The Pantagraph from Bloomington, Illinois • Page 39

-v Mardi Gras. A dozen young men in colorful costumes chase a chicken across a soggy rice field in Mamou, La. (pop. 3.566X continuing a Mardi Gras tradition that's been celebrated for generations in Cajun country. When one of the mud-spattered men captures the squawking bird, screams of jubilation erupt among the crowd gathered for the annual Courir de Mardi Gras, in which more than 100 horsemen travel the countryside begging for and catching ingredients for the communal gumbo.

"Every year I offer 15 or 20 chickens," says Bert Charlie, a Mamou resident, handing a hen to a masked man during last year's celebration. "They need something to eat" "Merci beaucoup," says Ryan Ardoin, 31, expressing thanks in the language of his French-speaking forefathers. The partying procession, which includes a band playing Cajun music and an entourage of Mardi Gras revelers, journeys from house to house collecting donated chickens, sausage and rice, and entertaining spectators along the 12-mile route that begins and ends in downtown Mamou. Like modem-day jesters, the men sing, dance and perform acrobatic tricks, including headstands on horseback and back flips off wagons. Le Courir de Mardi Gras (or the run of Fat Tuesday), which his been a part of Louisiana's Acadian culture since the 18(X)s, took a hiatus when many of the local young men left to fight during World War II.

In 1950, some Mamou residents resurrected the tradition, which today is maintained by a handful of communities in rural Acadiana, including die nearby towns of Church Point (pop. 4,756) and Eunice (pop. Mamou prides itself on having the only "traditional" Courir de Mardi Gras because only males 16 and older are allowed to ride horses and chase chickens during die annual jaunt, which has roots in ancient Europe when peasants were permitted one day a year to bee from and i mock royalty. "It's always been men," says Kenneth Mouiller, 43, a captain of the Mamou Mardi Gras Association. "It was the tradition before us and we want to keep it that way if we can." The daylong event concludes with an awards ceremony on Main Street honoring the best costume, best dancer, best chicken Accuracy and consistency are extremely important when you test your blood! If you have Medicare call now to get a NO COST replacement meter and new testing supplies! Sorry, we are unable to help you if you are in an HMO.

Call Discount Diabetic at 1-800-853-6127. If you have Arthritis, Medicare will cover a large, moist heating pad for you at NO COST to you. 'Deductible and copay may apply. Call 1-800-853-6127 In 2006 there were 27 manufacturer notifications or recalls. There were over 20 different Class I High Risk Recalls for diabetic meters issued by the U.S.

Food and Drug Administration in 2005. A Class 1 recall means that there is a reasonable chance that the product will cause serious health problems or death. Most major diabetic meter manufacturers have had a recall in the past 2 years! YOUR CURRENT METER MAY BE INVOLVED IN A RECALL. chaser and best overall performer, and an evening meal of sausage and chicken gumbo at the American legion nan. Mamou's annual cotrr is th culmination of a four-day, almost non-stop celebration of Cajun music, Continued on page 20) I Jester Billy McCauley holds a captured chicken, Page 5 www.americanprofile.com.