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With about forty activities scheduled in any one year, Friends Southwest provides a great opportunity for those seeking new friends. The cost of at least half the activities is under $10 (some are even free). So don’t let your budget keep you away!
Regular activities include:
Dinners Out
Video Nights (at members’ homes)
Cultural Events (movies, plays, theater)
Game Nights
Annual Auto Events
Movie Nights
Pool Parties
Annual events include:
New Year’s Day Savory Soup
Dinner Out and Hot-tubbing
Progressive Dinner
Annual Picnic
Weekend Camping Trips
Weekend at the Lodge
Halloween Party at "The Dunes"
Christmas Cookie Party
Descriptions
of regular activities:
 | Dinners Out
Steppin’ out to your favorite restaurant... sometimes we splurge a
bit and go to a "better" place of dining and then at other times
we go to a moderately priced restaurant. Sometimes our restaurant choices
become a gastronomical journey that will have group members from Kalamazoo
car pooling to Grand Rapids, Battle Creek, Plainwell, Shelbyville and Paw
Paw. Be it good ole American bill of fare, Mexican, German... whichever
the choice of dining and whatever tasty bill of fare be served... a good
time is always had by everyone who chooses to attend.
| Video Nights (at members’
homes)
The host of the evening chooses the film du jour and members gather for
some hot popcorn and soft drinks. Sometimes pizzas will be called out and
delivered... making the best of Hollywood even better for all who are in
attendance.
| Cultural Events (movies, plays, theater)
"Friends" will organize outings to various plays and theater
events, whenever members are interested in the advertised shows. For some
shows, members prepay the "host" for the tickets, who purchases
them as a small block of seats.
Visits to the Barn Theater in Augusta is a summer event which is well
attended by members. Live theater at The Civic in Kalamazoo or smaller shows
at local theaters which occasionally present gay-themed plays are also
attended.
Group members attend special events at museums in Grand Rapids... once
again car pooling is encouraged.
| Game Nights
Periodically, members will host game nights. These are informal evenings
held in member’s homes where board games, cards, and parlor games are
played. Usually refreshments and munchies are available.
| Auto Events
In January (weather permitting) a car pooling group attends the annual
"North American International Car Auto Show" held at Cobo Hall in
Detroit. This may be strictly a daytime event or could become an overnight
experience with a night spent at a local motel... those that are
interested decide how they would like this event to go. Whichever way it
does go... everyone always has a GREAT time!!!! Sometimes, in June the group goes to
the Gilmore Museum in Hickory Corners for the
annual "Classic Cars" Show, for those auto buffs who appreciate those
classic cars from long ago.
| Movie Nights
This event is simply a member of the group saying "Let’s go to the
flicks!" A date is chosen and if you’re interested in joining you
phone the person who is hosting the function for information regarding what
film is going to be seen and what time it starts. Your job is to just be at
the theater, sit back and enjoy the film with your fellow club members.
| Pool Parties
There are always at least two annual pool parties held during the summer
months. One in Kalamazoo and one in Grand Rapids... a GRAND time is
always had by ALL in attendance. The pool parties are "bring a
dish" type of picnics, also... a VERY WELL attended event.
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Descriptions
of annual events:
| New Year’s Day Savory Soup
New Year’s Day "Savory Soup" event is held yearly in
Kalamazoo. A variety of homemade soups are made by our hosts and guests are
encouraged to bring a dish to share. LOTS of fun and a GREAT way to bring in
the new year and to make new friends and visit old ones.
| Dinner Out and Hot-tubbing
In February, the club first goes out to dine at a local eatery, then
attends "The Oasis" hot tub establishment in Kalamazoo . LOTS of
hot bubbly water, relaxed conversations and a total sense of friendly
camaraderie is had by all.
| Progressive Dinner
Through the years, "Friends" largest attended function has
become our annual Progressive Dinner. It is normally held at various homes
throughout the Kalamazoo area and sometimes extending to Battle Creek and
even car pooling to Grand Rapids to finish the evening with a yummy dessert
at a member’s home.
| Annual Picnic
Our annual summertime picnic has been at Scott’s Mill Park in Scotts, MI (between Battle Creek and Kalamazoo). This event is also a very
popular event. Bring a dish to pass and your own meat of choice to grill. A
volleyball net is set up for the group to get its exercise after feasting
on all the picnic goodies. Bring a kite to fly or a Frisbee to throw!!!
| Weekend Camping Trips
"Friends" has been going to "Camp-It" (outside of
Saugatuck) for a weekend camp-out. Bring your tent and food to share with
your other fellow campers in the group. New to Camp-It is their very large
swimming pool... so bring your swimsuits.
| Weekend at the Lodge
"Friends" also has been going to "Fort Custer Park"
to share a weekend of fun! Our accommodation is a rather rustic, but
comfortable lodge (no running water... no heat) which has bunk beds for
sleeping. Bring your own bedding. There is a nearby lake (in the park) for
swimming and there is always a REALLY fun scavenger hunt. A campfire,
toasting marshmallows and ghost stories told at night... a yummy
breakfast of homemade buttermilk pancakes, eggs and bacon in the morning... all
cooked over an open fire pit.
| Halloween Party at "The Dunes"
The group will rent a couple rooms at The Dunes for their annual
Halloween gala event. "Friends" meets for dinner and has a
pre-cocktail party in a member's room. Later on it’s time to put on your
favorite costume of choice and head up to the bar area for the BIG party.
| Christmas Cookie Party
An annual Christmas Cookie decorating party is held every year in a
member’s home in Grand Rapids. A very special Christmas event which scouts
out your abilities to bake and decorate the "best cookie" with
door prizes handed out at end of evening. A totally "must see"
event of the season!!!
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The variety of activities, as one can see, is abundant. Friends Southwest
truly has something for everyone.
Send email
to Friends Southwest: friendssw@yahoo.com
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Friends
Southwest