It’s Fiesta Season! THROUGH ERYN’S LENS!
Capturing some of the excitement from McAllen’s Holiday Parade. See photos on page 9.
• • • December 19, 2018 UPCOMING VALLEY EVENTS!www.welcomehomergv.com BON APPETIT! Check out this week’s listings of what’s happening in the RGV! See calendar starting on page 18.
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Executive Chef Bettina Tolin shares a hearty soup recipe to keep you cozy! Try this recipe on page 33.
VOLUME 4 • ISSUE 10 • December 19, 2018 • • • your official connection to the rio grande valley • • •
hello FROM KRISTI
from all of us to you!
Winter Texans (and our Converted
Texans, too!) never cease to amaze me when it comes to your generosity during the holidays. Everywhere I turn, I witness amazing acts of kindness. Whether it be gifts of toys, food, time and/or service, you contribute so much, and we are forever grateful. I remember about 10 years ago, my women’s group hosted a Christmas party for the Make-A-Wish Foundation. One of our members thought it would be nice if we could distribute handmade stockings not only to our ‘wish kids’ but to their siblings, as well. That was going to be a tall order, as we would need over 100 stockings. We made a quick call to Texas Trails, and a week later, we had all of the stockings we needed! As if this wasn’t enough of a miracle, one of the woodcarvers at the resort made ornaments for us to distribute. Mine hangs on my tree as I write this column. Thank you for all you do and for sharing your gifts with us! We wish you the happiest of holidays! • We’re just connecting the dots,
Kristi
THANK YOU TO OUR
2018-2019
SEASON SPONSORS
Marsha Fulton, left, and Lou Ayres place Christmas stockings into a box after filling them with toys, food, clothing, and other supplies Wednesday, December 12, at Winter Ranch RV Resort in Alamo. The park donated 300 stuffed stocking for children up to eight years old to the ARISE Support Center in Alamo. // photo by Nathan Lambrecht
Photos by Nathan Lambrecht
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A handmade stocking, one of many Winter Ranch residents filled for Valley children.
Eleanor Haddock holds a frog stuffed animal while placing a box of crayons into a stocking for a child. The items in each stocking may be slightly different, but every child gets a stuffed animal for Christmas.
hristmas cheer was in the air last Wednesday as Winter Texans stuffed stockings with toys, hand-knitted hats, crayons, food, and a small stuffed animal at Winter Ranch RV Resort in Alamo. Residents at the park gathered the items over the past year to donate to the ARISE Support Center. ARISE is a community organization that focuses on child development, adult education, and community involvement in lowerincome neighborhoods. CHRISTMAS STOCKINGS CONTINUED ON PAGE 5 >>