Sunday, September 23, 2007

The First O-fficial Berry Queens' Hi! Tea...

Newest board member, Queen Carmen speaks with our VERY special guests, Queen Mayor Hilda Curry and Queen Ellen Nora.
Some of the First O-fficial Berry Queen Candidates

Look at how cute we all are and look at ALL the hats!


Queen Margaret, Queen Jeneen, Queen Beth, and Queen de Bling

Queen Faye Dough Dough, Queen LeTigre, Queen Chris, Queen FonDYou and Queen Betty

Queen de Bling, Queen Hotstuff, and Queen Angel
Queen Carmen and Queen Beverly are all smiles!

Queen Jeneen, Queen Jessica, Queen Lauren, and Queen Kilowatt strike a pose!

Queen FonDYou's own table was full up with good eatin'!
Queen Ellen, Queen Sunflower, and Queen Mati' do a little catchin up.
The Berry Queens sure do like to stir things up a little when we get together...
A fine time was had by all, ladies, and I hope you were able to attend. Queen FonDYou's ownhouse was absolutely BEE-YOU-TEE-FUL and GI-NORMOUS, too! It was fun to visit with each other and to share the news about the First O-fficial Berry Queens' Ball and Pageant which will be held September 19, 2008 at the Evangeline Theater and to eat all the WONDERFUL things our queens fixed for us. Ya'll don't forget to keep on watchin' for information about the Queens' Get Togethers for the future and BE SWEET! Have a great time at THE SUGAR CANE FESTIVAL and Tellyermama'nemwesedhi!










Saturday, September 22, 2007

Berry Queens' Hi! Tea this Sunday, Ya'll!



You are cordially invited to the

FIRST O-FFICIAL BERRY QUEENS’ HI! TEA

on Sunday, September 23, 2007

from two 0’clock until four o’clock

in the afternoon

at 630 East Main Street

New Iberia, Louisiana

B.Y.O.H. (Bring Your Own Hat!)

Hosted by Michelle Thornton and Jerre Borland
Sponsored by Iberia Habitat for Humanity
Regrets Only: 560-1755

This is to be the O-fficial Kick-Off Meeting for the Berry Queen’s Ball and Pageant Fundraiser for Iberia Habitat for Humanity for September 2008, so ya’ll come see!
We will be taking a picture for the Daily Iberian.

Sunday, July 22, 2007

NTTW in Galveston!

Getting ready to see NTTW at The Grand Opera House
Meeting the Songstress Extraordinaire--Kacey Jones

Our Cabana Boys at the Wyndham Tremont with some of the Queens

We're back from our trip and boy did we have a good time! NTTW was hilarious! The queens all agreed that there should be a warning on the ticket about going to the bathroom before the show starts to avoid wetting yourself from laughing so much!! Our faces still hurt! To see all the details about the trip, go to http://msjerre.blogspot.com/ and read July 27-29th "Gettin the Skinny!" We met Kacey Jones and represented the Berry Queens well! For information on the play and other locations where you can find it go to http://www.nipplestothewind.com/.

Don't forget that we have a Berry Queen's Tea coming up this September 23rd, 2007. There will be more details in August. If you are interested in attending/participating and finding out more about the Berry Queen's Ball and Pageant, please e-mail me and let me know! Most of the information is on this site, you just have to go to the sidebar menu and find the links.

The schedule for the pageant events is listed on the itinerary and the explanation of the Berry Queens is on the application. To see these, scroll down on the right sidebar and hit "older posts" and you can go to them.

Take care ya'll and be sweet!

Thursday, May 24, 2007

Help write the new Berry Queen Theme Song!

Go to the following seedwiki and add some lines to help create the First O-fficial Berry Queen's Theme Song!

http://208.106.181.117/wiki/berry_queen_theme_song/berry_queen_theme_song?t&usermessage=

Monday, May 21, 2007

I'm in Sequin Heav'n!

