Roses are red.
Violets are blue.
He loves her.
She loves him, too.
Maybe not more, but certainly much longer than most other couples.
So, big, beautiful bouquets to Henry “Hank” and Jeanette Dixon, who are celebrating 80 years of marriage Saturday with a family dinner.
The Dixons, formerly of Silver Lake, now call Akron’s Rockynol Retirement Community home.
Not long ago, the couple celebrated in grand style their 100th birthdays. The former Jeanette Caveness turned 100 on Dec. 5, 2011, and her husband on Feb. 6.
They met in college at Hardin-Simmons University in Abilene, Texas, at age 16, said their daughter, Dr. Jan Dixon. They got engaged their senior year and married at 20, on Sept. 15, 1932.
“Dad tells the story that when he and a few of his buddies were at the local soda pop shop near campus and some freshman girls came in, Dad took one look and turned to his buddies and said, ‘I’m going to marry her,’ and 80 years later they’re still together.”
Mr. Dixon retired with 38 years of service at Goodrich, where he moved from being a chemist into management. He also was quite the woodworker, making all types of furniture, including grandfather clocks.
His bride, known for her culinary and needlepoint skills, volunteered for many years at Akron Children’s and Akron City hospitals.
In addition to Jan Dixon, the couple has three other children: Dr. R.H. Dixon of Bath, Maine; Dr. W.C. Dixon of Portland, Ore.; and James Dixon of Denver; seven grandchildren and 12 great-grandchildren.
Fundraiser for children
“Love for Claire” will be serving Swiss steak and chicken marsala dinners 4:30 to 7 p.m. Saturday at First Presbyterian Church, 636 W. Park Ave., Barberton.
Money raised goes to help area gravely ill children and their families, as do proceeds from Claire’s Garden & Gift Shop at 3281 Barber Road, Norton.
Love for Claire/Claire’s Garden was founded by Julie Miller in memory of her daughter Claire, who died of the rare genetic disease leukodystrophy on April 26, 2010, at 4 months old. “While she was hospitalized at Akron Children’s Hospital, many people stepped forward to help us financially, physically and emotionally,” Miller said during an earlier interview. “We are now dedicating ourselves to returning that wonderful gift to others in need.”
Please call 330-835-6922 for reservations for large parties and the schedule for other dinners. Side dishes, homemade bread, beverage and dessert are included. Cost is $7.50 adults; $4.50 children; free for children 4 and younger.
Preschool teacher benefit
David Zachrich, pastor of Tallmadge Lutheran Church (759 East Ave., Tallmadge), is grateful for the support of those who attended a recent benefit concert and ice cream social to aid the church’s preschool teacher, Jill Roush, a wife, mother of two and Stage III breast cancer patient.
“We were blessed with gifts in excess of $4,500 that night,” Zachrich noted, adding, “Her husband Greg is unemployed and the family is uninsured. … As a congregation we are trying to do what we can to assist and encourage them.
“Now we are moving forward with the second part of the fundraising plans, hosting a concert, barbecue chicken dinner and silent auction 5 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 22. The concert will include the Jubilate Handbell Ringers, the Chancel Choir and a brass ensemble.”
Tickets are $7.50 for ages 13 and older; $5 children 5-12; free, 4 and younger; and $20 for a family. Gift baskets for the silent auction cover a wide range of interest.
Vegas-style fundraiser
THE EVENT — with a Vegas Nights theme — is planned for 6 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 6, under a fabulous tent at the home of Steve Comunale in Akron. The event benefits the Stephen A. Comunale Jr. Foundation, which provides day-to-day assistance to local people and families currently going through cancer treatment.
Popular Vegas entertainers the Scintas will perform for an anticipated crowd of 600. Invitations have already gone out; however all are welcome. Interested in coming? Please call the Foundation’s associate director Marisa Hoffmann at 330-835-5985 as soon as possible.
Quilts for Kids group
New to the area, Nancy Bosshard is hitting the ground running. Running, that is, to bring comfort to children who are affected by the meth epidemic.
Bosshard is starting a local Quilts for Kids group, which she was involved with in Paducah, Ky. It supplies quilts to traumatized children removed from meth houses. “These children lose everything,” Bosshard said.
The quilts are “maybe something to call their own and snuggle with, making their life a little brighter.”
Bosshard needs help in recruiting volunteers for the venture: “Any help with sewing, cutting, clipping, material and batting would be appreciated,” she said. “The progress so far has been slow but steadily growing. I have created a flier for distribution, and have been in touch with KISS quilt club and another group that has support and interest in volunteering.”
For more information, please contact Bosshard at nsboss1945@gmail.com or 330-869-2663.
Pajama program
Patty Gillespie, president of the Eastern Ohio chapter of the Pajama Program, wants me to remind my readers that this is “the danger season for children.” The temperature is about to drop and children in shelters, who have had to leave their homes in a hurry, will need pajamas.
“They feel like they don’t belong anywhere or to anyone,” Gillespie said. “We need to keep them warm and feeling loved. They have been taken away from homes and schools and so many of them are left without a family, without friends and without hope.”
The national Pajama Program has provided nearly 2 million new pajamas and books to children nationwide since it was founded in 2000 by Genevieve Piturro. The Eastern Ohio chapter gives to 39 organizations and the need is great.
Interested in donating new pajamas and books? Please contact Gillespie at patty@pajamaprogram.org or call 330-253-5109.
Chorus for a Cause
A Chorus for a Cause is presenting a combined benefit concert, “The Animals Are Coming,” with the Children’s & Youth Choirs and Harmony Ringers 7:30 p.m. Sept. 29, in the Johnson Center of Malone University, 2600 Cleveland Ave. NW, Canton.
Pegasus Farm Therapeutic Equestrian Center will be the beneficiary.
A Pet Memorial will be available for anyone wishing to post pets’ photos (include a name and phone number on the back of the photo, and pick it up following the concert). Doors open at 6 p.m. for an animal-themed art exhibit.
Artwork will be for sale. Artists are invited to reserve a space at www.achorusfora cause.org and exhibit any work that includes an animal. This is a family event, so all work is subject to approval. Artists are asked to set up between 5 and 6 p.m. and must bring their own equipment: easels, tables, chairs.
Tickets at $10 are available from chorus members, at Pegasus Farm or by calling 330-453-3460.
Neighbors help out
The Rev. J. Christy Ramsey, pastor of Goodyear Heights Presbyterian Church, is singing the praises of the neighbors who have embraced Karen Thurman and her family who became homeless following a fire last month at the Cutler Parkway home they were renting.
“Neighbors rushed in with ladders to get them off the roof of the burning building,” Ramsey said. “Another neighbor brought Grandma and children to the church I serve as pastor for our free community meal to give the other adults time to salvage. … We partnered with Color Our Rainbow Academy, which meets in our building and where two of the children attend school, to help. CORA collected items for the family and we gave $500 to one of the teachers, Nichole Adler, to go shopping for the children and family. … No doubt there are more people helping.”
The family so loves the neighborhood that they’re looking to stay there in another rental property.
Jewell Cardwell can be reached at 330-996-3567 or jcardwell@thebeaconjournal.com.
