December 2000 - Nr. 12
Dick reports...
Alright! It’s here
…the carnival – or Mardi Gras – season. As usual the K.G. Eintracht, Oakville opened the season in Oakville’s Galaxy Club. This time without the "Sekt Bar" I was told.
Opening at the Hansa Haus
The
next event was the opening by the K.G. Treuer Husar, Mississauga (THM) at
the Hansa Haus. It was a nearly sold out event. For the "Garde"-girls
it was the first exposure for this new season and they did quite well. The
K.G. Lorelei, Oshawa also sent the girl-guard to entertain with guard and
show dances to the delight of the audience.
One
of the "highlights" of the evening was the "unveiling"
– so to speak – of the new medal.
It
features the Mississauga Town Hall and a picture of "Hurricane
Hazel" – Hazel McCallion – the illustrious and long time mayor of
Mississauga, who is a long-time friend and supporter of the THM. I thought
that was a nice touch and I don’t think I was alone.
Visitors
had come from most of the other carnival societies to share the fun.
One of the "Low-lights" was the smoking ban on the
club’s premises and that fact gathered many negative remarks up to the
point where people said they would not come back to the Hansa Haus.
They
cannot understand why a private club should bow to regulations like that.
The only place you could light up was between the front doors. The positive
aspect of this was that you met a lot of nice people there – and I mean a
lot! Well, I think the club could loose a lot of business that way.
Especially in the winter when it really gets cold out there.
There were also a number of "Nutcrackers" from the Erzgebirge
region in Saxonia for sale in the foyer of the club. Well, this is the
season for them. Beautifully hand-crafted they did attract a lot of
attention.
Opening in Kitchener
The next weekend was the opening in Kitchener – another non-smoking area in Ontario.
As
always, the "Hoppeditz" arrived in a closed coffin – was
awakened and reluctantly emerged, to open the season in Kitchener.
It
was the last "Hurra" for His Foolishness Prince Peter and Her
Loveliness Princess Claudia. This was the night when they were "disregaled"
or is it "disroyaled" (couldn’t find it in the dictionary). They
took it quite well, however and changed into "Civvies" behind a
curtain on stage and left with Claudia swinging an object and Peter cowering
in fear.
Then it was time to crown the new royal couple in the traditional manner. They were Prince Albert I. and Princess
Helga
I. from Berlin. Fred Wagner, the BDKK president inaugurated the new royals
with "Ritterschlag" – only this time he didn’t have a sword
but had to use the sceptre of the new Narrenzunft choice, instead.
Karin Zimmermann did not talk in the "Bütt" this time but tried to get her two dogs "insured" with Hildegard Saur – the insurance agent – albeit unsuccessfully I might add. Hilarious!
One of the other highlights was the guard-dance by the entire Narrenzunft guard, Seniors, Juniors and Kinder-guard. A performance that was greatly appreciated by the audience.
It
was nice to see a number of rare visitors again. Audrey and Frank – ex
royals from London – Downriver Detroit with their 88 year old mascot –
you saw her picture in this paper last year – and many other dignitaries,
too many to list them all here. Another royal couple that had made an
appearance were the prince and princess from the Narrhalla 58,
Hamilton.
Opening in Hamilton
Unfortunately
the Hamilton Royals went down the tube at the opening in Hamilton this last
Saturday. They became just Hugh and Monika Turner again. Hugh resumed his
new post as president of the "Council of 11 Jesters" amd Monika
resumed her post as president of the female equivalents.
The
"de-robing – de-crowning – de-whatever ceremony was quite a drawn
out affair and it took some effort to divest Monika of her cape, but Albert
Kergl managed it with the customary flair – one could tell that he had
experience.
The
ceremony was also closely watched by the Schöpkes, (Ex-royals from
Kitchener) who were guests at this function and were reminded (mit einer
Träne im Knopfloch) of their own de-frocking, only a week earlier.
I
would like to say it again – and I know that most carnivalists will agree
– Kitchener and Hamilton had provided some of the best "Royal
Couples" we have had in a long time. Their dedication and flair for the
job was legendary. Sorry about that, guys. I know civilian life sucks. But
life goes on and so does Mardi Gras, I hope. But on the plus-side of the
equation is still the fact that you did not have to order new medals again
for this season – that should cheer you up. Well, a little anyway.
Unfortunately
the Narrhalla ’58 did not manage to find a royal couple for this season to
lead the faithful through these stressful carnival events. It will be tough,
but the Narrhalla has weathered other storms before. Chin up, it could be
worse – I think.
The Euro Connection did a great job of providing the musical background to the ceremony and later made sure that the dance floor was never empty. Great job, guys! We are all grateful.
Kudos also to George – of Nikky’s restaurant - for providing the tasty buffet and the delicious cheesecake.
Well, this is it, for this year anyway. See you all again next year when we finish this season with more foolish merriment until Ash Wednesday.
Alaaf and Helau, as always
Dick Altermann
Comments to: dick@echoworld.com
