Senior Texan Softball now in 16th year

“You don’t quit playing when you grow old, you grow old when you quit playing.” That is the motto of Senior Texan Softball League, a sport that will begin its 16th year on Thursday, Jan. 7.

The league started with only nine players at Bentsen Grove Resort with Ed Martens as founder of the league. Quickly Martens realized they would have to open the league up to other players from throughout the Valley. While many of the players still live in Bentsen Grove, other players come from 27 different parks throughout the western end of the Valley. Three come from as far away as Harlingen.

In the fall, players meet each Tuesday and Thursday morning at 9 a.m. to play and hone their skills. In January they start competitive play. This year for the first time, there will be three divisions of skills. Approximately 170 players will make up the 12 to 14 teams formed.

Texas Senior Softball does not accept park teams, only individual players. Teams are formed based on the level of competition where the player best fits. While Senior softball traditionally welcomes everyone regardless of skill level. Players are placed in the division that best fits their need.

The first division is a competitive fast-paced game. Practice for this division starts at 9 a.m.

The second level is the recreation division, which is not as demanding as the competitive league. Practice starts for this division at 10 a.m. The third level, the Leisure Division, is for those who are a little past their prime but who still love the game and want to play for fun. There are even a few ladies who play in this division. They start practices at 10:30 a.m.

Players are matched up based on skill so that no one team is better than the others it plays. This makes for close scoring games. Last year, two teams tied for first place and the third and fourth place teams ended up in the finals.

Some of the players say they come to the Rio Grande Valley just so they can play softball. Art Williamson of Oklahoma and Dave Webb of Wisconsin had both spread the word back home to encourage their friends to come to the Valley and join in the exercise and camaraderie the program creates.

All practices and games are held at the Westside Park in McAllen across Ware Road from the new McAllen Convention Centre.

For information call Ed Martens at (956) 581-2254. Those interested should call soon so players can be evaluated, placed in the proper division, and assigned to a team before the January competition begins.

New baby animals on display at zoo

Several new baby animals are now on display at the Gladys Porter Zoo in Brownsville just in time for holiday visits for Winter Texans. Many of these new additions are newborn animals, which can now be seen on exhibit at the zoo. These babies include one mandrill, one serval cat, two bongos, two Western gray kangaroos, two golden-handed tamarin, four Nigerian dwarf goats and one meerkat.

Most of the new babies were born in October or November but have been off-exhibit receiving their initial veterinary check-ups or bonding with their parents. All of the zoo’s new babies are now out on public exhibit and available for viewing during regular hours. During inclement weather, most of the new babies will be moved off-exhibit.

In addition, four adult addax have recently been added to the zoo’s collection. These animals are listed as critically endangered on the IUCN red list and are found in Africa, primarily in and around Egypt. The addition of the addax is especially important as there were no addax in the zoo’s collection. Visitors can see the addax in the Indo-Australia section of the zoo.

The Gladys Porter Zoo is open 365 days a year, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday, and 9 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. on weekends. Admission for adults is $9 (ages 14 to 64) and $6 for children (ages 2 to 13). Seniors 65 and over receive a discounted admission of $7.50. For more information, visit www.gpz.org or contact the zoo at (956) 546-7187.

Winter Texans have many places to celebrate the New Year

Winter Texan parks all across the Rio Grande Valley will be having New Year’s celebrations for their residents and guests who would like to join in the fun. Numerous celebrations in Winter Texan RV and mobile home parks are listed in the Parks Calendar in this issue, as well as online at www.wintertexantimes.com.

For those looking for fun outside the Winter Texan community events, the Heart of McAllen will offer a New Year’s Celebration that will include dropping the ball from a location near the parking garage in downtown McAllen. Last year was the first time the event took place. Up to 20,000 people were there to witness the ball drop marking the start of the New Year.

Festivities begin at 6:30 p.m. with music on two main stages. A total of six bands will perform jazz, rock and country music during the evening. For those wanting a snack while waiting to welcome the New Year, approximately 40 vendors will sell food and other novelties.

At 11:59 the ball, located behind one of the main stages located at Beaumont and 15th Streets, will begin the descent into the New Year.

Alida Hernandez, chairwoman of the event, said that because of the large crowd, shuttles would be run from the old Walmart parking lot on Nolana and from the McAllen Civic Center parking lot every 15 to 20 minutes.

A scholarship fund raising gala, “A Catered Affair,” will be held in Harlingen to welcome the New Year on Jackson Square, 301 E. Jackson Street. Admission is $30; call Connie Garza at (956) 343-7821 for information.

For those who would like to welcome the New Year with a bang, there is no better place than South Padre Island where a fireworks display in the Laguna Madre will mark the advent of the New Year.

