GOLF ANYONE?
Tee Time in the RGV features Village Executive Golf Course!
UPCOMING EVENTS!
Check out our weekly listings of what’s happening in the RGV!
RECIPE CONNECTION!
Executive Chef Bettina Tolin shares a recipe for comfort!
Welcome Home See review on page 29.
See calendar on page 5.
VOLUME 1 • ISSUE 20 • March 9, 2016
Try her recipe on page 31.
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WINTER TEXAN
• • • your official connection to the rio grande valley • • •
A
s many of you prepare to make your journey home, I would like to ask a favor of you. Please take as many brochures on the Rio Grande Valley as you can store in your motor home, travel trailer, fifth wheel, or car and spread the word about our Valley with your friends and loved ones! You may or may not know that word of mouth is the #1 reason people like you flock to South Texas each year. So help us spread the word about the Winter Texan lifestyle! If each and every one of you brought a friend with you next season, just think about how much more fun we could have!! I encourage you to also think of ways you can help promote our Valley up north. Maybe your former employer holds retirement fairs or your area has a festival or event that would reach a good number of prospective retirees. We need your help identifying economical ways to reach the future generation of Winter Texans, and there is nobody better suited to help us than all of you! Please keep me posted throughout the summer months if you have ideas, thoughts, or suggestions on ways we can market to your neighbors back home! • We’re just connecting the dots,
Kristi
Special to Welcome Home RGV
The 13th annual Smokin’ on the
Rio was held Saturday, February 27, at the Mercedes Livestock Showgrounds. Smokin’ on the Rio was established in 2004, and 100 percent of the proceeds go to support youth in agriculture. I’ve been involved in one way or another since 2005 – my husband’s barbecue team, the Smashed Potatoes, have competed since the 2nd Annual event in 2005. I’ve been on the planning committee for the last six years, too, and it is an event that is near and dear to my heart. Smokin’ on the Rio is planned solely by volunteers, and every year the event grows. Last year, we boasted approximately 180 teams, while this year we had over 250 teams vying for the Texas State Championship title. While our team didn’t win in the primary categories, we are thrilled that the one trophy we took away was 3rd place in the Kid’s Q – for competitors 12 years and younger. Congratulations to Lowrie Martin of McAllen, daughter of Smashed Potatoes members Teddy and Kelsey Martin. As with many hobbies, barbecuing allows us to make close friends with fellow cookers. For as long as we can
remember, the Nombre Callate team has cooked right next to us. Allen Gray (many of you may know his wife, Amie, who works in our office) and Lance Seal are more like family than fellow cookers. Even though our team didn’t place, we couldn’t be prouder that they came home with 7th place in the category of chicken. I’d like to thank everyone who
stopped by our campsite to say hello. Hopefully you were able to sample some of our cooking, and if not, there’s always next year! You can find my recipes for Smashed Potatoes and Macaroni Casserole on our website at www. welcomehomergv.com. Thanks for your support of Smokin’ on the Rio and our youth in agriculture! •
A SPECIAL THANK YOU TO OUR 2015-2016 SEASON SPONSORS