Smith's celebrate 60th wedding anniversary

By MELVIN SMITH

We celebrated the day of our 60th wedding anniversary by getting up at 3:30 AM so we could be at the South Coast Winery in Temecula, California at 5:00 AM for a ride in a hot air balloon!!   We were visiting our youngest daughter in Oceanside, CA and the flower girl at our wedding Rita Scott (Jeweldine’s sister) was enjoying the trip with us. 

  We have been celebrating our anniversaries at Pam’s for several years;  last year at one of her favorite stores - Trader Joe’s - I was talking to the manager (Eric) and mentioned our anniversary celebration in CA.  He brought Jeweldine & I to the front of the store, announced on the PA system, and gave Jeweldine her choice of the bouquets along with a reusable shopping bag (green bag) filled with treats for us.  So, this year we again visited and once again, Eric was there and remembered us!  When he found out it was the day of our 60th anniversary - he went all out – generously gave us a beautiful bouquet, treats, snacks for return trip AND a fabulous tri-tip sirloin roast.  He said to be sure and come back to see him next year and we plan to!
 
Pam got us to the airport in plenty of time and Southwest Airlines did a good job with the sold-out flights.  Pam gave us a framed puzzle of the front page of the July 23, 1950 New York Times – AND  photo shopped an article with picture about our wedding that day onto the puzzle!  The article predicted exactly the names of our kids and grand kids!!!   It was too large for a suitcase so Pam wrapped it in bubble wrap with a handle and I just carried it on the plane without problems. 
 
Right: Melvin and Jeweldine prepare for their hot air balloon ride to celebrate their 60th wedding anniversary.

Far right: Melvin and Jeweldine, their daughter Pam (front left) and Rita Scott, front right) enjoy an anniversary brunch at the South Coast Winery.