JNCelebrate

Golden Oldies

fect age for Disney World, and I got
to see it through their eyes," said
Special to The Jewish News
Dotty Smith, a retired teacher who
had fun showing the children
f gold medals were given out
through exhibits ranging from Cin-
for family-pleasing golden
derella's castle to rain forest settings.
anniversary celebrations, three
On the actual day of the anniver-
couples with strong footing in
sary, the partying was enlarged with
Detroit could offer theirs as con-
a dinner that included long-time
tenders.
friends spending winter in Florida.
The events stand as strong exam-
"I'm the same age as Mickey
ples of very personal and favored
Mouse,
and I've been collecting
ways — in destination, decor and
Mickey Mouse memorabilia, includ-
dining — to mark a half century of
ing a Mickey Mouse phone, for a
togetherness.
long time," the retired teacher said.
Dotty and Arthur Smith, for
"Now I have Mickey memo-
instance, are used to entertain-
rabilia to remind me of
ing others, so their children
this very special
and children-in-law
anniversary."
arranged for plenty of
Erwin and Julie
activities to entertain
Leibowitz
grew
them.
up in Detroit
The good times
and moved to
came during 10
California
days of travel,
before they
made all the
met at a
better with the
West Coast
presence of the
dance the
next two gen-
October
erations of
before their
Smiths.
January
"My daugh-
wedding.
ter-in-law
"I saw a
pulled this all
pretty
together, and we
brunette, asked
knew what we
her to dance,
were going to be
and we've been
doing every day,"
dancing
together
said Dotty Smith,
ever
since,"
Erwin
referring to the get-
Leibowitz
said.
away that took them all
When it came to plan-
on a short cruise and then to
ning
their
50th anniversary
Disney World.
celebration,
the couple and
"We went on the same
Th e letter
their
son,
Jerry,
decided to
flights, and we had time-share
mea nt a lot
accommodations that were fab- to th e Kleins. make the event every bit as
festive as formal nuptials.
ulous."
They found a restaurant
The trip included daughter
with
glass
walls
that displayed the
and son-in-law Mindy Smith and
Pacific
Ocean
outside,
arranged for a
Gary Craken with their daughter,
dance band and included the Detroit
Jenny, 5, and son and daughter-in-
relatives they visit at least once every
law Fredric Smith and Dana Ramsay
with their twins, Alec and Hunter, 4. other year.
"Some parties just seem to work,
"The grandchildren were at a per-

SUZANNE CHESSLER

I

The Leibowitzes — then and now — were superimposed.

There are many routes to marking
a 50th anniversary,
but they all involve family,
friends and great memories.

3/20
1998

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