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Colleen Monaghan Vice President of Sales 830-7215 Colleen@myneworleans.com
STCHARLESAVENUE.COM 1
CO N T E N T S
Features
On the Cover
Photographed by Jeffery Johnston Audubon Nature Institute President and CEO Ron Forman, “2019 Hancock Whitney Zoo-To-Do” Chair Carmen L. Duncan, “2019 Zoo-To-Do for Kids presented by Children’s Hospital” Chair Allison B. Tiller, Hancock Whitney Senior Regional President Gary L. Lorio and President and CEO of Children’s Hospital New Orleans and LCMC Health Maternal and Child Health Services John R. Nickens IV.
Whether you’re looking for outfit inspiration or a whole new wardrobe for spring, look no further than our feature, starting on pg. 42.
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Bright, Bold & Beautiful This season’s fashion breaks the rules and takes styles to the next level BY TRACEE DUNDAS PHOTOGRAPHED BY THERESA CASSAGNE
48
Magazine Street An all-ages, all-world experience BY KELCY WILBURN PHOTOGRAPHED BY CHERYL GERBER
2 ST. CHARLES AVENUE APRIL 2019
Taking place on back-to-back Fridays, “2019 Zoo-To-Do for Kids presented by Children’s Hospital” and “2019 Hancock Whitney Zoo-To-Do” are Audubon Zoo’s premiere fundraising events. In its 31st year, the “Zoo-To-Do for Kids” on Friday, April 26, is a family-style festival featuring live musical entertainment, interactive games, arts and crafts, a Toddler Area, a Junior Area and giant inflatables. In its 42nd year, the “ Zoo-To-Do” is a black-tie gala held on the zoo grounds featuring food from more than 70 local restaurants and 40 specialty and full service cocktail bars along with live entertainment, a silent auction and a luxury vehicle raffle. Donations to the 2019 events will celebrate Audubon’s conservation efforts for giraffes, a signature species of Audubon Zoo and the Alliance for Sustainable Wildlife (ASW), Audubon’s conservation breeding partnership with San Diego Zoo Global. In the coming years, Audubon Zoo’s exhibit will be updated with new ways to experience the giraffes up close as the African Savanna area becomes Celebrate Africa, a transformation that was kicked off by the construction of a new lion exhibit set to open this year. To learn more about these events and to purchase tickets, call 861-5107 or visit AudubonNatureInstitute. org/ztdk and AudubonNatureInstitute.org/ztd. Special thanks to Development Officer Alexis Nicaud Foy for her invaluable assistance.
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CO N T E N T S
In Every Issue
20 8 & 10 EDITORS’ NOTES
12 MAKING A DIFFERENCE
Community Visions Unlimited: Rebuilding neighborhoods through art, housing and empowerment
14 KIDS PLAY
Kids in the Kitchen: The Southern Food & Beverage Museum teaches an important life skill
16 WHAT’S HOT
Spring Fashion Accessories
18 ON THE MENU
Savoring Spring: Executive Chef Slade Rushing shares Brennan’s Egg Yolk Carpaccio with Sautéed Shrimp and Andouille Vinaigrette
20 THE DISH
Springing into the Season: Beauty and frivolity at The Country Club
4 ST. CHARLES AVENUE APRIL 2019
24
PHILANTHROPIC FUN Local Legacies The Louisiana Museum Foundation transported patrons back centuries to honor the AlmonesterPontalba ancestral family. 22 YAYA Celebrates 30 In honor of its anniversary, “Just Say YAYA” honored all of the artists who have been part of its programs. 24 Hispanic Heritage The 2018 “Azúcar Ball” honored the Brennans with the NOHHF prestigious Gálvez Cup. 26 Caring Into Action Steve Gleason and Warner Thomas were presented the A.I. Botnick Torch of Liberty Award by the AntiDefamation League. 28 Architectural Aesthetics The PRC began its “Holiday Home Tour” season with a Patron Party benefit. 30
An Extraordinary Life Touro Synagogue recognized Past President Joyce Pulitzer with the L’Chayim Award. 32
59 52 VINTAGE WEDDING
Patricia Ann Coco Weds William Conner Ellis Jr.: June 6, 1963
54 WITH THIS RING
Juneau – Willis
Dancing With the Activists A lineup of philanthropists and star dancers paired up for Young Audiences of Louisiana. 34
56
Dueling Duets MASNO presented an Emmy-nominated piano duo for exciting musical entertainment at “NOCTURNE XVI.” 36
STUDENT ACTIVIST
Express to the Cure Ladies Leukemia League hosted a magical fashion show and winter holiday luncheon. 38
59
Cemetery Saints The only nonprofit advocating for the preservation of New Orleans’ iconic cemeteries presented its annual soirée. 40
62 ONSTAGE CALENDAR
YOUNG BLOODS
Valeria Emmett: Farm Educator, Sugar Roots Farm
57 Rosemary Louise Odem: Louise S. McGehee School
58 SHOP TALK
Jeanne Emory: Owner, Bra Genie SHOP TALK
Eleanor Farnsworth: Gardner Realtor
60 SNAPSHOTS
72 NOSTALGIA Magnolia Bridge: A bridge by any other name …
STCHARLESAVENUE.COM 5
6 ST. CHARLES AVENUE APRIL 2019
APRIL 2019 VOL. 23 ISSUE 11 Editorial
EXECUTIVE EDITOR Bev Church EDITOR Morgan Packard Griffith ART DIRECTOR Ali Sullivan CONTRIBUTING EDITOR Mirella Cameran SOCIETY COLUMNIST Catherine Freeman FOOD & DINING COLUMNIST Jyl Benson WEB EDITOR Kelly Massicot EVENT PHOTO COORDINATOR Jeff Strout
Advertising
VICE PRESIDENT OF SALES Colleen Monaghan (504) 830-7241, Colleen@MyNewOrleans.com SALES MANAGER Lisa Picone Love
(504) 830-7248, Lisa@MyNewOrleans.com SENIOR ACCOUNT EXECUTIVE Samantha Shiff (504) 830-7226, Samantha@MyNewOrleans.com ACCOUNT EXECUTIVE Becca Farnell (504) 830-7219, Becca@MyNewOrleans.com
Marketing
