wedding showcase 2016 | the crescent-news | defiance, ohio | website: crescent-news.com

Thursday, February 11, 2016The Crescent-News

S H O W C A S ES H O W C A S ES H O W C A S ES H O W C A S EWeddings

2016 Featured Couple:

Justin Killion &Kristina Skeldon

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2 2016 Bridal Tab The Crescent-News, Defiance, Ohio - Thursday, February 11, 2016

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The Crescent-News, Defiance, Ohio - Thursday, February 11, 20162016 Bridal Tab 3

A wedding proposal has a fairy tale ending for a Defiance couple

As the lyrics in the Frank Sinatra song, “Young at Heart,” go, “Fairy tales can come true, it can happen to you...”

A fairy tale did come true for a young Defiance couple, Justin Killion and Kristina Skeldon, when they went on a family trip to Disney World and Justin asked Kristina to marry him while they were at Cinderella’s Castle.

The couple was chosen as this year’s bridal couple in The Crescent-News 2016 Bridal Contest.

The couple’s fairy tale ending (she did accept his proposal) was part of a clev-er scheme planned by Justin early in February last year.

Justin said, “On Jan. 31, I asked her father very seriously about marry-ing Kris. I started to plan about proposing to her at Disney World. I was going to propose at a dinner and her father agreed to play along.” Justin made the reservations for the meal at Cinderella’s Castle at Disney World.

After arriving at Disney World in April, the family did some sightseeing and shopping.

They went to the castle for the meal but ran into a few glitches in getting their table.

“We had gotten there too soon for our reservations,” Justin said. Kris’ father came up with an elaborate story to distract her and eventu-ally the family was seated at their table. A white plate with roses and a glass slip-per was brought to their table.

Kris said, “Justin got down on one knee at Cinderella’s Royal Table and proposed to me. I had no idea this was going to happen. I was so happy! People around us were clapping for us. I started crying. The rest of the day just flew by for us.”

The couple even got to meet and talk to Cinderella at the castle.

It was a very romantic time in their relationship which began on a blind date to see a new "Transformer" movie in July 2014.

After that first date, they both decided they wanted to see more of each other and made Eric’s All-American Ice Cream business their go-to spot for dates. They talked about the interests they both shared which included sports, family, fit-ness and enjoying a good movie. The most important thing the couple has in com-mon is their love for God. They both attend Heritage Baptist Church in Defiance.

Both Kris and Justin are Defiance natives and they both live in Defiance.

Justin is a graduate of Defiance High School and a student at Northwest State Community College, study-ing for an associate’s degree in mechanical engineering. He will graduate in May. He is currently employed at the H.E. Orr Company in Paulding, where he is

an engineering techni-cian. He plans to further his education with a bach-elor’s degree in electrical engineering from IPFW and an MBA from Defiance College.

Kris graduated from high school in 2011 from the Pensacola Christian College homeschool pro-gram. She completed an associate’s degree in applied science in regis-tered nursing at Northwest State Community College. She is working as a reg-istered nurse in the sur-gery center at ProMedica Defiance Regional Hospital. Before working as a nurse, she was a cake decorator at Chief supermarket in Defiance and an STNA at the Defiance hospital.

The couple will be married on Aug. 26 at the Heritage Baptist Church in Defiance. Their reception will be

held at the West Side Hall Conference and Reception Center in Defiance.

The couple has purchased a home in Defiance and plans to raise their family here.

By DARLENE PRINCE @cnDarlenePrince [email protected]

Justin Killion and Kristina Skeldon are shown talking to Cinderella at Cinderella’s Castle at Disney World last year. Justin planned a surprise wedding proposal to Kristina at the castle while

they were having a meal. She accepted his proposal and they will be married on Aug. 26 in a ceremony at Heritage Baptist Church in Defiance.

One of the things that Justin and Kristina have in common is keeping fit. Here they are shown while doing some snow skiing. The couple will be married on Aug. 26 at the Heritage Baptist Church in Defiance.

"Justin got down on one knee at Cinderella’s Royal Table and proposed to me."

KristinaSkeldon

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Some tips for your wedding registryFor engaged couples, it

can seem as if there are a million things to accomplish before the big day arrives. One essential piece of the wedding puzzle involves creating a registry that makes it easy for guests to celebrate your union with gifts that reflect your per-sonality as a couple.

Before Building Your Registry

It’s no wonder why guests love the ease and simplicity of a gift registry. But many couples may not know where to begin when set-ting out to create this useful list. Here are some help-ful pointers from Macy’s to help you get started on creating a perfect wedding registry:

• Meet with a consul-tant: These trained profes-sionals are on site to assist

and discuss everything you want and need. It’s a good place to start if you have questions on what items to include and what brands are available.

• Look for special pro-grams: Some stores offer special features, such as Macy’s, whose Dream Fund allows guests to contribute any amount to the ultimate gift card, so the bride and groom can later choose exactly what they want.

• Start early: Most cou-ples like to register four-six months before their wed-ding date, which allows more time for choosing items, planning for show-ers and meeting other dead-lines.

•Register together: Whether it’s in-store, online or both — make a day of it and have fun selecting all the things that will be part of your new life together.

•Choose different price

points: Guests will appre-ciate a varied list that has many gift options to fit their personal budget.

•Create a registry that reflects you: If you’re a laid-back, easygoing cou-ple, consider registering for a more casual dinner-ware pattern that you can use every day, then mix in some fancy pieces to use for those special occasions. If you enjoy entertaining friends and family, be sure to choose a range of serve-ware and barware.Making the Right Choices

With all the things need-ed to properly stock your home, selecting the right ones can seem overwhelm-ing. Here are some tips to keep in mind while adding to your registry:

• Select your settings: A five-piece setting is meant to serve one person and includes a dinner plate, salad plate, bread and but-

ter plate, tea cup and sau-cer. If you want to serve eight guests, you will need to register for eight five-piece settings.

• Factor in some extras: When registering for drink-ware, be sure to register for a few extras in each glass size in case some break down the road.

• Protect your cutlery: Be sure to choose a sturdy cut-ting board to protect your knife blades from chips and cracks. You can keep your cutlery in top condition by registering for a honing steel and knife sharpener.

• Stock up on kitchen necessities: When it comes

to cookware, make sure to stock up on the essentials. This should include a fry pan, saute pan, grill pan, sauteuse (round, deep-sid-ed design for sauteing on the stovetop or baking in the oven) and a chef’s pan.

• Opt for the basics: White dinnerware allows you to transform the look of your table year-round by chang-ing the decor and accesso-ries around it. The classic look will be a design that you can appreciate for years to come.

Visit www.macys.com/registry for a full regis-try checklist, helpful tips and more information on

Family Features

Photo courtesy of Family Features

Gift registries are a wonderful convenience for both the engaged couple and their families and friends. Persons can choose presents for the couple without worry about selecting the right gift.

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Barware basics for your wedding registryBuilding a registry is

one of the big items on the wedding checklist and it can often seem like an overwhelming task, given the number of categories to consider. From bedding and bath to kitchen, furni-ture and so much more, the perfect wedding registry will include all of the things that you’ll want to have as you start this next chapter as a married couple.

One area to focus on is selecting great barware. You may be entertaining friends and family even more as newlyweds, so having the right glassware and tools that fit your entertaining style is important. To help with the process, Clinton Kelly, “Wedding’s Best Man” for Macy’s, shared his tips for building a well-stocked bar, as well as reci-pes to impress any guest.

Decide on a StyleWhether it’s frilly and

fluted or heavy and mascu-line, determine a style that best suits your taste. The traditional route is to get a suite of cut crystal, but these days, casual glass-ware is just as welcome on the table, as well as mixing different styles.

Know Thy BeverageTechnically, just about

every drink has an optimal glass silhouette. But unless you have unlimited stor-age space, consider what you like to drink and how you entertain. If your typi-cal Saturday night involves eight-course dinners with wine pairings, register for a glass for each grape. For everyone else, consider eight to 12 each of the three or four glasses you’re most likely to use, Kelly added.

Shape it UpMost people go for red

and white wine glasses, plus champagne flutes or ones for fortified wines. When it comes to cocktails, start with highball glasses

which you can also use for water, and then pick spe-cialty silhouettes based on your favorite beverages: martini glasses, margarita glasses, Irish coffee mugs and more. If you’re a beer drinker, load up on steins or pilsner glasses instead.

The Right Tool for Every Drink

Fill out your registry with

plenty of accessories and tools: corkscrew, decanter, shaker, ice bucket and more. And while you’re at it, why not a bar cart to hold it all?

It’s 5 p.m. SomewhereMaster these drink recipe

ideas from Kelly and you’ll impress all your friends.

• Martini: Add 2 ounces of gin and a splash of ver-mouth to a shaker filled with

ice. Shake it, then strain into a chilled glass and garnish with two olives or a twist of lemon. Substitute pearl onions to make it a Gibson.

• Margarita: Add one part each tequila, triple sec, lime juice and simple

syrup (you can use brown sugar for a caramel flavor) to a shaker filled with ice. Mix and strain into a salt-rimmed glass filled with ice. Sub in spicy salt or jalape-no-infused tequila for some kick.

