Halloween night 2005 was bizarre even by the standards of Halloween — and the French Quarter.

Part of the old neighborhood still had the smell of mildew that was permeating the entire city two months after Katrina. The Quarter had not flooded much but there were signs of wind and rain damage.

At the Napoleon House, activity was somewhat normal, though for shortened hours. Locals were gathering, many sitting at the outside tables telling their Katrina stories to anyone who would listen.

Over a Pimm’s Cup, patrons could watch miscellaneous maskers walking by even before the bewitching darkness set in.

With the city still struggling from the post-Katrina levee break, the French Quarter was one of the few places where there was activity, though in a different way.

Refrigerators, their con

See Full Page