Nell Nolan: Hermann-Grima Wine Fete, Jefferson ChamberBlack & Gold, Mt. Carmel Spring Fling, Jewish Endowment Foundationw | Parties/Society Leave a comment
Gallivanting!
A Gathering for the Grape
Billed “Wine Fete,” the springtime garden party of the Hermann-Grima + Gallier Historic Houses rallied supporters to the French Quarter on a recent Saturday evening. The event benefitting the education programming of HGGHH took place at the St. Louis Street location of the Hermann-Grima House, where guests imbibed the pleasures of a lovely spring evening while they sipped and socialized. The courtyard was in bloom with flowering orange blossoms, roses and even some camellias. Kristie McGrew of Standard Topiary donated the centerpieces of paperwhites, trailing ivy and lavender, and was duly thanked.
Among the libations were Champagne, select bourbons, wines and a specialty rum cocktail and rosewater mocktail. Pigeon Catering and Events fed the flock, whose ranks were led by WF chairs Andrea Mahfouz and Kristin Moore with husbands Brian and Mark; event vice chairs Elizabeth Bush with Peyton, Katie Key with Brandon and Shameen Wrighton with Bush; respective president and vice president of The Woman’s’ Exchange Board of Managers Katherine Raymond and Lori Paige with Beau and John; and HGGHH executive director Tessa Jagger. Additional board officers are Sarah Meckstroth, Mary Schmidt, Angel Adams Parham and Ginny Wirth.
Always a lure, the auction beckoned this year with 82 items, including 31 bottles of choice wine. The top items were a five-night stay in Watercolor, Florida, and a white gold and diamond necklace with, as respective donors, Stacy Head and Wellington & Company Fine Jewelers.
Shannon Brice, Shon Cowan Baker, Sarah and George Young, Dani and Mike Batten, Bethany Vincent and Rick Buchsbaum, and dozens more joined in the Fete fun and the music of Jenn Howard Band. “Sitting on the Dock of the Bay” was a favorite tune.
Black & Gold Gala
The venue, the Ochsner Sports Performance Center, home of the New Orleans Saints Practice Facility, dictated the chromatics: black and gold. Fittingly, the gala given by the Jefferson Chamber bears the name. As a fundraiser, the Black & Gold Gala supports the chamber’s business growth, provides resources and enhances partnerships. To decorate, the organizers used the appropriate colors, along with large spherical lanterns for lambency. These aspects were eyed as guests enjoyed beverages sponsored by Coca-Cola, Southern Eagle and Poured Bayeux, and food provided by Pigeon Caterers, Inc.
The silent auction and its 80 items beckoned the bucks, especially for the LSU-themed George Rodrigue’s Blue Dog, a private crawfish boil from Mr. Mudbug, and the “Follow Your Saints” travel package. Former Jefferson Chamber President Todd Murphy was among the auction’s major bidders.
Mingling, as well, were Beth Walker from Ochsner Health, the presenting sponsor; Jefferson Chamber of Commerce President Ruth Lawson; Jefferson Parish Council member Scott Walker with spouse Jennifer; respective Kenner and Gretna police chiefs Mike Glaser and Arthur Lawson; JEDCO President Jerry Bologna and Sherrie; and Gretna Mayor Melinda Constant. More on the turf were Gretna Council member Michael Hinyub, Ricky Templet of the Jefferson Parish Council, and, from event sponsors Tom Yura (Cornerstone) and Amy Collins (Gambel Communications). Duly mixing up the merriment were B&G’s entertainers, The Mixed Nuts.
A Fling in Spring
Christie DesOrmeaux and Arela Barre Keller, along with Karen Bradford and Denise Crespo, were the top names to know when Mount Carmel Academy held its Spring Fling in the Audubon Tea Room. The first twosome chaired the event and the second, the auction. Arela, Karen and Denise are all alumnae, as were a number of members of the gala’s 18-member committee, whose alphabetical run was from Shaune Breaud to Kelly Uddo. Further mastheaders were school president Sister Camille Anne Campbell, O. Carm., principal Beth Ann Simno, and two more alums in special events coordinator Lauren Pellegrini and auctioneer Brooke Laizer. Jorinda Junius emceed.
With a nod to the Ragdoll Class of 2022, the gala’s chromatics were light blue — the senior color — and gold, which were also used in the beautiful centerpieces by IRIS floral + event design. In keeping with the Tea Room location right next to the entrance of the Audubon Zoo, golden animals added a whimsical touch to the tables. Pigeon Caterers served the patron party, while the main event featured 16 generous restaurants.
Ryan Naquin teamed with the above Brooke Laizer to get the going “gone” for five desirable items, including a beachfront condo stay in Pensacola, Florida, donated by Arela Keller and purchased by Kevin and Sabrina Lord. Raffle winners were Michelle Cao, Roy Taylor and Mount Carmel teacher Kristen Schaeffer. More excitement occurred at the silent auction boards with its enticements, including a ride for two in the 2023 Krewe of Tucks parade, which was donated by Lloyd Frischhertz and bought by Brad Daigle.
Making “Fling” even more festive were Dr. Amy Himel, Bob and Judy Quinity, Robert and Leida Caluda, Charles and Diane Zatarain, Drs. Leni and Christi Sumich, Bill Deris, Patrick and Elizabeth Scariano, David and Lauren Kenney, Dr. Daniel and Andrea Kurica, Ricky Loupe and Blair Loupe, Joe and Melanie Stephens, and Shawn and Mignon Kohnke. Performing on the stage behind illuminated “MCA” letters, the high-energy Sugar Shaker group rallied the Carmel crowd to dance nonstop.
‘Good Times’
Three awards for four people and the beckoning of togetherness drew scores to the Jerome S. Glazer Audubon Tea Room (the location’s full name) for the 2022 annual event of the Jewish Foundation of Louisiana. It was titled “Celebrate Good Times, C’Mon” and featured depictions of three vinyl records on the blue-backed invitation cover. Reaping a host of congratulations were Joyce and Sidney Pulitzer, recipients of the Tzedakah Award; Charles A. “Rusty” Levy III, the Young Family Award for Professional Excellence; and Caitrin “Cait” Gladow, Helen A. Mervis Jewish Community Professional Award. A half-hour reception for patrons preceded the kosher-style dinner of Caesar salad, seared fresh Gulf drum amandine and white chocolate mousse.
The JEF officers are president Morton H. Katz, Alan Franco, Robert B. Brickman, Mark S. Stein, Jill Israel, Dana Shepard, and Dr. Edward L. Soll. Jessica Bach is the first name listed for the 25-persons board of directors, and Gary Zoller the last. Composing the staff are executive director R. Justin “Bobby” Garon, Debbie Berins, Doris M. Gauthier, Aleshia Goodlow, Miriam Teller, and Nora Wyatt. Lawrence M. Lehmann is JEF’s immediate past president.
Savoring the Sunday evening socializing were Ellie and Bruce Wainer, Vivian and Richard Cahn, Pamela and Rob Steeg, Cathy and Dr. Charles Glaser, Dana and Louis Shepard, Caroline and Robert Brickman, Amy Gainsburgh-Haspel and John Haspel, Carole and Richard Neff, Ana and Dr. Juan Gershanik, Judge Robin Giarrusso, Rickie and Dr. Gordon Nutik, Dashka Roth and Lawrence Lehmann and dozens more who queued up to congratulate the awardees.
