Displaying items by tag: wisconsin
(Orange Beach)
The WI Sno-birds met for their last meeting of the season on Wednesday, March 21, with 169 people present at the Orange Beach Community Center. Grant Brown, Gulf Shores Director of Recreation and Cultural Affairs, Tony Kennon, Orange Beach mayor, Ken Grimes, Orange Beach City Manager, stopped by to thank us for spending the winter on the Gulf Coast. They praised our volunteering in many ways as well as organizing fund-raisers for the communities. If anyone has any comments or suggestions about the Restore Act funds, please contact the mayors.
We were then introduced to our Gulf Shores High School scholarship recipient, Travis Gregnard. He thanked us saying that he will attend the University of Virginia to major in Political Science.
Patty Hall, Gulf Coast Zoo Director, was present to receive a check for $866 from our Zoo Fun Day event on March 8. The Club has raised $9450 over the past 10 years for the Zoo. She then showed a video of the new "green from the ground up" zoo. The underground work is done and the vertical work will happen this summer. Follow their progress on Facebook!
Our last guest was Steve Hust, an Orange Beach resident, who received a Commendation of Heroism from the Club for helping a trucker on I-65 whose tractor caught fire.
A busy final meeting and now a reminder to watch you e-mail for news of the monthly summer luncheons in Wisconsin. Travel safely home! But for those staying into April, remember the weekly breakfasts and Easter dinner at the Orange Beach Community Center (OBCC). Call Kenn at (251) 967-2463 OR
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with questions or comments.
March 28 - Breakfast at Kitty's Kafe at 8:30 am
April 4 - Breakfast at Duck's Diner at 8:30 am
April 8 - Easter Dinner at OBCC - visiting at 12:30 pm with ham dinner at 2 pm
bring dish to pass
April 11 - Breakfast at Kitty's Kafe at 8:30 am
April 18 - Breakfast at Sea & Suds at 8:30 am
April 25 - Breakfast at Duck's Diner at 8:30 am
Published in
Local News
(Orange Beach)
The Wisconsin Sno-bird Club met in a NEW location on Wednesday, March 7 - the WHARF Convention Center. 268 people attended this morning - a record # for the First Wednesday in March! Our actual membership is 725 at this time. Safe travels to all who have left the area to travel or actually go home.
Phillip West, Orange Beach, gave a video presentation of the Gulf State Park fire that burned 1,000 acres at the end of June, 2011. He first asked for a show of hands from all who have used the Back Country trails surrounding the Park. It turned out that these trails helped the fire fighters access remote areas to contain the fire. Now the State Park and communities of Orange Beach and Gulf Shores are making plans to have prescribed burns to remove "fuel" from undeveloped areas to protect developed areas and encourage biodiversity. The State Park is now seeing sandhill cranes and peregrine falcons - the first time since the 1980s. He extended THANKS to all who utilize the Park and the trails.
Our last meeting will be at the Orange Beach Community Center (OBCC) on Wednesday, March 21, with coffee and donuts at 8:30 am and the meeting beginning at 9 am. Bring motel-sized toiletries, empty printer cartridges, aluminum can pop-tops, Campbell soup labels and Boxtops for Education. We also have book/magazine/puzzle exchange.
The Low-Country Boil raised $7,500 for the Gulf Coast Zoo and the committee plans to serve 1100 people next year. This year they fed 920 people at the Zoo. The scholarship committee selected a Gulf Shores student to receive a scholarship this year, so more about him next article.
Wednesday, March 14 - 8:30 am breakfast at Tacky Jack's - RSVP
Wednesday, March 21 - 8:30 am - meeting at OBCC
Wednesday, March 28 - 8:30 am breakfast
Wednesday, April 4 - 8:30 am breakfast
Sunday, April 8 - EASTER - OBCC at 12:30 pm, ham dinner at 2 pm, bring a
dish to pass
Wednesday breakfasts will continue in April, so contact Kenn for information at (251) 967-2463 OR
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with your RSVP or questions or comments. Remember to check your e-mail for announcements about monthly luncheons in central WI during the summer.
