Dixie, the iconic paper cup company, recently marked 50 years of manufacturing at its Forks Township plant.

The Forks Township plant, opened in 1964, is an example of "Made in the USA" manufacturing in an era when many products are now made overseas.

Georgia Pacific Corporation-Dixie Products Group held a celebratory picnic for Forks Township plant employees Oct. 19 and 20 at Hugh Moore Park, Easton.

"This is the fun part," says Julie VanDeWater, Manager of Manufacturing Communications for Georgia-Pacific. "There are so many wonderful employees at this plant. It's great to honor everyone for their part. We just love to see everyone enjoying themselves."

Forks Township Dixie employees were treated to an afternoon of hamburgers, hot dogs, popcorn, ice cream and canal boat rides.

Long-time employees and recent hires alike enjoyed relaxing on the wooded grounds of the park, where many took in the scenic canal side views. Employees were given tours of the National Canal Museum, where the region's canal history is on display. A temporary exhibit of Dixie company history was on view.

The Dixie exhibit included original "Dixie girl" dresses. "Dixie girl" dresses were the uniforms female manufacturing employees were required to wear in the 1950's. Also on display were examples of the "Dixie cup" throughout the years.

Richard Schmieg of Bethlehem has been Plant Director at the Forks Township plant for the past 12 years. "Some employees of the plant have been here 40 years," he says.

"There are generations of families working for us: father, son and grandson. We wanted to thank everyone for their part in this company.

"We have been around for 100 years. Not a lot of things are made in the U.S. anymore. That's special. "We want to be here for another 100 years, and to continue to be a part of the local community."

Trevelyn Arrindell of Easton is one of the 40-year veterans of the Dixie Company.

"I like working for Dixie a lot," she says. "A lot of changes have happened at the plant and my body is slower than it used to be but it's a great place to work.

"Everyone is very friendly. It's very safe. Many of the people I work with, I feel like we have raised our children together. We talked about everything. We took care of eachother. "Jan. 22 will be my last day at work and I will have many good memories."