Family Features


While many engaged couples may already have household items such as kitchenware or bedding, not many have a selection of glasses or other barware items. In that circumstance, a set of beer steins or wine glasses would make a thoughtful gift.

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Bride to be Kris sits down to get herhair styled by stylist Bri Boger (left)and Irma Chapman (right) whileJustin waits his turn.Justin waits his turn.

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Wedding trends ... couples are increasing spendingSAN FRANCISCO, Calif.

— Thumbtack, an online service that connects con-sumers with skilled pro-fessionals has released its Thumbtack 2016 Wedding Trends Report. The new wedding theme is — no theme. Couples are increas-ingly focusing on small details — not big themes — to set their weddings apart.

Highlight videos are hot — Videographers are see-ing an 8 percent uptick in requests for highlight vid-eos, which incorporate per-sonalized messages from guests and are created for social sharing.

Laser-cut details are everywhere. They are fea-

tured on invitations, place cards, and even place mats. Laser-cutting will be espe-cially popular.

Cupcakes aren’t going anywhere — 10 percent more couples will feature cupcakes for dessert in 2016, compared to 2015, showing that this personalized touch has staying power.

2016 couples are upping the ante: This year’s couples are spending noticeably more on wedding essentials compared to 2015.

There is a 20 percent increase in spending. The average couple will spend about $2,000 more on aver-age, with much of that going to a more upscale

dinner experience.Formal receptions are on

the rise. For 2016 weddings, there’s been a 26 percent increase in couples request-ing servers for formal din-ner receptions, and a 32 percent increase in couples requesting plated meals.

Traditional tiers — Cakes are also getting taller than ever, with a 55 percent increase in couples request-ing a three-layer cake this year compared to last year.

Big, bold visuals have arrived. From wedding theme colors to bridal beau-ty looks, expect 2016 wed-dings to feature big visuals.

Glam beauty — More and more brides are eschew-ing the “safe” natural and romantic beauty look. There’s been a 75 percent increase in brides request-ing glam hair and makeup, with touches like highlights and contouring and bold lip colors.

Beyond natural — Brides plan to go beyond “born with it” in 2016. The data shows a 70 percent increase in requests for false eye-lashes and airbrushing. There’s been a 15 percent

increase in brides planning to wear a classic veil.

Bright palettes — Popular colors this year include bursts of reds and bright blues, along with pops of yellow as an accent, and gray neutrals to hold it all together. Metallic accents stay popular this year, emphasizing the glam fac-tor.

Based on an average price quoted for wedding essen-tials for Thumbtack wed-dings in 2016, national aver-ages show that the amount the average American cou-ple will spend is $12,189 on essential wedding services. This excludes the venue, dress, and rings for a wed-ding with 98 guests on aver-age. The average age mar-rying age of a Thumbtack couple is 33.

The top five most expen-sive states to get married are Connecticut - $17,211; New York - $16,305; District of Columbia - $15,835; Rhode Island - $15,233; and Pennsylvania - $14,722.

The top five least expen-sive states to get married are Missouri - $9,031; Nevada - $9,095; Arizona - $9,593;

and Kentucky - $9,712. Regional differencesNortheast and Mid-

Atlantic affairs tend to be more expensive. This higher cost is most often driven by formal dinners and a large number of guests. In New York, 33 percent of couples request plated dinners. In Washington, D.C., 48 per-cent of couples request hors d’oeuvres.

Midwestern states throw the biggest weddings. Weddings are the biggest in Midwestern states like Minnesota and Wisconsin, where over 60 percent of couples welcome 100+ guests. The smallest wed-dings are in destination wedding locations like Hawaii, where 43 percent of couples welcome fewer than 20 guests.

Barebcue and Mexican catering vs. Italian and American cuisine: Italian and American food are crowd pleasers at weddings across the country. In fact, there are only two states that would prefer another type of cuisine at weddings — both Kentucky and South Carolina prefer barbecue. Unsurprisingly, Mexican is popular throughout the Southwest, with 43 percent of couples in New Mexico requesting Mexican food.

Pop music reigns at the reception, but country’s close behind. Wedding guests across the major-ity of the United States (46 states) prefer pop music, but country is a close sec-ond choice in several states, including Texas.

Vermont braids and Southern locks: Brides across the country love a timeless romantic look. Brides in Vermont prefer to accent their look with braids, while brides in most other locales prefer a half-up/half-down look. Long curly hair is especially pop-ular in Southern states like Arkansas, Louisiana, and Mississippi.

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Millennials stressed, but are still optimistic about financial future

(BPT) — Millennials — those between 18 and 34 years old — are now the largest generation in American history, constitut-ing 25 percent of the popu-lation, according to the U.S. Census Bureau. They’ve surpassed baby boomers in number and are poised to exceed that generation’s financial impact on the country. So it’s concern-ing news that a new Bank of America/USA Today Better Money Habits Report found that while 84 percent of millennials are confident in their ability to manage their finances, 41 percent report feeling “chronically stressed” about money and more than half say anxiety about money affects their emotional well-being.

“Even though millennials are confident about money and focused on their financ-es, they’re still experienc-ing a great deal of stress. That’s due in part to factors out of their control — a volatile global economy, a challenging job market and, to some extent, the student debt they’ve taken on,” said Andrew Plepler, Global Corporate Social Responsibility executive, Bank of America. “Amid the uncertainty, it’s impor-tant to focus on things they can control, such as their level of financial knowl-edge and awareness. This survey indicates there may be room for more effec-tive financial management efforts that make it easi-er for millennials to take greater control of their finances, and hopefully alleviate some of the stress they feel.”

Although millennials are optimistic and are active-ly trying to take control of their finances, outside pressures are getting in the way. They often worry about the cost of living, lack of income growth, student debt, housing costs and more financial concerns.

Despite these stressors, millennials haven’t nec-essarily lost confidence in their ability to manage money. Most respondents (more than eight in 10) said they feel “confident” or “very confident” when it comes to personal finance. A much smaller percent-age (17 percent) consider themselves “experts” on the topic.

“We don’t expect young people to be experts,” explained Plepler, “which is why we partnered with Khan Academy to create BetterMoneyHabits.com. The website is free for all and provides information on-demand when you need it.”

Examples of content found on BetterMoneyHabits.com include:

Create and stick to a bud-get. You can do this with

these simple steps:• Learn your monthly

take-home pay which is the amount you actually get after taxes, insurance and 401K contributions come out of your salary.

• Tally monthly fixed expenses, those costs that don’t fluctuate much throughout the year, such as rent or mortgage, car payments, student loan payments, etc.

•Calculate variable monthly expenses, such as phone or other utilities, gro-ceries, clothes, entertain-ment, etc.

• Decide what’s really important. Some expenses are musts, like rent. Others are “wants,” such as a pre-mium cable package or unlimited texting. With a close look, you’ll likely find wants you can curtail in order to spend less.

Justin Killion and Kristina Skeldon, both of Defiance, will exchange wedding vows on Aug. 26, 2016, at the Heritage Baptist Church in Defiance. The couple became engaged last year in April when Justin proposed to Kristina in Cinderella’s Castle at Disney World. She accepted his proposal with tears in her eyes. He had secretly planned to offer her a roman-tic proposal at Cinderella’s Castle and — with a little family assistance — the plan worked perfectly.

Defiance couple engaged

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Ideas for celebrating your 25th anniversary

(AP) — The Baby Boom generation has put its own stamp on many traditions, so why should 25th wed-ding anniversaries be dif-ferent? Many couples are ditching convention when it comes to marking the mile-stone.

“When they get to these more dramatic occasions, so many couples want to do something exciting and different,” said Charles Schmitz of St. Louis. He and his wife, Elizabeth, are marriage counselors and authors, most recently of “How to Marry the Right Guy” (Briarcliff, 2014). “They don’t want to go to their favorite Italian restau-rant.”

Schmitz said that “upend-ing experiences,” whether that’s going on safari or serving dinner “all splen-did in nothing,” strength-en marriages, especially

when they involve “think-ing about those wonderful moments in our relation-ships.

For many of us, however, that may be easier said than done; there are time and money constraints, to say nothing of not owning that Mustang — yet.

Celebrating your 25th in a meaningful way doesn’t require big expendi-tures or elaborate staging, said Pepper Schwartz, a University of Washington-Seattle sociologist who works with AARP’s Life Reimagined program.

“A 25th anniversary can be celebrated in two ways. One is celebrating who you have been to each other. The other is celebrating the future,” she said.

Keeping the occasion in perspective — i.e., not freaking out — is also wise.

“This isn’t the last thing

you do before you jump off the face of the Earth,” Schwartz said. “It’s a big moment, and it deserves to be celebrated by something memorable that makes you excited for the future.”

Here are some ideas to try, some of which require very little money or plan-ning.

• Change things up at home. That could mean anything from stringing celebratory lights outside to sprucing up the house. Paint the bedroom wall or rearrange your living room furniture. It doesn’t matter what, as long as it’s “just something that says, this changed on our 25th,” Schwartz said.

• Do something especial-ly romantic at home. Read poetry to each other by candlelight, for instance. Or have your favorite food for dinner, even if it involves marshmallows.

