Laurie Thacker
Independence Bank | Freedom Travel Club
Owensboro, Kentucky
I love getting away during the dark season; it’s a great time to travel. We travel as much in the winter as we do any time of the year.
We typically do an inexpensive two-day trip around Valentine’s Day. I choose a name for this theme, such as “Heavenly Hospitality in the Hoosier State,” a trip to Indiana, of course; and “Horses and Heritage,” a trip in our home state that showcased not only the horses but the Bourbon Trail.
We also do a big trip to a warmer destination, such as Australia or South America.
Margie O’Connell
Beverly Bank and Trust | Platinum Adventure Club
Chicago
One of the best cold-weather events we’ve had was the Discover the Eagle Trolley Tour at the Starved Rock State Park in Utica, Illinois. They have a nature center that is located on the route of migrating eagles. We first saw an educational video, and then we viewed the eagles, their nests and all the surrounding beauty from an interior area. But many people bundled up and did go outside to enjoy an even better view.
Donna Olson
Heritage Bank | Heritage Gold Club
Spencer, Wisconsin
This is the time of year we really enjoy day trips to places like Minneapolis to enjoy lunch and a midday Broadway show and also the Fireside Dinner Theatre in Fort Atkinson, Wisconsin, just a great place to spend the day with lunch and a matinee.
I’ve been here 15 years and only had to cancel one event due to weather. We certainly don’t go dormant in the winter, even in Wisconsin.
Jolene Buchholz
Farmers State Bank | Connect Club
Marion, Iowa
We do a few free movie events at a local theater. Even though this is a morning event, no one ever turns down the popcorn.
While we typically go to a warm destination, this year we’re doing something very different: We’re going to Yellowstone National Park. Being from a cold climate, I was very skeptical this would sell, but it sold very well.
We’ve heard it’s the best time of the year to visit, and our terrific itinerary includes taking snow coaches into the park, staying at a lodge near Old Faithful and also time in Jackson Hole and the Grand Tetons. We’re also looking forward to hearing the Mormon Tabernacle Choir in Salt Lake City.
Ann VanDyken
Citizens Tri-County Bank | Golden Club
Dunlap, Tennessee
We go shopping. While we don’t venture too far north in the winter, we love the Nashville Flea Market and the Opry Mills Mall, where we combine our excursion with a trip to the Grand Ole Opry. I’ve also had two busloads go to Leeds, Alabama, to the Outlet Shops of Grand River, where there is a Bass Pro nearby. We stop for lunch on the way at the Irondale Whistle Stop, made famous by the movie “Fried Green Tomatoes.”
This year, we’re also going to Hawaii in February.
Kim Carb
Southwest Bank | Southwest Club
Fort Worth, Texas
We’re taking a Caribbean cruise in late January where we depart via Galveston, and there will be no airport involved. We’re also taking a casino trip to the Beau Rivage on the Mississippi Gulf Coast in February.
In the past, we’ve also done the Christmas market tours in Germany and Austria.
