SnowBird NEWS

SnowBird NEWS

Colorado Freebirds

By Laurie Teter
Colorado Freebirds is open to all States, all Locals, and all ages! This club will be focused on outdoor activities and local nature combined with lively happy hours at fun locations! Bike Rides through the State Park followed by Happy Hour, Bocce Ball and Brews, Beach Games and Beverages, Hiking and Happy Hour, Par 3 and Party, are a few examples of things we might plan. We will also include nature oriented awareness lectures and activities as offered by our community. If you love being active in the outdoors and meeting new people please email your interest to: ColoradoFreebirds@gmail.com
First Meeting: Wed. Feb 5th – 3:00pm – Woodside Restaurant, Gulf State Park.

Wisconsin

By Nancy Durgin
Wisconsin Sno-birds meet at the Orange Beach Event Center near The Wharf on Wednesday, January 22. Coffee and donuts are at 8:30 am and the meetings start promptly at 9 am. Join us to find out about potlucks, picnics and volunteer opportunities while you are here. We have a puzzle and book exchange. There is golfing with special rates at GlenLakes off CR 20 and card playing every Friday through March 28 at The Lighthouse, 455 East Beach Blvd, Gulf Shores. Questions: call Kenn 715-927-3927 OR check wisconsinsnobirds.com

Off The Wall Dulcimer Club

By Michelle Fife
All players are welcome! A course of 10 beginner lessons begins on Monday, Jan. 6th, 2025. These free lessons are from 9:00-9:45 a.m. Rental dulcimers are available for $25 (plus a refundable $20 deposit). The beginner book is available for $15. There is a jam session each Monday from 10-noon for experienced players. We meet at St. Andrew By The Sea Community Church,17263 Ft. Morgan Rd., Gulf Shores, AL 36542. Please enter the church through the rear door. Our club meets from January 6th through March 10th, 2025. A workshop with Joe Collins, a professional dulcimer player from North Carolina, is planned for Tuesday, Feb. 4th so mark your calendars now. Reservations will be needed. If you have questions or want to make a reservation, please contact Michelle Fife 317 446-0500.

Senior Wednesdays At The Zoo

The Alabama Gulf Coast Zoo is excited to announce the return of Senior Wednesdays beginning January 8, 2025, through February 26. Each Wednesday in January and February all guests aged 62 and over will receive $10 admission to the Alabama Gulf Coast Zoo. The Alabama Gulf Coast Zoo is open daily from 9 am to 4 pm. We encourage all guests to check in by 3 pm to ensure they have plenty of time to explore the zoo.
Wednesday’s schedule includes: 9:15 am – South American Bird Chat; 10:45 am – Animal Walkabout; 11:00 am – Ruffed Lemur Island Keeper Chat; 2 pm – Big Cat Keeper Chat
2:15 pm – Aviary Feeding Keeper Chat; 2:45 pm – Barn Keeper Chat.
The adventures below can be added to your zoo visit, each is offered daily:
Giraffe Feeding is held from 10-11 am and 2-3 pm daily ($5 per person)
Sulcata Tortoise Feeding is held from 10:30-11:30 am and 2:30-3:30 pm daily; ($5 per person); South American Adventure with the Sloths ($24.95 per person); Destination Madagascar with the Lemurs ($24.95 per person). Adventures and keeper chats are dependent on favorable weather conditions. The Alabama Gulf Coast Zoo is located at 20499 Oak Road East in Gulf Shores. For more info, visit alabamagulfcoastzoo.org.

Snowbird Retired Law Enforcement lunch Feb. 19

The annual Snowbird Retired Law Enforcement Luncheon will be held at noon, Feb. 19, 2025, at the American Legion Post 44, 6781 Gulf Shores Pkwy (State Hwy 59), Gulf Shores, AL. All retired and former law enforcement and their spouses are invited. (Active enforcement
officers are also welcome) We normally have police, corrections, court, state, federal, and others that were/are involved to law enforcement. Please RSVP to Tom Westgate by calling or texting at (269) 252-7029 for a head count.

