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CD The Greenwoods married in 1930 For Arthur and Nellie love lasts 70 years i By Henry Bury THE!INTELLIGENCE < Christmas Day has always been special for Nellie and Arthur Green- wood. Besides marking the birth of Jesus, they're also celebrating their love for one another. The Greenwoods will be cele- brating their 70th wedding anniver- sary Dec. 25. They got an early start on their celebration Sunday when the West- gate Lodge threw the lovebirds an anniversary party complete with cake, ice cream and music. Happy 70th anniversary certifi- cates and plaques had already been received from Prime Minister Jean Chretien, Ontario Premier Mike Har- ris, Ontario Lieut.-Gov. Hilary West- on, Prince Edward-Hastings MP Lyle Vanclief and the city of Belleville. Arthur Greenwood, 91, and Nel- lie, 88, were married Dec. 25, 1930, on Nellie's father's farm on the Sec- ond Concession of Sidney Town- ship. But they have spent 67 of their years together living in Belleville. Arthur said there was a simple reason for choosing Christmas Day for the wedding. "Years ago, nobody got paid for the holidays. So we chose Christmas Day because it was a day off and our whole families could come out to the wedding," he said. He acknowledged the couple couldn't have picked a better day to exchange their wedding vows. "Our family has never missed cel- ebrating our anniversary because it's Christmas," Arthur said. The Second World War veteran worked for the CNR for a few years. The couple then bought and oper- ated a grocery store on Murney Street until selling it in 1955. He joined a local contracting firm and then went to work for White's Lum- ber until retiring in 1965. The couple gave up their Belleville apartment three years ago and moved to a retirement home. They have been living at the West- gate Lodge since June. The Greenwoods have a daugh- ter, Eileen Geen, two granddaugh- ters and four great grandchildren. Sitting in his wheelchair, Arthur acknowledged 70 years is a long time to be with one person. "I had no idea we would ever make it this far," he laughed. Turning serious, he said, "It has- n't been easy. We've had our ups and downs like any couple." His secret to marriage? "When things got too rough, I would just say vyes, dear' and walk away...she's still the boss." Arthur said their love and respect for one another grew because they had to work together as a team, especially getting through two depressions. He added it's also important not to hold grudges. Nellie also had some advice to offer new couples. "Always think of the other per- son first, not just about yourself," she said. Do things together as a couple and "don't spend your last cent when you get paid. Save some money for tomorrow." And Nellie's favourite saying for a maintaining a healthy relationship is "never let the sun set on your wrath." Their daughter, Eileen, said she's proud of her parents. "They didn't argue a lot. They were a happy couple. You'd have to be to be together for 70 years."