December 21, 2022 - Rina's Ramblings
Well, it looks like we are in for a cold Christmas. Doesn’t look like a white one, but it will be a bit chilly out there. It looks like most of the outdoor Christmas celebrations are done and parks and cities chose the right weekends to have parades and other activities before this run of cold weather. There are several cities that still have their Christmas events happening – McAllen, Brownsville, and Hidalgo – throughout the end of the month. Be sure to check them out if you have time.
I want to wish you a very Merry Christmas! I hope you have a blessed time with family and/or friends.
Sunday, December 18th, La Hacienda Estates in Alamo had their Christmas party. Those attending brought a toy for the Alamo Police Department Toy Drive. Several gift cards were also donated. Everyone enjoyed the party and felt good about giving back to the community. Pictured with the toys are Santa (Karri Bjerke), Party Director Dell Engrisch, and helper Marge Morris, all from Minnesota.
River Ranch RV Resort was busy this past week delivering their toys to the city and to the children. Along with passing out toys, helpers were able to have a small parade and presentation at the Hidalgo Municipal building. They had many people help them out through the process. Sorters of the toys were Maggie Heaps, Maggie Rogers, Linda Christiansen and Carol Babbitt. Oscar Friedrich and Melodie Gaffney helped deliver the toys to the police station. Lindell Graham and Babbitt were Mr. and Mrs. Santa Claus. Helpers that helped hand out toys were Ken and Kim Yates, Alan and Carolyn Will, Oscar Friedrich, Kathy Peterson, and Maggie Rogers. Parade Wranglers with their golf carts were Bill and Ruth Mill, Darrell and Tine Snow, Charlie and Maggie Heaps, and Jim and Steve Rogers.
The Red Hatter Queens met this month with more than one goal in mind – they also collected toys for the Border Patrol. The queens gather every month to go over important news items, like the annual Festival of Tables, and go over any other important news items. Discussed at this month’s meeting was the festival along with ideas for places to take their groups to lunch. The Festival of Tables will be held on Wednesday, February 15, 2023. Doors open at 10:30 a.m. with the luncheon at noon. Entertainment will be provided by Justin Terry. Tickets are $25 per person. Space is limited. For more information and where to send your payment for tickets, call Marge Hamburg at (815) 494-5159.
Food Bank RGV is asking for the community's help in supporting families and individuals in need this winter and into the new year.
Speer Memorial Library in Mission is hosting an art exhibit through February 28, 2023, featuring the paintings of local artist Salvador Carrillo. The exhibit will be on display in the library’s Community Room, and will be available for viewing during regular library hours except when the display area is closed due to other events. Everyone is welcome to stop by the library and have a look at the paintings.
The cold fronts have pushed through, giving us a preview of the harsh winter weather we can expect in the coming weeks. While many embrace the crisp air with excitement, curling up on the couch with hot chocolate and a good movie, shelter pups don’t have the luxury of enjoying this temperature drop. Nearly 500 Palm View Animal Society (PVAS) dogs are housed in the outside kennels, and the pets rely on donated blankets and cuddling up with one another to stay warm and dry.
The International Museum of Art & Science (IMAS) announces the temporary exhibition “Life in One Cubic Foot.” The exhibition follows the research of Smithsonian scientists and photographer David Liittschwager as they discover what a cubic foot of land or water—a biocube—reveals about the diversity of life on the planet.
The City of McAllen is celebrating the South Pole Illuminated Festival with magical experiences for the holidays for the entire Rio Grande Valley community, through January 1, 2023, taking place at the McAllen Convention Center, 700 Convention Ctr. Blvd.
