This is our second-to-the-last issue of Welcome Home Winter Texan for the 2024-2025 season. It is also our Take-Home Issue. Every year, we invite you to come by our office at 219 W. Nolana Ave. in McAllen to pick up extra copies of our Take-Home Issue to take back to your summer homes with you. Share them with family members and friends so they can get a taste of exactly what they’re missing by staying up north during the winter.
We know you have many stories of the fun you had this year to share with them, too. We always say our Winter and Converted Texans are the Rio Grande Valley’s greatest ambassadors. You know, firsthand, about everything there is to do in South Texas—from South Padre Island to Ancestral Craft Spirits Distillery in Roma, and everywhere in-between. You know about the fajitas and the margaritas, the opportunities to volunteer in our schools and food banks, the quilt shows and RC competitions, pickleball and golf tournaments, the Welcome Home tours and travel adventures… and the list goes on.
Thank you for being such amazing ambassadors and for sharing our Take-Home Issue with our northern neighbors. Don’t be in any rush to head up north, but once you go, please be in a rush to come back.
We’re just connecting the dots…
WINTER TEXAN
Making the Best of the Rest
by Eryn Reddell Wingert
Photos courtesy of Keith Thorn
Keith Thorn, 66, is along for the ride, one dreamed up by his wife, Melody.
The dream: hitting the open road and heading south for the winter.
The couple took the leap two years ago, leaving Illinois to spend the winter in Port Isabel, Texas. They extended their stay the second year to six months.
The couple didn’t know what to expect, aside from a campground and a heated pool. But what they found at Port Isabel Park Center was a new community and a new outlook on happiness.
“We had no idea we would make so many good friends,” says Thorn. Not to mention pickleball, aqua aerobics, and yoga.
“It’s pretty interesting here,” Thorn shares. “Pretty much everybody is done with the hard side of life and just wanting to enjoy themselves.”
The couple enjoy time with friends, relaxing on the beach, and taking part in Park activities, experiences Thorn shares on social media.
The journal-style posts, accompanied by photos of sunrises and bayside views, include laughter-filled dinners with friends, joyful evenings of entertainment, and prayerful moments over coffee with a lighthouse view--many with an underlying message of living in the moment.
The posts inspired Thorn to write his newly released book, A Season In The Sun, about a fictional couple, Jake and Emily, loading up an RV and heading south.
When Jake and Emily settle into the WinterTexan-lifestyle, their perspectives begin to change, shifting focus from dwelling on the past to welcoming-
-and leaning into--the present.
It’s a relaxing read, blending fiction and nonfiction elements that offer a glimpse into the fun-filled, slower-paced lifestyle unique to South Texas winter visitors, where friendships are made and community is formed.
Thorn says his intention was to express the “essence of the environment” he and Melody have found.
The Thorns’ first visit to South Texas was all about the excitement and newness. The second is about reflection--on happiness, being present, and enjoying life now. Their motto: Make the best of the rest!
A similar scenario plays out in A Season In The Sun, expanding on the theme of shifting focus from the past and embracing life.
Here’s an excerpt:
As they made their way back to the RV, the evening felt like more than just a gathering-it had been a glimpse into a life they hadn’t known they were looking for. And for the first time in a long while, the future felt wide open, full of possibility, and exactly where they were meant to be.”
CONTINUED ON PAGE 2
“The dream is just to be happy,” says Thorn. While Melody is retired, Thorn, a specialist in integrated marketing strategies, says he’ll never retire; he is able to work remotely and enjoys being out of the rat race.
“We’re at a place where we’re just happy. Everything is within our budget; not a whole lot to stress about,” says Thorn. “I don’t think either one of us thought that was a reality before coming to Port Isabel.”
Thorn says his creative process is an ever-evolving one, and he has more Winter-Texan-themed writings in the works, including one titled Escape to Port Isabel. For more of his works, visit keiththorn.com. •
219 W Nolana McAllen, TX 78504
956.687.5115 www.welcomehomergv.com
Publisher
Kristi Collier kristi@welcomehomergv.com
Content Creator/Photographer
Eryn Reddell Wingert eryn@welcomehomergv.com
Accounting
Angela Blanchard angela@welcomehomergv.com
Administration
Amie Gray agray@welcomehomergv.com
Colette Brookins calendar@welcomehomergv.com
Event Manager
Anne Marie Martin events@welcomehomergv.com
Editor Chris Ardis news@welcomehomergv.com
Graphic Design AIM Media Texas, LLC
Activity Coordinator
Fran Adams fran@welcomehomergv.com
Business Development
Chris Leadbetter chris@welcomehomergv.com
Travel Division
Kristy Meyer travel@welcomehomergv.com
Sarah Denzer sarah@welcomehomergv.com
Stella Riester stella@welcomehomergv.com
Calendar Submissions!
For more information on submitting your events and activities, please e-mail: calendar@welcomehomergv.com
The deadline for submision is Fridays at 5:00 p.m.
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Kristi’s e-Blasts are sent weekly October-March to our subscribers. Find out what’s happening across the Valley. These e-Blasts include helpful links and fliers for Featured Events.
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Meet the Artist
Keep McAllen Beautiful (KMB) introduces the artists behind the irrigation pipe masterpieces through their Meet the Artist series. Look for Meet the Artist in our issues throughout the 2024 – 2025 season.
