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Book tells of war, traveling, and love

20240228 Julia Peck Book Signing HMoering DSC 1200 Copy webBy Herb Moering

True life adventures of a former globe-trotting British subject, born in England in 1934, were unveiled at a book signing Friday afternoon at Val’s Kountry Corral RV Park in Mission.

Julia Stanton Peck’s book, Julia and Peter, recounts several decades of traveling the world, to more than 40 countries with her late husband Peter, a fashion photographer, who worked for many national companies from his studio in London, England. The book is also a love story about the couple who were friends for 20 years after meeting in 1982. They married 20 years later on February 2, 2002, and 12 days later on Valentine’s Day, they purchased the 112-site Val’s Kountry Corral RV Park.

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16th Annual Can-Am Senior Softball game set for March 8

20150304 Canada vs USA Softball KO 7812 webThe 29th season for the Ed Martens Senior Texan Softball League is quickly coming to an end for more than 100 local and Winter Texan senior men and women all over 55 years old. The season began with practice in early November through December. Players were then divided into ten teams between two divisions and competed in a 15-game regular season.

The final event of our season is the 16th annual Can-Am Games comprised of senior men and women teams who will represent Canada and the USA in this fun and friendly competition. The prize? Bragging rights of course but also to have their country proudly engraved as the 2024 winner on the beautiful Can-Am trophy donated by the City of McAllen Parks and Recreation Department.

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Winter Texans create quilt to celebrate Alamo’s centennial

20240220 Alamo Centennial Quilt webBy Herb Moering

A centennial quilt, created by two Winter Texans, was officially presented to the City of Alamo at the February 20 city commission meeting. The quilt, created by Audry Stewart and Carrol Moering, is part of Alamo’s year-long celebration marking 100 years since its incorporation from a town to a city on April 26, 1924.

Several museum “Friends” along with the Centennial Queen, 102-year-old Wanda Boush, long time Alamo resident, were at the presentation where the Mayor J.R. Garza and commissioners indicated they were pleased with the gift to the city. The quilt will be on display first at the Alamo City Hall until the end of the year and then can be seen at the local museum starting in 2025.

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Country Palms Ladies present fun fashion show

PXL 20240214 224637672 webA fun fashion show was presented by ladies from Country Palms RV Park in San Juan at their Valentine’s party. A delicious meal followed the entertainment. Ladies selected their own theme. The outfits included a valentine present, our Statue of Liberty, a can-can dancer, flower child, a card shark, and a day at the beach many years ago. Other themes were a hula dancer, bib overalls with baby bibs, lady dressed to the 9's, and a bag lady.

Fiesta Edinburg Parade to honor Texas legends

20240221 3.4 webThe Fiesta Edinburg Planning Committee proudly announces the theme for this year's much-anticipated parade: "Texas Legends." On Saturday, March 2, residents and visitors alike are invited to join the city in the vibrant heart of the Edinburg Downtown District for a celebration like no other.

This year's theme, "Texas Legends," pays homage to the rich history, culture, and heritage that defines the Lone Star State, all in honor of Texas Independence Day. From iconic historical figures to the breathtaking landscapes and food that have shaped Texas into the legendary place it is today, the parade promises to showcase a colorful array of floats and participants paying tribute to the legends of Texas.

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MOSTH to host FESTIBA presentations

Francisco Guajardo webThe Museum of South Texas History is scheduled to present during FESTIBA at 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. Friday, March 1.

The first presentation titled “Family Stories of the Underground Railroad” starts at 10 a.m. in the museum’s River Highway galleries. Museum CEO Francisco Guajardo and archivist Melissa Peña will describe the story of the Underground Railroad as it moved through South Texas and into northeastern Mexico, as told by family stories along the border.

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Quinta Mazatlan hosts documentary screening

Quinta Mazatlán is honored to host a screening of “Abundance: The Farmlink Story” Thursday, February 29, followed by a Q&A with Farmlink team member Hailey Wesling. The short documentary tells the story of college students banding together to create The Farmlink Project and deliver 100 million pounds of food during the largest food crisis in a century. The goal of the film is to share the power of youth-driven innovation and illuminate how individuals can significantly reduce food waste and hunger.

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Jammin’ at Split Rail RV Park

20240228 Split Rail RV Jam 3 webAnother park with great country/gospel music, stage band and musician jammers. I visited Split Rail on Friday, January 26 when the jam was on from 1 to 3 p.m. I especially want to compliment the kitchen personnel who prepared the fantastic homemade desserts that are available for free for everyone halfway through the jam.

I met one of the family owners, Stephen Polanski whose parents Joseph (deceased 2005) and Maria Polanski purchased the land and converted the orange grove to a park in 1978. Maria and Stephen are active today in parks management with day-to-day management responsibilities by Gwen Lamley and Lori Nelson. The park continues as family owned with the third generation now involved in the park’s future. I could feel that the residents and management have a sense of family and community.

Joseph named the park appropriately knowing that its up-north visitors were familiar with split rail races. Joseph is also known in the Valley for insisting to the local governmental and chamber officials that its winter visitors not be called snowbirds but referred to as Winter Texans.

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Enjoy the weather, sports, and a tour

St Cyril and Methodius painted church Texas sanctuary interior webWhat beautiful weather we have been having lately. After those first few days of freezing weather, the last few days have been divine as far as temperature goes. But how ferocious the wind has been. Makes me wonder what this does to the golfers. Do you have to judge the wind velocity and how it will affect your drive? What a challenge!

As I look back over my high school and college days, I wonder why I never learned to play golf. I was active in almost every other sport that was available at the time. Softball was probably the sport I participated in the most, playing on the girl’s intramural softball team at my university. I loved all the sports – swimming, tag football, basketball, ping pong, and bowling. I even learned to play tennis at age 40. At one time, I shot quite a bit of pool.

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