are to be submitted on the Winter Texan Times Parks Calendar Submission Form. Request this form from the Winter Texan Times office. Multiple activities may be submitted on the park’s letterhead, provided the same information is provided in the format of the Submission Form. We do not accept listings for reviews, workshops, lessons or dance classes. Submission deadline is Wednesday noon, one week prior to the publication date. Send to: Winter Texan Times, 1217 N. Conway Ave., Mission, Texas 78572 or email to

parkscal@wintertexantimes.com or fax to 956-580-7898. Wednesday, October 20 Karaoke - Llano Grande Lake Park Resort and Country Club, Mercedes, 5pm, Rec Hall. Thursday, October 21 Happy Hour - Llano Grande Lake Park Resort and Country Club, Mercedes, 7-9pm, With Diego & Edith. Hynes Event Center, bar available, pass the hat. Friday, October 22 Dance - Texas Trails RV Resort, Pharr, 7-10pm, Regan James, $6pp. Mask recommended but not required. Saturday, October 23 Park Wide Yard Sale - 1015 RV Park, Weslaco, 8am-Noon, All tables will be located in front of the

Rec Hall. Dance - Enchanted Valley Ranch, Mission, 7-9:30pm, Fender Benders, $8pp. 7300 Monroe St. Dance - Trophy Gardens, Alamo, 7pm, Bottom Line, $7pp. Doors open at 5:30 pm. Wednesday, October 27 Happy Hour - Southern Comfort Resort, Weslaco, 3-4:30pm, Curt James, pass the hat. Karaoke - Llano Grande Lake Park Resort and Country Club, Mercedes, 5pm, Golf Course Grill. Friday, October 29 Dance - Enchanted Valley Ranch, Mission, 6-9pm, The Howlers, $8pp. 7300 Monroe St. Dance - Texas Trails RV Resort, Pharr, 7-10pm, Bottomline Band, $6pp. Mask recommended but not required. Happy Hour - Llano Grande Lake Park Resort and Country Club, Mercedes, 7-9pm, With Ron Moshier. Hynes Event Center, bar available, pass the hat.

OCTOBER 20, 2021 11

Saturday, October 30 Halloween Dance - Southern Comfort Resort, Weslaco, 7-10pm, Diego, $5pp. Dance - Trophy Gardens, Alamo, 7pm, Smokin’ Gun, $7pp. Doors open at 5:30 pm. Sunday, October 31 Halloween Dance - Llano Grande Lake Park Resort and Country Club, Mercedes, 7-10pm, With The Fabulous Cruisers, $10pp. Hynes Event Center. Out of park residents may purchase tickets Monday prior to the dance. Tuesday, November 2 Men’s Prayer and Bible Study Bibleville Conference Grounds, Alamo, 8am. Women’s Bible Study and Prayer - Bibleville Conference Grounds, Alamo, 9:30am. Happy Hour - Bit-O-Heaven RV Park, Donna, 3:30-5pm, Diego & Edith. BYOB and Snacks; Pass the bucket for donations.

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1645 S Bentsen Palm Drive Palmview • 956-585-0703 DANCES EVERY FRIDAY 7-10PM SINGLES ARE WELCOME Nov 5 • Dance Social & Games • FREE Nov 12 • Renaissance Rockers • $10 Nov 19 • Curt James (Glow Stick Dance) • $8 Nov 26 • Diego & Edith • $7 Dec 3 • Time Machine • $8 Dec 10 • Howlers (Day of the Dead) • $8 Dec 17 • The Agency • $10

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Dec. 3 • Diego • $7 Dec. 10 • Regan James • $7 Dec. 17 • Smokin Gun • $7 Dec. 31 • Bill Chrastil • TBD

(Saturday Dance) • Tickets On Sale: 12/17/21

Jan. 7 • High Country • $7

Tickets On Sale: 11/29/21

Dec 24 • Christmas Eve (NO DANCE) Dec 31 • Hot Rodz (New Years Eve) • $25 Jan 1 • NO DANCE Jan 8 • Rewind (Rip Roarin’s 20’s) • $10

ENTERTAINMENT • 7PM

PAY AT DOOR UNLESS NOTED Dec 1 • Lindley Creek Christmas • $10 Jan 1 • Baker Family Show • $9 Jan 5 • Redneck Revival Show • $8 Jan 16 • Nu-Blu Show • 3-5pm • $10 Jan 19 • Rusty Rierson Show • $8 Jan 23 • Winter Texan Orchestra • Pass The Hat

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Jan. 18 • Naomi Bristow • $7 Feb. 15 • Mario • $7 Randy & Nancy Zuleger, Act. Dir.

