ORANGE BEACH, Ala. — The Wisconsin Sno-birds met at Orange Beach Community Center (OBCC) on Jan. 18.

Gulf Shores Police Chief Edward Delmore welcomed club members to Pleasure Island. After explaining the hiring process for a police officer in Gulf Shores, he introduced Officer Chris Bagby, who received the Alabama Legislature's Medal of Honor on May 5, 2011. Only one Medal of Honor is awarded in Alabama each year.

Officer Bagby rescued a man from an overturned burning car on Fort Morgan Road in August, 2010, and, in spite of his own burning uniform, tried to remove the trapped passenger. Fellow officers saved Bagby just before the gas tank exploded.

Officer Bagby introduced his K9 police dog, Axel, after the meeting. Axel is a 2-year-old Belgian malanoise which greeted club members enthusiastically.

His handler, Bagby, is a Marine veteran of the Iraq war. Thank you, Officer Bagby, for your dedicated service to our nation and the City of Gulf Shores.

The next meeting will be Wednesday, Feb. 1, at OBCC. Join us for coffee and donuts at 8:30 a.m. with the meeting following at 9 a.m. We collect boxtops for education, Campbell soup labels, empty computer printer cartidges and aluminum can pop-tops.

There is a book/puzzle/magazine exchange and you will be able to sign up for breakfasts, picnics, golf and day trips.

Our schedule:

Jan 30,31 - Golf fun days - RSVP

February

Feb. 1 - 8:30 am meeting at OBCC

Feb. 4 - Brat Fest at GS Adult Activity Center to benefit Fire Departments

Feb. 4 - Trivia Night to benefit local libraries

Feb. 8 - 8:30 am breakfast - RSVP

Feb. 11 - Pancake Breakfast at GS Erie Meyer Center for Fire Departments

Feb. 13-14 - IN, MI, WI, Golf Fun Days - RSVP

Feb. 22 - NOTE DATE - 8:30 am meeting at OBCC

Feb. 23 - 11:30 am picnic at OBCC - RSVP

Feb. 24 - Low Country Boil to benefit Gulf Coast Zoo - RSVP

Feb. 27 - Christian Services spaghetti dinner fund-raiser - GS United Methodist Church

Please contact Kenn at 251-967-2463 OR wissnobirds@yahoo.com for RSVP or comments or concerns.