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January 19, 2022 - Rina's Ramblings

It’s getting busy in the Valley. Things are picking up here and there with activities being held throughout the valley – just for you. I know everyone is still being really careful with things, but I also know that everyone is ready to get out and enjoy this great weather and being with friends when we can.

There is so much to do in the Valley that doesn’t involve being in close proximity to people to, so keep that in mind as well. Look at our issues from last year and see the many things we highlighted in the bigger cities in the Valley. I hope to highlight some of our smaller cities as well in some future publications.

The Valley is full of parks, birding centers, trails, museums, and so much more that we can take advantage of. It's just fun to get out every once in a while, to see the sights, or to visit somewhere you haven’t really noticed before.

Speaking of events though – the activity directors just had their first entertainers showcase event and the next one will be held this week. This is an opportunity for activity directors and park managers to hear some entertainment options and try to book them for their park. They get to listen to an entertainer for a few minutes that showcases their hits, or favorites.

It’s so much fun listening to these groups all in one place – getting a taste of a hopeful show in the future. We have some great entertainment that comes to the Valley to entertain and do shows for you. These entertainers really have some talent and enjoy what they do.

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Also thinking of events… we have been trying to get out a bit more as things are happening, but it’s so hard to get to everything. We would love to attend everything if we could, but it gets a little hectic with in office duties and getting to events.

So, please send us your photos and give us some information on what you are doing at your park. We love seeing what you are doing in your community. We love hearing about your trips, tours, meals, and other events y’all enjoy at your parks and around town.

We share what we can in our paper and online. Send photos, write ups, contact information, and story ideas to news@wintertexantimes.com.

Time Marches On

Starship SN9 High Altitude Flight Test 2Time marches on. If you were exposed to covid and quarantined, you may feel that time dragged on. It doesn’t have to drag on - now is the time to do all those things you have been planning to do but just never had time. Well, now you have time so let's get on with it.

You can take control and believe me - time will fly if you take time to complete all those projects. The very day that my daughter and I learned that we had been exposed, we were out in my car exploring. It had been a year since I had been down past Space X and to Boca Chica Beach. So off we went.

Read more: Time Marches On

Winter Texans enjoy Ron Hoover open house

20220114 Ron Hoover Open House Courtesy Photos 08By Herb Moering

Great weather brought out the crowd of mainly Winter Texans on opening day, Jan. 13, for the 15th annual two-day Ron Hoover RV & Marine Center open house in Donna.

Sue Stsauver, from Trails End Mobile Home and RV Park in Weslaco, came to see the grand prizes to be given away after having a dream she won a four-wheel all-terrain vehicle and had it shipped home to Minnesota.

Read more: Winter Texans enjoy Ron Hoover open house

Woodcarvers show the magic found in wood

20220114 Woodcarvers Show HMiller 08Walking through the 36th annual RGV Woodcarvers Show this past weekend, it was clear that if you can envision it, someone can carve, sculpt, burn, paint or chip it into reality.

More than 150 pieces covering a wide spectrum of images and styles were on display over the weekend at the Nomad Shrine Club in Pharr. There were decoys, caricatures, walking canes, gourds, pens, candles and so much more as the carvers showed what can be done with wood.

Read more: Woodcarvers show the magic found in wood

Vultures and Raptors discussion at Quinta Mazatlán

Quinta WFStrong MIN4963 WEBQuinta Mazatlán World Birding Center is honored to host author and Texas historian W.F. Strong on Thursday, January 13th from 6 p.m. to 7 p.m. for a special discussion on birds of prey and reading/book signing of his most recent publication Stories from Texas, Some of Them are True, Vol. II on the Nature Speaker Series at Quinta Mazatlán.

Read more: Vultures and Raptors discussion at Quinta Mazatlán

Author chronicles family history in South Texas

MOSTH Robert Saldaña WEBThe Museum of South Texas History kicks off the 2022 Sunday Speaker Series with a book presentation and signing featuring Robert Saldaña at 2 p.m. on Jan. 16 at MOSTH in Edinburg.

Saldaña’s book titled, “Tejano Experience: The History and Genealogy of My Maternal Grandfather’s Garza & Olivares Families in South Texas” is a case study in Spanish and Mexican American genealogy which resulted from his efforts to learn more about himself, his family and fellow Tejanos. Guests can purchase a copy of the book, while supplies last, at the Museum Store that can be signed by the author.

Read more: Author chronicles family history in South Texas

Bloodless bullfights return to Santa Maria

Santa Maria P Campero WEBAlthough he was in a brief retirement, Fred Renk is back at it this season. Due to the hundreds of phone calls received requesting the continuance of putting on the world class bloodless bullfights, Renk is proud to announce they will be coming out of retirement to re-open for at least two bullfights this season.

“For the last 20 years we have put on world class bloodless bullfights and will continue to do so as long as people want us,” said Renk. “We cannot turn them down.”

The Santa Maria Bullring is one of the only bullrings in 49 states. For now, the Renks, Fred and his wife Lisa, will be managing the events.

Read more: Bloodless bullfights return to Santa Maria

Winter Texans giving back left with full hearts

20220106 ParadiseParkHarlingen Donations Coutesy Photos AIMG 3864 WEBFor the second year in a row, Paradise Park RV Resort in Harlingen has made quite an effort to participate in giving back to the Harlingen CISD community. The park has been finding someone in their community to help out the last few years and the Harlingen CISD Clothing Closet has been blessed by them the last two.

A couple of years ago, Sharon Bargel, who has been heading up the charitable projects at the park, said they didn’t have a charitable project. It was then that she saw a Facebook post about a Reverse Advent calendar idea. She shared the idea with others in the park, and once the season started, it was fully embraced by park management. It was then that they felt the need to do something each year during the holiday season.

Read more: Winter Texans giving back left with full hearts

Bat Falcon makes appearance in US

Frank Aguirre DSCF2171 Bat Falcon December 2021 WEBThe Texas corridor is a huge birding spot for many and is a huge migration area for thousands of birds as they escape the colder climates for warmer weather, and then come back through in the spring and summer searching for cooler weather. This year, while we have been finding new ways to entertain ourselves, the birds still continue on their patterns.

The Valley is a hotspot to several migrating patterns and the Lower Rio Grande Valley has had a huge fallout this season. In the fall months, South Padre Island was full of color as Buntings and other birds passed through the area. Birders were flocking the area getting once in a lifetime photos to add to their collections.

Read more: Bat Falcon makes appearance in US

Ranchero Village shows gratitude, spreads hope

Ranchero Village Treats for Troops Texas Army National Guard WEBWeslaco residents of Ranchero Village Senior Resort Park kicked off the season of spreading holiday cheer by giving back to the local community. Due to the generous donations of the residents, Ranchero Village teams were able to deliver cash and multiple boxes of food to the RGV Food Bank while six more teams delivered gifts and food boxes to families in the community.

They also did not forget to show their gratitude for those who serve the community. The resident bakers kept their ovens hot preparing Christmas cookies and goodies for holiday treat boxes, which were delivered to the Weslaco Police Department, the Weslaco Fire/EMS Department, the Texas Army National Guard, and the U.S. Border Patrol.

Read more: Ranchero Village shows gratitude, spreads hope

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