Today, Ash Wednesday, marks the beginning of Lent, the most solemn period of the Christian year. Ash Wednesday gets its name from the practice of placing ashes on the foreheads of the faithful as a sign of repentance. Many churches will have special Ash Wednesday services today.

But yesterday was Mardi Gras or “Fat Tuesday,” the last day for revelry before the seriousness began. St. Mary’s Episcopal Church held its traditional pancake supper.