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Alamo police and fire departments caught speeding at raceway

RC Car Article 3 webStory and Photos by Linda Sauer

Alamo City Police and Fire Departments weren’t chasing speeding and wrecked vehicles recently; they were chasing and wrecking each other at a radio-controlled racetrack in Alamo.

Winter Gardens Raceway in Winter Ranch RV Resort was blessed with sunny skies and warm balmy breezes on Saturday, January 13 as Raceway club members again hosted the Alamo City Police and Fire Departments in a competition with radio-controlled cars. Race cars were provided courtesy of New Sun Racing and several Raceway club members. Adding a unique touch to the day’s races were two custom trucks; one a red truck with Alamo Fire Department decals; the other a blue truck with Alamo Police Department decals.

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Jammin’ at Alamo’s Roadrunner RV Park

20240124 Roadrunner Jam 2 webMusicians and listeners should not miss the inspirational country-gospel music available every Tuesday (November through March) from 1 to 3 p.m. at Roadrunner RV Park’s clubhouse, your home away from home since 1960, located at 1222 N. Cesar Chavez Rd. The park is named after the cartoon character, the ‘roadrunner’ which is a Warner Bros. 1949 creation of a fast ground running ‘bird.’

The welcoming starts immediately as you enter with a warm greeting from Connie Dziuh (50/50), followed by greetings by Sherry Hogan of the activity committee and Monika Shaw who served participants lunch. In addition, each jammer is introduced on stage by the announcer Carlene Chebuhar who coordinates the jammers with George Epley, the manager of the stage band.

The stage band is composed of the following volunteers: George Epley, stage band manager, lead guitarist, mandolin player and vocalist; Rodney Crouse, bass guitarist and vocalist; Tom Rivers, lead guitarist and vocalist; Bunnie Sigrist, rhythm guitarist and vocalist; and Wayne Teeple, fiddle, guitar, and vocalist.

20240124 Roadrunner Jam 3 webThe 19 country-gospel jammers who performed were Connie Benedict, John and Judy Campbell, Carlene Chebuhar, Linda Crouse, Richard Daniel, Joyce Fratt, Verna Funk, Tom Masha, Gail Miles, Elaine Nelson, Tony Ozark, Shire Pfeiffer, Deral Rogers, Larry Sisk, Dave Swanson, Bettey Thomas, Bo, and Ralph.
Two musicians were standouts – George Epley and Bunnie Sigrist.

George Epley, who lives full time in Pharr, is the manager of the Roadrunner stage band and also performs weekly at the Heritage Square jam in Mission. Twice per month, he is at the Brook Ridge Retirement Community in Pharr.

George started his music career at age 12 learning to play the left-handed guitar and mandolin by ear without any lessons. He is a great vocalist learning many songs by listening to the Grand Ole Opry. He was also inspired to pursue music from his father who played the old-time fiddle. Because of his love for music, George has inspired his son and grandson to pursue music.

In the RGV, he has performed with the Bob Droze Band; Louie Long and Texas Three band, that played at senior parks; Terry Smith, a popular songwriter and vocalist from Nashville; and his own four-piece band for shows at senior parks. Back in his hometown of Wichita, George had his own band performing for shows and at the VFW dances. He has also performed on radio and produced several CDs.

20240124 Roadrunner Jam 4 webBunnie Sigrist performs with her guitar and voice and currently lives full time in Alamo. She was motivated to study music by her Sunday school teacher taking piano lessons starting at the age of 10. She performed in school bands, choirs, and a girls glee club.

Later in life, she was motivated by her children and grandchildren to continue to pursue music. She has performed with Don Barnard, George Epley, Ron Ford, Louie Jett, Red Johnson, Jim King, and Coleman Smith. Bunnie plays at several jams, including Countryside MH and RV Park, Siesta Village, and Trails End as well.

Because of her pursuit of music, she has inspired her oldest son and grandson to study music.

Bunnie also volunteers and shares her musical talents at nursing homes and assisted living facilities. Her philosophy is “Musicians are family. We pray for each other and take care of each other.”

Volunteering, travel, warmer days ahead

I read each publication of the Winter Texan Times from cover to cover and vicariously join all the parks in their activities. And do you ever stay active. Not only do you have so many fun things, but you somehow find the time to contribute to our communities by volunteering. I especially liked the headlines of one of the stories – “It’s better to give than receive.”

And how true that is. Just this past Wednesday I reported for my first tutoring session with the Boys & Girls Club at Bonita Park in Harlingen.

The girl who was assigned to me was the younger sister of the teenager that I helped with her Christmas shopping. They young lady even came over to tell me hello. What a sweetheart! And so when I left the hour long tutoring session, I felt happy. I felt fulfilled. And yes, it is better to give than receive.

If you have not volunteered, why not look around you – someone out there needs your help. It may be just changing a ceiling light bulb – not everyone can still climb on a ladder. It may be with sharing a recipe or taking a shut in or an ill friend a hot soup for lunch. Or it could be a child who needs an extra attention and help with reading or math.

