Destin snowbirds: A season of giving
The new season is underway, the most joyous of all seasons. The staff at the Destin Community Center has done a marvelous job decorating for the holidays. Most snowbirds will spend the upcoming holiday season away from family, but will be in the company of the good friends we have in our community here in Destin.
Opportunities to celebrate the season abound in Destin. Our club is participating in the annual Destin Christmas Parade, Dec. 8. The admission for our float, a donation of children's toys has been made. Members are invited to join the float and pass our holiday beads to the children lining the route. A sign-up sheet is posted on the bulletin board in the lobby.
The club will gather the next night at Dewey Destin's Harborside for the lighted boat parade. Tickets are $13 for a seafood buffet, served by members of your executive board. Don't miss this opportunity to see Destin's fleet dressed in lights as they circle the harbor. Fireworks will follow.
Our annual Home Away from Home dinner will be held Dec. 13 at the Maravilla Condo Clubhouse. Cost is $25 per person for a full traditional turkey dinner and beverages. The party will feature a white elephant gift exchange, songs and more. Tickets for these two parties will be available at meetings and registrations prior to the events. Don't miss out as seating is limited.
The Club gives back to the community in the spirit of the season by donating to local charities. At the Nov. 27 meeting, Brian Ekedahl from the Waterfront Rescue Mission accepted a check from treasurer Ken Lemire to assist in their work with the homeless population of the local area. Many snowbirds become active participants in these types of programs to assist those in need.
And as we give so we receive. The merchants have been very generous in their contributions to our door prize list this year. The prize committee would like to thank all of our donors, and the club members can too, by patronizing the many sponsors whose names are read out at each meeting. The literature tables in the front lobby are stocked with information supplied by these businesses. Check out the special deals they have for you!
The Dec. 11 meeting will feature a Craft Show. At our last meeting before Christmas, it will give members an added incentive to finish up their holiday purchases. Those wishing to participate should contact Joanne Andrychuk to reserve a table.
To date we have 188 Destin snowbirds, and although we are small in number some of our club activities have already begun. Fishing trips have started, (Jack Boex has a freezer full of fish), members are out playing golf enjoying the special play day rates, computer club meetings have begun, blood pressure clinics are running Tuesday afternoons at the Destin Emergency Center and quilting will start Dec. 12.
Registrations will continue from 1-3 p.m. Mondays, Dec. 3 and 10, at the Community Center. Storage locker will be open from 8-9 a.m. Saturdays, Dec. 1, 8 and 15. For further details check out the web site www.destinsnowbirds.org
Nancy Hewitt, publicity director, can be reached at pnattthebeach@gmail.com.