King Orpheus

The Original Krewe of Orpheus staged its 19th annual Royal Revelation Celebration, revealing the identity of the krewe’s new king and witnessing as Fate selected his queen.

Celebrants filled the beautifully decorated Benedict’s Plantation Reception Hall for the event, enjoying a delectable prime rib buffet with all the trimmings.

Captain John Lawrence served as master of ceremonies, thanking the officers and board for their efforts in building the krewe during the recent trying times for all of us. The officers and board are: President, Roger Farris; V.P., George Maier; Treasurer, Brent Silva; Secretary, Ken Smith; and Directors: Chris Abide, Jim Cordell, Brian Edmonston, Kevin Flockton, Brett Lowe, Eddie Pablovich, and Eddie Schnauder.

Captain John Lawrence praised the hard work that the board and lieutenants put forth each year and noted that the krewe has grown to well over 600 due to everyone’s efforts. He cited the recent purchase by the krewe of 43 floats from supplier Louis Massett. The krewe will roll with some 30 of the new fleet of floats.

Captain John Lawrence then read the King’s Scroll, a special poetic revelation of the new king through limerick stanzas that tell a bit more of his identity with each line.

Orpheus Lieutenant Billy Bragg was revealed to the delight of the crowd as King Orpheus 19th, and crowned by his predecessor, Dwayne Rovira. Bragg is a long time member of the krewe and for decades has owned and operated B Imports in Mandeville and Bogalusa, specializing in auto collision repair.

The fair side of the evening’s revelation consisted of 6 lovely young ladies, the Maids of Orpheus, who will receive their own special royal proclamation at a King’s Party, to be held at a later date. The maids were escorted by their sponsors to the Queen’s Cake after drawing for their positions at that fateful cake. In order of their introduction, the Maids of Orpheus 2005 presented were:

Sara Kathryn Nuss, the daughter of Gerald and Melanie Nuss of Covington. She is the niece of George and Margaret Maier of Covington. Sara is a graduate of St. Scholastica Academy and currently is a freshman at L.S.U. in the honors biology program. Sara was escorted by her uncle, George Maier.

Marguerite "Maggie" Marie Hargis is the daughter of Charles and Maggie Hargis of Madisonville. She graduated from Mandeville High and is currently a sophomore at Southeastern University, majoring in marketing and finance. She was escorted by her father, Charles Hargis.

Colleen Jenell Berlin is the daughter of Daniel and Seleata Berlin of Mandeville. Colleen is a graduate of Fontainebleau High School and presently attends Southeastern Louisiana University, majoring in Nursing. She was escorted by her father, Daniel.

Amanda Ashley Schomaker is the daughter of Robert and Celia Schomaker of New Orleans. Amanda is a graduate of Ursuline Academy and now attends Mississippi State University in Starkville, where she is majoring in Computer Graphic Design. She was escorted by her uncle, Eddie Pablovich.

Kasie Leigh Hargis is the daughter of Charles and Maggie Hargis of Madisonville. She will graduate from Mandeville High School and attend Southeastern University. She was escorted by her father, Charles Hargis.

Katharine Rose Flockton is the daughter of Kevin and Susan Flockton. She is a graduate of Mandeville High, where she was a member of the National Honor Society. Now a freshman at L.S.U., she is majoring in Mass Communications. She was escorted by her father, Kevin Flockton.

The maids assumed their random positions at the Queen’s Cake, which contains six ribbons - one of which was attached to the lucky Orpheus doubloon that determined who the new Queen would be. Excitement mounted as Captain John Lawrence called out to the audience, “Hail, Orpheus!” which was responded to by a rousing “Hail, Yes!” – signaling the Maids to pull the ribbons.

Confusion and cake icing consumption finally revealed a thrilled new Queen: Miss Maggie Hargis, crowned Orpheus 19th’s queen, the daughter of Charles and Maggie Hargis of Madisonville. Maggie will reign with King Orpheus over the krewe’s 19th anniversary Coronation Celebration Ball on February 18th and will enjoy the thrill of riding on the Queen & Maids’ float on parade night 2006.

The Captain led a toast of the new king and court, then signaled for the music of the band Voodoo Funk & Soul to resume, with dancing and celebration continuing till the wee hours of the evening.

The Original Krewe of Orpheus’ Coronation Ball will be celebrated at the Castine Center on February 18th, and the parade rolls in Mandeville on the Friday before Mardi Gras, February 24th. The theme, conceived by Captain Lawrence, will be “Orpheus Spurns Katrina.”

Thrilled after being crowned King Orpheus XIX, Billy Bragg greets his loyal subjects.

Maggie Hargis pulled the lucky ribbon and became Queen of Orpheus 2006. To her left is her sister, Kasie Hargis, also a Maid vying for the honor along with Sara Nuss and Amanda Schomaker. Looking on from behind the queen was King Orpheus XIX, Billy Bragg.