'Cimmer's Got Game'

CROWLEY – The 54th Annual Carnival Ball and Pageant of the Krewe of Town Revelers was staged on Saturday, February 21 at the Rice Festival Building in Crowley.

The theme of the event was Cimmer’s Got Game with Hines Lawrence “Larry” Chiasson reigning as King Cimmer LIV and Ruthie Welch Piron reigning as his queen.

Mr. Chiasson is the son of the late R.J. Chiasson and Lillian Miers Chiasson. He is married to the former Katie Shelton and they have three children: Christopher (Chris), married to Rachel Boulet Chiasson; Heather, married to Russell Poe, and Ashley Chiasson. The Chiassons also have eight grandchildren: Mallory, Meghan, C.J., Maggie, Lillian, Tyler, Hailey, and Madison.

Mr. Chiasson is a graduate of Midland High School and Northeast Louisiana University (now ULM). He is currently Director of Pharmacy at Acadian Medical Center. He enjoys hunting and traveling and has been active in many local organizations, including the Crowley Town Club Board of Directors, serving as Vice-President 2006-2008. He has been actively involved in Ducks Unlimited, Crowley Jaycees, St. Landry Parish Hurricane Katrina Response Team, Relay for Life team chairman, ULM Alumni Association, Active Alumni member of Beta Psi Chapter of Theta Xi fraternity, as well as many professional health care and pharmacists organizations. He is an Eagle Scout with one palm, a past president of St. Michael School Board, and a member of St. Michael’s Catholic Church.

Queen Ruthie Welch Piron is the daughter of the late Martin Welch and Billie Strutton Welch. She is married to Gilles Piron and is the mother of Alexander and Andrew Piron. She is a graduate of St. Michael’s Elementary and Notre Dame High School. She holds degrees in Microbiology and Chemistry from the University of Southwest Louisiana (now ULL). Mrs. Piron is a former member of the International Rice Festival Dance Troupe and in 1980, represented our city as Miss Crowley. Currently she is a full-time mom, who is also very active in the community, serving as President of the Crowley Professional Women’s Club, Director of the Miss, Teen Miss, and Junior Miss Crowley Pageants and is a member of the International Rice Festival Board of Directors. She owned and operated Rice City Gymnastics for twenty years and was selected Business Woman of the Year in 1988. She enjoys gardening, dancing, cooking, and decorating.

The atmosphere of fun and games was set as guests arrived amid an array of larger than life game boards and boxes, dice and playing pieces. As the program began, a masked harlequin set a revolving bookcase in motion, introducing emcees for the evening, Blane Faulk and Clayton Dailey. Past kings and queens were introduced, and the 2008 court was presented. The evening was dedicated to the late Ruby Reed, Queen to King Cimmer XXV.

The Town Club Revelers spelled out the evening’s theme as Scrabble letters in song and dance. Revelers were: Kevin Broussard, Tim Croughan, Shane Goff, Tim Gossen, Reece Guillot, Tommy McNeely, Ronnie Owens, Scott Schumacher, Larry Spaetgens, Jay Suire, Bubba Vercher, and David Dupuis, Ball Captain.

The Showstoppers then entertained, representing the game of Checkers. Ladies sparkled in red sequined halter-neck dresses with handkerchief skirts embellished with red spotlight sequins and silver spotlight trim. Men played the black checkers wearing black shirts with open collars and black tuxedo pants.

The Showstoppers, under the direction of Delores Nutt, were: Patty and Chris Brammer, Sandy and Elliot Dore, Deborah Whiting and Ted Reaux, Ashley and Chris Monceaux, Tracy Wirtz and Chad Monceaux, Judy Vienne and Ronnie Vienne, Renee’ and Danny Nugier.

The presentation of the royal court of 2009 began with pages to the king and queen sliding in to a game of Chutes and Ladders. Miss Brookelyn Owens, daughter of Kelly and Michelle Owens, and Miss Meredith Privat, daughter of Jason and Christine Privat, played in bright pink playsuits dotted with large and small red sequins, and tops adorned with ruby red jewels and iridescent flowers. Sequined satin ribbons adorning their hair and pink sequined play shoes completed their sparkling look from head to toe. Master Jack Nugier, son of Danny and Renee’ Nugier and Master Gage Monceaux, son of Chad Monceaux and Dana Schexnayder, were handsome in playsuits of blue with a sparkling geometric design. Trimmed with blue jewels and blue and gold braid, their costume was completed with gold glittered high-tops.

