Everybody loves a parade, especially the mayor

This just in from Krewe of Gemini Captain Ed Hoover: Shreveport Mayor Cedric Glover will serve Saturday as Grand Marshal for Krewe of Gemini Parade.

And, if you are ever asked and want to know how to be a Grand Marshal, just ask Cedric.

He is a Parade Grand Marshal veteran.

He has served as Grand Marshal in several other parades including Krewe of Highland Parade last year and Mansfield Christmas Parade in 2006, he said in a telephone interview. And, he has also just been a rider in others, including Gemini's 2007 parade.

"I look forward to the Gemini Parade. You get a great view of the parade and a chance to see the crowd," he said. "It is great fun and a great privilege."

He will also toss beads, cups and other throws from the title float.

By the way, the mayor's wife, Veronica, rode in the Gemini Parade last year.

She declined this year to attend the Krewe of Harambe Bal because Harambee Queen Sharon Braggs is a close friend.

"I will join her after the parade," said the mayor.

Krewe de Les Femmes Mystique takes a trip

Captain of Krewe de Les Femmes Mystique shows her colors

The Krewe de Les Femmes Court at the ball

Teresa and David Allen dance the night away

Here I am partying the night away at the Les Femmes Ball


Photos by Paul L. Schuetze/The Times

Krewe de Les Femmes Mystique was on a roll Saturday at its Grand Bal "Heat Wave" Saturday at DiamondJacks Casino & Hotel Ballroom.

And Captain Sandy Franks was at the helm having a wonderful time.

Paul and I had the ringside seat at the Captain’s Table along with Franks’ hubby Derrel.

If you haven’t been to a Mardi Gras ball, you have no idea how elaborate the tables are.

There are goodies to eat. Special throws to wear. Towering floral arrangements to admire. Goodie bags so you can tote home the beads.

For instance, Sandy wanted all the guys to be a pirate for a night, so had one hoop earring at all their places. Good sport Paul wore his as he snapped the night away, taking photos. Member Teresa Allen’s hubby also clipped one to his ear. (We have some images up that were taken at Les Femmes. See a lot of others at the Mardi Gras gallery, http://www.shreveporttimes.com/.)

The gals at the table received a hot red silk flower to slip into their hair.

By the way, Les Femmes was started in 1999 by 30 women who met in Franks’ living room — as she likes to tell the story!

More Les Femmes notes: Queen Catherine Vanderberry’s chair covers included roses that lit up, so when lights were low they emitted a soft glow that was, well, very pretty. And although you couldn’t tip toe through the roses, you could wend your way around them.

Queen Catherine, by the way, hails from Prince Edward Island Canada, the home of Anne of Green Gables. She met hubby Jim when he was stationed there with the military and they married 40 years ago.

Jim was one proud hubby as he escorted Queen Catherine to a potpourri of events. at the ball, he got down on one knee to kiss her hand as she approached her royal table for a toast.

... When she isn’t Mardi Grasing, Les Femmes Lady of Love Karen Barnes is management assistant for the City of Shreveport’s Fair Share Program. She is responsible for assisting small, minority and women-owned businesses to gain procurement opportunities with the City of Shreveport and has certified more than 250 businesses as participants with the program. And, there is no better ambassador for the city than Karen, all smiles and personality wherever she goes.

... one of the ball’s hot throws was Lady of Light Wanda Clements Oriental-inspired fans.

... Much loved Les Femmes official Stephanie Holoubek ordered orchid leis from Hawaii to hand out as souveniers and a white one for her daughter Lady of Music Kristi Begood to wear as a halo around her forehead.

Sooo...Three Mardi balls to go.

Let the good times roll!

LSU, here we come

Duchess of Louisiana Martha Rennie shows off collarpiece

Krewe of Gemini 2007 Louis Townsend and Queen Doreen Dockendorf take final bows Waynette Ballengee and Maggie at the ball

Gemini Captain Ed Hoover surrounded by confetti

Kim Hoover and husband Krewe of Gemini Captain Ed Hoover

Duke of Louisiana Jerry Talley's table

Photos by Paul L. Schuetze

When the Duke of Louisiana Jerry Talley and Duchess of Louisiana Martha Rennie stepped out on stage representing LSU Tiger Stadium’s Death valley at Krewe of Gemini Grand Bal Saturday, the crowd went wild.

