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
New Table of Contents
- The Story of me on the Sunmaid Raisin Box
- Sunmaiden Commercial Controvesy?
- my husband (left) Al Pacheco, Gary Marshburn, myself, Company President Barry Kriebel...
- sharing a short story...
- image of the old box sent to me
- from the past, paintings of the Sunmaid girl
- Old Calendar of Violet Oliver
- Love to hear your Feedback
- My Modeling days from the past
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 didn't think 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 in the years that passed. Then 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 tags and emails, then one day 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 Sunmaid trademark design has always been based on the original pose by Lorraine Collett Petersen 1915.
After leaving Fiberboard to pursue my Modeling I never saw the image in the years that passed. Then 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 tags and emails, then one day 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 Sunmaid trademark design has always been based on the original pose by Lorraine Collett Petersen 1915.
Sunmaiden Commercial Controvesy?
why!?
Because of the recently re-energized controversy about the Sunmaid Raisin girl in the commercials, I have had inquiries about the image change..quite frankly I would not know of a change, the only change I'm aware of, is the Hollywood-tized maiden selling grapes in a commercial. Unfortunately there are some commenters out there that don't like the change...I find it interesting since the commercials have been out for a couple of years (see below Alpril 23, 1006) Recently a new commercial was released, and this controversy started again. Personally I think it's just a meaningless argument and more about opinions. There are those that have a problem with an identifiable product image and change, be it Coca Cola or any other identifiable product.
I think the girl in the commercial is cute although a bit Julia Roberts, but hey, it's a new image of an old gal (oops that would be me!)
What bothers me more then anything else, when someone makes a comment that is downright rude, crude and vulgar...really, there is no need for that! after all it is an animated image and there are way too many problems in the world that need to be taken care of and worried about...The good thing that will come out of this controversy is that Sunmaid will be selling a lot more products.
Here at this blog are over 250 comments, what an incredible waste of time and energy to express all that negativity...ok, I will stop with the sermon...all this is just my opinion.
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
old cover
Old Calendar of Violet Oliver
Sunmaid Girl on the Calendar above
Violet Oliver(Geissinger) story, incuding her baseball star husband Earl Whitehill
I had a nice gentleman named Gary Neveln contacted me on Facebook, he is related as a distant cousin to the baseball player Earl Whitehill who married the Sunmaid Girl on the calendar Violet Oliver(Geissinger)
Gary sent me the following link to the story of Earl and Violet.
The Baseball Biography Project.
Gary sent me the following link to the story of Earl and Violet.
The Baseball Biography Project.
rare playingcards bought on ebay
Sunmaid golfball found on ebay
SunMaid gave me a cup
Sunmaid Truck Bank...a gift
don't forget to rate the stars above
Thanks for taking the time to view this lens!...
Love to hear your Feedback
ADD this LENS to your BLOG and share...Hey don't forget to RATE this lens! and join my FAN CLUB!
I have so thoroughly enjoyed hearing from people about this lens and my venture with SUNMAID...
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- praise praise Dec 10, 2009 @ 1:31 pm
- I saw this in the Blujay forum, great lens and I love raisins:)
5*
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- TanyaWhaley TanyaWhaley Dec 5, 2009 @ 4:37 am
- Awesome! 5*
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- sellingnicestuff sellingnicestuff Dec 4, 2009 @ 6:22 pm
- What a fun lens...! Best of all was Sun Maid confirming it for you! Thanks!
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- YesterYearsGoodies YesterYearsGoodies Dec 3, 2009 @ 10:01 am
- Sweet lens! I'm so glad you followed your heart and got the company to acknowledge you as the updated Girl. Though I wish you'd been offered royalties ...
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- BusyQueen BusyQueen Dec 3, 2009 @ 7:12 am
- Nice lens. 5* from me! Thanks. Really informative. Nicely detailed. How nice of you to share this story with us!
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- BusyQueen BusyQueen Dec 6, 2009 @ 10:34 am
- I posted your lens in the blujay forum, so I am sure you got some traffic. Thanks for visiting my lens. You are famous :) Have a Happy Holiday, SunMaid Raisin Girl!
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- d-artist d-artist Dec 6, 2009 @ 11:33 am
- yes I did get traffic from bluejay, Thank You! and over 300 hits in one day from Yahoo because of the stupid controversy that is going on because of the TV commercial image...wow people should be worried about World affairs instead of SM image...but this interest might sell some raisins for SM, eh? I also got some vulgar comments & chose not to approve, hope they don't mind...geesh!
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- ikedi ikedi Nov 29, 2009 @ 3:32 pm
- Nice page thanks great information i learn a few things 5 stars!
tummy tuck before and after
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- OhMe OhMe Nov 26, 2009 @ 8:07 am
- I love this lens so just had to drop back by and give you an Angel Blessing. I think about you everytime I buy Raisins.
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- louiswery louiswery Nov 24, 2009 @ 7:47 am
- Thank you for sharing this delicious story. Funny how a kindness warms a lifetime. So good of Sunmaid to confirm that you indeed were the model and for the antique dealer to send you the 1915 version for your collection.
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a Dutch ad for Sunmaid
1928 Ad
Madame Alexander Sun-Maid Doll
1987 Bank on ebay
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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.
- The Baseball Biography Project.
- The story about baseball star Earl Whitehill and his wife Violet Oliver Sumaid model
find and collect sunmaid memorabilia
Fetching new data from eBay now... please stand by
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 12/14/2009) 
List Price:
Sun Maid California Raisins, 6-Count, 1.5-Ounce Cartons (Pack of 8)
Amazon Price: $15.26 (as of 12/14/2009)
List Price: $19.84
Exterior View of Sun-Maid Raisin Plant - Fresno, CA Giclee Poster Print, 24x18
Amazon Price: $49.99 (as of 12/14/2009)
List Price: $50.00
Sun Maid Tropical Pineapple, 6-Ounce Zbag (Pack of 12)
Amazon Price: (as of 12/14/2009)
List Price: $33.36
Sun Maid California Raisins, 12-Ounce Pouches (Pack of 6)
Amazon Price: $11.91 (as of 12/14/2009)
List Price: $15.48
My Modeling days from the past
funny or fun to look at!
I modeled off and on since childhood for many years, some of these photos now seem a bit weird to look at, the hair and the cloths...interestingly enough it's all coming back, but not for me! Been there done that!
I wish I had all my modeling photo composites, but I lost them over the years from moving so many times.
These photos here are just a few that bring back memories of years gone by.
Some older Modeling Photos
Libby's Fruit Cocktail & My Hand
I looked for this Libby's ad for over 40 years...I was about 13/14 years old when I modeled my hand for this ad in San Francisco...I found this ad in a Wisconsin Antique Store...does that mean I'm an antique?
California New Homes Magazine
on the cover
I just had my first child when I modeled for this...One of my favorite modeling assigments to be sent on a New Homes assignment, I had done quite a few for them. I loved the photographer I worked with "DelCarlo Photography"
New Homes
another one for the New Homes in California
the Ad
Shaklee brochure
One of the brochure ads for Shaklee Products when I worked for them...wow...this a hoot!!!
my art
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.
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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)
