The Greater Mission Chamber of Commerce is partnering with the City of Mission and Mission Regional Medical Center to host its 26th Annual Mission Community Health & Wellness Fair. This year’s event will be a two-day event that will be held at the Mission Event Center on Thursday, December 3, 2020, and Friday, December 4, 2020, from 7:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. The event is free, open to the public, and will provide free comprehensive blood screenings, awareness, and education.
Read more: Mission holds health fair
This year is the year for reimagining, reinventing, and pivoting the way events are being held so that we can continue to enjoy what we have enjoyed in previous years. The City of McAllen has done just that with it’s South Pole experience and also with the McAllen Holiday Parade. The seventh annual presentation of the World’s and Texas’ Best Parade will be celebrated on Saturday, December 5, in a broadcast television production with no spectators in attendance, stepping off at 6 p.m. from Oval Park at McAllen Convention Center. The event will run live on six local networks and later be rebroadcast on the top 31 U.S. Hispanic markets and throughout Texas on Christmas Day and New Year’s Eve.
Read more: McAllen reimagines their parade
The Senior Texan Softball League will not play ball this month. The League will consider playing ball in January and February. Interested players may call Fred at (956) 897-6961 or Ed at (956) 581-2254 for more information at the end of December.
What is Thanksgiving without a parade? Mission Bell/Tradewinds RV Resort added some holiday flavor to their residents’ Thanksgiving Day with a holiday parade. The parade was led by Park Managers, Scot and Cynthia Swafford with rousing Christmas Band music. They were followed by various golf carts celebrating the holiday season. First prize for decorating was the final entry in the parade with Santa Claus (Joe Wirkus) and the Thanksgiving Turkey (Pat Scott). This entry was constructed by Ron Kooima and Scot Swafford. Candy was distributed by Santa to the enthusiastic park residents. Second prize went to Jim and Judy Sonnetag for their entry decorated for Thanksgiving and Christmas. Third prize went to Anita Harder and Theresa Hoff for their depiction of a smoked turkey. The park’s first Thanksgiving Parade added a joyful introduction to the holiday season, and they are already looking forward to doing it again next year. Happy Thanksgiving and Merry Christmas to all!
“Golfers” sat in their carts and patiently waited.
Wait, these aren’t golfers.
“B7,” a voice called out over a speaker. Those waiting went into action, looking down at their “scorecards,” which weren’t scorecards at all — just like they weren’t golfers.
Read more: Texas Trails Golf Bingo
By David Evans
It wasn't winter in Mitchell, South Dakota, the last week in August of this year, but dozens of Winter Texans assembled there to play and sing their favorite country, bluegrass, gospel, and folk tunes at the famous “Corn Palace.”
During the six-day event that complements the city's annual “Corn Palace Celebration,” these jammers made their second annual event a resounding success.
Read more: Winter Texan Jammers enjoy reunion at Corn Palace
By Carina A. Brunson
Growing up in the Valley, in Mission, I knew about some of the history of the region. My grandparents were farmers, and I knew how important that was to the community and I knew snippets of the importance to the Valley’s history. Being a Mission resident, I also knew a lot of the citrus industry and the vital role it played in the community’s history. In 2008, when I worked for the Progress Times and assisted with gathering history on the city for their Centennial Magazine the paper was producing, I learned a more in depth history of the City of Mission and could not believe how much I did not know.
Read more: Brownsville is entrenched in history
For those collecting shoeboxes for Operation Christmas, this is the week to drop them off at a collection place. Baptist Temple will be collecting shoeboxes during various times during the collection week – Monday, Nov. 16, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m; Tuesday, Nov. 17, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.; Wednesday Nov. 18, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.; Thursday Nov. 19, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.; Friday Nov. 20, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.; Saturday Nov. 21, 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.; Sunday Nov. 22, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.; Monday Nov. 23, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. If you need any additional information on drop off times, directions, call Baptist Temple at (956) 686-5296.
For more information about Operation Christmas Child, Samaritan’s Purse and COVID-19 protocols, visit their website at https://www.samaritanspurse.org/what-we-do/operation-christmas-child/. Links are also available with directions on how to pack your own box, set up a Goal Page, volunteer opportunities, or to build a shoebox online.
Today is a beautiful day. Even if it is raining, it is still a beautiful day - the farmers need the rain, our yards need the rain. And soon the rain will stop, the bright, warming sun will shine down upon us and we can all go outside and enjoy our beautiful world. If it is a foggy day, that too will go away by mid-morning and the sun will shine again. Or perhaps the day will be one of those gorgeous November days from the very beginning.
Read more: Making safer choices