BIRDS Gulf Coast

A Winter Visitor Publication

Holiday 2016

S N O W B I R D S 11T H A N N I V E R S A R Y Y E A R

Season’s CelebrationsGulf Coast Style

Snowbird Club News Casino Entertainment Farmers Markets pages 10-11 pages 25 page 12

In print and online SnowBirdsGulfCoast.com

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INDEX

Publisher’s Welcome ...................................................................................... 6Cover Story............................................................................................................8Snowbird Clubs ....................................................................................... 10-11 Cruises Return to Mobile ............................................................................. 18Holiday Calendar ..................................................................................... 14-15Beau Rivage Holidays ................................................................................... 16Casino Fun ....................................................................................................25Holiday Lights ............................................................................................... 16Sports Roundup ............................................................................................23Season’s Entertainment ...............................................................................22Thank You Snowbird Advertisers ................................................................ 26

ON THE COVERSue and Jim Williamson were childhood sweethearts - now they are happily married Snowbirds! The Canadian couple tells us why they love Avalon Landing in Santa Rosa County, Florida.

Publisher: Karen Harrell / Publisher@SnowbirdsGulfCoast.com / 850.291.1266Art Director: Jahna Jacobson

Writers and Contributors: Karen Harrell, Louis CooperPhotography: Randy Hamilton/Hamilton Art Agency

Doug Dobos, City of Panama CityThe Village of Baytowne Wharf at Sandestin.

Make us your winter home!Make us your winter home!

On the Gulf of Mexico between Fort Walton Beach and Destin

Group activities and winter guest social calendar

GREAT RATES

1530 Miracle Strip Pkwy, SE, Fort Walton Beach, Fla.

1-800-428-2726 or www.seaspraycondos.com

Convenient to area restaurants

and attractions

HEATED POOLHEATED POOL

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Welcome!Welcome!

Winter tends to land softer here on the coast. We still have opportunities to build a fire in our fireplaces but wear short sleeves during the daytime. For many of you, that’s just perfect! And so it is with us as well.

Our holiday edition always is special because the event calendar is so jam-packed it spills over into many pages in this magazine.

Newcomers often are surprised by the myriad of activities offered during this time of year – so many your biggest dilemna may be which one to choose!

In this edition you will find that boat parades abound and why wouldn’t they?

Brightly lit vessels of all sizes and descriptions with their fun-loving crews cheer for the hundreds of spectators that can be found in just about every community. We recommend you layer your clothing, pack a foldout chair and find a perch right along the route.

Our cover couple this edition hails from Canada and are relatively new at the Snowbird life. Longtime campers and nature lovers, they have found their ideal spot for serenity in a surprising location - a bayou not far off I-10.

Our tradition has been to bring information on the various Snowbird clubs that abound across the coast. Many were founded decades ago while others are less than five years old. All are great places to find friends and things to do.

We had the opportunity to hop aboard the newly-refreshed Carnival Fantasy before it set sail from Mobile, Ala., in early November. Be sure to check out our photos in this edition.

We always welcome you and tell you we are glad you are here. At this time of year I also want to extend peace and happiness. Tis the season. All the Best,Karen Harrell Publisher@snowbirdsgulfcoast.com850-291-1266

Sue and Jim Williamson’s love affair began in the third grade around the age of eight.

But they didn’t start “dating” for four years – until the seventh grade.

“We didn’t actually go anywhere,” Sue said with a chuckle. “Well, Jim’s dad did drive us to the show.”

The couple, both age 62, hail from rural Coldwater, Ontario, where they live on a 29-acre mini-nature preserve. The pair purchased a 26-foot travel trailer and are spending their second winter as Snowbirds in northern Santa Rosa County just off I-10 at the Avalon Landing RV Park. There Jim can pull out his beloved kayak at any time to paddle on the saltwater Indian

Bayou. A sprawling wooden boardwalk gives Sue a chance to get in her daily walks.

The couple arrived in October after spending September preparing for their return home after Christmas.

The past five years have brought health scares for each of them that brought the reality that the time to retire and discover new places is now.

They have enjoyed exploring areas such as the Milton Riverwalk, piers in Navarre and Pensacola Beach, attractions such as the battleship in the Mobile, Ala., and the National Museum of Naval Aviation. Jim also has found a place where he can hunt.

They are planning trips to nearby New Orleans and to southern Florida to visit family.

The couple grew up in Aurora, Ontario, and maintained their youthful relationship until the ninth grade.

They saw each other in social circles but didn’t begin “dating” again until their late 20s.

“All through high school I dated a fellow and he dated the fellow’s sister so we saw each other frequently,” Sue said.

Each went off to college where Sue studied nursing and Jim psychology and English. Sue later married and had three children and when that relationship broke up she gave Jim a call.

Jim had been living as a loner in a cabin deep in the woods that didn’t have running water. Sue won his heart all over again by bringing him French onion soup.

He courted her with rides in the side car of his motorcycle (although she did have to compete for space with his dog who both admitted had seniority.)The couple married and added a fourth child to their blended brood and enjoyed family life amidst nature while pursuing professional careers. She later returned to gain

her R.N. degree and Jim worked as a youth counselor.

The family enjoyed spending time together and traveled as far as Key West, Fla., and also Disney World

and Cape Canaveral for a shuttle launch.The empty nesters are grandparents to 10 children from ages two months to 18. Their own children, including Steven, 40, Joshua, 38, Amanda, 34 and Jake, 27, are all thriving.

Next year they may extend their stay longer. Their Snowbird journey has just begun.

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Down on the Bayou9When the beach is a family tradition...

Myrna and Ken Bertheau of Shell Rock, Iowa were the subject of our March 2016 cover. They were joined last year by their adult daughter, Sarah. Ken’s parents Ed and Jean first introduced the family to Okaloosa Island, Fla., which included sister Annette Tolander to the area in the 1990s. The family has enjoyed carrying on the tradition. We regret leaving out these photos in the March article but wanted to share them with you now.

Canadian couple finds the perfect site in Avalon Landingby Karen Harrell

include entertainment, announcements of Club activities and door prizes. Membership dues to participate in the meetings costs only $3.00 total per person for the entire year. Details: www.michiganclubalabama.com MINNESOTA: The Minnesota Club meets as a group November – March in our “home away from home” state of Alabama. We golf, we volunteer and just plain have fun! Breakfast each Tuesday, Cayman Grill, 26189 Canal Rd, Orange Beach, AL. Doors open at 7:30 a.m., Breakfast at 8:30 a.m. In addition to weekly breakfast, the Minnesota Snowbird Club is very active in the community. Details: www.mnal.org MISSOURI: The Missouri Snowbirds spend January, February and for some lucky folks, March also, in the Orange Beach, Ala., Gulf Shores, Ala., and the Perdido Key, Fla., area where they participate in many activities. The Club will meet for breakfast at 8:30 a.m. on Wednesdays Jan. 11 & 25, Feb. 8 & 22 at Perdido Beach Resort (27200 Perdido Beach Boulevard, Orange Beach). Business meetings held at Phoenix V will alternate with breakfast. Details: www.mosnowbirds.org NEW YORK: New York State Snowbirds are an informal bunch who have been gathering for social times since 2000. The 2017 New York Snowbird Club will meet for lunch on the 2nd

and 4th Thursday at Cayman Grill (26189 Canal Road, Orange Beach). Reservations required. Contact Frank Panczyszyn 251-987-3856 or email nysnowbirds@gmail.com NORTH DAKOTA/SOUTH DAKOTA: The Gulf Shores, Alabama based North and South Dakota Snowbird Club meets every second and fourth Tuesday morning in January and February; and the second Tuesday morning in March. We gather at Hazel’s Restaurant in Orange Beach at 8:30 a.m. for breakfast with a short meeting to follow at 9 a.m. We also hold several other social events throughout the winter season including pot lucks, dinner at local restaurants, etc. While in Gulf Shores we collect food and infant items at our breakfast meetings for the local food pantry and also contribute to the Baldwin County Historical Museum Golf Tournament. Details: Joyce, 605-351-0274 OHIO: Early arriving Ohio snowbirds will meet at Tacky Jack’s in Gulf Shores –Dec. 7 and 21 at 9 a.m. Call Gayle to RSVP 937-621-1700. Dinner @ DeSoto’s on December 29 at 5 p.m. RSVP to Gayle at 937-621-1700. The 2017 Ohio Snowbird Club will meet at the Cayman Grill at 26189 Canal Road, a short distance east of Doc’s. The price remains the same at $10 per person. Doors will open at 8 a.m. and the buffet will be ready by 9:15. Dates of breakfast are:

