Annual Picnic
2024 Picnic Thanks
Our 2024 picnic was a great success! The weather was warm and a little humid, but as the evening progressed the temperature dropped. It was quite pleasant. In honor of the Olympics, our theme was Ike and Mamie in Paris. Everyone enjoyed the Eisenhower Home tours, as well as the ranger program, “Eisenhower Adventures in the City of Light.” Our putting contestants participated in a competitive game on the Eisenhower green. There were three participants that got a hole-in-one. Since we only had one prize, they had a putt-off to determine the winner. Everyone enjoyed a glass of wine and the delicious food prepared by our caterer, Jake Schindel, owner of the Ragged Edge Coffee House. This year we had pulled chicken prepared in one of Ike’s barbecue sauces as well as Angus beef sliders. Ike’s chocolate cake was served for dessert. Dinner music was performed by pianist Vanessa Rice who played songs popular in Paris while the Eisenhowers were living there as well as some of Ike’s favorite songs. While waiting for their turn at the catering tent, guests sitting at each table worked on our trivia game. This year our theme was “Ike and Mamie in Paris, the Olympics and Paris in Popular Culture.” Our guests played in groups by the tables they sat at. Three tables of guests got 10 of 11 answers correct. Fortunately we had enough Dairy Queen gift certificates to award all three tables of guests a first place prize. We also gave our putting contest award and drew numbers for our door prizes. Then we ended the evening with vocalist Ernie Kranias singing some of Ike’s favorite songs and songs about Paris. Vanessa Rice accompanied him. We thank the Eisenhower National Historic Site for allowing us to host our picnic at the Eisenhower farm.
We would like to thank the following sponsors for supporting our picnic:
- David and Cynthia Salisbury: Putting Contest Sponsor
- Stephen Gibble, Dave Belcher, Ken Weiler, Daun van Ee, Bill Spracher, Ryan Woodward, Mary Lowe Mayhugh, Brian Rayment, Michael Birkner, Jim Roach, and Tom Vossler: Sponsors for Picnic Entertainment, Intern Dinners, and General Picnic Support
- Duane and Linda Williams: For the wine!
We also want to recognize our Prize Sponsors:
- Priscilla Roberts for two American flags that were flown at the Eisenhower National Historic Site.
- Carol Hegeman for a copy of her and Michael Birkner’s book, Eisenhower’s Gettysburg Farm.
- Ruthmary McIlhenny for a reproduction “Buy War Bonds” poster.
- Ken Weiler for a copy of his book, Why Normandy Was Won: Operation Bagration and the War in the East 1941-1945.
- Adams County Historical Society for a gift certificate to Beyond the Battle museum.
- Dobbin House Tavern for a Gift Certificate
- Dairy Queen of Gettysburg for gift certificates for the “Ike and Mamie in Paris, the Olympics and Paris in Popular Culture” Trivia contest awards.
- World War II: The American Experience Museum for complimentary tickets.
- Event Network for I Like Ike mugs.
- Furs by Susan for two gift certificates.
- The Eisenhower Institute at Gettysburg College for the books, Citizens for Eisenhower and Voices of D-Day.
We look forward to seeing everyone again next year!
Calendar Quick Links
Our Phone Number:
717-398-2349
Executive Director:
Carol Hegeman
Our Email Address:
info@dwightdeisenhowersociety.org
Our Mailing Address:
Dwight D. Eisenhower Society
P.O. Box 4772
Gettysburg, PA 17325
Our Office Location:
789 Baltimore Street, Suite 100
Gettysburg, Pennsylvania 17325
2024 Picnic Photo Gallery
Lynn, Ken and Jackie welcome guests at the registration table.
Ernie, Vanessa and Andrew set up and test the audio equipment.
More guests check in at the registration table.
Guests listen to some Eisenhower history before entering the Eisenhower Home.
More guests tour the home.
Guests practice their putting skills.
Putting competition begins in earnest.
Three guests got holes in one at the putting contest. A putt-off was held. Steve and Kathy gave him a run for the money, but Buzz, pictured on the right, was the winner.
Ranger John Tuskan presented the program “Eisenhower Adventures in the City of Light.”‘
The catering staff from the Ragged Edge Coffee Shop prepared our delicious meal.
Everyone gathered for dinner.
Andrew staffed the wine bar.
Board Chairman Walt Jones welcomed everyone to the picnic while Executive Director Carol Hegeman looked on.
Walt presented Carol with flowers for her excellent work organizing the D-Day + 80 symposium.
In keeping with our theme of Ike and Mamie in Paris, Vanessa Rice played music from those time periods during dinner.
Site Manager Jana Friesen McCabe served as our host.
Guests met new people as they worked on the trivia questions with their tablemates.
Intern Denver shows off the I Like Ike cookies that each guest received.
I Like Ike cookies were a hit. They both looked and tasted great!
Linda and Duane Williams, third and fourth from left, sponsored the wine for our guests.
Vice President Ruthmary McIlhenny thanks picnic and door prize sponsors,. She also introduced Eisenhower and Gettysburg Superintendent Kristina Heister, Site Manager Jana McCabe. and the Eisenhower Site interns. Then Carol provided Triavia answers and awards.
Buzz received his putting contest award from Trustee David Jones.
Vocalist Ernie Kranias and pianist Vanessa Rice presented songs about Paris and some of Ike’s favorites.
Guests relax and enjoy the after dinner entertainment.
The view to the West was lovely and a nice way to end our evening at the Eisenhower farm.