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MPMA CORPUS CHRISTI MEETING ANNOUNCED NEW Updated… See complete program for 10/2-6 Workshop: 2012MPMAConferenceProgram

The annual meeting for the Mountain Plains Museum Association will be hosted by the museums in Corpus Christi from October 2 – 6, 2012.  This is a rare opportunity for those associated with museums in the Texas Tropical Trail Region.  The meeting includes workshops and educational sessions on topics of interest to all museum people.  Lest you think this is all about big cities and big museums, the majority of those who attend this meeting are from small towns and small museums.  The previous meeting was held in Helena, Montana and the meeting before that was in Rapid City, South Dakota.

The American Association of Museums is the national professional association for museums and museum staff, boards, and volunteers.  All who are associated with museums will hopefully already be familiar with the AAM and the wealth of information available through their web site www.aam-us.org. The regional affiliate for AAM is the Mountain Plains Museums Associations which encompasses museums in 10 states including Texas, New Mexico, Oklahoma, Colorado, Nebraska, Kansas, Wyoming, Montana, South Dakota and North Dakota.

One of the goals of the Texas Tropical Trail Region is to help museums in south Texas learn  from each other.  The MPMA meeting is a golden opportunity to significantly expand your network.  It is also important that we put our tourism hat on and show what a vibrant museum community we have in south Texas. You can learn more by visiting the MPMA web site www.mpma.net.

The Texas Tropical Trail Region board is making available five $300 scholarships to individuals from south Texas who otherwise might not be able to attend.

Eligibility and Categories

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The Tropical held its 80th Partner Event and Business Meeting in Laredo! We had a total of 19 persons with us including 9 first time attendees. These 19 persons represented 7 cities/towns and 7 counties in South Texas.

Our visit to Laredo allowed us to explore San Agustin National Register Historic District near the Rio Grande River and the numerous museums and historical buildings in the area. We began our day at the Villa Antigua Border Heritage Museum, site of the 2008 Texas Tropical Trail Region Brochure Launch.

VILLA ANTIGUA BORDER HERITAGE MUSEUM: This restored two-story brick building, constructed in the early 20th century, was once home to two early Laredo merchant families. In 2002, the Webb County Heritage Foundation and the County of Webb acquired the home and undertook its historic rehabilitation. It now serves as the Villa Antigua Border Heritage Museum featuring exhibits showcasing the history and heritage of the border region. 810 Zaragoza St. http://www.webbheritage.org/index_files/22BHM.htm

Margarita Araiza, Director of the Web County Heritage Foundation.

CASA ORTIZ: With its beautiful gardens and amazing view of Mexico and the Rio Grande River, Casa Ortiz is a historical home that forms a key part of the San Agustin National Register Historic District of Laredo. Built by Jose Reyes Ortiz between 1829 and 1830, Casa Ortiz was designated a Recorded Texas Historical Landmark in 1964. It is considered one of the oldest continuously inhabited residences in Texas. At present, Casa Ortiz is managed by Texas A&M International University and used for hosting University events, seminars, tours and for educational purposes in collaboration with the Webb County Heritage Foundation. http://www.tamiu.edu/casaortiz/

Casa Ortiz.

Jesse González, Special Assistant to the Vice President for Institutional Advancement (Casa Ortiz Overseer).

Casa Ortiz.

Casa Ortiz.

Casa Ortiz courtyard with a view of the San Agustin Cathedral steeple in the background.

Edwardo Garcia, Special Programs Coordinator.

WASHINGTON’S BIRTHDAY CELEBRATION MUSEUM: This museum features exhibits unique to Laredo’s grandest city-wide festival which takes place every year in February and includes displays of sparkling gowns, photos and other memorabilia telling the story of Laredo’s Washington’s Birthday Celebration which has been going on for more than 100 years.

