Currently the only surviving member!

What do you do when you retire? Why sing and dance of course! Popps (Don) Pawlitschek formed Sugarloom in June 0f 2014. He recruited local singers and musicians from around the Mankato area. But he had five stipulations. The members had to be over 60 years old. They had to be able to sing solo and harmony. They had to be able to dance, or at least be able to get on the stage. They had to have a good memory. Sorry, he can’t remember the fifth one. He remembers one thing, though; it had to be fun! For the group and for the audience!

The members of his group, average 50 years of entertainment experience each. All are still active in various other musical groups in the area. All are still working. Some more than others. One grouchy old guy sits around and plays on his computer all day.

Considering that the average age of the group is almost 70, they are careful to pace their time wisely. No more than three shows in one day. No talking about old girlfriends while going down the road, they get excited and tend to pick up traffic tickets.

The group is currently performing at many county fairs and celebrations. Individually, they have performed with or still perform with: Mankato Riverblenders, Sweet Adelines, the Echoes big band, Popps and the Pawlitscheks, Donna Douglas (Beverly Hillbillies), Minnesota and Grand Ol Opry stars: Connie Smith, Jean Shepard, Jack Greene and many others. They play “crowd pleasing” music that gets their audience clapping, laughing, singing and dancing.