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Award Winning Tribute Artist & Comedian Mark Staggs will be coming to the RGV in 2022 with the Festus Live Comedy Show! He entertains audiences with the voice and antics of Festus Haggen from the TV western series “Gunsmoke”. He also impersonates western stars such as John Wayne, Walter Brennan, Jimmy Stewart, Robert Duvall, Clint Eastwood & even Katherine Hepburn! And other well known actors and characters like Forrest Gump, Arnold Schwarzenegger, Christopher Walken & Jack Nicholson just to name a few.

Booking dates are still available. Give him a call. Email: smstaggs1@gmail.com Call: 520-250-2850

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Memories and new experiences

Welcome home! We have missed you. Let us hope and pray that the Canadian-US border will be open when our Canadian friends are ready to journey to Sunny South Texas. And has it ever been sunny this summer. Temperatures during the summer months never rose above the hundred mark most of the time staying in the low to mid ninety range. We have not had much rain but when it did rain it seemed to come all at the wrong time for our farmers - raining when it was time to harvest the grain and dumping just enough to interfere with cotton picking - even damaging the cotton bolls that were ready to be picked. The weather service reports our summer has been the coolest Photo courtesy of we have had in a Gladys Porter Zoo long, long time. Even so, swimming pools were a welcome sight to those of us who were here all summer long. The beach also beckoned us to enjoy the warm Gulf waters. This past month of September seemed to be a time of remembering for the Rio Grande Valley. It was fifty years ago on September 3, 1971, that the Brownsville Gladys Porter Zoo opened to the public. To celebrate that happy occasion the Zoo offered, during the month of September, the same rates as were charged fifty years ago. We are blessed to have such a good zoo in South Texas. Make time to visit the zoo while you are here - especially if you have grandchildren who come to visit you.

Not such happy occasions were also remembered...twenty years ago 9/11 shocked the world. Four days later and shortly after midnight, the Rio Grande Valley suffered a tragedy. An out-of-control barge rammed into the causeway that connects the mainland to South Padre Island. Before any warnings could be posted and traffic alerted, cars crossing the damaged causeway and, not realizing that a mid-section of the causeway was gone, plunged into the waters of the Laguna Madre. Eight lives were lost. At first many wondered if this too was a terrorist attack. That was not the case - the heavy load and miscalculation appear to have led to this major disaster. No doubt it is a challenge for the barge captains to navigate the ship channel especially so when our winds and water currents can be so strong and unpredictable. Before Thanksgiving of the same year, the causeway had been repaired with new safety measures installed to warn motorists of any problem. Business was back to usual. But for those months as we waited for repairs to be made, the only way to reach the island was by ferry boat. That was an adventure - you could even call it romantic if you were crossing at sunset. I am sure school children and teachers who lived on the island did not consider it romantic nor adventurous. Daily they had to ferry back and forth to attend school in Port Isabel. Those years are now in our

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memories and business is almost back to usual. So, let's now look forward. It is time to explore and travel as we make new memories. Coming up soon is the annual International Quilting Festival in Houston scheduled for October 20-27. Many of our Winter Texans are Master Quilters and contribute generously with beautiful, quilted lap throws to shut ins and veterans. Watch for the local quilt show on South Padre Island to be held in mid-February. Another wonderful experience could be a trip to the King Ranch to enjoy the Ranch Hand Breakfast. Mark November 20 on your calendar and be sure to attend. You can drive up on your own or you can go on an organized tour. Either way you are sure to enjoy

OCTOBER 20, 2021 13

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the cowboy breakfast including that famous bread - pan de campo cooked in a Dutch oven over hot coals. Be sure to watch the Texas cutting horse demonstration where King Ranch cowboys demonstrate how their horse will separate a selected animal from the herd for branding, medicating, or castrating. Once the rider indicates to the horse which animal is to be separated, the horse takes over and does the work without any further direction from the cowboy. This is an educational, exciting, and fun day for young and old. Don't miss it! For your own protection and the protection of others, please be vaccinated and wear a mask.

