Claudette Merriman used the phrase “mind-boggling” to describe the event unfolding in front of her.
The public relations chairman at the Bibleville Conference Grounds in Alamo watched, like the 100 or more of those in attendance, in reverence and honor as veterans took turns carrying a U.S. flag to its retirement. They went, one by one, placed the flag onto the fire created earlier and stoked with each additional flag, saluted it and returned to retire another.
Read more: A time of reverence, remembering the sacrifice
The Valley Red Hatters will be holding their Festival of Tables on Wednesday, February 23. The event, originally slated to be held at Trophy Gardens, is to now be held at Alamo Country Club.
The Red Hatters ask that you get your tickets as soon as possible. The event is by advance sales only and space is limited. Tickets are $18 per person. Non-members must purchase their tickets before February 14th. Red Hat attire is required.
Read more: Festival of Tables location changes
The La Joya ISD Folklorico program is celebrating their 40th anniversary with a great show by holding three performances this weekend. The La Joya High School Grupo Folklorico “Tabasco” and Mariachi “Los Coyotes” presents: Orgullo y Tradicion 2022.
Read more: LJISD Folklorico celebrates 40 years
Submitted by Larry Schmitt and Jan Bergman
On January 26, two hundred ten Kansans from various Parks/Resorts throughout the Rio Grande Valley met to commemorate the anniversary of the state’s 161st year admission to the Union, January 29, 1861. It was so great for we Kansans to be together again, and the old-timers enjoyed meeting the thirty-three Kansans attending for the first time…. yay!!! As before, Trophy Gardens RV Resort is a great venue for this size of crowd.
Read more: Valley-Wide Kansas Day celebration held
By Herb Moering
More than 250, mostly Winter Texans, braved drizzly weather Sunday, January 23, to come and worship the Lord that included singing polka melodies of familiar hymns at Our Savior Lutheran Church in McAllen.
The 27th annual Polka Worship Service had melodies like “Beer Barrel Polka” played to the words of the hymn “Come Let Us Worship,” or “The Happy Wanderer” to the hymn “He Lives.” Or how about “The Lichtensteiner Polka” for “Bless the Lord” and “The Blue Skirt Waltz” for the hymn “Faith of Our Fathers.”
Read more: Polka Worship Service celebrates 27 years
The La Floresta Park in Mercedes is filled with artists who bring with them many different talents and skills. One such artist is Harry Seurkamp, a woodcarver from Whitney, TX. Woodcarving is one of the oldest types of art.
Harry has always been into woodworking. After attending a carving show, his wife gave him a knife, a book, and a piece of wood, and signed him up for woodcarving classes. He was making box clocks at that time and thought carving would enhance them. Harry has been carving now for 30 years.
Read more: Wonderful woodcarvings created at La Floresta
Every two years the University of Texas Rio Grande Valley (UTRGV) and the Winter Texan Times partner to conduct the Winter Texan Survey. The survey serves as a census of the Winter Texan population and gathers data about the attitudes, behaviors and economic impact of Winter Texans in the Rio Grande Valley.
This week, the Winter Texan Times includes the Winter Texan Survey as an insert in the newspaper and we invite our readers to complete the survey, and in so doing, be entered in a drawing for one of three $200 cash prizes.
Read more: 17th Bi-Annual Winter Texan Survey
Mission Bell’s Hall was full of clapping, cheering, singing, and music throughout the day during this year’s Entertainers Showcases. The showcases highlight entertainment that’s available to Valley activity directors throughout the Valley. This is the opportunity for activity directors to book well known entertainment and listen to some new entertainment as well that provide music for shows, dances, happy hours, and line dancing.
This year’s events saw some of the Valley’s favorites and had quite a few new groups and individuals too. All the entertainment received great feedback from the crowd. This is a show you will never see anywhere else.
Read more: Entertainers shine at Showcase
The Senior Ambassadors Men’s Chorus is comprised of senior men from the Rio Grande Valley and many other locations around the USA and Canada. The members bring a broad range of musical experience and background to the group. The Senior Ambassadors motto is “Loving Life, Making Music.” Mr. Virgel Kroeker is in his 13th season as director of the chorus.
The Senior Ambassadors begin rehearsals in November and perform their musical selections in many RV parks and resorts throughout the Rio Grande Valley during the months of January, February, and March. The size of the chorus fluctuates from year to year.
Read more: Senior Ambassadors are singing once again
Since 1998 the RGV Concert Band has been presenting six concerts each year to Valley residents from January through March. In addition, a Christmas Concert is given by “early arrivals” and a combined concert with vocal groups is given semi-annually in March.
This season after a break due to “covid,” the band members joyously began practice in November 2021, and presented a Christmas Concert in December. The band is currently giving concerts in 55+ parks throughout the Valley.
Read more: RGV Band back after Break
