****Our Savannah St Patrick's Day Weekend trip is filling-up fast with only a couple-of-dozen rooms still available at the Inn at Ellis Square. Details have been previously published and can be on our website at this link: Savannah Room Information.

 ****Rooms are still available at the Tradewinds Sandpiper Beach Resort for our 30th Anniversary Celebration May 5th and 6th. We have reserved 25 additional SUITES!  This will be much more comfortable (and highly recommended) for those band members with 3 or 4 in a room. Reservations can be made by calling 1-800-808-9833. Remember to reference the "Second Time Arounders May 4-6" dates for your $159.00 rate! Don't miss the 30th! This will be the "social event" of your Rounders season!" Learn more about it at this link from an earlier newsletter: Rounders 30th Celebration.

****We talk about it a lot but this season, bring a friend to join the Rounders! In order for our numbers to remain strong we need a membership "push" every few years and this is that year. More specific information will come out in future newsletters but please target them toward our "New Members Orientation" event Thursday, January 12th at the Hanger Restaurant in St. Pete (see calendar). You enjoy this fine organization...won't they?

****Keep Sunday, December 18 on your calendar for the Holiday performance of the Island Singers and the Second Winds. Two performances at the Palladium in St. Petersburg 3PM and 7PM. Admission is free and seating..."first come first served." The "Second Winds" number 68-members this year with the Island Singers looking to triple that number.  Come support Bill, the Island Chapel, and these fine musicians for what promises to be a very musical night!

On the scheduling-front your Rounders will first meet in January (Jan 3) for our pre-season music run-through. By that time your Drumline will have already had 4-5 rehearsals on the new cadence for 2012 (they started in October)! Beginning January 24th your Auxiliary rehearsals begin, just before our Chili Cook Off at Ferg's on February 4th!

Full band rehearsals begin Valentine's Day, Tuesday February 14 (did you know many Rounders couples met in band?) with our outdoor marching rehearsal on Tuesday, March 13. Performances for 2012 include a joint concert at Northeast High School Friday, March 9. This year's trip to Savannah, GA for one of the largest St. Patrick's Day Parades in the Country March 15-18. The Festival of States night Parade Thursday, March 22nd followed on Saturday by the well attended Chasco Parade March 24 in New Port Richey. Friday, April 6th will bring a "First Friday" performance in downtown St. Petersburg with a "Progressive Concert" event and season finale party currently being considered (not final) for Saturday, April 7.

Your Rounders will then officially celebrate our 30th Anniversary at the Tradewinds Island Resort in St. Petersburg Saturday and Sunday May 5th & 6th...an event you won't want to miss even if you choose not to book a room!