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Letter to the editor

Good For You

By NOVA BEALL, Times Staff Writer
Published December 26, 2007

The Purvises

Margaret Purvis met her future husband Harvey when they met to play tennis, chaperoned by her cousins.

She was 11. He was 12.

"I knew then he was the one for me," said Mrs. Purvis.

Seventy anniversaries later, the Crystal Beach couple is still happy and very much in love.

Harvey and Margaret Purvis were married by a justice of the peace on Dec. 5, 1937, in Aiken, S.C., only 20 miles from Mrs. Purvis' home town of Augusta, Ga. Mr. Purvis had graduated from a military high school and was taking college classes, and 18-year-old Margaret was in her senior year at an all-girls high school, but wouldn't be allowed to finish out the year.

"In those days they didn't let you attend high school if you were married," she said.

There was no reception or honeymoon.

"It was the Depression," Mrs. Purvis said matter-of-factly. "People just didn't have the money for such things."

During World War II, Mr. Purvis saw action overseas as a Marine.

While her husband was away, Mrs. Purvis worked at J.B. White's department store in Augusta.

The couple's son was born 10 months after his return, in their fifth year of marriage.

They bought a home in Augusta and Mr. Purvis went to work for Georgia Railroad. Mrs. Purvis devoted herself to homemaking and motherhood, caring for their son and daughter. She had a knack for sewing and made clothes for the family.

With an eye toward the future, they invested in a second home on two lots in Crystal Beach in the early 1960s, renting out the property while making payments.

"We paid a ridiculously small amount for it by today's standards," Mrs. Purvis chuckled.

The couple still winter in Crystal Beach and spend summers at their Augusta home, where they are members of Hill Baptist Church.

After Mr. Purvis' retirement, the couple bought a motor home and traveled extensively throughout the United States and into Canada, attending several world's fairs in such places as New York City, New Orleans and Vancouver.

"The Canadians were so nice," Mrs. Purvis said.

They also spent a month in Italy visiting their daughter and her husband, a diplomat.

"We saw Rome, Venice and Germany," Mrs. Purvis said, the excitement in her voice still evident.

When asked what makes a long-lasting marriage, Mrs. Purvis offered these gems.

"We never fuss. We talk things over. You have to be compatible. And you have to back each other up."

Mrs. Purvis' optimism shone when she recalled a sign in a veterinarian's office years ago.

"I never forgot it," she said. "It said, 'If you meet someone without a smile, give them yours.' "

In addition to their son, Harvey Purvis Jr. of Charleston, S.C., and daughter, Linda Devine of Augusta, the Purvises have two grandchildren and eight great-grandchildren.

The Pollards

Thaddeus and Lucille Pollard of Largo were married on Dec. 19, 1942, in Swartz Creek, Mich., and celebrated their 65th wedding anniversary with their children over the Christmas holiday.

They came here in 1977 from Flint, Mich., where Mr. Pollard retired from Buick Motor Division as a purchaser.

Mrs. Pollard was a homemaker and raised their two children, Gary Pollard of Peoria, Ill., and Becky Anderson of Clearwater.

Mr. Pollard had been active in local politics in Flint, and both were members of the Flint PTA and Asbury Methodist Church.

Locally, Mr. Pollard was named volunteer of the year in 2005 by the Downtown Largo Main Street Association, and Mrs. Pollard was active in First Methodist Church of Largo Ladies Circle.

In addition to their son and daughter, the Pollards have two grandchildren, Derek Pollard of Syracuse, N.Y., and Jenna Sage of Safety Harbor.

The Ruhtzes

Art and Trudy Ruhtz of Palm Harbor were married in Troy, N.Y., on Nov. 9, 1947, and celebrated their 60th wedding anniversary in June with a week in Sacramento, Calif., visiting with children and grandchildren. They continued the celebration with friends in Branson, Mo.

The couple moved here in 1987 after retirement.

Mr. Ruhtz served in the Navy during World War II in the North Atlantic and Pacific from 1944 to 1946.

He worked 30 years as a sales representative covering four states for Bendix and Easco.

Mr. Ruhtz was also an accomplished musician who played with the Townmen for 18 years.

While in Troy, Mrs. Ruhtz owned and operated Trudy's Beauty Salon for 25 years.

The couple are members of the Highland Lakes Club and Palm Harbor United Methodist Church.

They have three children, Curt, Craig and Cindy, five grandchildren and two great-grandchildren.

The Albrechts

Erich and Joan Albrecht of Clearwater were married Dec. 21, 1957, at St. Cecelia Catholic Church, Clearwater, and celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary Dec. 22 with a family luncheon.

Mrs. Albrecht was born in St. Joseph's Hospital, Tampa, and Mr. Albrecht moved here in 1951 from New Jersey.

He retired from the Largo Post Office after 27 years of service.

Mrs. Albrect was active in real estate as a Realtor and real estate broker.

The couple are members of Countryside Baptist Church, Clearwater, and involved in Boy Scouting for 14 years in Pinellas and Pasco counties.

The Albrechts have four sons, nine grandchildren and eight great-grandchildren.

To submit an item , write to Nova Beall, 710 Court St., Clearwater, FL 33756. Fax to 727 445-4119 or e-mail sbeall@sptimes.com Good For You includes news of 50th wedding anniversaries, people celebrating their 100th birthday (or more) and young people's noteworthy achievements academically, in the arts or community service. For information or an anniversary form, call (727) 445-4221.

[Last modified December 25, 2007, 21:33:55]