Friday's Internet Edition, July 04, 2008.
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| Trail brochure unveiled... Hudspeth County Judge Becky Walker and Culberson County Judge Manuel Molinar unveiled the Texas Mountain Trail Travel brochure last Thursday evening at a reception at the Blue Quail Coffee Shop. |
- Endless vistas, rich cultures and the spirit of the Old West –– all can be found in the Texas Historical Commission’s (THC) latest travel guide, the Texas Mountain Trail Region, unveiled last Thursday here in Van Horn.
The unveiling reception was held at the Blue Quail Coffee Shop and was hosted by Main Street Van Horn. The Blue Quail Coffee Shop was picked for the unveiling because it is a reflection of what Main Street efforts can do in Van Horn.
The event was emceed by Beth Nobles, coordinator for the Texas Mountain Trail region based in Van Horn, and was attended by dignitaries from the Texas Historical Commission and from Van Horn, Fort Davis, Marfa and Sierra Blanca.
Welcoming remarks were given by Mayor Pro-tem Rudy Hinojos, followed by remarks by Texas Mountian Trail board president Jeff McCoy, who has been instrumental in seeing this trail region become a reality.
County Judge Manuel Molinar, of Culberson County, and County Judge Becky Walker, of Hudspeth County, unveiled the brochure for those gathered.
“The brochure is a road map and a history lesson all in one, transporting tourists back in time for a taste of what life in West Texas was once like,” said Janie Headrick, state coordinator of the THC’s award-winning Texas Heritage Trails Program. “It tells the story of this heritage region, its charming ranching communities and the people who embraced this unique terrain.”
Begin your adventure in the Guadalupe Mountains National Park and wind your way through Far West Texas. Along the way travelers will be treated to geological wonders and breathtaking landscapes, where diverse cultures reign and the spirit of the Old West prevails. Continue on through the stunning vistas of Big Bend National Park, historic missions, the restored Hudspeth County Courthouse and the Chamizal National Memorial in El Paso –– a reminder of the cooperative spirit of the United States and Mexico sharing a border.
The Texas Mountain Trail Region travel guide tours six counties: Brewster, Culberson, El Paso, Hudspeth, Jeff Davis and Presidio.
This is the THC’s seventh regional travel guide that features historical and cultural treasures across the state. The regional guides are products of the THC’s award-winning heritage tourism initiative, the Texas Heritage Trails Program, which encourages people to get out and rediscover the state’s historic and cultural wonders. This successful program increases tourism at cultural and heritage sites in regions across Texas and revitalizes local economies through regional tourism development and marketing. The program also stresses the importance of historic preservation to tourism and fosters effective local leadership.
Bring your passion for the past and discover the Texas Mountain Trail Region. For a free Texas Mountain Trail Region brochure or other heritage trail guides, please call 866/276-6219 or visit www.thc.state.tx.us/travel. Or, pick yours up at the Van Horn Convention Center and Visitors Bureau. For additional information on Texas travel events and vacation destinations, visit www.TravelTex.com or for a free Texas State Travel Guide call 800/8888-TEX.
Van Horn Foundation a reality at last!
Perhaps the best thing to happen to Van Horn in years has at long last become a reality. The Van Horn Foundation is up and running!
Larry Simpson, president of the Van Horn Economic Development Corporation, said “This has been a dream of mine since I joined the EDC. There is no telling how much good can and will be accomplished in our community because we have this Foundation.”
The initial meeting of the Foundation’s board of directors was held last Friday afternoon and the Foundation is now ready to accept your tax deductible gifts that will leave a lasting impression on our community.
And, this Foundation is completely separate and apart from the City or County, so it will not be influenced by governmental bodies as it seeks to fund projects within the community.
The Foundation, under it’s Articles of Incorporation as a 501c3 organization state that it’s goals, or aims, are:
1) The creation of educational opportunities for high school and college students within the community;
2) The creation of leadership and volunteerism opportunities for members of the community;
3) The creation of tourism development and heritage preservation projects within the community; and
4) The improvement of blighted areas of the community and the creation of landmark facilities within the community.
The Foundation will accept your tax deductible gifts in one of three ways:
1) As an unrestricted gift to the foundation;
2) As a restricted gift to the foundation for a specific purpose; and
3) As an endowed gift to the foundation. (Specifics of the endowment program are still being researched and therefore details of it are sketchy at this time.)
Directors of the Foundation are already planning the fund-raising efforts as they embark on this effort to provide Van Horn with long term solutions to funding for community projects.
Initial directors of the Foundation are: Jeff McCoy, President; Larry Simpson, Secretary; and Becky Brewster, Treasurer.
These directors will be actively seeking four more directors to sit on the board. And, the directors will also look for some folks willing to serve as honorary directors for this community fund raising organization.
Additionally, as funds become available, they will begin to look at various projects that can be funded in the community. Some initial projects already tossed in the hat include funding for the Texas Mountain Trail’s Van Horn Visitor Center and construction of recommended entrances to the community at both ends of town, as well as at the Highway 90 and Highway 54 entrances.
If you would like additional information about how you can help your community grow and at the same time make a tax deductible gift to the Foundation, give Jeff McCoy a call today at 432-283-7494.