Porter

Michael and Patricia (Wardwell) Porter, of Bend, are celebrating their 50th wedding anniversary.

The couple were married Feb. 17, 1968, in Cambridge, Massachusetts. They have two children, Holly Porter (and Ed) Wettig, of Redmond, and William Wardwell (and Katie), of Newton, New Jersey; four grandchildren; and a great-grandchild.

Mr. Porter was raised in Eugene and went on to receive a bachelor’s degree from Cornell University and a master’s degree in education from Boston University. He taught high school science in Winchester, Massachusetts, before moving back to Oregon, where he partnered with his brothers as custom homebuilders. During the 1970s, he was active in theater and an avid skier and hiker. In the early 1980s, he returned to teaching science at Bend High School until retirement in 2002.

Mrs. Porter was born and raised in Rome, New York. She received a bachelor’s degree from Wells College and a master’s degree in teaching from Cornell University. She began her teaching career in Lexington, Massachusetts, before moving to Bend. She taught fifth grade at Bear Creek School until her retirement in 1992. For the next decade she taught watercolor classes at Central Oregon Community College and became a Phoenix Rising yoga therapy practitioner. She is a member of the Watercolor Society of Oregon and displays her work at La Magie Bakery and Cafe in Bend.

In retirement, the couple travels across the U.S. and Canada visiting family, working some part-time jobs and still enjoying family, friends and outdoor activities like skiing, hiking, camping, boating and fishing.

They have lived in Bend for 44 years.