SnowBird NEWS

SnowBird NEWS

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.

Freebirds Club

Freebirds Club is open to all States, ALL Locals, and all ages! (21+) 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. Next event: Friday 14th – 2:00pm – Bike Ride + Happy Hour – approx. 1 hour bike ride followed by libations. Meet at Woodside Restaurant, E-bikes and Manuals welcome!

Snowbird Craft/Hobby Show Feb. 19

Ladies of Grand Pointe condominiums will be hosting a Craft and Hobby show on Wednesday, Feb. 19 at 27284 Gulf Road – Orange Beach. Across from San Roc Cay from 9-1. Handcrafted jewelry, glassware, paintings, greeting cards, misc. For more information contact Jane Samdal, 989-798-2482. Cash only.

Blood Drive

The 8th Annual Blood Drive sponsored by the Michigan Snowbird Club wil be held Feb. 19 from 9 a.m. -3 p.m. at the Gulf Shores Adult Activity Center at 260 Club House Dr. Please come and donate. There is a critical need for donations. Register online at RedCross.org/Pleasure Island. Walk in are welcome. Info: David Angle at 248-797-9852.

Wisconsin

By Nancy Durgin
The WI Sno-bird Club will meet on Wednesday, February 19, at the Orange Beach Event Center (OBEC) near the Wharf. Coffee and donuts at 8:30 am with the meeting starting promptly at 9 am. There will be sign-ups for a bowling event, potluck, Trivia Night and a Club picnic. Singles will meet on February 11 at 11:30 am at the Oyster House (701 Gulf Shores Parkway in GS) and February 25 at 4 pm at Cosmos (25753 Canal Road, OB). There is card playing every Friday from 9 am to noon at The Lighthouse (455 East Beach Blvd, GS). And, of course, golf at GlenLakes off CR-20 in Foley. If you have questions, please contact Kenn at 715-927-3927 or wissnobirds@yahoo.com, our website: www.wisconsinsnobirds.com and find us on Facebook.

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.

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 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

Visiting snowbirds are invited toa Feb. 6 Snowbird Hootenanny at the Flora-Bama. Enjoy music as well as games and door prizes, followed by lunch. The teme is Beach House Saloon. The theme for the Feb. 20 party is Mardi Gras Mambo. Admission is $10 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 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 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.

BYOL concert in O.B. is Feb. 11

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 meets every Monday from 8 -8:30 a.m. at Ginny Lane Bar and Grill at the Wharf, 4851 Wharf Pkwy. E. in Orange Beach. Doors open at 7 a.m. The oldest continually active snowbird club, celebrating 48 years, the club has more than 200 members from 26 states and three Canadian provinces. The club holds weekly golf outings, casino trips, and throws horseshoes on Monday, Wednesday and Friday at noon at Meyer Park in Gulf Shores.

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 other parties and activities planned as well, but you’ll have to go to our Website to sign up. 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! Missourisnowbirsd.org. Like us on Facebook: Missouri Club of Gulf Shores.

Snowbird Cribbage

By Barbara Beamish
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. The cost is $5. More info: Barbara Beamish at 989-464-8605. All players welcome!

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. 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.

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. Missourisnowbirds.org or facebook.

Michigan

By Nancy Grebe
The remaining club meeting dates for the 2025 season are 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. If you are from Michigan, like Michigan, or have visited our great state, we hope you come and join in the fun.

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 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 is Feb. 14. For any questions, please call 251-943-7323. All proceeds support the South Baldwin Literacy Council and Orange Beach Public Library.
As always, bring your own food and drink. Prizes are awarded to winners best table theme. The competition consists of 8 rounds of 10 questions. Heads/Tails contest during the mid-evening stretch.

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. The Second cocktail party will be Thursday, February 20 from 5-7pm 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.

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, February 10, 10-11:30 am (Gulf Shores) Art al Fresco “Wine Cork Necklace” Create a wine cork necklace using unique beads and wine corks. Bring predrilled items to add or use ours. All ages lunch and learn $25 includes a $10 Tacky Jacks Gift Card.
• Tuesday, February 11, 10-11:30 am (Orange Beach) Art al Fresco “Bottle Lamp” Create a custom wine or other special bottle with lights and embellishments. Bring your own bottle or use ours. All ages lunch and learn $30 includes a $10 Tacky Jacks Gift Card.
• Monday, February 17, 10-11:30 am (Gulf Shores) Art al Fresco “Mardi Gras Hanging Plant Basket or Chandelier” We don’t throw our Mardi Gras beads – we craft with them! Create a hanging plant basket or chandelier using Mardi Gras beads. Bring your own beads or use ours. All ages lunch and learn $25 includes a $10 Tacky Jacks Gift Card. RSVP online.
• Tuesday, February 18, 10-11:30 am (Orange Beach) Art al Fresco “Second Line Mardi Gras Umbrella” Create a custom Mardi Gras umbrella using Mardi Gras embellishments and beads. You may bring your own or use ours. All ages lunch and learn $30 includes a $10 Tacky Jacks Gift Card.

Free GSP Learning Campus lectures

Gulf Shores & Orange Beach Tourism’s free Winter Showcase Educational Series is in full swing with a variety of local interests, such as military history, nature and local artisans. The one hour presentations begin at 10:30 a.m. at The Gulf State Park Learning Campus auditorium at 20115 State Park Road in Gulf Shores (behind GSP headquarters). Pre-register at gulfshores.com/showcase. Upcoming topics: Fri, Feb 7 – Gulf Coast Archaeology: University of South Alabama’s Expeditions into the Past; Mon, Feb 10 – Ben Raines; Tues, Feb 11 – Orange Beach Wildlife Center: Rehab to Release.

Fried chicken on March 1

Sonora Masonic Lodge #635 F&AM will continue its 2025 annual fried chicken dinner fundraisers on 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. and a child’s plate will be $6. Dinners will include chicken, mashed potatoes with gravy, cole slaw, green beans and complimentary tea and dessert. Info: 251-423-7604