• Mark the day perma-nently, which doesn’t nec-essarily mean getting a tattoo (although if you’re considering it, now could be good time). Inscribe a small plaque with the date and occasion, and put it on a piece of outdoor furni-ture. Or have a professional photo taken of the two of you. Write your names in a slab of wet cement.

• Have a day of service — to each other. If you usu-

• 25TH, Page 9

Kyle Tietje and Renae Sabo were entrants in The Crescent-News Bridal Couple Contest.

The couple met at Defiance College during the fall semester in 2009. They dated all four years of college and currently work in the area.

Kyle works for the Patrick Henry Local School District as the high school physical education and health teacher and also coaches girls var-sity basketball at Patrick Henry High School.

Renae works for the Defiance County Child Support Enforcement Agency as an administra-tive/legal assistant.

Kyle first noticed Renae in the practice gym at the college. The men’s bas-ketball team was lifting

weights in the upstairs weight room, which was called the cage, and Renae was practicing with the cheerleading squad on the floor down below. Kyle texted one of Renae’s teammates asking ques-tions about her. They spent the rest of the sea-son as friends, then began dating in July 2010.

Soon after they began dating, Kyle got Renae a puppy for her birthday. They named him Ringo and he has been with them throughout college and now at their home.

When Kyle proposed to Renae at their home, he pulled the ring out of the couch cushion and Ringo almost ruined the surprise as he was sniffing under the couch and making Renae suspicious most of the evening.

The couple’s wedding date is Sept. 3, 2016. The ceremony will be held at St. John Lutheran Church, in Deshler. Their recep-tion will be at the Knights of Columbus hall in Defiance. Their photog-rapher is Julie’s Portrait Creations from Napoleon. Renae said she plans to look for her wedding dress at Bridal Village and Alterations in Hicksville.

Kyle and Renae were college sweethearts

RENAE SABO and KYLE TIETJE

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ally cook and your spouse mows the lawn, switch jobs for the day. Neither of you will get off scot-free, but the effort shows you’re willing to help carry the burden.

• Have a day of service — to others. Do something charitable, whether it’s making a donation some-where or serving dinner at a shelter. It’s nice to be reminded after 25 years how good we have it.

• Learn something new together. It doesn’t mat-ter what: speaking French, tending to bonsai trees, restoring cars, learning massage therapy. When not in class, you can study together, and eventually apply your new skills.

25THFrom Page 8

Some nifty DIY wedding trendsPinboards are buzzing

with endless inspiration, bringing clever and colorful projects to life. For brides to be, the hottest looks in wed-ding decor can be yours with just a bit of creativity.

The evolution of touch is underway, with fabrics and embellishments featuring texture and intrigue becom-ing huge hits this bridal season. Take materials such as burlap, chalkboard fin-ishes, monogram letters and mason jars to the next level by mixing and match-ing with the season’s colors.

Picture your big day with pretty petals adorned in lace offset by rustic trim-mings. This understated yet feminine look can be yours with these trending projects from the crafting experts at Jo-Ann Fabric and Craft Stores. Take these ideas and gather your girlfriends for a pre-wedding craft session. You’ll love unleashing your creativity as well as the extra bonding time with the girls, all in preparation for the big event.

For more ways to add trending touches to your

wedding, visit www.joann.com.

Burlap Cone Floral HangerCrafting time: 1-2 hoursSkill level: No experience

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Family Features

In this picture, Justin Killion is shown holding the hand of his fiancee Kristina Skeldon after he pro-posed to her at Disney World in Orlando, Fla., last year. The couple has been together since they met on a blind date in 2014 at the Northtowne Mall to see a movie. Justin secretly planned a proposal that he was going to make to Kristina on their trip to Disney World in April 2015. . The couple will be married on Aug. 26, 2016, at the Heritage Baptist Church in Defiance.

• TRENDS, Page 10

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Some important tax tips for newly married couples (BPT) — In most parts of

the country, the months of June, August, September and October are the most popular for weddings. Whether recently mar-ried or anxiously counting the days until you tie the knot, there are some impor-tant tax implications that you and your spouse can’t afford to overlook.

“In between the flurry of wedding planning, dress shopping and bridal show-ers, few engaged couples stop to think about how get-ting married will affect their income taxes,” explained TaxAct spokesman, Shaunna Morgan. “While it’s important to understand the tax consequences, keep in mind that you can still do your own taxes. TaxAct, a leading DIY tax solution, asks simple questions about life events like marriage to guide you through the tax implications and help you

get all of your deductions to maximize your refund.”

Name changesYour name(s) and Social

Security number(s) are crit-ical elements of your tax return. Both identifiers must exactly match the infor-mation the Social Security Administration (SSA) has on file. That means if you legally change your name after you get married, the SSA needs to know about it.

To get a Social Security card with your new name, you’ll need to provide proof of identity, such as a mar-riage certificate, fill out an application and either mail it or deliver it in person to your local SSA office. You’ll want to do this long before you file your income tax return.

New addressIf you’re moving, remem-

ber to report your new address to the Internal Revenue Service (IRS). The

fastest way to make the change is to complete Form 8822 available on the agen-cy website at www.irs.gov.

New filing statusOnce you’ve said, “I do,”

you’ll have the option to claim one of two filing sta-tuses on your tax return: married filing jointly or married filing separately. If you and your spouse each earn an income, you might consider running the num-bers to determine if you have a lower combined tax by filing one way versus the other. Some tax soft-ware packages do the calcu-lations for you so it’s easier to make an informed deci-sion when selecting a filing status. TaxAct Deluxe, for example, gives users a Joint vs. Separate Analysis report that does all the calcula-tions so you can see your

estimated refund amounts for each filing status. For many couples, married fil-ing jointly results in lower income tax liability.

Keep in mind that no mat-ter when in the year you get married, you are con-sidered married for the full year. Even if your big day is December 31, you will have a married status in the eyes of the IRS for the entirety of that tax year.

Changing your taxwithholding

Any time you have a life change you should revisit your Form W-4. Getting married is definitely one of those times. If both you and your spouse work, you’ll likely have a higher com-bined income, which may put you into a higher tax bracket. In order to ensure the right amount of tax is

withheld from your pay-check, you’ll want to update your Form W-4 to ensure you aren’t having too much or too little tax withheld.

Affordable Care Actpremium tax credit

If you or your spouse receive health insurance through a government-sponsored marketplace and receive advance payments of the premium tax credit to help offset the cost of your premiums, you’ll want to review your coverage after the wedding, and notify the marketplace of your newly married status. Reporting this change will help you avoid having too much or too little premium assis-tance paid and ultimate-ly, help you steer clear of owing additional money or getting a small refund when you file your taxes.

foam, creating a dripping ice cream affect.

• Trim half of mini bun-dle and glue in center. Trim blossoms of green hydran-gea. Glue to both cones.

(Note: Refer to photo often for placement of items.)

Burlap and Lace Wrapped Floral Centerpiece

Crafting time: 1-2 hoursSkill level: Some experi-

ence necessarySupplies and Tools:

• Cutting utensils• Pink roses stem • White Queen Ann Lace

stem• White hydrangea bush• Light blue small bush• Pink small bush• Teal small bush• Teal tall bush• Cream wisteria garland• Panacea cloth-covered

wire• Glue gun• Glue sticks• David Tutera burlap

ribbon• Mason jar• David Tutera lace rib-

bon• Panacea crystal clear

resinDirections:

• Trim stems, remov-ing lower foliage. Form a hand-tied bouquet. Tie off with wire. Dribble glue around wire to secure. Let dry. Wrap burlap rib-bon around Mason jar, overlapping 1 inch. Glue seam. Wrap lace around jar and tie in knot. Pour resin in jar. Follow package instructions.

Insert bouquet. Allow to dry. (Note: Refer to photo often for placement of items.)

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Several wedding gift ideas for more casual lifestyles (BPT) — While your wed-

ding should be the happi-est day of your life, it can also be the happiest day for your kitchen. With a well-planned registry, you’ll be enjoying the fun, creativ-ity and bonding of cooking together at home for years to come — from leisure-ly weekend breakfasts to romantic dinners and toasts to cap off the day.

A wedding registry should reflect how you real-ly live. Not everyone focus-es their social life on formal dinner parties with the kind of fine china, silverware and crystal found on tra-ditional wedding gift lists. Today’s registries reflect current lifestyles with new twists and trends.

“Wedding registries are trending toward more casual, hip and high-tech kitchenware, such as non-stick woks instead of chaf-ing dishes and iced tea makers instead of tea pots,” said Peter Giannetti, editor-in-chief of HomeWorld Business. “Also, registries are not as bride-centric as they used to be. With both brides and grooms involved, gifts such as high-tech coffee centers and growlers for craft beer are becoming more popular.”

Selecting gifts at a variety of price points is both good etiquette and good strategy. Big-ticket items give guests

the opportunity for a grand gesture, and they also make great group gifts. Be sure to include moderately priced items that are appealing and distinctive, so that every-one can feel good about what they give. For many, it is more satisfying to give something that’s special and specific, rather than one small piece for a set.

