New Year's Eve 2026 Arrives!
Good resolutions are simply checks that men draw on a bank where they have no account. - Oscar Wilde
Off To The Elks We Go!
It's been a hell of a year! We survived and we keep moving forward. We celebrated by going to the Elks Carnivale at the Lodge for an evening of dining and dancing with friends and family.
We are getting ready to go for a rousing evening with family & friends! Of course, we have the camera ready for the activities!
Ready, set, go!!!
We kicked off the evening with a burst of flavors with cocktails and appetizers, featuring Cajun shrimp, oysters Rockefeller, and wrapped Andouille sausage.
We all dove into a mouthwatering dinner with gumbo and a choice of entrées: savor the blackened red fish, indulge in fillet mignon au poivre, delight in stuffed chicken roulade, or enjoy the vegetable étouffée. For dessert, we had Nawlin's bread pudding drizzled with caramel sauce.
As the night unfolded, we enjoyed a late-night snack, sip on Coffee du Monde espresso martinis, and raise a glass of champagne to toast the new year. We danced the night away to the lively tunes of The Zydeco Band.
A zydeco band plays Zydeco music, a lively Creole genre from Louisiana featuring accordion, rubboard (frottoir*), bass, drums, and guitar, blending blues and R&B with local traditions, with famous pioneers like Clifton Chenier ("King of Zydeco"), Queen Ida, and modern artists such as Buckwheat Zydeco keeping the dance music alive.
*Did You Know? - The frottoir (zydeco rubboard) was invented around 1946 by Clifton Chenier, the "King of Zydeco," who commissioned welder Willie Landry to create a wearable, vest-like version of the traditional washboard, dispensing with its frame for a more portable percussion instrument played with spoons or bottle openers, integral to Louisiana's vibrant Zydeco sound.
Instead of one LONG table, this year we arranged for two tables of ten so we could talk to one another and during the activity, we will swap seats with one another making sure we all get to talk and wish each other a Happy New Year!
Table One
- (2) Paul & Mary Liles (1 fillet & 1 fish)
- (4) Robin & Bob Duda (2 fillets)
- (6) Jim & Vicky (2 fillets)
- (8) Will & Iris (They specified)
- (10) Ed & Betty (They specified)
Table Two
- (2) Mike Andersen & Bridgette (1 fillet & 1 fish)
- (4) Larry & Sandee (1 fillet & 1 fish)
- (5) Gayle (1 Fillet)
- (7) Bob & Donna Zaitz (2 fillets)
Yolie was rained out and Lup was a no-show!
Are You Ready?
Bob and Robin stopped by the house at 5:00 pm so we could enjoy a glass of the bubbley and get ready to take the 15 minute journey to the Lodge. We downed that suckers in ab out 4 seconds before heading to the garage and the car.
Getting in the car was even fun this evening and we were sober!
Mary considered loaning her mask to Bob for the evening.
Mary went to the mailbox to make sure we had no last minute mailings.
Mary went out and got the mail!
We hurried inside and found our tables.
Check in was easy!
Gale found her spot this evening.
Who is this masked person?
Did You Know? - People at vintage masquerade parties wore masks primarily to conceal their identity, which allowed them to escape strict social hierarchies and engage in free, sometimes scandalous, behavior without fear of judgment or retribution.
Key Trivia on Mask-Wearing at Vintage Parties
Anonymity and Social Blurring: The main function of the mask was to provide anonymity, allowing people from different social classes (aristocrats and commoners) to mingle, dance, and converse freely in a way that would be socially unacceptable otherwise.
Freedom of Expression: Under the cover of a mask, guests could express controversial opinions, flirt, gamble, and indulge in various "lurid" or "deviant" activities without their reputation being questioned.
Intrigue and Games: The disguise created an atmosphere of mystery and an exciting "guessing game" among attendees, adding an extra layer of fun to the events where guests tried to determine who was who.
Aesthetic and Symbolism: Masks were often elaborate, decorative, and symbolic, some representing specific characters from the Italian improvisational theater Commedia dell'Arte (like the Harlequin or Colombina).