Cibele Shimabukuro Saporito
Cibele Shimabukuro Saporito was born in San Paulo, Brazil. She started painting with acrylics in middle school and then transitioned to oil painting. After high school, Cibele immigrated to the U.S., where she learned English, earned a Bachelor of Fine Arts from Brigham Young University in Utah and later a Doctor of Optometry (OD) from Ohio State University. She moved to Texas in 2013 and has been enjoying the Mexican-American culture and learning Spanish.
The arts play a big role in Cibele’s life, as she creates ceramics, sings, dances, and plays the piano. She also enjoys the outdoors--hiking, traveling, and going to the beach--but her family, her faith in God, and working on her family history bring her the greatest joy. Cibele is married to Juan Carlos Leano, who is from Bolivia. They have seven children and five grandchildren. You can see Cibele’s masterpieces throughout McAllen, including two standpipes on Dove and 2nd Street; one in the parking lot of The Tower on Nolana on 10th Street and Nolana Avenue; two on Jackson, just south of Camellia Avenue; and one on 2nd Street between Wisteria Avenue and Yucca Avenue. This standpipe on 2nd, between Wisteria and Yucca, is titled “The Sun Always Shines After the Storm.” The cornfields in Hidalgo, Texas, inspired Cibele to create this gem. •
Winter Texan Spotlight The List is Long
by Eryn Reddell Wingert
Ikeep a running list of story ideas that might be of interest to the readers of Welcome Home Winter Texan. Despite being able to check off stories that made it to print each season, the list continues to grow.
The story ideas list was so full of inspiring Winter Texans, the editorial team decided to feature as many as we could this season in a new column: Winter Texan Spotlight. It was an awe-inspiring project.
In 2024, I started another list, The Good. When something positive happens, I add it to the list--not as a resolution or a must-accomplish task--just a place to note when wonderful things big or small happen.
One of the items that made it onto The Good was to visit with interesting people and tell their stories for Welcome Home Winter Texan.
This season’s stories included golf and rock ’n rock Hall of Famers, goal-oriented world travelers, volunteers--both parade and clown--sparking joy in our community, world championship shuffleboard and line dance event organizers, passionate quilters, women softball athletes, a couple sharing their love story, a nationally and world-ranked champion horseshoe pitcher, a newly published author, local artists, and drone operators capturing beautiful perspectives of the Valley…to name a few.
THESE STORIES WERE SUCH BLESSINGS, AND IT WAS AN HONOR TO BE ALLOWED TO TELL THEM.
I also got to write about the inspiring team from Welcome Home RGV as they hosted special events like the Winter Texan Expo and Bayside Fiesta and fun-filled tours near and far.
This crew works hard--very hard--behind the scenes year-round, planning and hosting huge events; connecting to the community Valleywide; navigating all of the details for tours, travel, publications, promotional items, and real estate; and the list goes on and on.
This season, many of us at Welcome Home RGV were sidelined at one time or another, but this group of hardworking, dedicated people with a passion for showing Winter Texans a good time while boosting the appeal--and the economy--of our beloved South Texas didn’t miss a beat.
Every single one stepped up and took on unfamiliar tasks, learning curve be darned! There were blessings in that, too, new skills acquired, that might otherwise not have been, new perspectives, and the opportunity to be of service to someone else, just as they have been for others.
And for that, this Winter Texan Spotlight shines on the team at Welcome Home RGV.
Thank you to everyone who trusted Welcome Home Winter Texan to tell their stories. If you have an inspiring story or know of one that might be of interest to our readers, please share your idea with us by emailing news@welcomehomergv.com •
Spotted in the RGV
McAllen, Texas
by Eryn Reddell Wingert
McAllen’s historic Southern Pacific Depot building is located at 100 S. Bicentennial Blvd. The Spanish Colonial Revival-style building was originally opened in 1927, according to the Texas Historical Commission marker at the site. The marker also notes that passenger train service ended in 1952, and the building was later used by city police as a jail and municipal court. Today, it serves as an office for a local law firm.
Celebrate Easter Weekend on South Padre Island Special to Welcome Home Winter Texan
Spring is in full swing, and there’s no better way to celebrate Easter than with a sun-soaked getaway to South Padre Island! Whether you are looking for lively entertainment, stunning coastal views, or the perfect place to gather with family and friends, South Padre Island is the ultimate destination for an unforgettable holiday weekend.
Live Music to Kick Off the Weekend
Start your Easter celebrations with an electrifying performance by Intocable Saturday, April 19, at the South Padre Island Convention Center. One of the most influential groups in the Tejano/Norteño music scene, Intocable has captivated audiences for over 25 years with their signature blend of Tejano conjunto, Norteño folk, pop ballads, and rock. Experience their iconic sound live and make it a night to remember. Grab your tickets now and get ready to dance the night away!
Easter Sunday Fireworks Spectacular
Close out the holiday weekend with a breathtaking fireworks display Sunday, April 20, at 9:15 p.m. Watch as brilliant colors light up the night sky and reflect over Laguna Madre Bay. The best viewing spots are the restaurants and bars along the Entertainment District, making it the perfect way to cap off an Easter celebration with family and friends. Best of all, this event is free and open to the public!