EWBC announces fall hours

The Edinburg Scenic Wetlands and World Birding Center (EWBC) has changed to their fall operating hours. Their fall operating hours are Mondays 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., Tuesday through Saturday 8 a.m. to 6 p.m., and Sundays 1 p.m.

to 6 p.m. The park is located at 714 Raul Longoria Rd. For more information, visit their website at edinburgwbc.org or call at (956) 3819922.

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Taste of the Valley features local restaurants in the area that are ready to serve you; restaurants are open for dining in and take out. Please support our advertisers and all our local businesses this year, and every year. Each issue we will feature a different restaurant we have visited and share our experience and some photos of some great food. Join us on our gastro-tour of the Valley as we hit different dining spots and tell you about all the great dining in the RGV. If you have a favorite dining spot that we have not visited yet, that you think needs to be featured here, call us at (956) 580-7800 or email us at news@wintertexantimes.com.

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Hallowings Monarch migration celebration planned

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antimes.com © Copyright this publicatio 2021 by Nexus Publ express cons n may be reproduced ishing, LLC. No part of ent of the publi in sher. All rightany form without the s reserved.

Page 4

The US-Mexica n War was foug the Rio Gran ht at several de locations in tered along the Valley. This cannon, and others, are scatin Brownsville. property at Palo Alto Natio nal When visiting the war and the park, you Historic Park the can walking its trails role it played for the Valle learn about y, along with habitat and wildl and seeing some of the Valley’s natural ife. Dancing is a Valley. Events big part of the culture of the Rio Gran throu de cultures and danc ghout the Valley high light Ballet Folklorico ing that can be found. Pictu the varied red is UTRGV’s – Alegria. The Rio Gran Quinta Mazatlan de Valley is a popular area for is birdi just ng one of the man to visitors. This y birding sites and Pine Siskin is open that can be foun one d in the Rio Gran of many species of birds de Valley. Rio Grande Valle y Visitors Guid e 2021-2022

The fall season is a gorgeous time of year on South Padre Island. The weather is sweet and fall flowering nectar plants all over the island and in the gardens burst into full bloom after seasonal rains in perfect synch with the arrival of a kaleidoscope of migrating Monarch butterflies on route to wintering sites in central Mexico via the coastal flyway. Join us as we celebrate one of the wonders of nature through South Padre Island during the Hallowings Over SPI Monarch Migration Festival. Enjoy a family-fun filled day learning about the wonders of Monarch migration through butterfly gardening presentations, nature walks,

nature crafts, live music, games and more. Visitors will also have the opportunity to purchase native plants that can aid the Monarch migration in the Valley. This is a great way to experience this beautiful season on South Padre Island. Live music will be provided by Leslie Blasing, Mariachi Sol Azteca and Danica. There will be sandcastle building, face painting, local vendors and other entertainment and activities. The event will be held on Saturday, October 30, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the South Padre Island Birding, Nature Center and Alligator Sanctuary.

RAMBLINGS From pg. 1

We are looking forward to a great season this year. There is already plenty to do at the parks and Valley cities are ready to entertain as well. While many events were cancelled last year, it looks like everything is in full swing this year. So, it should be a fun filled year with plenty to do. Last year, I was able to highlight the bigger Valley cities, their history, and places to visit. This year, I hope to be able to introduce you to some smaller cities, but also to

highlight activities and people in the parks. I look forward to getting back out there and spending some time with you. If you have a news item, person of interest, or something else you think I should know about, please send it to me at news@wintertexantimes.com. For all your park activities, make sure your activity directors are sending the information to parkscal@wintertexantimes.com.

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EVENTS

CALENDAR October 21 Quinta Mazatlan will celebrate Texas Native Plant Week from 5 to 7 p.m. Join the park for an opportunity to learn, appreciate and cultivate native plants with a presentation by John Brush and plant sale by Mike Heep. Quinta Mazatlan is located at 600 Sunset Drive, McAllen. October 22 The City of Edinburg and Craft Cultura are teaming up for their first Spoken Word Poetry Festival, Untamed Tongues: Poets Sin Fronteras. Join Edinburg for a night full of art and storytelling at the McIntyre Promenade Courtyard (415 W. University Dr.) at 6 p.m. Celebrate life on the borderlands as an array of poets from different regions of the Valley perform their original for the first time. Music, food, drinks, vendors and a lowrider display will also be at the event.

