Access - January/February 2020

2020 exclusive Mardi Gras Keepsake

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to

Z Carnival Guide & introducing

THE ROYALS, LEADING LADIES, 2019 NCB DEBS & MORE!

More Than A Magazine!

ACCESSTHEBAY.COM January/February 2020

AS DRIVEN AS YOU ARE THE LEXUS ES The Lexus ES is refined luxury crafted with ceaseless ambition.

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Lexus Safety System+ 2.0² with Lane Tracing Assist and Road Sign Assist, designed to bring out the best in its driver. Android Auto™3 to help you stay focused, connected and entertained. And Apple CarPlay ®4 to give you a smarter, safer and more convenient way to use your iPhone®5 in the car. The ES, ES F SPORT and ES Hybrid are masterfully crafted with hand-stitched leather trim and class-leading rear legroom6 to complement your style and provide comfort, truly living up to their elevated reputation. This is substance ambitiously designed to serve you. Experience confidence, crafted by Lexus. lexus.com/ES | #LexusES

LEXUS OF MOBILE 3024 Government Blvd. (251) 478-3300 Options shown. 1. Amazon, Alexa, and all related logos are trademarks of Amazon.com, Inc. or its affiliates. Not all Amazon Alexa functionality is available for in-vehicle use. To learn more, go to https://www.lexus.com/enform. 2. Drivers are always responsible for their own safe driving. See Owner’s Manual for additional limitations and details. 3. Vehicle user interface is a product of Google and its terms and privacy statement apply. Requires compatible smartphone and data plan rates apply. Android and Android Auto are trademarks of Google LLC. 4. Apple and the Apple logo are trademarks of Apple Inc., registered in the U.S. and other countries. 5. iPhone is a registered trademark of Apple, Inc. All rights reserved. 6. 2020 ES vs. 2019/2020 competitors.

Information from manufacturers’ websites as of 6/1/19. ©2019 Lexus

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Photo by Devin Ford Photography

JANUARY-FEBRUARY 2020 / Volume 61 Number 54

CONTENTS

6 26

Photo by Stevye Photography

ue the king cake, crowns, and crazy… it’s Carnival! With so much incredible content, this special issue is a favorite to produce and interestingly sent all over the world. From South Africa to London and Paris, readers ship ACCESS off to faraway friends and family to give them an inside look at our area traditions and help explain all they entail. From the royal affairs to the unique customs, it almost has to be seen to be believed. With longtime locals thirsting for more and so many new residents pouring into the area, we thought a comprehensive “A to Z Carnival Guide” was perfectly timed. We hope you enjoy it and please share!

Also, we were thrilled for the invite to Ron Barrett’s (a.k.a. “Mr. Mardi Gras") new prop and staging warehouse, opting to deem him our guest editor for this all-inclusive edition. With his extensive knowledge of all things Carnival, we couldn’t have done it without him. His wish to you all? “Mardi Gras is a time to see and be seen,” Ron says. “Take time to absorb all the creativity surrounding you.

From the carefully carved float details to each krewe’s super stage, so much work goes into crafting an exceptional visual experience for all. Don’t forget to look! Also, don’t forget to have fun, and I can’t wait to see you out there!”

31

NUTCRACKER CHARITY BALL Meet the 22 outstanding young women who make up the 2019 Nutcracker Charity Ball debutantes.

Each deb boasts an impressive resume of academic achievements and philanthropic efforts.

PINK CARPET Take a trip to New York City with this year’s Winter Formal theme, “Betas on Fifth Avenue.”

MARDI GRAS A TO Z Let the good times roll with our comprehensive guide to all things Mardi Gras! Get an insider look into some of Mobile’s oldest and most sacred traditions, and meet this year’s royals.

STAFF...

FOUNDER/EDITOR-IN-CHIEF/ PUBLISHER Hayley Hill GUEST EDITOR Ron Barrett CREATIVE DIRECTOR/ STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER Stevye Murray

CONTRIBUTING WRITER Cart Blackwell MARKET EDITOR Kristi Welford Hicks DIRECTOR OF SALES Jennifer Parker AccessJenParker@gmail.com

ART DIRECTOR Mallory Godwin

ADVERTISING EXECUTIVE Lindsey Crain AccessLindseyCrain@gmail.com

GRAPHIC DESIGNER Rebecca Foose

FINANCIAL COORDINATOR Mary Frances DeLong

EDITOR Caroline Edmondson

CONTRIBUTOR Keylee Fillingim

CONTRIBUTING WRITER / COPY EDITOR Jessica Goolsby

SUB SCRIBE TODAY! A C C E S S T H E B AY. C O M

Manuscripts, photos and art material will be considered, but will be recieved only with the understanding that the magazine or its employees shall not be responsible for loss or damage, unless otherwise agreed to in writing. All contents @Hayley Hill Style Access, LLC. All rights reserved. Reproduction in whole or part without permission is prohibited.

ACCESS mobile.baldwin is published 10 times per year. Subscription rate is $21.95 per year. All subscription inquiries should be mailed to P.O. Box 8586, Mobile, AL 36689-8586 or visit AccessTheBay.com. If the post office alerts us that your magazine is undeliverable, we have no further obligation unless we receive a corrected address within two years.

C O V E R C RE D I T S Photo: Stevye Photography, 228.547.1191.

Makeup: Courtney Matthews Makeup Artistry, Cocokat1978@gmail.com.

Makeup & Hair: Alexandrea West, 251.689.1795.

Hair: Jason Chambers, Head Dress Salon, 251.689.7427.

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Sarah: Gown; Anthony’s Bridal Boutique & Tuxedo, 251.943.3929. Earrings, $15; Shoefly, 251.414.9911.

Helen Ann: Gown; Bliss Bridal, 251.990.3244.

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CHARITY BALL

Miss Nicole Anne Anderson

Miss Kyla Shae Brooks

Daughter of Mrs. Jamie Autumn Bailey and Mr. Ricky Don Anderson Escorted by Mr. Cameron Wayne Trower

Daughter of Mr. Donovan Dewayne Brooks and Mrs. Shannan Christina Brooks Escorted by Mr. Preston Norris Hall

Nicole Anne Anderson is a graduate of W. P. Davidson High School, where she served as Student Council Vice President for two years. During this time she also was selected as a Mobile Azalea Trail Maid and served as a member of the Red Shoe KREWE with Ronald McDonald House Charities of Mobile.

Miss Anderson is pursuing a major in communication studies and a minor in public relations and nonprofit studies from the University of Montevallo. She has served on the executive board of the Kappa Chi Chapter of Phi Mu Fraternity and is a member of the Lambda Pi Eta Communications Honor Society and the Order of Omega Greek Honor Society. She participated in College Night production for three years, as well as the College Night Centennial Celebration. Her service work includes volunteering with Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals, The Big Event at the University of Montevallo, and the Shelby Humane Society.

6 ACCESS Magazine / January-February 2020

Kyla Shae Brooks is a graduate of Baker High School, where she graduated in the top 10, was named a National AP Scholar, and was a member of the National Honor Society. She also was a Mobile Azalea Trail Maid and a member of her high school dance team. Miss Brooks is an Honors College and Dean’s List student at the University of Alabama pursuing a major in food and nutrition sciences and a minor in biology on the pre-med track. She is a member of Alpha Gamma Delta and participates in their Fifth Quarter program, which partners with the West Alabama Food Bank. Miss Brooks is also a research assistant at the university, studying food insecurity in the community.

Her service work includes tutoring with Al’s Pals and with the university’s RISE Center. Miss Brooks has shadowed at the university’s medical center and interned at the Outreach Addiction Clinic of Cooper University Hospital in New Jersey.

Each year, Mobile Ballet selects a small group of outstanding young women to represent their families as debutantes in the annual Nutcracker Charity Ball. With a commitment to charity, Mobile Ballet partnered with Wilmer Hall to raise necessary funds for both of their programs.

The evening was filled with laughter, dancing, friends, and family, making it a truly unforgettable event for all in attendance.

By Caroline Edmondson // Photos Stevye Photography, 228.547.1191

Miss Claire Elizabeth Corte

Miss Maura Rose Crook

Daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Atilio Ignatius Corte III Escorted by Mr. Joshua Alan Milam

Daughter of Doctors Tammy and Errol Crook Escorted by Mr. Phineas English Irvine

Claire Elizabeth Corte is a graduate of Bayside Academy, where she was a member of the soccer team and was awarded Defensive Player of the Year and MVP All-Tournament Team Player. During this time she also was a member of the swim team and the Fellowship of Christian Athletes Club, and wrote several articles for the school newspaper. Miss Corte gained a love for health care while volunteering at Thomas Hospital and is currently pursuing a degree in health services administration from Auburn University. She is a member of Auburn’s Health and Hospital Administration Organization and plans to participate in a health care internship in Nashville this summer.

Maura Rose Crook is a graduate of UMS-Wright Preparatory School, where she was a member of the UMS-Wright Honor Council and the National Honor Society. She was awarded first place in the State Trumbauer Theatre competition, was a member of the track and field state championship team, and served as the 2015-2016 UMS-Wright Homecoming Queen. Miss Crook is pursuing a degree in chemistry from Xavier University of Louisiana, where she is a Board of Trustees Scholar. At Xavier University, she earned a student leadership certification and is a member of the Peer Dean Association and the National Society of Leadership and Success. She is a member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority Incorporated. Her charitable work includes volunteering with the Salvation Army of Coastal Alabama and Communities of Transformation, and her cultural affiliations include Nubian Xpressions.

Miss Olivia Leigh Eubanks

Miss Natalie Elizabeth George

Daughter of Mr. and Mrs. John Frank Eubanks Jr. Escorted by Mr. Henry Howell Mann III

Daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Chance George Escorted by Mr. Jackson VanWellington Roush

Olivia Leigh Eubanks is a graduate of McGill-Toolen Catholic High School, where she was an honor roll student. She was a member of McGill-Toolen’s varsity soccer team for four years, two of which she served as team captain. Miss Eubanks is pursuing a degree in marketing from Auburn University. Her charitable work includes service to Delta Delta Delta’s childhood cancer research philanthropy and has additionally served as a missionary to Ecuador and Guatemala and as a volunteer for the Lee County Humane Society. Miss Eubanks is a member of St. Ignatius Catholic Church and has participated in numerous community charity programs as a member of the youth ministry program, Life Teen.

Natalie Elizabeth George is a graduate of UMS-Wright Preparatory School, where she was inducted into the National Honor Society and was awarded first place for website design in the regional computer science fair. She was a member of the varsity volleyball and track teams and was named All-County, All-Region, and Most Valuable Player for volleyball. Miss George is a Dean’s List student at Auburn University pursuing a degree in chemical engineering. She has interned at Hargrove Engineers and Constructors in Mobile and at Olin Chlor Alkali in Freeport, Texas. Her charitable work includes fundraising for Kappa Alpha Theta’s philanthropy, CASA (Court Appointed Special Advocates), and volunteering at Auburn University’s Engineering Day. Additionally, she was an IMPACT service volunteer in the Auburn community and has built water filtration systems in the Dominican Republic through the Wine to Water nonprofit organization.

8 ACCESS Magazine / January-February 2020

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Miss Frances White Hurley

Miss Catherine Elizabeth Lyons

Daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Francis Patrick Hurley III Escorted by Mr. Roy Francis Bennett IV

Daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Timothy Randall Lyons Escorted by Mr. Jacob William Cafaro

Frances White Hurley is a graduate of Murphy High School, where she was an honor roll student. She was a member of Murphy’s cross-country, tennis, and track teams and was recognized with the Most Determined Cross-Country Award.

Miss Hurley is currently pursuing a degree in global business with a concentration in marketing from Troy University. She is a member of the Student Alumni Association, Marketing Club, and University Activities Council. In addition, she has served as director of social media for Alpha Gamma Delta Sorority and earned the Alpha Gamma Delta Strive for Pi Academic Excellence Award. Her charitable work includes service to Camp Winnataska, Truly Chosen, Park Memorial Kids Club, Feeding America, the Salvation Army, and First Baptist Open Gym. Miss Hurley studied dance at Mobile Ballet for seven years and was an intern at Feather Your Nest Interiors this past summer.

10 ACCESS Magazine / January-February 2020

Catherine Elizabeth Lyons is a graduate of Auburn High School, where she was a member of the National Honor Society and earned the Most Outstanding Senior Award for the Elan Show Choir. During high school, she also served two terms as lieutenant governor for the Alabama District of Key Club. Miss Lyons is pursuing a degree in collaborative education from BirminghamSouthern College, where she is a member of the Alpha Lambda Delta Honor Society and the Kappa Delta Pi Education Honor Society. While at Birmingham-Southern College she has also served as an orientation leader and chair of Welcome Week. Her charitable work includes serving as philanthropy chair for Alpha Omicron Pi and chair of the Mr. Hilltopper philanthropy event, as well as serving as a member of the Church of the Highlands nursery leadership team and Circle K International. In addition, Miss Lyons was a member of the Birmingham-Southern College Southern Chorale and participated in the Disney College Program.

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Miss Elizabeth Grace Martin

Miss Gabrielle Elizabeth Massey

Daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Larry G. Martin Escorted by Mr. Hunter Tyra Shaver

Daughter of Dr. Carla Gayle and Mr. Jacques Massey, Esq. Escorted by Mr. David Marian Sylvester

Elizabeth Grace Martin is a graduate of McGill-Toolen Catholic High School, where she was an honor roll student and was recognized with a service award. During this time she was a member of Friends of Exceptional Children, an organization that raises awareness and support for people with physical and intellectual disabilities. Miss Martin is a President’s List student and Roberta H. Cammack Scholarship recipient at the University of Alabama, where she is pursuing a degree in education with a concentration in the Multiple Abilities Program. Her service work includes the University of Alabama’s RISE Center – an early childhood education facility for children with special needs – and Kappa Delta Sorority. She has served as a counselor at Camp Smile and a volunteer at The Alberta School of Performing Arts.

12 ACCESS Magazine / January-February 2020

Gabrielle Elizabeth Massey is a graduate of Murphy High School, where she was a member of the National Society of Technology Scholars and was recognized with a Community Service Achievement Award. Miss Massey is pursuing a degree in psychology on the pre-med track at Xavier University of Louisiana, where she is a Dean’s List student. She is a member of the Xavier University Speech and Debate Team and is a program assistant with the Louisiana Cancer Research Center.

Her charitable work includes serving as a pre-med animal team volunteer at Animal Rescue of New Orleans, a tutor for elementary school students, and a volunteer at Magnolia Nursing Home. In addition, she is a member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority Incorporated, and the Knights of Peter Claver Ladies Auxiliary.

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Miss Megan Elizabeth McCrory

Miss Haley Noelle Melton

Daughter of Ms. Paige White McCrory, and Dr. and Mrs. William Alan McCrory Escorted by Mr. Harrison Lawrence Turner

Daughter of Dr. and Mrs. Alan B. Melton Escorted by Mr. William Hayden Terral

Megan Elizabeth McCrory is a graduate of Bayside Academy, where she was valedictorian, president of the National Honor Society, recognized with the Spirit of Bayside Award, and on the 2015 Dogwood Trail Court. Miss McCrory is pursuing a double major in biology and political science with a minor in Spanish from the University of Alabama, where she is a Presidential Scholar, a Blackburn Institute Student, and has served as a school representative through University Stewards. Miss McCrory’s charitable work includes Tuscaloosa’s Good Samaritan Clinic, Camp Rap-A-Hope, and USA Children’s and Women’s Hospital.

