Anchorage Daily News

JUNE 26, 1948

Henrietta and Robert Smay

Longtime Alaska residents Henrietta and Robert Smay celebrated their 60th wedding anniversary June 26 at Sourdough Mining Co. with their children, their families and a few close friends.

The Smays have a son, Al Smay; six daughters, Darlene Hunter, Barbara Dean, Bonnie Jaroslaw, Virginia Niusini, Roberta Balal and Peggy Keifer; 22 grandchildren; and 12 great-grandchildren.

Henrietta and Robert were married June 26, 1948, under an arch of roses at Henrietta's parents' home in Shawsville, Pa. In June 1954, they left Pennsylvania for Alaska. With three children and one on the way, they journeyed up the Alaska Highway in a 1950 panel van, pulling a house trailer. In 1955, they moved to Porcupine Trail in Rabbit Creek, where they continued to add to their family.

The Smays dreamed of starting a church in Alaska and realized their dream in 1960, starting St. John United Methodist Church on O'Malley Road. "The Smays continued to be faithful servants at their church, always giving God the honor and thanks for what has been accomplished," their daughter Barbara wrote.

Henrietta and Robert owned and operated Fifth Avenue Laundry and Dry Cleaners from 1963 to 1990, when they retired.

JUNE 14, 2008

Catherine and Ben Walker

Catherine Taylor and Ben Walker, both of Anchorage, were married June 14 at Alyeska Resort in Girdwood.

The ceremony at the resort pond was officiated by longtime family friend Ben Kayashima of Pomona, Calif. Aaron Fennimore and David Kim were best men, with Joel Osburn, David Alan Waldrep and Tony Barnachea serving as groomsmen. Catherine's sister, Maeve Taylor, was maid of honor, with Greta Lewanski, Sarah Garb, Natalie Easter and Kelsa Teeters as bridesmaids. The couple's niece, Sophia, was flower girl, and their nephew, Austen, was ring bearer. Catherine's cousins, Abby and Ali Parker, were ushers.

The reception was also at Alyeska Resort and featured the music of Alaska band Sweating Honey. The "fabulous" wedding cakes were done by Greta Lewanski, and photography was by Mitch Kitter. For their honeymoon, the couple spent a month traveling throughout Honduras.

Catherine is the daughter of Lawrence and Gail Taylor of Flat Lake. She graduated from Chugiak High School and Brandeis University in Boston. Catherine spent two years in Mali, Africa, as a Peace Corps volunteer before returning to Anchorage to earn a master's degree from the University of Alaska. She is a science teacher with the Anchorage School District.

Ben is the son of Russell and Keren Walker of Anchorage. He is a graduate of Dimond High School and Whitman College in Walla Walla, Wash. Ben lived in Hermosa Beach, Calif., after college and spent a year teaching English and traveling in South America. He returned to Anchorage and earned a master's degree from the University of Alaska Anchorage. Ben also teaches science in Anchorage.

Both spent their childhoods in Southeast Alaska before moving to Anchorage.

OCT. 11, 2008

Jayne Michelini and Randy Newell

Jayne Michelini and Randy Newell are pleased to announce they plan to marry Oct. 11 at their home in Meadow Lakes.

They met two years ago while Jayne was volunteering at Amvets Post 11. They have spent the past year renovating their home "and figure if they can survive that, marriage will be a snap," they wrote. The couple wish for all of their friends to attend.

Jayne is the daughter of Robert and June Michelini of Muncie, Ind. She came to Alaska in the mid-1990s on a vacation and remained. Jayne lived in Haines and Juneau before moving to the Valley in 2003. She works as a veterinary technician and enjoys volunteering with sled dog races in the winter and fishing Valley streams in the summers.

Randy is the son of Richard and Ruth Newell of Columbiana, Ohio. He arrived in Alaska in 1981 via the Alaska Highway on a road trip in his 1948 Willys Jeep and also remained. Randy is a longtime employee of Spenard Builders Supply, a lifetime member of Amvets and an avid hunter and fisherman.

