Soup's on!

Forty — or so! — soup bowls in the Prentiss Club kitchen waiting to be filled with Trio Mushroom Soup with Crabmeat for John Cariere’s 42nd formal birthday dinner in Natchez, Miss. A special bow, too, to Chef du Cuisine Les Wisinger and Sous Chef R. Wayne Bryant.

Fit for a king

Place setting at The Prentiss Club for a formal dinner — also called a royal banquet — for Shreveporter John Cariere. The invitation was a take-off on royalty, referring to Cariere as "King" John Paul Cariere.

Royal banquet

Barbara Sugar and birthday boy John Cariere chatter behind Prentis Brown’s over-the-top table setting for a royal banquet Feb. 23 at the Prentiss Club, Natchez, Miss. Royal banquet for restaurateur Cariere whose culinary creativity is matched only by his love of fun. The invitation — embellished with crowns — asked recipients to celebrate "the birth of our benevolent host 'King' John Paul Cariere." Leave it to clever and creative Jon and Bonne Summers to show up with a crown — a red velvet and gold crown they presented to Cariere as part of the evening’s frothy happenings. And the decor for the 20-foot table? Brown combined lush roses and fruit to fill it — can we gush — elegantly and stupendously.

Oriental design

"Dress casual. Asian flair welcome!," said the invitation to a Chinese New Year Party Sunday thrown by Dr. Simeon Wall and Dr. Simeon Wall Jr. and wife Dr. Holly Casey Wall. Although many guests chose casual, many others creatively dressed with an Asian flair, including Dr. Mark and Diane Callaway (left) and Joe and Mickey Callaway. Others: Mike and Ellen Middleton, Ron and Natalie Miciotto, Dr. Anil and Laura Nanda, Susan Berry, Jerry and Arlena Acree, Donna Cavanaugh, Bobby and Maura Pugh. (I wore cropped pants with an Oriental design and a red tunic-style top.)

No matter what we wore, a delightful time was had by all.

They’ll celebrate again next year in their new digs at Fern and Bert Kouns. (The plans were posted, so everyone got a peek at what’s to come. They look very glitzy to us.)

(Photo by Paul L. Schuetze/The Times)

Happy Chinese New Year!

Drs. Neera and Anil Chhabra were among pals wearing clothes with an Asian flair and joining in the toasts Sunday to a Happy Chinese New Year.

Simeon Wall told guests when they left to take a quarter and a nickel out of two bowls for luck. "No more. No less. One quarter and one nickel. Two coins are very lucky. They are uncirculated. It is the Chinese custom for luck" he advised.

Oh, and you can’t spend it.

You have to keep it — for a little bit of luck!

(Photo by Paul L. Schuetze/The Times)

Year of the pig

The Dancing Lion performed for the "Year of the Pig" Sunday night at a Chinese New Year Party hosted by plastic surgeons Dr. Simeon Wall and Dr. Simeon Wall Jr. and wife Dr. Holly Casey Wall.

So how did it get to be the Pig’s year? we wondered.

Legend has it that in ancient times, Buddha asked all the animals to meet him on Chinese New Year. Twelve came and a year was named after each one, said the invitation. He announced that the people born in each animal’s year would have some of the animal’s personalty.

And the Pig? Sign of contentment. A person born in that year is also sincere, honest and tolerant, hard working and down to earth.

The gala affair was held at Harrah’s Horseshoe Casino & Hotel Riverdome.

(Photo by Paul L. Schuetze/The Times)

Missing: A royal crown

Help!

Queen of Harambee Donna Jones-Hassan has lost her crown.

She wears the rhinestone-studded, peaked style crown (in photo) during her presentation at the glittery Krewe of Harambee VII Ball Saturday at Harrah’s Horseshoe Casino & Hotel Riverdome. The gold costume was created by Shreveport designer Jane Ryder, but Jones-Hassan ordered the crown online.

She had it on during the Fat Tuesday celebration at the Boardwalk.

"I think I had it on when I got on a float to ride to the middle of Texas Street Bridge for the closing ceremony," said Jones-Hassan. "When we exited the bridge, one of the ladies said, ‘Where is your crown?’"
"I said, ‘I don’t know,’" added Jones-Hassan.

