It is a NEW YEAR! And let us hope that 2021 will bring an end to the pandemic and the problems we all encountered in 2020. Hopefully by mid-year, we all will have been vaccinated and we will be on the road to our... ‘new normal’ or whatever is in store for us in our future.
Every year the Activity Directors Association and Robert and Billie Ferguson put on two Showcase events. These events introduce the Valley’s activity directors to entertainment that comes to the Valley to entertain you. It gives them a chance to get an idea of what the entertainment is like, a sampling of what they do, and then an opportunity to book these Wintertainers™ for next season, or even the current season if spots are available.
The event is not open to the general public, but only to Activity Director Association members. Tickets are required for the events.
This year’s Showcases will be held at Mission Bell Resort in Mission on Wednesday, January 13 and Thursday, January 21. The January 13 Showcase will start at 11 a.m., with people starting to gather at around 10 a.m. Coffee and donuts will be available from 9 a.m. to noon. Lunch will be at 1 p.m. and the showcase should end about 4 p.m.
January 21 begin at 8 a.m. The Thursday Showcase should run to about noon.
If you haven’t received your tickets, or are interested in becoming an association member, call Billie Ferguson at (865) 253-2514.
Current social distancing and safety protocols will be in place.
As Bob Courtney explains it, all he wanted to do after retirement was “drive the bus for my wife Alta.”
Alta performed gospel music and, after 38 years as a PRCA rodeo clown, a retired Bob was ready for a change of pace.
By John Brush, Urban Ecologist at Quinta Mazatlán, McAllen
The falcon, aglow with the evening’s golden light, banked sharply over the onion field. In response, the seemingly inactive rows suddenly propelled into motion as pipits burst into flight, alarm calls ringing out in warning. After just seconds of the birds whirling together, the falcon flew away empty-taloned, wheeling to the west, and the field returned to its visual dormancy. This time, however, I knew that the pipits were there in the bunches of onions, perhaps trying for one last insect snack before going to roost.
South Padre Island is hatching a very special sea turtle on the Sea Turtle Art Trail at Beach Resort South Padre Island. Painted by local muralist and artist Christina Salazar, “Liberty” is a stunning tribute to the dedication and service of first responders and frontline healthcare workers. A heartbeat is painted on her shell and the overall theme takes on the feeling of the flag in red, white, and blue elements throughout.
Mission, being full of history, is also a hotspot for birding and butterfly enthusiasts. Mission also has a hiking and biking trail, a state park, and other sites to suit just about any interest. Having a little bit of everything in Mission, makes it a great place to visit any time of year.
The U.S. Constitution and Color take center stage in the Texas Quilt Museum’s winter exhibits Deeds Not Words: Celebrating 100 Years of Women’s Suffrage and Red, White, & Blue. Both exhibits will run January 7-March 21, 2021.
Read more: U.S. Constitution takes center stage in new exhibit
The International Museum of arts and Sciences (IMAS) is open and has several exhibits on display and programs taking place online. Currently online, IMAS has released their “Inside the Vault” series. In this new series by IMAS, the series will take a special look inside the vault of their permanent collections.
Were you in the Rio Grande Valley in 1990? Do you remember the fear over a new insect introduced to the area? The Museum of South Texas History (MOSTH) present “Killer Bees! The Panic over Africanized Honeybees in the Rio Grande Valley” featuring Dr. Jamie Starling. The presentation is part of their Sunday Speaker Series that will be presented online on Facebook Live on Sunday, January 10 at 3 p.m.
By Carina A. Brunson
Photos by Dennis Zanetti
We all know Winter Texans contribute a great deal to the Rio Grande Valley during their winters with us. They often donate to local charities, help schools out with supplies, donate time to shelters and animals, gather food during the holidays for people here and in Mexico, and make quilts and other items for those in need.
Read more: Winter Texans – Giving Back, Finding Purpose and Fellowship