October 22-24 Fiesta de Palmas celebrates 15 years this weekend with a musical line-up that will take center stage on the McAllen Performing Arts Center stage and Sunset Stage. This year the event is celebrating and supporting local talent all across the Rio Grande Valley, making these local artists and bands the official headliners of Fiesta de Palmas. The Festival starts Friday, October 22 at 5 to 10 p.m.; Saturday, October 23 at noon to 10 p.m., and Sunday, October 24 at noon to 9 p.m. Tickets for the event are available at Ticketmaster.com or at McAllen Performing Arts Center box office. For full details and lineup, visit palmfest.com. October 23 The Deep South Texas Master Gardeners will be holding its fall plant sale from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. The event will take place at the educational garden located at 509 E. Earling Rd. in San Juan. There will be a large variety of plants and fruit and decorative trees for sale as well as informational booths. October 23 The 19th Annual Pachanga in the

Park has been scheduled for Saturday, October 23 from 6 to 11 p.m. (originally scheduled for Oct. 2-3, but rescheduled due to weather). Music lineup will be announced at event. Free admission, free parking in the park, lawn chairs permitted. Games and rides and lots of vendors will be at the event. The event will be held at the Laguna Madre Park, right off Highway 100 on Port Road, Port Isabel. Call Port Isabel City Hall at (956) 943-2682 for more information. October 30 South Padre Island Birding, Nature Center and Alligator Sanctuary will host Hallowings Over SPI Monarch Festival from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. There will be live music, presentations, nature walks, native plants to purchase, sandcastle building, local vendors, and other entertainment and activities. October 30 The 25th Annual Butterfly Festival will hold their community day at the National Butterfly Center, 3333 Butterfly Park Drive, Mission. The community days will give attendees the opportunity to make their own banana brew, attend “Butterfly

OCTOBER 20, 2021 15

U”, enjoy arts and crafts and more. Vendors and exhibits will be set up in the visitor’s pavilion and in the gardens for all to enjoy. For more information, visit www.texasbutterflyfestival.com. October 30 Celebrate the spookiest of holidays with the Edinburg World Birding Center this Halloween Eve from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Enjoy making Halloween crafts and explore the grounds to discover all that nature has to offer. There will be activities for all to enjoy. Costumes encouraged. Admission is free all day. Most activities are free during the event. For more information, call (956) 381-9922. October 30 The Museum of South Texas History (MOSTH) present Dia de los Muertos: Recuerdos y Ofrendas, an event showcasing regional music, dance, educational activities, and heritage. The event also features a Community Altar Exhibit that will open on October 23. The event will be held from 4 to 10 p.m. The museum is located at 200 N. Closner in Edinburg.

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Gladys Porter Zoo welcomed babies this summer

Zoo staff were excited to introduce two new babies at the Zoo: a dromedary camel and a reticulated giraffe. Both babies made their debut on exhibit this summer. The healthy male giraffe was born to parents Priscilla and CJ on June 14, 2021. He joins another calf in the giraffe yard that was born just a few months before him. Reticulated giraffes, like the ones at the Zoo, are listed as Endangered with an estimate of less than 10,000 remaining in the wild. Their numbers have decreased by 50% in the last three decades. “Any birth of these magnificent animals is an event, but hopefully it will help us sustain a population that will need help in the future. Their future survival in the wild is grim unless all of us band together

to celebrate the births of our giraffes and learn what we can all do to help them,” states Walter Dupree, Curator of Mammals. Another exciting birth was that of the male dromedary camel, born on March 16, 2021. The calf has been behind the scenes with its mother but can now be seen on exhibit. The calf’s parents, Jenny and Cotton, are both first-time parents. The gestation period for camels is around 12-14 months. The female will typically find a quiet spot to have her young and will not rejoin the rest of the herd until after the baby is several weeks old. “For a first-time mom, Jenny has been doing a great job. Her maternal instincts kicked in immediately which is the best-case scenario we could hope for. It’s always best for the parents to raise their young rather than staff having to step in,” says Dupree. Zoo staff are inviting everyone to come out and see both babies now on exhibit. For more information, visit www. gpz.org.

