The head of the V.A. said it’s like going to Disney. Veterans are dying in our towns, they can’t get good care anywhere.

But illegal aliens get rescued from the brush in helicopters, and taken to best hospitals in the area.

Does our President care about our Veterans?

I know he cares about transgender illegal aliens as Obama just opened a new facility in Texas for them.

What a country. You can’t make this stuff up.

Arnoldo Montemayor San Benito

BY NORMAN ROZEFF

EDITOR’S NOTE: This is the first part of a series by local historian Norman Rozeff. Part two will appear in next Sunday’s edition.

In late March of this year I received an email from an 82-year-old retired journalist living in New Jersey.

It read: Sir, My grandfather purchased property near Harlingen circa 1910-12. I attach a newspaper clipping with some details and a story of my father’s accident. He was literally saved from death by the Drs. Letzerich who had a building on Jackson St. I would love to find a picture of that building if it still exists or if there is an older picture. I believe they had the building erected in 1910. The accident was in 1912. I am also hoping to find the approximate location of my grandfather’s holdings. His name was Emory Lyman Cunningham. If there’s any way you can help me, I would be most grateful. I live in NJ so really can’t make a trip there — tho I would love to.

Regards, Carol Suplee

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Attached was a digitized copy from The Portal of Texas History of an article that appeared in the Houston Post newspaper of September 12, 1912, but was datelined Harlingen. The article stated:

YOUTH FIGURED

IN ROLE OF A HUMAN TORCH

Explosion Deluged Body With Burning Liquid — Ran Over Hundred Feet to Canal

HARLINGEN, Texas, September 12 –

Lyman Cunningham, age 14 years, son of Rev. E. L. Cunningham of St. Joseph, Mo., who recently purchase a small farm in Harlingen, was terribly burned this afternoon by a coal oil explosion.

His abdomen, chest, arms, and one side of his face were seared by the flames. He was endeavoring to kindle a fire when a spark on one of the sticks ignited the oil which he was pouring from a gallon can pressed close to his body.

The oil in the can exploded, and the blazing fluid deluged his body.

A boy companion yelled to him to run for the canal and young Cunningham with the flames streaming above his head bounded toward the stream which was hundred and fifty feet distant, plunged into the water, and extinguished the flames.

Surgeons who were summoned to dress his wounds pronounced them serious but not necessarily fatal unless peritonitis should set in from the abdomen.

As the reader will learn in Part II, this reporter’s account, while catching the attention of the public, is not quite accurate.

Because I had written both about the Letzerich Building and the Letzerich brothers, I was able to send Mrs. Suplee the VMS articles on both, together with early photos of the building.

The Cunninghams did not remain in the Valley for long. By 1913 they were back in St. Joseph where Emory Cunningham was an evangelistic minister as well as a part-time salesperson for Valley land.

The reasons for their return are unknown, but the unsettled times in the Valley of the “Bandit Era” may have been one factor.

Lyman, thanks to the aid rendered by the Drs. Letzerich, quickly healed, even to the point that few burn scars ever remained to remind him of the sorry incident. He would join the Army during World War I and serve as a medic at Langley Field, Virginia.

This was a precarious period for that occupation, as the Spanish Flu pandemic was sweeping the world and had first seriously hit an army unit in Fort Riley, Kansas before its significance was recognized. The name “Spanish” was unwarranted as it had its origins in the United States.

Lyman was working in Pennsylvania running a rental car and car parts business when he met his future wife, a teacher, whom he would wed in the fall of 1929. They started a family that grew to two sons and a daughter. Lyman had his own business for many years as a designer, inventor and builder of outdoor advertising signs (not billboards), but unique one of a kind creations. According to his daughter he was also an excellent writer, draftsman, etc etc. He had patented some of his work, missed the boat on others.

During WWII he was chief inspector in a defense plant and invented a special micrometer.

Lyman was to die in 1976, and his wife Evelyn four years later in 1980.

Next week Part II: Lyman’s own recollections at age 63.

“One in four people, like me, have a mental health problem. Many more people have a problem with that. I want to speak out, to fight the public stigma and to give a clearer picture of mental illness most people know little about. Once the understanding is there, we can all standup and not be ashamed of ourselves, then it makes the rest of the population realize we are just like them but something extra.”