Historical Context: Originating in 15th-century European carnivals and popular in the Italian and French royal courts, the tradition peaked in the 17th and 18th centuries, particularly during the Carnival of Venice.
Practicality (for some masks): Certain masks, like the traditional Bauta in Venice, were designed to cover only half the face but still obscure the identity, allowing the wearer to eat and drink comfortably.
The feathers are actually from a Gooney Bird!
We still do not know who this is!
Just us!
"Let's hit the floor!"
Robin and Paul get photographed!
Meet the Motley Crew!
Ready or not, here we come!!
Iris will polish these off quickly!
We heard Vicky whispering under her breath!
What Iris does not eat, Vicky will!
Will brought a special cake!
Iris topless at 4 years old!!
Dang girl, have you no shame?
Mary sees the original picture complete with insert of Iris later in life!
We think the work is, "Ou La La!"
Ninety-nine years young this evening!
She is ready to party!
Looking good!
Vicky ponders going for fifths at the oyster table!
Hang on, we have a decision coming!
Wow, she is staying put (mostly because the wait staff is looking)
The vino is poured!
George and Beverly take everything in!!
George is creeping up on Iris and will be there is just a few years!
Mike and Bridgette join the fun!
Getting their picture taken on the green background.
Did You Know? - They use a green background in photos and videos for chroma key compositing, a technique that digitally removes the solid green color, allowing editors to easily replace it with any other image or scene in post-production, because green is a color rarely found in human skin tones and clothing, and digital cameras capture more detail in the green spectrum, making for a cleaner cut-out.
Why Green (or Blue)?
Contrast with Skin: The primary reason is that green (and blue) hues are very different from human skin tones, so when the background is removed, the person or subject remains intact.
Digital Camera Sensitivity: Digital sensors capture more information in the green part of the spectrum, giving software more data to create a precise, clean edge when removing the background.
Common Practice: While blue screens were used historically, green became popular because news anchors often wore blue suits, making green a better choice to avoid their clothes disappearing.
Software Defaults: Many editing programs are set by default to key out green, making it a convenient choice.
Green gone... New background added!
We were asked by several people to stay out of the lights as our outfits were blinding them!
Making dust!!!
We took a bow when the applause started!
Vicky and Bob take to the floor!
Vicky is an equal opportunity dance partner!
"Be careful of the sequins please!"
Bridgette and Mike take to the floor!
Needed after dancing all night long!
The mashing of teeth was amazingly loud as the meal was consummed!
The Cajun spices will get everyone moving!
Did You Know? - Cajun trivia involves facts about the Cajun people (Acadians), their French-Canadian heritage, exile from Acadia (Canada) by the British, settlement in Louisiana, unique culture (food, music, language), and history, covering topics like the "Great Expulsion," "Jolie Blonde," the "Cajun Triangle," and specific foods like gumbo and boudin, often focusing on their resilient spirit and distinctive way of life.
A lot of water was consumed at dinner to put out the tummy fires!
Jim takes some home!
Cute!!!
Will takes charge!
The Fire Department recommended two 9's instead of 99 individual candles! Good idea!
"Baby won't you light my fire!"
Who is excited about the celebration?
Lookin' good!
All smiles!
The band plays Happy Birthday!
Pictures are taken!
Iris gets her picture taken many times!
Iris and Robin!
Two amazing women!
Iris and Beverly!
Iris and Donna!
Iris and Vicky!
The cake is chopped into pieces!
Donna and Vicky do the honors.
Did You Know? - 1927 was a landmark year for "firsts," featuring Charles Lindbergh's solo transatlantic flight, the release of the first "talkie" film The Jazz Singer, Babe Ruth hitting 60 home runs, the opening of the Holland Tunnel, and the start of Mount Rushmore's carving, alongside major events like the Great Mississippi Flood and the execution of Sacco & Vanzetti. It was also the debut year for Disney's Oswald the Lucky Rabbit and the first transatlantic phone call.
The poor cake!
Post dinner dancing gets underway!
Jim is attempting to remember the steps!
Vicky explains something!
Time to go home; it's almost 10:30 pm
Our great grandkids!
Grandma and Grandpa!
Jon and Sarah!
Colleen & Mark
Goodnight All! It's time for US to party!!!
