Hope everyone has a wonderful and safe Memorial Day weekend! Growing up at my house, we would always celebrate my sister Josie’s birthday (May 31st). She would have been 66 this year, but she passed away in 1972 with my mother and sister Priscilla in a car accident.
The Memorial Day holiday originally began in 1868 as “Decoration Day”. It was after the Civil War. Many Americans would decorate the graves of Civil War soldiers with flowers. After World War I, the remembrance expanded to commemorate all military members lost in all American wars. In 1971, Congress officially made it a federal holiday with the Uniform Monday Holiday Act (last Monday in May).
National Moment of Remembrance: At 3:00 pm (local time), Americans are asked to pause for one minute to reflect upon and remember the nation’s fallen heroes. If possible, take some time to visit leave a US flag, flowers or simply visit the grave(s) of any of your family members or friends that have given their lives to protect ours. My dad (Alfredo Duncan), and Tio Pancho (Juan Francisco Morales) proudly served in the Navy (52nd Seabees) during World War II. My Tio Wes (Thomas Westly Duncan) and Tio Clarence also served in the military at that time. To them, and all our loved ones who have proudly served our country, “Thank you for your love, service, and dedication to our country.”
Hope everyone has a wonderful and safe Memorial Day weekend! Growing up at my house, we would always celebrate my sister Josie’s birthday (May 31st). She would have been 66 this year, but she passed away in 1972 with my mother and sister Priscilla in a car accident.
The Memorial Day holiday originally began in 1868 as “Decoration Day”. It was after the Civil War. Many Americans would decorate the graves of Civil War soldiers with flowers. After World War I, the remembrance expanded to commemorate all military members lost in all American wars. In 1971, Congress officially made it a federal holiday with the Uniform Monday Holiday Act (last Monday in May).
National Moment of Remembrance: At 3:00 pm (local time), Americans are asked to pause for one minute to reflect upon and remember the nation’s fallen heroes. If possible, take some time to visit leave a US flag, flowers or simply visit the grave(s) of any of your family members or friends that have given their lives to protect ours. My dad (Alfredo Duncan), and Tio Pancho (Juan Francisco Morales) proudly served in the Navy (52nd Seabees) during World War II. My Tio Wes (Thomas Westly Duncan) and Tio Clarence also served in the military at that time. To them, and all our loved ones who have proudly served our country, “Thank you for your love, service, and dedication to our country.”
This year America is celebrating 250 years since we signed the Declaration of Independence. I am sure their will be many events to celebrate this milestone. It’s a time of honoring our American story. This past week, the Webb County Heritage Foundation hosted Laredo’s 271st Birthday Celebration honoring our people, families, traditions and stories that continue to shape our Laredo community. “This celebration highlights the vibrant culture of Laredo and its historic downtown, as well as the incredible local organizations and businesses that make our community so special,” said Andrea Ordonez, Director of Operations at the Webb County Heritage Foundation.
“Since 1980, the Webb County Heritage Foundation (WCHF) has dedicated itself to promoting the history and heritage of Laredo and the border region through a comprehensive working package of year-round tourism venues, a historical archive for local and visiting researchers, walking and step-on tours, annual events and historical exhibits, workshops on historic preservation topics, collaborative projects with state-wide and national preservation organizations, presentations on historical subjects to civic and school groups, and multimedia information tools on heritage educational topics and heritage tourism. Brochures, tour maps, and booklets published by the WCHF are the primary promotional tools used by the City of Laredo to promote our community as a heritage tourism destination. Indeed, the Walking and Step-On tours of Laredo provided by the WCHF are the only professional tours of the city that exist in this community.
The Heritage Foundation operates two history museums – the Republic of the Rio Grande Museum and the Villa Antigua Border Heritage Museum – that are open year-round and represent the only place that visitors can learn about Laredo and Webb County’s origins and historical development. The Webb County Heritage Foundation sponsors the annual celebration of the founding of Laredo, again, the only organization to do so and the only organization that systematically promotes Laredo and Webb County as a heritage tourism destination.
This year America is celebrating 250 years since we signed the Declaration of Independence. I am sure their will be many events to celebrate this milestone. It’s a time of honoring our American story. This past week, the Webb County Heritage Foundation hosted Laredo’s 271st Birthday Celebration honoring our people, families, traditions and stories that continue to shape our Laredo community. “This celebration highlights the vibrant culture of Laredo and its historic downtown, as well as the incredible local organizations and businesses that make our community so special,” said Andrea Ordonez, Director of Operations at the Webb County Heritage Foundation.
