Passport to Texas

Passport to Texas from Texas Parks and Wildlife

Most Texans live within ninety minutes of a state park… and many state parks offer holiday events to get you in the spirit of the season.

Throughout the month, Monument Hill & Kreische Brewery State Historic Site, in Central Texas, invites visitors to walk a glittery quarter mile long trail of lights that overlooks the quaint town of La Grange. Get a sense of how German settlers in the area celebrated the holiday in the 1850s. Admission is $3 for adults and a dollar for children.

On December 15, celebrate the “nature” of the season at Sheldon Lake State Park in the Gulf Coast region. Kids of all ages get a chance to create wildlife-inspired ornaments to take home, or to use as decorations on trees at the site.

A trip to the Hill country on December 16 is in order for the annual tree lighting ceremony at LBJ State Park and Historic site…an event started 38 years ago by President and Mrs. Johnson…and made more poignant with the passing of Lady Bird Johnson earlier this year. It’s a step back in time, and it’s free.

Finally, on December 21, a visit to Government Canyon State Natural Area will put you in touch with how Native Americans celebrated special occasions. This is part one of a three-part series.

Find complete details about these and other holiday events when you visit our website passporttotexas.org.

That’s our show for today…For Texas Parks and Wildlife…I’m Cecilia Nasti.

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Passport to Texas from Texas Parks and Wildlife

Looking for something fun to do with your family this holiday season that gets you out of the mall and into the wild? Texas State parks may have the answer.

On December 15th, Martin Dies, Jr. State Park is hosting a Holiday Celebration. At 2 pm, the park will be holding it’s annual Gingerbread House Design and Construction Marathon followed by a holiday sing-a-long with a live band concert.

If you’re in West Texas, the Barton Warnock Environmental Education Center is hosting Christmas on the Border on the 17th. The season will be celebrated in true border fashion with local community performers providing entertainment. Treats will be served and Santa Claus is scheduled to make an appearance.

Fort Richardson State Park and Historic Site and the Lost Creek Reservoir State Trailway in North Texas is featuring a visit with Saint Nick on the 22nd. Visitors are invited to go back in time and see what Jolly Old Saint Nick was like in the 1870’s.

Battle Ship Texas State Historic Site, on the Gulf Coast presents Santa Swingin’ 40’s Christmas on the 22nd. Santa is on board for the occasions along with swing dancers, who will perform live.

You can find more information about these and other holiday events happening in state parks this holiday season at passporttotexas.org.

That’s our show…with research and writing help from Kate Lipinski… For Texas Parks and Wildlife…I’m Cecilia Nasti.

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Passport to Texas from Texas Parks and Wildlife

Halloween is a time for ghosts, goblins and goodies…and
State parks across Texas are gearing up for some frightening family fun.

October 20th, the Varner-Hogg Plantation State Historical Site, on the Gulf Coast, is holding a Haunted Hayride from 7 to 9 pm. Games, goodies and a spooky storyteller will be on hand for brave visitors.

In North Texas, Fort Richardson State Park and Historic Site and Lost Creek Reservoir State Trailway host a Ghost Walk from 8 to 9 PM on October 27th. But don’t worry; all the ghosts are friendly on this trail.

For those looking for ghost stories, the Mission Tejas State Park, in East Texas, is hosting Fireside Storytelling on October 27th. Ranger John Tatum, a member of the Tejas Storytellers Association will be on hand from 7:30 to 9 pm. Not all the stories will be ghost stories but all will be age appropriate.

If you are looking for something a little batty in South Texas, don’t pass up the World Birding Center’s, 2nd Annual Halloween Fest on October 27th. The fest features programs on bats, kids costume contests, night hikes and more.

For more information on these and other Halloween events across Texas, visit passporttotexas.org.

That’s our show…with research and writing help from Kate Lipinski… For Texas Parks and Wildlife…I’m Cecilia Nasti.

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Passport to Texas from Texas Parks and Wildlife

Texas Parks and Wildlife television series is especially good this month, with stories of fast flying birds and battles of yore and a whole lot more. Don Cash is series producer.

The first week there’s a story called the Flying Photographers. And it’s a feature on Sid and Shirley Rucker who live in Livingston, Texas, and they are just incredible photographers. They spend most of their time taking pictures of hummingbirds all over the state.

The flashes go anywhere from ten thousandths of a second to twenty thousandths of a second.

The second week we’ve got a story on the Bass Brigades, a camp for kids, teaching them how to communicate about nature.

The fourth week of August is a really interesting story called A Spirit Rises. The Texas Parks and Wildlife Department is working with several of the native American tribes to discover some of the history that will tell the story of the battle of Palo Duro Canyon.

