Snowbird News
Indiana
By Becky Chatham-Heidenreich
When: Breakfast and meetings on the 2nd & 4th Thursday of Jan. & Feb. and the first Thursday of March; Where: Luna Event Center on Canal Rd.; Membership: $2.50 per person and is open to all persons with roots in IN; Breakfast is $10. We have many door prizes to be given away each meeting. We greatly appreciate to the many businesses that provided door prizes. We participate in many fund raising activities to benefit various organization of the Gulf Coast area. The time that we get to enjoy our homes away from home is slipping by so quickly. We only have 2 more breakfasts: Feb. 21 with Mallorie Evans, Program; Planner of Coastal Resources and March 7 with Mike and Marcia Forrester; volunteers at the National Naval Aviation Museum, and 1 luncheon at Barefoot Island Grill on Feb. 25. If you wish to attend any of these meetings please sign up when attending a breakfast or contact Jan Pell (317)914-5832 at least days before the day of breakfast and the same for the luncheon or call Becky Heidenreich (260)760-5130. Things we have done this year include: speakers for each breakfast painting and building picnic tables, trash containers, and birdhouses for the zoo, volunteering for SBCT production, Jack of Diamonds, being in charge of the drive-thru for the Bratfest, preparing food and selling 50/50 tickets for the the Low Country Boil, attending the Snowbird Appreciation event at the Alabama Coast Music Hall, providing a basket for Trivia Nite, and collecting box tabs and can tabs for the Bon Secour Elementary. Please watch for a new rooster of the 2019 membership emailed in March. We also have Facebook IN snowbird club, with information about the club.
Michigan
By Lynn Wilhelm
Upcoming events for the Michigan Club as well as a recap of events for the next two weeks.
There is a serious blood shortage in Baldwin County. Please consider helping by donating a pint at our annual blood drive on Monday, February 18. You can schedule a donation time by calling 1-800-RED-CROSS or going to redcross.org. Tell them you want to register for the Pleasure Island Blood Drive. The Blood drive will be held at the Gulf Shores Activity Center from 9-3. The last Michigan Club Luncheon will be held at the Hangout on February 28th at noon. Call Walt Salisbury at 231-450-2192.
The annual volunteer luncheon will be held on Thursday, March 7th at Playa after the last Michigan Club meeting.
The last Foot Golf outing for the year is scheduled for Saturday, March 2nd at 10:00. Call Lynn Wilhelm at 251-967-1138 to sign up.
Plans are underway for an overnight trip to New Orleans for a parade and a day of fun followed by a night in Biloxi. Mark March 16 – 17,, 2020 on your calendars and look for updates as plans are finalized.
Golf: Ladies golf every Tuesday at Glen Lakes at 10:00. Be there at 9:30 for pairings. Wednesday, February 13th at Lakewood Golf Club in Point Clear. Tee times starting at 10:00. Cost is $50. Call Bob Imhoff at 616-897-5290. Monday, 2-18 at Timber Creek. This is the annual Michigan -Wisconsin challenge and includes a buffet lunch at 10:30 followed by a 12:00 shotgun. Cost is $36 + $5 for prizes. Call Dave Ferguson at 989-435-9085.
Wednesday, 2/20 at Perdido Bay. This will be a 12:00 shotgun instead of a 10:00 start as originally planned. Cost is $42.50. Contact Lynn Wilhelm at 251-967-1138. Monday, 2/25 at Kiva Dunes. This is an 11:00 shotgun. Cost is $59. Call Tom Kelly at 251-948-4446.
Wednesday, 2/27 at Gulf Shores Golf Club. Tee times start at 10:02. Cost is $45 + tax. Call Tom Tylka at517-499-5671.
Other Michigan Club events include:
Michigan Club breakfast at Magnolia Hall at Luna’s at 9:00 on February 14th;
Michigan Club general meeting at the Meyer Center on Thursday, February 21st. This is a food drive/ personal products meeting. Please bring items to donate to the needy in Baldwin County. Registration begins at 8:30, followed by coffee and doughnuts at 9:00 and the meeting at 10:00.
