Winter 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
By 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
Alamo 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’
Submitted by Arleen Bier
The Tommie Brixey Memorial Tournament to benefit the American Cancer Society was held March 7, at La Floresta RV Park in Mercedes. Tommie Brixey owned and operated the La Floresta RV Park and Golf Course for 30 years. She passed away in 2021 after a long fight with cancer.
Read more: Tommie Brixey Memorial Tournament held
By 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
By Ruth Filz
On Saturday, February 25th, the Henry Roberts Memorial 32nd Annual Jalapeno 100 bike ride took place in Harlingen. It is a fun ride benefiting the Harlingen Boys & Girls Club. For the last few years, the ride has seen over 500 riders from across the state and the country, as well as from Canada and Mexico.
Read more: Pickle juice, cookies and a warm welcome
Submitted 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
By 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!
Submitted By Darrell Roberts
Larry and Susan DeBuse, formerly of Greengate Grove in Palmview, were honored at the Larry DeBuse Invitational Golf Tournament, held at Shary Golf Course on March 1. The DeBuse family has returned to their home in Bella Vista, AR, as Larry continues his fight against Parkinson’s Disease.
Read more: Larry DeBuse Invitational Golf Tournament held
Line Dancers at Bentsen Grove Resort recently held a charity marathon to benefit the Cinderella Pet Rescue in Palmview.
Intermediate and advanced dancers took to the floor at 9 a.m. under the direction of Mary Lou Lane. They were quickly joined by beginning dancers and ultra beginning dancers taught by Mary Messerli and Jodee Taylor.
Read more: Bentsen Grove raises funds for Cinderella Pet Rescue
This 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.
In 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
Submitted by Arleen Bier
Submitted by: Ruth Filz
Members 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.
