For over 40 years, MN Masons have been spending their winters in South Texas and gathering with their fellow Masons from all over the country.
The 44th Annual MN/TX Masonic Reunion will be held on Saturday, February 22, at the Echo Hotel Conference Center. 1906 S Closner Blvd, Edinburg. The social hour will begin at 11:30 a.m., followed by lunch at 12:30 p.m. Cost is $22.
Lonestar Jubilee is coming back to the Rio Grande Valley this month, performing shows filled with inspiration, fun and laughter. They perform for a huge purpose – their ministry projects. They have a ministry to support that keeps them doing what they love – entertaining, inspiring and giving.
Sam Ray, who first started performing at Dallas Christian College with the Master’s Four in 1971 moved to Branson in 1983. The group then changed their name to The Texans. They are now a full-time trio comprised of Sam, wife Brenda, and son Curtis. They began their travel ministry in 1999, performing more than 300 concerts a year. They have shared the stage with the likes of TD Jakes, Charles Stanley, Jerry Falwell, Tim Lahaye, and many more.
Louise Butler, author of I Shall Wear Ivory and Jet, will be making a presentation about the First Ladies of the United States at John Knox Village on January 27 at 3 p.m. Since I Shall Wear Ivory and Jet dropped last spring, Butler has presented lectures on both the book and our First Ladies to groups and conventions across the country. She will be traveling to Perry, Georgia in March as the featured author for a national book club.
Read more: Author presents First Ladies of the United States
The Mission Historical Museum gladly presents a special screening of the 1979 western film: She Came to the Valley. The film is based on the novel written by local author, Cleo Dawson.
Who is Cleo Dawson? Cleo Dawson was born in 1902. Her family was one of the first pioneer families who helped transform the frontier town of Mission into an incorporated city. They were the owners of one of the first convenience stores, Caballo Blanco. Her novel is inspired by the Lower Rio Grande Valley, Mission, Texas during its pioneer days. It is said to be based on Dawson’s mother’s experiences. The film was shot in South Texas's Rio Grande Valley and Oklahoma. In its first run it broke weekend attendance records at Rio Grande theatres.
Read more: Tickets still available for She Came to the Valley
Three of Broadway’s most dynamic male vocalists will be performing the biggest hits from the most beloved musicals of all time in a special concert at Christian Fellowship Church, 901 N. Loop 499, Harlingen, on Thursday, January 30, at 7:30 p.m. For ticket information, visit the association’s website at www.HarlingenConcert.com or call (956) 392-9757.
Every January for the past 39 years the Rio Grande Valley Woodcarvers has sponsored the premier woodcarving show in South Texas. The Show was held in several locations over the years. The Stenman’s have participated in every show for the past 26 years.
In 1998 the show was at the old McAllen Civic Center. It was a fantastic experience for them. When the Civic Center closed, the carving show moved to the Pharr Civic Center. The last number of years the show has been held at the Nomad Shrine Club. This year they have a brand-new venue.
The 39th annual Rio Grande Valley Woodcarvers Show will be held on January 17 and 18 in a brand-new location. The Rio Grande Valley Woodcarvers Show will be held at Brookhaven Event Center located at 404 E. Interstate 2, in Pharr (near Matt’s Lumber). It will be held on Friday, January 17 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. and Saturday, January 18, 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. There is a donation of $5 for the entry fee.
Ron Hoover will host their 18th Annual Open House next week, Thursday, January 16 and Friday, January 17. The event will be held from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. on both days. The annual open house is a very popular event in the Rio Grande Valley, drawing in thousands of people each year.
Dustin Hoover said this event is the largest attended dealer open house in the nation, in the RV and marine industries. The event has been known to draw in about 10,000 people during the two-day open house.
Each year the event hands out free t-shirts while supplies last. There will also be free hot dogs, free admission, free parking, and free fun.
Dustin says, this is just one way to show appreciation to the Winter Texan community each year, as well as others in the community.
This Christmas season, Seven Oaks RV Resort in Mission adopted Leal Elementary School. Residents of the park worked with the school counselor, Diana Gaona.
The park was given a list of needs and wants for five families, a total of 16 children. Through the generosity of the park guests, after they made sure every single want and need had been purchased and wrapped, they still had funds to purchase five-$100 gift cards for five additional families. They were also able to host a pizza party for the entire school where they played “Name that Tune.” About 60 $10 Walmart and McDonald’s gift cards were given away to students during the game. Two students from every class that could name that tune were able to choose the gift card they wanted.
Angel Baker, a member of the activities committee at the park, said it was a memorable every for everyone and “one that warmed our hearts.”
“Our residents were invited to visit the school and watch their fourth and fifth graders perform ‘Elfish and the Sleigh Riders’,” said Baker, “We were delighted to attend and so enjoyed them.”
Back by popular demand, after more than a decade, the Shindig Show will be returning to the Rio Grande Valley. It will be returning with a “Who’s Gonna Fill Their Shoes,” concert series this season.
From 2006 to 2012, the Shindig Show was a staple Sunday afternoon show in the RGV. First at Bentsen Palm RV Resort, then at Casa Del Sol RV Resort.
Elaine Nelson, a well-known entertainer and Hall of Fame member, will be bringing the show back.
McAllen Community Concert Association is featuring six concerts this season. Their next concert features Katie Pinder Brown with A Tribute to Carole King.
A Tribute to Carole King, Natural Woman, will be held on January 13. Katie Pinder Brown is an award-winning singer and piano entertainer whose dynamic voice, charismatic presence, and impressive repertoire have dazzled and delighted international audiences. Natural Woman is the premier tribute to the legendary singer/songwriter Carole King. Katie Brown plays and sings the iconic songs that defined a generation.