Wednesday, Jan.4 and Jan 18; Feb.1 and 15; and March 1. Sharon Schock is coordinating breakfast reservations, rsvps required by the Monday prior. This can be done by signing up at the prior breakfast or calling Sharon at 419-769-2199. Details: www.snowbirdsgulfcoast.com/snowbird-clubs/ohio-snowbird-club

PENNSYLVANIA: Pennsylvania Snowbird Club Members stay at the state park, in rented houses and in condos all over south Baldwin County. Breakfast meetings are 8 a.m. Wednesdays at Hazel’s Seafood Restaurant, 25311 Perdido Beach Blvd, Orange Beach, Ala. Upcoming 2017 dates include: Jan. 4, 11 and 18; Feb. 1, 8, 22 and March 1 and 8. Potluck luncheons are noon Feb. 15 at the Orange Beach Presbyterian Church on Canal Road in Orange Beach, Ala. On selected Mondays (dates to be decided) we meet at 5 p.m. at O’Charley’s Restaurant in Foley for “Eat & Talk.” Contact person year round: Rich Smith: 908-420-8806 or bettyrich@rcn.com Details: www.snowbirdsgulfcoast.com/snowbird-clubs/pennsylvania-snowbird-club

ALABAMA WISCONSIN: The Wisconsin Snobird Club boasts a membership of over 700 and activities are open to all winter visitors to the southern Alabama and northern Florida areas. Club meetings are held on the first and third Wednesdays beginning

in January and running through March. One exception is the Feb. 2 meeting will be held on a Thursday. Please make note. The meetings are held at the Orange Beach Event Center, 4671 Wharf Pkwy W, Orange Beach, Ala. There is a coffee and doughnut social hour prior to the meeting. The meeting begins at 9 a.m. with club updates by all committee heads and the president. Various items are raffled off during the meetings as well. The different social committees all have info booths available with info on such things as golf outings, local as well as distant trips, fundraisers, lunches etc. Details: www.sites.google.com/site/wisconsinsnowbirdclub/company-calendar CLUB FUNDRAISERS: Key dates for major Snowbird fundraisers this year include: Jan. 28 - Fireman’s Pancake Breakfast; Feb. 4 - Bratfest and Trivia Night; Feb. 14- Pin Tap Bowling Tournament; Feb. 16 - Baldwin Heritage Museum Golf Tournament; Feb. 17 - Low Country Boil. More details will be available in our January edition.

Snowbird Clubs Send your club news to Publisher@SnowbirdsGulfCoast.com Join the Club !

FLORIDADESTIN: The “Roost” officially kicked off the 2017 Winter Season on Nov. 15, at the Destin Community Center, 101 Stahlman Ave, Destin, Fla. The Destin Snowbird Club Meetings are held each Tuesday and feature live entertainment. Meeting times are 8:30 and 11:30 a.m. The club sponsors many activities including mixers, golf, fashion show, craft show, bowling, casino trips, chorale and a Christmas party. Details: www.destinsnowbirds.org

FORT WALTON BEACH: With over 700 members, the Club offers many activities and events to its members along with the camaraderie and fellowship of others. Initial 2017 Registration – Jan. 6 and 9 from 9 a.m. till noon. After that Tuesday meetings, only in January, February and March 1 -10 a.m. to noon.General Meetings – 10 a.m., Tuesday, Jan. 10, Tuesday, Feb. 7, and Wednesday March 1. Registration on meeting days will be 9 a.m. – noon. Registration and meetings are at the NEW LOCATION, Fort Walton Beach Recreation Center (132 Jet Dr. NW). The club sponsors craft, cards, games, golf outings and social events. Details: information@FWBSBC.com or www.fwbsbc.com/.

NAVARRE: The Navarre Beach Snowbird Club continues to grow and the 2016-17 season is going to be better than ever! The kickoff event of our season will be our annual Snowbird Social

& Business Expo. Last year we had over 425 Snowbirds attend this event and this year we expect even more as we have moved to the Navarre Conference Center. Join us on Tuesday, Jan. 17, from 2 – 4 p.m. at the Navarre Conference Center at 8700 Navarre Parkway, Navarre, Fla. Details: www.navarrebeachsnowbirdsclub.com

PANAMA CITY: The Ark, 12908 Hibiscus Street, Panama City Beach. Monday – Friday 10 a .m. – 2 p.m. for activities December 1 through the end of February of 2017. Snowbirds and Locals Winter Craft Program of The Ark. Saturday, Dec. 10, Craft Show and Open House, 9 a.m. – 2 p.m. Details: http://www.thearkpcb.org/ Panama City Beach Senior Center, 423 Lyndell Lane, Panama City Beach. State of the art facility for seniors who are 50 years of age and older. Activities, social events and volunteer opportunities for seniors and led by seniors! Stop by and take a tour Monday – Friday 9 a.m.- 3 p.m. Membership is an annual minimal fee. 850-233-5065 or www.pcbsc.com/

PENSACOLA BEACH: The Pensacola Beach Community Church welcomes Snowbirds to its monthly potlucks always held on the last Sunday of the month plus other church activities to include a winter Trivia night and other social events. Details: 850-932-6628 or www.thebeachchurch.com/church-events.html

St. Ann Catholic Church in Gulf Breeze also hosts the “Fun Bunch” senior group meeting at 11:30 a.m. every third Tuesday. Lunch and Bingo, all are welcome! Details: Darlene Goderski 850-677-8321 or online at www.stanngulfbreeze.org/seniors

PERDIDO KEY: Each year the Perdido Key Chamber of Commerce hosts a monthly Snowbird Roost for the winter visitors. Vendors participate by handing out local information, brochures, goodie bags, as well as door prize giveaways throughout the luncheon. For details as well as a reservation, please call 850.492.4660 or visit the Welcome Center at 15500 Perdido Key Drive, Pensacola, FL 32507.

WALTON COUNTY: Walton County Snowbird Club boasts a membership of over 2,000 with activities open to winter visitors. Season dues are $10. Snowbird activities include golf, recreation and fitness to a singles group, arts, crafts, computer club, day trips and more. Registration: 8:30 – 10:30 a.m. Dec. 5, Jan. 2, 4, 9, 16, 23; Feb. 2, 6 at Faith Assembly Church Hall, 306 South Geronimo St, Miramar Beach, Fla. Meeting: Dec 7 – JB Dyess, Entertainment. Destin United Methodist Church 10:00 a.m., 200 Beach Drive, Destin. Details: www.waltoncountysnowbirds.com Volunteers are needed in various areas! Great way to meet people. Ask any club officer.

ALABAMA ILLINOIS: The 2017 Illinois Club “Welcome Back” coffee is Jan. 6 at 10 a.m. at Orange Beach Adult Center on Canal Road next to Library. Breakfast Meetings are scheduled at 8 a.m. on Jan. 13 & 27, Feb. 10 & 24, and March 10 at Cayman Grill (26189 Canal Rd, Orange Beach). INDIANA: Indiana Club meets for breakfast at 8 a.m. on the second and fourth Thursday January-March. Doors open at 7:30. Cayman Grill, 26189 Canal Rd, Orange Beach, Ala. Contact Bev Walker at 812-981-0752 for reservations. IOWA: The Iowa-Alabama Snowbird Club Co-Presidents, Steve and Chris Hedlund, have announced the 2017 Iowa Snowbirds event schedule. Breakfasts, $10 per person, will be held at 8:30 a.m. on Wednesdays, Jan. 11 and 25 and Feb. 8 and 22 at Perdido Beach Resort at 27200 East Beach Blvd., Orange Beach. Reservations need to be made on the website, Iowa-Alabamagulfcoastsnowbirds.org (preferred), or by calling Shari DeCook, 641-521-0929 or Sharon Hesselmann, 563-357-2721.