EVENT COORDINATOR Abbie Dugruise DIGITAL MEDIA ASSOCIATE Mallary Matherne
For event information call (504) 830-7264
Production
PRODUCTION MANAGER Emily Andras PRODUCTION DESIGNERS
Rosa Balaguer, Meghan Rooney
TRAFFIC COORDINATOR Lane Brocato
Administration
CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER Todd Matherne PRESIDENT Alan Campell EXECUTIVE VICE PRESIDENT/EDITOR-IN-CHIEF
Errol Laborde
VICE PRESIDENT OF SALES Colleen Monaghan OFFICE MANAGER Mallary Matherne DISTRIBUTION MANAGER John Holzer SUBSCRIPTION MANAGER Brittanie Bryant
For subscriptions call (504) 830-7231
A Publication of Renaissance Publishing, LLC 110 Veterans Memorial Blvd., Ste. 123 Metairie, LA 70005 (504) 828-1380 The entire contents of this magazine are copyrighted by Renaissance Publishing, LLC, © 2019 with all rights reserved. Reproduction or use, without permission, of editorial or graphic content in any manner is prohibited. St. Charles Avenue is not responsible for photos or artwork and assumes that all releases have been cleared upon submission to the magazine. St. Charles Avenue is published monthly by Renaissance Publishing, LLC, 110 Veterans Blvd., Ste. 123, Metairie, La. 70005, (504) 828-1380. Subscription rate: one year $17.95, two year $31, three year $43 — foreign rates vary call for pricing. It is the policy of this magazine to employ people on the basis of their qualifications and with assurance of equal opportunity and treatment regardless of race, color, creed, sex, age, sexual orientation, religion, national origin or handicap.
STCHARLESAVENUE.COM 7
B E V ' S N OT E
Everyone loves the giraffes at the Audubon Zoo and this year’s Chair Carmen Duncan and her committee are raising money for Audubon’s conservation efforts for the giraffes! This is the 42nd year for the “Hancock Whitney Zoo-To-Do” and we are so proud to present Ron Forman, Audubon Nature Institute President and CEO; Carmen L. Duncan, Zoo-To-Do Chairman,; Allison B. Tiller, Chair of “2019 Zoo-To-Do for Kids presented by Children’s Hospital;” Gary L. Lorio, Hancock Whitney Senior Regional President; and John R. Nickens IV, President and CEO of Children’s Hospital and LCMC Health Maternal and Child Health Services on our cover this month! Save May 3 for the big night, which will feature the most exciting lineup of music, over 40 of the finest restaurants in town, specialty cocktails and drinks and a fabulous auction of items you will only get at the “Hancock Whitney Zoo-To-Do!” Put on your chic cocktail dress and black tie and be sure to get your tickets now by calling 861-5107 or visiting AudubonNatureInstitute.org/ztd. I got to chair the “Zoo-To-Do” in 1999 and we’ve come a long way since then! People from all over the country come to
see how New Orleans has created this black tie gala with thousands of business and civic leaders from all over the Gulf South mingling on the grounds of the Audubon Zoo! Since 1972, when Kitty Duncan, Carmen Duncan’s mother-in-law, chaired this event, they’ve raised over $40 million! Donations this year will celebrate conservation efforts for giraffes. The New Orleans Opera has exciting events going on, and two remaining productions this season. The Blind will be April 4-7, and offers a unique immersive production by modern composer Lera Auerbach. April 26-27 offers a classical presentation of Verdi’s Rigoletto! Visit NewOrleansOpera.org for tickets and information. The “Heels for Hope Fashion Show and Auction” presented by the Women’s Auxiliary of the Greater New Orleans Salvation Army will be April 10 at 11 a.m. at the Audubon Tea Room. The event is sponsored by Demo Diva, Lynn Burka, Hard Rock Construction, In and Out Urgent Care, Diagnostic Imaging Services and Harvest Lab. Funds raised will help raise awareness for the Center of Hope Emergency Shelter. Call 373-8635 for tickets and information. Chairmen Riley Kennedy and Ayesha Motwani can’t wait for you to celebrate “The Revival Gala: Preservation Resource Center’s 42nd annual Julia Jump” on April 5 at the Sanlin Building (426 Canal St.) to celebrate the rebirth of historic Canal Street with an exclusive look at the iconic Sanlin Building’s renovations. Enjoy an open bar, dancing, local cuisine and fabulous auction. For more
information and to purchase your ticket today, call 581-7032 or visit PRCNO.org. We all love shopping on Magazine Street because of the huge variety of stores and what they offer. Our feature will give you a glimpse into why it’s “an all-ages, all-world experience.” Now that you’re going to the “Hancock Whitney Zoo-To-Do,” check out the latest spring fashions in our special feature and check out What’s Hot with the latest in spring fashion accessories to find your new look. Do not forget “IberiaBank’s Heart of the Park Hat Luncheon” on April 11 at the Arbor Room. Cathy Cary, Tina Kern and Margo Dubos are chairing this event this year that will benefit the iconic oak trees and projects of the New Orleans Town Gardeners like Grow Dat Youth Farm and the Edible Schoolyards at First Line Schools, Latter Library and more. The auction includes art from Ashley Longshore, Hunt Slonem, Alex Harvie and more. I woudl like to encourage you to please vote on May 4 for the renewal of a $6.31 million tax that will go to help support Audubon, NORD, Parks & Parkways and City Park – this is not an increase in taxes. It’s time to get ready for the end of school, vacations and summer camp!
