JANUARY 28, 2026 www.wintertexantimes.com 4 WINTER TEXAN TIMES Call or Email ads@wintertexantimes.com Thanks for coming to Texas! Winter Texan TIMES Serving Winter Texans From Mission To South Padre Island Since 1987 Vol. 38, No. 24 © 2025 www.wintertexantimes.com Wednesday, March 26, 2025 INDEX Events Calendar p 4 Reunions p 6 Parks Calendar p 8 WintertainersTM p 8 On The Road p 12 Taste of the Valley p 17 Coupon Index p 20 Classifieds p 21 Business Guide p 21 Rina’s Ramblings See RAMBLINGS pg. 17 This season is ending, and I hate to see it go. We always enjoy your time with us, and our time with you, and we sure are going to miss it while you are gone. We know you are coming to the Valley for the community, the weather, lower prices, and more. We also know you are coming because of the culture and the warm welcomes you receive. But it is also your warmness that makes us love seeing you each year. Speaking of that warmness, you do so much for the communities you live in – whether it is for See THANK YOU pg. 18 Thank you for coming, safe travels, see you next season 2025 Winter Texan Fiesta. Photo by William Brunson By Herb Moering Hundreds of Winter Texans turned out Friday under picture perfect weather for the 49th annual Tourist Day in Nuevo Progreso. The event to say “thanks” to all those who come to shop, eat, purchase medicines and have dental work done in Progreso began with a brief welcome in the Bridge Authority Building from Samuel Robert Sparks Jr., the private bridge co-owner, to various area government officials and spouses and special friends. See PROGRESO pg. 20 Tourists enjoy refreshments and entertainment in Progreso Members of both delegations and honored guests took a moment out to exchange greetings and have some photos taken to commemorate the 49th Annual Tourist Day 2025. Photo by Herb Moering This season has, once again, been a blast. We have a lot of fun when we are out and about with you, sharing your news, and hearing your stories. I had the opportunity to hear many stories this year. What you see in the paper is sometimes just a bit of what is shared. I keep learning how eager you are to help others, to be there for your friends, and to teach others how to do the same. It’s amazing to see the strength you have and watch you use your experiences to help the community you live in through service, teaching, and more. We always enjoy sharing the stories of community service you do for your park, and for organizations, schools, and churches in your community. We get to see how thankful and how full of gratitude everyone is for your service – whether it be through volunteer work, making something, donating food, or any of the other multitude of ways you find to fulfill the need. We, and so many IN PRINT, ONLINE ON ANY DEVICE YOU WILL WANT TO TAKE IT WITH YOU WHEREVER YOU GO 956.580.7800 1217 N CONWAY, MISSION Follow us on Facebook.com/ wintertexantimes www.WinterTexanTimes.com FOR ADVERTISING OPPORTUNITIES delivered to your inbox Never Miss an issue with the Winter Texan times subscribe to receive the weekly edition in your inbox at www.WinterTexanTimes.com/Newsletter BRING US ALONG, & THERE’S ALWAYS MORE TO SEE, MORE TO DO Bentsen State Park announces February events Bentsen-RGV State Park has a full February schedule of events planned for visitors. All but two events require reservations, so be prepared to call ahead and sign up for the event you want to attend. All programs are free with park admission and meet at the tram turnaround unless otherwise specified. Bird walks take place every Wednesday, Friday, Saturday, and Sunday at 8:30 a.m. The big event this month will be the Great Backyard Bird Count. It will be held on two days, Friday, February 13, and Saturday, February 14, from 8 a.m. to noon. All of their remaining activities require reservations. On Saturday, February 7, there will be a S’more History event at 6 p.m. Our Night Sky will be held at 7:30 p.m. on the same day. A Birding Basics Series class will be held on Monday, February 9 at 9 a.m. Winter Speaker Series will be at 6 p.m. on Wednesday, February 11. The Wild Wellness class will be held on Friday, February 13 at 9 a.m. On Saturday, February 14, an Archery Basics class will be held at 10 a.m. A Night Ride will be held on Friday, February 28, at 6 p.m. On Saturday, February 28, there will be a Hawk ID Workshop at 1 p.m. Please call ahead to confirm program schedule, details, or reserve your spot, by calling (956) 5849156. Park grounds are open from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. Park store is open from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Tram transportation service is available from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. daily and leaves from the headquarters on the hour. Bentsen-RGV State Park is located at 2800 S. Bentsen Palm Dr. in Mission. For more details and to register, visit our website at https://tpwd. texas.gov/state-parks/bentsen-riogrande-valley. that is around for most of our winter months. I remember my dad used to prep a lot for these cold snaps. We lived in a mobile home that had a gas heater that we had to light the pilot light from outside – so that was a huge draw back if the winds got bad. But what made these cold snaps fun was when my dad would find somewhere to hang the hose to let the water run. Sometimes he would hang it in the tree, or position it on the fence, or one year he let it spray out of the tree and onto our outdoor storage room’s roof. We ended up with huge icicles coming off that storage room the next morning. He would always make it to where we ended up with something fun and exciting to see when we woke up. When I was about nine or so, we had a cold snap that left it cold enough I was able to stand on top of the frozen cow trough at my grandparents’ farm. They had to chop through a big layer of ice, so the cows had access to their water. Anyway, I am sure you are happier here in the Valley than being elsewhere for now. I hope you stayed safe and warm and watched some good shows, played some cards, put together a puzzle, or something fun. If you want to share some of your cold stories, or any other stories about what makes the Valley a great place to be, send it to me at news@ wintertexantimes.com. RAMBLINGS From pg. 1
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