REPUBLIC OF THE RIO GRANDE MUSEUM: Formerly the home of Don Bartolome Garcia, an early rancher and city leader, the structure was built in two stages with the three rear rooms thought to date to the 1830s. In 1840, it served as the capitol of the Republic of the Rio Grande, a northern Mexico separatist movement which seceded from Mexico because of opposition to centralist rule.

A president was elected, a cabinet appointed and a flag made. This gave Laredo its seventh flag, one more than the six which have flown over Texas. The structure was converted into a period house museum in 1955. The museum is operated by the Webb County Heritage Foundation.

Edwardo Garcia, Special Programs Coordinator, hosts tour. http://www.webbheritage.org/index_files/21RRG.htm

Republic of the Rio Grande Museum.

HELEN RICHTER WATSON ART GALLERY: The gallery is a light-filled aerie that embraces the emphatic spectrum of her profound influence as both artist and teacher. The gallery replicates Watson’s welcoming Houston Street studio, which openly mixed works of art within her home setting to create a gathering space where an artist celebrated, lived and worked her art daily. In addition to the artist’s works, visitors will find an impressive array of works by artists who were Watson’s colleagues, friends or artists whose works she collected.

As a child, Helen Richter Watson (1926-2003) playfully harvested mud from the banks of the Rio Grande, footsteps from her home. The mud would be carefully molded into clay pots of transitory beauty, connecting Helen with her environment and forging a link that nurtured one of the nation’s most highly regarded ceramics artists and educators.

Our sponsors and hosts for this day will be the City of Laredo, Webb County Heritage Foundation, Laredo Main Street Program, Laredo Convention and Visitors Bureau and La Posada Hotel.

Helen Richter Watson Art Gallery.

TEXAS A&M INTERNATIONAL UNIVERSITY: TAMIU is an international university, poised at the Gateway to Mexico and serving as the cultural and intellectual hub of a vibrant bilingual and bicultural community. A member of the Texas A&M University System, TAMIU provides nearly 7,000 students with a learning environment anchored by the highest quality programs built on a solid academic foundation in the arts and sciences.

To fulfill its mission, the University offers a range of baccalaureate and masters programs and the Doctor of Philosophy degree in International Business. Programs focus on developing undergraduate and graduate offerings with a progressive international agenda for global study and understanding of all disciplines.

SAN AGUSTIN CATHEDRAL: The present structure (the last of three) was completed in 1872 on the site of two previous churches. Construction of the present church began in 1824 but was interrupted due to political instability of Mexico at the time. It was finally finished in 1872. In 1905, a tornado struck the present church building damaging the bell tower as well as the façade.

During its reconstruction, ornamentation was added, and in 1922, the steeple was raised and modified to accommodate the installation of a Seth Thomas clock. It was first designated a pro-cathedral in 1892 for Bishop Pedro Verdaguer. In the year 2000, when the Diocese of Laredo was erected, San Agustin Church was again designated a cathedral for Bishop James Tamayo. It is believed to be the burial site of city founder Tomas Sanchez.

Lunch provided by the Laredo Convention & Visitors Bureau.

Lunch provided by the Laredo Convention & Visitors Bureau. Our sponsors and hosts for this day were the City of Laredo, Webb County Heritage Foundation, Laredo Main Street Program, Laredo Convention and Visitors Bureau and La Posada Hotel. Special thanks to Blasita Lopez, Director of Laredo CVB. http://www.visitlaredo.com/

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Partner Event/Board of Directors Meeting
Zaragoza Room, La Posada Hotel
1000 Zaragoza Street

Tuesday, April 17, 2012 Laredo, Texas

9:00 – 9:30 am – Welcome & Refreshments – Villa Antigua Border Heritage Museum – 810 Zaragoza Street (parking available there and on other side of the museum)

9:30– 10:30 am – Walking Tour of San Agustin Plaza area including Villa Antigua Border Heritage Museum, Casa Ortiz, Washington’s Birthday Celebration Museum, Republic of the Rio Grande Museum, San Agustin Plaza and San Agustin Cathedral

10:30 am – Board trolley at San Agustin Cathedral for Texas A&M International University

11: 00 – 11:30 am– Tour Helen Richter Watson Art Gallery at TAMIU

11:30 am– Return to San Agustin Plaza by trolley by way of San Bernardo Street (shopping area known for Mexican imports)

12:30 pm – Lunch – Zaragoza Room – 2nd floor of Washington’s Birthday Celebration Museum

Complimentary Mexican Plate lunch provided to all including drink and dessert.

