PERSONALLY SPEAKING

The Grant County News provides news coverage of life in Grant County. So, what else is the Grant County News? When Editor Jamie Baker-Nantz or myself get involved in community events, we can bring the power of the press with us.
Jamie isn’t just presently involved with the organizing of our community’s Relay for Life Event. She’s devoted to it year round.
And myself, well you’ve read my rants in the newspaper, heard my interviews on the radio and seen me on local access television selling oddities, certificates and services during the last 15 years of the Kiwanis Auction. People who know me know I am in Kiwanis Charity Auction mode 52 weeks of the year.
A week after the 15th Annual Charity Auction, I hosted the Northern Wrestling Federation’s second pro-match at the Williamstown High School as a fundraiser for the Spears Foundation Free Lunch Kitchen.
With two successful events under my belt in just two months of 2012 it seems I would take a break. While all these events plus others that I am also involved with should make a sane man take a break, as Williamstown’s Derby Day plans began unfolding I have come up with possibly my craziest idea since 4 p.m. Wednesday Jan. 11, 2012.  Don’t ask about that one…no one, including me, thinks it is possible.
I have asked Marlene McComas and Grant County Judge-Executive, Darrell Link, to join forces with the Grant County News to perform Derby Day weddings.
Here’s the skinny on the plan.
We are offering to marry couples during the Williamstown Derby Day Festival, Saturday, May 5.  Couples must have all their license and paperwork completed and with them at the gazebo in the main street park in downtown Williamstown.
A $25 wedding consists of a basic wedding ceremony. How cool is that. If the wedding is held prior to 1 p.m., the newlyweds can be in the Derby Parade with newlywed signs on their vehicle.
A $50 wedding consists of the above plus we loan the bride a bouquet and veil. The bride and groom receive small cakes and a sparkling beverage. They receive their photo in the Grant County News and can also be in the parade.
A $75 wedding escalates the cake into full slices also with a sparkling beverage, free photo, free one-year subscription (paper and/or online edition) to the Grant County News and entry into the parade plus a goodie bag of coupons and certificates.
The High-End $100 wedding is full of treats.  The bride keeps the bouquet, the veil is still on loan, there’s cake for a wedding party of 4-6 and a photo will be taken of the entire wedding party to be given to the happy couple and to be printed in the Grant County News.  The newlyweds will receive a one-year subscription to the Grant County News, That’s not all!  The groom will receive two free fine cigars (optional) from Bluegrass Tobacco and the bride will receive a fantastic gift bag full of coupons and certificates and anything else I can find between now and May 5.
To participate in the special Derby Day wedding extravaganza offer, you must reserve your gazebo time in advance. Payment in advance is also required.  Refunds are available for cold feet one week in advance. No refunds on the week prior to May 5.
You must have your license with you and in proper order. Deadline to register is 7 p.m. Friday, April 27, or until all spaces are filled. Only weddings scheduled prior to 1 p.m. will get into the parade. Don’t wait. Schedule now by calling Ken Stone, 859-824-3343 or e-mail, kstone@grantky.com.

(Ken Stone is publisher of the Grant County News. He can be reached at kstone@grantky.com or by phone at 859-824-3343.)