A Few of FR's Finest....Every Day....02-24-04....Let's Celebrate Mardi Gras!

Dutchess

[dutchess]

A Few of FR's Finest....Every Day

Free Republic made its debut in September, 1996, and the forum was added in early 1997.   Over 100,000 people have registered for posting privileges on Free Republic, and the forum is read daily by tens of thousands of concerned citizens and patriots from all around the country and the world.

A Few of FR's Finest....Every Day was introduced on June 24, 2002. It's only a small room in JimRob's house where we can get to know one another a little better; salute and support our military and our leaders; pray for those in need; and congratulate those deserving. We strive to keep our threads entertaining, fun, and pleasing to look at, and often have guest writers contribute an essay, or a profile of another FReeper.

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~ Billie, Mama_bear, dansangel, Dutchess, Aquamarine,

It's Mardi Gras Time!

History

In Christian communities around the world, the 40 days preceding Easter comprise Lent, a period of fasting and penitence. It begins with Ash Wednesday, the day many Catholics go to church to receive the sign of the cross marked in ash on their foreheads, its purpose being to remind them of their own mortality. The Mardi Gras season begins on January 6 and continues until Fat Tuesday, the day before Ash Wednesday. For much of the country the Tuesday before Lent is just that, a Tuesday, but in New Orleans this Tuesday is "Mardi Gras" or "Fat Tuesday", representing the last gasp of decadence before a period of austerity.

When French-Canadian explorer Pierre Le Moyne, Sleur d'lberville, landed on a plot of ground about 70 miles down river from the present location of New Orleans on Mardi Gras, Mar. 3, 1699, he christened it Pointe du Mardi Gras.

Masks, Music, and Mayhem

French royals, feather-covered showgirls, painted clowns, masked lions-you can find them all (and countless others) in the streets of New Orleans at Mardi Gras. By dawn on that most famous Tuesday, people have claimed the best spots on the streets to watch fabulous floats, outrageous performers, and visiting celebrities go by. Many travel hundreds of miles to be a part of the excitement. Marching bands, some of them founded more than a century ago, also take to the streets with music and festive dress. They open the day by spreading jazz music through the city before the more than 350 floats and 15,000 costumed paraders take over the scene. Crazy costumes and wild makeup are the order of the day for paraders and parade-watchers alike. The most lavish get-ups can be seen at the cross-dressing beauty pageants in the French Quarter, where bawdy costuming may reach new heights (over seven feet, in heels.)

Krewes: New Orleans Royalty

Mardi Gras has long combined wild street activities open to everyone with events organized by private clubs known as krewes. Today, thousands of people belong to about 60 krewes that plan the parades and balls of New Orleans' Mardi Gras. The oldest krewe, the Krewe of Comus, was founded in 1857.

In 1872 the Russian grand duke Alexis Romanoff visited New Orleans at Mardi Gras. A group of businessmen organized the Krewe of Rex to host a parade for the occasion, and appointed a "king for the day" so that the grand duke could have a royal reception. Naming kings and queens at Mardi Gras balls has been a tradition of the krewes ever since. Another tradition began with that royal visit: the Romanoff house colors-purple for justice, green for faith, and gold for power-became the official colors of Mardi Gras.

The Krewe of Iris, a ladies only krewe, was formed in 1917 and held its first parade in 1959. Today it has over 500 members.

Catch the Throws

The millions of colorful beaded necklaces thrown from floats are the most visible symbols and souvenirs of Mardi Gras. In addition, millions of cups and toy coins known as "doubloons" are decorated with krewe logos and thrown to parade-watchers. Some "throws" are especially prized: only the luckiest folks manage to take home the hand-decorated coconuts from the Krewe of Zulu.

Bals Masque and the King Cake

One of the highlights of Mardi Gras are the balls held by the krewes where a king is crowned. A huge cake, called the King Cake, is prepared and a piece is served to every attendee. In one of the pieces is hidden a tiny doll said to represent Jesus. If you are lucky enough to get that piece, you will have good luck for the entire year. Unfortunately, you have to provide the King Cake for next year's Bal Masque.

All Things Change

While families still flock to the parades, the demographics of Mardi Gras have been changing. Especially in the French Quarter, the festivities have taken on a Spring Break atmosphere, attracting visitors more interested in drunken escapades and flashes of nudity than Mardi Gras' cultural significance and storied pageantry.

