Happy Trails, Walton County Snowbirds!

This is it! There ain't no more! If there's any information within this document that you need for future reference, make sure you copy what you need, and keep the frustration levels at a minimum because this will be the final message to the snowbirds for the season. If you do need any updates, please refer to: www.waltoncountysnowbirds.com which will always be current, thanks to the volunteer keeper-of-the-web, Marilyn Barnard. And, I yield my pen to Brian Cosgrove, an experienced newspaper contributor, for future seasons. Thanks for listening to me these past four years. Appreciate.

There will be some new blood on your Board of Directors for the next season that will help to keep our 2,000+ membership afloat along with seasoned veterans. They are: President Vivek Likhite, 1st Vice-President Bob Swenson, 2nd Vice-President Shirley Northcross, Secretary Donna Bruder, Treasurer Betty Cardwell, Information Officer Brian Cosgrove, and Past President Mike Serniuk. 2008-2009 promises to be an exciting year with their dedication and volunteerism. Lend them your grateful thanks.

Some things are boast worthy' and have just recently occurred, and are acts of giving back to the community just a small token of our appreciation. The Flossie Wimmer Memorial Women's Golf Tournament took place on February 27 at the Fort Walton Pines Golf Course, and yielded gift money, matched by the parent organization of the Walton County Snowbirds, of approximately $900 total to the Sacred Heart Hospital. The Ladies Luncheon held on the 20th of February yielded gift money to the hospital of $2035. The Sacred Heart Hospital has received over $10,000 of gifts from the Walton County Snowbirds and will be having a plaque made and installed at the hospital, honoring the generosity of the organization. Hats off to all of you who made these generous donations possible.

The Flossie Wimmer was fortunate to have Nancy Cosgrove chair the event at the last minute due to illness of the coordinator, and reports a most successful event with the following winners: 1st place Betty Swenson, Martha Todd, Joan Arnold, Verna Dobson; 2nd place Mary Waltz, Pat Kovach, Donna Bruder, Betty Cardwell; 3rd place Sue Cummins, Gigi Hawkins, Carol Tariss, Sharon McDonald. Winners, each and every one. Congratulations!

More winners occurred in the game of euchre on Tuesday, February 26. In the women's division, Lynda Smith took first place honors followed by Ronnie McNeil, Lillian Fath and Mary Ann Wilson. In the men's division, Gerry Turner took first place followed by Pat Towns, Bob Giek, Ken Shorter, Steve MacEachern, and Paul Smithers. Kudos to you all!

And, using a nine iron on hole #9 during the Thursday golf league, Bill Thomson dropped a hole-in-one, a 96-yarder, to win notoriety for the day. Go, Bill, you now have bragging rights!

For those of you who are lingering into the month of March, some things will continue to be at your service. If you are meeting with the computer club, they meet on the second and fourth Tuesday of the month, the 11th and 25th and Faith Assembly Hall, 6:30 8:30 p.m.

The remaining golf playdays on March 10 at Windswept Dunes and March 11 at Adara can be accessed on the above-mentioned web site as to details.

And, for those who have a membership in Walton County Snowbirds, the storage facility on Sugar Drive, Affordable Storage, will be open from 3 4 p.m. every Friday in March to accept your treasures. Refer to the above-mentioned web site for prices and acceptable containers.

As always, we wish for each and every one of you, safe travels to your nesting spot, and know that we always look forward to your return. The events participated in and the friendships made in this winter haven will settle into our memories until we meet again. Be safe. Stay well.

Nancy A. Gehrke, Information Officer of the Walton County Snowbirds, 837-9937, nagehrke@yahoo.com