For everyone’s information the 2011 - 2012 season invoices have been mailed.

Hopefully everyone has received their respective invoice and in the process of returning your payments.  Please remember annual dues are effective May 1, 2011 through April 30, 2012.

If you have misplaced your invoice you may simply mail your payment:

Krewe of Gemini
9507 Hampstead Circle
Shreveport, LA71106

Also please join me in welcoming the below New Krewe Members for the 2011-2012 Season.

Jan Moran and Janie Boydstun will be working with me this season in the areas of recruitment and retention.  As we did last year will have name tags beginning with the June meeting.

Also, I will periodically be attaching a copy of the membership list to the monthly newsletter.  If you have any changes to your respective information please send me an email with the correction.

Lauri Wallace
Membership Chairman
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Yes, we will have a parade!!  This season’s parade will be held on Saturday, February 18, 2012.  We are in the process of renewing our contract with the City of Shreveport, and all is looking good with that matter.  We owe a huge “Thank You” to SPAR, SPD, SFD, DOS and the city administration for all that they have done and continue to do to make our parade possible.

Also, my thanks to the returning committee members who have agreed to serve again:

Ed Hoover
Bob Sykes
Sam Cooksey
Don Bitting
Bob Vento
Scott Douget
Jeff Lee
Larry Graff
Mike Smith
Russ Friedrich

 And, we have two new members, so far:

Ray Braniff
Jerry Talley

Anyone wanting to participate on the committee please let me know by responding to the email address below.  I promise that you can help put on the parade and still ride—you will just be busier.

In getting ready for this season’s parade, we are preparing to contact specialty groups to inquire on their participation this year.  If you know of a group that would like to participate and who would add quality to the parade please provide me with their contact information.  Keep in mind that the parade route is over five miles long and takes about four hours to complete, in addition to the two plus hours of staging.

Many thanks,

Brad Graff
Parade Co-Captain
Gemini XXIII
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318.469.7078

The Smurf float would first of all like to welcome our new corporate sponsor Copeland’s of New Orleans’ located on Bert Kouns and Youree Drive. Corporate riders will be General Manger, Fernando Escamilla, and Executive Chef, Chris Thompson. As well as our new corporate riders we are also welcome 4 new Krewe members this year, Troy and Sherry Underwood, Amanda Cohee and Larry Clevenger. Other members on our float include Lt. Benny Whaley, Mike Flores, Brett and Rachel Fetty, Britney Flores, Gemini XXII Duke of Louisiana Matt and Mona Vienne, and Trina Crow. On our float you will see Poppa Smurf, Painter Smurfs, Smurfette as well as Sassette. Specialty items you will see thrown from our float will be Smurf key chains, bracelets, coloring books, and caps.

(Updated 12/27/11)

Dear Float Lieutenants and Krewe Members,

The Grand Ball is fast approaching and I wanted to update you on events and dates that involve you. Please read this letter carefully and pass this information on to your riders.

• Ball Program Ad Sales are underway. You can obtain an order form from the Krewe website or from Dianne Young or Kelly Wise. All ads with payment are due now!!!. Dianne and Kelly's contact information is as follows:
  • Dianne Young-Ball Program
    318-470-6709 (home)
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  • Kelly Wise
    798-2660 (home)
    572-5400 (cell)
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• Ball Invitations will be going out in December.  All paid members will receive an invitation with a RSVP card enclosed.  The paid member simply has to return the RSVP card and tickets for the Ball will be sent back to them.  If we do not receive a RSVP, we will assume the member has chosen not to attend the Ball.  All RSVP’s are due January 14^th, 2012 to Sue Willis.
• Guest Tickets are available for $75.00 per person.  Tickets for guest under the age of 18 are $32.50.  If the paid Krewe member would like to invite guests, they can either include the money with their RSVP card or they can have an individual invitation with a RSVP card sent to the guests by providing a list of names and addresses to Sue Willis. Sue will issue tickets when the RSVP and/or money is received.  No ticket will be available at the door. Sue’s contact information is as follows:
  • Sue Willis-Ball Invitations, Reservations, and Seating
    536 Parklane Drive
    Bossier City, LA 71111
    746-4478 (home)
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• Ball Table Assignments will be drawn at the January 10^th, 2012 Float Lte meeting.  Please come to the meeting with the number of seats you need.  Please call your riders and find out how many are planning to bring guests to the Ball. Any float not represented at the meeting will be assigned seats after all represented floats have chosen.  For floats with Royalty this year ( Captain, King, Queen, Dukes and Duchesses) every effort will be made to seat the Royalty home float as close as possible  to their Royalty tables.  Sue Willis is handling this aspect of the Ball  (see contact information above).