So, if you find a crown among your Mardi Gras souvenirs, it wasn’t a throw. It is Jones-Hassan’s crown and she’d like to have it back — for the memories.

Give us a call at 459-3257 and we’ll see that it is returned.

(Photo by Paul L. Schuetze/The Times)

Spam I Am

Krewe of Spam King Spam II John Kinnebrew and Queen Spam II Enid Roberts hold their scepters high Sunday at the Krewe of Highland Parade.

Charles and Lounelle Black are Spam float lieutenants.

"We had a blast, throwing 1,000 Spamwiches, including 300 with money, 3,000 cups and untold beads," e-mailed Spam Captain Deborah Roberts, who shared the photo with us.

Speaking of Mardi Gras, the 2008 season is well underway.

Doug Wolvington, captain of the Mardi Gras in the Ark-La-Tex Captain’s Council, sent via e-mail yesterday a partial schedule of events!

The season is short. It starts with 12th Night Party Dec. 29 when all the royalty will be introduced and ends Feb. 5 with the Fat Tuesday celebration.

The first event for the season announced so far: Sept. 8, Krewe of Ambassadeurs Coronation at the Pine Hill Country Club, Minden.

The 12th Night Party is Dec. 29 at Bossier Civic Center. The first ball on the schedule: Krewe of Artemis-Springhill on Jan. 5.

Krewe of Centaur’s parade is Jan. 26 and Gemini’s, Feb. 3.
See you there!

Royal purple fit Lynn Braggs well

Krewe of Harambee Captain VII Lynn Braggs was passionate about purple Saturday at the Krewe of Harambee Ball where he appeared as actor Billy Dee Williams. Fashion plate Braggs wore purple from his checked slide shoes and lavender socks to his hat and including his slacks, double-breasted jacket, white-collared shirt and tie. His stunning collar piece frothy with feathers? Yep, Mardi Gras hues of purple and gold, with touches of green.

'We’re in the Movies'

Krewe of Highland touted "We’re in the Movies" as its theme for the Friday night ball at Randle T. Moore Center. Captain Cyndie Reid (left) came in a litter as Cleopatra, while King Chuck Reid, as a Western sheriff, galloped — using the term very loosely — in on a horse. As Marilyn Monroe, Queen Laura Gooszen appeared the old-fashioned way — on her feet.

'Tribute to Black Hollywood'

New Caddo School Board member Dottie Bell (left) and mistress of ceremonies Melva Turner were among Krewe of Harambee revelers who took Harrah’s Horseshoe Casino & Hotel by storm Saturday night. The theme was "Tribute to Black Hollywood," and honored such stars as Dorothy Dandridge, Halle Berry and Bill Cosby.

All that glitters is Harambee

It was "Tribute to Black Hollywood" and Krewe of Harambee King VII Raymond Hill, as Sidney Poitier, and Queen VII Donna Jones-Hassan, as Lena Horne, glittered in majestic gold as they appeared in feathered finery, damask and silk topped by majestic crowns.

The two reigned over the formal Krewe of Harambee Ball for 600 Saturday night that packed Harrah’s Horseshoe Casino & Hotel Riverdome.

Head for the tropical paradise

Krewe of Aesclepius Duchess and Duke of Tropical Paradise Michele Skipper and Chip Balthrop were hot shots for Krewe of Arepo paparazzi. The Arepo Ball was Thursday at Harrah’s Louisiana Downs and royalty of all krewes were presented in costume, the outfits they wore to their balls. Skipper and Balthrop’s version of tropical paradise attire included grass skirts and tops. They had the shimmy and shaking version of tropical dances down pat, too — to the delight of everyone.

Arepo Queen I — and her consort

Dr. David Werner and his wife, Arepo Queen I Judith Werner, pause to pose Thursday behind one of the beautifully set tables at the Krewe of Arepo Ball.

Judith laughingly recalled that the first year at the University Club, organizers hadn’t planned to crown a king nor a queen. However, at the last minute they decided to find a queen. "I was dressed like what they thought a queen should look like, so they asked me to do it!" recalled Judith.