In addition, she was Vice President of Ritual and Fraternity Appreciation for Alpha Chi Omega for two years and a mentor with Al’s Pals. She has also danced at Fairhope’s Creative Outlet Dance Center for 13 years. Miss McCrory is slated to graduate with honors and plans to attend UAB’s School of Optometry to pursue a career as a doctor of optometry.

14 ACCESS Magazine / January-February 2020

Haley Noelle Melton is a graduate of Fairhope High School, where she served as Mu Alpha Theta President, Student Government Association Vice President, and was awarded Female Athlete of the Year. Miss Melton is a Dean’s List student at Auburn University pursuing a degree in Nutritional Dietetics. She is a member of Kappa Omicron Nu Honor Society and an ADDA Liaison for the Student Dietetic Association. In addition, she has served as a football athletic recruiter, a sports nutrition volunteer, and a participant in Auburn University’s Dance Marathon. Miss Melton is a member of Fairhope United Methodist Church and is a Discovery Weekend and DNOW leader.

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Miss Sarah Elizabeth Peavy

Miss Amanda Catherine Peterson

Daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Michael Kenneth Peavy Escorted by Mr. Russell Joseph Noletto

Daughter of Dr. and Mrs. Craig Raymond Peterson Escorted by Mr. Matthew Jordan Moreida

Sarah Elizabeth Peavy is a graduate of McGill-Toolen Catholic High School, where she graduated in the top 10, served as a school student ambassador, and was a member of the National Honor Society. She is pursuing a degree in exercise science from Auburn University, where she is a Dean’s List and President’s List student, as well as a member of the National Society of Collegiate Scholars. Miss Peavy’s charitable work includes the American Cancer Society’s Relay for Life and the Freshman Leadership Program at Auburn, which partnered with Soles4Souls, a non-profit organization that creates sustainable jobs and provides relief through the distribution of shoes and clothing around the world. In addition, she is a member of Zeta Tau Alpha whose philanthropy is breast cancer education and awareness. Miss Peavy is a former member of Melange Dance Company and the McGill-Toolen Chamber Singers.

16 ACCESS Magazine / January-February 2020

Amanda Catherine Peterson is a graduate of the Alabama School of Math and Science (ASMS), where she served as a school ambassador, was a member of the National Honor Society, and captain of the varsity soccer team and completed pancreatic cancer research with Dr. David Forbes. Miss Peterson is a Dean’s List student at Tulane University, where she is pursuing a double major in chemistry and neuroscience and has completed lab research on protein growth, purification, and crystallization with Dr. Hee-Won Park and on ATP analogues with Dr. Janarthanan Jayawickramarajah. She received a grant to work in Dr. Park’s lab at the Tulane School of Medicine and has served as a Tulane Orientation Coordinator, project coordinator for Outreach Tulane, and earned the Tulane Ambassador Yearly Award in 2018. She has volunteered with Second Harvest Food Bank and her cultural affiliations include the Vieux Carre’ Chapter of Daughters of the American Revolution and the Harlequins.

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Miss Alexis Melissa Presnell

Miss Olivia Belle Price

Daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Alvin Leon Presnell II Escorted by Mr. John-Henry Caponis II

Daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Troy Douglas Price Escorted by Mr. Sean Christopher Johnson

Alexis Melissa Presnell is a graduate of McGill-Toolen Catholic High School, where she was a member of the varsity basketball and track teams and was named a Scholar Athlete. She is currently pursuing a bachelor of arts degree in sociology with a minor in human development and family studies from Alabama A&M University. While at Alabama A&M University, she was awarded a Presidential Bronze Medallion and served as sophomore senator and executive treasurer of the Student Government Association. In addition, she is involved with the AAMU International Club. Miss Presnell’s service work includes the Business Cluster Club of Alabama A&M, the Floyd E. “Tut” Fann State Veterans Home of Huntsville, and Habitat for Humanity of Madison County.

18 ACCESS Magazine / January-February 2020

Olivia Belle Price is a graduate of Fairhope High School, where she was a varsity cheerleader, a member of Future Business Leaders of America, and was awarded Student of the Month in January 2016. Miss Price is a Dean’s List student at the University of Alabama pursuing a major in public relations with a minor in interior design. She is a member of the Student Fashion Association and Chi Omega Sorority. Miss Price’s charitable affiliations include the Andrew McDonough Be Positive Foundation, the Make-A-Wish Foundation, and Stop Hunger Now. She is a member of Young Life Eastern Shore and Fairhope United Methodist Church, where she has served as a disaster response volunteer and a Costa Rica mission volunteer.

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LEXUS OF MOBILE 3024 Government Blvd. (251) 478-3300 Options shown. 1. The GX 460 is designed to meet most off-road driving requirements, but off-roading is inherently dangerous and may result in vehicle damage. Lexus encourages responsible operation to help protect you, your vehicle and the environment. Seatbelts should be worn at all times. Do not allow passengers to ride in cargo area. 2. The Multi-Terrain Monitor does not provide a comprehensive view of the area surrounding the vehicle. You should also look around outside your vehicle and use your mirrors to confirm clearance. Environmental conditions may limit effectiveness and view may become obscured. See Owner’s Manual for additional limitations and details. 3. Lexus Safety System+ effectiveness is dependent on many factors including road, weather and vehicle conditions. Drivers are responsible for their own safe driving. Always pay attention to your surroundings and drive safely. See Owner’s Manual for additional limitations and details. ©2019 Lexus

Miss Hannah Hart Reid

Miss Nicole Theresa Roca

Daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Kirkland Edward Reid Escorted by Mr. Andrew Bradford O’Shields

Daughter of Doctors César and Theresa Roca Escorted by Mr. Sean Cahill Collins

Hannah Hart Reid is a graduate of UMS-Wright Preparatory School, where she was recognized as an AP Scholar with Honors, was a member of the National Honor Society, and served as an intern in the Summer Scrubs program. Miss Reid is a President’s List student at the University of Alabama pursuing a major in geography and a minor in anthropology. She is a member of Alpha Chi Omega Sorority, Gamma Theta Upsilon – The International Geographical Honor Society, Phi Eta Sigma Honor Society, Golden Key International Honour Society, and Lambda Alpha National Anthropology Honor Society. In addition, Miss Reid is a recipient of the William Ray Moore Quasi-Endowed Memorial Scholarship and is a department intern in the Cartography Lab. Her volunteer work includes Habitat for Humanity, the Animal Rescue Foundation, and the United States Forest Service.

20 ACCESS Magazine / January-February 2020

Nicole Theresa Roca is a graduate of McGill-Toolen Catholic High School, where she was recognized as an AP Scholar with Honors, a National Hispanic Scholar, and an Azalea Trail Maid. She is a senior student at Tulane University pursuing a degree in legal studies in business and political science. She is an executive board member of the pre-law fraternity Phi Alpha Delta International, a member of Phi Mu Fraternity, and was a Diamond Summer Intern for the American Israel Public Affairs Committee. Miss Roca has volunteered with Tulane Catholic as a former member of the Student Leadership Team and a current executive member for the Encounter Retreat. She also assists with the university’s Voter Engagement Committee and served as an intern for the Attorney General of Alabama in 2018. In addition, Miss Roca studied at the School of Public Policy at University College London and is a volunteer with the New Orleans School of Ballet.

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Miss Marian Elizabeth Wacker

Miss Weslyn Michelle Walters

Daughter of Mr. and Mrs. John Gregory Wacker Escorted by Mr. Brady Powell Kuhr

Daughter of Mr. & Mrs. Bruce Alan Bigler Escorted by Mr. John James Busa

Marian Elizabeth Wacker is a graduate of McGill-Toolen Catholic High School, where she was named a Scholar Athlete, was a founding member of the debate team, and was president of the McGill-Toolen Chamber Singers. Miss Wacker is a Dean’s List and President’s List student at the University of Alabama pursuing a degree in finance with specializations in investment management and banking and financial services. She is a recipient of the Alumni Scholar Award and is a member of the Order of Omega Honor Society and the University Chorus. She served as a teaching assistant for the Culverhouse College of Business, as well as vice president of finance and leadership and nominating committee chair for Pi Beta Phi. In addition, Miss Wacker was selected as Queen of the Mystics of Time Mardi Gras Society for 2019 where she reigned over their parade and ball.

22 ACCESS Magazine / January-February 2020

Weslyn Michelle Walters is a graduate of Bayside Academy, where she was a member of the National Honor Society, a Pink Dogwood Trail Maid, and performed with Center Stage Show Choir and Eastern Shore Repertory Theatre. Earning the Dean’s Scholarship and the Leadership Scholarship from Samford University, she is currently pursuing a degree in journalism and mass communications with a focus in broadcasting and a minor in sociology. On the Dean’s List, the Order of Omega Honor Society president, and a member of honor societies, she is contributor to the Samford News Network. A member of the Zeta Tau Alpha Sorority, she has served as vice president and more, and volunteered with First Light Center and the Grace Klein Community Ministry. She was chosen to intern in Nashville on Music Row and with the CMA Festival, and is now interning at Red Mountain Entertainment in Birmingham. As a performer, she has shared the stage with Kelsea Ballerini, Kellie Pickler, and more.

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Miss Kaylin Elise Wilson

Miss Peyton Danielle Wood

Daughter of Mr. Anthony and Dr. Felicia Wilson Escorted by Mr. David Cornelius Jones

Daughter of Dr. and Mrs. Robert Alexander Wood Escorted by Mr. Matt Carlton Holley

Kaylin Elise Wilson is a graduate of W.P. Davidson High School.

She was named a four-time All-American Cheerleader by the Universal Cheerleaders Association and performed in the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade and London’s New Year’s Day Parade.

She was a People to People International Student Ambassador, traveling to England, France, and Italy. She was awarded a bachelor of fine arts in dance performance and choreography from the University of Southern Mississippi and earned the Oprah Winfrey Foundation Scholarship to The Ailey School, the official school of Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater. She was a member of the Dixie Darlings dance team and president of the Student Dance Organization. Her charitable affiliations include Aubreigh’s Army Foundation 328 Inc. and the Sickle Cell Disease Association of America. She also is affiliated with the New Orleans Ballet Theatre and the Louisiana Academy of Performing Arts. Miss Wilson danced at the inaugural Nutcracker Charity Ball as a Mobile Ballet student.

24 ACCESS Magazine / January-February 2020

Peyton Danielle Wood is a graduate of St. Paul’s Episcopal School, where she served as a student mentor, secretary of the Student Government Association, and a member of the Interact Club. Miss Wood is pursuing a doctor of pharmacy degree from the Harrison School of Pharmacy at Auburn University. She is a Dean’s List student and serves as Alpha Omicron Pi’s Vice President of Chapter Development. Her charitable work includes Alpha Omicron Pi’s philanthropy, The Arthritis Foundation, as well as the BIG Event and Habitat for Humanity. Miss Wood is a Mobile Ballet Company member, Mobile Ballet faculty, and attended ballet summer intensives at Alabama Ballet, Central Pennsylvania Youth Ballet, and Orlando Ballet.

94 th BEX Winter Formal In honor of her love for New York City, Beta Sigma Chi President Elizabeth Wilbourn Helmsing chose “Betas on Fifth Avenue” as the evening’s theme.

With the goal of uniting girls in their high school years through community service and events that invite cooperation and responsibility, a fun night was had by over 200 girls and their escorts with music by the fabulous Az IzZ band.

Photos Chad Riley Photo & Design

“As president, I have most enjoyed the philanthropy and friendships! We have collected canned goods and personal hygiene products, fed families at the Ronald McDonald House, and helped women at USA Women’s Health Center.” –Elizabeth

th’s Fun fact: Elizabe walt Aunt Binky Os nt 50 was Beta Preside years ago!

Elizabeth and escort Jacob Edward Peavy

Elizabeth with her parents Liz and Guy Helmsing and her brother, Guy.

“Ron Barrett did the flowers and stage and has helped the Betas for more than 40 years. We met with him this past summer and he knew exactly what we needed for a magical night of fun in NYC!” –Elizabeth

26 ACCESS Magazine / January-February 2020

“My dress was designed by good friends.

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Joy in the New Year

Physical, mental, and emotional health are critical elements in living our best lives, and with the new year in full swing, ensuring our personal growth in mind, body, and spirit is at the top of our “To Do” list. Armed with tips on how to boost energy, vitality, focus, and overall joy, Edward Carlos, M.D., an internal medicine physician at Alabama Medical Group, is here to offer professional medical advice on how to make 2020 your best year yet.

R

eal talk: we all want to be and look our best. No matter the focus – physical, mental, emotional, spiritual – we are all in a constant pursuit of self-improvement.

But with New Year’s resolutions well underway, what should we hone our focus on to ensure we start our 2020 health journey on the right foot?

“First and foremost, setting realistic goals is a critical first step in the overall process,” says Dr. Edward Carlos, an internal medicine physician at AMG. “You’re not going to harness complete mental balance and clarity or drop three pant sizes in a week. You have to set short and long-term goals that fit in with your personal schedule, lifestyle, and abilities that do not put unrealistic pressure or strain on you or those you love; otherwise, you’ll ‘fall off the wagon’ before the journey has ever fully begun.”

Dr. Carlos says that getting enough sleep can jumpstart the quest for overall health in ways most don’t even consider. “The brain works to archive memories, catalog changes, and repair itself as we sleep,” Dr. Carlos says. “Without the proper amount of sleep, side-effects include memory problems, lack of vitality and focus, and overall ‘brain fog’ that is hard to lift as the day wears on. Seven to eight hours of sleep is the standard recommendation, as anything less is associated with an increased risk of chronic diseases and depression.” By making sleep a priority, Dr. Carlos says that the resulting increase in focus and productivity during your wake-hours will more than make up for the time set aside for much-needed shut-eye. Going to bed at the same time every night and sticking to it helps, so turn off the tube, put down the laptop, and hit the sack! It’ll all still be there tomorrow.

Eating right and staying active are also key in boosting your health. “It’s almost a no-brainer these days that eating healthy foods and exercising are the easiest, most tried-and-true ways to achieve better physical and mental health,” Dr. Carlos says.

“You’ll find that if you eat right, your focus, energy level, and overall mood will improve.” Healthy fats,

28 ACCESS Magazine / January-February 2020

By Jessica Goolsby

lean protein, and foods rich in omega-3 fatty acids are great for brain health. Be sure to avoid trans fats at all costs, which are found in most processed and prepackaged foods, as they can impair memory and reduce energy levels. “And DRINK WATER,” Dr. Carlos urges. “Kicking soda and sugary drinks to the curb is a huge step in the right direction.”

A regular exercise routine is also critical. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends adults get at least 150 minutes of exercise per week, or five 30-minute workouts every week.

Incorporating strength training, aerobics, and burst training (several surges of intense activity lasting 30 to 60 seconds, each followed by a few minutes of lower-intensity exertion for recovery) can have a major impact. “With 24 hours in every day, committing to at least one-half hour of daily exercise several times a week is completely doable – the only person standing in your way is you,” Dr. Carlos says. “Regular exercise keeps blood vessels open, delivers oxygen to the brain, and improves levels of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) – which helps repair and protect brain cells from degeneration and induces the growth of new brain cells and neurons.” But no one is suggesting you go out and sign up for a marathon tomorrow.

“Everyone has their own process,” Dr. Carlos says.

If you are of average ability level, starting out with walks or light runs several times a week can make a huge impact, but for those with health concerns or more serious weight issues, consulting with a doctor first would be your best bet. “Assessing any preexisting or underlying conditions, testing heart health, outlining a diet and exercise plan, and other measures can be taken with the help of your primary care doctor to ensure the best plan for you,” Dr. Carlos says.

