Ennead Newsletter March 2008


March	2008
The Grand Krewe of Ennead P. O. Box 172165, Memphis, TN 38187-2165 www.ennead.info

Download a donor form from www.ennead.info. Many of you remember what a great time we had 2 years ago when we had a trivia party at Rhitt's on Rex for our monthly event. This year, the Ennead board has decided to build upon the good time we had that night and has come up with an Ennead/Carnival Memphis Trivia Challenge which will be our 2008 fund raiser to be held on April 26th in the lower barn at the Agriculture Center. The difference this year is that, since it is going to be our fundraiser, we have challenged the other Carnival krewes to come and compete for a trophy for the winning krewe and prizes for the winning team. The doors will open at 7 and the contest will begin at 7.30. Just like the event two years ago, Mike Beck will provide the entertainment, which will include the contest itself, music for dancing and some other surprises that Mike is working on. We will also have a live auction and door prizes. Now to tell you the truth, when I was asked to chair the event, I thought, "Sure, no problem". Since then, I have come to find out that there is a lot of work involved in putting on what I hope will be a successful fund raiser. So I need the help of everyone in Ennead. First of all, we need your participation. I need you folks to put together your teams of up to 6 people and then contact either Mike Beck or Nancy Williams by phone or email to let them know your team name and your team members. Please remember one thing. Ennead has prided itself for several years as being the krewe that raises the most money for our sponsored charities. In the past, we benefited from a large contribution from a major Memphis corporation. Unfortunately, we will not be receiving that contribution from that corporation this year so we need as large a turnout from our Ennead people as possible. Second, we need donations of items for our live auction, for door prizes and also to be used as prizes for the winning teams. What we are looking at are $20 restaurant gift cards and a bottle of wine for each member of the top 2 teams. If any of you have any connections with some restaurants or liquor stores, please see if any of them would be willing to help. Barbara Baker and Susan Hanlon are in charge of the live auction items and donated prizes. If you have any items that you would like to donate, please contact one of them. If an item needs to be picked up, someone (probably me) will be glad to do that. At the Christmas party in December, I asked a former fundraiser chairman if it would be okay if I picked her brains on how to make this event a success. She has been great with some suggestions and said one thing that I remember most--"Ennead won't let you down." I know you won't and, with your help, we can have a very successful and fun fundraiser. Bob Laurie, Fund Raiser Chairman
St. Patrick's Day Parade Ennead will participate this year with a float in the 33rd Annual St. Patrick's Day Parade on Saturday, March 15th along Beale Street. Ennead has not had a float in the parade for a few years, so we are looking for a good turn-out by the krewe this year. Accompanying the float will be clowns headed up by Ennead's very own Don Chenault. We will have float riders and walkers along side the float. Joyce Hufford will be organizing the construction of the float at the home of Vickie Rivers. The parade starts at 4pm. The floats will line up on Beale Street from 4th Street to Danny Thomas and Church Park starting around 3PM. The parade will proceed west on Beale to Second Street where the parade ends. Ennead will "green up" at Silky O'Sullivans at 2:15 PM. All participants are encouraged to "wear the green" in any form- costumes, hats, make up- to create a festive presentation. If you have any "throws" for the crowd, bring them to toss the day of the parade. This event should be well attended since it coincides with Conference USA being held at the FEDEX Forum that weekend. Joyce Hufford is coordinating the St. Patrick's Day Parade. Specific questions from members can be directed to Joyce via her email jhufford@aol.com or by phone 748-2058. Contact her if you want to help with the float construction and/or if you want to be in the parade.
Chair's Comments Ennead's membership is healthy and strong. We continue to have single, professional people interested in joining the krewe, and even though some members did not rejoin in 2008 for assorted reasons, Ennead will continue to be a source of enjoyment for members through our parties/events and afford members the chance to do fund raising for the 3 Carnival Memphis children's charities. We always want to be sure to welcome our new members to Ennead. New member sponsors, please remember that part of your responsibility as a sponsor is to introduce your applicant/new member around to the membership at Ennead events. The February Mardi Gras Party held at Silk O'Sullivan's was great fun and well attended. Thanks to Vickie Rivers for making the arrangements. Many members and guests came masked for the occasion. And the 2008 Ennead royalty were dressed in colorful masks and costumes as well. Food, beverages and entertainment rounded out the evening. March will find Ennead participating in the St. Patrick's Day Parade to be held March 15th at 4PM. We need float constructors, float riders and people to walk along side the float. Other Carnival Memphis krewes will be there as well, so plan on joining the fun. This parade coincides with the Conference USA Tournament so it will be a busy, high-energy weekend downtown. Planning is in progress for our March member party and more will be available about that elsewhere in the newsletter and upcoming email blasts. Your royalty has represented the krewe so well at the recent coronations which concluded with Luxor and Ptolemy. They have mixed and mingled so easily with other krewe members, and I know they are having a great time. They have a bit of a break from the whirlwind in March, but April will find the fund raiser events in full gear. Please attend the fund raisers, and I also encourage people to get involved with the Black Tie and Tennis Shoe Skit (held by The Grand Krewe of Ptah), come sing at Phoenix's Karaoke Party, and last but not least help out with Ennead's fund raiser to be held on April 26th. Bob Laurie is this year's Ennead Fund Raiser Chairman. Mike Beck will be our Trivia Master of Ceremonies and music maker. The fund raiser will be a Carnival Memphis Trivia Challenge! There will be door prizes, a live auction, trophies and bragging rights. We need members to start getting door prizes and donated auction items for this event. You can download the Donor Form needed when you approach a vendor for a donation from the Ennead website www.ennead.info . The event will be held at The Barn at the Agricenter. There will be music, dancing, food and beverages. Admission for all attendees will be $30.00, and extra monetary donations for the 3 children's charities will be greatly appreciated. More information will be forthcoming via email blasts and in the next newsletter. But we need to get started NOW gathering items for this event. Volunteers are needed for a variety of jobs big and small to make this evening a success. Please contact Bob Laurie at 682-2386 to offer your services. As we rapidly approach March Madness, I am making no predictions as to which teams will make it through to the finals. So all I will say in order to remain diplomatic, "May your favorite team make you proud". Carolyn