Joe and Margaret Merck of Gainesville celebrated their 50th anniversary on July 31, 2008. The couple is planning a trip later in the summer to celebrate.

Joe and Margaret said they fell in love at first sight. He served in the U.S. Army and is retired from Johnson & Johnson, and she worked in the Hall County school system. They are members of Poplar Springs Baptist Church in Gainesville. Margaret enjoys cooking and Joe enjoys turning wood to make pens and bowls.

The couple have two children and three grandchildren.