Published in
Local News
(Gulf Shores/Orange Beach)
The WI Sno-bird Club met on Wednesday, February 1, at the Orange Beach Community club (OBCC) at 8:30 am for donuts and coffee followed by the meeting at 9 am. New members were introduced, announcements made and then a special talk from one of our WW II veterans.
Bob Krause, Waukesha WI, told of his experience visiting Washington DC in April 2011 with one of the Honor Flights. He was accompanied all the way by a "guardian" who paid his own way. Bob only paid for parking his vehicle at the Milwaukee airport. One of his favorite mementos is a blue jacket with the saying, "Every day is a bonus", suggested by a former POW. The 214 veterans on his flight were transported by buses in DC with police escorts, so they didn't have to stop for traffic lights! Back home the veterans were welcomed off their plane by a crowd of thousands, including boy scouts and girl scouts. He said to encourage all WW II veterans to sign up for this trip. "It is an emotional, well-organized, once-in-a-lifetime experience!" Bob helped make the coffee this morning for our meeting and received a standing ovation after his report. Thank you, Bob.
Then "Uncle" Larry Johnson, also of Waukesha WI, talked about the Patriot Guard Riders (PGR). The group was formed in KS to provide a respectful "circle of comfort" around the military families as their loved ones remains are returned home and at their funerals. This respect is in response to a group trying to disrupt funerals for military personnel. He mentioned this definition: "A veteran is someone who writes a blank check to the US government up to and including his life."
Upcoming events:
Saturday, Feb 4 - Brat Fest at GS Adult Activity Center
Wednesday, Feb 8 - Breakfast - RSVP
Saturday, Feb 11 - Pancake Breakfast at GS Erie Meyer Center - 8 am - 11 am
Monday, Tuesday, Feb 13-14 - Golf fun days - RSVP
WEDNESDAY, FEB 22 - Note change - 8:30 am meeting at OBCC
Thursday, Feb 23 - picnic - RSVP
Friday, Feb 24 - Low Country Boil - SOLD OUT
Wednesday, March 7 - CONVENTION CENTER AT THE WHARF - meeting 8:30 am
Thursday, March 8 - Fun Day at the Zoo - RSVP
Wednesday, March 14 - Breakfast - RSVP
Wednesday, March 21 - OBCC - meeting at 8:30 am
Wednesday, March 28 - Breakfast at Kitty's Kafe
Wednesday, April 4 - Breakfast at Duck's Diner
Sunday, April 8 - EASTER dinner at OBCC
Please contact Kenn at (251) 967-2463 OR
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with questions or comments. Join us at the meetings for daytrips, sign up for breakfasts and golf, book/magazine/puzzle exchange and door prizes. We collect motel-size toiletries, Campbell soup labels, boxtops for education and poptops from aluminum cans for various charities.
Published in
Local News
(Gulf shores)
The Wisconsin Snowbirds met at Orange Beach Community Center (OBCC)
on Wednesday, January 18. Gulf Shores Police Chief Edward Delmore welcomed club members to Pleasure Island. After explaining the hiring process for a police officer in Gulf Shores, he introduced Officer Chris Bagby, who received the AL Legislature's Medal of Honor on May 5, 2011. Only one Medal of Honor is awarded in Alabama each year.
Officer Bagby rescued a man from an overturned burning car on Fort Morgan Road in August, 2010, and, in spite of his own burning uniform, tried to remove the trapped passenger. Fellow officers save Bagby just before the gas tank exploded.
Officer Bagby introduced his K9 police dog, Axel, after the meeting. Axel is a 2-year-old Belgian malanoise which greeted club members enthusiastically. His handler, Bagby, is a Marine veteran of the Iraq war. Thank you, Officer Bagby, for your dedicated service to our nation and the City of Gulf Shores.
