Let’s go on a tour

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Published: Wednesday, 05 February 2025 13:17

The Go...With Jo Tours are beginning to pick up. So, get your friends together and lets go traveling...for a day, for three days, for a week or more. Whatever your heart desires, let's make it happen.

Just please, please help me with one thing. Please remember that when I am planning a tour, I enter into a contract with the bus companies, the hotels and the restaurants. All those entities have deadlines when I have to cancel or turn in numbers and pay up. Airlines have a deadline when we can cancel or cut back seats and get our money refunded. Go past that deadline and the deposit will not be returned. Generally, their deadline is about two months out. Hotels are a little different. They generally want a rooming list and a deposit at least thirty days before the day of arrival.

However, one hotel wants the rooming list and a deposit 15 days before the arrival date. And just guess which hotel that is...the Lucky Eagle in Eagle Pass. For some reason travelers going to Eagle Pass want to wait until the week of to make the decision. I am sorry but I must honor the contract. We can't wait to see how you feel or if the sun is shining. So please help us out and register and pay as soon as possible.

If you do get sick or there is an emergency and you can't go, we will refund your money. Just watch deadlines which are always listed in the trip description and read due dates carefully.

The world has changed since I was a little girl. At one point, a verbal contract was all that was needed. Those promises were as good as gold. But now not only does it cost more to live, but your word is also not good enough. The promise must be written and often even witnessed or notarized. Many look on these changes as progress while others might consider the changes as regression.

There is one thing for sure none of the Casinos are going to gamble on the customers intentions. However there has been a drop in what they charge per room. We have passed that reduction on to you. No doubt we are all feeling the cost-of-living increase with food, shelter and clothing taking priority. Travel has become a luxury.

Rest assured anytime I can pass a little savings on to you, I am going to do so. We will do the best we can to offer you the best tour possible. As I plan a tour, I try to see myself as a passenger and imagine what the passenger wants to do and see. We will continue to give you as much as we possibly can in the cost of the tour. And that's a promise.

Hope to see you soon!

RGBM Craft/Quilt/Bake Sale raises funds to benefit students

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Published: Thursday, 30 January 2025 17:03

Winter Volunteers at Rio Grande Bible Ministries (RGBM) will hold a Craft/Quilt/Bake Sale on Saturday, February 1, from 8 to 11 a.m. to benefit students of both the seminary and the Intercultural Studies Program. It will be held in the multi-purpose room of the campus in Edinburg, 4300 S. Highway 281, (Closner Blvd.). Parking is available at the Closner entrance. The quilt auction will begin at 10 a.m. Free coffee will be provided all morning and cookies/baked goods will be available for purchase.

Read more: RGBM Craft/Quilt/Bake Sale raises funds to benefit students

VSA ballots are rolling in

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Published: Thursday, 30 January 2025 17:00

Ballots for the Valley Star Awards are rolling in – make sure your voice is heard and vote for your favorite Wintertainer™. There are ten categories in which we ask you to vote. Categories are Male Vocalist of the Year; Female Vocalist of the Year; Duet Musical Group of the Year; Family Group of the Year; Vocal Group or Choir of the Year; Individual or Small Band Act of the Year; Novelty, Comedy, or Variety Act of the Year; Gospel Group of the Year; Rock N Roll Band of the Year; and Country Band of the Year.

Then there is the most coveted award – the write in – Entertainer/Group of the Year. This one is totally up to you, our readers, because you have the chance to write in your favorite among all of those you have seen perform in the Valley.

Read more: VSA ballots are rolling in

Things you learn when you travel

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Published: Thursday, 30 January 2025 16:49

I am sure the golfers are all wishing the weather would co-operate. It is just too, too cold to be out on a golf cart. In fact, it’s been too cold to be out.

Since our editor has asked me to write about some of my experiences related to travel, I will have to tell you about the time I decided to learn how to play golf. I had participated in many sports but never had I tried golf. So why not? At one time I had played intramural sports at the University of Texas, I had been runner up champion in a table tennis tournament, I had played intramural tag football, I broke my little finger trying to catch a fly baseball. Surely, I could master that game of golf. Why I had even been knocked out on the basketball court. Surely, I could learn to play golf. And it all happened because of traveling. So here goes.

I called the Harlingen Country Club and spoke with the pro as I wanted to sign up for lessons. The beginners group consisted of several other women. That pro had his hands full. I listened attentively to all the instructions as to the grip, the stance and thought surely, I could master everything. Then it came my turn to hit that little ball, and I gave it my all. And sure enough, that little white ball went sailing off into the wild blue. Even I was in awe.

But then several of the women began to oh and awe at how great I was. To tell you the truth I was quite proud of myself. But not for long. The pro - apparently trying to encourage the other women - made the comment, “Well, ladies, she is just naturally athletic.”

Read more: Things you learn when you travel

January 29, 2025 - Rina's Ramblings

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Published: Thursday, 30 January 2025 16:48

Well, here I am getting a little closer to y’all. I turned another year older yesterday – the big 5 0. So almost there where I can stay in a park and be having as much fun as y’all are – on a daily basis. Believe me, I do think I would take advantage of the activities your parks have, or neighboring parks have.

There is so much going on at the parks this time of year.

There are dances, entertainment, happy hours, dinners, dances, pool, pickleball, sewing groups, reading clubs, and so much more.

We love seeing photos on Facebook of all the activities y’all are participating in. It makes me want to be out there more often.

This week, I had the chance to go to the Gospel Extravaganza at Winter Ranch. I went last year and enjoyed it, but had to go again because one, it was on my birthday, and two, to not only catch up with Bob and Alta, but also see Scott, who I haven’t seen since he performed at a Valley Star Awards years ago with Absolutely Country, Definitely Gospel.

It’s a yearly event where proceeds are donated to local charities. Different performers join Bob and Alta each year. If you didn’t catch it this year, be sure to watch next season for next year’s dates.

I look forward to these yearly events and catching new Wintertainers™ and seeing familiar faces as well.

Do you have any special events you look forward to each year?

Any reunions, special dances, a certain Wintertainer™?

Share what you look forward to each year. You can send what you love about the RGV to news@wintertexantimes.com.
~ Rina