‘Bowling’ making a comeback?

It was probably 10 years ago that I stepped onto a bowling lane and had the greatest game of my life.

My team was in the semifinals of our league tournament and I was horrible, barely managing a 120 average for the season.

On this day, however, for one game, I came through. Out of nowhere everything lined up and fell, as they were supposed to. When we were done, I had rolled a 268 and we were moving onto the semifinals.

Reality is cruel, however, and it took me two games to surpass the 268 I had bowled in that one game. My passion for bowling was struck down for good.

Read more: ‘Bowling’ making a comeback?

La Floresta Derby Held in Mercedes

By Arleen Bier

Tommie Brixey, owner of LaFloresta Park in Mercedes, reported that the first annual La Floresta Derby was held the first Saturday in February at La Floresta Downs. It drew quite a crowd as Winter Texans arrived in large, extravagant hats; had Mint Julep jello shots; and cheered as the horses “raced” by.

Excitement mounted during the weeks preceding the race, as teams were created to decorate the horses and choose a jockey. The six horses, among the best of the best, were all first-time participants at La Floresta Downs. The jockeys were Winter Texans who came from all over the United States and Canada to participate in this prestigious race in the Rio Grande Valley.

Read more: La Floresta Derby Held in Mercedes

Fred Renk says Adios after 70 years

Renk's final event on February 16 will honor his son Matador David Renk, "El Texano," a true icon of Matadorship in the bullfight world. David passed away September 2018. He was the sixth American Matador in history since 1902 to achieve the title, and the only one of the group to ever appear in the world's largest bullring and receive the doctorate of bullfighting.

Renk started to put on bloodless events in 1986, by leasing the Houston Astrodome, where the first of a series of world class bullfights started. From there he went with his partner Mr. Jack Woodson of Brownfield, Texas, to the Hemisphere Arena in San Antonio, then to Ft. Worth, then to the coliseum in El Paso.

Read more: Fred Renk says Adios after 70 years

Children’s Haven International needs you

Knowing more about the Children's Haven International located near Reynosa has always been my desire. For years I had heard about the Haven, but I really did not know much about it. Many residents of local RV and Motor Home Parks regularly cross the border to volunteer their time and talent to Haven. Some park residents even sponsor a needy child to help them on their way. Sponsoring a child means you commit to donating $25 per month. I was especially impressed with how the sponsorship dollars are actually put into a pool that doesn't just help the one child you picked but will help all the children. Obviously, some children are more appealing than others; some are cute and lovable and apt to be chosen quickly by a sponsor. Others are not so cute and lovable but are shy and withdrawn. But all of them need our love and support.

Read more: Children’s Haven International needs you

Bridge was intense at the Encore Games

The intensity was felt through the deafening silence as 19 teams competed to see who, after probably 5-6 hours of competition, would earn the rights to be named champion.

Nineteen teams of two men or two women from 10 Encore Parks took their seats across from their partners, their opponents taking the opposite chairs as the battle for Bridge dominance began Monday morning at Victoria Palms RV Park and Resort.

Bridge derived from the game “Whist” and dates back to as early at 15th century when a French author mentioned a game “La Triomphe” in one of his publications. These are the earliest known mentions of the game.

Read more: Bridge was intense at the Encore Games

Rina’s Ramblings

For those that visit the Valley regularly, you know how much we talk about Fred Renk and the Santa Maria Bullring. Well, this year is his last year and he will be having one more event on February 16. Look for more about the event in our next issue, but until then, check out Jo Liston’s column On the Road with Jo on Page 35.

I told you last week we had been busy this January and our month wasn’t over yet. I tried to get everything in last week that we had done, but I tend to ramble and it got lengthy, so I wanted to talk about a few more things we did before we get our February rolling – which we already plan to attend six events in the next couple of weeks, including the Bull fight, Mission Mega Winter Texan Fiesta, the Valley Star Awards, and Glenn Miller Orchestra. Who knows what else will come up during the month though?

Read more: Rina’s Ramblings