Steve Perkins
Over 100 North and South Dakotans gathered March 12 to continue the 46 year tradition of having a combined states party to celebrate our Dakota heritage and renew friendships and build new ones. The dinner party was held at Sun Lakes Cottonwood Country Club, San Tan Ballroom with burgers and brats. There was plenty of time to mingle and the dinner was followed by a program of Dakota jokes, a Johnny Carson rendition of the “Magnificent Carnac.”
Party emcees Dave Ouradnik and Steve Perkins noted that people attend from Maricopa and surrounding areas—even Buckeye. “It is not just a Sun Lakes exclusive party. We even have some folks who would just like to be Dakotans who attend.” All together over 47 Dakota “hometowns” were claimed by party registrants.
Party sponsor Western State Bank was present and gave a “goodie bag” to every attendee. As a major funder multiple drawings were held for the cash gift cards totaling $600 along with other nice prizes. The bank’s Chandler Retail Services Manager, Jennifer Lara, presented the bank’s history of starting out in Devils Lake, N.D., but still to this day keeping the “small town” Dakota style service at each of its seven branches in the Phoenix area.
Also raffled was an autographed book, “Bowen: an Unfinished Life” written by granddaughter Janice Lininger and great–granddaughter Kari Lininger-Downs. It is about the life of Murrel Bowen, an early homesteader of North Dakota who accumulated a 3,000 acre ranch and who, at 36 years of age, was the victim of a never solved 1919 murder. It is believed the reason centered on the political battles of member Bowen’s liberal non-partisan league and the rival conservative independent voters association. Yes, even Dakota politics got violent at times.
Next year’s party will again be held at the San Tan Ballroom and is scheduled for March 11, 2027, at 4:30 p.m. Don’t miss it! To make sure you are on the party email list simply notify party co-chairs Marianne and Steve Perkins or Ilene and Dave Ouradnik at sunlakesdakotaparty@gmail.com.