Beaver Queen Pageant - Meet the contestants

Quite a number of folks displaced from New Orleans by Hurricane Katrina found their way to Durham, North Carolina. So apparently, did our next contestant, Simone de Castor.

Simone de Castor was born in the great white northlands of the province of Québec, on the shores of Lac du Caribou on the border between the Réserve Faunique de Mastigouche (the Mastigouche Wildlife Sanctuary) and the Parc National de La Mauricie (La Mauricie National Park). While a young kit, she adored swimming in the lake with her siblings and parents, but she grew tired of the long, frigid winters spent cramped with her family in their lodge. Sometimes, it got so cold that the tunnel down to the lake froze completely, cutting the family off from their food. Simone resolved to move to warmer climes, once she was old enough.

And so she did. Some of Simone's Acadian ancestors were forced to move during le Grand Démenagement (the Great Upheaval) during the 7 Years War between France and Britain. They headed down to la Louisiane. Some of Simone's distant cousins still lived there and invited her down. What a delight! Wonderful swamps and bayous in a much more hospitable climate. And Mardi Gras was fabulous! After her first experience of Mardi Gras in la Nouvelle Orléans (New Orleans), Simone resolved to embrace the glam lifestyle for life and to teach others to appreciate the diversity and difference that beavers celebrated in their Mardi Gras parades.

Alas, Simone's enchantment with Louisiana was short-lived. She soon discovered that the state's nickname was the "Sportman's Paradise" which translated to "Beaver Hell." And as a glam beaver, she was even more of a target! Hunters craved her rich, purple fur. Then Hurricane Katrina hit, endangering her habitat even more than the constant threat of hunters, as salt waters rushed into the bayous, destroying the beaver way of life. Poor Simone!

Fortunately, she heard of a lovely little beaver sanctuary near Duke Park, in Durham, North Carolina. No FEMA trailers for Simone! Moreover, the local beavers sent word that she would not have to worry about hunters, as the beavers, in cooperation with local humans, triumphed over the evil Department of Transportation, who had threatened to blow up the beavers and their lodges. Finally, they also told her that the neighborhood welcomed all kinds of creatures, even glam beavers.So, Simone hitched up her tail and headed east to Carolina.

Now, alas, a new threat has arrived, something perhaps even more dreadful than hunters, hurricanes, or 40 degree below zero temperatures. Drought! Simone and her beaver friends have been working harder than ever to preserve their wetland habitat, which is also home to many other peace-loving creatures. She has agreed to enter Duke Park's Beaver Queen Pageant to help humans understand the importance of wetlands preservation. And she also hopes that her appearance will underscore once more the importance of living peaceably in one's community while also celebrating every little beaver's individual quirks, talents, and passions. Peace, love, beaver!