Category: Local News & Happenings

PHARR, Texas – If you’ve ever savored homestyle Greek food, or are more of a handmade Eastern European fare fan, this is an event you don’t want to miss. Most especially, be sure to try the crispy, sweet baklava.

 

A much-anticipated annual event, the International Festival, held at St. George’s Orthodox Church in Pharr is perfect for picking up holiday gifts, as well as for-sale specialty foods. Local families and Winter Texans alike enjoy this seasonal occurrence. If you appreciate a taste of the world, don’t miss this culinary fundraiser. Festival favorites include Greek layered pastitcio, spanakopita, grilled souvlaki and stuffed grape leaves.  On the Russian side of the gastronomic globe, try savory cabbage rolls, pirogies or hot blini. And of course, some Ukrainian honey cake.

 

“You won’t find anything like this Festival here in the Valley,” shares Judie Geil, long-time Parishioner of St. George’s. “Even though I now live in Houston, I wouldn’t miss it for the world.” Geil’s special German beirocks and strudel are already made up and ready to sell.

 

A fun, educational outing for the entire family, the Festival offers free entry, parking, children’s activities and a wide variety of entertainment. There’s always something for everyone to see, hear and do.  Activities and information will be shared by the Museum of South Texas History, IMAS, the McAllen Public Library, Texas Master Naturalists, Texas Master Gardeners, UTRGV CHAPS, the Lambs Loom, Gem Valley Farmers Market, Milkweed & Monarchs and more. “Two by Two Petting Zoo” will be available for children from 10 a.m. – noon.

 

The year’s entertainment schedule includes the wonderful UTRGV Tuba and Euphonium Ensemble, playing holiday favorites, as well as the much-beloved Mariachi Nueva Tradicion.  The children’s mariachi and conjunto groups from Creative Arts Studio will join the day’s performances, as well as members of the colibrí children’s choir. Find the exciting entertainment and activity schedule at: stgeorgetxfestival.com/entertainment.html

 

Elizabeth Perdomo, International Festival Director shared, “Each year, we try to include some repeat performances from past favorites, as well as adding something new.” Perdomo continued, “This year, the event will open with Scottish Pipes and Drums, and close with Robert Soto and the South Texas Indian Dancers. It should be a great day of music and dance!”

 

A special place for for holiday shopping, pick up some unique items created by artisans, handicraft and farmers market vendors. Everything from local honey and tasty preserves, to handmade soap, beeswax candles, Eastern European folkart and handcrafted wood items will be there to choose from. Some special vendors from Mexico will sell small batch bags of coffee grown in Mexico, handcrafted silver jewelry and more. If you’re interested, take a free guided tour of St. George Orthodox Church and the learn about the lovely icons, an ancient liturgical artform.

 

Vegan and vegetarian options are available for some of festival foods, including International Soups. Besides take-home soup containers, frozen versions of many specialties are also available inside the church hall. Pick up some to enjoy later.  Bring a cooler along in the car to keep ‘em cold.  Besides baklava, holiday cookies, sweet breads and other baked goods from around the world will make your mouth water.  Treat someone you love with a package or two.

 

Come early and spend the day. Begin the morning with freshly baked scones and muffins. Want a break to sit a while and watch the performances?  Grab a cup of Russian tea, Greek or Mexican coffee and some special baked goods from the Russian Tea Shoppe, and you’ll be ready to relax and enjoy the music. Handicapped drop off and entry access available.

 

One purpose for the festival is to collect food and funds for St. George Food Pantry, which serves over 100 families twice a month. Bring monetary donations, canned goods or non-perishables, new or lightly used blankets, coats, children’s clothing or toys, for the special Christmas distribution. Receive one homemade cookie as a “thank you” in the “Give a Can; Get a Cookie” campaign.

