Winter Texan parks have a myriad of activities

The Winter Texan Times has been featuring activities at the local Winter Texan parks since its inception, after all, that was part of the intent of the paper – to highlight the parks and the activities held within them.

In its first issue, and during its first season, the Winter Texan Times featured small articles submitted by the parks, talking about their activities, what the park had to offer, and more. This week I am going to delve into some of these activities and mention some of those that take place today.

One of our writers from the beginning was Virginia Sunderman. She wrote several articles, but one was about her park, Oleander Acres.

She starts out, “The changing of leaf colors in Indiana is the signal for a lifestyle change for this family and for many other families, too. The Winter Texan is again in his home in South Texas and is very glad to be here.”

At the beginning of November in 1987, activities at Oleander Acres were already in full swing, she said. They had bingo games, morning coffee hour, and more. Some exciting events they had were one day bus tours to areas like Eggers Acres and Bird Rescue.

Those that attended were about to see a couple of birds the organization was rehabilitating including a Harris Hawk and Caracara. They learned about their normal lifestyle and all that the organization does.

Oleander Acres was also using its residents for themed event nights like Indiana Night.

Another park with a submission was Split Rail RV Park. The article was written by Ruth Welch. Activities at the park began with a tenth anniversary dinner that also recognized the owners.

“A dancing girl, a hobo, a much bewhiskered gentleman, and a fairy were among the large group of people who attended a Halloween party,” she said. Prizes for the event were to most original, most horrible, most charming, and funniest costumes. A mannequin, dressed in a figured gown trimmed with ruffles and lace, greeted the party goers from her chair by the door.

Other activities held that year were exercise classes, church services, kitchen band performances, ballrooms dances, and more.

The Parks Calendar featured events from Snow to Sun, Alamo Rose, Leisure World RV Park, Plantation South, Victoria Palms, Palm Shadows, Tip O Texas Resort, Winter Haven, Tradewinds, Siesta Village, Bit-O-Heaven, and several others. Activities included dances, special entertainment, square and round dances, arts and crafts show, and flea markets.

Many of the same activities still take place at our Winter Texan Parks today. While perusing through this past week’s calendar you can find happy hours, dances, entertainment, bingo, jam sessions, special holiday events, breakfasts, parkwide sales, and more.

Among those activities, or by visiting the parks, you can still find more things they do, or have groups that take on things like fundraisers, collecting food and school supplies for the needy, or hosting Christmas parties for the local community.

We enjoy hearing about all of these events and sharing them with you.

If you have events you want to share for the Parks Calendar, submit them to parkscal@wintertexantimes.com. If you have other types of events like collecting donations or special holiday events, please send photos and information to news@wintertexantimes.com.

We agree with the sentiment that Sunderman ended her article with, “We’re glad YOU are here, and we will be looking forward to talking with you again.”

We love having you here.