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Published: Tuesday, 14 January 2025 22:38
I hope everyone has had a good start to the near year so far. Besides the normal busy-ness of business, we have been pretty laid back around here. This week we are going to be out at the Ron Hoover Open House and we’re going to stop by Claton Homes anniversary celebration as well.
This is when things start getting busy for us, and you. More of you are in the Valley now that the holidays have passed. And because of that, there are more events, more reunions, and more fun for you to have.
We have gotten to see photos and more of the things you are doing, the celebrations you are having, and what you are doing for the communities you so love.
I recently came across an article on the importance of relationships and service and how they help improve your mental well-being. I can say from experience, those of you that are helping our communities, are participating in activities, and making friends, are certainly happier. Y’all are fun to be around and definitely brighten my day and often keep me smiling for days after you share what you have done.
Your parks have many things for you to participate in – dances, pickleball, quilting, billiards, R/C racing, and more. Some have yearly fundraisers for a chosen organization. Many have special things they do for Thanksgiving, Christmas, and Veterans Day.
Read more: January 15, 2025 - Rina's Ramblings
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Published: Wednesday, 01 January 2025 13:33
While we are going to press before Christmas, and you will receive this after Christmas – I will tell you that I hope you had a very Merry Christmas! We are spending time with three of our kids this Christmas, but very low key.
We had a Christmas decorations contest in our neighborhood and some people put on quite the display. Did your park have a Christmas Lighting contest, or Christmas Tree display? Share the photos and winners with us.
Next week is New Year’s Eve. Here I hope you have a very safe and fun New Year’s Eve. I know many of you will be enjoying some type of entertainment at your park, or another park, for the evening. Please share your festive photos with us. We love seeing the fun you have at the events in your park.
Now back to New Year’s…. Do you make a New Year’s resolution? I haven’t in years, I just try to do better than I did last year. Something I try to do everyday though. I will look for more opportunities to do good, and maybe be a little more active this coming year.
Do you have anything special, or different, that you are going to try and do this coming year? Do you make a list of New Year’s resolutions?
Do you have a New Year’s Eve meal that you do? We have tried to do some in the past – like collards, black-eyed peas and grapes. Last year we had a sausage and cabbage meal with cornbread that was really good.
What is your New Year’s Eve tradition?
You can share some of your thoughts, ideas, and photos with us by emailing news@wintertexantimes.com.
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Published: Wednesday, 18 December 2024 14:55
I can’t believe Christmas is next week. We just did and finished our Christmas shopping. I hope you are caught up with everything you need to do before Christmas Day. We have hopefully bought all the groceries we need for next week as well. We might have to go back for some veggies this weekend, or maybe some extra sweets (shhh… don’t tell Dan).
We’ve been cutting down on the sugar intake around here, so I haven’t done any of my usual baking. So, it feels a little odd, but I am not stressed to get plates of cookies or anything out to friends and family.
Do you do any special treats for your friends for Christmas? What are your favorite treats during the holidays?
What also feels odd is not having tamales. It’s a Christmas tradition – that and hot cocoa. But like I said, we’ve been cutting out the sugars, and that includes carbs. It’s okay though. We’re doing good and still enjoying the holiday season. I made a decent low carb, sugar free lemon custard pie for Thanksgiving that was enjoyed by more than just my husband.
I do miss the days of old, of big gatherings and lots to choose from. We have settled down to just small gatherings, or the main immediate family. We do get more time to catch up with each other though, enjoy the company a bit more, and I feel like we bond better in small gatherings.
We do hope you take the time to celebrate the season, celebrate the reason for the season, enjoy time with friends and family, and have a very Merry Christmas!
Share your photos with us by emailing them to news@wintertexantimes.com.
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Published: Tuesday, 10 December 2024 21:17
Wow, the weather is surely changing. It’s gotten cooler and we have had some rain here and there as well. Even though we’ll have a bit of a warmer day now and then, I am thankful for the cooler temps. I could live without the dreariness though.
