by Michael Robinson |Uvalde Hesperian

05-15-25

   The Uvalde Hesperian spoke with the City of Uvalde’s Director of Planning Susan Anderson about the City’s plans on managing the town’s tourism efforts with Hotel Motel Tax Monies collected by local lodging businesses. \

  According to Anderson, at Tuesday’s Uvalde City Council meeting, the City Council voted to approve a plan where several City officials and managers including Opera House Manager Caitlin Visel, Main Street Uvalde Manager Gloria Resma, and several other City staff members will form a committee to manage the marketing and public relations of the town utilizing HOT Tax monies. As part of the new plan, the City will hire an additional tourism marketing person to join the team. 

   Anderson said in the past, the City has managed and directed tourism in-house and then over time contracted the City’s marketing and tourism to non-profit organizations like the Uvalde Convention and Visitors Bureau and the Uvalde Chamber of Commerce.

   She said shortly after Uvalde Chamber of Commerce President John Yeackle gave notice to City Council his intent to not renew the Chamber’s agreement with the City to manage the municipal tourism with the use of HOT Tax monies, City officials began discussing plans to bring the task in-house.  She mentioned Yeackle left a marketing plan for the City, and indicated it is being followed.

  Anderson said the Opera House Manager Caitlin Visel has already been promoting the Opera House events and Main Street Uvalde Manager Gloria Resma has been involved with its promotions. Anderson also mentioned the Briscoe Garner Museum as a possible partnering organization she hopes to partner with in promoting the City.

  Susan mentioned there are 3 tourism related conferences the City is already planning on attending and the team is also preparing for the Hunter’s Round-Up this fall and the Texas Travel Alliance event in October.

Main Street Uvalde /Civic Center Offices and Chamber of Commerce to swap office locations

   With a 120-day transition period coming to an end soon, Main Street Uvalde Manager Gloria Resma indicted their planned office move is still on schedule: 

  “We move on Tuesday, May 27. My office will be closed on May 23 and May 26-28, but I will still be able to take phone calls and emails. It just will be the physical office that is closed,” Resma said.

   See related article published in the Uvalde Hesperian:

Uvalde Chamber of Commerce already planning move back to its North Getty Street property – Uvalde Hesperian

by Michael Robinson | Uvalde Hesperian

Top Picture: Glen Fortner speaks at Tuesday’s night’s Uvalde City Council meeting. Image is a still image taken from the City of Uvalde live stream video.

12-11-24

During the public comments portion of the Tuesday, December 10th meeting of the Uvalde City Council, Emma Trimble and Glenn Fortner spoke against a program at the Opera House, Ghosts of Texas with the Klinge Brothers.  According to Fortner, he indicated the program was rescheduled for October although the program  is still scheduled for Saturday, January 11th, 2024, according to the Uvalde Grand Opera House website.

“Today, I am going to share something in the natural, secular realm as well as in the spiritual and supernatural realm. I want to share that my intention is not to bring a word of condemnation or rebuke, but of encouragement and love from the desire of God to bring blessing upon our community and to inform you of some of the aspects according to the Bible that will hinder God’s desire to be fully experienced by us as a community. Specifically speaking of the now rescheduled program of directors that are planning to come to Uvalde that have rented the Opera House to film segments of their program on the alleged ghosts that dwell at the Opera House and they are going to air that in or on a program called Ghost Stories of Texas.

She went on to talk about a separate VIP event after the show bringing a psychic medium to perform her psychic abilities that VIP members can participate in.

“There are numerous Biblical scriptures that warn against communicating with the dead, also called a seance, which is a meeting at which people attempt to make contact with the dead especially through the agency of a medium. All throughout scripture we see the practice of such activities not only remove God’s hand of blessing over his people, but Scripture actually tells us that it can actually invoke a curse,” Trimble said.

According to information on the program on the Uvalde Grand Opera House Website it states: “They also will be bringing their close friend and psychic/medium Dana Stricker for a special VIP event after the show to learn about her psychic abilities during an actual investigation of the haunted opera house that you can participate in! ”

“Especially across the street, from where the crosses of our beautiful children are still.” Trimble said.

Pastor and business owner Glenn Fortner also spoke on the matter. He said, “I would like to make mention that America was originally founded on the principles of God’s Word and faith in the Lord. Historical evidence proves that free societies that did not honor God had His favor removed and ultimately, they failed. In contrast those that honored the Lord prospered.”

“Not standing up against the event and looking the other way would be as harmful as supporting it wholeheartedly,” he said.

