Club News

This is the first one and YES, this is sanctioned and legit from Margaritaville brands - from Bill Brehem President of PHIP

This morning, the National Bobblehead Hall of Fame and Museum unveiled limited-edition Margaritaville Shark and Lizard Bobbleheads. The bobbleheads join the Margaritaville Parrot Bobblehead that was released earlier this year and has been one of the best-selling bobbleheads of 2024. While the first production run sold out, the second production run is scheduled for delivery in September. The limited-edition bobbleheads are being produced by the National Bobblehead Hall of Fame and Museum and are officially licensed by Margaritaville Enterprises.

Jimmy Buffett, who delighted fans at thousands of venues across the world during his illustrious career, died on September 1st, 2023, at the age of 76. The Singing for Change Foundation that he founded in 1995 funds organizations that inspire personal growth, community integration and the enhanced awareness that collectively, people can bring about positive change. We know that fans across the world will love hearing about this bobblehead commemorating Jimmy Buffett and raising funds for a great cause that was near and dear to him. Next Friday, August 30th, the inaugural Jimmy Buffett Day will be celebrated, and on October 19th, Buffett will be inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame during the 2024 induction ceremony.

The bobbleheads are available exclusively in our online store at the following link.

It is almost here....

Jimmy Buffett Day!

Florida legislature officially declared August 30, 2024 to be Jimmy Buffett Day in the state of Florida. This announcement was shared by the official social media accounts of Margaritaville, Buffett’s US-based hospitality company that he named after his 1977 signature tune. The post revealed that this honorary date will be dedicated to celebrating “the life and music of Jimmy Buffett, whose free-spirited life and significant contributions to national and state culture are commended and celebrated.”

Fans and Margaritaville Plan To Celebrate The Special Day In Florida And Beyond

Jimmy Buffett has always had a special connection to the Sunshine State, as he’s made clear through his collection of beachy tunes that represent the laid-back lifestyle on the water that he loved so much. Labor Day Weekend will be a special day of giving at all Margaritaville locations raising money for Jimmy’s charity, Singing For Change.  Parrothead clubs are encouraged to do the same and raise money to benefit SFC during this weekend of giving.

www.singingforchange.org

Which Highway In Florida Will Be Named After Jimmy Buffett?

To honor the “It’s 5 O’Clock Somewhere” singer the Florida A1A, the famous state road that runs about 340 miles along the coast of the Atlantic Ocean, to be renamed as the “Jimmy Buffet Memorial Highway.” The Department of Transportation will erect suitable markers designating the memorial highway by Aug. 30, 2024.”

The A1A was especially meaningful to Jimmy Buffett. Not only did he reference the road in his song, “Trying to Reason with Hurricane Season,” but he also made it the title of his fifth studio album of 1973. With this set of news, the Mayor of Margaritaville will continue to be honored for his lasting legacy and breezy tunes that serve as the perfect soundtrack to a day on the water or at a Florida where margaritas are encouraged at any time of the day. 

Jimmy Buffett’s Legacy Lives On

Jimmy Buffett died on September 1 after a four-year battle with a rare and aggressive form of skin cancer called Merkel cell carcinoma. Buffett was 76 years old when he passed away. The statement posted to his official social media accounts on the fateful day read, “Jimmy passed away peacefully on the night of September 1st surrounded by his family, friends, music and dogs…He lived his life like a song till the very last breath and will be missed beyond measure by so many.”

Parrot Heads in Paradise

What an amazing weekend for the 28th annual A1A Beach Bash in their néw location, Amelia Island Florida!

Thank you Beaches A1A Parrotheads.

This event was so organized and well planned. I loved everything about it. The hotel was  conveniently located to many yummy restaurants if you ventured outside from the hotel options. The Historical area was close by and it was such a cute little area. It reminded me of Key West in the 80s.  It is even the home of the oldest saloon in Florida. WooHoo! The beach was beautiful and just across the street. 
During the day we had music by the "drinking pool" with awesome musicians, full bar complete with food selections, and plenty of chairs.  The music at night was incredible,  Reggie Starrett, Ricky Lamb, Jonas Lorence Band, Joe Downing, Jesse Rice and Jimmy Parrish and the Waves closed out the event as usual. Everyone sang with everyone on the stage and on the dance floor.
This may become my favorite Parrothead event.... outside of the Atlanta Parrothead Club cruise, of course.   

