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INSPIRE MAGAZINE

EMPOWERING, ENLIGHTENING AND ENTERTAINING

Winter 2018 Issue 4 • Volume 2

GIVING

HEARTS

"

We should all plant a tree we have no chance of sitting under."

- Robin Farris

Volunteers making a difference in our communities

Tough times lead to passion for giving Local high school girls learning how to give back

Valley

Spirits

Love wine, whisky, we have pro tips from Catia Hernandez Holm.

10

Ways you can make the world a better place

For those with giving hearts

Editor

Lisa Seiser

Content

TEAM

Writer

Copy Editor

Alana Hernandez

P.J. Hernandez

Digital content

Photographer

Diana Maldonado

Maricela Rodriguez

Graphic Design

Graphic Design

Kevin Sauceda

Victor Cerda

Graphic Design Valerie Hernandez

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Volunteerism can occur in many forms and many different types of people are involved. It also means something different to each individual.

In this latest edition of Valley Women Inspire, you will read some great stories and we will show you some area women and teens who spend their free time helping out causes they feel strongly about.

We have several women at Valley Baptist in Brownsville who volunteer and are part of the Valley Baptist Auxiliary founded way back in 1959.

On an annual basis, between the Valley Baptist hospitals in Brownsville and Harlingen, there are an amazing 50,000 hours of volunteer service given.

These ladies spread cheer and are helping hands where needed.

On the other end of the scale, we have young people from the Harlingen area helping out at the Humane Society of Harlingen, with Toys for Tots and at the local food pantries.

These teenagers are learning the importance and value of giving and volunteering at a young age.

In a different spectrum, we have Robin Ewbank Farris of Harlingen. She volunteers her time as a member of several local nonprofit organization boards, where she helps them guide their way to a positive future and helps with ideas and events that raise money to keep them going.

We also tell you the stories of Traci Wickett and Jessica Belschner, who are the United Way Executive Directors for the Cameron County chapters.

Sales

While they are not volunteers, they certainly understand and admire the volunteer spirit and know they couldn’t do it without the help of the community and those who are giving of their money and time every day.

You will get to know them and their inspiring stories that brought them to the United Way. The efforts and passion of all these women undoubtedly will inspire you to at least consider that you could do more.

But, this magazine isn’t all about volunteering.

We also look forward to 2019 as we speak with Sheri Rowland, a life coach who can help you navigate your troubles and find what will truly make you happy.

In need of a spa day or relaxation in the coming days and weeks?

We’ll help you determine what you need to know before you go.

No matter which stories you read or photos you enjoy throughout this edition, know we appreciate your support.

This is the end of our second year of publishing Valley Women Inspire and we couldn’t be happier with where we have been and where we are going. It is all for you.

We thank you for picking it up and reading it.

As always, we hope it entertains you, educates you, informs you, but most of all inspires you.

Lisa Seiser Editor

TEAM

Ad Director

Representative

Representative

Representative

Linda Medrano

Orlando Gutierrez

Beth Daniels

Abraham Hernandez

Graphic Design

Representative

Representative

Representative

Representative

Ana Villaurrutia

Emily Anderson

Marco Alejandro

Cesar Castillo

Kristin Appell

Winter 2018 • Inspire

Volunteer:

A person who freely offers to take part in an enterprise or undertake a task.

Find us on : https://www.facebook.com/InspireMagazine250727555359202/ @InspireRGV

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Inspire is published four times each year by the Valley Morning Star and Brownsville Herald © Copyright 2018 AIM Media Texas

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Carrying on a

FAMILY TRADITION

Story ALANA HERNANDEZ Photos MARICELA RODRIGUEZ You don’t have to be a cowboy or cowgirl to meander around in here.

Entering Lionel’s Western Wear and Boutique in downtown Weslaco, your eyes can’t help but glance around the store in awe at a variety of colorful clothing, boots and jewelry.

But, the story and history of Lionel’s is much deeper than what meets the eye.

For the past three decades, Sandy Oliveira Peña has been the glue, overseeing the family business that started so long ago.

From the 1950s to the early 1970s, Lionel’s Western Wear was known as Lionel’s Department Store. However, when malls and shopping centers began to gain popularity, Leonel Oliveira Sr., Sandy’s father, knew he had to make changes to his business.

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Winter 2018 • Inspire

“In order to survive as an independent business owner, he had to specialize,” Sandy explains. “He knew there was no other choice.”

Leonel’s love for a western lifestyle influenced his decision to rebrand his department store into a western store.

He was a rancher and had 20 to 50 head of cattle at any time so the natural move for him was to sell western wear.

After graduating from college, Sandy took over her father’s store in 1984. It was a time when Sandy said the retail scene was changing drastically.

“Western was still strong, but I wasn’t a cowgirl,” she admits. “I thought it would be fun if I could have a boutique.”

Two years later, Sandy’s dream of overseeing a boutique became a reality when her father remodeled the store and incorporated the new addition.

Sandy’s fashion preferences lean toward classic pieces that can be worn year in and year out.

“I feel that people can get a lot of wear and use out of the clothes that I sell,” Sandy says. “I’ve had so many customers tell me the things they’ve bought from my boutique will never leave their closet because it’s always going to be in style.”

While what’s in the store is key for success, Sandy’s happiness and

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memories come from somewhere else.

“Some of my favorite memories were raising my boys here,” Sandy says, as she reminisces about the past.

“Since I live in Mission, my boys always came to work with me. My mom and dad were also always here in the store with us until they passed away. So, that’s been nice to be able to have my family here.”

Sandy’s siblings love that she is continuing her father’s legacy and always lend a helping hand whenever needed.

“We’re a close family,” Sandy says while smiling. They’ll drop anything if I need their help for something. So, family is very important here.”

But, so is business.

As an owner, Sandy wears many hats and is definitely hands-on with the family business.

“I know sometimes store owners delegate a lot of things, but I really do just a little bit of everything, from managing the store and buying merchandise, to taking care of customers,” she explains.

Her motto has always been “If I’m in the store, I’m on the floor.”

“If I’m in my office trying to get some paperwork done and a customer walks in, I’ll drop my paperwork to talk and wait on them,” Sandy says. “I feel what makes our store special is that people get special attention and have somebody helping them.”

She always continues to stay on top of the trends. Sandy’s oldest son, Mark, has been involved with the technology aspect of the business.

The mother and son duo made it a goal to create a website to showcase their best-selling items to give customers an idea of what they might be able to expect when they visit the store.

Carrying on the family business has continuously played a significant role in Sandy’s life.

“It’s in my blood,” she says of the store. “I have four sisters and a brother. My brother did work in the store for a while, but I think I’m probably the most like my dad. He was generous, a people person and his customers all loved him - so I try to emulate that.”

WInter W nter 2018 • Inspire

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Winter 2018 • Inspire

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taking you to a

NEW LEVEL Life coach Sheri Rowland helps rebuild foundation for what drives women, entrepreneurs Story LISA SEISER Photos MARICELA RODRIGUEZ

I

t definitely works.

“About 95 percent of the things you put on your y our vision board will come to fruition,” Life ccoach oach Sheri Rowland says confidently as three women sit at a large conference table paging through magazines looking for photos and words that speak to them. “So, you want to be specific.”

With a smile, Sheri watches each woman closely as if she’s analyzing their very being. In a way she is. She’s trying to gain knowledge about them they may not even know themselves. It’s all part of what Sheri does every day.

“Something will reach out to you or call to you and you don’t know why,” Sheri says to the women with a soft, supportive tone as they tear pages out of magazines. “A few months from now you may look at it and realize why it was so attractive to you. Sometimes, we are not aware of it, but we may have a desire that we put away a long time ago.”

Those are the revelations Sheri lives for. As a life coach for many years, this Port Isabel resident who grew up in Edinburg and lived in McAllen as well, helps women of all ages find the fulfillment they are seeking in their lives.

It’s what she does, and what she loves.

“We have been taught to have the car, three children, be married, have a house with the picket fence in order to be who we want to be,” she says still watching the women carefully.

“But, you all have seen people who have the nice car, the nice house and they are still a jerk.”

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Winter 2018 • Inspire

A wa k e n in y ou t h e aw t h e re rea lly a re po ss a re n e ss t h at ibilit ie s fo r y ou r lif e a n d t h at y ou ca n a ct u a lly creat e y ou r wo rl d ex a ct ly t h e w a y y ou wa nt to be.

How you d o “a nythin g”

Want to change your life right now? Here’s how...

is how

y ou d o “e ve rythin g”...

As a life coach, Sheri wants women to think differently.

“I turn it around,” she says. “Who do you want to be in, say, six months from now? What do you want to have and what do you want to do? It’s the opposite of what we have been taught.”

Sheri says it’s key to first determine who you want to be and what you want to do. Some of those descriptions can be as simple as wanting to be a “wife, successful, traveler or feeling calm, at peace, confident." She says anything you want to be will lead you to where you want to go.

“When you live from that space, then all the other things come naturally to you,” she says. “But that is not how we are taught. We are taught the other way. Once I have the car, the husband, the kids, and then I will be happy and my life will be fulfilled. But that is not the case.”

Sheri mentions the people out there who are trying to fill voids within themselves with materialistic stuff.

“That is not fulfilling,” she says to the women.

Sheri knows a little something about living an unfulfilling life. It’s one reason why she is able to connect so well with those she works with.

Many years ago, she and her now exhusband owned five stores in the Valley and

she worked as an interior designer at them. She had three kids and the family was successful, but something was missing from Sheri’s life.

“I woke up one day and realized I hated it,” she says. “It wasn’t fulfilling. I wanted my own identity. I knew I was going to die if I didn’t do something and that really turned me toward my purpose and passion.”

Sheri knew what she needed to do.

Now 34 years sober, she was always being called back to her work with substance abuse. So, she was in her 40s when she returned to college and earned her master's degree in counseling. In 2000, she was certified as a life coach. It has been everything she could have expected.

“I love working with women and seeing the lightbulb go on,” she says.

“It gives them hope. There are so many women who suffer in silence. So many women are out there who feel the same way. We give them permission to speak up.”

But, she does more than that.

“I am having to have women look at bad programming,” she says.

It’s about being different – sometimes different than what your family expects you to be. That can be a hindrance, especially in the Hispanic community.

