Wintertainment™

Rio Grande Valley golf courses steeped in rich history

Details: Published: Tuesday, 28 February 2023 23:38

20180208 Tony Butler Golf Course 06 web It’s starting to feel like spring, and for us, that means golf – even if you can play it nearly year-round in the South Texas climate. Each spring we ask our readers to vote for their favorite gold courses. The Valley has many courses to choose from, and Winter Texans seem to try to catch them all while visiting the Valley.

This year, we wanted to delve into the history of our Valley golf courses. We hope you enjoy this bit of history and learning about the courses you visit and love. For the next three weeks we will feature a different part of the Valley. This week we will feature the Mid Valley golf courses.

Rio Grande Valley golf courses steeped in rich history

Details: Published: Tuesday, 21 February 2023 18:05

20191020 Rancho Viejo Golf Course HMiller 8428 web It’s almost spring, and for us, that means golf – even if you can play it nearly year round in the South Texas climate. Each spring we ask our readers to vote for their favorite gold courses. The Valley has many courses to choose from, and Winter Texans seem to try to catch them all while visiting the Valley.

Valley International Country Club

Golf in the Rio Grande Valley has a long tradition, tracing back to the mid-1840s when it is reported that soldiers from Fort Brown introduced the sport to what was then known as Brownsville Country Club – now named Valley International Country Club.

Over the years, the sport grew and the names to graze VICC included not just the best from the Valley, such as Al Escalante and Tony Butler, but also Jimmy Demaret and Hall-of-Famer Ben Hogan.

In the 1930s, the city and VICC hosted a driving contest. “It was an era when Brownsville was coming up in the golfing world. The game was so popular that the city had its own practice driving range located across the street from “The Terrace,” a miniature golf course on the main street of the city, West Elizabeth,” wrote Rene Torres in the Port Isabel Press.

Golf Survey Begins

Details: Published: Tuesday, 21 February 2023 17:36

20191020 River Bend Golf Course HMiller 8563 web It is that time of year again. It is time to vote for your favorite golf course. We do this every Spring, when the weather is just right to get out on the courses again.
You have three weeks to let us know what your favorite golf course is.

By filling out the survey, you could win free rounds of golf and other prizes. You can fill out the form in today’s edition of the Winter Texan Times (or the next two issues) or fill out the form online at www.wintertexantimes.com. All entries must be received by 4 p.m. on Wednesday, March 15.

VSA lineup includes Redneck Revival

Details: Published: Tuesday, 31 January 2023 23:23

Redneck Revival web Be ready to have some laughs at this year’s Valley Star Awards set for Wednesday, February 15th. This year’s show will include Redneck Revival – a duo that is bound to bring some bustling laughter to the crowd.

Redneck Revival – also known as Bob and Alta Courtney – are often said to bring their own supply of oxygen to their shows, just in case someone might need some breaths of fresh air.

The Piano Man joins the VSA stage

Details: Published: Tuesday, 31 January 2023 23:20

2020 Jason Whorlow web The Piano Man – Jason Whorlow – joins this year’s Valley Star Awards stage lineup.

Jason Whorlow has been entertaining Winter Texans for eight years. He has been nominated and won several awards including Best Solo Variety Act of the 2017 Valley Star Awards. He has become in high demand for his extremely versatile, unique, and interactive show.

Winnie Brave joins Valley Star Awards lineup

Details: Published: Thursday, 26 January 2023 17:44

Winnie Brave PRINT Armed with two guitars and an old suitcase drum, to say this Americana duo is greater than the sum of their parts would be a vast understatement. Winnie Brave has been hailed as one of Alberta’s best kept secrets. Known for their dynamic and energetic shows, Winnie Brave is a sonic force to be reckoned with.

Regan James performing at Valley Star Awards

Details: Published: Thursday, 26 January 2023 17:33

ReganJames web Regan James has been in the Rio Grande Valley for about 11 years and is attracting attention at different venues with his high energy, great entertainment and music. Regan James (Swedeen) lives in Minnesota with his wife Char in the summer months and has made his home in the Valley since 2013 in the wintertime.

12th Valley Star Awards is February 15

Details: Published: Thursday, 26 January 2023 16:32

The 12th Annual Valley Star Awards is just around the corner. The event will be held at Mission Bell Resort on Wednesday, February 15th. The show will be held from 1 to 4 p.m. with an intermission. Mission Bell will have lunch available for attendees for a small price before the show at 12 p.m., or just get there early to save a seat up front.

This year’s lineup, as always, includes some Winter Texan favorites, including some of those that have been nominated. They are Nu-Blu, The Piano Man Jason Whorlow, Ron Moshier, Winnie Brave, Regan James, and Redneck Revival.

Biscuits & Gravy Neighborhood Kitchen

Details: Published: Tuesday, 03 January 2023 23:40

Nothing like Grandma’s cooking

Biscuits & Gravy Neighborhood Kitchen celebrated their first anniversary and would like to thank their customers, especially our Winter Texans, for helping them make it a successful year. If you haven’t been there yet, you will want to try to hurry over early and often this season.

After talking with the owners and hearing feedback from our readers, my husband and I were more than ready to visit Biscuits & Gravy Neighborhood Kitchen. After all the built-up anticipation, we were more than pleased with our visit and meals as they exceeded all expectations.

While waiting for our meals to arrive, we were each given a sample of their signature dish – biscuits and gravy. It was exactly like grandmother used to make – or dare I say, even better.

Something we both noticed was the toasted biscuit. Not overdone or too crisp, but as we talked to each other about it, and to Manager Ryan Martinez, it made complete sense. They toast the biscuits for just a minute which helps it hold up without soaking up too much gravy, keeping its structure from first bite to the last, allowing you to enjoy the flavors of the gravy and the biscuit. This little touch really enhanced this classic dish.

The gravy has a nice consistency, peppered just right, and just the right amount of sausage. Nothing was starchy and everything was seasoned perfectly. All in all, it left me wanting more, but I was also eager to try something different on the menu.

This year they have added a few items that will certainly entice your palate. The breakfast biscuit is served with a scrambled egg, choice of bacon, ham, or sausage, topped with cheese served with a side of hash browns. The chicken tender basket will satisfy your lunch cravings. This has four hand breaded chicken tenders served with fries, Texas toast and a side of gravy. And there is new merchandise such as shirts, mugs, and baby onesies that would make great Christmas gifts.

You could tell they have a good grill in their kitchen – and a great cook. Everything tastes like good southern home cooking. To me, it was reminiscent of being back on my grandparents’ farm eating a good, hearty country breakfast after tending to some outside chores.

It’s a place I will be going back to again – even if it’s just for biscuits and gravy.

Biscuits & Gravy Neighborhood Kitchen is a family owned and operated local restaurant located at the Val Verde Flea Market at 935 W. Hwy Bus. 83, Suite 9 in Donna on the corner of Bus. 83 and Val Verde Rd and is open seven days a week from 7 a.m. until 2 p.m.

Pirate’s Landing: Always a delight

Details: Published: Tuesday, 06 December 2022 19:08

20221207 131743 web The day started out overcast and threatening rain, but a cloudy day on the Laguna Madre is better than a sunny day in the office. By the time I pulled up for lunch at Pirate’s Landing at the foot of the causeway, the sun had just burst free of the gray and dreary morning. A good omen of what was ahead?

While it is still early in the season, I could pick out several tables with Winter Texans sitting down to their lunches in a very busy dining room – and it wasn’t quite noon yet. Even with the amount of traffic the staff was very attentive, and dishes were steadily streaming from the kitchen.