On Sunday night, April 21, about 15 or so members of the Atlanta Parrothead Club were part of a packed house that finally got to see singer-songwriter, record producer and longtime Coral Reefer and 10 time CMA Musician of the Year, Mac McAnally, along with talented percussionist and composer, Eric Darken.

The show had been rescheduled from last December due to Mac losing his voice and going on doctor’s ordered vocal rest. I yelled out to Mac that we’d all been waiting there for him since December to which he laughed and said that we really had a lot of patience. This show almost didn’t happen as Mac and Eric dealt with delayed and cancelled flights in Texas, and an unplanned drive to Dallas in order to catch another flight as they fought to get to Atlanta. They did make it, but some of their luggage did not, including the bag that had Eric’s hubcap – if you don’t understand, then you need to catch one of their shows. He did have a replacement hubcap which came off of a car somewhere in Nashville.

This was the first time that most of us had seen Mac live since the death of Jimmy Buffett last September. During the interactive concert, Mac played some of his usual crowd favorites such as Blame it on New Orleans, Changing Channels, Down the Road, All These Years, Little Martha, and Junk Cars. He changed it up a little with Bear Necessities – Mac is presently working with Disney redoing music for the Country Bear Jamboree. But he also played a number of Jimmy’s hits including Son of a Son of a Sailor, Come Monday, and Coast of Carolina (the Come Monday “sequel” that Mac co-wrote with Jimmy). I don’t think there was a dry eye in the house as Mac sang the new tribute song to Jimmy, Pirates and Parrots, along with Tonight I Just Need My Guitar, and Bubbles Up.

Mac’s voice was getting a little weaker toward the end of the show due to allergies so he asked the house to join him for the closer, A Pirate Looks at 40, and we all obliged. Mac kept everyone’s attention as he usually does with his stories, many of which were about his personal experiences with his mentor and close friend, Jimmy Buffett. If you haven’t heard Mac talk about how Tonight I Just Need My Guitar came about, I won’t spoil it but go see him live or search for it online. His telling of the story is hilarious. He also talked about the last time that he saw Jimmy after he had been called and told that he needed to come say his goodbyes. That was roughly 24 hours before Jimmy’s passing. He said that Jimmy was laying in the hospital bed, smiling wider than his head. After Mac played Jimmy some songs and then they said the things they wanted to say, one of the last things that Jimmy said to Mac was ‘What a hell of a ride, keep it going, keep the party going,’ and as Mac said “it’s our intention to do that.”

Thanks for a great show Mac. In case any of you haven’t heard, Mac along with most of the Coral Reefers will be doing a number of shows this year including at Meeting of the Minds in Gulf Shores, Oct 22-27, so we’ll have some chances to see the Coral Reefers again. Remember, we’ve been instructed by the man who started all of this to “Keep the party going”. Bubbles up ya’ll.

Save Our Salty Dogs(and Cats too) 

by Bo Shurling

Many of us in the Atlanta Parrot Head Club (APHC) dream of living at the beach or on an island. 

Wayne and Felicia Myers, long time members and former leaders of the APHC, made that dream a reality when they moved to St Croix several years ago. 

The couple, In keeping with the club’s motto of “Party with a Purpose,” has always embraced investing time and money in multiple charities. 

That did not change with their move to the tropics. 

Wayne now works with the St. Croix Animal Welfare Center (SCAWC). 

The 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization’s mission is to provide and promote the humane treatment of animals through humane education, animal protection, community service and their Paws From Paradise Program. 

This year the APHC will be raising funds throughout the year to provide assistance to the animals at the Center. The club will also be holding other fundraisers and events for other charities throughout the year. 

Below are more details about the services provided by the SCAWC. 

Community Clinic 

For many pet owners on St. Croix, the cost of veterinary care is a struggle and some pet owners are unable to seek care at all.  When a pet becomes sick, it is often abandoned or surrendered instead of taken for treatment. A once loved pet gets thrown outdoors at the first sign of mange or forced to suffer through this and other treatable conditions.   The SCAWC provides a community clinic that provides low cost spay and neuter programs as well as medical care and treatments, which encourages individuals to keep pets in their homes and to promote humane and responsible pet ownership in the community.  The result is healthier, happier animals that live longer lives and remain in their homes and a community that seeks care for their pets instead of abandoning. 

