Big Band group keeps memories alive
- Details
- Published: Tuesday, 03 February 2026 12:45
By Herb Moering
For older Winter Texans the big band jams are a trip down memory lane with music for listening and dancing for some.
About 50 residents and visitors were on hand for a performance at Trail’s End MH and RV Park in Weslaco on a recent Saturday afternoon, which is one of three venues visited by the only big band in the Valley. The group of guys and gals also play from 1 to 3 p.m. on Mondays at Mission Bell-Trade Winds RV Resort and from 1 to 3 p.m. on Wednesdays at nearby Valley View Estates in Mission.
The Leisure World Quilters eighth biannual quilt show will be held February 12, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Main Hall, 400 East 18th St. in Weslaco. The quilter’s raffle quilt is queen size measuring 85”x103” in red, black, and cream colors. Tickets are $1 each or 6 for $5 and are available from any of the Leisure World quilters or at the show. The drawing will be held at the end of the show and you do not need to be present to win.
Sunday, January 4, was a beautiful, sunny day without excessive wind or heat and no rain. A large group of people assembled, representing both Trophy Gardens and Winter Ranch RV Resorts, at their shared Golf Course, Winter Gardens. The purpose of the cheerful gathering was to celebrate the grand opening of their newest shared amenity, Disc Golf.
Winter Volunteers at Rio Grande Bible Ministries (RGBM) will hold a Craft/Quilt/Bake Sale on Saturday, January 31, 8 to 11 a.m. to benefit students of both the seminary and the Intercultural Studies Program. It will be held in the Friesen Building of the campus in Edinburg, 4300 S. Hwy. 281 (Closner Blvd.). Parking is available at the Closner entrance. The quilt auction will begin at 10 a.m. Free coffee will be provided all morning, and cookies/baked goods will be available for purchase.
By Herb Moering
The Kansas Day Celebration for the Rio Grande Valley will be held on Tuesday, January 27. The event will again be held at Peter Piper Pizza, 3101 E. Expressway 83, Weslaco. This is for all Kansans – former or current residents.
Submitted by Michele Eastwood
By Herb Moering
By Barb Zanetti-Taetsch, 
Mission Bell/Trade Winds hosted their third annual Reverse Advent Calendar food drive. This was started in 2023 by a couple of park residents. DaLeen Markel found an article about a group of people that did this, and she shared it with Rick Anderson, and a decision was made to give it a go. And it has turned into a highly successful event that the sister parks do together.
The Golf View Estates ladies who love to sew continue to make baby blankets for Mission Regional Medical Center. This season, the group of ladies also started making stuffed bears, dogs and other knitted items. The ladies have made and donated baby blankets and stuffed animals for newborn babies at hospital. This year, the group donated 360 blankets and 45 stuffed animals. 
Tropic Star RV Resort raised over $3,000 to help provide clothes and toys for 38 children in the Pharr community. The activity was coordinated by Lorna and Danny Pence. The Pharr Police Department gathered, vetted and then shared the names of families in need. They assisted in obtaining a discount from the Burlington Store on S. Jackson St. in Pharr to help their money go even further. On Wednesday, December 10, 24 shoppers descended on Burlington and quickly gathered items. They then handed them off to 32 residents who wrapped them and then boxed the items for each family. The Pharr Police came and picked up the boxes and beginning, on December 12th, will be delivering the gifts to the families for the next 12 days.
On Tuesday December 9th, Tropic Star RV Resort in Pharr hosted their annual Teddy Bear Luncheon. Coordinated by Carol Peets, 103 ladies gifted 209 stuffed animals that were picked up by six Pharr Police Officers. 