The stage was then set to honor the night’s King and Queen of Chess. King Cimmer wore an ivory brocade fitted doublet embellished with gold sequins. He wore a cloak of emerald velvet, lined in gold lame’ and featuring gold and green striped blouson sleeves and a double row of golden “L” flourishes along the cloak’s hem. The King’s cloak was fastened by layers of golden rope and a chain of golden checkers. He wore emerald velvet breeches and carried a jewel encrusted walking stick with fleur-de-lis finial. He wore a regal golden crown of fleur-de-lis set with jewels.

Queen to King Cimmer LIV, Mrs. Ruthie Welch Piron, was the image of a queen from days gone by. Mrs. Piron was stunning in a deep forest green velvet and gold reflection ball gown. Her bodice was fashioned with flattering round neck line embellished with silver, gold and green jeweled accent appliqués. The forest green velvet bell sleeves were accented at the elbow with imported gold lace, jeweled with emerald green rhinestones. The princess style drop waist line was accented center front with a sparkling aurora broach. The full skirt was centered with a panel of deep forest green velvet, accented with silver and gold appliqués encrusted with jewels. From this center panel the full skirt circled her in green velvet, overlaid with the same imported gold jeweled lace. Her royal collar was designed with various size scallops embellished with emerald rhinestones. Complimenting her royal attire was a custom crown and scepter of Austrian crystals. The back of the crown incorporated her initials and the year of her reign in the Elizabethan design.

In keeping with the theme, “Cimmer’s Got Game”, the King and Queen wore complimenting mantles which displayed the game of chess. Each was made of emerald green velvet trimmed with a band of gold laminette ruche. Each featured a chess board in the design with embellished chess pieces, his with a chess King, and hers with a chess Queen.

Royal dukes and maids were then presented, representing an array of classic games. The Duke and Maid of Candyland were Stephen Broussard and Mitzi Mayeux LeJeune. Mr. Broussard, as Lord Licorice, with black handlebar moustache, wore a black and purple metallic military peplum jacket with purple cotton candy puff sleeves and purple silk pants with sequin stripes. In a cape of licorice whips, gloves, boots and a wide brimmed hat with black feather plume, he made a very dapper villain. His Maid, as Princess Lolly, was beautiful and sweet in a fitted velvet bodice of turquoise with candy colored sequin accents and multicolor skirt with bustle of cotton candy colored tulle. A lollipop scepter, jewels, and tiara completed her royal trousseau. Mr. Broussard is an economic developer for Louisiana Economic Development. He is married to Lori Waters Broussard. Mitzi Mayeux LeJeune is an attorney and owner of Endeavor Title LLC. She is married to Clay LeJeune.

A Battleship then brought Duke David Swacker, Jr. and Maid Nancy delaHoussaye Broadhurst to represent that game of strategy. Mr. Swacker was clearly in charge of the vessel, looking very authoritative in full admiral’s uniform, his spyglass on the horizon, until the red torpedo hit! Mrs. Broadhurst was a striking “torpedo” in a fitted mermaid style dress of red with iridescent silver print and rhinestone seam accents. Visible beneath the flounce was red tulle and completing her costume was a red feather boa, red opera-length gloves and red hat with feather plumes. Mr. Swacker is a petroleum land man and is married to Nicole Broussard Swacker. Mrs. Broadhurst is a marketing and public relations executive and is married to William C. Broadhurst.

The next mysterious couple brought the game of Clue to life, complete with “victim”. Duke Brannon Trahan was Colonel Mustard in an iridescent gold lame’ bush suit and gold fedora. Searchlight in hand, he searched for the suspect, Miss Peacock, otherwise known as Holly Jackson Broussard. In a shimmering dropped-waist dress of the 1920’s, and quilted gold brocade coat trimmed in coque feathers, Mrs. Broussard suspiciously wielded a gold candlestick, wearing peacock feathers in her hair. Mr. Trahan is the owner of Frosto Drive-in and is married to Tammy Duhon Trahan. Mrs. Broussard is creative director and production manager for Right Angle advertising agency. She is married to Kevin Broussard.

