GULF SHORES, Ala., — On a pea-soup foggy Wednesday morning, 127 Ohio Snowbirds and guests met for its fourth breakfast at 8 am at LuLu’s.  Sharon Goodwin opened the meeting with the Pledge of Allegiance followed by Don Thrash giving the invocation. 

We now have 187 paid members.  All current and former Buckeyes are encouraged to join us.  Check us out on www.groups.yahoo.com/group/ohiosnowbirds.

Our very interesting and knowledgeable speaker was Kelly Reetz, a Naturalist and Turtle Team Leader at the Gulf State Park for 10 years. She explained how the volunteers walk the beach every day looking for turtle tracks. 

After the females have buried their eggs in the sand, which could be anywhere from 80 to 150 eggs, the volunteers mark the sight with stakes and yellow tape indicating a nesting area. When the babies hatch, anytime between July into October, the sand caves in and they stay in the sand for 5 to 7 days before moving to the surface. 

At that time, the volunteers put black screening behind the nest to direct the babies to the water and not toward bright lights. The average of nests a year is 60. Only two in a thousand will make it to adulthood.

This year with the gulf oil spill, they dug the eggs up, placed the eggs and sand in special containers, put them on special pallets built by Fed Ex and shipped 19 nests to Cape Canaveral free of charge from Fed Ex.  Kelly stated that BP picked up a lot of the tab and supplied tons of supplies.

Kelly brought a video that showed how they accomplished all of this. The main diet of turtles is jellyfish.  It is a federal crime to disturb a turtle nest and is a $100,000 fine and one year in prison. If you are interested in the turtle program, you can “Adopt a Nest Program” for $50.

May Alanko announced that the Ohio Club is 10 years old this month and the first meeting was held at Mexico Rock Restaurant on Feb. 21, 2001.  She said she had some tickets left for the Sheriff’s Boys Ranch Pig Roast which will be held on Friday.

Dick Haberstoh, subbing for Helen, thanked everyone who attended the Art Show at the Gulf Shores Presbyterian Church. They sold $2,000. of art and $600. went to the Gulf Shores Elementary School Art Program.

Cindy Sinn thanked all the volunteers who worked both the Bratfest and the Pancake Breakfast.  She reported that the weather didn’t co-operate for the Bratfest, but they cleared $4,500. and $1,500. each went to Fort Morgan, Gulf Shores and Orange Beach Fire Departments. 

The Pancake Breakfast was the best ever serving 950 people and they cleared $3,250. for the Gulf Shores Fire Department.

Sue Ellen Carpenter was elected new Vice-President.  Sharon Goodwin will stay on as President.

Upcoming activities:    Thu.    Feb. 24 - Ohio Club @ Ribs & Reds 5:00 pm

            Fri.    Feb. 25 - Low Country Boil @ The Zoo

            Sat.    Feb. 26 - Catamaran trip @ 11:00 am & 1:00 pm - pay cash

            Wed.    Mar.  2 - Breakfast @ LuLu’s @ 8:00 am

            Mon.    Mar.  7 - Lunch - call Gayle Hofacker for reservations

Everyone who went on the cruise had a wonderful time, even though Monday night was really rough.  It was a first cruise for many of us. Thank you Carolyn for all the time you spent planning it.

Carolyn Rooks announced that the 9th Annual Reunion will be held in Chillicothe, OH on July 19 and 20.  We will see Tecumseh show on the 19th and have lunch on the 20th. Information will be sent in May.

Paul Alanko, Tony Distl and Jerry Vetter distributed the door prizes and another grand prize of a homemade Buckeye Pie donated by Gertie Fraber.

RESERVATIONS FOR THE MARCH 2 BREAKFAST MUST BE MADE BY SUNDAY, FEB. 27 BY CALLING GAYLE HOFACKER AT 251-540-7745 OR EMAILING: gayliano13@embarqmail.com