State Parties

Colorado Patio Party – March 18

All Colorado present and former residents and houseguests are invited to a patio party on Saturday, March 18, 2017, from 3:00 to 6:00 p.m. at the SunBird pool/patio area. There will be a social hour, followed by a cookout. The social hour is BYOB, and the cookout will include hamburgers or brats, potato salad and beans, buns, plates, condiments, beer and wine or soda. Tickets are $8.00 per person and must be purchased by March 14. For more information, contact Bill and Bette Hook at 480-895-6920.

Dakota and Nebraska reunion

Mark your calendars for the Dakota and Nebraska Club reunion on Friday, March 10, from 4:00-6:30 p.m. on the SunBird patio! Bring your friends!

The potluck-on-the patio fun will begin with social hour at 4:00 p.m. (BYOB). The potluck is at 4:30 p.m. Live music with Bob Bergman (of Fargo) and the Boys will again entertain us.

Delicious Dakota and Nebraska home cooking and beverage is your admission, with water and dinnerware provided. Those with last names A-L are asked to bring salads or desserts, and M-Z main dishes to serve eight people.

Yes, Nebraska friends are joining us this year! They and SunBird residents who have lived in the Dakotas and their Dakota/Nebraska guests are invited. Bring an Ole and Lena joke and unwrapped door prize, if possible.

Membership and event ticket is $5 at the SunBird office in March, or $6 at the picnic. For questions or to share ideas, call Jackie Cox at 701-730-6723, or Mary Jane Melcher at 605-310-8434.

Michigan Party – March 31

Arrangements are now finalized for our annual Michigan party to be held on Friday, March 31, 2017, at the Cottonwood San Tan Ballroom in Sun Lakes. As in past years, we are extending a friendly open invitation to our many friends from SunBird Country Club as well as other surrounding communities. Open bar social hour starts at 5:30 p.m. with an Italian buffet served at 6:00 p.m.

The meal includes sliced tomatoes with fresh basil, sliced mozzarella cheese and balsamic vinegar, Caesar salad, chicken parm, penne pasta, marinara sauce, vegetables medley, garlic bread, tea and water on tables, coffee station plus dessert. Also included will be a raffle, 50/50, music, prizes and games. Tickets for this event are priced at a reasonable $20.00 per person.

With over 380 households from Michigan living in Sun Lakes alone, we expect a nice response. This will be a great opportunity to meet with other Michigan friends, make new friends, socialize and enjoy great food. Please respond by March 20, as we need a headcount for dinner. For tickets, contact Pearl at 480-305-0286, Kathy at 517-937-6505, Carol at 586-876-0695 or Dana at 616-560-5851.

Michigan/Illinois – March 4

The third annual Michigan and Illinois combined state party will be held on Saturday, March 4, 2017, from 4:00-8:00 p.m., on the Clubhouse Patio. Dinner will be served at 5:00 p.m. All Illinois and Michigan residents, former residents and anyone with ties to these two great states are invited to attend.

Thanks to everyone’s generous donations at last year’s party, pulled pork will be provided by the party committee. To supplement the pulled pork, attendees with last names starting with A-O are asked to bring fruit, veggies or dessert. Those whose last names begin with P-Z are asked to bring an appetizer to pass. Coffee, plates, utensils, cups and napkins will be provided. Everyone should bring their drink of choice. Tickets for a 50/50 drawing will also be sold. Donations to help offset the cost of food for next year’s party scheduled for Saturday, March 10, 2018, will be graciously accepted.

To help the committee finalize their plans for the party, there will be a sign-up sheet on the board in the puzzle room. For further information or to register for the party, you may call Marge Smith at 480-883-1622 or Janice Fleming at 480-883-6915. Illinois residents may contact Joan Freund at 480-225-3184. Please mark your calendar and plan to attend.

Minnesota Patio Party March 26

Minnesotans and friends from Sun Lakes and nearby areas are all invited to the annual Minnesota Patio Party held at the Palo Verde Country Club in Sun Lakes. Cost of $15 per person includes a buffet dinner. Come join the fun and win some raffle prizes. This event will be from 4:00 to 7:00 p.m. on Sunday, March 26. Please contact us before March 20, as we need a head count for dinners.

For information or reservations, please contact Bill or Judy Rethke at 480-895-5820, Stu or Sara Bennerotte at 612-571-3779, Ed Bader at 612-730-5098, Pat Dubow at 320-492-1253, Grady Anderson at 480-416-9584, Belinda Anderson at 480-489-9428, Marge Brower at 320-248-5600, Russ Sieben at 320-248-7479, Mary Sieben at 320-249-4870, Gary Fuchs at 952-412-0375, Carol Fuchs at 952-412-0370 or Mary Pietrini at 651-308-5717.

Wisconsin – March 16

All residents, renters and anyone who has connections to Wisconsin are invited to an afternoon of fellowship on the SunBird patio on Thursday, March 16, from 11:30 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. Guests are to bring their own plates, dinnerware, beverage and a dish to pass. If you wish, bring a door prize that we can raffle off. If you have any questions, call Clay or Barb at 715-205-3719.