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Roma to Rio Grande City: A Day of Flavor, Culture, and Hidden Gems
Day Three of our Activity Director Boot Camp uncovered two of the region’s standout gems: the art of agave at Ancestral Craft Spirits in Roma and the rich heritage of Rio Grande City through its historic trolley tour and museum. Our annual Boot Camp is designed to introduce RV resort Activity Directors to unique attractions…
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Activity Director Boot Camp Kicks Off the Season on South Padre Island
Our annual Activity Director Boot Camp is officially in the books, and what a fantastic start to the season it was! Designed to familiarize RV park activity directors with some of the Rio Grande Valley’s many attractions, Boot Camp also provides a wonderful opportunity for directors to connect, collaborate, and learn from one another. The…
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Big Boots Highlight City’s Western Heritage
By Ric Cavazos The 30 handcrafted boots standing nearly six feet tall on Mercedes Street corners and roadways represent the city’s western heritage and its connection to early Rio Grande Valley history. The Mid-Valley city was founded in the early 1900s by a land company. The American Rio Grande Land & Irrigation Company in setting…
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Hummingbirds cause a stir
There’s excitement in the air as hummingbirds cause quite a stir during their fall migration. It’s a simple joy for those who find the small–but mighty–critters entertaining to watch. Their migration is a precursor to winter visitors arriving in droves! If you’re already in South Texas or plan to arrive during the month of October,…
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Costumes of the Americas Museum
The City of Brownsville is home to a small, but oh-so-worth-a-visit museum, Costumes of the Americas Museum. This little museum offers vibrant exhibits of textiles, accessories, and folk art on a rotating basis, so plan on visiting again and again. Located in the Mitte Cultural District, bookend your stop with a visit to the Brownsville…
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San Fernando Building
by Eryn Reddell Wingert This whimsical mural is located on the San Fernando Building in downtown Brownsville. The Brownsville Heritage Trail marker explains that one half of the building was built in 1877 for Victoriano Fernandez, a furniture dealer. Downtown Brownsville is chock full of historical sites and public art. This mural is visible from…
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Texas Historical Marker
This Texas Historical Commission marker sits along Military Highway southeast of La Feria. It chronicles the Alonso de Leon Expeditions against French usurpation of Spain’s claim on Texas in the late 1600s. In 1687k de Leon crossed into present-day Roma and later led a successful military operation against the French adventurer Rene La Salle’s Fort…
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Stillman House
The small, brick-paved courtyard behind the historic Stillman House in Brownsville is home to various plants, including sage, banana, and yucca. The house dates back to 1850, when Charles and Elizabeth Stillman rented it from builder-owner Henry Miller. The home’s namesake only lived there for three years; the Trevino family owned the home and incorporated…
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Local Artists Keeping McAllen Beautiful
Story by Eryn Reddell Wingert | Photos Courtesy of Creative Explorations Oneida Trevino of Harlingen knew she wanted to be an artist since childhood. By her senior year in high school, her artwork was on display for a year at the U. S. Capitol, the result of a congressional competition. “That’s when I was like,…
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Brownsville Theater Sharpens Appeal to Winter Texans
by Ric Cavazos Brandon Binder analyzed last season’s attendance at the Camille Lightner Playhouse and came away with an important conclusion. “We had lower numbers from Winter Texans,” said Binder, the theater’s artistic director. “Winter Texans made up 30 percent of our audience.” Binder and Camille’s leadership figured the iconic Brownsville theater should be more…
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There’s Something for Everyone at McAllen’s Famous Library
Story and photos by Eryn Reddell Wingert This is the story of the little library that could and did, in a big way. The McAllen Public Library (MPL) originally opened downtown in 1950. The 40,000-square-foot, mid-century-style building boasted three floors, an atrium, and wall-to-wall books. It was the only local library around for a period…
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Birding Hotspots in the Rio Grande Valley
Special to Welcome Home Winter Texan Erica Barrera wrote “Getting Ready for the Fall Bird Migration” in the November 27, 2024, issue of Welcome Home Winter Texan. This list of birding hotspots is a companion piece to that story. Both the story and this list of hotspots first appeared in the Fall 2024 issue of…
