• Alternate Text
  • Loading

  • Sand Bucket List
  • Health Observed
  • Crossword
  • Contests
  • Newsletters
  • e-Newspaper App
  • Longboat
    • News
    • Cops Corner
    • Real Estate
    • Business
    • Neighbors
    • Opinion
  • East County
    • News
    • Real Estate
    • Business
    • Neighbors
    • Schools
    • Sports
    • Opinion
  • Sarasota
    • News
    • Cops Corner
    • Real Estate
    • Business
    • Neighbors
    • Schools
    • Sports
    • Opinion
    • Siesta Key
  • Arts + Entertainment
    • Eat + Drink
    • Arts + Culture
    • Reviews
    • Things To Do
    • Black Tie
    • Spotlight Partners
  • Key Life
  • Galleries
  • More
    • Hurricane Season
    • Red Tide Map
    • Health Observed
    • Sand Bucket List
    • Calendar
    • Celebrations
    • Contests
    • Tributes
    • Submit a Celebration
    • Submit a Tribute
    • Public Notices
    • Classifieds
  • Longboat
    • Longboat
    • News
    • Cops Corner
    • Real Estate
    • Business
    • Neighbors
    • Opinion
  • East County
    • East County
    • News
    • Real Estate
    • Business
    • Neighbors
    • Schools
    • Sports
    • Opinion
  • Sarasota
    • Sarasota
    • News
    • Cops Corner
    • Real Estate
    • Business
    • Neighbors
    • Schools
    • Sports
    • Opinion
    • Siesta Key
  • Arts + Entertainment
    • Arts + Entertainment
    • Eat + Drink
    • Arts + Culture
    • Reviews
    • Things To Do
    • Black Tie
    • Spotlight Partners
  • Key Life
  • Galleries
  • More
    • More
    • Hurricane Season
    • Red Tide Map
    • Health Observed
    • Sand Bucket List
    • Calendar
    • Celebrations
    • Contests
    • Tributes
    • Submit a Celebration
    • Submit a Tribute
    • Public Notices
    • Classifieds
  • Sand Bucket List
  • Health Observed
  • Crossword
  • Contests
  • Newsletters
  • e-Newspaper App

PHOTO GALLERY: "Pioneer Picnic" Day


  • By Rachel S. OHara
  • | 4:00 a.m. October 8, 2012
  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
  • Share
PHOTO GALLERY: "Pioneer Picnic" Day
Suzette Jennings Blue and Chuck Rice pose together Sunday, Oct. 7, at the 38th annual “Pioneer Day” Picnic. Rice wore his old Sarasota High School ball cap to the event.
Suzette Jennings Blue and Chuck Rice pose together Sunday, Oct. 7, at the 38th annual “Pioneer Day” Picnic. Rice wore his old Sarasota High School ball cap to the event.
Buff Betz and Tracy Thompson
Buff Betz and Tracy Thompson
Jane Gill Burgess, Bonnie Burgess Wiedeman and Jean Burgess Shaw
Jane Gill Burgess, Bonnie Burgess Wiedeman and Jean Burgess Shaw
More than 600 people attended the 38th annual “Pioneer Day” Picnic put on by the Rotary Club of Sarasota.
More than 600 people attended the 38th annual “Pioneer Day” Picnic put on by the Rotary Club of Sarasota.
Rotarians make up boxes of food for the “Pioneer Day” Picnic lunch.
Rotarians make up boxes of food for the “Pioneer Day” Picnic lunch.
Welch Whitesell, Mary Scheb and Virgina Whitesell
Welch Whitesell, Mary Scheb and Virgina Whitesell
Bob Parker, Sr., 98, the oldest male “pioneer”, poses with his daughter, Brenda Parker-West, grandson, David Damschroder and grandchildren Nolan Damschroder, 9, and Josie Damschroder, 3.
Bob Parker, Sr., 98, the oldest male “pioneer”, poses with his daughter, Brenda Parker-West, grandson, David Damschroder and grandchildren Nolan Damschroder, 9, and Josie Damschroder, 3.
A view of the crowd waiting outside Robarts Arena Sunday, Oct. 7, to attend the 38th annual “Pioneer Day” Picnic.
A view of the crowd waiting outside Robarts Arena Sunday, Oct. 7, to attend the 38th annual “Pioneer Day” Picnic.
Pioneers enjoyed a lunch of black-eyed peas, coleslaw, swamp cabbage and more Sunday, Oct. 7.
Pioneers enjoyed a lunch of black-eyed peas, coleslaw, swamp cabbage and more Sunday, Oct. 7.
Members of the Model “A” Restorers Club, Ed Greer, Joe Cunningham and Milton Rauch pose with Rauch’s model.
Members of the Model “A” Restorers Club, Ed Greer, Joe Cunningham and Milton Rauch pose with Rauch’s model.
Event chairman Tim Herring, PR chair Rick Hughes and President Bob Stone
Event chairman Tim Herring, PR chair Rick Hughes and President Bob Stone
Walt Jungmeyer, G.E. “Buck” Sweeting, Al Boyd and Rob Brown
Walt Jungmeyer, G.E. “Buck” Sweeting, Al Boyd and Rob Brown
People wait in line to get inside for the 38th annual “Pioneer Day” Picnic at Robarts Arena Sunday, Oct. 7. A variety of vintage cars were displayed out front for people to look at and reminisce over.
People wait in line to get inside for the 38th annual “Pioneer Day” Picnic at Robarts Arena Sunday, Oct. 7. A variety of vintage cars were displayed out front for people to look at and reminisce over.
Elmer C. Taylor and Bonnie Fultz greet one another with hugs and smiles Sunday, Oct. 7, at Robarts Arena.
Elmer C. Taylor and Bonnie Fultz greet one another with hugs and smiles Sunday, Oct. 7, at Robarts Arena.
Don Roberts gave the invocation at the 38th annual “Pioneer Day” Picnic.
Don Roberts gave the invocation at the 38th annual “Pioneer Day” Picnic.
Alice P. Riegel and her son, Wayne, attended the 38th annual “Pioneer Day” Picnic Sunday, Oct. 7, at Robarts Arena.
Alice P. Riegel and her son, Wayne, attended the 38th annual “Pioneer Day” Picnic Sunday, Oct. 7, at Robarts Arena.
Joyce Ridenour buys raffle tickets from Jack LeFrock Sunday, Oct. 7.
Joyce Ridenour buys raffle tickets from Jack LeFrock Sunday, Oct. 7.
More than 600 “pioneers” attended “Pioneer Day” Sunday, Oct. 7.
More than 600 “pioneers” attended “Pioneer Day” Sunday, Oct. 7.

