John & Elaine Smith

John V. Smith and Elaine (Pestorious) Smith of Albert Lea celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary at 5 p.m. Nov. 30 in the Wedgewood Cove Ballroom. The couple were married on Nov. 27, 1968, at the University of Denver chapel in Denver. The celebration included a buffet supper, a renewal of vows led by the Rev. John Mitchem of United Methodist Church of Albert Lea, several songs sung by soloists and a video of happy anniversary wishes by relatives from Texas. Their daughter, Michelle Sylvain of Eagle, Colorado, moderated the event. About 150 friends and family members attended the event, some who traveled from Texas, Colorado, New York and Iowa to be there.