 

This year’s International Festival will be held on Saturday, December 8^th, from 9 a.m. – 4 p.m. at St. George Orthodox Church, 704 W. Sam Houston in Pharr. To learn more about the festival, see their website at: stgeorgetxfestival.com/index.html or on Facebook at: facebook.com/St.GeorgeInternationalFestival/

The Robert Vela High School SaberStagers are pleased to announce our 6^th annual fall musical, Chicago. The SaberStagers are the recipients of 5 Hidalgo County PALM Awards, including Best Musical, the most of any high school nominated. The show will be performed from Nov 29-Dec 1 and Dec 6, 8 at 7 pm, with 2 pm matinee performances on Dec 1,2,8,9. There will also be two ASL interpreted performances on Nov 30 at 7 pm and Dec 2 at 2 pm., Tickets are $10 for general admission, $6 with a valid student ID, and $5 for senior citizen 65+. For more information, call (956)-289-2650. RVHS is located at 801 E. Canton Rd., Edinburg, TX 78539.

The Veterans’ Memorial Project Committee in conjunction with the City of Harlingen, the Veterans Advisory Boards both from Harlingen and San Benito and several other partners is sponsoring this program.  Several neighboring communities are also participating such as La Feria, Los Indios and Weslaco while a few others are still pending.  This is a labor of love and an ongoing process in early stages.

 

While we appreciate that Mission has the Rio Grande Valley State Cemetery, many local Veterans are interred at our local cemeteries and we wanted to recognize them here.  Therefore, we have partnered with the Harlingen City Cemetery at F Street, Ashland, Heavenly Grace, Restlawn, Mont Meta, Highland Memorial Parks, SB City Cemetery and Las Rucias Cemetery in Los Indios.

 

Wreaths Across America is a 501 (c) (3) nonprofit organization founded to continue and expand the annual wreath-laying ceremony at Arlington National cemetery.  It began in 1992 when businessman Morrill Worcester had an abundance of wreaths and delivered them to Arlington.

 

Mission Statement:  REMEMBER the fallen

HONOR those who serve

TEACH our children the value of freedom

 

The Wreaths Across America’s mission – Remember – Honor – Teach is carried out in part by coordinating wreath-laying ceremonies in December at Arlington National Cemetery in Washington D.C. with thousands of other locations of which our Harlingen area is included in the LRGV chapter.  (Please refer to our LRGV surrounding area ID designation – TXHTSA in all correspondence).

 

To ensure no Veteran is forgotten…..  our efforts are to place a remembrance wreath on every Veteran’s grave.  We have a challenge here because our cemetery data does contain sufficient information on grave locations.  You can help us by submitting your Veteran’s name, rank, service, the local cemetery with grave location, row and number.

 

Our goal is to raise enough funds to place wreaths on the headstones of all the local heroes laid to rest here, to ensure that the individuals who served to protect the freedom of our country are never to be forgotten and to bring the community together in patriotic commemoration.

 

Volunteers are invited to assist.  Families, especially of interred Veterans are most cordially invited to participate.  Conversely, if your family chooses not to participate, please contact us.

Harlingen and San Benito, as of now, will be working towards collecting funds locally for the remembrance wreaths to be placed on Veterans graves in all the participating cemeteries.

 

Remembrance wreaths can be purchased for $15.00 each.  POC:  Lenore Combs 956 245 1276

LJCombs44@gmail.com   Sponsorships and optional donations towards this project will be appreciated and vigilantly managed.   Cut off day is Veterans Day – 11 November 2018.

 

Myharlingen.us/page/veterans.home     click on the link Wreaths Across America

Wreaths Across America.org/pages/150501/Overview/

Facebook http://Facebook.com/WAAHQ      (and local Facebook)

 

A word about the wreaths…  They are made up of 10 Balsam Bouquets representing the 10 Special Qualities that our Veterans embody:

Their FAITH in God, –  their LOVE for each other,  – their  STRENGTH, work ethic & character, – their  HONESTY & integrity, – their HUMILITY, self-respect, – their  AMBITION, aspirations, – their    OPTIMISM for America, – their CONCERN for their future, –  their PRIDE in their duties and their HOPES & DREAMS that didn’t always come true but left them with no regrets.

 

Each wreath is hand made with the hopes and dreams for the Veteran.  Evergreens are a symbol used for centuries, to recognize honor and are a living tribute of longevity and endurance.  The Red Bow represents great sacrifice, the fresh forest scent represents purity and simplicity and the circular shape represents eternity.