The theme was "Gemini’s Favorite Things" and as duke and duchess of Louisiana, Talley and Rennie, represented Tiger Stadium’s Death Valley, as one of Louisiana’s favorite things.

When the wo came out to the LSU Fight song in purple and gold costumes, with a goal post for headpieces and a sequinned tiger as the collarpieces, ... Well, the black-tie crowd of at least 1,000 did go wild and crazy.

Guests jumped up. They applauded. They filled the floor with confetti of all sizes and colors as royals made their way around the floor and the music changed from the Fight Song to pulsating marching music.

That is not to say that the other royals didn’t get their share of adulation, but everyone agreed that the lion’s share of attention went, this year, to the Death Valley royals.

Interesting note: the costumes were designed, talked about and decided upon last summer, long before LSU played one game.

Representing Barbie and Ken, Queen Gemini XIX Sally A. Graff and King Gemini XIX Dr. Tobin Grigsby reigned over the ball.

We are sharing some images from the elaborate ball. Go to www.shreveporttimes.com to see more.

Mardi Gras notes

King, queen and captain of Krewe of Atlas arrive at dock of American Legion Hall on Cross Lake for a toast

Krewe of Gemini Queen Sally Graff poses with Jan Graff and Sherry Townsend at a cocktail party in her honor Sunday at the Ellerbe Road area home of Graff and hubby Larry. They and Sherry and hubby Louis hosted the fun affair.

Photos by Paul L. Schuetze/The Times

Paul and i let the good times roll last weekend at four Mardi Gras balls, a cocktail party and a tea.

Here are a few notes. And some images to help take you there.

Krewe of Atlas is celebrating its first year as a krewe and started its Mardi Gras voyage in an unusual way on Sunday at the Krewe of Atlas Bal at American Legion Hall on Cross Lake.

King Kevin Doerr, Queen Susan Keith and Captain Eddie Horton arrived by boat to toast the beginning of the krewe for this is its first year.

On a cold, cold night and just past dusk, spectators gathered on the dock of hall on Cross Lake.

The krewe’s first theme, appropriately, enough, "Maiden Voyage of the Krewe of Atlas," said Keith.

"By coming up on a (boast), we were simulating how the King of Rex in New Orleans would come on a barge up the Mississippi River to begin the Mardi Gras celebration in the 19th century," e-mailed Keith.

Smooth sailing, Atlas, as you begin this Mardi journey.

Among revelers Saturday at Krewe of Aesclepius Grand Bal Masque XVIII were Duchess of the Rock ‘N Roll Era Carole Markham’s sons, both of whom serve in the U.S. military.

Introduced by emcee Dr. Bob Robinson to sustained applause at Bossier Civic Center, they are:

1st Lt. Reed Markham of the U.S. Army, currently stationed at Fort Carson, Colo. He was stationed in Ramadi, Iraq from October 2006 to December 2007.

Petty Officer 2nd Class Ryan Markham of the U.S. Navy, currently stationed in Washington, D.C. He served in the Persian Gulf on a destroyer from January 2003 to June 2003 and from November 2005 to May 2006.

As Bob said, "For our special sons and all of you who have served our country, we, the people, can’t thank you enough."

An Americana moment

It was a a tiny thing, but a serendipitous moment, this morning happening on the 5:30 a.m. walk with Marilyn Light and Annette Horton.

As we turned the corner onto Poleman Road, the red lights were flashing on the school bus ... as it does most mornings ... on the grounds of North Highland Elementary School.

The bus was heating up as the driver waited for all the cars to arrive with her passengers.

But, this morning was different.

As we approached the school, a man ... teacher? maintenance person? parent? ... was about to post the American flag on the tall pole in front of the school. In all our walks, we had never seen him before.

