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March 24, 2021 - Rina's Ramblings

We have one more week in our Winter Texan season. In some ways I look at the season and feel it has passed by so fast, and in other ways, it seems like it just started. We have missed out on a lot of gatherings, but we have still been able to get out there and see you. We are already looking forward to next season and the hope that it brings of events, gatherings, expos, and other activities that we had to miss out on this year.

This year we missed seeing faces we have grown to love and have missed meeting new faces/people. I am thankful for the events that we were able to go out to and enjoy with our readers, Winter Texan visitors, and Wintertainers™.

While some events were put on hold, we were happy to see parks finding new ways to keep their residents busy and entertained. We saw new activities being planned and think some of them will become regular events/activities at the parks.

Outdoor activities were a huge hit this year including visiting local parks and birdwatching, and park activities such as outdoor concerts, drive-ins, golf cart bingo and so much more. Activity directors and parks rose to the task this season and we should all be thankful for their efforts and time.

We were also happy to see and hear that parks did not forget about others this year. Park groups were still donating to local organizations, making masks, making quilts, fundraising, collecting donations of food or school supplies, and more, to help their communities.

Despite the different type of year/season we had, the show went on. You found things to do, you found ways to spend your time, you found ways to still have fun.

Now we get to start planning for the next season. We have hope that it will be a better one. We have hope that we will be able to do more. We look forward to getting out into our community more next season and sharing your stories with our readers.

If you are closing your season with something big, let us know. Share some pictures with us. We have one issue left and we would love to be able to share what you have done this year with our readers. Send me information and photos to news@wintertexantimes.com.

‘Everybody Knows Your Name’ at Favorite Valley Golf Course

Stuart Place 3 600pxGolf is on the rise – and Texas leads the way.

Rounds of golf in Texas were up 39% during 2020 says golf.com, followed by a 37% increase in Florida and 31% in Arizona. Every state saw at least a 2% increase in rounds played.

Not only is there a common denominator in those three leading states – mainly warmer weather – but it is also the three largest states for Winter Texans, also known as snowbirds.

And the Valley’s “snowbirds” came out in droves, filling courses during the warmer weather and playing a sport that was safer, outdoors and kept people active.

Read more: ‘Everybody Knows Your Name’ at Favorite Valley Golf Course

VSO presents final digital concert of season

Springtime Schumann Quintet RehearsalThe Valley Symphony Orchestra announces the final digital concert of its online season premiering March 19. "Springtime Schumann" will premiere live on YouTube at 7 p.m. on the 19th and there will be an encore broadcast on KRGV-Ch. 5 on March 21 at 11 a.m. “Springtime Schumann” is the last in a series of digital concerts that began in Fall 2020, the first season of its kind for the Symphony that arose as a response to Covid-19 public health restrictions.

Read more: VSO presents final digital concert of season

Bearing Witness: A MOSTHistory Collection

mosth CEO Francisco GuajardoThe Museum of South Texas History will host a closing reception on the Bearing Witness initiative during the Sunday Speaker Series Online presentation at 2 p.m. on March 21 on Facebook Live.

Bearing Witness documented the lives of community members who were lost to COVID-19 in the year 2020 through a series of articles published in conjunction with local newspapers The Monitor, Valley Morning Star and The Brownsville Herald. The museum’s initiative to preserve and present stories of the COVID-19 pandemic was spearheaded by Exhibits Coordinator Melissa Peña and CEO Francisco Guajardo. Peña and Guajardo will share stories on the process and impact of writing about local community members and the loved ones whom they lost due to COVID-19 complications.

Read more: Bearing Witness: A MOSTHistory Collection

Tennis is making a lot of raquet during the pandemic

Tennis Aladdin VillasAccording to the New York Times, tennis, a socially distanced outdoor sport, has experienced a tremendous revival during the coronavirus pandemic. Along with golf, tennis is a safe, socially distanced activity that offers great exercise and competitive outdoor activity. In Aladdin Villas, in Mission, tennis had been difficult to attract a lot of players the past few years. But during the pandemic, interest and the number of players at the park have nearly doubled. But there is always room for more. Tennis anyone? Pictured are Maggie Leach (Server), Ben Ogg, Bob Tenyeck and Cathy Main. Submitted by Jerry Butcher.

Have you found your pot of gold?

oleander acresTo continue some fun at Oleander Acres, Tammy Garrison-Maier, activity director, hid several pots of gold around her park to celebrate St. Patrick’s Day. Residents were slowly finding the little black pots with some gold in them. As the pots of gold were, Tammy gave gift certificates for Krispy Kreme and other gifts. Last month Tammy hid painted rocks throughout the park. These pots of gold are not as easy to find though – there were not as many hidden. Pictured receiving their gift certificate are Harvey and Jane Diehl from Valley Center, Kansas.

DHR involved in COVID-19 study

dhr 1As the number of patients with COVID-19 continues to increase nationally, DHR Health Institute for Research and Development, which is affiliated with DHR Health, is pursuing innovative ways to treat patients infected with the potentially life-threatening disease. Through this study, first coordinated by the Mayo Clinic, DHR Health continues to provide convalescent-plasma therapy to patients in the Rio Grande Valley (RGV) hospitalized with severe COVID-19.

Read more: DHR involved in COVID-19 study

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