Happy Veterans Day! It’s a special day to honor and thank our veterans for their service, but honestly, every day should be Veterans Day. We are able to do all the things we love because of you.
My aunt recently passed away, and as the executor of her estate and only living heir, I found her military service quite unbelievable. She didn’t really speak of her service, other than how much she loved the Navy. It wasn’t until after she died that I learned of her remarkable history and how she moved through the ranks to become an officer at a time when that was almost unheard of. She then went on to work at the Pentagon, which none of us ever knew.
I encourage you, whether you served in the military or not, to share your stories with others and help preserve your piece of history. Write it down, have your grandchildren record your stories when they come to visit, and remind them that one of these days they will cherish these stories.
~We’re just connecting the dots.
WINTER TEXAN
Your Connection to the Rio Grande Valley
The Importance of Preserving the Past
Story by Eryn Reddell Wingert
In 1988, World War II veterans of the USS Suwannee (CVE-27) began holding annual reunions. The weekend gatherings were hosted primarily by a veteran and his family in their hometown and served not only as social gatherings, with banquets and field trips, but also as a safe haven for the men to recount their experiences--the good and the bad.
The first organized kamikaze attack in history took place in the Pacific in the Battle of Leyte Gulf. The Suwannee, an escort carrier, was hit twice in two days in October of 1944, resulting in 900 wounded, dead, or missing
in action.
Over 200 men were killed, and they were buried at sea under the cover of night. My grandfather, Bill Reddell, helped bury them.
The memories of what he saw, for the most part, were suppressed for decades--aside from recurring nightmares. The reunions brought them back; coaxed to the forefront during conversations with fellow veterans.
The men mostly talked about the fun they had in the service-honky-tonking, something called “torpedo juice,” and the jocularity but the talk inevitably turned
to the horror they experienced. Their stories were impactful, compelling my dad, Larry Reddell, to document them. “I saw how hard it was for them to share their stories,” Dad said recently, “but also just how important it was for the families to hear them.” It became a family project.
In 1999, during the 12th annual reunion, which took place in San Antonio, I interviewed as many veterans as possible--sometimes two or three at a time--over the course of three days. Initially, they shared when they first boarded the ship, their jobs aboard, the fun times they had
Bill Reddell (left) reminisces with a fellow veteran during a reunion of the USS Suwannee (CVE-27). The men served aboard the escort carrier (inset) in the Pacific during World War II.
off the ship--in polite terms, of course. Then they shared where they were when the planes struck the ship and the catastrophic devastation…more than once fighting back tears brought on by horrific details and immense loss.
In total, we recorded 11-hours-worth of interviews. Four years later--after waiting for home computer editing software to catch up-we were able to present a one-hour film to surviving sailors and families, Moment of Impact - The Story of the USS Suwannee.
The documentary was presented at the 2003 reunion in Pennsylvania. Unfortunately, by then, some of the veterans we had interviewed had passed away--one in particular, Bill Block, who was the hardest to convince to take part and the very last to sit down for an interview.
Block’s family attended the viewing and, for the first time ever, heard him share what he went through during the war. After the kamikaze strike, when a doctor called out to bring in another wounded sailor, Block had to choose. His family had no idea.
What these men experienced was grue-
some, mind-altering, soul-crushing. How they responded--repairing the flight deck so planes could land; recovering the dead and tending the wounded; and, much later, returning to the ship after it was repaired to head back out-was heroic.
“They didn’t talk about it,” Dad deduced, “because they didn’t want to take anything away from the ones who didn’t make it back.”
After World War II, the messaging for veterans, Dad says, was “go home and forget about it.” Today, there are numerous outlets encouraging veterans to share their stories. (Not to mention much easier ways to document with smart phones and editing apps.)
The Library of Congress hosts The Veterans History Project, the largest oral history project in U.S. history, according to its website, loc. gov. Veteran accounts have a far-reaching impact, citing the project website, “Closely examining these firsthand accounts helps students discover a powerful sense of history and the complexity of the past.”
Storytelling is a two-way street--and a mutual gift. The opportunity for older veterans to share their stories is part of a “hero’s journey,”
according to a blog post titled “The Importance of Listening to Veterans” by historian Todd DePastino.
DePastino also emphasizes the importance of being prepared to listen, and if you can do that, he writes, “you can receive a life-changing gift in return, something best summed up as wisdom.”
