The Gaffney Ledger from Gaffney, South Carolina • Page 6

Lifestyles The Monday, Gaffney Page June 6 16, 1997 Ledger ANN LANDERS Fund-raiser in disguise Dear Readers: Remember the Long Island snob who thought a $50 wedding gift was cheap and insulting? She said her wedding cost 1. lot to put on and she expected the gifts to at least offset the costs. I expected to be bombarded with a ton of letters from readers eager to tell the snob off, but to my surprise, some ANN LANDERS her. agreed Keep with reading for some surprising responses: Dear Ann Landers: You recently lambasted a song Island bride who was ritical of guests for sending cheap wedding gifts. Well, I'm her side.

You are out of ouch, dear, when it comes to teddings. Your daughter was probably married in the late 60s. If you paid for the wedding, a dinner and dance for 250 guests, the tab would have been about $15,000. Today, that same wedding would cost at least twice as much. Maybe YOU should "wake up and smell the coffee." -Philadelphia From San Antonio, Texas: Ann, honey, where have you been these last 20 years? The cost of everything has tripled.

When our eldest daughter marPried in 1977, we spent $11,000 on the wedding (no sit-down dinner but a nice reception). Ten years later, our youngest daughter was married. Her reception cost twice as much. My brother's daughter is getting married in Houston nest month. That wedding is going to cost at least $30,000 for the reception.

Welcome to the '90s! Chandler, We were stunned to read the letter from "Upset in Long Island," who considered a $50 wedding gift cheap and insulting. When we were married eight years ago, we could not afford an expensive wedding, so we decided on a simple ceremony with a punch-and-cake reception. We had a wonderful time sharing our special day with family and friends we cared about. We wanted only their presence not their presents. Cary, N.C.: What could they possibly be serving in Long Island that posts $150 per person? They should come to North Carolina.

We are planning a great reception for our daughter's wedding in December for about $35 a person, which includes the best caterer in Raleigh, a band and a full bar. Now I'm worried that those friends and relatives who read your column might think they can't attend unless they can afford a big gift. The best gift is to come and celebrate with us. -Mary Marsha Cupitt (Atwater, I believe that bride in Long Island mislabeled her event. It wasn't a wedding.

It was a fund-raiser. She should have sent the following invitation: "You are cordially invited to an upscale wedding. The time, date and place are indicated at the bottom of this card. Since everything has become outraglously expensive in this town, we are requesting a cash donation of $300 or an appropriate gift of at least that amount. There will be a no-host cocktail bar, and we hope you will tip generously.

Please note this is NOT a not-for-profit affair, so your contribution will not be tax deductible." Dear Atwater: You laid it on a bit heavy, bat I'm sure the readers get the point. See ANN LANDERS, Page 7 Henson-Brown couple married in BI Blacksburg Karen Denise Henson and Michael Steven Brown, both of Gaffney, were married Saturday, May 3, 1997, at Eastside Baptist Church in Blacksburg. The Rev. Gregg Martin conducted the 4 p.m. double ring ceremony.

A reception, given by the groom's mother, followed in the church activities building. The bride is the daughter of Glen and Holly Henson of Blacksburg and Robin Cannon of Gaffney. A graduate of Blacksburg High School, she is employed by Hamrick's as an processor. The groom, son of Vickie Pronger of Gaffney and Danny Brown of Inman, graduated from Gaffney Senior High School and is employed by Freight Liner. Mr.

and Mrs. Brown are making their home in Gaffney after a wedding trip to Florida. Barbara Peterson was pianist. Kim Davis and Malissa Horne sang "Your Love Amazes Me" and "In This Life." Michael Brown sang "Me and You" to his bride. The sanctuary was decorated in a white and purple color scheme.

White candles in crystal bowls filled with pearl pebbles and surrounded with ivy were placed in each window. The unity candle, candelabra and a kneeling bench were trimmed with ivy, and trees in white baskets complemented the setting. Large purple bows trimmed the pews. Given in marriage by her father, the bride wore a gown of white satin appliqued with Venice lace encrusted with sequins and pearls. The sleeveless bodice featured a sweetheart neckline with sheer lace along the back enhanced with sequined Venice lace and a bow.

Her veil of illusion fell from a crown of white silk roses. She carried a bouquet of cream roses surrounded with white carnations and purple wildflowers and ribbon. Melissa Henson of Gaffney was her sister's matron of honor. Bridesmaids were MRS. JASON ANDREW LAYE (the former Clare Elizabeth Rhodes) Blossom end By DAVID PARKER County Extension Agent Blossom end rot is a problem that most tomato growers will face at some time.

That rotten spot on the bottom side of the tomato is an all too familiar problem to home gardeners. Blossom end rot is caused by a lack of calcium in the tomato. Liming before planting is a good preventive, since lime is Krystal Lanier of Gaffney, aunt of the bride, and Summer Patterson of Blacksburg. They wore knee-length dresses of light purple silk and carried bouquets of wildflowers. Alyssa Crow of Blacksburg, niece of the groom, was flower girl.

