WOW! It has been crazy the last two weeks. I have enjoyed the busy-ness – getting out there and doing – but it also means that I sometimes fall behind in other things.
I didn’t get to write a Ramblings last week because we had so much news to get to you. So, I hope I can cover a few things this time that I wish I had the opportunity to share last week.
It’s getting busy in the Valley. Things are picking up here and there with activities being held throughout the valley – just for you. I know everyone is still being really careful with things, but I also know that everyone is ready to get out and enjoy this great weather and being with friends when we can.
There is so much to do in the Valley that doesn’t involve being in close proximity to people to, so keep that in mind as well. Look at our issues from last year and see the many things we highlighted in the bigger cities in the Valley. I hope to highlight some of our smaller cities as well in some future publications.
The Valley is full of parks, birding centers, trails, museums, and so much more that we can take advantage of. It's just fun to get out every once in a while, to see the sights, or to visit somewhere you haven’t really noticed before.
Speaking of events though – the activity directors just had their first entertainers showcase event and the next one will be held this week. This is an opportunity for activity directors and park managers to hear some entertainment options and try to book them for their park. They get to listen to an entertainer for a few minutes that showcases their hits, or favorites.
It’s so much fun listening to these groups all in one place – getting a taste of a hopeful show in the future. We have some great entertainment that comes to the Valley to entertain and do shows for you. These entertainers really have some talent and enjoy what they do.
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Also thinking of events… we have been trying to get out a bit more as things are happening, but it’s so hard to get to everything. We would love to attend everything if we could, but it gets a little hectic with in office duties and getting to events.
So, please send us your photos and give us some information on what you are doing at your park. We love seeing what you are doing in your community. We love hearing about your trips, tours, meals, and other events y’all enjoy at your parks and around town.
We share what we can in our paper and online. Send photos, write ups, contact information, and story ideas to news@wintertexantimes.com.
This cooler weather has been quite welcoming. It has made it feel like winter finally. It hasn’t been too cold, or too nasty wet outside with it either. I think it has been exactly what I have needed to feel like it is the correct season. After it just being a little too warm for Christmas, I was ready for that cooler weather to bring some of the holiday spirit with it.
My thing is, I don’t want it to get much cooler than it is. The 50- and 60-degree temperatures are just right for me. Any lower and I just want to stay inside for the most part.
I can not believe the year is coming to an end. It has gone by so very fast in some cases. Other things seem to have dragged on. As we look forward to the New Year, we often think of things we can improve.
There are several traditions that many across the globe have – like making New Year’s resolutions. Others include decorating a New Year’s Tree, dressing up nice, tossing tinsel, embracing your heritage, eating New Year’s food, praying, toasting, making noise, giving a gift, the countdown to a midnight kiss, singing “Auld Lang Syne,” and sending thank you notes.
It has been a blessing and pleasure to see what the Winter Texan community does for the communities they live in. Each year, especially during the holiday, the communities you live in are blessed with your charity. It always amazes me at how you come together to serve one purpose and bring so many happy faces to the families that live around you.
In this issue we have Tripp Wright and his group of elves that have worked this year to bring joy to children in their community. He, and his elves, have great hope that this first event grows to something bigger each year. I look forward to seeing what it becomes.
I love seeing how you love your community, no matter how long, or how little, you visit with us each year. It is a wonderful thing to see the hope, joy, laughter, and love that comes from the giving you do.
This month seems to be going by fast. Before we know it, the new year is going to be here.
While we wait for that to come, it’s nice driving around and seeing all the lights around town.
Lighted Christmas parades have become a huge thing over the years. I hope you have been able to go out and enjoy one or two near you. Many have already taken place but are keeping their city park lights on throughout the month. So, you have plenty of time to see them.
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During the holidays, there are so many of you that are helping your communities, or one close by. It’s a pleasure to hear what you are doing to make others Christmas’ a great one.
Like in today’s paper, Aladdin Villas is helping a community in Penitas. Last week it was Lakewood RV Resort in Harlingen – which their fundraiser dance is this Saturday (you might try calling 956-423-1170). Next week you will hear about a special Santa from Alamo Rec/Veh – Tripp Wright.
And I know there are so many more of you doing such wonderful things for the communities you live in. These are such heartwarming stories, and we love to hear and share them.
If you have one, please send us the information, a contact phone number, and photos. If we need more information, we will contact you. If it is something that hasn’t happened yet, we might try to get someone out there to cover it.
We do our best to share your news.
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If you are doing something fun at your park – a sport, an activity that has really taken off, something that brings people together – let us know. Like I said, we love sharing what you are doing at your park and are welcome to receiving all that you want to share.
We want to hear from you!
Send your items to news@wintertexantimes.com. We look forward to hearing from you soon.
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Golf Contest deadline is today – go to www.wintertexantimes.com to vote before 4 p.m. today. You will be entered into some drawing for free golf and other prizes.
We love hearing from you!
It has been a pleasure to receive messages from park residents, activity directors, etc. the past few weeks about what you are doing and how much you are enjoying being back in the Valley.