Introductions and Community Updates – 1:00 pm

1:15– 1:30 pm – Welcome and Presentation – Blasita Lopez, Director of the Laredo Convention & Visitors Bureau – Zaragoza Room

1:30 – 2:00 pm – Educational Program – Presentation of the Farmers’ Market and other downtown projects – Sandra Rocha-Taylor, Director of Laredo Main Street Program – Zaragoza Room

2:00 – 2:30 pm – Educational Program – Presentation on historic preservation projects in Laredo – Margarita Araiza, Director of Webb County Heritage Foundation – Zaragoza Room

2:30 – 2:45 pm – Educational Program –“The Who, What & Why of the Texas Tropical Trail Region” – Cynthia Martin – Executive Director of the Texas Tropical Trail Region – Zaragoza Room

2:45 – 3:45 pm –Business Meeting – Zaragoza Room (the public is welcome to attend)

Business Meeting

Board Development (Nancy Deviney, Chair)

Approve Minutes – March 20 Refugio/Goliad meeting

Review and Approve March 2012 Financial Reports

Update on Map Project – Valerie Bates

Executive Director’s Report – Cynthia Martin

FY 12 Scope of Work Updates

Implementation of 2011/12 Partner Participation Program – Wanda Greenhill

- Partner Donations Update

Manage & Acknowledge Financial and In-Kind Resources – Toni Nagel

Advocate for Legislative Support – Bart Wales

Plan diverse and dynamic monthly meetings – Nancy Deviney

- May 15 (tentative) – possible alliance with TTIA/Corpus Christi CVB/Texas A&M-CC for Tourism Seminar in Corpus Christi (combined with Partner Event tours)

Provide Logistical Assistance for THC Workshops – CHC/CLG Workshop in Kingsville – May 1 – Toni Nagel/Cynthia Martin

Promotions/Marketing – Valerie Bates

Quarterly Newsletter – 3rd quarter newsletter due out in June

Website/Social Media Development – Valerie Bates

Maintain sustainable alliance with tourism marketing entities in our Region

Other Business

- May 16 Corpus Christi CVB National Tourism Week Luncheon – American Bank Center, Corpus Christi

- Update – Jean Block Seminar – Bart/Cynthia

- Update – HT Statewide Meeting – Kingsville – June 5-7 – Nancy

- Other

3:45 pm – Adjourn

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CONTACTS: Amy Hammons, 512/475-2692, amy.hammons@thc.state.tx.us

Matt Synatschk, 512/463-7812, matt.synatschk@thc.state.tx.us

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WHO: Texas Historical Commission, Henrietta Memorial Center/King Ranch Museum

WHAT: “Telling the Story of Your Place”
Texas Historical Commission Preservation Month Regional Workshop

WHEN: May 1, 2012

WHERE: Henrietta Memorial Center/King Ranch Museum
405 North 6th St.
Kingsville, TX 78363

WHY: The Texas Historical Commission (THC) works with communities and individuals, encouraging historic preservation to stimulate economic development, tourism and the revitalization of local historic downtown districts.

The Preservation Month Regional Workshops provide technical instruction for the preservation of communities to a diverse audience including city and county staff, county historical commissions, tourism professionals, historic preservation commissions and local preservation organizations.

The Kingsville Regional Workshop is being co-hosted by the Henrietta Memorial Center/King Ranch Museum, creating a unique learning and networking opportunity for the residents of South Texas.

