They do, again

About 300 couples came to the Coral House in Baldwin this month to re-tie the knot, enjoying a ceremony that was by turns moving, humorous and always filled with love.

The couples attended at the invitation of County Executive Edward Mangano, who hosts vow-renewal celebrations twice a year.

The event came complete with a luncheon of pasta, salad, and of course, cake. And couples who had been married for 67 and 68 years received special citations from Mangano and his wife, Linda, who also attended, appropriately accessorized with a heart-shaped pendant necklace.

Among the honorees were Rose and Joe Santino of Baldwin, who were celebrating a whopping 65 years of marriage. As Rose

Santino said, “We can’t believe it either.” The secret to their successful marriage? “We get along,” she said. “We manage the best way we can and take care of each other.”

Lunch came first, along with the chance to get a free professional photograph and senior emergency identification cards. The dance floor remained packed through most of the event, with the band Columbus Circle performing such hits as “Teenager in Love.”

And then came the big moment, when Mangano stood on a platform and asked the men to face their brides -- again. Mangano asked the men to hold their wives’ rings, unless the rings wouldn’t come off. “Will you continue to take this woman to be your lawfully wedded wife?” Mangano asked. The men did, and then it was the ladies’ turn to do the same for their husbands.

And then it was back to the cake and dancing.