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This Blog (and my Website) is Dedicated to Nichole Person

In Loving Memory of my Beloved Sister-In-Law, Nichole Person, who left us on June 3, 2007

"Nichole, may your smile always shine upon everyone that you touched and loved! We all promise you that we will take care of Mike, and your children for you, especially Maria. Thank you for giving our brother, and brother-in-law, Johnny, your beautiful rainbow while he was in Kosovo during your funeral. We all told him that this was your way of telling him that it was O.K. to say goodbye to you from Kosovo, while the rest of us were there with you, and that this was your way of letting him know how proud you are of him for serving our Country. You will truly be missed.All of our love, Carol, Ron, Nick, Augie, Smokey, your Mom, Sister, Brother, Cousins, Brothers and Sister-in-Laws, Friends, Sister Mary Lou Cassidy, your friends from Saint Patrick's Parish in Stoneham, and everyone that you loved. May you rest in peace and continue smiling upon all of us -- as you always have. Our sincerest love to you.P.S.: You would be so proud of Mike and the Kids. They are so strong, and it is all because of you!

Governor Deval Patrick has increased the fees for all Massachusetts Justices of the Peace. Fees will increase as of April 1, 2009

MASSACHUSETTS JUSTICE OF THE PEACE FEES

Please note that the fees for a Massachusetts Justice of the Peace have increased by the Massachusetts Governor, Deval Patrick beginning April 1, 2009

• The original fee of $125.00 for a wedding ceremony will increase to $150 if a Justice of the Peace must travel outside of their home town.
• The original fee of $75.00 for a wedding ceremony will increase to $100 if a Justice of the Peace lives in the same town as a bride or groom AND their wedding is taking place in that same city or town.

Fees for rehearsals and prenup meetings with an officiant are still allowed and set at the discretion of each individual Justice of the Peace.

• A rehearsal is normally in the range of $100-125. Each Justice of the Peace sets their own rate, however if it is more than a wedding ceremony, you should question that fee.
• A prenup meeting is normally in the range of $50-75. Again, each Justice of the Peace sets their own rate. Shop around if it is above this price range.

In Need of a Videographer at an affordable price in Massachusetts?

Some time ago, a bride expressed her wishes to hire a videographer who was not expensive. She was not looking to have the most perfect video. She only wanted her special moments to be caught on video. Since most of the videographers that I have worked with are a bit pricey, as most are, I told her about a gentleman that I know by the name of Chris Gaines. Mr. Gaines is the Director of Real to Reel Film School and works with a youth organization called Raw Art Works in Lynn, Massachusetts. He is also an accomplished, award-winning filmmaker, photographer and designer. Mr. Gaines shares his talents by teaching at-risk kids at Raw Arts. The Film School students' films have won national awards and have been shown at Film FestivalsAs an instructor at Raw Arts, Mr. Gaines primary goal, along with the other instructors at Raw Arts are to:
• Build job skills and an develop a work ethic with his students
• Help them to become productive members of the workforce
• Develop meaningful mentor relationships with youngsters
• Learn and teach principles of meditation and use art to deal with high-risk behaviors
• Motivate themselves and the kids they work with to stay in school since they are seen as mentors, solid students, positive leaders, and role models

I contacted Mr. Gaines and asked him if he would be interested in having his students work at weddings with me. He jumped at the opportunity. I have had the pleasure of working with these kids, and they do a great job! It was such an honor for them to be asked to video a wedding. Mr. Gaines accompanies his students at these weddings, as well as teaches them how to edit the videos before presenting it to my clients. It is a great feeling knowing that I can help contribute to Mr. Gaines’ great contribution by helping these kids. I encourage you to take the opportunity to think about contributing to this good cause as well. Mr. Gaines can be reached at:Raw Art Works37 Central SquareLynn, MA 01901781 593 5515chris@rawart.orghttp://www.rawart.org

Free Marriage Ceremonies for all Active Duty Military Personnel, Firefighters, and Law Enforcement Officers