Stephen Fry, Actor

We are still in the throes of Mental Health Awareness Month, and this week begins National Prevention Week, another observance of mental health and substance abuse awareness that spotlights educational events to bring about awareness of mental illness and substance abuse in our society.

Not too many people, outside of our school systems, know about this observance … it is not publicized enough.

National Prevention week is an annual event, sponsored by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) that is dedicated to “increase public awareness of, and action around, substance abuse and mental health issues.”

The event is three-pronged in its purpose: 1) To involve communities in raising awareness of behavioral health issues and implementing prevention strategies.

2) To foster partnerships and collaboration with federal agencies and national organizations dedicated to behavioral and public health issues. 3) To promote and disseminate quality behavioral health resources and publications.

The observed event is held during the third week of May each year, near the start of summer. Summer season is filled with celebrations and recreational activities where substance use and abuse happen, such as graduation parties, proms, weddings, sporting events, and outdoor activities. National Prevention Week is timed to allow schools to take part in a prevention-themed event before the school year ends, raising awareness in students of all ages.

The timing of this observance could not be more timely, as according to SAMHSA percentages of marijuana, cigarette, and alcohol initiates among youth increase between spring (April and May) and summer (June and July). The event helps to educate young people and their families at this crucial time of the year.

Most organizations conduct prevention activities throughout the year, culminating in a community-wide event during National Prevention Week. This is a time for all to become involved, including those who follow my articles, in the prevention of substance abuse and increasing the awareness of mental illness…at whatever level you can…to join the nationwide effort to prevent substance abuse and increase awareness of mental disorders, show others that prevention works, and support the health and well-being of our communities.

In past years, and to include this year, community organizations across our country host health fairs, block parties, educational assemblies, town hall meetings, memorial walks, social media campaigns, outdoor events, and much more. Thousands of people across the United States and in U.S. Territories attend these events and help raise awareness about the importance of preventing substance use and mental disorders.

I have written many articles about mental disorders and substance abuse in the past, in efforts to foster awareness, and I will continue to do so through the year…awareness education on mental illness and substance abuse in whatever form it is presented is most important to all of us…the effects are widely known. The number of those individuals and their families keep growing each year; and that affects all of us. The more we talk about it, the more educated we become, and that makes a difference in stemming the tide.

Mental illness affects millions of individuals, families, friends, co-workers, and others in our society. Today there are 16 million individuals in our nation with a Depressive Disorder, 3.3 million individuals suffer from the symptoms of Bipolar Illness, and 21 percent of all Americans have a diagnosable Anxiety Disorder. And 22.5 million adult individuals in our society have a Substance Use Disorder. Most of you readers of these articles have a close relative or friend (or perhaps yourself) who have a Mental Disorder or a Substance Use Disorder. By the year 2020, Mental and Substance Use Disorders will surpass all physical diseases as major cause of disability worldwide.

Talking about Mental Illness and Substance Abuse is a way that all of us can be involved. To speak up, to share your point of view with people who may be struggling to explain what they are going through — and to help others figure out if they too are showing signs and symptoms of Mental Illness and/or Substance Use Disorders.

We are most fortunate to have organizations in our community that remain most active in community involvement as it relates to Mental and Substance Use Disorders. I call to mind my friends and colleagues with Tropical Texas Behavioral Health Services, those involved with the Cameron County Mental Health Task Force, and the staff and counselors with Loaves and Fishes…but three of the organizations out of many that are very much involved in awareness education.

Their service to others is most exemplary…just a few of the “unsung” heroes in our community who give of their time, talents, and treasures in promoting Mental Health and Drug Abuse awareness services.

Mental illness and substance use/abuse are most serious problems within our society; and the continued need for educating the general public, and treatment of those so afflicted, will be always there. Don’t kid yourself…these problems affect every single one of us in our society. Isn’t it way past time for all of us to stand up and speak out? Until next time, Stay Healthy My Friends!

Summer was just around the corner. In a matter of days, Janie’s son would be at home 24 hours a day for the next two months. She had already been getting ready for the weeks ahead as she remembered the way it was the summer before. Janie didn’t want to repeat that experience.

