Dinah Keefe | Walton County Snowbirds

Last general meeting for the season is February 21

There is a change of venue for the final general meeting of the season: it will be at Village Baptist Church, 101 Matthew Blvd, Destin at 10 a.m. Entertainment will be provided by our own Walton County Snowbird Singers, a delightful finale! As is traditional, the performance will begin with their longtime theme song, “The Snowbird Song,” written by Bill Addington.

These talented and dedicated singers are also performing a concert, “Oh…Listen to the Music,” on Sunday, Feb. 25 at 3 p.m. at Santa Rosa Beach Community Church, 3524 U.S. Highway 98. A free-will offering will benefit be donated to Caring and Sharing of South Walton

Meet Some Snowbirds

Our group numbers over 1,800 members, many of whom rejoin Walton County Snowbirds year after year. But each season we also welcome new members to the nest, where they soon feel at home having made new friends and tried new activities.

First-time members James and Valerie Barth have been vacationing here for years, but only joined the Walton County Snowbirds this season, after learning about it from friends.

“We joined Walton County Snowbirds as a result of spending more time here,” Valerie explained. “We were looking for more activities to be a part of and for social activities with people like ourselves. This is our first year to be a part of the Walton Snowbirds and we have found it very enjoyable!”

Valerie and James both participate in the bridge and line dancing groups, while James also plays pickleball with the snowbirds.

The Barths are from Cincinnati, Ohio and are both retired. Valerie was a mental health family therapist and director of a mental health agency for 20 years as well as a stay at home mother to their four children until they entered school. She and James owned a Non-Medical Home Care Business in Cincinnati which he managed. In addition to their children, they are now proud grandparents to nine.

They bought a townhouse in the Sandestin Golf and Beach Resort in 2000. Explains Valerie: “We have been taking vacations here for 18 years, but have just retired and this is the first winter to stay for two months. We love to golf and dine out with friends. We also like to play Euchre and take walks on the beach.”

They would enthusiastically recommend the Walton County Snowbirds group to anyone as a way to meet new people and stay active while away from home.

“There is so much to do, so many activities to choose from,” Valerie said. “There is truly something for everyone.”