Snowbird News
Snowbird Foot Golf outings at Glenlakes
By Lynn Wilhelm
Glenlakes Golf Club will be having foot golf outings this year for snowbirds and others who want to try the sport. The game is a fun and easy combination of both golf and soccer. Remaining dates are 1 p.m. on Saturday, February 20, and 10 a.m. on Saturday, March 6. Cost is only $12 + tax. Optional carts are available for $13 + tax. Form your own team of four, or the pro shop will form a team for you. To sign up, call the Glenlakes pro shop at 251-955-1220.
Welcome Wednesdays at ‘Bama
Welcome Wednesdays potluck lunches are back at the Flora-Bama through March 3. 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 $3 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.
Minnesota virtual meetings
By Nancy Poferl
The Minnesota Snowbird club in Gulf Shores, Orange Beach and surrounding area, although not meeting in person, is doing Virtual Meetings every other Tuesday throughout the season via Zoom. Sign up via Facebook @mnalclub or on our website www.mnal.org.
New York
By Frank Panczyszyn
Over 20 cautious New York Snowbirds gathered at Ginny Lane in Orange Beach to enjoy some tasty food, renewed friendships, and discussions on how to socially proceed in a safe manner during their winter visit on Jan. 21. It was agreed that they would pass the hat at each luncheon to enable them to give something back to the local community this year. Also, the New Yorkers were urged to be generous with the Chritian Service Center. All of the snowbird fundraising events have been postponed ‘til next year. We will gather again for lunch Feb. 11 & 25 at 11 a.m. at Ginny Lane. Representatives from Orange Beach and Gulf Shores will speak on Feb. 11. For reservations: nysnowbirds@gmail.com.
Iowa-Alabama Snowbird News
By Sue Holst
Iowa Snowbirds are encouraged to register on the website (Iowa-alabamagulfcoastsnowbirds.org) even though all breakfasts and cocktail socials have been cancelled for 2021. Updates and information will be posted there as well as the golf schedule and sign up for tee times. Stay safe!
All invited to Feb. 2 Ancient Aviators gathering
The Ancient Aviators social group continues (with proper COVID precautions) the meet the first Tuesday of each month at American Legion Post 44 in Gulf Shores at 8:30 a.m. The next meeting is Feb. 2. The group, formed in 2002, gives aviators and others a chance to “tell their story.” A full breakfast is available for $6, and visitors are always welcome. Info: bensman84@aol.com or 251-990-8258.
Baldwin Heritage Museum golf outing is Feb. 23
By Nancy Durgin
The 9th Annual Golf Scramble to benefit the Baldwin County Heritage Museum (BCHM) will be held on Tuesday, February 23, at the GlenLakes Golf Club. The Golf Course is on CR-20 east of the Foley Beach Expressway. ALL golfers are welcome to register/get more details with Tammy at bchm@gulftel.com OR by calling the Museum at (251) 986-8375. The shotgun start will be at 8:30 am with 18 holes of golf, raffles, silent auction and a sack lunch to round out the day. COVID guidelines will be followed.
The Museum is located on US-98 just a mile east of the stoplights in Elberta. It is open Wednesday through Saturday from 10 am – 3 pm and is free. The golf outing contributes to the daily maintenance of this property that is NOT owned by the County, but lovingly cared for by volunteers.
Come see the way people lived and worked here from the mid-1800s to the mid-1900s. The 5-acre site includes a church, school, general store, potato shed and “hidden” still in addition to the large museum building.
Michigan still has golf
By Dave Ferguson
While the Michigan Club will not be meeting this Winter, we still have golf outings. We will be golfing every Monday and Wednesday until March 10th. Our golf schedule can be found at the Michigan Club website (michiganclubalabama.com). This year we are welcoming all snowbirds from all the snowbird clubs to join our golf outings. To sign up, just go to our website, click on the golf icon and our schedule will appear. Pick the course that you want to play and call the coordinator for that course and give them your name and phone number and you will be signed up. We will also have Ladies golf. It will be every Tuesday, weather permitting, at Gulf Links Golf Center on 59. We will meet at 9:30 AM, with Tee times at 10. If you would like to join or have questions please contact Sue Beach at spbeach260@charter.net or phone number 231-429-0952.
Iowa will still meet for golf
By Sue Holst
Iowa Snowbirds welcome back all Iowans wintering in the area! You are encouraged to register on our website Iowa-Alabamagulfcoastsnowbirds.org (no registration fees or dues are required). Unfortunately, all club breakfasts and cocktail socials have been cancelled for 2021. Iowa golfers will continue their weekly outings and golfers from other states are welcome. The golf schedule and sign up can be found on the website.
As a means to keep our members informed, you are encouraged to visit the website often for updates on area events, general club information, discount codes, specials, etc. under the Happenings tab. We will miss seeing all our Iowa Snowbird friends, but plans are already being made for a return to normalcy in 2022!
Wisconsin Synod Lutheran Sunday services
Gulf Shores area WELS/ELS members will have local church services with Holy Communion on February 7 & 21 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. Church capacity 50 people. Reservations required for each service. To make reservations or for more info contact: Jim Diehm, 231-598-0383, jkdiehm@gmail.com.
Senior Softball Mon. & Fri.
By Arthur Presley
We have a local men’s senior softball group, age 50 and over, and we are trying to recruit more players. We play every Monday in Gulf Shores and Friday in Orange Beach at 10 a.m. All skill level welcome. Info: 225-313-8516.
Snowbird Hootenanny Feb. 11 at Flora-Bama
Visiting snowbirds are invited to the Florida-Alabama State-Line on Thursday, February 11th for the 4th annual Snowbird Hootenanny at the Flora-Bama. The Perdido Key Area Chamber of Commerce is excited to once again host this popular western-themed hoe-down for their favorite winter guests. Admission for the event is only $10 per person. This event will be COVID cautious, with limited tickets available for each of two seatings. Starting at 11 a.m. or 1 p.m., attendees will be welcomed into the open-air main tent stage area in the Flora-Bama.
Tickets are limited and can be purchased at VisitPerdido.com, by phone at 850-492-4660, or in person at the Perdido Key Area Chamber of Commerce; 15500 Perdido Key Dr. This year’s event is titled Sweetheart Saloon. Guests are encouraged to dress up in their favorite western wear to enjoy some live pickin’-and-grinnin’ music, games and door prizes, followed by a delicious lunch provided by the legendary Flora-Bama chefs. Western-themed face masks will be provided at the door. The giveaways and handouts will be individually packaged. Mask usage will be required, and sanitization stations will be set up throughout the event space.
Guided tours of Ft. Morgan every Wednesday
Guided tours of the lower flevel of Fort Pickens will be conducted by volunteers in period costumes or staff every Wednesday from 2-3 p.m. throug Feb. 24. The fort is located at the west end of Ft. Morgan Rd. at 51 Hwy 180 in Gulf Shores. Fore more info, call (251) 540-7127, or email wendyhyatt@fort-morgan.org Admission to the fort is $8 for adults $5 for students and seniors.
Next O.B. Golf Center Skins Game is Feb. 7
The Orange Beach Golf Center will host its monthly Skins Game on Sunday, Feb. 7, and then on the first Sunday of each month through March, with a shotgun start at 1 p.m. The public is welcome. There are Skins on all 18 holes, a closest-to-the-pin contest, and $250 for a hole-in-one on any of the 18 holes. Cost is $5.50 for Golf Center members and $22 for non-members. Registration starts at noon. Each player places $5 to a pot for Skins and $2 in a pot for closest-to-the-pin. Info: 251-981-GOLF (4653).