The Rio Grande Herald (Rio Grande City, Tex.), Vol. 40, No. 21, Ed. 1 Thursday, March 20, 1986 Page: 3 of 12
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The Upper Rio Grande
Valley In Review
Women Trend-Setters
Of Starr County
Part II- Education
South Of The Border
Winter Texan Outloo
!3
KIO I.K4MIK tll.K\l.ll KID
GRANDE CITV, TEXAS THI KSDA>.
VHRdl 20. 1986 I'M.K .1
By ESTHER P. GONZALEZ
and BEINII.DE S. VILLARREAL
Archives at the Municipio in Mier
show that education along the
border dates back to the early
settlers.
Many could read and write and
were knowledgeable in
mathematics and geometry.
Grantees Santiago Barrera, Fran-
cisco Antonio Guerra, Ramon
Guerra, Ignacio Gutierrez, and
Jose Antonio Leal served as
surveyors in the measurements of
the porciones adjudicated to the
early settlers.
The first teachers were priests,
parents, and or, an older sister.
Primary and elementary schools
were soon established with sepa-
rate units for boys and girls.
In 1822, one year after Mexico's
independence, a Municipal School
was established at Mier with
grades fourth, fifth, and sixth. The
courses taught were arithmetic,
algebra, geometry, writing, and
geography. The primary grades
were taught in private schools.
In 1848, Governor Francisco Vital
Fernandez established 22 public
schools in the state of Tamaulipas
and one was located at Mier. Only
single teachers were permitted to
teach in schools for girls. Marriage
terminated the career for many,
lest th"y become pregnant.
The only alternative left was to
teach private lessons at home -
lessons in instrumental and vocal
music, dancing, art, sewing, and
various arts and crafts. Music
teachers were available in abun-
dance in those days.
In 1870, it was decreed by the
State of Tamaulipas that all
primary and elementary schools be
compulsory and free of charge.
Courses in the curriculum
(materias del programa oficial)
consisted of Spanish, Arithmetic,
Algebra, Geometry, Citizenship
and Morality, Physical and Natural
Sciences, Geography, National and
World History, Civics, Economics,
Bookkeeping, Penmanship, Choir,
A >-t, and Gymnastics.
Promotion was determined by an
oral examination given individually
to each student before a panel of
five or six judges selected from the
most knowledgeable citizens of the
community and in the presence of
the parents.
This educational system south of
the border played an important
part in the advancement of educa-
tion along the north bank of the Rio
Grande. When a girl was fortunate
to finish the sixth grade, she could
start her own school.
Our early settlers knew that
knowledge, religion, and morality
were necessary; so schools and the
means of education were en-
couraged. Almost every ranch and
settlement had a Spanish Private
School.
(Editor's Note: The following col-
umn is the first of a weekly feature
about Winter Texans in Starr
County that will be carried regu-
larly in The Rio Grande Herald
This tourist season is almost over,
but The Herald plans to run this
column every week next winter.)
By LILLIAN KIRK
When you think of Winter Tex-
ans, you think of all the people who
make their winter home in the
Lower Valley.
Not so! We have a great g oup of
Winter Texans in Starr County at
La Loma Rio R.V. Park. "One big
happy family", said Rociel and
Ken Watson, who came from
Michigan in 1982 and met Chuck
and Lillian Kirk, who live just 45
miles away to the north.
In 1984 came Rosetta and Charles
Kazda from Wisconsin; Ray and
Vera Rielby, Michigan; Barney
Graham, Colorado; and Andy and
Nome Crombie, Nebraska All of
them are back again for the 1985-86
winter season.
Also, there are Charles and Ruth
Byers from Pennyslvania, Paul
and Joanne Milliron and Vela
Wenning, who hail from Ohio, as
well as Clara and Barney Oakes of
Missouri, and Donna and Harry
Davis of Fort Wayne, Indiana, plus
the many, many travelers who
stopped for one night and stayed
for a week to a month. Many are
planning to return next year.
Although it is time to start for
home, those who have joined us
this year all plan to return in the
fall of 1986.
"Starr County is a great place to
spend the winter," said Rosetta
and Charles Kazda, who came to
the park for just a few weeks, but
found the Fort Ringgold Golf
Course.
"Don't forget, you only have to
go six miles up the road and you
can walk into Mexico," said Rociel
First United Methodist
Women Meet
The meeting of the First United
Methodist Women was held at the
home of Mrs. Lydia Lopez on
recently.
Mrs. Benilde Villarreal, the pres-
ident, welcomed the members
present. Mrs. Orfa Lopez read the
devotional for that day from "The
Upper Room."
After a short business meeting,
Mrs. Emma Falcon presented the
program in the absence of Mrs
Olga Saenz. The program was
titled "Prayers and Praise" and it
dealt with the meaning of the
resurrection.
Various Bible scriptures were
read by the members present.
The meeting was adjourned and
refreshments, which were provided
by the hostess, Mrs. Lydia Lopez,
were enjoyed.
The next meeting will be held on
Tuesday, April 8 at 7 p m. at the
Educational Building of the First
United Methodist Church. Host-
esses will be Mrs. Kina Villarreal
and Mrs. Cora Diaz.
Watson "We are out in the peace
and quiet," said Vela and if you
want the hustle and bustle of the
big cities, it takes just an hour to
get there.
One nice thing about the park is
that we have no planned recre-
ation. You can join in the pot luck
dinners, birthday parties and anni
versary celebrations, card games,
hot dog roasts, or just sit in the
shade and read your favorite book
One of the highlights of our stay
in Starr County has been being able
to participate in the Starr County
Sesquicentennial Parade, and the
City of Roma Parade, where our
float entry won second place
Also, Mr Alonzo Alvarez, history
instructor with the Roma ISD and
member of the Roma Historical
Society, acted as guide and took
the group on a historical tour to
Roma, Falcon, Guerrero, and Mier
the last week in February It was a
very educational trip and we are
very grateful to Mr. Alvarez, who
took his time and shared his
knowledge of the area with us all.
