MARCH 26, 2025 www.wintertexantimes.com 2 WINTER TEXAN TIMES 1217 N. Conway, Mission, Texas 78572 (956) 580-7800 www.wintertexantimes.com © Copyright 2024-2025 by Nexus Publishing LLC, all rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced without express written permission of the publisher. The Winter Texan Times is not responsible for errors or omissions in advertising. In the event of an error in an ad or omission of an ad, the newspaper’s financial liability is limited to the cost of the ad in questions. The newspaper is not responsible for any other damages, tangible or intangible. Typically a make-good ad or re-rescheduled ad is considered to sufficiently meet the newspaper’s responsibility. Dan Brunson Publisher dan@wintertexantimes.com Carina Brunson Editor carina@wintertexantimes.com Anastasia Brunson Office Manager anastasia@wintertexantimes.com Published by Nexus Publishing LLC Parks Calendar: Items must be open to the public activities in the parks only and must be submitted by park owners, managers, or activity directors. We do not accept listings for reviews, workshops, lessons, or dance classes. Please include all pertinent information, a contact person, and contact phone number. Submission deadline is Thursday 5 p.m., the week prior to the publication date. Send to Winter Texan Times, 1217 N. Conway Ave., Mission, Texas 78572 or email to parkscal@wintertexantimes.com. News: We are always looking for news about events, organizations, exhibits, fundraising, and more, from parks, chambers, cities, museums, and other venues. You are welcome submit your news items, photos of recent park activities, or news story ideas about your park or park residents. Please include all pertinent information, a contact person, and contact phone number. Submission deadline is Thursday 5 p.m., the week prior to the publication date. Send to Winter Texan Times, 1217 N. Conway Ave., Mission, Texas 78572 or email to news@wintertexantimes.com. Events Calendar: Items must be open to the public. Please include all pertinent information, a contact person, and contact phone number. Submission deadline is Thursday 5 p.m., the week prior to the publication date. Send to Winter Texan Times, 1217 N. Conway Ave., Mission, Texas 78572 or email to news@wintertexantimes.com. Reunions: We feature reunions and meetings that are happening throughout the Valley. We hope that if you are having such a meeting, you will send the information to us so we can help you spread the word. Please include all pertinent information, a contact person, and contact phone number. Submission deadline is Thursday 5 p.m., the week prior to the publication date. Send to Winter Texan Times, 1217 N. Conway Ave., Mission, Texas 78572 or email to reunions@wintertexantimes.com. www.wintertexantimes.com Rita Norlander – Hall of Famer and loved by many Rita Norlander, a long-time resident of the Trails End Winter Park, was honored on March 19 as she threw out the first pack for the annual Rita Norlander Shuffle Tournament. Rita hails from Wisconsin and moved to Texas over 28 years ago. She was originally in the Weslaco Trailer Park before moving to the Trails End Park. Rita shuffled for 28 years and is well known throughout the Valley due to participating in many, many tournaments – and her great personality. In 2023 she was inducted into the RGVSA Hall of Fame which honors individuals who have demonstrated superior performance in the RGVSA shuffleboard activities over a period of time. To be nominated, a player must have achieved four years as an active expert player and earned 200 lifetime points which is quite an achievement as Rita began shuffling at the age of 70! The 2023 Hall of Fame dinner was one of the biggest they have ever had and was attended by at least 28 family members from Wisconsin and the surrounding area. Nominees must also have provided outstanding service to their park and/or the Valley which Rita accomplished in part by many, many, hours of working in the kitchen, helping with meals and making homemade pies for the tournaments. She is not only superbly skilled in the game but also brings her sense of humor to the courts. Her favorite words were always “I didn’t mean to do that” after she put the opponent’s disc in the kitchen - which were done with accuracy and frequency! You can always find Rita close to the shuffle courts, for a fun game and a little talk. Darlene King, of Trails End, said she is very much loved by everyone at the park, and it shows with these two poems. Rita Norlander She’s a very special lady That we’re all blessed to know Who came to this great Valley Nearly 30 years ago. She shuffles all the time Except when it’s too cold Cuz we make her stay inside And NOT because she’s old. See RITA pg. 18 Rita Norlander throws out the first puck at the shuffle tournament which is named after her. Rita Norlander holding her certificate from the RGVSA Hall of Fame.
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