During his interview, when asked what he wanted people to gain from their experience, Block said, “Just remember what they did for them, especially the boys buried at the bottom of the Pacific Ocean.”
My grandfather said the annual reunions saved him, Despite unlocking his memories, they allowed him talk freely and to listen to others about what they saw. For his family, to know what he went through provides a better understanding of the man and a greater appreciation for his sacrifice--and the sacrifice of all who served.
Editor’s Note: If you would like to see this documentary created by Eryn and her dad, you can view it on YouTube at bit.ly/MomentofImpactUSSSuwannee . •
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.
Weekly E-Blasts
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. Sign up at: info@welcomehomergv.com
Follow Us on Social Media!
www.facebook.com @whrgv @wintertexan
www.youtube.com
Find on Youtube Channel “Welcome Home Rio Grande Valley”
www.instagram.com @welcomehomergv @wintertexans
Keep McAllen Beautiful –Meet the Artist Winter Texan Spotlight
Keep McAllen Beautiful (KMB) introduces the artists behind the irrigation pipe masterpieces through their Meet the Artist series. Welcome Home Winter Texan reached out to Chris Lash, KMB program manager, and asked for permission to share the series. She readily agreed. Look for Meet the Artist in our issues throughout the 2024 – 2025 season.
Chris Lash has been employed by the City of McAllen, for 23 years. She currently serves as the program manager for Keep McAllen Beautiful (KMB). Her responsibilities include establishing projects and events that will help achieve KMB’s mission to expand awareness about littering and recycling and to promote beatification and preservation in McAllen.
I was born in Brownsville and have lived in the McAllen area for about 30 years. Art is my passion; it comes from my heart; been drawn to it since infancy. Most of my pieces have some form of sentimental meaning; they are either an expression of my own emotional life events, my personal experiences or that of others. Depicting our colorful nature is one of my favorite things to do. -Gabriela Almaraz •
Iowa State, Friends Honor Alamo Country Club Resident
Story by Eryn Reddell Wingert
Joan Gearhart has blazed a trail of golf programs throughout her life. Her first student, Dave, her dad. In high school, her doting parents encouraged hobbies, and after opting out of horses, she turned to golf.
Dave was very supportive, building a course where the pasture used to be. Athletically inclined, Joan soon surpassed her dad and was teaching him a few things during their evening practice in the back yard. When her high-school principal discovered she was good--and the boys didn’t want to play with her--she became a one-woman golf team.
She went on to earn a bachelor’s degree in physical education and biology at the University of South Dakota. Later, as a high school P.E. instructor in Audubon, Iowa, she led the golf team--that she started--to place second at State. After joining the LPGA and obtaining her master’s in education, Joan went on to create the women’s golf program at Iowa State.
In 2023, Gearhart’s extensive efforts were recognized with her induction into the Iowa State Athletics Hall of Fame for Women’s Golf; friends, former students, and fellow Alamo Country Club residents have been celebrating her ever since.
Close friend Lynn Clark accompanied Gearhart to the induction and afterwards brought
the Club community of over 100 people together to mark the accomplishment locally.
Gearhart turned 80 this year. She told Lynn, “I don’t want any kind of party; I just want to go out and play golf.” Clark opted instead to make it as memorable as possible, inviting the members of Gearhart’s first Iowa State Golf Team to join them, as a surprise.
“I walked around the corner and about had a heart attack,” Gearhart said. The ladies spent the weekend playing golf.
The list of Gearhart’s achievements in women’s golf is long, according to the Iowa State website (cyclones.com) and includes first woman hired as a head coach in the school’s history; winning two AIAW Regional Tournaments; claiming 23 career tournament titles; and coaching LPGA tour player Barb Thomas to All-America honors…just to name a few.
Gearhart moved to the Valley to be closer to her mother, Mildred, after her father passed away, and she continues to teach golf.
“She’s a teacher that wants everyone to perform beautifully,” shares Clark; “She’s a great teacher, she really is. She’s just amazing.” •
Iwo Jima Monument
Harlingen, Texas
Story by Eryn Reddell Wingert
The Iwo Jima Monument on the campus of the Marine Military Academy is not a replica of the one at Arlington National Cemetery in Washington, D.C. It is the original, fullsized working model by sculptor Dr. Felix W. de Weldon. Dr. de Weldon donated the piece to the Academy in 1981. (Of note: Cpl. Harlon Block of Weslaco was one of the men who hoisted the American flag at Mount Suribachi on Iwo Jima during World War II, a moment immortalized by Associated Press photographer Joe Rosenthal.)
