Helen & Bill's Renewal of Vows

The Stone family (Jane's side) is famous for their pig roasts. On Friday night Joe and Alan, Jane's brother, Jane, Colin (Jane's son) and various other folks prepared the pig by stuffing it with apples and onions, lacing it with garlic and coating it with lard. You have to do this so that the skin doesn't burn. Beginning at 6 a.m. Saturday morning, Joe, Colin and I loaded the pig onto the spit and Colin tended it all day.

The scene during the party. Helen and Bill had invited about 200 people and about 150 showed up. We provided the pig, buns, baked beans and beer and wine. Invitees were asked to bring appetizers and salads. It was a really hot day (about 90 degrees). Needless to say, the timing of the pig controlled all and it wasn't finished when predicted. So, people sat around and drank beer and ate appetizers and crowded into the ever-diminishing shade. Eventually it was decided to do the ceremony before eating.

Helen and Bill had new rings made for their 50th anniversary by a Native goldsmith from melting down four other rings. Here Bill is trying to get his ring on. Granddaughter Jeri has oil in her hand and he's trying to grease his finger. Maria (Rob and Lisa's youngest daughter) is supervising. Father Frank had them repeat their vows and had all their children and grandchildren come up and bless them. There was the inevitable kiss which had to last until he said they could quit so all the photographers could get their photos taken. Jeri, with the help of Lisa, had made about 300 mini cupcakes, all decorated, and mini cheese cakes, all of which were set out in a beautiful design. She is heading off to culinary arts training to be a pastry chef.

The carvers, Joe, Colin and Bob, cutting the pig up. The meat was absolutely delicious and the event ended with the carcass being thrown onto the fire. Joe is a cook by profession and Colin has proven he can roast a pig. We ended up staying on Sunday to help clean up from the party. After finishing the clean-up we all (Joe, Jane, Bob, me, MaryAnn Wood and her daughter Olivia [from Tetherow Crossing and Enterprise and Coos Bay]) and three dogs all went swimming at an abandoned limestone quarry. The weather was beginning to change, but the swim still felt fabulous after all the work of cleaning up. Various other folks also helped.