Then on Jan. 1, those hardy souls who wish to take a dip in the Gulf of Mexico to celebrate the New Year can join the crowd at Boomerang Billy’s on South Padre Island at noon for the annual Polar Bear Dip in the gulf.

Registration for swimmers opens at 10 a.m. and the official start for the Dip begins at noon. The first 50 registrants who are 21 and over will receive a coupon for a cup of black eyed peas and champagne toast at the conclusion of the event. Commemorative T-shirts will be available for sale, with proceeds going to local charities.

Winter Texans share Christmas spirit with needy

Winter Texans all across the Rio Grande Valley make a tremendous impact on their second-home communities through the community service they provide while in the Valley. Local organizations have benefited greatly from Winter Texans serving as volunteers and in community projects to benefit the disadvantaged and needy in South Texas.

Following are reports from just a few of the RV and mobile home parks with Winter Texans who have volunteered during the Christmas season to bring happiness to others

Americana RV Park/El Valle del Sol Bell Ringers

Bell ringing for the Salvation Army seems to be a favorite way of giving for many Winter Texans. Volunteers from many parks take part in this worthwhile endeavor. At Americana RV Park Winter Texans Meredith and Ron Walker add puppetry and use a guitar and harmonica to encourage customers at the Walmart in Penitas to make contributions to the Salvation Army.

Harm and Lynne Godwaldt of El Valle del Sol ring bells at the Walmart on Nolana Loop in McAllen. They enjoy dressing as Mr. and Mrs. Santa Claus while they ring the bells.

Winter Texans can be seen ringing bells at many locations throughout the Valley. Their contributions of time to the Salvation Army is an important contribution to the charity.

Lakewood RV Park Has Food Drive

Since 1991 Lakewood RV Resort in Harlingen has had a special “Christmas Food for the Needy” program that was organized by the Lakewood Mission Committee. It is a charity supported by all Lakewood Winter Texan residents.

earby Stuart Street Elementary provides the names of around 20 families each year who receive groceries, quilts and gifts for the children.

The Lakewood Square Dance Club holds a special dance where donations are collected. The Ladies Quilting Club provides a quilt for every child as well as making a large one that is auctioned off. A husband and wife team prepares a special bean soup lunch for residents and visitors. All proceeds from these activities are used for purchasing food and gifts for the families.

Lakewood’s “Operation Shoebox” has been a tremendous success in the past few years. A large shoebox with a child’s name, age and gender is given to anyone who would like to fill that box with items for that child. The box is then wrapped and given to the Lakewood Worship Committee so it can be given to the child at the time of the food distribution. The Christmas distribution takes place the Saturday before Christmas.

Paradise Park Extends A Helping Hand

The spirit of Christmas is alive and well at Paradise Park. Residents of this Pharr park are making the Christmas holidays special for 13 local families, including 38 children. The families will receive gifts of clothing and toys, plus a filled Christmas stocking. In addition, each family will receive a box of food and each family will get a handcrafted quilt.

Selection of gifts for the children is done by park members who select a hand from a tree, with the name, age, size and sex of the child. The residents recently had a chili dinner to raise money for food and stocking fillers. The quilters at Paradise Park make the quilts in their quilting bees.

Sunshine RV Park Helps Crisis Center

Residents of Sunshine RV Park in Harlingen used their angel tree to help children at the Cameron County Family Crisis Center. For the third year in a row, residents of the park provided toys, dry food and candy for the children of the Family Crisis Center. This year over 60 gifts were presented to Veronica Casas, Director of the Sexual Assault Program of the Family Crisis Center to help those in need.

Texan Mobile Park Rings Bells

For several years, residents of Texan Mobile Park have helped the community in several ways. They ring bells for the Salvation Army at the Wal-Mart on Nolana and 29th Street and Kmart on 23rd Street in McAllen. They also collect toys for the Salvation Army from residents in the park.

This year, they added a new charity. They are purchasing paper towels, trash bags, freezer bags, laundry detergent and bleach, Fabuloso, dish soap, shampoo, baby wipes, air fresheners, and alcohol-based sanitizers for Comfort House, which is a hospice for the terminally ill in McAllen. Comfort House does not receive grants or charge for their services. They operate totally on donations.

Texas Trails Resort

Texas Trails Resort in Pharr has several Christmas projects. Some of their residents ring bells for the Salvation Army.

They have an Angel Tree and take stockings full of goodies and gifts to needy children who otherwise might not receive Christmas gifts.

A sock tree helps the park residents collect socks that are donated to a clinic in Mexico.

But the highlight of their Christmas season is the Teddy Bear event held at their Christmas luncheon. Pharr police officers are invited and presented with bears and other stuffed animals to be given to traumatized children in crisis situations.

