UPCOMING EVENTS!
GOLF ANYONE?
Check out our weekly listings of what’s happening in the RGV!
Tee Time in the RGV features Ebony Hills Golf Course!
RECIPE CONNECTION!
Executive Chef Bettina Tolin shares a recipe for comfort!
Welcome Home See calendar on page 5.
See review on page 30.
VOLUME 1 • ISSUE 19 • March 2, 2016
Try her recipe on page 39.
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WINTER TEXAN
• • • your official connection to the rio grande valley • • •
Kristi’s Connection to Lone Star Citrus Growers
G
oing Faster. Moving Slower. This past week, we ‘officially’ celebrated our volunteers who help Welcome Home RGV at events and activities throughout the season. I say ‘officially’ because we are thankful for our volunteers every day. I am blessed with not only a great team in the office but also a phenomenal group of volunteers who help in so many ways. It’s not as easy as you might think to be everywhere. Throughout the season, there are opportunities we might have missed because we just can’t be more than two places at the same time. But because our volunteers fill that void for us--stepping in to work at in-park expos, in our booth at the Don-Wes flea market (every Wednesday, Saturday, and Sunday), and at all the community events we participate in and sponsor---we don’t have to miss them! I had the opportunity to have some one-on-one time with Al Brooks, one of my volunteers who has been with me as long as I can remember. We got to talking about our crew of volunteers and all the ways they assist us. I told him that because of our volunteers, we are able to go faster than we’ve ever gone before yet move a little slower and not have to run around in circles all the time. I know I can speak on behalf of so many organizations when I say, “Thank you!” – not just to our Winter Texans, but to those Converted Texans and local volunteers who donate your time and talents to causes near and dear to you. Your time and talents are appreciated, and our Valley is a special place because you care about giving back and lending a hand. What would we do without you? • We’re just connecting the dots,
Kristi
Special to Welcome Home RGV
First,
the History of Lone Star Citrus Growers. Lone Star Citrus Growers is a company passionate about their products, people, and service. Born of a shared vision to provide the citrus-buying customer an alternative source of Texas citrus, three industry veterans combined their experience, strengths, and resources to launch a dream. The foundation of this dream was built by gathering a core team of employees who have been with Lone Star Citrus Growers since the day they opened their doors in 2007. Without the dedication and tireless efforts of these professionals, this dream could have never been realized. One of those three industry veterans is Trent Bishop. Now, the Kristi-Connection I’ve been friends with Trent Bishop since 6th grade when we went to Lamar Junior High together. That means we’ve been friends for almost 35 years. Trent and I both share a love for the Rio Grande Valley, both choosing to raise our
families and establish our business roots in our hometown. While we were friends in grade school, it wasn’t until we were out of college and starting our own families that we were able to reconnect. Our daughters (his oldest, my only) were born six months apart and it has been so much fun watching both of our ‘babies’ grow up. While I had only one daughter, Trent proceeded to have three more, making him the proud father of four girls! In addition to watching our girls grow up, it has also been a real ride to watch his business grow, and
we are proud to promote Lone Star Citrus Growers and Valley Citrus. If you had told me 35 years ago at Lamar Junior High that I’d be publishing Trent’s recipes in my own weekly newspaper, I would have told you that you were crazy! But you’re not crazy. That’s exactly what I’m doing, and I’m grateful for 35 years of friendship and the WHRGV-LSCG connection! • CHECK OUT ANOTHER RECIPE COMPLIMENTS OF LONE STAR CITRUS GROWERS ON PAGE 3!
A SPECIAL THANK YOU TO OUR 2015-2016 SEASON SPONSORS