The workshop will be facilitated by THC staff and feature guest speakers from around the region, including Toni Nagel, Director of Visitor Program Services for the King Ranch, Kenedy County Commission Sarita Armstrong Hixon and Texas Tropical Trail Executive Director Cynthia Martin.

The one day workshop is offered by the Texas Historical Commission and the Henrietta Memorial Center/King Ranch Museum for a fee of $30, including lunch and refreshments. Register online at www.thc.state.tx.us

The Texas Historical Commission was established by the state legislature in 1953 as the state agency for historic preservation. THC staff consults with citizens and organizations to preserve Texas’ architectural, archaeological and cultural landmarks and to save the real places that tell the real stories of Texas. The agency is recognized nationally for its preservation programs.

www.thc.state.tx.us

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TEXAS TROPICAL TRAIL REGION HERITAGE TOURISM PROGRAM

April 17, 2012 – Partner Event and Business Meeting – Laredo, Texas

You are cordially invited to attend Number eighty (80) in a series of monthly Partner Events, including Tours and Educational Presentations, celebrating the heritage of South Texas. This informative gathering of the Texas Tropical Trail Region Heritage Tourism Program will be held in the Border Byway – Laredo, Webb County, Texas on Tuesday, April 17, 2012. Please let me know if you will be joining us for lunch.

Our visit to Laredo will allow us to explore San Agustin National Register Historic District near the Rio Grande River and the numerous museums and historical buildings in the area. We will begin our day at the Villa Antigua Border Heritage Museum, site of the 2008 Texas Tropical Trail Region Brochure Launch.

From there we’ll take a walking tour of the San Agustin Plaza area with visits to Casa Ortiz, Washington’s Birthday Celebration Museum, Republic of the Rio Grande Museum, San Agustin Plaza and San Agustin Cathedral.

At the Cathedral, we’ll board a trolley that will take us to the campus of Texas A&M International University where we’ll tour the Helen Richter Watson Art Gallery.

The trolley will take us back to San Agustin Plaza by way of San Bernardo Avenue, a shopping area known for Mexican imports.

Our final stop of the day will be the Zaragoza Room on the second floor of the Washington’s Birthday Celebration Museum. The building housing the museum is part of the La Posada Hotel, site of the very first Texas Tropical Trail Region meeting in 2005.

We will enjoy a complimentary lunch in the Zaragoza Room as well as our educational programs and business meeting.

Blasita Lopez, Director of the Laredo Convention & Visitors Bureau will be our first speaker, followed by Sandra Rocha-Taylor, Director of the Laredo Main Street Program and Margarita Araiza, Director of the Webb County Heritage Foundation.

Our final program will be presented by Cynthia Martin, Executive Director of the Texas Tropical Trail Region. Her program will be “The Who, What and Why of the Texas Tropical Trail Region”.

VILLA ANTIGUA BORDER HERITAGE MUSEUM

This restored two-story brick building, constructed in the early 20th century, was once home to two early Laredo merchant families. In 2002, the Webb County Heritage Foundation and the County of Webb acquired the home and undertook its historic rehabilitation. It now serves as the Villa Antigua Border Heritage Museum featuring exhibits showcasing the history and heritage of the border region.

CASA ORTIZ

With its beautiful gardens and amazing view of Mexico and the Rio Grande River, Casa Ortiz is a historical home that forms a key part of the San Agustin National Register Historic District of Laredo. Built by Jose Reyes Ortiz between 1829 and 1830, Casa Ortiz was designated a Recorded Texas Historical Landmark in 1964. It is considered one of the oldest continuously inhabited residences in Texas. At present, Casa Ortiz is managed by Texas A&M International University and used for hosting University events, seminars, tours and for educational purposes in collaboration with the Webb County Heritage Foundation.

WASHINGTON’S BIRTHDAY CELEBRATION MUSEUM

This museum features exhibits unique to Laredo’s grandest city-wide festival which takes place every year in February and includes displays of sparkling gowns, photos and other memorabilia telling the story of Laredo’s Washington’s Birthday Celebration which has been going on for more than 100 years.