Paws From Paradise  

Because there are not enough people to adopt the number of pets that arrive at the shelter, The Center also has an off-island pet transfer program called “Paws from Paradise.”  This program has been an important part of their life-saving efforts for many years.  Transferring pets from one shelter to another  has become common practice in the mainland, where a shelter or rescue group in one area has a need for adoptable pets, while another has an abundance of pets but few adopters.  The Center has partners all across the states that understand the plight of abandoned and unwanted animals in our islands and are willing to help. 

Humane Education 

The St. Croix Animal Welfare Center has always had humane education as a core part of its mission.  Changing the way animals are treated is essential to stopping the problems of pet neglect and abuse, abandonment, and pet overpopulation.  The SCAWC provide humane education through elementary school visits, community outreach, adult education and social media advertising. 

Animal Protection Services 

The SCAWC provides animal protection services through 1) A compassion call which is when a stray animal in immediate need of medical attention (for instance, a dog or cat hit by a car). The Center responds to as many of these calls as possible but response is sometimes limited by resources and 2) Open Acceptance -Although SCAWC cannot always respond to calls for animals to be picked up, they always accept any animal that is brought to the shelter regardless of the reason, whether it is someone surrendering a pet or a compassionate community member who brings in a stray.  

Little rainy and chilly but we had a lot fun singing along with Reggie. Great seeing everybody especially Beverly Thompson and Kurt Gauder.

We raised $618 at the Friendsgiving Party for the Atlanta Community Food Bank

We also collected a fair amount of food which we added to Cultivation Brewery Food Drive for the Norcross Food Pantry.  Thanks to everybody that came out to Cultivation Brewery.

We had a great weather for this year's Walk to End Alzheimers at the Battery.

Shout out to this year's team - Team Captain Becky Kirbo, Allan and Barb Grove, Annette and Mark Waddell, and June Griffeth.

APHC Team raised $757 dollars this year Alzheimer's of Georgia and few bottles of bubbly were pop after the team did their 2.5 miles.

Way to Go!

Creative Loafing is an alternative weekly newspaper in Atlanta that highlights arts, culture and the social scene in Atlanta.   Creative Loafing is currently celebrating their 50th anniversary, and as part of the occasion they have published a special issue that highlights some of their milestones.

One of these milestones is that Creative Loafing was instrumental in the creation of the Atlanta Parrot Head Club and of the Parrot Heads in Paradise umbrella organization!  Back in 1989, Scott Nickerson placed an ad in Creative Loafing looking to connect with like-minded Jimmy Buffett fans. That led to a number of respondents, the first Happy Hour, and ultimately the formation of the Atlanta PHC and PHiP!  

Creative Loafing has an entire article about it in the 50th Anniversary issue, and you can read it online here:  https://creativeloafing.com/content-509719-parrot-heads-began-with-an-ad-in-creative

The Parrothead Cruise is the Atlanta Parrot Head Club's primary philanthropic event, raising over $320,000 for charity to date.  Unfortunately, due to the current circumstances with the COVID-19 pandemic and the uncertainty of when safe cruise-based travel will return we have made the difficult decision to cancel Parrothead Cruise 2021.   As a small silver lining, we are excited to announce Parrothead Cruise 2022. 

Parrothead Cruise 2022
It’s going to take a year longer than we expected, but we will now Bring Back the Magic in March of 2022.  We’ll be on the same ship, the Norwegian Joy, with all of the amenities and features we’ve been planning for, but will be following a Western Caribbean itinerary, sailing out of Miami on Saturday, March 12, 2022 visiting Roatán, Honduras; Harvest Caye, Belize; Costa Maya, Mexico; and Cozumel, Mexico, returning Saturday, March 19^th.   We will announce the Parrothead Cruise 2022 Entertainment Lineup in early 2021.  All of the details on pricing, stateroom options, and more can be found on our website, www.parrotheadcruise.com, which will be continuously updated as more details are available.

If you have entered the charity Parrothead Cruise 2021 Raffle you may request a refund by emailing brent@parrotheadcruise.com by December 7^th otherwise your entry will be automatically converted to the Parrothead Cruise 2022 Raffle, with the same grand prize. 

Fins up,

Brent Jones
Fred and Georgia McFarlin