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IowaToI lave Iirst Golden Wedding Day Cel el nationH* ¥(airfield Couples Receiving InvitationsFairfield is to bo represented in more ways than one at the Iowa State Fair, the first state-wide Golden Wedding Day set for Thursday, Aug. 29. G. B. Swisher, general manager of the big day. announces that he has already sent out more than 1750 invitations and is continuing to mail 50 ^»r 75 more per day.A number from Fairfield and vicinity have received their invitations and are planning to attend if the weather and their health will permit. Around 750 couples will in all probability be present. In addition to the fact that local couples will attend. John G. Spielman (1 Long Beach, Calif., former Fairfield resident will be honor guest and one of the keynote speakers.Mr. Spielman came to Denver and the middle west this summer especially to attend the Iowa state Fair and to attend the 70th annual convention of the American So ial Civil Engineers held in Denver July 24-26 of which organization lie is a life member. He is also a past department commander of the California Sons of Veterans and will attend the 74th national encampment of the Grand Army of the Republic to be held in Springfield, 111., Sept. 8. Golden Wedding Club Established in 1927Mr. Spielman has been a decided aid to the chairmen in their venture of sponsoring an Iowa Golden Wedding Day as he was the founder of the Iowa Golden Wedding Club of California in 1927. In the intervening years he has registered over 600 couples, all former Iowans, who have attended one or more of the club's annual meetings. The story of the club has gone over the nation in pictures and print with all credit due Mr. Spielman. Data shows couples registered since 1027 to be 607 with 98 of the couples having passed away since that time. There are also 82 courtesy couples registered bringing the total to 689 couples. It was estimated that the average years of wedded life is 58 years making a total of 75.000 years of individual married life for tlie couples.The Iowa Association of Southern California club lias since 1927 worked as assistant to the Iowa* *Golden Wedding club of California. The full roster of officers and directors of the club would bring back many memories of former Iowans. Among the dis-tingished members along with Mr. Spielman are Judge Carl S. Stutsman, formerly of Burlington; Robt. Brennan now a Sante Fe railroad exective; Frank F. Merriam past governor of the state of California, formerly of Hopkinton, la.; and the Honorable Henry W. Wright, former superintendent of the School for Feeble Minded at Glen-wood, la.California To lie Well RepresentedCalifornia is to have a special booth at the fair this year and agam Mr. Spielman is to have an important part in the activities. Culbert L. Olson. governor of California, lias appointed him as unofficial ambassador from the state of California to the state of Iowa at the* fair and Mayor Francis H. Gentry of the city of Long Beach, has appointed Mr. Spielman as ambassador of good will from the city of Long Beach.Distinguished Couples Expected For Big DayJ. Henry Garstand. 83. president of the Tri-City Golden Wedding club is also to be a speaker at the Iowa 50th Wedding Day. It is also hoped to have Mr. and Mrs. W. D. Aurand of Kansas City. Mo., who organized the National True Vow Keepers Club in 1925 who have listed more than 1700 golden wedding couples over the country at the present time.The program for the day is going forward nicely it was stated and one of Iowa's choicest steers will be barbecued for the occasion at a real old fashioned barbecue. All Golden Wedding couples are to be guests of the fair with all expenses paid. Mr. and Mrs. Goben of Lucas, who are both in their 90s have been married 78 years and are expected to take high honors for the couple having been married the longest. Walter Wenger, Hollywood movie producer in his survey of the longest married couples in the country a year ago, found the Gobens' held high the number. They are invited to Hollywood as guests of Mr. Wenger but as they felt they were unable to make tiie trip he gave them a party in Des Moines.
Newspaper Details
Fairfield Daily Ledger
Fairfield, Iowa, US
Thu, Aug 15, 1940
Page 2
Full Page
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Anonymous
USA 14 Aug 2024
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