Finally, stress management plays a major role in your overall mental and physical health. “Chronic stress can increase cortisol levels and affect brain function,” Dr. Carlos says. “In addition to brain fog and memory loss, other excessive stress symptoms

can include anxiety, irritability, memory loss, worry, and intensified mood swings or emotional responses.” To reduce stress, start by reflecting on how you view life, as it is truly as good or bad as you make it. Making time to do activities you enjoy, working to decipher wants from needs, prioritizing things that make sense, and starting the day with a positive intention can work wonders. Also, try not to complain so much – it trains your brain to focus on the negative, which has a snowball effect physically and emotionally. “Focus on the positive,” Dr. Carlos says. “Take slow, deep breaths, seek the good in every situation, and stay mindful of what triggers you (and how to avoid said triggers), and you’ll be well on your way to enhanced health and overall well-being.”

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Mardi Gras For Mobile, Mardi Gras isn’t just a holiday; it’s a way of life. Proud of our heritage, Mobile’s love for Carnival dates back hundreds of years and is heavily steeped in family tradition, folklore, and history. Be it our monarchs, MoonPies, or mystic societies, every custom has a story worth exploring. Whether you were raised with a MoonPie in hand and beads around your neck, or it’s your first time experiencing this over-thetop celebration, this comprehensive list has everything you need to know about the birthplace of Mardi Gras and its centuries-old traditions.

By Caroline Edmondson

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The Art of it All:

A Revie w of Mobile Makers: Present Day Artists and Artisans of Car nival There’s been no shortage of features about Carnival darling Ron Barrett. Recently, while chatting at a cocktail party, Ron shared the news that he has moved into a new warehouse downtown – a warehouse to beat all warehouses. Naturally, ACCESS asked for an exclusive inside look into his world of larger-than-life papier-mâché, gilded champagne glasses, whimsical whipped confections, towering columns, and the random zebra on wheels. Our visit with the mastermind of Mardi Gras was too good not to share.

Photos Coutesy of Cart Blackwell Most Southern cities have three seasons – hunting, football, and summer. In Mobile, Alabama, there is a fourth season – Carnival. That special time of year, of which Mardi Gras is its height, brings to the forefront the best that is Mobile. The Port City’s traditions, innovations, and spirit are all encompassed by it. Social, economic, and familial impulses all thrive, and to the revelry of all. What of the art of it? The arts of Carnival are many and varied. Mobile Makers: Present Day Artists and Artisans of Carnival - the ongoing thematic quarterly exhibit at the Mobile Carnival Museum - highlights the creative brilliance of 28 active Mobilians who are the backbone of the Mardi Gras design world.

Inspired by Alabama Maker (an annual festival first held in Montgomery and now in Birmingham that showcases leading cultural figures and enterprises across the state), Mobile Makers narrows the focus to Mobile and Mardi Gras. While there are many more artists active in the genre of the Carnival arts than the 28 included in the exhibit, those creatives selected particularly exemplify the joyous nature of the Carnival arts. Works include fine paintings, exuberant sculptures (from floats), customized regalia, lavish invitations, float designs, and so much more. Well-known and established figures such as Ron Barrett, Eugenia Foster, and Steve Mussell are joined by designers, artists, artisans, and designers whose names are less known, but whose works cause jaws to drop. Let’s become better acquainted with some of the artists and their works!

Ron Barrett of Ron Barrett, LLC, requires no introduction. A presiding

32 ACCESS Magazine / January-February 2020

presence within Mobile’s arts scene for more than 46 years, Barrett is the mastermind behind some the grandest orchestrations ever conceived and executed in the State of Alabama. Working in the fine, decorative, and performing arts, he and the artists in his studio have created paintings, designed (and executed) trains, and staged tableaux that defy description.

The Carnival Museum’s main staircase is lined with designs and photographs of some of Barrett’s most notable forays.

Selected and hung by him, the display is mesmerizing. There is a tableau scene from the 2019 Infant Mystics (IM) ball you just have to see to believe!

Works by Sarah Otts, the elegant artist and gallerist, are a high point of the exhibit. Otts started painting as a child and received her professional training at the University of Mississippi. The majority of her works, Carnival and otherwise, feature gold and silver leafing.

The richness of effect is spellbinding. Her Folly and Death: Studio in Blue and Gold is a tour de force. Created for the Order of Myths (OOMs), the painting conveys the energy and mystery of Mobile’s most iconic emblem device.

Sarah Otts’ paintings are situated opposite andirons created by her fatherin-law, recently retired physician Dr. Richard Otts. The elder Otts might not be a formally trained artist, but his talent is undeniable. As with so many Carnival creatives, his livelihood was elsewhere, but his contributions to Mardi Gras are immeasurable. Rotating throughout the run of the exhibit are andirons representing the feisty feline of the Infant Mystics (IMs), the jester and skeleton of the Order of Myths (OOMs), and dancing goat of the Strikers. Dr. Otts’ andirons certainly keep the Mardi Gras fires going!

Family is arguably the most important part of Mardi Gras. That foundation of life and community is present in Carnival art. In addition to the pairing of Sarah Otts and Dr. Richard Otts, Mobile Makers also showcases the works of Edward B. Ladd and E. Bradford Ladd.

First father and now son have designed the floats for the Order of Myths (OOMs) for more than 50 years. The themes on which they have focused their talents are only topped by their rendering styles and the floats realized from them. Bradford Ladd’s designs for the OOM parade of 2018, “What a Story…; 151 Years and Still Writing,” took as its basis such Southern literary greats as Tennessee Williams, Eudora Welty, Tom Wolfe, and Mobile’s own Winston Groom. Those designs and others by the most creative and witty of Mobile’s father and son designers occupy a primo place in the exhibit.

Craig Stephens executes the float designs for the Order of Myths and the Mobile Carnival Association, amongst other organizations. A gigantic and interactive float sculpture of Baloo and Mowgli from “The Jungle Book” by Stephens and his fellow artisans at Carnival Artists occupies the center of the Carnival Museum’s main gallery. As with so many works in the exhibit hailing from the private holdings of respective artists, Baloo and Mowgli come from Stephen’s collection. He also loaned a gigantic Winnie the Pooh replete with his honey pot!

The good rocks come out the bank box during Mardi Gras. Mobile’s Dynasty Collections is the jeweler of not only Mobile’s Carnival royalty, but also those of other cities and organizations that observe mystic traditions. Mr. Tommy Cain of Dynasty Collections, with his wife Tanya, have designed (and their studio created) the crowns of monarchs near and far. The contents of Dynasty Collections’ distinctive purple purples rival those of Cartier’s red boxes and Tiffany’s robins-egg blue! Several of Mr. Tommy’s parures are on display as part of Mobile Makers.

There are those Carnival arts that stand amongst us year-round. We are talking the art of architecture. The architecture of Mardi Gras is more than floats. Architectural drawings by the likes of Kim Kearley, Ben Cummings, and the recently departed Nick Holmes depict in plan, elevation, and perspective historic dens and some recently constructed buildings that serve as the homes to Mobile’s oldest mystic societies.

Whereas in most cities, trains roll on tracks, here in Mobile they trail behind monarchs on ballroom floors. The Carnival Museum is known for its trains. Examples by Ron Barrett, Julia Greer Fobes, Homer McClure, Patricia Ann Richardson, and Johnny Weaver are displayed throughout the Carnival Museum. McClure’s 2013 train, paired with the gown, for his niece Anna McClure (Mrs. Theo Middleton) is otherworldly. The level of detail is exquisite – truly among the finest works by an extremely talented and engaging designer.

Situated in close proximity to McClure’s regal design is an over-the-top Mae West ensemble Johnny Weaver executed for a monarch of Osiris. At least one (maybe two!) ostrich was sacrificed for its feathers that now radiate a headdress worthy of the saucy actress who inspired the costume. A wise man once said Carnival is Halloween for adults, but it was Mae West who said, “Too much of a good thing can be wonderful.”

Mobile Makers: Present Day Artists and Artisans of Carnival is up through March. The exhibit provides for the mind and the eye something for all interests. A reflection and celebration of some amazingly talented individuals, this exhibit shows that it’s the people that make a place, and Mobile’s creatives certainly elevate the experience and appearance of Mardi Gras and the city in which it was born. Stop by the Mobile Carnival Museum soon!

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Athelstan Club First founded in 1873, this historic club’s journey started long before its famous location facing Bienville Square with its raised platforms allowing members and their families first class seats to the parades and carnival fanfare. First located on 12 South Royal Street, it originally occupied the upper floors as a Masonic lodge, thus requiring its members to be masons. However, a vote changed this in 1875, and the club was renamed to the Athelstan Club. The club strove to be the most elite men’s club in Mobile at the time, vying to beat out the only other men’s club, the Manassas, and limited its membership to 100. Not long after in 1901, the club sought a new location for their clubhouse and purchased a lot on St. Francis Street with a view of the Square, laying the

foundation for the legacy it has today. This clubhouse survived only 70 years after a fire marshal condemned the building, stating it was a “death trap.” However, the Athelstan Club prevailed, and members pushed to build their current location from the ground up. Completed in 1971, the current clubhouse was designed by architect Dillon March and includes three floors, with a fourth for club members only. It is a perfect mixture of both modern and historical as the leaded glass front doors were once salvaged from the previous structure. The club’s Mardi Gras traditions live on as members and their families take advantage of the perfect location to scrounge for beads and take in the sights of every parade.

During the Monday before Fat Tuesday, the Mobile Carnival Association’s King and his knights stop before the club’s parade viewing stand while the King toasts his Queen and the knights shower their ladies with an abundance of throws.

Boom Boom!

If you’re not a local Mobilian, you might be wondering what this could be. The term “Boom Boom” is used to describe the beats of the drums and bands marching to signal the approaching parade as they continue through the streets of Downtown Mobile or across the Bay. It’s also what Mobilians fondly call this time of year.

Bienville Square In the heart of downtown Mobile lies a historic city park: Bienville Square.

Reserved as a city park in 1824 and named after its founder, Jean-Baptiste Le Moyne de Bienville (also known as Sieur de Bienville), the Square is bordered by four streets: Dauphin, Saint Joseph, Saint Francis, and North Conception. Known for its large cast iron fountain with acanthus leaf motif, President Theodore Roosevelt once gave a speech in this beloved park.

Today, you can find musicians, food, and family fun throughout Mardi Gras at Bienville Square.

34 ACCESS Magazine / January-February 2020

Beads What would Mardi Gras be without beads caught and shown off? Since the late 1800s many objects such as cups, candy, aluminum doubloons, and beads have been thrown from floats.

What began in the 1880s as glass beads on strings turned into today’s famous purple, gold, and green aluminum beads that have us all shouting, “Throw me something, Mister,” today.

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Collar and Mantle Significant to Mardi Gras queens’ regalia is the collar and mantle, which is based off the historical Medici collar – a large, decorative frame around the sides and back of the queen’s head. These collars are supported by wire and embroidered with lace, satin, or another light material and adorned with crystals and gemstones. Each queen designs her own mantle, which can come in a variety of different shapes, colors, and even heights. Collars and mantles are quite heavy, weighing up to 60 pounds. Designers therefore build metal harnesses and corsets for each queen to help her support the weight. Harness bars are fit over the queen’s shoulders and covered with supportive padding to make the outfit more comfortable. The padding is matched with material to seamlessly blend into the queen’s gown. The collar is detachable and truly only worn when the queen pulls her train, or mantle, which is attached to a metal crossbar on the back of the collar.

Costumes

Costumes are a necessity for members of krewes and mystic societies during parades. Members don an elaborate costume reflecting the theme of their parade and float. Usually, each float within the parade has its own unique themed costumes, which differs from the other floats. Costumes always include a mask to conceal the riders’ identities, and can include items such as headdresses, capes, and over-the-top bling. After the parades, members most often wear their costumes to their ball to differentiate themselves from other non-member guests.

Crowns Perhaps one of the most important accessories of the Mardi Gras monarch’s royal regalia is the coveted crown.

Each monarch gets to custom design their crown in order to reflect his or her family history or his or her personal style. Each crown can also incorporate the monarch’s initials and even details such as the year and date they reign.

Most monarchs of Mobile flock to one of the country’s few remaining crown makers, Dynasty Collection, which has an impressive history of 35 years in the business.

Thousands of crystals make up each crown, ensuring they sparkle even in the dark. The crown making process is a lengthy one (and almost a bit

36 ACCESS Magazine / January-February 2020

backward), as they start with smaller pieces and build from there. The monarchs meet with designers one-on-one and come up with a sketch of their dream crown. From there, a template of the crown is designed and then pressed into a mold. Then comes the bling. Bands of crystals are set into the mold and the crown begins to take shape. Various pieces of the crown then come together and are attached to a metal band in order to fit the monarch’s head. Crystals continually are added until the design is completed. In order to seal everything in place, the crown is plated in either silver or gold. The finished product is breathtaking, and truly a work of art.

D Debutantes

Doubloons We’re all familiar with these multi-colored coins thrown from almost every float in the parade. With their various engravings (and the sweet tinkling sound they make as a large storm rains down onto the concrete), these throws have been a staple for many years. These brightly colored trinkets first made their appearance in the 1960s and were coined (pun intended) by New Orleans artist H. Alvin Sharpe.

Unlike regular coins, doubloons are made of aluminum and therefore safe as Mardi Gras throws! Mobile’s own Infant Mystics take credit for introducing doubloons as throws to our Carnival parades in 1965.

What many Mobilians may not know is the Carnival season actually begins months before in November with the start of area debutant balls. What used to be a way for parents to present their marriage-aged daughters to society (and hopefully future husbands) has now become a joyous celebration of these young women’s academic, philanthropic, and social achievements. Mobile is home to two annual debutant balls: the Camellia Ball, which takes place the night before Thanksgiving, and Mobile Ballet’s Nutcracker Charity Ball held in December, which also doubles as a way to raise necessary funds for deserving charities around the Bay Area and for the Ballet’s wonderful programs. These debutantes enjoy a busy social calendar of parties, toasts, and more before some will continue on to partake in the Mobile Carnival Association’s Mardi Gras Court.

Stevye Photography

Keyhole Photography

Dens Many organizations are seizing the opportunity to restore some of Mobile’s most historic buildings into their hub for all things Mardi Gras, one of which is the new MOT den. A glistening vision in white, the Kennedy House, which is located at 607 Government Street, is no longer the mildewed ruin it was just a few short years ago. The 1857 residence – one of the last to be constructed on Government Street prior to the Civil War – has undergone an extensive and conscientious restoration by a local nonprofit known as the 1857 Foundation.

Not only is the porticoed pile a showplace on Mobile’s grandest thoroughfare; it is also one of less than 40 remaining Mobile side-hallwith-wing houses. That distinctive residential

38 ACCESS Magazine / January-February 2020

typology was Mobile’s equivalent to the New York row house and Charleston single house.

At one time, more than 400 houses of the style lined Mobile’s fashionable residential arteries.

The comprehensive restoration resurrected the exterior and interior of the house, as well as a large (and thereto unsightly) later rear addition dating from the building’s lengthy tenure in institutional hands. The venerable old house is now the happy home to one of Mobile’s largest mystic societies. A pleasing sight year-round (especially for those who feared the building’s loss to time and neglect), the Kennedy House – renamed the KennedyCox House – has a new lease on life.

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Emblem Every krewe, organization, and society has its own emblem dedicated to its individual theme, motto, or history. Many of these emblems appear to resemble family crests or simply some sort of figure or animal. But each emblem has a purpose and a story behind its selection; none are chosen randomly.

