My friends too take great pride in calling themselves "snowbirds". The golf course obviously knows who is buttering their bread. That is almost funny if it were not do divisive.

Jackie 

"Snowbirds" are a backbone of the AZ economy, as you noted.  I found this article in an AZ online newspaper:

http://www.azstarnet.com/allheadlines/104158

So you really ARE appreciated, if not by the few rude folks you've happened to run into.  Seems to me their (those rude ones) ignorance is hanging out.

So have fun down there, enjoy the warmth, and I'm hoping we can partake of some of that sun and fun come February!

Hugs,  Roberta

I've always felt like "snowbird" was meant as an insult when I was visiting in Arizona.  Everything bad is blamed on them.  I think the golf course owner thought he was doing something nice for visitors.

But you're right.  Snowbirds add so much to the economy, especially now.  I remember growing up in a military family and living in places where the local towns didn't want the military there.  Then the bases closed and the towns dried up.  Be careful what you wish for, huh....