COUNTRY STORE ARTS & CRAFTS — The Vattmann Thanksgiving Day Picnic Country Store will be open for business on Nov. 26. Members of Our Lady of Consolation Woman’s Club, many who have been working on their projects throughout the year, have created and donated their craft items. Some of the men also donate craft work to the store. Country Store hours are from 10:30 a.m. until 5 p.m. and the items will be sold that day. Pictured from left are Edna Alvarado, Maria Elena Crowley, Kathy Hubert, Lupe Wruble, Alice May, Gwen Rudellat, Leo Marez, left and Allen May are pictured in the back. (Photo by Gloria Bigger-Cantu) Over 1000 arts and crafts ranging from painted Santa Claus figurines to holiday wreaths will be on sale at the Country Store during the Vattman Thanksgiving Day Picnic Nov. 26 hosted by Our Lady of Consolation Church. The historic Vattman Community Thanksgiving will have its 95th year celebration.

The historic Vattman Community Thanksgiving will have its 95th celebration hosted by Our Lady of Consolation on Nov. 26. The Thanksgiving dinner begins from 11 a.m. until 2 p.m.Over 1500 usually attend the event held at the church grounds. Proceeds go to the OLC church and its two missions in Riviera and Ricardo. People pictured here attended the Thanksgiving dinner held in the past. The activities will be held on Vattman Church grounds about 18 miles south of Kingsville off Highway 77 on Farm Road 628. Our Lady of Consolation is located at 204 Palm Avenue in Riviera, Texas.

Some preparations are underway as members of Our Lady of Consolation Church Women’s Club continue to busy themselves creating arts and crafts that include, sewing, painting, making wind chimes and creative items for the event.

Everything is donated to the church and sold at the Country Store only on Thanksgiving Day. The Country Store opens at 10:30 a.m. until 5 p.m. that day

Family members buy arts and crafts at the Country Store during the Thanksgiving Day Picnic. Over 1000 items will be sold this is year on Thanksgiving Day Nov. 26 This photo was taken at the Country Store at Our Lady of Consolation Church Vattmann Thanksgiving Day Picnic held in the past. “We paint anything that stands still,” said Gwen Rudellat, one of the members. Club members began meeting 10 years ago. This spring they began meeting on a weekly basis to work on their creative projects to sell at the thanksgiving. At least five or six women meet regularly all year long. Many of the ladies create their arts and crafts at home.

“There’s always people working at home,” said Kathy Hubert, one of the members.

“Everyone has a talent,” Hubert said. Three or four men also work with them.

Just browsing around the Country Store, it is apparent that countless of hours were utilized creating the numerous arts and crafts in the store. Crosses are created from jewels, railroad spikes and horseshoes. Religious figures are painted on wooden eggs. Different themes decorate the wreaths and garlands. One unique art piece is a replica made of Our Lady of Consolation Church. Another customized item is a business card holder accented with a horse shoe concho created by Leo Marez. Baby blankets and scarves crocheted and donated by Vera and Mary Ann Yaklin will be available also.

“Some of the ladies design all the arts and crafts all year long until Thanksgiving,” said Goldia Hubert, who has participated in the Vattman Thanksgiving Day Picnic, before she got married.

Other entertainment and events, besides the Country Store, include the turkey shoot, trap and target, raffle and silent auction, moonwalk and fishpond. The bingo will begin at 2 p.m. until 5 p.m. The High Speed Hayride Band will hold a country western dance from 8 p.m. until midnight with music.

About 52 families participate in the event and many are descendants of the original settlers. Many have been helping with the Thanksgiving Day Picnic all of their lives. Former Riviera residents travel annually for the event and residents from nearby cities also volunteer to help with the activities.

However, the main family event centers on the scrumptious home cooked Thanksgiving meal with all the trimmings. Fifty to 60 turkeys are cooked at the families’ homes early in the morning on Thanksgiving Day. Along with turkey and dressing, the meal includes mashed potatoes, green beans, garden salads, cranberry sauce, bread, coffee, tea and dessert. The garden salad consists of fresh carrots, celery, and cucumber. The cranberry sauce is made from fresh cranberries. Pecan, pumpkin, apple pies are among the selection of desserts The meal costs Goldia Hubert said one lady donated 24 pecan pies.

The dinner is served from 11 a.m. until 2 p.m. and costs $11 for adults and $6 for children. She said last year between 1400 to 2,000 people ate at the dinner.

All proceeds go to support Our Lady of Consolation, Our Lady of Guadalupe in Riviera, and Sacred Heart Mission in Ricardo. Our Lady of Consolation Parish was established sometime in 1908 predating the establishment of Vattmannville. Before 1908 mission priests traveled from Kingsville to have mass in the homes of the early settlers.

Vattman was founded in 1914 and named after a priest known as Father J. Vattman. He brought settlers to the Riviera and Riviera beach area. The town was first called Vattmannville but the second “n” was later deleted.

The first Thanksgiving was celebrated in 1914 in a grove of mesquites beside a small lake directly behind the present location of the Vernie Hubert home. A platform constructed in front of the picnic area concluded the activities that evening with a dance held under the star with local musicians participating in the orchestra.