Galveston Monthly - Exploring Your Island Paradise

This Month

"Chili" Weather Forecast For Galveston

It’s been called the “soup of the devil” by 19th century Spanish priests, a “bowl of blessedness” by actor Will Rogers, and “God’s gift to Texas” by singer Ken Finlay. But this fiery hot stew, by any other name, is still chili con carne, and it's the state dish of Texas. There are as many theories about the birthplace of chili as there are variations of the recipe. However, most historians will agree that Texas is chili country, and all roads lead to San Antonio in and around 1800.

Scrimgeour-Morgan Residence

As Galveston’s hospital district grew in its early days, it inevitably swallowed up formerly residential lots, including some of the island’s first homes. One such home was the Scrimgeour Morgan residence at 810 Postoffice in the East End, where Shriner’s Hospital now stands. It was built by one of Galveston’s early prominent citizens, Captain William Scrimgeour (1836-1919).

Local Artists Complete Mural

The creative works of the island’s painters, sculptors, and mixed-media artists can be found not only in the art galleries and museums on the island, but also on the walls of some of the city’s most visible structures and public parks—the largest being a 5,000-square-foot mural commemorating Juneteenth at 22nd Street and The Strand in the heart of Galveston's downtown district.

Edible Flower Adventure

Cooking and garnishing with edible plants is once again in vogue. This nearly lost art is enjoying a revival and is even considered haute cuisine. Preparing food with consumable blooms can be traced to ancient Roman times, as well as in Chinese and Indian cultures; especially popular in the Victorian Era during Queen Victoria’s sovereignty.

Return of the Oleanders

Since 1910, when Galveston was unofficially dubbed by visitors as “The Oleander City,” parades, balls, and other festivities have been held to celebrate the island’s signature blooming plant. But after the devastation of Hurricane Ike, and a more recent severe freeze, some of even the hardiest varieties of the beloved flower have been lost. A local organization, The International Oleander Society, is determined to change that and bring them back in an even bigger and better way than before.

Find Your Zin on the California Zinfandel Trail

The Zinfandel grape’s origins were debated for years, until DNA was finally able to explain how it journeyed from Europe to America to become the darling of California. The Zinfandel grape is genetically identical to the Croatian grape called Crljenak Kaštelanski. The grape would first travel from its original homeland of Croatia into Italy where it would find its second home and flourish in Puglia, ...

CODE OF SILENCE

Code of Silence When former Hollywood powerhouse Harvey Weinstein was sentenced on March 11, 2020, to 23 years in prison, women everywhere cheered. Finally, a sexual predator prosecuted—and convicted—for his abhorrent behavior toward women. Weinstein received 20 years on first-degree sexual assault and three years for third-degree rape.

The initial public accusations filed against the convicted rapist in 2017 sparked a global explosion of the #MeToo hashtag. His conviction sent it into orbit.

For too long, men have lorded power and influence over women in the workplace, and women have been subjected to unwanted sexual harassment, sexual misconduct, and sexual assault. The abuse is endemic, and it’s not relegated to the casting couches of Hollywood.

MARDI GRAS! GALVESTON - 3 Doors Down, Matt Stell & Siggno to Headline 2022 Festival Concerts
After being cancelled in 2021 due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Galveston Island’s 111th Mardi Gras celebration will return to the Historic Galveston Strand District in 2022 from February 18 through March 1. Mardi Gras! Galveston, the third largest Mardi Gras celebration in the United States, is expected to draw more than 350,000 attendees this year for two weekends of live concerts, parades, balcony parties, elegant balls and new festive additions.

Mardi Gras 2022 Tickets are now on sale for general weekend admission and balcony access. Musical headliners have also been finalized for the festival’s concert lineup. These include 3 Doors Down, Matt Stell and Siggno.

3 Doors Down, the six-time platinum-selling rock band from Mississippi, will headline the festival’s first day of concerts on Saturday, February 19. Superstar Tejano group Siggno will headline Fiesta Gras!, Mardi Gras! Galveston’s annual celebration of Hispanic Heritage, on Sunday, February 20. Arkansas-born country artist Matt Stell will kick off the second weekend of festivities with a headlining set on Friday, February 25.

