Flaco Guapo Media
SAN ANGELO – Mardi Gras also known as “Fat Tuesday” originally began in 1875 as a New Orleans’ carnival celebration. Since 2000, when Meals For The Elderly adopted Mardi as its big-time fundraiser, this West Texas “shing-ding” continues a popular tradition that has provided something for everyone from great food to great friends, live entertainment, a silent auction to Texas Hold ‘Em” poker. 
Far right is Rebecca Padilla, Meals For The Elderly, accountant.
Tuesday, March 5 that rich, New Orleans’ tradition turned West Texan by MFTE, celebrated for the 19th consecutive year with 25 vendors on hand, a jam-packed, McNease Convention audience that was seen wearing beads, eating pancakes, pizza, cake, sandwiches and partied on like it was the New Year. All of this family fun-filled events were for a worthy cause, a benefit in behalf of MFTE. Last year, the nonprofit organization’s Mardi Gras fundraiser came away with $52,000, stated Danielle, Dunagan, Meals’ Marketing & Event Director. Dunagan informed Flaco Guapo that total dollar amount on this year’s fundraiser won’t be available for several weeks.
Central High School Jazz Band, under the direction of Ryan Chavarria, played one classic by Glen Miller, "In the Mood."
Left-to-right: KIXY FM's radio personality, Rick Andrews served as master of ceremonies. Next to him was Mr. Caleb Lenard, one of the assistant Jazz directors. The other director who directed the band was Mr. Mike Berry.
Left-to-right: MFTE, Executive Director, Charlyn Ocker is with board member, Martha Visney.
Far left-to-right: Anita Garcia, MFTE Client Services Coordinator. With Garcia is a friend who volunteered, Nadia Lara. Lara a JROTC member, is 16-years-old and attends Central High School.
Left-to-right: Mrs. Amy Rutherford, Amy's dad, Mr. Chester McCown, Amy's daughter: Madison and Mrs. Ollie McCown.
Mrs. Rutherford is a counselor at Central High School while her daughter, Madison is a senior who graduates in May.
Among the 25 local vendors on hand were: Halfmann’s Cake Cottage, Denny’s, Olive’s Garden, Twisted Root Burger Company and Concho Peal House & Rio Concho Catering, offered their own food delicacies in place of crawfish boil, Crayfish, Shrimp, Creole Crab Cakes, favorite Orleans’ staples.
Oh, incidentally these five mentioned businesses were handed out 2019 Gold Booth Awards judged by Meals’ board members. Photo courtesy of Danielle Dunagan, MFTE's Marketing & Event Director.
Left-to-right: Meals For The Elderly board member and Queen: Haley Parsley, Danielle, Dunagan, Meals’ Marketing & Event Director, and King, Jeffrey Smith.
Flaco Guapo also interviewed Meals’ royalty, King and Queen representatives. The king was Jeffrey Smith and his queen, Haley Parsley.“Danielle Dunagan said to Haley. “Guess what, you and Jeffrey are the king and queen.” What did Haley do then? She turned around and volunteered, or in this case she crowned her king—best friend, Smith.
Both Parsley and Smith deliver meals on Wednesdays and Fridays. Parsley, a board member, stated she chose MFTE because seniors were dear to her heart.
“It’s important for us to give back to the community that helped shape our community from their hard work” succinctly said, Smith. “We [also] get to raise money for such a great cause,” concluded Jeffrey.
One of those recipients was Twisted Root ‘s owner, Lori Francks who stated the business opened in 2014.
“We love Meals For The Elderly and its wonderful program.” “We actually deliver meals on occasion” said Francks. Sometimes MFTE calls Lori and ask if the company can help them deliver. Lori says they support the nonprofit on a financial basis as well.
Denny's group consist of left-to-right: Matthew Duke, Anita Duke, Joe Duke and Brandy Lloyd. This is the group's second consecutive year to win a Golden Booth Award. Anita and husband, Joe have been participants with MFTE's Mardi Gras since it started in 2009. Anita informed Flaco Guapo that Denny's provides the food (pancakes) and her husband and crew make the pancakes to serve.
The Concho Valley Pearl Icehouse & Rio Concho Catering were another one of the recipients of the Golden Booth Award. Left-to-right: Courtney Hampton and John Young, owner of business. Other members: Tanner Todd, Kellye Duncan and Tony Andreotti.
This young lady represented Halfmann's Cake Cottage, a 2019 Golden Booth Award winner.
Left-to-right: Chase Waters and Shelby Clements. Waters is Olive Garden's Service Manager while Clements is a delivery specialist. Olive Garden was also a Golden Booth Award winner.
