News
Mardi Gras 2010
On February, 9th we celebrated 42 years of Mardi Gras at Prompt Succor. The residents and families look forward to this wonderful gala every year!
Originating centuries ago in ancient Rome, this celebration spread across the European continent with each region and country creating their own traditions. In France, the term Mardi Gras is a French expression meaning “Fat Tuesday.” The term may have been passed down from the ancient pagans who often marked their fertility ritual by parading a fattened ox through the town before sacrificing it. It was also the French who brought the celebration to America. Many historians believe the party crossed the Atlantic Ocean in 1699, on the ship of a French explorer named Sieur d’Iberville. The Frenchman landed in what is today Louisiana, just south of New Orleans, the heart of Mardi Gras celebrations. In fact, his landing is believed to have coincided with the French celebration of Mardi Gras, explaining his choice of name for his point of entry: Point du Mardi Gras. Others dispute this theory contending that it was the early French settlers to Louisiana who introduced Mardi Gras to America. Regardless of the precise origin, Mardi Gras in the United States can clearly be attributed to a French influence and by the mid 1820s, it was firmly rooted in the culture and traditions of many parts of Louisiana and the Southern United States.
At Prompt Succor, our royal court consists of a king, a queen and four maids. For some of our residents, this is their first time participating in such an event so we are very happy to know that we are continuing this wonderful tradition.
King Wesley Miller was born in Cankton, Louisiana. Together with his wife Snooky Miller they have 5 children; 4 girls, Casandra, Celene, Kerry, and Marcella and one son, Cecil. King Wesley worked off-shore and ran a store in Higginbotham for 24 years. He loves to play his guitar and he enjoys singing country and western music. His favorite cowboy is Roy Rogers.
Queen Rita Cormier was born in Cankton and is the mother of 5 children, Oday, Dianne, Donna, Sandra, and Doreen. Mrs. Cormier was a sales person at Mervine Kahn and also worked at Wolf’s bakery in Lafayette. Her hobbies included sewing for her daughters, dancing at Bourques in Lewisburg, and she was a bingo caller for the American Legion. She served as past president of our Resident Council and enjoys participating in our monthly French table in Arnaudville.
Princess Sr. Brenda Comeaux was born in Arnaudville. She is the daughter of Whitney and the late Vivian Comeaux. She graduated from Cecilia High School and also attended Little Flower School in Arnaudville where Sr. Albina Guillory was one of her teachers. She entered the Marianites of Holy Cross in 1969, taught elementary school and later ministered in pastoral care in New Orleans and at Prompt Succor Nursing Home. Her hobbies are bird watching and word puzzles.
Princess Leona Savoie was born in Arnaudville. She is the mother of 4 children, 1 son and 3 daughters. Together with Mr. Savoie, their hobby was dancing at the “Happy Landing Club” in Pecanier. She also enjoyed her vegetable and flower gardens and crocheting.
Princess June Sebastien was born in Opelousas. She and her husband, Mr. J.L., who is also a resident at Prompt Succor, have 2 daughters. Together they enjoyed playing in French bands in the area and Mrs. June continues to play the “Triangle” with Percy MeGeee and the Potpourri band. She loved to cook and her favorite dish was chicken and sausage gumbo!
Princess Dorothy Wedlock was born in Opelousas. She is the mother of 1 daughter and 2 sons. She worked at a grocery store for a short time and then decided to assist with the care of her grandchildren. She loved to garden with her husband and their main crops were purple hull peas, sweet potatoes and Irish potatoes. She loves animals and had a parakeet named Penny who could call her children by name. She also has a pet Chihuahua who visits her in the nursing home.
Congratulations to our 2010 royal court! Happy Mardi Gras to everyone!