REPUBLIC OF THE RIO GRANDE MUSEUM

Formerly the home of Don Bartolome Garcia, an early rancher and city leader, the structure was built in two stages with the three rear rooms thought to date to the 1830s. In 1840, it served as the capitol of the Republic of the Rio Grande, a northern Mexico separatist movement which seceded from Mexico because of opposition to centralist rule.

A president was elected, a cabinet appointed and a flag made. This gave Laredo its seventh flag, one more than the six which have flown over Texas. The structure was converted into a period house museum in 1955. The museum is operated by the Webb County Heritage Foundation.

SAN AGUSTIN PLAZA

The early town site of Laredo was laid out in the typical “Law of the Indies” style of all Spanish settlements which called for a main square used for public meetings and military exercises, bordered by government buildings, a church and the residences of prominent families.

Several stone houses built by leading ranching families of the mid-19th century still remain. Of the five existing plazas in Laredo today, only San Agustin Plaza still hosts annual church festivals as well as both Mexican and U.S. patriotic commemorations. It is the only 18th century plaza in South Texas.

SAN AGUSTIN CATHEDRAL

The present structure (the last of three) was completed in 1872 on the site of two previous churches. Construction of the present church began in 1824 but was interrupted due to political instability of Mexico at the time. It was finally finished in 1872. In 1905, a tornado struck the present church building damaging the bell tower as well as the façade.

During its reconstruction, ornamentation was added, and in 1922, the steeple was raised and modified to accommodate the installation of a Seth Thomas clock. It was first designated a pro-cathedral in 1892 for Bishop Pedro Verdaguer. In the year 2000, when the Diocese of Laredo was erected, San Agustin Church was again designated a cathedral for Bishop James Tamayo. It is believed to be the burial site of city founder Tomas Sanchez.

TEXAS A&M INTERNATIONAL UNIVERSITY

TAMIU is an international university, poised at the Gateway to Mexico and serving as the cultural and intellectual hub of a vibrant bilingual and bicultural community. A member of the Texas A&M University System, TAMIU provides nearly 7,000 students with a learning environment anchored by the highest quality programs built on a solid academic foundation in the arts and sciences.

To fulfill its mission, the University offers a range of baccalaureate and masters programs and the Doctor of Philosophy degree in International Business. Programs focus on developing undergraduate and graduate offerings with a progressive international agenda for global study and understanding of all disciplines.

HELEN RICHTER WATSON ART GALLERY

The gallery is a light-filled aerie that embraces the emphatic spectrum of her profound influence as both artist and teacher. The gallery replicates Watson’s welcoming Houston Street studio, which openly mixed works of art within her home setting to create a gathering space where an artist celebrated, lived and worked her art daily. In addition to the artist’s works, visitors will find an impressive array of works by artists who were Watson’s colleagues, friends or artists whose works she collected.

As a child, Helen Richter Watson (1926-2003) playfully harvested mud from the banks of the Rio Grande, footsteps from her home. The mud would be carefully molded into clay pots of transitory beauty, connecting Helen with her environment and forging a link that nurtured one of the nation’s most highly regarded ceramics artists and educators.

Our sponsors and hosts for this day will be the City of Laredo, Webb County Heritage Foundation, Laredo Main Street Program, Laredo Convention and Visitors Bureau and La Posada Hotel.

Texas Tropical Trail Region Heritage Tourism Program

The Texas Tropical Trail Region (TTTR) heritage tourism program is a 501 (c) (3) non-profit corporation developed in conjunction with the Texas Historical Commission and organized in February 2005 with an eleven-member volunteer Board of Directors, a salaried Executive Director and over 700 partners in tourism throughout the 20 county South Texas area known as the Texas Tropical Trail Region. The first public “partner” meeting was held in March 2005 at the La Posada Hotel in Laredo, Texas.

