Q&A on the news
Q: We visited the “Diana: A Celebration” exhibit at the Atlantic Civic Center and noticed differences between the wedding gown in the display case and the one photographed on Diana. The display gown was much shorter-waisted and the lace on the sleeves was different. I remember at the time of the wedding that there were some decoy gowns made, so is that what was actually touring?
-- Jemille Williams, Roswell
A: The dress is the actual dress that Diana wore during her wedding, said Jason Simmons, spokesman for Aurora, Ohio-based Arts and Exhibitions International, which produced the North American tour of the Diana exhibit and other traveling exhibitions. He said the dress is not a decoy and it comes directly from the Althorp Estate, the Spencer family's 500-year-old ancestral home in England, which loaned it to the exhibit. He said the dress might wear differently on the mannequin than it did on Diana and it also has aged slightly in the 30 years since the wedding, which could contribute to the perceived difference between the display gown and the one in the photo.
Q: I am a Baton Rouge transplant. I’ve never heard a Parish referred to in the possessive sense, such as “St. Bernard’s Parish.” Now that’s what I hear on the news -- they always include the apostrophe “s.” Which one is right?
-- Suzanne Sports, Peachtree City
A: The AJC and other news agencies such as The Associated Press use St. Bernard Parish.
Lori Johnston wrote this column. Do you have a question about the news? We’ll try to get the answer. Call 404-222-2002 or e-mail q&a@ajc.com (include name, phone and city).
