Destin Snowbirds keep coming

Tuesdays general meeting was well attended. It was nice to see so many familiar faces there. We also extend a big welcome to all our newest members. Currently our membership is ahead by 144 from last season at this time. Emerald Coast Chorus did a wonderful job providing the entertainment this week. This was no quartet, as President Marge Marcella pointed out. There were at least two dozen men harmonizing. They started out with such hits as “Mary Lou” by Ricky Nelson, “Shenandoah,” “I've Been Working on the Railroad,” “Sitting on Top of the World” and ended with other recognizable hits making it very entertaining for all. Thank you, gentlemen!

There is still time for you hesitant Snowbirds to register and join us in the fun. Registrations for new members are being held from 1 to 3 p.m. Mondays, Jan. 25, Feb. 1 and 8. There is no registration on Jan. 18, Martin Luther King Day. You may also register from 10 a.m. to noon Wednesdays, Jan 13 and 20. The last registration will be held on Tuesday, Feb. 9 between our regular general meetings. General meetings are held at the Destin Community Center, 101 Stahlman Drive at 8:30 and 11 a.m.

Entertainment is a big part of our meetings. We follow it by necessary announcements and then door prizes donated weekly by our local vendors and businesses who participate. Thank you to all! We are very grateful for the community support.

We have many activities going on for our registered members. Tickets are still available for the mixer, Another Day in Paradise, to be held from 2 to 5 p.m. Jan. 23 at St. Andrews By-the-Sea Episcopal Church, 307 Harbor Blvd. in Destin.  Entertainment is by Chuck Lawson, includes appetizers and cash bar is open. Tickets are $12. So grab your flips flops, your “Island style” dress and practice your limbo moves.  Next week’s meeting is your last time to purchase tickets for this event. They are also available by contacting Paul Hewitt at 837-8372.

The Friendship Club has scheduled their meetings at noon on Tuesday, Jan. 19 at O'Charleys and at 12:30 p.m. Tuesday, Jan 26 at Hogsbreath. Contact Joann Benesh at 837-4279 for further info.

The Computer Expo will be held from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturday, Jan. 23 at NWF State College, Niceville campus. It is free and open to the public. There are displays, vendors present and door prizes to be given away. For more info see the Web site at nwfacug.org.

Our Valentine’s Day cruise aboard The Southern Star, behind Lucky Snapper Restaurant, will be held from 3 to 5 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 13. This includes snacks, beer and wine. Tickets are $15. For more info, contact Don Cooksey at 837-3637 or see him at our meetings.

Poker starts at 7 p.m. Monday, Jan. 25 at Embassy Suites. For more info, contact Bill Pasel at 650-4972.

Pinochle starts at 2 p.m. Thursdays at the Destin Community Center. For more info, call Edgel Grimm at 424-4367.

Casino trips to Biloxi are being held every Friday. The bus leaves from The Track in Destin at 6:15 a.m. and returns around 6 p.m. Destinations alternate weekly between Isle Casino and Hard Rock Casino. Tickets are $5 and include $15 in free slot money. You can get them from Fran Yee at the meetings.

The Annual Fashion Show is Monday, Feb. 15 at the Holiday Inn Sun Spree Resort. Chico's of Destin will do the fashion part of the show. Cocktails (cash bar) are at 11 a.m. followed by lunch at noon. Tickets are $24 and are sold at the meeting by Nancy Hewitt.

Tennis play has started. To sign up, contact Jim Boehlert at 424-5616 or see him at our regular meetings.

The storage locker is open from 8 to 9:30 a.m. Saturday, Jan 16. February dates for locker openings and ticket sales to be announced. For more info, call Jim Galea at 651-2077.

The blood pressure clinic is available from 1 to 3 p.m. every Wednesday at Destin Emergency Center, 996 Airport Road.

All golf information, including updates, are available on our Web site www.destinsnowbirds.org. Lots of play dates every week.

Golf tournaments are coming up soon, don't forget to sign up at the meetings. Upcoming events include the CanAm Golf Tournament on Monday, Feb. 1 at Kelly Plantation, Destin; the Jack Kline Charity Tournament on Wednesday, Feb. 3 at Ft. Walton Beach Municipal (Pines) Course. The Robert Trent Jones Mobile Adventure will be held on Feb. 22-24. For more info, call Paul Tomlinson at 650-8432. Ladies Bluewater Bay Tournament will be held  Wednesday, Feb. 17. Contact Sue Cummings at 654-8675 for info. Our 9-hole golf league started with 36 golfers which lasted 8 weeks. If you are interested, contact Willie King at 837-5495. For more golf information, call Ken Lemire at 269-1317 or Paul Tomlinson at 654-8432.

Diane Neeb is publicity director for the Destin Snowbirds and can be reached at neebsnook@hotmail.com.