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Ruthie's 67th
Birthday Party was a big success!
Entertainment by Ernie K-Doe & Walrus
Submarine!
Ruthie the Duck Girl celebrated her 67th birthday at Rock ‘N’ Bowl on January 20th, 2000. Controversy surrounded this year’s party as Ruthie’s caretakers wanted to prevent her from attending her own birthday party. Suspense was in the air, as the estimated 125 partygoers wondered if the famous Duck Girl of the Vieux Carre would show up. About an hour after the party began, a representative from the nursing home asked to read a statement before bringing Ruthie in.
There was no grand entrance this year, but everyone was excited to see Miss Ruthie, who was properly dressed and hair well-coifed. After over a year in a nursing home, Ruthie’s appearance is less characteristic of a street person, and more like a sweet old grandmother. The much-anticipated annual event is always covered by the news media, and this year was no exception. Ruthie smiled, posed, and danced for the flashing cameras and news crews.
Ruthie was again reunited with Gary Moody, her long-distant paramour from Minnesota. Everyone enjoyed the music by Walrus Submarine. The band sang happy birthday and the cake was served. Ernie K-Doe then rocked the house with a little help from Fireball Rocket. Ruthie hit the dance floor, showing no sign of slowing down from when she danced the night away in French Quarter clubs during the last few decades. Ruthie wore out dance partner, Dawn Dedeaux as she cut a rug during K-Doe’s "Mother-In-Law." Then there was a slow dance with Gary Moody. Many people took the opportunity to get their photos taken with Miss Ruthie, pinning dollar bills to her sweater, while others sought autographs. Antionette K-Doe served her specialty – red beans and rice, and Perri the Hobo blew balloons and danced with the pretty ladies.
This year’s party also featured the unveiling of the "Ruthie Mask," hand-crafted by Randy Bibb of St. Louis, MO. Randy drove down to New Orleans just for the party. He presented the mask as an auction item for the fundraiser. Just as last year, the party raised money for a decorative tomb for Ruthie in St. Louis #1. If you would like more details and information on how you can contribute, click here.
THANKS TO:
Gary Moody, Dawn Dedeaux, Perri the Hobo, Diane Yeager, Floyd Yeager, Randy Bibb, Janice and Denis Janz, Loretta Mims (A Krewe Production), Tim Watson, Bruce Sullivan, Susie for bringing Ruthie, Rob Florence (Friends of New Orleans Cemeteries)
SPECIAL THANKS TO :
Chateau Orleans, Mark Chapitol, Jim Marks, Rock ‘N’ Bowl, John Blancher, Freddie Pincus, Dr. Brobson Lutz, Dr. LaCorte, Diane Ardon, Ryan Ardon, Antoinette K-Doe, The Great Ernie K-Doe, Walrus Submarine, Katheryn Laborde, Fireball Rocket
RAFFLE ITEMS provided by:
Antoinette K-Doe, Ernie K-Doe, Mary Toodles and Hansel, Tropical Isle, Inc., Pam Fortner, Earl Bernhardt, Frank Parsley, Alternatives, Eliott Shushan of Shushan’s, Dawne Kennedy, Lee Tucker, Gail Leadbetter, Quintron, Rob Lombardi of Vincent Art, L.J. Goldstein
Click here to see photos from last year's Bash!