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LOCAL/STATEMcKenzie Park becoming popular wedding spotMike CazalasThe News HeraldSome people contend that getting married is no walk in the park. But don’t tell that to a growing number of couples in Bay County who are choosing McKenzie Park for their wedding ceremonies.On April 20 alone, four couples tied the knot at the park, keeping it booked from 9 in the morning until 8:30 that night. Out of 15 events held at the park during April, nine were weddings.Mike Reyes and Araiskas Pagan were the first couple, after a friend who was married there had suggested they consider using it.“Being spring, we really didn’t want an inside church wedding,” Reyes said. “We wanted something outside. McKenzie Park was great.“It was beautiful,” he said. “The water fountain was going when the wedding started. That made it very special and beautiful. The grass was green, and all the flowers were blooming.”Dave Goodwin, Panama City’s leisure services director, said many couples covet the park because of the covered gazebo, the flowers and the overall aesthetics.“That is the most popular park for weddings in the entire county,” Goodwin said. “We like people to use the facilities, enjoying themselves. That’s what we’re here for, to provide the most opportunity for people to enjoy the facilities.”And best of all, it’s free.“Just call us and let us know when you’d like it and we’ll let you know if it’s available,” Goodwin said. “The earlier the better. We take them a year in advance.”One couple has already reserved the park for a Nov. 30 wedding.The cost was not a deciding factor for Reyes, but it didn’t hurt, considering it sometimes cost hundreds of dollars to rent a building for a wedding and reception.“That’s a good one because when you’re planning a wedding there’s a lot of expenses involved and the park was free,” he said. “It was a very good experience to have it out there.”Reyes lived here for 14 years and knew about the park, but had never considered getting married there.“I had been there before, like to the Spring Festival of the Arts,” he said. “I’d never thought about having a wedding there, but it came out great.”Colleen Wheadon’s wedding ran late. Wheadon, whose maiden name is Cordick, said the park was perfect for her.“Ever since I was a kid I never wanted to get married in a church; I just wanted it plain and simple,” she said. “McKenzie Park is a nice place and it’s better than the beach. It was real nice, right before dark, at dusk.“I’d highly recommend it”Terrorism bill draws concern of Sinn Fein supportersThe Associated PressORLANDO — Irish Americans like medical records worker Rebecca Lynch didn’t used to worry about being politically active in the independence movement in Northern Ireland.Lynch and dozens of Irish-Americans throughout Central Florida have held fund-raisers and contacted U.S. politicians on behalf of Sinn Fein, the political wing of the Irish Republican Army.But now some say they fear the federal antiterrorism bill signed two weeks ago by President Clinton could someday allow the government to link them to foreign shootings and bombings.After all, the new law prohibits anyone in the United States from supporting any groups the State Department lists as terrorist organizations.U.S. Rep. Bill McCollum, R-Longwood, the first to introduce legislation targeting terrorism, said he didn’t have groups like Sinn Fein in mind.“It’s too far reaching,” agrees Lynch. “We enjoy a freedom thatno other country on this planet enjoys. Why keep it to ourselves.”Lynch said the State Department’s new power places under tighter scrutiny all ethnic Americans who have ideological ties to world trouble spots.Traditionally, Americans have gotten involved in the political \frars of former homelands,Under the new law. Congress will review the State Department list of organizations regarded as terrorists. Anyone contributing money or “material support to a listed group then will face up to $250,000 in fines and up to 10 years in prison.Mike Reyes and Araiskas Pagan and many other couples choose for their weddings.courtosy of Mlko RoyooMcKenzie Parkwhether Cuba, South Africa, the Middle East or Northern Ireland — with the U.S. government usually looking the other way.But the bombings of the federal building in Oklahoma City last year, and in 1993 of the World Trade Center in New York have changed all that.Under the new law. Congress will review the
Newspaper Details
Panama City News Herald
Panama City, Florida, US
Mon, May 13, 1996
Page 45
Full Page
Clipped by
Mike R.
USA 18 Feb 2024
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