Beverly Reese Church
Join Chairs Reagan Charleston, Pam Bryan, Beverly Matheney and Terrance Osborne at “Response – Artists in the Park” will be April 4-7 at the Pavilion of Two Sisters and Botanical Garden in City Park! They promise a night filled with music, artful hors d’oeuvres by Dickie Brennan and an exhibition of artists work for sale representing abstract paintings, photography, sculpture and more. The funds will go to build an outdoor kitchen garden, so visit ResponseArtistsInThePark.com to buy your tickets today!
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STCHARLESAVENUE.COM 9
M O R G A N ' S N OT E
April I love spring, though my allergies don’t, because of the blooming of everything. As we recover from Mardi Gras and look to the end of Lent and to Easter, everything feels fresh and new and, when I’m not sneezing, smells glorious. My husband, our son and I walk our neighborhood every morning we can, and seeing all the colors and smelling all the flowers never fails to bring a smile to my face. We are lucky to live just off Magazine Street, and now that our son is walking and the weather is warming up, we toddle slowly along learning about the new stores, restaurants and offices as they pop up, while revisiting old friends (Hi, Coquette!). Our annual feature on Magazine Street offers similar new insights on the wide variety of experiences on this one street stretching over six miles. With this changing of seasons comes the opportunity to get outside more often and attend the great myriad of nonprofit fundraisers on offer. Whether you want to add some color to a favorite outfit or for a whole new look, see our spring fashion feature and our What’s Hot for Spring Fashion Accessories. And if you’re at Lakeside Mall and are looking for something that feels as good as it looks, one of my favorite stores, Soft Surroundings, opened mid-March! My birthday has just passed and though I’m just a year older, I feel like time is passing much too quickly. Watching my son grow makes me aware of each passing second. (It is so fast! Everyone says that their babies grew to toddlers too quickly, but I had no idea how true that would be.) And I want to be around for as many of his seconds as possible. So, in addition to wearing more sunscreen, my husband and I are cleaning out our house one room at a time to give what we no longer need to others who do. And we’re working out more and eating fresher, less caloric foods. Being able to chart my progress helps me (and shows me when I splurge too much), and being able to do so with my husband is good for both of us. We are enjoying the app MyFitnessPal, but if you’re looking to do the same thing, find a way that’s right for you – whether that’s this app, another or writing it down longhand – and go all in. Enjoy this weather while it lasts because summer is coming, and soon we’ll be running for pools and sprinklers!
Morgan Packard Griffith
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3 “Champion Awards Reception,” benefiting Families Helping Families NOLA, 232-0890, FHFNola.org
9 10th annual “Friendraising Luncheon,” benefiting Kingsley House, 523-6221, extension 196
4-7 “RESPONSE – Artists in the Park,” benefiting The New Orleans Botanical Garden Foundation, ResponseArtistsInThePark.com
11 Second annual “Heart of the Park Hat Luncheon,” benefiting New Orleans Town Gardners and Friends of City Park, 482-4888
4 10th annual “An Edible Evening,” benefiting Edible Schoolyard New Orleans, 421-1060
12 “WYES Passport to the World,” benefiting WYES, WYES.org
4 “Man & Woman of the Year 2019 Kick-Off,” benefiting Leukemia & Lymphoma Society, 758-3210 5 “The Revival Gala: PRC’s 42nd annual Julia Jump,” benefiting Preservation Resource Center, 581-7032, PRCNO.org 6-7 “2019 Porsche of New Orleans Leukemia Cup Regatta,” benefiting Leukemia & Lymphoma Society, 785-3208 6 “APAS: Asian Pacific American Society Festival,” benefiting Audubon Nature Institute, 581-4629, AudubonNatureInstitute.org 6 “Studio 504: Disco for Dance,” benefiting Upturn Arts, 390-8399, UpturnArts.org/Studio504 6 “Cochon Cotillion XXII,” benefiting Bridge House / Grace House, 821-7134 6 “Gryphon Gala,” benefiting Lutheran High School, 628-7819 7 “ACCESS Jazz Brunch,” benefiting ACCESS, 885-1141, CCANO.org/brunch. 9 47th annual “Prix d’Elegance Luncheon & Fashion Show,” benefiting Men and Women of Fashion, 522-0996, extension 208
13 “Never Underestimate the Power of a Woman!”, benefiting National Council of Jewish Women, Greater New Orleans Section, 861-7788 13 “NOMA Egg Hunt and Family Festival 2019,” benefiting New Orleans Museum of Art, 658-4106 17 “Son of a Saint International Benefit Dinner,” benefiting Son of A Saint, 561-7508 19 “Grow Dat Hootenanny,” benefiting Grow Dat Youth Farm, 300-1132 20 “Tails but no Black Tie,” benefiting Equest Farm in New Orleans City Park, 483-9398 23 “Harry Thompson Center Gala – Harry Says Aloha!”, 273- 5547, extension 1 23 Fifth annual “There’s No Place Like Home,” benefiting New Orleans Women & Children’s Shelter, 899-4589 26 31st annual “Zoo-To-Do For Kids presented by Children’s Hospital,” benefiting Audubon Nature Institute, 861-5107, AudubonNatureInstitute.org
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MAKING A DIFFERENCE
Community Visions Unlimited Rebuilding neighborhoods through art, housing and empowerment By Catherine Freeman
If you do any driving in New Orleans, I guarantee you’ve noticed the growing number of painted signal boxes. At the corner of Jefferson Avenue and Freret Street it’s Fats Domino. At Poydras Street by the Superdome you’ll find the Saints Whistlemonster. On Gentilly Boulevard and Paris Avenue there’s a tree of Louisiana wildlife. Veterans and Edenborn avenues depicts pigs wearing Mardi Gras costumes. You can find them on the East Bank, West Bank, Uptown, Downtown, Gentilly, Kenner, Metairie and St. Bernard Parish. Like me, have you been wondering who is making our lives a little more beautiful at intersections around town? It is Community Visions Unlimited (CVUNOLA), launched in 1994 as a nonprofit dedicated to revitalizing New Orleans neighborhoods through beautification, housing and empowerment. Founded to be a resource for citizens to encourage homeownership, promote business development, sponsor community beautification and encourage community projects, their initial focus was transforming blighted neighborhoods. Early work in Faubourg St. John addressed the more than 100 vacant, blighted buildings; through CVUNOLA’s efforts, more than 15 properties were restored. In three years over 78 projects were completed, a police detail implemented and three community gardens installed. Momentum was gaining in their community work, and then Hurricane Katrina arrived on the Gulf Coast. After living away, CVUNOLA Founder and native New Orleanian Jeannie Tidy