“We already place a lot of expectations on ourselves,” she says. “Then, when you have it coming from the family, it is debilitating.”

Life coach Sheri Rowland’s phone pulsed and sounded twice before she swiped, turned it over and laid it on the table.

That’s what she says many of us need to do, especially when at home in the morning and before going to bed.

“I always encourage women not to put a phone by the bed and charge it,” Sheri says.

But that’s not all. She believes it needs to stay far away in the morning, too.

“Don’t look at your phone first thing in the day because what you are looking at is someone else’s agenda, not your agenda.”

She suggests a woman starts out the day doing what she wants – that can be meditating, doing yoga, going for a walk, journaling, praying, communicating with nature or just sitting outside having coffee and reading.

Sheri says she spends the first 90 minutes of her day like that.

“It sets the presence for the rest of the day,” Sheri says. “It seems so easy, but it is hard because we are so addicted to our phones.”

However, Sheri is quick to point out that if you are checking your emails, texts or messages, watching television or on the computer, that is someone else’s agenda for you.

“TV news is all negative and you don’t want to start your day off that way,” Sheri says. “It’s all about everything but you and things you can’t do anything about. You creating time just for you to do what you need to do will start your day off right.”

Sheri also understands that not everyone has 90 minutes in the morning to do this, so she suggests you start out with 15 minutes and expand it as desired. Maybe, get up earlier to have this time for yourself.

“It is your time to be grounded and present,” she promises. “It will shift the way your whole day goes.”

It’s not only about the morning.

There is something Sheri does before going to sleep she suggests everyone do as well.

She completes the day by journaling how her day went. Keeping a pen and pad next to her bed, she writes about what was good, the glitches, what she is grateful for and the goals for the next day.

“What it does is close out a day and you go to sleep,” she says. “It is a great way2018 to close out your 11 day Winter • Inspire with a note on it.”

Drop the New Year’s Resolutions – Try this instead!

Life coach Sheri Rowland believes New Year’s Resolutions not only don’t work, but they actually are a recipe for continued failure.

“They say it takes 21 days to create a habit, but I see more people fall off after five or six weeks,” she says. “The percentage of resolutions that are successful – 10 percent. It’s a total setup to fail and by February or March, we are beating ourselves up for not being able to do them.”

Sheri has a couple different ideas and varied thinking that may help you make the changes you are looking for in the new year, without putting the “resolutions” word on.

The first is to create a vision board which focuses on your wants and desires for you in the next year.

The second is to calendar block.

That means you put yourself and your needs on your calendar first before anything else.

“You have to pen yourself in first, then family, husband or work stuff,” she says. “I think that is the hardest.

If it’s not on the calendar, it’s not happening. Once it is on the calendar, it can’t be taken out.”

Some of those things can be setting up a weekly or monthly massage at a given time or getting your hair and nails done. It can be about just taking time for yourself and that can be penned in every day of the week as an effort for self-care.

But, there’s also different thinking women need to consider in order to help make the changes in their lives they are seeking – especially typical ones, such as losing weight. She says women need to reverse their thinking on these changes.

“You want to think when that happens, what then is it going to do for you,” Sheri says. “It’s going to help me have more energy and when that happens, I will feel better and walk with confidence. You need to take it down a couple notches.”

Sheri says when you think that way, such as being confident and having more energy, the weight loss and changes will come from that.

“We do it the other way around,” she says. “If I am going to feel confident, my eating habits will change and I will change other things.”

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Winter 2018 • Inspire

. g i . f t l ’ b e n s o r ... D y ou i n g t oo il mit s n ot h ’

re e h T

cies of what they are doing versus what they Sheri is quick to point out people are wanting,” Sheri says. “But, we can’t see don’t often recognize their own issues. our own stuff. I vaguely know my stuff, but That’s why they need her help. let my best friend tell you. I think we are too Two recent women changed their lives close to our own stuff to see it.” after meeting with Sheri. She talks about a real estate agent who didn’t realize how tired she was.

In another situation, a doctor who attend“She would get up in the morning and ed one of Sheri’s vision board workshops on nothing was about her, from the time a Saturday, quit her job the following she got up, to the time she went to Monday to open her own clinic.

“It’s bed and she was totally exhaust“She went in and resigned,” not the big ed,” Sheri says.

Sheri says. “She had been wantthings that knock When you are giving to ing to do it for a long time. us off. It’s the little everyone else and you are Everyone in there (the vision things that knock us last, you are so depleted that board workshop) was encouroff the beam.” you can’t give to your busiaging her and supporting her.” ness. You are barely able to -Sheri Rowland give to your family.”

For more than 15 years, Life coach For Sheri, the idea is simple, Sheri has used vision boards and yet so hard to do. hosted workshops, mostly with “You become resentful and it women, as a way to determine what shows,” Sheri says about how the realtor’s they desire and to help them find their life was. “That’s what I was pointing out. paths to those goals.

Your clients pick up on that and they don’t “It helps you expand your thinking,” she want to work with you and they aren’t says. “This gives each other permission to attracted to you.” want and ask for things.”

Once the realtor realized those problems, she set boundaries and made time for herself. After that, she had earned $7 million in sales the next year.

“A lot of women come to me because their businesses aren’t working,” Sheri says. “When we come down to it, it’s usually their personal stuff that’s holding them back in their business.”

But nothing is a permanent solution.

Sheri says we all need to watch it before veering off path again.

“It is all about discipline,” she says. “Think about a pilot on a plane. If it is one degree off now it is not a big deal, but an hour from now, it is way off course. We do one thing here and there, but suddenly a few months later, we are way off.”

It takes a friend or someone like Sheri to see that for many people.

“I point out discrepan-

Y es, it’s your time to live with purpose, Beautiful.

The boards are made up of pictures, words and ideas the person wants to achieve in the coming months and years.

Prior to the actual creation of the board, the women meditate to clear their minds and then answer questions to dig deeper into their desires.

Once the board is completed, it is intended to be in a place where it can be seen on a daily basis to keep the person mindful of the goals and desires.

Sheri believes women must want more for their lives.

“I feel women are left out,” she says. “I think it takes women a long time before they reach out for help. They suffer for a long time and are unhappy for a long time.

But, they stick it out. They think things are going to change. I ask, 'when will you wake up and decide you shouldn’t live this way?'”

Those are the women Sheri wants and believes she’s meant to help.

“We are showing them their possibilities,” she says. “I love doing what I do.”

“A lot of ti m es I ju st do. W hat is ho ldin sit with th em an d fig ure out what th g th ey se lf an d fa m ily st uf em ba ck an d how to get th roug h it. want to f th at is ju st ho ldin A lot is g you ba ck. M ove lot of se lf-ca re th at fo rward. A se em s so si m ple. Ta co nf id en ce co m es fro m ju st ta ki ng ca ke ca re of yourse lf. A lot of re of yourse lf.”

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THINGS ARENT ALWAYS AS THEY SEEM However, no matter how strong Angie was, the pain was excruciating and there were times when she wanted to give up.

Her “conversations” with God after her diagnosis and while she was in extreme pain following surgeries and chemotherapy, were key to her outlook.

“I completely gave myself to God and I was ready to die,” The Serenity Springs Spa owner says now. “I said take the pain away and I gave it to him. I said I was ready.”

During one of her 2 a.m. God talks, which she says she woke up at the same time for days on end, she surrendered to him.

“I said, you’re telling me you don’t want me, but this pain is excruciating,” she remembers telling God. “If you don’t want me, make me better. Heal me and take the pain away. I will be positive and I won’t show the pain to anybody.”

That was the last time she woke up at 2 a.m.

After that, doors opened and people came into her life, all the while she kept getting dressed, putting on makeup and trying to live life normally.

“It was crazy because it was God,” she says. “I truly believe God has a reason for everything. God does what we as humans don’t understand. But he has a reason for everything that happens. We need

Angie Arambula’s life will never be the same and for that, she is grateful Story LISA SEISER Photo MIGUEL ROBERTS Tears form in her eyes and roll down Angie Arambula’s cheeks as she remembers the day a doctor told her to stop working and instead sit back and smell the roses.

It was April of 2018 and the tests showed Angie had stage 4 ovarian cancer. She was given six months to live.

“I didn’t hear it,” the Brownsville native says now about the doctor’s fatal prognosis. “I don’t know if my mind blocked it or what.”

One thing is certain, she knew she was too strong to go out that way or that soon.

“I knew what they were telling me, but I almost, not that I refused to think I was dying, I just knew within myself that I have faith and I was going to be fine,” she recalls. “I couldn’t allow myself to think anything else. I couldn’t actually think I was dying.”

not understand today or yesterday, but there will be a time when the end results surfaces and we realize that was supposed to happen and that is why it happened.”

•

This isn’t a story a few years ago, Angie, 60, would have expected. The nearly lifelong Brownsville resident admits she had never really been sick and never spent a day in a hospital.

She was active in cycling, running and walking.

There was no reason for her to think anything was wrong.

But, early in 2018, she started to have stomach pain. Ovarian cancer is one of the most difficult cancers to diagnose because there usually aren’t obvious symptoms. But Angie believes her cycling triggered the pain, which started in February.

After the pain became worse and her stomach started to bloat, she was having trouble walking 10 feet without gasping for air. That’s when she decided to have it checked out.

“It all happened so fast,” she says.

On a Thursday in late April, she was officially diagnosed with a tumor on her ovary.

Noting The Two Traveling Angels story, Angie says, "Things aren't

“The way I see it, I think God chose me. Cancer doesn’t even run in our family. I am the only one who has had it happen. Not that I asked, but God knew I was a strong person.

He gave me this as a journey – to touch my family. My family has grown through this journey.

It has been beautiful and made our family so much closer.”

– Angie Arambula

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Winter 2018 • Inspire

Two Traveling Angels Two traveling angels stopped to spend the night in the home of a wealthy family.

The family was rude and refused to let the angels stay in the mansion’s guest room. Instead, the angels were given a small space in the cold basement.

As they made their bed on the hard floor, the older angel saw a hole in the wall and repaired it. When the younger angel asked why, the older angel replied, “Things aren’t always what they seem.”

The next night, the pair came to rest at the house of a very poor, but very hospitable farmer and his wife.

After sharing what little food they had, the couple let the angels sleep in their bed where they could have a good night’s rest.

