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One of the things that we’ve written about is it’s the three of us: Marriage is faith-based and that’s what really keeps us together more than anything, is our faith.

How does the writing and submitting process to the newspaper work?

TERRY: Generally we don’t let each other see it.

PENNY: Really, we never really have. In the beginning it wasn’t so bad when [we handdelivered them].

TERRY: Then we had to send it via email, and we had to be careful when they responded with the proofread copy. Another thing, she does not like to have her picture taken, so it’s hard for me to find a picture that she would like to put in the paper.

Do you get a lot of people that tell you, “I’m amazed at how you keep doing this?”

PENNY: A lot of people at church will come up and say, “We saw it in the paper, and I really look forward to that.”

TERRY: On occasion, someone who we really don’t know well will find out who we are, and they’ll mention, “You’re the ones who are in the paper.”

PENNY: The funny part is that there used to be another Terry and Penny.

It’s been 38 years together, what have you learned are the keys to a successful marriage?

TERRY: Both of us think that the first thing is that we had said from the beginning that Christ is going to be an integral part of our marriage. That’s the main thing for us, is that we do everything that’s Christ-centered.

PENNY: One thing Dalmus has always said is, ‘Never use the ‘D’ word.” So you just don’t even bring it up because then you’ll have to work out your problems.

TERRY: Right from the beginning, we will never use the “D” word, even in jest. You never, ever say it. Don’t have it in your mind ever – and there’s an awful lot of divorces.

PENNY: People think that if it doesn’t work, you’ll see so many others; but, no, you can’t even put it out in your mind, you have to make things work, you have to talk things over and you have to be honest.

TERRY: I worked 26 years at RB&W [in Rock Falls] and ran machinery, and at 47 I went back to college. She supported it the whole way. I drove 114 miles one-way to Western Illinois University [in Macomb] and back every day to get a bachelor’s degree, and after I got it, she was like, “I don’t want to call you a bachelor.” So then I kept going and I got a master’s degree. Now she calls me “master.” [Both chuckle].

PENNY: Some people got mad at that, but I told them, “It’s a joke.” But it’s true that somebody’s got to be a head of a household, and that’s part of it right there – he needs to be the head of the household. It doesn’t mean we don’t consult each other. You have to talk things out. Somebody has to be a leader, just like in a work situation.

TERRY: I think with any marriage, I see so many marriages where the guys concentrate on sports and the woman has this or that, and we’ve pretty much done everything together over the years. We don’t exclude each other from what we do.

PENNY: You shouldn’t do major decisions without telling the other. n

In Tampico, the Glassburn name has been deeply rooted in the town’s history, even well before the days of its famous native son, Ronald Reagan.

For Jack and Lois Glassburn, the small Whiteside County town founded by Jack’s ancestors about 150 years ago is not only where their lives began, but where their life together began — and that life has been filled with a love and dedication that’s kept them together for 71 years.

The couple has seen much during their years together. America was booming after the final days of World War II when they fell in love, and they married as the country went to war in Korea. They’ve raised two children and watched their family grow. Decades have passed and a new century dawned. But one thing remains constant for Jack, 92, and Lois, 91: their love for each other.

These days, Jack and Lois, who now reside in Sterling, enjoy spending time with their family: They have a son, David Glassburn, daughter, Jackie (Steve) Foster, four grandsons, one granddaughter, seven great-grandsons and seven great-granddaughters.

Jack recently shared some of what he’s learned during his decades with Lois by his side, and what’s helped keep them together ….

Lois and Jack Glassburn, 1951

How did you meet?

We were neighbors as children through our teen years in Tampico and went to the same schools. We never dated ‘til after I went into the Navy. While on home for my first leave, I ran into Lois (Carlson) at a local hangout and asked her out. We dated for a while and when I came home on my second leave, I asked her to marry me. We married on October 6, 1951, at St. Mary in Tampico.

What is the best thing about being married?

The best part of marriage is the sharing of life’s joys and sorrows, and always being there for each other.

What are some of the practical things to be prepared for in a

marriage?

Hard work, selflessness, patience, good work ethic and putting yourself in the other’s place. Be willing to compromise, and never end a day in an argument.

How do you keep fun and romance in your marriage?

Just by being there for each other, and enjoy the small moments you have together. Slow down and enjoy each other

Sum up marriage in one word: Patience.

Daughter Jackie adds ....

“Mom pretty much agrees with everything. Her thing is, don’t fight and go to bed. Growing up, there were never any divorces in their family, so for my Mom and Dad, the commitment is normal for them.”

