Big Church: Wedding bells poised to ring for gays in Mass.
At a moment past midnight tomorrow, Jennifer Hess and Jennifer Bragdon will officially tell the Commonwealth of Massachusetts and the world that they plan to marry. They have waited 18 years for this chance, one that may not last if opponents ultimately find a way to override a court decision that will make this the first state to conduct same-sex marriages."I'm doing this to protect my family," said Hess, 39, who is rearing two children with Bragdon....
Big Church: Ann Landers
Dear Ann: My 32-year-old daughter recently became engaged to a very nice man. "Moira" was married once before, but the marriage lasted only a few months. She is now in the process of getting an annulment. Moira's first wedding was a large church affair. She wants another big church wedding, but I wonder if this would be appropriate. Is it proper for me to give Moira a bridal shower, even though no wedding date has been set? Can she register for gifts yet?...
Big Church: AROUND THE REGION
ESCALON
BIG CHURCH YARD SALE: Residents are invited to bring their stuff to sell, and maybe end up going home with other people's stuff, at the Escalon United Methodist Church at 2000 Jackson Ave., better known as Highway 120 East. The annual sale is a two-day event, Saturday and Sunday, from 8 a.m. until 4 p.m. FARMERS MARKET: The Escalon Certified Farmers Market is alive, well and in full swing Thursdays from 4 to 8 p.m. Bava and Fisher Farms have joined with other local farmers...
Big Church: LACE TO LEATHER
More couples opting for unconventional weddings, especially
Rev. Paul Nichols' most memorable wedding ceremony was at the Burleson Wal-Mart. "They set it up in the garden department of the store, and they had it all decorated for the ceremony, so it wasn't long before people in the store knew something was up," says the Arlington minister. "As it turns out, the bride's 'dressing room' was in the manager's office, which was in the back of the...