All hail Arepo ball royalty

Subjects of Arepo, bow to your King Dr. Tom Siskron and Queen Libby Siskron. They were crowned Thursday at the glittery formal Krewe of Arepo Ball. Put on by Shreveport Opera and underwritten by Harrah’s Louisiana Downs, it was held in the Orleans Room at the Downs.

The Siskrons were honored for their longtime commitment to the community, including the Shreveport Opera. Libby heads up the Shreveport Opera Guild and Tom served six years on the Shreveport Symphony board. (Just two of many things they’ve done to support the community in money, time and attendance.)

The two succeeded the 2006 King PGA Golfer Hal Sutton, and longtime community volunteer, Mikey Carlisle. Sutton regretted, but Carlisle, there with hubby attorney Jack Carlisle, joked that last year, she had to shop around to find a crown to fit her head!

Happy Valentine’s Day, Mack McCarter!

Very little gets Mack McCarter down. But dust did.

McCarter is chief of Shreveport-Bossier Commuity Renewal and on Wednesday attended a luncheon at Giuseppe’s given by Women of Shreveport-Bossier Community Renewal.

The dust problems came when McCarter spent six hours without moving at a celebration in Africa. "It was a huge celebration in one village we are involved with. There were 15,000 people and six hours of dancing. I sat with the chiefs with no canopy," explained McCarter, who has has a dust allergy since childhood.

By nightfall, he was desperately ill with hot fever and joint aches.

"I felt good enough within 48 hours to come home. Then I contacted pneumonia," he said, in a chat after the luncheon.

He has since rested 12 weeks and has six more weeks to go.

But there was no way he was going to miss the luncheon for almost 180. (It is a glittery event that usually opens the social season for ladies who lunch.)

McCarter couldn’t give his usual speech about the state of Community Renewal. However, friend Virginia Shehee, who was seated at his table, served as spokeswoman.

Big winners

Bunco!

Betty Tully (left), Holly Myers, Beverly Lee and Leslie Cornelius yelled "Bunco!" the most at the first Ark-La-Tex Mardi Gras Museum Bunc-ceaux competition. So did Melissa Bass, who is missing from the photo. So, the quintet took home the grand prize! The fundraiser was held earlier this winter at the museum and was a hot hit among members of local krewes and Bunco fans. It raised right at $1,500 for the museum, said board chairwoman Carolyn Wroten.

Double surprise

Talk about surprised! Much-heralded community volunteer Sandy M. Cimino, vice president of Ouachita Independent Bank-Bossier Branch, was surprised twice Sunday, her birthday.

Cimino is shown with Gary Hairston, in an photo e-mailed by Marilyn Curry. Hairston and fellow employees surprised her Sunday with flowers and lunch at Margarita Cafe. Others who shared the moment: Taylor Hairston and Taylor Collins, Ronnie and Charlotte Evans, Marilyn Curry, Kem Grappe and Steve and Rhonda Arnold.

But the day wasn’t over. Later in the afternoon, Randy James and Angie Teagle did it again with a do at Superior Bar & Grill. And here there were, oh, yes, dinner, gifts and friends. Among the celebrators: Ken and Kathryn Antee, Randy and Susan McFarland, Carlton Hamm, Bonne Summers, Mike and Carolyn Carrier, Joyce and Taylor Brown Linda Lee, Henry Grabener and Gene Bozeman.

Justinian Royal Brunch (2 of 2)

Cecilia Johnson (left) and hubby, Bernard Johnson (far right), who have just left the buffet line, stop to pose with Justinian ball chair Allison Byrd and her hubby Edwin Byrd. The quartet were among Justinian members or guests stopping by the Justinian Royal Brunch Sunday at East Ridge Country Club.

Justinian Royal Brunch (1 of 2)

Sandi Hill (left), Sonya Medlin and Susan Cox mixed and mingled Sunday at the Krewe of Justinian Royal Brunch at East Ridge Country Club. Many of the krewe members had participated on two floats in the Krewe of Centaur parade the night before, so their tongues were hanging out, but a good time were being had by all. Hill is the wife of Justinian King Jim Hill, while Medlin’s hubby is Captain Deryl Medlin. Cox’s husband, Bossier-Webster District Judge Jeff Cox, is a krewe duke.

