Jim and Barb Baer of Olivette are happy to announce the celebration of their 50th year of marriage on the weekend of Dec. 17-18. The actual date is Dec. 26, 1971. But to accommodate holiday travel for their children and four grandsons, the celebration will be held a week earlier.

James Baer and Barbara Cranis first met at the University of Missouri-Columbia. For their anniversary celebration, Jim and Barb are being blessed on the bimah at United Hebrew Congregation on Friday night and the family will gather for a private dinner at one of their favorite restaurants on Saturday.

Joining the celebration are their daughter Emily Lischer (Tom) and their children William and Charlie who all live in Omaha, Neb.

Their son Andrew (Dana) and twin grandsons Simon and Jacob who all live in Berkley, Mich. are also joining the festivities.