Texas Trails holds Hog Trough

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Published: Wednesday, 20 November 2019 00:00

By Herb Moering
A hundred people went hog wild at a dinner and dance Saturday afternoon, Nov. 16, at the Texas Trails RV Resort.

This first such event, open to the public, at the resort in Pharr had customers bellying up to one of the two hog troughs outside Friendship Hall for some shredded pork loin, beef roast and sausage, along with steamed potatoes, cabbage, carrots, corn on the cob, a homemade roll and a cookie for dessert.

Dave Cole, who headed the cooking committee, said they lit up four kettles outside the hall to prepare the foods. When ready the foods were dumped into two long troughs with lines forming before each of them. He added that several women in the park prepared the vegetables for cooking the previous day.

Cole might be considered a veteran of the hog trough, frequently holding one of those affairs at his place in the park for 30 or 40 people. So, it seemed natural to park activity director Lou Dewaele to see about expanding the hog trough to include more people. They had a trial run of it this summer on the Fourth of July, with some 80 people. This time they opened it up to the public.

While the cooking was outside, the consumption was inside, along with what was to have been a street dance. Dewaele said the change was due to some concern about the weather, although it became a very pleasant, sunny day.

Once lunch was over the scene shifted to the dance floor and the Barbed Wire Band, which was fine with Jim McCubbins and his partner Carol Jarvis. The couple had come from their place at Alamo Recreational Vehicle Park for the meal, but especially for the dancing. These Winter Texans have been coming from Missouri for 10 years and dance away the season, averaging at least five nights a week.

Besides frequenting Texas Trails and their own park in Alamo, the couple also go regularly to Winter Ranch, Mission Bell and Victoria Palms for dancing. McCubbins said they love to dance and especially enjoy the country music.

The hog trough is one of many events open to the public, Dewaele said, who is in his first year as Texas Trails activity director aided by his wife, Kathe. He was an assistant activity director at Pleasant Valley Ranch in Mission in the couple’s first year in the RGV.

All the Friday evening dances are for the public, featuring the Grayrock Band, Nov. 22; Diego, Nov. 29; Curt James, Dec. 6; Regan James, Dec. 13 and South Texas Ramblers, Dec. 20. Entertainment coming up includes Razz Ma Tazz, Dec. 10; Winter Texan Orchestra, Dec. 15; Lindsey Creek Christmas Show, Dec. 17, and the Tiny Hill Orchestra, Dec. 29.

In January every Tuesday and Sunday there’s entertainment he noted, including plans in the making for a “Ladies Only Night.” The first weekend in February, the schedule calls for a Super Bowl party at the park on Owassa Road.

Is seems likely the hog trough is going to remain a popular draw, based on the smiles and comments expressed by those digging into the food.

Tip O Texas holds Monster Run

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Published: Wednesday, 30 October 2019 10:11

by Herb Moering

About 1,000 people were ready for a run on Saturday, Oct. 26, to benefit the Tip of Texas Family Outreach Center.

Under near perfect weather conditions in the late afternoon runners, walkers, skippers and strollers were on hand an hour before the scheduled run for a little warming up on Levee Street in Brownsville. They were getting ready to take part in either the 5K Zombie Run or the Monster Mile. There was a lot of smiles, with many of the kids made up with a Halloween look, for hundreds of pictures to be taken.

In the crowd was Nola Ortega, who was being joined by her daughter along with Karla Espinosa and her daughters Zenia and Athenez. They were all part of a running club at Villa Nueva Elementary School in Brownsville and this was a chance to get out and participate in an organized run.

Elizabeth Saldana came with a large decorated cake for a headpiece. With her were Brandon Almaguer, dressed as a marshmallow and a brother, Jason, as a big mouse. The two boys were definitely there to run.

There was even a dog by the name of Paris in a tutu that had on her outfit the word, “Boo.”

Before the start of the runs, the children, along with parents stood in long lines to receive backpacks, supplies, refreshments and snacks from community sponsors of the event. Then it was time to hit the starting line and receive the go signal. Two Brownsville police cruisers led the way with wave after wave of runners roaring quickly past the many spectators lining the curb in the first block.

At the end of the run there were treats and a haunted house to traverse. Juan Fernando Lopez, who was helping in the spook house for the second year, said, “Families come to have fun. It’s very good for the community.”

Ximena Bouchot and Juliana Mendez, juniors from Brownville Early College High School, were made up as a pair of “clever” sisters for the haunted house. Bouchot said it was their first year of helping and called it “fun putting it together.” They were among nearly 50 from the high school working the spookiness.

This sixth such event before Halloween is a major fundraiser for the Family Outreach Center, according to its director Alma Herrera. She said the agency, which is a partner organization with United Way of Southern Cameron County, works annually with about 300 families residing in the Brownsville area. The aim in working with parents is to try and prevent child abuse and neglect by offering an array of supportive services, such as free counseling, parenting skill classes and helping teen parents.