 

We want our friends and neighbors to see the tradition as a living memorial to Veterans and their families – whom we remember amid the hustle and bustle of the holiday season.  We believe that the sacrifices made are worth the effort.

 

Friends, neighbors, groups can go in on a multiple order.  Corporate or business may consider a generous order.  (a box contains 10 wreaths.)  Remember, our goal is to place a remembrance wreath on the grave of every Veteran.

 

Harlingen will have an Opening Ceremony at Veterans Memorial At Pendleton Park (1425 Morgan Blvd.) on Saturday the 15^th of December at 11 am.  San Benito will be advertising their Ceremony program at their location.   The free event is open to all.  Organized volunteers will then proceed to their assigned participating cemetery for the Wreath-laying ceremony.  There may be other areas that have a similar program, such as Los Indios so, as a suggestion, stay vigilant for the program near you.

 

There will be an announcement for a volunteer orientation about the cemetery procedure and etiquette.  This is a combined effort.  Hold harmless agreements need to be discussed for those of us who are traveling to the cemeteries.  We are requesting volunteers for this project.

POC:  Lenore Combs  LJCombs44@gmail.com

 

 

*On Saturday the 15^th of December  11 am

Harlingen will have a public ceremony at the Veterans’ Memorial At Pendleton Park located on 1425 Morgan Boulevard, Harlingen to pay tribute to our Veterans and thank our volunteers.   It will be similar to our typical Memorial Day/Veteran’s Day program.  Seven specially designed ceremonial wreaths will be placed coordinating with Arlington National Cemetery and at many participating locations (Ft Sam and Corpus Christi) all across the United States.   The wreaths are specially designed for the Army, Navy, Marines, Coast Guard and Air Force, Merchant Marine and POW/MIA.  Their significance is to REMEMBER those who served and gave all, HONOR their sacrifices and TEACH our younger generations about the cost of our freedoms.

 

San Benito is planning a Ceremony too at their location.  See their advertised information.

 

Following the ceremony, organized volunteers will depart to their designated (requested) cemetery with their assigned Cemetery Contact for the Wreath-laying experience.  A complete list of participating cemeteries will be available and we will set a time and date soon for public orientation at a convenient location.  All of this will be coordinated so stay tuned.

 

*The week of the 10^th of December…..Many 18 wheelers leave Maine (where the trees are grown and the wreaths are made) carrying the wreaths to all the locations.  There will be an organized motorcycle club escort – a continuation of the World’s Longest Veterans Parade – Maine to Harlingen.  The Texas Law Dogs, South Texas Chapter will meet them at Corpus Christi and escort it to Harlingen.

 

We will receive notice of arrival in to Harlingen about the 10^th of December. We also need volunteers to help unload our share of wreaths.  They will be delivered to Pendleton Park.  They are real evergreen wreaths prepared in a special way for our Veterans.  They measure 20” across, there are 10 in a box and the box weighs about 45 pounds.

 

Here presents another volunteer opportunity…..  Ultimately, the wreaths need to be stored for a few day and then get to their locations…..  Maybe some Harlingen businesses can assist with small truck and or trailers.  Plans are under construction.  We are awaiting a list of wreaths needed for each cemetery location.  We will have a Harlingen escort courtesy of the Texas law Dogs, South Texas Chapter to the cemeteries.

 

* Saturday 19 January 2019 – Last but not least is Wreaths-Out Day.

These wreaths are live evergreens.  Receptacles will be provided since the cemetery is not responsible for clean-up.   We will need volunteers for a few hours for this.

 

Volunteers are cordially welcome to participate in all the facets of this mission. – from unloading the wreaths to placing the remembrance wreath at the graveside and wreaths-out day. We will plan an orientation meeting.  Posters and Flyers will soon be available.   Contact me and I can send it via email.  LJCombs44@gmail.com

 

 

WAA Outreach:  There is also an outreach program just designed for our schools as part of a Leadership Program or associated school project.   WAA is committed to teaching younger generations about the importance of honoring those who sacrificed so much to protect those freedoms.  WAA offers learning tools, interactive media projects and opportunities for schools, 4-H Clubs, Scouts and other youth groups to participate in these efforts.  A downloadable curriculum and books are available to help school children appreciate the roles our Veterans played in preserving their freedoms.  These materials are designed to encourage the direct involvement of local Veterans.

