Hurricane season 2006 starts in a few months, might as well toss a "party" now...
only one question...
after getting hit last year, are you ready to go through it all again in 2006?
party on dudes....

Bless everyone in New Orleans who did not lie down and give up the chance to celebrate Mardi Gras this year. Your spirit is an inspiration to us all!!!

It is a time to celebrate, keep your spirit up Hancock County things will get better, there is absolutely nothing wrong with the bright colored floats, the throws and the music. It's just the right kind of therapy at the right time. And you are absolutely right Hurricane Season 2006 is just around the corner "celebrate Life for all that it is worth." Never let the bad times over ride the good times and memories of our community. Life will go on after the party is over. Great to see the parades and smiling faces.

Way to go, my friends. I wish I could have been there to cheer you along. My thoughts and prayers are always with you. I know many will not understand the point of all this but I do. Keep on rolling !! Happy Mardi Gras !!!

I was so lifted to see my daughter laughing on Sunday the day of the Nereids parade.Just for a couple of hours her mind was clear of all the trauma she has been through.Her family lost everything as with everyone else that was there that day. Bay St. Louis is my husband and my hometown. Marianne Boswell was raised there.School, church, friends and most important her family.Her smiles lifted my heart for the day. May God Bless the wonderful Gulf Coast."Mardi Gras From The Ruins"

What in the world are these people thinking. Mardi Gras is a sinful and wicked celebration. What we need to do is to rebuild and help the peolpe. America stinks!

wow! I think that it is so great how everyone's spirits are up even though this tragedy happened.I envy all of you.

I was born and lived in New Orleans. Mardi Gras is for the rich to have a show of elite snobs. Go to a ball and watch the waste of money. Why don't the krewe captains get off the floats, drop the booze and have the members, who have plenty of money, start using hammers and nails to rebuild. They can drink their booze and work in their fancy costumes if they want to, but that is positive. Invite all these people who want a change, like me, to party with them as they help rebuild. Give out their beads and trinkets to those who work or supply food or drink or just moral support. I also had a home in three sections due to trees cutting my home in half. We all suffered. After the above action is taken, people will feel better about themselves and then on ash Wendsay, everyone can go remember those thousand who lost their lives and pray that they will get themselves and their homes back together.

J.B.,
its a miserable shame that you cannot allow those devastated people a moment of respite. A small window of brightness in an otherwise trudging existence of tearing down and cleaning up their destroyed homeland and culture.Give them a moment to rest and catch their collective breath before they continue to rebuild something that has meant something to them for generations. let them have a little minute to bond again as a community, prior to returning to living conditions that most regular folks couldn't or wouldn't endure. Doing It All Again because it's home. Always was. Always will be.

Mrs. Dornhofer,
surely you should acknowledge that Mardi Gras is a vital economic engine to the area spurring the largest income producing area - tourism. this has been the gentlest, most family-oriented time i have seen in my times since the 60's when i was a kid. think about the chance to remove or at least tone down the trauma. and believe me, we businessmen are getting hit at least as hard as you "little people" !

What has happened to all of the money raised for New Orleans and the rest of the Gulf Coast connunities?

Dubai gve 100 million dollars. Now that should have fixed a few of the buildings or roads that were destroyedw, not to mention all of the other donations. Surely the bottom line had to be in the billions.

I was born and raised on the beautiful Mississippi Gulf Coast, and am now away from home because I am in the military. I can't be at home but I am so happy to see that my family and friends back home can stop for a moment and celebrate Mardi Gras. That alone lets me know that there are strong people who aren't going to let anything get them down. I'm glad that they can take their minds off of Katrina for a moment and remember that there are things in life to celebrate. I am grateful to know that people aren't going to let this storm keep them discouraged. Celebrate what you have instead of concentrating on what you don't have! Party on! My hat's off to all of you! :)

I appreciate the parade organizers in both New Orleans and Waveland. Day in and day out, we are dealing with debris and total devasatation. Mardi Gras has been the one thing that I have looked forward to for the past month. It is one thing that is representative of our past normal life. It was great to take a break from the daily routines of Katrina recovery to participate in something that is representative of our past normal life. Thank you.

I'm so glad the dredges of society have found a home. Where would we be without a legal place for public intoxication, public nudity and public urination not ot mention all the professional women of the country. Bless NO hope they all stay there. So glad this is where they spend all the money they don't have to help the people who lost everything from Katrina. Maybe it's time to look at priorities.

Greg, how would you spend 2.7 million dollars if you were in charge. Throw a party or help people who need it??

Am I mistaken, or do some of you people STILL have the impression that the entire Gulf Coast of Mississippi is some sort of suburb of New Orleans? This story was about Mardi Gras in Waveland/Bay St. Louis MISSISSIPPI! And as to the "sinful" crap, most of Mardi Gras in Mississippi is family oriented, to the point of having Kids Krews. I wish some of you would pick up a map of the USA and figure out what the heck you are talking about before posting. geeesh!

To D of CO:

How dare you call us the "dredges of society"!? In case you haven't been payin' attention, this year's Mardi Gras was more family-friendly than anyone can ever remember. You live in rubble and trash and mold and mud and toxic substances everywhere for six months and THEN see if you still think that a few brightly colored floats and high school bands and celebrities throwin' beads right atcha(!) doesn't make it a little easier to go back to the war zone. As for all the professional women of the country? Some of New Orleans most elite and current generations of some of the oldest money in this country along with the city's smartest and highest paid professionals (i.e.: lawyers, doctors, stock brokers, get it?) work all year to put floats and costumes and beads and parties and balls together because Mardi Gras IS New Orleans, along with gumbo, jazz, riverboats, and even voo-doo. Priorities?! We are not in danger of dying from rubble or mold, but from depression that can steal your soul and kill you from the inside out. Save your tsk! tsk! for Anna Nicole Smith appearing before the Supreme Court - THERE'S a priority out of place.

D from CO - it's fairly obvious you're not a local, because you only know about the small part of Mardi Gras that occurs with the tourists on Bourbon street. What you don't know is how my family, ever since I was young, would go out together in the weeks leading up to Mardi Gras, have a picnic on the neutral ground, and watch the amazing floats go by, catching what throws we could. You don't know how how we'd laugh, talk, and meet the numerous other families around us as the kids played together. Mardi Gras for most locals is a time of celebration with friends and family, not public nudity and urination. It's been one of the only breaks in a city that certainly needs it. I hope you come down to NO one day and see it for the great city it truly is but you'll have to lighten up a little first...we're pretty easy going down here. Let the good times roll!

