‘And this is our Nancy!” Those were the words that introduced us to Nancy Spink of St. Louis, who was soon to become Nancy Dvorak when she married Joe Dvorak of Riverside. 

Well, that was 50 years ago and on Aug. 14, 2021 Nancy and Joe will celebrate their 50th wedding anniversary. They met while students in Fulton, Missouri, where she attended William Woods College and he was a student at Westminster College.

They settled in on Audubon Road, yes, the Audubon Road of the great July 4 floats and parties. They raised their daughter Christine, who is now Christine Long. She and her husband Bryan are the parents of James and Avery. A son, Joe, is husband to Jennifer and they are parents to Adelynn and Joey. 

It’s been a busy life for the Dvoraks, Joe with his law practice and Nancy teaching pre-school. They believe in community and Joe served as a member of the District 96 Board of Education and was active in the Riverside Chamber of Commerce, the Bohemian Lawyers Association to name a few. Nancy gives time to the AAUW organization in town. The Riverside Presbyterian Church has also been a focal point in their lives.

Their generosity has not gone unnoticed, with Nancy receiving the Jansky Award from the Lions Club and Joe being named Riverside’s Person of the Year in 2012.

Life is full for the couple, with annual family trips to Traverse City, Michigan, keeping up with grandchildren and enjoying each other and the friendships they have made during these 50 years. 

I did not think a half century ago Nancy and I would be laughing about when we were Avon ladies or when we took our first computer classes together or how Joe Dvorak and Husband Joe would be sharing their love of jaternice, or we would be celebrating New Year’s together at The Chew Chew and exchanging gifts of Whoppers and day-at-a-glance calendars at Christmas.

So congratulations, Nancy and Joe on 50 years together and thank you for sharing so much of yourselves with friends and family, many of whom will be on hand to help you celebrate at a party in your honor at the Riverside Golf Club. You make our lives better for knowing you.

If you happen to be driving down Audubon Road you might see them sitting at their front patio at the umbrella table. Toot your horn and give them a wave – you’re sure to get a wave back and a smile from Nancy that you can’t miss.