New for 2022, festival organizer Yaga’s Entertainment has launched “Beads for Needs” initiative, a bead recycling program whose goal is to get Mardi Gras beads out of the trash while giving students from Ball High School’s Life Skills Program the opportunity to build a business from the ground up and become self-sufficient.

Finally, submissions are open for the SC Inman Mardi Gras! Galveston 2022 Official Poster Contest. The poster contest is an annual artistic competition open to any US citizen 16 years or older.

Contestants are asked to submit an official Mardi Gras! Galveston poster design. The winning poster will be reproduced as a commemorative poster to be released as part of Mardi Gras! Galveston 2022. The winning artist will receive a $1,000 award.

Poster submissions will be on display for voting inside Yaga's Cafe from January 17-19, and the winner will be chosen/notified on January 20. Submissions will be accepted until January 13, 2022. For more details visit www.mardigrasgalveston.com/2022-poster-contest.

To purchase tickets for general weekend admission and balcony access to Mardi Gras! Galveston 2022 visit www.mardigrasgalveston.com.

RAO's KING CAKES
Mardi Gras in Galveston would not be the same without Rao's Bakery, the legendary Beaumont-based patisserie whose king cake is the undisputed royalty of the annual celebration in homes and businesses throughout the island and beyond.

For the past seven years, Rao’s has partnered with the historic Maceo Spice & Import Company to offer Rao's King Cakes here in Galveston. It was a natural pairing for several reasons.

Not only is Maceo’s a landmark of Galveston history and one of the top tourist destinations for foodies in Texas, Rao's Bakery owner Jake Tortorice’s grandfather was the brother of Maceo owner Ronnie Maceo’s grandfather.

Delicious Rao's King Cakes are made of pastry, laced with cinnamon, and iced in the Mardi Gras colors of purple, gold, and green. Choose from a variety of flavors such as strawberry cream cheese, raspberry cream cheese, blueberry cream cheese, traditional (cinnamon), and voodoo (chocolate coconut).

Place your order for your Rao's King Cakes by stopping by Maceo's (2706 Market Street) or by calling them at 409.763.3331. To order online for delivery visit www.raosbakery.com.

For more information call Rao’s Bakery direct at 409.832.4342. Rao's King Cakes are also available at The Big Store in Crystal Beach.

SLEEP ON A TRAIN
Galveston's Only Track-Hotel Now Available
Celebrate the New Year with a unique experience at the Galveston Railroad Museum. Reserve the luxury railcar, Bonnie Brook, for an overnight stay on Galveston Island. Located at 2602 Santa Fe Place, in the heart of historic downtown Galveston, the Island’s first and only ‘track-hotel’ offers guests a sentimental journey through time.

Featuring a hospitality suite complete with dining and reception car, sleeping accommodations for ten, full kitchen, one full bath, four half baths, and 24-hour porter service, the comfortably appointed Bonnie Brook offers the perfect get away. Visit the Railroad Museum, spend the day touring, shop the Historic Downtown District, dine in your car, or choose from a number of adjacent restaurants in the area. The Museum concierge is at your service.

Think romantic getaway, family reunions, corporate meetings, special events or occasions. The Galveston Railroad Museum invites you to experience the luxurious Bonnie Brook. Complimentary parking and concierge.

For detailed information, additional railcars available, rates, and reservations visit www.GalvestonRRMuseum.org.

Yaga's 13th Annual Chili Quest & Beer Fest will take place on January 14 and 15 and this year the festival promises to spice up Galveston with a chili cookoff, live music, a variety of vendors, 5K Fun Run/Walk, Strand merchant walk-about, a cornhole tournament, a jackpot margarita contest, craft beer festival and above all - a diverse crowd.

The weekend will begin with a Kick Off Night Party from 8-10pm on Friday, January 14. On Saturday, January 15 the festival continues with a different activity almost every hour at the intersection of 23rd Street and Strand. Vendor's Market opens at 10am, merchant walk-about and cornhole tournament starts at 11am, public chili sampling and the jackpot margarita contest in Saengerfest Park as well as VIP beer tasting begins at noon, public beer tasting starts at 1pm in conjunction with live music at Saengerfest Park, and an awards ceremony for all of the festival participants is at 4:30pm.

For additional information and to purchase tickets to the events visit www.yagaschiliquest.com.