D,Co - the cities of Waveland, Bay St. Louis, Pass Christian, Long Beach, Gulfport and Biloxi are in Mississippi. They are not a part of New Orleans. The spirit and determination of the people of the Mississippi Gulf Coast to rebuild after Katrina is inspiring. We are rebuilding with the help of hundreds of faith based organizations. Not one federal dollar was spent on the Krewe of Nereids parade. This parade happened because of the determination of the ladies of Nereids to give to their community one day of what would be normal at this time of the year. Before you judge us come down and get to know us.

We've been flooded by Georges, ravaged by Ivan, took a direct hit by an F2 tornado eight weeks later, received nothing from FEMA, Red cross or anyone that wasn't freind or family. We celebrated Mardi Gras with a Chili cookoff that all enjoyed. To all of the hatefull hippocrites the begrudge anyone SOME enjoyment in their life I hope you know what and where to kiss!

How can people argue about the partying, besides getting a break and lifting their spirits, don't you all realize New Orleans lives off tourism? Mardi Gras is the Main event. If they don't keep that money coming in, the businesses fail and the city dies... get it?!

I know they all need a break. Texas was the first to reach out to all of Louisiana but wasting all the money on floats - this money could be used to help unite all the citizens to push the administration to quickly repair the levees and build up protection around the cities. Where have all the donations gone. Is there any accountability for what is being spent on re-building - or is it just free for all - who you know - are they the ones collecting the money and then pocketing it instead of putting it where it was intended. Citizens of New Orleans, Southern La, Mississippi - UNITE!! Tell the talking heads in DC that you want action NOW!!

Mardi Gras is a tradition much like Christmas. I see a lot of comments here about spending money on Mardi Gras and not spending it on rebuilding.

I guess what I am asking "is it any different to spend money on one tradition and not the other".

I have seen families with nothing spend money for toys at Christmas not becuase they had to but because it would give their children a bit of happiness, so a few hours spent celebrating with floats and throws is not a bad thing.

If you look at your life if its all work and no play it makes you old way before your time.

In the end those fewer happy times are all we have.

Having just actually participated in a prominent Mississppi Gulf Coast Mardi Gras Parade, what really amazed me were the thousands of "dudes" from places like Michigan who drove or flew all the way down here with their entire families just to "party on" with us!

Mardi Gras is not put on by the government- it is put on by private citizens who are members of Krewes. Money is not coming out of poor people or taxpayer pockets to pay for it. I was shocked at how many Thank Yous I received as a rider along the parade route. Mardi Gras is a huge part of our culture and needed to happen for morale sake. Normal will exist again.

A big thank you to all of the volunteers going into these areas to help people rebuild their homes. The caring seen from everywhere has been an inspiration to us all as Americans.

Nerieds and Mardi Gras has been a part of my entire life. My mother was a member of Nerieds from almost the beginning (the second year) and stayed in for over 20 years. I was lucky enough to be a Paige for Queen Doris in 1973. It fills my heart to see that Nerieds is carrying on your CAPTAIN would be very proud!

The Mardi Gras spirit has always been family oriented. If you see anyone baring body parts, urinating in the street or acting obnoxious during a parade, odds are 9 in 10 that it's a tourist.

I realize this is an article on the Mississippi gulf coast Mardi Gras celebration...but I am still saying to everyone on the Gulf Coast regardless of State..."Laissez Le Bon Temp Rouler"..(let the good time roll)and High Fives for celebrating during this time!! For those of you who are willing and able to celebrate at this time, I salute you as well. It has been indeed tragic times but we must move on and if Mardi Gras helps...so be it. Lori

Vicky in Texas: ROTFLMAO!!! Yeah...we'll jes' tell them ole "talkin' heads" in D.C. we want action now. That'll get 'em goin'...uhhh...huhh!

Play the video, really HEAR what is being said, look closely at the pictures! And while you are at it check out the link animalrescuefront.net. People and animals are both suffering.

I know Mardi Gras has been a traditional celebration thats known throughout the world. But I think the celebration in New Orleans today is in poor poor taste. New Orleans evacuees are scattered all over these United States. The tasks to get them home and get the city of New orleans up & running should be the first priority. It would be great if all the tourist from out of town would use their money to help just one family get back to New Orleans or give to an organization that will truly help the evacuees. The problems are not going to go away after the partying stops. I was born in New Orleans and lived in Baton Rouge until twenty years ago. So I'm fully aware of the traditional partying. But please don't ignore the people who are suffering.

Laissez les bon temps rouler! New Orleans needs the respite of a couple of days to laugh and enjoy. Even those who did not lose homes, family and jobs suffer at the loss of others and even feel guilt that they still have homes, cars and jobs. Many residents are suffering from a Post Traumatic Stress Syndrome type of response. Ash Wednesday will come soon enough and complete reality will set in again. I miss and love and pray for the entire gulf coast.

I read this passage with tears falling on my desk - knowing that my family and friends along the coast are trying to get some semblance of normalcy back in their lives. Yes, Mardi Gras along the coast of MISSISSIPPI is a family affair. Then I read through the comments and have now lost my cool with the stupidity of other regions of the country. Yes, please, get out a map and learn geography. And please do not belittle our family traditions. Belitle the drunk tourists who invade New Orleans, LOUISIANA.

Carol. Have you ever logged on to NOLA Cams. It shows all the drunk, flashing, urinating lowlifes. This is what people see of the mardi gras. Most are right, how many of you norleans know what it is about. The city spent over $2.7 million on this get drunk and screw the law party. Where would you put this $2.7 million??? If you can give a honest answer I might change my mind. But think of what that money could do to help the people that need it, think hard. $2.7 million divided by maybe $100,000, thats quite a few people who could really use it to rebuild not PARTY!
Hey if you have to cancel mardi gras for a year is it worth it? You tell me. Personaly I hate the french. It's their holiday, look it up.

The money that was donated to private entities (Red Cross, various foundations etc) gets spent in a variety of ways: the Red Cross funded shelters and provided meals for months- until the grocery stores were open and able to actually serve the population. Many of the private foundations give money in the form of grants to small businesses or individuals. This money is to be used to rebuild their homes and livilihoods. Most of this money has been spent or disbursed. However, Contractors are in extremely short supply and as a result work is scheduled but not yet completed.

The millions spent by the Federal Government has at this point gone to debris removal and to repairing vital roads. Not only was, and is still, an unbelievable amount of debris that has to be removed from streets, beaches, oceans and rivers, and private property.

