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News of the Weird

Staff
Saturday February 23, 2002

Wedding goes on despite cold paws 

JACKSON, Mich. – Lucky and Stormy were married, despite the bride coming down with a case of cold paws. 

The therapy dogs at the Summit Park Assisted Living Center were joined in matrimony Wednesday in front of about 40 family and friends. 

They didn’t say ’I do,’ but when Gail Yates, the center’s activities director, read the vows, no one objected and the two didn’t run away. 

Lucky, a part-Brittany spaniel, and Stormy, a large Shetland sheep dog, are now canine man and wife. 

The two have visited the center together for two years. 

“I’m very relieved that the pressure is off,” Shelley Hansen, Stormy’s owner and the self-proclaimed mother of the bride, told The Jackson Citizen Patriot. “Arranging a wedding is a lot of work, and it makes you a nervous wreck.” 

Lucky sported a red bow tie and red top hat. Stormy dressed in a traditional white veil with white seed pearls. 

“I feel that I’ve gained a daughter-in-law,” said June Poleski, the groom’s owner. 

Velna White, a resident, enjoyed cake and lemonade after the wedding. 

“I’m 100 years old, and I’ve been married a lot of years,” said White, a widow. 

 

Supreme Court Justice wins powerlifting event 

OLYMPIA, Wash. – Justice may be blind. But in Washington state, it’s also buff. 

State Supreme Court Justice Faith Ireland proved she’s more than just a legal powerhouse earlier this month when she won the National Powerlifting Championship in Chicago. 

Granted, she was the only one in her age class (59) and weight class (132). Still, you don’t want to mess with a judge who can bench press 110 pounds, squat lift 192 pounds, and dead lift 236 pounds. 

“I felt absolutely elated,” Ireland said Wednesday of her win. Next, she’ll compete in the world championship in Argentina in October — provided it doesn’t conflict with oral arguments. 

Ireland was elected to the state’s high court in 1998. She started working out with weights to rehabilitate her back after a car accident 15 years ago. 

She competed in the national championship last year but failed to make a clean squat lift. 

“I felt like I had something to prove,” said Ireland. “I felt vindicated.” 

 

How many firefighters does it take... 

OLYMPIA, Wash. – Firefighters have learned that it’s a lot easier to pluck a kitten from a tree than to lift a 200-pound ostrich out of the mud. 

East Olympia Fire District Chief Ettore Castellente said he and four firefighters got the job done Tuesday after a lone Thurston County sheriff’s deputy was unable to free the big bird from a ditch. 

“The family had been digging a trench the day before and didn’t notice that the ostrich fell into the trench,” Castellente said. “They discovered her this morning, and I believe she was in shock.” 

The ostrich, known as Empress, was stuck in the bottom of the trench with her legs tucked underneath. 

Firefighters fashioned a sling from fire hose supports, used it to lasso Empress and then lifted the ostrich to safety with help from the bird’s owners. Empress was not in immediate danger and responded well after being freed, Castellente said. 

“It’s one of those things we’re generally not in the business of doing,” he said. 

 

Maryland wants to adopt walking as state sport 

ANNAPOLIS, Md. – Maryland already has a state sport. A state exercise may be next. 

Four students from a Montgomery County elementary school proposed to a House committee Wednesday that walking be designated as Maryland’s official state exercise. 

“If more people get out of their cars, we’ll have a friendlier, healthier, happier home,” 8-year-old Will Smith told members of the House Commerce and Government Matters Committee. 

Will and his classmates made the trip to Annapolis to back the bill introduced by state House Delegate William Bronrott. 

“Walking is an activity anybody can do at any time. You don’t need any equipment,” said Emily Haislip, 8. 

The students got support from some high-powered health officials, including Barbara Moore, president of Shape Up America. 

Moore told committee members the bill is more than just a symbolic gesture, touting walking as an effective way to reduce obesity and improve the general health of Americans.