November 30, 1919 Dewitt Bassette married Edna Predmore

On this, the 98^th anniversary of their wedding day, it is fitting that Dewitt should look back on their years together. It is not surprising that in the early years he did not mention celebrating their anniversary. Those notations came later.

November 25, 1944 Had a party for Edna and I tonight. Bob Akins, Bunny and wife, Willard and wife, Mrs. F. Elliott, Libby Peterson, Earl Wilson and wife, Lantos and wife and Susan, Ruth Wilson, Pete and Marion, Edna’s folks, and John, Mother and Myron. Also Jane King and sister all in celebration of our 25^th Anniversary. [He also noted that the deer Pete shot the day before was 130 dressed, and his was about 100 pounds dressed.]

November 30, 1967 After writing about the snow and cutting up and wrapping a deer, he noted: “Forty-eight years ago today Mom and I were married.”

November 30, 1969 Leland hosted a 50^th Anniversary party for Dewitt and Edna. In the days before and after, Dewitt recorded a variety of details of the event. November 28^th, got his hair cut in preparation for the party. “Our celebration of 50^th Anniversary of good married life.

50th Wedding Anniversary party at the Interlaken American Legion
(left to right) Dewitt, Edna, Eva Predmore Williams and Lem Bassette

On the 29^th he included a notice about the open house from the November 30^th Rochester Democrat and Chronicle paper. November 30^th, “Edna and I were married 50 years ago today at 5 o’clock in the evening. Leland had a party for Edna and I this afternoon at the American Legion home in town. Some 50 plus people put their name in the book…Pete called from Batavia, that it was snowing so went back home.” Over the next few days he would record the names of those present or who had sent cards to them.

In 1972 they were in Florida. On the 29^th he noted, “We had an Anniversary card and letter from Leland today.” They called Leland on the 30^th. The temperature in Florida was 70; Leland reported about 1 ½ inches of snow.

November 30, 1975 “this is our 55^th wedding anniversary.” He then recalled their wedding trip to Rochester, noting “A long time ago, many changes since then. Railroad gone for a long time.” That evening, “went over to the Jefferson hotel and supper in Watkins.”

November 30, 1978 “This is our 59^th Wedding Anniversary today. No complaints.”

November 30, 1979 “Pete called up early to wish us a happy 60^th Anniversary. We went to the Franklin Hotel in Waterloo for supper.” Mr. and Mrs. Steesy brought a cake to them honoring the occasion.

Dewitt’s Diary, Sunday, November 30, 1919

Went to the Burg on the train this morning. Edna and I were married tonight at 5 o’clock by Rev. D. W. Prosus of Trumansburg. Lem and Eva stood up with us. Edna changed her dress and then we took the train for Rochester. Saw lots of people on the train we knew. We had a nice long ride and arrived in Rochester about 9 o’clock that evening. Then we walked from the station to the Berkeley Hotel.