Plan Your Perfect Easter Getaway
From stunning beachfront resorts to delicious dining options, South Padre Island has everything you need for a fun-filled holiday weekend. Whether you’re here for the music, the fireworks, or simply to relax by the shore, there’s no shortage of ways to make lasting memories. Check out VisitSouthPadreIsland.com for more Easter events and to start planning your trip today! •
Sky’s the Limit off South Padre Island
by Eryn Reddell Wingert
Relatively new to the landscape of the Rio Grande Valley in Deep South Texas is the SpaceX rocket build and launch site, also known as Starbase. The launch platform is positioned south of South Padre Island on Brownsville’s Boca Chica Beach. SpaceX upped the opportunities to witness a launch live in 2024-25, providing an incredible experience to witness history. Pro tip: boat tours, hotels, and the Island’s ample outdoor venues are prime ways to watch a launch. Keeping in mind launches are subject to change, you can still enjoy all that the coastal region has to offer! •
Welcome Home RGV Cruise Season 2024-2025
Cruising into 2025 in style!
WWe tend to be a little famous for our large Cruise With Kristi adventure every February. This year was no different; we had lots of fun. We had 242 passengers along for the adventure this year. Our bus transportation and overnight stay in Sugarland make this vacation a no-brainer! It couldn’t be easier to hop on the bus and let us take care of all the details. This year we watched the Super Bowl together on board, and next year will be the same! This tour sells out quickly every year, so if you’re interested, you have to plan ahead and get signed up as soon as possible on our website, welcomehomergv.com.
In the fall, we also had 94 passengers aboard Royal Caribbean’s Harmony of the Seas for a Fall Fun trip. This adventure also included round-trip transportation and a hotel the night before the cruise. The itinerary took us to the Bahamas and was the perfect escape for a little November vacation.
And we didn’t stop there. This year, Travel by Welcome Home RGV joined forces with our Tour Department and came up with a whole new concept--Land and Sea! We started with a December trip to Galveston. We spent two nights in Galveston, enjoying the Dickens on the Strand Festival, some historical touring, and delicious food. Then we hopped on Royal Caribbean’s Mariner of the Seas and enjoyed a five-night cruise. By the end of this trip, we all had new friends and great memories.
We’re so excited to take this new cruise concept even further. We launched some other new Land and Sea destinations this year and have had a great response. This summer, we’re headed to Seattle to tour the
area before we head out on a wonderful Alaskan cruise. We can’t wait to tell you all about it.
In September, you’ll find us in Boston, touring the historical sites before jumping on an incredible cruise with an itinerary that will put the fall foliage on full display. We can’t wait, and we’re so excited to be able to take off on new adventures with you, our travelers. The best part about these new adventures is that the sky is the limit. You can meet us wherever we’re going, from wherever you are. You don’t have to be in the RGV to join us on these fun vacation experiences. You know we love to travel, and we also love to see you all having a great time. If you’re interested in any of our cruise packages or are looking to book something on your own, feel free to give us a call. 956687-5115 or visit our website at welcomehomergv.com. We are committed to making sure you are taken care of on your cruise vacations. Whether you’re in an established group
or making your own group, we’re here to help. Hope to see you next year for a fun travel adventure. •
Hello Travel Friends Tour Season 2024-2025 in the Books – Plans Already in the Works for 2025-2026
Special to Welcome Home Winter Texan
This season, Tours by Welcome Home RGV took Winter Texans all over the place. With around 50 tours this season alone, we kept people traveling and exploring as much as we could. Let me tell you about some of the fun we had.
Our park tours, set up with activity directors for individual parks, are in their fourth year and are a big hit. I try to make it as easy as possible for you and your park friends. A bus picks you up and returns you right to your park on the day of your scheduled tour. You can go on an adventure to Rocket Ranch to hear all about SpaceX, take a boat ride down on SPI, do a tequila tasting at an agave distillery in Roma…and so much more! People really loved visiting different places throughout the Valley this season on these wonderful day trips. We also offer trips open to anyone, and they are always available for purchase on our website, welcomehomergv.com. This season, we took a day trip to Corpus Christi to see the USS Lexington and the Texas State Aquarium with a bus full of happy travelers. We also took a few different bus tours to King Ranch, where we learned all about the history of Texas ranching and the legacy Richard King left. That tour includes a delicious ranch-hand lunch and is always a huge hit!
Another favorite of the year was our Gelman Stained Glass Museum VIP lunch and tour. This was so popular we had to add a second date to accommodate everyone. The stunning collection showcases incredible talent, and I don’t think you could ask for a more beautiful lunch setting anywhere in the Valley.
We also took a three-day bus trip to Fredericksburg, and that was the highlight of the tour season. Not only was this trip sold out in just a few weeks, but it has already been requested by dozens for next year. Don’t worry; I’m on it. New dates will be coming out in early summer, so keep an eye out on our website so you can book it before it sells out! On this trip, we visited three wineries, took a dance class in Luckenbach, and had about as much fun as we possibly could.
This just scratches the surface of the fun we had this season on tours. We have some fun things planned for next season and are planning on expanding to new destinations next year. We have something for everyone and every travel budget. If you haven’t traveled with us, take a look at what we have to offer and try us out. My goal on every trip is to get to know you and wow you with some travel fun! •
Sarah Denzer, tour manager
Tropic Star Holds 6th Annual Event to Honor Veterans
Special to Welcome Home Winter Texan
Tropic Star RV Resort honored 23 veterans Sunday, March 3, by presenting them with patriotic lap-style quilts. Each of the quilts were designed and constructed by the quilters of Tropic Star.
The seamstresses of Tropic Star sewed, and others pressed and cut. Many quilters made the quilt tops at their summer homes. Tropic Star residents supported our project by contributing funds. These funds were used to purchase fabric and to pay for the quilting. What an exciting adventure and a heartwarming experience to express our gratitude by gifting a quilt to the veterans who reside in our park.