Last summer, Javier had been a real challenge. Janie had not really thought about what the month of June would be like with her son. He had done so well throughout the school year. The boy had ASD (Autism Spectrum Disorder). Javier had become used to a tight routine with lots of pictures. The boy knew clocks and understood what would come next in the classroom. He liked predictability.

After a while, Javier’s mom, began running out of ideas to keep her son busy during the summer. She had purchased a simple visual daily schedule to keep a routine in the house. The teacher had suggested Janie buy a “My Responsibility Chart” online at Amazon. Janie didn’t want to create her own. She liked the idea of having something ready to go.

As the summer wore on, Javier’s behavior was becoming more challenging. He was bored. The boy needed more sensory stimulation and structure than was occurring at home. Javier had loved swimming in the Margaret Clark Aquatic Center.

So Janie decided to purchase a small above ground pool. A picture icon of pool time appeared on Javier’s daily schedule. Plus she checked at the local park’s department and discovered some great swimming opportunities along with other fun activities to do there too.

The teacher reminded Janie that the Gladys Porter zoo had an annual family pass for $80.00. Javier loved the zoo. The zoo had lots of opportunities to increase his vocabulary. Plus, the visuals at the Gladys Porter Zoo gave the boy practice to spell and to count. It also had a children’s play and water area which would help Javier with some of his sensory issues too. Plus the zoo has summer programs for kids.

The teacher knew that several child friendly movies were ongoing throughout the summer. The organization called VAST, Valley Autism Support Team, [email protected], always schedules sensory friendly films throughout the year, including during the hot summer months. Javier was afraid of the dark and loud noises. The sensory friendly movies were perfect for most anyone, especially people who had problems with sensory issues such as bright lights, darkness and loud sounds. The nice thing about sensory friendly films is that people understood when children became a bit noisy or needed to get up a lot. Look for movies such as The Legend of Tarzan, The Secret Life of Pets and Pete’s Dragon this summer.

The teacher also had suggested to his parents to think about bowling. Consider going during the early morning hours because very few people go out then. The neon lighting can dimmed and the bowling center has lowered the music down for special needs children in the past. Just ask. Plus, the bowling center places gutter guards until the children master rolling the ball. Bowling provides a wonderful visual example of addition and subtraction for the children to see too.

For those home schedules, parents can count on Google Images for home schedules. They have lots of zoo, swimming and bowling pictures. This way, a child will know what to expect during the day. Schedules help parents avoid meltdowns with their children when they don’t know what to expect. Good planning and preparation can make all the difference in whether a family outing will be enjoyable or a failure. Don’t be afraid to call ahead to see if the facility can help you with your specific needs.

Avoid peak times when you go out. Always remember to let a child know how long an activity will last. That especially includes those items that the child enjoys You can bring a miniature activity schedule of First/Then chart along with behavior icons of happy and sad, icons for the activities. The mini schedule can even have icons for rewards such as going to a favorite restaurant after the activity is done. Don’t forget to bring your timer to let a child know how long they will be doing an activity.

Pamela Gross Downing, a special education teacher, can be contacted at [email protected].

“One in four people, like me, have a mental health problem. Many more people have a problem with that. I want to speak out, to fight the public stigma and to give a clearer picture of mental illness most people know little about. Once the understanding is there, we can all standup and not be ashamed of ourselves, then it makes the rest of the population realize we are just like them but something extra.”

Stephen Fry, Actor

We are still in the throes of Mental Health Awareness Month, and this week begins National Prevention Week, another observance of mental health and substance abuse awareness that spotlights educational events to bring about awareness of mental illness and substance abuse in our society.

Not too many people, outside of our school systems, know about this observance … it is not publicized enough.

National Prevention week is an annual event, sponsored by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) that is dedicated to “increase public awareness of, and action around, substance abuse and mental health issues.”

The event is three-pronged in its purpose: 1) To involve communities in raising awareness of behavioral health issues and implementing prevention strategies.

2) To foster partnerships and collaboration with federal agencies and national organizations dedicated to behavioral and public health issues. 3) To promote and disseminate quality behavioral health resources and publications.

