Six couples renew marriage vows after 50 years
The Lehigh Acres Senior Center on Plaza Drive hosted its annual Renewal of Vows Celebration earlier this month.
Family and friends were greeted by Director Teresa Perkins with the Golden Years program. Tom McGauley registered guests who came to congratulate the couples celebrating 51 to 66 years of anniversaries. The ceremony is open to Lehigh Acres area couples married 50 years or more of marriage who registered for the affair in January.
LASC Vice President nancy Bartlett gifted the wedding party with corsages and boutonnieres and then introduced the celebrants: Walter and Mary Hamilton, 63 years; Robert and Kay Kuntz, 66 years; Bill and Janice Martin, 56 years; Pat and Rose Oliverio, 62 years; Don and Ruby Thomnpson, 51 years; Terry and Carol Thompson, 53 years.
St. Raphael’s Catholic Church Father Dennis Cooney officiated with prayer, Psalms and promises.
The honorees repeated vows seated along a banquet tabled adorned in gold, yellow and white floral arrangements and table settings under a red and gold canopy sparkling with wedding bells and swirls.
Pianist Jim Kepford filled the air with music throughout the festivities and the dance reception following the renewal of vows.
A decorated wedding cake, golden pineapple punch, nuts and mints were served by Host George McCollam and hostesses Peggy Halvorsen, Pauline Rise and Vera Rolling.
Formal photos of each couple were taken under the traditional decorated golden arch in the glow of candelabra columns.
The “newlyweds” reminisced and shared stories of their original nuptials while visiting with their guests in a celebration that will have all in attendance remembering the Valentine season of 2009 with fondness, said Joan Ferster, who provided the information.