This Region covers over 23,000 square miles and is home to over 1.7 million people. Four sub-regions or Byways (the Gulf Coast Byway, the Rio Grande Byway, the Wild Horse Desert Byway and the Brush Country Byway) are located within the Region.

Kingsville is the home of the Texas Tropical Trail Regional office located in the Kingsville Chamber of Commerce office building at 635 E. King Avenue, Suite 102. 

It is the intent of the Texas Tropical Trail Region Board of Directors to showcase the heritage, natural beauty and diverse culture of South Texas for the benefit and enjoyment of Texans and travelers. To achieve this goal, the Board must first join hands with our tourism partners, community leaders, and state and local entities to identify, preserve and interpret our natural, historical and cultural resources.

These monthly meetings/educational presentations are the workshops to help make this goal a reality. These meetings are open to the public, and you are urged to encourage folks in your city and county to join us.

SCHEDULE OF EVENTS

9:00 – 9:30 am– Welcome & Refreshments – Villa Antigua Border Heritage Museum – 810 Zaragoza Street (parking available there and on other side of the museum)

9:30– 10:30 am – Walking Tour of San Agustin Plaza area including Villa Antigua Border Heritage Museum, Casa Ortiz, Washington’s Birthday Celebration Museum, Republic of the Rio Grande Museum, San Agustin Plaza and San Agustin Cathedral

10:30 am – Board trolley at San Agustin Cathedral for Texas A&M International University

11: 00 – 11:30 am– Tour Helen Richter Watson Art Gallery at TAMIU

11:30 am– Return to San Agustin Plaza by trolley by way of San Bernardo Street (shopping area known for Mexican imports)

12:30 pm – Lunch – Zaragoza Room – 2nd floor of Washington’s Birthday Celebration Museum

Complimentary Mexican Plate lunch provided to all including drink and dessert.

Introductions and Community Updates – 1:00 pm

1:15– 1:30 pm– Welcome and Presentation – Blasita Lopez, Director of the Laredo Convention & Visitors Bureau – Zaragoza Room

1:30 – 2:00 pm – Educational Program – Presentation of the Farmers’ Market and other downtown projects – Sandra Rocha-Taylor, Director of Laredo Main Street Program – Zaragoza Room

2:00 – 2:30 pm – Educational Program – Presentation on historic preservation projects in Laredo – Margarita Araiza, Director of Webb County Heritage Foundation – Zaragoza Room

2:30 – 2:45 pm – Educational Program –“The Who, What & Why of the Texas Tropical Trail Region” – Cynthia Martin – Executive Director of the Texas Tropical Trail Region – Zaragoza Room

2:45 – 3:45 pm–Business Meeting – Zaragoza Room (the public is welcome to attend)

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

An RSVP is necessary so that we can be adequately prepared with seating arrangements and lunch.

Please respond to Nancy Deviney at nancydeviney@yahoo.com as soon as possible but no later than Friday, April 13, 2012.

You are asked to dress accordingly for the walking tour, including comfortable footwear and sun shades.

Directions are available to Villa Antigua Border Heritage Museum.

We hope you will join us for this educational and informative day. No fees or membership are required.

Please feel free to share this invitation with your friends and colleagues but remind them that an RSVP is necessary.

Thank you.

Nancy Deviney

Chairman, Board of Directors, Texas Tropical Trail Region (www.texastropicaltrail.com) and (www.thetropicaltraveler.com)

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In addition to visiting Refugio, the Tropical Trail ”crossed” Heritage Trail Region lines into the Independence Trail Region for March’s Partner Event and toured Goliad’s Presidio, downtown Goliad and the loft at Soho Goliad. Here’s a pictorial tour of our day. We invite you to plan a visit where Tropical meets Independence.

Braman Winery wine-tasting room (102 E. Ymbacion Street in Refugio – across the street from Refugio City Hall). http://bramanwine.com/

Braman Winery wine-tasting room (102 E. Ymbacion Street in Refugio – across the street from Refugio City Hall).

