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RGV Livestock Show & Rodeo celebrates 85 years

IMG 4088 a webThe Rio Grande Valley Livestock Show & Rodeo is the Valley’s largest single event bringing in over 400,000 visitors to the Mercedes community annually. From 1939 to 2024, 85 years of historical amazing history has been made right here in the Rio Grande Valley. The event hosts over 7,000 exhibitor entries by 4H and FFA members from across the Rio Grande Valley and from across the state.

The 2024 event is bringing some new additions to expand the scope of experiences for everyone. Families from Brownsville to Roma to Raymondville and from outside the RGV can expect fun, food and new entertainment that will be second to none. The 11-day event will feature one of the best carnivals in the nation, and local and national food vendors that bring unique flavors, both sweet and savory.

Read more: RGV Livestock Show & Rodeo celebrates 85 years

March 6, 2024 - Rina's Ramblings

20240301 203449 webThis past week was a fun one – a little cooler than usual, but a fun one. There was a great turn out at the Mission Winter Texan Fiesta. The day started with a light misty rain and a cool breeze, and although we were expecting the sun at some point, I don’t think it showed itself until the event was practically over. So, quite a few Winter Texans decided not to venture out until a little later in the afternoon instead of showing up at the beginning, which was fine, we still had the chance to talk to a lot of you.

We even met the couple that is in our Winter Texan Ambassador ad. It’s a picture from several years ago, but it’s one that we like and have been using for the ad for several years. They said you could tell the time frame of the photo because no one is using cell phones to take photos – everyone has a little point and shoot camera instead. Most Winter Texans you see taking photos at events now have a cell phone, or something nicer than a point and shoot.

It is always fun hanging out with you and talking to you. We had a lot of visitors to our table. So many of them mentioned how long they had been coming to the Valley, reading the paper, and how they came once to visit and the next year they bought a home to come back to each year. It’s awesome hearing how much the Valley is loved by our Winter Texan friends and what some of you find different from here versus Florida. We are thrilled you have decided to spend time with us.
We also had the opportunity to go see Fiddler on the Roof performed by the Harlingen Community Theatre. I just have to say WOW! That was a phenomenal production! The people that volunteered their time and talent to this production were incredible. I was crying during one scene and laughing in another. It was so real, heartfelt, and emotional. They really made the story come to life on that stage. I am hoping we can catch more of their productions next year.

The Harlingen Community Theatre is a non-profit and everything on the stage, from their outfits to props, is all made possible by donations. They have had a wonderful season this year – selling out almost all their shows, something that hasn’t been done since 2019.

You can find out more information about them, how to support them, and when their next shows are, by visiting them online at https://hctvalleystars.org/.

Winter Texan Ambassadors

If you are still interested in becoming a Winter Texan Ambassador, don’t forget to call us soon and reserve 25 copies or more to take home with you and show everyone why you enjoy the Valley so much. Our take home issue will be March 13 and we can work out on how to get those papers to you.

Call us by March 8 to let us know how many you want reserved.

Hand wash or dishwasher

Good morning. Or is it good afternoon? I have been looking back at some of the previous On the Road articles that I have written for you. Would you believe that just about a year ago, I told you that I felt guilty for maybe wasting water as I washed dishes. At that time even the Farmers Associations were stressing that farmers should plant more crops that used less water. Sure enough, when we did our early February Farm Tour, you could see that there were more and more crops being planted that used less water.

Just recently, the local sugar cane mill has announced that they must close. There is no longer enough sugar cane being produced to pay for the expense of operating the mill. Growing sugar cane from planting to production reportedly takes more water than any other crop that is grown in the Rio Grande Valley. I am anxious to go on the next Farm Tour and see how the crops are doing.

All of us – from the housewife who washes dishes and does the family laundry, to the teenager who loves to take those long, exhilarating hot showers, and the farmer who doesn’t watch the border breaks when he irrigates – we all need to become more conscious of our over usage and waste of that precious commodity. And our climate changes, which affect us as well as those in Mexico, is not helping.

As I thought about what more I could do to conserve water, I was reminded of a housekeeper from Mexico that once worked for me. She handwashed dishes differently than I did – and I think it probably did save water. Her method was to take a soap filled wet sponge and scrub each cup, saucer, and plate with the sponge before placing those soapy dishes in the sink and proceeding to rinse them with hot running water. That method probably used less water than rinsing each individual item one by one… especially if you leave the water running as you scrub each utensil. I also wonder if any studies have ever been made over which method uses more water – using an electric dishwasher or hand washing the same number of dishes and utensils.

