SNOWBird NEWS

SNOWBird NEWS

Michigan

By Dan Mills
The Michigan Club of Alabama meets on Thursday mornings at The Island Church on Canal Road. The Club meets February 5, February 19, and March 5, 2026. The doors open at 9:00 AM with the meeting starting at 10:00 AM. Join us for coffee and donuts, fellowship and fun, as well as opportunities to win coupons, discounts, and prizes. Membership for the 2026 season is just $5.00! The annual food drive is scheduled for the February meeting dates so please bring non-perishables and paper products to donate. Michigan Club 9 hole golf is every Tuesday at 10AM at Gulf Links in Foley and 18 hole golf is scheduled for February 13 and February 20 at Glen Lakes in Foley. Another opportunity to gather with Michiganders is a dolphin cruise on February 11 at 11AM with The Fun Boat Dolphin Cruises and Sea Life Experience. Also, the next Michigan Club Breakfast is scheduled for February 12 at Magnolia Hall, Orange Beach. For more details join us for our gatherings and visit the website – michiganclubalabama. com.

G.S. Speaker Series every Friday

Gulf Shores will present a speaker series on Fridays in January and February from 10:30 – 11:30 a.m. at the Gulf Shores Activity Center, 260 Clubhouse Drive, Gulf Shores. The series features a different expert each week to discuss a specific topic.
• Feb. 6: Danielle Green will discuss the Wounded Warrior Project and its work with veterans.
• Feb. 13: Dr. Susan McCready from the University of South Alabama will speak about modern and classical language and literature.
• Feb. 20: Sarah Bliss Wright will speak on Alabama cotton and the Bemis Bags story. Her talk will connect agriculture, industry and local history.

Ret. Law Enforcement Luncheon Feb. 19

By Tom Westgate
The annual Snowbird Retired Law Enforcement Lumcheon will be held at noon on Feb. 19,2026 at the American Legion Post 44, 6781 Gulf Shores Pkwy
(Hwy 59) in Gulf Shores. All retired and former law
enforcement and their spouses are invited. Active enforcement officers are also welcome. We nor
mally have police, corrections, court, state, federal, and others that were/are involved in law enforcement. RSVP to Tom Westgate by calling or texting at (269) 252-7029 or a head count.

Wisconsin Synod Lutherans

Gulf Shores area WELS/ELS members will have local church services with Holy Communion on Jan. 11 & 25 and Feb. 1 & 15 at St Jude by the Sea Lutheran Church, 312 E 16th Ave, Gulf Shores. Services will start at 4 with Bible class to follow. More info: Yvonne Quint at 262-599-9607 or email jyquint@wi.rr.com .

Indiana

By Kari Glebe
Our club president will be calling BINGO on Feb. 18 at Picnic Beach in Gulf Shores! Cards are $1 each and proceeds will be donated to a charity of our choice! Also, Artsy Fartsy Fridays are at 3pm, biweekly at Picnic Beach in Gulf Shores. We will make Mardi Gras necklaces with beads on Feb. 6! RSVP by the Wednesday prior on Facebook or email.
Hoosier Social Lunches will continue at the Original Oyster House on Feb. 16 at 11 a.m. We are also working on a Dinner Dolphin Cruise. Cost is $30 pp. Please watch Facebook or email for more information.

“Murder in the Building” Dinner Theatre

“Murder in the Building,’’ a Gulf Coast REP production, will take stage in Magnolia Hall, which is nestled within Luna’s Eat & Drink Courtyard on Canal Road in Orange Beach, every Wednesday thru February. Tickets are $55.60 including dinner, which will be served beginning at 5:30 p.m. Showtime is 8:30 p.m. Remaining dates are Feb. 4, 11, 25. For more info or tickets, visit gulfcoastrep.com

Missouri Snowbirds

By Mark Rethemeyer
We have multiple activities every week during January and February, and you are invited and encouraged to join us. It is just this easy – go to our website and sign-up for our activities – and then just show up. missourisnowbirds.org.Like us on Facebook: Missouri Club of Gulf Shores. You don’t have to be from Missouri to join us. We meet weekly for breakfast at Tacky Jacks on Wednesday mornings; Golf Scramble at GlenLakes Golf Club on Wednesday afternoons, and Happy Hour at Cobalt’s on Mondays. We have other parties and activities planned, but you’ll have to go to our site to sign up.