Every one oi us who spent our
winter here in Starr County have
had a wonderful winter and, even
though it is time to start for home
and families, plans are already
being made for spending the winter
of 1986-87 here with "you all.''
Tom, Tangie, and Lillie at La
Loma Rio make this place our
home away from home
The KIO (iHAM)K
lIKRAi.D, Kio (.rande
< 'it\. Texas Owned by The
Kio Grande Herald
Publishing, Co., Inc.,
James V. Mathis. Pre.i-
dent, 215 K. I nviersitv,
Kdinburg, Texas 7K5:i!).
Second (lass Mailing
Privileges authorized at
the tnited States Office at
Kio Grande City, Texas
7H582.
I'SPS 466-200
Editor
Kenneth Roberts
Advertising and
Business Director
Vicenta Martinez
Kosa I)alia Cantu
Assistant Director
Suscriptions rates: $12.50
per year in Count} $15.00
per year out of County.
Mailing Address: The Kio
Grande Herald, P.O. Box
152, Kio Grande City,
Texas 785X2. Telephone
(512)487-2819.
Church's Holy
Week Schedule
Rash Of Grass
Fires Occurring
The Holy Week Schedule at
Immaculate Conception Church is
listed below as follows:
Monday- Sacrament of Reconcil-
iation, 7 to 8 p.m This sacrament
is scheduled to take place at the
same time on Tuesday and Wed-
nesday.
Thursday- Liturgy of the
Eucharist, 7 p.m.; Friday, Good
Friday Services, 3 p.m.; Holy
Saturday, Sadado de Gloria serv-
ice, 7 p.m.
The public is invited to attend all
services that will be held at
Immaculate Conception Church.
Little League
Registration Saturday
Little League will hold its regis-
tration on Saturday, March 22 at
the Little League field between 9
a.m. and noon.
Any boys between the ages of
9-12 who wish to play in the Little
League must come in with a parent
or guardian. They must also have
their birth certificate.
There will be a registration fee of
$6 per boy.
Tryouts will be held on: Monday
thru Wednesday, March 24-26, at
the Little League field All coaches
and Little League officers are to be
present.
Chair person Maria Elena
Olivarez of the Little League
Auxiliary said she thanks the ladies
who helped her in the concession
stand during the Youth Fair The
ladies, she said, staffed the stand
for three days. The stand, she
added, enjoyed outstanding sue
cess.
Rio Grande City Fire Chief O F.
"Speedy" Guffey said that an
excessive number of grass fires
have taken place this month, due
largely to the very dry weather
Guffey said that, as of Friday,
there have already been 16 grass
fires this month. There have been
two burning vehicles, and four
accident calls, as well as one minor
house fire that was extinguished
before the Fire Department ar-
rived on the scene.
Guffey said, "We've been getting
a lot of grass fire calls. This month
Easter Sunrise
Service Planned
There will be an Easter Sunrise
service at the football stadium in
Rio Grande City at 6 a.m. Easter
Sunday morning
All churches and clergymen of
the community are invited to
participate, and the public is
invited.
For further information, contact
Rev. Samuel Blanco, Rev. Lundy
Hooten, Rev. Roland Ouellette,
Father Todd Arnberg, or Rev Juan
Luna
has been really heavy." He again
emphasized that Starr County
residents should be very careful
about burning any trash.
HaMBDRGErS
ONION
OPEN
WEEKDAYS
TILL 11PM
FRI & SAT
TILL 1 AM
Lent Special
EVERY FRIDAY
Fish Sandwich
$1.45
Grill Cheese
Sandwich
85 C
Fort Ringgold Motor Inn
NCO
CLUB
Invites You To Come and Enjoy
Live Music
THURSDAY thru SUNDAY
"grupo viaje"
!
4350 E. Hwy 83
NO COVER CHARGE
487-5666
3
I
Rio Grande City
RIO GRANDE TVIOTORS CHEVY BOYS
Chevrolet
&
SALES, LEASES & RENTALS
00
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487.
cFsTLII
OPEN
MON-SAT
10am-6pm
SUNDAY
12noon-5pm
$ 100' OVER FACTORY
INVOICE
on every vehicle
in our stock
oocx
ONLY AT
RIO GRANDE MOTORS
FRIDAY, MARCH 21st - 8:00AM-6:00PM
SATURDAY, MARCH 22nd■ 9:00AM-2:00PM\
SUNDA Y, MARCH 23rd -1 :OOPM-S:OOPM
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ONLY AT RIO GRANDE MOTORS
When It Comes To The Biggest
And The Best
We Don't Clown A round
' So, Come In And See
Our Excellent Selections Of
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*Shoes
*Accessories
RIO GRANDE MOTORS CHEVY BOYS
Remember, Don't Clown Around
And Settle For Less In Your
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Excel l ent Sal e In Progress
Clown (6ft. Tall) won atoneof thejjooths at the Mercedes Fair by Joe.
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Roberts, Kenneth. The Rio Grande Herald (Rio Grande City, Tex.), Vol. 40, No. 21, Ed. 1 Thursday, March 20, 1986, newspaper, March 20, 1986; Edinburg, Texas. (https://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth195020/m1/3/: accessed April 30, 2024), University of North Texas Libraries, The Portal to Texas History, https://texashistory.unt.edu; crediting Rio Grande City Public Library.