Often these emblems serve as the first float’s theme in each particular organization’s parade. Take the OOMs for example, whose emblem is Folly chasing Death, or the IMs and their hissing black cat, or MOT’s Father Time – all of which lead the way at the start of each organization’s big parade.

Excelsior Band Mobile’s oldest and most popular parade marching band is known as the Excelsior Band, formed in 1883

by John A. Pope. Today, the band includes 15 total members, though the majority only play during the Carnival season. On average, the band plays around 13 parades every season, with their longest day being Fat Tuesday, wherein they march in an impressive three parades in one day. The Excelsior Band is believed to be the oldest continuous Mardi Gras marching band in Mobile.

Fat Tuesday

This is the day before Ash Wednesday and the time to prepare for the Lenten season. “Fat Tuesday” is the English form of the term “Mardi Gras” and encompasses all Carnival celebrations. This is the time for indulging in rich and fatty foods and libations before fasting during the 40-day season of Lent.

Keyhole Photography Barbara Ann float design

Floats What’s a parade without floats rocking and careening through the city streets? Known for extravagant floats, Mobile’s krewes choose a theme each season and spend up to a year building these elaborate works of art. Some even breathe fire! There are approximately 15-40 fullsize floats per parade, most of which are pulled by large trucks. The first floats, however, appeared in the 1800s, and were horse-drawn carriages and wagons decorated and accompanied by young men called “Flambeauxs” who carried torches to light the way at night.

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Folly Catching an inflated, metallic animal bladder from Folly as he passes by on his float is a memory treasured by all. What might seem repulsive to out-of-towners, the tradition of Folly heralding painted pig and cow bladders has been a tradition for both KOR and OOM for decades. For the OOMs, whose parade serves as the grand finale of the Carnival season, Folly is regarded as the conquering hero as he chases and defeats Death by beating on him with his three golden pig bladders. Pulled by mules and illuminated by hand-held flambeaux, the float that delivers Folly to revelers looks exactly as it did in the late 19th century. For the KOR’s, Folly looks a tad different, sporting a gorgeous blue and silver jester suit as he stands upon their emblem float banging the bladders against the sides of a champagne glass. And unlike the other Folly, this time the bladders are from cows and are a silver color. No matter the color (or animal of origin), these bladders are specifically delivered by meat packing plants, and trimmed of all fat by the mystic organization’s members. They are then inflated by a compressor (much like a balloon) and hung to dry before being spray-painted with their respective colors. And though they often retain their distinctive smell, parade goers still obsess over catching their own to take home.

42 ACCESS Magazine / January-February 2020

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GRand marshal

It's Going to Be Grand!

What is a Grand Marshal anyway? After a surprise invitation, ACCESS’ own Hayley Hill dishes on what she knows will be the ride of her life. The best part? The women behind the masks, of course.

By Hayley Hill As editor, one of my favorite job perks is getting to know so many women around the Bay. Always inspired by their stories, it seems I’ve unknowingly touched a few lives around here. Much to my surprise, I was asked to be the Grand Marshal for Fairhope’s Maids of Jubilee (MOJ) parade this Carnival season. Super touched and shocked, I found myself asking, “Why me?” I was told that because of my work for and with many of the MOJ members through ACCESS, they, in turn, just wanted to do something nice for me. Wow! And although I’ve lived on the Bay for some time, I admit, I didn’t really know what this role meant or required. With outfits, fun throws, a decked-out ride, and more to account for, it’s crucial to understand this role so as not to disappoint. According to Webster, a Grand Marshal is “a person honored as the ceremonial marshal of a parade.” Entirely too vague a definition, I did some research. With the world wide web coming up short on lists of specific duties, I’ve gathered from local sources that the Grand Marshal leads the parade, encourages enthusiasm from the crowds, and simply has a good time. Whew, I can do that! Interestingly, Grand Marshals date back to the 1800s, and celebrities from Will Ferrell and Dolly Parton to Britney Spears and Kelly Clarkson have been honored with such a role. While in Fairhope last year, Dakota Johnson even filmed a bit for a new movie, “The Friend,” in a mock MOJ parade. Having made some great friends among the MOJ, it only occurred to me after the ask that so many women who’ve

44 ACCESS Magazine / January-February 2020

graced the pages of ACCESS are linked to the mystic society. They all rave about this organization, as they are a true support system for one another, regardless of season.

Naturally curious, I sat down with the secret society’s president for the inside scoop. “Maids of Jubilee started a little more than 35 years ago as a private Mardi Gras society for women,” says the MOJ president, whose name we can’t reveal. “The first president pulled together a group of 100 women from all sorts of professions on the Eastern Shore and they rolled this idea onto the streets.

They put in all the blood, sweat, and tears for the rest of us, and we are still enjoying the fruits of their labor,” she says, adding that MOJ still retains some of the initial 100 women today, now recognized as charter members, as well as some of their children and even grandchildren. With humble beginnings, she adds, “These ladies did not parade their first year, but they did, however, have a ball which they catered themselves for many years. They also made the decorations, bought the adult beverages, and did everything else that goes along with throwing a big party for friends.” As the first in many categories, the MOJ was not only the first women’s organization on the Eastern Shore, but also the first to have female Marshals adorned in beautiful capes on horseback. “Our Lead Marshal is actually one of the first 100 and she is still leading, only now she has been leading us out on the back – or rather, hump – of a camel,” the MOJ president shares.

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Having attended a few parades during my time here, I love how fun, modern, and unique their parades are and specifically recall howling over the ladies dressed as Dallas Cowboy cheerleaders and members of the band Kiss last year. “Our Parades have had many special attractions including beautiful Clydesdales; the governor of Alabama and his wife; high school marching bands and dance teams; local children’s dance troupes; members of our nation’s military branches; area JROTC units; the Oscar Myer Wiener Mobile; a live mermaid; and mascots Big Al and Aubie from Alabama and Auburn Universities, just to name a few,” the president shares.

Having grown from its initial 100 members to well over 400 today, the organization boasts an abundance of professional, talented, and giving women. “Many of our members not only have a professional life, but they give their time to the community and charitable organizations as well,” she adds.

And what can we expect this year in addition to my debut? “This year’s theme is ‘Mermaids on Broadway,’ and we will take to the streets on February 21st,” the president shares.

“Represented through this year’s theme will be ‘Mary Poppins,’ ‘Moulin Rouge,’ ‘Grease,’ ‘The Lion King,’ ‘Hair Spray,’ ‘Annie Get your Gun,’ and ‘Chicago.’ We hope the community enjoys the parade as much as we have enjoyed putting this together to present to them. As a member of the MOJ for almost 20 years, I feel privileged to be a part of this special group of women,” she concludes.

So, if you see me out there, be sure to holler, as I’m admittedly super nervous. However, having hailed from NYC, I will be right at home as Broadway takes Fairhope.

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Hats & Fascinators If you are one of the lucky female recipients of an invitation to any of the elaborate day parties or celebrations such as the OOM Sunday Party or the Queen’s Luncheon on Lundi Gras, you will be required to wear an elegant headpiece fit for the royal family across the pond. Available in a variety of shapes, sizes, colors, and adornments, these hats can be custom-made to match just about any outfit. Though larger hats remain a popular choice (especially for older women), the fascinator, made popular by the Duchess of Cambridge, has become a popular choice in recent years among the younger crowd. These fascinators are smaller in size, usually worn to the side or front of the head, and attached either to

a headband, thin elastic wire, or simply secured to the head with hair pins. Milliners around the world and in the Bay Area often choose Sinamay as the foundation for their hats and fascinators. This fabric is woven from processed stalks of the abaca tree, which is a banana palm native to the Philippines.

Sinamay is three times stronger than both cotton and silk, which makes the hats long-lasting and durable. It is also one of the most pliable materials, making it perfect for freeshaping complex layered constructions, and classic brims.

Choosing and designing the perfect headpiece for ones’ Mardi Gras day party has become some women’s favorite aspect of the Carnival season.

Photo by Jeff Tesney

Infant Mystics The Infant Mystics are known as the second oldest parading society in Mobile, having first paraded the second year of Mardi Gras. They were formed in 1873 from the ashes of another organization called H.S.S. After H.S.S. declared bankruptcy after their ball in 1873 and promptly disbanded, the core members of this society banded together and formed what is now known as the Infant Mystics. Their first parade was held February 17, 1874, and later became the first to introduce electric floats to Mobile Mardi Gras.

We can see this at work in their well-known emblem float, featuring their hissing cat symbol.

48 ACCESS Magazine / January-February 2020

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Joe Cain Joe Cain takes the title as the founder of Mobile’s modern-day Mardi Gras celebrations. After the Civil War, Joe Cain would dress up as an imagined Native American chief and parade through the town, rejuvenating the city’s Carnival traditions. Becoming a charter member of the Tea Drinkers Society (TDS), one of many social clubs known as mystic societies, he began to parade on New Year’s Eve. During this time, Mardi Gras was celebrated to ring in the New Year. When a blockade strangled off trade in Mobile during the Civil War, the parading came to an end, and Joe Cain served as a private in the Confederate Army. Moving to New Orleans and participating in the city’s Mardi Gras festivities after his service, he made a return to Mobile in 1866 to revive the spirit of Mobile’s New Year’s Eve festivities during the more traditional pre-Lenten period he observed in New Orleans. Along with the original TDS members, he began to parade through Mobile in a charcoal wagon dressed in exaggerated Native American attire. Dressed as a Chickasaw chieftain who he named Slackabamarinico, Joe Cain led the parade riding around proclaiming the end of Mobile’s suffering and the return of the city’s parading festivities. Activities proceeded to move towards the traditional Fat Tuesday. Sixteen former Confederate soldiers who called themselves the “Lost Cause Minstrels” joined a parade in 1867 led by Joe Cain. A former cotton broker, volunteer fireman, and clerk at Mobile’s Southern Market (now located on the ground floor of the stately City Hall that now houses the History Museum of Mobile), these were just a few of several job titles Joe Cain held during his lifetime. To be closer to his adult son, he and his wife, Elizabeth Alabama Rabby Cain, eventually moved to Bayou La Batre. Joe Cain died on April 17, 1904, and was buried in Oddfellow’s Cemetery. Remaining popular (but with exclusive celebration for over half a century after Joe Cain’s death), the mystic societies closed memberships and left little for revelers to do. Local author Julian Lee Rayfrod

set out to make the event more inclusive to honor Joe in the 1960s, convincing city officials to exhume the bodies of Joe and Elizabeth and move them to Mobile’s oldest cemetery, the Church Street Graveyard.

Interred with the party of a parade, a jazz-band procession, and many mourners, his tombstone was incised with the image of a jester and reads: “Here Lies Old Joe Cain, the Heart and Soul of Mardi Gras in Mobile.” Drawing a huge crowd at the reburial, Joe Cain Day was established and is now celebrated the Sunday before Fat Tuesday with a parade known as “The People’s Parade” led by someone dressed as Chief Slackabamarinico. It concludes with a celebration in the Church Street Graveyard. Created in 1974, the Mardi Gras women’s mystic society of “Cain’s Merry Widows” dress in funeral black with veils, lay a wreath at Cain’s burial site in Church Street Graveyard to mourn his loss, and then travel to his Augusta Street house for a toast, eulogy, and argument over who was the favorite widow every year.

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K Krewe If you have ever gazed at the gigantic and creative floats and thought, “Who put all of this together?” that would be the krewes. With more than 40 in Mobile, krewes are organizations that produce the carnival parades and balls.

Many are secret societies and have as many as 700 members that work hard and celebrate all year round.

You can now try a traditional King Cake right here in Mobile at Chaleur Coffee. Their pastries resemble the ones you would have found centuries ago in France. Made from a hand-made puff pastry, and filled with almond frangipane and either a apricot or fig jam, these pastries are light and delicious without being overly sweet. Available in either a personal size for $7 each, or 12 in. family size, you can snag one now until Fat Tuesday (Feb. 25th).

Chaleur Coffee 1714 Dauphin St. Chaleur.Coffee Stevye Photography

King Cake If you’re anything like us, you eagerly await the beginning of the Carnival season and savor the arrival of mouth-watering King Cakes at local bakeries and stores around town (locals know of the hearty debate over which store or bakery makes the most delicious King Cake). These doughy, cinnamon-flavored delights date back hundreds of years to European celebrations of the Epiphany. In fact, these cakes (which are not really cakes at all, but more of a cross between bread dough and pastry) were first devoured in France 300 years ago and consisted of a dry dough with sugar on top and a bean hidden inside. Fast-forward to today, and King Cakes come in a variety of shapes, colors, and fillings. However, the most popular and “Mardi Gras traditional” is a ring of twisted cinnamon roll-style

dough decorated with white icing and purple, yellow, and green sprinkles. If you’re feeling adventurous, you can order your king cake with a filling of cream cheese, praline, cinnamon, or a fruit jam (but we don’t discriminate on plain, either). Of course, don’t forget the coveted plastic baby hidden inside one of the slices! Whomever finds the baby is said to be favored with good luck and is given the responsibility of hosting the next year’s party and providing the next King Cake. Always remember, look before you bite!

Lundi Gras

Lundi Gras, which translates to “Fat Monday,” is the day before Fat Tuesday and Ash Wednesday. Like Fat Tuesday, Lundi Gras stems from the French tradition of gorging on delicious foods before the start of Lent in which Catholics must fast. In Mobile, Lundi Gras is a big deal – schools are out and parades usually last from sunrise to sundown. The Floral Parade (which features the MCA court and more) rolls during this time, and the Order of Doves parade is a huge hit. The Order of Doves derives from Mobile’s first all-black mystic society, which was first formed in 1890. The goal of the newly formed Order of Doves was to desegregate and break exclusivity that many mystic societies still carry today. No matter your gender or race, the Order of Doves welcomes you as a potential member. With their “prime time” parading spot on Lundi Gras, The Order aims to change the face of Mardi Gras. And of course, they select a king and queen to rule Lundi Gras in their name.

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54 ACCESS Magazine / January-February 2020

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LEADING

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STRIKERS

LADIES

INDEPENDENT

SOCIETY

Lady Seline Vaughan Morrissette

By Caroline Edmondson Photography Stevye Photography, 228.547.1191 Makeup Courtney Matthews Makeup Artistry, Cocokat1978@gmail.com Hair Jason Chambers, Head Dress Salon, 251.689.7427 This season, Seline Vaughan Morrissette will reign over all of Mardi Gras as Queen – but that’s not her only role.

Seline also had the distinct honor of serving as Leading Lady for the Strikers Independent Society Ball on January 4th. As one would expect, the news of both came as a welcome and happy shock.

After being voted Captain of the Ball, Seline’s father, Clifton Morrissette, called her while she was away at school and asked her to accompany him as his Leading Lady. Naturally, Seline accepted, and preparations were

underway. Though the Strikers don’t host a Scroll Party like many organizations, their ball is a big deal, so Seline pulled out all of the stops for her dress. Purchased on a trip to Bangkok with her mother, Seline’s dress was embellished with custom fabric by Cristal Jackson at Seams to Fit. Seline finished her look with Dee Keller Satin Pumps from CK Collection.

Of the Strikers honor, Seline says, “I have been going to the Strikers Room since I was a little girl – it is where I always watched parades growing up. It’s a special place

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for me and several generations of my family. My cousin, Worth, led the Strikers in 2011, and I am thrilled to have enjoyed the night with my dad.” Seline adds that the Christmas season was filled with countless parties, fun times, and wonderful memories – her favorite of which was an incredible party thrown by her family and friends to honor both herself and her cousin Elizabeth. “It’s been a whirlwind of fun this Christmas break,” she says. We can’t wait to see her reign as Queen!

