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Thursday, February 15, 2007

Ind. Courts - "Winter snow, cold doesn't keep Cupid from Porter County Courthouse"

Christin Nance reports today in the Gary Post-Tribune in a story that begins:

Ten inches of overnight snow kept county workers away from the Porter County Courthouse but it couldn't stop two judges and at least two couples from weddings Wednesday

Judges David Chidester and Mary Harper phoned the couples to assure them that the courthouse would open specifically for marriages at 1:30 p.m. on Valentine's Day.

The first couple -- Eric and Annelies Kappler, both 31, -- held hands with their three children during the ceremony. They said their wedding rings were not finished in time, but it didn't take away from their ceremony.

Bob Kasarda supplies other details in this NWI Times story:
"You don't know how many years I've been waiting for this," Eric's mother, Charlene Kappler, blurted out after the couple sealed their vows with a kiss.

She nearly had to wait a little longer had it not been for the generosity of Chidester and Porter Circuit Court Judge Mary Harper, who agreed to open up the Porter County Courthouse in Valparaiso for a few hours Wednesday to fulfill the wishes of couples who planed to marry there on Valentine's Day.

The courthouse and other county buildings were closed for the day in the wake of Tuesday's winter storm and out of concern of continued weather problems.

Chidester and Harper, who happen to be married to each other, attempted to spread word of their plans by radio and by calling the 16 couples scheduled to be married Wednesday at the courthouse. They were helped by courthouse security officer Richie Tabor, who also came in on his day off.

"That's just because we're hopeless romantics," Harper said.

Chidester, who presides over most of the courthouse weddings, said Valentine's Day has traditionally been the most popular date for nuptials, though New Year's Eve and Christmas Eve are catching up.

Posted by Marcia Oddi on February 15, 2007 08:08 AM
Posted to Indiana Courts