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Are you a mosquito magnet? Science says you might be

20240515 Mosquitoes MM 614 Enhanced NRby Ashley Vargo

If you feel like you’re the victim of itchy mosquito bites more often than others, it may not be all in your head.

Sonja Swiger, Ph.D., Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service entomologist, professor in the Texas A&M College of Agriculture and Life Sciences Department of Entomology and self-proclaimed mosquito magnet from Stephenville, said there is some scientific evidence that mosquitoes have preferences for who to land and feed on.

Read more: Are you a mosquito magnet? Science says you might be

Native Plant Project meeting March 26

The March Native Plant Project meeting will be held on March 26 at 7:30 p.m. It will be held at the Valley Nature Center in Weslaco. The guest speaker will be Camille Rich. She is the owner and steward of a small piece of endangered Tamaulipan thorn scrub located in the South Texas Sand Sheet in Northwestern Hidalgo County.

One of her passions includes documenting the species that visit a watering hole that she installed in 2008 for the sole purpose of supporting the wildlife on her property. The data she collects from this water feature supports and guides her decisions regarding ranch management practices that include the protection of threatened and endangered native plants and other wildlife.

Read more: Native Plant Project meeting March 26

Country/Gospel and Rock & Roll Jammin’ at Paradise Resort Estates

20240320 Paradise Resort Estates 1 webSince December, Rock & Roll music jams have been standard this season each Friday from 12:30 to 2:30 p.m. Since February 2024, Country/Gospel jams are new to this park each Tuesday from 1 to 3:30 p.m. Each jam is managed by the park’s activity director, Jim Stiles. The ‘balanced sound system’ is a feature designed by sound engineer Craig Clampitt allowing each musician to be easily heard over the supporting music generated by the two outstanding stage bands. Each jammer is announced by the jam’s MC David Harston for the country jam and Cathy Squier for the rock & roll jam.

The rock & roll jams feature the Esquiers Band with Cliff Squier on drums, Claude Babin on keyboard, Allen Cully on rhythm guitar and vocals, Gilles LaFlamme on lead guitar and vocals and RK Welander on bass guitar and vocals. The music played is primarily classic rock & roll from the 1950’s to 1970’s.

During this season, there were 26 individual musician jammers who performed with the five-piece band. On average, there are seven to 10 musicians who routinely perform each week.

The new six-piece band includes Andy Anderson on lead guitar, Howard Bedient on keyboard/piano, Allen Cully on bass guitar, Dale Eichor on rhythm guitar, Troy Reese on drums and Rich Rohrback on pedal steel guitar. The music played is primarily traditional country-gospel classics.

Read more: Country/Gospel and Rock & Roll Jammin’ at Paradise Resort Estates

Enjoy your drive, but please come back

20240320 Wildflowers LM 082 webWhat beautiful weather we are having. It’s time to go outdoors and enjoy our beautiful South Texas weather. Maybe it is for a game of golf or just a walk around the block, or better yet, maybe a stroll on the beach. Whatever – enjoy our beautiful Spring.

As I sit at my desk, I often longingly look out the window at my back yard just to admire the lacey, emerald green leaves on the graceful mesquite trees. The view brings back memories of my growing up in central Texas. I knew for sure when the mesquite leafed out that Spring was just around the corner.

Now, unfortunately, for those of us who live here year-round, it means that very soon our Winter Texan friends will be packing up and heading home. We will miss you terribly as you bring such a refreshing, enriching culture to us.

As you drive home, enjoy the scenic beauty of Texas when the wildflowers are beginning to poke their little heads above ground. Just a few weeks ago, I drove to Falfurrias, just a bit more than an hour north. Of course, the fields were ablaze with the earliest bloomers – the miniature yellow daisies that spring up in pastures. Hugging the roadsides were blankets of wild purple verbena.

Read more: Enjoy your drive, but please come back

Celebrate the 1015 Onion in Weslaco this weekend

OnionBlossom2a webThe 35th Annual Texas Onion Fest is scheduled for Saturday, March 23, in downtown Weslaco, from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. There will be live music, onion eating contests, shows, and more.

The Texas Onion Fest celebrates the development of the world-famous Texas 1015 Onion which was developed in Weslaco at the Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service and is also the state vegetable of Texas. The name of the 1015 onion came from the suggested planting date, October 15.

Read more: Celebrate the 1015 Onion in Weslaco this weekend

Winter Texans help The Landmark celebrate Dr. Seuss, reading

20240320 Winter Texan Dr webBy Barb Zanetti
Photos by Dennis Zanetti

Dr. Seuss would have loved looking over children’s shoulders as they worked to create “The Cat in the Hat” masks from paper plates, color crayons and glue. Or watching their One Fish, Two Fish red-bucket game where children fished for prizes at The Landmark on Tower, a unique Alamo restaurant that features a large courtyard bordered by several food trucks.

Read more: Winter Texans help The Landmark celebrate Dr. Seuss, reading

Trophy Gardens showcases residents’ talents

2024 Stained Glass webThe residents at Trophy Gardens recently put on an expo showcasing the many arts and crafts they have completed during the season. Residents showcased their wood projects, paintings, diamond art, quilting and knitting projects, card making skills, China paintings, stained glass, and so much more. These projects are mostly completed at the park, but some residents work on their projects year-round.

Read more: Trophy Gardens showcases residents’ talents

Winter Texans stuff Easter baskets

20240320 FUMC Easter BAskets webDuring a recent Hands and Feet meeting, Winter Texans and other First United Methodist Church (McAllen) family members made Easter baskets for Estrella’s House (Children’s Advocacy Center of Hidalgo and Starr Counties). This has become an annual tradition for the church and is always a lot of fun.

Read more: Winter Texans stuff Easter baskets

Winners of 8-Ball Tournament recognized

Pool Tournament Winners webAn 8 Ball Tournament was held at Pleasant Valley Resort, organized by Claude Lemay and Denise Eaton on March 11, 2024. From left to right are Claude Lemay, organizer; Louis H. Therrien, 4th place $75; Denis Gaudet, 3rd place $100; Yvon Carpentier, 1st place $300; Stew McCrue, 2nd place $150; Real Morin, 5th place $50; and Richard Stader, 6th place $50.

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