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56 ACCESS Magazine / January-February 2020

KNIGHTS

OF

REVELRY

Lady Helen Ann Cornell

By Caroline Edmondson Photography Stevye Photography, 228.547.1191 Makeup Courtney Matthews Makeup Artistry, Cocokat1978@gmail.com Hair Alexandrea West, 251.689.1795

A recent graduate of Auburn University, Helen Ann Cornell is the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Edward Duryea Cornell.

Native to Mobile, she graduated from McGill-Toolen and obtained a degree in criminology and psychology in December 2019. At Auburn, Helen Ann was a member of Gamma Beta Phi Honor Society and the National Society of Leadership and Success, and plans to pursue a graduate degree in behavioral psychology.

Helen Ann has always loved Mardi Gras, fondly remembering attending dozens of parades since her childhood. She also participated in the 2012 Juvenile Mardi Gras Court, which remains one of her favorite memories. “I had so much fun at the King’s party and Queen’s [fellow Leading Lady Susan Slaton] party before riding in the Floral Parade,” she recalls, and looks forward to the various festivities that come along with being both a Lady of the Court and the Leading Lady of the Knights of Revelry. “I am looking forward to attending many parades, balls, and other festivities, especially the Coronation and King’s Supper and the Queen’s Luncheon,” she says. “I’m also excited to be able to ride in the KOR parade on Mardi

Gras day.”

The news of her being chosen as this year’s Leading Lady came as a wonderful surprise back in June of last year. “A celebration including a feature of KOR memorabilia was held at the Carnival Museum with KOR members and guests, as well as some of the debutantes of the 2020 Mardi Gras Court in attendance,” she recalls. “The announcement was a complete surprise!” Helen Ann was also celebrated at the annual KOR Christmas Revel at the Battle House Hotel, where her father (who she says is the reason this honor is so special) presented her. “Being chosen as Leading Lady is a once in a lifetime opportunity to enjoy Mardi Gras to the fullest and experience it alongside my father who has been a member of the KOR for many years,” she says.

For her Mardi Gras wardrobe, Helen Ann wore a white formal gown with a pleated bodice and wrap front skirt at the KOR Christmas Revel in December, accessorized by a pearl necklace worn by her mother at her parents’ wedding, and gold-trimmed pearl earrings given to her mother by her father. For the KOR Parade and Reception on Mardi Gras Day, Helen Ann will wear an ivory ruched

sleeve dress, designed and made by Elizabeth’s in Metairie, La. She purchased coordinating accessories including a white cropped fur jacket and earrings from locally owned Debra’s.

Helen Ann says that some highlights of the season so far have been attending the many parties over the holiday season with other members of the Court, particularly a tea honoring herself and two other debutantes hosted by several of her family friends. “The KOR Revel was also a blast,” she says. “I loved dancing on stage with the Cooper Trent Band!” Lady Helen Ann would like to thank the KOR Revel Committee, as well as Ron Barrett for the beautiful flower arrangements and decorations he created for this special event epitomizing the Winter Wonderland theme.

In her free time, Helen Ann enjoys playing tennis, listening to music, and traveling to new and exciting destinations.

Her favorite part about living on the Bay is being able to go boating and to visit the beach whenever she wants. One can often find her grabbing a bite at Master Joe’s, Noble South, or Via Emilia, or enjoying a drink at POST with her friends.

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58 ACCESS Magazine / January-February 2020

INFANT

MYSTICS

Lady Sarah Frances Gaillard

By Caroline Edmondson Photography Stevye Photography, 228.547.1191 Makeup Courtney Matthews Makeup Artistry, Cocokat1978@gmail.com Hair Jason Chambers, Head Dress Salon, 251.689.7427

Sarah Frances Gaillard is the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Thomas O. Gaillard III and sister to Thomas O. Gaillard IV. A student at Auburn University, she majors in professional writing with a minor in public relations and dreams of working as a grant writer for a nonprofit upon graduating this summer. At Auburn, Sarah volunteers at various organizations such as Girl Scouts, the Salty Worm Fishing Tournament for Pancreatic Cancer Research, and Opelika Grows. She is also a proud Dean’s List student and serves as the Public Relations Chair for her sorority, Kappa Delta.

Sarah was first surprised with the news she had been chosen as the Leading Lady for the Infant Mystics back in July. “My parents surprised me by telling me I was visiting my grandmother’s house. Everyone involved wanted to keep it a secret until I got to her house where it would be

announced,” Sarah recalls. “When I walked in the room, my parents, brother, and a member from the Infant Mystics surprised me by popping Champagne and asking me if I would accept being the IM’s 152nd Leading Lady!” It had to remain a secret until her Scroll Party in December, “But the wait was worth it,” she says.

Serving as the IM’s Leading Lady is a huge honor to Sarah as it represents the dedication put into the organization by her family. “I know not many girls are selected to lead these Mardi Gras organizations, so I take this role very seriously,” Sarah says. “Being a Leading Lady also highlights the respect I have from the members to represent them well this Carnival season.” Some of Sarah’s highlights of the season so far include the dozens of parties she and the rest of the Court have attended over the holiday season.

“It has helped everyone grow even closer than before, and each party has a different theme making them all so much fun,” she says, though Sarah is most looking forward to the Tableau put on before the IM Ball. “I have heard every year how incredible the decorations and themes are, and this will be my first year to experience it all for myself,” she says.

The new Leading Lady says outside of Mardi Gras she loves writing, traveling, exploring new areas, and reading and rereading some of her favorite works. She also says she loves everything about living in Mobile, especially being on the water and having such easy access to hunting and fishing all year round. “I enjoy going to the beach and bringing friends from college home to experience the culture of Mobile by being on the Bay,” she says.

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60 ACCESS Magazine / January-February 2020

DOMINO

DOUBLE

RUSH

Lady Cara Louise Luther

By Caroline Edmondson Photography Stevye Photography, 228.547.1191 Makeup & Hair Alexandrea West, 251.689.1795

The daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Jeffrey Lynn Luther, Cara Louise Luther is a graduate of St. Paul’s Episcopal School and is currently studying Nursing at the University of Alabama where she is set to graduate in May of this year.

She is a member of the Order of Omega Honor Society and is a President and Dean’s List student. With a passion for babies, Cara Louise hopes to work in the NICU upon graduation.

Cara Louise first made her debut at the Camellia Ball in November and is currently serving as a Lady of the Mobile Carnival Association Court. Being chosen as the Leading Lady for the Athelstan Club’s 146th Annual Domino Ball is the perfect culmination of her family’s dedication to the group. “Some of my favorite Mardi Gras memories are of my dad taking me to watch parades in the Athelstan Club

stands,” Cara Louise says. “Having grown up watching almost every parade at the Athelstan Club, it is an honor to lead their Mardi Gras ball after all these years,” she humbly shares.

The honor came as a complete surprise to Cara Louise, as her parents kept the news under wraps until the night of her Scroll Party, though Cara Louise had no idea it was, in fact, her Scroll Party. “Over this winter break, we had a party at a secret location to celebrate the Leading Lady of this ball,” Cara Louise says. “The party ended up being at my house with all of my family and friends!” Held on the 25th of January, Cara Louise and the other members of the MCA Court don elaborate costumes representing each woman’s “suppressed desire.” And though we would love to share Cara Louise’s costume, the big reveal will be made

at her grand entrance at the start of the ball.

The season has been a blast for Cara Louise thus far, she says, noting this past holiday season was filled with countless parties and fun royal court get-togethers. “I’ve loved being able to celebrate the season with old friends and new friends that I have made,” she says. “I don’t think we’ve had a dull moment yet.”

In her free time Cara Louise loves exercising, hanging out with friends, and visiting her grandparents. Her favorite part about living on the Bay? “Hanging out with family and friends on our wharf for sure,” she says. “It’s always fun to go out on sunset cruises on our boat.”

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62 ACCESS Magazine / January-February 2020

ORDER

OF

MYTHS

Lady Susan Elizabeth Slaton

By Caroline Edmondson Photography Stevye Photography, 228.547.1191 Makeup Courtney Matthews Makeup Artistry, Cocokat1978@gmail.com Hair Jason Chambers, Head Dress Salon, 251.689.7427 Mardi Gras has been a part of Susan Elizabeth Slaton’s family heritage for as long as she can remember. Her aunt, Kathryn Anne Slaton, served as the Order of Myths Leading Lady in 1989, so it was only natural for Susan to be selected as the Leading Lady for the organization for 2020. Daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Edward Bailey Slaton, Jr., Susan is a graduate of UMS-Wright Preparatory School and is currently studying advertising and philosophy at Southern Methodist University in Dallas, Texas, where she will graduate in May of this year. A devoted and talented student, Susan boasts an impressive list of achievements, including her roles as vice president of the SMU Ad Club; National Student Advertising Competition (NSAC) District 10 winner and national finalist; Panhellenic Delegate for Chi Omega Sorority; and Master of Rituals for the Alpha Kappa Psi Professional Business Fraternity.

Having lived away while attending SMU the past few years, Susan has missed out on returning home for the past several Mardi Gras seasons, hence her excitement for this Carnival and the special memories she will make as

Leading Lady. Susan first found out she would be leading the OOMs at the Scroll Party hosted in her honor at the Order of Myths’ Den on December 18th. “Folly and Death ran through the party and pulled me over to the iconic column,” Susan recalls. “I finally got to hit Death with Folly’s pig bladders – something I’ve always wanted to do.

It was such a blast. It has been so much fun getting to come home and hanging out with all of my friends. I have also loved exploring Downtown Mobile. I am pumped to watch parades, go to balls, and experience all of the Mardi Gras festivities,” she shares.

Some of Susan’s fondest memories of Mardi Gras date back to her childhood and the time she spent with her father, sister, and grandparents watching her mother ride in the Maids of Mirth parade each year. “My grandfather, Big Bailey, knew how to navigate around the parade route, and we would see my mom’s float three separate times,” Susan says. “As soon as the last float passed, we would sprint to the car to catch it another time. After watching on Broad Street, my sister and I would go back to Gale and

Bailey’s house and dump out our stuffed bags all over their playroom,” she shares.

Susan has entrusted the help of multiple local vendors and craftsmen to create the various aspects of her OOM Scroll Party. Jason Chambers at Head Dress Salon, Lindsey Stiegler of Soirée Signatures, Dennis Harris at Zimlich the Florist, Sarah Clark from Bay Gourmet, Pollman’s Bake Shop, GMH Bakes, and Port City Rentals combined their creative skills to create Susan’s fabulous Scroll Party, making it one to remember for years to come.

Susan says that living so far away from home has given her a greater appreciation for her hometown. “Going to school in Texas, there is nothing like coming home and spending time in Point Clear,” she says. “I enjoy relaxing on the front porch over the Bay. Living near the water has been such a blessing because we have great seafood and picture-worthy sunsets.” Upon graduating in May, Susan hopes to stay in Dallas and work as an account planner and strategist at an advertising agency. Best of luck!

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SCS

AND

ORDER

OF

DRAGONS

Lady Marion McAllister Slaton

By Caroline Edmondson Photography Stevye Photography, 228.547.1191 Makeup Courtney Matthews Makeup Artistry, Cocokat1978@gmail.com Hair Jason Chambers, Head Dress Salon, 251.689.7427 The daughter of Mr. and Mrs. William Edward Slaton, Marion McAllister Slaton, or “Monnie,” as she is known, was lucky enough to be chosen to be the Leading Lady of both the Santa Clause Society (SCS), and the Order of Dragons (OOD). A graduate of St. Paul’s, Monnie is currently a student at The University of Alabama where she is studying marketing and public relations. Having been named to the President’s List each semester, Monnie will graduate with honors and dreams of working in sports marketing for an NFL or other professional sports team.

Being a Leading Lady runs in Monnie’s family. Her great grandmother, Gene Dumas Vickers, led SCS in 1924; her great aunt, Elizabeth Vickers Courtney, led SCS in 1951; and her cousin, Kathryn Anne Slaton, led SCS in 1988 and Dragons in 1986. So how did Monnie find out she was the Leading Lady for both societies? “My parents hosted a Scroll Party for the SCS at our house on November 26th

where the SCS committee members formally asked me to be the Leading Lady, and presented me with a scroll,” Monnie explains. “Then my parents hosted a Scroll Party for the Dragons at our house on December 30th, where I was formally asked to be the Leading Lady. I was thrilled both times.”

For the SCS ball (which took place on December 13th), Monnie wore a beautiful white dress purchased from Bliss Bridal in Fairhope which was embellished with rhinestones and marabou feathers by Homer McClure. Earrings and other accessories were purchased from Debra’s to complete the look. “The SCS ball was a great way to kick off our Christmas break,” she says. “The ball was so much fun and being asked to lead it was such a big honor and made the night very special. I loved being with all my friends,” Monnie says. And of course, she wants to thank Jason Chambers for all his hard work with gorgeous makeup and

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hair for every Leading Lady event. He even incorporated a vintage broach from Sarah Otts Gallery in her hair for her scroll parties.

Looking back, Mardi Gras has always been in Monnie’s blood, as her dad took her to nearly every parade each year. “We would go watch the parades at the Athelstan Club and then once the parade passed, we would get into the car and go watch it again at The OK Bicycle Shop,” she recalls. “It was always so much fun to see them twice and catch double the throws.” Now grown and coming into her very own season of Mardi Gras, Monnie is looking forward to spending time with her friends and family and says she is excited for all the upcoming festivities. When home, Monnie enjoys relaxing and spending time at her family’s Bay house in Point Clear. She also enjoys going to Red or White and downtown to the Haberdasher.

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Laissez Les Bon Temps Rouler Pronounced “Lay-say le bon tom roo-lay,” this Cajun-French word is a fancy catchphrase of the English translation “Let the good times roll,” a phrase you’ll hear all across the Gulf Coast during the Mardi Gras season to get crowds ready for a celebration. Being a Cajun-French word (with a few French-French grammatical errors), you will not hear anyone in Paris uttering “laissez les bon temps rouler,” but the good times sure do roll down the coast during this season of Carnival festivities.

Masks One of the most important pieces of a krewe member’s costume is his or her mask. If you were to pay attention to the parade riders on every float, you would notice each wears something to shield a part of their face from the public, and they rarely take it off (sometimes not even for their ball, which follows after). But why is this, and how did it start? Masks come in all forms (some conceal the whole face with only eye and mouth holes, while others just cover the upper portion of the face), but each serves the same purpose: to conceal the member’s identity from others.

MoonPie From parade throws to the New Year’s Eve drop, MoonPies are part of Mobile’s fabric. It all started in 1917 when a traveling salesman from the Chattanooga Bakery met a Kentucky coal miner, who had a desire for a snack about the size of the moon.

The rest is history. Consisting of marshmallow filling sandwiched by graham cracker cookies and covered in a chocolate shell, this sweet portable treat originally cost just 5 cents. A huge success in the 1950s, country crooner Big Bill Lister hit the charts with “Gimme An RC Cola and a MoonPie.” In the 1960s, Mobile incorporated the MoonPie in Mardi Gras when the female organization Maids of Mirth spotted the tasty pie in Chattanooga.

Knowing this would be a great throw, it caught on. Crazy for MoonPies, Mobile celebrates New Year’s Eve with a 600 pound MoonPie drop downtown.

66 ACCESS Magazine / January-February 2020

Centuries ago, these masks were used to allow members to freely roam the streets of Carnival and mingle amongst the different social classes without judgment. Today, it’s more a means of carrying on a tradition than purposefully shielding a member’s identity, though it still works to do this, too. You will often find that many organizations’ rules contain strict policies about taking off one’s mask during parades or balls. In doing so, members might suffer heavy fines or even lose their membership.