Many of the communities on the MS coast had 50% of their homes destroyed. These houses either had to be completely gutted and most often, completely torn down, slab and all. The Army Corp of engineers is in charge of right-of-entry projects (gutting and tearing down houses). A small house is estimated to cost just over $10,000 to tear down and clear away. This quickly adds up to a large sum. Not to mention all of the bridges and roadways that have to replaced or repaired.

While there have been and will continue to be stories accounting for mismanagment of money and of individuals taking advantage of programs designed to help individual at their worst, nearly all of the money has been spent legitimatley.

D from CO wrote: "Hey if you have to cancel Mardi Gras for a year is it wiorth it? You tell me." No, it is not worth it! The people of New Orleans and the Mississippi Gulf Coast need a respite from all the devastation that Katrina wrought, more so since they have to fight recalictrant insurance companies and slow, red-tape ridden federal bureaucracies in order to get *anything* done beyond the most rudimentary clean-up of Katrina debris. They are still living in a place that I call "Post-war-Iraq-plus-water" and they need SOMETHING to keep themselves from going completely off the deep end. People NEED to keep their traditions, especially now that everything else has been turned upside-down for them. And BTW I had the good fortune to live in New Orleans before Katrina, and I know by personal experience that Mardi Gras THEN, outside and away from upper Bourbon Street was a similar family-oriented celebration that you have seen reported from Uptown N.O. and Waveland and elsewhere after Katrina, NOT Spring-Break-in-the-Vieux-Carre for drunken college age-tourists and other immature people! In fact, even the gay Mardi Gras celebrations on lower Bourbon Street were more restrrinaed and more tame than the above-mentioned "Spring-Break!"

To Roger S. from Mrs. D.,
I am not one of your "little people". I also had my times as maids in balls and a queen of one. It was then I realied how much my parents had spent on the entire "show" to promote what? I agree that business people are suffering but if you have no one at home to purchase your wares or outlets to serve them, where are you? Your priorities should be checked. There are many ways that the city could have celebrated Mardi Gras without the "throwing of money away" on trinkets made in sweat shops in foreign lands. Did you watch the documentary on these sweat shops which appropriately followed Mardi Gras on none of the local channels. Try looking at where the trinkets were made. Did these trinkets make money for New Orleans workers? NO! They did not this year or any other year. Does the words "Made in Taiwan", "Made in Japan" etc. sound familiar to you? If Mardi Gras is "so New Orleans" then let this wonderful city get all the credit and the profit. Doesn't that sound like a wonderful business opportunity, Mr. Roger S. business man?

D,CO: Actually it's a Catholic holiday that has been adapted over the years to accomodate locale and cultures. But even that is beside the point:
It is like living in a National Geographic article about Somalia...or Rwanda...or Afghanistan - we have tent cities for God's sake, there is trash everywhere we look, some trees are still "decorated" as if for some bizarre, macabre demonic festival. There are splinters of homes - entire homes rent to SPLINTERS. There are people who did all the right things and carefully listened and followed all the right advice who now stand in Salvation Army lines to EAT. Every other face has the same look - "What happened? Where is my house? Where is my mother's hutch? Why did I pay insurance premiums for twenty years and I won't get back even a tenth of what I've paid them for what I was payin' 'em for in the first place! What happened?". Until you have spent even one month in this environment - much less six months - you cannot say that a few measly parades and some cheap plastic beads are a waste. I am watching my beloved Biloxi and her souls are being slowly squeezed and twisted and I'm very afraid for us. I am not afraid of mold, or cholera, or accidents from rubble or insufficient traffic controls. No, I KNOW that what will take us down is depression. And without that few days of silliness, laughter, watching kids who can't sleep for the nightmares laughing when they catch some silly ole beads, well, my dear, you really can't judge us so harshly. I apologize for my first response to you - it was a knee-jerk gut response in defense of my family, my friends, my neighbors and my fellow Southerners here pluggin' through each day like alcoholics on a twelve step program. Mardi Gras IS a cultural event that tourists have discovered and claimed it as an excuse to be immoral barbarians. Check any large festival in this country and you'll find that the non-natives are the worst offenders and the least respectful of the event they will leave behind them - to tell or rather not to tell when they get back home. As for the funds - that's a joke here - we Mississippians are doin' without federal monies for the most part, and are dependent and d**n grateful for our fellow Americans who have responded like family when there's trouble. Yes, we have some folks who have been blessed and fortunate in the great FEMA Katrina Lottery, but there are far too many that have not that are just as deserving and if not for individuals - either in groups or acting on their consciences - we'd be more like the Ninth Ward than I care to think about. Cams? Sin and Sex sells - it's practically a maxim of our various media outlets and nothin's gonna change that. LIke Steve, I also hope that you can come down here, not just to New Orleans, but to sweet, quaint Pass Christian and artistic communities like Bay St. Louis and Ocean Springs, and, of course, Biloxi - the second oldest city in this nation. Many landmarks may be gone to the visible eye - but get yourself the right guide when you come to town and you'll see and appreciate them, too. You'll also know first-hand why we are called the Hospitality State.

D'CO - Has it occured to you that what you see on TV is Bourbon Street , which by the way, is in New Orleans, NOT MISSISSIPPI... Our crowd is full of kids, our Krewe is made up of local women - teachers, nurses, housewives, and lots of other professions, NONE OF WHICH are in any way the unsavory type YOU refer to. I am a Krewe member, and I rode stone cold sober, spent not a red cent, and was assaulted with thanks for helping bring a few minutes of fun and a glimpse of our pre-Katrina life to our community. I would do it again just for that, if I had to spend thousands - it made EVERYONE'S day so much better. If that makes me a dredge of society, then tell me where to join that krewe...

Bless all of those people in New Orleans and other areas devasted by Katrina. Bless the great city of New Orleans, which will like the other cities rise from the ruins. May all these people again find health and happiness as they rebuild their lives and look forward to the future.

