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The City of Palmhurst welcomes you

20131005 Palmhurst Centennial Shary Mansion DY 0057 webThe City of Palmhurst played an important role in bringing visitors to the Valley, playing an integral part in what it is today. It continues to invite visitors to enjoy its scenery, history, community, and favorable climate.

One of the biggest historical aspects of Palmhurst is the John Shary Mansion. Although the John Shary Mansion is not open for public tours, no visit to the Rio Grande Valley would be complete without driving by the Shary mansion, located three-and-a-half miles North Shary Road, just down the road from the City of Palmhurst offices. The former residence of John Shary, who is credited with founding the Texas Citrus Industry, the mansion sits in the middle of acres of citrus.

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March 26, 2025 - Rina's Ramblings

This season has, once again, been a blast. We have a lot of fun when we are out and about with you, sharing your news, and hearing your stories.

I had the opportunity to hear many stories this year. What you see in the paper is sometimes just a bit of what is shared.

I keep learning how eager you are to help others, to be there for your friends, and to teach others how to do the same. It’s amazing to see the strength you have and watch you use your experiences to help the community you live in through service, teaching, and more.

We always enjoy sharing the stories of community service you do for your park, and for organizations, schools, and churches in your community. We get to see how thankful and how full of gratitude everyone is for your service – whether it be through volunteer work, making something, donating food, or any of the other multitude of ways you find to fulfill the need. We, and so many others, are so grateful to you.

We thank the activity directors and park managers for making sure you have something to do while you are here. They work endlessly to make sure there is entertainment, activities, and food – so much food – for you to have.

Our paper has been sharing these events year after year since 1987, and we love seeing the different types of activities, the new activities – like when pickleball came around – and all the fun you have. Your parks and community love having you here and making sure to keep you happy while you are visiting.

We want to thank you, our readers, park owners and managers, activity directors, and Wintertainers™ for the great community you have built here in the Rio Grande Valley. Without this community – without you – we would not have this opportunity to work and play in your community and bring your community newspaper to you every week from October through March.

Again, we had so much fun this year and look forward to an exciting season next year.

Thank you for this great season. We love our Winter Texans, and we pray for your health and safety as you travel back north – and on your return next season.

Stay safe and healthy, and hurry back next fall. We can’t wait to do this again!

Thank you for coming, safe travels, see you next season

20250307 Winter Texan Fiesta WAB IMG 5624 webThis season is ending, and I hate to see it go. We always enjoy your time with us, and our time with you, and we sure are going to miss it while you are gone.

We know you are coming to the Valley for the community, the weather, lower prices, and more. We also know you are coming because of the culture and the warm welcomes you receive. But it is also your warmness that makes us love seeing you each year.

Speaking of that warmness, you do so much for the communities you live in – whether it is for your park, a special person in your park, or an organization in your city – you really do a lot while you are here. The work and care you put forth is so appreciated by all of those that receive your blessings.

Read more: Thank you for coming, safe travels, see you next season

Tourists enjoy the refreshments and entertainment in Progreso

20250221 Progreso Tourist Day HMoering DSC 0294 webBy Herb Moering

Hundreds of Winter Texans turned out Friday under picture perfect weather for the 49th annual Tourist Day in Nuevo Progreso.

The event to say “thanks” to all those who come to shop, eat, purchase medicines and have dental work done in Progreso began with a brief welcome in the Bridge Authority Building from Samuel Robert Sparks Jr., the private bridge co-owner, to various area government officials and spouses and special friends.

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Winter Texans enjoy the weather at Onion Fest

20250322 Texas Onion Fest HMoering DSC 0342 webBy Herb Moering

The weather is important to Jill Zehe, from Winter Green Estates in Mission. She was part of a group of motorcycle riders at the Texas Onion Fest in Weslaco on Saturday. The festival featured great weather for the crowds who attended to celebrate the 1015 onion.

Jill said it is the Valley weather that allows the group to ride year-round, which includes her husband, Richard. The couple from northern Wisconsin have been Winter Texans for seven years. With them were Bob and Connie Metzger, from Hidden Valley RV Park in Mission for the past nine years, who also reside summers in Northern Wisconsin, and Linda Lavigno, from Eldorado Acres RV Park in Mission, who has come down from Calgary in Alberta, Canada for the past two years.

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STC Cosmetology students provide complimentary services

CosmetologyServices5 webBy Joey Gomez

South Texas College Cosmetology students say the program is giving them the opportunity to prepare for their future dream careers while promoting a culture of service and a spirit of giving back to the community.

Under the guidance of faculty, students can perform complimentary services such as updos, pedicures, haircuts, facials and much more for visitors.

Services are available to the public Monday through Thursday at the college’s Cosmetology Center located on the second floor of the Shah Eye Center at 1506 E. Griffin Pkwy. in Mission.

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Broadway in McAllen has tworemaining shows

Four Phantoms 1055 webThe McAllen Performing Arts Center is thrilled to announce single tickets for the two remaining shows as part of the 24/25 Broadway in the Rio Grande Valley season are now on sale, the lineup includes The Cher Show and The Four Phantoms in Concert. Tickets can be purchased online at ExperienceMcAllen.com/Broadway or in person at the McAllen Performing Arts Center Box office (801 Convention Center Blvd).

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On the road again – safe travels to you all

Good day to all. I am on the road again. Well maybe better said - I am in the air again. For today I will combine flying to Houston and driving to Central Texas. I certainly will arrive in Central Texas sooner since I am flying part of the way. But I will miss seeing the countryside change from the lush semi tropical South Texas to the rolling hills of Central Texas. Some of you reading this will soon be traveling out of the Rio Grande Valley as you leave for your summer home. We are going to miss you.

Most of my travel through Texas takes me on Highway 77 and past Kingsville. As I travel toward Kingsville, I always watch for wildlife such as the native Rio Grande Turkey and the javelinas as well as the white tail deer. I really enjoy watching the countryside change...especially the vegetation. As I travel along, I remember past travels and how beautiful the wildflowers of Texas brighten up the drive. Hopefully the cold weather we had this past winter will not have taken its toll on the beautiful bluebonnets, the wine cups and the dandelions and thistles that carpet the green pastures. Already the early blooming yellow dandelions are springing up in my yard.

For those of you who may be traveling toward central Texas let me give you a warning. The countryside will not look anything at all as it has on my past trips. I was just sure that the once beautiful oak trees had been hit with a blight. Mile after mile the pastures were covered with what appeared to be totally dead trees. I could not even spot any new growth. Needless to say, I was anxious to ask a native from that area about this problem.

Finally, that night I asked the waitress at the restaurant about those dead trees. To my surprise she answered, "They aren't dead at all. Those are pecan trees, and the cold got them, but they are beginning to come back."

I still feel very doubtful. If those are all pecan trees, then central Texas must produce enough pecans to feed the entire nation those wonderful pecan pies. To counter the sight of so many trees that appear dead, the green grass of the meadows was a great uplifting sight. Central Texas has received a lot more rain than we have received in South Texas. The cattle looked quite fat and healthy. There was plenty of lush green grass covering the hillsides.

In another week, the hillsides should be covered with many more wildflowers. Little patches of bluebonnets were just beginning to spring up. The Indian Paint Brushes added an occasional spot of red while the yellow dandelions covered the hillsides with their welcoming color. They are always the first to bloom.

I know the road across Texas is long, but this is such a beautiful time to travel. Be careful, have a wonderful summer and come back again. We shall miss you.

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