When the sun came up the next morning, the angels found the farmer and his wife in tears. Their only cow, whose milk had been

their sole income, lay dead in the field.

The younger angel was infuriated and asked the older angel, “how could you have let this happen?“ “The first man had everything, yet you helped him,“ he accused.

“The second family had little, but was willing to share everything and you let the cow die.“ “Things aren’t always what they seem,” the older angel replied.

“When we stayed in the basement of the mansion, I noticed there was gold stored in that hole in the wall. Since the owner was so obsessed with greed and unwilling to share his good fortune, I sealed the wall so he wouldn’t find it.”

“Then, last night as we slept in the farmer’s bed, the angel of death came for his wife. I gave him the cow instead. Things aren’t always what they seem.”

always as they seem.”

Now, she thinks about that when looking back at the roller coaster year it has been.

But she believes in something bigger.

That came out during a recent conversation with her customer, whose son had died of cancer.

Angie mentions George H. W. Bush and his survival when his plane was shot down at the age of 19 during World War II. The other three men he was with didn’t make it.

“He always said 'why him, why did he not die?'” she says.

“This makes you a better person.

You see things in a different way. You have to be positive throughout and thank God every day for choosing you.

You ask why, but all you know is that he didn’t choose me yet.”

what “Things aren’t always as they seem” means yet to her, she may later find that it was her openness about her journey.

Angie has been posting on Facebook just about everything that happens in her constant fight with cancer.

“I started posting my journey from the beginning,” Angie says. “I have had many people tell me, Angie, you don’t realize how much you have helped so many people.

There are people who don’t feel as strong or don’t know how to handle what they are going through. It shows through and gives them hope and a reason to live.”

Angie adds she just wants people to fight through the hard times, knowing that some aren’t as blessed or lucky as she has been.

“I am just putting on there my reality,” she says about her Facebook posts. “If I can help people, maybe that is what God wants me to do.”

• •

Although she is not sure

• • •

It’s been her positive outlook and especially her faith that has pulled her through. Her tumor has significantly reduced in size and she continues to hope for good reports from doctors.

She still has some chemo yet to go, but remains sure things are going in the right direction.

“I feel I have to believe I am healed because God told me it wasn’t my time,” she says.

And, she still has so much to do.

“I know I am tough and can handle it,” she says. “I am a survivor. Whatever is going to happen with my journey, I don’t know the end result, but I am ready for whatever happens.”

Winter 2018 • Inspire

15

1

“After your shower, you wrap yourself in a thick terrycloth robe and don spa slippers. This is your ‘uniform’ for the rest of the day,” Angie says, adding that the Sweet Serenity encompasses all aspects of the spa experience.

Brownsville’s Original Day Spa Story GARY LONG Photos MIGUEL ROBERTS

Serenity Springs … from head-to-toe

Angie Arambula started Serenity Springs Day Spa and Hair Design more than 20 years ago in a part of Brownsville that in the 1970s was the children’s corner at Ralph’s, then the city’s most exclusive department store in the Palm Village Shopping Center.

“We were actually the first day spa in Brownsville and so we’ve been growing the business for years,” Angie says dur-

ing a recent morning at the spa.”

Serenity Springs offers the full range of day spa services, from facials and massages, to body treatments, waxing, manicures, pedicures, nail services and hair design.

While many individualized services and spa packages are offered, the Sweet Serenity is one of the most popular.

The head-to-toe treatment is transformational, Angie says.

2

A big part of the “transformational” head-to-toe service is the 50-minute massage, performed in a dimly lit special massage room and with soft music playing in the background.

Massage has been proven to relieve stress, reduce anxiety, mitigate pain, lower blood pressure and promote relaxation and better sleep, Angie says. As your muscles relax, your mind clears.

3

The next step is a cleansing facial.

“You will certainly reap the benefits of a facial during the change of seasons,” Angie says. “At a minimum, you should receive a facial treatment four times per year, as the seasons change.

4

The finishing touch is a complete spa manicure, during which your nails are shaped and your cuticles are removed for hands you can be proud to show the world.

During the treatment, hands and feet are dipped in warm paraffin to relax and soften the skin. The manicure includes a relaxing hand and arm massage and a softening paraffin treatment, too.

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Winter 2018 • Inspire

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Winter 2018 • Inspire

17

S

pirits of the Valley Family Affair

T

hose who have been in the Valley for years may remember little Catia. She was only 6 years old when she “starred” in her first commercial for Pop-A-Top in the 1980s, it was an RGV favorite after all.

Now, Catia Hernandez Holm is 35 and Pop-A-Top, her parent’s business, is now Holiday Wine and Liquor with stores throughout the Valley, including Brownsville and Harlingen.

Her parents David and Nellie Hernandez started the business in Weslaco in the fall of 1982.

And Catia has been part of it almost all her life. She wouldn’t want it any other way.

“I’ve been working with my parents

18

Winter 2018 • Inspire

closing in on 30 years,” she says. “Pretty incredible. I’ve done everything from mopping, to working the register, to business development, and now, I mostly focus on our private event business.”

For her, it’s a family affair.

“I don’t know how I could have avoided the business,” she says. “Anyone who knows Mexican culture knows, family is everything, or at least, family is most of everything. My parents created a family business, not a business operated by a family.”

Pop-A-Top, now Holiday, has given opportunities to her aunts, uncles, grandparents and cousins.

“All of us have worked with Holiday at

some point or another,” she says. “It’s really a privilege to work alongside your family and contribute to something that contributes to more.”

She is proud of all that Holiday and her family has done in the Valley.

“I love that Holiday gets to make such a positive impact on the Rio Grande Valley,” she says. “We make an impact through job creation, through community involvement and philanthropy and of course, by helping the RGV celebrate every day. We don’t need to wait for birthdays or graduations to celebrate. We can celebrate because it’s Thursday and because we made it.”

S

So many choices to enjoy, but Catia is here to help You should know …

The main difference between scotch and whiskey is geographic, but also ingredients and spellings.

Scotch is whisky made in Scotland, while bourbon is whiskey made in the United States, generally Kentucky. Scotch is made mostly from malted barley, while bourbon is distilled from corn.

Blood and sand You should know …

The blood and sand drink gets its name from a 1922 bullfighter movie. The recipe first appeared in 1930 in the Savoy Cocktail Book and has become a mainstay ever since.

Ingredients ¾ ounce – Scotch whisky ¾ ounce – Sweet vermouth ¾ ounce – Heering cherry liqueur ¾ ounce – Freshly squeezed orange juice Garnish with an orange peel

Purists drink their scotch untouched. The single malt whiskey has a strong flavor profile that doesn’t tend to go well in mixed drinks.

However, there are a few tasty options that can spice up your love for scotch.

Rusty Nail

Ingredients 1 ounce – Drambuie 1 ounce – Scotch Serve over ice and stir

Here are some tips and help straight from Catia

WINE

By far the most popular wine varietal in the Valley is Cabernet Sauvignon. It’s big and bold on the palate and that’s what Valleyites prefer. This wine is one of the world’s most renowned red wine grape varieties. The grapes used are a cross between Cabernet Franc and Sauvignon Blanc. The original mix took place in the 1600s in the southwestern portion of France.

However, Sweet Moscato wines are very popular with the wine drinker and of course, sweet moscatos are tia’s and abuelita's favorite in every family. Moscatos have become very popular in the last several years. It is described as a white wine that is a little sweet and a little sparkling. It has a fruit flavor profile.

Chardonnays and Sauvignon Blancs are finally becoming a go-to.

White wine has the added benefit of beating back the South Texas heat since they’re always served chilled.

“

Rob Roy

Ingredients 2 ounces – Scotch ¾ ounce – Sweet vermouth 3 dashes – Angostura bitters Garnish with brandied cherry

Most of us in the RGV have a propensity to consume beverages that are generally slightly sweeter than the beverages consumed by our Northerly brothers and sisters. What can I say? We all have a sweet tooth.”

- Catia Hernandez Holm

Catia’s favorite wine and food pairing …

Pork tamales and Pinot Noir You just can’t go wrong here. But if you have any questions, Catia suggests Holiday Wine and Liquor can help with pairings. There are thousands of possibilities.

“Be curious and ask questions. We are there to serve and make the customer’s celebration experience a memorable one,” Catia says.

Winter 2018 • Inspire

19

help

U N I T E D I N TOUGH TIMES LEAD TO

PASSION FOR GIVING

M

aking positive changes in a community requires people to give of themselves. Nobody knows that better than Jessica Belschner, the longtime executive director of United Way of northern Cameron and Willacy counties.

Jessica believes people should be the change they want to see in their community and encourages everyone to give back to a charity of their choice, even if it isn’t the one she runs.

With an unassuming and quiet demeanor, Jessica admits she has experienced some difficult times in her life. It’s one of the reasons why she finds helping others now so rewarding. She says she feels “blessed” just to be able to be there for other people.

“I had a lot of help from people that you would never have expected to get help from and sometimes that just makes all of the difference,” Jessica says as she holds back tears. “There were times in my life that I know if I hadn’t had help along the way, my difficult path could have become a permanent situation.”

That explains what happened for Jessica. A temporary job developed into a lifelong career.

While finishing her college course work, she began working part time with United Way of Northern Cameron County, a volunteer-led nonprofit organization established in the mid-1940s to help the less fortunate citizens in the community.

Soon after discovering her passion for helping people and her love for being a part of the community, she decided this career was her calling.

Jessica worked as an

20

Winter 2018 • Inspire

assistant to the previous executive director for many years. When the executive director resigned, Jessica was offered the opportunity to become the new executive director.

“Of course I said yes. Since I loved the job, that was not too big of a leap for me to do that,” Jessica says with a smile.

As executive director Jessica does a little bit of everything and has to wear many hats. From board of directors meetings to campaign presentations, Jessica’s small, but the mighty two-member team divides and conquers every task they undertake. Every day, Jessica and her assistant, work toward improving familys' educational success, healthy lifestyles, financial stability and overall well-being.

“I think we’re making really good strides to make some big changes in Harlingen and surrounding areas,” Jessica says.

When you give to United Way, your donation helps local children and families.

For the last 66 years, United Way of Northern Cameron County has been able to give millions of dollars back to its local community.