This is the sixth year Tropic Star has honored our veterans. A total of 177 quilts have been presented. Each quilt includes a label that reads, “One Quilt to Warm You, Thousands of Stitches to Thank-you!” •
Over 700 Attend Victoria Palms Quilt and Creative Arts Show
Special to Welcome Home Winter Texan
Thank you to the over 700 people who attended the 10th Bi-Annual Victoria Palms Resort Quilt and Creative Arts Show. The Show had an exceptional display of over 300 pieces, including quilts from king size to throws, antique quilts, and quilts which were hand-quilted and machine-quilted; wall hangings; table runners; purses and totes; jackets; and more.
The SQS Room had a display of pieces created for this Show’s Thrill of the Hunt Challenge. All participants were given a list of 16 items, and 11 people finished projects and had them on display. The object was to include at least seven items from the list in their finished piece. Each piece needed to be at least 12” x 12”. The variety of challenge pieces was astounding, from embroidered pieces to quilts to totes.
Victoria Palms had other artisans from the Resort in attendance to showcase their talents, including stained glass artisans, woodcarvers, woodworkers, leather workers, pine needle basket artisans, and paper crafting artists.
Everyone attending the Show received a ticket to enter the drawing for a Janome 3160 QDC donated by Victoria Palms Resort and purchased from RGV Sew and Quilt in Alamo. The machine was awarded to Paula Lopez.
As in previous shows, there was the opportunity to purchase tickets on a quilt. The 2025 Opportunity Quilt, Disappearing Nine Patch, was an oversized, queen-size quilt pieced from red, black, and white fabric, making it a stunning piece. This quilt was awarded to Annette Duit. •
A Heartfelt Message From Mary Chamberlin
Special to Welcome Home Winter Texan
(Editor’s Note: Welcome Home RGV received this beautiful email from Mary February 28. We asked her for permission to share it with all of you because so many of you know and love her—as we do. All of us at WHRGV thank Mary for her years of bringing joy through her music and hope what she does—that we will cross paths again, even after she bids the stage farewell.)
To Kristi, Anne, and the Staff of Welcome Home, First, I would like to thank you and all the staff at Welcome Home for your kindness and the hard work that you put in for the entertainers and parks in the Valley. I know sometimes it must be difficult to keep a smile on your face when things don’t go according to plan, as they do quite often.
Mary Chamberlin and the Southern Express Band will be dissolved at the end of this year. Our last gig will be for New Year’s Eve at the Park Place Estates. I have decided to retire. My health problems over the past year have played a major part in my decision. The singing is not the problem, but the stress of booking, keeping a band working, and hauling equipment has become something I just can’t deal with anymore. This was not an easy decision, as I have been performing since the age of three, when I first appeared on television, singing and tap dancing. I read where Anne Murray said when she retired that she had been doing this for 40 years, and 40 years of doing this was enough. Well, if you add it all up with all the years I have been either singing or managing a band and fronting it, I have been at it a lot longer than Anne.
I have worked with some of the great names in country music and won many awards from the Oklahoma Country Music Association. I earned Female Vocalist of the Year for three consecutive years and then was the first woman to ever win the coveted Entertainer of the Year Award. I have enjoyed so many wonderful memories, but back in 1982, I took on a major change in my life when I became a full-time minister and walked away from country music--a recording contract I never signed--and began to focus completely on Christian music and my service to the Lord. I became a pastor in Oklahoma City and held that position for 25 years, until my husband’s health began to take priority. I retired from the ministry in 2010 when I realized that I couldn’t take care of him and fulfill the duties of pastor, too. In 2013, I moved to the Valley and was introduced to the “Jam” by some of my new neighbors here. I hadn’t sung any country music since 1982! They signed me up to sing, and the rest here is history. I met and married Doug Chamberlin in 2014, and in 2015 we formed a band after I had said I would only do one show because everyone wanted me to do a show. After that show, the calls kept coming in, and we were never without work. The following year, I also took on the position of pastor in our home park of Quiet Village II. This continued until October 1, 2023, when I lost Doug and then got very sick myself. I had never had to have someone replace me as a vocalist until then, Sadly, they wouldn’t let me out of the hospital to go, or I would have. I found someone to take charge of the Christmas shows we had scheduled that year, and when I did get to come back, I had to sit the whole time--under dr.’s orders. I know, Anne (WHRGV’s Anne Marie Martin), that you had no idea of what was happening in my life when you made the changes for the Showcase in 2024, I apologize if I wasn’t my normal cordial self, but I had just gotten out of the hospital for the fourth time and had just undergone a cardio inversion a couple of days
before the Showcase. I want to thank you for this year’s time slot, and I wish you all the best for future years.
We have the month of December almost full, with Christmas shows and the first dance of the season that we have done every year for the past five years at Fiesta Village in Mission. We will finish up with our New Year’s Eve gig at Park Place Estates. Our last dance of this season will be March 14 at Quiet Village II.
It has been my pleasure to get to know you all, and I pray that we will cross paths again in the future. Sending a couple of pics along, some from my time in Nashville and throughout OK. Thought you might get a giggle out of them since I certainly don’t look that way anymore! •
May God Bless You Abundantly, Mary Chamberlin
by Eryn Reddell Wingert
EWe Connect the Dots
ach year, the Rio Grande Valley welcomes thousands of winter visitors--travelers and retirees looking for a warmer climate-affectionately known as Winter Texans. This is why October through March is known as the Winter Texan season.
Welcome Home RGV in McAllen serves as the conduit between Winter Texans and area attractions, services, businesses, and organizations. We do this in a number of ways, via the Welcome Home RGV website at welcomehomergv.com, publications--both annual and weekly throughout the season, e-blast newsletters, and social media and by hosting special events.
