Spindle items
JESSICA FINCH Associate Editor

• WEDDING BLISS - I am looking forward to the upcoming long weekend and the celebration of the Fourth of July on Friday. But this year is extra special, as I have the honor of standing up in my friend Kathryn's wedding. She and fiance Dave will exchange vows on July 5. To be sure I am ready for the big day, I know that I can't fully take part in the traditional July 4 events. I have to avoid too much sun. Nobody wants to see a lobster-red bridesmaid in a lavender dress. I know I should pass on participating in field or sporting events that run the risk of injury. Bridesmaids are supposed to walk down the aisle, not "crutch" down. And, of course, I know that bedtime should be shortly after the last firework bursts. An attendant who looks exhausted just calls attention to the "maid" in bridesmaid. I, of course, write this jokingly.

The day is about this amazing couple. Dave and Kathryn are the true definition of love and friendship. They met at an animal rescue center where she was an employee and he a volunteer. She passed her love of animals on to him. Dave agreed to adopt a homeless puppy shortly after they met - to impress her.

A few years later, he proposed while they were visiting the rescue center in Indiana, in front of the cage where their favorite cougar lives. (Not many couples can say they have a favorite cougar.) In the spirit of their philanthropic nature, the couple has decided to donate to the rescue center as their wedding favor.

I wish them a lifetime of love and happiness. They deserve all the best that life can bring them.

• TALENTED ADDITION - You may have noticed a new name throughout the paper: Craig Kannalley, who has joined the Bee staff for the summer.

A talented journalist, he's likely to be featured in many sections of the paper. A recent graduate of St. John Fisher, he achieved a perfect 4.0 grade point average for all four years. He was extremely active with Fisher's campus newspaper, serving in a number of roles, including managing editor, sports editor and online editor, and he worked at the Rochester daily newspaper in his junior and senior years. In the fall, he will attend DePaul University in Chicago to pursue a master's degree in journalism.

• CONTEST - The Keeping Amherst Green Contest is seeking person(s), groups, clubs, neighborhoods, classes or schools to submit an original idea for a project the Town of Amherst might undertake or employ to keep Amherst green. The idea can relate to recycling, reusing, reducing or redoing and may involve saving water, gas, electricity or oil.

The contest is sponsored by The Amherst Bee, Amherst Chamber of Commerce and the Town of Amherst Solid Waste Committee.

Ideas will be accepted through July 25. Submit the project in writing to Amherst Chamber of Commerce, 350 Essjay Road, Amherst, NY 14221.

Prizes are the winner's choice of a load of compost or wood chips delivered according to the winner's schedule; Amherst Museum family membership and package; one year's free membership in the Amherst Chamber of Commerce; and one year's free membership to the Amherst Senior Center. Winners will be announced in early August.