Get Ready for a Flavor-Packed Day at the Craft Beer and Wings Festival
Mark your calendars for Saturday, November 16, as the highly anticipated Craft Beer and Wings Festival returns to South Padre Island! After a hugely successful debut last year, the festival is back, with even more local brews, delicious wing flavors, and exciting entertainment for all to enjoy. At the South Padre Island Convention Center, this event promises a full day of mouth-watering bites and cold brews, perfect for savoring the Island’s unique food scene. The doors open at 2 p.m., with a packed schedule featuring live music, DJs, and a variety of competitions that will keep the fun going all afternoon and into the night. Expect to be blown away by the expanded selection of over 40 craft beers and more than 25 wing flavors. For those up for a challenge, the Festival’s signature competitions, including the wing-eating contest, hot-wing showdown, and beer-stein-holding contest, are back and better than ever. You can also enjoy live performances from local bands, like Enlace, and top-tier tribute acts, including the Miranda Lambert and Kenny Chesney tributes. to close out the night. Both general admission and VIP tickets are available. VIPs gain access to exclusive perks. like early entry, extra tastings, and a Festival souvenir glass. Be sure to grab your tickets at sopadre. com/craft and get ready for an unforgettable experience! •
So Much Yarn - So Little Time Special to Welcome Home Winter Texan
Boy, do we hear that (“So much yarn; so little time) a bunch here at The Lamb’s Loom, where yarn fun is in full motion every day. As a nonprofit prayer-shawl ministry, every project is an opportunity to pass on a blessing to the recipient. As projects are decided upon, they most often become a “group effort” as the Sit-n-Knit Room peeps chime in with yarn and pattern suggestions. Our Sit-n-Knit area is open to everyone, so you never know what great ideas will come out of all that yarn fun. In our shop area, we try to provide a wide selection of yarn, including fibers from wool to alpaca to cotton (We’re in South Texas, y’all, so we do have lots of cotton!) in all colors and sizes. So much yarn; so little time! And then, of course, there’s Show-n-Tell, when we all get to celebrate the finished product together. Lots of things are being made for family members and Christmas presents, or they may be going into our Donation Chest! The mission groups we help are so grateful for all of the items given every year. Shawls, blankets, hats, socks…who knows? They all have a destination.
So many colors, so many fibers, so many patterns. What a joy to share in this together! It’s the love of giving and encouraging others that propels us on this journey. We call it “stitching it forward,” and you are welcome to join us.
Lamb’s Loom fun is happening, in person, at 1102 Tamarack in McAllen. Join us as we #stitchitforward together! We are open Wednesday through Saturday, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Additional parking is available in the rear via Upas Avenue. Updates and other information are available on our website at thelambsloom.com .
~ Prayers ‘n Purls! •
Proud sponsor of the Arroyo Colorado Audubon Society
Hello Travel Friends The Prettiest Town in Texas is Ready for you to stop in
About 300 miles North of us is the cute little town of Fredericksburg, Texas. This adorable city was founded by German Immigrants in 1846. It became a popular place for people to stay overnight or for a few days resting, as they continued traveling West. Thus beginning the city’s tourism industry. Fredericksburg is now known for its hospitality and has been called one of the prettiest towns in Texas.
Along the idyllic Main Street you’ll find unique boutique shopping, local wineries, quilt shops, cheeky t-shirts and one of a kind restaurants. You can spend an entire day just browsing and enjoying the charm of the downtown area. Fredericksburg is also known for having great farmers and craft markets. Hundreds of vendors turn up for their markets providing unique and handmade items you can’t find anywhere else. The founder’s influence is still present with several restaurants offering traditional German cuisine.
Fredericksburg itself has more than 60 wineries, vine yards and tasting rooms for visitors to discover. Each location has a unique take on what makes their wine stand out from others. Some offer tours, wine tastings and other unique experiences that help you connect and understand their business. This can be extra fun when you’re with a group of friends. The Fredericksburg 3 day tour we are offering in February will visit three unique wineries where we’ll enjoy special private tastings
and experiences together. Wildseed farms is another great tourist spot for the area. It is the largest wild flower farm in the country with over 200 acres of flowers. When you stop in here you’ll have the chance to purchase seeds in their gift shop and get some tips on how to best cultivate and grow your own beau tiful blooms.
