We’re just connecting the dots
WINTER TEXAN
A Love Story Set to Music
Volume 10 • Issue 17 February 12, 2025
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Can you feel it? Yes, it’s already February, and love is in the air. Over the years, there has been a bit of a shift in the traditional focus of Valentine’s Day. Now we hear about Galentine’s and Puppy Love, too. It never hurts to focus on love, does it? Speaking of love…I think you’re going to love Eryn’s Valentine’s story about Joyce and Jimmy Hansen as much as I do. It has “Hallmark” written all over it. Check out Eryn’s story about our annual Bayside Fiesta at Louie’s Backyard on South Padre Island, too. It was sold out again, and those who attended say they didn’t want all the fun to end. Be sure to watch our Facebook page to get your tickets for next year as soon as they go on sale. You don’t want to end up with fomo (fear of missing out), do you? Speaking of sold out, the 2025 Cruise with Kristi did it again. It sold out in April…of 2024! Oh, what fun it was. We just returned February 10, but there’s no time to rest. We take advantage of every minute all of you are in the Rio Grande Valley. If you don’t want to miss a thing, cruise over to welcomehomergv.com and check out our calendar and our tours and travel and follow us on Facebook and Instagram. Hope to see you all soon! Happy Love Day! We’re just connecting the dots…
Thank You
SEASON SPONSORS 2024-2025
by Eryn Reddell Wingert Photos courtesy of Joyce and Jimmy Hansen
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he had been a pastor’s wife; his weekends were spent playing music in bars. She loves the dance floor; he was used to the stage. But a mutual love of music--and a God wink--brought Joyce and Jimmy Hansen together. Missouri seemed colder the winter after Joyce’s husband, Larry, passed away. She wanted to be where it was warm, so she returned to the Rio Grande Valley where they had spent time together. In February 2018, Joyce attended a dance at Tip O’Texas RV Resort in Pharr. She sat on the singles side of the hall. Jimmy was there, and when a mutual friend, Sharon Kenaston, told him he might want to go ask that little widow lady to dance--pointing out Joyce--he didn’t hesitate. “I made a beeline over to ask her,” Jimmy recalls. Joyce looked up and saw what she described as “the perfect cowboy.” Steven May was playing that night. Jimmy and Joyce danced to one song, something like George Straight’s “Amarillo by Morning,” and Jimmy sang to her. They also talked. He told her he was from Nebraska.
Joyce admitted she wasn’t a fan because it’s flat, but Jimmy bragged about the hills around his house, which intrigued her. He didn’t know anything about Kirksville, where Joyce lived. “I must have made an impression,” says Joyce because he invited her to the Riverside Club in CONTINUED ON PAGE 2