State Parties

Canada

Wes Akerman

There are a number of reasons we live in SunBird, and 100 days of sunshine is one of them.

It has been a busy month for us with the CRAB Tournament, our second Thanksgiving dinner this year and enjoying the Grey Cup on the big screen in the ballroom.

Once again, we were the first loser in the CRAB golf competition, placing second to the Americans. The event opened with an auction, spearheaded by Joel Sybesma, and was followed by an efriendly golf social with our American friends on the following day. All totaled, the community raised $30,000 of much-needed revenue for a golf course capital expenditure.

Our most recent financial contribution to SunBird was the speaker system for the patio, a nice upgrade from the old and unreliable portable microphone.

Mark your calendars for our Pork Loin BBQ and social on February 8, the largest social event of our season. It is $7.00 per plate and will be held on the patio from 3:00–6:00 p.m. (BYOB). Look for an email registration or contact Mike and Susan McMillan at [email protected] to get on our list. Details are on our poster in the clubhouse.

This event is followed by the Great Canadian Golf Tournament on March 18, headed up by Fred Nixon. Registration will take place at the BBQ. The cost is $40 per person which includes golf and a pizza dinner in the ballroom. This tournament is a social scramble for Canadian golfers of all levels of experience. Come and join us.

The Conley Cup is slated for Mach 23 to 25, and we are recruiting some young guns from all over Canada. Maybe 2018 will result in a win for the True North.

Colorado

All Colorado present and former residents and houseguests are invited to a Wine and Cheese Party on Thursday, January 25, 2018, at the home of Gary Hall and Joy Stoltz at 6361 South Sawgrass Drive. The party will be from 3:00 to 5:00 p.m. BYOB and an appetizer to share. This will be an opportunity to meet new friends and renew friendships. We will also discuss our Patio Party, which will be Saturday, March 24, 2018, on the SunBird Patio. We need your input to make this a success.

RSVP to Gary and Joy at 303-378-5576.

Iowa

Paullene Caraher

For those of us “pale-faced” Iowans left to silence the lawn mowers, clean up the garden and dodge the antlered white-tailed deer that won’t take no for an answer, here is a happy thought! Our “homegrown,” sun-tanned Iowa neighbors are ready to welcome you to SunBird, sunshine, sandals and shorts.

Get ready! It will soon be time for the Iowa State Fair – West. On March 13 from 4:00-8:00 p.m., the Iowa Party will be held on the SunBird Patio. And don’t forget, before heading south, please bring something from Iowa for the annual raffle which helps support this gathering of friends from the Heartland.

Michigan/Illinois

The fourth annual Michigan and Illinois combined state party is scheduled for Saturday, March 10, 2018, from 4:00-8:00 p.m. on the Clubhouse patio. Please mark this date on your calendar. A planning meeting is being held on January 18, 2018, in the Lakeview Room from 2:00-3:00 p.m. All SunBird residents from the great states of Illinois and Michigan are invited to participate in the planning for the combined party.

For further information, contact Marge Smith at 480-883-1622 or Janice Fleming at 480-883-6915 or Joan Freund at 480-225-3184.