The snowbirds are swinging
If you missed the meetings on Tuesday at The Roost, you certainly missed a good time. Crystal Gage, the entertainer for both meetings, had the fully attended meetings laughing, singing, dancing and swinging. A “non-senior” (do you remember when you were 31 years old?) who spends her winters in Florida entertaining groups of seniors, Crystal was a lively addition to the agenda for the day. The Destin Snowbird Club, now 1,757 members strong (including 464 new members this year), had their bald heads patted, men, that is, were given the opportunity to dance in the aisles and were honored for having exceptional tenures of marriage. The longest married couple, Carl and Rita Portell from Festus, Mo., were married 68 years ago in Sacred Heart Church in Festus. They winter in Destin each year.
In addition to entertaining the full capacity crowds at each of the Tuesday meetings, Crystal was the entertainment at the first TGIT (Thank Goodness It’s Tuesday) event this year. A good time was had by all who attended and if you missed this one, the next one will be held on Tuesday, Feb. 3, at the Seascape Conference Center with David Hall entertaining the crowd. Tickets are on sale for $5 at the door before the event.
The exceptional weather has allowed snowbirds to be outside more than is usual for the month of January. Golfers are swinging their clubs as much as possible and tee times are sometimes hard to schedule with the crowds at the courses. What a wonderful problem to have. Walking paths are crowded early in the morning, and people are walking the beaches late in the afternoon just to view the beautiful sunsets. I am sure that more than one person has sent a picture north to make those at home in the colder temperatures most envious of our scenery and climate here in Destin. Have you?
Those of you wishing to take a chance at the slots, join the Casino Trip to Biloxi every Friday. Tickets are $12 per person which includes a $15 free slot play. Bus leaves at 6 a.m. and returns at 5:15 p.m. If interested, call Ken Yee at 850-837-7093, ext. 1014.
How about a night out on the town at the Mixer Dinner Dance “Happy Days” at the Seascape Conference Center on Jan. 31 from 5-8 p.m.? Come dressed in costume as your favorite character from the TV show. How many Fonzies will there be? Is there a place to buy Butch Wax? Better yet, will there be enough hair on which to apply the Butch Wax? Music will be by Beauty and the Beats. For tickets, call David Douglas at 850-54-1425, ext. 61005. Come and find out for yourself. It is bound to be a good time.
The annual Soundsations Benefit Concert, held at the Mattie Kelly Arts Center, will be held at 2 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 15. All proceeds go back to the College and tickets may be purchased at the Snowbird Club meetings or at the Community Center reception desk on days other than Tuesdays. Tickets are $10 and the public is invited to attend.
The Fashion Show, highlighting clothes from Chico’s, will be at the Embassy Suites on Monday, Feb. 23. Doors open at 11 a.m. and tickets for $28 include a delicious lunch and the fashion show. See Mary Ellen Franklin at the meetings for tickets.
The Friendship Club, open only to singles, will meet at Harbor Docks on Jan. 27 for lunch after the 11 a.m. meeting of the Destin Snowbird Club. Come meet some new friends.
For additional information about the Destin Snowbird Club, visit the newly updated website at www.destinsnowbirds.org. As President Nancy Hewitt mentioned at the meetings, you will find just about everything you want to know about the club on this site. Click on each item of interest at the top of the page to get the latest information on everything. Scroll down to the bottom of the page for the newest updated information. This is a very user friendly page so please make use of it.
Sigrid J. Aeschleman, publicity director, is from Illinois and can be reached at saeschleman@gmail.com.