The observed event is held during the third week of May each year, near the start of summer. Summer season is filled with celebrations and recreational activities where substance use and abuse happen, such as graduation parties, proms, weddings, sporting events, and outdoor activities. National Prevention Week is timed to allow schools to take part in a prevention-themed event before the school year ends, raising awareness in students of all ages.

The timing of this observance could not be more timely, as according to SAMHSA percentages of marijuana, cigarette, and alcohol initiates among youth increase between spring (April and May) and summer (June and July). The event helps to educate young people and their families at this crucial time of the year.

Most organizations conduct prevention activities throughout the year, culminating in a community-wide event during National Prevention Week. This is a time for all to become involved, including those who follow my articles, in the prevention of substance abuse and increasing the awareness of mental illness…at whatever level you can…to join the nationwide effort to prevent substance abuse and increase awareness of mental disorders, show others that prevention works, and support the health and well-being of our communities.

In past years, and to include this year, community organizations across our country host health fairs, block parties, educational assemblies, town hall meetings, memorial walks, social media campaigns, outdoor events, and much more. Thousands of people across the United States and in U.S. Territories attend these events and help raise awareness about the importance of preventing substance use and mental disorders.

I have written many articles about mental disorders and substance abuse in the past, in efforts to foster awareness, and I will continue to do so through the year…awareness education on mental illness and substance abuse in whatever form it is presented is most important to all of us…the effects are widely known. The number of those individuals and their families keep growing each year; and that affects all of us. The more we talk about it, the more educated we become, and that makes a difference in stemming the tide.

Mental illness affects millions of individuals, families, friends, co-workers, and others in our society. Today there are 16 million individuals in our nation with a Depressive Disorder, 3.3 million individuals suffer from the symptoms of Bipolar Illness, and 21 percent of all Americans have a diagnosable Anxiety Disorder. And 22.5 million adult individuals in our society have a Substance Use Disorder. Most of you readers of these articles have a close relative or friend (or perhaps yourself) who have a Mental Disorder or a Substance Use Disorder. By the year 2020, Mental and Substance Use Disorders will surpass all physical diseases as major cause of disability worldwide.

Talking about Mental Illness and Substance Abuse is a way that all of us can be involved. To speak up, to share your point of view with people who may be struggling to explain what they are going through — and to help others figure out if they too are showing signs and symptoms of Mental Illness and/or Substance Use Disorders.

We are most fortunate to have organizations in our community that remain most active in community involvement as it relates to Mental and Substance Use Disorders. I call to mind my friends and colleagues with Tropical Texas Behavioral Health Services, those involved with the Cameron County Mental Health Task Force, and the staff and counselors with Loaves and Fishes…but three of the organizations out of many that are very much involved in awareness education.

Their service to others is most exemplary…just a few of the “unsung” heroes in our community who give of their time, talents, and treasures in promoting Mental Health and Drug Abuse awareness services.

Mental illness and substance use/abuse are most serious problems within our society; and the continued need for educating the general public, and treatment of those so afflicted, will be always there. Don’t kid yourself…these problems affect every single one of us in our society. Isn’t it way past time for all of us to stand up and speak out? Until next time, Stay Healthy My Friends!

BY LORI MURRAY

While not native to the Valley, the beautiful blue-flowered jacaranda tree that has been introduced to most tropical and subtropical regions of the world thrives in USDA zones 9b through 11, and it surprises me that we don’t see more of these beauties in our area. You can see jacarandas here and there around Harlingen showing off their fairy-tale lavender blooms (I’ve seen them on the south side of Tyler about 10th Street and also on East Jackson between 6th and 13th, and they have been used near the street to landscape the Embassy Suites Hotel near the new convention center in McAllen.) The most commonly seen is the Blue Jacaranda (Jacaranda mimosifolia) whose arresting panicles of purple-blue seem almost other-worldly in their intensity. The established jacaranda can tolerate drought and brief spells of frost and freeze. In fact, established trees 30 miles east of Los Angeles show little visible damage from winter temperatures that occasionally dip to 10 degrees for short (several hour) periods, but young trees can be damaged by temperatures below 26 degrees.

