A great crowd attended the Walton County Snowbirds Gathering at Destin United Methodist Church on Jan 25. Co-Presidents Jim Smith and Coleen Haas Smith led the gathering. Several local vendors were present and provided snowbird deals, samples, and giveaways. TJ & Brad entertained the group with popular songs by Fleetwood Mac, Al Green, Patsy Cline, and topped it off with Janis Joplin’s Bobby McGee. The meeting wrapped up with the 50/50 drawing (proceeds used to provide scholarships to local high school students) and numerous door prizes. The next Snowbird Gathering is scheduled for Feb 8.
UPCOMING SOCIAL EVENTS include two bus trips to the casinos in Biloxi. The first trip is on Wednesday, Jan 31, 2024, to Boomtown Casino. The second on Wednesday, Feb 21, 2024, to IP Casino. Both trips leave at 8:00am from The Track in Destin and will be back the same night. Cost is $35.00/person. Contact Joy Mayer, Flowerjoy42@gmail.com, if interested in participating.
New this year is our TGI Thursdays. Come join us in socializing, while listening to music and dancing. Appetizers provided. The next one is scheduled for Thursday, Feb 1, 2024, from 3:00-5:00pm at Auston’s on 98. Registered members should sign up by contacting Peg & Bob Breetz, pegandbobbreetz@gmail.com
The Southern Star Dolphin Cruise is sailing exclusively for Walton County Snowbird members on Friday, Feb 9 from 3:30-5:30pm leaving from Destin Harbor. Boarding begins at 3:00 p.m. The $30.00/person fee consists of the 2-hour harbor cruise where you are guaranteed to see dolphins and the sunset. It also includes live entertainment, door prizes, wine, beer, soft drinks, and appetizers. Contact Marty and Nancy Schmidtke at mschmidt547@yahoo.com to sign up for the cruise.
The Social Dinners are always a huge success among the snowbirds offering great food and service at area restaurants and lots of conversations. This year’s first dinner was held on Jan 19 at The Crab Trap and over 100 snowbirds attended. The next dinner is Feb 16 at Auston’s on 98 with a social at 4:30 and dinner at 5:00pm. Registered members should sign up by contacting Peg & Bob Breetz, pegandbobbreetz@gmail.com
In addition to all these fun social events, the Walton County Snowbirds offer over 30 activities. For those who love the outdoors and/or exercise, we offer golf, basketball, pickleball, bowling, aerobics, line dancing, water aerobics, bike riding, tennis, and ballroom dancing. Interested in music and art? We have two ukulele groups, a singing group, an art group, a creative writing group,and a crafts group. Don’t forget our very active card groups that include bridge, hand and foot, poker, euchre and Mah-Jongg. The book club and discussion groups are also very popular with the snowbirds. There is no doubt something for everyone!
Additional opportunities to register for this season of the Walton County Snowbirds activities are on Monday, February 5, from 8:30am-10:30am at Faith Assembly Hall, 306 S. Geronimo St., Miramar Beach. Dues are $20 per person for the season. You can also register 9:00am-10:00am before our Snowbird Gathering scheduled for 10:00am-12:00 noon on Thursday, February 8 at Destin United Methodist Church, 200 Beach Dr, Destin. The final Snowbird Gathering is on Thursday, February 22 at 10:00 a.m. at St. Andrews Episcopal Church, 207 Harbor Blvd, Destin.
For more information on registration and all the activities the club has to offer, go to the website at www.waltoncountysnowbirds.com or join the group Facebook page “Walton County Snowbirds.”
Cindy Armstrong, Public Relations - Walton County Snowbirds