Brian and Elaine Armstrong mark 50th anniversary at Four Winds Barn

BY SHAWN LOUGHLIN

Last Sunday, Brian and Elaine Armstrong celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary at the Four Winds Barn in Brussels. It was just a few days before the true 50-year mark of their loving marriage.

 

It was on Aug. 31, 1974 that Elaine Jacklin of Molesworth, the daughter of Lloyd and Twyla, married Brian Armstrong of RR1, Ethel (the Armstrong family farm on Brandon Road), the son of John and Isabel, were married at St. Andrew’s Presbyterian Church in Molesworth. Rev. John Brush presided over the service.

 

Attendants for the day were Ruth (Elliott) Laidlaw, Donna (Brush) Broome, Verna (Willoughby) Hart, Kimberly Jacklin, Joanne (Jacklin) Stafford and Karen (Elliott) Keppel-Jones and Murray Armstrong, Bruce Wilbee, Don Armstrong, Rex McLory, Larry Jacklin and Joe Jacklin.

 

The couple travelled to Niagara Falls for their honeymoon before returning to London to allow for Brian to finish his final year of college and to train as a mechanic. There, Elaine worked as a food supervisor at University Hospital.

 

In 1977, the couple erected a Royal Home on the 4th of Grey (Browntown Road) before purchasing the Armstrong family farm on Brandon Road in 1989.

 

Shortly thereafter, Brian went to teacher’s college and, upon graduation, took an automotive teaching position at Sacred Heart High School in Walkerton. Elaine would continue her work as a food supervisor at Calendar, Brookhaven, Braemar and Huronlea nursing homes at different times through her life, while focusing on raising the family at other times.

 

Brian and Elaine have four children: David (Stephanie), Chris (Holly), Richard (Stephanie) and Laura (Peter) and 10 grandchildren.
Now that Brian and Elaine are retired, they enjoy spending time with their wonderful grandchildren and remain active members of the Melville Presbyterian Church family.

 

Elaine remains involved in organizing Soup and More 2, the free meal program she initiated 14 years ago, while Brian continues to take an active interest in “wheeling and dealing” on Facebook Marketplace, working on projects in his job and serving as the family’s photographer and publicist.

 

The anniversary celebration took place at the Brussels Four Winds Barn last Sunday from 1:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. To the couple’s delight, a steady stream of guests dropped in, followed by a delicious meal.

 

Their son David served as the emcee for the night, which featured speeches, cake-cutting and glass-clinking. Guests for the evening enjoyed a stream of oldies music and videos, while the children enjoyed the barn’s lower level with toys and games. 
Guests travelled to Brussels from Kemptville, Oshawa, Hamilton, Northern Ontario, London and Kitchener, in addition to a number of local guests.

 

The couple appreciated everyone who took the time to come together for the occasion. It was a wonderful way to celebrate and it will remain a truly memorable day for them.