12 ST. CHARLES AVENUE APRIL 2019
moved back to New Orleans in 2006 to join the rebuilding efforts. Those early post-Katrina days working in Lakeview planting trees and making temporary street signs reminded her of an electrical box beautification project in California she’d encountered, and she decided New Orleans would be the perfect place to replicate the program. In 2010, CVUNOLA painted their first box at the corner of Harrison Avenue and Canal Boulevard. The project took off, now boasting 203 painted electrical boxes, three telephone boxes and one outdoor piano completed, with a goal to paint all 400 boxes in Orleans Parish over the next few years. An unexpected but welcome outcome is that art enhanced boxes rarely receive graffiti and have even helped prevent littering in the surrounding areas! How does it work? Interested neighborhoods contact CVUNOLA’s volunteer board, which has access to 80 local artists capable of creating specialized themes for each box through collaboration with neighborhood representatives and CVUNOLA’s art committee. They manage the artists, furnish a weather resistant paint kit and honorarium through the implementation and then provide continued maintenance of each project. Funding is dependent on individual contributions, grants and an annual fundraiser. With growing demand, CVUNOLA is grateful for any financial or volunteer support to further their mission, and is set up to receive donations through CVUNOLA.org.
Aimed at creating beauty and economic development through works of art, CVUNOLA links the rich art heritage that thrives in our New Orleans neighborhoods to instill pride, support local artists and revitalize our community – one painted signal box at a time. n
What’s being said about CVUNOLA: “I would like to thank you for your great work throughout the city to beautify the electrical box eyesores and to help spread love and community through art. We appreciated working with you and your team to notify local artists and identify artwork that most appropriately expresses our neighborhood.” – Englewood Park Neighborhood Association “We contacted CVU and within the month a prominent signal box in our area was transformed from eyesore to art. The signal box at Apricot Street and Carrollton Avenue, before painted by CVU, was a magnet for miscellaneous fliers, graffiti and vandalism. It is now an attractive asset for the community and a source of pride for the neighborhood.” – Northwest Carrollton Association
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K I DS P L AY
Kids in the Kitchen The Southern Food & Beverage Museum teaches an important life skill By Brittany Kennedy
Living in one of the most famous food cities in the world, we all strive to expose our kids to the tastes that make us famous – even if all they really want to eat is standard kid fare like hot dogs, burgers and fries. The Southern Food & Beverage Museum has a dynamic program that aims to get kids out of their food ruts by putting them in the kitchen. SoFab’s Kids in the Kitchen series is a twice monthly event (one on Saturday and one on Sunday) where kids come together to cook a different dish, get to know each other and gain some basic culinary skills. The program was the brain child of Jennie Merril, the museum’s Director of Education, who joined SoFab in 2014 to direct their summer camp, but quickly transitioned to growing their children’s programs throughout the year. “I think this is a great opportunity for kids in this age group, and also really great for kids that have an interest in cooking,” says Merril. The classes are aimed at kids between the ages of 7 and 11 with a maximum of about 20 kids per class. As SoFab is the largest museum within the National Food & Beverage Foundation, they’re looking to bring this idea to other museums in the foundation, and they’ve created a few “Masterclass” events for 11 to 13-year-olds. As Merrill notes, there isn’t a huge amount of programming for the city’s “tween” population, and this program is a great opportunity to gain a life skill that will carry into adulthood. 14 ST. CHARLES AVENUE APRIL 2019
One of the more successful “Kids in the Kitchen” has been a Southern Cupcake event. While desserts are often kids’ favorite things to make, Merrill also tries to push them a little bit by bringing in more exotic dishes and ingredients like she did in March, when she had them make sushi and crab rangoon. April’s f irst event is all about grilling steak (and vegetables), and Merrill says kids’ favorite things to do in the kitchen – besides bake – are grilling and frying, which can be done by kids as young as 7 safely and effectively with a little bit of preparation and careful instruction. While the events are carefully planned, Merrill also tries to give them as much agency and independence as she can. She often asks students at the end of each event what types of things they want to cook at future ones. She also encourages parents to not stick around for the events – mostly because space doesn’t permit, but also because it gives the kids a sense of great pride to make something on their own and have a product at the end to show for it (and to show to Mom and Dad). The second event in April is making personal pizzas, and kids can choose classic and well as more exotic
ingredients, which they’re more likely to do when they’re making smaller pies. Although there are no “Kids in the Kitchen” during the summer because of SoFab’s summer camp, Merrill is clear that they’re excited to grow the program and have learned so much in the time that they have been doing them. “This type of program isn’t as prevalent for something that’s a cornerstone of our cultural foundation,” she says. There is no doubt, however, that SoFab’s efforts to preserve and document food culture is also taking an important – and tasty – step in outreach and education. n
Just the Facts ... Kids in the Kitchen April Events: Grilling Steak! (and veggies) Sunday, April 7 9:30-11 a.m. Personal Pizzas Saturday, April 13 10-11:30 a.m. Location: Southern Food & Beverage Museum 1504 Oretha Castle Haley Blvd. Tickets: $20 ($15 for SoFab members); can be purchased online More Information: NatFab.org/kids-in-the-kitchen
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W H AT ' S H OT
Spring Fashion Accessories By Amy Gabriel
April in the Crescent City invites you to saunter, stroll and skip from one fun fest to the next. Whether you’re shaking a tail feather at Wednesday at the Square, flitting from stage to stage at French Quarter Fest or getting your fill of wine at NOWFE, you’ll want a few fun accessories that show off your sense of spirit.
