Snowbird singers prepare for concert

Following the highly successful general meeting held Feb. 10 at the Destin United Methodist Church, President Bob Swenson and his highly charged all-volunteer staff is already cranking the engine for the March meeting which promises to be a very special occasion. That meeting, the final one until December, will take place at the Community Church of Santa Rosa Beach, 3524 West U.S. 98, and will feature the Snowbird Singers, Walton County Snowbirds' very own 52-member strong chorus.

Snowbirds and the general public will have an opportunity for a sneak preview of this enthusiastic musical ensemble a week earlier when its new choral director, Karl Keilhau, makes his debut appearance on Feb. 27. The Snowbird Singers were just settling in with their new conductor when out of the blue disaster struck our neighbors to the south in Haiti. Undeterred by the difficulties of organizing a benefit concert on short notice with a new director and 18 new choral members, the Singers swung into action and put together a program that will both entertain and inspire those who attend at 3 p.m. Feb. 27 at the Community Church of Santa Rosa Beach.

Keilhau said, “The entire freewill offering is designated for Haitian relief.”

The team of Ralph Wozniak, Kay Hess and Al Francis appreciate the enthusiasm shown for the annual snowbird dinner dance scheduled for Feb. 22 at Sandestin's Hilton. The ever-popular David Seering's talented fingers on the keyboard will stir dancers to swing their partners to his merry tunes. Tickets are $27. Call 837-3077 or visit klovinit@q.com.

Snowbirds never tire of music and to prove it a nice crowd generally turns out for the David Ott lecture series, “From Opera to Symphony”, taking place each Monday at 1 p.m. through Feb. 22 in the sanctuary at Faith Assembly Church, 306 South Geronimo Street in Miramar Beach. The fee is $5 per lecture.

The Snowbird Good Time Bus Trip to the Isle of Capri Casino on Feb. 15 in Biloxi is good to go. Ten dollars buys a round trip ticket plus $15 casino credit. The bus departs from The Track, near Airport Road and U.S. 98 in Destin at 6:30 a.m. Call Bob and Eunice Collins at 650-1546 for arrangements. Golfers checking out scrambles and play days may refer to the Web site at http://www.waltoncountysnowbirds.com/golf_news.htm for prices. Mark your calendar for the following scramble dates: Feb. 24 and March 3 at Kelly Plantation. Play days are: Bluewater Bay – March 1; Eglin Falcon – March 5; Foxwood Country Club – Feb. 25; Emerald Bay – Feb. 16 and 21; Hidden Creek – March 4; Regatta Bay – Feb. 22 and 23, March 9; Shalimar Pointe – Feb.18, March 2; Tiger Point, Feb. 17 ; Windswept Dunes, March 7.

 The Tuesday Golf Garden League results for Feb. 2: First place team members: Norma May, Pat May, Al Ruby, and Carolyn Ruby. Closest to the pin No. 1 Women Eunice Collins, Closest to the pin No. 3, Men Wayne Fatchett, Closest to the pin No. 9 Women/Men, Ted Perez. The Thursday Golf Garden League results for Feb. 4: First place team members are Dwayne Roost, Dick Henson, Bill Boersma and Tom Klemond. The special awards were: Women - Closest to the pin-  No. 1 - Sue Flack, Men - Closest to the pin - Hole No. 9 - Paul Simoneau, Longest Putt - Hole No. 5 - Glenn Whaley, Longest Putt - Hole No. 6 - Martin Breemen.

The Snowbird ladies have a real treat in store for them on Feb. 24 when they gather at the Embassy Suites for the annual ladies luncheon. Two treats actually. Nancy Gehrke, the estimable and always witty first lady of Snowbird occasions, will serve as master of ceremonies and second, not only will Chicos showcase current fashions but will also demonstrate travel fashion tips. Oh, yes, there is a better way!   Tickets are $28 and nearly sold out. Be on time for the punch bowl at 11:30 a.m. followed by lunch and fun enough to last the week. Tickets available at Monday morning registration. Call 650-5252 or 654-1170 for details.

Muscles a little tight, have a pound or two that won't go away? Connie Sutherland and Sarah Vaillancourt have an answer for you and a good way to start the week. Join Sutherland for one hour at 11 a.m. each Monday morning at Faith Assembly Fellowship Hall for senior aerobics exercise. Attendees usually arrive early, prepared with mats, towels and weights. Connie then puts them through their paces, warm up, aerobics, stretches and a cool down all to music. February brings new moves calculated to better tone that which needs toning. Can't make it on Mondays?  Then hit it on Wednesdays at 1 p.m. with Sarah Vaillancourt, same place. Call 837-5685 or 612-716-4785 for information.

And if that bathing suit still looks like a challenge there is line dancing, beginning, intermediate, and advanced instruction on at Faith Assembly Monday afternoons beginning at 3 p.m. or Wednesday starting at 2:15 p.m.  Call 424-3664 or 837-5685 for details.

The Snowbird tennis players always welcome another player on the courts.  Matches take place at Mainsail every Monday, Wednesday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday between 9 a.m. and noon. Players supply their own racquets and balls. Need more information? Call Vivek Likhite at 424-3664.

Late breaking euchre scores: Men first place, Rolfe Hagan 75; second place, Stanley Young 74; Women  first place,  Mary Ann Wilson 76; second place Irene Hinds  73, Jeanette Diggins 73

Tom Mahar is the information officer for the Walton County Snowbirds. He can be reached at tkmahar@aol.com or 267-5441