A royal Mardi Gras moment

Allie Aiello (left), Washington, D.C. Mardi Gras princesses Catherine Nelson and Erin Falbaum and the 2004 D.C. Mardi Gras queen Shreveporter Meredith Allen take time from the frivolity to pose for Allen’s dad, Dr. Larry Allen, who e-mailed the photo to us. There were four days of partying and Dr. Larry captured the quartet at the 2007 Friday Festival that honored top royals, festival queens and princesses.

"It was the 50th anniversary of the krewe and Meredith walked with her king, William Oliver, during the Grand March," said Dr. Larry, there with wife Lori Allen.

Others he spotted in the crowd: State Rep. Wayne Waddell and wife Susan Waddell, Thomas Pressly, Christopher Martin, Dr. Ed and Mary Pat Morgan, Rand and Susan Falbaum, Bo Campbell — a former king twice over — and wife Ingrid Campbell, Mike and Tracy Woods and Sugar Woods.

Merry Mardi Gras threads

Several members wore their Mardi Gras jackets.

The 2007 Captain Deryl Medlin’s has a Justinian jester on the back (left), while Billy Guin’s is centered with a huge fleur de lis and shining with gold fringed epaulets. The jacket worn by former captain Jim Fortson also bears a Justinian jester on the back.

A legal show

When Caddo District Judge Woody Nesbitt removes his robes, he is likely to exchange them for comfy striped pants and funky flamingo-themed T-shirt. At least that is what he wore to the Krewe of Justinian brunch Sunday at East Ridge Country Club.(Love his trendy round black glasses, too.) Former Justinian King Jim Gardner went another route. Since he was born on March 17, he embraces St. Pat’s Day festivities. He started a little early, wearing a green plaid jacket and green-striped tie, topped with a bright green golf hat embellished with a tiny shamrock. (There with wife Sally Gardner by his side.)

Happy Mardi Gras, Judge Woody. And, top of the morning to you, King Jim. (No, he is not the 2007 king, Jim Hill is, but as royals proudly spout, "Once a king, always a king!")

'Night of the Stars'

Everything is coming up starry for the Feb. 24 "Night of the Stars," so Barbara Zerrahn (left), Shreveport Little Theatre Guild prez Linda Pedro and underwriter Pat Reynolds gussied up in their best bibs and tuckers to head to Superior’s Steak House to check things out — and pose for a photo for publicity chair Kay Chance. Applause to Zerrahn who designed the starry invitations for the Oscar-inspired party. You should be receiving one any time.

While at the steak house, Reynolds insisted on tweaking the menu by adding "lobster puffs" to a menu that already included Swedish meat balls, veggies and fruit with dips, and shrimp, bell pepper and tomato kabobs. ("The lobster puffs are very good," he explained.)

And a newsy note, two items have been added to the live auction. McCary’s donated a blue topaz necklace and earrings and Robert Ivy Flooring America, $1,000 off any flooring or carpet order.

"The evening promises to be dazzling!" Chance said.

A book for a king

Krewe of Elders King IX Theophile N. Scott is an humble and gentle man on the Krewe of Elders court.

But in the early 1940s, he had a reputation — as a football player. A Times sportswriter called him "...fleet, shifty Demon from (NSU). Scott’s ability to ‘scat’ beyond the scrimmage line always made him dangerous."

Theophile’s son and his wife, Mark and Jacqueline Scott of Fairport, N.Y., have recorded Scott’s prowess on the football field in "Beat Tech! Inside the Louisiana State Fair Football Classics 1940 to 1942." (The book is dedicated to Scott’s wife/Mark’s mom, the late Laura Scott, who died six years ago. It said: "She listened to this story for over 50 years.")

The book tells the tales of the early 1940s Louisiana State Fair football classics between what is now the Northwestern State University Demons and Louisiana Tech University Bulldogs. The coaches: Tech’s Joe Aillet and NSU’s Harry Turpin.

Although Theophile takes center stage in the chapters, others who contributed include Clem Henderson, Tom Bambrick, Ralph McFarland, Garland Gregory and Johnny Perritt.

After football — the U.S. Army. In World War II, Theophile participated in the Philippine Campaign from December 1944 to November 1945.

