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Letter to the editor

Couples mark 50 years and more together

By Times Staff Writer
Published November 7, 2007

Earl and Jean Longnecker were married 60 years ago, Oct. 11, 1947, at Broadway Methodist Church, Toledo, Ohio, and honeymooned in Chicago. They celebrated their diamond wedding anniversary with a surprise party given by their children at their mobile home park.

But the festivities didn't end there.

Their family took a five-day cruise to Cozumel and the Grand Cayman Islands, and the ship's captain presided as the couple renewed their vows.

Mr. Longnecker worked 36 years for the U.S. Postal Service and was active in the union. Mrs. Longnecker worked as a bank teller. They moved to Florida upon his retirement in 1986.

The couple are members of Emmanuel Baptist Church in Palm Harbor.

Mrs. Longnecker is a member of the Order of the Eastern Star, Triune Chapter, Toledo.

Both were avid square dancers with the Jack May Dancers in Toledo.

They have five children, 20 grandchildren and 12 great-grandchildren.

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Ron and Ann Denbo of Palm Harbor enjoyed a seven-day Caribbean cruise with their children and grandchildren to celebrate the couple's 50th wedding anniversary. Their daughters also honored them with an open house party Aug. 12 in Palm Harbor.

The couple tied the knot Aug. 10, 1957, in French Lick, Ind.

They owned Denbo Funeral Home in southern Indiana until 1974 and moved here four years later, where Mr. Denbo had a second career in insurance, and Mrs. Denbo worked in the banking and mortgage business. Both have enjoyed retirement since 1996.

They are active members of Bayside Community Church in Safety Harbor.

Mr. Denbo plays golf weekly and both enjoy traveling. They've taken many cruises and visited much of the United States and several foreign countries. They also enjoy spending time with family and friends.

The Denbos have two daughters, Cindy Chaisson of Newnan, Ga., and DeAnna Cote of Palm Harbor, and four grandchildren.

* * *

Jack and Pat Summerford of Palm Harbor were married Sept. 7, 1957, in Belmar, N.J. Their 50th wedding anniversary was honored with a catered dinner Aug. 5 by the couple's five children at the clubhouse of West Lake Village.

Family and friends from eight states came together for the occasion. Two memory books were presented to the couple and included letters and pictures from friends who could not attend.

Mr. Summerford was born and raised in northern Alabama. He worked 35 years as an electrical engineer with General Electric.

Mrs. Summerford is a New Jersey native and a registered nurse.

They moved here in 1997 from Baldwinsville, N.Y., and have lived in New Jersey, Virginia, Pennsylvania, Illinois and Massachusetts. Both are retired.

The Summerfords enjoy bridge, gourmet food groups and craft clubs.

The couple have five children, 11 grandchildren and two great-grandchildren.

Instructor awarded masters' in math ed

Katherine R. Adams of New Port Richey was awarded a master of arts degree in mathematics education in August from the University of South Florida, Tampa.

Mrs. Adams has been teaching for 11 years and worked at Charlotte High School in Punta Gorda, Liberty Middle School in Orlando and Tarpon Springs High School. She is an instructor at the Tarpon Springs campus of St. Petersburg College.

She received her bachelors degree from the University of Central Florida in Orlando and is a 1992 graduate of Tarpon Springs High.

She is the wife of Matthew Adams, and the daughter of William and Doris Harting of Palm Harbor.

Largo gets $20,000for art and education

The city of Largo will be presented with a check in the amount of $20,000 from Partners N Progress for the Arts to help support the diverse art and education programs held at the Largo Cultural Center.

Since 1996, Partners N Progress, a non-profit organization, has raised more than $580,000 towards ongoing support of the Largo Cultural Center as well as to fund an endowment.

* * *

Berkeley Preparatory School student Ellen Howett, 17, competed in September in the American Cancer Society's "Jump For the Cure," sponsored by the Pinellas County Hunter Association.

She donated her first-place prize money to the American Cancer Society's efforts to fight breast cancer.

Ellen has been riding since she was 8. A nationally ranked equestrian, she has been reserve champion and grand champion the last two years in the southeastern region of the United States. She is also nationally ranked in the Marshal Sterling League.

Her goals are to acquire a business degree and become a horse trainer and entrepreneur in equestrian-related fields.

Ellen is the daughter of Scott and Terry Howett of Clearwater.

[Last modified November 6, 2007, 21:42:19]