Beginner pickleball clinics every Wed.

By Sam Strite
Bama Beach Pickleball Club is offering beginner’s clinics from 1-4 p.m. every Wednesday at the Church of Christ, 2414 West First Street in Gulf Shores. Get there early, as each class will be limited to the first 30 participants.
More info: SandraDavino@gmail.com. Cost is $5 per session, and the clinic will run every Wednesday until further notice.

Tacky Jacks Winter of Fun

Tacky JacksWinter of Funs at its Gulf Shores and Orange Beach locations continues thru mid-February. For updates, reservations, and the calendar, visit tackyjacks.com or social media.
Art Classes and Nature Series Schedule:

• Monday, February 9, 10-11:30 am (Gulf Shores) Art al Fresco “Create-with-Clay, Valentines or Mardi Gras Jewelry” Learn how to use polymer clay to create a custom piece of jewelry. All ages lunch and learn $25 includes a $10 Tacky Jacks Gift Card. RSVP online. Arrive 15 minutes early.
• Tuesday, February 10, 10-11:30 am (Orange Beach) Art al Fresco “Welcome Mat” Learn how to make a custom-painted welcome mat. All ages lunch and learn $35 includes a $10 Tacky Jacks Gift Card. RSVP online. Arrive 15 minutes early.
• Monday, February 16, 10-11:30 am (Gulf Shores) Art al Fresco “Beachy Birdhouse” Learn how to create a custom Birdhouse with a beachy theme. All ages lunch and learn $30 includes a $10 Tacky Jacks Gift Card. RSVP online. Arrive 15 minutes early.

Fish-frys Feb. 6, 13, 20, 27 at St. Thomas

By Al Bedel
The Knights of Columbus at St. Thomas by the Sea in Orange Beach will host their delicious fish fry on Friday in Jan. and Feb. from 4-6 p.m.
We will have fried whitefish, fries, hush puppies, and your choice of green beans or cole slaw. Drink offerings include lemonade, tea, and coffee, along with a cookie dessert for only $15. Beer and wine are available for an additional donation. Musical entertainment will be provided by Joe Lila – one of our snowbird friends from Wisconsin. All proceeds go to charitable organizations in the Alabama coastal community.

Pennsylvania

By Donald Minteer
The Pennsylvania Snowbirds group will be meeting again starting Jan 7 thru the second week in March every Wednesday at 9 am at Buzzcatz. We have a good time of fellowship and wonderful door prizes are given out donated by local businesses and individuals. Please join us. For further information, call Don Minteer, president, at 724-498-3472.

SnowBird Cribbage

American Legion Post 99 at 2101 Hwy. 59 in Foley will host SnowBird Cribbage – Every Friday through Friday March 27.

Grand Pointe Craft Show Feb. 19

The Grand Pointe condominium will again host their annual craft show on Thursday, February 19 from 9 a.m. – 1 p.m.

Welcome Wednesdays at ‘Bama

Welcome Wednesdays potluck lunches are back at the Flora-Bama every Wednesday thru Feb. 25 from 11 a.m. ‘til 2 p.m. 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 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.

Enjoy zoo for $10 on Wednesdays

Every Wednesday thru Feb. 25, The Alabama Gulf Coast Zoo in Gulf Shores will offer senior adults (age 62 and over) regular admission at a discounted price of $10. The zoo is open daily from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m, and additional adventures may be added such as Giraffe Feeding ($5), Sulcata Tortoise Feeding ($5), South American Sloth Adventure ($24.95), and Destination Madagascar Lemur Adventure ($24.95). All animal adventures are weather permitting.
The non-profit zoo cares for over 280 animals and connects the Gulf Coast community to wildlife and the importance of conservation. More info: alabamagulfcoastzoo.org.