An FR Finest Mardi Gras

We, the Finest Hostesses, invite you to take on the BEST of the traditions…..let's share our food, our company….and celebrate FAT TUESDAY FREEPER STYLE!!!!!

THIS WEEK'S THREADS 02-23-04 Military Monday

Opinions by our own 'King of Ping' The guy's good, folks!

Thanks, Mixer!

1) Click on the graphic to open the Calendar.
2) Once there you can click on any month and even click to the right to go into next year. Once you are in the month that you joined FR you will need to click on the number in the calendar and then an add item screen will come up.
3) In the next box enter your name in the "Calendar Text" field and then click on submit.
4) If any of the screens fail to load simply click on refresh in your browser and that will usually fix it.
5) If all else fails or simply if you want me to do this for you send me an FReepmail and I will gladly do it for you. ~Mixer

[dutchess]

You pretty much sit around and eat doughnuts.

The big think in the Polish neighborhoods is to eat "punchkies" (sp) a very heavy filled doughnut. My mom still insists on buying them! Good to see you!

[dutchess]

Hi Texagirl....Didn't realize you were from south Louisiana. I just love the state (except in the summer...the humidity I can do without) Happy Fat Tuesday!

[dutchess]

Oh Aqua. I am so sorry to hear about your friend. Billie alluded to something in yesterdays Freepmail. Prayers for all his family and friends. (((((Aqua))))))

[dutchess]

Oh...and Billie did that hostess graphic last year for me...she inserted you this year......you don't think I could come up with something that creative do you????

[dutchess]

I can look forward to liver and onions for supper tonight.

Gizmo is saying "save me some" (atleast the liver part)

[lonestar]

Don't throw the baby out with the uneaten King Cake! But no cake goes uneaten around me.

[dutchess]

in a good mood after listening to the President's speech last night, and the one this morning.

I agree...except when I hear the analysis after todays announcement that it is all political to solidify the conservative base. If anyone listened to his explanation you know he is sincere and there is a need for clarification. Geesh!

[Billie]

Good morning! Good job, dutchess! Good food, good friends, good fun! No trip to Nawlins is complete without dropping in Cafe du Monde for beignets and cafe au Lait!

[dutchess]

It seems you did everything right. I can only find one topper and there doesn't appear to be any typos

Oh my....I am deeply humbled!

But not so fast.... it looks like the "Freeper Foto Album" link is missing and this is the one day that I really wanted to see it. :-(

Billie asked that we not use it for the time being as the link to the page isn't working. Gotchya!

What's a Foto????

[dutchess]

Hi Dave....Been kite flying lately????

[dutchess]

Oh yum...my morning in 'Nawlins is not complete with my Cafe Du Monde and a beignet (or two!). I'll freepmail you in a bit.

[Billie]

Good morning, Finest Friends! Went to Mardi Gras ONE time - once was enough! It was cold, rainy, and nasty! But the parades were fun to watch - some very neat and elaborate floats! Love the Cajun music, too!

[Billie]

Hi, Dolly - the Carnival in Rio sounds like more fun!

[Billie]

Well it is so wonderful to see you here today! Like your sig, too!

[Billie]

Here in Pennsylvania we call it Fasnacht Day. You pretty much sit around and eat doughnuts.

All day?! LOL! Morning, Physicist. :)

[Billie]

This week you get the "real thing". Billie is doing the thread!

Thanks a lot! Nothing like adding a little pressure. LOL!

[Billie]

T Man: But not so fast.... it looks like the "Freeper Foto Album" link is missing and this is the one day that I really wanted to see it. :-(

Dutchess: Billie asked that we not use it for the time being as the link to the page isn't working. Gotchya!

So THERE! LOL!

[Billie]

Good morning, Texagirl - I guess you have been to many Mardi Gras's, having lived in Louisiana? Or not? :) (friends we have there go every year) :)

[The Thin Man]

Billie asked that we not use it for the time being as the link to the page isn't working. Gotchya!

I just went to yesterday's thread an tried the link myself. Oh, you are so lucky it didn't work. You would've never heard the end of it! LOL!

What's a Foto????

Good question. You might want to ask the person who created the graphic. :)

[The Thin Man]

So THERE! LOL!

I can't believe you would resort to such vicious words! :-)