Pool brings up fond memories

To the editor:
I would like to tell you about two things that probably only happened once in Portland Pool’s 54-year history.
The first is the wedding of Carla and Doyle Rheinhart, owners and operators of Payless Pizza here in Portland. They loved swimming in the pool and decided they wanted to get married there. They asked me if I would perform the ceremony and I said “certainly, I’d be happy to.”
We stood in the shallow end of the pool wearing swimsuits. Doyle and I had on a tie, and Carla had on a beautiful corsage.
There were many witnesses and following the ceremony, and for the recessional, we swam down to the deep end and back. The reception was held on the deck. (The wedding was on a Friday night, and a picture appeared on the front page of The CR Saturday paper.)
The second occurred when our son Rog was selected to be on the aquatic team for Team Indiana at the International Special Olympics Games in South Bend. We needed a place to practice.
Barry Weaver graciously let us use the high school pool in the early spring. Those in charge of Portland Pool let us use the pool from 5 to 7 p.m. every day from June through August.
As a result of their assistance and his hard work (along with his brother’s instructions), Rog won a gold medal in the individual medley and a silver in the backstroke.
I can’t believe two things of such significance occurred in the 54-year history of Portland Pool. My wife Janice and I cherish these memories.
Sincerely,
Rogers Durham
Portland