Mr. and Mrs. James Anewalt of Lehighton recently celebrated their 70th wedding anniversary. Mrs. Anewalt is the former Christine Shaffer of Weissport. While on leave from the U.S. Navy, Jim met Christine at LaRosa’s roller skating rink.

After Jim’s leave was over and he returned to his naval base, they continued to develop their friendship through writing letters. Jim and Christine were married on April 29, 1951, by the late Rev. George Smith of Jacob’s Reformed Church in Weissport. The wedding cake was baked and decorated by Christine herself.

The happy couple were attended by the groom’s sister, Betty Jane Gall, and the bride’s brother, Mahlon Shaffer.

The honeymooners traveled to the Kentucky Derby for their honeymoon, where they were lucky enough to win $20 on the race.

While raising a family, Jim worked at the New Jersey Zinc Company in Palmerton and Christine ran her own beauty salon in Lehighton. They are very active and faithful members of Jacob’s UCC.

Jim and Christine celebrated their anniversary with their three children, Dee, Shari and Kelly, their spouses as well as their grandchildren. They are also proud great-grandparents.