Ground Hog Day Bash Big Success

But, the honored guest failed to show

Following a fifteen-year tradition, the ladies of the Palmera Heights RV Park put out their annual Ground Hog Day feast in hopes than any passing ground hogs would drop in for a visit. The thought was that La Feria could have its own version of Pennsylvania’s Punxsutawney Phil. Maybe, he just might also see his shadow and forecast how long winter would last.

However, no ground hogs showed up, so the 200 or so hungry guests tackled the tables of scrumptious chile, soups, salads and desserts prepared for the occasion–ground hog or not. Nobody left hungry.

Cathy Starcher, president of the sponsoring ladies’ group, explained a bit about the annual tribute to ground hogs: “About 15 years ago we thought this annual winter park party would be a way of getting to know each other better and meet Winter Texans from surrounding parks. It was a good idea at the time that just kept growing, and it still is.. The funds received help us maintain park services, year-round. Cathy Starcher, Ground Hog Day president, said, “It was a good idea then, and still is. And who knows, maybe someday a ground hog might drop in with his forecast.”

All the ladies on the board of directors pitched in and served the meals from 11:30 am until 2:30 p.m. They are: (1) Maril;yn R. Knoll from Kansas City Kansas (Vice-President); (2) Jan Kuran, originally from Kansas, but now a genuine,real Texan. She is the Secretary. (3) Sharron West, the group’s treasurer was from Vermont, but is now another transplanted Texan; (4) Cathy Starcher, president. Cathy is a Winter Texan from Tonganoxie,Kansas. Wait a minute!–Pass that by again: Tonga-what? It turns out that Tonganoxie is an Indian name she explained, adding, “you have to be looking closely for it to find us on a map.” Cathy and Jim Starcher have been coming to the Valley since 1988.

Another active member of the Ground Hog Day committee is Sharon West. She is also the coordinator of a national project to get small personal gifts to active soldiers serving overseas, in such places as Iraq and Afghanistan, “We make knitted hats and buy personal hygiene items for individual soldiers. “We also make Cool Ties,” she added. Now that required an explanation: “Cool Ties,” she explained,” are what soldiers in desert conditions use to cool themselves down a bit. “They soak the ties in water and place them around their necks,” she said. “They really appreciate little personal items like that when it‘s 120-plus degrees in the shade.” For that effort they got a Salute Certificate of Appreciation from the U.S. Army Freedom Team which they proudly displayed.. Their local volunteer knitting group is part of a national association called THE HUGS PROJECT.

President Starcher said, “if you missed out this year, put us down for 2016–GROUND HOG DAY SOUP AND SALAD at Palmera Heights RV Park. “Maybe next year, we’ll get lucky.”