The jacaranda prefers a fertile soil but will settle for any of a variety, it requires good drainage, and it flowers best when planted in full sun. In time, the tree will get quite large (50 feet) and make an umbrella-like canopy that produces dappled shade. Give some thought to placing the jacaranda because it is a typical ornamental tree. It flowers abundantly in full sun, but those same flowers that can last up to two months of spring into summer will ultimately fall to the ground – or to whatever is beneath the tree, so keep it away from swimming pools and public walkways, and resign yourself to occasionally raking up the thick cover of flower petals on the grass. It makes a nice street tree where all the blooms fall on the street instead of the yard.

After planting, keep the soil moist deep down by soaking it with a hose for half an hour and then letting it dry out in between watering.

New jacarandas, like any new trees, have thin bark which can be damaged by lawn mowers or weed-eaters; this can be avoided by making a 2 – 3 foot circle of mulch around the trunk.

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Stake saplings right away and keep them staked for 6 – 10 months. Water carefully during dry periods to help establish the tree, and tip branch ends to encourage a denser canopy. Little pruning is required except for dead wood because pruning causes vertical shoots that you will have to continue to prune or the tree will lose its shape.

Small branches may be clipped off early in the spring. Keep one main trunk with some major branches leading off from the middle and keep excess branches cut to prevent the weight of the tree from splitting the trunk.

Flowering is followed by the production of woody seed pods about 2 inches in diameter that contain numerous flat, winged seeds, but be aware that some trees grown from seed may not flower for 20 – 25 years, so it is important to purchase a tree while it is in bloom or to select modern grafted trees or those rooted from cuttings to ensure bloom. Seedlings sometimes pop up around the base of the tree, and, if you like to work with plants, transplanting them is worth a try.

SOURCES:

University of Florida, IFAS Extension

http://www.gardeningknowhow.com

Wikipedia

HARLINGEN — As nonprofits go, Trinity Oaks couldn’t be more Texan.

The San Antonio-based charitable organization teaches underprivileged kids gun safety and takes them shooting and hunting.

It also has a 30,000-square-foot meat processing operation that cuts and packages donated wild game for distribution to the poor in South Texas and Mexico.

Trinity Oaks will process the nilgai culled by sharpshooters in helicopters at Laguna Atascosa National Wildlife Refuge sometime next month.

Tom Snyder and his wife founded Trinity Oaks in 1996.

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BROWNSVILLE — Up in Washington D.C., Sen. John Cornyn is busy trying to pass a bill that would positively impact border cities.

The bill, called the “Cross-Border Trade Enhancement Act,” would encourage public-private partnerships with U.S. Customs and Border Protection or the General Services Administration to boost staffing and make infrastructure improvements at U.S. ports of entry without adding to the deficit.

The bill also cleared the Senate Homeland Security and Government Affairs Committee this past week which “largely mirrors the substance of Sen. Cornyn’s introduced legislation,” according to an aide for the Texas senator.

The bill has been endorsed by a number of agencies and cities, including the United States Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, the Border Trade Alliance, the Texas Border Coaliton, the Rio Grande Valley Partnership, Cameron County and the cities of Harlingen, Mission, McAllen and Pharr.

“A robust economic relationship with Mexico is critical to both the Texas and U.S. economies, and public-private partnerships can help boost legitimate trade and travel at our ports of entry,” Cornyn said in a press release.

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EAGLE PASS — A few days after his 21st birthday, Daniel Garcia stepped onto a white charter bus in McAllen with his parents, friends, and girlfriend, hoping to continue the celebration at the only casino in South Texas.

It was about 6 a.m. on a Sunday, and Garcia’s crew was among more than 30 people signed on for the trip.

“This was my idea. I turned 21, and I wanted to go gamble but Las Vegas was too far, so this was perfect,” the Alton resident said. “It was weird because I had never heard about these buses until we booked our trip. Then the crash happened, and we were going to the same place.”

On May 14, a similar charter bus headed to the Kickapoo Lucky Eagle Casino and Hotel crashed near Laredo, killing nine people and injuring 43 others. The National Transportation Safety Board is leading the investigation into the driver, OGA Charters, which owned the bus, and any factors that could have led to the crash, but it could take up to 14 months for investigators to determine a cause.

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