“Since 1980, the Webb County Heritage Foundation (WCHF) has dedicated itself to promoting the history and heritage of Laredo and the border region through a comprehensive working package of year-round tourism venues, a historical archive for local and visiting researchers, walking and step-on tours, annual events and historical exhibits, workshops on historic preservation topics, collaborative projects with state-wide and national preservation organizations, presentations on historical subjects to civic and school groups, and multimedia information tools on heritage educational topics and heritage tourism. Brochures, tour maps, and booklets published by the WCHF are the primary promotional tools used by the City of Laredo to promote our community as a heritage tourism destination. Indeed, the Walking and Step-On tours of Laredo provided by the WCHF are the only professional tours of the city that exist in this community.
The Webb County Heritage Foundation is a nonprofit organization registered with the IRS as a 501(c)(3) organization. Its mission is to “raise awareness and appreciation of Webb County’s Heritage by advocating the protection and preservation of historic architecture, ranching heritage and cultural traditions, customs and folklore of the border region through heritage education and tourism.” For more information on the organization visit their website at www.webbheritage.org or reach out to 956.727.0977 or heritage@webbheritage.org.
Looking for some BINGO fun! Mercy Ministries Laredo will be having their 5th Annual Bingo Maddness on Sunday June, 7th at the Laredo College Maravillo Gym located at West End Washington Street. Doors open at 11am. They will have two early bird games at starting at noon and the regular bingo starts at 1pm. Pre-sale tickets are $30 and $35 at the door. For more information, call 956.721.7408.
Continuing with fun filled festivities, the Laredo Philharmonic will be having a “Fiesta Sinfonica” on Saturday, June 14th at the Laredo College’s Guadalupe and Lilia Martinez Fine Arts Center located at the main campus on West End Washington Street. The program begins at 3pm with the “vibrant sounds of Spain and Mexico in a dazzling symphony concert featuring works by Falla, Granados, Moncayo, Marquez, and more. For ticket information call 956.763.9960 or visit www.laredophilharmonic.com.
Rounding out today’s list of exciting activities, join the Tecos on July 4th for their 250th Celebration! As usual, the Tecos will be throwing a party Laredo Style — fun for all the family. Enjoy a great baseball game, as the Tecos take on the Sultanes from Monterrey, Nuevo Leon, Mexico at the Uni-Trade Stadium. They are partnering with the United Way of Laredo. Plans are in the works. Come join the fun, support a great cause and experience brilliant fireworks!
AREA HEALTH EDUCATION CENTER (AHEC): KNOW LUPUS
AHEC invites all health providers to a presentation by Dr. Antonio E. Mancera, Rheumatologist to a free virtual education presentation on the signs and symptoms of lupus. The session is scheduled for Thursday, May 28th from 12 noon to 2pm on Zoom. CEUs will be awarded to Physicians and offered at no cost to pre-registered participants. For more information call 956.712.0037.
IMAGINARIUM OF SOUTH TEXAS: HEB FREE FAMILY FUN NIGHT
Join us for the HEB Free Family Fun Night on Friday, May 29th from 6-9 pm at the Imaginarium located the main campus of Laredo College (West End Washington Street) Building P-149. For more information, please call 956.728.0404.
R.B. COWL REHABILITATION CENTER: CHILDREN’S ORTHOPEDIC CLINIC
Ruthe B. Cowl Rehabilitation Center will be hosting their monthly Children’s Orthopedic Clinic on Thursday, June 4th. Registration is required. To schedule an appointment, call 956.722.2431.
AREA HEALTH EDUCATION CENTER (AHEC): RALLY UP 988 SUICIDE & CRISIS LIFELINE
To create awareness, AHEC will be having a rally up event on Friday, May 29th from 11:30am to Noon. They will be meeting on the corner of McPherson and Del Mar. You are invited to join them and wear your 988 T-shirt or the color purple to remind everyone that you are not alone. For more information, contact AHEC at 956.712.0037.
AREA HEALTH EDUCATION CENTER (AHEC): MENTAL HEALTH AWARENESS
Everyone is invited to attend AHEC’s mental health awareness virtual seminar with guest speaker, Myrthala de Alejo, MA, LPC, DPC. The session is scheduled for Friday, June 5th from 1:30 pm to 2:30 pm. Participants will earn 1 Knowledge Contact Hour. For more information call 956.712.0037.