Local organizations, such as Loaves and Fishes of the Rio Grande Valley, the Salvation Army in Harlingen and the Boys and Girls Club in San Benito partner with United Way of Northern Cameron County and receive monthly funding.

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22

Stories ALANA HERNANDEZ Photos LISA SEISER & MARICELA RODRIGUEZ

lping

A LEAP OF FAITH TURNS INTO DEEP PASSION FOR WORK

P

eople react to tragedy differently. For some, it can be a debilitating time in their lives. For others, it makes them realize they are not where they truly should be.

About 25 years ago, Traci Wickett experienced a tragedy that turned into a leap of faith, which eventually changed her life.

It was Thanksgiving Day and Traci had worked in banking for 16 years. She was in the information technology department, so she made the decision that she was not going to go be with her family and instead catch up with work on the bank’s system.

It turned out to be the final day of her father’s life.

“Instead of being with my father when he died, I was at work,” Traci says as her eyes well up with tears. “When my mom let me know that night that he had died, it had occurred to me that I was trading my life away for this work that was only going to become more and more allencompassing. Not being with my dad when he left this world woke me up.”

Traci says that’s when she realized working at the bank wasn’t her true calling.

It was a career she accidently fell into when she was 25 years old and had gradually climbed the career ladder higher and higher.

So, one day, she made the decision to stop what she was doing so she could go find what she was really meant to do.

The following year after her father’s passing, Traci received a call from someone who worked at the same bank she did and was on the board of

directors for United Way. He was in search for United Way’s new Executive Director and believed Traci would be an excellent candidate.

After deciding to take a leap of faith, Traci applied for the position and was chosen to be United Way’s new Executive Director.

“I thought I was just going to be doing a good deed and find my passion while I was doing that, but I actually found the career that I think I had been looking for all of my life,” Traci says. “So at age 41, I did a 180 and went in a completely different direction and have been doing it ever since. Now I’m 64 and I’m trying to plan for the end of my career, but it’s still almost impossible to imagine walking out the door of United Way for the last time.”

As CEO and President for United Way of Southern Cameron County, Traci holds ultimate responsibility for the nonprofit organization.

She oversees programs, fundraising, and is responsible for hiring and submitting reports to the board of directors.

The United Way of Southern Cameron County was created in 1993 to help bring communities together and to address issues in three key areas: health, income and education.

Every day, United Way personnel raise funds and work toward promoting financial stability and independence, helping children and youth receive a successful education and improving people’s health.

CONTINUE ON PAGE

23

Winter 2018 • Inspire

21

CONTINUED FROM PAGE 20

UN I T E D WAY O F N OR T H E R N CAM E RO N C OUN T Y C OVE RAG E AR E A S : • La Feria • Harlingen • Rio Hondo • San Benito • Willacy County

UNI T ED WAY OF N ORTH E RN CA MERON C OUNTY PARTNE R AG ENCI ES • American Red Cross • Boys and Girls Club of Harlingen • Boys and Girls Club of San Benito • Cameron County Children’s Advocacy Centers, Inc. • Family Crisis Center of the Rio Grande Valley • Girl Scouts of Greater South Texas • GreenPath • Habitat for Humanity • Harlingen Area Educational Foundation • Harlingen Neighborhood Food Pantry • Loaves & Fishes of the Rio Grande Valley • Pop Star Reading Program • Rio Grande Council Boy Scouts of America • Salvation Army of Harlingen • The Literacy Center of Harlingen • Valley AIDS Council 22

Winter 2018 • Inspire

Once a year, partner agencies and others come before the board and make requests for funding. After analyzing various information, such as audits and plans for using the funds, the board gives money depending on how much is available.

“I find that with this job, most people have misconceptions that people aren’t grateful and just expect things, but I haven’t run across that with the people that I deal with,” Jessica explains. “Most of them are very humble and want the best for their kids. They’re willing to swallow their pride to make sure their kids get the best that they can offer.”

United Way is in the midst of its busiest and most important time of the year.

“Right now is the traditional United Way campaign time. So, if you’re asked to give, please consider,” Jessica says. “However, if United Way is not your charity of choice, choose another, but do give.”

That’s what helped Jessica during her rough patches and it will help others and the community in the long run.

CONTINUED FROM PAGE 21

U NIT ED WAY O F SOUTHERN CA MERON COU NT Y COVERAGE AREA S: • Olmito • Port Isabel • Brownsville • Los Fresnos • Laguna Vista • Rancho Viejo • Laguna Heights • South Padre Island

The nonprofits main source of revenue is raised through payroll deductions at the workplace. The idea is that when members of the community team up, they are able to make greater impacts by aiming their energy toward the same cause.

“I think one of the wonderful things that we get to see when working with a nonprofit is the incredible generosity of everyday human beings in our communities,” Traci says while smiling, “So many times it’s the least likely person.”

Traci says there are no limits to how rewarding it feels to be a part of United Way’s mission, but the people who really inspire her are the ones who donate or volunteer with the organization in addition to their own jobs and careers.

“I get paid to be here every day,” Traci explains. “It’s been a second career for me and it’s been an incredibly rewarding one, but it’s a career. The people that I’m sure have a first class ticket to heaven are the ones that are doing this in addition to all of their other work.”

Traci says the most generous person in communities are not always the most highly paid person. Rather, it’s the person whose definition of “enough” is perfect.

On Traci’s first day as CEO

and President, she was assigned to present an award to Rosalinda Castorena, Rich SeaPak of Brownsville’s top donor of United Way’s 1995 fundraising campaign.

While presenting the award to Rosalinda, Traci was curious as to what motivated her to donate money to United Way so she asked her.

Rosalinda said she always made sure to donate because she felt lucky to have a steady job and an apartment that’s close to the bus route she takes to get to work.

“I have every single thing I need,” Traci recalls Rosalinda saying. “What I make that I don’t need to pay for my rent, groceries and bus fare, makes me very happy to be able to give and make somebody else’s life better because I know that everybody doesn’t have it as good as I do.”

Traci says Rosalinda’s definition of “enough” became a touchpoint for everything that happened in the rest of her career with United Way. “It was almost a situation where God put the right person in my path immediately to say this is the person who’s giving to United Way,” Traci said.

“What most of us consider to be necessary and sufficient was complete luxury for her. It’s something she would never consider.”

F U ND E D PAR T NE RS • Laguna Madre Youth Center • Boys and Girls Club of Los Fresnos • Cameron County Children’s Advocacy Centers • Infant and Family Nutrition Agency • Proyecto Juan Diego • Moody Clinic • Tip of Texas Family Outreach • Friendship of Women • Brownsville Literacy Center • Communities in Schools of Cameron County • Garriga Elementary School • Guadalupe Regional Middle School • Workforce Solutions Cameron • All in Brownsville

Winter 2018 • Inspire

23

SUPPORT Valley Baptist volunteers spread cheer in and beyond the hospital

24

Winter 2018 • Inspire

Story NADIA TAMEZ-ROBLEDO Photos MIGUEL ROBERTS Outside a room on the second floor of the Brownsville hospital, Hope Garcia gave a knock before opening the door.

“Hello, how are you? We’re from Valley Baptist Medical Center, and we’re here to honor our veterans,” she says to the man on the other side.

Samantha Solis stands near the cart they wheel around, stocked with fleece blankets, caps, miniature American flags and other gifts for veterans in the hospital’s care.

The women are part of the Valley Baptist Auxiliary, a volunteer organization started nearly six decades ago to support the hospital.

One trait uniting the group’s members is a generous spirit of giving. Whether greeting people who need help finding their way or helping someone pick out something from the gift shop, they described each one of their

responsibilities as tasks they do with gusto.

HELPING HANDS Volunteer Services Manager Lorraine Gonzales said the Valley Baptist Auxiliary was created in 1959 by doctors’ wives who saw a need for community support at the hospital. The group eventually started a “candy stripers” program for youth looking to get involved, and it evolved into what is now the summer junior volunteer program.

“Our group of people, they spread a lot of joy,” Lorraine says.

“They bring a lot of comfort to people with maybe just a word or by visiting them.”

Auxiliary volunteers greet people at the front desk, run the gift shop and help at outpatient registration.

The pastoral volunteers bring a spiritual aspect to patients’ healing process. There are about 127

NETWORK volunteers in Brownsville and 248 in Harlingen.

“Just being present is helpful, holding their hand at their time of need,” Lorraine says.

Auxiliary President Emma Villegas Martinez, a retired nurse, has volunteered with the group since 2000.

“It’s just enjoyable being here, preparing for events, meeting people every single day. I know it’s not a big deal, but I enjoy saying good morning and smiling,” she says of greeting people she sees at the front desk. “It makes the other person feel a little less stressed. If they look sad, talking to them and just listening to them is enough.”

Lorraine explains the auxiliary annually raises about $7,000 to $8,000 in scholarships funds for high school students pursuing degrees in the medical field, plus another $2,500 for students in

licensed vocational nurse programs.

They stock the goodies for veteran visits and make holiday tray favors, among other projects, through gift shop sales. They recently began making heartshaped pillows for patients who have undergone cardiovascular surgery and need something to hold for support when they cough.

Then there are the coffee cart visits, toy drives, shoe drives, coat drives and school supply drives the volunteers host.

“We not only help our patients here. We help our community,” Lorraine adds.

GIFT OF SERVICE Gracie Vega had been retired for two years when she became a volunteer in 1997. Her husband, Gabriel, had open heart surgery at the hospital that year.

Volunteer service hours by category 42.3%

Patient Experience (i.e. customer service and hospitality including visitor/family escorts, beverage cart, floral/newspaper delivery, courtesy transportation)

33.4% 14.4% 9.9%

Patient Care Staff Support Retail

Brownsville volunteers served

18,181 hours

Harlingen volunteers served

31,130 hours

Winter 2018 • Inspire

25

“I saw how the volunteers were so busy helping,” she says. Her husband became a volunteer as well.

Carmen Cavazos says volunteering is a way for her to give back to the community that helped her as her children were growing up. She also began volunteering at the hospital in 1997, after she retired at 65. Carmen survived cancer and had surgery three years ago and is back on her feet in the gift shop.

When people call from out of state to order flowers and gifts for family members getting treatment at Valley Baptist, Gracie delivers the arrangement and takes a photo to send back to the person who made the order.