Illinois

By Lu Douglas
Breakfast February 6 & 20, Friday 7:45 at GT’s On the Bay-Orange Beach, 6189 Canal Rd. Reservations are Necessary 1wk Before. Call Lu Douglas 815-541-9952 Or Bobbi Butler 630-532-7397.
IL Potlucks & Games: January 22, Thursday 5:00 pm: February 12, Thursday 5:00 pm. Both events at Orange Beach Senior Ct. Bring a dish to pass.

Off The Wall Dulcimer Club

By Michelle Fife
All players are welcome! There are free lessons are from 9-9:45 a.m. Rental dulcimers are available for $25 for the winter, (plus a refundable $20 deposit). The beginner book, First Lessons in Mountain Dulcimer by Joyce Ochs is available for purchase for $15. There is a jam session each Monday from 10-noon. We meet at St. Andrew By The Sea Community Church,17263 Ft. Morgan Rd. in Gulf Shores through March 9. Enter the through the rear door
A workshop with Dee Dee Tibbits, a professional musician from Michigan, is planned for Feb. 9. Reservations and more info: 317 446-0500.

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. They will also gather at Ginny Lane on Feb. 5 and 19, and March 5. Registration is at 11 a.m., followed by lunch. A $1 per person donation is requested to help cover administrative costs and lunch for guest speakers. There will be a 50-50 raffle to create a treasury for donations to the needs of the communities who host us. Door prizes will also be made thanks to the generosity of local businesses and individual donations. Reservations are required by email to nysnowbirds@gmail.com before the scheduled luncheons.

Iowa

By Tom Bellinger
All Iowans and their guests are welcome to all club events held through March with no membership fee. Our remaining February breakfast meeting location will be at GT’s On The Bay, 26189 Canal Road in Orange Beach. The upcoming breakfast meetings are February 11 and 25. Reservations must be made by Noon one week prior to each breakfast. Sign up through our web site iowa-alabamagulfcoastsnowbirds.org (preferred), or by calling Chris Hedlund at 319-430-4597. No late reservations. We start at 8:15 am and need to be out by 10:15 am.
Our Guest Speakers are Charles Smith, Southwest District Superintendent of Alabama State Parks on Feb. 11 and Foley Mayor Ralph Hellmich on Feb. 25. Attendees can still purchase Calendar Drawing cards and 50/50 raffle tickets. Door Prizes are also raffled out at each breakfast and cocktail events.
Our last cocktail party is Feb. 20 from 5 pm to 7 pm at the Caribe Resort, Building D party room, 28103 Perdido Beach Boulevard, Orange Beach. Please park in an unnumbered parking space any outside of the parking deck. Bring your own beverage and a dish to share (plates/napkins/utensils are provided). Reservations are not required. We also have a popular Golf schedule and sign up for tee times on the club website. Please check the website and join our Public Facebook Group to stay in touch with happenings.

Wisconsin

The Wisconsin Sno-bird Club will gather at the Orange Beach Event Center, 4671 Wharf Pkw, on Wednesday, Feb.18, at 8:30 am for coffee and donuts with the meeting beginning promptly at 9 am. We have a puzzle/book exchange, WI Sno-bird clothing and collect: box tops from General Mills and Johnson & Johnson, motel-size soap and toiletries, pop-top rings and empty printer cartridges at each meeting. There will be a speaker and information about volunteer opportunities and day trips as well as a potluck and picnic to sign up to attend. Join us if you are from WI! Sheepshead card players get together every Friday from 9 am to noon at The Lighthouse, 455 E. Beach Blvd, Gulf Shores, through March 27. Golfers meet at GlenLakes, so ask about special rates. Our last meetings will be Wednesday, March 4, and Wednesday, March 11, at the Orange Beach Community Center, 27235 Canal Road. More info: (715) 927-3927 OR wissnobirds@yahoo.com.

Minnesota

By Nancy Poferl
The 2026 Minnesota Snowbird group meets weekly for breakfast Tuesday mornings – Jan 27, Feb 3, 10, 24 – at GT’s on the Bay. Registration is required one-week prior to the breakfast, each week. Registration form is available on our website at mnal.org. All snowbirds are welcome, old & new. A great place to meet new friends and reconnect with old friends. We also host golf events weekly on Monday & Thursday’s at various 18 hole courses in the area. See website for details at mnal.org and/or email inquiries to Mnsnowbird1@mnal.org.