Something about the meticulous and respectful way he was readying the flag on the rope, made us stop.

And, salute as he worked. We stood there, Marilyn and Annette with their arms across their chests, hand on their hearts. I military saluted, with my right hand at the tip of my forehead.

It took him a few minutes to get the ropes untangled and the flag straight before he pulled it to the top of the pole.
When he stepped back, we applauded. Again and again.

The man never heard us. ( We were several feet away from him on the street and the pole was near the bus and its motor was running. Or, perhaps he had the flag and what it means to all of us on his mind, but he just did not respond to us.)

He finished this special duty which he performed very seriously ... similar to many others being undertaken across the land as the day begins and flags are brought out ... and strode away.

We continued our walk east towards home.

Maybe the ceremony would have been insignificent to some.

To us, who find little things happening in the neighborhood noteworthy, it was a mighty, memorable moment on the grounds of the school in the middle of North Highlands.

Everything came up gold at Justinian ball

Photos by Paul L. Schuetze.

(Top two images of Steve Glassell and two LSU Golden Girls. The third: Justinian 2008 Queen Jan Bookter, Captain Steve Glassell and Justinian 2008 King Merritt Chastain. For more Justinian ball images, go to http://www.shreveporttimes.com/ and look for Krewe of Justinian Ball on the Mardi Gras gallery list.)

There can be no bigger LSU fan that attorney Steve Glassell.

He is also 2008 captain of Krewe of Justinian, so friends just knew he would incorporate LSU into the tableau of Krewe of Justinain Grand Bal on Friday night.

He didn’t disappoint. LSU was part of the theme "Louisiana Saturday Night." "The best place to be on Saturday night ... Tiger Stadium," said Glassell.

He came out on stage at Sam’s Town Casino & Hotel Ballroom wearing a black feather-backed fleur de lis towering over his head with two LSU Golden Girls on either side and the LSU Fight Song pulsating through the venue.

As you can imagine, he brought everyone to their feet with applause, ya-hoos and confetti.

The Golden Girls are: Valerie Gendron and Danielle Hardy, both of Mandeville, and part of the elite 15-member dance line, tha performs at LSU games.

Glassell’s daughter, Elizabeth Glassell, was in charge of the ball and his wife, Berry Glassell, took over the silent auction, which netted $20,000 for the Shreveport Bar Association Foundation's many, many community projects.

In the captain’s talk, Glassell paid tribute to them, saying "Berry is a golden girl every day of my life."

The other golden girls in his life: daughter Elizabeth and daughter Graceann Hoffeditz.

And, another "golden girl," Virginia Shehee, who made it possible to have the LSU Golden Girls here for she made a donation to the band.

Beverly Neilson, there with hubby John Neilson, of Colorado, are frequent visitors to Shreveport, but never been to a Mardi ball.

Beverly was mesmerized and having an absolutely delightful time.

"This deal would only happen in Louisiana," she commented.

Among those in the crowd and/or dancing thenight away to sounds of Harmon Drew Super Group ... who were in rare form: Ralph Greer of Minden, Jay and Connie Pierson, Archer and Ivy Frierson, Haller and Sue Jackson, Mike and Robin Wolvington, Merritt and Catherine Chastain of Houston, Dr. Bill and Gay Borders, John and Alice Frazier, Brian and Denise Landry.

King Justinian Merritt Chastain and Queen Jan Bookter reigned over the festivities.

A Mardi Gras weekend

Although it is frantic all year, the social beat really heats up during Mardi Gras season.

Here’s a look at last weekend:

Thursday: Krewe of Gemini Royalty Banquet at Shreveport Club.

Friday: Krewe of Sobek and Krewe des Ambassadeurs grand balls, the first at Riverview Hall, the second at DiamondJacks.

Saturday. Krewe of Centaur Ball at Riverview Hall. (They must have been catching themselves coming and going at Riverview.)

Sunday. Krewe of Barkus and Meoux Jazz Brunch at Barksdale Officers Club.

And... Sunday afternoon Mary Catherine Boogaerts’ Art Show opening at Columbia Cafe.