MICHIGAN: The Michigan Club will hold five meetings in 2017. The dates are: Jan. 5 & 19; Feb. 2 & 16, and March 2. Meetings are held at the Erie Meyer Center in Gulf Shores starting at 10 a.m. The doors open at 8:30 a.m and coffee and donuts are available at 9 a.m. Meetings

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Start every day with our complimentary hot breakfast buffet. Then unwind at our complimentary Social Reception every Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday evening where we serve light dinner, beer, wine, and sodas. You can always stop by our onsite convenience store for an easy-to-prepare meal, work out in our fitness center or use our complimentary laundry facility. Enjoy an evening outside in our outdoor living area while keeping warm next to the fireplace. Catch up with friends in the library or enjoy activities provided by the hotel. Best of all while you are out enjoying your day let us tidy up the place with our complimentary housekeeping services. We’re conveniently located near hospitals and medical facilities, so you’re always right where you need to be. Plus, enjoy the company of your pet just like at home, with our pet-friendly accommodations. That makes an extended stay an extended pleasure.

staygulfshoresal.com 251.975.1030 3947 Gulf Shores Parkway, Gulf Shores, AL 36542

From spacious suites with full kitchens to the rich, warm décor, Staybridge Suites® hotels offer all the comforts you need.

Where Snowbirds go to Get Comfortable Studio, One-Bedroom and Two-Bedroom Suites Available*n Fully equipped kitchens

with refrigerator, microwave, stovetop and dishwasher

n Separate spacious living and work areas

n Expanded cable TV and more movie entertainment options

n Free wireless Internetn Speaker phones n Free local callsn Pet-friendly

accommodations**

* Suite types vary by hotel** Contact hotels for pet deposit and fee information

Email to: publisher@snowbirdsgulfcoast.com

Send us your club information!

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Looking for fresh food grown locally and original arts, crafts and homemade food? A growing number of local Farmer Markets have sprouted in the past few years. Each has its own unique flavor and there is a market within an easy drive of most areas.Below is a partial list.

2nd & 4th SaturdaysApalachicola Farmers Market, Mill Pond Pavilion, 479 Market St., Apalachicola, Fla. Local seafood, produce, herbs, and honey, homemade breads and pies. Relax under the live oaks that grace the Farmers Market on the Mill Pond off Scipio Creek. Details: 860-918-3594S

SATURDAYS AND SUNDAYSGrand Lagoon Waterfront Market, Capt. Anderson’s Marina, 5550 North Lagoon Drive, Panama City Beach, Fla. A hub for Panama City Beach’s fresh food. Find the freshest seafood, specialty foods like cheeses and pastries, and an array of hard-to-find spices. Details: http://www.captanderson.com/market/

SATURDAYSSeaside Farmers Market, 25 Central Square, Santa Rosa Beach, Fla. Seaside Farmers Market takes place in the Seaside Amphitheater every Saturday rain or shine! 8 a.m. Details: https://www.facebook.com/seasidefarmersmarket

Grand Boulevard Farmers Market at Sandestin, 600 Grand Boulevard, Miramar Beach, Fla. The outdoor market will feature dozens of unique vendors offering locally sourced food items. On the artisanal and green side, the Market will offer flowers, herbs, soaps and lotions. 9 a.m. Details: 850-499-4697

Palafox Market, Downtown Pensacola, Fla. This market stretches more than two blocks and is open year-round. Locally grown vegetables, home-baked goods, arts and crafts. Details: www.downtownpensacola.com

Ocean Springs Fresh Market, 1000 Washington Ave., Ocean Springs, Miss. At the L&N Depot. Details: www.oceanspringfreshmarket.com.

Real Market Downtown Gulfport, Miss. Located on 27th Ave., between 13th and 14th Streets. Details: www.realfoodgulfcoast.org.

SUNDAYSWaterColor Coastal Farmers Market, Cerulean Park-WaterColor, WaterColor, Fla. Fresh from the farm produce, milk, cream, butter, ice cream, eggs, grass-fed beef, beef jerky, all natural-free range chicken, pork products and sausages. Fresh local seafood, crabcakes, tuna and shrimp dips. 9 a.m. Details: 850-499-4697

30A Farmers Market in The Rosemary Beach Community, 28 South Barrett Square, Rosemary Beach, Fla. The 30A Farmers Market is an International Farmers Market Event, featuring locally grown farm fresh fruits and veggies, foods from around the world, as well as delicious food from the South. 9 a.m. Details: 850-499-4697

TUESDAYS AND SATURDAYSCoastal Alabama Farmers Market, County Road 20 & Hwy. 59. Foley, Ala. Details: Heather, 251-597-5557.

Eat Gulf Coast local year roundFarmers markets are the shorcut from farm to table

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Museum and Civil War Exhibit building will be decorated for an old-fashioned celebration. Noon-4 p.m. Details: http://fwb.org/museums or 850-833-9595

5th Annual NWF Car Show, 200 E Gregory St., Pensacola, FL. 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. All proceeds benefit the American Diabetes Association. Details: 850-477-9015 or www.dapodiatrycarshow.com

12/4Surfing Santa Beach Parade, Via DeLuna to Casino Beach, Pensacola Beach, FL, 2 p.m. Holiday floats wind their way down Santa Rosa Island’s main street. Santa rides atop his red fire engine Details: 850-932-1500 or www.pensacolabeachchamber.com

12/5-6,1320 Years of Baldwin Pops Christmas, Gulf Shores Civic Center, 7-8:30 p.m., The Baldwin Pops Band, conducted by Dr. Roger Jones, will present a holiday concert at Gulf Shores Civic Center. Details: 251-987-5757 or www.baldwinpopsband.com

12/89th Annual Chocolate Affair, Foley Civic Center, 407 E. Laurel Avenue Foley, Alabama, 6 p.m.- 9 p.m. Family Promise of Baldwin County, Inc. will be hosting our 8th Annual Chocolate Affair, a gala event to benefit homeless families with children in our program. Chocolate Affair will have silent and live auction items, desserts and heavy hors d’oeuvres, and live music by local musician, Mel Knapp. Details: 251-947-7035 or www.familypromisebc.org

12/9-11, 16-18, 23 and 24“A Dickens Christmas” by Emerald Coast Theatre Company. Harborwalk Village Veranda Room, 10 Harbor Blvd. Destin, FL Experience a unique adaption of Charles Dickens’ famous story. Details: www.emeraldcoasttheatre.com, call 850-687-1637 or www.emeraldgrande.com12/9-105th Annual Merry Market, Orange Beach Event Center, 9 a.m. - 6 p.m. www.alabamacoastalchristmas.com

12/1033nd Annual “Christmas through the Ages,” Fort Gaines Historic Site, 51 Bienville Blvd., Dauphin Island, AL. 9 a.m. - 5 p.m. Come and experience a Christmas

of Day’s gone by at Fort Gaines Historic Site. Join the Soldiers from the past and their families as they celebrate Christmas. Details: 251-861-6992 or www.dauphinisland.org

Santa Drop –1740 Perdido Key Drive, Pensacola, FL Take five, reindeer! Santa is arriving on the beach by parachute! The perfect kickoff for the beach’s holiday season! Details: 850-492-0611

Tuba Christmas & Holiday Lantern Parade, 9100 Baytowne Blvd. #120, Miramar Beach, FL. Over 30 brass instruments play all the holiday classics from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Details: www.baytownewharf.com

31st Annual Christmas Lighted Boat Parade, Intracoastal Waterway Canal, 5-8 p.m. This Lighted Boat Parade begins at LuLu’s at Homeport Marina and travels the intracoastal waterway. Details: 251-981-2300 or www.alabamacoastalchristmas.com

Carrabelle Holiday on the Harbor, Carrabelle Riverfront, Carrabelle, FL., 6:15 p.m. Find your favorite viewing spot for the Boat Parade along 2 miles of the Carrabelle River 6:15 pm and join in the fun with your family and friends. Fireworks finale. Details: 850-697-2585 or www.carrabelle.org

Compassionate Friends, non-denominational celebration of lives of children passed away. Worldwide candlelighting service, 6:30 p.m. Grace Lutheran Church, 491 West 23rd Ave, Gulf Shores. Details: 251-583-0216. 251-968-5991.

