BETHEL – A surprise 25th wedding anniversary celebration was held recently for Jim and Marilyn Swan of Bethel at the Town and Country in Gorham, N.H. The party and elaborate dinner event was planned by a sister of Mrs. Swan, Teresa Curtis.

With her was an available advisor and the gatherer of the many family photos and addresses, Sarah, daughter of the couple. The photos were used in a very memorable music video presentation collaborated by Mrs. Swan’s brother, Bob Brown. A cake of delicate mauve and burgundy roses was made by Mrs. Swan’s sister, Suzanne Atkinson. Natalie Hilpurt, sister of Mrs. Swan, assisted Teresa with the decorations for the event, as well as Suzie Harrington, long-time friend of Mr. Swan, who donated the balloon table centerpieces.

Deb Swan, sister-in-law of the couple, and Milly Akers, sister of Mr. Swan, were also a great help in the planning of the special occasion. Vivian Glover, longtime friend of Mrs. Swan and maid of honor, made the rose centerpieces arranged in crystal glass vases. Linda Howe, longtime friend of Mrs. Swan, had charge of the band that played music for the guests’ dining and dancing pleasure.

The couple was chauffeured to the event by friends Steve and Kim Swasey, as well as John and Linda Percival. The event would not be complete without the presence of the couple’s two sons, Bion and Mike Swan, as well as Mrs. Swan’s mother, Sandra Brown, and longtime friend of Mr. Swan, Ralph Harrington, who was also best man. Making the evening complete were the many wonderful family members and friends of the couple.

In honor of their anniversary, the couple took a trip to the countryside of Pennsylvania, visiting Gettysburg and the Amish countryside of Lancaster. They also went to Hershey Park in Hershey, Pa. They also visited friends in Connecticut and then visited the Mystic Marine Aquarium in Mystic, Conn.

Mrs. Swan is a graduate of Oxford Hills High School and is currently a full-time registered nursing student at the University of Maine at Augusta.

Mr. Swan is a graduate of Telstar Regional High School and is currently employed at Swasey Excavation in Andover, where he has been employed for more than 20 years. He is a seventh-generation Swan to reside on the family property in Bethel at Swan’s Corner, where the couple has resided and raised their family for more than 25 years.