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.
The program opened with an introduction by the chairperson of the event, Carlene Hemminger, followed by the welcoming of each couple as they walked to the head table. Music was provided by Tommy and Sara Bouland with an opening song of “My Best Friend.”
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
The wind whips across the golf course as residents of La Floresta tee off. For Valentine’s Day we played a special game of Mixed Scramble—Best Ball. With such strong winds, the ball either flies over the green or stops short, depending on the direction of the wind and the hole you are on. No Hole-In-One today but we got a few birdies.
Read more: Golf highlights La Floresta Valentine's Day activities
Submitted by: Ruth Filz
Who would have thought that selling a rhubarb pie for $55 dollars in 2015, would lead to selling an apple pie for $250 and raising $2,580 for charities in 2023!
In 2015, Phyllis Tillotson asked Vonnie Jones if she would bake a rhubarb pie to sell at Palm Gardens RV Park’s annual park auction. It was the first time a pie was sold at the auction. There was a bidding war for the pie between Phyllis and Roger Jacobs. Roger ultimately got the pie with a $55 bid. As events were planned for the following year, it was decided to add a Pie Auction to our calendar and donate the money to local charities.
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.
Linda Saunders, a Winter Texan, got a hole-in-one on Hole #9 at Stuart Place Country Club on Monday, February 13.
By Carina A. Brunson
The residents of Canyon Lake have a secret, or not so secret, mission of building homes for needy families in Progreso, Mexico. This mission, Mabel’s Building Mission, was started in 1992 by a resident named Mabel Clare.
Mabel was in the Valley with her sister for rehabilitation for an injury. It was then when a hurricane struck the area and wreaked devastation on the small town of Progreso. After seeing such devastation, Mabel and her sister first started a clinic, built a school, and provided clothing and food for those in the area. Next, was to provide housing for the poor – and Mabel’s Building Mission was established.
Submitted by Arleen Bier
Each year, an auction is held at La Floresta Park in Mercedes. Some parks have Park Sales to get rid of unwanted stuff—we have an auction. Throughout the year, residents collect items to donate to the auction. We have really good stuff. The sale includes furniture, electrical appliances, printers, decorative pieces, dishes, golf clubs, golf balls, and more. One man’s junk is another man’s treasure.
After 10 years of serving a Spaghetti Dinner to the residents of La Floresta Park in Mercedes, Jean and Rodger Vanderville (Manistique, MI), decided to call it quits. Through the years, they have served from 75-115 dinners each time, with the help of a crew of seven. Good food. Fun. Laughter.
Jean and Rodger also are involved in a variety of events in the park and will focus their time and attention on golf and other activities. Meanwhile, Darla Strait (Sanborn, IA), Debbie Tufnell (Manistique, MI), and Bonnie Kadell (Jerseyville, IL) have offered to take over the Spaghetti Dinner next year.
We have some of the kindest people you will ever meet in our small park in Mercedes.
Residents at McAllen Mobile Park, a senior community, honored one of its residents, Birger Olson, on February 2nd, by paying tribute to his lifelong passion and dedication of entertaining others with his bass guitar music. The tribute was presented in the form of a book of resident signatures and memories from those who attended a dance featuring the Blue Wolf Band. That evening, Birger played bass alongside Steven Kelley (drums), Shirley Mauch-Spanhanks (guitar/vocals) and Jerry Spanhanks (guitar/pedal steel guitar/fiddle/mandolin/banjo/vocals).
Read more: Tribute dedicated to Birger Olson – RGV Bass Player extraordinaire
On the morning of Sunday, January 22, residents of La Floresta Park in Mercedes took to the golf course. It was the start of the Annual Couples Handicapped Tournament. The event was open to beginner golfers as well as those with advanced skills. It was a little cool that morning, but it warmed up nicely.
An expo born out of frustration
Born of new Winter Texan’s frustration, Alamo Rec-Veh Park in Alamo, Texas, will again host a unique Winter Texan Business & Health Expo on Saturday, February 4 from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.
“Because we’re here for so few winter months, most Winter Texans face the same dilemma Dennis and I did several years ago,” Expo organizer Barb Zanetti said.
“Our problem? How do we replace the quality support system we’ve developed over the years in Michigan? … The doctors, contractors, repairmen, restaurants, dentists, surgeons, income tax providers, butchers, and dog groomers, as well as places that offer travel, entertainment, flowers, and gift ideas?”
Submitted by Sharon Bargel
For the third year, Paradise Park RV Resort in Harlingen has been overwhelmingly generous in giving to the Harlingen CISD’s Clothing Closet, operated as part of the Family and Community Engagement (FACE) program to assist school district families in need.
In winter 2020 the Clothing Closet was selected to be the beneficiary of the park’s spirit of giving holiday project when resident Sharon Bargel heard about the Clothing Closet and their need for warm coats and cold weather clothing on a local news station. That year, despite COVID restraints and fewer Winter Texans, they delivered 578 items of new clothing and new shoes to the Closet.
Submitted by Larry Schmitt
On January 25, one-hundred-eighty-four (184) Kansans from all over the Rio Grande Valley met to commemorate the anniversary of the state’s January 29, 1861, admission to the Union. Considering we met at a new venue and had a few other challenges, the organizers are very happy with this total attendance. What was super special is that thirty-eight (38) Kansans joined us for their first time. YAY!!