Feb. 4 Snowbird Fest at Wharf includes Elvis, magic poodles

The 10th Annual Snowbird Fest is returning to the Alabama Gulf Coast on Feb. 4 with a fresh new lineup of entertainment featuring a professional tribute and a full expo with local cuisine, games, prize drawings, health screenings, real estate and rental info and much more.
A free event, the fest will be held at the Orange Beach Event Center at the Wharf is open from 9 a.m. until 1 p.m. Those registering will have a chance to win amazing prizes. Register for express entry online at SnowbirdFest. com or just show up on the day of the event. It’s all free.
Snowbird Fest is a chance for Snowbirds to meet each other and learn more about their winter homes. Businesses interested in exhibiting, call 251-454-4111 or visit snowbirdfest. com.

Wisconsin Synod Lutherans

Gulf Shores area WELS/ELS members will have local church services with Holy Communion on Jan 19 and Feb 2 & 16 at St Jude by the Sea Lutheran Church, 312 E 16th Ave, Gulf Shores. Services will start at 4 with Bible class to follow. Info: 262-599-9607 or email jyquint@wi.rr.com.

Illinois

By Lu Douglas
Bi-Weekly Breakfast on Jan. 24, and Feb. 7 & 21 at GT’s on the Bay; doors open 7:45, breakfast 8:00 am, 26351 Canal Rd OB; Reservations Necessary, $14 pp; Call-Lu Douglas 815 541 9952; Buffet breakfast, door prizes, & area speaker. Potlucks & Games; OB Adult Activity Center, 26251 Canal Rd OB; Tuesdays, January 14 & February 11, 5:00 pm. Bring a dish to pass & cards or board game. Sign up at Welcome Back Coffee or Call Dixie Hammer 815 767 8864. Club President-Nikki Wilcoxen 618 973 3825. Call her with any questions. All Snowbirds are welcome to join these events. Facebook: Illinois Snow Birds Gulf Shores/Orange Beach, Alabama.

Perdido Key Hootenannies

The theme for the Feb. 6 Perdido Key Chamber Hootennany at The Florabama is Beach House Saloon and the theme on Feb. 20 is Mardi Gras Mambo. Admission for each event is $10. Tickets are limited and can be purchased online at VisitPerdido.com, or in person at the Perdido Key Area Chamber of Commerce; 15500 Perdido Key Dr.

Welcome Wednesdays at ‘Bama

Welcome Wednesdays potluck lunches are back at the Flora-Bama every Wednesday from Jan. 8 thru Feb. 26. 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 noon buffet is $6 per person or free for those bringing a covered dish. The Flora-Bama is located directly on the Gulf at the Florida-Alabama state line. More info: florabama.com/events.

Minnesota

The Minnesota Snowbird group meets weekly for breakfast Tuesday mornings Mid-January through February at GT’s on the Bay. Registration is required one-week prior to the breakfast, each week. Registration form is available on our website www.mnal.org. We also host golf events weekly on Monday & Thursday’s at various 18 hole courses in the area. See website for details. Email inquiries to Mnsnowbird1@mnal.org.

O.B. Senior Center BYOL concerts

The Orange Beach Adult/Senior Activity Center’s second Bring Your Own Lunch (BYOL) Concert will be held on Feb. 11, with a performance by Smokey Otis & Chicago Bob from 11 a.m. til noon.
The series will continue and wraps up on March 10 with a show by the Barstool Surfers. The Center is located at 26251 Canal Rd., directly west of the Orange Beach Library. For more info or to RSVP, call 251-981-3440.

Gulf Shores Snowbird Coffee Club

By Larry Cole
The Gulf Shores Snowbird Coffee Club will hold their first meeting of the 2025 season on Friday, January 3 at 8:00 a.m. at Ginny Lane Bar and Grill at the Wharf, 4851 Wharf Pkwy. E. in Orange Beach. Doors open at 7 a.m. and meetings will be held every Monday morning from 8 – 8:30 a.m. through March 3. Membership information is available at these meetings.
The oldest continually active snowbird club, celebrating 48 years, has more than 200 members from 26 states and three Canadian provinces. Besides raising money for local charities, the club holds weekly golf outings, sponsors casino trips and conducts breakfast meetings. The club also throws horseshoes on Monday, Wednesday and Friday at noon at Meyer Park in Gulf Shores.

