Bush official witness at same-sex wedding
Former President George H.W. Bush was an official witness at the same-sex wedding of two longtime friends in Maine, his spokesman said Wednesday. Bush and his wife, Barbara Bush, attended the ceremony joining Bonnie Clement and Helen Thorgalsen as private citizens and friends on Saturday.
Thorgalsen posted a photo on her Facebook page showing Bush signing the marriage license as a witness. She captioned the photo: “Getting our marriage license witnessed!”
In the photo, Bush is seated in a wheelchair, a stack of papers on his lap and his left hand poised with a pen. One bright red sock and one bright blue one peek out below the cuffs of his blue slacks.
The 41st president has deep ties to Maine and owns a compound in Kennebunkport, a small coastal town. Thorgalsen and Clement own a general store in neighboring Kennebunk.
Gay marriage became legal in Maine in December.
Injury sidelines Willie Nelson
Willie Nelson has been forced to pull out of the Southern Ground Music & Food Festival and three other shows due to a shoulder injury.
Nelson’s publicist said Wednesday that the 80-year-old country music star is under a doctor’s orders to rest his shoulder for a week, meaning he’ll miss shows in Carmel, Ind., Charlotte, Mich., Springfield, Ill., and Saturday’s appearance at the festival hosted by Zac Brown in Nashville, Tenn. Nelson is expected to be on the road again in Louisville, Ky., on Oct. 15, the same day he releases his new duets album, “To All the Girls …”
No further details about Nelson’s injury were available.
Sinise helps Colorado first responders
Actor Gary Sinise, well-known for his role as Lieutenant Dan in the movie “Forrest Gump,” has made a large donation to help first responders who rescued people and fought the most destructive wildfire in Colorado history.
Black Forest (Colo.) Fire Chief Bob Harvey choked back tears Tuesday while accepting the nearly $60,000 check he said his department desperately needs.
The money comes from the Gary Sinise Foundation. Sinise sent a video message saying he was happy to help out.
The fire in June killed two people, burned about 22 square miles and destroyed more than 480 homes. The cause is still being investigated.
The birthday bunch
Actress Donna Douglas is 81. Actor Kent McCord is 71. Singer Bryan Ferry is 68. Singer Lynn Anderson is 66. Singer Olivia Newton-John is 65. Country singer Carlene Carter is 58. Actress Linda Hamilton is 57. Actress Melissa Sue Anderson is 51. Actor Jim Caviezel is 45. Tennis player Serena Williams is 32.