Both have been presidents of the auxiliary board in the past, and Carmen was cheery when recalling how she used her past job experience to take over the bookkeeping.

“I like to do that. I want to help and do that here,” she said. “I’m already 88, and I’m thinking the Lord’s keeping me here for some reason. I want to go until I feel like I’m hurting instead of helping.

Then I’ll stop.”

Gracie recalls one occasion where she went beyond the call of duty. She had arrived at the hospital for a meeting and stopped to speak with the volunteer at the front desk. Moments later, she says a vehicle dropped off a pregnant woman who was clearly far along in labor.

The woman at the desk was frozen in panic.

“I threw my purse at her and got a wheelchair,” Gracie says.

The pregnant woman’s water broke as Gracie got her into the wheelchair, and Gracie rushed her to the maternity ward.

Most of her other experiences as a volunteer have been notably less action-packed. A more typical day in the gift shop includes helping new dads pick out presents for their newborn babies.

26

Winter 2018 • Inspire

“They want to buy the whole (store) for their babies,” Gracie says.

Another moment that has stayed with Gracie was one day when a woman went in looking for a present for her aunt, and Gracie recommended a small paperback book of healing prayers. She forgot about it until the woman came back weeks later with the book, folded and worn, and described how it had brought her aunt comfort.

“She said, ‘My aunt read this book daily, and when she died, she died with it in her hands,” Gracie recalls.

Carmen can’t pick a specific day or moment that exemplifies why she has kept coming back as a volunteer.

Though, there is something that makes it a little sweeter.

“The best day is when I have big sales. A certain amount of this money, we give scholarships to students who are getting ready to go to college,” she says, “so that is an incentive for us to get good sales.”

SPIRIT OF GIVING Retired teacher Hope Garcia became part of the Valley Baptist Auxiliary about two months ago, but it’s long been a group she wanted to join.

“I really wanted to volunteer with the hospital, but I never had time in my career and as a mom,” she says. “I think this is my second calling.”

She was brought into the fold by friend Minnie Saldivar, a former principal of Cromack Elementary. Minnie had been a hospital volunteer before becoming a wife and mom, but she rejoined the group in 2012 following her retirement.

“I’ve always liked working with people and helping out the community,” she says. “It just gives you a good feeling.

Just somebody helping (visitors) to their destination … makes them feel at ease.”

Sam Solis, who visited veterans alongside Hope, had

f

r

been volunteering with the auxiliary for about two weeks.

The 22-year-old has given her time to community groups since her Girl Scout days, and her joining the program has been a good way to get a feel for the hospital environment as she applies to master’s programs for speech pathology.

“They’re the sweetest people I could have asked to volunteer with,” Sam says. “I really enjoy interacting with the patients and everyone. Maybe I can take away a little stress.”

Hope says she nearly missed out on becoming a volunteer because she was nervous about getting a flu shot, which is a requirement of the program.

She woke up one day with the resolve to get past her fear.

“I just can’t wait for Tuesdays,” Hope says of her designated volunteer day.

“Since I retired, I have something to talk about with my family. I’ve met so many volunteers who are the same as me - wanting to help people.”

COMMUNITY The auxiliary is not just spreading cheer to hospital patients and visitors. Members said the group is an uplifting community onto itself.

“When someone comes in, they become part of all the volunteers,” Villegas Martinez says. “We love each other, and we’re very supportive of each other. We have really exceptional volunteers, too.”

Gracie and Carmen have each racked up more than 22,000 volunteer hours.

“I love people, and I love to

Volunteers raised more than $496,000 in gift shop sales revenue and fundraising during 2017. Funds were distributed to their CAART Program, Veterans Program, Hurricane Harvey relief, activity supplies for pediatrics, the American Cancer Society, neonatal memorial services, scholarships and more.

be around people. It’s fun to work here,” Gracie says before a brief pause.

An added perk is that if Gracie needs a gift or greeting card, she doesn’t need to go far.

“I buy a lot of stuff,” she adds, doubling over with laughter.

Carmen said another high point of the volunteer experience is working with students who give their time to during the summer.

“We are examples for young people that come and volunteer. They see us, (and) we show how they can better their lives by helping other people,” she says.

Carmen says the volunteers are grateful to the hospital for the opportunity to help.

“They treat us like kings and queens in here,” she said, with lunches, a Christmas party and Volunteer Week in April.

Gracie heaped praise on Lorraine.

“They let us know we are appreciated,” Gracie says.

“Lorraine, we love her to pieces. She’s always there for us.”

The warm feelings are mutual. Lorraine has managed the hospital’s volunteer services for nine years.

“I really enjoy this work,” she says. “It’s a people line of work, and I love people. I had never worked with older adults before, and it’s been a great experience for me.”

Even with the aches and pains age brings, Lorraine says volunteers are still raring

to go. Those who are homebound make blankets, crosses and rosary beads to donate.

“They’re always doing something to give back,” she says.

The auxiliary’s work has earned statewide recognition.

It won the Texas Association of Healthcare Volunteers’ 2018 Community Service Award.

Lorraine says potential volunteers are welcome to apply, and the hospital is in need of people to cuddle premature babies. Perhaps the

best endorsement of the group is the longevity of its members, some of whom have been active since it was founded, she says.

One of the group’s newest members said the auxiliary volunteer experience is not one that many people have.

“I know hospitals are scary, but a lot of these people need a warm smile just to put them at ease and make them feel a little bit better,” Sam says. “I think giving back to the community makes you feel you’re putting good out into the world.”

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Auxiliaries awarded $31,025 in scholarships to 34 students pursuing careers in health care.

Winter 2018 • Inspire

27

YOUNG YOUNG VOLUNTEERS VOLUNTEERS Story TRAVIS M. WHITEHEAD Photos MARICELA RODRIGUEZ & TRAVIS M. WHITEHEAD

A

lma Sauceda stood in the aisle petting an adorable, fluffy, wide-eyed kitten. The little fur ball craned its neck out, eager to be stroked softly by Alma’s gentle hands.

“I love that it makes them happy, it makes me happy, it makes me smile a lot,” says Alma, 15, a volunteer at the Humane Society of Harlingen.

Alma and her two friends, Sheily Garcia, 14, and Fernanda Arriaga, 14, spend three days a week volunteering at the shelter.

The three Early College High School freshmen derive great joy from petting the cats, as well as taking the dogs outside.

“It makes my day,” Fernanda says. “I like seeing them all happy and jumpy.”

Volunteering commands the attention of many young women in high school eager to make a difference. They are involved with Toys for Tots. They help out at food pantries, nursing homes, and public holiday events, such as the HEB Feast of Sharing. They go out and help with highway cleanup and anything else that gives them the opportunity to provide aid any way they can.

“I believe that community service is very important,” says MaryClare Todd, 17.

“I am the president of the National Honor Society at Harlingen High School so we’re continuously trying to get volunteer things for our kids to do.”

MaryClare, a senior, has been going all out to make the holidays happy and fun for people of all ages. She and her fellow volunteers recently organized a way for local kids to enjoy a safe Halloween. They called it Trunk or Treat, and it was a hit.

“We had it at the school,” MaryClare says proudly. “It’s basically where each school club had its own car. We opened the trunk and we decorated it and we gave out candy. It was kids in the community that came and it was a lot of fun.”

But she hasn’t slowed down after the trick or treating was over. She quickly moved on to preparations for Thanksgiving and helped out with HEB’s

Volunteer opportunities for high school students Valley Baptist Health System Katie McCarty, (956) 389-1193.

Ronald McDonald House (956) 412-7200 Loaves & Fishes of the Rio Grande Valley (956) 423-1014

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Winter 2018 • Inspire

Boys and Girls Club of Harlingen (956) 428-7816 Su Clinica Familiar (956) 365-6750 Retama Manor Nursing (956) 423-2663

Feast of Sharing. She's recently been helping out with the U.S. Marine Corps Reserve Toys for Tots.

“I like the feeling of making somebody’s life a little easier. I think it’s really shaped me as a leader and helped me with communication skills, just having basic common courtesy.”

– Carmela Benavides

LOCAL HIGH SCHOOL GIRLS MAKING A DIFFERENCE The week after Thanksgiving, MaryClare and fellow National Honor Society members were putting up signs and setting up boxes to collect toys.

“Here,” she says, unrolling a sign. “Go this way, put this here.”

She and the other volunteers took a look at the whole sign.

“There’s two of them here,” MaryClare says. “OK, you can cut it here.”

Desiree Sanchez, parliamentarian, quickly sliced through the middle with a pair of scissors so they’d have two signs to post in the school. They spread one across the desk in the front office so everyone would be reminded to give.

Then, they unfolded a huge box and placed two Barbie sets and a Play–Doh collection, certainly the first of many donations to arrive during the next few weeks.

m

“We receive so much from the school. We receive so much from people like HEB. So, when they give these opportunities like Feast of Sharing, I think it’s important for us to go out and do what we can.”

– MaryClare Todd.

Part of her mission of volunteering is to continuously encourage other girls and young women to serve the community.

“I just say you have to out and get your hands dirty, so don’t worry about that,” she says. “You can go out and build houses.”

Such conviction also motivates Carmela Benavides, 16, to help out at the Harlingen Neighborhood Food Pantry. It was the day before Thanksgiving, and a long line of people waited in the cold and drizzle to pick up some much-needed food, and Carmela was there to serve them.

She’d just finished laminating people’s ID cards so they could receive food, and now she put a bag of powdered mashed potatoes into the cart of a woman with the look of hunger on her face.

“I have gotten used to it from coming so many times,” says Carmela, who wore a bright orange jacket for her performance in the Harlingen South High School Speech, Drama, and Debate team.

“We kind of open up to the community and we just help around,” she says of the debate club.

Her work with the food pantry began with her participation in Girl Scouts.

“Me and my mom just started going on Wednesdays and then started helping

Winter 2018 • Inspire

29

“Me and my mom just started going on Wednesdays and then started helping with National Honor Society to put direct hours in there,” she says. “I’ve been doing Girl Scouts for about 10 years. We’re mostly older kids, high school kids, so we meet up and do certain community service projects.”

– Carmela Benavides

with National Honor Society to put direct hours in there,” she says. “I’ve been doing Girl Scouts for about 10 years. We’re mostly older kids, high school kids, so we meet up and do certain community service projects.”