On-trend wedding regis-try gift ideas

• The growler is becoming a new must-have for those who love locally brewed craft beer, while also want-ing to lead eco-friendly life-styles that avoid the waste of excess disposable pack-aging. Created for filling with craft beer, the Reduce Vacuum Growler features double wall insulation that protects the beverage for full flavor enjoyment at just the right temperature.

• Teatime is now cool, because 85 percent of the tea consumed in America is iced, according to the Tea Association of the USA. One to consider is an iced tea maker that offers a fully customizable iced tea brew-ing experience from either loose tea or tea bags. The Capresso Iced Tea Maker lets you adjust to taste from regular to extra strong, and it brews into a beautiful 80-ounce glass pitcher.

• Pepper and salt mills are focal points on the counter

or the table, in addition to being everyday essentials. A unique choice that ties into popular decor trends is the Collection Antique from Peugeot, which com-bines iconic shapes with rustic aged beech wood. Designed and produced in France, these are keepsake mills with a lifetime war-ranty on the mechanisms.

• The wok has evolved into a versatile everyday pan for quickly prepared meals with delicious, fresh ingredients. You should look for a high quality nonstick wok engineered to professional grade stan-dards. The Kyocera 12.5-

inch Nonstick Wok with Lid features an exclusive ceramic nonstick coating and can be used for brais-ing, pan-frying, roasting, searing and stir-frying.

• Coffee lovers appreci-ate a true bean-to-cup expe-rience and who wouldn’t want a professional-style coffee bar in their own home?

Photo courtesy of Brandpoint

About 85 percent of the tea consumed in America is iced tea, thus making an iced tea maker a well-received wedding gift.

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Charitable gift makes a unique wedding favor

Pamper your wedding guests with a special keep-sake they can treasure. After all, you want to thank each and every one of them for sharing in your special moment. It’s also a fun way for them to remember the celebration long after the wedding day is over.

Here are a few ideas to spoil your guests:

• Place a small silver bell at each place setting, and then observe the tradition of kissing your new spouse each time one rings.

• Fill favor boxes or organ-za bags with a sweet treat, such as Jordan almonds or

pillow mints. • Small silver frames can

do double-duty as wedding favors and place card hold-ers.

• Greet guests at an out-door wedding with ornate fans to keep them cool.

• Encourage your guests to kick up (or off) their heels by providing a basket of cute flip flops for dancing.

Another memorable gift is to honor your guests with a donation to a charity that is special to you and your fiancee. Announce your gift on a handcrafted tag attached to a beautiful can-dle. The decorative candles can be clustered around the centerpieces at the recep-

tion or simply used as the centerpiece itself. To find more wedding ideas, proj-ect guides and supplies, visit www.joann.com.

Charitable Gift Wedding Favor

Some experience necessaryCrafting time: 1-2 hoursSupplies and tools:Pillar candle Cork roll Cardstock, green & brown Kraft paper or brown paper

grocery bag Green ribbon Jute cord Small wood beads Flower punches in a variety

of shapes & sizes Upholstery tack Adhesive dots, large Straight pins Scallop-edge shears Scissors Mini hole punch Recycled papers, such as

old books, sheet music, news-papers, postcards, memora-bilia

Directions: Punch five flow-ers using flower punches in dif-ferent shapes and sizes. Use a variety of recycled papers for

a vintage appearance. With an upholstery tack, pierce all lay-ers of flowers; set aside. Cut green cardstock strip 3-inch wide and 1/2-inch longer than circumference of candle. Cut both long edges and one short end with scallop-edge shears. Punch mini holes in each scal-lop. Wrap around candle, over-lap and secure with adhesive dots. Cut a strip of cork 13/4-

inch wide and the same length as green cardstock. Cut one end of cork strip with scalloped edge shears; attach to candle with three straight pins, at the scalloped end.

Print the donation message on brown cardstock. Cut out in a tag shape and mount on a slightly larger green cardstock tag. Scallop the green card-stock end, punch a hole at the narrow end of the tag and on each of the scallops. Tie ribbon once around cork and knot at the front. Tie cord around cork several times, string on the tag and tie in a knot. Press layered flower with upholstery tack into cork, over knots. Tie two more lengths of jute around flower and knot. String a few small wood beads over the ends of some of the cords, and tie love knots to secure.

Trace a 5-inch circle on the back of green cardstock. Cut a petaled flower, using the circle shape as a guide. Using the green flower as a template, cut two more 5-inch flowers from recycled paper. Attach these to each other with adhesive dots, ruffling, wrinkling and distressing the edges. Cut a smaller green flower, slightly larger than the circumference of the candle. Cut the edges with scallop-edge shears and attach to the top of the stack of flowers, with the candle cen-tered in the middle.

Family Features


Suggestions for wedding favors to make your guests feel welcome might include small silver frames used as place card holders and as wedding favors or a dona-tion to a charity that is special to you and your fiance.

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Can’t buy me love? Engagement ring buying tips

You’re in love and ready to buy an engagement ring.

But are you ready to part with three months’ salary as the diamond industry has traditionally suggested? If not, what’s your magic number?

Figuring that out can be a stressful, high-stakes undertaking. Engagement rings come with unique financial and emotional expectations. And in a rela-tionship intended to last a lifetime, it’s the first big test.

“It does set a certain tone about whether a woman’s expectations will be met by her husband or not,” said Julie Albright, a sociologist and marriage and family therapist at the University of Southern California.

Even so, how much to spend rests in striking a bal-ance between dazzling your beloved without tarnishing your future financial goals together.

Here are five tips to help you size up how much to spend on an engagement ring.

CONSIDER FUTURE FINANCIAL GOALSWhether you have a wheel-

barrow full of cash ready to bring to your local jewelry store or not, your future plans as a couple should be part of the calculus for how much you can afford.

Sit down with your partner and go over your short- and long-term finan-cial goals. Beyond wed-ding expenses, goals could include saving for a down payment on a home, pre-paring to start a family, as well as retirement planning.

“This is the perfect entry point to see where each person’s money values come from,” said Michael Branham, a certified finan-cial planner in Edina, Minn. “How are we going to put that life together and how does buying something like an engagement ring fit into that picture?”

GET A FIX ON EXPECTATIONS

First off, don’t feel com-pelled to heed to the expec-tation that a ring cost three months’ salary, the bench-mark established by the De Beers diamond cartel.

“That’s actually kind of a myth that people somehow still believe,” said Jamie Miles, editor of wedding planning website TheKnot.com.

“You might have a more subtle bride who wants something more petite and more demure,” Miles said.

A good way to gauge how much you may have to spend is to find out what kind of ring your would-be spouse is expecting. You could try asking friends and family, but these days it’s increasingly common to see couples browse jewelry stores together to remove the guesswork.

Last year, 64 percent of brides were involved in picking out their ring, while nearly a third helped decide the budget, according to a survey by The Knot.

That could be one reason the national average spent on an engagement ring, as well as diamond carat size, or weight, have been rising.

The average spent on an engagement ring grew 3 percent to $5,598 last year from a year earlier, accord-ing to TheKnot. That’s still down from 2009’s average of $5,861, however.

The average carat size for the center stone is just over 1 carat. The average total carat size for engagement rings, including any dia-monds on the setting, is 2 carats, Miles said.

WEIGH PAYMENT OPTIONS?

You’ve had a look at the setting and diamonds (or other gemstones) that your beloved covets, and figured out which merchants offer the best price. The next step is to figure out how you will pay for the ring, as that can be a huge factor in how much ring you can afford.

If you can put off the pro-

posal, it’s best to save up money to buy the ring with cash, said Gregg Wind, a certified public accountant in Los Angeles.

Otherwise, how much you can afford becomes a question of how much extra you’ll have to shell out overall if you finance the purchase, and how much you can pay per month while also meeting your other obligations.

Everybody should deter-mine whether the ring pay-ment will fit into their bud-get, Wind said.

This savings goal calcu-lator from Bankrate.com may help: http://www.bankrate.com/calculators/savings/saving-goals-cal-culator.aspx

BEWARE OF FINANCING

Major jewelers generally offer financing with the enticement of six months or one year interest-free.

But if the ring isn’t paid off within the promotional period, or if you’re late on a payment, you could end up being retroactively charged 25 percent interest or more on the total price.

“You want to be really careful how big of a hole you dig yourself in the beginning of your rela-tionship trying to pay off a $1,000 or $2,000 or more ring with huge interest charges every month, just because you didn’t have the forethought or wherewithal to save for it over time,” Branham said.

One exception might be if you have a credit card that offers rewards, such as free points toward air travel. But only if you can pay the bal-ance off in full within the first month.

UPGRADE LATEREven if you determine

that you can’t afford as nice a ring as you hoped, consider buying something more modest and popping the question anyway. You can always trade up for a nicer ring in a few years when your financial picture is more established.

Associated Press

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Tips to writing the perfect card or note

Everyone loves to discover a handwritten card or note in a thick stack of mail. Regardless of how many electronic words we get bom-barded with each day, the personal touch of a message written by hand remains a special gesture that never goes out of style.

From choosing a card or statio-nery that reflects a personal style to accenting the letter with the right seal or stamp, every detail matters to underscore a thoughtful mes-sage. Stamps are often one of the first details noted by a letter recipi-ent, so choosing a stamp such as the love-letter themed Sealed with Love Forever stamp from usps.com/stamps or your local post office is perfect for the occasion.

