Submitted by Arleen Bier
The Tommie Brixey Memorial Tournament to benefit the American Cancer Society was held March 7, at La Floresta RV Park in Mercedes. Tommie Brixey owned and operated the La Floresta RV Park and Golf Course for 30 years. She passed away in 2021 after a long fight with cancer.
The Rio Grande Valley Livestock Showgrounds (RGVLS) in Mercedes are going to be full of animals, people, food vendors, and more as they open their doors this week. The RGVLS celebrates 84 years this year. The events start on March the 9th and run through March 19th.
The event, supporting youth education and highlighting the Valley’s agriculture and students that participate in growing animals, will feature rodeos, concerts, exhibits, and discount days.
Time sure is moving by … The season is almost over. It’s been a crazy and fun one so far. We are looking forward to the next few weeks and a couple more events that we will be attending, especially the Lady and The Gambler show on the 19th.
Speaking of events, this past week we had the Winter Texan Fiesta put on by the Greater Mission Chamber of Commerce. If you didn’t get to attend, you missed some great entertainment. Performing were Bruce Boudreaux, Rick McEwen, Denim and Lace, and The Night Howlers. They were all great and attendees were clapping, hollering, dancing, and singing along. These are some entertainers to try to catch when you come back next year.
We have our golf contest currently taking place. If you haven’t voted for your favorites, be sure you do before 4 p.m. on Wednesday, March 8.
Also, next week will be our Take Home Edition. We love to share what you have been doing in the Valley while you winter here. Share your news with us, photos, and what you have enjoyed about the season. This edition is the opportunity to share what you love about the Valley with those that have not been here as of yet.
You also have the chance to take copies up north with you. If you would like to take 25 copies, or more, contact our office or email us at ads@wintertexantimes.com.
As always, if you have news, photos, important events to share with us, email us at news@wintertexantimes.com.
Sometimes it is a good idea if the boss becomes a guide. I really enjoy being with the passengers and guiding. Even when I do have a backup guide, things can just go wrong and I get to step in and guide. And what fun that is.
That is just what happened this past Thursday on a King Ranch Tour. My backup had covid and so I became the guide for the day. What a history we have in the King Ranch and in the formation and settling of the Rio Grande Valley. As I related the history of our area, I was again impressed with how we became the State of Texas.
Mission West RV Park, known as the Star of South Texas in Palmview, invites jammers and listeners each Monday from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. to perform country and bluegrass music to an audience already relaxed and satisfied due to their meal of grilled hamburgers starting at 4:30 p.m. The host for the jam is the talented Ted Weishar from Ontario Canada who also performs on stage with his dobro and guitar. The co-host is the sound engineer, Robert Jacques.
Read more: Great music and hospitality at Mission West RV Park
Springtime, the winter months in the warmth of the Rio Grande Valley, is over. Our feathered companions for the winter, the Boat Tailed Grackles, and Red Wing Blackbirds gather in flocks each evening on the powerlines at every street junction. It's that time of year again. The birds are getting ready, and we, as Winter Texans, must start planning our return drive to our northern homes.
By Herb Moering
Another 24 armed services Veterans were honored Sunday, March 1 by quilters at Tropic Star RV and MH Resort in Pharr.
The afternoon ceremony began with a flag presentation of the U.S. and service branch flags carried by park Veterans. Emcee Patty Hoerr offered a few comments after the Pledge of Allegiance, noting she had never been in the military, but that wouldn’t stop her from saying “thank you” for the Veterans’ service to the country. She reminded the large audience that those who served in any capacity “went where they were told to go.”
By Ruth Filz
On Saturday, February 25th, the Henry Roberts Memorial 32nd Annual Jalapeno 100 bike ride took place in Harlingen. It is a fun ride benefiting the Harlingen Boys & Girls Club. For the last few years, the ride has seen over 500 riders from across the state and the country, as well as from Canada and Mexico.
Submitted by Maple Frye
On March 6, Bonham’s Bears sponsored a teddy bear give away at the Green Bay South Clubhouse in La Feria. First responders and organizations that help children in crisis were invited to light refreshments and free teddy bears. We gave 450 teddy bears to eight organizations. A ninth organization, Loaves and Fishes, was dealing with health issues and asked to pick up their teddy bears later.
During 2022, we also gave away 274 pet pillows to the Rio Grande Valley Humane Society under our Scraps for Scruffy Project. Bonham's Bears is an all-volunteer organization based at Green Bay South, but we have volunteers from Park Place, Rio Valley Estates, and Citrus Village.
Read more: Bonham’s Bears gives bears to local organizations
By Arleen Bier
Let’s Shuffle! The 10th Annnual Shuffleboard Tournament at La Floresta was held February 18th. It was so much fun. We had 64 participants who competed throughout the day. The event was organized by Bill Hocken, with assistance from Jerry Mason and Wilf Trudeau and others. The Preliminary Round began at 9 a.m.; the Championship Round started at 1 p.m. with 32 players and 16 rounds. First Place went to Jim Woods and Kevin Halvorson.
