Digital Expert Keeps Victoria Palms Residents Updated on Events, Technology
by Rocio Villalobos
She’s on Facebook and Twitter and is always eager to share her social media and tech-savviness with her neighbors at Donna’s Victoria Palms RV Resort.
Shirley Knoche of Kansas City, Missouri, has been traveling to the Rio Grande Valley with her husband, Ron, for over a decade, and the pair has stayed at Victoria Palms since 2006. Prior to landing in Texas, they were winter Floridians and Arizonians. Then, on the recommendation of friends, they came to South Texas.
“People kept saying, ‘Come to the RGV; you’ll never want to leave,’” Knoche said. “So I didn’t want to come here because I didn’t want to go anywhere I didn’t want to leave because I love traveling. And once we came here, sure enough, we didn’t want to leave.”
But through trips to Nuevo Progreso, Mexico, and South Padre Island, Knoche fulfills her love for travel while in the RGV. And while at the park, she volunteers her time taking photos of events and updating Victoria Palms’ Facebook page.
“I just try to keep everyone informed so they can participate in all the fun things there are to do here,” Knoche said. “I take them on my phone; I have the iPhone 10XS. It takes excellent pictures, and editing them is very easy.”
Knoche also helps with the park’s classes, teaching residents how to operate their iPhones, iPads, and other smart devices. She adds her door is always open when a neighbor has a question or an issue.
“I love living in this time and having all this available, and I love sharing my knowledge with other people,” Knoche said.
Another favorite tech device of hers is the Fitbit, which is a step tracker. She aims to reach 7,000 steps a day and has friends who use the gadget, as well, so they challenge one another.
“I have low expectations,” Knoche joked. “But if I exceed 7,000 steps, I feel good.”
She said the highest number of steps she’s ever walked was while on a cruise. In April, Shirley and Ron have plans to board a cruise ship to Hawaii.
They enjoy entertaining guests and set up an outdoor lounge by their RV, which they call the Knoche Korner. “Whenever the mood strikes,” they host karaoke, games, and other activities.
“We turn on all the lights, and people know it’s open and start to pop in,” Knoche said. “There’s only one requirement to come here — to enjoy happy hour — and it doesn’t matter if alcohol is involved; just be happy.”
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