They spend a lot of time

30

Winter 2018 • Inspire

helping the younger girls in the troop.

“We hold different camps that teach them basic life skills, leadership skills that they should pick up and know as a girl scout,” she says.

MaryClare also does a lot of work with her church. Last summer, she helped with a camp and a vacation bible school at a trailer park near Denton. “It was a church camp but it was also a mission camp,” she says. “It was the First United Methodist Church Youth Group in Harlingen. We had a place for kids to come and hang out with us.”

MaryClare’s activities don’t seem to end. She was a cheerleader during her freshman and sophomore years. Last year, she became the school mascot, dressing up in a red bird costume as Lady Red. “I went to a lot of community service projects,” she says.

“My favorite part of that was just being able to see the looks on kids’ faces.

Like somebody important like the Cardinal cared enough to go and serve them or go to the school and see them and communicate with them.

I like being important in someone’s life, being there for them and not getting paid for it.”

Her community service work also comes with her membership in Rotary Interact, which she described as a sort of Junior Rotary Club for high school kids. She’s also in FFA which hosted the annual Cardinal Classic for special needs kids.

“That’s where we have the special needs kids come out and show pigs and give them trophies just so they can learn things

like agriculture,” she says.

The list just goes on and on.

Meanwhile, back at Humane Society of Harlingen, Sheily Garcia walked Bailey, a feisty black short-haired dog that seemed intent on walking Sheily as he pulled nervously on the leash.

“I just feel the pets deserve a fighting chance,” she says. “I personally enjoy walking the dogs. It just makes me glad that they’re happy.”

Alma hopes to inspire others to volunteer just as she was inspired.

“My inspiration is my mom,” she said with pride.

“She came from Mexico and came to America, she got a job, she’s financially stable right now. She’s very inspirational to me.”

VOLUNTEERS REGISTER TODAY Volunteers are vital in helping us continue our mission to improve the lives of cats & dogs in Harlingen.

We are always accepting new volunteers at the Humane Society of Harlingen.

All volunteers must attend an orientation program the second Saturday of every month at the shelter from 2 p.m.-3 p.m.

Volunteers ages 10-15 must be accompanied by a parent or guardian, ages 16-17 must have a parent or guardian attend orientation, adult volunteers 18 and up can volunteer independently after orientation.

Volunteer opportunities range from playing with puppies & kitties, helping our staff with clerical and operational duties plus everything in between.

If you are interested in making a difference in the lives of animals in our community register today!

Please stop by the shelter at 1106 Markowsky Ave, Harlingen TX 78550 or go to our website harlingenhumanesociety.org and click on volunteer-opportunities.

Humane Society of Harlingen

HA-30110592

Adoption Central 1106 MARKOWSKY • HARLINGEN, TX 78550 956.425.7297

Winter 2018 • Inspire

31

‘

We should all plant a tree...

WANT TO BE A GREAT VOLUNTEER? Robin Ewbank Farris has long been involved in local organizations, helping at different levels.

So, she knows what it takes and has some suggestions for those of you who want to give of yourself and your time.

“Go with what you love,” Robin says. “If you love children, there are so many organizations out there.”

But, it’s also important to find what fits in your schedule.

“Don’t overwhelm yourself or you will burn out really fast,” she says. “Think back to your years of productivity. What brought you joy back then? Now, you can bring that back in and find joy.”

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Winter 2018 • Inspire

Story LISA SEISER Photos MARICELA RODRIGUEZ

M

ost people celebrate an anniversary by dressing up and heading out to a fancy restaurant or inviting family and friends to a dinner party at

home.

But Robin Ewbank Farris isn’t “most people.”

In November, she and her husband, Bobby, spent their 37th wedding anniversary working in the kitchen at the First United Methodist Church in Harlingen preparing for the church’s annual Thanksgiving feast held for the community.

Robin wouldn’t have it any other way. It is an act that personifies the humble servant who has spent years volunteering and helping various organizations in the Harlingen area and throughout the Rio Grande Valley.

“I always like to say, I am the ultimate bleeding heart whether it is animals, children, organizations, whatever,” Robin says with a smile.

She admits she has trouble saying “No.” Currently, she serves on the boards of multiple organizations, including Sea Turtle Inc., Habitat for Humanity and the Children’s Bereavement Center. As a member of the boards, Robin helps organize and lead fundraising events, activities and is involved in the decisionmaking as these organizations continue

...we have no chance of sitting under. to grow and develop.

“I once read a quote that came across my desk,” she says. “We should all plant a tree we have no chance of sitting under. That has been my mantra and in my mind.”

Raised in Tyler, Robin volunteered early in life. Her parents modeled through their love of the community and being involved as well. She started as a candy striper in her teens in the 1970s. Then she went off to college at the University of Texas where she met Bobby Farris, who was born and raised in the Valley. They both came back to area after getting married.

Robin worked at a bank in Harlingen and then the couple started a family and she stayed home. That’s when the requests started coming. But it was her kids’ involvement in musicals and the theater that led to the first key project. Matt Gorges asked her to help raise money to build what is now the Harlingen Performing Arts Center on Fair Park Boulevard

in Harlingen.

“My kids were involved and when they are changing clothes behind a screen or a sheet, it is time for a new building,” Robin remembers.

“That was the 1990s and he asked me to help.

It was a great learning experience and my first big thing.”

It would be far from the last time her children and their activities led her to volunteer involvement. For five generations, the Farris family has been involved in the Texas International Fishing Tournament, better known as TIFT. “I am not a big fisherman, but we loved going to the island's TIFT,” she says. “The kids had such a good time and they loved it because Mom was in charge and they took ownership of it, too.”

She was on the board of TIFT for 25 years, including the president and remains involved to this day.

After her children became a little older, Robin went back to work. She took a position at the Marine Military Academy and loved it.

She admits, she would have worked for free.

She worked as a public affairs officer and then as a college guidance counselor. Her college degree from UT is in social work, so it all fit together.

As things change in life, Robin decided it was time to leave the working world again.

She says the decision was made due to her father’s failing health and the family building a new house.

“I just needed to spend time with my family and dad,” she says.

About seven or eight years ago, Robin was

ORGANIZATIONS ROBIN FARRIS IS INVOLVED WITH

Winter 2018 • Inspire

33

While she was at a TIFT event, she was asked to serve on the Sea Turtle Inc. board. Robin admits for a long time, that was a tight-knit board that didn’t often allow outside people in. There was another problem for Robin.

“I didn’t even know the difference between a sea turtle and a land turtle,” she admits with a grin and quick laugh. “But the passion this organization has and where they started and where they are today, it is infectious.”

For those who don’t know, Sea Turtle Inc. started in Ila Loetscher’s backyard in the late 1970s. She is the original Turtle Lady, who is the sole founder of Sea Turtle “Everyone wants a fabulous Inc., which eventually moved zoo, but it takes time, energy from her home to the current and money. I try to encourage location in 2000. Ila died that the younger generation and same year at the age of 95.

It’s been most recently with let them know this stuff didn’t happen overnight. And it is the renovation and additions to just going to be gone if they the facility on South Padre Island that Robin is so proud of. don’t step up to the plate.”

Earlier this year, the finishing touches were put on a multi– Robin Farris million upgrade. It can all be summed up in one way.

“There was a picture on Facebook of a girl looking at the tank of these sea turtles and it just spoke volumes to me,” she says. “That is what I envision.

People staring in awe at these magnificent creatures.”

But Robin says she and Sea Turtle Inc. are far from slowing down. There will be innovative additions, such as a stingray touch tank and a rehabbing of the original structures.

A murder-suicide in a family from Bowie Elementary School spurred Robin in the past year to be involved in Habitat for Humanity RGV. “It happened in the home and three of the children were in the house at the time,” Robin says.

“The house was all torn up and it was a bad scene.”

Robin was aware of the situation because of her involvement in a backpack “It just feels good to know my ministry teaming with Bowie Elementary. Regularly, Robin’s little bit of time on earth has church provides backpacks full made a difference.” of nonperishable foods to 25 students at six different schools.

– Robin Farris The effort is to ensure kids don’t go home on the weekend and have nothing to eat until their return to school Monday.

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Winter 2018 • Inspire

Initially the thought was to tear the house down where the murder-suicide occurred, but the issues is more complicated than that, Robin says.

“The school raised some money to help and we gave some money,” Robin says about the efforts to help the kids. “Once he saw how passionate we were about helping the family, I was asked to be on the board.”

Robin calls it an “amazing experience,” especially to hand over the keys and watch the family move into their new home.

There’s something about handing over those keys to the new owners of the house, she says. Although she “If not me, who else. Somebody hasn’t had the opportunity to has to do it. I like to get things “get her hands dirty” working done and make a difference.” on the homes, which she admits isn’t quite her style, she – Robin Farris has attended two of the key ceremonies.

“The pride for everybody, not just the family getting the home, but also the volunteers who have spent so many hours and the construction team and the board,” Robin says. “It is a win-win-win for everyone. It is quite moving to be able to spend time with the family.”

But Robin also understands whatever is done, is likely not enough.

“We are growing, but there is just so much need everywhere in the Valley,” she says.

Another need Robin is involved in is the Children’s Bereavement Center - RGV. This is a facility unlike any other in the Valley.

“It is for the children who have witnessed violence or death through illness,” Robin says. “The facility here is really well-done and all based on therapy and talking the talk to children and helping them through the different stages of grief. They are also helping the parents and guardians.”

Robin is on the board of directors of the facility, which is located in Harlingen. She has high hopes she can be part of making a difference for the organization.

The first goal is to make people aware of the services offered and then to help make the facility self-sustaining.

“We are limited by the counselors we have because we don’t have that much money,” she says.

“We actually have a waitlist for services and that just breaks your heart because these people need the services now.”

She also believes there is a need for these types of services in the local schools. She would like to see that happen as well through the Children’s Bereavement Center.

“There are always tragedies – high schools, friends who commit suicide,” Robin says sadly. “The counselors in the schools do a great job, but they are not grief counselors.”

The unassuming volunteer on these boards, Robin preferred to talk about the organizations she spends so much of her time leading and guiding toward brighter futures.

She admitted to spending time thinking about how to make more money for the charity or what to do to bring more awareness to a

facility such as the Children’s Bereavement Center.

