Surprise party honors Jenkinses' 50th anniversary

• CORTLAND — Mr. and Mrs. David Jenkins Sr. of Cortland celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary at a surprise party in their honor Aug. 21 at Southern Shores, N.C., where they were vacationing with their family.

The couple were serenaded with a song written and sung by Kim Kalman, “Only Old Lovers Know,” champagne toasts, and a dinner at Sunset Grill in Duck, N.C.

Mr. Jenkins and the former Phyllis Shuler were married Sept. 6, 1958, at the former Epworth Methodist Church in Youngstown. They are the parents of four children and have four grandchildren; David Jr. and Terri (Smail) Jenkins of Shelbyville, Ky., and their son, David Jenkins III, who is serving in Iraq; Dwight and Phylecia (Epstein) Jenkins and their children, Jack and Marlo, of Gloucester, Va.; Karen and Bill Tomlinson and their daughter, Taylor, of Girard; and Jennifer and Mike Smerick of Westlake.

Mr. Jenkins is retired from First Federal Savings and Loan Association of Warren after 30 years in various capacities, and is now the executive director of The First Place Bank Community Foundation. The couple are active in many area organizations.

The anniversary will also be celebrated during the Thanksgiving holidays when their grandson is home on leave from Iraq.