Walton County Snowbirds: Feb. 23

Someone just gave me a wonderful piece of advice to share with everyone, and it does bear repeating. As you consider your trip to the ice palace, your "other" home north of the Mason-Dixon, she strongly urged that everyone stop their vehicle every two hours to do a bit of a stretch, to walk around, and to get energized for the next two hours. Someone didn't do that, preferring to pound the pavement hour after hour after hour, and, lo and behold, what was the result of that behavior you ask? A blood clot in the leg. Think about it and maybe change your pattern for the good of your health.

Joe Raga, volunteer chairman of the Thursday golf league at the Golf Garden shares the results of the Special Games of Feb. 7th. In the women's division: closest to the pin on No. 1 - Anne Thomson; No. 4 - Lee McLaughlin; No. 6 - Gerry Kraus; longest putt on No. 9 - Peggy Casper. In the men's division, closest to the pin on No. 5 - Dan Rankin; also on No. 5 - Ken LeMire; on No. 7 - Karl Rydolph; longest putt on No. 2 - Dick Powell. Also, congratulations are due to Ken Lemire for his hole in one on No. 5. I don't have the dates for other holes-in-one for last week, but here are a couple of others: Bob Lindsay and Russ Tarbell. Congratulations, one and all.

More golf news, dates, opportunities, and discounts can be found on our Web site: www.waltoncountysnowbirds.com.

Euchre winners for the week of Feb. 12 in the women's division were: Sandy Richter - 1st; Mary Anne Grenier - 2nd; Judy Colberg and Ronnie McNeil - tied for 3rd. In the men's division, Ron Wilson took first place while Ves Lynch, Ken Shorter, and Bob Collins shared second place honors.

The March 5th General Meeting is at the Destiny Worship Center, behind Taco Bell, at 10 a.m. with the Snowbird Singers providing the entertainment. There will be a change of guard in the leadership and a short business meeting, as well as the last drawings from the generosity of local businesses. Thank you Carol Addington for your leadership with this fine musical group.

Continuing in the realm of kudos: Keith Latimer, our 2000th member was presented with a gift certificate; Jan Young and her artist workshop for their beautiful display at the last meeting; Al Francis for the delicious and delightful evening of dancing and dining at the Lucky Snapper (if you missed this event, it was sweet, not only in the dining but the "Stix and Stones"); and Shirley Northcross and Pat Gervais for giving new meaning to a ladies luncheon. Talented folks, one and all. Your work is appreciated.

Singles will be lunching after the general meeting on March 5; hosting a cocktail party on March 8 (Jeananne - 837-2568); and attending the Philharmonic at the Village Baptist Church on March 9. Details can be obtained from Josie at 650-8162.

Those who have paid up memberships are reminded that the final storage dates are: Wednesday, Feb. 27 and every Friday in March, 3 - 4 p.m., at Affordable Storage. Don Gehrke, 837-9937 is the volunteer chairman.

Ongoing event information, dates and times can be found on the Web site. These include tennis, computers, bridge, euchre, discussion groups, writers group, book discussions, exercise, ballroom dancing, line dancing, and Dr. David Ott's music appreciation, to name a few. Keep in mind that membership is a prerequisite for participating in any and all activities.

Here are some invitations to snowbirds. On Sundays during February, the Commons hosts entertainment from 2 - 4 p.m. Bring a chair and/or enjoy shopping in an environment of live music and huge discounts at various stores for the day.

On Thursday, Feb. 28 at 7:30 and 8:30 p.m., the 23rd Highlands, a drum and bagpipe band, perform traditional Scottish and Irish songs at the American Legion on Main Street. If you choose, wear your tartan or saffron, and if you packed pipes and drums, bring them along.

The Stage Crafters at the Community Center in Fort Walton Beach will be performing "Jekyll & Hyde", a musical on March 7, 8, 9, 13, 14, 15, and 16. If you have not partaken of the Crafters talents, you are in for a treat. Call 243-1101 for ticket info ($20) or access their Web site at stagecraters.com. Performances are at 7:30 p.m., or 2 p.m. matinees.

As you consider what to do with excesses you do not wish to haul home, keep in mind that there are many groups anxious to make use of your discards, be they canned goods, clothing, or other useful "stuff." Share them with others who will make good use of them if you choose. In the meantime, stay well and keep the wind at your back.

Nancy Gehrke is the information officer for the Walton County Snowbirds. She can be reached at (850) 837-9937 and nagehrke@yahoo.com. Event information is available on the Web site, www.waltoncountysnowbirds.com.