By Linda Elissalde
When Emogene Clark Rodriguez turned 90 her beloved sister Iva Dale declared, “My sister is 90, and that signifies royalty.” Everyone agreed with her declaration. Nearly 300 guests including multiple family and friends gathered at Bolivar Volunteer Fire Department on September 9 to celebrate. Attendees arrived from Texas, Louisiana, California, Arkansas, Idaho, and even Canada. All were warmly greeted by Queen Emogene wearing her crown. Daughter-In-Law Tammi and Iva Dale created gorgeous royal purple table decorations along with purple table cloths, plates and utensils proclaimed the same message. This is a royal celebration for a royal lady, QUEEN EMOGENE Rodriguez!
Family members and friends assisted with Emogene’s birthday. (Emogene’s family has 57 first cousins.) Sons Gregory and Terry with Tammi, Iva Dale, nephews Matthew and Clay happily volunteered. Greg, Terry and Matthew barbecued beef, sausages, made potato salad, and beans. Raquel Silverberg, Linda Mongeon and Kathy O’Neil helped with peeling 60 pounds of potatoes. Guests gobbled these delicious offerings down and went back for more. They did leave room for a piece of birthday cake. What color was the icing? Purple of course.
Bayou Beats Band provided tuneful dance music composed of Swamp Pop mixed with Cajun and Country. Eight gentlemen make up this musical group. Three members are in Louisiana Musicians Hall of Fame. People stood to sing Happy Birthday to Emogene. Bayou Beats also created a special moment with a patriotic medley. Folk waved flags and sang along. Dancers of all ages took over the dance area after dinner. Little tykes, youngsters, adults and a bunch of the over 50 danced every which way they could. Emogene energetically twisted, jitterbugged, swung with them and never lost her crown. Like all fun events, this one did come to an end. However, family members may share a nephew’s anniversary cruise later. Emogene will still be celebrating.
Emogene and her family send their heartfelt thanks to all the family and friends who worked together to create such a magnificent party. There are so many who contributed. Gregory Rodriguez said, “We want everyone to know how grateful we are. Mother enjoyed every moment and is deeply touched by all this love.” It was indeed a royal evening for Bolivar Peninsula’s QUEEN EMOGENE RODRIGUEZ – and her loyal subjects!
{LCE: Sep-19-2023]
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What a great Birthday party! So sorry I wasn’t there.
Emogene & I were both in the class of 1951 in Starks Louisiana!
As of right now, we are 2 of only 5 left in that class.
Those 5 are: Elton Brindley, Teresa Berwick ,Lucille McLeod
Emogene Clark, Faye Fountain!
And now we are 90 years old!