Krewe of Wrecks Ball

With so much cold weather and so many Mardi Gras events going on, I haven't kept up with my blog to let you know how we're faring here on the island. Let me assure you, things are hopping!


This year is the 30th anniversary of the Krewe of Wrecks, the first Mardi Gras krewe which was started on the island by Jane Waters Cooper, Larry Geisel and Frank Douglas. This past Saturday night their special anniversary ball was held at the Elks Lodge with an appropriate theme: SHIPWRECKED!


Purple, gold and green, the traditional Mardi Gras colors, are displayed everywhere you turn. In case you didn't know the meaning behind Mardi Gras colors - purple represents justice, green stands for faith, and gold stands for power.


A couple mermaids at the ball. Hmmm...must be looking for some shipwrecked sailors.

Mike Cook came as a poor man who'd been Cast Away - complete with a FedEx box and his own 'Wilson'. Wilsonnnnnn!!!!!! (Love that movie - at least I loved the first hour and a half and the last five minutes)

See what happens when you're shipwrecked for a very long time!

Arrrggghhhhh, matey! It's a pirate, a parrot and another fine friend.

One of our beloved turtlers, Melanie Waite! Thank goodness she found a sea turtle to keep her company while shipwrecked!

But wait! Here comes Jim and Lila Cox, and Shelley Johnson on the Miss Jane to rescue some of these shipwrecked souls.

Sweet Jane McGrath is a 2009 Krewe of Wrecks' Ship's Officer. She will give up her position this weekend when the new court is appointed at the Krewe of Wrecks Champagne Breakfast.

Sandi Johnson, our current Sandshaker Queen, in her beautiful purple gown.

Ms. Carleen Wheeler is so happy that though she's shipwrecked, she's going to have (stuffed) lobster for dinner.

Judy L'Oignon is the new Queen for the Krewe of Nauga, but I think she is also the queen of face paint. If you recall, Judy came to the Nauga Champagne Breakfast costumed as a 'one-eyed, one horn, flying purple people eater' and covered in purple. This time she mixed her face paint for an incredibly realistic sunburn. Poor 'Lost' survivor.

Ahhhh....and then there were those who just melted my heart. I think the look between Rusty and Sherri says it all.

Jayne Drees Redmond had a great time at the Ball with her parents and her sister, Amy. Jayne was a huge help to me last year at the Krewe of Wrecks Mardi Gras Parade - my first year as photographer for the Krewe of Wrecks. I can truly say they broke the mold when Jayne was born!

And here they are, a group from the Krewe of Nereids - wild, wonderful, kind-hearted ladies who love life and love each other. Having recently joined their krewe as a 'Love Lady' - and, of course, their official photographer, I learn so much from their resiliency and zest for life.

So much to do, so many events, so little time during Mardi Gras season... But as photographer for the Krewe of Wrecks and the Krewe of Nereids, I have an extra benefit of being able to experience it all over again as I go through the photos!