Plans are already well underway for the 2025-2026 season. Welcome Home RGV will host its 31st Annual Winter Texan Expo, a three-day event in two locations: McAllen, January 20 and 21, 2026, and Brownsville, January 22, 2026. The Expo is free to the public and is a great way to collect information on all kinds of things the Valley has to offer…plus door prizes and live entertainment.
Then kick up your heels at Welcome Home’s annual Bayside Fiesta Music Festival, January 28, 2026, on South Padre Island. It’s a day filled with live music from local and visiting entertainers, favorites among the Winter Texan community.
Welcome Home RGV also wants to visit you! In considering a tour of the Midwest, we could use your help! We love cheese from Burnett, Wisconsin, and we got to meet the mayor while in Peoria, Illinois, a few summers ago. Share with us your suggestions about where we should stop and your favorite “must-see-and-do” lists by emailing us at news@ welcomehomergv.com.
Keep tabs on all things Rio Grande Valley by signing up for our e-blast
and following us on social media. The sign-up and social media links are available on welcomehomergv.com. You’ll also find links to our extensive calendar of events, our publications, our tour and travel opportunities, and more.
Now you get why Kristi always uses the tag line, “We’re just connecting the dots.” •
Perspectives It’s Windy Down Here
by Chaplain Larry Allen
This is only my fourth season living in the RGV. I feel like a newcomer among many of the Winter Texans I have met here; many of them have been coming here for decades! We come for a number of reasons.
The diverse culture here gives richness to our experience. There are so many beautiful RV parks in the Valley, filled with wonderful folks from all around North America. These parks offer a variety of experiences and activities. And then, of course, there is the weather. We come because of the great winter weather. The RGV gives us an opportunity to escape the cold and the snow up north and take refuge in the sunny, warm Valley. The weather is great here!
But one thing I did not expect when first arriving in the Valley was how windy it was. It is a rare day when the wind is calm. Now, I am not saying that the wind is a bad thing. It is just that I have never lived in a place this windy. On a hot day, the wind makes the heat a little more bearable, but on those really hot days, the wind makes it seem more like a convection oven.
I preached my first sermon when I was 16 years old. As you might imagine, I was extremely nervous. I remembered hearing some of my relatives talking about hearing another young man preaching his first sermon and how dynamic and good he was. I was hoping that someone might be able to say the same about me after my first sermon. I only had one suit. It was a couple of years old, and I was a growing boy. It was quite snug. That night, when it was time for me to preach, I sort of leaped up with enthusiasm to
rush to the pulpit, trying to hide my angst. When I did, the seat of my pants burst open. The seam-from the belt loops to my crotch--ripped wide open. There I was, hiding behind the pulpit with my butt full of tighty whities hanging out. Needless to say, I was deflated.
That night I understood, in a whole new way, the Bible verse, “The wind blows where it wishes, and you hear its sound, but you do not know where it comes from or where it goes. So it is with everyone who is born of the Spirit.” (John 3:8 ESV) In the Bible, the word for spirit is the same as the word for breath. The Holy Spirit is like God’s breath blowing over and into our lives. When you think about the wind in the RGV, just remember God’s Spirit is always blowing in and around you. •
IMAS Unveils Destino Sur: A Photographic Exploration of Peru by Carlos Limas
Special to Welcome Home Winter Texan
The International Museum of Art & Science (IMAS) in McAllen announces Destino Sur, a solo photography exhibition by acclaimed artist Carlos Limas, on exhibit now and running through June 22. This exhibition, supported by the Texas Commission on the Arts, the University of Texas Rio Grande Valley (UTRGV) - Center for Latin American Arts, and South Texas College (STC), takes visitors on a visual exploration of Peru’s rich cultural and geographical landscapes.
For the past six years, Limas has traveled extensively across Peru, visiting iconic locations such as Cusco, Lima, Nazca, and Machu Picchu. His work captures the essence of everyday life and traditional festivals and the breathtaking natural beauty of the region. Through his lens, Limas crafts a compelling narrative that celebrates the resilience, history, and cultural vibrancy of the Peruvian people. Limas states, “The goal of this project is to create a visual narrative that not only showcases Peru’s stunning scenery but also highlights its rich cultural tapestry and the resilience of its communities. This ongoing project is a labor of love and a testament to a deep connection with Peru.”
About the Artist
Carlos Limas. a McAllen-based artist, has an extensive background in the arts, holding degrees from the Instituto Profesional de Arte y Diseño in Monterrey, México, and l’Académie Royale des Beaux-Arts in Bruxelles, Belgium, and a Master of Fine Arts from the University of Texas Rio Grande Valley. His work spans photography, painting, and video and has been exhibited in Mexico, Belgium, Slovakia, Italy, France, China, and the United States. He currently serves as the Art Department chair at South Texas College, where he teaches digital photography.
About the International Museum of Art & Science (IMAS)
Accredited by the American Alliance of Museums and a Smithsonian Affiliate, IMAS is located at 1900 W. Nolana Avenue in McAllen. The Museum is open Wednesday through Saturday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Sunday from 1 to 5 p.m. For more information on admission, events, and programs, visit theimasonline.org or call 956-681-2800 •
Vinyl Spin’s Wild Night: Hawaiian Dance and a Skeleton
Submitted by Manny Rodriguez of Vinyl Spin
Special to Welcome Home Winter Texan
Ah, Mission, Texas, where Hawaiian-themed dances are more than just tropical; they’re unforgettable. As Vinyl Spin, we’ve seen our fair share of dance-floor antics, but this one? It takes the (pineapple upside-down) cake.
