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
By Joey Gomez
South Texas College Cosmetology students say the program is giving them the opportunity to prepare for their future dream careers while promoting a culture of service and a spirit of giving back to the community.
Under the guidance of faculty, students can perform complimentary services such as updos, pedicures, haircuts, facials and much more for visitors.
Services are available to the public Monday through Thursday at the college’s Cosmetology Center located on the second floor of the Shah Eye Center at 1506 E. Griffin Pkwy. in Mission.
Read more: STC Cosmetology students provide complimentary services
Good day to all. I am on the road again. Well maybe better said - I am in the air again. For today I will combine flying to Houston and driving to Central Texas. I certainly will arrive in Central Texas sooner since I am flying part of the way. But I will miss seeing the countryside change from the lush semi tropical South Texas to the rolling hills of Central Texas. Some of you reading this will soon be traveling out of the Rio Grande Valley as you leave for your summer home. We are going to miss you.
Most of my travel through Texas takes me on Highway 77 and past Kingsville. As I travel toward Kingsville, I always watch for wildlife such as the native Rio Grande Turkey and the javelinas as well as the white tail deer. I really enjoy watching the countryside change...especially the vegetation. As I travel along, I remember past travels and how beautiful the wildflowers of Texas brighten up the drive. Hopefully the cold weather we had this past winter will not have taken its toll on the beautiful bluebonnets, the wine cups and the dandelions and thistles that carpet the green pastures. Already the early blooming yellow dandelions are springing up in my yard.
For those of you who may be traveling toward central Texas let me give you a warning. The countryside will not look anything at all as it has on my past trips. I was just sure that the once beautiful oak trees had been hit with a blight. Mile after mile the pastures were covered with what appeared to be totally dead trees. I could not even spot any new growth. Needless to say, I was anxious to ask a native from that area about this problem.
Finally, that night I asked the waitress at the restaurant about those dead trees. To my surprise she answered, "They aren't dead at all. Those are pecan trees, and the cold got them, but they are beginning to come back."
I still feel very doubtful. If those are all pecan trees, then central Texas must produce enough pecans to feed the entire nation those wonderful pecan pies. To counter the sight of so many trees that appear dead, the green grass of the meadows was a great uplifting sight. Central Texas has received a lot more rain than we have received in South Texas. The cattle looked quite fat and healthy. There was plenty of lush green grass covering the hillsides.
In another week, the hillsides should be covered with many more wildflowers. Little patches of bluebonnets were just beginning to spring up. The Indian Paint Brushes added an occasional spot of red while the yellow dandelions covered the hillsides with their welcoming color. They are always the first to bloom.
I know the road across Texas is long, but this is such a beautiful time to travel. Be careful, have a wonderful summer and come back again. We shall miss you.
By Herb Moering
After Ed Martens threw out the ceremonial first pitch, it was all business as the Division A USA Team garnered the bragging rights for the coming year and its name engraved on the beautiful trophy with a win over the Canadian Team in Friday’s International Senior Softball Tournament.
Team USA regained the trophy after the Canada team won it in 2024. In fact, Canada has had its name on the trophy for four of the last seven years of the CanAm senior’s tournament. The USA Division B Team also won its game with Canada. The trophy is housed by the City of McAllen.
Bonham’s Bears gave away 400 teddy bears to organizations that help children. Based at Green Bay South, the group gives bears to Valley organizations every year. Each year, they share their stories to show who they are and how their organization uses the bears they are gifted.
Here are their stories.
484th Juvenile District Court, Honorable Judge Adela Kowalski-Garza. Juveniles processed into the Texas justice system are stripped naked, observed during their shower, and given medications for life. But they are also offered second and even third chances. After successfully finishing a boot camp, they are given a teddy bear, and they might say “for a bad boy like me?”
Read more: Teddy Bears bring comfort to the sick, needy, and distraught
La Floresta RV Resort near Mercedes had a couple of fun events. On February 26th we had our final day of the Men's and Ladies Championship Tournament. Frank Hartin and Darla Strait were the winners. On March 8th we had our Shuffleboard tournament. Rickey Henderson and Jean Vanderville were the champs! Milt Krainbill and Hal Sunday were our runner ups. (Submitted by Darla Strait)
Royal Palms MH Park celebration of St. Patrick's Day on Monday was ruled over by the royalty of residents King Herb Moering and Queen Doris Tabor.
The inaugural PSJA Superintendent’s Scholarship Golf Classic will take place on Saturday, March 29, at Tierra Del Sol Golf Club in Pharr, with registration beginning at 7 a.m. The event aims to raise funds for student scholarships through the PSJA Education Foundation.
The event will feature three-person teams in an 18-hole format, with a tee-off time of 8 a.m. Prizes will be awarded for 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place, as well as for the longest drive and closest to the pin.
Proceeds from the tournament will benefit educational scholarships for graduating seniors. Sponsorship opportunities are still available for those interested in supporting PSJA ISD students.
For more information or interview requests, please contact PSJA Communications Department at (956) 354-2027. Tierra Del Sol Golf Club is located at 700 E. Hall Acres Rd.
