December 23, 2025 - Rina's Ramblings
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- Published: Tuesday, 23 December 2025 20:30
It has been a great week. It has been unseasonably warmer than usual, but that means we get to enjoy the outdoors a little bit more. Because of that, you can walk around your park to see your neighbor’s Christmas lights.
A lot of parks have been having Golf Cart Christmas parades. Fully decking out their golf carts with Christmas décor, sometimes fully dressing up in ugly sweaters, or other Christmas attire, and carting their way throughout the parks. It’s a delight to see the fun that is had during these parades.
Some parks even have groups that go throughout their park singing carols. What a joy it is to see you enjoying the holiday, your friends, and the Valley, and bringing joy to others.
We love seeing photos and hearing stories of what you are doing in your park. We also love seeing what you are doing for your communities.
During this time of year, we get to see what you have been working on during the month, or with some, what you have been working on all year, so you have quilts and other handmade items to give for Christmas.
It’s such a blessing to have you in the Valley.
Last issue we had a few park stories, and we continue this week with a few more. We know there are many more parks out there that do things for their park residents and for their communities. We love to share your news. So, if you want to share something, please send it to us.
Being a Christmas issue, we thought we would deck out our paper a little for the holiday. We hope you enjoy the look this week.
I invite you to remember the reason for the season. Among other Christmas classics, we really enjoy watching the Charlie Brown Christmas during the holiday. Finding the same type of comfort that Linus did when reciting the story about a Savior being born. I also invite you to find your own way to Light the World. Anyone can find simple acts of kindness to bring joy to others.
However you celebrate this holiday, we want to wish you a very Merry Christmas and a very blessed holiday.
~ Rina
By Barb Zanetti-Taetsch, 
Mission Bell/Trade Winds hosted their third annual Reverse Advent Calendar food drive. This was started in 2023 by a couple of park residents. DaLeen Markel found an article about a group of people that did this, and she shared it with Rick Anderson, and a decision was made to give it a go. And it has turned into a highly successful event that the sister parks do together.
By Herb Moering
The Golf View Estates ladies who love to sew continue to make baby blankets for Mission Regional Medical Center. This season, the group of ladies also started making stuffed bears, dogs and other knitted items. The ladies have made and donated baby blankets and stuffed animals for newborn babies at hospital. This year, the group donated 360 blankets and 45 stuffed animals. 
On the evening of December 13, parking lots were full, and crowds lined both sides of Texas Blvd. to attend the Weslaco Lighted Christmas Parade. There were those that opted for the reserved seating, and plenty more that found opportune spots to sit or stand with friends and family. With a seemingly endless line of festive floats and vehicles, Weslaco had an atmosphere of Christmas cheer.
A perfect addition to music and crafts will be snacks. They’ll be having a selection from local vendors to choose from, offering sweet and savory foods for all the family.
Tropic Star RV Resort raised over $3,000 to help provide clothes and toys for 38 children in the Pharr community. The activity was coordinated by Lorna and Danny Pence. The Pharr Police Department gathered, vetted and then shared the names of families in need. They assisted in obtaining a discount from the Burlington Store on S. Jackson St. in Pharr to help their money go even further. On Wednesday, December 10, 24 shoppers descended on Burlington and quickly gathered items. They then handed them off to 32 residents who wrapped them and then boxed the items for each family. The Pharr Police came and picked up the boxes and beginning, on December 12th, will be delivering the gifts to the families for the next 12 days.
The McAllen Wind Ensemble warmly invites the Rio Grande Valley community to embrace the magic of the holidays at Christmas Across America, a joyful and spirited musical celebration on Friday, December 19, at 7:30 p.m. at the McAllen Performing Arts Center.