More nuggets about Theophile: At one time, he held several team records in football, one for over 38 years at NSU ... He was captain of the championship NSU team in 1942 ... Voted West Texas High School Football Coach of the year in 1980. (Oh, and he tells us he is descended on his mother’s side from Louis Chamard, knighted by Louis XVI of France!

Wow, Theophile!)

Apollo West

Fans of the Krewes of Apollo in several cities who now live in Dallas have formed their own krewe and former locals are in the thick of things there, e-mailed former Red River Parish resident Ronnie Wise, who was the first king.

To give a peek at how it all went, he shared a photo of himself. So, all hail King Apollo-Dallas I Ronnie Wise in royal finery at the inaugural ball.

It was Feb. 3 at Dallas Fair Park and included "presentation of an amazing 16 court costumes," said Wise.

The new krewe was chartered by four former kings from the Krewe of Apollo-Shreveport, said Wise. They are Rusty Dooley, Lynn Chaffin, Sreve Griffith and Dr. Marc Spurlock. Dooley and Spurlock are co-captains.

Congrats, Apollo-Dallas, and good luck to you!

Mardi Gras gathering

Bruce and Denise Busada (left) welcomed pals like Richard Wright and his wife Sherry Wright Saturday night to enjoy jambalaya and an array of salads — all contributed by pals who stopped by. (In fact, Sherry was in the kitchen putting finishing touches on her elaborate salad when the photo was made.)

But the chef of the evening was banker Kevin McCotter who supplied the jambalaya.

Fit for a feast

"Captain’s Table." "Queen’s Table. "King’s Table." And just tables.

They are getting more and more elaborate at area Mardi Gras balls and help make the events merry.

Krewe de les Femmes Captain Bernie Bitting’s table was certainly fit for a feast.

Using feathers and silver squiggles, Bitting created the "Captain’s Table" herself for the les Femmes ball Friday at Diamond Jack’s Casino & Resort. Bitting’s place card was there and she received guests and krewe members. And so many gifts that hubby Don Bitting loaded them up in a gigantic plastic tub at the end of the evening, but even that wasn’t big enough.

(Gifts are a major Mardi Gras tradition. Royals and captains buy presents for each other and for all those they invite to sit at their tables, who, in turn, return the favor. Others just give to pay court.)

Over at Shreveport Convention Center, where Krewe of Justinian had its ball the same night, Co-Captain Steve Glassell and wife Berry centered their table with an elegant spray of orchids by Cathy Zahn, while King Jim Hill’s red, white and blue motif multiple tabletops were planned by wife Sandy Hill and Marc Marcussen.

But the table that drew attention was the 20-footer created of bamboo and tropical flowers.

Glen Roddy did it at the behest of church friend Carolyn Pierce. "He asked me if there were height requirements and I said, ‘No,’" said Pierce, there with hubby Marshall Pierce.

Thinking it might be five feet, she, like all the other table attendees, was stunned to find a towering centerpiece that some dubbed "The Sequoia." Sharing it with them: the Gene Brysons, John Fraziers, Ted Castens and Neil Erwin.

Stylish art

The evening gown display was one of the hot spots at the Shreveport Regional Arts Council gala Friday opening of “In Fashion, The Art of Style.”

But so were the wedding gowns.

Kay Brown was absolutely thrilled that her mother’s gown was included. It is a blue lace worn by Lorine Praesel on her marriage to Earnest Tausch, Brown’s father. The wedding date: 1942 during World War II.

A red wedding dressing belonged to Pertrice Worley’s mom who was married in 1936 on her 18th birthday.

A Hattie Carnegie ensemble once belonged to Jen Moore Lewis.
Betty Anthony, who contributed hats, attended with Brenda Willerby. Kay Redstone, with hubby Bobby Redstone in tow, was working the crowd. Her Givenchys and a Nina Ricci were part of the exhibit.

SRAC president Delton Harrison was gussied up in a tux — always in style — for he was heading around the corner to Shreveport Convention Center for the Krewe of Justinian Grand Bal.

If you missed the “In Fashion...” opening, don’t fret. The show is up through March 10.

Want to see real up-to-the minute fashions?

Saks Fifth Avenue will have a show at artspace on March 2, announced Steve Ross, “In Style” show producer.

“With informal modeling,” added SRAC chairwoman Sandi Kallenberg.

