Welcome Home Report

I can’t tell you how happy I am to roll into December - as the majority of our planning and preparation is done over the long, hot, summer months and into what we call Fall.

Transitioning from all that planning to implementing those new programs and special projects is always, well - hectic.

November was a very busy month as we hosted our very first Activity Director Trade Show & Boot Camp. Six events in 3 weeks specifically for our retirement community activity & tour directors- just our way of saying thank you for their service, and to give them the opportunity to see and do things that we hope they will pass along to you. We took them to venues across the Valley, including the Museum of South Texas History (Edinburg), Museums of San Benito, International Museum of Art & Science (McAllen), Old Hidalgo Pumphouse and we wrapped up the boot camp with a Port of Brownsville tour out of South Padre Island, compliments of our friends at Breakaway Cruises. Since we couldn’t possibly take them to every point of interest in the Valley in such a short time - we also hosted a trade show and invited folks from a wide variety of venues, services and destinations so they could make that connection. (I might also add that they are all perfect places to take the grand kids should they come for a visit!)

At Welcome Home, RGV we recognize all that YOU do for us in the Rio Grande Valley and it is our pleasure to return the favor. Whether it be gifts of your time, talents or wisdom, or spending your hard earned dollars in our local economy - you impact the Rio Grande Valley in ways that go far beyond surveys and estimations. You’ve become a large part of who WE are - a part of our culture.

On the pages that follow, you’ll have the opportunity to get a glimpse of these very special venues and activities - and it is my sincere hope that you will visit them often this season.

This is just a sample of what lies ahead this season, as there are so many ways for you to stay connected with what is going on in the Valley. Make sure you get a copy of our annual Welcome Home, RGV Directory, sign up for our E-newsletter, visit our website, www.welcomehomergv.com, follow us on Facebook, read the Welcome Home Report weekly in the Original Winter Texan, watch us each Thursday at 5 pm on KVEO News Center 23, visit us at the Don-Wes, or just reach out to us in a more traditional manner by simply dropping us a note or giving us a call. We love to hear from you - and if something really special is happening in your lives, or in your communities, it would be our honor to share that time with you.

Hope to see you all real soon,

2

Kristi

the Welcome Home Report ••• December 2011

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8 16 Page 6/7 Activity Director Trade Show Page 8 Museum of South Texas History, Edinburg Page 10 Museums of San Benito Page 12 Port Isabel Shrimp Fest Page 14 Port of Brownsville Tour with Breakaway Cruises Page 16/17 Party at the Old Hidalgo Pumphouse, Hidalgo Page 18/19 International Museum of Art & Science, McAllen Page 20/21 Happy Hour at Snow to Sun Resort Page 22 Don Wes Flea Market 2011-2012 Kristi Collier Publisher

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Welcome Home, Rio Grande Valley 221 Nolana, Ste A McAllen, TX 78504 956-687-5115 www.welcomehomergv.com

ACTIVITY DIRECTOR TRADE SHOW October 26, 2011

Activity and tour directors from across the Rio Grande Valley will convened at Victoria Palms Resort in Donna on Wednesday for a trade show to promote area attractions, museums, hospitals and more. This event was sponsored by Welcome Home, Rio Grande Valley as a way to highlight and showcase events, attractions and day trip destinations that are suitable for the residents of their retirement communities.

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7 www.welcomehomergv.com

MUSEUM OF SOUTH TEXAS HISTORY November 2, 2011

Welcome Home, RGV’s first outing to kick off our Activity Director Boot Camp, an evening at the Museum of South Texas History in Edinburg. Just in time to view the Dias de los Muertos display - our activity directors were in for a real treat. Special thanks to the Museum, Chili’s Edinburg, Breadsmith & Friends Cafe for their support of this event. Additional thanks to the Edinburg Chamber of Commerce for their border buttermilk!

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MUSEUMS OF SAN BENITO November 3, 2011

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210 E. Heywood, San Benito, TX 78586 • 956-399-5321

PORT ISABEL SHRIMP FEST 2011 November 6, 2011

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PORT OF BROWNSVILLE TOUR WITH BREAKAWAY CRUISES November 4, 2011

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PARTY AT THE OLD HIDALGO PUMPHOUSE November 8, 2011

902 S. 2nd, Hidalgo TX 78557 • 956-843-8686

Thanks to the City of Hidalgo for another great night at the Old Hidalgo Pumphouse! With Trolley Tours, a fabulous dinner, and Viola with her incredible knowledge - what more could we ask for!

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17 www.welcomehomergv.com

INTERNATIONAL MUSEUM OF ART & SCIENCE November 10, 2011

Many thanks to the International Museum of Art and Science in McAllen for allowing us to treat our area RV Park and Retirement Community activity directors to a wonderful afternoon.

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1900 Nolana, McAllen, TX 78504 • 956-682-0123

19 www.welcomehomergv.com

HAPPY HOUR AT SNOW TO SUN RESORT November 28, 2011

Happy Hour is held at Snow to Sun RV Resort in Weslaco Monday - Friday from 3 - 4:30 pm. Beer, wine & setups with live music! Pass the hat.

Schedule:

Mon - Diego Tues - Ron O’Neil Wed - Ruthi Thurs - Jim Staton Fri - Diamond Joe

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1701 N. International Blvd., Weslaco, TX 78596

21 www.welcomehomergv.com

DON WES FLEA MARKET 2011-2012 November 30, 2011

Come and see us this season at the Don-Wes Flea Market!

Located right behind Victoria Palms Resort, on the corner of Victoria Road and Business 83.

Open Wednesdays, Saturdays & Sundays October - March from 8 am - 4 pm. Restaurant, bar, entertainment. It’s never a dull moment at the Don-Wes!

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