On Veterans Day, over 60 Veterans from the Pharr South senior community were treated to lunch, entertainment, and great company by City of Pharr leaders and special guests.
When you look at social media posts for the parks, and residents of the parks, on Facebook you can see there was a wide range of fun had by Winter Texans throughout the Rio Grande Valley. We saw pictures of someone dressed as a bowl of Fruit Loops, vampires, skeletons, superheroes, dragons, and so many more.
Winter Texan earns unique honors
By Barb Zanetti
Photos by Dennis Zanetti
Alamo Palms’ 98-year-old Louise Unkrich didn’t have white hair when she did the work that would bring her national recognition. Actually, she was a dark-haired teenager.
Typical of other young women whose lives changed course in the early 1940’s, Louise left her Swedesburg, Iowa hometown at 19 to find meaningful work about 250 miles away. Her job would be to assemble parts for B-26’s and B-29’s at the Glenn L. Martin bomber plant south of Omaha, near Bellevue, Nebraska.
“The war was on,” she said. “My boyfriend was in the Navy, and I wanted to help.”
By Herb Moering
St. Patrick’s Day could be called a breeze this year at Royal Palms Mobile Home Park in Alamo. The gusts on Friday were not enough to stop the annual Irish-themed park parade of decorated golf carts, pets, and a walker.
Reigning over the afternoon event were grand marshals Norm and Mary Hall, married for 75 years and park residents since 2001. The couple, who were given gifts for their participation, came to the Valley in 1990 after Mary retired from a long-time stint as a teacher’s aide that was part of Norm’s 38 years with the U.S. Air Force, a combination of seven years in the service and 31 years as a civilian employee. The period of 1949-52 they were in Germany as part of the Berlin Airlift. He also was at a Waco, TX training base for pilots during the Korean War. He ended his career in 1990 after 30 years at Lowery Air Force Base in Denver.
Alamo Palms’ Scholarship Committee donates $22,000
By Barb Zanetti
Photos by Dennis Zanetti
While modeling his beige Union Suit and wide-brimmed, felt, brown hat, Rip Van Winkle (Brad Mallow) seemed to awaken. He paused. Turned. And then scooted back down the runway to steal an unexpected kiss from Miss Havisham (Beverly Bailey), who was gripping her wilted bouquet.
Surprised laughter erupted from the audience at this year’s Alamo Palms’ Ropa Style Show held recently.
Rip Van Winkle and Miss Havisham joined 28 other runway models featured in the “What a NOVEL idea” theme. The show was one of the park’s fundraising events held to benefit Alamo High School seniors.
This year 22 PSJA Memorial Early College High School [ECHS] seniors were each awarded a $1,000 scholarship from the Alamo Palms Scholarship Fund.
Submitted by Arleen Bier
The Tommie Brixey Memorial Tournament to benefit the American Cancer Society was held March 7, at La Floresta RV Park in Mercedes. Tommie Brixey owned and operated the La Floresta RV Park and Golf Course for 30 years. She passed away in 2021 after a long fight with cancer.
By Herb Moering
Another 24 armed services Veterans were honored Sunday, March 1 by quilters at Tropic Star RV and MH Resort in Pharr.
The afternoon ceremony began with a flag presentation of the U.S. and service branch flags carried by park Veterans. Emcee Patty Hoerr offered a few comments after the Pledge of Allegiance, noting she had never been in the military, but that wouldn’t stop her from saying “thank you” for the Veterans’ service to the country. She reminded the large audience that those who served in any capacity “went where they were told to go.”
By Ruth Filz
On Saturday, February 25th, the Henry Roberts Memorial 32nd Annual Jalapeno 100 bike ride took place in Harlingen. It is a fun ride benefiting the Harlingen Boys & Girls Club. For the last few years, the ride has seen over 500 riders from across the state and the country, as well as from Canada and Mexico.
Submitted by Maple Frye
On March 6, Bonham’s Bears sponsored a teddy bear give away at the Green Bay South Clubhouse in La Feria. First responders and organizations that help children in crisis were invited to light refreshments and free teddy bears. We gave 450 teddy bears to eight organizations. A ninth organization, Loaves and Fishes, was dealing with health issues and asked to pick up their teddy bears later.
During 2022, we also gave away 274 pet pillows to the Rio Grande Valley Humane Society under our Scraps for Scruffy Project. Bonham's Bears is an all-volunteer organization based at Green Bay South, but we have volunteers from Park Place, Rio Valley Estates, and Citrus Village.
Read more: Bonham’s Bears gives bears to local organizations
By Arleen Bier
Let’s Shuffle! The 10th Annnual Shuffleboard Tournament at La Floresta was held February 18th. It was so much fun. We had 64 participants who competed throughout the day. The event was organized by Bill Hocken, with assistance from Jerry Mason and Wilf Trudeau and others. The Preliminary Round began at 9 a.m.; the Championship Round started at 1 p.m. with 32 players and 16 rounds. First Place went to Jim Woods and Kevin Halvorson.
Submitted By Darrell Roberts
Larry and Susan DeBuse, formerly of Greengate Grove in Palmview, were honored at the Larry DeBuse Invitational Golf Tournament, held at Shary Golf Course on March 1. The DeBuse family has returned to their home in Bella Vista, AR, as Larry continues his fight against Parkinson’s Disease.
Line Dancers at Bentsen Grove Resort recently held a charity marathon to benefit the Cinderella Pet Rescue in Palmview.
Intermediate and advanced dancers took to the floor at 9 a.m. under the direction of Mary Lou Lane. They were quickly joined by beginning dancers and ultra beginning dancers taught by Mary Messerli and Jodee Taylor.
Read more: Bentsen Grove raises funds for Cinderella Pet Rescue
This year, Seven Oaks Resort in Mission honored six couples who celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary some time between April 1st of the previous year and the end of March this year. They hold this event annually for their residents.
The program opened with an introduction by the chairperson of the event, Carlene Hemminger, followed by the welcoming of each couple as they walked to the head table. Music was provided by Tommy and Sara Bouland with an opening song of “My Best Friend.”
In February, the ladies enjoyed Mexican cuisine at Arturo’s Bar and Grill in Weslaco, followed by the movie 80 for Brady. The comedy, inspired by a true story, was very entertaining. Submitted by Arleen Bier
Submitted by Arleen Bier
The wind whips across the golf course as residents of La Floresta tee off. For Valentine’s Day we played a special game of Mixed Scramble—Best Ball. With such strong winds, the ball either flies over the green or stops short, depending on the direction of the wind and the hole you are on. No Hole-In-One today but we got a few birdies.
Read more: Golf highlights La Floresta Valentine's Day activities
