Many people will spend the upcoming Memorial Day weekend taking a road trip, having their first picnic of the season or enjoying that first dip in the ocean or pool. Follow these American Red Cross tips to stay safe.
Read more: Memorial Day weekend ahead; Follow these Red Cross safety tips
AUSTIN – As Memorial Day weekend approaches, Texas Game Wardens are gearing up for a busy summer on lakes, rivers and coastal waters to keep boaters safe.
With more than 560,000 registered boats and an estimated 359,000 unregistered paddlecraft on Texas waterways, the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (TPWD) is urging boaters to make wearing life jackets, sober operation of boats and common-sense safety their top priorities. Operators of personal watercraft should also be aware that these vessels have unique safety laws, including always wearing a life jacket and operating in daylight hours only.
Read more: Texas Game Wardens issue safety reminder ahead of busy Memorial Day weekend
Submitted by the American Bird Conservatory
Memorial Day in the U.S. marks the unofficial end of spring bird migration and beginning of summer. While millions of people flock to beaches and parks with rivers or lakes for recreation, many shorebirds like the Least Tern, Piping Plover, Snowy Plover, Wilson's Plover, and Black Skimmers have begun to nest and raise their young along the shore.
Long before people were using beaches for various forms of recreation, they were productive nesting areas for generations of shorebirds along with other types of wildlife.
With many shorebird species in decline, American Bird Conservancy (ABC) has the following tips for mindful beachgoers.
Read more: Tips to safely share the beach with nesting shorebirds
The 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.
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!
This 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
By 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.
Read more: Tourists enjoy the refreshments and entertainment in Progreso
Rita Norlander, a long-time resident of the Trails End Winter Park, was honored on March 19 as she threw out the first pack for the annual Rita Nolander Shuffle Tournament.
Rita hails from Wisconsin and moved to Texas over 28 years ago. She was originally in the Weslaco Trailer Park before moving to the Trails End Park.
By 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.
Larry and Susan DeBuse, formerly of Greengate Grove in Palmview, were honored at the Larry DeBuse Invitational Golf Tournament, held at Shary Municipal Golf Course on March 5. The DeBuse family has returned to their home in Bella Vista, AR, as Larry continues his fight against Parkinson’s Disease.
Read more: Larry and Susan DeBuse honored at golf tournament
