Milestone Announcements September 8, 2013
ANNIVERSARIES
Gil and Marilyn Stinson
60th Anniversary
Married Sept. 5, 1953, Gil and Marilyn have lived in Coeur d'Alene all their lives except for two years when they lived in Portland, Ore., and two years in Spokane.
Marilyn was born in Spokane and Gil in Portland. Marilyn graduated from Northwestern University. Gil's education includes Portland State, Texas Western and Whitworth University.
Gil worked for General Electric for 11 years and then bought in to Copes Appliance in 1967. He had Copes for 25 years and retired in 1992. Marilyn was a dental hygienist and worked in El Paso, Texas, Portland, Spokane and Coeur d'Alene.
They raised two beautiful children, Mike Stinson and Suzan Brooks. They have three grandchildren, Bonnie Stinson, and Megan and Mark Brooks.
An open house was held for family and friends.
Gary and Carol Ormesher
55th Anniversary
Gary and Carol were married in Coeur d'Alene at the First Christian Church, Fourth and Garden, by Rev. Grant H. Cole on Sept. 10, 1958. They have one son, Jeffrey and nine grandchildren.
They belong to the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
The Ormesher family had three restaurants (Paul Bunyan); as founded by Louis Ormesher in 1952.
Please give Gary a call at 651-5740 or Carol at 277-6998. They would love to hear from you!
Dick and Barbara Ann Esser
50th Anniversary
Dick and Barbara were married Sept. 7, 1963, in their hometown of Dubuque, Iowa.
Dick spent four years at McChord AFB from 1960 to 1964. Barbara was crowned Miss Dubuque and had to decline running for Miss Iowa as she was getting married.
They raised three of their own children, Conrad, Terry (deceased daughter) and Ryan. Their sons gave them a lovely 40th anniversary party in Tacoma, Wash. They also raised brother and sister David and Mary from Whitehorse in Yukon Territory.
Dick retired from UPS in 1995 and Barbara from United Way. They have lived in Coeur d'Alene for 12 years and love the area and the people.
They will celebrate with a two-week trip to Ireland.
John and Karen Putnam
40th Anniversary
In September 1972, the "macho cop" and the "barefoot hippy" met and fell in love. On Sept. 28, 1973, they married.
Their journey of 40 years together has brought many walks through dark valleys and many mountain top experiences together and through it all their bond and love has grown stronger. They have traveled together around the world and look forward to doing more traveling when John retires as owner of Certified Inspection Company.
On Saturday, Sept. 28, 2013, they will renew their vows at their river property in a ceremony hosted by their daughters, Kristy Reed and Laurie Potts with family and friends attending.
WEDDING
Nicola-Leaf
Jessica Nicola, daughter of Robert and Cristina Nicola of West Sayville, N.Y., was married on Friday, June 7, 2013, to Jake Leaf, the son of Craig and Jan Leaf of Hayden.
The bride's brother, Pastor Joe Nicola, of Kansas City, Mo., officiated the ceremony held at the seaside resort, Gurney's Inn in Montauk, N.Y. The maid of honor was sister, Michelle Nicola with bridesmaids, JoAnn White, Melissa Barreto and Jennifer DeGuzman. The best man was brother, Trevor Leaf, with groomsmen, Eric Stockton, Justin Irving, Cole Seely, Brandon Nixon, Jackson Batchelder and Brennan Best.
Jessica is a senior director of publicity at Discovery Communications in New York City. She received a bachelor's in marketing communications at the Fashion Institute of Technology in New York City. Jake works as an assistant manager for Ideal Properties in Brooklyn, N.Y. He graduated from the University of Idaho, from which he received a bachelor's in marketing and bachelor's in finance.
The couple enjoyed a honeymoon in Greece before returning to their home in New York City.
MILESTONE BIRTHDAY
William Wallace (Wally) Connally
92nd Birthday
William Wallace (Wally) Connally will be 92 years old on Sept. 19. He was born in Los Angeles and moved to Coeur d'Alene in 1991.
He is a retired Major in the U.S. Army, who fought in the Battle of the Bulge in World War II. He also retired from Los Angeles County. He has been married to Hope Connally for 55 years. Wally was a volunteer for the Coeur d'Alene Police Department for 20 years.
He has one daughter, Lorayne, living in Antibes, France, and two stepdaughters, Claudia Hurt of St. Maries and Carole Tabakman of Coeur d'Alene. He had one step son, Jeff Henry, that died in 2001.
BIRTHS
Bronson Cruz Bligh was born at 7:52 a.m. Aug. 27, 2013, to Chanelle and Aaron Bligh of Hayden. He weighed 7 pounds, 8 ounces and was 20 inches long. Siblings are twins Chloe and Colton, 2 1/2 years old. Maternal grandparents are Jay and Su Carpenter, and Wayne and Irene Frei. Paternal grandparents are Dan and Donna Bligh.
Elizabeth Louise Siver was born Aug. 27, 2013, to Justine Louise and Isaac Siver. She weighed 6 pounds, 8 ounces and was 19 inches long. Brother is Bently Siver. Maternal grandmother is Trina L. Delaney.
FIVE GENERATIONS
Family - a gift that lasts forever - was celebrated this summer in Coeur d'Alene.
A five generation gathering included great-great-grandmother Ruth Hooten, 91; great-grandmother Jackie Jewett; grandfather Bob Jewett; father Rob Jewett and sweet baby, Lyla Elizabeth, 2 months old.
MILITARY
Cadet Travis Conley Griffard, son of Annette and Randy Griffard of Coeur d'Alene, completed Cadet Basic Training at the U.S. Military Academy.
Griffard entered West Point on July 1, 2013, and has successfully completed six weeks of CBT. CBT is one of the most challenging events a cadet will encounter over the course of their four years at the academy.
Griffard began classes Aug. 19, 2013. The West Point curriculum offers 37 majors balancing physical sciences and engineering with humanities and social sciences leading to a Bachelor of Science degree.
Griffard graduated from Coeur d'Alene Charter Academy in 2012. He plans to graduate from West Point in 2017 and be commissioned as a second lieutenant in the U.S. Army.
Submit your milestones to hmain@cdapress.com or in person at the Coeur d'Alene Press, 201 Second St., Coeur d'Alene, ID 83814.
Listings include:
* Wedding anniversaries for couples married 25 years and every fifth year thereafter (2 photos accepted)
* Engagement announcements (1 photo accepted)
* Wedding announcements (1 photo accepted)
* Births (1 photo accepted)
* Milestone birthdays at age 70 and every fifth year thereafter or every year after age 90 (1 photo accepted)
* Academic honors and higher education accomplishments (1 photo accepted)
* Military announcements (1 photo accepted)
Deadline is 3 p.m. Tuesdays.