Jeanne and Gene Luchansky of Sandy Hook celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary on July 1 with a dinner at Mill on the River in South Windsor. Family, childhood friends, and members of the original wedding party joined them, including Jeanne's mom, Rachel Palmer, 97.

Also present was their daughter Sarah and her husband Kian, and their two grandchildren, Jada, 8, and Harper, 2. The dinner was followed by an informal celebration at a nearby hotel.

The Luchanskys were married on July 1, 1967, at St John Nepomucene Church in Bridgeport, with the ceremony officiated by Gene's cousin, the Reverend Robert Onze. The couple moved to Sandy Hook in 1970.

Jeanne retired from Joel Barlow High School in 2007 following a lengthy career teaching high school math.

Gene retired in 2009 from his position as Executive Director at The Child Guidance Clinic in Meriden.

The Luchanskys have enjoyed the extra time to travel, volunteer, and be with family, especially the grandchildren.