MARCH 25, 2026 www.wintertexantimes.com 14 WINTER TEXAN TIMES Wait times may vary. Physicians are independent practitioners who, with limited exceptions, are not employees or agents of South Texas Health System. The System shall not be liable for actions or treatments provided by physicians. For language assistance, disability accommodations and the nondiscrimination notice, visit our website. 252907866-2993963 6/25 Close-to-Home Care Home Care WITH LIMITED WAIT TIMES Visit southtexashealthsystem.com/outpatient for more information. Valley residents can rely on the freestanding emergency departments of South Texas Health System® for quality emergency care and closeto-home health checks and screenings. Our freestanding emergency departments are open 24 hours a day, seven days a week, staffed with ER nurses and physicians ready to treat a wide range of emergencies. In addition to providing quality emergency care, a variety of health checks and screenings – with limited wait times – are available, including: • Bone density and computed tomography (CT) scanning • Digital X-rays Diagnostic, imaging and lab appointments are available on a same-day, walk-in basis. Discounted rates are available for cash payments. Our freestanding emergency departments are located in: Alamo • McColl • Mission • Monte Cristo • Pharr • Ware Rd. • Weslaco • Laboratory tests • Digital mammography Tourist Day celebrates 50 years By Herb Moering For the 50th year Tourist Day was started on Saturday, March 21 with delegations from the U.S. side and from the Mexican side meeting at the center of the Progreso International Bridge to exchange greetings and some gifts. Both delegations were large in number, which was far different from the first time in 1976 when just six people from the U.S. participated, according to Bobby Sparks, one of the bridge owners. He said Tourist Day was the idea of Arturo Serna, who talked five others into what has become a traditional jaunt. The first years the meetings were on a two-lane steel bridge, Sparks said, which was replaced by a concrete six-lane bridge built alongside the original one. A bridge for just trucks was added in 2018 on the east side, taking that heavy traffic around Nuevo Progreso in Mexico and around on the U.S. side to docks and a customs checkpoint. Prior to the walk officials from Progreso, Weslaco, Nuevo Progreso and Rio Bravo met in the Bridge Authority’s conference room, where Sparks thanked everyone for coming on a very nice spring day. Heading the U.S. delegation were Kip and Sharon Smith, selected as king and queen for the occasion after being nominated by the owner of the Red Snapper Restaurant in Progreso. The Smiths, from Missouri, have been Winter Texans for 24 years after some friends they met in Florida suggested they try Texas. They stay six months each year at Bit-OHeaven RV and MH Park in Donna. While here they like to dance, ride a motorcycle trike and participate in lots of park activities. Up north they live on a lake some 85 miles outside of St. Louis, where they keep busy and especially enjoy camping. The Smiths said this was their 23rd year of attending Tourist Day in the Mexico community. Also leading the U.S. delegation was Mr. Tourist 2026, Oscar Ivan Trevino, along with his wife, Cynthia. He is a singer and songwriter who is organizing an international tour later this year. One of the stops will be at the Bert Odgen Arena in Edinburg in September. Head of the Mexican delegation was Rio Bravo Mayor Lic.Migoel Angel and his wife, Almaraz. He See TOURIST DAY pg. 24 Saturday’s Tourist Day event began with delegations from the U.S. and Mexico meeting on the Progreso International Bridge to exchange flags and gifts. (Photo by Herb Moering)
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