Sweet Harmony/Barbershop

By Pamula Rustan
Men & Women Singers Come Join Us. The Sweet Harmony Chorus/ Four Winds Barbershop Chorus. Time: 2 pm – 4 pm Every Monday through Feb. 23. Place: Choir Room at GSMC (Gulf Shores Methodist Church). Website: sweetharmonychorus. org.
Sweet Harmony Chorus & the Four Winds Barbershop Chorus are combining to form a Mixed Barbershop Chorus; who like to sing acapella music in the barbershop close harmony style. We are inviting any men or women who would enjoy singing to join us. More info: 701-260-0670. Also visit us on our website sweetharmonychorus.org.

Gulf Shores Snowbird Coffee Club

By Larry Cole
The Gulf Shores Snowbird Coffee Club meetings will be held every Monday morning from 8 – 8:30 a.m. through early March at Ginny Lane Bar and Grill at the Wharf, 4851 Wharf Pkwy. E.,
Orange Beach. Doors open at 7 a.m. and membership information is available at these meetings. The oldest continually active snowbird club, celebrating 49 years, has more than 200 members from twenty-six states and three Canadian provinces.

Perdido Key Hootenannies

Visiting snowbirds are invited to Snowbird Hootenanny events to be held at the Flora-Bama. Enjoy some live pickin’-and-grinnin’ music as well as games and door prizes, followed by a delicious lunch provided by the legendary Flora-Bama chefs. The next hootenanny on Jan. 23 is beach bum party. The theme is rock your decade. Feb. 6 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, 15500 Perdido Key Dr.

Trivia Night Feb. 28 in O.B. Event

New name, same incredible event! Annual Winter Trivia will be held on Saturday, Feb. 28 at 6 p.m. at the Orange Beach Event Center. Doors open at 5 p.m. Proceeds support the South Baldwin Literacy Council and Orange Beach Public Library. Register at southbaldwinliteracycouncil.com. Tables of eight are $160. Individual tickets are $20.
Participants can also drop off registration and payment to drop boxes at the Orange Beach, Gulf Shores and Foley libraries, or mail or drop off to South Baldwin Literacy Council, 21441 US Hwy 98 Foley, AL 36535. The deadline is Feb. 20. More info: 251-943-7323.
As always, bring your own food and drink. There is also a prize for Best Table Theme. The competition consists of 8 rounds of 10 questions. Mulligans allow one free answer per round. Pick-A-Pot Tickets are available on the night of the event. Heads/Tails contest during the mid-evening stretch.

Gulf Shores area WELS/ELS

Gulf Shores area WELS/ELS members will have local church services with Holy Communion on Jan. 25 and Feb. 1 & 15 at St Jude by the Sea Lutheran Church, 312 E 16th Ave, Gulf Shores. Services will start at 4 with Bible class to follow. More info: Yvonne Quint at 262-599-9607 or email jyquint @wi.rr.com .

Free Kiwanis breakfast Feb. 7 at Holy Spirit Catholic Church

The Kiwanis Club of Big Lagoon will host a free pancake breakfast and bake sale on Saturday, Feb. 7 from 8 – 11 a.m. at Holy Spirit Catholic Church, located at 10650 Gulf Beach Highway in Pensacola. The full breakfast includes pancakes, fruit cups, sausage, milk, orange juice, tea and coffee. It is all free, but donations for Kiwanis charities will be gratefully accepted.

Masonic chicken dinner Feb. 7

Sonora Masonic Lodge #635 F&AM will hold its 2026 annual fried chicken dinner fundraisers on Saturday, Feb. 7 and March 7 from 11 am-1 pm or until supplies last at 202 E. Jackson Street in Summerdale. Adult plates will be $12 and a child’s plate will be $6. Delivery is available on multiple plate orders. The dinners will include chicken, mashed potatoes with gravy, cole slaw, green beans and complimentary tea and dessert for dine-in guests. Proceeds generated from the fundraiser will be used towards monthly lodge expenditures, providing scholarships and supporting local community and school events. More info: edeanmott@gmail.com or Facebook page.