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1. Keep the sun’s rays at bay with a cotton and linen Tropical Kiss flat cap. Available at Goorin Bros., 709 Royal St., 523-4287, Goorin.com 2. What could be more stylish than sipping rosé while wearing a pair of rose frames from SALT? Available at The Optical Shoppe, 800 Metairie Road, 301-1726, OpticalShoppeBR.com 3. Slip on a European-style woven slide with your favorite linen pants to take in the sights and scents at the Spring Garden Show. Available at Feet First, 4122 Magazine St., 899-6800, FeetFirstStores.com
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5. A derby lace-up with divine floral detail will be the talk of the town. Available at John Fluevog Shoes, 321 Chartres St., 523-7296, Fluevog.com 6. A lovely printed headwrap adds bohemian charm to your locks. Available at Sorella’s, 200 Metairie Road, 265-0011
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SELECT PHOTOS BY CHERYL GERBER
4. Adding extra flair to a python belt is a cinch with a double buckle and pop of color. Available at Wildflower, 2700 Metairie Road, 218-8996
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7. Turn heads in a pair of feminine and flirty Layne gold statement earrings in ivory mother-of-pearl. Available at Kendra Scott, 5757 Magazine St., 613-4227, KendraScott.com 8. A 24 karat gold-plated Julie Vos honeycomb cuff is as sweet as honey. Available at Ballin’s LTD, 721 Dante St., 866-4367; 2917 Magazine St., 891-4502, BallinsLTD.com
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9. Keep your sweet little one’s outfit fresh and clean with a Southern Magnolia bib/burp cloth. Available at RELISH, 600 Metairie Road, 309-3336, RelishNewOrleans.com 10. The chic Prada bamboo basket bag is like a picnic and a purse all at once. Available at Joseph, 5500 Magazine St., 900-1422, JosephStores.com
STCHARLESAVENUE.COM 17
ON THE MENU
Savoring Spring Executive Chef Slade Rushing shares Brennan’s Egg Yolk Carpaccio with Sautéed Shrimp and Andouille Vinaigrette Egg Yolk Carpaccio with Sautéed Shrimp and Andouille Vinaigrette 24 shrimp, small, peeled and deveined 1 cup egg yolk carpaccio mix (*recipe follows) 1 quart crispy sweet potato (*recipe follows) 1 Tablespoon extra virgin olive oil ½ cup Andouille vinaigrette (*recipe follows) 1 bunch scallions, sliced thinly Salt to taste
HEAT 1 Tablespoon olive oil in a
large sauté pan over high heat until smoking. Season shrimp with salt and pepper. Add shrimp carefully to hot oil and sauté on each side for 1 minute or until cooked through. Reserve shrimp on paper towel lined tray until needed. SPOON about 2 Tablespoons of egg yolk mix in the center of 4 warm plates. Smear the mixture into an 8-inch oval. Top each oval with 6 shrimp. Spoon 1/4 teaspoon of Andouille vinaigrette on top of each shrimp. Top each carpaccio with 1 cup of crispy sweet potato and scallions to garnish. SERVES 4
Andouille Vinaigrette ½ 1 1 1 ¼ 2
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SWEAT andouille, shallots, garlic, smoked paprika and canola oil for 2 minutes over low heat. Add sherry vinegar then remove from stove and let cool to room temperature. YIELDS 1 CUP
12 egg yolks 2 ounces clarified butter ½ teaspoon salt
SET UP an immersion circulator and water bath to 145 degrees. Whisk the yolks together in a small bowl and place egg yolks in a zip top bag. Once water is to temperature, drop egg yolk filled bag into water and tape top to side of the container to keep it in place. Cook yolks for 1 1/2 hours. Pour cooked yolks into small bowl. Whisk in clarified butter and salt then cover with plastic and keep in a warm place. YIELDS ABOUT 1 CUP
Crispy Sweet Potatoes 2 large sweet potatoes
PEEL sweet potatoes and cut
into thin slices using mandolin or slicer. Then cut into fine strips using chef knife and place sweet potato strips in cold water. Preheat fryer to 350 degrees following manufactures’ direction and fry sweet potatoes until crispy. Season with salt right away. Reserve until needed. YIELDS 1 QUART
PH OT OS BY J EFFERY J OHNST ON
BRENNAN’S 417 Royal St., 525-8711, BrennansNewOrleans.com
cup Andouille brunoise shallot, minced teaspoon smoked paprika teaspoon garlic, minced cup canola oil teaspoons sherry vinegar
Egg Yolk Carpaccio
STCHARLESAVENUE.COM 19
THE DISH
Springing into the Season Beauty and frivolity at The Country Club By Jyl Benson
20 ST. CHARLES AVENUE APRIL 2019
One Dozen Oyster Pan Roast at Saffron
PHOTO BY MIK E LIR E T TE
On the exterior, with its deep, graceful front porch and lush, verdant gardens, the impeccably restored and maintained historic Italianate raised center hall cottage that houses The Country Club reveals nothing of the building’s oft-sordid past. Built in 1884 as an elegant home for Anne McAvoy and George Canby, by 1947 the house had devolved into disrepair and became a boarding house for travelers of questionable moral character and low standards. In 1976, the once grand manse evolved from its incarnation as a flop house into a grubby dispatch hub for taxi service. In 1977 three friends pooled their resources and purchased the property, installed a pool and outdoor bar at the rear and opened the space to the public as The Country Club to serve a mostly gay and, poolside, usually unclothed patronage. The property changed hands several times until Hurricane Katrina dealt it a nasty blow in 2005, and inspired the restoration that brought it to the spectacular state in which we find it today. Each of the three dining rooms is adorned with stunning hand painted floral murals by local artist Cindy Mathis that walk the fine line between sexy and proper. Whimsical paintings by southern artist Louis St. Lewis are scattered through-
out and highlighted by custom lighting that makes the works sparkle. Despite its large scale, the open square-shaped bar and an adjacent room adorned lavishly with butterflies feels like a secret retreat. The Country Club is popular for bachelorette parties as well as the Saturday and Sunday weekly Drag Queen Brunch. Formerly of Commander’s Palace, chef Chris Barbato heads up the kitchen with a menu that merges Creole underpinnings with a Caribbean flair. Starters include a crab and coconut bisque, blue crab beignets with a crisp tempura-battered exterior served with a bright saffron aioli and a seasonal salad combining raw and roasted vegetables. Entrées range from light, fresh Louisiana oyster tacos to a bold, assertive fried chicken sandwich. For the latter, a large boneless chicken thigh is coated in a shaggy batter before it’s deep fried in bacon drippings and served open-faced on a brioche bun with pickles and a dill aioli. n
Try This: If a prize were available for beautiful, inventive plating, the Oyster Bed Roast at Saffron would be a sure bet. One dozen fine Gulf specimens arrive on a large pewter platter in the shape of a curving leaf with wells forming the cups within which the oysters are broiled with caramelized onions, garlic and curry leaves. Sexy lighting, the tinkling laughter from the constant swell of delighted patrons and a fresh, imaginative cocktail program make the Vilkhu family’s James Beard nominated (Best New Restaurant 2018) Magazine Street hotspot one of the most coveted reservations in New Orleans.