Wisconsin
By Nancy Durgin
The WI Sno-bird Club met at the Orange Beach Event Center (OBEC) on Wednesday, February 6, 2019 with donuts and coffee before the 9 am meeting began. Lt. Craig Stephenson, Orange Beach Fire Marshall, talked about the fire safety in the condos. Stephenson also mentioned that Orange Beach (OB) will have its own ambulance service by June of this year adding two ambulances made in Appleton WI! Members of the OB Department helped after Hurricane Michael in FL where the devastation was worse than Hurricane Ivan in 2004!!
We have a book/puzzle exchange and collect Nestle water bottle labels, Boxtops for Education from General Mills cereals and Johnson & Johnson products, empty printer ink cartridges, pop-top rings from soda cans and motel-size toiletries. Cards are played EVERY Friday at the Gulf Shores American Legion Post 44 on Hwy 59 from 8:30 am to noon through March. Golf is played at GlenLakes on Mondays.
There are several opportunities for volunteer work and other events for participation. Please contact Kenn at 251-967-2463 OR wissnobirds@yahoo. com with questions, suggestions and RSVPs.
Our schedule: Wednesday, Feb 13 – 10:30 am with 11:30 am Picnic – RSVP; Saturday, Feb 16 – 6 pm – Trivia Night at OBEC – RSVP – benefits libraries; Monday, Feb 18 – WI/MI/IN Golf event – RSVP
THURSDAY, FEB 21 (NOTE CHANGE!) – 8:30 am – meeting at OBEC; Thursday, Feb 21 – Golf Scramble to benefit Baldwin County Heritage Museum – GlenLakes at 9 am – RSVP; Friday, Feb 22 – Low Country Boil – RSVP ; Wednesday, March 6 – 8:30 am – meeting at Orange Beach Community Center.
Video Series at G.S. Museum
The Gulf Shores Musuem will presents a video series, Alabama 200 – The Stories We Tell, on Wednesdays at 10 a.m., with a repeat the following Saturday at 10 a.m. Refreshments will be served. For more info, call (251) 968-1473 or email enix@gulfshoresal.gov. The museum is located at 244 West 19th Ave. in Gulf Shores.
• Video Series schedule: February 13 – Journey Proud: Blessing of the Fleet, a tradition that began centuries ago in Mediterranean fishing communities, not just a fish story; February 20 – Discovering Alabama: A special episode with Doug Phillips featuring one of the most valued contributors to Discovering Alabama, Dr. E.O. Wilson; February 27 – Fried Green Tomatoes: Features Kathy Bates and Jessica Tandy. Based on the book “Fried Green Tomatoes at the Whistle Stop Café” by Alabama author Fannie Flagg.
Illinois
By Dave DeBlauw
The Illinois snowbirds met on Feb 8th at G T’s on the Bay for their breakfast followed by the regular meeting. Rhonda Davis from the USS Alabama museum. spoke about how the ship was saved from the scrap heap where it had been due to be scraped along with several other ships, no longer of use to the Navy, after WWII. The proper channels were used to save the ship from its ill fate. Money was raised to have the ship towed from Bremerton, WA to it’s current location near Mobile on the north end of Mobile bay. It is open to the public daily, along with the submarine USS Drum and an indoor display of 28 different aircraft, among them a B-52 bomber and the infamous SR-71 (Blackbird) spy plane. At various times throughout the year a Living History Crew Weekend drill is reenacted to simulate historical events on the ship. Dates of interest this year, to snowbirds, for this reenactment are Feb 23rd and April 13th. Visit their website USSALABAMA.com or call 1-800-GANGWAY for further information.
Remaining events for our club for this season are as follows, Club breakfasts on Feb 22nd and March 8th at G T’s on the Bay with doors opening at 7:30. Call Carol Collins at 815-677-6389 to make a reservation if you plan to attend and have not previously pre-payed. The Low Country boil is also on Feb 22nd starting at 11am at the zoo. The club picnic will be held on Feb 26th at Johnnie Sims Park, 348 West 19th Ave., Gulf Shores, AL. The book club will meet at 9:30 on Feb 27th at the Orange Beach Library.