JUNE 27, 2009

Megan Jehnzen and Wayne Berry

Megan Jehnzen and Wayne Berry will marry June 27 at Hart's Rocky Mountain Retreat in Pagosa, Colo.

They met in Colorado Springs in 2006 through Wayne's twin sister, Brenda, and her husband, Jimmy. After being good friends for two years, they decided it was time to dedicate themselves to a Christ-filled marriage.

Meg is the daughter of Mark and Stacey Jehnzen of Pagosa. She graduated from Pagosa Springs High School in 2006. Meg, who previously attended Pikes Peak Community College in Pagosa, is completing a degree in child development with a minor in criminal justice at the University of Alaska Anchorage.

Wayne is the son of Gerritt and Kristie Waterlander of Eagle River. He graduated from Chugiak High School in 2003. Wayne then joined the Army and was stationed at Fort Carson, Colo., as a cavalry scout. After serving 15 months in Iraq, he received an Army Commendation Medal With Valor and returned home as a sergeant. Wayne spent two more years in the military before he was honorably discharged and began a career in law enforcement in Alaska.

MARCH 15, 2008

Patty Brown and Richard Weston

Patty Brown and Richard Weston, both of Anchorage, were married March 15 in Anchorage. Chuck Szopa, a dear friend, officiated. Dear friend Anne Habza was matron of honor, and Rick's father, Henry Weston, was best man.

"Thanks to all of our friends and family for sharing the most wonderful day of our life with us," the couple wrote.

Patty is the daughter of Ardell and Phyllis Brown of Bay City, Ore. She graduated from Neah-Kah-Nie High School and works for Wells Fargo. Patty enjoys counted cross-stitching, camping and fishing.

Rick is the son of Billie Raleigh of Keizer, Ore., and Henry Weston of Monmouth Ore. He graduated from Central High School in Independence, Ore., and previously worked for GCI. Rick enjoys fly tying, fishing and camping.

AUG. 6, 2008

Marie and Robert Michaelson

Marie Elizabeth Bradford and Robert John Michaelson were married Aug. 16.

The garden ceremony was at the home of Tony and Diana Baluyut, and the sun appeared just in time for the ceremony. The couple's close friend James Barbee officiated in front of family and friends. Bridal attendants were Diana Baluyut and Rosie Cordero. Attendants for the bridegroom were Shawn Jones and Steve Petros. Tiffany Ranel, the bridegroom's granddaughter, was flower girl. Andrew Christiansen gave his mother away while her daughter, Amy Bradford, played the violin. Also in attendance were the bridegroom's children, Scott Michaelson and Gayle Michaelson.

The reception was at the Mountain View post of the Veterans of Foreign Wars. Many Filipino dishes were served, including a roasted pig. Charlie's Bakery provided the bride's favorite cake. "It was a wonderful gathering with many of our FedEx family and friends," the couple wrote.

They will take a Mexican cruise in early spring for their honeymoon.

Both work at FedEx and have been good friends for more than 20 years. Both attended the 2007 FedEx holiday party and have been together ever since.

OCT. 18, 2008

Michele Inman and Levi Althens

Robin and Jody Inman of Anchorage announce the engagement of their daughter, Michele Suzanne Inman, to Levi Wayne Althens, son of Suzie and Lee Althens of Victory. The wedding is set for Oct. 18 at the University of Alaska Anchorage Wolf Den.

Michele and Levi met in November 2006 at a UAA hockey game.

Michele graduated from Service High School in 2004 and attends UAA. She works at Spenard Builders Supply. Michele enjoys swimming, tennis, hockey games, snowmachining, camping, fishing and flying with Levi in his plane.

Levi graduated from high school in Victory and is enrolled in the aviation degree program at UAA. He works at UAA on the grounds crew. Levi enjoys flying his plane, snowmachining, camping, fishing, hunting, swimming and hockey games.

AUG. 30, 2008

Sabrena and David Combs

Sabrena Kent Jackson and David Harvey Combs, both of Palmer, were married Aug. 30, "one of the most beautiful days of the summer," at Meier Lake Conference Center in Wasilla. Mutual friend Sean Holland officiated.