Try This, too: Since launching in September 2017, chef Isaac Toups’ Counter Club – the monthly off-menu dinner and brunch series at Toups South – has been a roaring success. Counter Club dinners takes place the third Thursday of each month at the Toups South exhibition kitchen inside the Southern Food & Beverage Museum (SoFAB) in Central City. The Mad Hatter chef and his ace team of fellow kitchen wizards preside over the dinners. Guests are seated at the U-shaped counter surrounding the kitchen, so the action is up close and personal. Seatings are offered at 6 p.m. and 8:30 p.m. Counter Club brunch, always a festive affair, takes place the second Sunday of each month at noon. These are coveted, tough to score reservations, and the very limited seats sells out quickly. Each fourcourse meal comes at a bargain price of $50 per person. This month’s Counter Club dinner “Cheese Please” will be on Thursday, April 18. The theme was brought back by popular demand and highlights include Baked Rigatoni Pie and Crab Fontina Risotto prepared in a cheese wheel. Diners with dietary restrictions should mention them when calling Toups directly for reservations.
THE COUNTRY CLUB 634 Louisa St., 945-0742, TCCNO.com SAFFRON NOLA 4126 Magazine St., 323-2626, SaffronNola.com TOUPS SOUTH 1504 Oretha Castle Haley Blvd, 304-2147, ToupsSouth.com
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Local Legacies
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The Louisiana Museum Foundation transported patrons back centuries to honor the Almonester-Pontalba ancestral family. By Shelby Simon
The Louisiana Museum Foundation (LMF) debuted its “Founders Ball,” an annual gala that honors the contributions of individuals or families who have contributed in historical times to our city or state, or current individuals who have made a significant contribution to the preservation or promotion of our history or culture. As part of its year-long schedule of tricentennial exhibitions presented in the Cabildo, the Louisiana State Museum (LSM) chose a close-out exhibition on the Almonester-Pontalba legacy, “The Baroness de Pontalba and the Rise of Jackson Square.” Over 500 attendees were the first to see treasures from the Chateau de Montl’Évêque, none of which have ever been publicly displayed before. Charles-Edouard and Isabelle, Baron and Baroness de Pontalba; Pierre de Pontalba; Marie-Victoire de Pontalba de Coulange and her husband Albéric, Count de Coulange; and the baron’s nieces, AnneVoctoire and Sixtine Viguié-Desplaces, attended as honorees. Both the ball and exhibition were dedicated to the late Christina Vella, author of Intimate Enemies: The Two Worlds of the Baroness de Pontalba, upon which much of the exhibition was based. The vast majority of guests and volunteers dressed in period costumes. Strictly period-appropriate music could be heard throughout the evening by the 18th century costumed Polymnia Quartet, featuring four musicians from the Louisiana Philharmonic Orchestra. For those wanting to dance to a modern beat, the third floor featured the elaborate 18th century costumed all-female electrified Virtuosa Quartet. The ball featured a small silent auction of high-end items, the highlights of which were two antique wine bottles dating back to the time of Don Andrés, bearing the Almonester seal. These rare bottles were donated by the Baron de Pontalba straight from the wine cellar at the château de Mont-l’Évêque. Catherine and Semmes Favrot and Caroline and Murray Calhoun served as Co-Chairs. Honorary Co-Chairs were Vincent Sciama and Yuanyuan Sciama. n
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Event at a Glance
1. Co-Chairs Caroline and Murray Calhoun 2. Co-Chairs Catherine and Semmes Favrot 3. Gay Le Breton, Tommy Westervelt and Isabelle, Baroness de Pontalba and Charles-Edouard, Baron de Pontalba 4. Lt. Gov. Billy Nungesser with Honorary Co-Chairs Yuanyuan and Consul General Vincent Sciama 5. Steven Maklansky, Marie-Victoire de Pontalba de Coulange and Albéric, Count de Coulange 6. Jeremy Corkern with Kristine and Rivers Lelong
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WHAT: “Inaugural Founders Ball,” benefiting Louisiana Museum Foundation WHEN: Saturday, December 1, 2018 WHERE: The Cabildo
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YAYA Celebrates 30
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In honor of its anniversary, “Just Say YAYA” honored all of the artists who have been part of its programs. By Shelby Simon
“Just Say YAYA” welcomed more than 600 guests to an art-filled cocktail party featuring work by current YAYA students and alumni spanning 30 years, with an arts market of glassware and a silent auction with works by acclaimed local artists. Many alumni, partners and supporters traveled to New Orleans specifically to celebrate this milestone. Susan Brennan, Peggy Laborde, Kathryn Brennan McLeod and Hattie Moll served as Co-Chairs, and Founder Jana Napoli and all 30 years of YAYA Artists were honored. The Patron Party featured food by Ralph Brennan’s Catering & Events, music by Motel Radio and a glassblowing demonstration by Mark Rosenbaum of Rosetree Glass. The gala celebration featured music by Cool Nasty and food by more than a dozen local vendors, including Warbucks, Cafe Reconcile, Liberty Cheesesteaks, Twelve Mile Limit, Central City BBQ, La Boulangerie, Martin Wine Cellar, Pralines by Jean, Zea, Langensteins and Mayhew Bakery. Beverages were provided by NOLA Brewing, Belle Isle Spirits and Republic National Distributing Company. The silent auction hosted treasures by Mallory Page, Terrance Osborne, Jamar Pierre, Mitchell Gaudet, Juli Juneau, Gavin Jones, Artemis Antippas, Tim Trapolin, Dr. Bob, Douglas Bourgeois and a number of local businesses, including Saba, Kendra Scott, Ace Hotel, Windsor Court and more. “Just Say YAYA” supports YAYA’s free after school arts and entrepreneurship training programs for creative, young New Orleanians. YAYA raised more than $150,000 for free youth arts programming, including selling more than $18,000 of artwork made by YAYA artists and alumni. YAYA offers a sales commission to all artists, starting at age 13, meaning that this event significantly supported the organization as well as the artists it bolsters. n