Fortner continued urging the Council to be proactive by implementing policies that restrict events that glory death, darkness and demonology.”

11-22-24

By Michael Robinson | Uvalde Hesperian

  Several dozen people met at the Uvalde Grand Opera House Thursday evening November 21st for a presentation on the “Ghosts, Goblins and a Drunk Dragon: A History of the Grand Opera House” by Opera House Manager Caitlyn Visel.

  The Uvalde Grand Opera House was constructed in 1891 and is one of the oldest buildings in the downtown area along with the Stein Building located across from the Uvalde City Hall.  

  Visel spoke about the Opera House which from the late 1890’s to 1914 which featured traveling Vaudeville Shows and traveling performers. A high school graduation event was also held at the Opera House. From the start of World War 1 in 1914 through the Great Depression, much of the Opera House was converted into office spaces occupied by various businesses. 

  Not much written history or artifacts remain from the early days of the Opera House as many theater productions in the early days did not print programs and any show posters were not kept. 

 John Nance Garner bought the Opera House and had an office in the Opera House on the second floor overlooking the downtown area in 1917.

 From the 1950’s through the 1970’s, the Opera House was not used and remained closed until the City of Uvalde acquired the building from the Garner Estate for $10 in 1978.

“In 1979, a commission was formed to raise funds to renovate the Opera House and return it to its former glory. The Opera House was officially re-opened in 1982 and was the center stage of Uvalde once again! Hosting dozens of plays, musicals, and a variety of other shows, the Opera House was once again a part of the community and way of life in Uvalde<‘ according to information from the Uvalde Grand Opera House website.

 Ghosts of the Opera House

  While Visel said she has personally not seen any of the three ghosts that haunt the Opera House, she said she has seen strange occurrences and heard unexplained noises during her time working at the Opera House with Program Coordinator Camille Jefcoat.

  Visel said that in 2020 the paranormal occurrences had increased due to the lack of events happening at the Opera House due to the Covid-19 pandemic.

 She said that the elevator inside the Opera House would move on its own and the doors would open on each floor. Once she heard what sounded like a chair being dragged along a wooden floor was heard from above. She also said that following one night’s performances. The smell of cigar and cigarette smoke has been detected along with other smells.  Visel continued stating that the unusual movements of the elevator were reported when it was undergoing an inspection. She said the inspectors could not find any technical reason that would cause the elevator to operate on its own during the day.

  She also said after the performances, she went to the downstairs dressing room to turn off all the lights before leaving only to find the lights were back on the next morning. 

  She went on to say others who have seen the ghosts recall seeing a woman in red, a woman in white and a small child.

 Visel stated she believes the ghosts are good ghosts.

The discussion of the paranormal occurrences at the Opera House may have been precipitated by an upcoming show in January 2025 called, “Ghosts of Texas”.

  On Saturday, January 11th, 2025, Klinge Brothers from the Discovery Channel show Ghost Lab will be held from  7pm to 9pm at the Uvalde Grand Opera House in Uvalde, Texas, presenting the “Ghosts of Texas”  

 Visel said in addition to the Ghosts of Texas show, a special VIP event limited to 12 people will occur between 9-10 PM that evening where a small group can join the Klinge brothers in a ghost quest experience. 

Tickets are on sale now at the Uvalde Opera House.

The Uvalde Opera House brings together a number of cast members and live orchestra to bring a fun and adventure to life for Uvaldeans of all ages to enjoy.

“Take a fantastic musical adventure with an out-of-this-world car that flies through the air and sails the seas. Based on the beloved 1968 film version of Ian Fleming’s children’s book, and featuring an unforgettable score by the Sherman Brothers (Mary Poppins), Chitty Chitty Bang Bang is one family-friendly blockbuster that audiences will find “Truly Scrumptious,”  reads the description in the Uvalde Opera House website.

The opening night for the production happened on Thursday night and the production will continue with shows through Sunday.

“Thrilling to direct a wonderful, talented and delightful cast,” Director Jan Elliott said.

“The musicians, crew and production volunteers (set, props, wardrobe, et. al) have greatly blessed this production.  ‘Chitty ‘ is a delightful, funny and encouraging story. Come, relax and enjoy a beautifully orchestrated fantasmagorical adventure, ”  Elliott Said

The Thursday night show was mostly full and it was reported Friday night show still had some seats available so if you are looking for something fun to do, head to the Uvalde Opera House Box Office or Book your tickets online for the final shows of this weekend.