ME...the last SunMaid Raisin Girl

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how it all happened

This is the TRUE short story of how it all happened...that I'm featured on the SunMaid Raisin Box since 1970.

When people learn about me and this image, they say, "wow you are famous!" and I say, no I'm not famous, the image is world renowned, however I'm not known as the first SunMaid raisin girl 1915, I'm the updated version in 1970.
It's just something that came into my path many years ago, but no matter what, I can proudly say, "yes, that is me" on the box now!

                   ...Make sure to visit my OTHER LENSES...

The Story of me on the Sunmaid Raisin Box 

short and sweet!

Around 1960-61 I worked for Fiberboard Paper Products in San Francisco, there I was asked to go to the art department for a favor, to hold a tray and draw my hands. Thinking nothing of this, I volunteered and held the tray...the artist sketched the image and was telling me about the changes that where being made to the Sunmaid image on the package, "however it was to be kept with the same recognizable pose". When I went back to the art department I saw the painting, I was surprised to see it looked like me...being a freelance model I did't think too much about it. Some of my co-workers called me the raisin-gal, I thought it was funny.
After leaving Fiberboard to pursue my Modeling I never saw the image and years went by. One day my mother called me and said, I was at the store and saw the SunMaid package and your picture was on it! well of course I had to go buy a box, this was in 1970.

Over the years I had talked about it and always wondered if Sunmaid knew about me. When I got a computer I emailed the Company asking if they knew about me, but all I got was a reply saying "thank you for offering to pose for the box, we have an image that will be there for a while"

In 1999 the local newspaper did a story on the Sunmaid image and me, the reporter contacted the Company, but no one there ever heard of me. Feeling like I was making up a story I felt unsettled. I contacted Sun-Maid Growers of California and told them my story, they replied with a call and some mail information for my curiosity.

As time went by, we did phone tag and emails, then I was invited to Fresno to meet with the President of the company. My husband and I made the journey February 2006, we had a wonderful meeting and after much research they welcomed me as the image on the box.

It is a good feeling to know I have resolved something I thought and talked about for many years...it is a good thing.

Although the image has changed with the times, the Sun-Maid trademark design has always been based on the original pose by Lorraine Collett Petersen 1915.

my husband (left) Al Pacheco, Gary Marshburn, myself, Company President Barry Kriebel...

left 1963 - right 1961

 

The image from above enlarged for those that wrote and asked....yes, I had dark hair... I still have people think this is a joke, no this is the true story about me and my image on the box now...

sharing a short story... 

what a nice thing to do...

Several years ago we went back to California for a vacation, we drove. Coming back we stopped in a small mining town in Colorado, just to go through some Antique shops...there I found an old Sunmaid raisin box, that for many years I have been looking for. This box had the image of Ms.Peterson from a long time ago... asking how much the small box was, I was informed it was not For Sale, just on display...I told him the story of how I looked for this image before mine was on the box. I said, if he ever finds another one, to let me know...about a year later I received a small package, in it was the box I had looked at, a note inside said, "this really belongs to you" I was so thrilled with this kind gesture and not even knowing this man, so I am very grateful to him for this gift.
What a nice thing to do!

image of the old box sent to me 

from the past, paintings of the Sunmaid girl

a Dutch ad for Sunmaid

Old Calendar of Violet Oliver

old cover

rare playingcards bought on ebay

Sunmaid golfball found on ebay

SunMaid gave me a cup

Sunmaid Truck Bank...a gift

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MissMiranda wrote...

Wow! That's really cool, such an iconic image. I've been looking at your face since I was a child, and never knew it!

ReplyPosted June 26, 2009

chicandsavvy wrote...

What a fascinating story and such a fun little claim to fame. I enjoyed seeing all the images and collectibles shown. 5*'s. Thanks for a little sunshine in my day.

ReplyPosted June 18, 2009

KimGiancaterino wrote...

This lens is featured on A Day of 100 Squid Angel Blessings.

ReplyPosted June 18, 2009

blue22d wrote...

That's a great story. I love all the old packages that you have shown here. Thanks for sharing.

ReplyPosted June 04, 2009

Home-Interior-Designer wrote...

I remember eats a box of these raisins often as a child and seeing the picture of the lady on the front. brings back fond childhood memories, and to think, that was you! :-)

ReplyPosted May 31, 2009

HenryE wrote...

What an interesting story!
Henry

ReplyPosted May 19, 2009

2Eklectik wrote...

Great story! Thank you for sharing.

ReplyPosted May 10, 2009

JenOfChicago wrote...

What a cool story!

ReplyPosted April 20, 2009

JenOfChicago wrote...

What a cool story!

ReplyPosted April 20, 2009

naimaj wrote...

Hey, everyone else only gets fifteen minutes of fame. No fair! ;)

Great Story!

ReplyPosted April 18, 2009

 
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thanks for the comment! 

1928 Ad

Madame Alexander Sun-Maid Doll

1987 Bank on ebay

The commercial image of a modern SunMaid Girl 

a Modern day animated image...

I have seen and heard so many comments on this commercial, from it's Julia Roberts to the maiden having all kinds of plastic surgery...oh my! it's only a character in a commercial, why all the drama? Well I enjoy seeing the bright colored animation. I was even given a copy of the commercial before it aired...I treasure the CD.

