"To the Beat of an Island Drum"

Occasionally I enjoy sharing a special book or website with you. With Mardi Gras season really gearing up, I have to add one more to my list...

Several years ago, shortly after I first discovered Pensacola Beach, I stumbled upon a book called"To the Beat of an Island Drum - a Different Kind of Mardi Gras," by Jane Waters Cooper, in The Market on the Island. My husband and I were headed out of town that day, on our way back to Tennessee, but knowing Mardi Gras was an integral part of the Pensacola Beach community, the book immediately piqued my interest, and I looked forward to learning more about the heart of this small beach paradise I had found

On the drive home that day, I read and laughed, then laughed some more as I read about the birth of Mardi Gras on Pensacola Beach and all the Krewes and 'Social Clubs' which have come after. None of the names had meaning to me at the time, as they do now, but I felt a rush of excitement knowing someday I would be a part of this unique and adventurous...might I add wild and crazy...group of people.

Flashing forward seven years, I truly feel part of this community as I have no other. With Mardi Gras season upon us once more, I pulled my copy of "To the Beat of an Island Drum" from the shelf and starting reading it once again from the start. This time names have meaning or a tinge of sadness that I did not/will not have the opportunity to meet some of the special ones like Harry Gowens or Andrea Brunt. I also know some of the 'back-stories' now and have seen the generosity of these people first hand. They party hard, they love dearly, and they have open hearts.

I verified that Mrs. Cooper's book is still available through mail within the U.S., so if you would enjoy reading and learning more about Mardi Gras on Pensacola Beach, please send her a written request, along with a check for $13.00 (which includes shipping and handling) to:

Shelley Ink
P.O. Box 844
Gulf Breeze, FL 32562-0844

If you purchase the book, be sure to read one of my favorite chapters, Chapter 21, about the Krewe of Nauga! Better yet, read the book, then come join us for Mardi Gras!

"Just gather the tourists into your own parties, and make them feel like they are Beach people, if even for one day. There is no better gift to give a tourist than acceptance and togetherness as they walk in our shoes. (It's o.k. if they walk in our shoes, since we're all barefooted anyway.)"

~~ Jane Waters Cooper, "To the Beat of an Island Drum"

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!

Pensacola Beach Mardi Gras Parade - II

The Hilton set up a tent where Mardi Gras revelers could sample a bit of cajun cuisine...


a box top of crawfish!

Another flamingo!

This looks like a Mardi Gras version of Uncle Sam...on stilts.

Hey, Miss Carleen! I see you're wearing your Krewe of Wrecks beads.

Another Parrothead!

Can you believe it! King Tut, the "boy king" showed up for our Mardi Gras parade. What a cutie!

Now this is just wrong! How can you eat an icee in weather like this! Look at those little pink cheeks.

And here we have the reviewing stand with the Krewe of Wrecks' carefully chosen, unbiased parade judges.

Mardi Gras mama! Everyone is having fun today!

And the parade begins. Do you see anyone you know on this float? Allen Strum, WEAR-TV's chief meteorologist, was one of the "stowaways" this year.

The Krewe of Brew show lotsa love, not war on their Love Train.

One of the great floats -- and great throws -- from the Krewe of Seville.

Another Krewe of Seville float.

Wow, how many girls her age do you see that still have their tonsils?

So this is where all those Parrotheads were heading! They have their own float.

The Dreamland Skate float. That's one brave mascot up there.

Kimberly Blair from the Pensacola News Journal and Allen Strum, this year's stowaways, show off a major 'throw' caught during the parade. So there's my Tweety Bird!

This float was amazing. Pirates of Lost Treasure was this year's first place winner in the Krewe of Wrecks Mardi Gras Parade. Great job.

The Krewe of Warriors, herding a host of stray cats, won the second place ribbon!

What a great parade again this year.
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Krewe of Wrecks - Red Beans & Rice

Now that I'm back home and settled in, I have to catch up my blog viewers on some of the Mardi Gras events on the island.


The Krewe of Wrecks offer a free lunch of red beans and rice on the Monday following their big Pensacola Beach Parade. It's a popular tradition for the beach and hundreds show up. Tommy Grice, the new King of Wrecks, stirs the pot...doesn't he always!


Smaller pots of rice simmering away...


as the line grows longer.


Folks on the island really know how to dress for the occasion!


And the serving line opens! Ladies from the Pensacola Beach Women's Club serve red beans and rice until the food runs out...and that's a long time.


Looks like Ms. Bobbi (standing) is supervising the drink line. She's the sweetest lady!


A steaming hot bowl of red beans and rice


Some take a bit of hot sauce...


Others are treated to a little bit of sugar! Ohhhh...Miss Carleen!!!


Oh look! It's Blondy Larsen, one of our annual snowbirds. They love Pensacola Beach and we love them.


And here is Blondy's wife, lovely Rosemary (on the right), with one of her friends.


Whoa! Dogs don't eat red beans and rice, do they? Hide, li'l pup, 'fore they make you a hot dog!


Red Beans and Rice day is special, but even more so for Janet & Allen Penniman. It's their 52nd wedding anniversary.


This little girl just wanted to dance the Mardi Gras Mambo


Why can't I come up with something artsy like this for my Mardi Gras collection! Do you think it's dishwasher safe? ;-)


Recognize this bike from the Mardi Gras parade? Ride in style, baby!


Ahhhh...a baby Mardi Gras dinosaur. Thankfully they are a protected species on the island.


"Hey, neighbor!" This is one of my neighbors, Maria Weisnicht. Now she knows how to throw a Mardi Gras party.


Just wait, another year and I'll find a hat like this!


It's the new King of Junkanoo, Don Stevens! Love your crown, King Don