The couple met seven years ago and began dating in October 2005. David proposed to Sabrena Oct. 23, 2007, on a vacation in Florida. He had a jigsaw puzzle made with a picture of him holding a sign that read, "Sabrena Jackson, will you marry me?" which he made Sabrena put together before he dropped to one knee and presented her with a ring.

Sabrena, daughter of Brady and Kevin Jackson of Palmer, graduated from the University of Alaska Anchorage in 2006 with an English degree. She works in Palmer for the local electric utility as a GIS programmer analyst.

David is the son of Michael and Cheryl Combs of Palmer and Lana Combs of Port Orchard, Wash. He graduated from George Fox University in 2002 with a degree in business administration. David works for his family's insurance business as an accountant.

Both are graduates of Palmer High School.

The outdoor ceremony was attended by family and friends from Alaska and many who had traveled from Lower 48 and other countries to share in this joyous day. Bridesmaids were Roxane Lewis, Kristina Piper, Caroline Cortez and Jeanne Glaser. Groomsmen were Mike Combs, Ben Mulligan, Phil Meier and Scott Stanifer. Flower girls were Winter Meier and Ellie Sharlow. The ring bearer was Elijah Piper. Ushers were George Sipe and Andrew Strand. The matron of honor was Sabrena's grandmother, Gary Jackson.

Sabrena and David will be honeymooning in October on a cruise to the Bahamas, a gracious gift from David's parents.

JULY 6, 2008

Whitney and Tommy Mitchell

Whitney McCauley of Anchorage and Tommy Mitchell of Tyler, Texas, were married in a small ceremony July 6 in Las Vegas. The Rev. Steven Fabretti officiated.

Whitney is the daughter of Jim and Fanné Johnson of Anchorage. She has a sister, Brooke Johnson of Anchorage. Whitney graduated from East High School in 2004. She earned an athletic scholarship to Rice University in Houston and graduated in May with a bachelor's degree in kinesiology with an emphasis in sports medicine. She has appeared the past two seasons on TV in the critically acclaimed NBC drama series "Friday Night Lights," and she will return to the show this season as well as continuing to develop her acting career in Los Angeles.

Tommy is the son of Tom and Carrita Mitchell of Tyler. He graduated from Siena College in Albany, N.Y., with a pre-law major and earned bachelor's degrees in marketing and management. Tommy has been recognized as an outstanding athlete and this fall will play professional basketball in Europe.

How to submit a Together announcement

The Daily News publishes engagement, wedding and anniversary announcements every Monday at adn.com and in the Life & Style section. We have teamed with Legacy.com to offer guest books and photo galleries to accompany all announcements. Those placing an engagement announcement also have a convenient online gift registry. Couples are encouraged to personalize these new enhancements. After a submission is made to the Daily News, Legacy.com will contact the submitter with an e-mail that contains a link to the extra features.

We accept all anniversaries, for couples married just one year or 60. We accept submissions from former residents who did not grow up in Alaska. We have extended the deadline to submit weddings and anniversaries from three months to six.

Engagements start at $55 for up to 200 words. Wedding announcements start at $5 for up to 70 words. Anniversary announcements start at $10 for up to 70 words. Couples celebrating their 40th anniversary or beyond can place a free announcement of up to 200 words; 201 to 350 words is $75. More words costs extra.

No engagement, wedding or anniversary announcement may exceed 700 words. Our electronic forms count words as they are typed. Our online forms allow for photo uploads and secure payment. See our forms at adn.com/help. Our online forms help us process submissions as quickly and accurately as possible. A $15 service fee will be added for announcements that are e-mailed, dropped off at or mailed to the Daily News.

Please submit wedding and anniversary announcements no later than six months after the event. Engagement announcements should be submitted at least one month before the wedding day.

We continue to edit announcements for clarity and news style. All announcements become the property of the Anchorage Daily News and may be republished in any format.

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