MERCY MINISTRIES: BINGO MADNESS
Come join the Bing Madness and support the Mercy Clinic. Their 5th Annual Bingo will be held on Sunday, June 7th at the Laredo College Maravillo Gym located on West End Washington Street. Doors open at 11am with 2 early bird specials at Noon. The regular bingo begins at 1pm. Pre-sale tickets are $30 for 10 games. On the day of the event, ticket price will be $35. There will be food, door prizes and a raffle. For more information, contact Diana Granados at 956.721.7408 or diana.granados@mercy.net.
SACRED HEART CHILDREN’S HOME: CONSECRATION TO THE SACRED HEART OF JESUS
The Servants of the Sacred Heart of Jesus invite the community to join them with their festivities for the Sacred Heart of Jesus. Novena (Prayer) at 7:00 pm every night from Wednesday, June 3rd to Thursday, June 11th at the Children’s Home. The Consecration will be on Friday, June 12th at 7:30 pm at the Children’s Home. For more information 956.691.8746.
IMAGINARIUM OF SOUTH TEXAS: GALA NIGHT HONORING DR. RICARDO CIGARROA & HONORABLE ALYSSA CIGARROA
The Gala is scheduled for Thursday, June 11th from 6:30-10:30 pm at Paseo Real Receptions. For more information, please call 956.728.0404.
UNITED WAY OF LAREDO, INC.: MAIN EVENT SPIRIT NIGHT FOR UNITED WAY
Come join the fun and support a great cause on Thursday, June 18th from 5 – 8 pm at the Main Event in Mall Del Norte. 20% of all Sales will be donated to United Way of Laredo for all activities, video games, food, gift cards and non-alcoholic beverage purchase. Just remember to drop your itemized receipt in the “drop box at the bowl desk to be included.” For more information, call 956.723.9113.
If you have a upcoming community event or information on a nonprofit 501(c)(3) charitable organization you would like to share, please email at 956cuidandolaredo@gmail.com.
The Heritage Foundation operates two history museums – the Republic of the Rio Grande Museum and the Villa Antigua Border Heritage Museum – that are open year-round and represent the only place that visitors can learn about Laredo and Webb County’s origins and historical development. The Webb County Heritage Foundation sponsors the annual celebration of the founding of Laredo, again, the only organization to do so and the only organization that systematically promotes Laredo and Webb County as a heritage tourism destination.
The Webb County Heritage Foundation is a nonprofit organization registered with the IRS as a 501(c)(3) organization. Its mission is to “raise awareness and appreciation of Webb County’s Heritage by advocating the protection and preservation of historic architecture, ranching heritage and cultural traditions, customs and folklore of the border region through heritage education and tourism.” For more information on the organization visit their website at www.webbheritage.org or reach out to 956.727.0977 or heritage@webbheritage.org.
Looking for some BINGO fun! Mercy Ministries Laredo will be having their 5th Annual Bingo Maddness on Sunday June, 7th at the Laredo College Maravillo Gym located at West End Washington Street. Doors open at 11am. They will have two early bird games at starting at noon and the regular bingo starts at 1pm. Pre-sale tickets are $30 and $35 at the door. For more information, call 956.721.7408.
Continuing with fun filled festivities, the Laredo Philharmonic will be having a “Fiesta Sinfonica” on Saturday, June 14th at the Laredo College’s Guadalupe and Lilia Martinez Fine Arts Center located at the main campus on West End Washington Street. The program begins at 3pm with the “vibrant sounds of Spain and Mexico in a dazzling symphony concert featuring works by Falla, Granados, Moncayo, Marquez, and more. For ticket information call 956.763.9960 or visit www.laredophilharmonic.com.
Rounding out today’s list of exciting activities, join the Tecos on July 4th for their 250th Celebration! As usual, the Tecos will be throwing a party Laredo Style — fun for all the family. Enjoy a great baseball game, as the Tecos take on the Sultanes from Monterrey, Nuevo Leon, Mexico at the Uni-Trade Stadium. They are partnering with the United Way of Laredo. Plans are in the works. Come join the fun, support a great cause and experience brilliant fireworks!
