Neighbors (5/14)

Roberts celebrate 60th wedding anniversary

Ahwatukee Foothills residents Warren Read and Allene (Ruth) Roberts will celebrate their 60th wedding anniversary Friday, May 16.

The high school sweethearts married at the Baptist church in Cumberland, Iowa, in 1948.

They have three sons, a daughter, three daughters-in-law and a son-in-law: Randy and Pegie Roberts of Albuquerque, N.M.; Rod and Cyndee Roberts of Houston, Texas; Rik and Tanya Roberts of Burlingame, Calif.; and Dave and Roma Park of Ahwatukee Foothills. They also have eleven grandchildren, three granddaughters-in-law and four great-grandchildren.

The couple lived in Iowa and eventually moved to Boulder, Colo., where they lived for 42 years. Warren owned and operated his own furniture business and was a furniture maker for the University of Colorado when he retired in 1990. Allene received her teaching degree from the University of Colorado. She taught fifth grade at Paddock Elementary from 1968 to 1980, Columbine Elementary from 1981 to 1984 and Whittier Elementary from 1984 to 1987. She tutored many student teachers through the University of Colorado and retired in 1987.

After retirement, the Roberts moved to Ahwatukee Foothills where they continue to be involved in the community. They are members of the Arizona Community Church and currently serve as a Stephen Minister, are on several committees for the "InJoy" seniors social group and work weekly as volunteer "Dust Angels." They are also very active with the Phoenix Belleck Society as well as the DAR and the SAR genealogy groups.

In addition to family, church and community, the Roberts have been dedicated globe trotters, visiting hundreds of destinations across the country and the world. 

The Roberts claim their secret for a long and happy marriage has been to put their family first in their daily deeds. The advice they most like to give newly-married couples is treat your spouse like your best friend.

Gymnasts qualify for Missouri competition

Ahwatukee Foothills residents Amanda Martinez and Danica Melosi were among four gymnasts and an alternate from Chandler's Desert Lights Gymnastics that qualified to compete at the prestigious Level 9 Western Championships held last weekend at the Hyland Performance Arena in St. Charles, Mo.

For more information, call (480) 940-4041 or visit www.desertlightsgymnastics.net.