Stan and Verna Martin, of
Capreol, the couple on the left in the photo, celebrated their 50th
Wedding Anniversary this summer by sharing their happiness with a
community celebration. Hundreds of well-wishers joined in a variety of
events during the weekend, culminating with the renewal of their wedding
vows on June 26, 2005, followed by an afternoon social at Our Lady of
Peace Church in Capreol. At one point on Saturday evening, someone told
Verna that they had counted 104 people in the Martin’s back yard.
Joining other friends and
family members were Verna’s aunt and uncle, Tom and Audrey Kirwan, of
Lively, shown on the right. The Kirwan’s celebrated their 56th
wedding anniversary in September 2005.
Stan and Verna grew up in
Capreol. Verna was one of the 11 children raised by Phil and Margaret
Sawyer, so the Sawyer influence on the community was rather extensive.
Stan, for example, served for 13 years on Town Council, for a time as
Deputy Mayor, and was involved in numerous community organizations.
Martin’s Variety was
started by Stan and Verna, and when Stan was transferred to work in
Minnesota
in 1979, it was taken over by the oldest daughter, Karen and her husband
Tom Lennox. While they have only been back “home” for two years, Stan
and Verna feel as welcome as if they never left. The Anniversary Weekend
was proof positive that they are still as loved as ever by their family
and friends.
“There
have been many ups and downs and challenges over the years,” claimed
Verna. “We had five children in six years, so it wasn’t easy. But no
matter how hard things got we always ended up with a rainbow.”
Verna went on to offer some
advice to young couples today, “I always tell people, don’t complain
or get upset about anything. It’s going to change and things will always
get better. Whatever you do, don’t quit. And when your husband asks you
to go out for breakfast or to go for a walk, drop everything you are doing
and go. The other stuff can wait. The dishes will always be there when you
get back, but you can never recover the time you have to spend with each
other.”
The Martin’s have thirteen
grandchildren ranging in age from 6 to 26 and according to Verna, “Each
one is special. And when they come over I treasure every minute I am with
them.”
Stan and Verna Martin may
have been the focus of the weekend, but this turned out to be a
celebration of the commitment that two people can have for each other and
what their example means to an entire community.
While it is customary to
“congratulate” Stan and Verna, it is more appropriate to say “Thank
You” for showing us how to get the most out of life.