She wore a white floorlength dress trimmed with lace and carried a basket filled with white and purple lilacs. Justin Bolin of Gaffney was ring bearer. The groom had his father as best man. Groomsmen were Josh Brown, brother of the groom, and Roger Mullinax, both of Gaffney. The wedding was directed by Wendy Vipperman.

Prior to the wedding, the bride-to-be was entertained at several showers. A bridal shower was given on April 13 by Anita Jones, Kim Martin and Wendy Vipperman. Rita Martin, Brenda Earls and Donna Childers were hostesses for a shower on May 17. MRS. MICHAEL STEVEN BROWN (the former Karen Denise Henson) Rhodes-Laye vows ex exchanged ed June 7 Clare Elizabeth Rhodes of Greer and Jason Andrew Laye of Greenville were married Saturday, June 7, 1997, at Memorial United Methodist Church in Greer.

The Rev. John Rush performed the double ring ceremony at 2 p.m. A reception followed in the Family Life Center. Mrs. Laye is the daughter of Mr.

and Mrs. David Wayne Rhodes of Greer. A graduate of Riverside High School and Clemson University, she is a teacher at Tryon Street Elementary School in Greer. The bride is the granddaughter of Mr. and Mrs.

Robert Lee Huggin Sr. of Gaffney and the late Mr. and Mrs. Ralph O. Rhodes who lived in Woodruff.

lack of calcium If blossom end rot shows up on your tomatoes, you can do some corrective spraying. Calcium nitrate, calcium chloride, or Epsom salts will all work. Dissolve a couple tablespoons of the product in a gallon of water and spray the solution directly on the plant. Spray on a 7- to 10-day schedule. This will not "heal" any visible spots, but will keep those spots from getting worse and keep new spots from starting.

B.D. Lee King and Queen crowned B.D. Lee Elementary School held its annual Queen and King coronation ceremony on Tuesday, May 27. Each year sixth graders select students to serve on the King and Queen court. Porche Sullivan and Sylvester Gregory were crowned the 1997 B.D.

Lee Queen and King. The royalty and members of their court are (l-r) Cherry Posey, Barry Jefferies, Porche Sullivan, Sylvester Gregory, Diana Emory, Ricky Rudnick, Jennifer Guest and Paul Butler. Mr. Laye, son of Mr. and Mrs.

Charles Max Laye of Greenville, graduated from Eastside High School and Clemson University. He is a teacher at Greer Middle School. The groom is the grandson of Mr. and Mrs. Charles Laye of Seneca and the late Mr.

and Mrs. William Crossley who lived in Geneva, Ohio. The couple are making their home in Greer. Music was provided by Ann Mayfield, organist, and Susan Sartain, vocalist. Given in marriage by her father, the bride wore a gown of imported white Italian satin and Alencon lace.

The dress featured a scoop neckline and cap sleeves on a lace bodice embellished with crystals and seed pearls. Seed pearls edged the sleeves and neckline and pearl buttons closed the back. The princess-style skirt fell from strands of pearls at the waistline and flowed into a brush train. She carried a bouquet of white roses. Jill Prunty attended the bride as matron of honor.

She wore a gown of hunter green satin and carried a bouquet of pink roses. The groom had his father as best man. Groomsmen were David Rhodes of Greer, brother of the bride; Ryan Laye of Greenville, brother of the groom; Greg Kinsman of North Myrtle Beach; and David Kern of Greenville. rot caused by a calcium product. However, liming alone will not ensure that your tomatoes will not be affected by blossom end rot.

Calcium, like any other plant food, is picked up in the water that the plant's roots absorb. A layer of mulch around the plant will help keep the soil moister, making water and the plant nutrients, including calcium, more available. There are many types of mulch that will do a good job. Mr. and Mrs.

Christopher Mark Ensley Couple wed Kimberly Renee Love and Christopher Mark Ensley were married May 10, 1997, in an outdoor wedding at the home of the bride's parents. The Rev. Benny Davis officiated the double ring ceremony at 4:30 p.m. A reception followed. The bride is the daughter of Rodger and Kathy Love of 154 Powell Rd.

She graduated in from Gaffney Senior High School and Cherokee Technology Center and attended Spartanburg Technical College. The groom, son of Norma May 10 Stanley of Sylva, N.C., and Dal Emerson of Boiling Springs, N.C., attended Crest High School and works at Champion. The couple are making their home in Gaffney. Given in marriage by her parents, the bride was attended by her sister, Kaycie Deanne Love, as maid of honor. Candace Marie Love, daughter of the bride, and Erica Louise Sellers, cousin of the bride, were flower girls.

The groom. was attended by his father as best man..