Every two years the University of Texas Rio Grande Valley (UTRGV) and the Winter Texan Times partner to conduct the Winter Texan Survey. The survey serves as a census of the Winter Texan population and gathers data about the attitudes, behaviors and economic impact of Winter Texans in the Rio Grande Valley.
This week, the Winter Texan Times includes the Winter Texan Survey as an insert in the newspaper and we invite our readers to complete the survey, and in so doing, be entered in a drawing for one of three $200 cash prizes.
Read more: 17th Bi-Annual Winter Texan Survey
The Mission Historical Museum (MHM) Presents the 16th Annual Mission Quilt Show exhibit. The exhibit opened on Wednesday, January 12, and continues through Saturday, February 12.
Quilts will be exhibited in the Museum’s Post Office building (200 E Tom Landry). The quilts will be judged by a panel of independent judges, with ribbons awarded for first, second and third places in each category. Best-of-show and Viewers’ Choice ribbons will also be awarded.
Read more: MHM Quilt Show exhibit is on
The Valley Red Hatters are currently planning their Festival of Tables to be held on Wednesday, February 23. The event will be held at Trophy Gardens beginning at 10 a.m.
The event is by advance sales only and space is limited. Tickets are $18 per person. RGV Red Hat Queen Council Members tickets should be purchased before February 3rd from Jan Bergman. Non-members must purchase their tickets before February 14th. Red Hat attire is required.
Read more: Red Hatters plan Festival of Tables
Quinta Mazatlán World Birding Center is honored to host Santa Ana NWR Urban Park Ranger Thamara Hernandez on Thursday, January 27th from 6 p.m. to 7 p.m. for a special presentation on the Rio Grande Valley’s winter migrant and resident birds on the Nature Speaker Series at Quinta Mazatlán.
Why learn about migrating birds? In North America there are 338 bird species listed as Nearctic-Neotropical migrants. Of those 338 species, 333 of them have been documented in Texas. This means that of the 615 species of birds recorded in Texas (the highest record of any other state), about 54% of them are Nearctic-Neotropical migratory birds.
Read more: Quinta Mazatlán presents ‘Winter Migrating and Resident Birds’
Celebrate the Year of the Tiger at the International Museum of Art & Science (IMAS) on Sunday, January 30, from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. The 10th annual Lunar New Year Festival will feature traditional Chinese, Korean, and Taiwanese calligraphy, crafts, games, performances, and vendors. Lunar New Year Festival at IMAS is made possible with support from the IMAS Guild and a grant from Humanities Texas.
Read more: Celebrate the Lunar New Year at IMAS
Recently, the Texas Veterans Land Board (VLB) kicked off its month-long campaign to send Valentines cards to the nearly 1,000 residents of its nine State Veterans Homes. The VLB urges Texans to take part in this mission to show these courageous men and women that they are an integral part of our communities.
Read more: ‘Valentines for Veterans’ Campaign begins
It’s getting busy in the Valley. Things are picking up here and there with activities being held throughout the valley – just for you. I know everyone is still being really careful with things, but I also know that everyone is ready to get out and enjoy this great weather and being with friends when we can.
There is so much to do in the Valley that doesn’t involve being in close proximity to people to, so keep that in mind as well. Look at our issues from last year and see the many things we highlighted in the bigger cities in the Valley. I hope to highlight some of our smaller cities as well in some future publications.
The Valley is full of parks, birding centers, trails, museums, and so much more that we can take advantage of. It's just fun to get out every once in a while, to see the sights, or to visit somewhere you haven’t really noticed before.
Speaking of events though – the activity directors just had their first entertainers showcase event and the next one will be held this week. This is an opportunity for activity directors and park managers to hear some entertainment options and try to book them for their park. They get to listen to an entertainer for a few minutes that showcases their hits, or favorites.
It’s so much fun listening to these groups all in one place – getting a taste of a hopeful show in the future. We have some great entertainment that comes to the Valley to entertain and do shows for you. These entertainers really have some talent and enjoy what they do.
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Also thinking of events… we have been trying to get out a bit more as things are happening, but it’s so hard to get to everything. We would love to attend everything if we could, but it gets a little hectic with in office duties and getting to events.
So, please send us your photos and give us some information on what you are doing at your park. We love seeing what you are doing in your community. We love hearing about your trips, tours, meals, and other events y’all enjoy at your parks and around town.
We share what we can in our paper and online. Send photos, write ups, contact information, and story ideas to news@wintertexantimes.com.
The Food Bank RGV has announced a new date for Farm Dinner 2022. The dinner originally scheduled for Saturday, January 29, but has now shifted to Friday, March 4. The dinner will still take place from 5:30 p.m. to 9 p.m. at the beautiful and historical Valley Fruit Co. building of the Food Bank RGV.
The Food Bank RGV’s Farm Dinner is an elegant, five-course meal featuring locally sourced ingredients expertly prepared by ‘The Delgado Collective’ restaurants: Salomé on Main, S.A.L.T, and house. wine. & bistro. owned and led by Chef Larry and Jessica Delgado.
Read more: Food Bank announces date change
By Herb Moering
Great weather brought out the crowd of mainly Winter Texans on opening day, Jan. 13, for the 15th annual two-day Ron Hoover RV & Marine Center open house in Donna.
Sue Stsauver, from Trails End Mobile Home and RV Park in Weslaco, came to see the grand prizes to be given away after having a dream she won a four-wheel all-terrain vehicle and had it shipped home to Minnesota.
Read more: Winter Texans enjoy Ron Hoover open house
The Museum of South Texas History kicks off the 2022 Sunday Speaker Series with a book presentation and signing featuring Robert Saldaña at 2 p.m. on Jan. 16 at MOSTH in Edinburg.
Saldaña’s book titled, “Tejano Experience: The History and Genealogy of My Maternal Grandfather’s Garza & Olivares Families in South Texas” is a case study in Spanish and Mexican American genealogy which resulted from his efforts to learn more about himself, his family and fellow Tejanos. Guests can purchase a copy of the book, while supplies last, at the Museum Store that can be signed by the author.
Read more: Author chronicles family history in South Texas
The Texas corridor is a huge birding spot for many and is a huge migration area for thousands of birds as they escape the colder climates for warmer weather, and then come back through in the spring and summer searching for cooler weather. This year, while we have been finding new ways to entertain ourselves, the birds still continue on their patterns.
The 2022 Rio Grande Valley Woodcarving Show will be held from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. this Friday and Saturday, January 14-15, at the Nomad Shrine Club, 1044 W. Nolana in Pharr. Admission for the event is a $3 donation.
The Food Bank RGV invites the community to save the date for Farm Dinner 2022, scheduled for Saturday, January 29, 2022, from 5:30 p.m. to 9 p.m. at the beautiful and historical Valley Fruit Co. building of the Food Bank RGV. 
Stefano’s in Harlingen was hit with a tragic fire just days before Christmas. We would like to support our advertiser by inviting our readers to support them, by visiting their other location in Pharr.
