Try Banofee and take a Lenten walk

I’ve always enjoyed the food and surroundings at Beau Reve, and my recent fish poboy was no exception. I did try something I’d never experienced: Banoffee. I used one of those wonder phones to Google the dessert, which is English and involves bananas and toffee. Beau Reve’s version is lightly-grilled pound cake with vanilla mousse, freshly-made toffee and fresh bananas. The lunch came with an adorable small glass bowl of the creamy stuff and a tiny silver spoon. It hit the spot.

While Mardi Gras chickens were getting tossed along Lakeshore Drive, I partied with Seahawks. Scott Street, the health, fitness and sport director of Athletics at Lamar State College-Port Arthur, set out an unusual version of King Cake on the table at White Haven. It looked much like an iced version of the pizzas next to it. College students love pizza parties, but the adults associated with this college were enjoying pizza during Courir du Mardi Gras. What makes a party better? Having a parade pass by the front windows. That historic home is so beautiful and elegant. I wonder when inhabitants first enjoyed boxed pizza on the marble table.

Five miles for Lent

Mardi Gras has actually helped me learn about my faith. I’m happy to put away the party to reflect on Lent. Marilyn Morrell, who I met through her work promoting Latin Mass, and Ben Broussard are working on a Lenten Pilgrimage. It will be a 5-mile walk with stops at Port Arthur’s two Mary shrines. The group will meet at 8:30 a.m. Saturday, March 3, at Our Lady of Guadalupe Shrine and proceed to Queen of Peace Shrine and Gardens to begin the walk. The day will include spiritual talks, reciting of the rosary, Way of the Cross, singing, Latin Mass, benediction and more.

Marilyn Morrell, an organizer, said there’s no need to head to France or Italy for a pilgrimage when Port Arthur offers so many reflective stops. Port Arthur Police will provide parade escort for the walk said Morrell, who asks that participants bring a rosary and wear comfortable walking shoes and modest clothing. No shorts, please, she added. Bread, water and a shuttle from the Our Lady of Guadalupe parking lot to the Queen of Peace Shrine will be provided. The day’s events will take walkers back to the Our Lady shrine and wrap up around 2 p.m. The schedule is:

· 8:30 a.m. – Meet at Our Lady of Guadalupe Shrine, 3648 Staff Sgt. Lucian Adams Drive, includes a chapel and prayer wall. Walkers will take a shuttle to Queen of Peace.

· 9 a.m. – Walk to begin at Queen of Peace Shrine and Gardens on Ninth Avenue. Arthur.

· 9:30 a.m. – Way of the Cross, St. James Catholic Church

· 10 a.m. – Christus St. Mary Hospital

· 10:30 a.m.- Calvary Catholic Cemetery

· 11 a.m. – St. Catherine of Siena Catholic Church

· Noon – Arrive at Our Lady of Guadalupe; confessions

· 12:30 p.m. – Latin Mass and benediction

For more info contact Ben Broussard at (337) 527-7463, email bensbroussard@gmail.com, or Marilyn Morell at (409) 724-1456.

ddoiron@panews.com

Mardi Gras a 20-year keeper

I can’t believe it’s been 20 years since Mardi Gras ignited Port Arthur’s holiday spirit. I’ve met so many people who have joined church groups, staged amazing balls and developed businesses through Mardi Gras of Southeast Texas.

My own fondest memories include years of practice tossing beads and riding the Port Arthur News float with Martha “Toodlums” Ferguson, who arrived to the sea wall in a police car and had a chair bolted to the float floor for stability. She was a queen. Or, as she would say, a grand dame.

This year I had the occasion to chat with Wayne Toups himself over the phone, who said he “just can’t get enough” of Mardi Gras. He will again close down our festival with a Sunday concert.

Longneck Road, a local band, will offer the first concert of the season on Thursday. Bassist Ron Arceneaux said they’ve played before and are kicking it up a notch this time around.

“We’re thrilled to be on the main stage this year and are grateful to Norman Land and Laura Childress for making that happen,” Arceneaux said.

Drummer Adam King says events such as Mardi Gras have spread their name across Texas. This past year they opened for national touring artists Chuck Berry, John Anderson, Ronnie Milsap and the Paul Thorn Band, Bart Crow Band and Aaron Watson.