M

“ PRICE IS WHAT YOU PAY VALUE IS WHAT YOU GET ” - WARREN BUFFETT

CHOOSE WISELY. CHOOSE THE BEST.

Top, $363; The Mix, 251.298.9137.

Skirt, $178, Earrings, $20; Hemline, 251.287.6875.

Booties, $152; CK Collection, 251.990.9001.

Cocktail Ring, Price Upon Request; Karat Patch Jewelers, 251.344.5614.

68 ACCESS Magazine / January-February 2020

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MCA, or Mobile Carnival Association, is well-known for the important role they play in Mobile’s Mardi Gras each year. It is their duty to select a King, who always goes by King Felix III, and his Queen to reign over all of Mobile during the Mardi Gras season. Along with the two monarchs, a court made of a First Lady in Waiting, a Second Lady in Waiting, and other ladies of the court escorted by their selected knights make up the remainder of the MCA royal court. The members of the court, including the monarchs, are selected based on their families’ long histories of involvement with Mardi Gras. The duties of the court include attending countless balls, parties, and coronations for various mystic societies, organizations, and other royal Mardi Gras courts. It is a prestigious honor to be selected to reign in the MCA court and families look forward to the day another member of their family will don the crowns, trains, and intricate dresses of the court.

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Queen Seline Vaughan Morrissette

This year’s Queen of Mardi Gras is none other than Seline Vaughan Morrissette. For years, Seline has watched numerous members of her family serve in various capacities of Carnival seasons past, and now the crown and scepter have been passed to her. Seline says she’s honored and excited to represent her family and the beautiful city she loves so much this 2020 Mardi Gras season.

By Caroline Edmondson // Photos Stevye Photography, 228.547.1191 Makeup Courtney Matthews Makeup Artistry, Cocokat1978@gmail.com // Hair Giselle for Chez Giselle Hair Studio, 251.479.4971

Seline Vaughan Morrissette was born to be Mardi Gras queen – literally! Born the Wednesday before Fat Tuesday more than 20 years ago, Mardi Gras has always been a special time for her. With her birthday often falling near the season, it was only natural that she’d have countless parade-themed birthday parties through the years. “Her birth was induced because her dad was catering the OOM’s first Sunday party,” explains Seline’s mother, Melissa Morrissette. “The OOMs had decided to move from having their ball on Tuesday night following their parade to the Sunday before. Her dad didn’t want to miss her birth, but knew he had to be at the OOMs because it was an important change in format for them.

Her birthday will fall one week before Fat Tuesday again this year, almost exactly as when she was born,” she says.

The daughter of Clifton and Melissa Morrissette, Queen Seline is currently a Presidential Scholar in the Honors College of the University of Alabama where she is set to graduate with a Red Cap in May of this year. While at Alabama, Seline has been a member of the Kappa Kappa Gamma Sorority in which she has served as both New Member Co-Chair and a part of the Standards Committee. She also dedicates her time as a tutor for the Culverhouse LIFT Program, as an Honor College DREAM mentor, and as a Believe UA mentor. Seline also holds membership in various honor societies as a reward for her impressive 4.0 GPA each year. After graduating, Seline hopes to work in Washington, D.C. for a year or two before returning to school to pursue an MBA or JDMBA. “Based on my degrees, in the long-term I know I want some career path in the world of business,” Seline says.

Seline first found out she would be reigning as Queen in late May of last year when her father sent her on an errand to sign some papers at a stockbroker’s office. The mission was all a rouse, however, which Seline soon realized.

“When I opened the door, several members of the Carnival Association Committee were there with champagne and flowers,” she recalls. “Mr. Ma’on Adams, my uncle Tay Morrissette, and a very close family friend, Mitchum Jackson, all asked me to be Queen. I was shocked! It was the last thing I was expecting when I was told to go run an errand, but quickly I got super excited for all the fun ahead,” she beams.

Both of Seline’s parents are extremely proud of their daughter for being chosen for such an important role in Mobile culture. “Mardi Gras plays such a significant role in our great city,” Melissa says. “Seline is so thrilled to have the opportunity to be a part of this great tradition.” Of her selection, Seline adds, “Mardi Gras is a fantastic celebration of our city’s heritage, and getting to play a role in the history of it is a tremendous honor.” Mardi Gras has always been a big celebration of family and friends for Seline as well. “Since I am the

youngest grandchild on both sides of my family, I have always enjoyed watching my brothers and cousins participate in Mardi Gras, and I can’t believe it’s finally my time to get to be a part of it,” she exclaims.

Queen Seline’s family history of Mardi Gras is an extensive one, dating back to the 1930s when her great grandfather, Clifton Clarke Inge, Sr., reigned as King of Carnival alongside Queen Sophia Dunlap. Her father, Clifton Inge Morrissette, first served as Herald in the Court of Queen Nancy Turner and King Felix, William Richard Delaney. In 1985, her mother, Melissa Seline Cope, was a Lady in the Court of Queen Louise Shearer Brock and King Felix, Edward Dickson Williams, Jr., while her father served as her mother’s knight. Her brother, Clifton Inge Morrissette, Jr., was an Equerry to His Majesty John Schley Rutherford, Jr. in the court of Queen Margaret Vidmer Oswalt (Mrs. Lyle Emory Hutchison, III). Her brother, William Frank Cope Morrissette, was an Equerry to His Majesty Angus Royal Cooper, III in the court of Queen Katherine Burgin Hope (Mrs. Andrew William Stenger). William also served as a Knight in the Court of Queen Kathleen Anne Shearer and King Felix, James Tunstall Inge, Jr. and also in the court of Queen Anna Robison McClure (Mrs. Theo Frank Middleton, III) and King Felix, Hiram Taylor Morrissette, III. Queen Seline’s family members who have served as Mobile Carnival Association Monarchs include her cousin, Queen Sarah Sage Morrissette (Mrs. Ralph Preston Bolt, Jr.) with King Felix, John Patrick Courtney, III in 1980; her aunt, Queen Frances Leatherbury Williams, (Mrs. Harris Vaughan Morrissette) with her uncle, King Felix, Hiram Taylor Morrissette, Jr., in 1982; her cousin, Queen Ashley Eugenia Inge (Mrs. Henry Francis O’Connor, III) with King Felix, Gordon Sandys Stimpson, Jr., in 1990; her cousin, Queen Lynn Wentworth Morrissette (Mrs. Mark Edward Hieronymus, Jr.) with King Felix, Edward Dickson Williams, III, in 2011; her cousin, King Felix, Hiram Taylor Morrissette, III with Queen Anna Robison McClure, (Mrs. Theo Frank Middleton, III, in 2013; and her cousin, King Felix, Harris Vaughan Morrissette, Jr., with Queen Mary Elizabeth Moultrie Ball in 2016. Several of Queen Seline’s family members have served as Juvenile Court Monarchs including her uncle, King Hiram Taylor Morrissette, Jr. in 1971; her aunt, Queen Frances Leatherbury Williams (Mrs. Harris Vaughan Morrissette) in 1973; her cousin, King Stephen Bennett Cope Jr., in 2000; her cousin, King Joseph Hedley Lee Dzwonkowski, III, in 2001; and her cousin, King Hiram Taylor Morrissette, III, in 2002. In 2012, Queen Seline was in the Juvenile Court of Queen Susan Elizabeth Slaton and King Bancroft Reynolds.

Through the years, many of Queen Seline’s family members have contributed to Carnival

I was shocked!

It was the last thing I was expecting when I was told to go run an errand, but quickly I got super excited for all the fun ahead!

– Queen Seline

Top, $178; Hemline, 251.287.6875.

Pants, $264, Heels, $365; The Mix, 251.298.9137.

Earrings, $315; Debra’s, 251.343.7463.

Clutch, $348, Heels, $120; CK Collection, 251.990.9001.

70 ACCESS Magazine / January-February 2020

as ladies, knights, pages, heralds, and equerries as well.

“Seline has enjoyed watching so many of her family members participate in Mardi Gras, and she is so excited for her chance to be involved,” her mother says. “We look forward to celebrating with her.”

Seline and her mother worked closely together to design every aspect of her gown, train, and crown. “We love flowers and architecture and used those as inspiration for her regalia,” Melissa shares. Both Seline’s robe and train share a floral theme based on the floral boiserie from the King’s Petite Apartments at Chateaux de Versailles, as well as the formal flower gardens of France. Purchased in New York, Seline’s Amsale Gown is an ivory silk fit and flare dress with a columnar panel down the front, accented on each side by a pannier. Homer McClure, the Queen’s cousin, and Cristal Jackson of Seams to Fit then embellished the dress in order to execute the floral theme. The bodice is covered in French re-embroidered lace in a trailing Clematis design and beaded with a gilded floral vining and leaf motif.

Her straps are encrusted with soft silk ivory hand-beaded three-dimensional flowers and complimented by a rhinestone berry and vine design. The front of the gown features a softly gathered lace panel over a golden rose floral silk damask design. The pannier is embellished with a variety of custom-made silk and rhinestone-embroidered flowers with ivory silk hand-beaded organza blossoms, golden French corded lace, and scrollwork of Aurora bagatelles.

The overskirt has delicately winding floral detailing growing in an organic fashion that leads to two large bouquets of flowers. The back of Queen Seline’s dress features a gold lace starburst design as a nod to Versailles and falls into a gold and white lace-covered demi-train.

Seline’s train was originally worn by her first cousin, Worth Morrissette Hieronymus, during her reign as Queen in 2011, and made by her aunt, Laura Clark. Though it has been completely modified by Homer McClure for Seline’s own reign. Featuring a celadon green and bronze cute velvet fabric encrusted with silver and gold floral designs, the train features a large trumpet vase with three-dimensional flowers made from various materials. Finished with the Queen’s cipher of the letters “S” and “M” entwined and topped by a crown, the whole of the train is trimmed in white fox fur.

Made entirely with Swarovski crystals imported from Austria, Seline’s crown features two rows of large Tiffany stones at the base. “Rising from the base are brilliant oval diamond cut crystals, each embraced by four large Marquis stones topped by pear-shaped stones encircled with Tiffany stones,” her mother says. “The rear of the crown features her initials in script and the year of her reign.” In addition, Seline will carry the same scepter Worth carried during her reign.

Both Seline and her family have enjoyed every aspect of her reign thus far, citing some of their highlights as her presentation at the Camellia Ball, and the Strikers Independent Society Ball in which Seline was Leading Lady.

Though there has been tons of fun and excitement so far, there are still so many wonderful memories to be made in the coming months. “I’m most looking forward to Mardi Gras Weekend – The Coronation to the Queen’s Luncheon to parading – and hosting my out-of-town friends to see the ‘Original Mardi Gras,’” Seline says. “Seeing all the planning over the past months come to fruition will be worth it.”

Dress, $940; Studio Blu, 251.219.7424.

Heels, $139; The Gallery Shoe Boutique, 251.344.4257.

Clutch, $258; CK Collection, 251.990.9001.

Cocktail Ring, Price Upon Request; Karat Patch Jewelers, 251.344.5614.

Mardi Gras is a fantastic celebration of our city’s heritage, and getting to play a role in the history of it is a tremendous honor.

– Queen Seline

Jumpsuit, $435; CK Collection, 251.990.9001.

Cape, $130, Earrings, $20; Hemline, 251.287.6875.

Heels, $185; Debra’s; 251.343.7463.

72 ACCESS Magazine / January-February 2020

Shot on Location at Blacksher Hall With its Edwardian Neo-Classical architecture, Blacksher Hall provides an exquisite grandeur to Government Street and the Historic Garden District of Mobile. Built in 1901 for Charles T. Hearin (then-president of the local Cotton Exchange) and designed

by Mobile architect Rudolph Benz, Blacksher Hall is known for its heavily ornamental detailing, grouped iconic columns, and elaborate cornices. Available for events, this 10,000 sq. ft. family-owned and operated mansion boasts 12 fireplaces, a grand staircase, and a stained-glass skylight. Fun fact: The Blacksher family consisted of four daughters, and each one reigned as Queen of Carnival at one point!

BlacksherHall.com

Top, $165, Pant, $450, Fascinator, $415, Earrings, $320; Debra’s, 251.343.7463.

Heels, $120; CK Collection, 251.990.9001.

L O C A L LY OW N E D F O R 3 7 Y E A R S

Jewels fit for a Queen.

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Gown, $1,095; The Holiday, 251.342.4911.

Heels, $120; CK Collection, 251.990.9001.

74 ACCESS Magazine / January-February 2020

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The Mobile Area Mardi Gras Association, or MAMGA, was established in 1930 by Dr. W. L. Russell, a local African American dentist whose mission was to provide cultural knowledge of the black community for the celebration of Mardi Gras. Much like the Mobile Carnival Association, MAMGA appoints a King Elexis I and his Queen to serve alongside their court for the Carnival season. The first court for MAMGA was chosen in 1940 under the direction of Chairperson Frederica Evans, and Alex Herman and Aliene Jenkins were chosen as the first King and Queen to rule. MAMGA is well known for their goliath parade, “The Mammoth Parade,” which is center stage during Fat Tuesday’s celebrations.

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Queen Rosemary Elaine Dunning Spend one minute with Queen Rosemary Elaine Dunning and you are blown away by both her beauty and her genuine personality. Chosen as this year’s MAMGA Queen, Rosemary is using her platform to speak on the importance of mental health while simultaneously honoring century-old traditions.

By Caroline Edmondson // Photos Stevye Photography, 228.547.1191 // Makeup Courtney Matthews Makeup Artistry, Cocokat1978@gmail.com

The daughter of Dr. and Mrs. Richard Dunning, Jr., Her Majesty, Queen Rosemary Elaine Dunning, is delighted to have been chosen as this year’s MAMGA Queen. “This means everything to me,” she exclaims. Her mother, Valerie Dunning, shares in her daughter’s excitement for the season ahead, adding, “To share such an experience is exciting. For me, it’s about family legacy, as well as being a role model to others, not to mention giving back to the community. She now has an opportunity to take a stand, state her platform, and leave a legacy of her own – one that will be woven into the fabric of Mobile’s history,” Valerie says. “To have a voice is powerful. To be among the few ladies chosen to lead this organization for one season as Queen is a privilege and honor,” she adds.

Rosemary attended high school in Charlotte, N.C., at Gaston Day School before attending High Point University to obtain a degree in both psychology and Spanish. That’s right: Rosemary is bilingual, able to speak and write fluently in Spanish. Rosemary says she has plans to further her education by obtaining her Masters, then Doctorate, in psychology. “I want to serve those with mental illness and disorders in a higher capacity, while capitalizing on an entrepreneurial and creative drive through the arts and business,” Rosemary says. Not only is Rosemary evidently left-brained, she also is a talented artist and writer, with some of her work featured in several museums in Charlotte, including the Mint Museum as well as the Levine Museum of the South.

Rosemary says family tradition means everything to her and will be at the center of her reign as Queen. From early childhood, Her Majesty remembers her sweet Granny presenting the first beads and serving their first drink as soon as her family arrived back home in Mobile for the season and recalls fondly her Granmamom kick-starting their celebration with a delicious bowl of Southern gumbo. “Rosemary and I have always shared the memory of having brunch on Fat Tuesday at the Spot of Tea,” her mother adds. “We love spending quality time together, and this has been a family tradition every year.”