Picture this: We’re rocking the stage, everyone’s dancing, and the night is pure magic. Then, out of nowhere, we spot him. A gentleman-let’s call him Scott--absolutely tearing up the dance floor with… wait for it… a skeleton. Yes, you read that right. A full-blown skeleton in a Hawaiian grass skirt, leis, and all the tropical trimmings.
Scott and his bony date were unstoppable. The spins, the twirls, the synchronized moves--they had the kind of chemistry that made you believe in love after life. Naturally, we had to give them a shoutout.
“Let’s hear it for Scott and his lovely partner!” The crowd roared… and Scott? He dipped his skeleton date like he’d been rehearsing this moment his whole life. But then, it got better.
Enter Don and Lloyd. These two saw the skeleton’s dance skills and decided they had to take their turn. One by one, they waltzed onto the floor and made their moves, each adding their own unique flair. Don was all about the bold spins, while Lloyd’s groove screamed, “I may not have bones, but I’ve got rhythm!”
By now, the skeleton wasn’t just a dance partner; she was the life (afterlife?) of the party. The three men and their skeletal star became instant celebrities of the night, and we were just the backing band for their Hawaiian-
themed romcom.
As the night drew to a close, Scott, Don, and Lloyd gathered for the grand finale. No, it wasn’t a final dance-off. Instead, they posed with their bony date for the ultimate photo op, right in front of our stage. It was the kind of picture that says, “We came, we danced, and we made memories with a skeleton in a grass skirt.”
Mission, TX, you never fail to surprise us. From the smooth moves to the unforgettable moments, this Hawaiian-themed dance will forever hold a special place in our Vinyl Spin storybook.
Until next time, keep spinning, keep dancing, and always make room on the floor for the unexpected--even if it doesn’t have a pulse. •
Make-Along 2025
Special to Welcome Home Winter Texan
We’ve got something sweet for y’all to take home with you this year! We have had a blast over the last few years. seeing all the fun color combinations coming into the Donation Chest from the peeps joining in our Make-Alongs. It is just one way to inspire a few new ideas as you make hats and other items to donate. The past year’s themes have had a great variety of birds and butterflies. Well, this year our theme for the Make-Along is Cakes! Our theme will center around our sharing of recipes and sweetness all year long in the Sit-n-Knit areas. We kicked this year off in January with a really yummy chocolate peppermint trifle that our shepherd, Barbara, made. The hats and scarves that were made were even yummy to look at. Everyone who joins in gets their names on the Make-Along list, and we have some fun prizes at the end of every year as a way of saying thanks for joining in the fun. We’re looking forward to seeing all the fun items made to add to the Donation Chest this year.
So, as you, our Winter Texan friends, head back home, you can take a piece of Lamb’s Loom sweetness with you and join in our Make-Along. Just check in on our website for the monthly theme and get to “yarning.”
When you’re in the RGV, you are welcome to purchase your yarn here (which supports our mission, too) or dive into your own stash and find something fun that works with each theme. Then, when you’re back home in the RGV for January’s Yarn Tasting, you will be here to celebrate the Donation Chest and all the beautiful Make-Along items with us!
Speaking of Yarn Tasting, it is scheduled for the second week of January 2026. This is always a yarn-fun celebration of all that has happened over the previous year.
We hope you will join in on our Make-Along and other projects here at The Lamb’s Loom as we “stitch it forward” together. The giving of your time and talents helps us send warm gifts of encouragement all over the world!
Before the season ends, we hope you’ll stop by for a little yarn fun and a hug for the road. We are open Wednesday
through Saturday, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.
The Lamb’s Loom is located at 1102 W. Tamarack Ave. in McAllen. Additional parking is available in the rear via Upas Avenue. Check out our website at thelambsloom.com where you will find updates, Make-Along info, and the option to sign up for a few newsletters.
• ~ Prayers ‘n Purls
Wisconsinites PACK Mr. Gatti’s in McAllen
Special to Welcome Home Winter Texan
The Wisconsin Valley-Wide Reunion was held at Mr. Gatti’s Pizza in McAllen Monday, February 24, at 11 a.m. One hundred sixtyeight Wisconsinites from 32 different Valley RV parks attended the
event, hosted by Ralph and Judi Brill from Kiel, Wisconsin. The date has already been set for next year’s reunion. Save the date now: February 23, 2026! . •
BREAK FREE FROM BACK PAIN
We are excited to welcome Dr. Azedine Medhkour, an esteemed neurosurgeon with over 40 years of experience, to our medical team. A graduate of the Institute of Medical Sciences of Algiers, Dr. Medhkour trained at top institutions in Paris, including La Pitie-Salpetriere and Sainte-Anne hospital, and further refined his skills at New York University Medical Center, along with conducting research at Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School.
If you or a loved one are dealing with severe back pain, we invite you to schedule an appointment with Dr. Medhkour. Call us at 956.668.0060 for a same-day consultation to start your journey toward relief.