Presidio, considered to be the world’s finest example of a Spanish frontier fort, located just south of Goliad on Hwy. 183.  http://www.presidiolabahia.org/. Historical marker reads:

1749 A.D. Presidio LaBahiaDelEspiritu Santo De Zunia. First founded on Garcitas Creek nearEspiritu SantoBayin April, 1722. Moved toMissionValleyVictoriaCounty, in 1726 and from there in 1749, moved to this, its final location – site of the massacre of Fannin’s men, Palm Sunday, March 27, 1836. restored 1966 through the Generosity of Mrs. Thomas O’Connor under the authority of Bishop M. S. Garriga & Bishop Thos. J. Drury.

Great example of clavos on this historic door at the Presidio.

Director of Presidio La Bahia, Newton Warzecha, shares the unique and colorful history of the Presidio.

Interior of Our Lady of Loreto Chapel. First Texas Declaration of Independence from Mexico was signed on the altar, December 20, 1835.

Spring wildflowers along Hwy. 183, just south of Goliad.

Hanging Tree Restaurant located on 144 N. Courthouse Square in downtown Goliad, just across the street from the Goliad County Courthouse and the real hanging tree.  http://www.hangingtreerestaurant.com/

Great food and service at the Hanging Tree Restaurant. Pictured, Chicken Fried Steak and all the trimmings.

Darlene Montague, representing the Goliad County Chamber of Commerce and the Goliad County Historical Commission, gave a presentation on Goliad town history. http://www.goliadcc.org/

Goliad County Courthouse and clock tower.

Residential loft at Soho Goliad.

Front porch at loft at Soho Goliad.

Residential loft at Soho Goliad.
See all of the day’s photos here: http://valeriegalerie.com/pics/wpg2-4?g2_itemId=50417

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PLEASE NOTE: RSVP on or before Friday of this week, March 16 to nancydeviney@yahoo.com.

Refugio City Hall
613 Commerce Street
Refugio, Texas

Partner Event/Board of Directors Meeting

Tuesday, March 20, 2012

_______________________________________ ___________________________________________

10:00 – 10:45 am – Welcome & Refreshments – Braman Winery wine-tasting room – 102 E. Ymbacion, Refugio (across the street from Refugio City Hall)

10:45 am – Bus departs for Goliad – across the street from Braman Winery wine-tasting room

11: 30 am – 12:15 pm– Tour of Presidio La Bahia in Goliad led by Newton Warzecha, Presidio Director

12:30 pm – 1:30 pm – Lunch – Hanging Tree Restaurant – 144 N. Courthouse Square, Goliad

Menu Choice:

Chicken & Dumplings, Green Salad, Drink & Dessert

Or

Chicken Fried Steak – Mashed Potatoes, Green Beans, Salad, Drink & Dessert

Cost per person will be $15.00 (including tax and gratuity)

Introductions and Community Updates – 1:00 pm

1:30 pm – Board bus to return to Refugio

2:30 pm – arrive in Refugio

2:45 – 4:00 pm –Business Meeting – Refugio City Hall (the public is welcome to attend) – 613 Commerce Street, Refugio

Business Meeting

Board Development (Nancy Deviney, Chair)

Approve Minutes – February 21 Mercedes meeting

Review and Approve February 2012 Financial Reports

Update on Map Project – Valerie Bates

Executive Director’s Report – Cynthia Martin

FY 12 Scope of Work Updates

Implementation of 2011/12 Partner Participation Program – Wanda Greenhill

- Partner Donations Update

Manage & Acknowledge Financial and In-Kind Resources – Toni Nagel

Advocate for Legislative Support – Bart Wales

Plan diverse and dynamic monthly meetings – Nancy Deviney

- Laredo- April 17

Provide Logistical Assistance for THC Workshops – CHC/CLG Workshop in Kingsville – May 1 – Toni Nagel/Cynthia Martin