Royalty runs in the family, as her mother once served as First Lady in Waiting in the MAMGA Court where she met Rosemary’s father, Richard, who served as a Knight. In addition, her grandmother, Rosemary Watson, was selected at First Lady in Waiting in 1949.

When it comes to Queen Rosemary’s royal regalia, both Rosemary and her mother spent countless hours designing every aspect of her costume. The theme of her regalia is “Family Heritage,” emphasizing the culture, family, and traditions Rosemary is surrounded with each day. Rosemary enlisted the help of Patricia Halsell-Richardson of Patricia Ann’s to create her intricate train and mantle, Camila Ford of Gabriella Rothschild’s to design her crown and scepter, and Shelia Powell of Port City Designs and Emma Bettis to commission

her gown.

Rosemary’s train features a backdrop of geometrical shapes that flow together to create a pattern. Each shape in the design represents a family member of her royal lineage and creates a motif of symmetry and balance. Branches extend from the train’s initialed focal point representing her deep cultural roots, as mink fur trims the entire train, representing the warmth and richness that surrounds her family when in one other’s company. “Four stones (two rubies, a diamond, and a peridot) surround the ‘D’ focal point at the center of my train,” Rosemary details. “As a feminist, I hold a strong belief that both sexes carry the same weight. These stones align with this value system by representing the matriarchs in my family that herald the women in my life [her mother and grandmothers] and that I will pass down to my children. They also stand beside – not in front of or behind – the name which I inherited from my father,” Rosemary shares.

Ever proud of her heritage, Rosemary’s crown and scepter incorporate the original metal hand scrollings of Oliver Irving of New Orleans, perhaps one of the only black crown and scepter makers in America. Rosemary will also be wearing two diamond rings from both her mother and grandmother to complete her look.

One of the most important events for the MAMGA Queen is the Queen’s Luncheon wherein Queen Rosemary is expected to give her speech highlighting her platform. “Advocating for mental health as my platform is something I am all too excited about, as it is the focal point of my reign,” she says. Her mother has enjoyed helping Rosemary create ways in which she can make a difference in the community in which she began her educational experiences, and eagerly awaits the moment her daughter’s hard work pays off at the luncheon. “Watching Rosemary fulfill her duties as Queen has encompassed my most favorite moments,” Valerie beams. “She’s a very passionate young lady and takes on tasks full-force. It takes a lot to excite her. To observe her planning process has been quite interesting.

She has always been a perfectionist. Watching her take receipt of her crown and scepter was the most exciting so far. The smile on her face was priceless,” Valerie shares.

Rosemary loves her home, especially all of the delicious Creole and soul food around every corner. But more so, she says she enjoys our culture, and how that translates to our way of living. “The pace is perfect for building lifelong relationships and focusing on what is important in life instead of being distracted by things that can be taken away,” she says.

And as the season begins, Rosemary looks forward to the experiences that she will share with her court and the subsequent memories to follow, as she knows they will stay with her for a lifetime. “Mostly, I am looking forward to sharing this experience with the small group of ladies, both before and after me, that are in this exclusive club,” Rosemary says.

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King Elexis I: Quinterris Jacobia Toppings Polished, handsome, extremely driven, and an avid sports fan, Quinterris Jacobia Toppings (or Q.T., as his friends call him) is extremely honored to have been chosen to reign as MAMGA’s 2020 King Elexis I – something he says was a wild dream that has thankfully become a reality.

By Caroline Edmondson // Photos Stevye Photography, 228.547.1191

For Q.T., the reality of ruling as King Elexis I has left him feeling both shocked and humbled.

“Being selected King Elexis I for the Mobile Area Mardi Gras Association (MAMGA) has been surreal,” he says. “In life, anything is possible, but not all dreams become reality. However, the reality is that I am the 2020 King of Carnival for MAMGA, and I am humbled to be one of the lead ambassadors for the organization. It is an honor to be able to create a legacy for my future family and leave my footprint in time. To be listed in history alongside some of the great men that have reigned as king is pretty astounding,” he says. The son of Tiffany Buchanan and grandson of Charles Buchanan, His Majesty’s family shares in the honor and are overwhelmingly proud of all Q.T. has accomplished. “I am very proud of Q.T,” Tiffany says. “Serving in this capacity for the MAMGA organization is nothing short of amazing. He is creating memories of a lifetime, and we will always look back on the 2020 Mardi Gras season as one of the highlights of his life.”

His Majesty is a native of Prichard, but currently lives in Atlanta. Having graduated from Mattie T. Blount High School, Q.T. set his goals high and furthered his education at Alabama State University in Montgomery where he obtained a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration. With a passion for continued success, Q.T. earned his Associate of Mortuary Science from Gupton Jones College of Funeral Services, a career path that has interested him since the 8th grade.

“Reese Funeral Home gave me my first start in the 9th grade as a funeral director’s assistant,” he explains.

“The owners provided me plenty of shadowing opportunities, and I learned a lot there at an early age. I gained additional experience about every aspect of funeral home operations with Small Mortuary in college and thereafter during the summer.” With an abundance of experience under his belt, Q.T. plans to one day open his own mortuary, all while finding ways to give back to the community that has given so much to him.

Q.T. is no stranger when it comes to Mardi Gras, as his history of involvement spans back to 2012, when he first served as a royal knight for MAMGA’s Royal Junior Monarch Court. In 2013, Q.T. donned the crown as the King of the Prichard Mardi Gras Association (PMGA), and just a few years ago, he served as First Knight to then-King Elexis I, Olabode Oludayo Anise III, and Queen Katherine Ashley Smith. “As a participant in the royal court and a float rider, you get to see the other side of Mardi Gras,” Q.T. says. “The excitement of getting throws loaded and seeing so many people from everywhere is an electrifying experience. You hear your name being yelled hundreds of times by people you know and by some you don’t. I launched those moon pies like missiles. From that point on, Mardi Gras has never been the same for me,” which is exactly why he is most looking forward to the Fat Tuesday Parade during his reign. “The energy is high, the crowd is large, and it is the big finale,” he excitedly shares.

His Majesty describes his personal style as classic and tailored, which is mirrored in both 76 ACCESS Magazine / January-February 2020

his royal regalia and his Mardi Gras wardrobe. When it came time to design his regalia, Q.T. knew Patricia Halsell-Richardson was the perfect royal designer for such an important aspect of his reign. Drawing inspiration from kings’ trains of the past, the Mardi Gras Museum, and Carnivals from around the world, Q.T. settled on a costume and train that reflects him to the core. With the help of his detail-oriented mother, Tiffany, the pair created a Mardi Gras binder in which sketches, costume ideas, train designs, and more were housed. “I worked very closely with Mrs. Patricia Halsell-Richardson,” Tiffany says.

“She is great to work with. Whatever I asked her to do, she did. Whatever concept I came up with, she made happen. I wanted something stately, and I am pleased with the endresult,” she adds.

His Majesty’s train colors and signature design reflects his fraternity, Kappa Alpha Psi, in that is it a collection of crimson diamonds embellished with family initials, Swarovski crystals, colored gems, and a custom fur trim.

“Family is first in my book, so we put my great grandmother Madear’s initials at the top of the train, followed by my mother’s initials next, and then mine,” Q.T. details. “The base of the train and backdrop for the crimson centerpiece is a Renaissance tapestry of brown iridescent crushed velvet trimmed in a border of thick fox fur.

The total length of the train is 18 feet.

My desire was to have a train and costume that looked stately, refined, and yet distinct. I wanted a fresh look that hadn’t necessarily been done before.” And I think we can all agree: he succeeded.

Along the same lines, Q.T.’s costume reflects an 18th century design and is a beautiful crimson. “The first time I saw the crimson trim encrusted in bronze, gold, and earth-tone beads, I knew it was the perfect trim for my coat and vest,” he says. “Overall, the design is more than I could have ever envisioned. The craftsmanship of both the costume and the train are excellent in every way. I was aiming for the look of excellence, and I am very pleased with how well it all came together. My mom is such a detail-oriented person, and she knows what I like. She is the brain behind this masterpiece!”

For those who know him, Q.T. is naturally a suit and tie kind of guy, which explains his royal wardrobe. And although he purchased a majority of his suits from D&K Suit Discounters, Jos A. Bank, and Connaisseur Paris in Atlanta, Q.T. says there is a lot more to a suit than just buying it. “Most all of my local tailoring is done by Master Tailor Ms. Hazel Moore,” he explains.

“She is one of the very best tailors I know. She has taken care of all of my royal tailoring needs this season. The tie makes the suit, and I love a power tie.” Q.T. admits his grandfather is a fashion connoisseur, and it seems he has the right tie for every occasion. “I’ll be sporting some of his fashionable neckwear this season,” Q.T. jokes. “My thoughts are: if you’re going to dress, you might as well let your style announce your arrival.”

Top, $228; Hemline, 251.287.6875.

Jacket, $855; The Holiday, 251.342.4911.

Pant, $550, Earrings, $138; Debra’s; 251.343.7463.

Fascinator, $460; CK Collection, 251.990.9001.

Shot on Location at the Ezell House Located in the heart of downtown Mobile, the Ezell House has been an important part of local history since the early 1860s. Mobile Mayor Martin Horst and his family resided in the home until 1923, followed by Kaheel Zoghby and his family, who resided in the Ezell House until 1959.

Adding to the home over the years, the Carriage House became the spot for poker, cigars, and the occasional libation for Mr. Zoghby and his friends once the automobile was invented and the Carriage House was no longer needed for stables.

Bernard’s restaurant (the cousin of Antoine’s in New Orleans) was launched when the new owners moved in 1978. With a new circular cast iron moon gate in the courtyard, guests could dine-in and enjoy jazz music, dancing, or tossing a penny into the courtyard fountain.

After 100-plus years of use and transformations, the Ezell family took over in the 1990s and restored the home to be the wedding and special event venue it is today. We are taken back to the 1800s with the classically elegant taste combinations of Mrs. Patricia Watters Ezell, designer Stanley Ellis, and the original Italianate architecture.

EzellHouse.com

Top, $248, Skirt, $298, Earrings, $82; The Holiday, 251.342.4911.

78 ACCESS Magazine / January-February 2020

Get fantastic food service that’s catered to your tastes with Stevie’s Kitchen!

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N New Orleans Yes, we know what you’re thinking: “Why bring these guys up?” The truth of the matter is, we did it first, and we do it better. But as much as we hate to admit it, you can’t make an encyclopedia of Mardi Gras without at least mentioning “those other guys.” Did you know both Mobile and New Orleans were settled by the same people, Pierre Le Moyne d’Iberville and Jean-Baptiste Le Moyne de Bienville? Mobile was settled first, and we held our first Mardi Gras

OOMs

celebration a whole 15 years before New Orleans was even settled. Though Mobile started celebrating Mardi Gras in 1703, once New Orleans was settled it began celebrating Mardi Gras in the 1730s, but didn’t include any of the elaborate balls, parades, or costumes it does today. It wasn’t until the 1830s that they began incorporating the spectacle it is so well known for today (Did we mention we do it better?

Okay, fabulous).

The Order of Myths, or OOMs, is Mobile’s oldest continuous parading society. Formed in 1867, their first parade took place the following year in 1868. The OOMs parade is famously known for rounding out the Mardi Gras season as the last parade the night of Fat Tuesday. A trademark of the OOMs is, of course, their Folly chasing Death around “the broken column of life” on the emblem float. During Mardi Gras, it is the only time in which Death is defeated by the courageous Folly. And who can forget the exclusive Sunday Party which takes place the Sunday before Mardi Gras? This lavish event brings out members, their families, and friends in their Sunday best, some women even wearing the traditional colorful Mardi Gras fascinators and hats we spoke of earlier.

80 ACCESS Magazine / January-February 2020

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The 2020

parade schedule

Saturday, January 25 (Senior Bowl) 1 P.M. - Krewe de la Dauphine (Dauphin Island)

Saturday, February 1 1 P.M. - Dauphin Island People’s Parade (Dauphin Island) 2 P.M. - Krewe of Riviere du Chien <kids> (St. Andrews Loop)

Friday, February 7

6:30 P.M. - Conde Cavaliers (Mobile, Route A)

Saturday, February 8 2 P.M. - Bayport Parading Society, Mystic DJ Riders (Mobile, Route A) 2 P.M. - Order of the Rolling River (DIP) 6:30 P.M. - Pharaohs, Order of Hebe, Conde Explorers (Mobile, Route A)

Thursday, February 13

6:30 P.M. - Order of Polka Dots (Mobile, Route A)

Friday, February 14 (Valentine’s Day) 12:30 P.M. - Mystics of Ashland Place <kids> (Lanier Avenue) 6:30 P.M. - Order of Inca (Mobile, Route A) 6:45 P.M. - Apollo’s Mystic Ladies (Daphne)

Saturday, February 15 10 A.M. - Hickory Ridge Kids Krewe <kids> (Timberly Circle) 2 P.M. Crewe of Crestview <kids> (Shan Drive South) 2 P.M. - Mobile Mystics, Mobile Mystical Revelers, Mobile Mystical Friends (Mobile, Route A) 6:30 P.M. - Knights of Ecor Rouge (Fairhope) 6:30 P.M. - Maids of Mirth (Mobile, Route G) Order of Butterfly Maidens, Krewe of Marry Mates, Krewe de Secondline (Mobile, Route A)

Sunday, February 16 2 P.M. - Mystics of Children <kids> (Rosswood Drive) 6:30 P.M. - Neptune’s Daughters, Order of Isis (Mobile, Route A)

Monday, February 17

6:30 P.M. - Order of Venus, Order of Many Faces (Mobile, Route A)

Tuesday, February 18

6:30 P.M. - Order of LaShe’s (Mobile, Route A)

Thursday, February 20

6:30 P.M. - Mystic Stripers Society (Mobile, Route A)

Friday, February 21 6:30 P.M. - Crewe of Columbus (Mobile, Route A) 6:45 P.M. - Maids of Jubilee (Fairhope)

Saturday, February 22 10 A.M. - Prichard Mardi Gras Association (Prichard) 11 A.M. - Foley parade (Foley) 11 A.M. - Krewe of Kids <kids>, Krewe of Goats, Prichard Carnival Association (Krewe of Goats Prichard route) Noon - Floral Parade, Knights of Mobile, Joy of Life, Mobile Mystical Ladies, Order of Angels (Mobile, Route A) Noon - Krewe of Sparta (Saraland) 2 P.M. - Krewe of Mullet Mates (Mullet Point) 5:45 P.M. - Mystics of Time (Mobile, Route H) 6 P.M. - Mystics of Pleasure, Mystical Order of Mirams (Orange Beach) 6:45 P.M. - The Shadow Barons (Daphne)

Sunday, February 23 (Joe Cain Day) 2 P.M. - King Elexis I Motorcade (Mobile, Route E) 2:29 P.M. - Loyal Order of the Fire Truck (Daphne) 2:30 P.M. - Joe Cain Procession (Mobile, Route A) 5 P.M. - Le Krewe de Bienville (Mobile, Route A) 6 P.M. - Krewe du Cirque (Foley, OWA)

Monday, February 24 (Lundi Gras) Noon - King Felix III, Floral parade (Mobile, Route A) 3 P.M. - MLK Business and Civic Organization, MLK Monday Mystics, Northside Merchants (Mobile, Route D) 6:45 P.M. - Order of Mystic Magnolias (Fairhope) 7 P.M. - Infant Mystics, Order of Doves (Mobile, Route F)

Tuesday, February 25 (Fat Tuesday) 10 A.M. - Gulf Shores Parade (Gulf Shores) 10:30 A.M. - Order of Athena (Mobile, Route A) 12:30 P.M. - Knights of Revelry, King Felix III, Comic Cowboys (Mobile, Route A) 2 P.M. - MAMGA Mammoth Parade (Mobile, Route B) 2 P.M. - Orange Beach Parade (Orange Beach) 6 P.M. - Order of Myths (Mobile, Route C)

Parade Schedule courtesy of Mobile Mask | MobileMask.com 82 ACCESS Magazine / January-February 2020

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84 ACCESS Magazine / January-February 2020

Queens and Kings What is Mardi Gras without a King and Queen to rule over it? Dozens of queens and kings rule over various parts of the Carnival season each year. There is the Mobile Carnival Associationâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s King and Queen and MAMGAâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s King and Queen who rule over all of Mardi Gras of course, but there are also respective kings and queens of the many mystic societies of

Mobile. Exclusively chosen by each krewe, society, and organization, the kings and queens are often from prominent families of Mobile, or members of the organizations. Each king and queen designs his or her own royal regalia from the crown to the train, and rules over his or her respective society for the duration of Mardi Gras.

