Kansas Day celebration bigger than last year

On January 22, 359 Kansans from all over the Rio Grande Valley met to commemorate the anniversary of the state’s January 29, 1861 admission to the Union. This total attendance tops the 2019 Event by 100. What might be more spectacular, is 150 attendees were first timers for this celebration.

This year’s event took place at Trophy Gardens RV Resort. Much appreciation was given to Russel and Kathy Cropp and their team for setup of all tables and chairs. A great lunch was prepared and served by Ballis Catering of Mission. Entertainment was provided by Rusty Rierson, home grown entertainer from Augusta, KS.
Those in attendance had nothing but good things to say about the food and the entertainment.

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Art Bash, Korean Lanterns at IMAS

The International Museum of Art and Science (IMAS) will be hosting Art Bash on Thursday, February 6, from 3 to 8 p.m. to continue its Family Fun Night series on the first Thursday of every month.

Visitors can celebrate different forms of art at the IMAS including spirograph art, Surrealism, Mexican folk art, and music. A special performance by Musical Living Academy students will take place at 5 p.m. Guided tours in the galleries and outdoor sculpture areas will be provided throughout the evening. Recently opened exhibits include Cosmic Connections: The Metaphysical Practice of Kirk Clark and light sculptures from Jinju, South Korea.

At 6 p.m. UTRGV philosophy professor Dr. Remei Capdevila Werning will present a talk entitled “The Impossible Question - What is Art?” The IMAS has partnered with UTRGV’s Department of Philosophy to present Philosophy for Everyone talks, an ongoing series of philosophy lectures at the museum for a broad audience.

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Palm Gardens RV donates to community

Last month Palm Gardens RV and MH Park in Harlingen had the privilege to present two organizations with monies they had raised. The money was raised by auctioning off homemade pies.

The organizers of the event were Joanne Perry, Phyllis Tillotson and Rich Nagle and Wray Pedro served as the auctioneer.

The organizers and representatives from some local organizations were present for a special park meeting where the money raised was going to be given out.

Nagle said the pie auction started five years ago when they decided to find a new way to raise money. The first year they sold eight or nine pies for about $400.

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ACDG performing in the Valley this month

Absolutely Country, Definitely Gospel (ACDG) knows how to sing. They lend their strong voices to beautiful country ballads and recognizable gospel songs when on the stage. They were enjoyed by all at a recent Showcase event. The piano player has some of the fastest fingers around.

The group has been nominated for Gospel Group of the Year in the Valley Star Awards. They will be performing throughout the Valley this month. Valley Star Awards voting deadline is next week, so try to catch them before then to get a good idea on what they are about.

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Lindley Creek, always a Valley favorite

Lindley Creek has been a favorite in the Valley for a number of years now. Currently nominated for the Valley Star Awards Family Vocal Group of the Year, the group did win the 2015 RGV Bluegrass and Folk Band of the Year.

Lindley Creek’s musical roots are strong, stemming from the Ozark Hills’ rich legacy of bluegrass and gospel music. They bring their unique and personal brand of acoustic music to the stage to delight all that attend their shows.

The group will be presenting their Faith, Family and Freedom show with Williamson Branch on Saturday, February 8 at Casa Del Sol (400 N. Val Verde Rd., Donna). There will be a performance at 2 and 7 p.m.

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Old Guys Rule

Bob Repp took his glasses off and made his way toward the tennis court.

“Hey,” yelled out Jerry Butcher. “You forgot your glasses.”

“What,” the 92-year-old Repp responded. “I don’t need those things.”

Repp, Butcher and Bob Tenyak are the three elders in a group of tennis players that meet every Monday, Wednesday and Friday to play tennis for 90 minutes. They’ve been doing that at Aladdin Villas for at least 20 years and in a recent email that provided a photo of the group, the subject was: Old Guys Rule.

“I have a hard time sometimes keeping up with them,” said Butcher, the baby in the group who just turned 84. Meanwhile the more “experienced” Tenyak is 87 and Repp is 92. “We play 70-year-old and sometimes 60-year-olds and we definitely keep up with them, if not trounce them occasionally.”

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