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STC Mid-Valley Campus launches gift card drive

STC Gift Card Picture1 USE THIS ONE webBy Veronica Salinas

The South Texas College (STC) Mid-Valley Campus is taking action to support students facing food insecurity through a new $20 gift card drive, led by Social Work faculty member Noel Ysasi, Philosophy faculty member Debby Hutchins, Ph.D., and the STC Social Work Club.

The initiative began in response to the recent government shutdown, which temporarily delayed Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits for millions of Americans.

Read more: STC Mid-Valley Campus launches gift card drive

November 26, 2025 - Rina's Ramblings

Happy Thanksgiving everyone! I hope you have a pleasant one with your family and friends. As we all know, especially here in Texas, our friends become family, especially during the holidays.

For us, our family is spread in many directions, so it’s often that we celebrate Thanksgiving with our close friends. We truly are truly thankful for them, and our families, when we can get together. The holidays just make those moments all the merrier.

When I think of Thanksgiving, I think of the past and getting together with my grandparents on the farm. Having fresh veggies and fruit, my aunt’s Italian crème cake, and other goodies. My go to was always my grandfather’s wonderful citrus salad. I usually try to have a citrus salad for both Thanksgiving and Christmas.

I fix my salad just a little different nowadays and I take shortcuts in sectioning the citrus as well. My grandfather would spend all morning working on his – peeling the fruit and then getting the membrane off the citrus. Today, I cut the tops and bottoms off the citrus, round the sides, and then use a small sharp knife to pull out the citrus. I try to waste as little of the fruit as possible.

Read more: November 26, 2025 - Rina's Ramblings

Celebrate the Magic of the Season at the South Pole Illuminated Festival

20191127 McAllen Christmas Tree Lighting Courtesy 9848 PRINT webCelebrate the season’s most magical holiday light experience. Experience the magic of the holidays like never before – where twinkling lights, towering lanterns, and joyful moments come together to celebrate the season. Step into McAllen’s most dazzling tradition and make memories that shine all winter long.

The South Pole Illuminated Festival, presented by H-E-B Helping Here, brings the community together to celebrate the joy of Christmas with spectacular lights, festive entertainment, and exciting new attractions for 2025.

The festival’s signature Tree Lighting Ceremony on Friday will once again mark the start of the holiday season in McAllen, officially transforming the city into the South Pole of Texas.

Read more: Celebrate the Magic of the Season at the South Pole Illuminated Festival

Statewide historic sites ring in holidays with Texas flair

AUSTIN, Texas — With winter holidays on the horizon, the Texas Historical Commission (THC) announces family-friendly events hosted at historic sites statewide. The holiday events will meld modern traditions with historical customs.  

The Texas Historical Commission celebrates the rich tapestry of Texas history by adding a nostalgic touch to winter festivities. 

Read more: Statewide historic sites ring in holidays with Texas flair

Give a piece of historic Texas this holiday season

THC Cookbook webAUSTIN, Texas—With holiday shopping in full swing, the Texas Historical Commission (THC) has launched its online store TexasHistoryGifts.com featuring unique offerings available for purchase online and at historic sites across the state.  

The highlight of the season is “A Culinary Journey Through Texas History: A State Historic Sites Cookbook.” Edited by Hal Simon, the THC’s chief interpretive specialist, the cookbook takes professional and home chefs alike on a culinary journey that will inspire them to cook with passion, experiment with flavor, and taste the history of Texas. 

Read more: Give a piece of historic Texas this holiday season

Support Main Street this holiday season

By Jeff Burdett

Before the trick-or-treaters even make it back home, big-box stores flood mailboxes and inboxes with Black Friday ads.

But the big box stores aren’t the only place to find a good bargain. Small Business Saturday, the day after Black Friday, offers shoppers an opportunity to find great quality items at a competitive price and invest in their community.

Small Business Saturday has become a great way to kick off the holiday season. What began 15 years ago as a way to promote small businesses recovering from the Great Recession, has blossomed into one of the busiest shopping days of the year. Last year, shoppers spent roughly $22 billion at their local businesses.

Read more: Support Main Street this holiday season

Puppetry Masterclass brings physical theatre to the RGV

Puppetry workshop 4 webPharr Community Theater and the City of Pharr present a one-of-a-kind theatre experience for the Rio Grande Valley. Marina DeYoe-Pedraza will lead a Puppetry Masterclass on Saturday, November 29, from 2 to 4 p.m. at Pharr Community Theater (213 W Newcombe Ave.). This hands-on workshop invites participants to unleash a new side of their creativity and discover how storytelling, design, and movement come together through the art of puppetry.

Attendees will learn foundational skills in Hand and Rod, Bunraku, and Shadow Puppetry, exploring how to bring characters to life in this unique form of physical theatre. No previous puppetry or acting experience is required, and all materials will be provided.

Read more: Puppetry Masterclass brings physical theatre to the RGV

STC Theatre and Dance holds auditions

South Texas College Theatre and Dance will hold auditions for its Black Box Studio production of The Odyssey by Gregory A. Falls and Kurt Beattie.

Auditions will be held Tuesday, December 2 and Wednesday, December 3, from 6 to 9 p.m. with callbacks happening at 7 p.m. Thursday, December 4, at the STC Cooper Center for Performing Arts.

All STC and Rio Grande Valley community members, aged 18 and over, are welcome to audition. This live theatre performance will run from February 19 through February 22, 2026.

Read more: STC Theatre and Dance holds auditions

Brownsville Holiday Village opening November 24

20231202 Brownsville Holiday Village 0013 webThe beautifully decorated cottages that adorn Dean Porter Park in Brownsville every holiday season are back. They have been preparing the park for the last few weeks for the 16th season of its Holiday Village in Brownsville. The Holiday Village officially opens on November 24. Each year one or two new ones might be added, so you never know what you might see. Currently there are over 30 fully decorated cottages lining the sidewalks at the park.

For those that are new to the village, Holiday Village is a collection of miniature cottages, each one measuring about 10’ wide x 8’ deep and over 11’ tall. Each one is adorned inside and out with the most whimsical and adorable holiday trimmings. Best viewing is just after the sun sets so you can see the full displays all lit up – although the lights come on at 6 p.m. every evening.

Read more: Brownsville Holiday Village opening November 24

Parks celebrate their Veterans

Veterans Wall webThis past week many parks celebrated the Veterans in their parks. Tropic Winds and Sunshine RV were just two of the many parks that held events to honor Veterans for their service and sacrifice.

The Veterans Day Celebration at Tropic Winds was held to honor and recognize the service and sacrifice of the veterans in the community. To start the ceremony, the Harlingen High School Color Guard presented the colors. Then each branch was called forward, and their respective armed forces medley was played as everyone sang along. As a token of appreciation, a coin was presented to each Veteran in attendance, as well as a complimentary meal following the ceremony. There were around 75 people in attendance, with around 26 Veterans honored. During the event, the spouses of the military members were also acknowledged.

Read more: Parks celebrate their Veterans

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