I have been introduced to a bon-a-fide sequin genius and I have also found my dress for the BQ pageant. (To see my dress, one may go to my personal blog at http://msjerre.blogspot.com. Any-hoo, this fellow, Anthony at http://www.sequinqueen.com makes the most DEE-VINE queenly costumes you could imagine, sugar. I mean, they are too kewt for words! You must check it out yourself. Also, if you have other websites you can recommend, please post them for fellow queens so that we may continue to be inspired on our queenly journey to the crown! When you go on sequinqueen, make sure and scroll down the right side to look at the "Gorgeous Customers" link. You won't want to miss it--it is truly amazing!

Saturday, May 19, 2007

Name a Queen!

http://www.seedwiki.org/wiki/a_name_fit_for_a_queen/a_name_fit_for_a_queen?t&usermessage=&CFID=19141&CFTOKEN=6DFF6DBC-B6CD-48E8-AE76585A83CD041E

Click on the above link and make some suggestions for "Queenly Names". If your name is selected, then you will win a Berry Queen's t-shirt. (As soon as we make some!) Be sure to include your e-mail address so we can contact you if you're a winner!

Proposed New Motto

Queen Faye Dough Dough has submitted the following for consideration as the Berry Queens' Motto. Write in and let us know what you think or if you have a better suggestion. Remember that this event is Rated-PG-13!!!

Monday, May 14, 2007

Attention Berry Queen Candidates!

We will have our very first O-fficial Berry Queen's Tea on September 23, 2007 from 2:00 until 4:00 in the afternoon, Location TBA. Mark your calendars! We will be meeting to socialize and meet and greet, as well as to answer any questions you may have about the pageant and gather important pageant information. I am going to ask The Daily Iberian to come and take a picture so we can formally announce next year's event.

Wanna Nominate a Po-tential Queen?

Give her this blogspot and have her e-mail the application for consideration to MsJerre@aol.com.

Future Berry Queens


Princess Adeline
Daughter of Queen LeTigre


Princess Audrey
Daughter of Queen de BLING


Princess Cecile
Daughter of Queen Faye Dough Dough

Want to add your own image?! E-mail a picture with your daughter's name and your queen name to MsJerre@aol.com








Sugar Songs

Click on the following link to list your suggestions for songs about sugar for the ball and parade.

http://208.106.181.117/wiki/sugah_songs/sugah_songs?t&usermessage

Announcing The First O-fficial Berry Queen's Ball and Pageant!



First O-fficial Berry Queen’s Ball and Pageant
Friday, September 19, 2008
8:00 pm until 12:00 am
“He-e-e-y sugah! Be sweet! TellyourmamanemIsaidhi!
Whodyathinkuhlwee-un?”

I. Purpose-fundraiser/Community outreach for Habitat for Humanity and all around rippit!
rippit [rip’ it] n. a wild, noisy party. Ex: “When we girls get together, we rip it up and have a rippit!”

II. Location: Sliman Theater is reserved for our date. It holds 200 people max.
III. Pageant specifics:
See Application for details

Categories:
1. Her Royal Highness-Queen of the Berry and her 1st, 2nd, and 3rd runner ups, plus the following honorary Queens:
2. Best Theme Queen
3. Senior-Rita Queen-most "experienced in years" queen to be chosen by judges
4. Miss Congeniality –voted on by contestants
5. Queen Most Likely to Wear Majorette Boots-peppiest queen
6. BHB Queen-Biggest Hair of the Ball Queen-this will be done by measurement to make sure there is no error. (A yard stick will be used as a point of measure.)
Golden Rule Queen-Most Community Service-judges will choose based on application information

