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ter of Murray and Melva Mathieu who were residents of Snow to Sun. She, with her family, visited the Mathieus in December of 1987. She chose Winter Texans as a theme for her essay. The teacher graded her paper an A plus, excellent paper.

In our country some people like winter. Many others don’t; and a lot of them are senior citizens. Some senior citizens go south for the winter, like the birds. I have reported on Winter Texans.

Why go to Texas? Well, the old people who go there hate cold and snow and since they are retired, they are able to do so. They want to escape the harsh winters of the north and Texas is a cheaper place than other places like Florida and Hawaii.

How do they get there? They fly or drive. A lot of them get there in RVs or trailers. Where do they stay? In recreation parks mostly; although some have mobile homes or condos. The amount of time they stay ranges from one month to six.

What do they do there? Here’s something the Rio Grande Valley Chamber of Commerce said: “Halfyear Texans have much to offer our community; they are involved by becoming volunteers in community activities.” They also join clubs, go to social activities, go dancing, and compete in all kinds of tournaments. They also fish, swim, shop in Mexico, and see the sights. A lot of places offer discounts to Winter Texans.

What is the most wonderful thing about south Texas? Its vari-

ety and warm weather. The beaches on the gulf and the number of things to do are all a part. A big reason seniors like it is because a lot of their friends return every year, too. They are the same age Winter Texan Times file photo by Doug Young and share the same interests. I got most of this information from my grandparents. We were in Texas to visit them in their winter home. Maybe I should describe the place they stay. It is an RV park called Snow to Sun in Weslaco. There is always something to do there. There is a swimming pool and a hot tub. There is a place to play shuffleboard, pool, and cards; and there is a big hall for dances and exercise classes, bingo, and more. I think Winter Texans have a good life; because in most RV parks the people watch out for each other and become good friends. Winter Texan Times photo by Doug Young

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Park Directory RIO GRANDE VALLEY MOBILE HOME & RV 2021-2022 EDITION

2021 Park Directory

Winter TexanTIMES Serving Winter Texans From Mission To South Padre Island Since 1987 Published By:

2021-2022 Edition

WinterTexanTIMES Serving Winter Texans From Mission To South Padre Island Since 1987 Published By:

WELCOME

Whether you prefer nature and the out-doors, historical sites, parks, fishing, boat-ing, or parasailing over the surf at South Padre Island, the Rio Grande Valley has it all. Visitors can enjoy all the Valley has to offer year-round due to the Valley’s mild winter weather. Over 100,000 Winter Texans stay for the winter season to enjoy our warm, subtropical climate with an average temperature of 65-70 degrees. Winter Texans are not the only ones who have discovered the Rio Grande Valley. Birding, butterfly, and nature enthusiasts from all parts of the country come to the Valley every year, attracted by the 545 species of birds and 330 butterfly species that are either native to the area or that migrate through the Valley each year. Because of its neo-tropical climate, the Rio Grande Valley is home to many tropical birds that can be seen nowhere else in the United States. It is also a major bird migration corridor with two major flyways converging here. The Rio Grande Valley is also a place full of history. From battle sites to the only lighthouse on the gulf shores, to museums with artifacts, to chapels, historic homes, and old Page 4 Rio Grande Valley Visitors Guide Vol. 24, No. 1 2021-2022 Edition Published by Nexus Publishing, LLC 1217 N. Conway Mission, Texas 78572 (956) 580-7800 www.wintertexantimes.com © Copyright 2021 by Nexus Publishing, LLC. No part of this publication may be reproduced in any form without the express consent of the publisher. All rights reserved. Rio Grande Valley Visitors Guide 2021-2022 ABOUT THE COVERTop Photo: SpaceX has arrived at Boca Chica. Tours are not available, but visitors can keep up to date with their launches on their Facebook, livestream videos, and website. You can find more information and links at www.sopadre.com/ spacex/. Photo download provided courtesy of SpaceX at www.flickr.com/photos/spacex/. Bottom Photos: The US-Mexican War was fought at several locations in the Rio Grande Valley. This cannon, and others, are scattered along the property at Palo Alto National Historic Park in Brownsville. When visiting the park, you can learn about the war and the role it played for the Valley, along with walking its trails and seeing some of the Valley’s natural habitat and wildlife.Dancing is a big part of the culture of the Rio Grande Valley. Events throughout the Valley highlight the varied cultures and dancing that can be found. Pictured is UTRGV’s Ballet Folklorico – Alegria.The Rio Grande Valley is a popular area for birding and Quinta Mazatlan is just one of the many birding sites open to visitors. This Pine Siskin is one of many species of birds that can be found in the Rio Grande Valley.

