Aquarius Krewe to take a trip through time

By Frances Powell
Contributor

Published January 31, 2010

This year marks the 25th anniversary of Galveston’s second oldest Krewe of Aquarius with the theme being “Silver Anniversary Memories.”

Founding members Merlin Lidstone and son Johnny Lidstone are excited about all the hype celebrating 25 years of this fantastic Krewe’s existence.

King and Queen XXV, Ronnie and Stephanie Blasé, were crowned at the Krewe’s coronation ball on Jan. 23 at the Galveston Island Convention center.

Guests were treated to a procession of costumed characters and the presentation of 25 years of Krewe Royalty.

The extravagant pageant featured the 2010 Royal Court in full Mardi Gras regalia paying tribute to themes of the past 25 years.

The krewe is preparing for what will be its largest parade to date on Feb. 6 when the Seawall Boulevard will be graced by the Mardi Gras pageantry for which Aquarius is well known.

Float Captains Hope Cook, Chip Shearrow, Pat Saenz, Phyllis Santos, Mari Berend, Harry and Marian Millo, Fran Grabiel, Michelle Loubiere, Pat Collier, Marc Hopkins, Jackie Friesenhahn and Rhonda Sykes will proudly show floats depicting themes from previous years: 1988’s Galveston Past, Present and Future; 1995’s “Aquarius Awakens the Far East;” 1998’s “The Roaring ’20s;” 1999’s “Aquarius plays Vegas;” 1996’s “A salute to New Orleans,” and 2004’s “Rock ’n’ Roll Revue” among many others.

Parade Capt. Johnny Lidstone promises great entertainment when 20 marching bands take to the street for the big parade.

Mardi Gras revelers do not want to miss out on the specially minted Aquarius 25th anniversary beads and souvenir cups.

C’bration At Bishop’s Palace For Leopold

Galveston Historical Foundation gathered a palatial crowd to herald longtime mem of GHF Bill Leopold’s 85th b’day at the Bishop’s Palace aaaannnddd the dedication ceremony for the official naming of the William E. Leopold Visitors Center at the Palace.

Bill’s charming family mems there were Nelson and Patricia Leopold and Scott And Sherry Leopold and family and William and Ronald Leopold.

Mingling in the music room with chair Becky Maixner were Beth Shriner, Kim and Fred Raschke, John Gorman, Margaret Doran and Divafaves Don and Nancy Mafrige.

Gathered in the music room were other keepers of the past and protectors of our future, those jolly good guys, were Lise Darst, Burke Evans, VJ Tramonte, George Maida, Gale and Mary Jane Rogers, CJ and Jeannie Poirer, Larry Jantzen, Victor Lang and JoAnn and John Hyatt.

The 1892 Bishop’s Palace, managed by the Galveston Historical Foundation since 2007, is recognized as one of the most important Victorian buildings in America.

Its elaborate tile roof, a highly distinctive feature of the “Chateauesque-style” house consisting of 10 individual styles of tile, is badly in need of repair.

The foundation has been awarded a $380,000 grant, to be matched dollar-for-dollar by other donations, from the Department of the Interior’s “Save Americas Treasures” program to help undertake an overhaul of the roof.

A member of an OGF, BOI Joe Opperman, president of a firm that specializes in historic architecture, will oversee the project, which will cost $1.2 million to complete.

He gave a talk at the Palace outlining the problems with the roof and how they will be addressed.

Party Hearty At Mardi Gras With ETC

Getcha beads ready for a fun-filled evening at Island ETC’s prime parade-viewing location.

Party honchos are Mary Jo Singleton, Amy Grant and Eric Kirkpatrick, Sharla Kimbrough, Jennifer Daugherty, Kevin Daugherty and Kim Mytelka.

Their prime people-watching and bead-throwing location (one can toss beads from the upstairs windows, as well as be down on the street for prime bead catching) will feature a Cajun-style dinner.

Come comfy and casual. For tix and deets, contact 409-762-3556 or 888-762-3556 or islandetc.org.

Next on the boards at ETC is the hit musical “Rent.” There’s a fabbo cast, almost everyone new to ETC (a cast member in temporarily from Connecticut) and another lead commutes from Bryan.

Kim Mytelka is directing, with Carol Daubert musical director and Jennifer Daugherty choreographer.

“Rent” opens March 5 and runs through April 3. Due to the popularity of the show and advance ticket sales, we recommend that everyone purchase their tickets early.

Nod To Hollywood By Kiddie Parade

Salute to Hollywood is the theme of the Firefighter’s Children’s Parade (Feb. 14), it was inadvertently left out of the Mardi Gras program from the Park Board. Call Charlie Olsen, 409-789-1265. More to come next Scenes.

Source :http://galvestondailynews.com/story.lasso?ewcd=f8f379fd3b276ac4