AREA HEALTH EDUCATION CENTER (AHEC): KNOW LUPUS
AHEC invites all health providers to a presentation by Dr. Antonio E. Mancera, Rheumatologist to a free virtual education presentation on the signs and symptoms of lupus. The session is scheduled for Thursday, May 28th from 12 noon to 2pm on Zoom. CEUs will be awarded to Physicians and offered at no cost to pre-registered participants. For more information call 956.712.0037.
IMAGINARIUM OF SOUTH TEXAS: HEB FREE FAMILY FUN NIGHT
Join us for the HEB Free Family Fun Night on Friday, May 29th from 6-9 pm at the Imaginarium located the main campus of Laredo College (West End Washington Street) Building P-149. For more information, please call 956.728.0404.
R.B. COWL REHABILITATION CENTER: CHILDREN’S ORTHOPEDIC CLINIC
Ruthe B. Cowl Rehabilitation Center will be hosting their monthly Children’s Orthopedic Clinic on Thursday, June 4th. Registration is required. To schedule an appointment, call 956.722.2431.
AREA HEALTH EDUCATION CENTER (AHEC): RALLY UP 988 SUICIDE & CRISIS LIFELINE
To create awareness, AHEC will be having a rally up event on Friday, May 29th from 11:30am to Noon. They will be meeting on the corner of McPherson and Del Mar. You are invited to join them and wear your 988 T-shirt or the color purple to remind everyone that you are not alone. For more information, contact AHEC at 956.712.0037.
AREA HEALTH EDUCATION CENTER (AHEC): MENTAL HEALTH AWARENESS
Everyone is invited to attend AHEC’s mental health awareness virtual seminar with guest speaker, Myrthala de Alejo, MA, LPC, DPC. The session is scheduled for Friday, June 5th from 1:30 pm to 2:30 pm. Participants will earn 1 Knowledge Contact Hour. For more information call 956.712.0037.
MERCY MINISTRIES: BINGO MADNESS
Come join the Bing Madness and support the Mercy Clinic. Their 5th Annual Bingo will be held on Sunday, June 7th at the Laredo College Maravillo Gym located on West End Washington Street. Doors open at 11am with 2 early bird specials at Noon. The regular bingo begins at 1pm. Pre-sale tickets are $30 for 10 games. On the day of the event, ticket price will be $35. There will be food, door prizes and a raffle. For more information, contact Diana Granados at 956.721.7408 or diana.granados@mercy.net.
SACRED HEART CHILDREN’S HOME: CONSECRATION TO THE SACRED HEART OF JESUS
The Servants of the Sacred Heart of Jesus invite the community to join them with their festivities for the Sacred Heart of Jesus. Novena (Prayer) at 7:00 pm every night from Wednesday, June 3rd to Thursday, June 11th at the Children’s Home. The Consecration will be on Friday, June 12th at 7:30 pm at the Children’s Home. For more information 956.691.8746.
IMAGINARIUM OF SOUTH TEXAS: GALA NIGHT HONORING DR. RICARDO CIGARROA & HONORABLE ALYSSA CIGARROA
The Gala is scheduled for Thursday, June 11th from 6:30-10:30 pm at Paseo Real Receptions. For more information, please call 956.728.0404.
UNITED WAY OF LAREDO, INC.: MAIN EVENT SPIRIT NIGHT FOR UNITED WAY
Come join the fun and support a great cause on Thursday, June 18th from 5 – 8 pm at the Main Event in Mall Del Norte. 20% of all Sales will be donated to United Way of Laredo for all activities, video games, food, gift cards and non-alcoholic beverage purchase. Just remember to drop your itemized receipt in the “drop box at the bowl desk to be included.” For more information, call 956.723.9113.
If you have a upcoming community event or information on a nonprofit 501(c)(3) charitable organization you would like to share, please email at 956cuidandolaredo@gmail.com.
Peggy M. Duncan, United Way of Laredo
Be a Pacesetter: Lead with Innovation. Make an Impact. Join us in achieving our goals and creating positive change in our community. Help pave the way and set the pace for lasting impact.
Make a Difference: Support our fundraising efforts! Every contribution counts, big or small. Together, we can reach new heights and create positive change in our community. Join us by donating today and filling the meter with hope and compassion.
Empowerment through Strategic Giving: Our Allocations Program ensures effective resource distribution, addressing community needs in education, healthcare, and more. Join us to build a stronger community with your support.