American History:  Wreaths Across America Unit (example)

This is an ongoing unit of study designed to have students develop a better understanding of the importance of Veterans in America’s history.  The WAA unit was started in 2006 to expand students and community education by putting Veterans together with children through the mission statement  Remember – Honor – Teach.  (I have participated in several of these).

 

May we recommend a search on the web for Wreaths Across America for the big picture and UTube has some great videos on Ft Sam Houston and Corpus Christi.  Hope to see Harlingen’s on it next year!

 

WAA maintains no political or religious agenda but rather a mission to remember and honor our veterans during the month of December.  At time of traditional family get-togethers this event provides a great learning opportunity to teach our children of the many sacrifices made by our military men and women.  Hope to see you.

 

WAA started as a simple gesture of thanks, that over the years has grown into a national movement of dedicated volunteers and communities coming together not only to remember the nations’ fallen and honor their service, but to teach the next generation about the sacrifices made for us to live freely.  This year there will be close to 1500 locations with over a million volunteers.  Harlingen is already on the map as a location.

 

For information:

Myharlingen.us/page/veterans.home     click on the link Wreaths Across America

Wreaths Across America.org/pages/150501/Overview/

Facebook http://Facebook.com/WAAHQ      (and local Facebook)

The performance group is one of several cultural acts scheduled for next weekend’s event

 

MCALLEN, TEXAS, Sept. 14, 2018: Attendees of McAllen’s Inaugural Fiesta de Palmas will be treated to ‘The Danza de los Voladores,’ or the Dance of the Flyers, a centuries-old traditional Mexican dance. The dance is performed by indigenous groups of Mexico and other South American countries such as Guatemala, Nicaragua and El Salvador.

 

Formerly known as McAllen’s PalmFest, Fiesta de Palmas aims to promote an appreciation for international culture. In addition to performances by Voladores de Papantla, attendees will be treated to an exciting array of sights and sounds, courtesy of local and international music and dance acts. These include Ramon Ayala y Sus Bravos del Norte, La Sonora Arrasadora, Los Cadetes de Linares de Rosendo Cantu and Estruendo. Tribute acts such as “Earth to Mars, a Bruno Mars Tribute, and Majesty of Rock, which offers the music of classic rock bands Journey and Styx, will also perform onstage throughout the weekend.  Over 100 performances are set to perform during this two-day event.

 

Fiesta de Palmas will celebrate European, Middle Eastern and Latin American influences. The festival, scheduled to take place September 22-23, 2018 from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. at McAllen Convention Center and McAllen Performing Arts Center,will offer the opportunity to sample a wide variety of delicious international cuisine. Attendees are also welcome to explore an on-site artisan market and other entertainment such as games, carnival rides, and beer garden for attendees 21 and over.

 

Tickets are only $5 and children under 12 enter free.

 

For more information about Fiesta de Palmas, please contact McAllen Convention Center at (956) 681-3800.

            There’s something brewing at the Zoo! Raise your glass for animal conservation as the Gladys Porter Zoo and Brownsville Beer Fest invite you to Brew at the Zoo, from 6:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. on Thursday, September 20^th. Quench your thirst and support your Zoo by sipping on specially selected premium and craft beers paired with delicious food tastings from amazing chefs and restaurants. Only a few of the top Rio Grande Valley restaurants will be participating in this year’s “Feast with the Beasts.”

 

Plus, take part in fun games such as Jumbo Jenga and a Beer Pong Tournament. This is a 21+ event. Zoo members can purchase a Brew at the Zoo ticket for $20.00 pre-sale or $25.00 on the day of the event. Non-members can purchase a ticket for $25.00 pre-sale and $30.00 on the day of. Tickets will be available in the front office or online at www.gpz.org. For more information please call (956)546-7187.

 

What: Brew at the Zoo

When: September 20^th – 6:00-9:00 p.m.

