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Poland Shepherd crowns Mardi Gras royalty
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Instead of sitting and tapping their feet, Poland Shepherd of the Valley residents Larry Lyons (left) and Marge Miles arose to dance to the music of the Jim Frank Trio.
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The Jim Frank Trio entertained the crowd with traditional favorites and new twists on the classics.
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Poland Shepherd resident Betsy Casgrain (right) came prepared for the Mardi Gras party with a pair of bright pink sunglasses she already owned. Casgrain celebrated with her relative Gretchen Bell.
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Traditionally, Mardi Gras royalty are elected by finding a baby Jesus figurine in the King Cake; however, the Poland Shepherd residents elected their royalty in a fair vote. Thomas Rober (left) and Norma Kovanes were chosen as the king and queen of the festivities.
By SARAH FOOR
On March 8, Poland Shepherd of the Valley celebrated Mardi Gras with its biggest party of the year.
The event included music, dance and New Orleans-style food on the night before the start of the Lenten season.
“Mardi Gras is our biggest party — it’s the Super Bowl of parties for our facility,” said activity director Paula Blakeman. “I think it’s the excitement of the holiday and the election of a facility king and queen that make it such a favorite.”
Traditionally, the king or queen of Mardi Gras is chosen when a guest finds a trinket, usually a plastic baby, in the cinnamon-flavored “King Cake.” The residents of Poland Shepherd of the Valley took a different approach, however, and elected their favorite residents as royalty for the night.
“Everyone that works and lives in our facility is many years out of high school, but these elections are like finding the perfect prom king and queen,” Blakeman reflected, with a laugh. “There was that same excitement in the air about it — the same inquisitive gossip being traded about who will win.”
Before the crowning moment arrived, Shepherd residents and their guests were treated to a meal of southern seafood and a dessert of cinnamon cupcakes topped with a Mardi Gras crown. The crowd was entertained by the Jim Frank Trio, who played big band classics and many renditions of the unofficial song of the celebration, “When the Saints Go Marching In.”
Pat Russo, the trio’s percussionist, began a drum roll for the crowning moment, and the facility’s new royalty became residents Norma Kovanes and Thomas Rober.
“I hear that you’re a fairly new resident here at Poland, Tom. This contest isn’t rigged, is it?” Jim Frank asked the new king.
Showing some of the politeness and genial nature that won him the crown, Rober responded in kind.
“I don’t know quite how I won, but I thank each person that decided to vote for me. It’s made my night.”