THIS IS LOVE, after 50 years:
A recent family photo of Arnie and Jeanne, rural Northfield, with their children and their spouses and their grandchildren.
A golden anniversary photo display of Jeanne and Arnie on their wedding day, October 10, 1962, and a more current photo on the left. And that’s their farm, near the Hazelwood church, in the upper left corner. Farming, faith and family have centered the couple’s life together for 50 years.
THIS IS A CELEBRATION of love after 50 years:
Family and friends celebrate Jeanne and Arnie’s 50 years of marriage at a good old-fashioned barn dance.
The kids served popcorn in the haymow dance/reception site.
The Revival Band played “Woolly Bully” by Sam the Sham & the Pharoahs and a guest (matador) swished a red shirt (cape) while others guests (bulls) charged. (This was a barn dance, emphasis on barn.)
Family and friends, some in cowboy hats, visited and danced, or just sat and observed the celebration.
The rustic rural atmosphere and decor were perfect for the farm couple married 50 years.
THIS IS LOVE 50 years ago:
Jeanne’s wedding dress and shoes (to left of dress on shelf) and a bridesmaid’s teal dress with crown.
A napkin saved from Jeanne and Arnie’s wedding day on October 10, 1962.
THIS IS LOVE, yesterday and today.
A display in the old barn celebrating 50 years of marriage for Arnie and Jeanne.
The cake topper from Jeanne and Arnie’s wedding with golden anniversary wishes 50 years later.
I ATTENDED MY FIRST EVER barn dance a year ago in this very same barn. Jeanne and Arnie’s daughter, Debbie, and her husband, John, friends of my husband and me, hosted the dance. To view photos from that first dance, click here. And then click here to see more photos.
This year we didn’t arrive at the dance until after dark, so my photo opportunities were much more limited since I don’t shoot with flash. But the time for dancing was not.
Copyright 2012 Audrey Kletscher Helbling
Minnesota Prairie Roots 
Such a lovely way to celebrate a big anniversary. I love the “display photo”, 2nd from the bottom, very vintage-like 🙂
Yes, perfect way to celebrate a milestone anniversary… Unfortunately when I took that overall display photo, the teal bridesmaid dress was already gone. Did you catch that?
What a wonderful celebration. Fifty years is quite an accomplishment. Congrats to them.
Absolutely. Fifty years are worth celebrating.
Went to Burt’s 3rd annual barn dance yesterday and a beautiful day. George’s conertina band. Biggest crowd yet. Fundraiser for church mission project and food shelf.
Virgil, let me know next year when this barn dance is and see if you can finagle an invitation for us. We were busy on Sunday so I couldn’t have come this year. But one of these Septembers it WILL work. Great idea to give the monies to missions.
That’s great – I like “home-made” parties like so that much more than fancy ones – and a barn is big and perfect! How fun.
This barn is just beautiful. Even a “fancy” party would fit well. I can imagine round tables draped in elegant white cloths, the flicker of candles, silver and gold and fancy food. Equally inviting is the rustic and down-to-earth country.
The best, a barn and a Golden Anniversary! Reserve that place for me–I have a ways to go though–Just celebrated 27 years!
Congratulations, Stacey, on 27 years of marriage. We celebrated our 30th in May. Unfortunately Deb and John don’t rent out their barn because of liability concerns. I sure wish they did because I have a few ideas for its use, too.