Local 776 held its membership family picnic on Sunday, June ^7th. Knoebels amusement park was the place for a day of food, fun, fellowship, and good times with family, friends, and co-workers. What a way to kick off the unofficial start of summer! Schools are out, and it's a day at Knoebels! Members, spouses, kids, grandkids, and retirees filled Knoebels, making it one of Local 776's largest member events. Teamster Pride was on display inside the park as a steady stream of Teamster members and family members sporting Teamster hats, caps, T-shirts, and sweatshirts milled about, enjoying themselves.

As is customary at Local 776 events, tickets for a 50-50 drawing were sold throughout the day to benefit the Local Union's scholarship fund. The 50/50 winner was Michele Fickling from Rabbit Transit. There were two additional drawings: Kyle Linkhauer from ABF  Freight won an LG 65-inch TV, and David Hartzell from Amsted Rail won a 36" Blackstone Griddle!

The Local 776 Retirees Club was at the Picnic; Club President Dave Wolf reported: "The Retiree Group had a great time at the Teamsters Local 776 picnic at Knoebels Grove. We ran our own 50/50 and the winners were:"

50/50 Cash: Michelle Meck

Giant gift card: Mike Hess

Sheetz gift card: Michelle Meck

Sheetz gift card: James Ziegler 

Shhetz gift card: Brian Motter

Dave added: "Many thanks to George and Brenda Goodling, Dave DeHart, and Nancy Russel for all their help selling the 50/50 tickets."

Local 776 President Spencer Dearth commented: "What a day for a picnic! "It's a great feeling seeing my Brothers and Sisters, along with their families and friends, enjoying each other, the day, and the park.

Today is a special occasion for me; it's my first Picnic as your President. If you've been following the Website and the Newsletter, you'll know that I assumed the Presidency of Local 776 on June 1st, following the retirement of former President Ed Thompson!

 I'm proud of this turnout; it's you, the members, who fuel that sense of pride, supporting your Local Union. As we move forward, continuing the progress of Local 776, there's nothing we can't do together, united as one strong force.

I want to thank EVERYONE from Local 776 who put in so much time and effort to make the Picnic a success. Without your support, this event could not happen."

To view additional photos from the Picnic, please visit the Photo Gallery to view "Knoebels Family Picnic 2026."

Thanks to all the members who submitted photos of your day at the park. There is also a gallery titled "Members Knoebels Photos 2026" that will be live for you to view on Monday, June 15th. If you want to share pictures, it's not too late; send them to info@teamsterslocal776.org, and we'll add them to the Photo Gallery!

Since this is Spencer's first Picnic as President and Mark Cicak's first as Secretary-Treasurer, we added a little something this year: while Spencer and Mark were trying to meet as many Members as possible, our photographer captured some of the meet-and-greets. You'll find them in the Photo Gallery under "Meet and Greet at Knoebels 2026."

At the Picnic there was Plenty of...

Members enjoying the day...

Food for both hands!...

Plenty of smiling faces!...

Plenty of first-time picnicers!...

And Plenty of thrills on the rides!