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Event at a Glance
1. Co-Chairs Susan Brennan, Kathryn Brennan McLeod, Hattie Moll and Peggy Laborde 2. Glenn Garrison, Founder Jana Napoli, Jourdan Barnes and Meg Miles 3. Laurel Porcari, Danielle Coco, Sarah Martzolf and Timeka Junius 4. Ralph Brennan, Lisa Schlesinger and Jack Laborde 5. Hart Kelly, Rebecca Birtel Madura, Nala Stiggers and Jordan Turner 6. Thawanda Clark, Mark Rosenbaum and Tameria Oliney
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WHAT: “Just Say YAYA: 30th Anniversary Gala,” benefiting YAYA WHEN: Friday, November 16, 2018 WHERE: YAYA Arts Center
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Hispanic Heritage
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The 2018 “Azúcar Ball” honored the Brennans with the NOHHF prestigious Gálvez Cup. By Shelby Simon
The New Orleans Hispanic Heritage Foundation’s annual fundraiser event, “Azúcar Ball” presented by Pan American Life, provides funding for the foundation’s mission to encourage and support talented Hispanic high-school students by providing them with educational scholarships via the NOHHF Scholarship Program. The gala, themed “Una Vez en Nueva Orleans … 300 años de Encanto,” was attended by more than 600 patrons. The NOHHF prestigious Gálvez Cup for 2018 was awarded to Ti Martin, Lally Brennan, Lauren Brennan Brower, Ralph Brennan, Dickie Brennan and Cindy Brennan. Operating 13 restaurants in New Orleans alone, including Commander’s Palace, Tableau and Brennan’s, the “cousins,” as they call themselves, maintain the high standards of hospitality and cuisine instilled in them by their parents’ generation. A Patron Party preceded the gala festivities, with signature cocktails presented by Daniel Victory of Victory NOLA. The festive gala program featured dancing and musical entertainment such as Julio y César, Javier Olondo & AshéSon, The Paulin Brothers Brass Band, DJ Felipe Estrada and Eliza González-Flamenco Dancer. The ball offered guests the opportunity to dine with several dozen restaurants and beverage purveyors, including several of the Brennan’s restaurants. Featured dessert donors were Cafe 601, Cold Brew Coffee, Gaby’s Desserts, Ice Cream 504, La Casa de Patty, Cuzco Peruvian Cuisine, Loretta’s Pralines, Mategourmet, Pastry Xpress, Pasteles de Francia, Purple Cactus, Sucré and Welty’s. In addition to a raffle, the Cristina J. Fowler Scholarship Fund Silent Auction Signature Items included a spectacular estate 18 karat yellow and white gold diamond bracelet donated by Friend & Company and an original oil on canvas painted exclusively for the ball donated by Mexican-American artist Belinda Flores-Shinshillas. The Hand Fans Project, an initiative in collaboration with Isidore Newman School, presented hand painted fans inspired by the history of Spain, Hispanics and the Tricentennial celebration in New Orleans; the students’ fan creations contributed to the fundraising efforts of NOHHF for its Scholarships Program. Rossana Bracho and Gracia-Maria Zaccaro served as Chairs. n
WHAT: “Azúcar Ball,” benefiting the New Orleans Hispanic Heritage Foundation WHEN: Saturday, December 1, 2018 WHERE: Hyatt Regency New Orleans 1. Chairs Gracia-Maria Zaccaro and Rossana Bracho 2. Dr. Juan and Ana Gershanik with Patty Riddlebarger and Raul Fonte 3. George Fowler, Heidi Kiesling and Ileana and Jose Suquet 4. Elena and Eugene Countiss with Lita Fowler 5. Elsa and Robert Baker 6. Mayra and Hector Pineda with Kathleen McGlone and Celimar Maldonado
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Event at a Glance
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Caring Into Action
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Steve Gleason and Warner Thomas were presented the A.I. Botnick Torch of Liberty Award by the Anti-Defamation League. By Shelby Simon
The Anti-Defamation League’s “A.I. Botnick Torch of Liberty Award Dinner” presented its esteemed award to honorees Warner Thomas of Ochsner Health System and Steve Gleason, former New Orleans Saint and founder of Team Gleason. Award recipients personify the noblest traditions of the United States of America and are well-known for their community and public service, philanthropic endeavors and personal commitment to making the world a better place. In lieu of flowers, this year’s table decorations featured student artwork submitted during ADL’s annual art and poetry contest illuminated by twinkle lights. The program included dinner beginning with salad, with an entrée of pan-seared Loch Duart salmon over roasted Brussels sprouts, Covey Rise kale and braised tomato, followed by a dessert of mocha cheesecake with pear compote. In addition, potato latkes with sour cream and applesauce were provided as part of the Hanukkah celebration. David Gaines and Bill Oliver served as Chairs for Warner Thomas, and Phyllis Taylor and Zach Strief served as Chairs for Steve Gleason. Approximately 620 patrons attended the dinner to support the ADL and recognize Warner Thomas and Steve Gleason for their embodiment of the ADL’s ideals: Striving to build a future in which every citizen will share the fruits of democracy. n