Not sure what sentiment to write for the occasion?

Here are a few ideas: Notes of appreciation: Whether

the recipient gave you a gift, hosted you for dinner or did a special favor, keep the message brief and sincere. Don’t ever hesitate to send a note of appreciation just to let someone know how truly special they are. Unexpected notes are always wonderful to receive.

Birthday cards: Celebrate one’s personal accomplishments in the past year and any special events planned in the next year ahead. End by telling your friend or loved one why he or she is so important to you. That message may just be the best gift you can give.

Celebratory cards: When acknowledging the birth of a baby or the recent wedding of a friend or relative, pick a card they will want to save and treasure for years to come. When writing your senti-ment inside, keep congratulations simple and let them know you share in their joy.

New job: Starting a job at a new company or changing one’s career path can be a time for renewal and exciting beginnings. A sincere mes-sage wishing a friend or loved one luck and adding advice that he or she might find helpful is often a welcome message to show some-one you care.

Condolence cards: If a friend is going through a difficult time, share special memories you have of the person who passed away and why you will miss having that per-son in your life. End by offering to call or visit in the near future. These

gestures, plus the card itself, will remind the recipient they aren’t alone in their grief.

Remember, cards and notes are about letting another person know

how much their friendship, gifts or presence means to you. Follow a simple formula, add a few personal touches and you will soon be writ-ing cards with ease.

Family Features

Photo courtesy of Daniel Afzal/United States Postal Service

Taking the time to send a per-sonal note, card or letter is an act

that is appreciated in this age of electronic communication.

Fiance and finances: Questions to ask before marriageMarriage is a milestone

in life; yet, many enter into the next phase without ask-ing their spouse some vital questions about money. If you are among the soon-to-be wed, consider start-ing a conversation using the questions below. Couples who plan their expenses ahead of time are more likely to enjoy their earn-ings, and less likely to need credit repair intervention.

“Marriage is a lifelong commitment built on trust, clear communication and honesty,” said John Heath, directing attorney

for Lexington Law. “While some may find financial discussions unnecessary, understanding each other intimately in terms of what you both bring to the table — be it wealth or debt — will strengthen your rela-tionship and help to avoid potentially serious friction to your marriage down the road.”Discussing money matters

So how does one go into a marriage with a solid finan-cial standing? Those soon-to-be-wed couples who converse openly about their finances are more likely to enjoy their big day with an understanding of their

mate’s views on money. The experts at Lexington Law offer these questions every newly engaged cou-ple should ask before the big day:

How do you view money?This is a loaded question,

but your fiance’s answer will help you understand their perspective and how it aligns with yours. Here are a few conversation starters on the subject:

• How do you budget your money?

• Are you meticulous about your bills and expens-es, or are you comfortable to just “wing it?”

• What’s the most you

would ever spend on a home, car, piece of clothing, etc.?

How should we budget for a family?

Kids are expensive, especially if you haven’t planned for them. Talk to your partner about how many kids you would both like to have. Plan for child living expenses and how they will impact your budget, i.e. clothes, food, activities, medical expenses, schooling, etc.

How should we commu-nicate about money?

Some couples are content to let one person handle the finances, and others like to

split up the bills and share household responsibilities. Regardless of what you decide, it is important to have a plan in place before getting married.

What should we do when we disagree about

spending?You and your spouse

won’t agree on everything. In fact, you may completely disagree on how to spend, save, and generally man-age your money. The ques-tion is: What should you do when these disagreements arise? Avoiding the subject will put you at greater risk for financial (and marital) trouble.

Family Features

14


Bachelorette parties favor relaxation for participants (BPT) — As a rite of pas-

sage, the bachelorette party has long gotten a bum rap. Stereotypes persist of the bride’s night-before-the-wedding gathering as a ladies-only version of the raucous bachelor party.

Yet the truth is, a growing number of brides crave a tasteful, relaxing and deep-ly personal send-off for their single days.

In fact, a relaxing get-away ranked high as an ideal bachelorette party for 59 percent of brides-to-be in the Ultimate Bridesmaids Census. Sixty-seven percent wanted dinner, dancing and time spent with their clos-est friends, and 23 percent wanted something non-tra-ditional that really reflected their personal interests.

“Bachelorette parties are as unique as the women they celebrate,” said Michael Belot, general man-ager of Destination Kohler — home to AAA five-dia-mond and Forbes five-star hotel that hosts scores of brides, bridesmaids and weddings each year.

“We’re seeing an empha-sis on relaxation for the bride and companionship with her friends in today’s bachelorette parties. Brides want to spend their special night — and often an entire weekend — in a sooth-ing, stress-free atmosphere before the hectic pace of their wedding day.”

So what are the things that brides and bridesmaids tell the Destination Kohler team they must have for their bachelorette soirees? Belot points to five in-demand elements:

• Spa timeWhether it’s a group mani-

pedi, a yoga class or a lunch of delicious, healthful spa cuisine, bachelorette groups crave spa time. Parties are looking for spas that offer a comprehensive list of salon services, familiar and new massages and body treat-ments, and easy access to luxury accommodations. For example, at Destination Kohler, bachelorette groups often book rooms in the Carriage House, which is

located above the Forbes five-star Kohler Waters Spa. Participants can spend the day in their spa robes if they choose. “Kohler Waters Spa is by far the most popular request and activity among bachelorette parties, and is often the center of the trip,” said Garrett Mersberger, manager of Kohler Waters Spas. Playing to this trend, many resorts have created female-centric spa packages like the Girls Getaway.

• Great foodForget the pigs in a blan-

ket, deviled eggs and other de rigeur finger foods long associated with bridal showers. Modern bach-elorette groups are looking for dining options that are luxurious and delicious, or that accommodate lifestyle needs such as gluten-free or low-calorie diets. Spa fare often fits well with this pref-erence. Resorts with mul-tiple dining options afford bachelorette guests the opportunity to dine lightly for lunch and then enjoy a more indulgent dinner.

• Bonding activitiesHitting the bar and danc-

ing the night away are no longer the only bonding activities for bachelorette groups. From yoga classes and golf outings to wine and chocolate pairings, brides-to-be are looking for more diverse, sophisticated activities they can do with their girlfriends.

• A location “away from it all”

Nearly a third of respon-dents in the Bridesmaid Census said they didn’t want to go crazy for a bachelorette party, they just wanted to enjoy time with their friends. Perhaps it’s because their lives are about to change dramati-cally. Maybe it’s a need to reaffirm the girlfriend bond that has seen them through life’s ups and downs to reach this happy point in their lives. Whatever their reasons, a growing number of brides are looking for a bachelorette experience that transports them and their closest friends far away

from their daily routines. Some fulfill this wish by choosing a resort location far from home. Others may choose accommodations that are more intimate. At Destination Kohler, bach-elorette parties can also opt to stay at Sandhill, the resort’s luxury private cabin

that sits on 350 natural acres just a 10-minute drive from the resort.

• PersonalizationTwenty-three percent of

surveyed brides said they wanted a bachelorette party that was deeply personal and tailored to their indi-vidual tastes and interests.

For some, that’s a spa expe-rience. For others, a golf get-away. Even when they’ve booked a bachelorette pack-age, brides and their brides-maids are looking for ways the resort can customize their experience. Add-ons are popular, from spa treat-ments to wine tastings.

Today’s bachelorette parties can offer brides-to-be a luxurious day at a spa and a special meal at a fine res-

taurant. Some parties may have yoga classes, mani-pedis or wine tastings.

Photo courtesy of Brandpoint

The Crescent-News bridal couple for 2016, Justin Killion and Kristina Skeldon are shown here enjoying a trip to Disney World in April last year. Unbeknownst to Kristina, Justin secret-

ly planned a dinner at Cinderella’s Castle where he proposed to her and gave her an engagement ring. The couple will marry in August this year.

Enjoy Disney World

15


Wedding insurance expands as nuptials get pricier

HARTFORD, Conn. (AP) — Worried about the groom getting cold feet? There’s an insurance policy for that.

With the cost of the average American wedding reach-ing about $26,000, insurers have been selling a growing number of policies to protect against losses from extreme weather, illness and, in one firm’s case, even a sudden change of heart.

Cheryl Winter spent $500 for Hartford-based Travelers Cos. Inc. to cover her daughter’s $50,000 destination wedding last October in New Orleans, where her biggest concern was a potential hurricane. The weather cooperated, but the limousine never showed up. Her daughter took a taxi cab to the church, and they used the insurance policy to claim the deposit money they couldn’t get back from the limo driver.

“No one wants to be walk-ing in the French Quarter in a long gown and high heels,” said Winter, who lives in the Houston area.

The insurance is offered by a small number of U.S. com-panies. Insurers declined to provide data on the number

of customers beyond saying they are growing steadily. It can cover losses from issues ranging from bankrupt wedding halls to cancella-tions forced by unexpect-ed military deployments. Travelers said issues with vendors account for about a quarter of the claims, with most of those related to issues with photographers or videographers.

For Travelers, an insur-ance giant with annual revenue of $26 billion, the policies will not make or break the bottom line. But the wedding insurance it began selling in 2007 is also a way to connect with a couple who might later think of the company for home insurance and other life milestones.

