For Hub City Times

GRANTON — Rodney and Corrine Dix are the 2017 Granton Fall Festival Honored Grandparents. They were nominated by their granddaughters Callie and Corrtney Schmidt, who wrote, “Thoughts on grandparents are often viewed as happy, treasured memories. Our grandparents are no exception to this belief. They have hearts of gold and a capacity for caring that has no limit.”

Rodney and Corrine met on a blind date at the Clark County Fair that was set up by Rodney’s cousin. They dated for four years and were married in May 1968. They are looking forward to celebrating their 50th wedding anniversary in May 2018. Rodney and Corrine have three children and six grandchildren.

Rodney is retired from his job at the Central Wisconsin Co-op (now ProVision Partners), and Corrine has recently retired from being a health unit coordinator.

Rodney and Corrine are lifetime members of the FFA Alumni and are also active in their church, where Rodney has been on the church council, and Corrine has volunteered with the ladies’ organization and helped with vacation bible school. They also helped to organize the senior citizens of Chili group.

Despite being involved members of their community, they always make time for family. Special family celebrations over the years have included Family Feud tournaments at the Granton Park and maple syrup seasons. Any children and grandchildren that are available come to gather, cook, and taste test the maple syrup.

Rodney and Corrine also set up “family” reunions. Their nomination letter states, “Neighbors and friends may also enter our festivities because, to my grandparents, family isn’t limited to blood relatives.”

Callie ended the letter by stating, “My family and I love them to pieces, and this essay is to show them how much I love them because my grandparents are special, and I am proud to be their granddaughter.”

Rodney, Corrine, and their grandchildren will celebrate National Grandparents Day by being one of the lead entries in the 2017 Granton Fall Festival parade on Sept. 10.