I would like all of the winners and participants to ride on a "Berry Queen's" float in the Sugar Cane Festival Parade on the following Saturday to represent Iberia Habitat for Humanity. I'd also like to invite the Decoy Queens and the Mardi Gras Queens to join us, along with any other organizations that want to dress up and be queenly for the day.
IV. Ball specifics
I would like to use a DJ for the ball and pageant, since it will be cheaper and easier.
Most of the songs should revolve around sugar in honor of the SCF.
Bar=cash bar with keg, and the following drinks for $5.00 each:
1. Gin and Berry It-lemon drop martini
2. The Bellini of the Ball-frozen peach Bellini w/ a cherry on top-frozen/pre-made, add cherry
3. Teche Your Tolerance Margarita-frozen/pre-made, add lime slice
4. Berry Queenly Punch-orange juice/grenadine and Meyer’s Rum-pre-made, add frozen strawberry to stay cold
5. Bloody Queen Mary’s w/ spicy bean-pre-made mix/add vodka and spicy bean
Each will be 5.00 per drink and proceeds will go to Habitat.
Maybe we can get Abita beer to donate a keg or two? Water, Coke, Diet Coke and Sprite
Zinfandel wine
Suggestions for Buffet food-Boudin balls, mini crawfish or meat pies w/ spicy Creole mustard, cheese straws w/ Tabasco, sweet potato biscuits w/ Louisiana strawberry jam, Meche’s donut holes, mini pralines, petite fours, cookies and fruit, cheese and vegetable trays. I have a caterer already who will take care of the food.
d. 5 inch crown available through http://www.sweetpotatoqueens.com/ (donated by the Berry Bossiest Queen for the first pageant) Note: It is IN and it is HUGE and it is
SPARK-LYicious ladies!
VI. Fundraising
a. Each applicant must provide a donation for SNAP and Solomon House to be turned in with filled out application as part of the groveling/sucking up process. These will be delivered the Monday after the pageant rehearsal Friday, Sept. 12, 6-8 pm.
b. Each applicant will need a business to sponsor her in the Berry Queen Ball program to include a picture of the P0-tential Queen in her costume and an advertisement for her sponsor to be handed out during the pageant. The ads will be $100.00 each. They must also sell 10 tickets each to the ball.
c. Though there will be a cash bar at the ball, Queens will be given a table that they will decorate and set up to their own hearts desire for their sponsors/invited guests which will allow a place for their guests to congregate. Chairs and tables provided but decorations are solely the responsibility of the Queen herownself. These should be small round tables to allow for as much room as possible. (Maybe only 4-5 chairs per table?) See http://www.orientaltrading.com/ for ideas. Put tiara in the search box! They also have some light up stuff, like shot glasses and rings that are neat. They also have table covers and gift bags, etc.
d. private donations from BQ Pageant sponsors/each sponsor will receive two free tickets to the ball and there will be a special table set up for them, as well.
Who can we ask for initial donations? IDEAS???
e. Tickets for the ball ($30.00 per person - tentatively). Queens and their escorts get in free, but the ball is also open to the general public after we figure how many will be left (250 total tickets)—black tie and queenly attire required!
f. Raffle to be held at the ball for item which is heretofore unknown. although I am thinking about a painting
g. T-shirts w/ theme picture (tiara and scepter) on front, First O-fficial Berry Queen Ball, September ?, 2008, and It’s Easy Bein’ Queenly in the Berry! on the back (red or white t-shirts). see attached I am thinking of asking Lipiri's if they will handle the t-shirts for us. Some of the t-shirts need to have “Stalk-Em Security” on the back instead of the “queenly” thing on account of the men might like some! We will only do pre-orders this year for the shirts. Forms will be handed out with the tickets to those attending and will be due back to Habitat in sufficient time to prepare the order for the Ball and Parade.
VII. Escorts
Gentlemen escorts will be either provided by the Queens In Waiting on their own, or the pageant committee will provide Stalk Studs (which I will gather or you can help me gather) who will escort the ladies to and from the “run-way” and be available for their opening dance at the ball.
E-mail me at MsJerre@aol.com with ideas for the Stalk Studs.

