POLAND – A surprise 50th wedding anniversary party was given recently for Charles Jr. and Arlene Harris of Poland. The party was held at Excelsior Grange Hall in Poland, and was given by Stephen Harris and Karen Lamb.

The couple was married on June 17, 1956, at Pleasant Street Baptist Church in Mechanic Falls, by the Rev. Lawrence Littlehale.

They have three sons, Mark of Auburn, Stephen of Windham and Paul of Rochester, N.H. They also have five grandchildren, Joshua and Joel Harris of Poland, and Tyler Davis, Bryanna Harris and Devin Davis of Rochester, N.H.

Mr. Harris graduated from Mechanic Falls High School in 1952 and served in the U.S. Army from 1952 to 1954, 17 months in Anchorage, Alaska. Upon returning from the service, he worked at B.E. Cole Shoe Shop in Norway, and then worked for nearly 27 years at Central Maine Medical Center in material services. After retiring, he worked part-time at Service Merchandise and J.C. Penney. His hobbies are working in his flower gardens, writing letters and baking cakes for family members.

Mrs. Harris graduated from Edward Little High School in 1956 and worked in the shoe shop offices at B.E. Cole Company in Norway, Dori Shoe in Lewiston and Norway Footwear in Norway. She then became a CNA and worked nearly 10 years at Clover Manor Nursing Home. She enjoys her grandchildren.

Malcolm and Barbara Harris, brother and sister of the couple, recently took the anniversary couple on a trip to Cape Cod, Mass., to visit cousin Cathy Gallant.