Club History

Indiana has a rich tradition of being “Winter Visitors” on the gulf coast. Is it the winter doldrums in that great lakes state that motivates so many Hoosiers to skedaddle out of the state to warmer climes during the winter months? The Indiana Snowbird Club was finally formed in 1996 – 1997. The first formation meeting was held in the old American Legion Hall on AL 59. That building is no longer there, but from the few individuals who were there, the club was born. The club is in session only during the several winter months that visitors are present, and since many Hoosiers do not even arrive until after January 1, we have settled on five regular meetings per season, beginning in January and ending in March. We have met in several different places over the years, but we were the first snowbird club to make arrangements at Lulu’s, on the north bank of the Intracoastal Waterway on Alabama 59 in Gulf Shores.

We have an average attendance at our breakfast buffets of approximately 160 members, who hail from all parts of Indiana. Last year, the club had 217 dues-paying members. Some live permanently in the south but still claim their heritage as a Hoosier. But we create a new membership list every year, members from every part of the state of Indiana, but we remain one of the smaller clubs meeting regularly.

It’s an interesting thing to observe, but Indiana has some of the most unusual names for towns of any of the Great Lakes states. That’s one of the conversational subjects batted around during our get-togethers. From “Fishers”, Indiana to “Eureka”, Indiana (shouted by everyone who manages to find the place). There are lots of Indian names for towns, too, such as “Shipshewana” and many others.

The beaches are the big attraction here for Hoosiers, as it is for other states. Some of our members spend the whole winter months in RVs in the state park, or in other well recognized RV Resort Parks. It’s hard to beat some of the friendships established in RV travel. Somehow, when travel brings you to the gulf coast of Alabama, where there is no ice and snow, folks just think they have found their own particular corner of the world. The decision to ‘come back’ or to “stay here” is made, and many have begun a second home here.

What Do We Do Here?

You are welcome to join our snowbird club, whether a present or past Hoosier. There’s a lot of laughter involved with talking about the “What is a Hoosier? question. Someone said the name came about because of the first question people usually asked, which is “Who’s Your” relatives? It is fun to try to track relationships, but Hoosiers find more enduring reasons to join together. Community Involvement is one that is satisfying to many. If you examine the tentative schedule, you’ll soon see that doing things for the community are important to the club. Many volunteer activities are available to club members. Do you like to help with the needy folk of the community? Then the Christian Sevice Center may be the place for you to give some time. There are “Bread Ministries” in the area. The schools are looking for “Tutorial” help. The local High School even suggests that you bring their musical instruments with you, anticipating that you can help tutor teenage musicians. The school system has other events that are open to senior help. The big thing with the clubs is several projects working together for the benefit of the local fire departments. During our breakfast meetings, other causes often come to the forefront, and members are asked to consider how much good can be accomplished if some sort of donation can be made in time or talent or funds. The club will have a committee decide on a local cause or program to which a charitible contribution can be made by the Indiana Club. This is where all of our dues we collect finally end up at — a donation to a worthy cause at the end of the season, in March. For all of our 13 years of existence, we have contributed a total of $6800 to various agencies. The Indiana Club is proud to say they have made a quite large inpact in improving the ‘good’ of the gulf coast community.

Regular Meetings are Breakfasts at Lulu’s. Doors open at 7:45 a.m., with breakfast served at about 8:15. Cost is $8.00 per person, which includes buffet, drinks, tax, and tip. It also includes 50 cents per person for the club’s expenses. Each meeting will feature a short program.

We invite all Hoosiers who spend the winter months somewhere on the gulf coast to join us for our regularly scheduled meetings which take place in the congenial surroundings of Lulu’s.

Keep checking this web site because there will undoubtedly be more plans inserted from time to time. We already know that the Indiana Club will participate in the “Snowbird Cruise”, scheduled for January 21 to January 25, sailing out of Mobile. Wish you were with us!

The club tries to find something for everyone to do. If you are an out-going person, and would like to serve as “Greeter”, or on a committee, or as a club officer, the opportunity is awaiting you. Just contact the president, Jo Strycker, or any of theother officers. You’ll have plenty of chances to volunteer, but it’s also pretty neat to just come, sit and share together about life back home in Indiana, and life in general on the beautiful gulf coast of Alabama.

2010 Calendar

President —- Jo Strycker 967-4444 bradnjos@peoplepc.com
Vice President —- Doris Gammon 981-6901-14153
Secretary —- Charlotte McClurg 980-5190
Treasurer —- Shirley Plank 540-5349

Jan 14 — Regular Meeting —Indiana Breakfast at Lulu’s

Jan 23 — Pancake and Sausage Breakfast
(This is a benefit for the Gulf Shores Fire Department. All clubs participate. Indiana Club usually helps to cook, but this could be different this year)

Jan 26 — Tanger Mall Snowbird Reception
(Tentative plans are: The Tanger Mall will provide everyone with a sack breakfast, and will have many door prizes as we meet in the gathering area)

Jan 28 — Regular Meeting —Indiana Breakfast at Lulu’s

Jan 28 — Indiana, Michigan, Wisconsin Golf Outing

Feb 6 — Bratfest
(Another multi-club project, which benefits three fire departments — G.S., Orange Beach, and Ft. Morgan. Indiana will operate the drive-through again, and we can use your help. Gary McClurg is again chairman for the Indiana Club part of the Bratfest.)

Feb 6 — Missouri Trivia Night

(This is a super fun night, a gathering of all clubs together, playing table games and other fund-raising techniques to benefit a local charity. The Missouri Club sponsors the event.)

Feb 11 — Regular Meeting — Indiana Breakfast at Lulu’s

Feb 10 to 14 and 17 to 21 — Snowbird Play
(The Snowbird Play always sells out the seats in the South Baldwin Community Theater. Snowbirds have all parts in the play. The 2010 play is named “Moon Over Buffalo”. The theater has undergone a major refurbishing.)

Feb 16 — Fat Tuesday

Feb 19 — Low Country Boil
(This is a benefit for the Gulf Coast Zoo (remember “The Little Zoo That Could”?) All clubs participate and help, but there are only a certain number of tickets, so inquire about this when you arrive if you are interested.)

Feb 25 — Regular Meeting —Indiana Breakfast at Lulu’s

Mar 11 — Regular Meeting —Indiana Breakfast at Lulu’s