VIII. Security
There will be Stalk-Em Security in black t-shirts walking with the float to protect our Queens and as front door security for our ball. These will be nominated and assigned by clubs and organizations around our great city and they will receive their t-shirts from Habitat. They will wear black t-shirts with red lettered “Stalk-Em Security” on them and will carry shortened Sticks of cane for “beating back” all of the throngs of admirers that will obviously be a problem for the queens along the parade route! Maybe they could have Tabasco “pepper spray”around their necks or some other such nonsense.

A liability note: For the ball, I suggest “Breath-Alizers”, a few of Iberia’s finest that check people to see if they need to call a cab or find a ride home. They will also ask about a designated driver so everyone can stay safe and happy in the Berry!

IX. MCs for the pageant are already booked! I will announce these later.

I have arranged for two costume consultants to help all the queen's with their costumes if they need.

X. Candidates for Judges? We need at least 3. E-mail me if you have ideas.

Judging categories: Creativity and Poise in walk (40 points), Musical choice and relation to theme (10 points), Philanthropic involvement (30 points, Essay (40 points), and Judges’ Interview (30 points).

XI. Queen’s bio:
Each queen will have one of these for the pageant walkout. (Part of this will be put in the program.)

Queen’s platform
Sponsor recognition
Queen’s hobbies, etc.
Intro of Stalk Stud
Queenly motto/advice to Wannabees

XII. HER ROYAL HIGHNESS-QUEEN OF THE BERRY
The winner of this event will serve as a representative for Habitat and will serve as a Bonafide Honorary Board Member for the period of one year, in which she will be a goodwill ambassador for our organization until such time as she turns over her crown for the next pageant.


XIII. Queenly Events:
Sunday, Sept. 23, 2007-Po-tential Berry Queen’s Tea-2:00 p.m. to 4:oo p.m. This will be an opportunity for queen wannabees to meet and discuss the specifics of the pageant. Honored quests will also be in attendance.
Friday, Sept. 12, 2008 Rehearsal for pageant, 6:00-8:00 p.m. Location TBA
Thursday, Sept. 18, 2008- Judges’ High Falutin’ Meet-N-Greet- Judges and Queens will visit with each other at BoJangles or Le Rosier (other ideas?) at 6 o’clock informally . Queen’s will be in tiaras, wigs, sunglasses, and boas only for this meeting—No dresses! The general public will be allowed to interact with them from 7:00 until 8:00 p.m. so’s to see what they’ll be missin’ at the ball if they don’t get a ticket!
Friday, Sept. 19, 2008- First O-fficial Berry Queen’s Ball begins at 8 p.m. and pageant will commence promptly at 9 p.m. Winners will be announced by no later than 10:30 p.m. and ball will end promptly at midnight.
Saturday, Sept. 20, 2008-“The Kane You Hang?“ Berry Queen’s Brunch at Clementine’s at 11:00 a.m. Luncheon will be held at the bar area and outside. Buffet will be set up outside in the courtyard with additional seating. Queen’s may come in tiaras, sunglasses, and t-shirts for this event. All winners are required to be present at this event as well as all board members. Buffet will be 15.00 per person and there will be a cash bar. Soda, tea, or water included with buffet. Saturday, Sept. 27, 2008-Sugar Cane Festival Parade-All queen’s will need to be there promptly for parade time in full queen regalia. Those who want to walk or ride behind the queen’s float must bring their own transportation and it must be pre-approved before the parade. Stalk Studs may pull the little-uns in wagons if they are decorated and really cute, which all queen’s chirren’ are, of course!
I NEED SOMEONE WHO HAS A FLATBED OR FLOAT TO LEND!
XIV. WEBSITES FOR QUEENLY MATERIALS

First O-fficial Berry Queen Application

First O-fficial Berry Queen’s Pageant
Application
Pageant Date: Friday, September 19, 2008
8:00-12:00 pm

I. PERSONAL INFORMATION

NAME:
ADDRESS:
CITY, STATE, ZIP:
PHONE:
E-MAIL:

II. REQUIREMENTS FOR PARTICIPATION

Applicant: any woman of 30 years or older who is either a resident and/or employed in Iberia Parish who feels she exhibits certain “Queenly” characteristics and royal regalia necessary for life in the Berry, such as

a. The je ne sais quoi to wear a tiara and walk, speak and dress in an attitude befitting a queen
b. The capacity to execute “The Wave”, (Not the one at the football game, but the one that was perfected by Princess Di and Miss America.)
c. Philanthropy involvement of some sort is a must!
d. She must be able to speak English, since none of the judges are
bi-lingual!
e. Former Mardi Gras Queens are encouraged to participate in order to get some more wear out of those gowns that cost the same as a small economy car, as well as those who have never been crowned before but know they should of (known as Wannabees)!
f. Each PO-tential Berry Queen candidate is required to choose her own theme, costume, and music for her walk and write an essay about being Queenly in the Berry! You may choose a theme related to New Iberia such as Queen Praline, Queen Bayou Teche, Queen Crawfish, Queen Tabasco, etc., or come up with your own! Just have fun and be creative! (Wigs and artificial means of making oneself look bigger and better are highly encouraged. Big hair and jewelry are also a plus!) BYOT-(Bring your own tiara!) *Please remember that this is strictly a PG-13 event and your dress and manner must be appropriate for conservative folks, like your mama ‘n em, since some will be in attendance and probably even judging! Your costume choice must be approved by Julie Kilgore, the O-fficial Costume Coordinator before rehearsals begin.
g. Each contestant must also provide a sponsor for her picture in the Program (100.00) and must donate an item for SNAP and an Item for Solomon house as part of the groveling/sucking up process. (List provided upon request.)
h. Each P0-tential Berry Queen must also sell ten (10) ball tickets and decorate her own table for the ball guests that mimics her own theme.

The Winner of above title will be a representative of Habitat for Humanity for the period of one calendar year and will be placed on the board as a BONAFIDE Honorary Board Member for that period. She will be a spokesperson for Habitat and Goodwill Ambassador spreading the love for Habitat throughout the community—along with working toward WORLD PEACE!

Winners from all categories will be riding on the Berry Queen’s Float in the Sugar Cane Festival Parade on the following Saturday (Sept. 27?). All other contestants may participate, but have to bring a convertible to ride in or walk since there is only a limited amount of room on the float.

MY CONTRIBUTION(S) TO OUR COMMUNITY: (List all community service here.)

















I HEREBY ATTEST THAT I AM 30 YEARS OF AGE OR OLDER.

SIGNED:________________________________________________________

III. ESSAY

PLEASE EXPLAIN IN 250-300 WORDS WHAT CHARACTERISTICS YOU POSSESS THAT QUALIFY YOU FOR ADMISSION INTO THE FIRST O-FFICIAL BERRY QUEEN PAGEANT. (FAWNING OVER YOURSELF IS BOTH ALLOWED AND ENCOURAGED HERE!) YOU MAY HAND-WRITE IF WE CAN READ YOUR WRITING OR YOU MAY TYPE YOUR ESSAY IN FONT NO LESS THAN 10 SINCE THOSE READING WON’T BE ABLE TO SEE IT OTHERWISE!

Please attach your essay to the application.

Disclaimer: I understand that Habitat for Humanity of New Iberia is in no way responsible for any accident that may befall me as a result of excess gyration, hairspray inhalation, artificial enhancement, or chemical I’ve applied to myownself, general lack of coordination or poise, and any other bizarre circumstance or general screw up that may befall me as a result of participation in The First O-fficial Berry Queen Ball and/or Pageant. I hereby acknowledge that I enter these events of my own free will and have not been put under any duress or excess encouragement by any Habitat member, including alcoholic (or any other type of enticements.)

Signed:

Date:

Witness:



Please return to MsJerre@aol.com once this form is completed.