What we’re trying to do here is to bring in both the native American perspective, and to collect data that can add detail and scope to the overall story.

The last week of August, we go pier fishing along the coast. It’s really interesting to go to all the different places. You never know what you’re going to catch.

The Texas Parks and Wildlife Television series airs on PBS stations. Check your local listings.

That’s our show for today… For Texas Parks and Wildlife…I’m Cecilia Nasti
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Texas Parks and Wildlife on PBS and Cable
Stations and Air Times
Times and dates are subject to change, especially during PBS membership drives.

• Amarillo, KACV-TV, Channel 2: October–March, Saturday 6 p.m.
• Austin, KLRU-TV, Channel 18: Monday, 12:30 p.m.; Friday 5:30 a.m.; Sunday, 9 a.m. KLRU2, Cable 20: Tuesday, 11 p.m.
• Bryan-College Station, KAMU-TV, Channel 15: Sunday, 5 p.m.; Thursday, 7 p.m.
• Corpus Christi, KEDT-TV, Channel 16: Sunday, 12 p.m.; Friday, 2 p.m.
• Dallas-Fort Worth, KERA-TV, Channel 13: October–March, Saturday, 6 p.m. Also serving Abilene, Denton, Longview, Marshall, San Angelo, Texarkana, Tyler, Wichita Falls and Sherman.
• El Paso, KCOS-TV, Channel 13: Saturday, 3 p.m.
• Harlingen, KMBH-TV, Channel 60: Sunday, 5 p.m. Also serving McAllen, Mission and Brownsville.
• Houston, KUHT-TV, Channel 8: Saturday, 3:30 p.m.; Friday 1:30 p.m. Also serving Beaumont, Port Arthur, Galveston, Texas City and Victoria.
• Killeen, KNCT-TV, Channel 46: Sunday, 5 p.m. Also serving Temple.
• Lubbock, KTXT-TV, Channel 5: Saturday, 10 a.m.
• Odessa-Midland, KPBT-TV, Channel 36: Saturday, 4:30 p.m.
• San Antonio and Laredo, KLRN-TV, Channel 9: Sunday, 1 p.m.
• Waco, KWBU-TV, Channel 34: Saturday, 3 p.m.
• Portales, New Mexico, KENW-TV, Channel 3: Sunday, 2:30 p.m.
• The New York Network, NYN, Thursday 8:30 p.m.; Saturday 2:30 p.m. Serving the Albany area.

Cable

Texas Parks & Wildlife can also be seen on a variety of government, educational and access cable channels in the following communities: Abilene, Allen, Atlanta, Boerne, Collin County Community College, Coppell, Del Mar College, Denton, Flower Mound, Frisco, Garland, Irving, McKinney, North Richland Hills, Plano, Rogers State University, Texarkana College, The Colony, Tyler, Waco and Wichita Falls. Check your local listings for days and times.

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Passport to Texas from Texas Parks and Wildlife

Throughout its history, Varner-Hogg Plantation, in Brazoria County, has been home to well-known Texans — including the family of James S. Hogg, the first native-born governor of Texas.

The Hoggs purchased the property in 1901. They bought it and made a cottage, a country home for them to go and retreat to.

Kandy Taylor-Hille, is Varner-Hogg site manager.

James Stephen Hogg also bought it because he very personally felt and thought after his involvement in Beaumont with Spindletop there was oil on the property. And he was right! Never found this out unfortunately in his lifetime, but by the 1920s this land was giving over $40,000 a day up in oil to the Hogg family. That’s where their real riches came from. He made some money in politics, but his children, this three sons and daughter, Miss Ima Hogg, were the ones who really prospered from it. All the wonderful things they did for Houston and for Texas was because of the oil they received from this property and the money from that.

The home remained in the Hogg family until in 1957, at which time Miss Ima Hogg donated the renovated property to the state. It was dedicated and opened for visitation on her father’s birthday in 1958.

And this Saturday Varner-Hogg celebrates Ms. Ima Hogg’s birthday from noon to 2 and you’re invited. Find a link to park information and directions at passporttotexas.org.

That’s our show for today…with research and writing help from Loren Seeger…For Texas Parks and Wildlife…I’m Cecilia Nasti.

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July 7, 2007 — Varner-Hogg Plantation SHS — Miss Ima’s Birthday — In recognition of the birthday of Miss Ima Hogg, Houston philanthropist and only daughter of Gov. and Mrs. James Stephen Hogg, we will celebrate with cake and punch on the porch of Miss Ima’s Cottage. Noon-2 p.m. (979) 345-4656.

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