Snowbirds close their season with election of officers

The Walton County Snowbirds elected a new president to a one-year term on March 3. She is Nancy Gehrke, the club’s former first vice-president and former information officer.

Taking a page from the national political scene, she promised every member “a stimulus package.” For Gehrke, “stimulus” means an active club that provides a lengthy roster of opportunities for fellowship, entertainment and personal growth. The election occurred during the organization’s annual meeting at the Community Church of Santa Rosa Beach.

In addition to Nancy Gehrke, the membership elected the following members to the executive board: Past President – Bob Swenson: 1st Vice President – Dave Peterson; 2nd Vice President – Pat Pobol; Treasurer – Betty Cardwell; Secretary – Donna Bruder; and Information Officer – Tom Mahar.

The Snowbird Singers, riding on the success of its recent benefit concert held on Feb. 27, gave an encore performance during the meeting that brought the standing room only audience to its feet. Under the direction of Karl Keilhau, the conductor who replaced now retired Carol Addington, the chorus introduced several new songs. The male section sang one of them, “We Are the Men;” the female section sang another, “You Don’t Own Me.” The treatment won enthusiastic audience approval.

The book discussion group held its final discussion of the season March 4 at the Beach Retreat when it reviewed and discussed “The Used World,” by Haven Kimmel and selected three books for next season, Kathryn Stockett’s debut novel “The Help,” “Skeletons at the Feast,” by Chris Bohjalian, and “The Reader,” by Bernhard Schlink. Group members elected Dee Trolian to chair the activity next year.

The Euchre Group finished the season on a high note. Men’s first place was Pat Towns 105, second place Lew Haines 87, Woman first place, Mary Anne Grenier 84, second place Jeanette Diggins 83. Of the many privileges and benefits extended to members of the Walton County Snowbirds is a storage facility managed in part by volunteers at Affordable Storage, 114 Sugar Drive, one mile east of 30A on U.S. 98 ... south side). The facility’s open dates are March 17 and 24 from 3 to 4 p.m. All it takes is a Walton County Snowbird membership card and $10 per container or item, $20 for bicycles. By the way, it is also a good place to drop off excess canned food. The storage volunteers headed by Don Gehrke see that it gets to Caring and Sharing.  For more information call 837-9937.

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