19 WINTER TEXAN TIMES www.wintertexantimes.com MARCH 5, 2025 5% Financing Available Planned Activities • Best Facilities Free Wired Internet & Cable Ranchero Village 1900 S. Bridge Ave., Weslaco (956) 968-6223 Homes by Ranchero Sales, License #MHDRET00001830 Website: www.RancheroVillageTX.com New 16’x66’ 2025 Fleetwood* $89,900 Top Community *New 2025 Fleetwood Now Available As Pictured RioValleyEstates@gmail.com • www.RioValleyEstatesTX.com Whether Your Ideal Location Includes • Pool & Spa • Rec Hall • Shopping • Dining • Fun Activities, Entertainment & Dancing Where You Call Home Makes All The Difference 715 N. Westgate Dr. • Weslaco • 956-968-2708 Expwy 83 Business 83 W Pike Blvd Panther Dr Westgate Dr Location! Location! Location! Only 2 Blocks Off I-2, And Beyond To The Entire RGV Within 5 Blocks Of All You Need Has The Location You’re Looking For! Rio Valley Estates on you. He was lucky he knew who Bill was since he had met him at a previous event, and he had little details about him since he signed up to play. He was able to pinpoint what park he had come from, and law enforcement was able to find his wife to take her to the hospital to meet up with him. Also, the park will be having Richard Cruz, training coordinator from Mission Fire Department, visit and do demonstrations with an AED device and CPR with a dummy. He hopes this will allow residents some time to ask questions and familiarize themselves with the equipment and procedures that could be used to help save someone’s life. So, if the need arises, people won’t be so intimidated to step in. A little over a week ago, Bill was able to be present as the Coast Guard was given an award for his actions during the event. Bill has stayed in contact with James and has been to a couple of events at the park since the ordeal. James said that Bill has told him many times about how appreciative he is of the actions that were taken to save him, and he doesn’t know where he’d be now if he wasn’t at Chimney Park that day. All in all, James said they are so very blessed, with not only having the equipment on hand, retired nurses around, but also having the Border Patrol and Coast Guard nearby. It wasn’t a good thing to happen, but everything came together for the perfect outcome. Also noteworthy, is the AED device used is a Heart Sine SAM 350 AMP. The company has a donation program of survivors to contribute paying it forward by submitting a brief statement of the rescue event to them and they will donate a unit to the charity of their choice – which is what Bill is currently doing to help save other lives. ple), according to Will. The pair from Illinois, who have been married for 60 years, have come to Trophy Gardens for 15 years. Like most folks, they like the weather. Will originally worked 10 years as a semi-truck driver and 17 years as an engineer for the Otis Elevator Company. Grace was a school music teacher for 34 years and down here she plays with a jam band at the Roadrunner RV Park. A number of spectators were from Minnesota including Tom and Brenda Berent. They have been coming to the Valley for six years following retirement. Tom was in the U.S. Air Force in addition to being an electronics technician. Brenda worked for six years at Tonka Toys and then joined the local school district as an administrative assistant for most of her 29 years. The Berents began with just a couple of months’ stay in the Valley at Winter Ranch, but the time kept increasing and now it’s four plus months for the winter. Tom thought the lower costs here were amazing. Brenda said, “I love it down here,” and has found there is so much going on that it can be a bit tiring between cards, bingo, dominoes and eating out. Tom enjoys shuffleboard a lot, playing almost every day. It has gotten to be sort of a family affair with relatives coming to stay here in the winter. In fact, Brenda’s sister is due for a week’s visit next week now that she and her husband are retired. With the Berents watching the parade there were family and friends from Minnesota including Ray and Glenda Uselman, who have been at Winter Ranch for 18 years and Mike and Kathy Kust, 12 years of coming here. People come because it’s all about the warm weather, the numerous activities and friends you make. Ask just about any Winter Texan and you’ll get the same answer. ALAMO From pg. 2
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