Hey, D,Co, I guess you are one of those who still order "freedom fries." I've been to France and I can tell you now that everyone we met from Normandy to Paris and beyond were very nice to us, and we were nice to them. Actually, Mardi Gras is really southern European, not just French. Think Venice, etc. We loved it when we went to Venice and Florence. The Italians were the most wonderful people. The Germans were nice, too. The Swiss were kind of "uppity." If you ever get cabin fever or go stir crazy this winter in land-locked Colorado, you can get out an atlas and see that Bay St. Louis and Waveland are in MISSISSIPPI, not in Louisiana. We have nothing to do with what goes on in New Orleans, which is in LOUISIANA. Our Mardi Gras is not the one you see on television or read about, even though it came before the New Orleans' Mardi Gras. And why shouldn't people have fun for just a few days? Are you of German descent? I shouldn't say that, because we had a ball at Munich during Octoberfest. We danced with the Germans on the tables of the beer tents. And they don't even have Mardi Gras! How can you hate a whole group of people? Whether it be French or maybe Mississippians? If you are nice to people, nine times out of ten they'll be nice to you. I have a little German, as well as a lot of Irish, French, English, Scottish, and Creek Indian blood flowing through my veins, and I am proud of all of it. It makes me what I am - a pretty good person who works very hard, who tries not to sweat the small stuff, who likes to have fun when all the work's done, and who thanks God every day for what we still Do have - each other. And by the way, YOU are part of that, whether you like it or not. We are all citizens of God's world, and we should try to remember that.

D. from CO writes:

Carol. Have you ever logged on to NOLA Cams. It shows all the drunk, flashing, urinating lowlifes. This is what people see of the mardi gras. Most are right, how many of you norleans know what it is about. The city spent over $2.7 million on this get drunk and screw the law party. Where would you put this $2.7 million??? If you can give a honest answer I might change my mind. But think of what that money could do to help the people that need it, think hard. $2.7 million divided by maybe $100,000, thats quite a few people who could really use it to rebuild not PARTY!
Hey if you have to cancel mardi gras for a year is it worth it? You tell me. Personaly I hate the french. It's their holiday, look it up.

Once again, this is NOT NOT NOT about New Orleans.
This is about Southern Mississippi, where the only
nudity you'd see is if a dog were in the parade.

No one in South Mississippi is using government
dollars for Mardi Gras parades!!!

Please.

Ahh, D of CO...It's not all about the money. For the last week or so, people whose homes are fallin' down 'round their ears didn't give a dang about proper, lawful appropriations and accounting reports of monies from whatever source. They were glad to see old friends and happy for those that are making visible progress back to normal. And to all of you Mississippians out there past the Mason-Dixon line - somebody's missin' you: they miss seein' you water your grass in the late summer afternoons, they miss seein' you wash and wax your new muscle car for Cruisin' the Coast, they miss complainin' to everybody else 'bout that ole hound dog that howls every full moon, they miss watchin' your kids grow from energetic elementary school to awkward junior high and all-too-fast into high school. Someone is missin' your wife's famous Mississippi Mud Cake at a Lion's Club or VFW crawfish boil, and someone is missin' your energetic spirit at your ole high school football games, and someone is missin' how solid and warm you felt next to them on the church pew. To all of our l'il orphans out there - please come home when you can - we're missin' ya.

ya'll go sunherald or wlox websites....you will find out...not anything is evil!!...about Mississippi parades....and yes M,a naked dog might be in the bunch....and the dog .......might urinate....but i'll bet the dog ain't drunk....whydo some of these people speak of something they ....they know nothing about?...our parades ain't in N.O. dangitt...they are for the whole family

Just got back late last night (2/28/06) and would like to say to all of you who know the real meaning of Mardi Gra, I wouldn't concern myself with those who don't. I live in Indianapolis and go to the coast every year for the Mardi Gra parades, festivities and comaraderie; people that have never been there have no clue what it's like or even what it's all about. People who judge these gala events without experiencing what it's like to be involved...you need to hold your tongues and go to a parade on the coast before you shame and bash others. I love the Mississippi Gulf Coast and wouldn't miss your Mari Gra celebration for Katrina or anyone or anything else. I love "Fat Tuesday" and wish each and every one of you a Happy Mardi Gra...see you next year in 2007...FOR SURE!!

I too just returned from where I called home for 3 years. I cannot believe the narrow minded and short sighted views of some of you people leaving such negative comments. Granted, I have not experienced the Mississippi MG, but the New Orleans was absolutely full of family. I couldn't begin to count the families that I saw camping out for parades in the wee hours of each morning. I think having MG this year was the best thing to happen to the town in recent months. The 6 people that I had with me, now living out of town, put a lot of money into the town this week with gifts, dinners, and art. Expecting to find a town completely devistated, I found a city with more life, pride, and drive than I have found in many around the country. I took my house off the market and decided to keep it, knowing full-well this town is going to be back better than ever.
I can only imagine the Same for the entire Gulf coast that was hit. I'm looking forward to introducing many more friends to my old/new home and I hope you people with all this negativity and narrow sight of what New Orleans and MG is all about truly is also have an opportunity to one day take in a make-shift bar-b-que on St Charles while waiting for a parade, stroll down Royal and check out the art galleries and antique shops and burn your tongue on some mild cajun cookin.

Dave,it is obvious that you have no idea what Mardi Gras is about. First and foremost the majority of the money incurred on mardi gras comes from the KREWE"S. The riders pay for the floats, the beads, their own costumes, and any other throws. The city pays for the law enforcement during Mardi Gras. They do this so outsiders (people like you) can come to our city and have a good time. Hopefully, they spend a lot of money and will come back again, that is what is known as "tourism".
This year we did not have as many tourist so therfore we enjoyed this amazing party ourseleves.
We need to keep our economy going and Mardi Gras is a New Orleans trademark. The people of New Orleans, Jefferson, St. Bernard and St. Tammany Parish are willing to put up their own money in order to keep their cities viable who are you to judge. By the way how active are you in your community?

Good for you N.O. and all the areas down there celebrating MG. Glad y'all could enjoy the day. Breaking out of the negativity of "post'katrina" is the way to rebuild - hearts and lives and homes. Good luck to all!

Some of the attitudes concerning New Orleans were formed after hearing Mayor Nagin make his now "infamous" speach about the "chocolate city". Too bad it had such a bad influence on the rest of the country. With money being sent to help in the rebuilding of a city that will probably get hit by another hurricane again, then get your hand slapped by someone making such a statement is a little overboard.

What these people who are writing from around the country berating us for having Mardi Gras and having some fun for one day out of our lives, after we have lost absolutely everything we have ever had, including our entire towns is this fact: "We don't give a damn what you think!" we didn't care what people thought of us down here BEFORE the storm, so you know we certainly don't care now!! I only went to one Mardi Gras event and had an awesome time - first night in the past six months of my life that I went for more than 5 hours without thinking one time about the storm - these people saying, "spend the money on recovery" - we did: on our "mental" and "emotional" recovery!
D in CO - you don't even have the guts to post your name - how can we possibly care what you think?? Your comments are so shallow and ignorant, it sounds like your only experience with Mardi Gras is on a webcam and TV - all those "lowlife drunks are tourists!! and most are from CO! - Please - stay in CO! and by the way, we don't care if you change your mind or not!

