While many Mardi Gras krewes all over the country have planned their themes around the future and new millennium, Natchez’s Krewe of Mer decided to use this year as a time of reflection.

The krewe is taking a trip down memory lane with the help of past royalty.

The Captain and Consort for this year are Wilbur Johnson and Barbara Johnson.

Wilbur Johnson is married to Barbara Johnson and is the father of three children. He is a retired teacher from Concordia Parish School District and is a member of Holy Family Catholic Church.

Barbara Johnson is married to Wilbur Johnson and is the mother of one daughter. She is employed at Concordia Bank and is also a member of Holy Family Catholic Church

Past royalty to be honored include:

— From 1994’s theme of the &uot;Mysterious Orient,&uot; Fred Marsalis and Margaret B. January.

King Fred Marsalis is married to Dorothy Marsalis and is the father of one son and a daughter. He is the principal of Vidalia Junior High School and is a member of Sunflower Baptist Church where he serves as a deacon.

Queen Margaret B. January is married to Andrew January and is the mother of one son and a daughter. She is the owner of January Printing and is a member of United Baptist Church where she serves as secretary.

— The year 1995’s theme was &uot;Ancient Dreams and Ancient Themes of Africa.&uot;

Representing this year will be King Edward Green and his queen, Janet Green. Edward Green is married to Janet Green and is the father of nine daughters. He is a teacher at Natchez High School and is a member of St. Mark Missionary Baptist Church.

Queen Janet Green is married to Edward Green and is the mother of three daughters. Janet is a teacher at the Natchez Middle School and is a member of St. Mark Missionary Baptist Church

— The &uot;Night of the High Rollers&uot; was the theme for 1996.

King Wilson Banford and his Queen Estelle Banford will represent the year. Wilson Banford is married to Estelle Banford and is the father of one daughter. He is employed as an assistant principal at Natchez High School and is a member of the King Solomon Baptist Church.

Queen Estelle Banford is married to Wilson Banford and is the mother of one son and a daughter. She is a retired teacher from the Jefferson County School District and is a member of King Solomon Baptist Church

— In 1997 the Krewe’s theme was &uot;Enchanted Tales.&uot; The royalty for that year was King John Bacon and Queen Sadie Bacon. John Bacon is married to Sadie Bacon and is the father of seven children. He is retired from Fidelity Tire and is a member of the King Solomon Baptist whom he serves a deacon.

Queen Sadie Bacon is married to John Bacon and is the mother of two daughters. She is employed with AJFC as a case management supervisor/licensed social worker and is a member of Mount Zion Baptist Church where she serves as secretary.

— In 1998, the Krewe’s theme was &uot;A Salute to Motown.&uot; The royalty for that were was King Billie Joe Frazier and Queen Shirley Frazier. Billie Joe Frazier is married to Shirley Frazier and is the father of two daughters. He is employed with the Natchez Police Department as lieutenant and is a member of Greater Mount Sinai Baptist Church.

Shirley Frazier is married to Billie Joe Frazier and is the mother of two daughters. She is employed with AT&T as business specialist and is a member of Richland Baptist Church.

— In 1999, the Krewe’s theme was &uot;Greek Mythology Mythical Legends.&uot; The royalty for that year was King George Smith and Queen Joyce Griffin. George Smith is married to Hattie Faye Smith and is the father of one son. He is a registered nurse supervisor at Natchez Community Hospital and is a member of Bright Star Baptist Church.

Joyce Griffin is the mother of one son. She is employed with Natchez Regional Medical Center as a registered nurse and is a member of Greater Macedonia Baptist Church.

This year’s Grand Ball will be Saturday, Feb. 12, 2000, from 8 p.m. until at Highland Health Club. The invitation-only event requires formal attire.