The next meeting will be Wednesday, February 1, at OBCC. Join us for coffee and donuts at 8:30 am with the meeting following at 9 am. We collect boxtops for education, Campbell soup labels, empty computer printer cartidges and aluminum can pop-tops. There is a book/puzzle/magazine exchange and you will be able to sign up for breakfasts, picnics, golf and day trips. Our schedule:
Jan 30,31 - Golf fun days - RSVP
Feb 1 - 8:30 am meeting at OBCC
4 - Brat Fest at GS Adult Activity Center to benefit Fire Departments
4 - Trivia Night to benefit local libraries
8 - 8:30 am breakfast - RSVP
11 - Pancake Breakfast at GS Erie Meyer Center for Fire Departments
13, 14 - IN, MI, WI, Golf Fun Days - RSVP
22 - NOTE DATE - 8:30 am meeting at OBCC
23 - 11:30 am picnic at OBCC - RSVP
24 - Low Country Boil to benefit Gulf Coast Zoo - RSVP
27 - Christian Services spaghetti dinner fund-raiser -
GS United Methodist Church
Please contact Kenn at 251-967-2463 OR This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it for RSVP or comments or concerns.
Published in
Local News
(Gulf Shores)
The WI SNo-bird Club held our first meeting of 2012 on Wednesday, January 4, at the Orange Beach Community Club (OBCC) in Orange Beach. We had 42 new members attend! We start with donuts and coffee at 8:30 am followed by the meeting at 9 am. The Gulf Coast Jr. ROTC drill team presented the colors this morning in gratitude for our buying their coupon books. These books generate funds for them to participate in and travel to events as far away as Auburn.
We have a book/magazine/puzzle exchange available at every meeting. We also collect motel-size toiletries, boxtops for education, Campbell soup labels and aluminum can pop-tops for different charities. Wolf Bay Lodge at Zeke's Landing will be following the Green Bay Packers through the play-offs and Super Bowl, so any WI fans are invited to join the party there.
At each meeting we pass a basket to collect donations for next Christmas when we give Wal-Mart gift cards to the Baldwin County foster children program. On December 5 we were able to give the program $1350 to make Christmas better for 54 children. Thank you, Wisconsin!
Mark your calendars for these dates:
Jan 18 - 8:30 am meeting at OBCC - Gulf Shores Chief of Police
25 - 11:30 am potluck at OBCC - RSVP
30, 31 - Golf Fun Days - RSVP
Feb 1 - 8:30 am meeting at OBCC
4 - Brat Fest at ADULT ACTIVITY CENTER in Gulf Shores
4 - Trivia Night in Orange Beach
8 - Club breakfast - RSVP
11 - Pancake Breakfast in Gulf Shores
Come to our meetings to meet someone from your area of WI, to volunteer in your winter community and to sign up for breakfasts, golf, day trips or longer excursions. We look forward to meeting you. Questions, comments and RSVPs to Kenn at (251) 967-2463 OR
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.
Published in
Local News
(Gulf Shores)
The WI Sno-bird Club will begin their 2012 meetings on January 4 at the Orange Beach Community Center (OBCC) with coffee and donuts at 8:30 am and meeting following at 9 am. Remember to bring you hotel-sized toiletries, Campbell soup labels, General Mills Education boxtops, aluminum can pop tops and computer printer cartridges.
After the get-reacquainted time, we will hear about upcoming day-trips, longer excursions, RSVP breakfasts or lunches and golf outings. Books and puzzles are available at EVERY meeting for exchange. Join us if you are from Wisconsin!
If you have questions or suggestions, please contact Kenn at (251) 967-2463 OR
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.
Jan 4 (Wed) - OBCC meeting at 8:30 am
11 (Wed) - RSVP Breakfast
18 (Wed) - OBCC meeting at 8:30 am
30-31 - (Mon,Tue) - RSVP -Golf Fun Days
Published in
Local News
(Gulf Shores)
On Monday, December 5, the WI Sno-bird Club gave 54 Wal-Mart gift cards worth $1350 to the Baldwin County Office of Child Welfare for their foster children’s Christmas gifts. The cards were received by Kathryn Watson, Director, and Belinda Harris, Program Manger.