12/14-17Bethlehem Christmas Village, Capt. Anderson’s Marina, 5550 North Lagoon Drive, Panama City Beach, FL. Stroll the streets of Bethlehem, pet the animals, and experience the music of Christmas. Register for the Census, hear the tales of

Obadiah and learn the Candy Cane Story. Bring an unwrapped toy or canned good to donate to a different charity each night. Admission is free! Details: 850-234-3435

12/16-18The Nutcracker, Saenger Theatre, 118 S. Palafox Place, Pensacola, FL Friday & Saturday, 7 p.m. | Sunday, 1:30 p.m. Experience the magic of this beloved holiday classic with your family as you journey through a glistening winter wonderland. Details: 850-595-3880 or www.pensacolasaenger.com

12/17“Make It To The Line” 4-Mile Run/Walk & 1-Mile Fun Run, Flora-Bama, 14701 Perdido Key Dr. Perdido Key, FL. Individuals and families up to three members can compete. Details: 850-492-0611 or www.florabama.com

12/21Holiday Pops Concert, Seaside Amphitheater, Seaside, FL. Don’t miss this special holiday performance from Pensacola’s Symphony Orchestra guaranteed to get everyone into the holiday spirit! Concert begins at 5:30 p.m. Details: www.seasidefl.com

12/31Pensacola Symphony “Celebrate the New Year,” Saenger Theatre, 118 S Palafox Place, Pensacola, FL 7 p.m. A Night of Bourbon Street, New Orleans-style jazz with trombonist Wycliffe Gordon. Details: 850-595-3880 or www.pensacolasymphony.com

Pensacola Pelican Drop, Downtown Pensacola. A shining, lighted pelican with a 20-foot wingspan drops over Pensacola to welcome the new year. Festivities start in the early evening and end well after midnight.

Moon Pie Drop, Downtown Mobile, Ala. Moon Pies rain down every year during Mardi Gras parades, so Mobile kicks off the New Year with a giant, lighted Moon Pie. Details: www.mobilenewyear.com.

ALL SEASONHoliday Ice Skating, 201 E. Gregory Street, Pensacola, FL, Pensacola Bay Center. Skate sessions are available throughout the season. Details: 850-432-0800 ext. 252 or www.pensacolabaycenter.com

WEDNESDAYSBoardwalk Talks, Dauphin Island Sea Lab Estuarium, 101 Bienville Blvd, Dauphin Island, AL. First and third Wednesdays, 11:15 a.m. The Northern Gulf Institute presents informal talks about all things scientific in the Gulf of Mexico region. FREE. Details: www.disl.org/estuarium or 251-861-2141

SUNDAYSAmericana Cafe Sundays, Roberts Hall, 831 Florida Avenue, Lynn Haven, FL. Live music weekly at the Legendary Roberts Hall. Concerts start at 4 p.m. Open mic at 3 p.m. Details: 850-722-4915, 850-774-3561 or Luckymudmusic.com

thru 1/1Guitars: The Instrument that Rocked the World, Encounter the history of the world’s popular musical instrument. Examine more than 100 historical artifacts, including nearly 60 guitars. Even play a Guinness Record-breaking 44 foot-long guitar! Gulf Coast Exploireum Science Center, 65 Government St, Mobile, AL 36604 Details: 251-208-6893 or www.exploreum.com

thru 1/31/17Baytowne On Ice, Apex Skating Pavillion, 9300 Emerald Coast Parkway, West Miramar Beach, FL. The ice skating rink at The Village of Baytowne Wharf is the perfect place to find the winter spirit. Details: 850-714-7614 or www.baytownewharf.com

11/18 and 12/16Gallery Night, Downtown Pensacola, FL, 5 - 9 p.m. Stroll through Downtown Pensacola and experience an eclectic array of music, art

and cuisine. Details: 850-417-7321 or www.downtownpensacola.com

11/19-20Creek Indian Celebration Days, Florida Town Park, 3900 Florida Town Rd, Pace, FL. Saturday 9 a.m. - 5 p.m., Sunday Noon - 5 p.m. 25th annual two-day event of intertribal dancing, displays and teaching of heritage and customs, great foods and large groups of Native American vendors with authentic crafts. Details: 850-516-6960

Pensacola Model Train Show, Hadji Shrine, 800 West Nine Mile Rd, Pensacola, FL, Sat.: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., Sun.: 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Showcasing layouts and displays featuring all popular modeling scales. Members of PMRC will offer clinics covering popular model railroading topics and techniques. Door prizes throughout the day. Details: 850-758-5902 or www.pmrc.us

11/21-26Festival of Trees Exhibition and Silent Auction at the Raney House, 128 Market Street, Apalachicola, FL, 7 to 9 p.m. Event kicks off with a champagne and dessert cocktail party with artist decorated trees on display and available for bid. Holiday open house on 11/25,

1 to 8 p.m. Proceeds go to the historic Raney House. Details: www.aahs.wildapricot.org

11/22Cirque Dreams – Holidaze National Tour, Mattie Kelly Arts Center, 100 College Boulevard East, Niceville, FL A new Cirque show, Broadway Musical and holiday event all in one. More than 300 costumes, 20 acts and 30 cirque artists from around the world. Showtime is 7:30 p.m. Details: 850-729-6000 or www.MattieKellyArtsCenter.com

11/25Apalachicola Annual Christmas Celebration, Downtown Apalachicola, FL. This celebration lights up the lovely historic town of Apalachicola from 3 to 8 p.m. Santa will arrive on a shrimp boat at 4 p.m. at the City Dock on Water Street to a chorus of carolers.

11/ 25-27 and 12/2-4, 9-24, and 27Zoo Lights 2016, Gulf Breeze Zoo, 5701 Gulf Breeze Parkway, Gulf Breeze, FL. Take a nighttime tour of the Gulf Breeze Zoo with thousands of holiday lights. Details: 850-932-2229 or www.gbzoo.com

11/25 – 12/23Fish River Christmas Tree Farm,13982 Woodhaven Dairy Road, Summerdale, AL Cut your own tree or pick one off the lot! Enjoy a manger scene with live animals, free tours on the tree train and more holiday fun. Details: 251-988-8144 or www.fishrivertrees.com

11/25-27, 12/2, 3, 9, 16, 18Winterfest Performance Tour, Downtown Pensacola, FL. See 16 holiday performances featuring new holiday characters and old favorites as you take a 60 minute trolley tour through Pensacola. Details: 850-583-1365 or www.pensacolawinterfest.org

11/26Coastal Half Marathon and 5K Run by Kaiser Realty by Wyndham Vacation Rentals, Orange Beach Sportsplex, 4389 William Silvers Pkwy, Orange Beach, AL. Details: 615-460-9927 or http: www.team-magic.com

11/29Orange Beach Tree Lighting, Marlin Circle, The Wharf, 5:30 to 7 p.m. Enjoy an evening of caroling, Christmas medleys from Gulf Shores Chorale and Brass Bands, the annual reading of the Christmas story and lighting of the tree. Details: www.alwharf.com

12/1-4Best Christmas Pageant Ever, Panhandle Community Theater, Imogene Theatre, 6866 Caroline St., Milton. Details: www.panhandlecommunitytheatre.com

Festival of Trees 2015: “Christmas by the Bay”, Marina Civic Center, 8 Harrison Ave, Panama City, FL. Kick off the holidays with a week full of special events and the Marina Civic Center filled with decorated items for auction. Details: pcrmission.org or 850-769-0783

12/2First Friday ArtWalk in Seaside, Ruskin Place & Central Square, Seaside, Santa Rosa Beach, FL. Enjoy live music and view beautiful woks of art and artist demos at the galleries and shops. Details: sowal.com/event/first-friday-artwalk-at-seaside

Christmas on the River, Milton, FL. See the lights at Milton’s lighted Christmas Boat Parade on the Blackwater River and waterfront Festival of Lights. One of the largest lighted boat parades in Northwest Florida. 8 p.m. Details: 850-529-3565

12/2-3Holiday Faire, First Presbyterian Church, 5203 Elmira St, Historic Downtown Milton, FL. Crafts, food, door prizes and raffle! Treat yourself to a little fun while getting that holiday shopping done! Noon-8 p.m. Fri. and 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Sat. Details: 850-623-2510 or www.fpcmilton.org

