Tuesday, June 06, 2023
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Rich ‘n Friends Forever Together Band

Genres: Original Christian songs (country/southern gospel) written by Rich and/or Joanie, Classic old hymns, traditional Christian songs, and plantation songs from an era gone by.
Specialty: Sharing God’s Love through Word and Song Website: JesusCrossMyHeart.org

rich and friendsrich ‘n friends … wealthy in friendships

FOREVER TOGETHER …. we are all believers in our Lord Jesus Christ, and we will spend eternity forever together in heaven.

Band …. not like a band with instruments, rather like a band of brothers standing for the same purpose … to bring others into His family.

Mission Statement: Luke 14:23 And the lord said unto the servant, Go out into the highways and hedges, and compel them to come in, that my house may be filled.

Joanie and Richard are from Tok, Alaska and Shane is a Missouri man. We started ‘making a joyful noise’ together in 2007 and go wherever the Lord opens a door. We love to sing for our Veterans to give a little something back to the proud men and women who have given so much for our freedom. We have crisscrossed America singing and sharing the Gospel at Veterans homes and hospitals. We also love to sing and present God’s Holy Word at Nursing homes… sharing the Love of God with our Senior Citizens puts a smile on our hearts. We’ve also been blessed to preach through our music at churches from Alaska to Florida! We look forward to sharing God’s Love this winter with established churches and the RV Park Chaplains here in the Rio Grande Valley. We will be here until March 2021 unless God calls us home before then!

Shane, our oldest son isn’t always with us as he is still in the ‘working class’ …. not retired like Joanie and Rich. When Shane isn’t with us, we just go by…. Rich and Joanie Ware.


What a joy …. this will be our second year as ‘Wintertainers’ in the Rio Grande Valley and we look forward to a busy year sharing the Good News with everyone.

Home Church: Chapel of the North, Tok, Alaska 99780 Pastor Terry Brigner

Website: JesusCrossMyHeart.org
Bookings/Contact: Jesuscrossmyheart@yahoo.com, (573) 220-8782, Rich; (618) 691-8348, Joanie

The Castaway

Genres: Rock/Island Music, 50’s, 60’s and Country

Castaway Dennis IMG 0849The Castaway is Dennis Craswell, an Original Castaway, known for being a million-dollar seller of the famous song “Liar, Liar.” He currently plays solo with occasional guests. He plays in Minnesota during the summer and most of his winter is spent playing on South Padre Island and all around the Rio Grande Valley. He and Rich are currently regulars on Wednesday and Thursday afternoons at Laguna Bob.

Read more: The Castaway

Jason Whorlow: The Piano Man

Genres: All
Specialty: Taking requests and crowd interaction

Jason WhorlowJason Whorlow is entering his eighth year entertaining Winter Texans. He has been nominated and won several awards during this time. As well as becoming in high demand for his extremely versatile, unique and interactive show. Jason has had crowds of 400+ singing along to Sweet Caroline with their hands raised high in the air and couples dancing emotionally to "I can't help falling in love" and "Unchained Melody."

Read more: Jason Whorlow: The Piano Man

Bobbi and Punch

Genre: 50’s, 60’s, 70’s, 80’s, gospel and music of today
Specialty: Vocals, comedy, live instrumentation

Bobbi and PunchBobbi & Punch are an energetic duo that perform a variety of hits from the 50’s, 60’s, 70’s, and 80’s as well as gospel and current music of the day. Everything from CCR and Martina McBride to Bob Seger and Alabama is included in their show and features dynamic vocals, live instrumentation, and comedy in a terrific show with a down-home feel.

Read more: Bobbi and Punch

Midnight Mustang Band

Genres: Country, Classic Rock & Roll, Blues

MidnightThe Midnight Mustang Band is a very unique and talented group of musicians from The Rio Grande Valley of Texas, and is considered by many to be one of the finest new bands in South Texas.

Read more: Midnight Mustang Band

Valley Star Awards Postponed

Due to the inclement weather and power outages, the Valley Star Awards have been postponed. Originally scheduled for today, the show will now be held next week, Wednesday, February 24. Event will still be held at Mission Bell RV Resort in Mission. Your tickets will still be valid for the new date.

The event will be held from 1 to 4 p.m. Lunch will be from 12 p.m. to 1 p.m. Mission Bell Resort is located at 1711 E. Bus. 83. Tickets are still available.

Wintertainers include Dave and Daphne, Diego and Edith, Mark Staggs Festus Live Comedy Show, Jamie Layton, The Midnight Mustang Band and Redneck Revival. Tickets are $15 per person. Tickets are available for $12.50 per person for groups of 15 or more (although seating is being set up to follow current state and county guidelines). Tickets are available at Winter Texan Times, by phone at (863) 253-2514 or (956) 585-4833, or online at www.wintertexantimes.com

Valley Star Awards tickets available

Valley Star Awards tickets are now available. Although we are holding a show, there will be no awards portion of this year’s show. Since fewer Wintertainers™ were able to visit this year, and because attendance to concerts was limited, we decided to not do an award ceremony, but we still wanted to bring some great entertainment to the stage.