Another familiar stop in Fredericksburg is the National Museum of the Pacific War. This Smithsonian affiliate museum is the most comprehensive account of the World War II Asiatic-Pacific area. Its purpose is to honor all those who were involved in the Pacific war by preserving artifacts and stories. You could spend a few hours here or an entire day.
Whether you want to shop, try a few glasses of wine, learn about history or relax and people watch, Fredericksburg is the place for you. There really is something for everyone. I’ve been asked the last few years if I could plan a bus trip up there and I’m excited to tell you that it’s finally happening. This trip is coming up in February and will have limited seating with only one bus. We will be visiting wineries, stopping in to the NIMITZ museum, having great group meals and staying right off of main street. Grab your honey or grab some gal pals and let me show you how charming this small town can be! For more information and booking visit welcomehomergv. and look under tours and travel. •
Rio Valley Estates
McAllen Mobile Park, McAllen
Winter Green Estates, Mission
Retama Village, Mission
$160,000
$21,900
This 2 Bed/2 bath home is perfectly located on the golf course in Alamo Country Club. Spacious primary bedroom & suite. Both bedrooms have access to the screened in backyard patio. Curt Riester, TREC771832, MHSLSP00047858, (956) 455-4195
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
Wagon City North, Mission
McAllen Mobile Park, McAllen
$89,000
$75,000
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
Spacious 2 bed/2 bath on owned lot. Large primary and living spaces. Beautiful outdoor deck with patio furniture and lots of storage space! Curt Riester, TREC771832, MHSLSP00047858, (956) 4554195
Hidden Valley Ranch, Mission
Quiet Village ll, Donna
$98,500
$179,900
Looking for a well-maintained mobile? Located in the friendly 55+ community of Quiet Village II, this 1 bedroom, 1.5 bathroom home is a must-see! Heather Escobedo, TREC686290, (956) 271-3683
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
Looking for a cozy home to make your own? Look no further than this cute onebedroom mobile that provides all you need for your home away from home— located in Wintergreen Estates, an active 55+ community. 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
Adobe Wells, McAllen
Spacious 2 bed/2 bath home has 1278 sqft and features large primary w/ private bath. Spacious living room with nice front bay windows. Large Texas Room PLUS separate workshop/storage area! Assumable VA loan for qualified buyers! 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
$339,000
$16,500
Live your retirement dreams in this 3BR (or 2BR + office) home in Retama Village features an open floorplan and courtyard for indoor/outdoor living. Enjoy a spacious garage with HVAC, a pergola-covered courtyard, and solar panels with low electricity bills. HOA covers landscape maintenance. 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
$145,000
$425,000
$225,000
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
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
$58,500
Restful Valley Ranch, Mission
Wagon City South, Mission
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
Looking to own your lot? Then head on over to Wagon City South, a popular 55+ community, and take a look at this 2 bedroom, 2 bathroom mobile home! Heather Escobedo, TREC686290, (956) 271-3683
Looking for a place to call your own? Stop by and check out this 2 bedroom, 1.5 bath with Texas room addition perfect for entertainment. Heather Escobedo, TREC686290, (956) 271-3683
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
Hidden Valley Ranch, Mission
Hidden Valley Ranch, Mission
$79,900 $88,000
$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
Interested in eliminating your lot rent? Come check out this lovely 2001 2-bedroom, 1-bathroom mobile home located in the esteemed 55+ community of Hidden Valley Ranch! Heather Escobedo, TREC686290, (956) 271-3683
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
Interested in something cozy and unique? Come and take a look at this Spanish-inspired 1 bedroom, 2 bathroom casita. Heather Escobedo, TREC686290, (956) 271-3683
Wagon City South, Mission
Hidden Valley Ranch, Mission
$129,900 $99,900
$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
Come down and take a look at this 2 bedroom, 2 bathroom mobile located in the gated 55+ community of Hidden Valley Ranch. The interior features a front-facing eat-in kitchen with amazing cabinet space and updated flooring. Heather Escobedo, TREC686290, (956) 271-3683
Retama Village, Mission
Retama Village, Mission
McAllen Mobile Park, McAllen
Llano Grande Resort, Mercedes
Alamo Country Club, Alamo
Llano Grande Resort, Mercedes
Alamo Country Club
Heritage Square, Mission
Leisure Valley Ranch, Mission
Perspectives He Will Come Through for You
by Mark Bridgeman
Many years ago, when I was a teenager, my family and I moved to Pierre, South Dakota. Being new to the state, I did not realize how cold it got there during the winter and how much snow they get. One night, a friend and I were out riding around in his 1969 Dodge Charger and decided to take a drive out to the off-road vehicle track. It was pretty and quiet out there at night. It had snowed about three or four feet earlier that week. I looked ahead of us at a dip in the road, and, assuming everything would be fine, we went down that hill. Suddenly we hit a snow drift. It was not just a few inches deep like we assumed! The snow was probably 10 feet deep, and the car sunk way down in the drift. We did not know it, but the fan belt had been knocked off by the snow coming in around the radiator.
