2008 Mardi Gras Ball

By Jim Pretlow, Keeper of the Keys

Serious and erect, the Arnold High School ROTC Color Guard marched down the center of the Edgewater Beach Ballroom to open the 2008 Marde Gras festivities.  After a smartly executed turn they presented the colors and the National Anthem began to play. No more than two bars in, voices could be heard signing along. By the halfway point there was no question that the audience was participating. By the end of the Anthem their voices were as loud as the music!  It brought a tear to this old Viet Nam Vet’s eye because I can remember clearly when it was not so.  Truly, the Eye of Providence continues to oversee this part of Florida!

Fred Lindholm, The Voice of The Krewe, opened the festivities by bringing back for one last Hurrah the 2007 court of the Krewe.  Two by Two they were announced and moved to the center of the court; each Pirate with a raised sword resting on his right shoulder and a Princess on his left arm.  After a wave, smiles, a bow and courtesy, they moved back to their tables to await the induction of the new court. 

The pirates performed one more task under the excellent tutelage of Armorer Jim Percival.  Lining up, three to each side of the ball room entrance, they skillfully executed the command to face center, draw sabers and form an arch through which the new court would enter.

As The Voice announced the nom-de-plume under which each of the pirates would be introduced, they moved under the arch to front center with a princess at their side and, with a graceful bow and flourish, removed hat and mask to reveal their true identity to applause from the Krewe and Guests. Next each Princess unmasked with a deep courtesy and was likewise applauded. You would know them as: Frank Walker and Candy Lovchuk, Russ Deane and Kathie Toole, Gary Walsingham and Sheila Knoll, Mike Hamm and Jerrilyn Griffits, Rick Thompson and Gailyn Young, Dan Russell and Nancy Lindsey.

Over the years the Krewe has developed customs, now tradition, that govern the new king’s entrance and appearance. The entrance has to be different and the mask has to be ugly/scary!

This year was no exception.  Suddenly, down the main isle of the ballroom a gurney was being pushed by an attendant and two others best described as “sport model” nurses.  Pleas for a doctor were to no avail when, after deliberators were applied, (and a good goose), the comatose King-to-be sat up!  UGLY to perfection, he was helped off of the gurney and on unsteady feet stood waiting for his queen to appear.  

Wow! The Queen-to-be appeared at the main ball room entrance and slowly made her way toward the dais.  Dressed in a sparkling white gown with a glittering silver mask and huge mantle of white feathers she excelled in regal beauty!  Finally she reached the Ugly One and without a flinch turned and gave him her arm. 

Showtime!  After a short introduction the masks came off and- Rob Fernandez was hailed as Captain Dominique You XXII, King of the Krewe.  Then the new Queen stepped forward, unmasked, and Joyce Muller became the 2008 Queen of the Krewe!  

The band played well, everybody danced their shoes off, we had more breakfast and King Cake than we needed and everyone left having had a great time.

Next year!  Already plans are afoot to make and even grander entrance for the royals.  Rumor has it, (and I’m not making this up), that some sort of agreement with David Copperfield is in the works.  “How can this be”, you ask, “when the King and Queen have yet to be elected”?   True, but I do know their attendants-to-be and they have magic in their bones!  Will the King appear hovering in mid-air, or riding a wild bull, or, (gasp) spring suddenly from a giant clam?   Just you wait and see!