By Kathy Olivarez
During the last week of January, the Kenastons, long-time favorite entertainers among Winter Texan residents, hosted blind singer Justin Trevino as their special guest.
Trevino was born in the Valley but his parents moved to Austin so he could attend the school for the blind as a child. Once a winter he comes down to visit relatives. For the past five years he has played with the Kenastons during those visits.
Submitted by Sharon Bargel
For the third year, Paradise Park RV Resort in Harlingen has been overwhelmingly generous in giving to the Harlingen CISD’s Clothing Closet, operated as part of the Family and Community Engagement (FACE) program to assist school district families in need.
In winter 2020 the Clothing Closet was selected to be the beneficiary of the park’s spirit of giving holiday project when resident Sharon Bargel heard about the Clothing Closet and their need for warm coats and cold weather clothing on a local news station. That year, despite COVID restraints and fewer Winter Texans, they delivered 578 items of new clothing and new shoes to the Closet.
Submitted by Larry Schmitt
On January 25, one-hundred-eighty-four (184) Kansans from all over the Rio Grande Valley met to commemorate the anniversary of the state’s January 29, 1861, admission to the Union. Considering we met at a new venue and had a few other challenges, the organizers are very happy with this total attendance. What was super special is that thirty-eight (38) Kansans joined us for their first time. YAY!!
The 41st Annual Rio Grande Valley Quilt Show, presented by the Rio Grande Valley Quilt Guild, will be held at the South Padre Island Convention Centre, February 10th and 11th, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. each day. The theme for this year is Under the Sea.
There will be over 350 quilts on display, over 20 vendors, along with a Bargain Boutique with items for sale, a Silent Auction, a Wool Exhibit, Demos and Door Prizes.
Fun N Sun will host GospelFest on Tuesday, February 7 at 6 p.m. The event will be held in their dance hall (1400 Zillock Rd., San Benito). Ralph Kuster, Lindley Creek, The Faithful Singers, and Ambassadors of Grace will be supplying entertainment for this fundraiser the park has held since 2006.
Most Winter Texans are familiar with Men of A-Chord and Sweet Adeline’s. They were groups that performed in the Winter Texan parks from January through March. In recent years, the groups have changed, numbers have gone up and down as well, and so has the makeup of the groups.
The Mission Historical Museum (MHM) presents the 17th Annual Mission Quilt Show. An Awards Reception and Turning of the Quilts program will take place at 2 p.m. on Thursday, Feb. 2.
Admission is free. Light refreshments and pastries will be served. The quilts will be on exhibit between January 14th and February 17th.
