Linda M. Lewis, aka “Llew,” of York Township, Pennsylvania, says mention of the year’s last day, 123123, “prompted me to write.
“As mayor (now retired mayor), my husband Robb Green began officiating weddings in 1996. He just finished number 4,492. He’s known locally as ‘The Marrying Mayor.’
His services are always in demand on special dates: 01/01/01, 02/02/02, etc. I’m sure he will get extra requests for 123123.
“He does not set a fee, but accepts donations to help offset expenses. He never accepts money from active members of the military.
“Among his more unusual weddings were a biker wedding at the Harley Museum, on a ferris wheel at a carnival, and on a flatbed truck in a junkyard.
“That last one was especially poignant. The groom co-owned the junkyard with his father, who was terminally ill and confined to his bedroom on the second floor of his home on the property.
“The couple got married at the junkyard so the father could see them. My husband saw the flatbed and suggested they hold the ceremony there so the father would have a better view.”
Nutria love
Stories about Neuty, the rescue nutria adopted by a Bucktown couple, reminded Mike Buchart, of Baton Rouge, of his pet nutria. (Readers’ warning: I sense this story could be tongue-in-cheek.)
“My nutria was Hurkimier, better known as Hurkie, Hurk, or Hurkie. He was one of my best companions EVER, for six years.
“He swam, ran, fished, played, even went to school with me. When hunting, I always made sure my buddies knew not to shoot him. Unfortunately, I could not train him to retrieve ducks.
“Known and held by everyone, even before social media. Fifty years later, I still miss his friendship, grunts, and calls.”
Cajun evenings
Recently Tony Falterman shared a memory about pre-TV evening front porch gatherings. Nobey Benoit, of Thibodaux, adds this:
“I’m Cajun. When I was a kid, those get-togethers in the evening into the night were known as ‘veiller’ (vay-yay).”
Leave a Reply