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Boston Globe
18 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Boston Globe
From an icy first date at the Frog Pond to a wedding that was pure fire
'But I'm like 19, for Christ's sake, I make $9 an hour,' says Daniel, who was studying criminal justice at Boston University at the time. He remembered Boston Common offers free ice skating on the Frog Pond. 'But guess what...? I don't know how to skate.' For the wedding, Bethel had one design request: a mirrored aisle. "She didn't care if we didn't do the fireworks, the fire sparkles, the boat, the smoke," remembers Daniel. "She just cared about the aisle." After the two saw their wedding video, Daniel admits: "Yeah, great touch." msanz photographer Advertisement He decided to wing it anyway. They met at CVS in South Station. Bethel remembers Daniel's curls and puffy blue jacket; he was cute, 'chatty, and very easy-going.' He brought her to the Common, proposing they take a spin on the rink. 'She was like, ' Not a chance ,'' remembers Daniel. Bethel also did not skate — and 'I'm not planning to,' she says. They sat on a bench and tried to brainstorm a new plan while the winter wind nipped, and an hour or so passed by. Daniel accompanied her back to South Station, where they kissed in an elevator before she left for her train. Advertisement Daniel's six-year-old nephew Elmar served as ring bearer for the ceremony. msanz photographer FaceTimes and texts filled the in-between until weekend trips to their respective campuses became the norm. They discussed the future — their hopes and goals for work, family, and building generational wealth. Both help out their close-knit Ethiopian families and are one of four siblings (Bethel, the eldest, with a brother and two sisters; Daniel the third of four boys.) On Valentine's Day 2015, a romantic evening in Boston turned into three when $9 an hour ,' repeats Daniel — and trekked through the snow to pick up water and food while they waited out the storm. It was an expensive surprise for a new couple, but the bond they built during that weekend, they agree, was worth it. 'Spending those three days early on in our relationship was extremely important because we got to know each other even better.' Following the ceremony, the couple changed into Ethiopian wedding attire for the next series of events. They arrived for lunch and additional celebrations via a boat across the lake on the venue's property. msanz photographer When Bethel graduated from Colby-Sawyer in May 2017 and considered leaving New England to job search, 'he stepped in and was like, 'I'll move out from my family house and then we can move in together,'' she remembers. Related : Starting that July, Daniel — a full-time student with two jobs — covered the rent for their shared Dorchester apartment for six months while she searched for a position. Once employed, she told him she'd cover the next six. 'Bethel is extremely independent,' adds Daniel. To Bethel, his gesture came with a far more meaningful message: 'That meant he really cares... he makes me feel loved.' Advertisement Beyond their Maldives engagement and wedding in Portugal, the couple are frequent flyers and say they actually prefer travel that immerses them in the local community: "We love going to new places, not resorts. ... actually see how locals live to get different perspectives in life," says Daniel. msanz photographer 'I think about the future a lot,' he says. 'I invest my time now for a better future tomorrow.' 'He doesn't always talk about 'What are we gonna do today?' It's about in 10 years, in 15, 20 years,' says Bethel. When Bethel got into nursing school, she kept her full-time pharmaceuticals job while pursuing her degree. His focus on a shared future had started to rub off on her. 'He motivates me,' Bethel, now a psychiatric nurse practitioner, says. 'It was satisfying — especially at my graduation — all the work we did, all the support he gave me.' Daniel recalls giving Bethel a designer handbag for her graduation, only to see the funds back in his bank account soon after. She said she was grateful, but 'we're not at a level where I get to carry a $2,500 bag yet,' he remembers. 'I fell in love again.' Daniel hired a photography service through the Maldives resort where they stayed to capture the proposal. He'd originally planned to propose during a trip they'd had to cancel for her birthday. Provided Their financial decisions prioritized buying property and planning for a family, but also a celebratory fund, for things like birthday trips and going out to eat. (Both partners identify as foodies.) 'Along the way, we made sure we enjoyed ourselves,' says Daniel. Daniel proposed to Bethel on a trip to the Maldives they planned for his birthday in March 2024. He had coordinated with the hotel to stage a photoshoot by the beach, and as Bethel turned toward the water, he dropped to a knee in the sand. They'd discussed getting engaged far in advance, but it didn't take away from the emotional surprise. 