To The Rio Grande Valley stores. Every Valley city has a story to tell. Whether you are a Winter Texan, a family with young children, or just someone that enjoys the outdoors, his-tory and culture, the Rio Grande Val-ley has something to offer everyone. In our Visitor’s Guide this year you will find something new. We have included beautiful maps that pinpoint featured locations through the Valley. We have broken up the area into eight regions, so whatever area you are visiting, you have a map to see what is close to you. With all there is to see and do in the Rio Grande Valley, we hope you en-joy your stay! Inside this guide Points of Interest ............................................6Valley Birding & Nature Events ..................31Valley Chamber Offices ...............................32Golfers’Paradise ...........................................33World Class Birding & Nature Sites .......51-54 2021 Rio Grande Valley Visitors Guide

From pg. 4

Red, who is originally from Michigan, loves to see visitors, like his friend Larry Wolf, from Missouri, living at Enchanted Valley Ranch in Palmview. Wolf said he came to lend some encouragement and a little help to Red, who doesn’t see club members very often. Most visitors are Winter Texans, who like to recall a bit of their youth.

He’s thankful too for the museum allowing the model trains to be displayed, which was the only place he found large enough for the setup, which include small towns, a city, and a RR round house.

With the migratory season getting under way, Sanchez is expecting the number of visitors to increase significantly. The Pumphouse Museum is open from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday through Friday, 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. on the weekend.

Frontera Audubon

A contrast exists between the noisy traffic on South Texas Boulevard in Weslaco and the tranquil Frontera Audubon Nature Sanctuary a mere hundred yards away. The 15acre nature preserve near the heart of the city provides a haven for birds, butterflies and other small wildlife thriving among the Tamaulipan, thorn scrub and hackberry forest.

To be found there is the “Thicket,” an orchard butterfly garden, wetlands, and ponds. The site houses a visitor center and the Texas historic landmark—the Skaggs House. The Spanish Mediterranean style house was built in 1927 for early Weslaco residents C.L. “Lester” and Florence R. Skaggs, who were bankers and citrus growers. Their daughter, Bebe Skaggs James, donated the property to Frontera Audubon in 1992 for conservation and preservation. The nature sanctuary developed in 1989 from an abandoned grapefruit orchard, a lot of Guinea grass, mesquite woods and dense stands of Brazilian pepper in a wet area, owned by Jim and Cyndy Chapman. The site was a magnet for birds and fireflies. The Chapmans created what became known as the “Thicket” with native brush and tree seedlings. The enjoyment of the site hit a roadblock when the city cited the site as a weedy lot ordinance violation. That led to a citizen effort to draft a habitat ordinance, which the city passed, giving Weslaco its first wildlife area. A half-acre land donation followed and then the Skaggs House donation. A non-profit organization established in the late 70s began operating at the site in 2000. Because the house is undergoing renovations, the only way to see the inside is by booking a special event, according to program coordinator Alicesen Lopez. It should reopen by year’s end. But the Thicket and its 1.5 miles of trails with its viewing stations and marshy areas are open Tuesday through Saturday from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., Sunday noon to 4 p.m. and closed Monday. Weekly bird walks are held at 9 a.m. on Wednesdays, along with a yoga class on Thursdays. The one very evident bird is the large turkey vulture that fly overhead or sit high in the treetops, which Lopez said will soon be migrating out of the sanctuary. But the most excitement came from four visiting women, who saw a Ringed Kingfisher, a rather large 16-inch in size on one of the trails. The foursome of Gina Alba-

no and Shirley Tomasello, both of Cleveland, OH and Kite Richert and Barbara Szombatfulvy, both from Durham, NC, had planned to visit South Texas two years ago, until the pandemic hit. Tomasello and Szombatfulvy, who have been friends for 47 years, planned this winter’s trip, choosing to stay at an Airbnb in McAllen on Lake Concepcion. Walking the trails also offers an introduction to many of the trees and plants, which are identified. At the visitor center, there are weekly postings of birds that were sighted in the sanctuary. While the weather has had an impact on the lower number of visitors, Lopez anticipates the approaching migratory season will have them busy over the next several weeks. Photo by Jessica Velez Admission to the park is $5 for adults, $4 for seniors, $3 for older students and children free. More information is on the center’s website or by calling (956) 968-3275.