Quilts, toys and stuffed animals are also given to the Vannie Cook Cancer Center.

Singer, songwriter Jim Owen performing in Valley

One of country’s favorite stars, Jim Owen, will be making several appearances in the Rio Grande Valley. Owen is well known for his offbeat humor and from-the-heart style of singing. But that is not all he does. Owen is a songwriter and has appeared in several movies.

“I’m the luckiest man in the world,” says Jim Owen. “I love performing and I love to make people laugh.” Most of the time he does that at the Clay Cooper Theater in Branson, Missouri. But when winter comes and Branson closes for the season, he does a few shows on the road.

Owen starred in “Legends in Concert” at the Imperial Palace in Las Vegas and was named “Las Vegas Entertainer of the Year” in 1985 and again in 1987. After leaving Las Vegas, he took his show on a world tour and visited The Netherlands, Germany, Belgium, and the British Isles where he was one of the first country singers to appear at the well-known Glasgow Music Festival.

He portrayed Hank Williams Sr. in two television movies. His PBS special, “Hank,” was voted television’s best show of 1977. Owen always includes a tribute to “The King of Country” in his shows.

In addition to singing his own music, Owen has also written songs for many well-known country music stars. Conway Twitty and Loretta Lynn recorded “Louisiana Woman, Mississippi Man.” Mel Tillis sang “Too Lonely, Too Long.” Dottie West called Owen a “Legend among Legends,” while Charlie Daniels referred to Owen as a “Country Music Superstar.”

Owen will be at Aladdin Villas Dec. 29 at 7 p.m. He can be seen again at Holiday Village in Pharr on Jan. 3 at 3 p.m. and 7 p.m.

Valley celebrates Christmas

As December gets underway, the Rio Grande Valley abounds with many Christmas celebrations that Winter Texans can enjoy. Following is a list of festivities coming your way soon.

Brownsville

The first annual Green Christmas will be celebrated Dec. 12 from 4 to 8 p.m. at Resaca de la Palma State Park World Birding Center, 1000 New Carmen Blvd. Events include the lighting of a native tree, Christmas carolers, tram rides, a talent show with prizes, and kids’ crafts and activities. Admission is $4 for adults. For information call (956) 350-2920.

Edinburg

The Museum of South Texas History (MOSTH) will sponsor a Fun Day on Sunday, Dec. 13, from 1 to 5 p.m.

The Edinburg Methodist Church Bell Choir will stir the Christmas spirit at 2 p.m. with a concert. Quartetto Zyraib will perform holiday music on the classical guitar.

Santa and Mrs. Claus will be on hand in the Will Looney Legacy Park, weather permitting. A wagon and saddles will be set up with native landscaping for South Texas pictures.

The family will enjoy MOSTH’s newest exhibit of “Nativity Scenes from Around the World.” The collection is a private collection belonging to Most Reverend Bishop Reymundo J. Pena, Fifth Bishop of Brownsville. He has collected nativity scenes for 32 years in his travels around the world and now has 200 nativity scenes from 15 different countries.

Traditional South Texas holiday treats such as tamales, hot chocolate, rascas de los tres reyes and other sweets will be available to enjoy at the museum or take home.

The museum’s gift shop will have an array of specialty items for that person who is hard to please on the Christmas list.

Bring a toy for the Toys for Tots Drive. Admission is $7 for adults and $5 for seniors. Call (956) 383-6911 for additional information.

Harlingen

The Harlingen Arts & Heritage Museum, 2425 Boxwood, will display its annual “Christmas Tree Extravaganza” through Jan. 13. The exhibit is free to the public.

Hidalgo

The Festival of Lights will continue through Dec. 31. The dinners and special performances in front of Hidalgo City Hall will continue through Dec. 19. (The annual Posada will be held Dec. 16 instead of a program.) Tickets for dinners and programs can be purchased at Dodge Arena only. The Christmas lights and the live reindeer display will continue through Dec. 31. Trolley rides and horse-drawn wagon tours will be available every night except Dec. 16, 24 and 25. Tickets for rides are sold at Hidalgo City Hall, 704 E. Texano Dr., where the rides start.

The Christmas Village display at the Old Hidalgo Pumphouse will continue through Jan. 13.

McAllen

The Rio Grande Valley Ballet will present “The Nutcracker” at the McAllen Civic Center, 1300 S. 10th Street, on Saturday, Dec. 12, at 7 p.m. and Sunday, Dec.13, at 2 p.m. For tickets call (956) 681-3800. Tickets are $10 to $20.

“The Nutcracker” will be presented by the Dance Conservatory of McAllen at the McAllen Civic Center, 1300 S. 10th Street, on Dec. 19 at 2 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. and Dec. 20 at 2 p.m. Admission is $4.99. They are available at www.dcofm.com.