The staff were very appreciative of these gifts since they have 130 children in their Foster Children Program. The WI Sno-birds collected the funds at their January, February and March meetings when Angel Baskets were passed among the members for contributions. THANK YOU Sno-birds for thinking ahead to Christmas 2011!
The FIRST meeting of the WI Sno-birds will be January 4, 2012, at the Orange Beach Community Center at 8:30 am. Everyone from WI is welcome to attend.
Published in
Local News
(Orange Beach)
The WI Sno-bird Club met on Wednesday, March 2, at the Orange Beach Community Center (OBCC). Kelly Reetz, Gulf State Park Naturalist, was our speaker. She brought some "critters" to encourage our questions: red rat snake, alligator, box turtle and screech owl. Thank you, Kelly, for inviting everyone to come to the Gulf State Park to see what lives around us on the Gulf Coast.
Our total membership has reached 743 although many people are beginning the trip home. Drive safely and we'll look for you next winter.
Our last meeting will be on March 16 with donuts and coffee and visiting at 8:30 am followed by the meeting at 9 am. This will be your last chance to bring Campell's soup labels, hotel-sized toiletries and box-tops for education. One more look at the puzzle-book-magazine exchange and door prizes.
Wednesday morning breakfasts will continue until Easter. Contact Kenn for locations: (251) 967-2463 OR
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. On Easter Sunday we will meet for a potluck dinner at OBCC gathering at 12:30 pm to visit and eat at 2 pm.
Remember the monthly luncheons back in WI starting in May. Watch your e-mails for day and location.
Kelly Reetz, Gulf State Park Naturalist and Michael O'Rourke, WI Sno-bird Club
Published in
Local News
(Gulf Shores)
13 TH ANNUAL SNOWBIRD BRAT FEST IS A SUCCESS
The cold and damp weather was no match for the cold, hungry and hardy guest attending the brat fest.
The Gulf Shores, Orange Beach and Fort Morgan Fire and Rescue Departments were each handed checks of $1,500. The total distribution from the 13 brat fests of $79,000 has been used to purchase equipment and provide training for department personnel and the public. The Gulf Shores Department has purchased a miniature red fire truck that is available to local schools and group for fire prevention education and training.
The brat fest sponsored by the 10 snowbird clubs, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, New York, Pennsylvania and Wisconsin, involve about 300 volunteers that start at 6am to perform their assigned task. Each state is responsible for their part of the overall master plan.
The brat fest committee and the 3 fire and rescue departments wish to thank the many people involved in the work, the business sponsors and the people that purchased the brats which made the brat fest a success.
from l to r
Hartley Brokenshaw (G.S. F&R) Cindy Sinn (OH) Gary Mc CLURG (IND) Forney Howard (O.B. F&R)
A.J.Lang (IA) Kenn Krouse (WI) Glen Stevens (F.M.F&R) Paul Brown (WI) Russ Bentley (IA) Doris Hulett (IL) David Mc Nutt (PA) Shirley Rose (MO) Rosemary Mc Nutt (PA)
Published in
Community Cares
(Gulf Shores)
On February 7, golfers from Michigan, Indiana and Wisconsin met at TimberCreek Golf Course in Spanish Fort for a Golf Fun Day. The 141 golfers had a shotgun start on the 18-hole course and spent a great day outside. A highlight of the Fun Day was Rachel Heldt of Mosinee, Wisconsin getting a HOLE IN ONE on the Pines Course at #4!
Lunch was served after golfing was over and 111 prizes were awarded. Closest to the pin prizes went to Rachel Heldt of Wisconsin at Pines Hole #4 (of course!) and Bob Tremmel of Michigan on Dogwood Hole #6. Congratulations golfers!
Published in
Golf