For those of you who are ready to travel, please continue to be patient. My e-mails into Mexico and overseas are often misdirected – both incoming and outgoing. Consequently, I do not have my hotel nor transportation costs in place. It is taking longer than usual, but hopefully the situation will improve. My local tech support person has spent almost two full days here working on my computer. We think we have the problem corrected. Just please be patient while we work through this problem.

In the meantime, stay warm. Although our winters seem colder than usual, remember those cold snaps generally don’t stay around too long and soon the days will be more pleasant and we can all be out and about again… the beach is waiting, the golf clubs and fishing poles have been neglected. Soon it will be time to enjoy our Rio Grande Valley again.

Have Fun!

Bringing football to the 500 table

1T4A8023 webThe colorful jackets displayed the loyalty of NFL fans across the country during the city of McAllen’s Golden Age Olympics cards tournament at the Palmview Community Center recently.

The annual Olympics is a multi-week event with several competitions – from bird watching, to cards to pickleball, shuffleboard and more. While Winter Texans and their parks comprise most of the competitors, residents from across the Valley who meet the criteria can also participate.

500 or Five Hundred is a trick-taking game developed in the United States from Euchre, another card tournament that will take place in February. Most games are played with four players – two against two.

Green Bay Packers, Chicago Bears, Minnesota Vikings, Kansas City Chiefs and Buffalo Bills fans, among others wore their team colors proudly. Ironically missing was any Dallas Cowboys garb, maybe because by this time they were also missing from the playoffs – eliminated by the “Pack.”

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Helping Hands Quilting Group plans quilt show

20240124 Alamo Rec Veh Quilt Show webThe Helping Hands Quilting Group of Alamo Rec. Veh. Park presents their 23rd Annual Quilt and Hobby show “When Life Give You Scraps, Make a Quilt.”
The event will be held on Thursday, February 1, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. There will be door prizes, raffle baskets, demonstrations, and fabric vendors.

A quilt was sewn by Helping Hands members Arlene Fuller and Coral Cox for a door prize. A donation of $2 is asked for admission. All proceeds benefit the Helping Hands Quilting Group.

Alamo Rec Veh Park is located at 1320 W. Frontage Rd., in Alamo.

Leisure World holds biannual quilt show

20240124 Leisure World Quilt Picture1 webThe Leisure World Quilters seventh biannual quilt show will be held February 8, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Main Hall, 400 East 18th St. in Weslaco. The quilter’s raffle quilt is queen size measuring 88”x88” in brown, rust, and gold colors. Tickets are $1 each or six for $5 and are available from any of the Leisure World quilters or at the show. The drawing will be held at the end of the show, and you do not need to be present to win.

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La Floresta celebrates hole in ones

20240107 145608 webWe had a first at our beautiful Par 3 La Floresta RV Park located near Mercedes, on December 29, 2023. On this day during our Mixed Couples scramble, Don Walters had a hole in one on #5 (133 yards). We heard yelling to "check the hole!" Sure enough, Don's ball was in the hole. Let the celebration begin. After a few minutes, we heard more screaming. Don's wife, Mary got a hole in one on #3 (80 yards). This is the first time for the course to have a husband and wife get a hole in one on the same day. Congratulations to both of them. This was Don's first, but Mary got one last year on hole #5. The course has Mixed Couples on Tuesdays and Fridays, Wednesdays are men's league, Thursdays are women's league and Sunday is divorce court. (submitted by Carla Strait)

Expo seeks to introduce Winter Texans to Valley’s best

20240124 Alamo Palms Expo RGVgeeks copy webAlamo Palms RV Resort’s Business & Health Expo will be held on Saturday, January 27 from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Free to Winter Texans, the event will feature 50 businesses and health professionals chosen by co-organizers Dennis and Barb Zanetti.

“Our unique model is that we invite businesses and health experts that we and our Winter Texan friends believe are really good,” Barb said. “We work to select the ‘very best of the best.’ Just imagine the quality your brother, sister or best friend would recommend for you. That’s the role we try to play.”

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RGBM holds sale to benefit students

IMG 4190 webWinter Volunteers at Rio Grande Bible Ministries (RGBM) will hold a Craft/Quilt/Bake Sale on Saturday, January 27, 8 to 11 a.m. to benefit students of both the seminary and the Intercultural Studies Program. It will be held in the multi-purpose room of the campus in Edinburg, 4300 S. Highway 281, (Closner Blvd.). Parking is available at the Closner entrance. The quilt auction will begin at 10 a.m. Free coffee will be provided all morning and cookies and baked goods will be available for purchase.

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Gospel Music Extravaganza is next week

20220105 Redneck Revivial BentsenPalmsRV HMiller 03 webBob Courtney, AKA Pastor Pudge, will be hosting the Gospel Music Extravaganza next week where he and others will be performing great gospel music to lift our spirits. The event begins at 3 p.m., Tuesday, January 30, at Winter Ranch Resort, 600 State Hwy. 495, in Alamo.

Others that will be performing are Redneck Revival, Alta Courtney, Mike Leichner, and Jamie Layton.

Read more: Gospel Music Extravaganza is next week

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