You know, D of CO, based on some footage of one day, in one area, of about maybe 100 people - you have stereotyped an entire region! You're profilin' us! Do you also think that we all live on farms and cotton plantations, or in the swamp?! Maybe a little straw in our teeth (both of 'em) and half of us have an Uncle-Daddy? Shame on you! When you start categorizing people, where do you stop? At what point do you start to look for individual characteristics? How many fulfilling and life-enriching friendships have you let slip right by you because of one shared or common trait with someone you knew before who(m?) you disliked? Honey, that's just sad...can't be mad attcha any more, cuz I feel sorry for you...dang it!

I cannot understand how people who have never suffered through something as horrific as Katrina can even dare to think or speak against our people and traditions. I enjoyed the Nereids parade this year with the occasional tear in my eye thinking of how we have celebrated with this parade for years. Until this year I have never appreciated the community I live in. The people around me were homeless, some living in tents, and to belittle us for reaching for a few hours of happiness is outrageous. I was walking my dog today and heard a noise that reminded me of a boat on the river I LIVED on. I cried b/c I know I won't be hearing that sound that was always in the background of my world for a LONG time. Shame on you people that judge us. We lost everything we had, our way of life, our family and friends that past away or moved, and sadly our spirit is crushed. It goes back to the saying,IF you do not have anything nice to say then do not say anything at all!

to Din Co
You have no idea what it is like to live on the
Miss. Coast! I grew up in Biloxi and it was great!!
Mardi Gras was a very big part of my life and I made sure my children knew what it was all about. We went to parades in Biloxi, Bay St Louis and N.O. And believe it or not they all grew up with the greatest sense of family and commradore. There was no one drunk or urinating on the streets, in fact, there were no strangers! Everyone took care of the children and made sure they were safe and got their share of beads and other trinkets. We all danced together and had a great time....both black and white! My daughter lives in Colorado and she just had her annual Mardi Gras party AND attended their parade there.
When you know what you are talking about D in Co. than you can comment

I swore that I would quit reading these comments causse they just tick me off...but then I had to go and read this assortment of truly ignorant blather. Ii am in Waveland, struggling to get my family back to normal...but as we say here, it's going to be the "New Normal"..cause the old normal is gone forever. We spend our days ripping modly sheetrock out, tearing out sodden (yeah, it's still wet!) insulation, that balls up once it's wet...and thank goodness, we finally had our pile of possessions carted off recently. Just for one minute...60 seconds..think about EVERYTHING you own,everything in your house...every little thing, every big thing...and picture it covered in mud, mold, maggots...sitting out on the roadside, where you can see it, day after day, from the window of a trailer that barely fits your family...good thing we lost everything, cause there would be no place to put it. Now, don't start screaming "well, at least you have a trailer to live in"...yes, I am VERY grateful for it...but it is still an exercise in sanity to have your family crammed in one. Try taking a shower with a hose, and having your hot water last about 6 minutes (and don't forget how long it takes to wash your hair..not just a 5 minute shower". We haven't had a bath since Aug. 28.
Now, everywhere around us are people dealing with the same problems..at least the ones who came back...there is only one other family living on our street, the rest never came back, and their homes are covered with trees and full of their ruined possessions, just baking in the warm, humid air.

Right after Katrina, after we gauged just how destroyed Waveland was, I remember making a comment...well, it's all gone, but I promise you one thing..there WILL BE A NEREIDS PARADE...my money is on the gals of Nereids..and right I was. It just proves that we could sure use a woman for President...men appoint committees who blather on...but women reach in there and get the job done! I personally thank the Nereids Krewe..yu gave us ONE day...just one day where we walked up to the highway from our home (we lost our van)..and we saw people we hadn't seen since before the storm, we reconnected with each other, and then sat on the curb waitig for the show....and what a show. You gals sure looked good to us!!

I was born and raised in New Orleans, and Mardi Gras is in my blood...it's something that outsiders cannot comprehend..and if given the opportunity, they just love it. Obviously, as with anything...a relatively small group of idiots come down to perpetrate their idea of fun..but for every pee-body on Bourbon, there are at least 1000 people on St Charles or Canal, having a good clean time.

Why is it we always condemn that which we don't understand???

Unless you are HERE...you cannot possibly understand what we are going thru, so why dn't you direct your negative efforts towards something positive. When I was reading these posts in th past, I noticed that he same people keep writing negative posts after each story. Get a life, get off of your computer hogging butts, and go out and do some good in the world. Do you really think we care what you think of us??? We're busy living our lives...awful as it may be right now...why dont yu live yours? I promise not to write anything nasty about YOU...so lay off!

D,Co, it is sad that you are filled with so much hate. I just bet the average person in France is much like you and me; and if they are not - viva la difference. You also need a little history lesson to understand how the celebration of Mardi Gras is a part of the history of Louisiana, Mississippi and Alabama.
Mardi Gras has been known in one fashion or another since 1669, when Iberville first sailed up the Mississippi River on Shrove Tuesday (Fat Tuesday) which is the day before Ash Wednesday and the beginning of the Lenten season. Nostalgic for the Carnival he had known back in France, Iberville appropriately bestowed the name Mardi Gras to a bayou twelve miles from the river's mouth. Masked balls and street masking of sorts begun by the French was continued under the Spanish. Street masking came into vogue about 1835. Early newspaper accounts describe New Orleans' first Mardi Gras Parade in 1837. I am not sure but I think Mobile was a little ahead of New Orleans in this area. Help me out here people from Alabama. On March 4, 1908 Biloxi, following the lead of Mobile and New Orleans, gave the Mississippi coast its first full-fledged Mardi Gras celebration.
I know how much putting on our parade meant to the members of the Krewe of Nereids, but we did this because we wanted to give something back to our community who have supported us for 40-years. Every member who rode in this parade was touched by the people thanking them for having the parade.
D,Co if you were in the Bay-Waveland (or anywhere else on the coast) you would be appalled by the total devastion even though we have come so far in the clean-up of debris. We gave people hope. How can you find fault with that?
Federal dollars provided the resources for debris removal, but it was individuals and faith based groups who helped us by providing their strong hands and backs to clean and even help us build new homes. The true strength of America lies with its people.

