Selucrey Article
From
The Navigator
February 2000
by
Kelly Lusco-Keller

        You see them every Mardi Gras, strutting along the route, clad in colorful Mardi Gras tuxedo jackets and dancing with the crowds they are the Selucrey Sophistocats.

        If you thought that's all they, you're mistaken. The group of 80 is a non-profit organization that donates time, energy and money to several charities.

        "We started in 1986 with only six to 10 members of Hercules. We were asked by a Mardi Gras krewe to walk the route for their parade. The guys did, wearing the original costumes as the float riders," said Lanny Soudelier, current president of the Selucrey Sophistocats.

        That's how they started, but how did they got that odd name? Soudelier said it's Hercules spelled backwards, but dropping the H and add the Y.

        Since they began the group has grown, and so have their activities for charity and goodwill.

        "We're more than just a marching krewe. We work a lot with charities," said Richard Eschete, sargeant at arms for the Selucrey Sophistocats. The group works with charitable organizations year-round. One day a year, they visit Children's Hospital in New Orleans to make donations, bring gifts and visit the children. They've done it for 10 years

        The Sophistocats can also be seen annually at the Cerebral Palsey Telethon. They have performed for the telethon, answered phones and danced with the poster children. The group works with various charities in the area and is planning to bring the herse to Louis Infant Center for an Easter egg hunt.

        Lanny Soudelier, president, said they try to spread events out through the year, especially around holidays. They go to nursing homes to visit and do the second line too, and some members have visited Leonard J. Chabert Medical Center.

        These guys can be seen all over. The Sophisticats performed at the recent Tourist Commission Summit and at the Congres Mondial Acadien Celebration in Montegut last year. They were seen at last year's Downtown on the Bayou Festival and participated in a Driver's School Convention in New Orleans.

        Soudelier said. "We do parties, weddings - funerals too. We've walked with the herse and our umbrellas." A Mardi Gras funeral is similar to a military funeral, but they use umbrellas instead of swords.

        But back to Mardi Gras, Eschete said, "It's more personal when you're down on the streets with people. You're kind of one on one with the crowd. The children are the best part. We take the people out on the streets with us and they dance with us to become part of the parade. "He's been a member of the organization since 1989.

        Landry said he most enjoys seeing handicapped children and senior citizens on the parade route. He always pays special attention to them.

        Every Mardi Gras you can see the Sophistocats on the street, dancing to the music coming out of their herse or motorhome. The herse is painted with Mardi Gras colors and is the transportation for the krewe and their beads. It's on its second or third paint job, and the motor home is next to get painted. Eschete said, "A former member picked up on the herse years ago and it was donated to the club. Since then we've maintained it. When we rest up against it as it goes down the road, we're giving it a rest because the motor's tired."

        As for the motor home, it carries beads and is a rest area for the guys when they're tired. "Those guys run around and wear themselves out. That five-mile-parade turns into a seven mile parade with all the dancing around," Eschete said.

        Soudelier said "We've been adopted by several krewes in Houma and we've done a parade in New Orleans and Shreveport. We've been asked to do them in Natchitoches, Lockport, Baton Rouge and Lake Charles. We're looking at doing Metairie again this year."

        Well, we all know how rowdy the crowds can get at Mardi Gras. The Sophistocats haven't had too many problems though. They credit the law enforcement in the area.

        "The crowd is very well controlled most of the time and we have very good support from the sheriffs office and police department. Jerry and Orville and his people are thanked for their support and help," Eschete said.

        The only request Eschete makes is minor. "People always holler our names and we can't hear them through the crowds. We always try to tell them to come out and grab us so we'll know it's them and we can give them a bead." he said.

        So you may be wondering how anyone can join this krewe. Secretary Lee Landry explained,"We have 80 members now and a waiting list. You have to have an original member in the club sponsor you. Once you get in you don't want to get out. We have people who have been on the list for three years."

        Also, members must be at least 21 years old. The average age of the group is from the late 20s to the mid 30s and come from all walks of life. Eschete said there are doctors, lawyers, oilfield people, former policemen, you name it. The oldest member of the group is 72 - still second lining.

        "We have sponsors because we want people with good morale character. They have to be voted in by the board," Eschete said.

        The group is expanding too. "We voted to start a Women's Auxiliary called the Sophistokittens and it operates on the same criteria. You have to be sponsored by someone in the Sophistocats or Sophistokittens. "It's a non marching krewe," Landry said. They will participate in charity events and the 2000 Christmas Parade.

        Also started last year was the election of a "Top Cat." It's the Selucrey Sophistocats' grand marshal. Last year, John Fourcade, former Saints quarterback, had the honor and Houma Terrebonne Chamber of Commerce Vice President Lonnie Thibodaux will have the honor this year as "Top Cat."

        Look for them at Mardi Gras parades this year and also at the Second Annual Selucrey Sophistocats and Krewe of Kajuns Mardi Gras Blowout on Fat Tuesday at Rainbow Hall on Barrow Street. Both groups sponsor the event which begins at 5 p.m. and has live music, food and door prizes. Music will be by Grey Wolf and attendees may bring their own liquor. Tickets are $10 in advance and $15 at the door. Tickets are available at Doylco, L&L Driving School, Snap Shots, Creole Lanes, Wicks & Sticks, Chabert's Cajun Meat Market, Heart's Desire Florist, The Tan Line and Town Hall.

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