JANUARY 14, 2026 www.wintertexantimes.com 18 WINTER TEXAN TIMES (956)566-1157 715 N. Westgate Dr., Weslaco | 956-968-2708 RioValleyEstates@gmail.com | www.RioValleyEstatesTX.com Within 5 Blocks Of All You Need Only 2 Blocks Off I-2, Your Connection To The Entire RGV Come see how the right location makes all the difference! Manager’s Special FREE MONTH* *Rent A RV Pad Site For 2 Months, Get A 3rd Month FreE *Offer valid for 1st time renters. Not valid with any other offer. Call office for details. Expires 1/21/26. • FREE High Speed Internet • FREE Cable TV • Swimming Pool & Hot Tub • Pickleball Court • Recreation Hall Recreation Hall • Fun Activities • Concrete Pad Sites • Full Hookups • Wide Paved Streets • Gated Community Separate RV Section Features: Expwy 83 Business 83 W Pike Blvd Panther Dr Westgate Dr RVs at Rio Valley Estates tioned by the United States Senior Pickleball Association (USSPA), and the outdoor tournament will be sanctioned by the United States Pickleball Association (USPA). The indoor tournament will focus on the over 50-year-old picklers, and the outdoor tournament will be open to all ages and levels. There will also be an opportunity for those new to pickleball to compete. The goal of this event, and the association, is to make the RGV a pickleball destination. The sport has dramatically increased its presence in the RGV with many courts opening up throughout the Valley like RGV Pickle in Harlingen, and facilities in SPI, Brownsville, Pharr, McAllen, and Mission – and don’t forget how many courts are now open at many senior parks in the RGV as well. Every dollar raised during the event goes right back into pickleball development in the Rio Grande Valley, said JR. “We’ve never taken a salary – our team is entirely volunteer-based.” In just a few years, the organization has partnered with multiple school districts, hosted free clinics for kids during school breaks, and worked with PE teachers across cities like Harlingen, Mission, Brownsville, and South Padre Island to introduce pickleball into their programs. Funds help them provide free paddles and equipment for local schools, to host free youth camps during the summer and winter breaks, to support seniors with access facilities and programming, and to reach their goal of becoming an official 501(c) (3) nonprofit organization to expand their mission. They are currently in the process of completing their nonprofit registration, which will open up even more opportunities to give back. PICKLEBALL From pg. 5 The association also continues to assist the Veteran community with fundraising. They have ran tournaments for the South Texas Afghanistan Veterans Association, The Laguna Madre Veterans Association, The Port Isabel Veterans United Association, the local chapter of the Wounded Warrior Project, the Salvation Army, and with the help of Elena Villarreal (owner of RGV Pickle located at 6201 FM 106, in Harlingen), allowing them to use her facility, it has made a huge impact assisting these organizations. If you want to help out the organization, they welcome volunteers for event support, donations, business sponsors for future programs, and community partners who want to help bring pickleball to their own town. If someone wants to get involved with the association, they can reach out directly to JR by calling him at (413) 896-0756. Or you can visit their website at rgvpickleball.org. Correction: RGV Woodcarvers Last week we published a story about the RGV Woodcarvers show that will be held on January 24 and 25. Although we had the dates right, the days were wrong. The event will be held on Saturday, January 24, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., and Sunday, January 25, from 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. at the Palm View Community Center, 3401 Jordan Road in McAllen. There is a $5 donation fee for entry. We apologize for any confusion. “We truly believe in the power of pickleball to bring people together – across generations, cultures, and communities,” said JR. “Events like Pickleball on Padre help us create moments of joy, movement, and connection, right here in South Texas.”
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