We will try to feature some of these parks as we get information from them – and best of all – photos. Photos tell the story and give us a true insight in what you are doing at your park.
Please, if you send us a write up about your park, or a special person, include photos we can use for publication. Our readers love to see photos, and they love to see photos of themselves. It gives them something to smile about.
Thanksgiving is this week and I do hope you all have a great one. With this, it means that cities throughout the valley are getting ready for their Christmas tree lightings and parades. If you get a chance, visit one, or more, of these and celebrate with your community. It’s a wonderful time of year, and it’s even better when we have the chance to spend it with others.
During this time of year, I like to reminisce back to my younger years. Back to gathering at my grandparents’ house. Eating whatever veggies were brought in from the field within the last week – plus the customary green bean casserole, mashed potatoes, stuffing, turkey, and ham. My aunt always made a white cake with coconut – very reminiscent of your traditional Italian cake.
It’s great seeing and hearing of the events that are picking back up in the Valley. Again, events that were cancelled last year, are coming back again in full swing and organizers are thrilled to be seeing your smiling faces again.
During the holidays, there are more events going on throughout the Valley, including holiday events like parades, Christmas tree lightings, and more.
Many organizations hold fundraisers and parks are always getting involved with the community to support them during the holiday season.
I still can’t believe it is already November. This past month has gone by way too quickly and before we know it, Christmas is going to be here. We don’t want to get through the month of November too fast though. The month is a great time for thanksgiving.
We tend to really think about the things we are thankful for during the month of November. This season I feel like I have a lot more to be thankful for than usual. I have been down and out for a bit with a broken knee and have had help from so many of my dear friends, church family, and of course my own family. I can’t wait until I am fully functional again so I can pay it back to those that have gone out of their way to lend a helping hand, even if it was a text to see how I was doing, or a kind note left at my door.
It’s interesting to see the emails that come through my desktop each day. A lot of it is political, and we don’t tend to share that in our paper. We like our of-interest news items. Sometimes I really have to weed through things to find something of newsworthy to you, our readers, and some days I have just what I need.
This week I received another news report about a previously mentioned survey done by Storage Café. Storage Café had previously published an article about top destination for ‘Snowbirds,’ or Winter Texans. The last article they sent out listed McAllen, Harlingen, Brownsville and Mission as making the list.
This new list has some other details, but still have Mission and McAllen in the top. Texas has 26 of the top 100 destinations on this new list. The previous survey had Brownsville in the top 10 as well. Because of the two cities being in the Rio Grande Valley, it also highlighted why the Rio Grande Valley, as a whole, is on the top of their list.
It’s so nice to see the news that we have been receiving. From the looks of things, this is going to be a great year. And I know I have said that before.
Museums, concerts and other events that were either cancelled or went virtual last year, are making a comeback this year. Because of the lapse in time from the previous event, organizers are set to make this year’s events even more exciting. Everyone is eager to have some fun and get back to the normalcy of it all.
I can’t believe it’s that time of year again. It doesn’t seem that long ago that we were telling you, our winter visitors, to travel safely and see ya next year.
I hope everyone had a safe and enjoyable summer. And it was a great summer as far as weather goes. We had a very mild one in the Valley with a few thunderstorms here and there, some flooding streets. But, overall, it was a good summer to get out and enjoy nature and visit the sites.
I have probably already said it, in fact I think I did so last week, but I cannot believe the season is over. With not being able to do much this year, we have missed out on so much. I have missed not being to see your faces more often, or at all. I truly enjoy our interaction when we get the chance to do so.
We have one more week in our Winter Texan season. In some ways I look at the season and feel it has passed by so fast, and in other ways, it seems like it just started. We have missed out on a lot of gatherings, but we have still been able to get out there and see you. We are already looking forward to next season and the hope that it brings of events, gatherings, expos, and other activities that we had to miss out on this year.
This year we missed seeing faces we have grown to love and have missed meeting new faces/people. I am thankful for the events that we were able to go out to and enjoy with our readers, Winter Texan visitors, and Wintertainers™.
While some events were put on hold, we were happy to see parks finding new ways to keep their residents busy and entertained. We saw new activities being planned and think some of them will become regular events/activities at the parks.
Outdoor activities were a huge hit this year including visiting local parks and birdwatching, and park activities such as outdoor concerts, drive-ins, golf cart bingo and so much more. Activity directors and parks rose to the task this season and we should all be thankful for their efforts and time.
We were also happy to see and hear that parks did not forget about others this year. Park groups were still donating to local organizations, making masks, making quilts, fundraising, collecting donations of food or school supplies, and more, to help their communities.
Despite the different type of year/season we had, the show went on. You found things to do, you found ways to spend your time, you found ways to still have fun.
Now we get to start planning for the next season. We have hope that it will be a better one. We have hope that we will be able to do more. We look forward to getting out into our community more next season and sharing your stories with our readers.
If you are closing your season with something big, let us know. Share some pictures with us. We have one issue left and we would love to be able to share what you have done this year with our readers. Send me information and photos to news@wintertexantimes.com.