I think that it is cool that the locals want to keep tradition going, but as usual, the priorities are all wrong. This should be a time of rebulding the city and getting it back, or possibly even better than it was before. I visited New Orleans for the first time last year with my fiance and his family ( they are all natives of the ninth ward living in Los Angeles as of 2001 ), and I know for a fact that after the partying that goes on,that city is going to have even more mess to clean. The spirit of the city doesn't die or live on just because of one huge block party out of the year it lives on because of the people and history.

To all the good, hard working survivors of Hurricane Katrina. I admire and support you, as a former Marine I recognize tenacity and courage when I see it. Keep on keeping on. Good luck and God bless. ken R.

I have to say that ignorance makes me so sad. I have read through all of these postings and am saddened by the fact that someone (D of CO and others) who are ignorant to the true goings on of Mardi Gras would say the things they have said.

This should be a time when we all pull together and celebrate Mardi Gras as a country, as well as celebrating the rebuilding of those areas hard hit. It made me happy to see all of the people celebrating and enjoying a long-loved tradition after such a serious tragedy...in fact, it made me teary-eyed. I was so happy to see some sort of normalcy return to so many battered lives!! I say PARTY ON...and keep on keepin' on. GOD BLESS!! You all are in my prayers EVERY day!

Mardi Gras was wonderful, happy, and cathartic- three things we needed desperately here. Anyone who bases their whole understanding of Mardi Gras upon Bourbon St. footage is sorely missing the real deal. I had so much fun seeing friends and neighbors that I haven't in so long- that is what Mardi Gras really is to us along St. Charles. For those who understand that and cheer along with us- thank you!

I returned last Sunday after my first visit to New Orleans since the storm, and I still have difficulty wrapping my mind around the extent of the devastation in the City. At least 75 to 80% of the housing and businesses are uninhabitable or gone. Our family took us on a tour of their old neighborhoods, where they were raised and there was not a block,a street or a community where you could live in the near future. Streets were ruined and need repair and some area have no public services. It will take incredible determination and optimism to return and rebuild plus many years. The only bright note was Mardi Gras. We arrived in the center of town for a conference and my first thought was that it wasn't so bad , we were staying in Metarie with family. The Hotel on Canal Street had limited staff but the same courteous service. A walk through The Quarter on Friday even netted me some beads from the "Elvis crew" and the first timers that attended the conference had a great time watching the parades. Outsiders don't understand that Mardi Gras and tourism is the life blood of the city. Their economic structure depends on it. A venture uptown and the garden district were encouraging because people in those areas have the resources to repair damage while they untangle the insurance red tape and runaround. Most of those homes had flooding but only inches not feet. Remember these were the original sites of the city which were considered high ground. A tribute to CNN for their coverage of the city. Take their images and imagine driving through miles of neighborhoods that look like those pictures. The heart of the city still beats even though 80% of it lies in rubble. Writing this has brought me to tears again. A salute to those who will take on the challenge. To our Leaders, may they be wise for there are no easy answers.

To our brothers and sisters on the gulf cosat. Many of us in New Orleans feel for you. Yes, you kind of got forgotten, but not by us. Where do you think most of us go when we really want to get away? THE GULF COAST.

I was in Endymion for a few years, but not presently. The biggest reason for Enymion WANTING to start in mid city WAS/IS STILL BECAUSE of all the families and children picnicking, playing, socializing and having a great time. Once, we actually had to walk through the crowds to get to our float. It was fantastic to see the love and fun and caring.

I have also several times in the last 2 years visited nola and the cams. I have seen people in them, but NEVER any inappropriate behavior. Now, I have heard on the news some time ago about the bad situation, but that was a very local thing in the french quarter.

It was told to me by a very good friend that the Indians had a saying. "Don't judge me unitl you have walked a mile in my mocossins (sp???. I do feel guilty but blessed that I had no damage to my house. But when I see my neighbor's house or the houses in other areas (even the gulf coast)I can understand why we need to celebrate a little.

ps to those who don't know carnival. I put out my own $1400 dollars when I paraded and that was cheap for an endymion member. And whenever I threw something, it was ALWAYS to someone completely clothed.

God bless all !!

Unfortunately we missed the Pascagoula parade this year; however, for the two previous years we made the trip and thoroughly enjoyed ourselves in a wonderful atmoosphere. My next trip to the coast will be with an UMCOR team from my church.
I have many good friends from the coast. You are all in my thoughts and prayers. Mardi Gras on the Mississippi Gulf Coast rules.

shoot man go to marti gras...i might get kinda drunk...but never would expose myself...or urinate in pubilc.....WHY?....cause thats how you wind up in jail...and people that act the a** wind up there...and like myself...most folks....don't wanna be there...there is a bad apple in every crowd...but it don't mean all are bad....just for havin fun

Geeez, get a grip!!!! You people in MS act like you were the only ones affected by the storm. Some of us who live in LA need a place to vent too!! And I said LA, not NO. NO was not the only city in LA to be affected by Katrina. As far as MArdi Gras is concerned it is put on by the people, not the local government. And Mardi Gras in NO is a family event. It's the idiots from out of town who urinate in the street, the mothers from Idaho who bare their breasts to the crowds; not the locals. And as far as celebrating the tradition of Mardi Gras (wether in MS or LA), get over it. Let us have some fun. I don't recall anyone giving New Yorkers a hard time when the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade rolled downtown and that was just 2 months after 9/11. Besides the celebration does help to bring in some $$ to the area which helps the local governments. Enjoy yourself Mississippi, you deserve it as does the rest of the affected region.

O.K. Dawn....soo it's Idaho ladys showin' there stuff....maybe i'll take a little trip to Idaho....how do you know their from Idaho....cause i wanna be sure be sure before i go

Yes Andy, Idaho is the place to be......my point is if you've ever been to the French Quarter during Mardi Gras, the majority of people exposing themselves are from out of town. Sorta like whatever happens in NO stays in NO. And the biggest point I was trying to make is why the public is so upset about people in the gulf region trying to have some normalcy through Mardi Gras.....what makes a Thanksgiving Day parade so different? Because it is New Yorkers? No one seemed to be upset when millions of dollars were given to families who were victims of 9/11 but try get some tax dollar relief in Katrinaville and the rest of the nation has a cow. Can you imagine the government giving us millions (per family) because we are victims of a natural disaster? I can't.....you must be a victim of a terrorist act. Oh, and you wouldn't go all the way to Idaho just to see some breasts, would you? I think they have those in MS.....haha

Dang ...Dawn!....i was the victim of a terrorist act....it's called the IRS.....wanna take a trip to Idaho?.....or maybe your right...might be some in Mississippi.....shoot.....gotta go now and LOOK....LOL!

