36th ANNUAL                                    PIONEER DAY IN BROWARD COUNTY   October 11,2008                      Article and Photos by: Dr. Joan Mickelson

Since 1972 the Broward County Historical Commission has asked its municipalities to recommend individuals to be recognized as “pioneers” at the annual Pioneer Day festivities. In Hollywood, the Hollywood Historical Society has generally made the recommendation. The first to be named for Hollywood were A. C. Tony Mickelson and Edythe Whitson.

This year, Hollywood’s pioneers are two brothers, Merle Eugene Banaszak and E. Howard Banaszak who moved to Hollywood as children in 1936.
The event was held in Pompano Beach at the E. Pat Larkins Community Center on October 11, 2008, as Pompano celebrates its 100th anniversary.

Merle Banaszak was on hand to receive his award, while Howard was offshore on a cruise.

Pictured are members of the Pompano Beach Centennial Committee with their amazing birthday cake.    Please Scroll down for more

Next are members of the Hollywood contingent, from left, back row: retired City Commissioner Kathy Anderson and Hollywood Historical Society President Mary Beth Busutil. Front row: John Roszell, Marion Fording, Hollywood Historical Society Treasurer and Patti Clempson, Historical Society Director. Not pictured was Jim Curci, also a Historical Society Director.

Next are those officiating, left to right: Phyllis Loconto, Chair of the Broward County Historical Commission (seated), Helen Landers, Broward County Historian, Hazel K. Ambrister, Vice Chair of the Broward County Historical Commission, inductee Merle Banaszak, and Hollywood City Commissioner Linda Sherwood.

Finally, commissioner Sherwood and honoree Merle Banaszak.

Since the year 2000, the following have been recognized as Hollywood pioneers:

2000 Taft Henry Green, Jr. / William R. Hall / E. T. Dick Hunter / Patricia Ann  Pell / Hunter / Othol H. Souder

2001 Irene Hope Menis / Margaret Morris Rose / William V. Sherwood / James E. Shipman

2002 Selina Williams-Frost / Adelaide M Neptune / Juanita Hall Wells

2003 Lorna Elliott Lathrop LaBelle / Winnie McCarthy

2004 Vennie Lou Brown-Nice / Miette Korda Burnstein / George Peter Chillag

2005 James Joseph Gensel / Robert A. Giacin / T. C. Rossman

2006 Dr. Joan Mickelson

2007 Victor P. DeBianchi, Sr.

For more information about Hollywood’s Pioneers, or to make recommendations for future nominees, please contact the Hollywood Historical Society.