More than 1,000 new Snowbirds sign-up

This is one of the busiest weeks for the Snowbird Club. At our big registration on Monday, Jan. 4, 2010, we signed up 1,009 new members bringing the total membership to 1,395. That puts us ahead of last year's registration pace by 44. That's great! The registration procedure was run like a well-oiled machine with Ken Yee as the emcee and all the volunteers running the Snowbirds through the sign-up drill. When they finished, they were ushered into the Roost to taste lots of local restaurant cuisine provided by O’Charleys, The Black Pearl, Carrabba's Italian Grill, 790 On The Gulf and even HoneyBaked Ham was there. Snowbird sign-up never tasted so good. Thank you for all the delicious food!

There were lines for golf, concerts, the fashion show and all the activities the club has to offer. Lots of stuff to do. There is still time to register. Come join us. We will have additional registrations on Wednesdays from 10 a.m. to noon at the Destin Community Center. Regular meetings are on Tuesdays at 8:30  and 11 a.m., also at the Destin Community Center.

The meeting held this week was well attended. The entertainment was supplied by the 23rd Highlanders. They played bagpipes and did a great job. Also many thanks to all of our vendors this year. Together they donated some wonderful door prizes for be given out at our meetings.

We have many activities coming up soon. They include the mixer, Another Day in Paradise, from 2 to 5 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 23 at St. Andrews By-the-Sea Episcopal Church, 307 Harbor Blvd. in Destin. Entertainment is by Chuck Lawson and tickets are $12. They are sold at the Tuesday regular meetings — see Nancy Hewitt.

Casino trips to Biloxi are scheduled weekly on Fridays. The trips alternate between two casinos, stopping at Isle Casino one week and The Hardrock Casino on the next trip. Bus leaves at  6:15 a.m. and returns around 6 p.m. Tickets are $5 and includes $15 in free slot play. Tickets will be sold at the regular Tuesday meetings — see Fran Yee.

The Friendship Club is for Destin Snowbird singles. Come join us at Fudpucker’s on Tuesday, Jan. 12 following the 11 a.m. meeting. For more information, contact Joann Benesh at 837-4279.

The Computer Expo will be held from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 23. This is free and open to the public. For more info, visit nwfacg.org.

The Valentine’s Day cruise aboard the Southern Star will be held from 3 to 5:30 p.m. Feb. 13. Music is by Rusty. Tickets are $15 and include beer, wine and snacks. This cruise leaves from behind The Lucky Snapper Restaurant. For tickets, see Don Cooksey at the Tuesday meeting.

The Annual Fashion Show will be held at 11 a.m. Monday, Feb. 15 at the Holiday Inn SunSpree Resort. Fashion is by Chico's of Destin. Cocktails are at 11 a.m. with lunch at noon. The cost is $24 per person with a cash bar. Tickets will be sold at the Tuesday meetings.

Golf dates are on the Web site at www.destinsnowbirds.org. For additional information call Ken Lemire at 269-1317 or Paul Tomlinson at 650-8432.

The storage lockers will be open from 8 to 9:30 a.m. on Saturdays, Jan. 9 and Jan. 16.

If you have any new ideas you’d like to share, a hobby or craft, please let us know. As you know our winter home is called The Roost. It is located inside the Destin Community Center, 101 Stahlman Ave. in Destin. The Web site for more information is www.destinsnowbirds.org.

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