Submitted by Dave DeBlauw, Illinois Snowbird Club Publicity Chairman
Phoenix East Art Sale
Phoenix East Art Sale — Sat. Feb. 19, 2019–9:30 am to 1pm–Phoenix East Meeting Room. All are welcome– come met the artists and enjoy coffee and treats also. Phoenix East–27100 Perdido Beach Blvd.–Orange Beach AL
BCHM Golf Scramble Feb. 21
By Nancy Durgin
It’s time for the 7th Annual Baldwin County Heritage Museum (BCHM) Golf Scramble. GlenLakes Golf Club at 9 am on Thursday, February 21, will be the place with a shotgun start for the first 144 golfers to register. Golf registration at 8 am includes 18 holes of golf, cart, lunch and prizes for $60. There will also be a $10,000 hole-in-one and other Hole Events. Contact Tammy Kinney, P.O. Box 356, Elberta, AL 36530 OR bchm@gulftel.com OR 251-986-8375. Hole sponsors and raffle donations are appreciated.
Welcome Wednesdays at ‘Bama
Welcome Wednesdays potluck lunches are back at the Flora-Bama through March 6. The weekly lunch features live music, followed by drawings for goods, services and merchandise compliments of the Flora-Bama and local businesses. Music begins at 11 a.m. The 1 p.m. buffet is $3 per person or free for those bringing a side dish. The Flora-Bama is located directly on the Gulf at the Florida-Alabama state line.
Wisconsin Synod Lutherans
Wisconsin Synod Lutherans will have local church services with Holy Communion conducted as follows: January 6 & 20, February 3 & 17 at St Jude by the Sea Lutheran Church, 312 E 16th Ave, Gulf Shores. Services will start at 4:00 with Bible class to follow. Make checks pay-able to Risen Savior Luth Church. For more info contact Evan Dobberfuhl, 715-573-0808 or tpcevan@gmail.com.
Snowbird Coffee
Tuesdays: 2/19, 2/26; Snowbird Coffee; 9 a.m. at 1720 Gulf Shores Parkway, Building B (Gulf Shores UMC complex) in Gulf Shores. Refreshments, entertainment, speakers & door prizes. Open to the public. No entry fee. Donations are accepted to defray expenses. Direct questions to Mary Rebert at 269-330-3748.
Ohio
By Barbara Chandler
• FEB 19 – BISCUIT KING CAFÉ 9555 County Rd 24, Fairhope. Noon. Good home cooking. Please sign up at our January 23rd meeting or call Ruth 740-361-9166.
• FEB 20- CLUB BREAKFAST MTG Magnolia Hall at Luna’s on Canal Rd, Orange Beach. Arrive between 8am-9am with buffet at 9am and meeting follows. David Walker, the Reef Maker will be our speaker to give us an update on how the reef making program has positively changed our gulf waters.
• FEB 27 – POTLUCK AT PHOENIX 5 24400 Perdido Beach Blvd (Beach Rd 182), Orange Beach. Bring a side dish or dessert. Fried chicken will be provided.
• MAR 6 – LUNCH AT LUNA’S RESTAURANT Canal Rd., Orange Beach. 11:45am. Farewell lunch. Signup sheet will be available at the February 6th Breakfast meeting.
Iowa
By Fran Gruenhaupt
Iowans and friends wintering in the area are invited to attend the next Iowa Breakfast on Tuesday, February 19, 8:30am at Perdido Beach Resort, 27200 East Perdido Beach Boulevard, Orange Beach for a social time and program. Featured speaker will be Angela Underwood from Weeks Bay Reserve. Breakfast is $10.50 per person with reservations to be made on the website, Iowa-Alabamagulfcoastsnowbirds.org (preferred), or by calling Shari DeCook, 641-521-0929 or Sharon Hesselmann, 563-357-2721. Door prizes and a 50/50 drawing will be held. Note that the last two breakfast meetings are on Tuesday instead of the usual Wednesday meeting date.
On Tuesday, March 5, a season ending informal, order from the menu, breakfast will be at Luna’s, 25689 Canal Rd., Orange Beach, 8:30 am with prior sign-up requested. There is no membership fee for the Iowa Snowbird Club, but reservations should be made for breakfast.