To D. in CO. and all other Naysayers of our Mardi Gras tradition, I would like to spread some facts. I am a proud member and Leiutenant in the Krewe of Nereids. I went down and worked hours scraping old paint and mud from tattered floats and trying to patch and repaint them as best as could be done to try and bring some happiness to our own lives and the community. This was not my first priority, but it was up there. The officer in our Krewe who is normally in charge of getting the floats ready was a little overwhelmed by having her business swept clear to the slab from Gulf water, and her house completely flooded. This was not her first priority this year either. So others stepped up to the challenge. She did ride by the way. And I would venture to say that for the few hours when she was up on the float hearing "Thank You" after "Thank you" she wasn't thinking of the slab on Coleman Avenue, or worring about being able to breathe properly because of all the mold spores in the air.
My mother-in-law was the President of this organization for over twenty years, and would still be if she had not passed away right before Katrina. She taught me that even though I was not from the Mississippi Gulf Coast originally, Mardi Gras here is a strong and proud family tradition. You go into local businesses (What few are still open) and see Nereids posters proudly framed and hung on the wall. This organization is what this community is about. Strength, friendship, and family. The characteristics of us "drunk, flashing, urinating, lowlifes" are characteristics that others should try to live by. It makes for stronger people. That is why six months after the largest natural disaster in the nations history hit here, you can come down and still see people plugging away day after day to try and get their homes and businesses back together. The people in this community love it for what is was, what it is now, and what it will be in the future and would not dream of living anywhere else. Even if we do risk getting hit by another one. The benefits are worth the risk. We ARE the community, and I would venture to say, one of the best in the country.

As for the money perspective in this. This parade is hailed as being one of the chief money-makers for the City of Waveland. It supports local business not only along the parade route, but it carries over to the business owners in New Orleans and surrounding parishes who make their living selling beads and trinkets that are apparently so insignificant to those who don't understand. Millions and millions of dollars in revenue are spent each year because of Mardi Gras from a tourism perspective as well as a retail perspective. Think of all the dress makers who put their heart and soul into the costumes that make kids eyes light up and be dazzled by the finery. Children here dream not only of being a princess, but of being a Queen! This costs the tax payers NOTHING! It helps them. Our cities right now need all the revenue that they can get, and if doing something fun and meaningful to us is the way to get money coming in, so be it!

I realize those who have not seen Mardi Gras for what it truly is could be a little confused about why we insist on being "Here for the Party". For those people, I personally invite you to come to Highway 90 in Waveland on February 11th, 2007, at 1:00PM and see what it means to be a part of something very special. I know that date and time, because of our history and tradition. We were here for the party this year, and will be for many years to come.

Before you post, read what cities or towns this section is talking about. WE ARE NOT NOLA, WE ARE BAY SAINT LOUIS/WAVELAND. Post your NOLA post at NOLA.com. Enough on NOLA Mardi Gras, our Mardi Gras is family oriented, and not all about drinking, flashing, etc.

Good one Heather! We have not heard from D.CO since February 28th. Think maybe he finally got the message?

It is heart wrenching to see the people of Ward 9 still not able to return or unable to build because of lack of money or whatever. I stongly believe that the money used for the Mardi Gras this year could have been spent to help these people

Hey,D from Co! Do you have fun throwing fruitcakes? Why waste food? I'll bet some of them were even GIFTS! Have you no heart? I'm tired of all the waste EVERY YEAR!!!! Even when there are hundreds of thousands of acres of land burning, fruitcakes are still thrown in a CELEBRATION!!! It just boggles my mind.

Erna...N.O. has gotten as much money as Mississippi{or more}....but we are rebuilding!!!....and they really aren't.....gees wonder why????....you figger it out....O.K. ...a hint a lifelong govt. dependencey...might have something to do with the diff. in M.S. and N.O.

Let us all take a moment to pray for the small minded people who sit off in the distance and pass judgement on an event they only know about through the news media. Time to come out of your perfect little happy place, down off of your high horse and get a clue.

LOL!!!!....now i know what to do with that fruitcake...throw it!....cause i dang sure don't like to eat em.....em little red and green things in there....what are they????.....yuck

To Heather D., what a great response to all who have been reading this site. You put everything in great perspective. From one who still calls MS home but lives in Houston, I can't wait to be there on 11FEB2007.

D in CO. . .
First of all, sounds like you need a geography lesson. Second of all, sounds like you need learn a little something about respect. Thirdly, sounds like you need to learn to keep quiet about things you really don't know anything about. Remember that it is much better to keep your mouth closed and be thought a fool than to open it and remove all doubt. . . thanks for the verification.

The only semi valid point you seem to make is the fact that the $$ spent on parades probably could be better spent. But if you really want to see monetary waste at it's finest. . .perhaps you should take some of this spare time you seem to have so much of and audit the federal government's spending for last year. . . including the ongoing waste involved with FEMA and the Army Corps of Engineers in their handling of the current disaster. But then, based upon the way you seem to confuse things, I am not too sure you would be the man for that job either.

SPTTTTHHHHHHHHOOOEY!!!

Michael Roberts....The Woodlands...is well North of Houston.....and much nicer....if you live in a home that's been there very long....I may have installed you're air conditioner

After reading all of these comments, I have to throw mine in as well. I grew up in New Orleans, marched in Mardi Gras parades with my school band, and know the true meaning of the celebration. Since moving to the midwest right out of high school, I learned about the close-minded stupidity some people have in other parts of the country when it comes to Mardi Gras, and New Orleans in general. There are strip clubs in cities all over this country. Bourbon Street is just full of them, so it is alot more decadent to the average tourist. I have been defending New Orleans and Mardi Gras for years.I had to deal with people questioning my moral values and reputation just because I was from New Orleans. How idiotic is that! I was proud of my hometown! When I was living there, no one bared their breasts for beads. I agree with all the locals that this was brought on by tourists, and it really makes me mad that Mardi Gras has been forever tarnished by it.

I have been mentally devastated by the Katrina disaster, but it is nothing compared to what you all are going through in New Orleans and the gulf coast. I pray daily that the help you need will get there soon and the bureacy will be figured out. Stay proud of your cities and know that there are southern bred people all over this country who are praying for you ....