• Dress Code-This is a black tie, formal ball. The ladies are to be in floor length gowns and the gentleman are to be in tuxedos. Please instruct your float riders and invited guests accordingly.
• Parking There is no valet parking for the Shreveport Convention Center. You can drop your guests off at the door to our event (in front of Expo Hall 3) and then proceed to the parking garage. Bring $5 cash to purchase your parking ticket as you enter the garage so you don't have to mess with the kiosks in the Convention Center at the end of the ball.
• Float Gifts for the King and Queen will be presented at the Captain’s Buffet instead of during the Ball Tableau. More information regarding this will follow from the Special Events Chairperson.
• Table Decorations and Food The following guidelines are important when planning your table decorations, food, and liquor:
  • Table Decorations
    • Each float is expected to decorate their table
      • The Krewe will provide a white tablecloth on each table.
      • All other decorations are up to the individual float.
      • Tables are long banquet tables that seat 8 per table (4 on each side). The dimensions are 8 ft long X 2 1/2 ft wide.
      • Chairs are padded folding chairs 2 1/2 ft tall with a seat depth of 17 inches.
      • If you are planning on renting items such as colored table cloths, chair covers, etc...check out the Shreveport Convention Center for renting these items. Marla Mitchell is your contact person for all your rental needs. They have access to several vendors. Be sure to ask about the tax and service charges when calculating your rentals.
        • Marla Mitchell, Event Set-Up, may be reached at the Shreveport Convention Center at 841-4000.
    • Centerpieces
      • No taller than 24 inches
      • FYI-The Captain, King, Queen, and Duke/Duchess main tables (the big round ones in the middle of the floor and the big square ones at the side of the runways) may go higher than 24 inches for their centerpieces. Their overflow tables on the sides are held to the 24 inch maximum height requirement just like the float tables.
    • Lighting
      • No candles, open flames, or flammable materials
      • Battery operated lights are greatàbe sure to have extra batteries on hand
    • Times to decorate
      • February 3rd, 2012-8:00 AM to 3:00 PM. All decorators must be out of the building by 3:00 PM for CLOSED dress rehearsal.
      • February 4th, 2012-8:00 AM to 3:00 PM. All decorators must be out of the building for the Convention Center to do a final cleaning prior to the ball.
• Liquor
  • Open bar will be provided with a variety of premium liquors available. 
  • ALL liquor, must be arranged through the Shreveport Convention Centeràif you desire a special brand of liquor, beer, wine, or champagne, arrangements must be made with Dawn Williams of the Convention Center.
  • DO NOT bring any alcohol of any kind into the Convention Center at anytime. ALL alcohol must be purchased through the Convention Center.
  • The bars will be OPEN during the tableau.
    
    • Designated cocktail servers may be arranged for $150 dollars per server through Dawn Williams. The cocktail server will be assigned to your table for the whole evening. You may not hi-jack another table's server. If you did not pay for a server for your float table, then you will need to go to the bar yourself to get your beverages. Don't forget, the bars are closed during the tableau so plan accordingly.
      • Reservations for servers need to be completed by January 10th, 2012
  • Miranda Small, Catering Sales/Etiquette Manager at the Shreveport Convention Center, may be reached at the Shreveport Convention Center 841-4233.
• Food
  • Each float is responsible for providing snack items for their tables. Liquor will be flowing and we need food to balance it.
  • Two options exist for food service:
    • Self cater: arrange for food to be brought in for your guests (boxed lunches, chip and dip, cheese and crackers etc...)
    • Arrange to have your table catered by Savor at the Shreveport Convention Center. See attached catering menu by Savor for types of food available.
    • Miranda Small, Catering Sales/Etiquette Manager at the Shreveport Convention Center, may be reached at the Shreveport Convention Center 841-4233.
• Clean up is Sunday. All items (including rentals) must be out of the Convention Center by 5:00 Sunday. If you have items that are important to you, take them with you Saturday night. If you are renting anything, make arrangements for a Sunday pickup.

I think this about covers everything!  If you have any questions, or if I have forgotten something please do not hesitate to call me.  Thank you to everyone in the Krewe!

Yours in Gemini,

Shannon Banda
Ball Chairman
318-560-946
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