The First Baptist Church of McAllen will hold its annual Christmas Pageant on Thursday, Dec. 10 at 7 p.m. Admission is $5 to $10 per person.

The Winter Texan Orchestra will have a Christmas concert on Dec. 16 at 1:30 p.m. at St. Paul Lutheran School, on the corner of Pecan and Second Street in McAllen. A second concert will be held Dec. 19 at 7 p.m. at the church.

The Rio Grande Valley Band will host its 12th Christmas Concert on Sunday, Dec. 20, at 3 p.m. at Our Savior Lutheran Church, 1105 West Fern Avenue, in McAllen.

The Christmas tree display at the International Museum of Art and Science will continue through Dec. 31.

Mission

The Mission Historical Museum will host its annual Christmas Tea/Luncheon, on Dec. 10, from 11:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Museum Annex, 200 E. Tom Landry (the old post office building). Lunch tickets are $12 and may be purchased at the museum or from volunteers.

The Christmas Lighting Ceremony at Leo Pena “La Plazita” Park across from H-E-B in downtown Mission will be held Thursday, Dec. 10, at 6 p.m. The Christmas lights will be turned on, Santa will visit and vendors, music and entertainment will be provided.

Port Isabel

The City of Port Isabel has rescheduled its Christmas celebration and annual tree lighting which had been postponed due to inclement weather . The new time is Thursday, Dec. 10 at 7 p.m. It will take place in front of the historic Champion Building. Our Lady Star of the Sea Catholic Church Chorus will perform traditional Christmas music. The community is invited to participate in Christmas caroling and Christmas karaoke.

On Dec. 11, the Port Isabel Museum and the Treasures of the Gulf Museum will host a Christmas Open House. The museums will be decorated in holiday trimmings and open to the public for viewing with no admission fee from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

A “Christmases of the Past Postcard” display will be open through Dec. 19. Antique postcards depict popular images of the Rio Grande Valley community through the years. The Museum’s Gift Shop is open and is offering a variety of unique gifts for the history of collectible buffs on this year’s Christmas list.

San Benito

A Christmas Tree Lighting ceremony and concert will be held at the W.H. Heavin Amphitheatre, 705 Bowie Street on Thursday, Dec. 10 at 6 p.m. Students from local elementary schools will perform new and traditional Christmas carols. Afterwards, Mayor Joe Hernandez will flip the switch to illuminate the tree near the amphitheater, officially kicking off the Christmas season.

The lighting of the tree will be followed by a Tunes of the Trail Christmas show. Performers include several individuals and groups. Carlos Canas, Natalie Hernandez, Jean-Luc Canas, the Garcia Family Singers, the Trevino Family Singers, Ethel Bucanan, Natalie Montez and the Malibu Band, Flor Loera, 512 Madrid and Boomerang will all perform at the event.

A Christmas Festival and Bazaar will be held Dec. 11 and 12 at Plaza at San Benito, 210 E Heywood. Call 956-399-5321 for information.

The City of San Benito and Chamber of Commerce will host a Christmas Open House in the San Benito Municipal Building, located at 401 N. Sam Houston Blvd., Dec. 16 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

A Christmas parade will be held in downtown San Benito on Saturday, Dec. 12, at 6 p.m. The parade will proceed on Sam Houston Blvd.

A Christmas candlelight celebration, sponsored by the churches of San Benito, will be held Thursday, Dec. 24, at the W.H. Heavin Amphitheatre. For information call 956-399-2187.

San Juan

The City of San Juan will host “Noche de Paz” on Saturday, Dec. 12, on Nebraska Street between first and Fourth Streets from 1 p.m. to 9 p.m. The annual parade will start at 6:30 p.m. beginning on Ridge Road and moving north on Nebraska Street and ending at the festival. There will be entertainment, crafts, food, rides, music and snow for the kiddies beginning at 5 p.m. and lasting until it melts.

South Padre Island

On Friday, Dec. 11, the Island Holiday Parade will be held from Mars Street to Campeche at 6:30 p.m.

On Wednesday, Dec. 31, a New Year’s Eve fireworks display will be held in Laguna Madre bay at midnight to welcome the New Year.

On Friday, Jan. 1, the annual New Year’s Polar Bear Dip will take place at Boomerang Billy’s Beach at noon.

Weslaco

Due to inclement weather, the Mid-Valley Lighted Parade, which was to be held Dec. 5, will now be held Dec. 17. The parade, “A Rock Band Christmas,” will begin at 6 p.m. and proceed along Texas Blvd. between Pike Blvd and 6th Street. The parade will feature marching bands, antique cars equestrians and, of course, Santa Claus.

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