Barkus and Meoux: Animal-lovers enjoyed the sunshine and festivities at the Krewe of Barkus and Meoux parade Feb. 23 at RiverView Park. Many saw to it that the theme, a “Wonderland TeaPAWty,” was carried out as the pets were in large painted tea cups. Prizes were awarded for the best dressed, best float, best interpretation of theme and pet/owner look-a-like. Royalty included Prince and Princess of Cheshire’s Grin, Lord and Lady of the Queen’s Croquet, Lord and Lady of the White Rabbit Hole and Lord and Lady of the Mad Hat. Vendors included mobile dog grooming and pet waste removal.

Member of the Year: Billy Montgomery received the Chapter Member of the Year Award from the RSEA (Retired State Employees Association) March 11 at the Northwest Louisiana Technical College in Shreveport. RSEA represents 45,000 men and women who have worked for the state and are now enjoying retirement and 46,000 active state employees. The Shreveport chapter is made up of Bienville, Bossier, Caddo, Claiborne, DeSoto, Red River and Webster parishes. Montgomery will participate in their sixth annual conference and expo Oct. 6-8 at Paragon Casino Resort in Marksville.

Pancake: The 44th annual Pancake Festival sponsored by the Kiwanis Club of Shreveport not only had a good breakfast, but a band, bouncy house, car exhibit and activities for children. High school Key clubs cooked and served the pancakes, sausage, orange juice and coffee. The event was March 15 at RiverView Hall. Kiwanis helps work to eliminate maternal and neonatal tetanus from the face of the Earth.

Pancake: Linda Wimbley, Shelley Davis Mary, (Standing) Ellen Foley

FootPRINT Fund: Allegra’s Jim Elliott Memorial FootPRINT Fund was awarded March 14 and is designed to help Shreveport area nonprofit organizations “leave a footprint” in the community by awarding print services for promotional and informational materials. The grant awarded $10,000 to local nonprofit organizations and associations seeking financial assistance for graphic design and printing of brochures, newsletters, forms, invitations, posters and other print communications. Qualifying applicants received gifts ranging from $500 to $2,000. In total, eight awards were given to organizations including United Way, Evergreen Life Services, the Community Foundation, Bossier Council on Aging, Easter Seals, American Heart Association, Martin Luther King Health Center and Food Bank of Northwest Louisiana. Award recipients were selected by a review panel based on how the print services will be used to further organization goals including service expansion, program enhancement and maximization of existing resources, as well as the organization’s innovation and resourcefulness. The luncheon was held at the Community Foundation.

Tea: Elders Queen XVI Pat Stell was honored at a tea March 23 at the Cross Lake home of Sylvia Mobley. Eleven women hosted. Bellinis and snack food were also served.

Bingo: The LSU Shreveport Chapter of Phi Mu’s second Lilly Pulitzer Bingo Night was held March 27 in the ballroom on campus. Proceeds benefitted the Children’s Miracle Network.

Drive-In: The LSUS Foundation held a drivein fundrasier for LSUS on April 12. The movie of the evening was 2007’s “Hairspray.” The drive-in movie experience was complete with FM transmitters allowing moviegoers to pipe the cinema sounds through their car speakers, unlimited visits to the concession stand for popcorn, candy and soda, plus several bounce houses for younger children. There was even a VIP lounge with gourmet popcorn and a tasty buffet of food. The event was such a success, that organizers have decided to make this an annual event.

Winner: Bruce W. from Gary, Texas, won $1,034,027 while playing Eldorado’s $5 Wheel of Fortune Progressive Slot Machine, located on the second floor of the casino. He is the fifth guest to win a major jackpot playing Wheel of Fortune at Eldorado since 2007. Roberto M. of Premont, Texas, won $1.29 million playing the $5 Wheel of Fortune Progressive slot machine in April 2008. Guests have also taken home $1.6 million, $2.3 million and $369,000 playing various versions of the game.

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