Couples Renew Vows and Count Blessings

VENTURA —  Coming from Mississippi, Ruby Slaydon said she was mercilessly teased about her strong Southern drawl by the boys in her grammar school when she moved to Whittier.

Angered by such callous behavior, Glenn Harris, a popular athlete, said he decided right then and there to take her under his wing.

That was in 1915. Seven years later, they were married.

After 74 years of marriage, the Harrises are still together, looking after each other and eagerly waiting to celebrate their 75th wedding anniversary next month.

The Harrises were joined by 14 other couples, all of whom have been married more than 40 years, at the Ventura County Fair on Tuesday morning in an annual renewal-of-vows ceremony.

The couples happily related stories of when they met, challenges they faced and their secrets to a long-lasting marriage. And of course, they affirmed their devotion and commitment to their spouses in a public nondenominational blessing of marriage.

The renewal-of-vows program was created 13 years ago as part of a tribute to fair visitors on Senior Day, said fair spokeswoman Teri Raley.

Ruby Harris, 92, said her accent, her cooking and their dual interests in travel and adventure have made her marriage to Glenn so successful.

“It’s been a little rough at times, but you can weather the storms,” said the Ventura resident, adding that they have traveled around the world three times. “He loves my cooking. That’s the way you hold on to your husband. You cook him anything he wants.”

Elton Frazier said he met his wife, Lillian, at the Santa Paula Orange Packing Factory inaugural dance in 1930. Elton, who was 17 at the time, said he asked Lillian, then 16 and one of the prettiest girls in the hall, to dance. Four years later they tied the knot. Frazier said his key to a long marriage is simple and to the point.

“My success for the past 62 years has been to say ‘Yes, Dear,’ ” said Frazier, who turned 83 Monday, the same day as their anniversary.

Wearing a black cap emblazoned with the words “The Boss,” Frazier said the hat was a birthday gift from his wife.

“She said to me, ‘From now on, I’m going to give all responsibilities to you--don’t foul it up,” said the Santa Paula resident, laughing, as Lillian elbowed him and said “Oh, Elton!”

For John and Mary Cimino, married 54 years, the fair’s tribute held special significance because he had undergone heart surgery in March.

“I’m so thankful he is here,” said Mary Cimino, 78, who with John tore up the dance floor in the swing competition after the ceremony. “We share companionship, friendship and lots of love.”

John Cimino, a tall, handsome Air Force pilot in 1942, met and wooed Mary when she worked at the Pentagon. The couple were married after dating only 3 1/2 months, in truly patriotic style on July 4 when John Cimino had a three-day pass.

Their words of wisdom to young couples?

“Have patience and don’t forget to talk to each other,” said John Cimino, 74. “There is nothing that can’t be resolved by talking to each other. Everybody is an individual and has their individual ideas, but you have to find that common ground.”