From - Tue Jun 19 06:39:02 2001 Return-Path: Received: from peakpeak.com (tz0027.peakpeak.com [207.174.69.27]) by gash2.peakpeak.com (8.9.3/8.9.3) with ESMTP id FAA10020; Tue, 19 Jun 2001 05:15:34 -0600 Sender: snowbear@gash2.peakpeak.com Message-ID: <3B2F34F9.AFA2166B@peakpeak.com> Date: Tue, 19 Jun 2001 05:18:17 -0600 From: Pam North X-Mailer: Mozilla 4.61 [en] (X11; U; Linux 2.2.12-20 i586) X-Accept-Language: en MIME-Version: 1.0 To: "Green, Guerin" , "Douglas, Laura" , "North, Pam" , Vyner Jeff Subject: Additional Article Content-Type: text/plain; charset=us-ascii Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit Status: X-Mozilla-Status: 8001 X-Mozilla-Status2: 00000000 X-UIDL: 391deae700001629 Shady Ladies Reformed? by Pam North They promised a surprise for the 27th Annual Lou Bunch Day festivities, and deliver they did. The Shady Ladies surprised everyone by assuming an entirely new guise, one that was a decided departure from the "ladies of the evening" role that they traditionally parody during this boisterous celebration. Marching at the tail end of the parade, behind the bed race contestants, the ladies revealed their new and entirely surprising approach. Donned in the garb of prim-and-proper Victorian suits (but with accessories of their signature hot-pink color to link them as a group), they were Carry Nation-type moral reformers, noisily pretending to protest the institution of prostitution. Waving placards with a variety of moral slogans ("Release The Bird From Her Gilded Cage!" "Lead Us Not Into Temptation!" "End The Reign Of Moral Corruption!" "Curb Lust And Licentiousness!" "Moral Corruption Must Cease!" "Purity Or Prostitution!"), and handing out flyers printed with the sentiment "Confront The Cold Reality Of Prostitution!", the women jokingly tried to actively recruit support from the parade-watchers lining the street. The spectators, joining in the spirit of fun, booed and gave the thumbs-down sign to the militant pseudo-moralists. Each "sporting girl" was later introduced by the Pedigrees. Shirley Voorhies stormed up to the stage with her "Turn Off The Red Lights!" sign, but gave in to an apparent secret temptation and change of heart. Stating "Oh, what the hell!," she stunned everyone by tearing off her break-away dress, revealing a "soiled dove" costume, and joined the ranks of those she had previously disparaged. Welcomed by the "sporting ladies", she fended off efforts from the reform ladies to cover her up and return her to their ranks. The "All-Time Madam" award was presented to Roma Thompson in recognition for her long-time participation in the Shady Ladies. She is the only remaining original member aside from Joan Hemm, the group's founder. If you missed the delightful antics of the remarkable Shady Ladies this year, it's a shame. They have added their theatrically rowdy presence to the Lou Bunch celebration since the beginning, and are an integral part of the fun and tradition associated with this unique festivity. They're a Gilpin County pride-and-joy legend, guaranteed!