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The Rex (Latin for “king”) Organization, a New Orleans krewe, was founded in 1872, and its traditions have helped define Mardi Gras. Rex’s colors (purple, gold, and green) have become the signature colors of Carnival. In 1892 the Rex Organization gave the colors meaning: justice for purple, faith for green, and power for gold.

Strikers Independent Society Known as the United States’ oldest surviving mystic society (as it was founded in 1843 and designed originally as a bachelors-only society), the Strikers paraded on New Year’s Eve and held their ball on New Year’s day. Though they no longer parade, their ball is still held each year.

Serpentine Without fail, each Mardi Gras season the streets of downtown Mobile are littered with spiraling purple, green, and yellow strings of paper. This, of course, is the infamous serpentine. Seasoned

86 ACCESS Magazine / January-February 2020

veterans know the trick of pinching off a section and blowing through the middle to send the paper flying through the night. Thanks to their cylindrical shape, these make the perfect throw.

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Reservations requested: Call 251.459.8868 or email bellingrath@bellingrath.org January 15: Viewing the Winter Sky: Do not miss this special evening astronomy program, led by members of the USA Department of Physics. Telescopes will be set up to view planets and constellations. Time: 5:30 -7 p.m.

January 22: Environmental filmmaker Ben Raines: The award-winning filmmaker and environmental writer will give an update on his latest adventures, including the discovery of the Clotilda. Time: 10:30-11:30 a.m.* January 29: Architect George B. Rogers: A Retrospect: With Museum Director Tom McGehee. Time: 10:30 to 11:30 a.m.

February 5: Winter Garden Walk with Bellingrath’s Horticultural Staff. Time: 10:30 to 11:30 a.m.

February 12: Raising Roses: Learn about the best varieties for the Gulf Coast. Time: 10:30 to 11:30 a.m.

February 19: Author John Sledge: The author and historian will discuss his new book, “The Gulf of Mexico: A Maritime History.” Time: 10:30 to 11:30 a.m.

February 26: Camellia Waxing: A hands-on demonstration with Dr. Brenda Litchfield. Time: 10:30 to 11:30 a.m. *Please note: Registration is required to attend this program; to register, call 251-459-8868.

S Scepters Another important piece of a Mardi Gras monarchâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s regalia is the scepter. These handheld, wand-like accessories are designed and made for each individual monarch.

Adorned with crystals and gemstones, scepters are another stunning piece of the regalia, which will serve as a memento for the King or Queen for years to come.

Danisha L. McCarter, 2019 Lundi Gras Queen Stevye Photography

88 ACCESS Magazine / January-February 2020

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Trains Perhaps one of the most impressive aspects of the Mardi Gras monarchs’ regalia is their breathtaking, intricate trains. These extravagant works of art can extend up to 20 feet, weigh nearly 60 pounds, and are encrusted with thousands of beads, gems, and rhinestones. Though many mystic societies’ queens share the same train belonging to their organization, many queens and kings have the privilege to embark on the fun and creative process of designing their own one-of-a-kind train displaying their distinct personalities, interests, and family history all within the embellished seams. The process of designing a monarch’s train can be a long one, often taking months to complete, as train makers spend countless hours hand-drawing designs, and hand-sewing all the intricate details. First, the client meets with the designer and details all of his or her specific design requests. The designer then sketches a rough draft of the train, usually to scale on a 16 to 18-foot piece of sketch paper, and the train’s materials are decided upon. A variety of different fabrics can be chosen from and can incorporate such things as furs, sequins, and even 3D decorative pieces such as flowers, initials, animals, or insects.

The muslin, background fabric, interfacing, and underside lining make up the base of the train. Artists then hand sew artwork, trims, and appliqués onto the foundation, and the train’s trim is attached. Lastly, the train is flipped, and the lining and hooks used to attach the train to the costume are sewn into place. A heavyduty plastic is then used around the bottom of the train to ease the movement across the floor. Each train is much like a fine tapestry, as each stitch and component come together to make this fantastic piece of art. After Mardi Gras, trains are often donated to be displayed in museums or to be used by future monarchs or stored in their family’s home as a large memento of such a joyous time in their lives.

Queen Caroline Parish Meacham Photo by Frank Lee Roberts Photography

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92 ACCESS Magazine / January-February 2020

Toomey's Mardi Gras Store It wouldn’t be Mardi Gras without a visit to Toomey’s Mardi Gras Store to peruse their gargantuan stock of beads, MoonPies, costumes, throws, décor, and more! Started more than 30 years ago by Jack and Ann Toomey, Toomey’s has become an institution of Mobile Mardi Gras. Jack originally worked as a traveling dry goods salesman across the Southeast. Along his travels, Jack would collect items he deemed as the perfect Mardi Gras throw. As the years went by, friends, family, and even strangers began requesting

more items from Jack’s travels. Because of this, the family began selling Mardi Gras throws and supplies right out of their garage, eventually opting for a storefront location to expand their business. Now, Toomey’s Mardi Gras sells thousands of items year-round, with their busiest time of year being the three months surrounding Mardi Gras. They have even launched a website where shoppers can purchase their throws and have opened a second location inside the Mobile Carnival Museum.

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U Umbrellas Mardi Gras umbrellas have become a huge part of the celebration we know today, but these brightly colored parasols aren’t used for blocking the elements.

In fact, the history of the Mardi Gras umbrella stems from New Orleans (yes, I know) and their “second line” parade traditions. The second line consists of those in the parade who follow the first line of

brass bands and are often there just to enjoy the music as they twirl umbrellas or handkerchiefs in the air.

You’ll see the second lines in the streets of Mobile during parades featuring old school jazz bands, and witness beautifully adorned umbrellas (often in the traditional shades of Mardi Gras) in the hands of revelers throughout the season.

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Van Antwerp Building Along the parade routes in the heart of Downtown Mobile, look up and you will notice an 11-story white terra cotta tiled building with the name “Van Antwerp” in bold black letters down the side. This is the Van Antwerp Building, Mobile’s first skyscraper. Originally commissioned for popular Mobile druggist Garrett Van Antwerp as a new pharmacy location in 1906, it was designed by architect George B. Rogers and was completed in 1908. This skyscraper cost roughly $200K to complete and was termed “Van Antwerp’s folly” by detractors of this grandiose project. An example of Beaux-Arts architecture, the exterior of this building features egg-and-dart molding, garlands of fruits and vegetables, and a glass and steel canopy shielding the Dauphin Street sidewalk. Take a walk inside and you will find a beautiful marble lobby and two Otis elevators to take you to the 150 offices above. There are even marble water fountains on each floor of the building. At the time, Van Antwerp’s Drug Store occupied the bottom floor of the building and pulled in dozens of customers a day thanks to the 53-foot marble soda fountain which served ice cream and frozen buttermilk with milk obtained from the Van Antwerp’s own cows. The Van Antwerp’s kept the drug store in their family until the 1960s, but by 1974 the store was closed, and the building quickly faded to vacancy. In 2000, the building was auctioned off. Though there have been multiple plans to refurbish the former office building into condos or more offices, not much has transpired, and the building remains bare.

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96 ACCESS Magazine / January-February 2020

The Greatest Showman There’s been no shortage of features about Carnival darling Ron Barrett. Recently, while chatting at a cocktail party, Ron shared the news that he has moved into a new warehouse downtown – a warehouse to beat all warehouses. Naturally, ACCESS asked for an exclusive inside look into his world of larger-than-life papier-mâché, gilded champagne glasses, whimsical whipped confections, towering columns, and the random zebra on wheels. Our visit with the mastermind of Mardi Gras was too good not to share.

By Hayley Hill // Photos Layla Lambert I have yet to meet someone who doesn’t think the world of Ron, myself included.

However, I wasn’t prepared for the flood of admiration and jaw-dropping awe I experienced when I stepped off the St. Louis Street sidewalk into his newly acquired warehouse. Filled with natural light flooding through a sea of skylights, this expansive space shows the scale and scope of the work Ron and his team accomplish. Only one other man comes to mind in terms of comparison.

Clearly, I’m referring to the one and only P.T. Barnum. If you don’t happen to have a teenage daughter whose life depended on countless viewings, “The Greatest Showman” film tells the story of P.T. Barnum.

Growing up in the early 1800s, P.T. Barnum displayed a natural talent for publicity and all things grand. By 12 years old he was selling lottery tickets. After various jobs, P.T. turned to showbusiness to indulge his limitless imagination, rising from nothing to create the Barnum & Bailey circus. His mesmerizing spectacle soon took the world by storm with his troupe of exotic performers and daring acrobats to become the greatest show on Earth.

While many may not realize it, if you’ve participated in Mardi Gras, you’ve more than likely been transported to a different time or place through Ron’s creative stamp. His work most notably includes creating Carnival ball stages where royals take their reign, krewe’s welcome their guests with elaborate Broadway-worthy openings, and countless debutantes are introduced to society. “Last year we installed 34 Carnival stages along with Mobile Ballet stages, and several prom, graduation, and dance recital stages,” Ron says.

“The natures of the Mardi Gras ball installations are really as diverse as the organizations themselves.

Several of the Carnival groups lean on me for themes, stage and costume drawings, and float designs.” Ron says that some groups come to him with their themes all set, and that he and his team then produce every detail of their events. “We have three balls coming up where we will supply the tableau design, dancers and costumes, and scripted actors to tell their story,” Ron shares.

Bigger than a three-ring circus, Ron doesn’t do this alone and is quick to give credit where credit is due. “My hat goes off to Jim Sapser,” he says. “As my right hand, he completely gets it. He manages several departments at one time, directs and inspires the artists and florists, and somehow ensures the set-up and take-down of every job we do. I am only right in the middle of this at 70 years of age because Jim Sapser keeps it all pulled together,” Ron beams. An adored duo who not only set up the

98 ACCESS Magazine / January-February 2020

crème de la crème events, Ron and Jim are thrilled to attend them and support their special causes as well. Behind the scenes at Mobile Ballet’s recent Nutcracker Charity Ball, these gents started out on ladders sporting khakis and prepping the scene, yet in the blink of an eye were in tuxedos sipping champagne with guests.

With the stages getting bigger and more elaborate every year, Ron says they employ a small local army. “We are so proud of our working event-stage and prop warehouse and our full-time employees and craftsmen,” Ron says. “Currently, we are enjoying the most talented and aggressive team I have ever known. We have a close group of full-time stage painters and some of the best conceptional and construction artists imaginable,” Ron shares.

So why the new digs? “We’ve maintained a large warehouse for Mardi Gras for 41 years, and as our sets became more elaborate, we began to inventory the stage props,” Ron says. “The move into this new warehouse has been life-altering and monumental, as the space allows for the ultimate organization and production all under one roof.

It took seven months and $17K in labor to move, and this was with us throwing away about a third of everything we owned. I really don’t think I could ever go through this again,” jokes Ron. A true Carnival chronicler, Ron shares that “Historically, Mobile Mardi Gras decorations were homemade with tongue-in-cheek last-minute stages, always made with refrigerator boxes and butcher paper. I am still the great protector of this homemade Carnival look we have here. Rather than the commercial glossy mylar and fiberglass seen in New Orleans, we’re about vibrant, rich, artistic creations that tell the group’s story.

It’s more personal and seems like those on the stage did it themselves. The stages here are frequently like a silly dream or something so off-the-cuff that they dare not even say it! That’s the Carnival feel I still protect,” declares Ron. On the ugly side, he wasn’t always welcomed. “When I started constructing the stages in 1970, all of the local union people and stage managers stood vigilant to keep me uninformed and out of the way, especially the manager of the Civic Center,” he says. “However, I was unbelievably relentless to worm my way into the Carnival scene by doing awful room decoration jobs for ladies’ groups.” In 1979, Ron put in a bid against the renowned Leon Zimlich and got to decorate the floor for The F.F.F. and for The Thalians. “I think about Leon talking down to me and refusing to even look at me, where today I could buy HIM a drink and a steak!” he shares.

As for his creativity, “This comes easy to me, as the nature of the balls never change; just the themes and people,” Ron says. “It’s an unspoken secret that Mardi Gras groups are so different in structure, family-involvement, and social-economic strata.

Some never listen and micromanage, and some let us work our magic with minimal interference.

But at the end of the day, it’s about a group of people coming together to honor timetested traditions and their Queen or Leading Lady,” he says. “It does worry me, though, that there is not one person in Mobile who even attempts to install Mardi Gras ball stages. If there is anyone that wants to understand the homemade look of Mobile Mardi Gras, I would teach them everything I ever figured out for myself!”

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Women's Organizations Women’s Mardi Gras organizations, believe it or not, have not always been the norm. Until 1950, Mobile’s krewes consisted of all male organizations until The Order of Polka Dots paved the way for female revelers. Started by only 20 women in May of 1949, these trailblazers saw their first parade come to fruition in 1950. Their emblem is the Gypsy Queen and each of the Polka Dot’s nine officers represent the Greek muses: Calliope, Clio, Erato, Euterpe, Melpomene, Polyhymnia, Terpischore, Thalia, and Urania. Following suit (just one day behind, in fact) were the Maids of Mirth (MOMs). Now, Mobile boasts a plethora of female organizations, with some organizations allowing both male and female members.

xm radio When you think of Mardi Gras, the smooth jazz sounds of trumpets, saxophones, and pianos come to mind. This is exactly why on Lundi Gras, SiriusXM radio launches its limited edition ‘Mardi Gras Radio’ through Ash Wednesday. This station features real jazz and celebrates “the sounds that give Mobile and the Crescent City so much character.”

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yelling Frequent parade-goers and native Mobilians alike know the key to a fantastic parade throw haul is yelling, “Throw me something, Mister,” until your throat is sore. Though we aren’t sure exactly how

this saying has become such a Mardi Gras staple, what we do know is that without it, Mardi Gras just doesn’t feel the same. And if you haven’t lost your voice by the end of the season, you’re doing it wrong.

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Zimlich The Florist Zimlich the Florist Inc., has been a Mobile tradition for well over 90 years. Started in 1927, this local florist offers a wide variety of custom-made floral designs ranging anywhere from a personal bouquets and vases to large-scale decorative arrangements for weddings, parties, and so much more! But perhaps what they’re best known for during the Carnival season are their breathtaking fresh floral displays throughout the various Mardi Gras events. Having designed and executed floral arrangements for the MCA Queen’s Luncheon several times, Zimlich has become synonymous with Mardi Gras, and rightfully so. If you get the chance

102 ACCESS Magazine / January-February 2020

to attend some of the wonderful events this season, keep a lookout for Zimlich’s fabulous work and know the countless hours spent bringing visions to life.

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