Here’s the schedule:

Thursday, Feb. 16

· 4:45 p.m. - Curir du Mardi Gras, to begin at Rose Hill and Lakeshore Drive, ending at festival grounds.

· 6 p.m. - Longneck Road

· 8 p.m. - Joel Martin Project

Friday, Feb. 17

· 6 p.m. - Longneck Road

· 8 p.m. - Joel Martin Project

· 7 p.m. ­- Geno Delafose and French Rockin’ Boogie

· 7 p.m. - Valero Krewe of Krewes Parade from Rose Hill to Procter Street to Houston Avenue.

· 7 p.m. - Golf card and ATV Parade, from Rose Hill to Procter Street to Houston Avenue.

· 10 p.m. - Kevin Fowler

Saturday, Feb. 18

· 1 p.m. - Krewes Royalty March, inside festival grounds

· 3 p.m., - Jivin’ Gene Bourgeois and the Ken Marvel Band

· 5:30 p.m. - Leroy Thomas & The Zydeco Roadrunners

· 5:30 p.m. - Motorcycle Showcase Parade, from Rose Hill to Procter Street to Houston Avenue

· 6 p.m. - Total Krewe of Aurora Grand Parade, from Rose Hill to Procter Street to Houston Avenue.

· 8:30 p.m. ­- Champagne Room

· 10 p.m. ­- Stoney Larue

Sunday, Feb. 19

· 2 p.m. – Munchkin Parade, costumed children, inside grounds

· 3 p.m. – Ryan Foret and Foret Tradition

· 4 p.m. Richard Industrial group Motor Parade, from Rose Hill to Procter Street to Houston Avenue.

· 6:30 p.m. – Wayne Toups & ZydeCajun

Tickets range from $5 to $15 and are available at the gates and at The Mardi Gras Store, 3830 FM 365, (409)721-8717.

A peek into March: Be certain of Carter

Lower Pecos Rock Art makes the cover of the March issue of Texas Highways, but a more modern and local artist is discussed within the pages. “From Uncertain to Blue” is called photographer Keith Carter’s seminal work, published about 25 years ago. The Beaumont photographer spoke at my Lamar University photography class, back when we used dark rooms. The class loved his oversized, squared-off, black and white photos. In this book he captured images of down-home people in Texas towns with names like Poetry, Blue, Comfort and Rosebud. Leathery-faced ranch hands, a vintage theatre, a lone dog on the road or a boy with his chicken tell stories that begin before a camera snap and never end. Carter has published several amazing books. This Texas tale is my favorite.

ddoiron@panews.com

Mardi Gras season brings convergence of personalities

Hotel lobbies are full of stories. While attending a local function I noted a Mardi Gras ball, wedding party and family gathering all at the same site. Then there were the actual lodgers. The elevator door opened to a barefoot couple. Each one had towels around the waist. They were apparently in search of the pool. Another couple who looked like they’d returned from the rodeo were getting on, as a woman in a fur stole and evening dress readied for the next ride.

Coconuts

Jan Walker is conjuring Voodoo Queen Marie Laveau for Mardi Gras of Southeast Texas, and she’s bringing her coconuts with her. Zulu Krewe of New Orleans is famous for these “throws” which are actually handed out. You just shouldn’t toss a coconut.

“Some friends and I sat down together one weekend at Paige Bigler's house on the bayou and set out to create our own special Southeast Texas version. If you're very lucky you may just score one during this years Royalty March!,” Walker, of Majestic Krewe of Aurora, said. Wayne Toups, Kevin Fowler, Geno Delafose, Jivin’ Gene Bourgeois and Ryan Foret are among performers set for concerts Feb. 16-19 in downtown Port Arthur. Lighted parades, a carnival and bead catching make this a family affair that draws revelers far and wide.

The Royalty March is set for 1 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 18.

More info is at www.portarthur.com/mardigras, www.facebook.com/mardigrassetx and www.facebook.com/kreweofaurora.

Cat Scan a keeper

Krewe Mon Ami’s Mardi Gras Ball featured several Port Arthur YMCA attendees who got a work out on the dance floor. I met all sorts of guests from throughout the area, including Cat Scan, a local roller derby skater, who sports a team number of 911. People are fun.