Edinburg Scenic Wetlands

Many first-time and expert bird watchers find the 40-acre World Birding Center (WBC) in the City of Edinburg Municipal Park’s Scenic Wetlands an inviting, tranquil habitat. Karen Goodger, an avid “birder” and first-time visitor to the “Valley” from Katy, TX, went on the center’s bird walk March 10. City employee David Flores led the walk on part of the 2.5 miles of trail, introducing the visitors, who also included Dave and Judy Lund, Anne Dare and Cindy Karman, first to the egrets, herons, cormorants and pelicans in the wetlands main pond. At least 13 different species of ducks can be found in the ponds and lagoons. Flores noted that the Purple Martins had arrived recently in another area of the park. The Lunds came to the “Valley” in 2017 after Hurricane Harvey pushed them out of Port Aransas. The Winter Texan couple, who come from Wisconsin and stay at Ranchero Village in Weslaco, like “birding” and Dave has become a very good wildlife photographer following retirement. Karman lives in the same park as the Lunds, while Dare is at Country Sunshine in Weslaco. Goodger wanted to see a Green Jay, which Flores was able to locate for her. She has been bird watching for a couple of years and has compiled an extensive list from around the Houston area. On her short trip here, she had logged 13 new species. Brandon Alaniz, the new park manager, noted there are projects underway to spruce up the scenic wetlands and birding center as March of 2023 will mark the 20th anniversary of its establishment.

The center and wetlands in the municipal park that is nestled near the heart of the city also features a 3.5-acre butterfly garden. While the birds flitted about during the walk, the butterflies remained at rest, which to be seen requires warm weather conditions. The birds and butterflies are augmented with dragonfly and wildflower walks and even some nighttime excursions. The center offers nature tours, school field trips, family programs and special events.

Learning about nature is offered through outdoor classroom and programs at the Visitor/Interpretive Center. The center features educational exhibits on fish and aquatic life, and interactive programs highlight birds and butterflies. Telescopes and audio stations allow for closer inspection of the park’s inhabitants, while floor to ceiling windows provide watching of wildlife in every season.

To learn more check the Scenic Wetlands website or call (956) 3819922.

There is also a community/children’s garden that offers its own education about native plants. A Junior Master Gardeners program is open to youth from six to 12 years of age, according to Director Hannah Marble, which runs February through June. Volunteers 16 and older are welcome to come on Thursdays and Saturdays from 8 a.m. to noon to learn about plants while helping in the garden. Simply call Marble at the Center.

The Center is open from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Thursday and 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Friday and Saturday and closed Sunday. WBC grounds are open daily from sunrise to sunset. Admission is $3 for adults and $2 for seniors and children.

To learn more about all of the World Birding Centers, visit their main website at www.theworldbirdingcenter.com.

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Not valid with any other offers. Limited to one single cone or dish per guest. Additional toppings and/or waffle cone available at an additional cost. Must present coupon to redeem. Dine-in-only. VALID AT PHARR, MCALLEN, HARLINGEN AND BROWNSVILLE, TX LOCATIONS ONLY. EXPIRES 04/30/2022

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Freddy’s: More than just custard

One of my favorite moments when I go to Freddy’s Frozen Custard & Steakburgers is when I take my first bite of the steakburger patty that is by itself, a patty larger than the bun it hides inside and a piece that sticks out. It’s not touched at this point by any of the condiments and it is a savory taste of a well-seasoned patty. It’s not just salted down, but sprinkled with their own concoction, Freddy’s Famous Steakburger & Fry Seasoning. It’s a mixture of salt, garlic, paprika and other spices that brings out the patty’s flavor like no other patty I’ve tasted other than what my mom would make when I was growing up.

Of course, the rest of the double cheese steakburger (with grilled onions of course - everything needs grilled onions) is just as delectable. While many may know Freddy’s from its amazingly refreshing and creamy custards, their steakburgers are a gem to partake as well. The patties are thin, large, and cooked to perfection.