Everyone recognizes the Operation gameboard, but a lifesize “Cavity Sam” is something you would only see at Mardi Gras! Duke Kenneth Guidry was that famous patient complete with red light-up nose. After being “healed” by Maid Leslie “Belle” Green LeLeux as his doctor, this duke was let “out of the box” to celebrate, looking the picture of health in turquoise satin pajamas studded with rhinestones and sequins. Mr. Guidry is the executive director of the Housing Authority in Estherwood and Mermentau. He is married to Mary Sizemore Guidry. Mrs. LeLeux was beautiful in turquoise “scrubs” covered in sequins and rhinestones, a white tulle over satin lab coat studded with rhinestones, sequined surgical mask and silver lame’ gloves. Mrs. LeLeux owns and operates Belle, Ltd. Salon. She is married to Marcus Keith LeLeux.

The next game was Blackjack, and Duke Steve Cart started out down on his luck, with a quartet to sing him the blues. Then his Maid Ramona Trahan Credeur arrived as his Lady Luck. Mr. Cart was a flashy gambler, in western style gold jacket with animal print yoke, black pants with sequin accents, black boots and western hat. He is owner of Strata Control Services and is married to Mona Breaux Cart. Mrs. Credeur lit up the room in a shimmering dance hall dress with fitted blue bodice and blue-green ruffled skirt gathered to one side showing rows of blue ruffles. Her dress was trimmed with gold lace and she wore a beautiful feather headpiece. Ms. Credeur is manager of Iberia Bank in Crowley.

The Showstoppers returned to perform “Hey Big Spender” in a classy Broadway style routine. Ladies wore black with laser dot sequins, each with a different color feather boa. Men wore black tuxedos with white tuxedo shirts, black sequined ties, and black silk top hats. This number also introduced the final game, Monopoly. Duke Michael Libby danced with the lady Showstoppers. He was Mr. Monopoly in a sparkling black tuxedo waist coat with flared tails, silver vest, tie, gloves and cane, black tuxedo shirt, and black top hat, all embellished with silver and rhinestones. Maid Lois Angelina “Angie” Peters Goff made her entrance in grand style, riding in on a Monopoly board float and performing with a group of male Showstoppers. Mrs. Goff represented the thimble playing piece, wearing a beautiful silver gray strapless gown embellished with crystal jewels, holographic sequins and mirror circles. She wore a matching thimble hat, rhinestone choker, silver gloves and money boa. Mr. Libby owns and operates Libby Air Conditioning with his father. He is married to Michelle Melancon Libby. Mrs. Goff is a full-time mom and home school teacher, married to Shane Goff.

Following the traditional 2009 Court Promenade, Grand March, and Toast, introductions were made recognizing the evening’s entertainers and coordinators. In addition to the Showstoppers and Revelers, special appearances were made by Casey Vercher, Elizabeth Leleux, and Nancy Wild as the evening’s law enforcement, by Brittany Faulk, Marlene Thibodeaux, Donna Landry, and Ellen Dailey as the Blackjack Quartet, and by Laurie Suire as the harlequin.

Director of this year’s presentation was Judy Guillot, Assistant Director, Angie Goff, and General Coordinator, Alexa John. Other committee chairs for the ball include: Royalty, Mike Leleux; Court Assistant, Marlene Thibodeaux; Page Assistant, Karen Spaetgens; Script, Ellen Dailey; Masters of Ceremonies, Blane Faulk and Clayton Dailey; Costume Director, Mona Dore; Music, Judy Guillot; Chandeliers, Revelers; Stage decorations, Larry Chiasson; Special Props, Ted Reaux and Mike Trahan; Marquee, Tommy McNeely; Court Make-up, Charlotte Jones; Bar area, Ladies Krewe/Becky Lamm; Foyer, Past Court; Gifts, Tammy Trahan; Member invitations, M’Elise Trahan; Special invitations, Nancy Wild; Publicity, Marjorie Wild; Publicity Advisor, Christine Privat; Entertainment, Dolores Nutt; Photography, Dwayne Petry Photography; Video feed, Kevin Broussard; Videography, Revelers; Programs, Judy Guillot; Sound, Gerald LeBlanc; Graphics, Blane Faulk and Paul Landry; Reveler Captain, Hank Capel; Ball Captain, David Dupuis; King’s Luncheon, Tessa Himel; Queen’s Luncheon, Ladies Auxiliary/Angie Goff; Parade, Revelers; and Bar, Connie Nutt.

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