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January 17, 2024 - Rina's Ramblings

Wow, it’s been a cold one. Monday really hit hard this week, didn’t it? It might be a little cold, but at least we don’t have to shovel snow, and it doesn’t last very long. Unfortunately, it does mean that we usually stay inside when it’s like this. We don’t tend to venture out – at all.

We had one of our writers trying to cover some Golden Age Olympics events. He showed up to a shuffleboard event on Monday morning, and no one showed up to play. Apparently, no one wanted to play out in the cold.

I don’t blame them though. I would rather be at home, snuggled in a warm blanket watching a movie or something than outside in the cool air. This is when it’s a good time to have an extra puzzle or two on hand to work on.

But…. We have warmer weather to look forward to in the near future. Projections are for another little cold spell on Friday and then getting back to some more normal temperatures so you can get back outside for your golf, shuffleboard, and RC racing.

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Speaking of outdoor activities – and activities in general – we want to know what you are doing out there. What are you doing at your park?

We see the announcements for Happy Hours, Bingo games, dances, and entertainment. We would love to see photos and hear what you are having fun doing at your park, or when you are out and about taking in the sites.

We also have a lot of great entertainment in the Valley – local and visiting. Be sure to check them out and let us know who your favorites are, or who we need to go and see for ourselves.

We have seen Facebook posts of trips to the island, to Progreso, and other areas of the Valley. It looks like y’all are having a lot of fun out there.

If there is something you think we should know about – an event, a special person, or favorite hangout – share it with us. We might want to check out this something special.

As always, you can email us at news@wintertexantimes.com. Email photos, story ideas, and your news.

Caution, Carving can be addictive

unnamed 2 webBeginning in October a dedicated group of Winter Texans and local carvers begin gathering at the Nomad Shrine Club in Pharr. Carvers come together to visit, carve, and rekindle old friendships. Meetings are every Thursday from 8 a.m. till Noon at 1044 Nolana Loop in the Nomad Shrine Club Building from October through March.

The club has a long history in the Valley dating back to 1983. Carving club members come from as far away as New York, Minnesota, Wisconsin, Iowa, Michigan, Texas and even Canada, not to mention the members from right here in the Valley. They meet each week to follow a common passion: woodcarving. Visitors are always welcome. Stop in and check out what’s going on.

Read more: Caution, Carving can be addictive

Ron Moshier packs the house with high energy entertainment

20240109 153105 webIf you have ever been to one of Ron Moshier’s shows, you can physically feel the energy change throughout his selection of music. As he goes through his set, or even requested songs, the energy in the room changes with every song he plays…. And it’s a good energy.

We were out at Mustang Lounge and the energy was high as Moshier played through, not taking a break during his two-hour set. From what I hear, this energy is even felt when he plays at a park. This is probably just one reason why he won the Entertainer of the Year Award for the Valley Star Awards.

Moshier said he enjoys making people smile and laugh on the dance floor. The energy in the crowd is transferable to the way he plays and the friendships he has developed with his fans.

Read more: Ron Moshier packs the house with high energy entertainment

Betting on The Gambler is a guaranteed good time

IMG 1428 webAlthough he is widely known for his The Gambler Show, Rick McEwen is much more than just the gambler. He sings, strums, cracks jokes, and tell stories about his childhood. He entertains them all. He has fun with what he does, and it shows at all of his performances.

Rick says he enjoys performing for Winter Texans because of their love of traditional music…. and that they love to dance. He likes seeing audience members enjoying his shows by dancing, clapping, smiling from their seats.

Read more: Betting on The Gambler is a guaranteed good time

Memories, volunteering, and tours

Hello, it is now past mid-January and my mind keeps going back to Christmas. Maybe it is because I am reminded daily of the wonderful time I had with family and friends. One half of my dining room table is covered with a thousand-piece puzzle of the nativity. And then my bedtime reading is a historical book given to me for Christmas. It is about the revolutionary women of Texas and Mexico. So many of these women organized for equality mainly in education. But also, for the right to vote and for the right to choose who they wanted to marry.

Perhaps it was this book that finally pushed me into volunteering to be a tutor for children who were having problems with reading. Or maybe it was because I had so long admired our older citizens and Winter Texans who volunteered. Truly they make a difference. So yesterday I reported for my first day as a tutor to help children who had reading problems. Surely the ability to read is one of the most important skills that we can learn.

Earlier in the school year I asked my fifth-grade nephew how he was doing in school. His reply was that he made an A+ in science and in Math, but that you could not make an F plus or an F minus, it’s just an F. He was getting an F in reading. Later in the year, those math problems became written problems and his excellent grade in Math began to drop. Fortunately, some wonderful person volunteered to serve as his tutor. Finally, the book, the example set by so many retirees and my nephew’s experience encouraged me to volunteer.

Read more: Memories, volunteering, and tours

Ron Hoover Open House continues to be a success

DSC 1111 webBy Herb Moering

Several thousand Winter Texans took advantage of nice weather to inspect the latest in RV fifth wheels, motor homes, boats and 4-wheelers on opening day, Jan. 11, of the 17th annual Ron Hoover RV & Marine Center Open House in Donna. Visitors were treated to free hotdogs and soft drinks along with chances to win door prizes and a grand prize in a drawing at the end of both afternoons of the open house.

The grand prize winners were Luis Lopez, who chose the four-wheeler; and Dan and Sherry Zirnhelt from Forman, North Dakota, who chose the enclosed utility trailer.

Read more: Ron Hoover Open House continues to be a success

An RGV tradition continues

SPI Market DaysPress Release Photo webThe 27th Annual SPI Market Days will be held on South Padre Island from January 26 to 28 and February 23 to 25. This indoor event will take place at the South Padre Island Convention Center, 7355 Padre Blvd. Event hours are Friday and Saturday 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Sunday 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Admission is only $1 and Children 12 and under are free.

Read more: An RGV tradition continues

McAllen church holds annual polka worship

DSC 0962 webFor 28 years Winter Texans have filled Our Savior Lutheran Church in McAllen to join them in worshipping the Lord by singing polka melodies of familiar hymns. Previous events have included “Beer Barrel Polka” played to the words of the hymn “Come Let Us Worship,” and “The Happy Wanderer” to the hymn “He Lives.”

Read more: McAllen church holds annual polka worship

Lonestar Jubilee performs for a mission

THE TEXANS webWhile the Lone Star Jubilee shows are certainly filled with inspiration, fun and laughter, they also perform for a purpose. They have a ministry to support that keeps them doing what they love – entertaining, inspiring, and giving.

Sam Ray, who first started performing at Dallas Christian College with the Master’s Four in 1971 moved to Branson in 1983 and changed their name to the Texans. They are now a full-time trio comprised of Sam, wife Brenda, and son Curtis. They began their full-time traveling ministry in 1999, performing more than 300 concerts a year. They have shared their stage with speakers like TD Jakes, Charles Stanely, Jerry Falwell, Tim Lahaye, and many more.

Read more: Lonestar Jubilee performs for a mission

Men and Women of A-Chord performing near you

MWOAC 2 26 23 webIf you don’t already know, Men of A-Chord and the Sweet Adeline’s have now become one and perform as Men and Women of A-Chord. The group performs in the Winter Texan parks from January through March.

The group still performs Barbershop Harmony, but now you have a wider range of voices to listen to. Something you might not know about the group, with funds collected from their shows, anything over their expenses, goes to music scholarships to high school seniors in the Valley.

Read more: Men and Women of A-Chord performing near you

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