Since I’ve been writing this column I have had lots of great conversations with other folks who share my fondness for Saguache. Last Sunday a “Crescent” subscriber from Salida stopped by and gave me the announcement of her wedding, which was 59 years ago this week. She said “I’ll bet I am the only girl who was ever married on the main street of Saguache.” This event took place in the Pilgrim’s Faith Mission located in the brick building, two doors south of the Crescent. This building was the home of the Rev. Mrs. Spaugh and family -  the front room served as a place of worship.

Season’s Loveliest Wedding

Sept. 10, 1938 at Pilgrim’s Faith Mission in Saguache Saturday noon  Sept. 10 when Miss Ermalinda Lovato, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Tony Lovato of Saguache was united in marriage to Frank Manchego, son of Mrs. Marcelina Trujillo of Del Norte and Jim Manchego of Saguache. The Reverend Wilson officiated. The bride was gowned in a dress of white satin with a seven foot veil and carried a bouquet of pink and white sweetpeas, roses of the mountain.

The matron of honor, Mrs. Tibo Gallegos, wore a blue and cream dress and carried a bouquet of blue and lavender sweetpeas. Ranger Gallegos was the best man.

The bridal party marched from the brides home to the church while Fred Gallegos played the wedding march from “Lohengrin”. Kate and Sally Lovato, sisters, of the bride, carried the bridal veil.

During the ceremony Ruth Green, Veltra Truitt, Elizabeth and Isabel Sickler sang “Ivory Palaces”. After the ceremony a  reception was held for relatives and immediate friends at the Lovato home between the hours of 12 and 3 P.M. More than seventy people were in attendance. The Kent boys played for the bridal  party as they returned from the church to the Lovato residence.

The happy couple spent a quiet evening and night with Ranger and Mrs. Tibo Gallegos at the ranger station on the Cochetopa.

In 1938, Forest Ranger Tibo Gal-legos and family resided about 20 miles west of Saguache at what is now “called the upper guard station” presently used for summer work crews).