Chef Nino’s Laughter Meds every Monday afternoon at Papa Rocco’s

Papa Rocco’s Restaurant in Gulf Shores will present a free stand-up comedy show, Chef Nino’s Laughter Meds, every Monday thru February from 4-6 p.m. Neil Anthony Thibodaux, aka Chef Nino, is a chef, comedian and author from South Louisiana who gained a following among winter visitors during his 15 year stint conducting cooking classes at Rouses Supermarkets in Orange Beach and Gulf Shores. His comedy chops were evident in the titles he chose for his cooking classes, including pastabilities, entrée-preneur, herb-a-4, stewpidity, italianeaux, claim to the flame, and mis-steaken.
“Everyone of the 4,500 appearances I’ve made in 22 years included comedy,’’ Chef Nino said. “I always had a monologue for 10 minutes to start every show. I drew a crowd as much for the funny part as the cooking part of the show.
Papa Rocco’s is located two blocks north of the Gulf of Mexico on Hwy. 59. More info: (251) 948-7262.


Snowbird Euchre

By Judy Bahnmiller
Euchre players please come play at the Foley American Legion Post 99, 2101 S. McKenzie St, Foley. We play Monday’s at 5:30 pm and Tuesday’s at 12:30 pm. Registration starts half an hour before play begins. The cost is $4. For additional information please contact Judy Bahnmiller 517-414-4795.


Snowbird Cribbage

By Barbara Beamish
Beginning Friday, January 3, cribbage players 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 99, 2101 S McKenzie St., Foley (note new location from last year). The cost is $5. For additional information contact Barbara Beamish at 989-464-8605.

Annual Snowbird Dance is Jan. 31

By Gail Calma Sims
We are ready to welcome back the Snowbirds at the Frank Calma Memorial Dance which will be held on Friday, Jan. 31 from 6-9 p.m. at the Foley Civic Center, 407 E. Laurel Avenue (Hwy. 98). Setups, chips, soft drinks and water will be furnished. Feel free to bring appetizers. Cost is $25 per person, casual dress. Ticket info: 251-752-7422 and 251-504-8904.
Again this year the dance will be a tribute to John Brust, who blessed our lives for the last 40 years here on the Gulf Coast with the Allstar Band. John went to be with the Lord on June 29, 2023 and our lives are forever changed. Former Allstar Band member Jerry Anderson has put together the band this year, as we continue to celebrate John and his music. It will be a wonderful evening of dancing to the music of this band.
This will be the 17th Snowbirds Dance sponsored by the Knights of Columbus, Elberta Council 2736 to raise money for local charities.
Snowbirds and locals want to be there, and Frank Calma’s dream has been realized each and every year because of this band. So thankful for their support all these years and our sponsors, volunteers, and most of all the dancers! See you on the dance floor!

Missouri

By Mark Rethemeyer
The Missouri Snowbirds Club of Alabama meets weekly for Breakfast at Tacky Jacks on Wednesdays, Golf Scramble at Gulf Shores Country Club on Wednesdays, and Happy Hour at Cobalt’s on Mondays. We have several other parties and activities planned as well, but you’ll have to go to our Website to sign up. If you are from Missouri and looking to meet some other Missouri Snowbirds this is your personal invitation to join us! We encourage you to come and join us. You’ll meet lots of friendly people and make a lot of new friends. Some of our activities have a maximum, so don’t hesitate! Go to our website and sign up to join us. We hope to see you soon. Just go to our website and sign up! Missourisnowbirds.org or facebook.

Michigan

By Nancy Grebe
The remaining club meeting dates for the 2025 season are Jan. 23, Feb. 6, Feb. 20 and March 6 at the Island Church Activity Center building on 25550 Canal Road in Orange Beach. Doors open at 9:00 AM for coffee, donuts and mingling. The meeting starts at 10:00 AM. Prior to the meeting you will be able to sign up for any of the trips that the club is planning, get info about luncheons, golf, Michigan Club Logo items, raffle tickets to benefit the local fire departments and the low country boil. There is a usually a lunch location announced that will be offering a discount for Michigan Club Members immediately following the meeting. If you are from Michigan, like Michigan, or have visited our great state, we hope you come and join in the fun.