'It was everything and even more,' Bethel says. Following their celebration in Braga, the couple and some of their friends and family returned to Porto where post-wedding festivities continued for another day. msanz photographer Bethel and Daniel, now 30 and 29, wed on May 9, with a multi-day destination wedding celebration with 94 guests in Portugal. Advertisement At first, the newly engaged couple agreed not to do anything fancy. But a few months later: 'I started getting Instagram reels with wedding ideas,' says Daniel with a laugh. 'We did it big.' Their wedding events began Thursday with a welcome party at To mark the occasion, the couple exchanged 'dream' gifts. A Rolex watch for him, a gown by The couple ran through a tunnel of sparklers held by guests while Shallipopi's "Laho" played en route to their cake cutting ceremony. Following the cake and fireworks, guests returned to the reception for dancing msanz photographer They had a seated dinner, followed by a cake ceremony and a 'fire cascade' performance set by the venue's lake. Smoke and showers of sparkling fireworks went off as Meek Mill's 'Dreams and Nightmares' played. Their first dance was to 'You Are the Reason' by Calum Scott and Leona Lewis. Neither claims dancing expertise; they practiced the day before. After more than a decade of moving in synch, they weren't concerned. 'We went with the flow,' says Daniel. 'We pulled it off. Really good.' Read more from , The Boston Globe's new weddings column. Advertisement Rachel Kim Raczka is a writer and editor in Boston. She can be reached at
The Sun
17-07-2025
- Entertainment
- The Sun
Iconic 70s band leaves fans furious by canceling ENTIRE 2025 tour weeks before it starts saying ‘blame it on weather'
A LEGENDARY rock group has canceled their entire 2025 tour 'because of the weather'. The band, which has existed since 1966, have released a statement explaining that they were 'trusting their instincts' by not going forward with the 31-date tour, which was set to start in Bethel, New York on August 15th. 4 4 The Steve Miller Band – led by the titular star and completed by bass player Kenny Lewis, Joseph Wooton on keyboards and backing vocals, guitarist Jacob Peterson and drummer Ron Wikso – posted the photographed statement on all their social media and their website on Wednesday afternoon. The message read: 'Dear Steve Miller Band fans, You make music with your instincts, You live your life by your instincts. Always trust your instincts. 'The Steve Miller Band has cancelled all of our upcoming tour dates. 'The combination of extreme heat, unpredictable flooding, tornadoes, hurricanes and massive forest fires make these risks for you, our audience, the band and the crew unacceptable. 'So… You can blame it on the tour is cancelled.' 'Don't know where, don't know when… We hope to see you all again,' the message concluded. 'Wishing you all Peace, Love and Happiness, Please take care of each other.' But fans weren't pleased with their reasoning, with one writing: 'Are you serious? I'm a big fan and got tickets for this tour , but next time please find a [better] excuse.' While another paraphrased their song, Abracadabra, to them, declaring: 'Abracadabra. My lame excuse will reach out and grab you.' 'Really weak. All this stuff going on all the more reason people need an escape for a few hours,' said a third. Steve Miller Band: Canceled 2025 Tour Dates Here are the dates that are no longer going ahead August 15th: Bethel, NY, Bethel Woods Center for the Arts August 16th: Grantville, PA, Hollywood Casino at Penn National Race Course August 19th: Gilford, NH, Bank NH Pavilion August 22nd: Atlantic City, NJ, Hard Rock Live at Etess Arena August 24th: Wantagh, NY, Northwell at Jones Beach Theater August 26th: Holmdel, NJ, PNC Bank Arts Center August 28th: Saint Paul, MN, Minnesota State Fair August 30th: Salamanca, NY, Seneca Allegany Resort & Casino Outdoor Venue August 31st: Ledyard, CT, Premier Theater at Foxwoods Resort Casino September 17th: Lincoln, NE, Pinewood Bowl Theater September 19th: Memphis, TN, Radians Amphitheater September 20th: Camdenton, MO, Ozarks Amphitheater September 23rd: Gautier, MS, The Sound Amphitheater September 25th: Huntsville, AL, Orion Amphitheater September 26th: Champaign, IL, State Farm Center September 27th: Gary, IN, Hard Rock Live Northern Indiana October 1st: Tuscaloosa, AL, Mercedes-Benz Amphitheater October 4th: Estero, FL, Hertz Arena October 5th: Hollywood, FL, Hard Rock Live October 7th: Tampa, FL, Seminole Hard Rock Tampa Event Center October 23rd: Scottsdale, AZ, The Pool at Talking Stick Resort October 25th: Las Vegas, NV, PH Live at Planet Hollywood October 28th: Highland, CA, Yaamava Resort & Casino at San Manuel October 30th: Saratoga, CA, Mountain Winery November 1st: Sparks, NV, Nugget Event Center November 4th: San Diego, CA, The Rady Shell at Jacobs Park November 6th: Inglewood, CA, YouTube Theater November 8th: Anaheim, CA, Honda Center There are currently no details available on how and when ticketholders will be able to receive refunds. While another claimed the real reason was poor ticket sales, sharing an alleged grab from the proposed date Northwell at Jones Beach Theater on August 24th showing large sections of the ampitheater going unsold. 'This really doesn't make sense. There is no imminent danger. Play indoors?' said another. 'Venues should just boycott this band and not book them in the future given this lame excuse!,' noted a sixth fan. While a seventh said:'Say goodbye to any future tour venues due to this lame, woke excuse. But then, this was probably the plan all along…wasn't it?' The band was set to perform through to November 8th, with their tour ending in Anaheim, California. 4 4