Llano Grande Resort
McAllen Mobile Park, McAllen
Retama Village, Mission
Aladdin Villas, Mission
$239,900
$66,500
$279,000
SPACIOUS Vacant lot in Llano Grande resort perfect for a new home. Close to the golf course and all the amenties this resort offers. Curt Riester, TREC771832, MHSLSP00047858, (956) 4554195
This 2012 unit is spacious, very well maintained and move in ready. The kitchen has beautiful maple colored wood cabinets, a food pantry, all major appliances and a gas stove top. A bonus 7x9 laundry room with a large storage closet, washer and dryer included! The exterior shed is also included! Bonnie Dominguez, MHSLSP00045160, (956) 434-6112
McAllen Mobile Park, McAllen
Alamo Country Club
FANTASTIC 2 bed/2 bath 2014 Oak Creek 1300 sqft Home located in McAllen Mobile park. This home is FULL of upgrades including: new roof, new carport, porcelain tile flooring, Safe-Step Walk-in jetted tub/ shower combo, double panes storm windows, 8” insulated walls, new A/C, new washer/dryer, and a 5-stage reverse osmosis water system. A Must See!!! Curt Riester, TREC771832, MHSLSP00047858, (956) 455-4195
OH BOY - 3 bed/2.5 bath home in Alamo Country Club. Newly renovated with lot and lots of upgrades. Two story cul-desac home with spacious primary on the ground floor is ON THE GOLF COURSE! Curt Riester, TREC771832, MHSLSP00047858, (956) 455-4195
Retama Village, Mission
Hidden Valley Ranch, Mission
$21,900 $75,000 $179,900
Are you tired of seeing the same old thing? This 2019 2 bedroom, 2 bath mobile home will check everything off your list and more! Heather Escobedo, TREC686290, MHSLSP00048506, (956) 271-3683
This upgraded Santa Maria floorplan home is perfect for discerning buyers. Enjoy floor-to-ceiling sliding doors, a spacious butler’s pantry, guest room with ensuite, a separate studio, expanded garage, and low-maintenance landscaping. Located in Retama Village, a premier 55+ community with abundant activities and amenities. Carol Kerr Welch, TREC540183, (956) 900-8487
Check out this property in Green Gate Grove, a 55+ gated community. RV pad with full hook up (30/50 amp service). 384 sqft casita offers a fully functional kitchen, living, dinning space and a full bathroom with a washer and dryer.. Heather Escobedo, TREC686290, (956) 271-3683
Location, location. location! This RV Casita has one of the most coveted locations in the community. Lots of extras -- pergola, storage sheds, whole house 18 kw Generac generator and gutters making it better than new! All appliances convey. FHU for your RV, but you do not have to have an RV to enjoy this fabulous home. Carol Kerr Welch, TREC540183, MHSLSP00048089, (956) 900-8487
$285,000
ANOTHER amazing home in Alamo Country Club! This 3 bed/2 bath home boasts a beautiful golf course view out the large rear picture window. Home includes 2260 sqft and features 2 living spaces, large kitchen, laundry room, and separate bonus office. Curt Riester, TREC771832, MHSLSP00047858, (956) 455-4195
RV Porthome recently remodeled inside & out with large, fenced yard. Large 2 story storage area/ workshop with an additional 12x18 storage building for plenty of storage. Gail Gallagher, TREC797370, (816) 916-5583
Restful Valley Ranch, Mission
Retama Village, Mission
$339,000 $59,900
Come check out this cozy mobile home located in Restful Valley Ranch. This 14x42, 1 bedroom, 1 bathroom home sits in the center of the 3 lots. Heather Escobedo, TREC686290, MHSLSP00048506, (956) 271-3683
Stop! This is the perfect find, you must check out this 1 bedroom, 1 bathroom casita! Not only is it visually pleasing with its modern architecture and professional landscaping, it’s also functional, including an RV pad with full hook-ups. Heather Escobedo, TREC686290, (956) 271-3683
Dream 2-bed, 2-bath home in a gated 55+ community! Open floor plan, tile floors, hickory cabinets, solar panels, Tesla charger, screened porch, pool, fitness center, and endless activities. Carol Kerr Welch, TREC540183, (956) 900-8487
Have I got the PERFECT place for YOU!! This 1 bedroom/1 bathroom built in 2000 is fully furnished and 100% turn key ready and even includes plate ware, glassware, and silverware! The outdoor patio is the perfect spot to enjoy warm South Texas breezes with neighbors and friends. Curt Riester, TREC771832, MHSLSP00047858, (956) 455-4195
This updated 2 bedroom, 2 bathroom furnished mobile is located in an active 55+ guarded gate community. Walk into this beautiful home and fall in love! Features updated from 2021/2022 include a renovated kitchen (Painted cabinets and walls, new granite countertops, sink, faucet, disposal, dishwasher, and fridge) a fresh coat of paint in the living room, flooring, 2 mini splits, water heater, water softener, and even exterior features like the screened in porch, extended concrete, and northside fencing with gate. Heather Escobedo, TREC686290, MHSLSP00048506, (956) 271-3683
Come and check out this 1 bedroom 1 bathroom 2004 Oak Creek (16 x 48) Energy Star home.The home includes a Kinetico water softener, Reverse Osmosis, a natural gas Generac and a new Carrier HVAC system. Heather Escobedo, TREC686290, (956) 271-3683
Hidden Valley Ranch, Mission
Wagon City South, Mission