12/2-4 & 9-11Elf: The Musical Jr., 2022 West 2nd St., Gulf Shores, AL. Buddy the Elf embarks on a journey to New York City to find his birth father and discover his true identity. Buddy is determined to win over his new family and help New York remember the true meaning of Christmas. Details: 251-968-6721 or www.sbct.biz

12/3Holiday Fresh Market, in front of the Dixie Theatre Avenue E and Market St., Downtown Apalachicola, FL. Shop in a relaxed, hassle free environment. Buy handcrafted Apalachicola specialties such as baked goods, artwork, woodcarving, pottery, hand knitted goods. Details: 850-653-9419

Gulf Breeze Holiday Parade, Downtown Gulf Breeze, FL Join the “Merry Masquerade” as they parade through Gulf Breeze. Parade begins at 10 a.m. Details: 850-932-7888 or www.cityofgulfbreeze.com

Milton Christmas Parade, Milton Community Center on Byrom St., North to James St., East on James Street to Stewart Street, South on Stewart Street to Elva St. 6 p.m. Details: 850-623-2339

Candlelight Christmas at the Bragg-Mitchell Mansion, 1906 Springhill Avenue, Mobile, AL. Enjoy a beautiful candlelight Christmas tour of this historic site from 4:30 to 7 p.m. See the Mansion in all of its traditional holiday splendor. The house is decorated and open to the public through Dec. 23. Details: http://www.braggmitchellmansion.co

Panama City Christmas Parade, Welcome Santa to the Gulf Coast! Parade begins at 7 p.m. and follows Harrison Avenue through Downtown Panama City, FL. Details: 850-763-8282

Christmas in the Park, Navarre, FL. Event includes Navarre Community Christmas parade – Santa and the Mrs. arrive by firetruck! Grab a treat at Mrs. Claus’s Bakery, enjoy entertainment, shop the marketplace and more. Details: www.navarrechamber.com

Christmas Parade, Town of Dauphin Island, AL. 11 a.m. Details: www.townofdauphinisland.org

Christmas Open House at the Camp Walton Schoolhouse, Heritage Park and Cultural Center, 139 Miracle Strip Pkwy SE, Fort Walton Beach, FL. The beautifully decorated Camp Walton Schoolhouse Museum. The Garnier Post Office

12/11 Destin Harbor Boat Parade: The 30th annual Destin Holiday on the Harbor Boat Parade will feature a festive atmosphere and boats of all sizes and description from private boats to commercial fishing and excursion vessels. Post event there will be a fireworks display sponsored by nearby Harborwalk Village. Boats start lining up at 5 p.m.

14

Baytowne On Ice, Apex Skating Pavillion

Christmas in Downtown PensacolaDowntown Holiday Lighting Ceremony, Nov. 25, at 5:15 p.m. at Artel Gallery, County Courthouse, Corner of Palafox and Government.Historic Pensacola Victorian Holiday Traditions Tour — Nov. 15-Dec. 23 in Historic PensacolaChoral Society of Pensacola Live — Dec. 1 at Artel GalleryDeck the Halls: The Pensacola Opera Carolers at Jackson’s on Dec. 3Handel’s Messiah, Choral Society of Pensacola at the Saenger Theatre, Dec. 3White Christmas Concert — Dec. 4 at First United Methodist Church“A Charlie Brown Christmas” — Dec. 9-18 at Pensacola Little Theatre34th Annual Pensacola Christmas Parade, Downtown Spring & Garden Streets, Pensacola, FL, 5:15 p.m.. Details: www.coxpensacolachristmasparade.orgImmanuel Lutheran Carolers — Dec. 15 at Artel Gallery“Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer” — Dec. 19 at Saenger TheatreFor more holiday events and information, visit www.downtownpensacola.com and www.pensacolawinterfest.org.

Winterfest in Downtown Pensacola

Calendar of events

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Victorian figures are placed around the two historic buildings on the property, all lit with white spotlights. The Nativity is all in white and surrounded by all white lights. Other scenes in the display include Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs, a military tribute and others.

“The familiar, beloved and the new all blend together to make your visit a memorable one,” Mora said.Work begins setting up Christmas Reflections every year in September.

Yule of Yesteryear – Valparaiso, Fla.The small Okaloosa County town of Valparaiso is taking visitors back in time to see what Christmas was like during the Civil War.

Yule of Yesteryear is set for 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturday, Dec. 10, at the Heritage Museum of Northwest Florida. The museum is located at 115 Westview Ave., Valparaiso, Fla.

Yule of Yesteryear features the Walton Guard Civil War re-enactors who present a living history in Perrine Park across the street from the museum showcasing life as it was during the Civil War Christmas of 1861.

The festival will also include musical performances from local choirs, musicians, dancers and historic theatrical performances as well as historic demonstrations of arts like blacksmithing and loom weaving.

“Snowbirds will most enjoy the spirit and charm of the event as well as the many historic exhibits, craft vendors, entertainment and bake sale,” Marini said. “The place where the Heritage Museum of Northwest Florida exists in old downtown Valparaiso is delightful, charming and quaint.”

The museum will also host a Holiday Victorian Tea at 2 p.m. on Saturday, Dec. 17, as part of its Christmas celebrations. The price for the tea is $16 per person for nom-museum members and $13 per person for members.

The tea will include a history program about Victorian tea etiquette, costumes and holiday traditions along with a variety of teas and light refreshments. Reservations are required for the tea.

12 Nights of Lights – Miramar Beach, Fla.Visitors to the shops and restaurants of the Village of Baytowne Wharf in Sandestin will be greeted by a dazzling display of holiday lights and music.“12 Nights of Lights is a festive light show that is set in our events plaza,” said Julie Stuckey, events manager at the Village of Baytowne Wharf.“The lights that decorate the trees dance to choregraphed music for a true holiday delight. The shows are around six to eight minutes long, and are fun to watch before you stroll around our shops and restaurants.”

The Village of Baytowne Wharf features an array of boutiques, eateries, galleries and nightlife – as well as a packed schedule of outdoor festivals and special events.

Lights & Boat Parade – Panama City, Fla. Panama City will welcome the holidays with lights displays on land and sea.

A Christmas tree lighting is set for 6 p.m. on Dec. 6 for the Christmas lights in Oaks by the Bay Park in the Historic St. Andrews section of Panama City. A larger display of historic holiday lights will be illuminated in the park from Nov. 19 – Jan. 2.

“The lights display tells the story of Historic St. Andrews. It starts with Native American history,” said Ryan Ledford, market manager for Historic St. Andrews. “It has all of the famous restaurants and businesses.”

This year marks the 30th annual Boat Parade of Lights in St. Andrews Bay set for 6 p.m. on Dec. 10.

“Last year, we had a record attendance on land and water. We had 58 boats and thousands of people on land. The parade of boats stretched almost 3 miles,” said Stan Jones, Panama City’s marina director. “We are expecting at least 75 boats in the parade this year.”

The lighted boat parade starts off the Panama City Marina in St Andrews Bay, passes by the St. Andrews Bay Yacht Club, then passes about 50 ffeet off of the Panama City Marina seawall – which is 1,200 feet long and ideal for viewing the parade. Both marinas will have a “Stuff a Boat” to collect gifts for Toys for Tots.

Light displays, parades, shopping and more dazzle for the holidaysBy Louis Cooper

With moderate temperatures and RARELY A CHANCE of the white stuff, visitors to the Gulf Coast could be forgiven if they don’t instinctively “feel” the holidays coming on.But local communities are working hard to summon the spirit of Christmas with dazzling light displays, seasonal shopping, historic depictions, parades and visits from the jolly old elf himself.Here are some highlights of the holiday sights and sounds along the Gulf Coast this year.

Local artisans work year-round on Bellingrath’s holiday displayGlowing poinsettias. Hovering butterflies. A sea of electric blue “waves.”

These are just a few of the illuminated scenes that will greet thousands of visitors as they walk through the 21st annual Bellingrath Home and Garden’s Magic Christmas in Lights, which opens on Friday, Nov. 25, and continues from 5 to 9 p.m. nightly through Dec. 31.

Bellingrath Home and Gardens is located at 12401 Bellingrath Gardens Road,Theodore, Ala.All the scenes are painstakingly handcrafted and maintained by a team of four full-time Bellingrath employees.

