LEWISTON – Kenneth L. and Laurel L. (Martin) Footer of Lewiston, celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary Nov. 24 at the Chickadee Restaurant in Lewiston. The event was planned by their three daughters, with immediate family members in attendance.

The couple was married Nov. 30, 1957, by the Rev. Carl Georges at the Footer homestead on the Pond Road in Lewiston.

Mr. Footer retired in 1999 from Maine Vocational Region 10 in Brunswick as a masonry instructor. He continues to farm the land that has been in his family for four generations.

Mrs. Footer continues her hobby of knitting. Every daughter and grandchild has an afghan knitted by Mrs. Footer.

The couple was honored to receive a surprise anniversary card from President George and Laura Bush congratulating them on their 50 years together.

Family members in attendance were their daughters, Katherine Wood of Scarborough, Cindy Mitchell and her husband, Brian, of Minot and Lisa Chartier and her husband, Ted, of Auburn. Also attending were all of their seven grandchildren, Matthew Wood and his wife, Michelle, of Biddeford, Amy Bean and her husband, T.J., of Minot, Angella Ayotte and her husband, Eric, of Poland, Janice Wood of Scarborough, Amanda Mitchell and her companion, Kevin Bryant, of Hebron and Maegan Chartier of Auburn. Their great-grandson, Mitchell Bean of Minot, also attended. Mr. Footer’s sister and her husband, Teddie Milliken and Bruce, also attended the celebration.