$16,500 $145,000 $76,000
Searching for a gated 55+ community to settle down in? Then stop and check out this 2 bedroom 1.5 bath mobile home. Step inside and experience the bright and airy front living space and the lovely eat-in kitchen that provides the perfect combination of functionality and comfort. Heather Escobedo, TREC686290, MHSLSP00048506, (956) 271-3683
This must-see home is located in Wagon City South, a friendly 55+ community. This 2-bedroom, 1.5-bath home comes furnished and is move-in ready. Heather Escobedo, TREC686290, (956) 271-3683
$225,000
$215,000
GOTTA SEE this large 1665 sqft 2 bed/2 bath home in Alamo Country Club. This home is located on the golf course witha wonderful view of the 4th hole. Primary has room for king bed and both bedrooms have new tile flooring. An updated kitchen with breakfast nook with bay windows and a screen in porch round out the upgrades. Curt Riester, TREC771832, MHSLSP00047858, (956) 455-4195
Located in the wonderful Aladdin Villas, this 2 bedroom 2 bath brick home located on a corner lot is perfect for you! Heather Escobedo, TREC686290, (956) 271-3683
Llano Grande Resort, Mercedes
$405,000
This freshly painted RV porthome in Retama Village features 4 bedrooms, 2 bonus spaces, a 2-car garage, and covered RV port with hookups. Enjoy an open floorplan, high ceilings, a private backyard oasis, and community amenities. HOA covers landscape maintenance. Call to see your dream home! Carol Kerr Welch, TREC540183, (956) 900-8487
Location, Location, Location! Own an RV and looking for a great place to park? Come check out this property, located in the 55+ community of Llano Grande Resort, where you own your lot! RV pad hook-ups included 30 amp and 50 amp services and a storage shed with 220vac connection. Heather Escobedo, TREC686290, MHSLSP00048506, (956) 271-3683
Wagon City South, Mission
Retama Village, Mission
$59,700
$58,500 $115,000
Located in a active 55+ community of Wagon City South, this well-preserved 2 bedroom, 2 bathroom home sits on a corner lot and is fully furnished and is move-in ready. The open-concept living and dining space is perfect for entertaining guests or relaxing alone. Heather Escobedo, TREC686290, MHSLSP00048506, (956) 271-3683
Charming RV Lot in a vibrant 55+ community! Finished coach house with full bath, FHU, and 12x7 storage shed. Backs to peaceful greenspace in the Texas Tropics. Perfect for relaxed living! Carol Kerr Welch, TREC540183, (956) 900-8487
Retama Village, Mission
Retama Village, Mission
McAllen Mobile Park, McAllen
Llano Grande Resort, Mercedes
Alamo Country Club, Alamo
Green Gate Grove, Palmview
Alamo Country Club
Hidden Valley Ranch, Mission
Retama Village, Mission
DANCES ENTERTAINMENT & SHOWS
Calendar of Events
Wednesday • March 12, 2025
Sunshine’s 77 Corner Store 7:00 AM Country
Sunshine RV Resort Harlingen (956) 425-7448 $
All You Can Eat Breakfast 7:30 AM Enchanted Valley Ranch Mission (956) 519-8597 $8
Wednesday Breakfast 7:30 AM Bentsen Grove Resort Palmview (956) 585-0703
Craft Show 8:00 AM Fiesta Village Mission (956) 585-9264
Craft Sale 9:00 AM Split Rail RV Park Mission (956) 585-8135
Quinta Park Tours 9:00 AM Quinta Mazatlan McAllen (956) 681-3370 $3/$2
“Journey Through the Lens” Exhibit 10:00 AM Upper Valley Art League Mission (956) 591-0282
Plus Square Dance 10:00 AM Tropic Star RV Resort Pharr (956) 874-8264
Young Adventurers: Buzzing Music Makers
10:00 AM International Museum of Art & Science McAllen (956) 681-2800
Acoustic Jam 12:30 PM Quiet Village II
Subdivision Donna Jam Session 12:30 PM Trails End Resort Weslaco
Looking for something to do here in the Rio Grande Valley? Our calendar of events has been the go-to source for our retirees to check out the lighter side of the Valley. For more information on submitting your events and activities, please email calendar@welcomehomergv.com. The deadline for submission is Fridays at 5:00pm.
(956) 968-5051
Music Jam 12:30 PM Sunshine RV Resort
Harlingen (956) 425-7448
Big Band Jam 1:00 PM Valley View Estates
Mission (956) 580-0428
Jam Session 1:00 PM Heritage Square Mission (651) 249-3129
DJ Dance 7:00 PM Llano Grande Resort Mercedes (956) 565-2638 $9
Teo González & Mario Aguilar en McAllen 7:00 PM McAllen Performing Arts Center (956) 681-3800
Saturday • March 22, 2025
Breakfast 7:15 AM Golf View Estates Mission $8
Breakfast Saturday’s 8:00 AM Chimney Park
MHC Mission (956) 585-5061 $7
Craft Fair 8:00 AM Leisure Valley Ranch Mission (956) 529-1878
Garage Sale 8:00 AM Greengate Grove Palmview (956) 540-8463
Saturday Breakfast 8:00 AM El Valle Del Sol
Mission (956) 585-5704
SRV Breakfast 8:00 AM Siesta Retirement Village Weslaco (956) 969-3740 $8
Craft Fair 9:00 AM Fun N Sun RV Resort San Benito (956) 399-5125
“Journey Through the Lens” Exhibit 10:00 AM Upper Valley Art League Mission (956) 591-0282 Texas Onion Festival 10:15 AM Weslaco Area Chamber Weslaco (956) 968-2102
Nature Series: A Fowl Obsession Birding Migration in the RGV 11:00 AM McAllen Public Library (956) 681-3061
Riverside Dreamer River Tour 1:00 PM Riverside Club Mission (956) 581-4477 $13
Zumba Your Way to Wellness with Healthier Texas 1:00 PM McAllen Public Library (956) 6813060
