Mardi Gras madness

Photo: Special to The Times

Photo by: Paul L. Schuetze/The Times

Photo by Paul L. Schuetze/The Times

Mardi Gras coronations continue.

I cannot get to all of them and last weekend was especially nonstop on the social calendar.

One we missed: Krewe of Dionysos Saturday at the Knights of Columbus Hall, Natchitoches, but publicity chair Wanda Poche wrote us all about it, making it almost seem as though I were there.

The new reigning royalty who rule to "A Decade of Dionysos": King Dionysis X Ramon Triche and Queen Dionysos X Claudia Triche. Captain Dionysos X Dennis Bryant was also in the throes of things.

Night Train provided music for the semi-formal affair and Donald and Pat Horton of Coushatta served the vittles that included: marinated crab claws; crawfish tails; crab meat; tiny ears of corn and water chestnuts presented in giant pewter shells; meat balls in wine gravy; sliced barbecue brisket on croissants; down-home sausage; corn and crawfish chowder; jambalaya; deviled eggs and cream puffs served creatively in large Margarita glasses. (Is there anything they didn’t have?)

A live auction with one item — the first signed poster for the season — was up for grabs. And the winners of a special memory: the new Duke and Duchess of Decadence, Ray and Connie Mabile of Coushatta. The high bid: $500.

Other dukes and duchesses: Dance Jerry McElwee and Ronda Hernandez; Desire Trey Duke and Becky Monsour; Destiny Jamie Vanderlick and Darlene McElwee.

"All hail to the visiting royalty from the Shreveport-Bossier area. This was the largest group we have ever had in our 10-year history," Poche wrote.

In the first photo above, guests Andi Woods (left), Poche and Julie Gardiner pose at the happy Dionysos event.

We did skim over Interstate-20 Friday evening to Krewe des Ambassadeurs Coronation Gala at Pine Hills Country Club.

Their theme: "Hello Broadway."

King VII Eddie O’Neal and Queen VII Debra Smith and other court members danced their way in clever vignettes to the stage as music from Broadway filled the air.

Captain Ralph Greer was dapper in a formal hat and walking stick that he used theatrically to make his way through the crowd as "New York New York" pulsated through the festive affair.

Smith is a graduate of the University of Oklahoma and a huge Sooner fan and is a financial advisor.

O’Neal is an Excelsior University and Parker Chiropractic College grad and operates two chiropractic practices, one in Bossier City and one in Minden.

Other court members: Duke and Duchess of Prospterity Josh Hamilton and Caye Bryce; Hospitality Lane Davidson and Dianna Smith; Prince Derrick Greene and Princess Whittney Haynes.

The 2007 King Darin Mealey — one of the nicest guys you will ever meet — said that there were lots of parties and lots of spirit in the past season.

His favorite part: "The next morning, having coffee with (wife) Amy and going over the night before."

Among others taking bows: 2007 Queen Mahala Hutto and Captain Vickie Cullen.

I was amazed when 2007 Duchess of Hospitality Sue Gruber told me she and a passel of pals catered the event themselves!

And, such unusual goodies: orzo salad; black-eye pea salad; sandwiches; fab brownies and absolutely to-die-for tarts. Just a few items from the bountiful buffet.

Stay tuned for several more Mardi coronations.

In the second photo: Krewe des Ambassadeurs Debra Smith and King Eddie O'Neal dance the night away.

The third photo: Sherb Sentell III, a former Ambassadeurs king, checks out the buffet line.