This was an extremely cold night, with strong wind gusts and temperatures way below freezing. We were both dressed in only sweatshirts and jeans. We tried to start the car and got it running several times, but it quickly overheated. Next, we decided I was going to dig the car out. Well, I started digging with a broom, and the more snow I pulled out, the more the car just sunk further into the snowdrift. Being young and stupid kids, we decided that grabbing an empty beer carton and setting it on fire on the console became an option; however the car was getting low on oxygen, and we couldn’t keep a fire lit for heat. This was 12 years before cell phones, and we were stuck 15 miles outside of town, way off the main road, down in a valley. Finally realizing we had no other choice, we huddled up in the back seat and threw a blanket on top of us.
I hadn’t really been serving God closely at that time in my life, but that night, I can tell you, I was certainly thinking about the Lord! I thought about all of the opportunities to spend time with God that I had missed. I should have worked and developed my relationship with Him. When you’re sitting there with plenty of time to think about those things, you certainly start to sober up. My friend. who had never received the Lord as his savior, asked me if I thought we were going to be OK. He said, “Do you think we will die tonight?”
I replied, “We’re gonna be OK. The Lord will take care of us. He won’t let us die.” Even though I had been living my life in a way that was not right for a child of God, I still believed God loved me and would protect me. “We’re gonna be OK.”
We were still freezing cold, but we laid in the back seat. Eventually, we both went to sleep. Usually people don’t wake up the next morning when the body temperature drops so low. Countless people have died that way…freezing to death in their sleep. But I remember that morning when I woke up; the bright ness of the sunshine and the glare of the snow were hitting me in the face, and we were both still alive! I knew the Lord had taken care of us overnight. It had snowed another foot and a half while we slept.
We had trouble getting the car doors open, but we finally dug out. I couldn’t feel anything below my knees, but I got out on the driver’s side and walked around the back of the car as we headed out to the road. I looked around and saw, on the side of the car where we had been sleeping, there were a humongous
set of footprints in the freshly fallen snow. SOMEONE had stood there that night. I believe it was an angel God sent to keep us from freezing to death. My life was never the same after that. I started to spend time learning more about God to develop my relationship with Him. I may not even know how many hundreds of times the Lord has rescued me from my stupid decisions. He’s always been faithful to me. He has never failed me. He has never left me hanging or let me down. I absolutely know He was with us that night. The Bible says He’ll never leave you nor forsake you, and God is true to His word. I’m living proof!
Remember, God is no respecter of persons. What He did for me, He will do for you, if you put your faith in Him. Do not wait until your life is in danger to put your trust in Jesus. Put your trust in Him when things are easy and there’s no emergency. Build your faith now so when the day of emergency comes, you’ll have the faith to believe. And when you do, He will come through for you!
Mark and Janette Bridgeman serve with Christian Resort Ministries (crmintl.org) at several RV resorts around the RGV. You may contact them by email markandjanettebridgeman@gmail.com. •
JANUARY 21 & 22, 2025 9:00 AM - 3:00 PM
23,
AM - 3:00
DANCES ENTERTAINMENT & SHOWS
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.
