Sporting events have been aplenty recently, especially at La Floresta Park in Mercedes. From love on Valentine’s Day to love for finding a cure, the Winter Texan park has been filled with kindness, caring and big hearts.
Valentine’s Day at La Floresta Park in Mercedes was filled with fun activities.
Love of golf was in the air, as was a bit of coolness, for the Valentine’s Day 9-Hole Scramble. Thirty-five couples participated, and the winners were:
1st Place: Pat Hymers, from Manitoba, Canada, and Casey Tippet from Sallisaw, OK;
2nd Place: Rodger Vanderville from Manistique, MI and Ginger Seurkamp from Whitney, TX; and
3rd Place: Karen Birtwhistle from Manitoba, Canada and Ken Webb from Frisco, TX.
Of course, there was a potluck that featured a wide assortment of delicious cuisine, including some Winter Texan favorites! All the ladies received a red rose!
In the evening, “country music and more,” was provided by Curt James, from Alamo. His third season in the valley, he was nominated for Male Vocalist in the Rio Grande Valley.
Valentine’s Day activities were coordinated by Don and Linda Adams, Blue Earth, MN; and Charlotte and Wayne Summerly, Manitoba, Canada; with assistance from Karlene Weiland, Mercedes, TX; Marlys St. Martin, St. Paul, MN; and Lorna and Dennis Brown, Laverne, MN.
Shuffleboard Tournament - the sport still rules the parks
Shuffleboard continues to draw crowds and the 7th Annual Shuffleboard Tournament at La Floresta Park didn’t stray from that face as 72 players participated in the double-elimination event. 
Winners of the A Bracket were Danny Howe and Judy Jenks. Winners of the B Bracket were Wilf Trudeau and Eva Dueck.
George Link was instrumental in organizing the first shuffleboard tournament at La Floresta. He explained that they enjoyed curling in Canada and saw similarities with shuffleboard, except that shuffleboard is done on a court, instead of ice. (We don’t want ice here in the Valley so don’t get any ideas)
The celebration continued into the evening with an UFTA Taco Night! All-You-Can-Eat tacos and numerous toppings were served. Dinner was served by Morris and Kay Haverland, and were assisted by Barb and Guy Desautel, and Jerry and Arleen Bier.
Feel more love as LaFloresta Golf Tournament Tops $50,000 For Cancer Society
Cancer. It touches all of us personally. Probably each person across all the parks in the Valley knows someone who is currently fighting cancer or who has lost their battle. LaFloresta continues to fight and play a role with its annual golf tournament. Their pledge is simple and meaningful — until a cure is found
The 25th Annual American Cancer Society Golf Tournament brought out 67 golf enthusiasts, from beginners to those with advanced skill, participate at the park’s par 3, 9-hole golf course. The winners were Team #6, which consisted of Polly Webb, Frisco TX; Rodger Vanderville, Manistique, MI: Gerry Mason, Manitoba, Canada; Irene Gill, Jerseyville, IL; Dan MacKay, Manitoba, Canada; Arleen Bier, Janesville, WI; Jim Keathley, Gainsville, MO; and Charlotte Summerly, Manitoba, Canada.
This year we collected $2,394 through golf fees and other miscellaneous donations. In the past 25 years, our LaFloresta family has donated $50,724 to the American Cancer Society. Bob Fuller of St. Louis, MO, organized the original golf tournament in 1996 and has been directing the tournament ever since.
