Michael and Karen Wirt, of Pinehurst, celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary on Jan. 30, 2010. They were married at St. Thomas Episcopal Church in Battle Creek, Mich., in 1960.

Dr. Wirt retired from Michigan Technological University in 1996 following 23 years of service. Karen Wirt retired in 1997 from a career as an educator at the elementary school level. The Wirts moved to the Sandhills in 1997 and reside in Pinewild.

They have two children, Dr. Michael Wirt II and his wife, Kristy, of Clarksville Tenn., and Andrew Wirt, of Rockingham.

In honor of the Wirts 50th anniversary and in celebration of the holiday season, the couple were hosted by their sons and daughter-in-law for three days in late December at the Inn at Biltmore Estates in Asheville. Also, an open house was held at the Wirt home on Jan. 30.