Fried chicken on Feb. 1

By Dean Mott
Sonora Masonic Lodge #635 F&AM will continue its 2025 annual fried chicken dinner fundraisers on Feb. 1 and March 1 from 11 am-1 pm or until supplies last. The lodge is located at 202 E. Jackson Street in Summerdale. Adult plates will be $12.00 and a child’s plate will be $6.00. Dinners will include chicken, mashed potatoes with gravy, cole slaw, green beans and complimentary tea and dessert. Proceeds generated from the fundraiser will be used towards monthly lodge expenditures, providing scholarships and supporting local community and school events. For more information contact Dean Mott edeanmott@gmail.com or visit the lodge’s Facebook page or call 251-423-7604.

New York

By Frank Panczyszyn
The New York Snowbirds return to the Alabama-Florida Gulf Coast for another winter of great weather, socializing, golf, and fundraising. Meetings are at Ginny Lane at the Wharf on Jan. 23, Feb. 6 and 20, and March 6. Register at 11AM, followed by lunch (ordering off the menu). A $1 per person donation is requested to help cover administrative costs. There will be a 50-50 raffle and door prizes. Reservations are required by email to nysnowbirds@gmail.com.

Snowbird Trivia Night Feb. 22

The Annual Snowbird Trivia Night will be held on Saturday, February 22 at 6:00 PM at the Orange Beach Event Center. Doors open at 5:00 PM. Despite its name, all community members are encouraged to attend! Participants can register online at southbaldwinliteracycouncil. com/snowbirdtrivia. Tables of eight are $160. Individual tickets are $20. Mulligans and Pick-A-Pot tickets will be available for purchase on the night of the event. Participants can also drop off registration and payment to SBLC’s Drop-Boxes located at the Orange Beach Public Library, Gulf Shores Public Library, Foley Public Library, or the South Baldwin Literacy Council. Participants can also mail registration and payment to South Baldwin Literacy Council 21441 US Hwy 98 Foley, AL 36535. The deadline to register is Friday, February 14, 2025. For any questions, please call 251-943-7323.
As always, bring your own food and drink. Alcohol is allowed. Prizes are awarded to Trivia Winners and for the Best Table Theme. The competition consists of 8 rounds of 10 questions. Mulligans are available for $20 on the night of the event. Heads/Tails contest during the mid-evening stretch. All proceeds support the South Baldwin Literacy Council and Orange Beach Public Library.

Iowa

By Sue Holst
Iowa Snowbirds are encouraged to check the website for updates, sign-ups, and a listing of activities in The Gulf area. At our first breakfast meeting we had 180 people sign-up, $700 collected for our 50/50, Linda Spangrud (The Turtle Lady) had her books available for purchase, 29 tickets were sold for the calendar drawing (benefits the 3 gulf coast fire departments), several door prizes were awarded, and Grant Brown informed us of the Gulf Shores updates. You need to sign up by January 22nd for our next breakfast meeting. Our first cocktail party will be Friday, January 24th from 5pm-7pm at the Caribe Resort, Bldg. D, 28103 Perdido Beach Blvd, Orange Beach. Bring your own beverage and a dish to share. No reservation is required. Second cocktail party will be Thursday, February 20th at the Caribe.

Tacky Jacks Wacky Winter of Fun

Tacky Jacks 9th Annual Wacky Winter of Fun series will feature different events to include regional artists and local organizations each week this winter thru Feb. The Gulf Shores location will host activities on Mondays and the Orange Beach Location on Tuesdays. Upcoming events listed below. Reservations online at tackyjacks.com. Arrive 15 min. early.
• Monday, January 27, 10-11:30 am (Gulf Shores) Art al Fresco “Beachy Wreath” Create a beachy wreath using items from our coastal areas. Use ours or bring your own! $35 includes a $10 Tacky Jacks Gift Card. RSVP online.
• Tuesday, January 28, 10-11:30 am (Orange Beach) Art al Fresco “Create With Paint – Plaster Painting” Create a custom art piece using white plaster and black canvas. $35 includes a $10 Tacky Jacks Gift Card. RSVP online.
• Monday, February 3, 10-11:30 am (Gulf Shores) Art al Fresco “Glass Mushroom Garden Light” Create an upcycled glass mushroom garden light that will shine at night and recharge with the sun during the day. All ages.