 

Latest News

St. Regis at Longboat Key is a gulf-facing resort and condo development on the barrier island of Longboat Key. The Unicorp-developed property opened in 2024 at the former site of the Colony Beach & Tennis Resort.
  • April 4, 2026
St. Regis on track to receive permanent certificate of occupancy, eyes tennis courts
The Fruitville Townhomes site plan to replace the vacant former Sarasota Lanes bowling center.
  • April 4, 2026
Fruitville bowling alley submits plans to redevelop into 4-story townhomes
Deputies shoot and wound armed man
  • April 3, 2026
Deputies shoot and wound armed man
Screenshot of a body-worn camera video shows the moment SPD Officer Michal Banasiak reaches for a bottle before grabbing the man in distress and pulling him to safety.and
  • April 3, 2026
Sarasota Police officers rescue man threatening suicide

Sponsored Health Content

Sponsored Content

The best of Your Observer, delivered directly to your inbox

Get the latest in news, sports, schools, arts and things to do in Sarasota, Siesta Key, Longboat Key and East County.

Sign Up

Latest in Neighbors

These dishes have delighted Sarasota-area barrier islands for decades.
  • April 2, 2026
These one-of-a-kind dishes are signatures of the keys
Hall of fame coach Urban Meyer gets back to work in his new community
  • April 2, 2026
Hall of fame coach Urban Meyer gets back to work in his new community
Nate Gold stands with his horse Alonzo.
  • April 2, 2026
The key to happiness? Rock climber-turned-horse trainer says it's all about flow
The spacious living area features 16-foot-high ceilings and views out to a forest of palm trees.
  • April 2, 2026
Lido Shores home pairs a modern aesthetic with splashes of personality
Aledia Tush, co-owner of CB’s Saltwater Outfitters, has spent nearly five decades helping shape the business into a Siesta Key institution known for its welcoming spirit and family-first approach.
  • April 2, 2026
After 50 years of change, the best things stay the same at this stalwart shop
Walkers head out on the walk in 2025.
  • April 1, 2026
Teams prepare for April 11 Walk to Defeat ALS

App

Download the Your Observer app

Stay in the know with the latest local news. Any device, anytime, anywhere.

DOWNLOAD NOW

Contact

  • 1970 Main St.
  • Third Floor
  • Sarasota, FL 34236
  • Phone: 941-366-3468
  • FPN Verified

Extra, Extra!

  • Newsletters
  • App
  • Crossword
  • Contests

more

  • About Us
  • Contact Us
  • Classifieds
  • Advertise
  • Rack Locations
  • Jobs
  • Privacy Policy
  • Accessibility Options

sister sites

  • Business Observer
  • Jax Daily Record
  • Orange Observer
  • Accessibility Options
  • Copyright © 2026 Observer Media Group Inc., All Rights Reserved
Sign Up for Daily Headlines

A daily dose of news from Longboat Key, East County, Sarasota and Siesta Key.

Sign Up for In Case You Missed It

A Saturday dose of the week's top stories from Sarasota, Longboat Key and East County.


The Your Observer App is Here!

Get local news you can trust — now on your phone, tablet or laptop. Fast. Free. Easy to Use.
Stay informed, wherever you are.

Download Now