LEWISTON – A surprise party was held on May 30 for Edward and Barbara Turgeon of Lewiston, on the occasion of their 50th wedding anniversary. A “diversion party” was also held on May 29, which was a simple barbecue with family members.

Party hosts for the event, which was held at Martindale Country Club, were Gayton, Joseph, Edward and Denise Turgeon and Monique Dodd, children of the couple.

Decorations included newspapers from the day they were married, maps showing the various states they lived in and a video in the entryway of their first 25 years of marriage.

Mrs. Turgeon received a corsage of roses and stephanotis and Mr. Turgeon received a boutonniere of the same flowers. Bouquets of mixed flowers decorated the tables.

Their daughter, Denise, gave the toast and the couple received a special gift from their son, Joe, a West Highland Terrier puppy named Tucker.

Relatives attended from Quebec and Nova Scotia and friends and family attended from Maine and Florida.

Mr. Turgeon and the former Barbara Elaine Collupy were married on May 29, 1954, at the Immaculate Conception Church in Hartford, Conn.

In addition to their children, their grandchildren also attended and they are Elizabeth Dodd, Joseph Turgeon, Erin Turgeon, Patrick Dodd, Sean Turgeon, Alexis Turgeon, Edward W. Turgeon, Thomas Turgeon, Sophia Turgeon and Courtney Gladu.

Mrs. Turgeon is a housewife and was also administrative assistant at Central Maine Medical Center. She is also a lector, Parish Council member and is a member of various committees at Holy Family Church.

Mr. Turgeon was born in Lac Megantic, Quebec and moved to Lewiston at the age of two. He is a member of the Optimist Club and was a contractor, building homes throughout the area.

Original wedding attendant present was Doris Provencher, sister of Mr. Turgeon, who was a bridesmaid.