Stephan Briscoe’s work is always at Texas Artists Museum. The permanent stained glass window honoring Challenger 13 has been at the museum since it opened. Briscoe’s later works are on display in February, including a large panel featuring Port Arthur’s favorite pink bird, the roseate spoonbill. His latest is a blue heron, also native to this area. He started it before the last hurricane, but his commission work for churches pushed it back. Briscoe has also been involved in an African ministry, teaching stained glass to students in Accra, on the west coast. An artists reception will begin at 6 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 9 at the museum, 3501 Cultural Center Drive. Work by Slava Protopopov and Lou Handley will also be featured.

ddoiron@panews.com

Sir Jeffery goes all Sgt. Pepper for Mardi Gras

Giant lava lamps, platform boots and bean bag seating were touches taking Krewe Mon Ami’s psychedelic Mardi Gras ball over the top. Jeffery Collins stood out with a blue satin military-style coat obviously casting him in a Sgt. Pepper role, of the Lonely Hearts Club Band fame. Collins, of Orange, designed the coat himself with twists even the most dedicated Beatles fans could overlook. The coat is a conglomerate of those John, Paul, George and Ringo wore, with bands and trim from one and colors and metal from others. I certainly enjoyed the show, and catching Collins get by with a little help from his friends.

Karma in Nederland

Several new shops line Boston Avenue that weren’t around the last time Nederland Heritage Festival came around. I loved Splash of Karma, which displayed interesting jewelry on beds of raw rice. I sorted past an adorable one that looked like a bird’s nest, with little pearly beads as eggs. I’m drawn to blue glass, so for a modest $4.95, I left with a big, blue bead ring wrapped in golden wire. It’s big enough for the Mardi Gras season.

A cool night out

My husband asked me “out” to a A Cool Night Out, which turned out to be a reception at Previty – Clinic for Surgical Care which specializes in CoolSculpting, a non-surgical treatment that deals with freezing and fat cells. The office, near Baptist Hospital in Beaumont, is beautiful, with glass floral sculpture. There was abundant wine and cheese, and I was strolling through, I came upon a woman who was actually undergoing treatment during the party. She volunteered so she could tell people how it felt (no complaints) and had a hot chocolate afterward. Everyone was having such a good time talking to her, it felt like some reality show in Europe.

ddoiron@panews.com

Wanted: Families and visitors for festival fun

Mardi Gras of Southeast Texas has been filling Port Arthur with color and beads for 20 years, and Wayne Toups will again be a headliner during festival weekend, Feb. 16-19.

Over in Nederland, the close-knit Nederland Heritage Festival community has already kicked off their season, naming Brent Weaver as Mr. Nederland. This gang always fills the festival office on Boston Avenue with supporters who know supporting fun in Nederland translates into goodwill and good dollars for the community.

Poor Wanda Hollier had to confess to big-time “lying” to keep Shannon Hemby from knowing the annual program was dedicated to her, which is a huge Nederland honor.

“Wanted: For a Good Time” is the theme in Nederland, with the big weekend set for March 16-18. But they’re not done then. A golf tournament is set for April.

Mardi Gras spirit

Jan Walker reminds revelers that Spirit of Mardi Gras is the theme for Mardi Gras of Southeast Texas and Krewe of Aurora. The focus is on traditional symbols.

They “plan on going all out this year,” she said, and hinted at prized Zulu coconuts.

Apparently, they don’t mind making New Orleans runs for research. What dedication.

Psychadelic Fantasy

Jody Holton is beside herself with excitement over Krewe Mon Ami’s Fantasy Ball and its Psychadelic Fantasy theme, set for Saturday. Wanna come?

“We do have a limited amount of tickets for sale at $50. each, contact krewemonami94@yahoo.com . It will be a far out evening of peace, love, and dancing to some very groovy tunes,” Holton said.

ddoiron@panews.com

Sixth Floor Museum keeps JFK story relevant

It’s a chilling scene. A museum with an unfinished corner behind glass is made up to reflect how the Texas school book depository looked the day President John F. Kennedy was assassinated in Dallas.

The rest of the Sixth Floor Museum has a modern ‘60s look, with oversized black and white portraits and footage telling much of the Kennedy story and how the world reacted to his death. I’d visited years ago and wanted my husband to see it. We went through the exhibits with headphones, in a private way. All this happened before we were born, yet it seems as if we’d lived it in the collective conscience of America.