“It’s a lot of fun knowing we play a huge part in bringing holiday cheer to people of all ages. This is definitely the most fun job on earth,” said Melissa Wells, the Magic Christmas in Lights coordinator.

“Every bulb on every display must be replaced yearly, so on some days we find ourselves sitting under a pavilion listening to music as we change bulbs or completely retie entire metal frames.”

Work on setting up the holiday event begins while the Alabama sun is still hot in the sky.

“The day after Labor Day, we find ourselves stringing millions of lights on bushes and trees throughout Bellingrath Gardens,” Wells said. “It takes many trips to the warehouse to carry out the colorful displays as we place them strategically throughout the gardens.”

There are a total of 15 scenes in the Magic Christmas in Lights display. That includes more than 1,100 pieces of scenery and 3 million individual lights.

The scenes include Butterflies in Flight, in which a rose garden is filled with large, elaborate lighted butterflies hovering above the blooms; the whimsical underwater Garden, where visitors walk under soft blue LED “waves” and the Flower Walk filled with glowing poinsettias, daffodils, tulips and more.

All the set pieces are made of metal, welded in Bellingrath’s shop. “Magic Christmas in Lights has really been improved and enhanced to offer a full-fledged, family-friendly holiday experience. We offer evening meals in the Magnolia Café, nightly entertainment with choral groups on the South Terrace at the Bellingrath Home, and Santa Claus on site every night through Dec. 23 for professional and informal

photos.”While Magic Christmas in Lights is intended as a walking tour, pathways are completely accessible for motorized wheelchairs. Bellingrath also has manual wheelchairs available for a $5 rental fee. In addition to the light displays, tours of the Bellingrath home will be available.

“The entire home is decorated as if family is about to arrive,” said Tom McGehee, director of the Bellingrath museum. “The dining room table is set with fine china, which reflects the red color scheme of this immense space as well as the holiday at hand. All of the china, crystal, ruby glass and fine silver is original and was once used and enjoyed by the Bellingraths, their extended family and many friends.”

Snowflakes in the Bay – Bay St. Louis, Miss.Snowflakes in the Bay – a month-long collection of holiday events in Coastal Mississippi – is the product of a community’s rebirth.

“Snowflakes in the Bay was begun in 2007 to decorate for Christmas after Hurricane Katrina and hopefully raise the spirit of the community,” said Myrna Green, manager of the Hancock County Tourism Bureau.Hancock County includes the communities of Bay St. Louis, Waveland, Diamondhead and Kiln, among others. Much of that area was devastated by Hurricane Katrina in 2005.

“Three-foot snowflakes are placed in many of the large live oaks and it brings the whole area to light and life. It was so popular that others began to be a part of decorating.”From there, the community revived its Christmas parade. Then, locals added the Snowflake and Sugarplum Festival, an event aimed at children.

Snowflakes in the Bay encompasses about 25 different events, including Christmas parades, a Christmas tree lighting, shopping opportunities, musical performances, a live Nativity and more.

The lit snowflakes are on display from Thanksgiving through New Year’s Day. The events run from Nov. 18 to Dec. 22.

Parades & more – Pensacola BeachThe sugar white sands of Pensacola Beach could be mistaken for the cottony-white snows of a winter wonderland with all the holiday events planned there this year.

Events include the Lighted Boat Parade on Dec. 3, the Surfing Santa Street Parade on Dec. 4 and the Polar Bear Plunge on Jan. 1.“We strive to remind our locals and visitors during December just how beautiful Pensacola Beach is during this time of year,” said Nicole Stacey, president/chief executive officer of the Pensacola Beach Chamber of Commerce. “These events are family friendly and fun for everyone.”

“The lighted boat parade is usually only done in small beach communities, so for the visitor who is not from a coastal area, it’s something new and exciting,” she said. “The street parade is a chance to get a feel for Pensacola Beach’s floats and community. This parade brings people from all over.”

Snowbirds may also interested in the Polar Bear Plunge.“The Polar Bear Plunge is different than a traditional plunge because, yes, our water is a bit warmer,” she said. “With that said, it’s still pretty chilly and a lot of fun for anyone who participates.”

Events are sponsored by the Pensacola Beach Chamber of Commerce and the Santa Rosa Island Authority. Christmas Reflections – DeFuniak Springs, Fla. The sparkling waters of Lake DeFuniak serve as the canvas for a glimmering holiday display called Christmas Reflections.

“The displays are all located in the lake yard, with cutouts, action figures and millions of lights on trees surrounding the circular lake in the center of town,” said Carolyn Mora, chairwoman of the Christmas Reflections board.

“A new addition presented last year will once again be here, the beautiful tree floating in the center of the lake to enhance the reflection of our millions of lights,” she said.

Carriage rides will be available from an additional fee from High Horse Farm. Contact the farm at (850) 978-2999 or vischofi@gmail.com.

The base of trees and shrubs around the lake are covered with colored lights while the tree canopies are in white. Various sections of the display are in solid and mixed color patterns.

Holiday festivities on the Gulf Coast

Lighted holiday trees at Bellingrath Gardens and Home.

Magic Christmas in LightsWhen: 5-9 p.m., Nov. 25 – Dec. 31.Cost: $15 for adults, $7.50 for children ages 5 to 12. Tickets for the light show and a tour of the Bellingrath Home are $24 for adults, $13 for children ages 5 to 12. Children 4 and younger are admitted free.Where: Bellingrath Gardens and Home, 12401 Bellingrath Gardens Road, Theodore, Ala. (Mobile County)Details: www.bellingrath.org or call (251) 973-.2217

Snowflakes in the BayWhen: Nov. 18 – Jan. 1Cost: Most events are freeWhere: Hancock County, Miss.Details: www.mswestcoast.org or call (228) 463-9222

Lighted Boat ParadeWhen: 6 p.m., Dec. 3Cost: FreeWhere: Vessels leave Sabine Marina, do two loops in Little Sabine and head to Santa Rosa Sound and do several loops in front of the Pensacola Beach Boardwalk. Fireworks start at 8 p.m.Details: www.pensacolabeachchamber.com

Surfing Santa Street ParadeWhen: 2 p.m., Dec. 4Cost: FreeWhere: Via de Luna, Pensacola Beach. Santa will available at the Gulfside Pavilion after the parade.Details: www.pensacolabeachchamber.com

Polar Bear PlungeWhen: Jan. 1; registration at noon and plunge at 2 p.m.Cost: $15 for adults, $5 for children in 5th grade and youngerWhere: Paradise Bar & Grill, 21 Via de Luna Dr., Pensacola BeachDetails: www.pensacolabeachchamber.com

Christmas ReflectionsWhen: Nov. 25 – Dec. 31, from 5 – 9 p.m.Cost: $3 per person; children ages 6 and younger admitted free. Season passes: $35.Where: DeFuniak Springs, Fla. (Walton County).Directions: From U.S. 90 West turn right onto State Road 331 South. Turn left at the red light (at the top of the hill) on Live Oak Avenue. Follow to the entrance. From U.S. 90 East, turn left at the Red Light onto State Road 331 South. Turn left at red light (at top of the hill) on Live Oak Avenue. Follow the Candy Canes to the entrance. From East or West of I-10, go North on State Road 331 to the red light on Live Oak Avenue turn right and follow the Candy Canes to the entrance, turn right to our ticket booth on the left. Details: Call Carolyn Mora at (850) 974-6774

Yule of YesteryearWhen: 10 a.m. - 5 p.m., Dec. 10Cost: FreeWhere: Heritage Museum of Northwest Florida, 115 Westview Ave., Valparaiso, Fla. (Okaloosa County).Details: www.heritage-museum.org or call (850) 678-2615.

12 Nights of LightsWhen: Dec. 2 - 25, Fridays and Saturdays at 6, 7 and 8 p.m., as well as during the break at Wednesday Night Concert Series and at 8 pm.Cost: FreeWhere: Village of Baytowne Wharf, 9000 Baytowne Blvd., Miramar Beach, Fla. (Walton County).Details: www.baytownewharf.com.

