Panama City, Florida
In January, 1974, Cliff C., Paul L., and "E.C." H. put their thoughts and ideas into action and started a Sunday meeting to be held at the Halfway House in Fountain, Florida. The purpose of this meeting was to share the experiences, strengths and hopes of AA members in District 15 with residents of that halfway house. This gathering was known as the "Halfway House Meeting," and held
its first meetings on Sundays. Early members of this group included Cliff C., Paul L., "E.C." H., and Joe E.
After a few months, the meeting location was changed to Selma Avenue in Highland Park, Florida, where it stayed until October, 1974, when it moved to its present location at 618 North Cove Blvd., Panama City, Florida.
The Halfway House Meeting evolved into an official AA group now known as the "Friendly Serenity Group." On April 12, 1988, the Friendly Serenity Group was formally registered by the General Service Office of AA.
The Friendly Serenity Group presently meets every Wednesday evening at 8:00 p.m. for an open discussion meeting.
Panama City, Florida
It is well documented that any two or three alcoholics may, for the purposes of sobriety, form their own new
AA group. So it was in the Fall of 1974 that a new AA group emerged in Panama City, Florida.
Alfred D., Jack H., Paul L., and Charles R. were the first members of this new group and they chose to name it the "Central Group" of Panama City. This new group held its first meeting in the facilities of a newly-formed
AA club at 523 East 6th Street in Panama City.
From the very start, the Central Group ambitiously held three meetings a week -at 8:00 p.m. on Sundays, Tuesdays, and Thursdays. Membership continued to grow throughout this group's history.
The Central Group experienced many "moving" woes, having to relocate its meeting place several times. Some of its previous locations were: East 6th Street, East 9th Street, Jenks Avenue, West15th street, Grace Avenue, and 24th Plaza -all in Panama City. Since April 15, 1988, the Central Group has been meeting at 922 Jenks Avenue in Panama City.
On February 6, 1976, the Central Group of AA was formally registered by the General Service Office of
AA.
In 1986, the Central Group formed a non-registered noon meeting group known as the "Nooner's Lunch Bunch." The purpose of this meeting was to provide some good and solid
AA for those members who could break away and bring their lunch with them. In February of 1989, the Nooner's Lunch Bunch was formally incorporated into the Central Group and became known as the "Central Lunch Bunch."
Current meetings of the Central Group follow:
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DAILY, 12:00 noon |
Central Lunch Bunch Open Discussion Meeting (Except Sun) |
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SUNDAY, 9:30 a.m. |
Big Book Open Meeting |
|
SUNDAY, 8:00 p.m. |
Open Step Discussion |
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TUESDAY, 8:00 p.m. |
Open Speaker Meeting |
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THURSDAY, 8:00 p.m. |
Closed Discussion Meeting and Al-Anon Meeting |
Panama City Beach, Florida
During the period of late 1974 to January, 1983, no new AA groups were formed in District 15. However, Jack H., who in 1981 had moved to Panama City Beach from Frankfort, Kentucky, felt there were enough
AA members living in the East end of Panama City Beach to warrant forming a new group to meet on Sunday afternoons. Jack made numerous inquiries which resulted in a positive consensus. Jack then presented a meeting plan to the pastor of the Woodlawn United Methodist Church on Carolyn Avenue, Panama City Beach. The pastor, in turn, presented the proposal to the Church Board which resulted in an immediate approval. Thus, on January 8, 1983, the "Woodlawn Group" of
AA was born.
First members of the new Woodlawn Group included Jack M., Jane G., Harry P., Chuck B., Charlie W., Ray Henry S., Paul A., Wayne S., and
Harry S. The first GSR elected for the Woodlawn Group was Jack M.
The Woodlawn Group approved an intimate approach to their meetings with an emphasis on the personalized needs of its members. No limitation was placed on discussion topics.
On March 19, 1984, the Woodlawn Group of AA was formally
registered by the General Service Office of AA.
Membership in the Woodlawn Group is currently holding at eight members with numerous visitors in attendance. Open discussion meetings are still being held at the Woodlawn United Methodist Church every Sunday afternoon at 3:00 p.m.
Panama City, Florida
Alcoholism is by no means, a disease experienced solely by the male gender. Women share many of the same afflictions and problems which men experience. Little in the past had been done with women in mind.
So it was in April, 1984, that a woman alcoholic named Juanita S., decided it was time to do something for her female alcoholic friends. A building was located at 3407 North East Ave., Panama City, Florida, and became the first "halfway house" in the Panama City area. Since this new activity of C.A.R.E. was not to be considered an
AA group per se, it was named an A.W.A.R.E. Meeting.
Initially, open A.W.A.R.E. meetings were held each Sunday at 7:00 p.m. at this
location. these meetings continued until early 1987 when, due to conflict with the male population, all meetings became closed meetings for women only. This approach has proven very effective since women are much more willing to discuss their own private problems with other women.
Currently, closed
A.W.A.R.E. meetings are held every Sunday evening at 7:00p.m.at 3407 North East Ave., Panama City, Fl. These meetings are for women only.
Lynn Haven, Florida
As membership in Alcoholics Anonymous grew within District 15, meeting facilities became overcrowded.
AA members in the outlying areas of central Panama City and Panama City Beach were still finding it difficult to get to a meeting. They certainly did not want to give up their much needed meetings in order to maintain their sobriety.
With this in mind, Pat C. and Linda C. decided it was time to form another
AA group in Lynn Haven, Florida. The first meeting of this new group, called the "Lynn Haven Group" of Alcoholics Anonymous, was held in the old Coaches Corner building in April, 1985. Early members included Pat C., Linda C., Judy, Albert, and
Brinda N.
The Lynn Haven Group made an early move from the old Coaches Corner building to the Lynn Haven City Commission Room. The group continued to meet at this new location for some time with rather unique meetings held every Thursday night -unique in that
the group held a 45 minute speaker meeting followed by a 45 minute discussion meeting.
As membership in this new group grew, it became evident that additional meetings were needed. Thus it was that George and Barbara B. formed a Sunday night open discussion meeting. The regular Thursday night meeting continued.
On June 13, 1985, The Lynn Haven Group of AA was formally registered by the
General Service Office of AA.
In January, 1989, the City of Lynn Haven renovated its City Commission rooms. This action made it necessary for the Lynn Haven Group to move to other meeting facilities. The group obtained permission to meet at the First Presbyterian Church at the corner of 9th Street and Georgia Avenue in Lynn Haven. The
group continues to meet at this location.
Current Meetings of the Lynn Haven Group follow:
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Sunday, 8 pm |
Open Discussion Meeting (No Smoking) |
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Thursday, 8 pm |
Closed Discussion Meeting (No Smoking) |