Free Marriage Ceremonies (Only) Available For Active Duty Military Personnel

PLEASE NOTE that although the Massachusetts Justices of the Peace are offering this to Servicemen / Servicewomen who are stationed in Iraq and Afghanistan, that I am offering my ceremony services free of charge (This excludes Prenup Meetings and Rehearsals. Those fees still apply.) to anyone who is currently active in the military regardless of where they are stationed, providing that the appropriate paperwork from the Military is presented.More than 170 members of the Massachusetts Justices of the Peace Association, Inc. (MJPA) have volunteered to officiate free of charge at weddings of any U. S. serviceman or woman currently on active duty serving in or being deployed to Iraq or Afghanistan.Justice Elizabeth Brennan Gemelli, President of the MJPA, who announced the service, explained that the serviceman or woman must be or soon will be deployed to Iraq or Afghanistan. This service also applies to those active duty military personnel who are home on leave from Iraq or Afghanistan and wish to marry.” She said, adding, “This offer is being made in recognition of their service to our country.”She explained that MJPA members are volunteering their time and expertise “to qualified active duty military personnel who provide proper documentation and a valid Massachusetts Marriage License.”A list of Justices of the Peace who are participating in this service can be found on the Massachusetts Justices of the Peace Association website http://www.mjpa.org/ by clicking on the “Click here for the 2006 – 2007 JP’s who volunteered to officiate at Military Weddings – Pro Bono”.The list, which is updated frequently, is prepared alphabetically by city and town of the participating Justice of the Peace. Servicemen and woman are encouraged to call the Justice of the Peace closest to where the wedding will take place. Justice Carol J. Merletti of Malden has volunteered to provide this service. She can be contacted at 781-322-8857 or by e-mail at carol@weddingofyourdesire.com.

Free Marriage Ceremonies (Only) Available For Law Enforcement Officers and Firefighters (This excludes Prenup Meetings and Rehearsals. Those fees still apply.)

In the summer of 2007, on my way to a wedding on the Odyssey Cruise Ship in Boston, I got stuck in the typical, hectic, Boston traffic, as well as, trying to maneuver around a major construction project which simply would not allow me to get to the ship. I left my home an hour and a half beforehand, but started to panic as the ceremony time was approaching. I finally saw two police officers sitting at a red light. I literally chased them as they started to move when the light changed. I was not going to be late for this wedding. After finally capturing their attention, I explain my dilemma. They were the nicest and coolest guys. They let me follow them to the ship. They showed me where to park, pointed out the ship, I thanked them and they left. Unfortunately, when I approached the ship, it turned out the be the Seaport Elite! I was instructed to walk to the Odyssey, which turned out to be quite the walk! I was not going to go back to my car and waste time. As I was running, I heard sirens. It was the two police officers coming back for me because as they were leaving, the spotted the Odyssey and realized that they left me at the wrong place! I couldn't believe it! They came back for me and they didn't even have to do that! Fortunately, they got me to my wedding on time, and as a result, I am going to be officiating one of the police officer's wedding ceremony in August -- and for free at that! He so deserves it! I gave them my business card and told them to spread the word to their fellow officers that because of their kindness, I will marry any police officer free of charge. (There is still a fee for a Prenup meeting and a Rehearsal, if needed.) I am also a very fortunate person to have four fire fighters and a fire Captain for neighbors, who have been very helpful to my family many times, therefore, I am offering my ceremony services to firefighters as well.

WeddingWire.com and MarthaStewart.com, just announced that Wedding of Your Desire, by Carol J, Merletti has won the 2009 Bride's Choice Awards

I was thrilled and completely surprised to receive this award! After I perform a ceremony, I send a link to WeddingWire.com to my clients and ask them to post a review about my officiant services. Many of them have, and as a result, I was one of the lucky wedding vendors to receive an award for "Officiant" services and "Unique" services. I was shocked, but honored. Please review the link below and read comments posted by my past clients.

http://www.weddingwire.com/brides-choice-awards/boston-watertown-waltham/506-r.html