“It could be the begin-ning of a relationship with a young couple,” said Ed Charlebois, a Travelers vice president for personal insurance.

Wedsafe, backed by Aon, also offers wedding insur-ance, which differs little from the specialty insur-ance that firms may offer for other kinds of events and celebrations.

On April 18, 2015, Justin Killion proposed to a sur-prised Kristina Skeldon at Cinderella’s Castle at Disney World in Orlando, Fla. The couple plans to marry on Aug. 26, 2016, in Defiance. They met on a blind date at the Northtowne Mall in Defiance in 2014.

Justin proposes to Kristina

16

Getting married in 2016?

n C2

LIFESTYLE The Crescent-News • Sunday, February 1, 2015

Bidlacks celebrate 60th anniversary

Mr. and Mrs.William Bidlack

OAKWOOD — Mr.

and Mrs. William

Bidlack, of Oakwood,

will celebrate their 60th

wedding anniversary.

William “Bill” Bidlack

and Phyllis Jean Wagner

were married Feb. 6,

1955, at the Potsdam

Church of the Brethren,

Potsdam, Ohio, by Rev.

L. John Weaver.

The couple has three

children: Bruce Bidlack

of Harker Heights,

Texas; Laura Marlean

Barrett of Lake Zurich,

Ill.; and Robert Bidlack,

Paulding. They have

eight grandchildren.

Williams mark 65 wedded years

Mr. and Mrs. Harold Williams

OAKWOOD — Mr. and

Mrs. Harold Williams will

celebrate their 65th wed-

ding anniversary.

Harold Williams and

Ruth Stahl were mar-

ried Feb. 4, 1950, in the

Continental United

Methodist Church by the

late Rev. Frank Sanderson.

The couple has three

children: Douglas (Jane)

Williams of Rossford;

David (Wendy) Williams of

Minerva; and Dawn (Chris)

Bussing of Rainbow City,

Ala. They had nine grand-

children, with one grand-

child who is deceased.

They have nine great-

grandchildren.To celebrate their special

occasion, the Williams will

be escorted on a trip to

Mexico by their children.

Couple has honeymoon in Hawaii

Mr. and Mrs. Nick Meyer

Stephanie Bristow and

Nick Meyer were married

Sept. 27, 2014, at St. Mary

Catholic Church, Muncie,

Ind., by Father Benjamin

Lehnertz.Parents of the bride are

Mike and Jan Bristow,

Muncie, Ind. Parents of

the groom are Jeff and Jane

Meyer, Sherwood.

A reception was held for

275 guests at Barn 950 in

Daleville, Ind. The bride has a bachelor

of science degree from Ball

State University, Muncie,

Ind., in telecommunica-

tions and news broadcast-

ing. She is a product sup-

port specialist at BidPal,

Inc., Indianapolis, Ind.

The groom has a bach-

elor of science degree

from Bowling Green State

University in education as

an intervention specialist.

He is the director of stew-

ardship and development

at St. John the Evangelist

Catholic Church,

Indianapolis, Ind.

The couple honeymooned

in Oahu, Hawaii.

LIFE LINES

NEW ARRIVALS

A daughter, SAVANNAH

ROSE TROYER, born Jan.

9, 2015, to BOONE and

KATIE TROYER, of Athens.

SAVANNAH weighed

7 lbs., 11 oz., and was 22

inches long. Grandparents

are MIKE and KAY

CLELAND, of Athens,

and formerly of Hicksville;

and MIKE and TONJA

TROYER, of Newark.

Great-grandparents are

BOB (who is deceased)

and BARB CLELAND and

GLENN (who is deceased)

and ROSA HANNA, all of

Hicksville. •••

ACADEMIC

ACHIEVEMENTS

Two area students grad-

uated from Columbus

State Community College,

Columbus, during the

autumn semester com-

mencement ceremonies

held on Dec. 12, 2014. They

are JESSICA SCHWAB of

Napoleon, and ANDREW

TRENKAMP of Ottawa. •••

The following students

were listed on the fall

semester dean’s list at

Heidelberg University,

Tiffin. They are TIERNEY

CZARTOSKI of Sherwood,

a senior majoring in educa-

tion; JESSICA DOTSON of

Ottawa, a junior majoring in

English; KRISTEN FETT of

Defiance, a junior majoring

in education; DOMINIC

FREY of Wauseon, a sopho-

more majoring in business

administration and inte-

grated media; DEREK HUG

of Bryan, a senior major-

ing in biology; NICHOLAS

JONES of Delta, a fresh-

man majoring in criminal

justice; JESSICA MOLL of

Hamler, a senior majoring

in accounting and business

administration; JUSTIN

MOURGUET of Wauseon,

a freshman majoring in

business administration

and economics; MARIN

SCHAFFNER of Wauseon,


psychology and athletic

training; RYAN SCOTT of

Bryan, a senior majoring

in accounting and econom-

ics; MELISSA TIPPIN of


in business administration

and music; and TAYLOR

WINDAU of Columbus

Grove, a sophomore major-

ing in accounting.

Adv.

C2Lifestyle

12:00 pm – 4:00 pm

Sunday, February 8

at Grant’s Reception Hall503 East Canal St. • Antwerp, OH

419-258-2233

weddingdreamsbylinda.com

♥ $3,000 Décor Giveaway

♥ Catering & Cake Samples

♥ Floral & Décor

♥ On-site Wedding Experts

$10.00 at the Door

Children under 10 FreeFollow us on Facebook

Bridal Extravaganza 2015presented by

Wedding Dreams by Linda

featuring Grant’s Catering

n C2

LIFESTYLE The Crescent-News • Sunday, December 21, 2014

Couple to marry in early 2015

Zackary Lerch and Bethany Behnfeldt

NAPOLEON — Thomas

and Linda Behnfeldt, of

Napoleon, announce the

engagement and forthcom-

ing marriage of their daugh-

ter, Bethany Behnfeldt, to

Zackary Lerch, the son of

Scott and Julie Lerch, of

Napoleon.The bride-elect is a 2010

graduate of Napoleon High

School and a 2014 graduate

of Bluffton University with

a degree in recreation man-

agement. She is employed

by the city of Green in the

parks and recreation divi-

sion as a recreation pro-

grammer.Her fiance is a 2010 grad-

uate of Napoleon High

School and will be graduat-

ing in May 2015 from the

University of Akron with

a degree in corrosion engi-

neering. The couple will exchange

wedding vows in early

2015.

Marriage will be in FindlayRachel Ricker and Ryan Otto

HOLGATE — Keith and

Cindy Ricker, of Holgate,

announce the engagement

and forthcoming marriage

of their daughter, Rachel

Leeann Ricker, to Ryan

Michael Otto, the son of

Larry and Janice Otto, of

Miller City. The bride-elect is a 2012

graduate of Holgate High

School. She attended Four

County Career Center, is

employed at Heritage in

Findlay, and is the owner of

Rachel Otto Photography.

Her fiance is a 2005 grad-

uate of Miller City High

School and a 2007 grad-

uate of James A. Rhodes

State College. He is a self-

employed farmer, owns

and operates the Circle P

reception hall near Findlay

and is also employed at

Advanced Drainage

Systems, Findlay.

The couple will exchange

wedding vows on Saturday,

Dec. 27, at St. Michael

the Archangel Catholic

Church, in Findlay.

Marathon bombing survivor in ‘Yes to Dress’ finale

BOSTON (AP) — The

Boston Marathon bomb-

ings took Rebekah

DiMartino’s leg, but they

couldn’t rob her of her joy

as a new bride.

Her sometimes falter-

ing search for the perfect

wedding dress — trying on

designer gowns while bal-

ancing on crutches — was

featured in Friday night’s

season finale of TLC’s pop-

ular reality show, “Say Yes

to the Dress.” Last month,

after 30 surgeries for inju-

ries she suffered in the

April 2013 bombings at the

marathon finish line, doc-

tors amputated her left leg

below the knee. DiMartino,

27, since has been outfitted

with a prosthetic limb and

is training to run the 2015

Boston Marathon.

The finale of “Say Yes

to the Dress” captures her

using crutches for balance

as she tried on wedding

dresses at Kleinfeld, an

upscale New York City

bridal salon. DiMartino,

whose maiden name was

Gregory, was watching

last year’s marathon when

the first of two bombs

exploded a few feet away.

Her son, Noah, now 7, and

her then-boyfriend, Pete

DiMartino, also were hurt.

The couple wed last

spring in Asheville, North

Carolina, and now lives in

the Houston area.

Her appearance follows

the show’s typical format,

following a bride-to-be

as she hunts for the dress

of her dreams. But for

DiMartino, standing long

enough just to try one on

was a feat in itself.

“Actually trying on the

dresses was one of the

most physically exhausting

things I have ever done,”

she said.

Hospital Corpsman E5 Petty Officer

Second Class Brandon Radcliff (center)

is shown accepting the Navy and Marine

Corps Achievement Medal for profes-

sional achievement in superior perfor-

mance of his duties while serving as field

medical service technician, 1st Marine

Logistics Group, 1 Marine Expeditionary

Force, from September 2011 to October

2014. Presenting the award were

Commanding Officer and deputy direc-

tor Capt. Robert Buckley (right) and

Command Master Chief Maurice Coffey.

