Kerrigan 50th anniversary celebrated

Bob and Kris Kerrigan of Afton celebrated their 50th anniversary Oct. 27 at The Lobby in Creston. They were married Nov. 30, 1968, at St. Malachy Church in Creston, but when they celebrated their 40th anniversary, it snowed 8 inches, hence the desire to celebrate at a time when it, from past history, had never snowed! Kris knows since that day is her birthday.

The celebration was attended by 75 family members and friends (95 percent came in costume since it was a masquerade party). Bob and Kris are dressed as Rhett Butler and Scarlett O’Hara from the movie “Gone with the Wind.” Kris sewed their outfits. Their family came in attire from the movie “Grease.” Masquerade costume first place winner for women was Jackie Shafar of Creston and second was Missy Kerrigan of Ankeny. First place costume winner for men was Finn Simmons of Kearney, Missouri, and second was Rich Shafar of Creston.

Entertainment for the evening began with The Swinging Blue Jeans’ song “Hippy, Hippy Shakes,” sang and accompanied with band instruments by their sons, Wade and Alex Kerrigan; sons-in-law, Dave Simmons and Kevin Thomas; and by Bob Kerrigan. The second song, “Be My Baby,” by the Ronettes was sang by Kris with their daughters, Angee Simmons and Rachel Thomas, and daughters-in-law, Jessica Kerrigan and Missy Kerrigan, singing back up. The song “I had the Time of my Life” from the movie “Dirty Dancing” started with Bob and Kris dancing the salsa, then it was time for the famous lift that Jennifer Grey and Patrick Swayse did in the movie. Bob stood ready to execute the lift, but Kris bewailed they had never practiced it with her wearing a floor length gown. The next and last performance was a gymnastics dance act presented by their grandchildren to the song “We Go Together” from the movie “Grease.” The grandchildren performing were Julia, Georgia, Amelie, Frankie and Genevieve Kerrigan; Flannery and Finn Simmons; and Roy, Audrey and Margot Thomas all bedazzling in “Grease” attire wearing Pink Ladies jackets, poodles skirts, Rydel High School cheerleader uniform and T-Birds gang shirts.

Dinner was enjoyed by the crowd, followed by a 12 Oaks staircase cake with Scarlett at the top of the staircase and Rhett at the bottom. It was cleverly created by Upper Crust Culinary of Creston. Candles were blown out by Kris and their 4-year-old granddaughter, Genevieve Kerrigan, who were both celebrating their birthdays that night.

Guests watched a 600-photo slide show DVD of the family’s memories, prepared with songs in the background by Angee Simmons, daughter of Bob and Kris. Dancing was enjoyed by guests the remainder of the evening to 60s songs played on the honored couple’s PA system.