It’s a great time to have gatherings with others, indoors and outdoors. This is the time of year we see many stories about what the parks are doing with their residents for the holidays. We love seeing photos with everyone enjoying their time while in the Valley.
There have been many city parades and Christmas tree lightings. I am sure the parks have been having their own type of fun as well with golf cart parades, and their own tree lightings.
We would love to include some photos in our upcoming issues of how you have decorated the park and started your December holidays.
What we would also like to see and share is how you are giving to your community this season. We know there are quilters, gift givers, food gatherers, and more that get stuff prepped to give to their communities during December, and throughout the season, but especially right now when a smile on a child’s face is so welcoming and delightful.
I do love what this season brings and what you bring to our communities. We are here to tell your stories of what you are doing while you make the Rio Grande Valley your home. Share your stories with us, let us know what your park is doing that you enjoy so much. Send your items, and photos, to news@wintertexantimes.com.
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Published: Thursday, 07 November 2024 18:35
It was a busy week for parks throughout the Rio Grande Valley. Parks were having all of their Halloween festivities the weekend before Halloween through Halloween night. I was able to attend two dances on Halloween night and had a blast catching up with entertainers, residents, and park activity directors.
It’s always fun going to events and being able to sit and enjoy some time with you, our friendly Winter Texans. We have a great time getting out there, seeing the fun side of you and just a couple of the reasons you visit the Valley year after year.
And now that Halloween is past, Thanksgiving is creeping up on us. This is the month of Thanksgiving and parks, cities, and organizations are now holding fundraisers, food drives, and more to help their local communities, schools, and food banks. One park has a pretty big one coming up to support the Penitas Food Pantry – look for that information in the next issue.
We like telling the Valley Winter Texans, and the rest of our readers, about these events. The more the word gets out the better – for you and those you are supporting. So please share the information with us so we can spread the word. We know how much you enjoy helping others, and we love helping you tell others what you are doing for your community.
Next week is Veterans Day. We have a few places that are still having events to honor Veterans in their communities. If your park is holding an event – please send a photo or two so we can show our readers what you did. We like hearing the stories of our Veterans that live in the parks, that visit the Rio Grande Valley and recognizing those that have served.
Again, this paper is about you and for you, so please share with us what you want to read, what you want to know more about, and what kind of fun things you are doing. If your sewing group, reading club, pool group, etc. is holding an event, doing something in your community, holding a tournament, let us know. We would love to hear about it.
You can send photos and story ideas to news@wintertexantimes.com.
We want to hear from you and share your news.
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Published: Wednesday, 30 October 2024 18:01
Lots is going on in the Valley right now. With Halloween tomorrow, Dia de Los Muertos events, and more, there are plenty of events to choose from to attend this week through the weekend.
Along with the wide range of events that are available for you to attend, this week and throughout the season, there are lots of options for food. You can find just about any cuisine in the Valley, but one that rings true anywhere is Mexican food. And the Valley is known for some good, authentic Mexican food and great tacos. I have a few favorites of my own, which unfortunately were not on the list, but a couple of Valley restaurant were recently featured in Texas Monthly.
I personally have not been to this place, but I am sure some of you have. So, I would like to hear your thoughts about it, and what some of your other favorites might be.
Nana’s Taqueria (located in Weslaco) Lonche taco made the top five tacos in Texas, according to Texas Monthly. According to the write up, it’s not your typical taco, it’s in a fried bolillo. It’s a savory Mexican bread also called Pan Frances – meaning French bread. And it does look like a small hoagie.
Nana’s adds seasoned ground beef similar to picadillo, some crumbly cheese and avocado, then tops it with Nana’s homemade salsa verde. They might also add cilantro, tomato, and cabbage.
It all sounds good to me. I might just have to go and try it sometime. If you do, please let me know how it is. The pictures on the Texas Monthly website make it look quite savory.
They also talked about top taco places in Houston, El Paso, Austin and San Antonio. And I have been to the place in San Antonio – Henry’s Puffy Taco. Everything there is quite flavorful.