An Iowa club cocktail party will be held Friday, February 22, 5-7PM at the Caribe, Building C, 28103 Perdido Beach Boulevard, Orange Beach. No RSVP is required. Bring a dish to share and your own beverage. Many door prizes will be awarded to attendees.
There is no membership fee, and anyone is welcome to attend. All Iowan’s and guests may golf in outings with sign-up through the website. Club members should check the website often, Iowa-Alabamagulfcoastsnowbirds.org, for updates on activities.
Lighthouse Craft Sale Feb. 19
The Lighthouse Snowbird Craft Sale will be held on Tuesday, Feb. 19 from 9-11:30 a.m. Please use center elevator to second floor. Scarves, jewelry, shell art, cork crafts and more. Lighthouse building, 455 East Beach Blvd. in Gulf Shores. For more info, call Carol at 256-337-4028.
Dulcimer Players wanted
Mt Dulcimer Players w some experience – Meet Jan-March, Mon 10-11:30 am, Wed 2:00-3:30, St Andrew by the Sea, 17263 Fort Morgan Rd, Gulf Shores. Questions? Irene 251-201-5717. Free Mt. Dulcimer beginner lessons start Wed Jan 9, 1:00-2:00. St. Andrew by the Sea, 17263 Fort Morgan Rd. Dulcimers available to rent for winter $20 w $50 refundable damage waiver. Contact Michelle
317-446-0500.
Pennsylvania
By Rich Smith
The Pennsylvania Snowbird Club meets for breakfast on Wednesdays at 8:00 am at the Buzzcats Restaurant on Canal Road in Orange Beach. Our remaining 2019 breakfasts are February 13 & 27 and March 6 & 13. On Wednesday February 21 we have a Pot Luck Luncheon at noon at the Orange Beach Presbyterian Church on Canal Road. During the winter season our members participate in several activities to support the local gulf community including a Bratfest in support of area fire departments, the Low Country Boil in support of the Alabama Gulf Coast Zoo and a Trivia Night Event in support of the Gulf Shores and Orange Beach libraries. Present and former Pennsylvanians are welcomed to join in any and all of our club activities. For additional information please contact Rich Smith, 484 264 1394.
Retired Law Enforcement Lunch Feb. 20
The annual Snowbird Retired Law Enforcement luncheon will be held on Feb. 20 at noon, at the American Legion Post 44, 6781 State Hwy. 59, Gulf Shores. All retired and former law enforcement officers and their spouses are invited. (active officers are also welcome) You may order from the lunch menu on your own.
Please RSVP to Tom Westgate at 269-252-7029 so we can give the Legion a head count.
Sweet Harmony Chorus
By Pamula Rustan
Sweet Harmony Chorus is a 4-part acapella harmony chorus that sings in the barbershop style. We sing a variety of songs from the 30’s through present day. This year we will have a section featuring the music of the 50’s. Rehearsal schedule: Mondays through March 11, 2 – 4 p.m. at Gulf Shores United Methodist Church Choir room, 900 Gulf Shores Pkwy. For more information about joining our chorus or for booking a gig, contact Pamula Rustan, director at 701-260-0670 or e-mail: viewpt@westriv.com or viewpt01@gmail .com or visit sweetharmonychorus.org. Scheduled performances: Performances: February 21 – Michigan Snowbird Club at Erie Meyer Civic Center; February 23 – Gulf Breese RV Park, 7 pm; March 5 – St. Paul’s chapel, Magnolia Springs.
The Dakotas
By Joyce Anderson
The Gulf Shores and Orange Beach, Alabama, based North and South Dakota Snowbird Club meet on the following Tuesday mornings in February and March, 2019; meeting on February 26, and March 12. We gather at Luna’s Eat & Drink, 25753 Canel Road, Orange Beach, at 8:30 a.m. for breakfast with a short meeting to follow at 9:00 a.m. We also hold several other social events throughout the winter season including group activities, dinner at local restaurants, etc. While in Gulf Shores we collect food and infant items at our breakfast meetings for the local food pantry and also contribute to other not for profit fundraisers in the local Baldwin County area. For more information contact Joyce at 605-351-0274.