A former Defiance County resident,

Radcliff recently received his promotion

to E5 Petty Officer Second Class. He is

currently stationed at Great Lakes Naval

Base in North Chicago, Ill. He spent 3

½ years stationed at Camp Pendleton,

Calif., which also included a tour of duty

in Afghanistan for Operation Enduring

Freedom. Radcliff has served in the U.S.

Navy since November 2010. He is a 2010

graduate of Fairview High School and

the son of Robert and Debra Radcliff of

rural Farmer.

Radcliff receives honor

Lifestyle page information for The Crescent-News

For questions about

weddings, anniversaries

or engagements, informa-

tion is available by con-

tacting Darlene Prince,

Lifestyle editor at The

Crescent-News, at 419-784-

5441, ext. 220, or online at

[email protected].

C2Lifestyle

2014 Children’s Photo Album

The Crescent-NewsFriday, March 21, 2014

Gavin Eugene ElkinsSon of Derrick and Amy Elkins

FINAL ROUND VOTES: 3708

Smiling Faces

Published onFriday, March 20, 2015

Have your favorite photo of your child or grand-

child included by completing the coupon below

and mailing it with your child(ren)’s photo and a

check or money order to The Crescent-News.

PHoTos PriNTed iN full Color.

Photo deadline is Friday, January 30, 2015

(No age resTriCTioNs for CHildreN

PublisHed iN THis suPPlemeNT)

The 2015

Crescent-News

Kids’ Photo Album

&Cutest Baby

Contest

If your child is 4 years old

or younger, enter them in the . . .

Winners to be announced in the Smiling Faces Issue!

WINNERS DETERMINED BY PUBLIC VOTE

Voting period: Feb. 4 - Mar. 16, 2015. Three rounds of voting. 50¢ per vote.

VOTES DO NOT CARRY OVER FROM ONE ROUND TO THE NEXT.

Featuring the ‘Babies of 2014’

and other children and grandchildren

2015The Crescent-News

I would like to enter my child(ren)’s photo in The

Crescent-News Cutest Baby Contest and/or Smiling Faces Issue.

Mail to: SMILING FACES, c/o CRESCENT-NEWS, P.O. BOX 249, DEFIANCE, OHIO 43512

(include a stamped self-addressed envelope if you would like the photo returned.)

Child(ren)’s full Name(s): _______________________________________________________

date(s) of birth: _______________________________________________________________

Parents’ Names: _______________________________________________________________

address: _____________________________________________________________________

City: ____________________________ state:___ Phone: _____________________________

grandparents’ Names: _________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________________________

signature of Custodial Parent: ___________________________________________________

(if parents of child are not married, signature and phone numbers of both parents must be included on form)

amount enclosed:_______________________

Please write child’s name

on the back of photo.

To have a photo returned,

include a stamped, self-

addressed envelope with

the child’s name written in

the lower left-hand corner.

digital photos can be

submitted by e-mail. send

a high resolution jpeg (at

least 240 dpi) to babycon-

[email protected].

include all informa-

tion on the form at right.

Payment can be mailed

or made by credit card

by phoning 419-784-5441

ext. 233.

Yes,

CHECK HERE IF ENTRY IS FOR THE CUTEST BABY CONTEST (on-line)

AND THE SMILING FACES ISSUE (printed supplement)

CHECK HERE IF ENTRY IS FOR

THE SMILING FACES ISSUE ONLY

ENTER ON-LINE AT CRESCENT-NEWS.COM OR USE THE FORM BELOW

Photos taken by professional photographers may be copyrighted. Contest entrants assume all copyright

infringement charges and legal consequences incurred from unauthorized use of a restricted photo.

if you have any questions, contact your photographer to request permission and acquire a release form.

Enter in-person or by mail with the form below

or enter online at crescent-news.com

If you need assistance, call the Crescent-News at 419-784-5441 ext 233.

Bailey Mattison Rohdy

Born: September 22, 2011

Jeff & Amy Rohdy

Defiance, OH

Mark & Wendy Ryan, Dave & Barb Rohdy,

Donna Rohdy

Entry in Cutest Published in

Prices: Baby Contest and Smiling Faces Issue

Smiling Faces Issue Only

1 Child . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .$18.00 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $18.00

2 Children. . . . . . . . . . . . . . .$36.00 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $28.00 *

3 Children. . . . . . . . . . . . . . .$54.00 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $36.00 *

* - Children appearing in same photo for Smiling Faces Issue must be siblings.

NNN

SECOND PRIZE:

$500 THIRD PRIZE:

$250 GRAND PRIZE:

$1000 plus photo on cover of the

2015 Smiling Faces Issue

NOne entry will receive a FREE 16x20 Family Portrait

from Rod Brown Photography

Photos to appear in full color

See contest rules for details.

https://www.communitynewscontest.com/index.php?contestid=240

LIFE LINES

NEW ARRIVALS

A daughter, SAVANNAH

ROSE TROYER, born Jan.

9, 2015, to BOONE and

KATIE TROYER, of Athens.

SAVANNAH weighed

7 lbs., 11 oz., and was 22

inches long. Grandparents

are MIKE and KAY

CLELAND, of Athens,

and formerly of Hicksville;

and MIKE and TONJA

TROYER, of Newark.

Great-grandparents are

BOB (who is deceased) Great-grandparents are

(who is deceased) Great-grandparents are

and BARB CLELAND and

GLENN (who is deceased)

and ROSA HANNA, all of

Hicksville. •••

ACADEMIC

ACHIEVEMENTS

Two area students grad-

uated from Columbus

State Community College,

Columbus, during the State Community College,

Columbus, during the State Community College,

autumn semester com-

mencement ceremonies

held on Dec. 12, 2014. They

are JESSICA SCHWAB of

Napoleon, and ANDREW

TRENKAMP of Ottawa. •••

The following students

were listed on the fall The following students

were listed on the fall The following students

semester dean’s list at

Heidelberg University,

Tiffin. They are Heidelberg University,

Tiffin. They are Heidelberg University, TIERNEY

CZARTOSKI of Sherwood, Tiffin. They are of Sherwood, Tiffin. They are

a senior majoring in educa-

tion; JESSICA DOTSON of

Ottawa, a junior majoring in

English; Ottawa, a junior majoring in

English; Ottawa, a junior majoring in

KRISTEN FETT of

Defiance, a junior majoring

in education; DOMINIC

FREY of Wauseon, a sopho-

more majoring in business

administration and inte-

grated media; DEREK HUG

of Bryan, a senior major-

ing in biology; NICHOLAS

JONES of Delta, a fresh-ing in biology; of Delta, a fresh-ing in biology;

man majoring in criminal

justice; JESSICA MOLL of

Hamler, a senior majoring

in accounting and business

administration; JUSTIN

MOURGUET of Wauseon,


business administration

and economics; MARIN

SCHAFFNER of Wauseon,


psychology and athletic a freshman majoring in

psychology and athletic a freshman majoring in

training; RYAN SCOTT of


in accounting and econom-

ics; MELISSA TIPPIN of


in business administration

and music; and TAYLOR

WINDAU of Columbus

Grove, a sophomore major-

ing in accounting.

Brides Just Want Brides Just Want Brides Just Want Brides Just Want Brides Just Want Brides Just Want Brides Just Want Brides Just Want Brides Just Want Brides Just Want Brides Just Want Brides Just Want Brides Just Want Brides Just Want Brides Just Want a Little Help Planninga Little Help Planninga Little Help Planninga Little Help Planninga Little Help Planninga Little Help Planninga Little Help Planninga Little Help Planninga Little Help Planninga Little Help Planninga Little Help Planninga Little Help Planninga Little Help Planninga Little Help Planninga Little Help Planninga Little Help Planninga Little Help Planninga Little Help Planninga Little Help Planninga Little Help Planning

Their Big Day!Their Big Day!Their Big Day!Their Big Day!Their Big Day!Their Big Day!Their Big Day!Their Big Day!Their Big Day!Their Big Day!Their Big Day!Their Big Day!Their Big Day!

12:00 pm – 4:00 pm

Sunday, February 8

at Grant’s Reception Hall503 East Canal St. • Antwerp, OH

419-258-2233

weddingdreamsbylinda.com

♥ $3,000 Décor Giveaway

♥ Catering & Cake Samples

♥ Floral & Décor

♥ On-site Wedding Experts

$10.00 at the Door

Children under 10 FreeFollow us on Facebook

Bridal Extravaganza 2015Bridal Extravaganza 2015Bridal Extravaganza 2015Bridal Extravaganza 2015Bridal Extravaganza 2015Bridal Extravaganza 2015Bridal Extravaganza 2015Bridal Extravaganza 2015Bridal Extravaganza 2015Bridal Extravaganza 2015Bridal Extravaganza 2015Bridal Extravaganza 2015Bridal Extravaganza 2015Bridal Extravaganza 2015Bridal Extravaganza 2015Bridal Extravaganza 2015Bridal Extravaganza 2015Bridal Extravaganza 2015Bridal Extravaganza 2015Bridal Extravaganza 2015Bridal Extravaganza 2015Bridal Extravaganza 2015Bridal Extravaganza 2015presented bypresented by

Wedding Dreams by Linda

featuring Grant’s Catering

Brides Just Want Brides Just Want

Their Big Day!Their Big Day!

n C2 LIFESTYLE The Crescent-News • Sunday, December 21, 2014Couple to marry in early 2015

Zackary Lerch and Bethany Behnfeldt

NAPOLEON — Thomas and Linda Behnfeldt, of Napoleon, announce the engagement and forthcom-ing marriage of their daugh-ter, Bethany Behnfeldt, to Zackary Lerch, the son of Scott and Julie Lerch, of Napoleon.The bride-elect is a 2010 graduate of Napoleon High School and a 2014 graduate of Bluffton University with a degree in recreation man-agement. She is employed by the city of Green in the parks and recreation divi-sion as a recreation pro-grammer.

