Thomson transformed for Mardi Gras

By Shamira McCray
mccrays@mytjnow.com

Photos by Claire Van Ostenbridge • vanostenbridgec@mytjnow.comThe French Club has a luncheon every first and third Tuesday of each month for its members, but this week’s gathering was somewhat different from the usual.

This month, the third Tuesday fell on Mardi Gras, a highly celebrated French holiday. In recognition of the holiday, the French Club held a special celebration during their scheduled luncheon.

The club had their designated area of Thomson Café decorated with streamers and beads in appropriate Mardi Gras colors while soft music played in the background. 

Several French students, professors, staff members and even community members came out to fellowship among one another as well as observe the holiday.

Martha Webber, president of the French Club, was excited about the turnout this celebration drew.

“This is a good bit of people,” Webber, senior French major, said. “Normally it’s just a few students and teachers.”

The club is open to any Winthrop student but it is highly encouraged that French majors and minors join. It is a way for these students to meet and acquaint themselves with one another.

“The French Club provides students with an opportunity to come together and to improve their knowledge of spoken French,” said Dr. Thomas Shealy, Professor Emeritus of French.

In support of the French Club’s event, Thomson Café agreed to serve at least one traditional Mardi Gras dish during the lunch period and a full scale meal for dinner.

Mardi Gras, which can be translated as Fat Tuesday, originated in the Catholic Church. Participants would indulge in food that day and eat lots of meat before Ash Wednesday, which is the beginning of Lent.

During Lent, or the fasting period, a sacrifice was usually made. Eliminating meat from one’s diet was usually the primary sacrifice. This tradition is still carried out today.

Tuesday was the first time the French Club had a celebration for Mardi Gras, however, it is something they wish to continue.

“I think it’s wonderful,” said Dr. Kenneth Gordon, chair of the french department said. “This is the first time we have done something like this in the cafeteria and I hope that it can continue.”