Badger Blog Alliance

Sic Semper Tyrannis

Wednesday, October 12, 2005

Anatomy of a Wedding.

Sometimes you just have to be in the right place at the right time. Beth Desai, proprietor of Bethamy’s Bridals and Formals Fashions in Racine, had just such a fortune last Friday. Beth was at the Racine County Court House applying for a passport and overheard a conversation between Cory Adams and Janell Kelly. Cory and Janell were trying to get a marriage license and were having some difficulty as they were victims of Hurricane Katrina and did not have all the documentation they needed.

Something tugged in the recesses of Beth’s mind, namely she had a bridal shop and she could help. Beth called the Court House and asked them to give the couple her number.

Networking being what it is, Beth put her wedding connections to work, and the generosity of this small town has come to light. Due to the charitable hearts of numerous people Cory and Janell will have the big church wedding they always wanted.

The evening of Thursday 11-13 at Holy Communion Lutheran Church, Reverend Judy LaPoint will join Cory and Janell as husband and wife. I spoke with Judy as well, she gave me an advanced version of the service, it is going to be something. Oh, and guess what? It’s Janell’s 21st birthday as well!

I had the distinct pleasure of meeting the bride and groom today, really charming people. Cory told me he had a job with a temporary service but wanted to stay here and get something more permanent. After I asked what kind of work he wanted, he told me to work in a restaurant as he had experience and loved to cook. I stopped and talked to a friend of mine, and it looks like Cory has a job. Janell was apparently also offered full time employment today.

These people literally left New Orleans with just a few changes of clothes and are trying to start over from scratch. They found some temporary housing and are hoping for something more permanent. Mrs. Real Debate is working behind the scenes to those means. She has additionally secured assistance from a local food pantry where she volunteers and serves on the board.

Anyone locally who reads this and would like to help please contact me and we’ll find a way to get any donations to Cory and Janell.

Mrs. Real Debate and I will be attending the ceremony Thursday evening, and I'll be sure to post pictures.

Editorially, this just really shows how a community can come together and show the love of God to their nieghbors. I wish we saw more stories like this in the media, and less of the usual "if it bleeds it leads" nonsense.

The following is a partial list of businesses and persons who pitched in to help make this wedding a reality.
  • Bathamy's Bridals
  • Affordable Alterations
  • Great Clips
  • Savvi Formalwear
  • A Photo Illusions
  • Flowers by Walter
  • Holy Communion Lutheran Church
  • Larsen Bakery
  • Thompkins Productions (Video)
  • Mary Kay Makeup (Meline Grigorian)
  • Anything Goes Limo Service
  • Sheer Delight
  • Wendy Arndt (Wedding Coordinator)
  • Reverend Judy LaPoint

Our thanks to them one and all!

And to Cory and Janell, may you have a happy and joyous life together.