Some weekend tidbits: Krewe of Barkus and Meoux Captain Michelle Christian is sporting an engagement ring she received Christmas Day from Churck Sartori, who was at the Barkus brunch. on Sunday
"Christmas Morning he and his two children, Taylor, 6, and Julia, 3, came to my house, got down on their knees and said, 'Will you marry us ?'" said Christian. Sartori is an owner of Shaver's Catering ... Christian's choice for "Captain's Award?" Her dad, Bob Lindsay for his help in the krewe and support of her.

Among the people at Krewe of Centaur Grand Bal on Saturday was Sid Weaver, 84, step-father of Centaur Queen Barbara Zerrahn, who had come home from the hospital the day before after suffering a stroke on Dec. 8. Weaver and Zerrahn's mom lost their home in Hurricane Katrina, so lived in a FEMA trailer before moving here, said Zerrahn's hubby, Greg.
After Weaver got home from the hospital, he said, "I am going to be there," said Greg.
And, he was!

... Speaking of the Krewe of Centaur, King Centaur David Johnson of Natchitoches, is a king veteran, serving as a top royal for the second time in eight years! He is also a former king of Krewe of Dionysos, Natchitoches.

District Attorney party patter

I just never know what I am going to hear at a party, but I keep my ears and eyes open.

Last night at the Krewe of Justinian Royal Banquet at Shreveport Club, over steak and red wine, I was stunned to hear that Caddo Dist. Atty Paul Carmouche might retire.

So, I got up, walked across the room to where Paul was sitting with wife Marti, knelt down and whispered in his ear, "Are you going to retire?"

He smiled, but wouldn't confirm nor deny: "I am going to make an annoucement the middle of next month."

Marti, however, said: "Yes."

Paul kept smiling.

He was 33 in 1978 when he first won a hotly contested race against a candidate everyone thought was a cinch to take over the post being vacated by long time ... and popular ... Caddo DA John Richardson.

If you are wondering who might run? Well, Caddo Dist. Judge Scott Crichton said he is "seriously considering" running. " If Paul does not."

Well. Well.

By the way, Justinian XVI King Merritt Chastain, there with wife Virginia, and Justinian Queen XVI Jan Bookter, there with hubby Claude, hosted the formal, seated dinner.

It is a see-and-be-seen event for the lawyers.

Special Mardi moments

Seven years ago, John Manno Jr. gave the Mardi Gras in the Ark-La-Tex krewes a wonderful and very special gift — the Twelfth Night Mass. Krewe members affectionately refer to it as "Mardi Gras Mass."

It is held at St. Pius Catholic Church in North Shreveport.

It is one of my favorite parts of the Mardi season.

Manno and wife Lynne and his parents John A. and Angelina Manno arrange for the service and host a King Cake reception afternoon in a church reception area. Manno said the Knights of Columbus and the Ladies Guild also assist in the endeavor.

Catholics and non-Catholic krewe members arrived in their decorated jackets, and all of us received beads given out by Knights of Columbus members as we stepped into the church.

The presiding priest, Msgr. Earl Provenza — explained that only Catholics can take communion, but anyone is welcome to approach the priest. So, for communion we non-Catholics then crossed our arms in front of our chests, bowed our heads and received a blessing.

This year also, Provenza asked all those in Mardi jackets to gather outside, walk down the aisle two-by-two and stand behind the altar.

Later, as Provenza later went through the consecration of the water and the wine for communion, he asked everyone to join him in the altar area.

Krewe members are made up of a very diverse individuals. So there they — and I joined them — were: Professionals and blue collar workers ... Rich and poor and in between ... Believers from a wide range of religious disclipines — and those who didn’t believe at all. Very conservative to very liberal ... Very young to much older ... Full-time workers to retired ones.

Mardi Gras events can get pretty rambunctious, but no one moved behind that altar and you could have heard a pin drop.

But, the most moving moment of all came when Provenza asked all of us to recite the Lord’s Prayer. In a spontaneous move almost as one, we all took each other’s hands.