If you go to the Texas Monthly story, it features the five restaurants by giving a brief history of the owners, the restaurant, and their food.
So, if you want to see the story, visit https://vst.texasmonthly.com/taco-talks.
In another story by Texas Monthly, author Jose R. Ralat traveled about 14,000 miles and visited over 400 taquerias in six months. He was looking for tacos that met a certain level of ‘craft, quality, creativity, and flavor,’ said the news release. He noticed something, the article says, that Mexican dishes are changing and becoming what he is calling the New Tejano movement – ‘dishes that marry nostalgic Mexican food with native Texan ingredients.’ He made a list of the top 50 places to go for New Tejano in Texas, and guess what? A Mission location took the top spot.
The number one spot went to Ana Liz Taqueria’s for its Chile Relleno. The restaurant is run by James Beard Award-winning chef Ana Liz Pulido, said the article. Sylvia’s Restaurant in Brownsville made the honorable mentions list. You can read more of the story, and find links to the lists, at www.newswire.com/news/texas-monthly-releases-its-list-of-the-50-best-tacos-in-texas-22445932
So, that gives you more spots to check out while in the Valley.
What are your favorites – Mexican food or otherwise – in the Valley. We would love to hear what you look forward to eating while you are here. You can email me at news@wintertexantimes.com
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Published: Thursday, 24 October 2024 23:13
Hello out there! I hope everyone is having a great time. It’s our second issue this season, and we are seeing so many events taking place. Parks are getting busy, cities are having their annual fall festivals, and entertainers are entertaining. It means there is quite an abundance of activities for you to participate in – and I hope you are taking those opportunities.
Our Valley cities love seeing you and we know you love the people in the Valley. That’s just one of the things that keeps you coming back year after year.
In fact, a recent LuvLink survey has 18 Texas cities that made the top 150 cities voted as home to America’s kindest and most helpful locals. Brownsville (#32) and McAllen (#68) were two of those 18 Texas cities. (https://www.luvlink.com/blogs/news/top-150-kindest-places-in-america-of-2024)
About Brownsville, the survey says, “Brownsville’s residents bring a unique blend of Texas warmth and rich cultural pride, influenced by the city’s border-town heritage. Locals often engage visitors in conversation about the city’s vibrant festivals or its proximity to natural wonders like the Rio Grande.”
And of McAllen, it says, “McAllen’s residents are known for their vibrant mix of cultures, offering visitors a taste of true Tex-Mex hospitality. Whether guiding you through a local festival or recommending authentic cuisine, locals go out of their way to ensure travelers feel the warmth of this border town’s unique heritage. Their lively spirit and openness are key to McAllen’s charm.”
It just confirms why our winter visitors, you, and others, enjoy visiting the Valley and calling it your winter home – and why we call you family, and you have enveloped the endearing nickname, Winter Texan.
We love having you here. It’s always a pleasure to see you return. It keeps us busy, and we are so thankful for that. We appreciate you and everything you bring to the Valley, to our residents, and to the parks where you reside.
While here, we hope to keep you informed with the news that matters to you, sharing events that might interest you, and publishing stories that you care about.
If there is something you think we should know about, someone you think we should know, share it with us. Send us an email to news@wintertexantimes.com. We love hearing from you, seeing photos of what you are doing, and catching up on the activities you are participating in. Share your news with us, and we just might share it with the rest of our readers.
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Published: Friday, 08 March 2024 15:36
This past week was a fun one – a little cooler than usual, but a fun one. There was a great turn out at the Mission Winter Texan Fiesta. The day started with a light misty rain and a cool breeze, and although we were expecting the sun at some point, I don’t think it showed itself until the event was practically over. So, quite a few Winter Texans decided not to venture out until a little later in the afternoon instead of showing up at the beginning, which was fine, we still had the chance to talk to a lot of you.
