Hey Guys…can you remember the first time you met the girl that eventually became your wife?

This was an easy question for me as Shirley and I celebrated our 50th wedding anniversary September 25. The pandemic has not allowed us to celebrate this event the way we wanted to, but it is what it is.

It was in the spring of 1971 and there was a Sullivan County Women’s Bowling Association Tournament taking place at Liberty Lanes and as a bowling columnist I wrote the story of a Ms. Shirley Winters leading the singles tournament.

My next bowling night was the following Monday in the late men’s league at Liberty Lanes and, as I walked in the door at the bowling lanes, this young lady walked up to me and said, “Are you Ed Townsend?” and all I could think of is what did I do now, and she stated, “Do you know that you wrote a story about me leading the bowling tournament and you said that I was married and I’m not married.”

I was not sure at the moment how I should answer her comment so I politely said, “Would you like to be married?” and guess what folks, we dated for a number of months, got engaged and married in the fall so I guess I answered her comment the right way and it has worked out for 50 wonderful years of married bliss…well we can debate the issue of married bliss, but we must have done something right to reach our Golden Anniversary.

We’ve been very active in our 50 years of marriage. I’ve been a Columnist, Photo Journalist, Wedding Photographer and a Loss Control Safety Engineer for two large insurance companies while Shirley two years ago retired from Sullivan County BOCES as a Special Education Teacher’s Assistant. She enjoyed her volunteer work for many years at the Liberty United Methodist Church Thrift Shop until the pandemic arrived.

We have enjoyed our sports, softball and bowling for Shirl and golf, softball and bowling for me. We danced Western-Style square dancing for many years and always enjoyed just dancing together.

Traveling was always enjoyable in our many trips to Florida, South Carolina and Tennessee for various events. Canada is also an interesting country and love the Canadian accent offered by our many Canadian square dance friends.

The old saying that life flies by very quickly is so true so enjoy it while you can.

Shirl and I appreciate the many comments sent our way, God Bless to all.