A steakburger is different from your ordinary burger patty. It is not ground up hamburger meat – it is a full thin slice of steak that has been tenderized and flattened to form a patty just perfect for their buns. At Freddy’s, you can really taste the difference.

On this occasion I visited the McAllen location, near the McAllen Convention Center. I wasn’t really in the mood for fries, but I really enjoy their beefy and not watered-down chili, so I ordered cheese curds – with chili and cheese on top. This was a meal unto itself, and I was so in tune with my burger and curds that I completely forgot to ask for some jalapenos. It really didn’t need any though because the rush of flavors was immense... and I didn’t want to completely lose the taste from that first bite.

Of course, nothing cleans and refreshes the palate better than some frozen custard, so I imbibed on the Hawaiian Delight sundae. You can also get this in a “concrete,” which is usually my choice but for this day, I felt like a sundae.

It was the perfect ending to a perfect beginning.

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all over the U.S.

“Many tracks up north have closed,” Westcott said. “I take my love for racing back to Minnesota with me, and I try to find a track there in the summer.”

First oval dirt track in Valley

While RC offroad tracks were attracting a following in the Valley, it wasn’t quite what two Alamo RecVeh Park friends -- Doug Kortbein and Mike Benoit -- wanted.

“I’m an old guy,” Kortbein said. “I think it’s easier to race on an oval track than off-road because your reflexes don’t have to be as fast.”

In the fall of 2014, they got their park manager’s permission to build a track where the park’s unused horseshoe pit stood.

Kortbein and Benoit designed and supervised the new track’s construction.

The park’s owner sent over his backhoe to dig out the pit.

“We were quite frugal,” Kortbein said. “We used almost everything from the horseshoe court. All the wood was there for the backstop, so we used it to build the driver’s stand. Meanwhile, we worked to pay for most of the track’s expenses ourselves with fundraisers.”

After the track was complete, he said they didn’t have the lap counter they do now.

“People in the stands would keep track of each racer’s progress with flip cards,” he said. “Them were the good old days!”

“Many flip-card helpers were mad when we got the automatic system,” he said. “They lost their jobs.”

He said today they have drivers who come to the Valley from all over Texas and that means there is good competition here.

“Almost all parks with oval tracks came to our park to copy our design or we helped them work out the plans for their track,” Benoit said. “We assisted many with their race programs because we want great tracks that offer good competition. We’re still ready to help any park get started.” To kickstart the race program in Alamo, the duo also initiated the Red, White and Blues Series of races that promoted racing among parks.

First raised mini track

Alamo Rec-Veh Park manager Barbara Hamel requested a small track for residents who wanted to try out more affordable RC racing.

With the expert help of track builder Jim Davis, it became a reality.

RC director Mike Fleming said he gave Davis the design, which he had matched to the size of the existing drivers’ stand. His computerized drawing included the track’s length and radius.

Davis analyzed the printout and agreed it could be built.

“We took what was available to us,” Fleming said. “Amazingly, it worked!

Concrete track takes center stage

The first concrete track was built in the center of Ranchero Village to impress visitors when they came to the park and to attract new residents.

“The new people, mostly RV’ers, like looking at the impressive track,” year-round resident Jerry Dobson said. “Several of us RC Club members let them drive our cars so they get some practice. They get addicted once they try it. Before long they want to spend the money to get their own cars.”

It took some planning and quite a bit of money to get the park’s second track (concrete) completed.

Dobson said that the owner and park manager got together and decided they wanted a track that was low maintenance. One of the requisites was that the track use every bit of space possible.

“RC Club members told them what we wanted,” Dobson said. “Our general manager raced with

us, so he knew what he wanted.... He wanted the fastest, greatest and biggest track. And he got that!”

Most park racers like racing on the new surface.

“It’s much faster, like Nascar on cement instead of dirt,” Jerry Harbarth said. “You can go a lot faster without spinning out. I like it!”

According to Dobson, if a park has good ownership and a manager behind its RC Club, the residents have it made because it’s an activity that Winter Texans can get into fairly reasonably. “I’ve lived here for four years, Dobson said, “and during that time RC activity has mushroomed.” He thinks RC racing has a good future, whether it’s a concrete track or another type. “The way I see it,” he said, “is that if a park doesn’t have a track, they’re going to wish they did.”