Her fiance is a 2010 grad-uate of Napoleon High School and will be graduat-ing in May 2015 from the University of Akron with a degree in corrosion engi-neering. The couple will exchange wedding vows in early 2015.

Marriage will be in FindlayRachel Ricker and Ryan Otto

HOLGATE — Keith and Cindy Ricker, of Holgate, announce the engagement and forthcoming marriage of their daughter, Rachel Leeann Ricker, to Ryan Michael Otto, the son of Larry and Janice Otto, of Miller City. The bride-elect is a 2012 graduate of Holgate High School. She attended Four County Career Center, is employed at Heritage in Findlay, and is the owner of Rachel Otto Photography. Her fiance is a 2005 grad-uate of Miller City High School and a 2007 grad-uate of James A. Rhodes State College. He is a self-employed farmer, owns and operates the Circle P reception hall near Findlay and is also employed at Advanced Drainage Systems, Findlay.

The couple will exchange wedding vows on Saturday, Dec. 27, at St. Michael the Archangel Catholic Church, in Findlay.

Marathon bombing survivor in ‘Yes to Dress’ finaleBOSTON (AP) — The Boston Marathon bomb-ings took Rebekah DiMartino’s leg, but they couldn’t rob her of her joy as a new bride.Her sometimes falter-ing search for the perfect wedding dress — trying on designer gowns while bal-ancing on crutches — was featured in Friday night’s season finale of TLC’s pop-ular reality show, “Say Yes to the Dress.” Last month, after 30 surgeries for inju-ries she suffered in the April 2013 bombings at the marathon finish line, doc-

tors amputated her left leg below the knee. DiMartino, 27, since has been outfitted with a prosthetic limb and is training to run the 2015 Boston Marathon.The finale of “Say Yes to the Dress” captures her using crutches for balance as she tried on wedding dresses at Kleinfeld, an upscale New York City bridal salon. DiMartino, whose maiden name was Gregory, was watching last year’s marathon when the first of two bombs exploded a few feet away. Her son, Noah, now 7, and

her then-boyfriend, Pete DiMartino, also were hurt.The couple wed last spring in Asheville, North Carolina, and now lives in the Houston area.Her appearance follows the show’s typical format, following a bride-to-be as she hunts for the dress of her dreams. But for DiMartino, standing long enough just to try one on was a feat in itself.

“Actually trying on the dresses was one of the most physically exhausting things I have ever done,” she said.

Hospital Corpsman E5 Petty Officer Second Class Brandon Radcliff (center) is shown accepting the Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal for profes-sional achievement in superior perfor-mance of his duties while serving as field medical service technician, 1st Marine Logistics Group, 1 Marine Expeditionary Force, from September 2011 to October 2014. Presenting the award were Commanding Officer and deputy direc-tor Capt. Robert Buckley (right) and Command Master Chief Maurice Coffey.

A former Defiance County resident, Radcliff recently received his promotion to E5 Petty Officer Second Class. He is currently stationed at Great Lakes Naval Base in North Chicago, Ill. He spent 3 ½ years stationed at Camp Pendleton, Calif., which also included a tour of duty in Afghanistan for Operation Enduring Freedom. Radcliff has served in the U.S. Navy since November 2010. He is a 2010 graduate of Fairview High School and the son of Robert and Debra Radcliff of rural Farmer.

Radcliff receives honor

Lifestyle page information for The Crescent-NewsFor questions about weddings, anniversaries or engagements, informa-

tion is available by con-tacting Darlene Prince, Lifestyle editor at The

Crescent-News, at 419-784-5441, ext. 220, or online at [email protected].

C2Lifestyle

2014 Children’s Photo Album

The Crescent-NewsFriday, March 21, 2014 Gavin Eugene ElkinsSon of Derrick and Amy ElkinsFINAL ROUND VOTES: 3708

Smiling Faces

Published onFriday, March 20, 2015Have your favorite photo of your child or grand-child included by completing the coupon below and mailing it with your child(ren)’s photo and a check or money order to The Crescent-News.PHoTos PriNTed iN full Color.Photo deadline is Friday, January 30, 2015(No age resTriCTioNs for CHildreN PublisHed iN THis suPPlemeNT)

The 2015Crescent-NewsKids’ Photo Album&

Cutest BabyContest

If your child is 4 years old or younger, enter them in the . . .

Winners to be announced in the Smiling Faces Issue!

WINNERS DETERMINED BY PUBLIC VOTEVoting period: Feb. 4 - Mar. 16, 2015. Three rounds of voting. 50¢ per vote. VOTES DO NOT CARRY OVER FROM ONE ROUND TO THE NEXT.

Featuring the ‘Babies of 2014’and other children and grandchildren

2015 The Crescent-News

I would like to enter my child(ren)’s photo in The Crescent-News Cutest Baby Contest and/or Smiling Faces Issue.

Mail to: SMILING FACES, c/o CRESCENT-NEWS, P.O. BOX 249, DEFIANCE, OHIO 43512 (include a stamped self-addressed envelope if you would like the photo returned.)

Child(ren)’s full Name(s): _______________________________________________________date(s) of birth: _______________________________________________________________Parents’ Names: _______________________________________________________________address: _____________________________________________________________________City: ____________________________ state:___ Phone: _____________________________grandparents’ Names: _______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________signature of Custodial Parent: ___________________________________________________(if parents of child are not married, signature and phone numbers of both parents must be included on form)amount enclosed:_______________________

Please write child’s name on the back of photo. To have a photo returned, include a stamped, self-addressed envelope with the child’s name written in the lower left-hand corner.

digital photos can be submitted by e-mail. send a high resolution jpeg (at least 240 dpi) to [email protected] all informa-tion on the form at right. Payment can be mailed or made by credit card by phoning 419-784-5441 ext. 233.

Yes,

CHECK HERE IF ENTRY IS FOR THE CUTEST BABY CONTEST (on-line)AND THE SMILING FACES ISSUE (printed supplement) CHECK HERE IF ENTRY IS FOR THE SMILING FACES ISSUE ONLY

ENTER ON-LINE AT CRESCENT-NEWS.COM OR USE THE FORM BELOW

Photos taken by professional photographers may be copyrighted. Contest entrants assume all copyright infringement charges and legal consequences incurred from unauthorized use of a restricted photo.

if you have any questions, contact your photographer to request permission and acquire a release form.

Enter in-person or by mail with the form below or enter online at crescent-news.comIf you need assistance, call the Crescent-News at 419-784-5441 ext 233.

Bailey Mattison RohdyBorn: September 22, 2011Jeff & Amy Rohdy Defiance, OH

Mark & Wendy Ryan, Dave & Barb Rohdy, Donna Rohdy

Entry in Cutest Published in

Prices: Baby Contest and Smiling Faces Issue Smiling Faces Issue Only 1 Child . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .$18.00 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $18.00 2 Children. . . . . . . . . . . . . . .$36.00 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $28.00 * 3 Children. . . . . . . . . . . . . . .$54.00 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $36.00 *

* - Children appearing in same photo for Smiling Faces Issue must be siblings.

N NNSECOND PRIZE:$500 THIRD PRIZE:$250

GRAND PRIZE:$1000 plus photo on cover of the2015 Smiling Faces Issue

NOne entry will receive a FREE 16x20 Family Portrait from Rod Brown Photography

Photos to appear in full color

See contest rules for details.https://www.communitynewscontest.com/index.php?contestid=240

Announcements can be submitted online at: www.crescent-news.com

Printed forms can be picked up at:The Crescent-News Business Offi ce 624 W. Second St., Defi ance, OH 43512

Email copy and digital photos to: Darlene Prince, Lifestyle Editor at:[email protected]

3ways tosubmit

Submit your engagement & wedding announcements

for publicationin The Crescent-News

ENGAGEMENT ANNOUNCEMENTS are normally printed within 2 weeks after being received and should be submitted at least 2 weeks prior to the wedding.

WEDDING ANNOUNCEMENTS are published as a news item for free up yo six weeks after the wedding. A FEE WILL BE CHARGED IF SUBMITTED AFTER SIX WEEKS. Bridal couples are urged to make arrangements with their photographer to receive a picture for publication right after the wedding.

wedding showcase 2016 | the crescent-news | defiance, ohio | website: crescent-news.com

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