special to The democrat

Mystic Krewe of Alpheus recently announced its royal court for the 2007 Mardi Gras season.

The theme for the upcoming season is &8220;Great Rivalries.&8221; Characters include Batman vs. Catwoman, Chinese Red Banner Fleet Admiral vs. British Navy, Saints vs. Falcons, Snoopy vs. Red Baron, and Hatfields and McCoys.

The krewe participates in both he Vidalia and Natchez Christmas parades. As is traditional, King Alpheus XVI and Queen Arethusa XVI will remain mystic until Twelfth Night, which will be celebrated Jan. 6, 2007.

The Mystic Krewe of Alpheus parade will be Feb. 9, and the grand ball will be Feb. 10.

Following are the dukes and duchesses for the 2007 season.

Duke Samuel L. Floyd

Sam has been a resident of the Miss-Lou for the past 25 years. He is the son of Samuel C. and Evon Floyd. Sam is married to Amanda K. Floyd and has two children Clay, 18, and Beth, 15.

Sam is the senior human resources sergeant for the Mississippi Army National Guard. He serves as the head referee in the Athletic Youth Association. Sam is also a veteran of Operation Iraqi Freedom 2005. He is a Mississippi Private School Association District 8 football and basketball official. He is a member of the Mystic Krewe of Alpheus. Sam&8217;s hobbies and interests include officiating youth and high school sports. His favorite things to do are spending time with his family and hanging out with friends, especially at New Orleans Saint&8217;s Games.

Duchess Sharon Lynn Bell Goodrich

Sharon has been a resident of Natchez for the past 10 years. Sharon was born and raised in California. She is married to John Philip Goodrich Sr. and they are the parents of Laura Jennette Webster Jones, John Philips Goodrich Jr., Mary Kristina Goodrich Cheney and Donald Stuart Webster. She has five grandchildren, four of whom live on Fort Wainwright, Alaska, and one in California. She is the daughter of Beryl Gatlin Bell and Robert Forrest Bell. Sharon is the co-owner of Lunch on the Southside and is retired from Federal Civil Service/Department of Veterans Affairs as a national cemetery director. Sharon is a member of First Presbyterian Church of Natchez. She is active in veteran and veterans&8217; family advocacy; she is a volunteer for the Adams County American Red Cross. Sharon is the president of the Ladies Auxiliary to Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 9573, a member of the Great Mississippi River Balloon Race Committee, a member of Krewe of Phoenix, and a two-year board member of the Krewe of Alpheus. Sharon enjoys reading fiction and historical non-fiction books, genealogy, traveling, meeting new and interesting people, giving parties and spending time with her two Maltese dogs and cat, Tigger. Sharon likes to spend time doing almost anything with John, her best friend and playmate.

Duke David Carl Baity

David is a four-month resident of Natchez, he recently moved to Natchez from the metropolitan Atlanta area. David is married to Sharon Leigh Alexander Baity and they have two children, Jennifer Robyn Baer and Adam Elory Baity. David is the son of Barbara Jean Wilkinson Baity and the late Davis Claughton Baity. He works as a contract petroleum landman.

David is an ordained deacon at Faith Baptist Church in Georgia. He is a volunteer for the Red Cross, he is certified as a reserve deputy sheriff for Adams County. Most recently he served as the chapter president to the full gospel businessmen&8217;s fellowship in Georgia.

David is a member of the Mystic Krewe of Alpheus. His interests and hobbies include golfing, hunting, fishing, camping, computers, softball and basketball. David&8217;s favorite things to do are to spend time in the mountains anytime of year but especially in the fall when the leaves have turned allowing him to gain a sense of release from the everyday cares and reconnection to the greater world we live in.

Duchess Dorothy Renee Perkins

Dorothy is a 12-year resident of Lake St. John. She is originally from Waterproof. Dorothy is the daughter of Martha &8220;Sweetie&8221; Seaman Perkins and the late Lloyd Perkins. She is a registered nurse employed by the Cardiology Associates of Natchez. She is a member of St. Patrick&8217;s Catholic Church in Ferriday. Dorothy is the recording secretary for the Mystic Krewe of Alpheus, a board member of St. Joseph Orchestra and a member of the Drama Queens. She enjoys traveling, cooking, shopping, finding the ultimate white wine and refinishing furniture. Her favorite thing to do is spend time in the swing at the end of her pier just relaxing.

Duchess Dottie Novak: Dottie is a 12-year resident of Natchez and her hometown is Woodville. She is married to Ronny Novak and has three stepchildren, Nikki Novak Barry, Casey Novak and Ron Novak. She is the daughter of Linda Butler of Norman, Okla., and the late R.E. Butler of Woodville. Dottie is the cold drink account manager at Natchez Coca Cola.

She is a member of Assumption Catholic Church. Dottie is a member of the Mystic Krewe of Alpheus, a chairwoman on the annual St. Jude Golf Tournament, on the board of directors for the Natchez Little Theatre and also helps to place animals before going to the Natchez Humane Society. Her hobbies and favorite things to do include golfing, painting, photography, gardening, and cooking.

Duchess Anne Barton Stowers: Anne is married to Gene A. Radzewicz and together they have four children, Stowers and Louisa Mohon and Taylor and Cole Radzewicz. She is the daughter of Mina Graning Stowers and the late Luther A. Stowers. Anne is a native of Natchez and a graduate of Trinity High School and the University of Southern Mississippi. She is the president of the Natchez Downtown Development Association Board of Directors and a member of the Mystic Krewe of Alpheus and the Pilgrimage Garden Club. She is the special events and promotions coordinator at the Isle of Capri Casino, Natchez.

She enjoys gardening, reading, and watching football.

Duke Toby Williams: Toby was born and raised in Longview, Texas. After graduation he moved to Little Rock, Ark., where he attended the University of Arkansas in Little Rock. Later he owned and operated a home furnishings store for six years. Toby is now a three-year resident of Natchez. He is the son of Lucretia Williams.

Toby works as a cosmetologist at Pamper me Please. He is a member of the Mystic Krewe of Alpheus. Toby enjoys traveling, working out, and collecting antiques. In his spare time he likes hanging out with friends, and participating in outdoor activities such as hiking, skiing and all water sports.

Duke W. Bryan Dantone: Bryan is a three-year resident of Natchez. He is originally from Hammond, La., but has lived in Houston and New Orleans. Bryan is married to Liz Dantone. He is the son of the late Dr. Joseph D. and Regina Brelsford Dantone. Bryan works as a real estate redeveloper.

He is a member of the Christ Church Cathedral in Houston. Bryan has served on the board of directors for the Sunshine Children&8217;s Center since 2004, he is currently the secretary treasurer for 2006-2007. He is a member of the Natchez French Club. Bryan&8217;s hobbies include traveling, reading, political science, genealogy, history, and biographies. Bryan&8217;s favorite things to do are baking breads and pastries and reading for the escape and for history. If Europe is an amusement park, the best ride is THE AUTOBAHN. Two quotes Bryan would like to share are:

&8220;The only thing new under the sun is the history you don&8217;t know.&8221; Harry S. Truman. And, &8220;The second mouse always gets the cheese.&8221; Anonymous