“I get these things in my brain and we are already planning a 2020 event for Sea Turtle Inc., and I want to do a signature event for the Children’s Bereavement Center,” she says. “I am working on all that.”

What’s important to Robin is knowing she and the board have done their best for the organization as they attempt to make a difference.

“I will never see it all,” she says of the fruits of her work and the growth of these organizations that benefit the community and area. “But I want it for my children and my grandchildren and great grandchildren.”

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Winter 2018 • Inspire

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The holidays are a time for giving when people reflect on how much they have and are grateful for.

Whether you have extra time, a little bonus money or you just want to do something nice, there is something on these lists for you.

If you are looking for a good cause, here are 10 organizations who help in the Rio Grande Valley.

8.

Loaves & Fishes RGV – Provides meals and a place for people to spend the night who are homeless.

10.

Family Crisis Center – Provides services to victims of assault.

HOW TO HELP: Volunteers at least age 14 can participate in non-direct and direct positions to aid these people. Visit www. familycrisisctr.org to learn more.

9.

Local animal shelters and humane societies – These facilities provide homes for animals that have no families with the intent to find new homes for them.

HOW TO HELP: Shelters are always in great need of dog food and other supplies.

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Winter 2018 • Inspire

HOW TO HELP: Contact the parish to find ways to donate your time and other volunteer opportunities. Go to www.lfrgv.org.

GIVING 3.

1.

United Way of Northern Cameron County/ Southern Cameron County – A support organization that helps may other nonprofits throughout the area.

Ronald McDonald House – Creates a comfortable space for families with children in the hospital battling serious illnesses.

HOW TO HELP: Volunteer and provide cooking, listening and nurturing for families.

Visit www.rmhcrgv.org to find out about other opportunities to aid.

2.

Food Bank RGV – Dedicated to keeping the Valley fed and healthy.

HOW TO HELP: Volunteer to read or donate to special local causes. Visit www. unitedwayincameronwillacy.org to become part of United Way.

HOW TO HELP: One hour of volunteering can feed up to 105 people and donating just $5 can create 25 meals. Visit www.foodbankrgv.com.

5.

7.

Boys & Girls Clubs – This provides a safe space for school-aged children after school and during the summer.

Salvation Army – Working to serve the vulnerable, lost and needy.

HOW TO HELP: There are many ways to be involved, including being a bell ringer.

Visit www. salvationarmytexas. org/harlingen/ for ways to help and volunteer.

6.

Habitat for Humanity RGV – Provides homes for people in the Valley.

HOW TO HELP: Volunteer or donate to the ReStore or attend a community building event. Visit www. habitatrgv.org.

HOW TO HELP: You can donate or volunteer.

Visit www.bgca.org to find your local club.

4.

Blue Sunday – Provides resources for children in abusive situations.

HOW TO HELP: Visit www.bluesunday. org.

Winter 2018 • Inspire

37

Ever wondered how you can make the world a better place?

KINDNESS

Here are 10 ways you can start right now.

1

Cook someone a meal, either in person or leave it on their doorstep.

2

Compliment someone on how they look.

Maybe they look very happy, energetic, have a new hairdo or have a great outfit.

3

Focus on the good in someone or something.

6 7 8

Educate yourself by listening more and learning about other cultures, people, languages, faiths and ideas.

Smile and say hello to everyone you pass on the street. Open doors for people and greet them.

Be kind and love yourself. Unless you love yourself, you can’t love anyone else. Learn self care by putting yourself first and taking care of your own needs.

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Respect others at all times, no matter who they are – those who provide us services every day, fellow workers, employees and anyone you come across.

10 9

Give your pet your full attention. You are their world, so give them a bit of your time and energy.

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Drive more Courteously.

It’s certainly not a race and for goodness sakes, put the cell phone away when you are in the driver’s seat.

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Based on “Little Orphan Annie”® By Permission of Tribune Media Services, Inc.

FridayAdults & Saturday p.m.(under • Sunday 3:00 p.m. $20.00 ●7:30 Students 18 yrs.) $10.00

performance rights by MTIShows.com

cash, checks, and credit/debit cards 18 [*$2 yrs.) card processing fee] Adults $20.00 Students (under $10.00 FEBRUARY 22We –accept MARCH 3,•2019 No refunds. No exchanges. No replacement of lost tickets.

We accept cash, checks, and credit/debit cards (*$2 card processing fee). No refunds.

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We accept cash, checks, and credit/debit cards [*$2 card processing fee] No refunds. No exchanges. No replacement of lost tickets.

Harlingen Box Office hours are listed on our website.

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Give an elderly person your time. Sit with them, talk and listen.

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Winter 2018 • Inspire (956) 412-7529

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Winter 2018 • Inspire

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Lucy Cadenas HA-30090119

Realtor® GRI

718 East Harrison Harlingen, TX 78550 phone: 956.425.3333 mobile: 956.343.2376 cadenaslucy@yahoo.com “Making dreams come true”

DESIGN MATTERS THE HOLIDAYS Christina Rodriguez DIVA BY DESIGN - HARLINGEN Whether you go all out or prefer a more minimal holiday decorating approach, Christmas and the holiday season are times to shine.

There always seems to be a debate about when to decorate.

There are those who decorate for Christmas as soon as Halloween is over, and those who wait until after Thanksgiving.

Personally, I wait.

Because I don’t go anywhere on Black Friday because it can get crazy out there, it’s the perfect day to set up the tree. Keep

that in mind in the coming years.

For those who don’t know where to start, here are my Top 10 tips for Christmas decorating. (You can apply these tips to almost any holiday by changing out the colors and making the decorations seasonal.)

HAVE A QUESTION YOU WANT TO ASK CHRISTINA? SEND IT TO LSEISER@VALLEYSTAR.COM 40

Winter 2018 • Inspire

TOP 10 DECORATING TIPS 1. Hang a Wreath – On the door, on the wall over the fireplace, even in a window, wreaths can be hung just about anywhere to add color, sparkle and personality.

2. A Stylish Tray – You may have seen this one in another list of mine. That’s because a tray is a versatile item to have around.

They’re portable and can be found to match any décor style.

3. Candles – Who doesn’t love a good scented candle to get into the holiday spirit? Or, if you prefer, use unscented candles in whatever colors you choose for your theme. Candles add warmth and atmosphere to your space.

4. Wrapped presents – They don’t have to be actual presents, you can wrap empty boxes and place them alongside your other decorations. They don’t have to go under the tree.

5. Table runner – You can easily make this yourself with some fabric from the craft store.

If you don’t sew, they make glue for the edges. All you need is an iron to press them straight before

you glue.

6. Garland – Hang it over your front door, drape one across the tops of bookshelves or your china cabinet, or if you have stairs, wind it through your bannisters. Add some white twinkle lights and you’re done.

7. The tree – Don’t forget the centerpiece of all your Christmas décor.

8. Faux flowers – Buy the flowers that come in natural colors to match your décor. They look more realistic and you can place them in bunches all over your tree. Then you can add …

9. Fabric – It doesn’t have to Christmas-themed fabric, but something that again, goes with the colors you use in your home.

Use fabric in place of a tree garland.

10. Take the ornaments off the tree, thread ribbon through the top and hang them from your dining room chandelier, on candlesticks, and even from the picture frames on your wall.

Christina Rodriguez Diva by Design

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Diana Haire, GRI, MRP, Owner Coldwell Banker Impact Properties 1212 N Stuart Place Rd Harlingen, TX 78552 (956) 367-3311 cell DianaLea12@aol.com diana.haire@coldwellbanker.com A Better Way to Buy and Sell Real Estate

Lucy Cadenas HA-30090119 HA-30110720

Realtor® GRI

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Let Us Find Your

Dream Home

Lolly Burns

lollyburns@gmail.com 956-873-2686 cell

322 East Tyler • Harlingen, TX 78550 956-423-0400 • www.LollyBurns.com

To be in the next edition of Valley Women Inspire, please contact Kristin Appell at 956.421.9873 Winter 2018 • Inspire

41

Bliss out Story STEVE CLARK Photos MIGUEL ROBERTS

42

Winter 2018 • Inspire

ut

Offering degrees of pampering, therapy

I

t’s been 15 years since Teri Rendon opened Carriage House Day Spa in an actual former carriage house on the grounds of the 1890 Kowalski-Fernandez House at 319 E. Elizabeth St. in Brownsville.

Tucked away inside its serene, historic courtyard, today the spa is a downtown fixture with a solid clientele built around a full menu of massages, facials, waxing, manicures and pedicures. Also, about a year ago, Teri bought Lil’ Flickers candle works and relocated it to the Kowalski-Fernandez property from South Padre Island.

While there are more day spas in Brownsville now than when she opened Carriage House, Teri thinks there’s enough business for everybody.

“We all have our own little niche,” she said. “I have the downtown people. I have the lawyers, the judges, city employees, county employees. I have a beautiful clientele, people that don’t have a lot of time to go other places, but need services.”

Also among her clientele are people who are visiting family in Brownsville and looking for something unique, Teri says.

“This seems to be a popular spot, because we’re not normal,” she said. “We even got written up in Texas Highways.”

Gift cards are available from Carriage House Day Spa. Here are some of the things they can buy.

Face time

A complete facial (followed by a face, neck and shoulder massage) helps restore a part of the body that’s constantly sloughing off dead skin and absorbing every element the outside throws at it, including pollution and sun, Teri says.

“We need to treat our skin,” she said. “It’s the largest organ on our body, so we need to treat it well.

We need to exfoliate. We need to moisturize. If you don’t want to do a lot of plastic surgery, protect it from the sun and treat it kindly, and you won’t be as wrinkly and dry as you would if you didn’t.”

— not only eating well and exercising, but taking care of the muscles — and understand that it’s therapeutic to work out that lactic acid that gets trapped in those muscles,” she says. “It relieves the stress. We all have stress-filled days. It takes care of that.”

The whole enchilada

In addition to being available individually, the spa’s offerings are available in packages, the most comprehensive lasting more than four hours and starting with a massage, body mask, thermal wrapping and facial.

“Then you come in and have your pedicure with lunch,” Teri says. “Celia Galindo down here at La Escondida, she always caters all my lunches for me.

