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Caution, Carving can be addictive

unnamed 2 webBeginning in October a dedicated group of Winter Texans and local carvers begin gathering at the Nomad Shrine Club in Pharr. Carvers come together to visit, carve, and rekindle old friendships. Meetings are every Thursday from 8 a.m. till Noon at 1044 Nolana Loop in the Nomad Shrine Club Building from October through March.

The club has a long history in the Valley dating back to 1983. Carving club members come from as far away as New York, Minnesota, Wisconsin, Iowa, Michigan, Texas and even Canada, not to mention the members from right here in the Valley. They meet each week to follow a common passion: woodcarving. Visitors are always welcome. Stop in and check out what’s going on.

Read more: Caution, Carving can be addictive

Jammin’ at Quiet Village II

20240117 Quiet Village Jam 1 webQuiet Village’s clubhouse is an exceptional environment for a musical jam. Everyone is greeted by either Doreen Gillespie, activity director, and/or by the jam hosts Linda and Rodney Crouse. Rodney is also the park’s vice president.

The jam that I attended was their country jam on Wednesdays from 12:30 to 2:30 p.m. There is also a gospel jam on Sundays from 2 to 4 p.m. These jams run the entire year.

Supporting each musician/performer is the stage band consisting of Rodney Crouse, bass guitar/vocals; Joyce Fratt, guitar/vocals; Dorren Gillespie, keyboard/vocals; Tom Rivers, lead guitar/vocals; and John Thomas, lead guitar/vocals.

The stage band and jammers sang a variety of classic country, gospel, and Christmas music. The jammers included Connie Benedict, Carlene Chebuhar, Linda Crouse, Doris, Gary Hughes, Charlie Hrnicek, Elaine Nelson, Tony Ozark, Deral Rogers, Angele Ryan, and Dave Swanson.

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Ron Moshier packs the house with high energy entertainment

20240109 153105 webIf you have ever been to one of Ron Moshier’s shows, you can physically feel the energy change throughout his selection of music. As he goes through his set, or even requested songs, the energy in the room changes with every song he plays…. And it’s a good energy.

We were out at Mustang Lounge and the energy was high as Moshier played through, not taking a break during his two-hour set. From what I hear, this energy is even felt when he plays at a park. This is probably just one reason why he won the Entertainer of the Year Award for the Valley Star Awards.

Moshier said he enjoys making people smile and laugh on the dance floor. The energy in the crowd is transferable to the way he plays and the friendships he has developed with his fans.

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Betting on The Gambler is a guaranteed good time

IMG 1428 webAlthough he is widely known for his The Gambler Show, Rick McEwen is much more than just the gambler. He sings, strums, cracks jokes, and tell stories about his childhood. He entertains them all. He has fun with what he does, and it shows at all of his performances.

Rick says he enjoys performing for Winter Texans because of their love of traditional music…. and that they love to dance. He likes seeing audience members enjoying his shows by dancing, clapping, smiling from their seats.

Read more: Betting on The Gambler is a guaranteed good time

Memories, volunteering, and tours

Hello, it is now past mid-January and my mind keeps going back to Christmas. Maybe it is because I am reminded daily of the wonderful time I had with family and friends. One half of my dining room table is covered with a thousand-piece puzzle of the nativity. And then my bedtime reading is a historical book given to me for Christmas. It is about the revolutionary women of Texas and Mexico. So many of these women organized for equality mainly in education. But also, for the right to vote and for the right to choose who they wanted to marry.

Perhaps it was this book that finally pushed me into volunteering to be a tutor for children who were having problems with reading. Or maybe it was because I had so long admired our older citizens and Winter Texans who volunteered. Truly they make a difference. So yesterday I reported for my first day as a tutor to help children who had reading problems. Surely the ability to read is one of the most important skills that we can learn.

Earlier in the school year I asked my fifth-grade nephew how he was doing in school. His reply was that he made an A+ in science and in Math, but that you could not make an F plus or an F minus, it’s just an F. He was getting an F in reading. Later in the year, those math problems became written problems and his excellent grade in Math began to drop. Fortunately, some wonderful person volunteered to serve as his tutor. Finally, the book, the example set by so many retirees and my nephew’s experience encouraged me to volunteer.

Read more: Memories, volunteering, and tours

Cooler weather makes good for a round of cards

Hearts GAO 03 webRick Light is a competitor.

Whether he’s playing cards online or in person, hitting the pickleball courts on a regular basis, or riding his bike daily, he thrives in and around competition.

“Today is the first day I haven’t ridden my bike,” the St. Paul, Minn. native said during a break from the City of McAllen’s Golden Age Olympics “hearts” competition at Lark Community Center. “I rode it up here last year. I was going to do it today.”

Read more: Cooler weather makes good for a round of cards

Ron Hoover Open House continues to be a success

DSC 1111 webBy Herb Moering

Several thousand Winter Texans took advantage of nice weather to inspect the latest in RV fifth wheels, motor homes, boats and 4-wheelers on opening day, Jan. 11, of the 17th annual Ron Hoover RV & Marine Center Open House in Donna. Visitors were treated to free hotdogs and soft drinks along with chances to win door prizes and a grand prize in a drawing at the end of both afternoons of the open house.

The grand prize winners were Luis Lopez, who chose the four-wheeler; and Dan and Sherry Zirnhelt from Forman, North Dakota, who chose the enclosed utility trailer.

Read more: Ron Hoover Open House continues to be a success

An RGV tradition continues

SPI Market DaysPress Release Photo webThe 27th Annual SPI Market Days will be held on South Padre Island from January 26 to 28 and February 23 to 25. This indoor event will take place at the South Padre Island Convention Center, 7355 Padre Blvd. Event hours are Friday and Saturday 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Sunday 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Admission is only $1 and Children 12 and under are free.

Read more: An RGV tradition continues

McAllen church holds annual polka worship

DSC 0962 webFor 28 years Winter Texans have filled Our Savior Lutheran Church in McAllen to join them in worshipping the Lord by singing polka melodies of familiar hymns. Previous events have included “Beer Barrel Polka” played to the words of the hymn “Come Let Us Worship,” and “The Happy Wanderer” to the hymn “He Lives.”

Read more: McAllen church holds annual polka worship

Lonestar Jubilee performs for a mission

THE TEXANS webWhile the Lone Star Jubilee shows are certainly filled with inspiration, fun and laughter, they also perform for a purpose. 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 and changed their name to the Texans. They are now a full-time trio comprised of Sam, wife Brenda, and son Curtis. They began their full-time traveling ministry in 1999, performing more than 300 concerts a year. They have shared their stage with speakers like TD Jakes, Charles Stanely, Jerry Falwell, Tim Lahaye, and many more.

Read more: Lonestar Jubilee performs for a mission

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