Destin Snowbirds
Destin Snowbirds
  • Home
  • About Us
    • Snowbird News
    • Message - Our President
    • Board of Directors
    • Bylaws
    • Our History
    • Snowbird Photos
  • Our Supporters
  • Contact Us
  • Why Destin?
  • Events & Activities
    • Meetings & Entertainment
    • Area Activities
    • Club Activities
    • Golf Activities
    • Registration-off season
    • Volunteer
  • More
    • Home
    • About Us
      • Snowbird News
      • Message - Our President
      • Board of Directors
      • Bylaws
      • Our History
      • Snowbird Photos
    • Our Supporters
    • Contact Us
    • Why Destin?
    • Events & Activities
      • Meetings & Entertainment
      • Area Activities
      • Club Activities
      • Golf Activities
      • Registration-off season
      • Volunteer

  • Home
  • About Us
    • Snowbird News
    • Message - Our President
    • Board of Directors
    • Bylaws
    • Our History
    • Snowbird Photos
  • Our Supporters
  • Contact Us
  • Why Destin?
  • Events & Activities
    • Meetings & Entertainment
    • Area Activities
    • Club Activities
    • Golf Activities
    • Registration-off season
    • Volunteer

HISTORY OF SNOWBIRDS

The Beginning
Past presidents
Elections & Historians

THE BEGINNING

During the winter of 1973-74, "Red" Lyon and his wife, Virginia, who were spending their first retirement winter in Destin, organized a small group of like-minded winter visitors for potluck dinners and other activities.  They called themselves "The Snowbird Mockingbird Club".  By 1978 there were 278 members and they were still growing.  In April of 1979, the club filed papers for incorporation as a non-profit club and officially became the Destin Snowbird Club, Inc. with a five member Board of Directors.  They held several activities... card games, trips to the dog races, fishing, sunset cruises, parties, golf and bowling.  Meetings were on Tuesday mornings, with entertainment in addition to the regular Snowbird meeting business. Virginia introduced the idea of drawing door prizes donated by area businesses at the meetings.  Red was President and served in that capacity until 1986.

GROWTH

In 1985-86 the membership had grown to 1300 and Red stepped down as President for health reasons, but remained active serving as Chairman of Entertainment.  In April of 1986 a group of active members amended the By-Laws and a seven member Board was established; the President and each Vice President were responsible for the various club activities.  Membership continued to grow and the club began holding two Tuesday morning meetings to accommodate the growing numbers.  We continue to enjoy excellent entertainment and the valued door prizes at each meeting.  Destin Snowbirds return year after year and we welcome many new members each year.  Today we are proud to see an annual membership of about 2000 Snowbirds.

