Snowbirds keep busy while in Destin

Move over, spring breakers. Senior breakers have arrived. You may have been noticing slightly more (and at times slower) traffic, the Wal-Mart lines may be somewhat longer and the early bird crowds take up a little more space in the restaurants, but Destin is hopping in the winter. What a great place to be … and how great for Destin.

While the kids and grandkids back home are battling sub-freezing temperatures, snow and ice, the Emerald Coast snowbirds are out walking Scenic 98, playing golf and sitting on the Crab Trap boardwalk soaking up the sunshine. Should we feel a little guilty? Maybe for a second or two, but once you remember that you earned the right to be here after many years of hard work, that fleeting feeling of guilt flies away.

So, how do snowbirds keep busy in their winter home? Case in point, Tuesday found 1,713 Destin Club snowbirds attending two meetings and watching Eclipse sing and entertain them. Don Kupski and Amanda Holmes, known as Eclipse on the Destin entertainment scene, also played the music for dancing at the first TGIT Party held at Seascape Conference Center Tuesday afternoon. A lively group visited and danced the afternoon away making this first of three TGIT parties a success. Plan on coming to the next two TGIT parties on Feb. 2 (David Hall entertaining) and Feb. 16 (Crystal Gage entertaining), both at the Seascape Conference Center. Admission is $5.

Like to play cards? We have bridge on Tuesdays at 7 p.m. at Gulf Terrace Condos, Poker on Mondays at 6:30 p.m. at Seascape Conference Center, Pinochle on Thursdays at 2 p.m. at the Roost, and Euchre on Thursdays at 7 p.m. at Uncle Buck’s Fishbowl.

Like to play golf? Plan ahead for the two events in February at Bluewater Bay Resort — the Third Annual Snowbird Cup on Sunday, Feb. 21, at 10 a.m. pitting Destin against Walton County golfers. Cost is $40 for golf, cart, lunch and prizes to both men and women. Contact Mike Krueger at mkrueger2729@comcast.net. The Ladies Scramble will be held Feb. 29 at 9 a.m. Cost is $40 for golf, cart, lunch and prizes. Contact Mary Pierce at marygen521@yahoo.com. Tickets for both are sold at meetings.

Interested in improving your computer and technology skills? Take part in Computer Tech 2016 “Never Stop Learning” on Saturday, Jan. 30, from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Taking place in the Student Services Center of NWFSC in Niceville, the day’s agenda is free and covers topics about the latest technology, how to use software programs and hardware devices. Choose from 45 workshops. Contact Ken Lamire at kenl@mnsi.net or call him at 850-586-0603 to enroll or get further information.

Want to take a cruise? On the Southern Star Party Boat in the harbor, that is. The first cruise is full (Jan. 25) but the second cruise will be Feb. 8 from 4-6 p.m. Tickets will be sold at the meetings on Feb. 2 (75 at the 8:30; 74 at 11:) on a first come, first serve basis. Come early so you don’t miss out.

Casino trips? Climb on board the bus and go every Friday through March 4. Sign up at meetings or contact Ken Yee a 850-837-7093, ext. 1014.

The Mixer Party scheduled for Jan. 30 has been cancelled due to lack of participation. Dave Douglas will begin refunding money at next Tuesday’s meeting.

Don’t forget the Soundsations Concert Feb. 7 ($10) and The Fashion Show Feb. 22 ($30). Singles Friendship Club will meet at Bubba Gump on Feb. 26. In addition, consider keeping busy participating in the many other activities offered on the activity sheet of the club or by the Destin Community Center. There is so much to do and so little time. And really, do our kids think we just sit here?

Our Snowbirds of the Week also brought snowdogs with them. Laura, holding Ro and Kona, holding Mica, are here for the first time in Miramar Beach for the month of January from Stevens Point, Wis., and were enjoying walking path along Scenic 98. What better way to spend January. Right, kids?

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