Click here to subscribe today or Login.
WEATHERLY — There’s no honeymoon suite at the Heritage Hills Senior Community Center, but as of Saturday, two residents became newlyweds.
At 2 p.m. Saturday — the day before Valentine’s Day — Heritage Hill hosted the wedding of two of its residents — 83-year-old Betty Lamb and 89-year-old George Bolinsky.
Betty wore a white wedding gown and George was decked out in a grey tuxedo.
State Sen. Mario Scavello, a friend of the groom’s, performed the ceremony — his 996th wedding.
When the “I dos” were done, the 100 or so in attendance clapped and hollered for the couple.
“They just keep hugging,” Scavello said. “I can’t separate them.”
The vows were short, but filled with meaning.
“I give to you all of my tomorrows, so we can live our dreams together,” Betty said to George.
Denise Langman, director at Heritage Hill, said it was the facility’s first wedding in 16 years of operation — and she and her staff put on a great party for the happy couple, their families and the residents.
Betty is from Long Swamp, New Tripoli, and George is from Oliphant. The two have lived their separate lives — Betty married and had two children; George married, too, but had no children. He is a U.S. Navy veteran of World War II and the Korean War.
Betty arrived at Heritage Hill about a year ago, while George walked through the door a mere four months ago.
“She was the first person I saw when I got here,” George said of Betty. “I knew I wanted to get to know her.”
Get to know each other they did.
Winifred “Winky” Woods, 92, is credited for bringing the couple together.
“They’re in love,” Winky said. “All they do is kiss.”
Earlier in the week, Betty and George talked about their upcoming wedding day, looking forward to Betty wearing a wedding gown and George in a tuxedo.
Diane Lamb served as her mom’s maid of honor. Betty’s son, Mike, walked her down the aisle.
George’s nephew, Al Mentz, flew in from Florida to serve as best man.
Betty’s dog, Reno, a silky terrier, and her daughter’s pooch, Diddle, a mini-Schnauzer, were ring bearers. A piano player (Barb McGuire), a guitarist (John Shalanski) and a singer (Morgan Gower) provided traditional wedding songs.
A champagne toast and a reception with hors d’oeuvres and a wedding cake followed the ceremony. A country western band played for entertainment and dancing.
“I would have liked George Strait to play, but I guess he’s not available,” Betty said, referring to the country singing legend.
About an hour before the ceremony, Betty was getting her hair and nails done. Asked if she was excited, Betty said, “Yes, and I am so happy.”
Before dinner was served, Betty threw her bouquet and a fellow resident caught it, prompting someone to say there could be another wedding soon.
George removed Betty’s garter, but with no single men in attendance, he just put it on her other leg.
Langman said the entire staff was involved in wedding preparations. An archway, decorated in sage and cream, served as the stage for the wedding.
Mike Skursky, whom George describes as his best buddy, said a bachelor party was held Thursday at Heritage Hill. George, who played professional golf in Europe for many years, said his golfing pals were there.
“I didn’t know about this,” Betty said of the bachelor get-together. A bridal shower last Sunday honored Betty.
So how did George pop the question? Skursky said he went to Heritage Hill on Jan. 22 to take George and Betty shopping. The first stop was Wal-Mart, after which George asked Skursky to take them to the Laurel Mall.
Once inside, George asked Betty to go with him to Littman Jewelers, where he asked her to marry him and then had her choose a ring.
This was done after George had gotten the okay from Diane to ask her mother to marry him. Diane gave her blessing and George has moved into Betty’s suite at Heritage Hill.
Diane said her mom was married before, but never had a big wedding.
“This was her first real wedding,” Diane said.
The couple will enjoy a brief honeymoon at Cove Haven Resort in the Poconos.
Asked if they would get a room with a heart-shaped bathtub, George said, “Oh, yeah.”
Someone said to a blushing Betty it all sounded like a pretty good time. “I’ll make sure of that,” she said.
Last Tuesday, George said he couldn’t wait for the big day. Betty was somewhat overwhelmed.
“Make sure someone takes a picture when I take that garter off,” George said of the traditional wedding attire item that had been purchased for Betty.
Langman said Heritage Hill residents were excited about the wedding since it was announced, adding it’s not often they get to go to a bridal shower, a bachelor party and a wedding all in the same week.
“Everybody had a lot of fun putting this together,” Langman said.
Betty and George wanted to get married on Valentine’s Day, but because many residents had previous plans, they decided on the day before the romantic holiday.
Skursky said he knew Betty and George were right for each other during one of their shopping excursions.
“They were in the back seat together and they were singing,” Skursky said. “They were making up their own song and they were singing the same words as they made the song up. They just clicked.”
Diane is happy for her mom and George.
“Whatever they want,” she said. “As long as they’re happy.”
Asked why, at their ages, they wanted to get married, each gave the same answer.
“I love her,” George said.
“I love him,” Betty said.
“I don’t know how many more years I have, but I want to spend them with her,” said George, who will celebrate his 90th birthday on April 8.