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BEAD OR BEAN: That is the Question…

Just a quick question...I met the "Lucky Bean Lady" (or Bead Lady) in the summer of '84. I was walking in the Quarter with my friends (at the tender age of 16) and a scary looking hunched over lady, yelled at me "lucky bean, lucky bean!" and then handed me over one of those beans you get at the St.Joseph's altars and parade.

Was she really saying "lucky bead"? Just curious, I was wondering if I was telling the wrong story all these years. 

Aimee
12/02

Aimee, 

The Bead Lady, as I've always referred to her, has been known to sell beans AND beads. Some people call her the Bead Lady, and some call her the Bean Lady. The beads she sold were individual beads cut off of a strand of plastic Mardi Gras Beads. So, no, you weren't telling the wrong story. For more on the Bead Lady, and the myths surrounding her, check out our "Whatever Happened To…" section.

WHERE'S THE PARTY?

I purchased your video concerning Ms. Ruthie and was surprised to remember certain things (for I was, I guess still am, friends with Chad and Tal). I have not seen or heard from them since they left the city and it was quite a treat to see Tal in the video. I remember when they left and how bad Ms. Ruthie took to their departure for New York. I was curious to know when her next Birthday Bash is and if it's open to the public? Also, if you ever do a documentary on Varla Merman, make sure that you contact Timo, Marthon, Leslie and Miss William. You would have a great documentary and a festive and fab time!

Thanks and hope to hear from you soon,

William (aka Miss William)
1/03

Miss William, did you know we went to high school together? Since you don't remember me, I'm posting your yearbook picture for all to see. Anyway, Ruthie's birthday bashes, which were always open to the public, are now a thing of the past. Over the last few years, the party was held at Rock 'N' Bowl. Three years ago, we were lucky to have Ernie-K-Doe perform. Antoinette K-Doe served her famous red beans, Perri the Hobo worked the crowd, while Ruthie worked the dance floor. All the TV news stations covered the event. Ruthie now resides at St. Charles Health Care, a nursing home Uptown. In 2001, the administration decided to forbid Ruthie from attending her parties. Ruthie, as some people have said, remains a virtual prisoner of the nursing home on the weekend closest to January 19th, her actual birthday. As for Varla Jean Merman, I'd love to do a documentary on Varla. Will you produce it?

DRAGGING A DEAD DUCK

We went to New Orleans on our honeymoon and I had no clue there have been so many "historic" characters - someone on an Internet board mentioned the Duck Lady but I don't see her 
on your site - is she still alive or?? Is it true she stuffed her dead duck and continued to carry it around??

Valerie
San Pedro, CA (Los Angeles Harbor)
3/03

Valerie, if you look in the "Gallery of Eccentrics," you'll find the story of Ruthie the Duck Girl. Yes, Ruthie is still alive. I don't believe she ever stuffed a dead duck, but she has been known to hang on to a few of them after they passed on to the big blue pond in the sky. There have been eyewitness accounts of Ruthie dragging a recently-deceased duck behind her during a stroll through Jackson Square. It seems to me that Ruthie was always puzzled and disturbed by the concept of death. But as any real New Orleanian, she appreciated a jazz funeral and walks through the old cemeteries of the city.