“Marriage advice comes from every angle and direction, whether it is asked for or not. Here is what I have learned in the 11 years that Laura has had to deal with me.

I have been given the advice, ‘Never go to bed angry.’ But sometimes when you love someone, all you want is to be mad at them for a while.

You are going to live a lifetime together, and there is no chance to agree on everything, and one person should not make every decision. So argue about it. Never fight.

If you are in a fight, there is intent to harm. Even if there is no physical harm, fighting is determined by tone. Do not throw verbal punches at each other that you can never undo. If you know it’s okay to argue, then it can be a civil argument. Each can share their points without dragging the other’s point through the mud. If it feels like a fight, we are more focused on defending ourselves rather than listening. If no one listens, nothing gets solved, and feelings get hurt. Take time to listen during your arguments. If you are always working forward, then your spouse is always retreating. You need to feel comfortable to be open and defenseless, and know you will not be exposed by your spouse.

If it feels like a fight, then there’s the desire to win. There should not be a winner or loser in your arguments, because whatever you choose to do, it should be in the best interest for the both of you. You both win. Compromise is the saving grace to all arguments, and if you are willing to compromise instead of win, then you win together.”

There are so many moving parts in a marriage. You kind of have to be great at everything, but you do need to be a Jack of all trades. Just make sure nothing’s on fire.”

The only key is that both the man and the woman pursue their union with that in mind. Deus vult. (‘God wills it’).”

He popped the question. She said “Yes!”

Now the planning begins.

For the bride, one of the biggest steps down the aisle begins in a dress shop, and there’s a business in Princeton where the owner loves helping her customers take the journey from “Yes!” to dress.

Sean Philip Bridals has been making brides happy on their big day since it opened in 2020, and owner Zepha Gerber’s lifetime love of dresses and flair for fashion can help her bring a smile to any bride’s — and that can be quite a task at times.

Turning brides’ ideas and imagination into reality isn’t always easy. Picking out a wedding dress can be a once-in-a-lifetime choice, but Gerber and her staff of six make sure there’s no guesswork in the dress work. They’re experts at ironing out all of the details and helping brides pick just the right dress.

PHILIP cont’d to page 44

While the shop doesn’t offer bridesmaid dresses, it does offer bridal gowns, mother of the bride dresses (from Cameron Blake and Ivonne D), evening gowns, prom and homecoming dresses, and flower girl dresses, along with a whole host of accessories: covers, clasps, body tape, silicone cups and more. The store carries its own line of dresses — which are ones that Gerber designs and has made by a company elsewhere — as well as ones from Maggie Sottero, Rebecca Ingram, Martin Thornburg, Sophia Tolli, and Enchanting by Mon Cheri. Prom and homecoming also are busy times at the store, but wedding dresses are its top seller.

The groom is taken care of, too: suits and tuxedo rentals are available from Michael Kors, Kenneth Cole Reaction, and Ike Behar.

Gerber has seen a trend in recent years with younger brides looking more for a minimal and simplistic look, something not so flamboyant or formal. The traditional white lace dresses, however, remain popular with brides in their 30s and older.

Lee Bardier, Managing Broker, ABR 815-716-3604

Lee@BardierTeam.com

Jill Ramirez, Broker (Hablo Espanol) 815-716-7379

Jill@BardierTeam.com

Korinna Cooper, Broker 815-441-0230

Korinna.BardierTeam@gmail.com

Bobbie Bardier,

Team Assistant 815-716-3235

Bobbie@BardierTeam.com

Sean Philip Bridals owner Zepha Gerber not only brings a love of fashion and formalwear to her Princeton store, she brings the kind of personalized service customers have come to expect from a small business — “we get to know all of our customers,” she says, “ from hearing your engagement story to meeting your family and friends, we are here to make your visit stress-free, and most importantly, fun!”

“They’re going with that real minimalist, modern sleek look,” Gerber said of younger brides. “That’s a lot of what we’ve been seeing. Many girls are moving away from fit and flares, which are like mermaid-like gowns. Very seldom do we see ball gowns, but I’ve had girls come in and tell me that they don’t want a ball gown, and then they put it on and that’s what they walk out with. It just depends on the girls who come in, but most of the things that I’ve been seeing are the very simple — kind of a Jackie Kennedy kind of look, not very ‘frilly’ at all.”

Black wedding gowns are popular now, but as with any trend, Gerber predicts the darker dress will give way to something else in the near future. Even moms are moving away from a beaded look on their dresses, Gerber said, going toward a simpler look with minimal beading.

The ball gown is going to be one of those things that’s never going to go away, Gerber said — same with lace: “[It] never dies, it’s always going to be popular and will always sell, no matter what,” she said.

