We’re just connecting the dots
Volume 11 • Issue 2 November 5, 2025
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WINTER TEXAN
Service, Education, History, and Patriotism Story and photos by Eryn Reddell Wingert
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What a week! We’re beyond excited to kick off the season, and we’ve been busy putting the finishing touches on our Activity Director Boot Camp. This isn’t just one event; it’s a whole series designed to connect, educate, and inspire RV park activity directors from across the Rio Grande Valley. Many of our activity directors are new to the area, so we love showing them the hidden gems that make the Valley shine. This week’s itinerary includes a visit to the new Ecotourism Center in Los Fresnos, a little shopping on Lighthouse Square in Port Isabel, and an afternoon at the South Padre Island Birding Center--where the views are as breathtaking as the wildlife. We’ll enjoy dinner at Louie’s Backyard, followed by live music from the alwaysfabulous Leslie Blasing. The next day, it’s back to business (and a little more fun!) with a workshop at Margaritaville, lunch, and entertainment from Curt James. To top it all off, we’ll set sail with Breakaway Cruises for a dolphin watch adventure. This is just the beginning of our season, so stay tuned! And don’t forget to ask your activity director what’s coming up next. Until next week….
Thank You
SEASON SPONSORS 2025-2026
ne spring day in 1929, a small group of women gathered for tea at Casa de Palmas Hotel in downtown McAllen. The purpose of the meeting: establishing a local chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution. Ninety-six years later, the Rio Grande Chapter, National Society Daughters of the American Revolution (NSDAR or DAR) is going strong. “We have our fingers in a lot of pies,” shares Paula Owen, Texas Society DAR state vice regent. That they do. The list is long, from historic preservation projects restoring a local church to supporting the needs of Col. Plummer stands with Rio Grande Chapter DAR officers in front veterans and troops and providing of the Bernardo de Galvez monument. (Photo courtesy: Rio Grande scholarships and grants…and the list Chapter DAR) goes on. Members of the DAR are connected time--Plummer Veterans Day Ceremony, via ancestral contribution to the American approached Tuesday, November 11, at Revolution: a solider, service provider, even a 10 a.m. at the Veteran’s War the City with drummer. The nonprofit organization contributes his vision. Memorial of Texas, 3129 to the community in a number of ways, focusing McAllen was Galveston Ave. in McAllen. on service, education, history, and patriotism. on board, and To learn more about the Placing American flags and memorial wreaths land was set Daughters of the American on veterans’ graves, providing troops with basic aside for the Revolution, visit DAR.org. necessities, visiting veterans homes, archiving project. Of note: Winter Texan DAR genealogy, preserving records, contributing books Its design members can be associate to libraries, and historic preservation projects--and went through members of this chapter. that’s just a sampling of activities at the local level. v a r i o u s For more information about One of the most impactful contributions is iterations the Veteran’s War Memorial ongoing support of the Veteran’s War Memorial of b e f o r e of Texas, visit mcallen.net/ Texas in McAllen, a monument in honor of those becoming an veterans. who were a part of wars and conflicts throughout outdoor park our nation’s history, including the American with a 105-foot Revolution. spire, walls The idea for a significant memorial originated engraved with historic information and details from retired Army Col. Frank Plummer, a veteran on each war, pathways recognizing branches of of three wars. service, and sculptures created by local artist In the late 1980s, according to former McAllen Douglas Clark. Mayor Jim Darling--who was city attorney at the CONTINUED ON PAGE 2