PAST PRESIDENTS

RED LYON

HARRY "DOC" WAGNER

HARRY "DOC" WAGNER

1979 - 1986

HARRY "DOC" WAGNER

HARRY "DOC" WAGNER

HARRY "DOC" WAGNER

1986 - 1987

BOB NICHOLS

HARRY "DOC" WAGNER

BOB NICHOLS

1987 - 1988

BILL MAIN

SMOKEY CALLAHAN

BOB NICHOLS

1988 - 1989

SMOKEY CALLAHAN

SMOKEY CALLAHAN

SMOKEY CALLAHAN

1989 - 1990

CHRIS MISENER

SMOKEY CALLAHAN

SMOKEY CALLAHAN

1990 - 1991

LEO GRYN

JEANNE KOWALSKI-BOYD

JEANNE KOWALSKI-BOYD

1991 - 1992

JEANNE KOWALSKI-BOYD

JEANNE KOWALSKI-BOYD

JEANNE KOWALSKI-BOYD

1992 - 1993

BOB MAXWELL

JEANNE KOWALSKI-BOYD

BOB MAXWELL

1993 - 1994

LES MILLER

FRANK TURNER

BOB MAXWELL

1994 - 1995

CAROL YOUNG

FRANK TURNER

FRANK TURNER

1995 - 1996

FRANK TURNER

FRANK TURNER

FRANK TURNER

1996 - 1997

ADELINE "ADDIE" SELID

ADELINE "ADDIE" SELID

ADELINE "ADDIE" SELID

1997 - 1998

TOM VAN KREVELEN

ADELINE "ADDIE" SELID

ADELINE "ADDIE" SELID

1998 - 1999

FRANK CASSIN

ADELINE "ADDIE" SELID

FRANK CASSIN

1999 - 2000

FRED BUSSA

LISE WALSHE

FRANK CASSIN

2000 - 2001

LISE WALSHE

LISE WALSHE

LISE WALSHE

2001 - 2002

KEN YEE

LISE WALSHE

LISE WALSHE

2002 - 2003

GRACE FOSTMEIER

GRACE FOSTMEIER

GRACE FOSTMEIER

2003 - 2004

BRIAN WALSHE

GRACE FOSTMEIER

GRACE FOSTMEIER

2004 - 2005

DON COOKSEY

GRACE FOSTMEIER

DON COOKSEY

2005 - 2006

JAN WERNER

JACK BALLENGER

DON COOKSEY

2006 - 2007

FORD SIMS

JACK BALLENGER

JACK BALLENGER

2007 - 2008

JACK BALLENGER

JACK BALLENGER

JACK BALLENGER

2008 - 2009

MARGE MARCELLA

MARGE MARCELLA

MARGE MARCELLA

2009 - 2010

PAUL HEWITT

MARGE MARCELLA

MARGE MARCELLA

2010 - 2011

BILL PASEL

MARGE MARCELLA

TIMI MILLAR

2011 - 2012

TIMI MILLAR

GEORGE OLSON

TIMI MILLAR

2012 - 2013

GEORGE OLSON

GEORGE OLSON

GEORGE OLSON

2013 - 2014

NANCY HEWITT

GEORGE OLSON

GEORGE OLSON

2014 - 2015

TOM FRANKLIN

CHARLES CASSELL

TOM FRANKLIN

2015 - 2016

DEAN HARPER

CHARLES CASSELL

TOM FRANKLIN

2016 - 2017

CHARLES CASSELL

CHARLES CASSELL

CHARLES CASSELL

2017 - 2018

JACKIE ROBERSON

JACKIE ROBERSON

CHARLES CASSELL

2018 - 2019

TED D. SPRING

JACKIE ROBERSON

TED D. SPRING

2019- 2020

Don Collins

JACKIE ROBERSON

TED D. SPRING

2020- 2021

Don Collins

Ruth Beckett

Ruth Beckett

2021-2022 Season Canceled

Ruth Beckett

Ruth Beckett

Ruth Beckett

2022 - 2023

ELECTIONS

The Board of Directors and all of the chair people who handle the day-to-day activities are volunteers.  Each year a nominating committee nominates candidates for the Board of Directors.  To receive the nomination to become President, we have found that a system of progression works well, giving the nominee the experience of learning the ropes from 2nd VP up to President.  Nominations may also be made from the floor at the meeting when the candidates are announced.  An election is held at the last general meeting of the year with all members voting.  We encourage new volunteers to become involved with the Destin Snowbirds, whether it be for the BOD, Committee Chair, or just to help out.

HISTORIANS

Our Snowbird Club has a great history.  The records of the early days and each president's term of office are documented.  "The History of Destin Snowbirds" was first published in 1998.  This document has been updated annually by our former Club Historian, Addie Selid who originated the project, and our current Historian, Cindy Varnell.  It represents years of voluntary endeavors by hundreds of people to guarantee the success of our winter activities and community involvement.  If you are interested in reading this document, please contact Cindy Varnell or a member of the Board of Directors for details.

Copyright © 2020 Destin Snowbirds - All Rights Reserved.


Announcement

We are now on Facebook!

Follow Us!