Minnesota
By Nancy Poferl
The Minnesota Snowbirds gather each Tuesday for breakfast at GT’s On The Bay located on 26189 Canal Rd, Orange Beach. Activities of the breakfast include socializing with fellow Minnesotans, weekly announcements, volunteer opportunities, card/game get-togethers, golf scheduling and prizes, 50/50 raffle, and more. Dates for 2019: Jan 8th – Mar 12th 2019, check the website or FB for changes, if any. New this year : Pre-registration required. Click on “Breakfast Signup” on our website! Doors open 7:30 am; breakfast 8:00 am. Cost: $10, includes tax and tip. Best breakfast value in town! Cash preferred. No credit cards accepted. We cannot accept bills over $20. Food donations and/or cash are gratefully accepted at each meeting for the Christian Service Center, the dedicated project of the MN Club.
For information regarding upcoming events, golf tee times, or contact information please log onto the Minnesota Club website: www.mnal.org or the Facebook page @mnalclub.
Beach Club Craft Sbow Feb. 16
The annual Beach Club Craft Show featuring local artists will be held on Saturday, February 16 at The Beach Club located at 925 Beach Club Trail on Fort Morgan Road from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Phoenix East Watercolor Art Show
Phoenix East Watercolor Art show—Sat., Feb. 16—- 10am to 1pm—- Phoneix East Meeting Room —27100 Perdido Beach Blvd.–Orange Beach, Al— Come meet the artists and enjoy a treat.
Men’s Snowbird Coffee Club
The Gulf Shores Men’s Snowbird Coffee Club will hold their first meeting of the 2019 season on Wednesday, January 2 at 7:30 a.m. All meetings are held at Ginny Lane Bar and Grill at the Wharf in Orange Beach every Monday, Wednesday and Friday mornings from 7:30 – 8:30 a.m. Membership information is available at these meetings. Besides raising money for local charities, the club holds golf outings, sponsors casino trips and conducts breakfast meetings for members and spouses. The club also throws horseshoes on Monday, Wednesday and Fridays at noon at Meyer Park in Gulf Shores.
Blood Drive Feb. 18
Pleasure Island Blood Drive Mon. Feb 18 9am -3pm Gulf Shores Adult Activity Center 260 Clubhouse Dr. Please call 1 800 Red Cross or go to redcrossblood .org – enter pleasure island blood drive to schedule an appointment.There is an urgent need for donors this year.
Snowbird Bridge
Bridge: Snowbridge every Wednesday at 10:30 at The Dinner, $1.00 donation. Beginners are welcome.Call 251-968-8400. Ask for Mary or Bill.
Snowbird Potlucks
For the 23rd consecutive year, the Senior Snowbird potluck will run each Thursday from January 17th to March 28th. The weekly meetings will move to the Orange Beach Community Center on Canal Road. Set-up time will be 11 a.m. and serving time will be at noon. All seniors, visitors and locals alike, are welcome. Attendees should bring a dish that will serve 8 to 10 people. (First-timers should call 251-981-6060 for their initial suggested dish.) A $1 registration fee will be collected at the door to cover incidentals. Drinks and table service will be provided. Info: 251-981-6060.
Snowbird Cribbage
Beginning Friday, January 11, Snowbirds will be gathering to play Cribbage every Friday. Sign up starts at 12:30 pm and play begins at 1 pm at the Gulf Shores American Legion, Post 44, 6781 AL-59. For additional information contact Barbara Beamish at 989-464-8605. The last day of play is March 8th. All Cribbage players are welcome.
Grand Pointe Crafts Feb. 26
Grand Pointe ladies will host a craft show on Tuesday, February 26, 2019 from 10 AM to 1 PM. Address is 27284 Gulf Road, Orange Beach. Gates will be open. Contact Judie McCoy at 765-860-8520 for information.
New York
By Frank Panczyszyn
All New Yorkers, either snowbirds or locals, and friends are encouraged to check out New York’s luncheon festivities. Their last two luncheons will be on February 21st and March 7th, at Ginny Lane. They will gather for registration at 11AM, and begin lunch at 1130AM. They will select from a special menu and receive separate checks. $1 per person will be collected at registration. Contact Tracy by text or call 585-748-0133, or email nysnowbirds@gmail.com for moreinfo or to RSVP.