Monday, June 05, 2023
Text Size

A Lifetime Becoming a Rosie

20230329 Rosie Story Louise and Trish at program webWinter Texan earns unique honors

By Barb Zanetti
Photos by Dennis Zanetti

Alamo Palms’ 98-year-old Louise Unkrich didn’t have white hair when she did the work that would bring her national recognition. Actually, she was a dark-haired teenager.

Typical of other young women whose lives changed course in the early 1940’s, Louise left her Swedesburg, Iowa hometown at 19 to find meaningful work about 250 miles away. Her job would be to assemble parts for B-26’s and B-29’s at the Glenn L. Martin bomber plant south of Omaha, near Bellevue, Nebraska.

“The war was on,” she said. “My boyfriend was in the Navy, and I wanted to help.”

Read more: A Lifetime Becoming a Rosie

Valley parks celebrate St. Patrick’s Day

20230322 St6 webBy Herb Moering

St. Patrick’s Day could be called a breeze this year at Royal Palms Mobile Home Park in Alamo. The gusts on Friday were not enough to stop the annual Irish-themed park parade of decorated golf carts, pets, and a walker.

Reigning over the afternoon event were grand marshals Norm and Mary Hall, married for 75 years and park residents since 2001. The couple, who were given gifts for their participation, came to the Valley in 1990 after Mary retired from a long-time stint as a teacher’s aide that was part of Norm’s 38 years with the U.S. Air Force, a combination of seven years in the service and 31 years as a civilian employee. The period of 1949-52 they were in Germany as part of the Berlin Airlift. He also was at a Waco, TX training base for pilots during the Korean War. He ended his career in 1990 after 30 years at Lowery Air Force Base in Denver.

Read more: Valley parks celebrate St. Patrick’s Day

IT’S WINTER TEXANS … ‘JUST WANTING TO HAVE FUN’

20230315 left side of group webAlamo Palms’ Scholarship Committee donates $22,000

By Barb Zanetti
Photos by Dennis Zanetti

While modeling his beige Union Suit and wide-brimmed, felt, brown hat, Rip Van Winkle (Brad Mallow) seemed to awaken. He paused. Turned. And then scooted back down the runway to steal an unexpected kiss from Miss Havisham (Beverly Bailey), who was gripping her wilted bouquet.

Surprised laughter erupted from the audience at this year’s Alamo Palms’ Ropa Style Show held recently.

Rip Van Winkle and Miss Havisham joined 28 other runway models featured in the “What a NOVEL idea” theme. The show was one of the park’s fundraising events held to benefit Alamo High School seniors.
This year 22 PSJA Memorial Early College High School [ECHS] seniors were each awarded a $1,000 scholarship from the Alamo Palms Scholarship Fund.

Read more: IT’S WINTER TEXANS … ‘JUST WANTING TO HAVE FUN’

Tropic Star presents quilts to park Veterans

DSC 0661 webBy Herb Moering

Another 24 armed services Veterans were honored Sunday, March 1 by quilters at Tropic Star RV and MH Resort in Pharr.

The afternoon ceremony began with a flag presentation of the U.S. and service branch flags carried by park Veterans. Emcee Patty Hoerr offered a few comments after the Pledge of Allegiance, noting she had never been in the military, but that wouldn’t stop her from saying “thank you” for the Veterans’ service to the country. She reminded the large audience that those who served in any capacity “went where they were told to go.”

Read more: Tropic Star presents quilts to park Veterans

Bonham’s Bears gives bears to local organizations

20230308 Bonhams Bears Harlingen Fire and Humane Society webSubmitted by Maple Frye

On March 6, Bonham’s Bears sponsored a teddy bear give away at the Green Bay South Clubhouse in La Feria. First responders and organizations that help children in crisis were invited to light refreshments and free teddy bears. We gave 450 teddy bears to eight organizations. A ninth organization, Loaves and Fishes, was dealing with health issues and asked to pick up their teddy bears later.

During 2022, we also gave away 274 pet pillows to the Rio Grande Valley Humane Society under our Scraps for Scruffy Project. Bonham's Bears is an all-volunteer organization based at Green Bay South, but we have volunteers from Park Place, Rio Valley Estates, and Citrus Village.

Read more: Bonham’s Bears gives bears to local organizations

Let’s Shuffle!

20230308 Lets Shuffle Bonnie Kadell competes webBy Arleen Bier

Let’s Shuffle! The 10th Annnual Shuffleboard Tournament at La Floresta was held February 18th. It was so much fun. We had 64 participants who competed throughout the day. The event was organized by Bill Hocken, with assistance from Jerry Mason and Wilf Trudeau and others. The Preliminary Round began at 9 a.m.; the Championship Round started at 1 p.m. with 32 players and 16 rounds. First Place went to Jim Woods and Kevin Halvorson.

Read more: Let’s Shuffle!

Seven Oaks honors 50th anniversary couples

5 COUPLES 50TH ANNIVERSARY 2023 n webThis year, Seven Oaks Resort in Mission honored six couples who celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary some time between April 1st of the previous year and the end of March this year. They hold this event annually for their residents.

The program opened with an introduction by the chairperson of the event, Carlene Hemminger, followed by the welcoming of each couple as they walked to the head table. Music was provided by Tommy and Sara Bouland with an opening song of “My Best Friend.”

Read more: Seven Oaks honors 50th anniversary couples

The Ladies of La Floresta Go To The Movies

20230301 Ladies at La Floresta movies webIn February, the ladies enjoyed Mexican cuisine at Arturo’s Bar and Grill in Weslaco, followed by the movie 80 for Brady. The comedy, inspired by a true story, was very entertaining. Submitted by Arleen Bier

Palm Gardens raises money by auctioning pies

20230222 Palm Gardens Pie Table webSubmitted by: Ruth Filz

Who would have thought that selling a rhubarb pie for $55 dollars in 2015, would lead to selling an apple pie for $250 and raising $2,580 for charities in 2023!

In 2015, Phyllis Tillotson asked Vonnie Jones if she would bake a rhubarb pie to sell at Palm Gardens RV Park’s annual park auction. It was the first time a pie was sold at the auction. There was a bidding war for the pie between Phyllis and Roger Jacobs. Roger ultimately got the pie with a $55 bid. As events were planned for the following year, it was decided to add a Pie Auction to our calendar and donate the money to local charities.

Read more: Palm Gardens raises money by auctioning pies

Big Valley Quilters Club honors Veterans with quilts

20230222 Big VAlley Quilters Honor Veterans DSC 0016 webMembers of the Big Valley Quilters Club recently presented patriotic themed lap quilts to 29 Veterans of Big Valley at its annual Veterans Appreciation Program. The Veterans represented all branches of our military and span from WWII through the gulf conflicts.

  • Default
  • Title
  • Date
  • Random
load more hold SHIFT key to load all load all

Login