Almost 50 Years and Counting
Gail and Denvy often said that marriage
vows that said "forever" seemed a bit extreme, after all forever
is a very long time. They agreed that seventy five years was more reasonable
for mortals with the understanding that the vows could be renewed for another
75 years at that time. At twenty years, halfway to the forty years and
about a quarter-way to the "renewal option" the chances of renewal
look very good.
Governor Steve of Alaska prompted the 
recognition of eight outstanding volunteers in the state. The idea was
that this would be annual but it didn't work out that way. However, in
the year that the eight volunteers were recognized, Gail was chosen to
be one and received a poster and a dinner with the governor. The project
was called Eight Stars of Gold, representing the eight stars on the Alaska
flag and the eight stars in the big dipper constellation.
Several
years earlier a similar recognition under governor Sheffied included Denvy
as Volunteer of the Year. While the recognition was pleasant and even
exciting it was the results of being involved in community that was the
true reward. The reception for Denvy was at the governor's home in Anchorage
and the unique exciting feature was that several guests were invited with
Denvy and so the kids were there and played pool with some of the other
guests who included people like the governor and the president of the
bank in Anchorage. The kids were impressed, probably by how ordinary important
people can be no matter how important they were considered.