GULF SHORES, Ala. - A Navy Junior ROTC drill team from Gulf Shores High School, under direction of Commander Bruce McCandless, USN (ret) presented the flag to the Indiana Snowbird Club and welcomed 130 in attendance at the first club breakfast, Jan. 10.

The club meets at LuLu's in Gulf Shores, located at Homeport Marina. People began arriving at about 7:30 a.m. with a rousing "Hello" to everyone, and LuLu's famous breakfast buffet with plenty of good food got under way about 8.

The program for the morning was a presentation by Herb Malone of Gulf Shores and Orange Beach Tourism Alabama Gulf Coast Convention and Visitors Bureau talking about the area, its many amenities, and what has happened during this last summer.

Herb was quick to express a great thankfulness for the "snowbirds" of the season and their willingness to visit and be involved. The whole community can be proud of the picture that the beach presents, with clean white sandy expanses to enjoy.

The beaches are clean, and it is a genuine joy to see visitors "coming down in droves" as he put it. There is plenty of good news relative to the "Big Oil Spill", in addition to the beach recovery -- groups are scheduling conferences in the conference center, and the continued expanse of the Wharf is resulting in some amazing changes in that place, Malone said. The gulf coast of Alabama is looking good.

The first meeting is always one of reunion and celebration for the Indiana faithful, a chance to greet and share with all of our friends we find here in lower Alabama from year to year. This is the time when we found out who had to grip the steering wheel tightly as they made their way out of snowbound Indiana, and then less tightly as the climate of blue skies and sunny days met us at the Alabama state line.

President Beverly Lockhart has taken over the duties of Gene Blastic, who had to resign as president for medical reasons. The entire Indiana Club wants to express "Get Well Fast" wishes and are sending hopes that Gene will be able to return next year.

The remaining club breakfasts are scheduled for Thursday, Feb. 14 and 24, and a final breakfast on March 14. These are all Thursday morning breakfasts,at LuLu's .

President Bev will announce plenty of other club plans at each breakfast, giving you an opportunity to enjoy a wide variety of activities and opportunities to pitch in and help. Committee Chairpersons are already busy with various responsibilities in the club. Sue Bowmer is Secretary and Doris Gammon is Treasurer. John Noonan, who has just moved his residency from Indiana To Summerdale, continues as our name tag chairperson.

You may call Doris Gammon at 981-6901-14153 to log in a reservation. A reservation is not necessary in order to attend a breakfast, but we like to be able to advise the restaurant how many to prepare for. You may also call Jo Strycker at 967-4444.

The cost is $9 per person, and it includes drink, tax and tip. It also include a small amount for club expenses. Memberships are also available at the meeting for $2.50 (per year) per person, and this money funds the traditional Indiana Club charitable donation to the community.

Gammon reported 167 in memberships for our first meeting. You don't have to be a member to enjoy the twice monthly breakfasts, but that is a good way to support the club, and the club counts on memberships to raise funds to support our projects. The Indiana Club Breakfasts have turned out to be a wonderful way to meet new friends and connect with old ones. In that spirit, we look forward to seeing you there!

The Indiana Club will again be active in many community events which are moving along in the planning process at the moment. One of the largest projects, which all the clubs share in putting together, is the "Super BratFest , planned this year for February 2, the first Saturday in February. Gary McClurg is already organizing volunteers for work at the Brat Fest and Pancake Breakfast for the Indiana Club. If you'd like to help and haven't signed up as yet, you will be able to do so at our next breakfast.