“What Would Jesus Drive?”

Pardon us for detouring a bit, but we consider Sunday school social, too. (We sip coffee and occasionally savor doughnuts. And visit.)

And we were so intrigued by the list of summer ideas Mary Anne Selber handed out Sunday for our class at First Presbyterian Church of Shreveport that we thought you’d find them interesting, too.

How about: “What Would Jesus Drive?” (Anybody out there have any ideas?)

And: “Is Ketchup a Vegetable? The Politics of Food?” or “Is God in the Workplace?”

There were some more serious issues too. Things like: “Is Torture Ever Justified?” “Sweatshop Ethics.” “Preparing for End-of-Life Matters: Practical Steps.” “Avian Flu.”

There were 40 choices. We voted on the topics we want to study and the majority wins!

The paparazzi are here and they are us

Just call Sally Graff, Sherry Townsend and Dr. Brian Docken- dorf "Gemini Paparazzi." (Graff, left, and Townsend are shown clicking away at the Gemini Captain’s Brunch at Shreveport Country Club.)

If you are at a Gemini or almost any Mardi Gras event, you will dodge them as they snap away and their flashes pop. No excuses. No apologies. They are paparazzi ready.

The trio are the spouses of Gemini Captain Brad Graff, and top Gemini royals, King Louis Townsend and Queen Noreen Dockendorf.

They are not the only recorders of Mardi Gras history, of course, but this year, they are usually up front and center wherever their spouses are making an appearance.

"Keeping a scrapbook is just important," said Townsend. "I have tried to be there for everything and make pictures. I have enjoyed doing it."

And taking pictures is a one-time shot, she pointed out. "You can’t go back and get it again. This is a big year for him and I don’t want to miss anything."

She started shooting for a scrapbook sometime around June when they went to Mobile, Ala., to order his custom-made crown.

Graff said she and her husband always had a camera when they were Duke and Duchess of Louisiana in 2005. She started keeping a record at an April Gemini board meeting.

Dockendorf has also been shooting all year. "I have a digital and I had to work with figuring out how to get pictures that weren’t blurry and too dark, but it has been fun," said Dockendorf.

A king’s wheels

Krewe of Sobek King Lester Rainey just retired from General Motors after 31 years. ("I was in materials and logistics," he said.) He signed on with the company in Baltimore, Md., worked there six years and came to Shreveport when the plant opened in 1981.

So what does he drive?

"An XLR Cadillac, a two-seater (hardtop) convertible," Rainey said.

A Super ball

There were 80 Supermen/Women running around the Minden-based Krewe des Ambassadeurs Grand Bal VI Jan. 27 at Diamond Jacks Casino & Resort, Bossier City.

They were guests of and all outfitted by Ambassadeurs King Darin Mealey, who reigned with Queen Mahala Hutto.

Hailing the centerpiece Superman and modeling their capes, with sunglasses on back of their heads: The Cambridge Club owners Greg and Patti Carey (left), Kelly Blackburn of Dallas, and Webster Stewart of Bossier City.

"When I stepped out on stage, I saw 80 nerdy Clark Kents staring back at me," said King Mealey.

The theme was "Carnival in Venice — Masquerade Ball." Mealey was dressed head to toe in traditional Venice Carnival formal costume.
So why Supermen/Women?

Well, several years ago, Mealey bought a Superman throw at a Twelfth Night Party. Then those throws sort of disappeared from the scene, but he drew attention because he always wore his.

Sooo ... for the ball, he dressed a six-foot (or more) manikin in a Superman costume and put in eyes that light up.

He commissioned Lola Butler of Dixie Inn, who created his costume, to make 80 Super capes! (Wow! Lola, were you seeing red at the end of it all!)

"To complete the costumes, I bought 80 pairs of black-rimmed sunglasses in New Orleans and popped out the sunglasses," Mealey said.

... While veteran costumer/creator Butler was stitching up the preponderance of Ambassadeurs’ costumes, Captain Vicki Cullen signed up retired legal secretary/seamstress Maxine Kilpatrick of Arcadia to make her intricate, pouf-sleeve one.

"I heard about her at a shower. I took her a pattern and she ad libbed," said Cullen.

"It was the first costume she had ever made."