Galen and Teresa Harrison are celebrating their 50th wedding anniversary on April 25th, 2019. As longtime residents of the San Luis Valley, the couple has two children, Brian (Terri) Harrison and Tawnya (Nathan) Toland; and five grandchildren.

The original wedding announcement from 1969 reads as follows:

At an impressive ceremony held April 25th, in the First Baptist Church in Monte Vista, Miss Teresa Carpenter, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. L.T. Carpenter, exchanged, marriage vows with Galen Ray Harrison, son of Mr. and Mrs. Ellis Harrison. The Rev. George Wick officiated. Miss Myrna Harrison furnished soft organ music as the guests were being seated, and also played the traditional wedding marches. She accompanied Mrs. Priscilla Schneider, who sang “Wedding Prayer” as the couple knelt at the altar.

The bride was lovely in a floor length white gown of nylon organza, fashioned with a round neckline, embroidered with flowers. Tapered sleeves came to a point at the wrist. A crown of seed pearls held her fingertip veil of silk illusion. She wore a strand of pearls, a gift from the groom. Her flowers were pink roses surrounded by white carnations.

She was given in marriage by her father; and her sister, Miss Viki Carpenter was her only attendant. The maid of honor’s gown was of pink lace and satin, floor-length, with a caplet of pink net.

The bride’s mother was gowned in a pink suit with white accessories. Mrs. Harrison, the mother of the groom, chose a white dress with rose-colored accessories.

Wesley Harrison served his brother as best man, while Don Carpenter and Larry Shriver of Ft. Collins acted as ushers.

The new Mrs. Harrison graduated from Sargent High School with the class of 1966. She is a Past Worthy Advisor of Center Rainbow Assembly, and also Past Grand Representative to Ohio. She is presently employed as a bookkeeper at Colorado Propane in Monte Vista. Harrison is an alumnus of Center High School, 1962. He attended Adams State College for three years, and is now associated with his father in farming.

Following the ceremony, a reception was held in the church parlor. Assisting with reception were Mrs. Wesley Harrison, with the guest book; Mrs. Gale Heersink and Miss Sharon Gilmore at the gift table; Mrs. Larry Carpenter and Mrs. Don Carpenter who served punch and coffee; Mrs. Leland DePreist and Mrs. ken Arnett who served the cake.

For her going away, the bride wore a white cotton suit with blue trimmings. She carried the rose corsage from her bridal bouquet. After a short honeymoon trip through southern Colorado, Mr. and Mrs. Harrison will make their home on the Harrison Farm.

Galen served in the United States Army from 1969 to 1972. Teresa drove busses for the Sargent School District for 21 years. The Harrisons have been farming in the Valley since 1972.

A celebration is planned for Saturday, April 20 at Gateway Church in Del Norte.