And, there was more than one eye filled with tears when it was over.
The thoughts, of course, were private, but those moments probably gave rise to some powerful musings.

Mannos, St. Pius, Knights and laides: What a gift you give us.

I thank you!

Merry Mardi Gras moments

Krewe of Elders Co-Captain Celia Frazier (left), King Joe Cascio, Queen Gail Cascio and Captain Jay Prudhomme take center stage the the krewe's bal.

Richard Cook paid "A Tribute to Elvis."

Krewe of Elders Duchess of Wisdom Karen Bagley portrayed Princess Golden Eagle.

Krewe of Barkus & Meoux Captain Michelle Christian and Barkus and Meoux Duchess Ginger Paul take in the Krewe of Elders Grande Bal X.

Photos by Paul L. Schuetze/The Times

The Krewe of Elders Grande Bal X was done Saturday in a two part tableau.

The theme was "A Tale of Two Cities" — no not that "Tale of Two Cities" — but the cities of Shreveport/Bossier City.

In the first part of the program at Municipal Auditorium, costumed actors for an evening portrayed such historical characters as Capt. Henry Mille Shreve and the Shreveport madam Annie McCune, who the late historian Goodloe Stuck made famous in a book. (This was a tableau done with much imagination, not your usual stodgy history play.)

But the highlight of the evening for us was Duchess of Wisdom Karen Bagley’s portrayal of Indian Princess Golden Eagle. Using the accordion gold pleated cape of her costume as wings, she ran and she whirled around the floor of the Municipal Auditorium.

Why she did it so well that you could almost imagine that she was truly flying.

For the formal introduction, court members changed into evening gowns and black tie and made very elegant bows.

Other members of the court: King Joe Cascio and Queen Gail Cascio; Duke and Duchess of Longevity, Jim and Wanda Smith and Duke of Wisdom Bobby Griffie.

Jay Prudhomme is krewe captain.

Much applause, too, to Richard Cook who wore a gold lame coat to pay "A Tribute to Elvis," "Hound Dog" getting my favorite vote.

Guests included Justinian Captain Steve Glassell and wife Berry left early for they had just bought LSU-Ohio State University tickets and were leaving early the next morning.

Check out the attached images to get a glimpse of the ball and go to www.shreveporttimes.com for the entire gala.

Happy Mardi Gras!

Lettin' the good times roll...again!

Captain of Captains Doug Wolvington

Krewe of Akewa Queen IV Gail Wolvington

Krewe of Harambee Sharon Braggs and King Harambee Tymwa Dixon

Photos by Paul L. Schuetze/The Times

With the formal season, coronations, fund raisers and other parties, Mardi Gras in the Ark-La-Tex has become a year long event.

And since it all began, I have been there telling the story of Mardi Gras.

This year’s season started early with Dec. 29 Twelfth Night Party at Bossier Civic Center and ends Feb. 5 on Fat Tuesday. (Mardi Gras precedes Lent which starts Feb. 6 with Ash Wednesday and continues until Easter Sunday. This year is just about as early as Easter can be and Easter determines when Lent begins.)

The 2008 Mardi Gras formal ball season kicked off Friday with the Krewe of Akewa
Grand Bal IV at Holiday Inn, Bossier City.

To give you an idea about the costumes, I am including some images from the gala fete.

A joyous Akewa Queen IV Gail Wolvington of Bossier City reigned with aplomb, shedding tears as she made her way in. She wore red and gold — her elaborate mantel created in layers of petal-shaped pieces and embellished with rhinestones and pearl. The lengthy train was embellished with tufts of red feathers.

Akewa’s court is made up of goddesses and they come from all over North Louisiana. They are: Goddess of Spring Pat Satterberg of Minden ... Summer Rhonda Long of Haughton ...Autumn Rachel Thornton of Sibley ...and Winter Brook Foster of Homer.

Wolvington’s hubby is Doug Wolvington, captain of captains for Mardi Gras in the Ark-La-Tex.
The couple is much loved and respected by other krewe members.

Have any Mardi news? Send it my way.