Almost 2,000 Snowbirds Roost at the Community Center

As of this week, we have 1,952 Snowbirds signed up, 181 more members than last year at this time. For you procrastinators, there is still time to register. You may sign up on Monday, Feb. 1 or 8 from 1 to 3 p.m. at the Roost, inside the Destin Community Center, 101 Stahlman Ave.  Our meetings are also held there every Tuesday at 8:30 and 11a.m. The entertainment part of the meeting this past week was The High Steppers. They have performed numerous times since the 1986-87 Snowbird season. Before this we started with our own talent shows, sing-a-longs and skits by many of our own members. We have come a long way, yet we have lots of folks with many great voices singing our national anthem. So thanks High Steppers, you did a great job as always.

The mixer, Another Day in Paradise, was held last Saturday and was a huge hit. Chuck Lawson who plays an island style and even had a conga line going, provided music. The food was donated by Beef O' Brady's, Hooters, John O'Quigley and O'Charleys. To each of you, many thanks. The attendees thoroughly enjoyed it. The event was sold out with 102 guests.

The Computer Tech Expo 2010 was also held this past week and attended by more than 300. Lots of info was available at this event for the home computer users.

The Valentine's Day cruise to be held Feb. 13 is sold out.

The Annual Fashion Show will be held on Feb. 15 at the Holiday Inn Sun Spree Resort. Chico's of Destin will doi the fashion part of the show. Cocktail, cash bar, are at 11a.m. followed by lunch at noon. A few tickets still remain. They are $24 and are sold by Nancy Hewitt at our meetings. Ladies, there are only two more meetings left for you to purchase your ticket.

The Snowbird craft sale will be held at 8 a.m. Feb. 16. The tables are sold out, but must be paid for in advance. There is a waiting list for these tables, so please prepay on either Feb. 1 or 8 from 1 to 3 p.m. at new member registration. Call Liz Barratt at 650-6544 with questions. Funology — what is funology? It is a time on Mondays when we can come together with other Snowbirds. Sing-a-longs, skits and quizzes are all included. The fun starts at 10 a.m. with Pat McAlpin at the Roost.

The Friendship Club meetings in Feb. are always held Tuesdays after the general meetings: Feb. 2 at The Lucky Snapper, Feb. 9 at Longhorn Steakhouse, Feb. 16 at Endless Bar & Grill in Sundestin and Feb. 23 at The Black Pearl. For more info, contact Joann Benesh at 837-4279. Don't forget to check out the Casino trips offered weekly on Fridays. Sign up at the meetings with Ken and Fran Yee. Poker nights will be held Feb. 8 and 22 at the Embassy Suites at 7 p.m. For more info, call Bill Pasel at 650-4972.

Tennis has also started. To sign up contact Jim Boehlert at 424-5616.

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

Golf tournaments are coming up soon. Check out our Web site, www.destinsnowbirds.org, for all the many play dates. Please remember when making reservations that we can only play on the dates that are designated for our members. The Robert Trent Jones Mobile Adventure golf trip has been canceled. Call Paul Tomlinson at 650-8432 with questions. The CanAm golf tournament to be held on Feb. 1 at Kelly Plantation needs some more American teams to sign up. Call Paul Tomlinson at 650-8432. The Jack Kline Cancer Charity tournament will be held on Feb. 3 at the Fort Walton Beach Municipal Course, The Pines. You can sign up for this event at our Tuesday meeting. For more info, contact either Ken Lemire at 269-1317 or Paul Tomlinson at 654-8432. The Ladies Bluewater Bay tournament will be held on Feb. 17. There is still time to sign up for this event at our Tuesday meetings or call Sue Cummings at 654-8675. The Northwest Florida State College Soundsations Benefit Concert will be held Feb. 14 at 2 p.m. Tickets are $8 and are on sale at our Tuesday meetings. For more info call Raymonde Jean at 424-3798 or Marge Marcella at 650-1484.

A special thanks to all the vendors and businesses who sponsor the Snowbirds, including The Ocean Club, Pepitos, Christianos Restaurant, T R Frog, LaDonna's Hair Salon, Good Time Tours and Regions Bank.

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