Here Comes The Gray And Furry Bride

May 25, 2005 - Port Jervis - Ms. Buddy Thank You, carried by Victoria McComb, and Mr. Buttermilk Peek-A-Boo, carried by Kaitlyn McComb, were married on May 4, at the Anna S. Kuhl Elementary School. The ceremony was officiated by Principal Donna Muro, who reminded the couple to "always treat each other with the respect that fellow rats deserve." The scores of children and adults in attendance smiled a collective smile when Mrs. Muro pronounced, "You may kiss the bride." Because it was an afternoon wedding, the bride wore a salmon-colored veil, which accentuated her curly grey hair. The groom, of course, wore tails - specifically one long one. The wedding was sanctioned by the members of Club Rec, an innovative after-school program in the Port Jervis School District that uses the rats to educate. Mr. Buttermilk was recently saved from becoming a snake snack by Jan Berlin, program teacher and wedding planner. To coexist in the harem of female program rats, he would have to become a eunuch. But because of his highly ratgarded personality (nothing mousy about him!) - and the number of good homes willing to adopt a good domestic baby rat - the class thought Mr. Buttermilk should be bred once before surgery. "The kids thought they'd make great parents," says Jan. "They have great temperaments and are attractive to boot." More importantly, the class believed that a wedding should come first. Anthony Thomas had to eat his words because he did not think the wedding planner could pull this off in two days. But the students mobilized into committees, planning everything from invitations to refreshments to rings. Talk about serendipity: The musical members of Club Rec were learning "Here Comes the Bride," which they played as the bride and groom were escorted down the aisle and to the wedding stage. The bridesmaids were Pinky Please, carried by Marissa Phillips, Amelia, carried by Emma Ramsell, and UR Welcome, carried by Sylvia Warner. The groomsmen were Jack, carried by Emily Cummings, and Cole, carried by Tanya Smith. The ring bearer was Jacob Willoughby and the flower girls were Elizabeth Donnelly, Randi Lewis and Courtney Goble. It was a double-ring ceremony. The copper rings, which the bride and groom wore on their tails, were designed by Sue Adamczyk; Buddy's sported a clear bead. After the ceremony, a reception was held in the cafeteria. All guests had to go through the receiving line and express their congratulations before they could enjoy some cake - cut into rat-size portions. Toastmaster Elycia Martinez summed up the students' sentiments: "I think this was the craziest wedding I have ever seen, but I am very, very proud of our two rats." Following a short honeymoon in a "B&B" - or miniature log home made by Keegan Dunn's grandfather years ago - the rats returned to the program. (Buttermilk came through surgery with flying colors.) The question now is: Will the students be planning a baby shower next? ~ Courtesy of Times Herald-Record - Deborah J. Botti