5 WINTER TEXAN TIMES www.wintertexantimes.com JANUARY 7, 2026 Valley Star AWARDS SHOW F E B 1 1 2 0 2 6 15th Annual Brought to you by Who will be the 2026 Entertainer of the Year? Find out in person at this year’s Valley Star Awards Show SAVE THE DATE Valley Star Awards Show Wednesday, February 11, 2026 Tickets on Sale January 2026 Ballots available January 14, 2026 ? you, and I hope that you have had a chance to try some things out. If this is your first time, make some friends and find out where their favorite hangouts are and what other activities they like doing. Get to know your park, get to know your community, and get to know all the wonderful things the Rio Grande Valley has to offer you. If you find a new place you like, let us know. We love to find out what you are doing out there for fun. Oh…. And if you are participating in the Golden Age Olympics, share some photos with us, let us know how your group and park are rating. We love to share the good news. I look forward to hearing back from you. ~ Rina RAMBLINGS From pg. 1 WOODCARVERS From pg. 1 4 p.m. and Saturday, January 25, 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. There is a donation of $5 for the entry fee. Children under 12 are free. The show features exhibits by carvers, carving instructors, tool vendors, and wood vendors. Door prizes will be given every 30 minutes with three large door prizes given at the end of the show. Table space may be rented by both commercial and non-commercial exhibitors. Table registration is by mail only (find form online). No online registrations. The highlight of the weekend is, as always, the carving competition. The event will have top carvers from across the Rio Grande Valley, the US and Canada. There will be entries from all types of carving disciplines – realistic carving, chip carving, caricature carving, pyrography, relief, bird, decoy, stylized carving, gourds, and bowls. All 27 categories of carvings will be open to all carvers by division. Judging criteria will be determined by the judges. One additional category has been added this year. Carvers with projects that they would like to display for viewing will have a separate area – no judging – just for public viewing. If your piece is for sale, your phone number will be placed on the piece. You and the buyer will discuss the money exchange. The RGV Club will not get involved in the sale but would appreciate a donation back to the club. Come join the fun. Better yet, enter a piece in the competition. Full rules, entry forms, and show categories can be found online. You can check out all the details at www.rgvwoodcarvers.org or email rgvcarvers@rgvwoodcarvers. org. Food Bank RGV seeks sponsors and silent auction donations The Food Bank of the Rio Grande Valley will host its annual Farm Dinner on Friday, January 23, from 6 to 9 p.m., at the Food Bank RGV, located at 724 N. Cage Blvd. in Pharr. The event will feature a fivecourse, farm-to-table meal prepared with locally sourced ingredients by Chef Larry and Jessica Delgado of the Delgado Collective, owners of SALT – New American Table and house. wine. & bistro. Guests will enjoy a night of fine dining, music, and community connection inside the historic Valley Fruit Co. building, with proceeds benefiting Gem Valley Farm, the Food Bank RGV’s educational community garden and farm. Gem Valley Farm serves as a hands-on learning space where children, families, and community members discover how to grow nutritious food, explore sustainability, and learn the importance of healthy eating. Following the completion of the Food Bank’s new freezer and cooler, the farm is being rebuilt as a hub for outdoor learning and community engagement. The Food Bank RGV is currently seeking sponsors and silent auction donations to support this year’s event. Sponsorships range from $1,500 to $10,000 and include reserved seating, recognition on event materials, and acknowledgment through the Food Bank’s website and social media channels. A limited number of individual tickets will be released at a later date. “Gem Valley Farm is a special place that connects families to the source of their food while inspiring healthy habits,” said Libby A. Saenz, CEO of the Food Bank RGV. “Support from our sponsors and donors helps ensure this garden continues to grow and nourish our community.” For more information about sponsorships or silent auction contributions, contact Philip Farias at (956) 904-4513 or pfarias@foodbankrgv.com. About the Food Bank RGV The Food Bank of the Rio Grande Valley, Inc. was incorporated in 1986 and has grown to be the largest charity in South Texas based on clients served. In FY 2025, the Food Bank RGV distributed over 38 million meals to individuals and families in need. Currently, the Food Bank RGV serves over 92,000 people weekly through its network of 275 partner agencies. Learn more about the Food Bank RGV and its ongoing efforts to alleviate hunger at www.foodbankrgv.com.people weekly through its network of 275 partner agencies.
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