And then you do your manicure. That’s called the Indulgence Package. There’s not a single woman that wouldn’t like that. A lot of men gift them to their wives for anniversaries. I have a lot of soldiers overseas that call me and gift them to the wives, their girlfriends, their mothers.”

Aroma therapy

Lil’ Flicker candles come in about 50 different fragrances — fruity, woodsy, herbal and the like — and are available at the Carriage House, retailers such as Feldmans, and online. Teri says candles make great presents because, well, who doesn’t dig candles?

“Everybody likes them — men, women,” she said.

“I think it’s calming. I think it’s aesthetically pleasing. I think it’s warming to the soul. And everybody looks better in candlelight.”

Work it out

Far from being a luxury, a massage from the spa’s licensed massage therapist is a vitally therapeutic experience in today’s “mad rush” of a world, Teri says.

“People need to stop and understand that they need to take care of their body

Winter 2018 • Inspire

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GREAT

HOLIDAY T R A D I T I O N S

T

he holidays provide us all special family moments and memories we never forget. So, here are some traditions our readers wanted to share. Some of these are unique and interesting. Read them closely and maybe you can create a new tradition with your family and friends for 2019 and beyond.

... in your words

Pande Mansana AMANDA BANDA

3 cups flour 2 cups sugar 1 tsp. baking soda 1 tsp. canela 1/2 tsp. salt 3 cups apple revanada 3 eggs 1-1/4 cups vegetable oil 2 tsp. vanilla 1 cup pecans

My mom Connie Solis was just telling me recently that a great Christmas memory and tradition for her was baking apple cake for her mom, Rita Alvarado. Every year my grandmother would expect not just one cake but several, one for herself and another to offer guests when they would drop by her

HAPPY HOLIDAYS

MARSHA MANIX GRAMLEY

Hiding the Christmas pickle ornament. Mom hides it, and the first child to find it Christmas morning gets a “prize.” https://www. whychristmas.com/ customs/ christmaspickle.shtml

Going to the Christmas Eve Candlelight Communion Service at Treasure Hills Presbyterian Church since 1983 and having a breakfast casserole ready to bake on Christmas morning as we take turns opening gifts all wrapped in white or brown butcher paper from Santa - Each of us wearing our Santa hats with Christmas music playing. I take a sip of my warm cup of coffee feeling so relaxed and thankful.

RACHEL TREVINO PALMER

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Winter 2018 • Inspire

As a Momma and Dad of three grown adults, grandparents to one, and our extended kiddos, we still hide all the presents until Christmas morning. Kiddos have to be asleep Christmas Eve before we put them all out by the tree. Love that our kids cherish being surprised on Christmas morning with all of Santa’s presents. Some things will never change and I wouldn’t have it any other way.

MISSY PENA MOORE

Tradition? A new Madame Alexander or Ideal or American Character doll every year until I was 13 and carrying on the tradition with my own two daughters and first granddaughter. Last doll has a story of its own ....

CAROL LUTSINGER

Telling everyone, "Christmas Eve gift" before they say it to you. If you get them first they have to give you an early present on Christmas Eve. This begins at 12:01 a.m. on Christmas Eve. Look out everyone! Don’t bother trying to catch me because on that day I answer my phone with “Christmas Eve Gift!” Instead of hello! I’ll be waiting for Sara Johnson Lacy, Alice Johnson Myers, Joe Johnson, and all our kiddos.

JANET JOHNSON MAGEE

d

My favorite holiday tradition is making my Angel on Earth’s Holiday Fruit Salad for our family dinner. A few years ago, my Mom wrote the recipe down for me and put it in a plastic sleeve.

Since then, every year I bring out her hand written fruit salad recipe and make the delicious concoction. The joy is, Mom is still with us despite many health issues. The joy on her face when she has a taste is priceless. Dad taught me how to make his famous ‘Pico de Gallo’ but that’s another treasured memory for another time. All in all, I’m blessed to have both my parents with me. Family is my favorite holiday tradition and recipe. Much love to my family- the Guerra Clan.

Happy holidays!

Holiday Fruit Salad recipe: Jello powder, I use orange flavored. Cottage cheese with pineapple, SANDRA LEE VAN ETTEN small curd. Fruit cocktail, can of mandarin oranges and a can of crushed pineapple. Also fruit or plain marshmallows, small pieces of pecans and cool whip. Mix all together, let chill and enjoy.

Women’s Hea

Favorite memories include gathering around the piano where I played and my family sang our favorite carols. Another is making cutout Christmas cookies, a tradition begun by their Grandmother DIANA Antoinette Moss Harkrider. I WALKER loved to fill the stockings which usually included a toothbrush. One year I didn’t and one child complained that he depended on that and brought one. My daughters always knew they would get a new toothbrush from Santa. Yes, he encourages dental hygiene!

One year some of my students came and sang carols at our door. Just a few of wonderful times.

Women’s

Board Certified Health OB/GYN Physicians

I grew up with my grandmother teaching us the importance of family and togetherness ... especially during the holidays. I can remember all the cousins sitting around her dining room table and making everything from tamales, to pan de polvo, to California Crunchies. Then we would package everything and give away to just about anyone. Now that my babies are home they each pick one of her recipes and we’ll make that together for someone else.

Experienced Team of Nurse Midwives Certified Certified and Nurse Practitioners

Board Women’sIRIS SAENZ Health OB/GYN Physicians

Women’s My parents would wrap up a fewHealth books and put them Experienced Team of under the tree, allowing a different family member to select Nursea Midwives and unwrap new book to read each night. I always loved Board Certified reading “Twas theOB/GYN Night Before Christmas" and "A Christmas Certified Certified Physicians and Nurse Carol.” Practitioners We were all cozy and warm sitting on the floor in front

Board OB/GYN Physicians

Experienced Team of of a fire with a cup of hot chocolate, homemade frosted Certified Nurse Midwives Christmas-shaped and watching Mother in the andcookies, Nurse Practitioners kitchen making delicious cherry divinity and fudge for JANET Christmas Day. My sister and I would write our wish list for VACKAR Santa and place it carefully on the tree. Santa always had a huge plate of treats waiting for his arrival down the chimney!

Wonderful memories as we continue this tradition every year.

Experienced Team of Certified Nurse Midwives and Nurse Practitioners

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Women’s Health

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Winter 2018 • Inspire

45

3 D 4 F

BOOK REVIEW

“Thanks a Thousand: A Gratitude Journey”

By TERRI SCHLICHENMEYER Inspire book reviewer

A great big bear.

That’s what you’ve sounded like all week: a growl here, a snort there, grump, grump, snarl.

Everything that could go wrong did – spectacularly.

But what went right? Hmm. Grab a mug, take a seat, and turn your frown around with “Thanks a Thousand”

by A.J. Jacobs.

Ever have one of those days where everything goes off-kilter?

Yep, A.J. Jacobs has them, just like the rest of us. And like most of us, he’s “ridiculously lucky” overall, something he recognizes even when “daily irritations hijack my brain.”

Sadly, that happens about half the time he’s awake.

He tries to be cognizant of his grumpiness. In fact, while making a point about gratitude to one of his sons, Jacobs began to think.

Maybe we treat gratitude too superficially.

He decided to take thankfulness to the next level by thanking every person who had a role in bringing him his daily cup of coffee.

He started easy, with the coffeehouse barista whose bubbly personality reminded him to “affirm and recognize” everyone who serves him.

Then he visited the coffeehouse’s coffee buyer, who taught Jacobs to slow down because “it’s hard to be grateful if we’re speeding.”

He thanked the designer of the cup lid, the designer of a coffeehouse logo, and the people who developed the cup sleeve.

At this point, with no end in sight – how far back, how deep should he go here? – Jacobs switched his goal.

Rather than making his project “a lifetime job,” he’d thank a thousand people for his coffee.

That included roasters, who ready the beans for sale. It included a trip to the Catskills, to thank those who bring water to New York City homes.

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Winter 2018 • Inspire

Jacobs thanked the people who make coffee safe to drink, the folks who warehouse the beans, truckers who transport it, pallet-makers, scientists, and the Colombian farmers who own coffee-bean trees passed down for generations, and who invited Jacobs to visit them again.

“I won’t take them up on the invitation,” he says, “but I’m grateful to have it.”

One thing goes wrong in the course of your day, and it’s like falling into the mud on the banks of a rapid river, whoosh, and everything goes downstream.

“Thanks a Thousand” reminds you that there are a million reasons not to let it go.

But don’t think this is a self-help book filled with sunny platitudes; quite the contrary.

Author A.J. Jacobs actually dissects gratitude with the help of science and research.

Yes, as it turns out, being thankful is good for us and offers benefits that you may not realize.

Add to that an appealingly puppyish sense of purpose in finding people to thank, and you’ve got a book that educates, informs, and charms the socks off you.

If “Thank you” is perfunctory, you need this book. If it’s an impossibleto-say phrase in your world, you really need this book.

For anyone who’s grateful, appreciative, and in a thanksgiving mood, “Thanks a Thousand” is a book to bear in mind.

By A.J. Jacobs c.2018, TED Books $16.99 / $22.99 Canada 140 pages

“

If “Thank you” is perfunctor y, you need this book . If it’s an impossible- to- say phrase in your world, you really need this book .“

Winter 2018 • Inspire

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BROWNSVILLE INDEPENDENT SCHOOL DISTRICT

Volunteers Who Care About Our Kids

MINERVA M. PEÑA Board President Elected: 2008

DR. PRISCI ROCA TIPTON Board Secretary Elected: 2018

BR-30110683

DRUE BROWN Board Member Elected: 2018

Every year during the month of January, School Board members across the country are honored and celebrated for their dedication and their efforts to carry out their roles as community volunteers. BISD is fortunate to have a fine group of individuals serving as board members. On behalf of our students, staff, and community join me in honoring our school board members, and thanking them for all they do to help make BISD the Best Choice.

Dr. Esperanza Zendejas Superintendent of Schools

ERASMO CASTRO Board Member Elected: 2018

DR. SYLVIA P. ATKINSON Board Vice-President Elected: 2016

PHILIP T. COWEN Board Assistant Secretary Elected: 2016

LAURA PEREZ-REYES Board Member Elected: 2016

BISD does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, gender, religion, age, disability or genetic information in employment or provision of services, programs or activities.