Where: Gladys Porter Zoo, 500 Ringgold St. Brownsville, Texas

“After all these years, there is something magical about the huge old building with it’s aluminum exterior, some of it brown from years of baking in the hot sun and from weather aging, sitting tall, strong and mysterious,” said Pedro Garcia who co-wrote the script, Tales of the Hidalgo Pumphouse, and is Artistic Director for the Pharr Community Theater Co. and Co-Producer. “The high, white concrete smoke stack that touches the clouds and the deep pits inside the building where huge and heavy Corliss and Hamilton engines rest on top of strong cement beds are still there, as well as the gigantic furnaces where mesquite wood was once burned to help create the steam that would pump millions of gallons of water from the Rio Grande every day for crop irrigation. I grew up in Hidalgo and I have fond memories of my childhood and coming of age around the Pumphouse with my friends.”

Lucio G. Rivera who co-wrote the story and also grew up in Hidalgo said, “My grandfather Bartolo worked there before I was born and my uncle Luis for nearly 50 years up until he retired when the old pump house shut down in 1983.”

Luis Rivera who worked at the Pumphouse for more then 50 years is a character in the play, played by Gustavo Saucedo, as well as his wife Paula, played by Atenea A. Garza, who once baked a small tortilla where the face of Jesus appeared. Another real life character in the play is Rufus Wisdom, played by Larry Weinreich, who was a long time foreman with nearly 40 years working at the Pumphouse.

“It was our public swimming pool and fishing hole of sorts,” added Rivera. “Water that was stored in the huge receiving basins before heading out through the canals became a fun place for swimming and fishing for me and the other boys growing up there, including the Wisdom family.”

The play tells of Luisito, played by Gilberto Castro, Jr., and his buddies as they come of age and search for a hidden treasure while the girls are writing a historical-report about the old Pumphouse and practicing an ancient dance in honor of the Rio Grande (River). The story is also about the parents and ancestors who worked and lived around the Pumphouse since it was built in 1909 and closed in 1983.

Today the old Pumphouse still stands in the same place and has become a Texas Historical marker and a Museum and World Birding Center open to the public.

The tale is laced with history, folktales and adventure including the creepy and sometimes funny fantasmas/spirits such as, La Llorona/The Weeping Woman, played by Rhiannon Garza, La Lechuza/The Witch Owl, played by Alma I. Izaguirre, La Muerte/Death, played by Francisco Crisanto, and El Hombre Sin Cabeza/The Headless Man, played by Sergio Luna. Together the youth and adults with help from a historian named Mrs. Stonewall, played by Connie Garza, and a magical Pirate named Hidalgo, played by Cielo Barrios, save the Old Pumphouse from destruction.

The story is bilingual, predominately told in English with nearly 23 local cast members, including ten adolescents, who have been in rehearsals since early June.

Director Seres Jaime Magaña who is a local poet and writer, from McAllen, TX, says directing a play is a fresh start for him in having to adapt a story into a visual form, “A lot of the approach is letting the story tell me where it wants to go and then me being able to show that and to translate it, Not only is it a historical and fun play for the whole family, it’s also got a lot of heart,” added Magaña.

Thirteen year old Arianna Compean from Edinburg, TX, plays Janie in the play and attends Barrientes Middle School. “I do theater because I listen to broadway tunes and it’s a dream for me to perform there one day. This play has helped me learn about the Rio Grande, about where you live and about remembering childhood stories.”

Later this year, authors Rivera and Garcia plan to publish the entire play in a book of the same name to share with everyone and in hopes that other theater companies and institutions may want to produce the play as well.

Showtimes:
The Play opens August 22-26, 2018 at the Elva and Kieth Michal’s Performing Arts Center (Pharr Community Theater) at 213 W Newcombe Ave., Pharr, TX. The show runs Wednesday through Saturday at 7:30 pm and Sunday at 3:00 pm. Tickets are $6 kids under 12; $8 seniors, veterans and students and $10 general admission. (Seating is limited to 60 persons per show)

For advanced tickets call 956-239-0412. Tickets will also be sold at the door, starting one hour before curtain upon availability. The show has a viewer rating equivalent to a PG movie.