After perusing these posts, I have gone from anger to frustration to acceptance that there are so many absolutely ignorant, cave dwelling, and pitiful people in this country. If anyone out there wants to deprive a devastated group of people a few hours of enjoyment, then please go ahead. I am sure that there is a special place in hell for you. I only wish that your life is always as unhappy and cold as your comments.
I have made several trips along the coast from Waveland to Point Cadet and am unable to get the hard knot of sorrow out of my stomach from seeing what is now from what was. A vital and very much middle America area reduced to rubble. It is like a beautiful forest burned to the ground with skeletons of damage rising up from the earth. To all of you on the Coast, don't let the ramblings of ignorant outsiders rain on your parade. Maybe you should have a parade a month to celebrate the slow but ongoing progress you are making. To me there is no difference in the wonderful feeling I got when seeing Christmas decorations on the tents and trailer and campers and the elation seeing you enjoy your parade.
I finally finished reading the posts and ultimately had to laugh. I realized that most of the people thought that "D in CO" was a guy. Does that mean that we guys are the only miserable unhappy people?

Phil in Slidell: As one of the first to respond to D in CO, I thought it was a crochety ole lady! LOL! I guess we all heard a different voice....

As for lettin' anyone "rain" on our parades? Hmmph...hmmmph...HMMMPH! Take more than the ramblin's of some ole coot (male or female) to dampen the spirit of New Orleans and the other coastal cities from Loos'eeanna to Alabam'!

We attended the Waveland Mardi Gras parade and had a lovely time. Thanks for the invite, MK and for hosting us in the trailer in your yard, SS. Of course, we brought the kids to the parade. This is Waveland, not Nawlins. duh.

I would have given any thing to take my mind off the flood that took all I had in ohio,in the late 80s. I lost all, we even took a boat right up to my living room . God bless you all .

Watch out....i'll chunk a fruitcake at ya!!!....get blindsided....Lord yo' head will swell up....fruitcakes...can be dangerous!!

I have never been to a Mardi Gras until this year and it is so cool how people down in gulfport, biloxi, bay saint louis, and long island got hit the worst and they came together like good people should. There is no way they could forget about what they went through but they put it on the back burner to keep the tradition alive not only for themselves but also for the tourists. Thank you to all of you who did keep this tradition alive. I had a blast!!!!!

To Geri in Waveland, Ms: Yes, Mobile, Alabama has the oldest Mardie Gras celebration. It began in 1703 but celebration stopped due to the War of Northern Aggression (mostly known as the Civil War). In 1866 Joe Cain brought back Mardi Gras to the city.

Wow. D in Co seems like the kind of person that would berate Veronica herself from wiping sweat off Jesus' face instead of focusing her time and energy on protesting the crucifixion.

Anything that brings comfort to someone in need of it, is an act worth doing, however small.

As someone who lived less than 3 miles from the epicenter of the Northridge Earthquake, I can say with absolute certainty that there are many kinds of "recovery" that need to take place after a disaster. The obvious one is, of course, that people need to rebuild their homes. Another is the rebuilding of businesses (which finances the previous one). But another form of "recovery" from disaster is recovery of the spirit. People's spirit, their hopes, community spirit, that is JUST AS important (if not more) than ripping up carpet and hammering nails. We humans are nothing if not resiliant - we can live in tents for months as long as we have our hope, our sense of adventure, our spirit.

The people of the gulf communities rebuild their spirits by taking part in events which DEFINE the community itself (such as Mardi Gras), events which come to represent residents' understanding of what and who their community is. The fact that these events take place is a symbolic representation of the survival of the "community" (in the social understanding, not the location). The comfort of discovering that their community is still "alive" is something akin to discovering that your loved one is still alive underneath a collapsed building - you dig through the rubble all the harder because you know your effort is "worth it", that there is something worth saving there.

How dare anyone even suggest that these people rebuild their buildings but not their spirits. Out of 365 days in the year, if people spend 364 of them ripping out drywall and one of them rebuilding their spirit, how on EARTH can you consider that a misplacement of priorities?

Are people so shallow and materialistic as to assume that the only thing needed to rebuild a community is a handful of structures? To assume that money should be spent only on replacing material goods and not on restoring hope... that's a pitiful shame. I feel so sorry for anyone who places so high a value on physical goods and not on people.

CHARITY is defined not just in the giving and sharing of wealth or material goods. Charity is really much broader - it is bringing comfort to those who need it. An act of charity is not strictly limited to giving $10 to the United Way every year. It can also be dropping everything at the drop of a hat to spend time with a friend who needs moral support during a trying time, or making a phone call to someone you know to be lonely. Charity, or a charitable act, can also be found in giving up time that you could be spending hammering nails on your own house (to bring yourself comfort), and instead hammering nails on a bright parade float to bring comfort to everyone in your community instead. Charity is focusing on someone else's needs, not your own.

Those people who chose to spend their time and money on bringing a parade and a few hours of happiness to their towns should be commended, not censured. One day's effort won't make a huge difference on rebuilding your house, but it'll have a huge impact on rebuilding the spirits of an entire community.

Kudos to everyone who gave their own precious time and labor to bring a precious few hours of happiness to their neighbors.

My husband, myself, and another couple from Houston went to New Orleans Mardi Gras. We went to give the hotel and restaurants money, to tip big, and help support a city trying to rebuild. Our heart aches when we see the devestation, but we know we helped contribute to an economy and to bring something normal back to a wonderful city. We're doing it again for JazzFest.

Hey ya'll I am from Pass Christian Ms, now living in Iowa. I can relate to all things hurricane and Mardi Gras. I and my brother lost our father and step mother to Katrina. We tried to get them out of the house but Dad said" It's just like Camille in 1969.Apparently it was not. My folks where one of the 13 families left after Camille. So Thank you for letting me Vent the lose of my Dad. God Bless those who stayed and the people how are rebuilding.

Cindy's observations are right on target. The spirit of the people on the Mississippi Gulf Coast has been an inspiration to all. Ten months after Katrina we see progress, but we also know it will be years before we see complete recovery. We all have learned to take one step at a time. The floats of Nereids are still on the Den slab, but that doesn't mean we have not been working. Like so many others we have found that our insurance does not begin to cover the costs of rebuilding so we are having two fundraisers to supplement our insurance. We know that the people in our community will support our efforts. We have a long term goal of having a new Den by the 2007 Mardi Gras season. If that doesn't happen we will do what we did for our 2006 parade. We will work and rebuild our floats with the sky as our roof. For your information a Den is the name given to a structure that houses Mardi Gras Floats.