Oaks by the Bay Park Christmas LightsWhen: Nov. 19 – Jan. 2. Tree lighting ceremony at 6 p.m., Dec. 6.Cost: FreeWhere: Oaks by the Bay Park, 2715 W 10th St, Panama City, Fla. Details: (850) 872-7208Boat Parade of LightsWhen: 6 p.m., Dec. 10 (Dec. 11 as a rain date)Cost: FreeWhere: Starts off the Panama City Marina in the St. Andrews Bay, passes by the St. Andrews Bay Yacht Club, and then passes about 50 feet off the Panama City Marina seawall (Bay County)Details: www.pcboatparade.com

Holiday Lights at the Village of Baytowne Wharf

Lighted boat parade on Pensacola Beach

Christmas Reflections, DeFuniak Springs

Yule of Yesteryear, Valaparaiso

Lighted boat parade in Panama City

18 19

Carnival launches Fantasy in Mobile, Ala.

Wisconsin early birds!

Carnival Cruise Lines re-introduced cruising from the Port of Mobile, Ala., amid great fanfare.

The newly refreshed 2,056-passenger Carnival Fantasy will set sail on a year-round schedule of four- and five-day cruises to the Mexican ports of Cozumel, Costa Maya and Progreso.

Cruise rates start at under $300.

Check rates at: www.carnival.com or your travel agent.

Some of the Gulf Coast’s earliest winter arrivals enjoyed a community breakfast and mild weather - warm enough for shorts! Welcome back, Wisconsin Snobirds!

20 21

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F� F﹕�The Gulf Coast Exploreum off ers rotating exhibits and permanent activities designed to bring the scientist out in all of us. You’ll notice an Oyster statue out in front of the Exploreum, which is a great starting point to walk The Oyster Trail throughout downtown Mobile (how many can you visit?).

P﹕ The downtown waterfront of Mobile, Alabama is full of rich history, culture and economic importance to the region. This bustling port welcomes ships from all over the world along with tug boats and barges that roam the many rivers of North America. See them all up close from a USCG Certifi ed passenger vessel with Wild Native Tours. The city skyline, maritime museum, Austal shipyards, cruise terminal and cruise ship are also seen on this tour. Courteous and knowledgable guides will educate and entertain as you cruise these local waters.

H� ﹕ Take an historic city tour, starting at Fort Conde, by car, van, trolley or duck boat. These usually last an hour to an hour and a half, which leaves plenty of time to explore historic downtown Mobile on foot, including the History Museum of Mobile and the Mobile Carnival Museum or hop across the Mobile River to board an authentic World War II ba� leship, the USS ALABAMA.

S﹕ Several new locally owned clothing boutiques, gi� shops, vintage and antique stores and art galleries are located within blocks of each other downtown. We know you’ll be grabbing some souvenirs at the beach, but hey, taking a li� le bit of Mobile home with you is pre� y awesome, too. The Shoppes at Bel Air is ge� ing a makeover, too, so you may want to pop in there to see what’s new!

O﹕ With a li� le more time on your hands, you can explore a li� le more of what the entire area has to off er. The crown jewel of Mobile, Bellingrath Gardens and Home is about 45 minutes west of downtown — plan to wander amongst the blooms for a few hours. Or, head east, just a few minutes of downtown and take an airboat ride, sightseeing cruise or guided kayak/canoe tours of the Mobile/Tensaw Delta.

H� � C� L﹕� There are several historic homes in or near downtown, each off ering guided tours. Pick up a Historic Homes brochure and plan to visit all fi ve during your time here in Mobile. Hit the Mobile Museum Trail, visiting some of the previously mentioned downtown museums but also plan to stop by the largest art museum on the Gulf Coast, the Mobile Museum of Art, the Mobile Medical Museum, and the Archaeology Museum at the University of South Alabama.

TWO�HOURS FOUR�HOURS SIX�HOURS

There are nearly forty restaurants, bars, delis and cafes in downtown Mobile, and we’ve also compiled a suggested list of

activities you can do in two, four and six hours in Mobile:

22 23

Pensacola, located on the Gulf Coast, far away from the cold climes in the north, can claim to be king of hockey … at least in the Southern Professional Hockey League.

The Pensacola Ice Flyers earned their third championship in the last four years last season. Playing in the Bay Center in downtown Pensacola, the team offers Snowbirds a sport they

probably grew up watching – and playing.

The team brought in a new coach this year, Canadian Kevin Hasselberg, who replaces Rod Aldoff’s three-year coaching success that included two SPHL championships.

The league features teams from as far away as North Carolina,

Tennessee and Illinois. Teams feature young, talented players who hope to

get a chance to reach the NHL. And neat names as well … like Mayhem (Macon, Ga.), Havoc (Huntsville, Ala.) and Rail Yard Dawgs (Roanoke, Va).

The Ice Flyers won their first President’s Cup title in 2013, handing the city its first professional sports championship.

For ticket information, go to www.pensacolaicelfyers.com.Ice Flyers’ home schedule (Pensacola Bay Center)- Friday, Dec. 2, vs. Mississippi, 7:05 p.m.- Friday, Dec. 16 vs. Huntsville, 7:05 p.m.- Saturday, Dec. 17 vs. Huntsville, 7:05 p.m.- Tuesday, Dec. 27 vs. Macon, 6:35 p.m.- Friday, Dec. 30 vs. Columbus, 7:05 p.m. (Military

Appreciation night)

SNOWBALL DERBYWith the NASCAR season ending in November, most racing

goes into hibernation in December.

Not in Pensacola.

All eyes turn to the half-mile track at Five Flags Speedway when the 49th annual Snowball Derby races on Sunday, Dec. 4.

The historic race has attracted many famous drivers over the years, from Bobby Allison to Darrell Waltrip (1976 winner) to Rusty Wallace to Kyle Busch (2009 winner). And future NASCAR drivers are competing.

Chase Elliott, son of Bill Elliott, won the Snowball Derby in 2011 and again last

year. But he’s moved on to bigger things – the Sprint Cup rookie driver made the Championship Series this year and will be spending his Snowball Derby weekend at the Sprint Cup awards banquet in Las Vegas.

But there are plenty of other young drivers ready to take the coveted Tom Dawson Memorial Snowball Derby trophy. More than 70 drivers are expected to compete for one of the 37 starting positions. The 300-lap race is heavily dependent on tire wear and avoiding the “big” wreck.

It is the culmination of four days of racing and seven races at the famed track, including Saturday’s feature race, the Snowflake 100.

Tickets are available and more

information is available at www.fiveflagsspeedway.com or calling the track office at 850-944-8400.

COLLEGE FOOTBALLThe Dollar General Bowl provides local college football fans

a chance to watch a bowl game along the Gulf Coast.

This year’s game will be Friday, Dec. 23 at Ladd-Peebles Stadium in Mobile, Ala. Kickoff for the ESPN-televised game is 7 p.m. and the game pits teams from the Sun Belt Conference and the Mid-American Conference.

Tickets are $45 for sideline seats and $15 for end zone. For more information, go to www.godaddybowl.com.

The New Orleans Bowl is part of the opening weekend of the college bowl season at 8 p.m., Saturday, Dec. 17, at the Superdome in New Orleans.

The game features teams from the Sun Belt Conference and Conference-USA.For tickets and more information, go to www.neworleansbowl.org.

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Lunch M-F 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Dinner M-Sat. 5 p.m. Closed Sunday Reservations: 850-302-0266

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Hasselberg

Southern winter sports mean racing, football and yes, hockey Sinfonia Gulf Coast and maestro Demetrius Fuller have put together another innovative lineup of artists this winter.The annual holiday concert Dec. 16 at Destiny Worship Center, will feature orchestral arrangements of seasonal classics paired with the exhilarating vocals of The Manhattan Transfer, which remains a cornerstone for great pop and jazz hits. Other concerts this season include: Jan. 20, the second installment of the Silver Sands Premium Outlets’ “Classical Connections” series at Destiny Worship Center, featuring 2016 Musical America Instrumentalist of the Year, violinist Jennifer Koh. Koh who will perform American composer Samuel Barber’s “Concerto for Violin and Orchestra.”The main season comes to an animated finale on Saturday, March 25 at the Emerald Coast Convention Center with “Bugs Bunny at the Symphony II.” For tickets and information: SinfoniaGulfCoast.org or call 850-460-8800.

