Most Winter Texans are familiar with Men of A-Chord and Sweet Adeline’s. They were groups that performed in the Winter Texan parks from January through March. In recent years, the groups have changed, numbers have gone up and down as well, and so has the makeup of the groups.
Save the date for the Llano Grande Quilting Bee’s Annual Quilt Show, Mercedes Mineral Matrix, to be held Tuesday, January 31st from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Llano Event Center, 2215 East West Blvd (off Mile 2 West) in Mercedes.
The Bee is selling raffle tickets for their Opportunity Quilt that is a 102” x 102” Matrix of creams, browns, and blues with wool batting. Proceeds from the quilt show help to fund community service projects such as military service quilts to local veterans, baby quilts for Child Protective Services, and lap quilts that are distributed to local hospitals and medical facilities. Tickets will be available for purchase at the quilt show and you do not need to be present to win.
By Herb Moering
After the December 11 holiday event that drew a full house of Winter Texans, the Rio Grande Valley Concert Band has put away its sounds of Christmas and is preparing for the 2023 winter schedule. Since February 15, 1998, the RGV Concert Band has been playing the old time “concert in the park” music from January through March at the 55+ Parks throughout the Valley.
The Rio Grande Valley Jammin’ Sound Miracle
Throughout the year, there are three senior park communities that continuously offer music jams open to the public musicians and listeners: Green Gate Grove in Palmview, Heritage Square in Mission and Quiet Village II in Donna. Each November, this changes as the Winter Texans leave their Northern habitat and arrive in the RGV. Currently, there are music jams at 53 senior parks that are open to the public.
Submitted by Arleen Bier
“There are two types of motion in the down swing: lateral and rotational,” said Casey Tippet, retired golf pro and resident of La Floresta RV Park in Mercedes. “They are the key to solid ball contact.”
Christmas lights and decorations were hung throughout Bentsen Grove RV Park for the Christmas holidays. Residents took to decorating their winter homes for a chance to win a prize. Winter Texan Times had the honor to help vote for the top three.
Although a lot of park residents had lights up, only 14 residents actually entered the contest. It was very hard to pick a top three. I had several favorites but had to narrow it down quite a bit. I was thankful that I didn’t have a larger group to choose from.
Submitted by Ruth Filz
Residents of Palm Gardens RV Park in Harlingen routinely take the following words of the popular Christmas song Do You Know It’s Christmas to heart, and especially during the holidays.
And in our world of plenty
We can spread a smile of joy
Throw your arms around the world
At Christmas time.
Submitted by Margaret Bergen
The community of Eastgate RV & MH Park, 2801 Harrison Ave. in Harlingen, collected 55 bags of food for Child Protective Services and the Food Pantry in 24 days using a Reverse Advent Calendar.
Tears of happiness and joy were shed as CPS Program Director Joanna Garcia, Adela Gonzalez (Case worker), Edgar Quintanilla, Yesenia Guerrero and staff, came to pick up their bags. Pastor Hector Perez, the pastor of The Fathers House on Morgan Blvd. in Harlingen, also arrived to give a beautiful blessing for the food as we all gathered around. His parish also donated mittens, gloves, and hats. A resident, Steve Fawley, made and gave a number of blankets. Another resident, Terry Romanchuk, made little ornaments from paracord.
Seven Oaks RV Resort Veterans and other residents joined scouts and other community members on Saturday, December 15, in the laying of wreaths at the Rio Grande Valley Veterans Cemetery in Mission. Through the help of the community and Wreaths Across America, all Veterans graves were able to receive a wreath in remembrance of their sacrifice.
By Henry Miller
Apparently, grandma did get run over by reindeer.
She ended up at the Seven Oaks Resort Illuminated Golf Cart Parade over the weekend, still sprawled on the ground with her walker cast aside, and other evidence strewn atop a trailer pulled by a golf cart.
Yeah, that last part wasn’t in the song – just at Seven Oaks.
The holiday season is that time of year when we all like to go above and beyond to help our neighbors in need. When Pastor Mark McDonald and his wife Stacy of Christian Resort Ministries and Mission West Church, which is located inside of beautiful Mission West Resort RV Park in Palmview, spearheaded and kicked off the 2022 Holiday Food Drive to benefit the Food Bank RGV they quickly found out just how true that is.
Sunday, December 18th, La Hacienda Estates in Alamo had their Christmas party. Those attending brought a toy for the Alamo Police Department Toy Drive. Several gift cards were also donated. Everyone enjoyed the party and felt good about giving back to the community. Pictured with the toys are Santa (Karri Bjerke), Party Director Dell Engrisch, and helper Marge Morris, all from Minnesota.
River Ranch RV Resort was busy this past week delivering their toys to the city and to the children. Along with passing out toys, helpers were able to have a small parade and presentation at the Hidalgo Municipal building. They had many people help them out through the process. Sorters of the toys were Maggie Heaps, Maggie Rogers, Linda Christiansen and Carol Babbitt. Oscar Friedrich and Melodie Gaffney helped deliver the toys to the police station. Lindell Graham and Babbitt were Mr. and Mrs. Santa Claus. Helpers that helped hand out toys were Ken and Kim Yates, Alan and Carolyn Will, Oscar Friedrich, Kathy Peterson, and Maggie Rogers. Parade Wranglers with their golf carts were Bill and Ruth Mill, Darrell and Tine Snow, Charlie and Maggie Heaps, and Jim and Steve Rogers.
Last week ladies at River Ranch Resort were bustling about the recreation hall wrapping gifts that residents had donated for children of Rio Hondo. The park has been working with Chief Bilokury, Rio Hondo Public Safety Director, for about four years. This year is the first time the park has also worked with the city and a local church. Together, they hope to help 500 children of the community.
Submitted by Arleen Bier
The residents of La Floresta Park near Mercedes enjoyed a delicious Thanksgiving dinner, complete with turkey and dressing and all the trimmings. But what do you do with all of that leftover turkey? We had Turkey Soup Night.