Chicago Tribune
14-07-2025
- General
- Chicago Tribune
Bethel Church issues response to removing teen from leadership, outing him as gay
Bethel Church in Crown Point issued a statement over the weekend in response to media reports about the church administration's actions after learning that Bryce Fech, 14, is gay. After church administrators heard discussions that Bryce had a boyfriend, Bethel Church administrators removed him from a youth leadership role, said Nicole Fech, Bryce's mom. A year and a half later, when the family moved to a new parish, a church administrator called an unaffiliated Christian camp, Twin Lakes, to inform administrators there that Bryce is gay. Once Twin Lakes leaders knew Bryce was gay, he was told he couldn't go to camp, Nicole Fech said. In the statement, church administrators said recent news coverage, including a Post-Tribune article and podcast interviews of the Fech family, 'presented a critical view' of the church and its 'sincerely held religious beliefs on human sexuality.' 'At Bethel Church, we are committed to loving all people as God loves them, welcoming everyone seeking biblical truth to our church, regardless of background or life journey,' according to the statement. The church will continue to follow the Bible's teaching that marriage is 'a sacred covenant between one man and one woman,' according to the statement. 'We believe this reflects God's beautiful and purposeful plan for human relationships. While we hold to this biblical standard, we strive to embody Christ's compassion, inviting all to experience His transformative love in our church community,' according to the statement. The church acknowledged 'the complexities of these conversations in today's world,' according to the statement. 'We are committed to listening, loving and walking alongside everyone with humility and grace, yet all in submission to the authority of the Bible and Christianity's prevailing historic teaching position on sexuality as God's good purpose and will for humanity,' according to the statement. The statement does not mention Bryce or his family. Church administrators did not return requests Monday for additional comment. Nicole Fech said Monday that Bethel administrators 'really missed the mark on their response.' The church can have its own rules and regulations, Nicole Fech said, and she's not demanding that they change centuries-old doctrine. But Nicole Fech said she does believe there have to be some changes. 'The deeper issue in regard to this particular situation is that a grown adult invaded the privacy of a minor child and revealed his private journey, identity and sexuality without anyone's consent, under the guise of doctrine and Christianity,' Nicole Fech said. 'That's where they missed the mark.' Matt Fech, Bryce's father, said Bethel 'is choosing to ignore the real issue here.' Church administrators shared Bryce's sexuality with camp administrators 'without our permission, knowing the likely impact for Bryce's attendance at Twin Lakes.' 'They've failed to take responsibility for their actions and chose the cowardly way out,' Matt Fech said. 'What's more troubling is that Bethel intentionally made the decision to harm a 14-year-old boy. It's a disgusting act and not very Christ-like if you ask me.' On Feb. 14, 2024, Nicole Fech said she received text messages from Melissa Anderson, the director of kids' ministry at Bethel Church, that they needed to talk. After confirming that Bryce is gay, Anderson told Nicole Fech that Bryce can't serve anymore because it conflicts with the church's doctrine, Nicole Fech said. In June, about a year and a half after the Fech family stopped attending Bethel Church, Nicole Fech said that Anderson reached out to her because the church received a list of children registered in the church's name attending Twin Lakes. Bryce, who attended the camp in summer 2024 and registered as a Bethel Church parishioner, was on the list for this summer, Anderson said. Nicole Fech said that Anderson asked if the home church could be changed. After Nicole Fech informed Anderson that she was able to change Bryce's home church, Anderson told Nicole Fech that she should inform Twin Lakes that Bryce is gay, Nicole Fech said. If Nicole Fech didn't call, Anderson told her she would call, Nicole Fech said. Anderson did not respond to requests for comment Monday. On June 27, two days before Bryce was supposed to leave for camp, Nicole Fech said she got a phone call from Twin Lakes leaders informing her that Bryce couldn't come to camp. Bryce, who was interviewed July 4, the day he should've been returning from camp, said he wanted to share his story to remind those in similar situations that they are not alone and they are loved. 'I don't need a pity party for this. I want people to just know what happened and know if this has happened to them, they are not alone, and this happens a lot, which is very unfortunate,' Bryce previously said. 'Gay people are nothing more than a beacon of light and love.'
