Winter Texans continue to serve community
We all know Winter Texans contribute a great deal to the Rio Grande Valley during their winters with us. They often donate to local charities, help schools with school supplies, donate time to shelters and animal rescues, gather food during the holidays for people here and in Mexico, and they make quilts and other items for those in need.
This year has brought on a whole new need Winter Texans at Alamo Rec-Veh Park have been able to fill. A group of ladies that primarily made quilts before are now making masks.
In February and March when COVID-19 was still new and starting to shut things down, a group of women decided to shift gears. They started with a pattern and went from there. One member of the group has a relative that works in the nursing field and expressed the need for masks for patients and visitors. They originally sent her nearly 100 masks and continue to send more when the need arises. The group has now donated over of 1,000 handmade masks.
By Herb Moering 
Bentsen Palm RV Park recently showed their appreciation of its residents by holding special events all week. Events included boat races, special get togethers, and an Amazing Race. 
As Winter Texans begin to think about their return trip to the north, the residents of LaFloresta Park in Mercedes geared up for the final two golf tournaments of the season: The Handicapped Tournament and the Championship Tournament. Everyone in the park is invited to participate in golf activities, from beginner to advanced golfer. Winter Texans enjoy the challenging par-three golf course. And there is always the secret wish for a hole-in-one. The park had nine this year!
By Tony Ozark
The Open Invitational Pool Tournament for the Rio Grande Valley was recently held. It was hosted by Bentsen Grove Resort and was organized by Claude Lemay. This is the second year for the tournament. Pictured, from left to right, Ken VanSickle, representing Bentsen Grove Resort; third place finisher Len Bangma of Magic Valley in Donna; Winner Stew McCrae of Siesta Village in Weslaco; second place finisher Al Prescott of Eldorado Acres in Palmview; and Claude Lemay organizer.
Bentsen Palm RV Park recently took on a project to help a pet shelter with something they really needed. The park got involved with Cinderella Pet Rescue about four years ago when they learned about the no-kill pet shelter. They learned about the shelter when trying to find somewhere to take stray dogs to – they had a number of stray dogs at the park that needed homes.
The annual Llano Grande Art Show has been set for Sunday, March 8, from 1 to 4 p.m. at the Art Studio, according to the chairperson this year, Mira Smith. The public, as well as all residents of Llano Grande, are welcome to attend the display, visit with the artists, and enjoy wine and cheese as well. 
Future generations will only have libraries, the Internet, or television to connect with music history, but Saxophonist Del Puschert lived it and will be featured in a special interview open to the public on March 7 at 7 p.m. at Paradise Park, 100 E. Hackberry Ave. in McAllen. There is no admission for the event.
By Kathy Olivarez
By Herb Moering
Activity directors were treated to a show and lunch on Monday to show how much they are appreciated for all the work they do for the Rio Grande Valley RV and MH parks. Here at the Winter Texan Times we know that without them, we wouldn’t have much of a paper. We are all so very thankful for what you do for the community.
Alamo Rose Quilt-A-Bees will host their quilt show on March 4 from noon to 3 p.m. at 938 South Alamo Road in Alamo. An Opportunity Quilt will be given away at the end of the show.
Robert and Billie Ferguson accepted a Proclamation from the City of Mission this week in recognition of the Rio Grande Valley Activity Directors Association. The proclamation says, “We the City Council of the City of Mission proclaim March 1, 2020 as Activity Directors Appreciation Day.” The proclamation also lists why the city is thankful for the activity directors, saying they enhance and promote unity among the directors of the retirement parks of the Rio Grande valley by promoting networking, information, resources and support; the demands of the job; that residents and management realize the importance of the activity director to the atmosphere of the park; and what the activity director’s responsibilities are – organizing activities, encouraging residents to socialize, etc. Robert shared his thankfulness with the city council pointing out there are 119 active parks represented in the association and that 35 of those are in the City of Mission.