At end, in the gift shop, he mentioned something being the same as “before.” After all the maneuvering to get to the museum, park, pay, etc., he never mentioned he’d been before… with me, in fact. I can only sum up that the experience is so intense and personal, especially as one is listening to headphones instead of engaging with companions, that in my memory, I was all wrapped up in my thoughts “before.”

My Dallas/Plano venture on a cold, rainy winter’s weekend included a burger at Deep Ellum’s Angry Dog after a nostalgic trek through vintage shops and a quick gaze at Neiman Marcus’ $600 handbags. My rare brush with uber expensive window shopping involved “occupy” type protesters on the street.

But don’t worry, I took refuge down the street at St. Jude Chapel. The sweet women there directed me to the downtown Cathedral Shrine of the Virgin of Guadalupe for a memorable Saturday evening Mass.

With weather too dreary for more touristy fare, eating became a big deal and I’d like to thank the Plano Hampton Inn front desk for sending me to Gloria’s and Patrizio. Gloria’s featured Salvadorian food and reminded me of the kind of restaurant featured in “CSI Miami.” There were beautiful couples in beautiful clothes in this glamorous place with hot Latin music. We feasted on foods wrapped in banana leaves and enjoyed the view.

Patrizio is Italian food that somehow fits in a glorified strip mall. I don’t know how they did it, but once inside it looks like an old house with a fireplace and rugs (and a giant bar in the corner.) We chose one eggplant dish and one lasagna, but wondered was on high stands at other tables. It was the pizza, and diners we quizzed said it was good.

I spent about 20 minutes and $6 at an ALDI market. I’d heard of these basic, money-saving stores and I consider them like a Sam’s for singles. In other words, you can save money by bringing your own sack and shipping from cardboard boxes, but you can leave with a single can of mushrooms instead of a case. For my $6 I got cans of food, pork rinds for my road trip home and an amazingly- good merlot. When I got home, my husband pointed out this bottle of Winking Owl seems slightly smaller than other brands. For a price like $2.69, I’m not complaining. I opened it and watched “Spartacus” for the first time.

My final adventure was getting gas at one of those Buc-ee’s mega stops with the beaver. I kept saying we could make it, and the day was so gray we each kind of nudged the other into committing to fill the tank in the cold. My husband told me he paid for it, and headed to the bathroom while I walked around in search of my customary lucky penny find.

Miles down the road he exclaimed “You didn’t fill it up?”

We each thought the other had done so. We headed back and guess what? They remembered him, because the paying-without-filling transaction had messed up the tank order for the next customer. Thanks Buc-ee’s for letting the Castillos get our gas and make it home to Southeast Texas.

ddoiron@panews.com

Happy Birthday Janis

Janis Joplin and I were both January babies, and that’s one of the reasons I feel a connection to her. Hers in Jan. 19, and visiting her tribute at Museum of the Gulf Coast will be a great way to honor her.

On Sunday I caught the Carolyn Wonderland interview on National Public radio. Wonderland, an Austin singer, noted that growing up in Texas, singing Joplin’s songs was something one pretty much did in private. She’s included one of her tunes, asking “what good can drinkin’ do,” on her latest CD, but remains humble about any comparisons between her and the Texas legend.

Joplin’s musings for sale

Janis Joplin never seemed at a loss for words. Some of them will be for sale, according to an item published on the San Antonio Express News web site. The story focuses on a letter Elvis Presley wrote to a Fort Hood mentor and continues:

“Presley's letter is one of more than 700 pieces of rock memorabilia up for sale online in the Modern Music Auction Jan. 19-26. Items include Bob Dylan's harmonicas, Jimi Hendrix's guitar picks, a postcard penned by Lubbock native Buddy Holly and an eight-page letter that Janis Joplin sent to her fiancé from her hometown of Port Arthur.”




Mardi Gras 2012

I caught Linda Hebert and krewe prepping for Twelfth Night and caught my first throw of the season. Parties are everywhere: Look for them.

The Pary Krewe of Southeast Texas, which is Krewe Mon Ami, if you didn’t know, has slated its Psychadelic Fantasy Ball for Jan. 28. Get on line for info on joining in.

Costumes are not for everyone, apparently. Krewe of Outcast stages its 5^th annual Blue Bean Ball on Sat., Jan. 28, at the Commpany D Event Center at 343 North Twin City Highway. This is a $10 BYOB event for those older than 21. The magic number to call is 960-1628.

ddoiron@panews.com