Some of you guys out there that have an analytical mind figure that one out, will you? And let me know. My dishwasher has been broken for months and replacement parts have not been available. Shall I just continue to wash dishes by hand? After all, that is how I grew up. We didn’t have electricity, much less an electric dishwasher.

Jammin’ at Pharr South

20240306 Pharr South Jam 2 webAnother fantastic park and country jam is held on Thursdays from 1-3 p.m. during the winter season at Pharr South, located at 1402 South Cage Boulevard in Pharr. I attended a February jam and was warmly received by the office manager Lefa Pendleton and the activity director/chair of the jam, Ted Yoder. The master of ceremonies was Jane Heinen who announced each musician prior to their performance. Jane was assisted by Judy O’Hair and Margie Katzmann. This was the largest jam that I attended so far this season with over 200 people in the audience.

Each jammer was supported by talented musicians who comprised the stage band: Dale Eichor (bass guitar), George Epley (stage band manager and lead guitar), Red Foster (rhythm guitar), Judy Pinner (keyboard), Phillip Raiche (drummer), Rich Rohrback (pedal steel guitar), Dean Schilling (trumpet), and Leah Wuestenberg (fiddle).

The following are the 28 musician jammers who entertained the audience: John Bennett, Bart Bergquist, Ed Black, Janet Bland, Charlie Cassaday, Allen Cully, Richard Daniels, Stephan Estys, Harvey Goehring, Sandy Grady, Jane Heinen, Peggy Hertzfeldt, Billy Hick, Alice Johnston, Jane Kumor, Judy O’Hair, Joy Padgett, Dave Perryman, Anna Pisano, Evelyn Ringlar, Jill Rohrback, Darrell Rogers, Bobby Rosier, Tom Schneider, Alex Vahey, Gaylan and Murt Van Houten, and Mark Wuestenberg.

Read more: Jammin’ at Pharr South

Bonham’s Bears Annual Teddy Bear Giveaway

By Maple Frye

Loaves and Fishes Ruben Garza and Rachel Carter webBonham’s Bears is an all-volunteer group with members from other parks but based at Green Bay South. We make teddy bears and donate them to first responders and children support organizations. On February 15, we gave away 375 teddy bears to eight organizations. Mama Bear is Rachel Carter. We asked the organizations about their work and how our teddy bears helped. Here are their comments.

Read more: Bonham’s Bears Annual Teddy Bear Giveaway

Mission Bell/Trade Winds host car show

Mission Bell/Trade Winds RV & MH Resort will be hosting a car show this weekend, Saturday, March 9, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Come and see great cars, eat some good food, and listen to live music by Rusty Rierson. Admission is two canned food times to be donated to a local food pantry.
Car registration is being held from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. Entry fee is $15 per vehicle. If you have any questions, call Doug at (419) 266-6347.

Awards will be given in several categories starting at 1:45 p.m. Categories are Best in Show, Best MoPar, Best Turck, Best Foreign, Best GM, Best Ford, and Best Motorcycle.

Mission Bell is located at 1711 E. Business Hwy. 83 in Mission.

Pleasant Valley Ranch holds pool tournament

Pool Tournament Photo webA pool tournament was held February 12 at Pleasant Valley Ranch. Left to right are Matthew Moe and Roy Thompson, third place; Yvon Carpentier and Claude Lemay, first place; and Robert Seals and Paul Terbening, second place. Another tournament will be held at Pleasant Valley Resort March 11 at 9 a.m. It will be an 8 ball in hand tournament with a 32-player maximum, double elimination. $25 fee for each player. If 32 players are reached, the purse will be $700 divided to the six first players with $300 to the winner. If you want to participate, please call Claude Lemay at (613) 699-4185.

Palm Gardens Ladies learn about the Border Patrol

Ladies Luncheon 01 webby Ruth Filz

Monthly, ladies from Palm Gardens RV Park in Harlingen head out in the Valley looking for new places to enjoy lunch and then venture off to visit some of the wonderful attractions the Valley and the island have to offer. In February the group decided to stay in the park and invite the gentlemen to join them for a catered lunch. After lunch, Agent Rudy Rodriguez from the Harlingen Border Patrol Station met with the group to provide background on the Border Patrol, talk about what is happening in the Valley and answer attendees’ questions.

Read more: Palm Gardens Ladies learn about the Border Patrol

Dale and Gayle are ready for next year

Dale Eisenhauer webDale and Gayle have been entertaining in the RGV for 15 years. Winter Texans know them for playing music for 13 years at the different locations of Ace’s BBQ. They’re known for playing classic country music, whether for a show, a dance, or a happy hour. They also know them for Gayle’s alter-ego, Mrs. Crabapple, who always interrupts their shows and complains to park managers about all kinds of park matters.

Read more: Dale and Gayle are ready for next year

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