Ali McGinnis and James N. Brooks Jr., both of Silvis, were married Oct. 15, 2011, at Broadway Presbyterian Church, Rock Island. The Rev. Cindy Rettig and pastors Toni and Howard Ross officiated the late afternoon ceremony. The reception was held at Jumer's Casino and Hotel, Rock Island.
The bride is the daughter of Randy and Laura McGinnis, Illinois City. The groom is the son of James N. Brooks Sr., East Moline, and the late Dorothy Rogers.
Matron of honor was Amy Duncan, sister of the bride. Maid of honor was Tarah Sipes, friend of the bride. Best man was Joshua Greer, friend of the groom. Bridesmaids were Amy Long, Holly Simmons and Stephanie Mader, friends of the bride. Groomsmen were Sishman Rimpson, Lonnie Jones and Paco Mora, friends of the groom. Flower girl was Gabrielle Sheets, daughter of Holly Simmons, friend of the bride. Ringbearers were Trenton and Cael Duncan, nephews of the bride. Ushers were Wyatt Thomas, cousin of the bride, and Cliff Leigh, cousin of the groom. Guestbook attendants were Wendy Thomas-Gygax, cousin of the bride, and Gwendolyn Rogers, cousin of the groom. Special readers were Rylan and Rydge McAlister, nephews of the bride, Tanya Balisteri and Lynzee Riney, friends of the bride.
Ali graduated from Northern Illinois University with bachelor degrees in journalism and Spanish and a master's degree in communication. She is employed as a media consultant with the Moline Dispatch Publishing Co.
James graduated from Rock Island High School and is employed as a production welder with John Deere Harvester Works in East Moline.
The couple honeymooned in Punta Cana, Dominican Republic. The couple will reside in East Moline.
Today is Thursday, May 23, the 143rd day of 2013. There are 222 days left in the year. 1863 — 150 years ago: Messrs. J. and M. Rosenfield have moved their leather and hidestore to the building formerly occupied by Temple Bufords's store. They buy and sellhides, pelts, furs, wool, beeswax, lard, tallow, etc. 1888 -- 125 years ago: The Rock Island Lumber Company has recovered 5,000 of the8,000 logs that were carried away by the Mississippi River flood last week. 1913 -- 100 years ago: John J. Ullemeyer has been awarded the contract to furnish RockIsland fire and police department members with uniforms, at the city's expense. 1938 -- 75 years ago: Work on Aledo's new $38,000 swimming pool was started thismorning at South Park when ground for the pool was broken by Mayor John W. Murphy. 1963 -- 50 years ago: Students and teacher at Moline High School called today "MissLeona Day" day at the school in honor of the government teacher who retires at theend of the school term. Although she's been teaching for 43 years at the school, Miss Dayfound a new way of arriving at the school this morning. At 7:30 a.m., a police squad carpulled up in front of Miss Day's home and escorted her to school. A caravan of students' cars joined the procession along the way. 1988 -- 25 years ago: Barbecue cooking and riverfront antics are planned for Discover the River Day Saturday in Leach Park, Bettendorf. A 5K run, wind surfing, a canoe race, hogcalling and more will round out the day under the Interstate 74 bridge.