The Alabama Gulf Coast Entertainment Series will mark its 30th year with 12 shows ranging from Grammy Award winners to orchestras and acoustic harmonies.

Included: Jan. 23-24 - The four-singer Atlantic City Boys; Jan. 30-31 -- The New Christy Minstrels; Feb. 6-7. The Kings-ton Trio; Feb. 13-14 The Young Irelanders; Feb. 20-21, Misha Rachlevsky with the Russian String Orchestra; March 6-7, Gershwin with a Twist. Shows begins at 7 p.m. and tickets are $35. To purchase tickets: www.gulfshoresal.gov/Entertain-mentSeries or Gulf Shores City Store, 1821 Gulf Shores Parkway, Gulf Shores, AL, M-F, 8 a.m. – 6 p.m. & Sat., 10 a.m. – 3 p.m. Details: 251-968-1171

Manhattan Transfer joins Sinfonia for the holidaysAnd classic folk hits the Alabama coast

The Manhattan Transfer

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12/3KC & Sunshine Band, 8 p.m. Hard Rock Casino 777 Beach Blvd., Biloxi, Miss. Details: (877) 877-6256 or (228) 374-7625 or www.hardrockbiloxi.com12/9 & 12/10Brandon Bennett’s Merry Christmas Baby. 8 p.m. Hard Rock Casino 777 Beach Blvd., Biloxi, Miss. Details: (877) 877-6256 or (228) 374-7625 or www.hardrockbiloxi.com12/9Lonestar, 8 p.m. IP Casino Resort & Spa, Studio A, 850 Bayview Avenue, Biloxi, Miss. 8 p.m. Details: 228-436-3000.12/10Martina McBride, 8 p.m., Beau Rivage Resort & Casino, 875 Beach Blvd, Biloxi, Miss., Details: 888-566-7469 or www.beaurivage.com

12/16A Wynonna & Big House Christmas. IP Casino Resort & Spa, Studio A, 850 Bayview Avenue, Biloxi, Miss. 8 p.m. Details: 228-436-3000.11/16Lisa Lampanelli Live, Comedian. IP Casino Resort & Spa, Studio A, 850 Bayview Avenue, Biloxi, Miss. 8 p.m. Details: 228-436-3000.11/26Taylor Hicks, 8 p.m. Island View Casino, 3300 W. Beach Blvd., Gulfport, Miss. Details: 1-877-774-VIEW (8439) or www.islandviewcasino.com.12/3Goo Goo Dolls, 8 p.m. IP Casino Resort & Spa, Studio A, 850 Bayview Avenue, Biloxi, Miss. 8 p.m. Details: 228-436-3000.

Orange Beach, Gulf Shores, Foley, FairhopePerdido Bay (Lillian), Spanish Fort

Destin, Ft. Walton, Mary Esther, Perdido KeyNavarre, Gulf Breeze, Pensacola

New subscribers to our E-newsletter receive first ride free

Casino Fun

12/10Return of the Dukes, Tom Wopat and John Schneider. 8 p.m. Island View Casino, 3300 W. Beach Blvd., Gulfport, Miss. Details: 1-877-774-VIEW (8439) or www.islandviewcasino.com.12/29Rockin Jason D Williams, In the style of Jerry Lee Lewis. 8 p.m. Island View Casino, 3300 W. Beach Blvd., Gulfport, Miss. Details: 1-877-774-VIEW (8439) or www.islandviewcasino.

Start a holiday tradition at Beau RivageThe holiday season at the Beau Rivage Resort & Casino has been described as whimsical.The gorgeous and modern casino transforms into a winter wonderland and events including a high-kicking holiday show are designed to put thousands in the holiday spirit.Visitors enter the resort via a non-descript parking garage where they are greeted by a long promenade adorned with giant ornaments, magnificently decorated trees, winter sleigh scenes, thousands of poinsettias and more.This season, an extended annual Holiday Open House is set for Dec. 13-18 from Noon to 5 p.m. each day. The shopping promenade will feature local artists and vendors showcasing specialty items. Shoppers will find holiday gifts and specials and gourmet dining samples from the Beau’s award-winning culinary team.Also not-to-miss is the Broadway-style show “Christmas Wonderland” Dec. 21-29, two shows daily at 3 p.m. and 7 p.m. in the Beau Rivage Theate. Tickets start at $10.95 with groups of four going for $40. Weekday hotel packages start at $99.

The holiday events are family-friendly and camera-worthy.Details: 888-566-7469 or www.beaurivage.com

NEW ORLEANS SHOPPING: Good Time Tours is offering a one-day holiday shopping tour Dec. 10 to the Crescent City of New Orleans. The always-popular tour features a variety of pickup locations costs and costs $50 per person. Space is limited but more buses may be added with a wait list. Details: 850-476-0046.

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Give a warm Snowbird welcome! MarketplaceSnowbirds Gulf Coast saturates this market from the panhandle of Florida to the

Alabama Gulf Coast! Reach out to Snowbirds visiting the Emerald Coast.Call for information today! 850-291-1266

Holley Hill Pottery & Art Studio

850-939-2744 or www.holleyhillpottery.com

Showroom open by appointment. Groups welcome.

State Rd. 87 and Buckeye Dr. Navarre, FL

FIRE SIGN JEWELRY

One-of-a-Kind and Custom Pieces.

Natural gemstones and Swarovski

crystals

Locations from Orange Beach to Pensacola Beach

S N O W B I R D

850-723-0427 or find us on Facebook

Looking to reach the Snowbirds?

Advertise in our January-March editions!Email: advertising@snowbirdsgulfcoast.com

or 850-291-1266.

Available thru 4-30!2-Bedroom,$1300 including all utilities

Many amenities, heated poolCall 205-960-5206

Palms of Destin Resort

Wind Creek Casino & Hotel Beau Rivage Casino & Resort Wynham/ResortQuest All Clear Hearing Baptist Health Care The Andrews Institute HCA – FWB Medical Center, Gulf Coast Regional Medica/Twin Cities Hospital Gulf Coast Dermatologists Specialists Aqua Medical Spa Santa Rosa Medical Center Alabama Lifestyles Expo Boomtown Casino Biloxi Hidden Creek Golf Hollywood Casino Gulf Coast Palace Casino Resort Perdido Bay Golf Sacred Heart Canada-Sunbelt International Santa Rosa County Tourism Southern Vacations Staybridge Suites-Gulf Shores Sterling Resorts

Adventures Unlimited Bellingrath Gardens & Home Fort Walton Chamber Winter Guest Fest Destin West Ebro Grehound Park The Club at Hidden Creek Golf Club Hearing Aid Ad Hofbrau Beer Garden Good Time Tours Juana’s Pagodaa & Sailors Grill Magnolia Grill Sinfonia Gulf CoastFire Sign Jewelry – Hampton Pensacola Bch Native Café Holley Hill Pottery Palms of Destin Private OwnerPensacola Beach Community Church Sail Inn Restaurant Visit Mobile BayVisit Panama City BeachNational Museum of Aviation

BIRDSGulf Coast

Snow

Advertise in our January “Welcome” edition!Email: advertising@snowbirdsgulfcoast.com or 850-291-1266

BIRDSGulf Coast

SnowMarking 10 Years in 2016!

We LOVE Snowbirds!

We mark our 11th year to serve the Snowbird market in the Northern Gulf Coast in 2016

We couldn’t do it without support of the business community around the region. We thank the following partners for their support. We ask that you also support them too!

Join us at Snowbird events across the Gulf Coast!Are you looking to learn more about the different communities in this region? Mark your calendars for these great events! Stop by our booth to chat and sign up for giveaways, too!

Meet Mobile Day - Jan. 11, 2-4Panama City Beach Appreciation Days - Jan 13, Feb 3, Feb 17

Navarre Beach Snowbird Expo - Jan 17, 2-4FWB Winter Guest Fest - Jan 20, 8-Noon

Pensacola Beach Bash - Jan 26, 9-10:30 amSnowbird Fest Ala - Jan. 27

Ala Retirement Expo - Feb. 9Look for more information in our big January "Welcome" edition or online at www.SnowbirdsGulfCoast.com

Historic reenactors greet guests at the Fort Walton Beach Winter Guest Fest.

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