January 4, 2022 - Rina's Ramblings

Well … It’s a new year, and we hope that means better things. We always strive to do better than we did the day before. I don’t really do New Year’s resolutions, but I try to make sure I am doing better than I did last year. I try to improve on things or make it a point to finish tasks that I have put to the wayside for some time. Just ask my husband, I am notorious for starting things, but never finishing them.

Whether it be cross stitch projects, craft projects, writing for myself, family history…. You name it. There are several things I have left unfinished. I aim to have at least one thing finished by the end of this year – hopefully two. If I could get my two cross stitch projects finished, I can start another one….

So, what do you do for the new year? Do you try to set some new goals? Did you eat your black-eyed peas, collards and ham? Do you aim to try something new?

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We hope you have had a great year thus far, or a great beginning of the season. Now is when the season really starts getting busy. Wintertainers™ start to really entertain and you will see full calendars of entertainment you might want to see. Our calendars are going to get fuller as the month goes by. Mid-January to Mid-March are our busiest months. We’re practically non-stop.

We hope you are having fun out there and are enjoying going to dances and seeing the entertainment the parks have to offer. We sure enjoy going out there with you. Try to get out there when you can. These entertainers come to have fun with you and give you some top-notch entertainment.

We’ll soon have our ballot out for the Valley Star Awards we will hold in February. Be sure to watch for that and vote for your favorites.

Until then, if you have any news you want to share, send it to news@wintertexantimes.com.

If you are celebrating a milestone anniversary, let us know. If there is someone with a story to tell in your park and it is worth knowing, let us know. We want to hear your news. We want to share your news.

Sunday Speaker Series presents Living Beyond Borders

The Sunday Speaker Series presentation “Living Beyond Borders: Growing up Mexican in America Book Plática” will feature panelists Margarita Longoria, Trinidad Gonzales and Sylvia Sánchez Garza at 2 p.m. Jan. 15 in the museum’s Courtyard Gallery.

Read more: Sunday Speaker Series presents Living Beyond Borders

Jammin’ at the Peppermint Palace

The Peppermint Palace, also known officially as El Valle Del Sol, is a senior park community located in Mission at 2500 East Business Highway 83. This park has a delicious name along with the delightful country music played with the assistance of a stage band and jammers on Thursday mornings from 10 a.m. to noon whenever the Winter Texans are in the RGV.

El Valle Del Sol has a large and spacious hall which is perfect for musical performances and dancing. The stage is roomy and easily accommodates the stage musicians and their equipment. The sound quality is excellent thanks to the expertise of Dean Sides, sound engineer.

Each music jam has a host who organizes and coordinates the activities for each jam. The country jam’s host is Jim Thompson who is also on stage and an excellent entertainer.

The stage band members who accompany the jammers and perform their own selections change occasionally. At the mid December 2022 jam that I attended, the stage band was Isaac Martinez - drummer, Jim Thompson - rhythm guitar, Iris Wiese - vocalist (from Minnesota), Dennis Wiese - Bass guitar and vocalist (from Minnesota), Ted Keim - self-made Cajon Drum Box and vocalist (from Illinois), Chris Koch - lead guitar and vocalist (from Indiana), Irene Griffith - keyboard and vocalist (Illinois), and Ken Griffith - lead guitar and vocalist (Illinois). Also worth mentioning is Bill Knight - lead guitar, who wasn’t present for this jam.

Read more: Jammin’ at the Peppermint Palace

Fun at a Seniors Baseball Game

It was just after lunch,
the senior’s game had begun.
Across the valley,
seniors play it for fun.
There were chairs in the outfield,
and a chair on each base.
For the seniors to sit on,
just in case.
Four teams were selected,
no stacking, just fun.
Because this is a game,
where we don’t have to run.

Let’s Play Ball

It was the top of the 7th with two men on base. Mike was up. He talked to his bean bags and performed a dance. He swung. “Strike one,” called the Umpire. The pressure was on.

Mike swung again, “a Home Run.” Suddenly there was pandemonium, everyone standing and talking. I thought, “This is not like cricket.”

Through the chaos, Mike could be seen stealthily touching the chair on each base. It was a sacred moment as he maneuvered through the crowd.

There was hand slapping and the smile of victory to be enjoyed.

Then two women from his team grabbed Mike as he reached third base. They carried him home.

Life of a Winter Texan

“Dad,” my son asked on the phone that evening. “How do you mean you played in a baseball game with a bean bag? A man your age should not be running around a baseball diamond.”

Kids! I tried to explain, "Seniors in the Rio Grande Valley (RGV) know how to have fun after age 55. To start with, they don't call these campgrounds anymore; now, they are called RV Resorts, 50% of the trailers here don’t have wheels, they are mini-homes, and everyone has a golf cart, not for golf, but just to reach the next activity on time.”
These RV Resorts are like holiday summer camps for teenagers, with three significant differences:

1) You must be 55 or older,
2) Saturday night dances are unsupervised.
3) Alcohol is approved of.

Teams Play for Fun

You could see the joy on their faces. These teams play for fun, encouraging and abusing each other is part of the game.

Then there was the weekly BYOB street party celebrating the end of every game - “The 10th innings.” Before the party starts, an organizational priority must be resolved, who will host next week’s 10th innings, then It's Party Time.

Over 100,000 people return to the RGV every winter. The locals call us Winter Texans, and it’s the group activities such as seniors' baseball that help bring them back.

Meet Malcolm Callister, Winter Texan Times, new humorist. We know laughter and humor can be found around every corner – and he wants to share your stories. If you have any funny events or anecdotes to share email him at malcolmwtt0@gmail.com.

McAllen marathon celebrating 10th anniversary

Each year the City of McAllen hosts the McAllen Marathon Scott Crane Run where participants have the opportunity to register for a 5K, 10K, Relay Marathon, Half Marathon or Full Marathon.

Read more: McAllen marathon celebrating 10th anniversary