Mr. and Mrs. Merlin Hendrickson Merlin and Jean Hendrickson of Blacksburg celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary on March 2, 2007.

To celebrate the special occasion, the couple enjoyed a four-day trip to Pigeon Forge, Tenn. While there, they visited with Marie and Bob Grund. Marie served as a bridesmaid in their wedding. The night of their anniversary they went out for dinner then the following evening enjoyed the dinner show at Dixie Stampede.

Mr. and Mrs. Hendrickson were married at the Lutheran Church in Narrowsburg, N.Y., in 1957. Their children are Debby and Mark Younger, Butch and Lucy Hendrickson, all of Blacksburg; Gary and Sandra Hendrickson of Alma, Ga.; Wayne Hendrickson of Gaffney; Ed and Cindy Hendrickson of Jackson, Mich.; and Connie and Wayne Roberts of Clover. They have several grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

Mr. and Mrs. Hendrickson were honored on April 21 by their children and their spouses with a 4 p.m. dinner reception at the American Legion in Kings Mountain, N.C. Before dinner, the couple's children honored them with a champagne toast, each saying a tribute to their parents. After the toast, Mr. and Mrs. Hendrickson danced to Roy Rogers' "Happy Anniversary." After dinner, Mr. and Mrs. Hendrickson each cut a slice of a decorated cake and fed it to each other.

Jerry and Helen Roberts assisted the couple's children and their spouses in serving and entertaining. Many friends and family members attended.