DESTIN SNOWBIRDS: Here we go

The big registration on Monday at the Roost in the Destin Community Center resulted in 1,228 members of the Destin Snowbird Club. Registering over 875 people in just two hours, the volunteers efficiently welcomed and signed up new and former members to the club. Of the 1,228, 22 are Lifetime Members and 1,206 are paid.

With weekly reccurring registrations coming up, new members are anticipated each week as more arrivals settle in Destin. Registrations will be held each week before the meetings on Tuesdays through the month of January and on the first two Tuesdays in February. The times of the registrations are from 7:30-8:15 a.m. and 10-10:45 a.m. If you missed the big registration, come early to next week’s meeting and sign up prior to the meeting time.

Chester Grabowski is from Cadillac, Michigan, and was the 1,000th snowbird to register this season. He and his wife Judith have been married 53 years and enjoy wintering in Destin.

The line of snowbirds eager to register wrapped around the Community Center Monday an hour ahead of the 1 p.m. registration time. People waited patiently for the doors to open and used this time to renew acquaintances and to visit with friends they had not seen for many months. Luckily, the sun was shining and the line moved quickly.

Both meetings of the Destin Snowbird Club were well attended and singer David Hall entertained the membership. One of the club’s favorites, David may also be seen and heard on both of the Harbor Party Cruises on Jan. 25 and Feb. 8. A few tickets for the January cruise are still available and may be purchased prior to both meetings on Tuesdays. Members of the club enthusiastically sang and waved their arms to “Sweet Caroline” which has become known as the official Snowbird Anthem by many.

Many club activities were highlighted during the meeting, drawing the attention of the membership to the advantages and opportunities available to each member. The Euchre Activity group will be meeting on Thursdays at 7 p.m. at Uncle Buck’s Fishbowl (this is a change of venue). Members are urged to come out and have some fun while playing cards.

Tickets for many upcoming activities were being sold before each of the two meetings on Tuesday. Tickets for the Harbor Party Cruise (Jan. 25), the Mixer Party (Jan. 30), the Soundsations Concert (Feb. 7), and the Fashion Show (Feb. 22) were all available for purchase. Activities to sign up for (TGIT Party on Jan. 19, Casino Trips each Friday and the Mardi Gras trip Jan. 29-31) were all promoted and offered to members.

There is absolutely no reason to be alone or to not have anything to do with while wintering on the Emerald Coast. Sign up and be active in the club (which is always looking for volunteers to assist with the various groups). Don’t be shy; you all have talents and strengths to share!

The Community Center offers many activities to assist snowbirds in the health and wellness arena. Yoga, Chair Yoga, Pickle Ball, Line Dancing, Zumba Gold, Low Impact Aerobics and Table Tennis are all offered at the center. Stop by and pick up a calendar or call the center for information at 850-654-5184.

If you are new to the area and the club, make sure you visit our website at www.destinsnowbirds.org for updated and current information. Contact numbers are listed for people you may have a question for and schedules and calendars are listed for all activities of the club. Webmaster Bob Baker keeps this site interesting and full of information for all of you. All the answers you need are at your fingertips.

Next week, meetings at 8:30 and 11 a.m. will be prefaced by registration opportunities for those just arriving or who missed registration on Monday. The entertainment will be Jabbo & Friends, another favorite of the Club. The Friendship Club will meet for lunch at Longhorn Steakhouse following the 11 a.m. meeting. Come early and visit with our vendors in the back of the gymnasium, sample some goodies and pick up discount cards and information. Enjoy your week.

Sigrid J. Aeschleman, publicity director, is from Illinois and can be reached at destinsnowclub.publicity@gmail.com.