JANUARY 25, 2023 www.wintertexantimes.com 28 WINTER TEXAN TIMES ment we have lined up for February 15th. We were also able to go out and see Nu-Blu out at Bentsen Grove RV Resort and The Bottomline Band at Texas Trails. Both groups were fantastic! They are great people too, not just good for their music. We had a great time sitting with residents and enjoying the music with them, watching them dance and having fun as well. They sure get rowdy out at Texas Trails though. It was blast! With meeting the man that has read our paper off and on since its beginning, we want to know how long you have been reading our paper – or how long have you been visiting the Valley. When we do things like the golf ballot and other surveys, we usually ask how long you have been a Winter Texan. With our winter golf ballot, we had one entrant that said they have been a Winter Texan for 39 years. We think that is amazing! So, how long have you been visiting the Valley? And how long have you been reading the Winter Texan Times? If you would like to let me know, or tell me what is happening in your park, email me at news@wintertexantimes.com. We love hearing from you! RAMBLINGS From pg. 1 available for attendees for a small price before the show at 12 p.m., or just get there early to save a seat up front. This year’s lineup, as always, includes some Winter Texan favorites, including some of those that have been nominated. They are Nu-Blu, The Piano Man Jason Whorlow, Ron Moshier, Winnie Brave, Regan James, and Redneck Revival. There are eight categories with four nominees in each. Readers are asked to vote for their favorites in several categories. Categories are Male Vocalist of the Year; Female Vocalist of the Year; Duet Musical Group of the Year; Vocal Group or Choir of the Year; Individual or Small Band Act of the Year; Novelty, Comedy, or Variety Act of the Year; Rock N Roll Band of the Year; and Country Band of the Year. Don’t forget the most coveted award – the write in – Entertainer/ Group of the Year. This one is totally up to you, our readers, because you have the chance to write in your favorite. If you want to know who wins these awards before everyone else, or before we publish it the following week, you have to be there. Show Tickets So, how do you attend what is bound to be a great show? Tickets for this year’s Valley Star Awards Show are now on sale online at www.wintertexantimes.com, by phone order at (865) 253-2514, or at one of the following locations: Winter Texan Times – 1217 N. Conway Ave., Mission Mission Bell Resort/Tradewinds – Activities Office, 1711 E. Bus. 83, Mission Tickets are $15 each or $12.50 for groups of 10 or more. How to Vote To vote for your favorite Wintertainers™, fill out the Valley Star Awards Ballot in today’s edition of the Winter Texan Times. Voting can also be done, in our preferred method, online at www.wintertexantimes.com. You can find the ballot from the home page under the Winter Texans’ Favorites menu. Only one vote per person is allowed. Voters must use either the online ballot or the printed ballot from the paper. No photocopies of the ballot are permitted. Ballots must be received by Wednesday, February 8, by 4 p.m., to be counted. When you fill out the ballot, we ask that you vote for someone in every category, if you are familiar with the nominees. Also, be sure to write in your choice for Entertainer of Group of the Year. This can be any of the individuals or groups on the ballot, from any category. VSA From pg. 1 Each year Ambassadors of Grace has been able to be a part of this fundraising event for Children’s Haven. Other entertainers are selected from the great talent that visit the Valley each year. The organization will also be celebrating their 50th anniversary. They will celebrate with a fundraising dinner on February 25th from 5 to 8 p.m. There will also be a silent auction, raffles, and bake sale. Choices for food will be chicken salad or brisket sandwich with all the fixings, drink and dessert. The dinner will cost $12 per person. Tickets are available at the CHI office – but limited to the first 200 people. Their Pharr office is located at 400 E. Minnesota Rd. Children’s Haven International is a ministry program for children that is located in Reynosa, Mexico. They provide a home and refuge to over 50 children from broken, abusive, or impoverished families. The children usually range in age from one to 18. Their history dates back to over 35 years ago when a lady named Shirley (who had a Mennonite background), from Flint, Michigan, moved to the interior of Mexico and married a local man named Lee Mendoza. One day, she found an orphaned child had been left on her doorstep. She took in the child and cared for them. As time went on, others were left to her and she continued to care for them. It was in the mid 70’s when the couple rented a building in Reynosa where they continued to take in children that needed a home. After a fire destroyed the building, the Mennonite Disaster Relief provided funds to purchase 14 acres and build six separate homes on the outskirts of Reynosa. The home is called Refugio Internacional de Ninos, or International Refuge of Children, and is overseen by Children’s Haven International whose sole purpose is to provide loving Christian care for needy children. The mission is to fully provide for each youngster that comes under their care – physically, emotionally, intellectually, and spiritually – so that he or she can become a responsible, Christian citizen of their country. In 1988, six acres were donated in Pharr. This site now serves as the main headquarters and consists of RV hookups, housing, offices, and a thrift store which sells donated items to raise funds for the orphanage. Numerous volunteers perform an immense variety of tasks. A third arm of the ministry is located way up north in the home of the Volunteer Canadian Directors and is used as a second fundraising office known as International Children’s Haven in Canada. More information can be found in an ad in this issue and online at www.childrenshaven.org. This benefit concert is just one of the many ways you can support them. There are ways to sponsor a child, donate time, materials, and more to support the organization and the children it serves. Tours can also be arranged upon request if you would like to visit their facilities. Their thrift shop is located in the main building in Pharr, 400 E. Minnesota Rd. You can also find out more information on the Facebook page or by calling (956) 787-7378. BENEFIT From pg. 1 Courtesy Photo
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