close

Pioneer Club of Lee to celebrate 70th anniversary

2 min read

The Pioneer Club of Lee County is celebrating the 70th anniversary of its founding in 1949 by R. A. Henderson, Jr.

Traditionally held the last Saturday, this year’s picnic will take place on Saturday, April 27, at the Lee County Civic Center Tinsley Pavilion.

Registration and visiting begin at 10 a.m., lunch will be served at noon followed by presentations and a raffle at 1 p.m.

The Classes of 1969 from Alva HS, Bishop Verot HS, Cypress Lakes HS, Dunbar HS, Fort Myers HS and North Fort Myers HS will be recognized at the picnic as celebrating their 50th Class Reunions. Also recognized at the picnic will be the eldest pioneer man and woman born in Lee County; the couple married the longest (both spouses need to be in attendance); pioneer who traveled the longest distance to the picnic; and the eldest person in attendance.

Approximately 1200 invitations are mailed out for the picnic of which two-thirds are sent to local residents and the remainder to those people who live out of the area. There are normally 600-700 people in attendance. Barbecue chicken or pork, baked beans, coleslaw, rolls, chocolate chip cookies and iced tea or lemonade are available to the attendees for $10 per plate.

Lee County Civic Center is at 11831 Bayshore Rd, North Fort Myers,

The eligibility requirement for membership is that the person was a resident of Lee County Prior to 1969. Email pioneerleecounty@gmail.compioneerleecounty@gmail.com to receive registration information or you may register the day of the picnic. There are no membership dues.

Through the generosity of the City of Fort Myers, free admission on that weekend is given to the members of the Pioneer Club by presenting their membership card to the Edison and Ford Winter Estates (General Admission) on Thursday, April 25, Friday, April 26, and Saturday, April 27; and the Burroughs Home and Garden Tour only on Thursday, April 25 at 11 a.m. RSVP 239-337-9505 for the Burroughs Home tour. An invitation has also been extended to the members of the Pioneer Club to visit The IMAG History & Science Center (General Admission) on Thursday, April 25, through Sunday, April 28.