Pioneer memorial & history tour

Join us tomorrow (Sat, 1/22) at Greenwood Cemetery in downtown Orlando for a wreath-laying ceremony to honor Will Wallace Harney, the man who built the original Pine Castle.

The ceremony will be followed by a walking tour led by sexton Don Price.

The event begins at noon.

For more information/directions, email pinecastlepioneerdays@hotmail.com.

Tweeting about Pioneer Days

Will Wallace Harney has (posthumously?!) established a Twitter account. Follow his tweets at www.twitter.com/wwharney .

Pioneer road conditions!

Tune in to American Variety Radio next week.

Several local NPR stations will be airing an interview featuring two Pine Castle pioneer descendants: Kelly Kramer Weekley and Billy Morgan.

In Orlando, tune in to WMFE (90.7) this Sunday (12/12) at 4:30pm.

In Melbourne, tune in to WFIT (89.5) this Sunday (12/12) at 7:30am.

And, in Fort Pierce, tune in to WQCS (88.9) next Wednesday (12/15) at 9:30am.

Web site working group

Daniel Morgan Construction hosted a workshop in their offices at 1603 South Bumby Avenue today.

The goal was to update the festival website.

If YOU have any suggestions for updates, additions, or corrections, please email pinecastlepioneerdays@hotmail.com.

Cracker Christmas!

If anyone is interested in attending the festivities at Fort Christmas this weekend, a group from Pioneer Days is planning on going to scout for vendors and demonstrators.

Interested in joing us? Meet us at Sharon's Place on South Orange Avenue at 8am today. Or, email pinecastlepioneerdays@hotmail.com for other rendezvous points.

We need recruits to fill up booth space!

Another busy afternoon!

The Pine Castle Women's Club hosted back-to-back meetings in their clubhouse at 5901 South Orange Avenue this afternoon.

Beginning at 1:30pm, Lydia Pisano chaired a parade committee meeting.

This was followed at 3pm by a general planning session.

For more information on how YOU can get involved with planning our next festival, please email pinecastlepioneerdays@hotmail.com.

Nina Graham and her granddaughters

Patrick sisters: Ella & Maggie (1893)

Paul Macy (son of Ralph & Cleta)

Third Thursdays at Chick-fil-A

Remember, both South Orlando locations of Chick-fil-A (on Orange Avenue and SOBT) will donate all proceeds from sales made between 5pm and 8pm every 3rd Thursday of the month.

Be sure to tell your order taker that you are a supporter of Pine Castle Pioneer Days to make sure your receipt gets added to our total!

For more information, please email pinecastlepioneerdays@hotmail.com.

Finance committee meeting

The Team hosted our finance committee meeting today in their offices at 6019 South Orange Avenue.

Preliminary figures from the recent "Cocktails for a Cause" fundraiser were the primary focus of discussion.

Ralph & Cleta Macy

Greenwood Cemetery connections

We are trying to identify all the Pine Castle pioneers who are buried at Greenwood Cemetery in downtown Orlando to prepare an historic tour of the grounds. Following is the list we've put together so far. Can you add to it?

* William R. & Sarah L. Anno
* Isaac & Sallie Aten
* James M. Blitch
* Lizzie Lester Fain
* A.F. & Nancy Hansel (+ son)
* William M. & Sarah Hansel (+ son)
* Will & Mary Harney
* Alice Young Leake
* Paul & Alice Macy (+ son)
* John W. Matchett (+ 3 wives & children)
* James R. & Frances Montague
* Jay Judson Newell
* Frances Pitts
* Daniel W. & Virginia B. Prescott (+ children)
* Dr. O.P. & Jane Preston
* William M. & Mary Randolph
* Benamin M. & Frances Robinson
* James W. & Amanda White (+ sons)

Barberville, anyone?

If anyone is planning on attending the folk festival at Barberville in Volusia County this weekend, please do some scouting for vendors and demonstrators who might be appropriate for Pioneer Days.

Collect their business cards, if possible, and email their contact information to pinecastlepioneerdays@hotmail.com.

We need recruits to fill up booth space!

"Cocktails for a Cause"

Thanks to The University Club in downtown Orlando for hosting our big fundraising event this evening!

Musical entertainment was organized by local artist Joe Waller, who is also coordinating music for our festival in February.

Several enthusiastic supporters of Pioneer Days appeared in period costume for the event, including: Ginger Rudiger, Susie Mosholder, Ben Bateman, Tom Tart, and Betsy Story.

Local historian Sharon Wilson provided a CD of festival images to serve as a backdrop for the event.

The silent auction portion of the evening exceeded fundraising expectations, as did direct cash donations and sponsorship subscriptions.

Local art student Charity Hill was recognized for her acryllic interpretation of the original Pine Castle, which served as a certpiece of the auction.

More than anything, the organizing committee was pleased by the level of "friendraising" that took place at this event!

For more information on how YOU can get involved, please email pinecastlepioneerdays@hotmail.com.

General planning session

Belle Isle City Hall hosted our monthly general planning session this afternoon.

The meeting was focused on last minute preparations for tomorrow night's big "Cocktails for a Cause" fundraising event at The University Club.

For more information, email pinecastlepioneerdays@hotmail.com.

Silent auction items

We have a preliminary list of all the items to be included in the silent auction at our big November 4th "Cocktails for a Cause" fundraiser at The University Club.

And, the list keeps growing with last minute donations.

For more information about any of these items, or to make a tax-deductible cash donation in support of our next festival, please email pinecastlepioneerdays@hotmail.com.

Shirley Cannon & Robert E. Lee

What kind of costume are YOU wearing for Halloween?!

PCPD board member Shirley Cannon recently posed with a fellow who portrays General Robert E. Lee.

Charity Hill painting complete!

Local art student Charity Hill has completed her acryllic interpretation of the original Pine Castle in time for our big November 4th "Cocktails for a Cause" fundraising event.

It will be the feature item in our silent auction at that event.

For more information, please email pinecastlepioneerdays@hotmail.com.