Time of India
08-07-2025
- Time of India
Philadelphia shooting: Holiday weekend turns deadly as 3 killed, 10 injured in South Philly's Grays Ferry neighborhood
A shooting in South Philadelphia's Grays Ferry neighborhood left three adults dead and ten others injured, including two juveniles, in the early hours of Monday. The incident occurred just before 1 a.m., according to Police Commissioner Kevin Bethel. Bethel stated, 'We have numerous rounds that were shot on the block.' The scene unfolded along a residential street, and police took one individual with a weapon into custody. Police were at the same location a day earlier Commissioner Bethel revealed that officers had responded to the same block less than 24 hours earlier — on Saturday night into early Sunday morning — where some arrests had been made. However, he noted that it is not yet clear if the two incidents are connected. He added that the motive behind the Monday shooting remains unknown. 'This is coward, want-to-be-thugs stuff,' Bethel said during his remarks to reporters. Multiple mass shootings erupted in Philadelphia over Fourth of July weekend, leaving a total of six people dead and 31 shot/injured. 🔫One scene was so chaotic that a vehicle rammed into an off-duty police officer after running a red light. The windshield had a bullet hole. Shooting adds to weekend violence across the U.S. The Grays Ferry attack is part of a broader pattern of gun violence reported over the Fourth of July weekend, both in Philadelphia and across the country. Just days before this shooting, at least eight people were shot near a nightclub in South Philadelphia, highlighting a spike in local violence. Investigation ongoing; community urged to help Authorities are continuing their investigation into the Grays Ferry shooting. Police are asking local residents to come forward with any information that may help piece together what led to the violence. So far, no additional details have been released regarding suspects or potential police are working to connect the dots — but many questions about the Grays Ferry shooting remain unanswered.
News18
08-07-2025
- News18
3 Killed, 10 Injured In Deadly South Philadelphia Shooting; Suspect In Custody
Police Commissioner Kevin Bethel confirmed that all three victims who died were adults, while at least two of the injured were minors. A deadly shooting in South Philadelphia in the early hours of Monday claimed the lives of three people and left 10 others injured, according to city authorities. The incident occurred just before 1 am on a residential block in the Grays Ferry neighbourhood. Police Commissioner Kevin Bethel confirmed that all three victims who died were adults, while at least two of the injured were minors. The scene bore signs of intense gunfire, with multiple shell casings recovered from the area. Authorities have taken one suspect into custody, and a firearm has been recovered. Officials did not disclose the individual's identity or provide a motive for the attack, which remains under investigation. Commissioner Bethel revealed that police had responded to the same block less than 24 hours earlier, late Saturday night into early Sunday, where several arrests had been made in an unrelated disturbance. Whether that incident is linked to Monday's violence remains unclear. 'This is the kind of senseless, cowardly violence that continues to plague our city," Bethel said during a press briefing. 'These are not hardened criminals—they're reckless individuals pretending to be something they're not." The shooting is the latest in a series of violent incidents that have marred the Fourth of July weekend in Philadelphia and across the United States. It follows another shooting nearby in which eight people were hit by gunfire outside a South Philadelphia nightclub. Location : Philadelphia First Published: July 08, 2025, 09:47 IST