Was this lens on Sunmaid helpful to you? 

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SunMaid Links 

interesting History of SunMaid Growers of California and other stories
some History
The Sun-Maid girl trademark was inspired by a real person - Lorraine Collett Petersen, who in 1915 lived in the Fresno, California, area where the company began its operations. Life then was simpler, less hectic - and red sunbonnets were the fashion.
Sun-Maid Girl
Our History
Sun-Maid Girl
Play Animation
News
News Archive
Press Kit
The Sun-Maid Girl
Many people want to know if a real person was the original "Sun-Maid girl." The answer is "Yes," and her name was Lorraine Collett Petersen. In May 1915, she was disco
Seth.com | The Sun-Maid Raisin Girl
This photograph shows Sun-Maid Raisin Girl Violet Geissinger and her husband, Detroit Tiger pitcher Earl Whitehill, at a Los Angeles ball yard in the late 1920s.

I belong to squidinkpot.com 

 

"no I'm not 93 years old, that's not me!
I'm still here, eating Raisins every day!"

find and collect sunmaid memorabilia 

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eBay

SunMaid on Amazon 

try all those wonderful flavored Raisins, especially the Chocolate covered ones

Fall Favorites with Sun-Maid & Dried Fruit

Amazon Price: (as of 07/06/2009) Buy Now
List Price:

Sun Maid Raisins, 6-Count, 1.5-Ounce Cartons (Pack of 8)

Amazon Price: (as of 07/06/2009) Buy Now
List Price: $19.84

Exterior View of Sun-Maid Raisin Plant - Fresno, CA Giclee Poster Print, 24x18

Amazon Price: $49.99 (as of 07/06/2009) Buy Now
List Price: $50.00

Sun Maid Tropical Pineapple, 6-Ounce Zbag (Pack of 12)

Amazon Price: (as of 07/06/2009) Buy Now
List Price: $33.36

Sun Maid Raisins, 12-Ounce Bags (Pack of 6)

Amazon Price: $11.91 (as of 07/06/2009) Buy Now
List Price: $15.48

Blogs that mention the Sun Maid girl 

not always complimentory



There are some cute costumes made for Halloween seen on blogs.
It amazes me what people say about the Sun Maid Girl they actually don't know it is a real person and still exists...I mean down right nasty things...
Come on this is the Sun Maid Raisin girl, what has she ever done? It's almost comical.
Craftzine.com blog : Sun-Maid Raisin Girl Halloween Costume
I love this Sun-Maid Raisin Girl costume that Carol of WIP made for her daughter. With a little simple sewing, some fantastic blue rickrack, and an Etsy purchase, she was able to put together an unmistakable and unique Halloween...
sunmaid raisin girl 001 on Flickr - Photo Sharing!
basketblessed says: I love it! I always liked the sunmaid raisin girl :) Posted 8 months ago. ( permalink ). view profile · xkaraxcupcakesx says: omg how cute! what a good idea! Posted 8 months ago. ( permalink ) ...
The Islamification of Sun-maid raisins
If you notice, the Sun-maid girl looks so Amish and Catholic so I decided that I shouldn't be using the box to keep the raisins. So, I transferred them to the Kismis Doa' plastic container which was already empty. ...
once in a while...painting a day: Mounted Police Horse named Bob
my mom in the circus & show biz. Al in Vietnam 1966-67. Al in Vietnam 1966-67 my husbands website. Me the last Sunmaid Raisin Girl. Me the last Sunmaid Raisin Girl yes, me since 1970. Subscribe To once in a while...painting a day. Posts ...

MY OWN WEBSITES OF FAMILY and ART 

Mom in the Circus, Hubbies Vietnam Site, more on my Artwork

Trapeze Micky II
My Mom in the RBBB Circus, also fun photos of her time in the Theater
Al Vietnam '66-'67
My Husband during his time in Vietnam and his Reunions with the 2nd 34th Armour Div.
art by Delia
A site with slideshow display of some of my artwork
ACEO Miniature Art by Delia -
ACEO MINIATURE Art, most of the cards that have been sold are made into prints, there are some originals or you can order one
animal art and hobbies by Delia
Animal and and hobbies of mine featured on this site.
This website might not show up on Mozilla/Foxfire, so go through another source like MSN, AOL etc.

my art

 

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Art supplies on Amazon 

The Milky Doodle Book (with art supplies)

Amazon Price: (as of 07/06/2009) Buy Now

Organizing Your Scrapbook Supplies

Amazon Price: $9.99 (as of 07/06/2009) Buy Now

Strathmore Drawing Paper Pads Size 8 x 10

Amazon Price: $3.59 (as of 07/06/2009) Buy Now

Art Alternatives Artist Pad Sketch Book Value Pack

Amazon Price: $14.75 (as of 07/06/2009) Buy Now

Illuminations Coloring Book: Circle Art

Amazon Price: $10.29 (as of 07/06/2009) Buy Now

by d-artist

 Many years ago I had darker hair and lived in California. I worked for a company in San Francisco that made the boxes for the SunMaid Growers of... (more)
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