Medina Kiwanis Club celebrates matrimonial milestone for area couples

By Jennifer Carpus, Sun News
Published August 6, 2010, in Cleveland.com
http://blog.cleveland.com/medinasun/2010/08/medina_kiwanis_club_celebrates.html

MEDINA, OHIO—The Kiwanis Club of Medina helped local couples celebrate their 50th anniversary last Thursday by hosting its annual golden wedding anniversary luncheon.

The Kiwanis Club has for years invited couples reaching that golden milestone to the luncheon in recognition of the faithful commitment the locals have given to each other. The club gathers clippings from church bulletins, newspapers, etc., of couples celebrating their 50th anniversary. Sometimes, couples themselves will help identify others share friends who are celebrating their golden anniversaries.

From that collection, invitations are sent out in May for the annual event.

Couples gathered into the Medina Eagles Club to enjoy a meal together to be recognized. Tables were accented with yellow and blue with a single white rose sitting in a vase as a centerpiece.

Kiwanis President Dave Sterrett led the couples and Kiwanis members in singing “America the Beautiful,” reciting the Pledge of Allegiance and the Kiwanis Defining Statement. Medina Mayor Dennis Hanwell attended the luncheon to help show his appreciation for the couples commitment to each other, expressing his admiration for those who have been together for so long.

“People who will stick with the vows they took 50 years ago,” Hanwell said . . . I respect and thank you for the example you set,” Hanwell said.

Kiwanis members put on some presentations for the guests, including Darine Prok singing, “Can I Have This Dance?”

In addition, honored couples received free lifetime passes to the Medina County Fair. Kiwanis members introduced each couple, telling stories about the pair’s past, including how they met, the car they owned, when they got married and their lives leading up to the 50th anniversary.

Couples attending the luncheon included: Philip and Patricia Bernhard, Buddy and Rene Cooper, Bill and Deanna Driscoll, Frank and Barbara Dull, Robert and Beverly Elder, Jim and Mary Jane Erne, Richard and Lee Kay Farnsworth, Lowell and Carol Greene, Ken and Thelma Grove, Tom and Grace Harvey, Bill and Betty Kohl, Ed and Carol Kosman, James and JoAnn Love, Glenn and Darlene Meek, Donald and Eva Rice, Bill and Mary Saunders, Donald and Linda Sexton, Ernst and Barbara Ulich and Bill and Pat Von Duyke.