Pioneer hosts firecracker of a picnic

Published 06:00 a.m., July 5, 2009

The 100 residents of Pioneer Retirement Community and their families enjoyed a picnic in the sunshine Friday as they celebrated the Fourth of July.

It’s a special day that allows the residents to celebrate the holiday when they can’t leave, said Maxine Sonstebo, who was visiting family at the retirement center.

Games such as croquet and t-ball were set up for the grandchildren and great-grandchildren visiting with the Carlisle Band performing music for everyone.

There was also an opportunity to purchase books and bird houses and sign up for a quilt raffle. The quilts are made by Jessie Heyen, who then donates them for the raffle. The sales were held by the auxiliary, which raises money that Pioneer uses to purchase items that enhance the quality of life for the residents, auxiliary President Trudy Hershner. Most of the auxiliary members are former Pioneer employees, she added.

This year was a special one for activities coordinator Diane Barts. She is retiring from the retirement center next week after working there for 22 years. She also worked as the volunteer coordinator at Pioneer before becoming the activities coordinator.

The annual Fourth of July picnics were begun in 1979 by Carmon Jackson, administrator of the retirement community from 1978 until 1997.

The first year, they held it where the western unit of the building now stands, Jackson said.

The second year they began the tradition of holding it in NP Park, where many people would gather to push the residents in wheelchairs to the park with a person playing a trumpet, Jackson said. Among his memories of those picnics was when his brother-in-law gave rides to the residents in a roadster car and serving the residents homemade ice cream.

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