Promotions/Marketing – Valerie Bates

Quarterly Newsletter – 3rd quarter newsletter due out in June

Website/Social Media Development – Valerie Bates

Maintain sustainable alliance with tourism marketing entities in our Region

Other Business

- Travel Counselors Conference – Waco – April 18 & 19

- May 16 Corpus Christi CVB National Tourism Week Luncheon – American Bank Center, Corpus Christi

- Update – February 22 Jean Block Seminar – Bart/Cynthia

- Update – HT Statewide Meeting – Kingsville – June 5-7 – Nancy

- Other

4:00 pm – Adjourn

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On Tuesday, March 20, the Texas Tropical Trail Region will hold its 79th monthly Partner Event in Refugio and Goliad and ask that you join us, if you can.

Our plans include “crossing” Heritage Trail Region lines into the Independence Trail Region and would like to have you included in this joint venture.

Plans

We will divide our day between visiting sites in Refugio and Goliad and will be treated in grand style as we are transported on a complimentary charter bus from the Braman Winery wine-tasting room in Refugio to the historic Presidio La Bahia in Goliad, a National Historic Monument.

The bus is filling up quickly but we have approximately 25 seats left.

The day will begin at 10:00 am at the Braman Winery wine-tasting room (102 E. Ymbacion Street in Refugio – across the street from Refugio City Hall) where we will enjoy samples of their wines along with champagne mimosas.

While at the Presidio, considered to be the world’s finest example of a Spanish frontier fort, we will be treated to a complimentary tour led by the Director of Presidio La Bahia, Newton Warzecha.

Lunch

From the Presidio, we will enjoy lunch, including a short educational program, at the Hanging Tree Restaurant (144 N. Courthouse Square) in downtown Goliad. Cost will be $15 per person (all inclusive). Lunch choices will include:

Chicken & Dumplings, Green Salad, Drink and Dessert

or

Chicken Fried Steak, Mashed Potatoes, Green Beans, Salad, Drink and Dessert

Schedule

10:00 am – Meet at Braman Winery wine-tasting room (102 E. Ymbacion in Refugio) for samples of their wines and champagne mimosas

10:45 am – Bus departs for Presidio La Bahia in Goliad

11:30 am – Complimentary tour of Presidio La Bahia led by Presidio DIrector Newton Warzecha

12:30 pm – Lunch at Hanging Tree Restaurant (144 N. Courthouse Square) including a short educational program

1:30 pm – Board bus for return to Refugio

2:30 pm – Arrive Refugio

2:45 pm – Tropical Trail monthly business meeting – Refugio City Hall – (optional) – All are welcome to attend

RSVP

We anticipate 50-60 persons in attendance including our tourism partners from around the 20 county Tropical Trail as well as members of the Texas Independence Trail Region Board of Directors and Executive Director and members of the Texas Coastal Bend Regional Tourism Council (TCBRTC), representing 18 counties in the Coastal Bend area.

If you are able to join us, please RSVP to nancydeviney@yahoo.com as soon as possible but no later than Friday, March 16 to let me know if you will be riding the bus and what your lunch choice will be. You are welcome to take your own vehicle but, in order to take advantage of the complimentary Presidio tour, you must RSVP to me by March 16.

There will be no cost to you for this day except for the $15 lunch. You are welcome to share this invitation with your friends and colleagues but please let them know that an RSVP is required.

We are excited about these joint tourism venture and “cross-over” plans and hope you are able to join us!

Thanks, Nancy

Nancy Deviney

nancydeviney@yahoo.com
361 547-8033 – home
361 701-0555 – cell
361 394-5672 – fax

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Get full story here! http://thetropicaltraveler.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2012/03/tttr-2011-winter-newsletterweb.pdf

Get full story here! http://thetropicaltraveler.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2012/03/tttr-2011-winter-newsletterweb.pdf

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