Every year we enjoy sharing what parks and other Winter Texan residents do for the communities they reside in while visiting the Valley. Winter Texans collect food, make crafts, sew, quilt and more. By the end of the year many have donated dozens of blankets, books, meals, hats, and more to those in their parks and to the communities around them.
Magic Valley P.E.O. Retirement Group met at the home of Julianne Carlson on Tuesday, March 25, for one of their last meetings of the season. The group brought items for donating to Aurora House Foundation in Weslaco.
The group first learned about Aurora House Foundation, and their mission, two years ago during a presentation by a staff member.
This season is ending, and I hate to see it go. We always enjoy your time with us, and our time with you, and we sure are going to miss it while you are gone.
We know you are coming to the Valley for the community, the weather, lower prices, and more. We also know you are coming because of the culture and the warm welcomes you receive. But it is also your warmness that makes us love seeing you each year.
Speaking of that warmness, you do so much for the communities you live in – whether it is for your park, a special person in your park, or an organization in your city – you really do a lot while you are here. The work and care you put forth is so appreciated by all of those that receive your blessings.
Read more: Thank you for coming, safe travels, see you next season
Rita Norlander, a long-time resident of the Trails End Winter Park, was honored on March 19 as she threw out the first pack for the annual Rita Nolander Shuffle Tournament.
Rita hails from Wisconsin and moved to Texas over 28 years ago. She was originally in the Weslaco Trailer Park before moving to the Trails End Park.
Larry and Susan DeBuse, formerly of Greengate Grove in Palmview, were honored at the Larry DeBuse Invitational Golf Tournament, held at Shary Municipal Golf Course on March 5. The DeBuse family has returned to their home in Bella Vista, AR, as Larry continues his fight against Parkinson’s Disease.
Read more: Larry and Susan DeBuse honored at golf tournament
Bonham’s Bears gave away 400 teddy bears to organizations that help children. Based at Green Bay South, the group gives bears to Valley organizations every year. Each year, they share their stories to show who they are and how their organization uses the bears they are gifted.
Here are their stories.
484th Juvenile District Court, Honorable Judge Adela Kowalski-Garza. Juveniles processed into the Texas justice system are stripped naked, observed during their shower, and given medications for life. But they are also offered second and even third chances. After successfully finishing a boot camp, they are given a teddy bear, and they might say “for a bad boy like me?”
Read more: Teddy Bears bring comfort to the sick, needy, and distraught
La Floresta RV Resort near Mercedes had a couple of fun events. On February 26th we had our final day of the Men's and Ladies Championship Tournament. Frank Hartin and Darla Strait were the winners. On March 8th we had our Shuffleboard tournament. Rickey Henderson and Jean Vanderville were the champs! Milt Krainbill and Hal Sunday were our runner ups. (Submitted by Darla Strait)
Royal Palms MH Park celebration of St. Patrick's Day on Monday was ruled over by the royalty of residents King Herb Moering and Queen Doris Tabor.
Tropic Star had a great season with a wide variety of entertainment with many different shows, happy hours and dances. The park has over 75 different activities each week for their guests to take part in.
Tropic Star RV Park recently held a special event to honor the first responders in their park and from the City of Pharr.
They have also been busy with other things in the park. Tropic Star won first place in the 2025 Golden Age Olympics sponsored by the McAllen Parks and Recreation. The park won 113 medals and had four Overall Valley winners.
As they say at Tropic Star, you can’t be bored if you live at Tropic Star.
Submitted by Barb Thompson
By Carina A. Brunson
Chimney Park RV Resort had all their ducks in a row earlier this month when a jammer had a near death experience during the parks Rock n’ Roll jam. Thanks to the fast-acting attendees, activity director, and the Coast Guard, a man’s life was saved.
As James Kropenske put it, they were very fortunate that everything happened the way it did, there were people on hand to assist, and they had an AED in the building.
Read more: Chimney Park residents’ quick actions save jammer
By Herb Moering
“Fiesta” was short and sweet as Winter Texans celebrated Alamo’s Texas Independence Day with a parade on a brightly lit sunshine-filled Saturday morning.
The Alamo Chamber of Commerce sponsored parade drew a large crowd of mostly residents from Winter Ranch and Trophy Gardens RV Parks in Alamo. The parade was to honor Alamo resident Irene Martinez, who has been a faithful parade spectator for many years, but not able to come this year. And the parade honors the memory of those Texans who declared independence from Mexico in 1836 and also commemorates the 13-day siege inspiring the message to “Remember the Alamo” in San Antonio, where 189 defenders died 189 years ago.
If you love coming down to the Rio Grande Valley each winter, you’re invited to become a Winter Texan Ambassador. The job is simple: share with your friends all the good times you have in the Valley each winter – away from the snow and ice. In a place where you can play golf almost any winter day. In a place where your MH & RV resort is a community of its own with lots of friends to share in a whole array of fun activities.
One of the many activities at Victoria Palms RV Resort is the Tech Center. The Victoria Palms Tech Center has been making quite the impact on its residents and the community lately.
The Tech Center is staffed by over 15 volunteers on weekdays during the Winter Texan season. They provide technical help to residents with their cell phones, tablets, iPads, laptops, and desktop PC’s.
Read more: VP Tech Center makes impact on residents, community
Palm Shadows Mobile Home and RV Resort will hold their annual drama and dessert production. This year’s production, slated for Saturday, March 8, will be “Shenanigans at the Blue Pelican Inn.”
The two-act comedy will have a dessert intermission. There will be two performances, one on Saturday, March 8 at 7 p.m. and a matinee performance on Sunday, March 9 at 2 p.m.
Kris Kowalski got a hole in one at La Floresta RV Park in Mercedes on February 11 on the 86-yard hole #2. Everyone that wants to participate in a chance to win some money on a hole in one puts in $1. Kris won $59 and a trophy that was presented by Rodger Vanderville. Congratulations! Submitted by Darla Strait.
