TURNER — Donald and Sally Parks Hinkley of Turner were the guests of honor at a back-yard barbecue and open house Saturday, Aug. 12, as they celebrated their 60th wedding anniversary among family and friends. The event was hosted by their children and spouses — Suzanne and Paul Denis of New York; Becky and Steve Elsman of Hartford; Michael and Julie Hinkley of Deland, Fla. — along with their grandchildren.
Decorations were pink and yellow in keeping with the colors of the original wedding party. Several vases of flowers decorated the casual lawn area; tables and chairs were set up under the trees, and socializing proved to be a popular activity throughout the day.
The Hinkleys were married Aug. 17, 1957, at East Auburn Baptist Church, followed by a reception at North Auburn Grange Hall. The couple lived in Chases Mills in Turner until moving into their newly-completed home in February, 1958. They reside in that same home on Upper Street to this day. In fact, they are the fifth generation in the family to be married for 60 or more years, preceded by Philip True and Sophia Beale (72 years); Horace True and Elizabeth Ellis (60 years); John Hinkley and Josephine True (62 years); and Percival Hinkley and Alice Jordan (65 years).
Don Hinkley was an owner/operator of a semi-truck for 48 years and still works several days each week. Sally Hinkley worked as a substitute teacher for MSAD 52 (Greene, Leeds and Turner schools). Both were active charter members of the Turner Ridge Riders Snowmobile Cub, and at one time, she wrote a column for “Maine Snowmobiler.”
They are members of the Universalist Church in Turner Center, where Sally taught Sunday school for 12 years and is still a member of the ladies circle. She was also a 4-H leader of the Sunny Sewers for 18 years and is now a member of the Country-Aire Quilters and Red Delicious Divas Red Hatters group.
The Hinkleys are officially “snowbirds,” spending six months in Deland, Fla., and the remainder of the year in Turner.