We even met the couple that is in our Winter Texan Ambassador ad. It’s a picture from several years ago, but it’s one that we like and have been using for the ad for several years. They said you could tell the time frame of the photo because no one is using cell phones to take photos – everyone has a little point and shoot camera instead. Most Winter Texans you see taking photos at events now have a cell phone, or something nicer than a point and shoot.
It is always fun hanging out with you and talking to you. We had a lot of visitors to our table. So many of them mentioned how long they had been coming to the Valley, reading the paper, and how they came once to visit and the next year they bought a home to come back to each year. It’s awesome hearing how much the Valley is loved by our Winter Texan friends and what some of you find different from here versus Florida. We are thrilled you have decided to spend time with us.
We also had the opportunity to go see Fiddler on the Roof performed by the Harlingen Community Theatre. I just have to say WOW! That was a phenomenal production! The people that volunteered their time and talent to this production were incredible. I was crying during one scene and laughing in another. It was so real, heartfelt, and emotional. They really made the story come to life on that stage. I am hoping we can catch more of their productions next year.
The Harlingen Community Theatre is a non-profit and everything on the stage, from their outfits to props, is all made possible by donations. They have had a wonderful season this year – selling out almost all their shows, something that hasn’t been done since 2019.
You can find out more information about them, how to support them, and when their next shows are, by visiting them online at https://hctvalleystars.org/.
Winter Texan Ambassadors
If you are still interested in becoming a Winter Texan Ambassador, don’t forget to call us soon and reserve 25 copies or more to take home with you and show everyone why you enjoy the Valley so much. Our take home issue will be March 13 and we can work out on how to get those papers to you.
Call us by March 8 to let us know how many you want reserved.
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Published: Wednesday, 14 February 2024 16:01
It was so much fun to see some of you last week. I was able to attend and host a table at the Red Hatters Festival of Tables last week and had so much fun. I will admit, it made for a long day with the decorating, taking photos, and socializing, but it’s always fun to spend time with you, our readers.
We look forward to spending some more time with you in the next few weeks as well. We have the Valley Star Awards coming up and Mission Chamber’s Winter Texan Fiesta. Both wonderful events that we are so proud to be a part of.
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On another note … Today is Valentine’s Day. What are you doing with your significant other, your friends, or in your park? We would love to see photos of your celebrations, dances, get-togethers. You can send items to news@wintertexantimes.com.
We don’t typically celebrate the day here at home, but we do take some time to spend some quality time with each other. If we have the chance to have a special dinner, we’ll take it, but we never make it a grand event. We just try to express our love to each other daily so neither one forgets.
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We know the season is coming to an end soon… it seems to have gone by too fast and we don’t want to start saying goodbye yet.
I hope you have had a great time here in South Texas if you are already heading back to your other home. If not, we are thrilled you are staying a bit longer.
Let us know what you have enjoyed about your stay in the Valley. Is it your first time visiting the Valley? What sites did you visit this year for the first time? What sites did you visit that you are eager to go to again or share with others?
We would love to know. If you have photos, even better. Let us know what you have been up to while visiting this great diamond in the rough.
Until next week,
- Rina
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Published: Thursday, 08 February 2024 14:23
While we have been gearing up for the Valley Star Awards, we have also been busy trying to get out to some events. Last week I was able to attend a couple of events and had a great time visiting with you and enjoying your entertainment.
We first went to Pastor Pudge’s Gospel Music Extravaganza last Tuesday. The Winter Ranch rec hall was practically full of Winter Texans listening and singing along to some great gospel music. It was a lovely afternoon.
Tuesday evening, I went out to Fun and Sun to see Brett Marshall and his group perform. I had never heard them before and was pleasantly surprised. I loved the sound that was a mix of big band and jazz. He covered a lot of familiar tunes. Fun N Sun’s hall was full as well.
I also had the opportunity to eat out at Victoria Palms. I had their hamburger steak with mushrooms and gravy, some mashed potatoes, and sauteed veggies. It was nicely done and was the perfect thing for the beautiful day it was outside.
Read more: It’s been busy around here
