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Rings on their fingers and in their ears
A wedding reception is scheduled at the yacht club Saturday. Next door: a car race.
By AARON SHAROCKMAN
Published March 30, 2007
ST. PETERSBURG - Huntleigh Thompson would want you to know two things: When she scheduled her wedding reception for Saturday at the yacht club, there wasn't supposed to be a car race right next door. And, for the record, she's not a bridezilla. With that out of the way, here it goes: Thompson, 35, a graduate of Florida State University, is planning a garnet and gold wedding ceremony Saturday at a church near Williams Park. She's marrying Ronald Stevenson, a banker with Wells Fargo and a fellow FSU grad. A reception for 90 guests follows at the swanky St. Petersburg Yacht Club on the downtown waterfront. Across a driveway, the city of St. Petersburg is planning a very, very loud, 35-team LeMans Series car race. Shaking-the-yacht-club loud. Did-you-say-I-do? loud. Is-that-the-YMCA-song-the-DJ's-playing? loud. The 1.8-mile race route zips right past the club. You could toss a quarter onto the race track. Thompson's fate and her marital memories will be intertwined with revving engines and thousands of race car fans. The two collide at Turn 9, also known as the ABC Supply Corner. Thompson found out about all of this just Tuesday. Long and short of it is, Thompson's not thrilled. "I'm not really into racing," she said. "I feel after this weekend, I really won't like it." Yacht club officials say they didn't know about the race either. The Le Mans race was added to the event schedule after Thompson set her wedding date. Cathy Burke, a special events coordinator for the club, says it is going to be loud. "But at least they'll be on the north side of the club," said Burke, saying that's farther from the cars. "I know she's been kind of nervous," Burke said. "If I were a bride, I'd feel the same way."
[Last modified March 29, 2007, 22:58:50]
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by Jill
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04/02/07 09:26 AM
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I think that is a total shame and in my opinion, there is no excuse for the Yacht Club not being on top of City events. Especially on of this magnitue. She deserves either another reception free of charge or a refund! There is no excuse for that!
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by Maria
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03/30/07 02:26 PM
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I would rather have it in someone's backyard than yell "What d'ya say?" everyone time someone's lips moved during the ceremony. This is a once in a lifetime deal! Hurry...move it, Girl!
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by Ken
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03/30/07 01:25 PM
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Any decent reception hall would help them relocate or at least would have warned them. At least they'll have a moment to remember if they can persevere.
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by Lisa
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03/30/07 12:59 PM
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On the plus side this will give a very nice story you can tell your kids and have passed down in the generations. It will all work out.
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by Paul
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03/30/07 12:55 PM
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How can you possibly not know the Grand Prix will on the same day?? They don't just decide 'hey next week, let's have a grand prix'. Anyhow, I live way up by 22nd ave N. and 9th St. and I can hear the cars clearly. Its probally the loudest event ever
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by John
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03/30/07 12:33 PM
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The Yacht Club didn't know the race was happening? Would have thought the concrete barricade, 30 foot fence, and wall of brightly colored tires sitting in front of your property the last few weeks would have been a clue.
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by Heidi
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03/30/07 09:17 AM
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My house is 9 blocks or a mile north of the race and it's very loud. Saying the reception is on the other side of the building is NO consolation. Whoever gets race proceeds should pay to move the reception-if a hall can be found!
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by Nancy
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03/30/07 07:49 AM
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Every wedding has wonderful glitch stories! Just ask around! This one is high level novel, but all the more colorful. Focus on the positive, girl!
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by carol
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03/30/07 07:18 AM
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Huntleigh, please don't be upset. it's just "one of those things". So many details for a wedding. Your life w/stephen will filled with love w or w/o the race. Maybe they should decorate the win car w/streamers and cans & write Just married.......etc.
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Fifty years ago, they were screwed-up kids sent to the Florida School for Boys to be straightened out. But now they are screwed-up men, scarred by the whippings they endured. Read the story and see a video and portrait gallery.
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