Wednesday • Nov 6, 2024
Wednesday Breakfast 7:30 AM Bentsen Grove Resort Palmview (956) 585-0703
Fish Fry 3:00 PM Sun Valley Acres Harlingen (651) 402-6721 $7
Experience a Cowboy Christmas at Ranch Hand Weekend in Kingsville
Special to Welcome Home Winter Texan
King Ranch - Ranch Hand Breakfast - The 33rd Annual Ranch Hand Breakfast will be held November 23. The event features an authentic, hearty cowboy breakfast cooked and served outdoors on the historic King Ranch. Team roping and old-time cow-camp-cooking demonstrations are part of the activities, along with live music and storytelling.
Tickets are $10 each and are available online at King-Ranch.com, at the King Ranch Saddle Shop, the King Ranch Museum, the King Ranch Visitor Center, and the Kingsville Visitors Center and at the door.
Ranch Hand Breakfast is always held on the Saturday before Thanksgiving. In partnership with the Ranch Hand Breakfast, the Kingsville Visitors Center developed a series of events to surround the popular King Ranch festivities. This year’s events will include a Ranch Hand Weekend Wine Walk Holiday Sip & Shop Tree Lighting, a downtown festival, and the Ranch Hand Weekend Country Concert.
Ranch Hand Weekend Holiday Tree Lighting and Wine Walk - The festivities begin Friday, November 22, with an opportunity for guests to visit Main Street Kingsville merchants and vendors and sample dozens of wine varieties, craft and domestic beer options, King Ranch Old Forester Bourbon, and holiday mocktails. Ranch Hand Weekend Holiday Wine Walk passports come packed with coupons and include a keepsake wine glass and wine lanyard or a glow-in-the-dark stadium cup. There are a variety of ways for all participants to enter to win prizes.
The Ranch Hand Weekend Holiday Wine Walk incorporates the tree lighting just outside the 1904 Train Depot Museum. The Texas A&M University-Kingsville Senior Art Exhibit will also be on display in the Kleberg Bank lobby. Electric violinist Dalla will return to this year’s event with a street dance. Passports are not needed to attend, but they enhance the experience and are the only way bourbon, wine, beer, and mocktails can be sampled.
Ranch Hand Weekend Festival – After filling up on your authentic Cowboy Breakfast at King Ranch®, visitors are invited back to Main Street for food, fun, inflatables, live music, two-stepping and line dancing! The Ranch Hand Weekend Festival features a Ranch Hand Car Show and Steam-Roller Art Printing. For the kiddos, Kingsville Parks and Rec will bring in an Archery Turkey Shoot, a Young Performer’s Stage, a Drug-Free Jail, and Pony Rides. Vendors come from far and wide to attend this festival, and there is no shortage of Christmas shopping opportunities.
In addition to the Ranch Hand Weekend Holiday Wine Walk, there will be another Holiday Wine Walk December 7, ahead of the annual La Posada de Kingsville illuminated night parade. Guests can return to the December event with their wine glasses and stadium cups and enjoy a $5 discount.
Ranch Hand Weekend Country Concert – Experience timely and timeless country music Saturday night at the JK Northway Expo Center at the Ranch Hand Weekend Country Concert. This year’s headliner is Joe Nichols, an artist who had hits like “Brokenheartsville” and “The Impossible” soar to #1 in 2002. He continues to produce new hits today, including 2021 hits “Home Run” and “Good Day for Living.” Deana Carter will open this year’s show. Carter celebrates 25 years since her debut single, “Strawberry Wine,” brought memories of your first taste of love. The five-time platinum debut album, Did I Shave My Legs for This?, is packed full of songs, including “We Danced Anyway” and “How Do I Get There?”
Ranch Hand Weekend festivities are presented by Kleberg Bank and Neessen Automotive, with help from 1PointFive, Texas A&M University-Kingsville, and Riviera Telephone Company. along with Gulf Coast Broadband. Support is also provided by Southpoint Rentals, Linebarger Attorneys at Law. and International Consulting Engineers (or ICE). General Admission concert tickets can be purchased online, and a limited number of VIP seats are still available. Those seats include food and beverages, along with VIP parking passes and an opportunity to win artist meet-and-greets. Visitors can also purchase a Ranch Hand Weekend Getaway from a handful of hotels; tickets to all of the weekend’s events, along with a bottle of wine, will be provided in your room at check-in.
More information can be found at RanchHandWeekend.com or by calling the Kingsville Visitor Center at 361-592-8516.