Gerber said some of her customers know exactly what they want, but there are others who don’t. Either way though, Gerber advises the bridesto-be to keep an open mind. The choices are virtually endless, and customers may come in with one style in mind but fall in love with another style.

The Phillip family, from left to right back row: Isabelle, Zepha, Shawn, Wyatt and Gabriella. Front row: Age and Bianca.

“Girls should keep their minds open, because sometimes the dresses on the models in the magazines may not be your actual body shape. Realistically, you have to go in looking for a gown that’s going to fit your body shape, and be open to try something else that’s going to be more flattering on your body shape.”

Others do some online window shopping, perusing pictures at seanphilipbridals.com or its social media outlets before visiting the store. Still others stop in having never worn something like a fancy dress before, and Gerber is happy to help them learn what they need to know and show them what’s available.

“We’ve had girls who have never put on a dress before, but they’re getting married and so they’re looking for a gown,” Gerber said. “We recently had a customer who came in and had never put on a dress before, but her family made her come in, and she was one of those who came out with a black wedding dress. She put it on, and she was like, ‘Wow!’ She had a lot of tattoos, and it just accentuated her tattoos and blended them in with the gown. I’m sure that’s why she chose it and fell in love with it.”

Whatever the bride-to-be chooses, she should start thinking about it well in advance. When the wedding countdown gets to eight months, it’s time to start having a dress and style in mind, Gerber said, with fittings and orders done about four to six months ahead of time, allowing time for alterations and final fittings.

“Buying a wedding dress is something you don’t want to wait on,” she said.

When coming in for a fitting, it’s wise to bring along any visual reference materials — photos, magazines, social media posts, etc. — to help the staff understand what the bride has in mind. Bring hair fixings, wear nude undergarments, and only have light makeup or perfume on in case a dress that’s tried on winds up not working out.

902 N. Main St. , Princeton

Hours: Noon to 5 p.m. Thursday and Friday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, and noon to 4 p.m. Sunday (Check online for updated store hours).

815-915-8772

Online: Go to seanphilipbridals.com; find it on Facebook, Instagram, TikTok and Pinterest

Virtual appointments can be arranged through the website.

Gerber also advises that brides invite only the people whose opinion they trust to come along; too many opinions can complicate and confuse. She’s seen some brides become overwhelmed with too much nitpicking and differing of opinion.

“The wedding party can be a little opinionated,” Gerber said. “When you have many people with opinions, it’s super stressful and it’s super overwhelming. Everybody has an opinion. Our brides are the sweetest girls ever, but they can get super overwhelmed by opinionated family members or friends.”

Gerber opened Sean Philip Bridals in March of 2020, named after her husband Shawn Phillip (the spelling change “makes it more formal,” she said). Gerber’s daughter, Gabriella, came up with the idea to open a store, and she works with Mom there, too. In fact, Gabriella is getting married this year, and the family is well into the planning process of it all, including, of course, the wedding dress.

The biggest inspiration to open the store, Gerber said, was the Princeton community’s outpouring of support of her family when two of her children were stricken with different cancers at a very young age. For every wedding dress sold, a portion of the profit is donated to childhood cancer foundations.

Gerber gives back to her community by doing what she loves and enjoys.

“I have always loved bridal gowns and formal wear,” Gerber said. “If we could have a world where everyone would dress up, that would be fantastic.” n

Keeping the building as a part of the community, and especially Clinton’s historic Lyons Neighborhood, is a blessing that Twin Spires overseers Mary Kay Wik and Lucy Schoel are proud of.

“We’ve had people who are looking for a vintage feel for their wedding, as opposed to a hotel banquet room, or being outdoors with it being tricky with weather,” Wik said. “It’s definitely for someone who wants a vintage, historical feel for their wedding.”

Much of the venue’s interior remains unchanged from its beginning, including the grand altar with colorful statues of Jesus Christ and St. Boniface — an English missionary who spread Christianity throughout north central Europe in the eighth century — looming over it. One of the church’s early reverends had a fascination with electricity and had lights installed to illuminate the altar. The lights are still in use today.

“There’s closeness and warmth related to the wedding, which is a close and intimate situation,” Schoel said. “The bride and groom, and guests, they’ve liked that.”

St. Boniface closed in 2007 and remained vacant for more than a decade before a grassroots group of volunteers purchased it from the Davenport Diocese for $1 for use as a historical museum for Clinton’s Catholic history. The Catholic Historical Center at St. Boniface was then formed, made up of volunteers dedicated to preserving and maintaining the building.