This year, the show will feature Bobbi and Punch, Diego and Edith, Mark Staggs Festus Live Comedy Show, Jamie Layton, Midnight Mustang Band, and Redneck Revival.

The event will be held on Wednesday, February 17 from 1 to 4 p.m. Lunch will be available from 12 to 1 p.m. It will be held at Mission Bell Resort, 1711 E. Bus. 83, on an outdoor stage. A rain date of February 19 has been scheduled should it be necessary to delay the show.

Tickets are $15 per person and $12.50 for groups of 15 or more. Social distancing will be practiced, and seats will be grouped as guidelines allow.

Tickets can be purchased by phone at (865) 253-2514 or online at www.wintertexantimes.com. You can also pick-up tickets at the Winter Texan Times office, 1217 N. Conway, Mission; or by calling Mission Bell Resort at (956) 585-4833.

Victoria Palms Restaurant

The phenomenon of Chef Arevalo

20201216 victoria palms tov 600pxI have noticed this strange phenomenon.

Whenever Victoria Palms’ Chef Marcus Arevalo cooks up something for you to eat, it is going to be absolutely terrific.

Such was the case once again as I visited the restaurant with no idea of what I wanted. The chef came out to say hello and I asked him for his opinion to help cure my clueless dilemma. His first recommendation was the blackened tilapia, followed by the fried whitefish.

Being hungry, as always, I chose both.

My server, Elizabeth Andrade chimed in after she asked what I ordered and said she especially loved the blackened tilapia, an encouraging preview of what was to come.

The tilapia arrived and before even a bite was taken, it looked and smelled absolutely mouth-watering. The fish, with the mixed spices, came out blackened as advertised and the spices on top glistened, giving amazing contrast to the snow-like whiteness of the fish.

I have been playing a little in recent weeks with blackening food and found how easy it is – for me at least – to end up with a product that is over blackened, the power of the pepper dominating the flavor. This was not the case with this tilapia as Chef Marcus created an amazing piece of fish, the blackened flavor deliciously combining with a fish that was cooked perfectly, flaky yet firm and not rubbery. A stunning combination of flavors. Elizabeth was spot on when she promoted this dish.

The fried whitefish was another dish that tickled the taste buds. The first bite brought about two distinct flavors and an interesting mixture of the crunchy outer layer of breadcrumbs and other seasonings, and the delicate inner fish. There were also two distinct flavors – from the batter and the fish -- and, my favorite part, is that it was probably 85% fish and 15% batter, unlike so many places that seem to flip-flop those percentages, making you search for a glimpse of the fish.

Now, I am a sauce guy. I enjoy salsas and tartar sauce, ketchup, and soy. The list goes on. I was really into the hot pepper challenges and fell in love when chipotle became a trend. So, I asked for some tartar to go with the fried fish plate, thinking I would need something to offset the dryness of the batter.

I think I used a third what I was given, a shock to me. The fish did not need it, so I just used it in little dabs to accentuate the dish. Then it dawned on me – a revelation – when the fried fish is not all batter and is mainly fish, there is no super dryness to contend with.

It was yet another five-star victory for Chef Marcus. I cannot wait to go back to Victoria Palms Restaurant, hungry and without a clue… as usual. I know I will be in good hands.

Baffin Bay Seafood Company

Relaxing dining by the sea

baffin bay 600pxWhile it may be a little farther than most restaurants, the Baffin Bay Seafood Company, located in Riviera, is certainly worth the effort to get there. The restaurant sits right on the coast of Baffin Bay, a well-known fishing spot for black drum, redfish and speckled trout.

One of the most popular items on the restaurant’s menu is black drum ribs, usually served with hand-breaded onion rings. The Baffin Bay Seafood Company may just be the only restaurant to serve these tasty ribs fried with cornmeal. They are delicious! Especially with their homemade tartar sauce made with special secret ingredients.

In addition to the black drum ribs, we tried the grilled and fried drum, which were both delicious. We just had to sample the fried shrimp and grilled shrimp. Both are very good, and my personal favorite was the big, plump grilled shrimp with a delicious fresh-catch taste.

Steaks and chicken are also available for those who aren’t in the mood for a great seafood dinner.

Save room for their delicious desserts! You’ll enjoy rounding out your meal with molten lava cake, brownies with ice cream or New York cheesecake.

A trip to the Baffin Bay Seafood Company, combined with a sightseeing trip to the King Ranch, might just be unbeatable. The restaurant is open from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m., Monday through Saturday, and 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Sunday. They are located at 1294 CR 2360 E on the coastline in Riviera.

Taste of the Valley
Article Count:
17
Wintertainters™

Click the Read More link below each Wintertainer™Booking Information, Music Samples, Images, Videos and more!

Article Count:
40
Valley Star Awards
Article Count:
35

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