PIQUA — The Rev. Fred and Melva Peterson, of rural Shelby County, will celebrate their 35th wedding anniversary with a trip to Kentucky.

Fred and the former Melva VanHoose were married March 22, 1981, in the Woodstock Freewill Baptist Church in Woodstock. The Rev. Ralph Lawrence and the Rev. Virgil VanHoose performed the ceremony on a sunny, spring day. The bride’s aunt had made the dresses worn by the bride and the bridesmaids. Witnesses were Donna and Bill Hammond, sister and brother-in-law of the bridegroom. The couple had met on a New Year’s Eve blind date arranged by the bride’s cousin.

Fred is the son Donald Peterson, of Columbus, and the late Ruth Ann Erwin. He is the stepson of Kay Peterson, of Columbus, the late James Erwin and the late Pearl S. Peterson. He has five living sisters, Donna Lewis, of Lakeview, Patti King, of Marion, Anna Peterson, of South Vienna, Sue Callicoat, of Springfield, and Tina Beth Carsey, of Athens, and a brother, Donald Jr., of Lebanon. Another sister, Catherine Peterson, is deceased.

Melva is the daughter of Margaret Ann VanHoose, of Cable, and the late Hank VanHoose. She has a living sister, Melody VanHoose, of Mechanicsburg. Another sister, Melanie VanHoose, is deceased.

The Petersons have a son, Cody Ryan Peterson, of Piqua.

Fred is the pastor of Spring Creek Baptist Church in Piqua and is employed by Reliable Castings in Sidney as a quality engineer.

Melva is a homemaker. She enjoys many crafts.