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South Texas Music Festival set for Saturday

SAN BENITO – Live music, cold drinks, delicious food and plenty of family fun are scheduled this weekend on the Resaca as South Texas Music Festival returns to the City of San Benito on Saturday, Oct. 23 at Heavin Memorial Park, 705 N. Bowie. The event runs from 4-11 p.m. Admission is $5 with children 10 and under getting in free. This year’s live entertainment is highlighted by Control and Los Pal-

OCTOBER 20, 2021 17

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ominos, who are scheduled to hit the stage at 9 p.m. and 7:30 p.m., respectively. In addition, performances by Hilda Lamas (4 p.m.), Grupo Azido (5 p.m.) and Mariachi Margaritas (6 p.m.) are also scheduled. Plenty of food and arts/crafts vendors will also be on hand Saturday, as well as a host of children’s activities and performers, including magician David Sage. “South Texas Music Festival is a fun, family event that offers a little bit of something for everyone,” said Nikki Serrano, Administrative Assistant and Special Projects Planner. “Last year, due to COVID-19, the Festival had to, unfortunately, be cancelled. So we are very pleased that it is able to return this year. South Texas Music Festival extends beyond just being an entertainment venue, it is a vehicle for forming communities, attracting tourists, and bringing family and friends together.”

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OCTOBER 20, 2021

Autos I PAY CASH FOR your travel trailers, park models, fifth wheels, mobile homes and cars. I’ll make you a good deal. Call Jerry Garcia at 956-929-3842.

For Sale 2011 EZ-GO GOLF CART Very good condition, winter driving cover, storage cover, newer batteries. $2,500, 956-330-4723.

Mobile Homes MOBILE HOME NEEDED FOR SALE We have mobile homes and park models for sale in various parks, but need more. Inventory is moving quickly!!! Park Model $8,000, Park Model $6,200, Park Model $24,000, Park Model $23,000, Mobile Home $18,000, Mobile Home $46,000, Mobile Home $65,000. 956-792-2291. I PAY CASH FOR your travel trailers, park models, fifth wheels, mobile homes and cars. I’ll make you a good deal. Call Jerry Garcia at 956-929-3842.

Park Models PARK MODEL FOR SALE Located in Southern Comfort Resort, Weslaco. Fully furnished 1992 model, 12x35, new carpeting, walk-in shower. Close vicinity to hall. Serious buyers only. Please leave a message 320-558-6576. I PAY CASH FOR your travel trailers, park models, fifth wheels, mobile homes and cars. I’ll make you a good deal. Call Jerry Garcia at 956-929-3842. PARK MODEL FOR SALE 12x34, $17,500. Contact Charles Josephes at 651-227-1250 or Linda Guimond at 507-288-2969.

RVs I PAY CASH FOR your travel trailers, park models, fifth wheels, mobile homes and cars. I’ll make you

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a good deal. Call Jerry Garcia at 956-929-3842.

Services RAIN KING ROOFING & GUTTERS, new roofs, gutters, siding, soffits, fascia, painting. Overall handyman. I service and install new down spouts. All installation and repairs guaranteed. Call Rich at 956-322-2318.

Travel Trailers I PAY CASH FOR your travel trailers, park models, fifth wheels, mobile homes and cars. I’ll make you a good deal. Call Jerry Garcia at 956-929-3842.

Wanted I’LL PAY CASH FOR your golf cart, I’ll make you a good deal. Call me today. 956-929-3842 or 956-432-5325. I PAY CASH FOR your travel trailers, park models, fifth wheels, mobile homes and cars. I’ll make you a good deal. Call Jerry Garcia at 956-929-3842.

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Creative ways to use pumpkins

Texas A&M AgriLife photo by Laura McKenzie

Written by Paul Schattenberg, TAMU From pumpkin spice lattes to harvest-themed front porches, pumpkins are an iconic staple for the fall. Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service experts have some tips on how to use these popular gourds in and around your home. The Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service has tips to consider doing with pumpkins before you go to the pumpkin patch this fall. Odessa Keenan, AgriLife Extension program coordinator for the agency’s Dinner Tonight initiative, Bryan-College Station, said pumpkins are an incredibly popular item not only for fall décor but as a key ingredient in many seasonal recipes. Family friendly pumpkin recipes Pumpkins can be used to make a host of seasonal treats and beverages, Keenan said. AgriLife Extension has a number of pumpkin recipes available through its Dinner Tonight program. Pumpkin puree is an easy way to utilize the pulp inside, she said. Puree can be used to make sweet treats like pies, parfaits and cookies or savory snacks like hummus. “If you remove the seeds and pulp to cook, they should be immediately refrigerated or prepared to avoid potential food safety issues,” she noted. “Once you carve a pumpkin and leave the pulp out for more than a couple of hours, you can assume it’s not good to eat.”

The puree should be stored in the refrigerator and will likely last around four days before spoiling, she said. “The shelf life of the pumpkin puree depends on how fresh it was from the vine when you purchased it, its current condition and any potential for bacterial exposure,” she said. “Canning the puree correctly can extend its shelf life up to four months.” Cooking and roasting pumpkin seeds Keenan said pumpkin seeds can also make a simple and healthy seasonal treat. “Roasting pumpkin seeds for snacking is another fun way to use your pumpkin,” she said. “You can experiment with different spice blends – savory, spicy and sweet – to find your family’s favorite. Just be sure to watch for too much added sodium or sugar.” She said use a large spoon or ice cream scoop to remove the pulp, then separate the seeds. Put the seeds in a colander and wash them thoroughly to remove any excess pulp. “It’s fine if there’s still a little of the pumpkin flesh on the seeds,” Keenan said. Dry the seeds as much as possible in between paper towels or a cloth, then toss them in a bowl with cinnamon, brown sugar, nutmeg or whatever other type of seasoning you prefer. Spread the seeds evenly on a lightly greased cookie sheet and cook at 350 degrees for about

Texas A&M AgriLife photo by Laura McKenzie

12 to 15 minutes. Toss the seeds a few times during cooking to help ensure they brown evenly. The roasted seeds are ready when they turn a golden brown. Creative pumpkin-themed decorations are a way to use the popular gourd this fall season. Creative pumpkin-themed home decor In addition to the timeliness of a Halloween jack-o’-lantern and the latest stencil carving, Keenan offers some additional décor ideas. “Pumpkins make fantastic front porch decorations as well as great fall table arrangements,” she said. “I have also seen pumpkins used to hold flower arrangements!” To use a pumpkin to hold your flowers, she advises that it is best to carve out just enough of the pumpkin to hold a vase. Arrange and water the flowers inside the vase to reduce the moisture level inside the pumpkin and keep some space between the pumpkin and the arrangement. Composting and disposing of a pumpkin When the pumpkin does ultimately decay, the leftover organic matter makes a great compost pile addition, said Joe Masabni, Ph.D., AgriLife Extension horticulturist, Dallas. “It’s best to either blend it or let it dry to break the rinds up into as small of pieces as possible,” he said. “The smaller the pieces, then the faster it will break down. You need to break the seeds down as well, oth-

erwise some may germinate in your compost pile.” Masabni said pumpkin seeds can also be saved to plant by laying them out flat to air dry on paper towels for about 24 hours. Once dry, place them in a plastic bag or store them in the refrigerator or a cool, dry place. “Don’t heat dry them in an oven or in the sun because it could cause damage,” he said. “And mark the bag with the pumpkin variety and date.” Masabni said if stored correctly, pumpkin seeds can last for at least five years. Pumpkin for the birds “Pumpkins that have been used as jack-o’-lanterns or other decorations could also be used as a snack for wildlife,” said Maureen Frank, Ph.D., AgriLife Extension wildlife specialist, Uvalde. “If you bake pumpkin seeds, you can place them in a bird feeder and share them with your feathered friends,” Frank said. “Be sure not to add salt or any other seasoning – just use the plain seeds.” Frank said the pumpkin itself can be used as a bird feeder and suggested following instructions from the Audubon organization. “Other animals, such as squirrels, raccoons and deer, may be interested in pumpkin pieces, but feeding these mammals can create problems and may be against local ordinances, so it’s probably best to share with birds only,” she said.

October 20, 2021 Winter Texan Times Vol. 35, No. 1

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Business Guide

Taste of the Valley

“On the road with Jo”