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Event at a Glance
1. William Prieur, Honoree Steve Gleason Michel Varisco and Dinner Chair Zach Strief 2. Dinner Chair Bill Oliver, Honoree Warner Thomas, Rene Doucet and Dinner Chair David Gaines 3. Barney Mintz Award Honoree Brook Bissinger, Education Director Melissa Licali and Barney Mintz Award Honoree Sarah Vandergriff 4. Board Member Sherrie Goodman, Bill Goldring and Regional Director Aaron Ahlquist 5. Board Member Jill Israel and Board Vice-Chair Irving Warshaver 6. Board Member Edgar “Dooky” Chase, Board Chair Ann Thompson and Past Board Chair Michael Botnick
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PHOTOGRAPHED BY KEN N Y MARTINEZ
WHAT: “A.I. Botnick Torch of Liberty Award Dinner,” benefiting Anti-Defamation League WHEN: Wednesday, December 5, 2018 WHERE: Hyatt Regency New Orleans
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Architectural Aesthetics
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The PRC began its “Holiday Home Tour” season with a Patron Party benefit. By Shelby Simon
The Patron Party kicked off the festivities for the 43rd annual “PRC Holiday Home Tour” presented by McEnery Residential, held December 8-9 in the Garden District and Lower Garden District. CeCe and Trevor Colhoun hosted the party at their beautiful home on Walnut Street. Built in 2008, the house was recently decorated by Sara Ruffin Costello. Flowers and greenery were by Niki Epstein. Music was performed by New Orleans Banjos + 2. Pigeon Caterers and Events provided cuisine. The Patron Party Chairs were Kathryn Bullock Joyner and Coeli Hilferty Boron. “PRC Holiday Home Tour” Chairwoman was Sarah Martzolf. The event supports the Preservation Resource Center, a 45-year-old nonprofit that preserves New Orleans’ historic architecture, neighborhoods and cultural identity through collaboration, empowerment and service to the community. The PRC has restored more than 1,500 properties citywide and has assisted countless individuals with their own renovation efforts through its programs, including resources and education to convey the economic, cultural and aesthetic importance of historic architecture in New Orleans and throughout the world. n
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1. Melanie and Mickey Loomis with Hosts Trevor and CeCe Colhoun 2. Ted and Patron Party Co-Chair Kathryn Bullock Joyner with Patron Party Co-Chair Coeli Hilferty Boron and Justin Boron 3. Kristen Nelson, Patrick Christovich, “PRC Holiday Home Tour” Chairwoman Sarah Martzolf and Hayley Bumpas
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PHOTOGRAPHED BY JEFF STROUT
WHAT: 43rd annual “PRC Holiday Home Tour Patron Party,” benefiting Preservation Resource Center WHEN: Friday, December 7, 2018 WHERE: Home of CeCe and Trevor Colhoun
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An Extraordinary Life
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Touro Synagogue recognized Past President Joyce Pulitzer with the L’Chayim Award. By Shelby Simon
Touro Synagogue’s L’Chayim Award is given every other year to a person or persons who have demonstrated support and a longstanding deep commitment to the Congregation. On December 1, 2018, Touro Synagogue presented the prestigious L’Chayim Award to Joyce Pulitzer, who served as the first female President of the synagogue. The program began with a reception at the synagogue, followed with a benefit dinner and presentation. The Jacobs Social Hall and Grant Meyer Garden Pavilion were transformed into an elegant atmosphere for the evening, accented by teal and green décor. Vases of various sizes and shapes adorned the tables, some containing greenery from New Orleans gardens. Adding to the ambiance were glowing lanterns, which were suspended above the tables. Music during the cocktail time and dinner was provided by the sounds of the Carl Leblanc Trio. Joel Catering provided passed hors d ‘oeuvres, which were followed by a seated dinner and dessert. Remarks were made by Rabbi Alexis Berk, synagogue President Teri Hunter, Rickie Nutik and Saundra Levy. Joyce was presented with an engraved handcrafted Kiddush cup created by New Orleans Glassworks. Cantor Kevin Margolius and Rabbi Todd Silverman also participated in the program. Some of Joyce’s activities have included serving as a Board Member and Past President of Hermann-Grima + Gallier Historic Houses; Board Member and Past President of Jewish Endowment Foundation; Women of the Storm; past Chair of the AntiDefamation League; Board Member of the SPCA; and many other positions of leadership on community boards. She has previously received the Torch of Liberty Award from the Anti-Defamation League and Outstanding Citizen award from the Family Service of Greater New Orleans. Joyce was a contributing playwriter for Cherries Jubilee, winner of the Big Easy Best New Play 1999, and a writer and producer of the play Life, Liberty, and Social Security. n
WHAT: “L’Chayim Award,” benefiting Touro Synagogue WHEN: Saturday, December 1, 2018 WHERE: Touro Synagogue 1. Betty Kohn, Sidney Pulitzer and Honoree Joyce Pulitzer 2. Rickie Nutik, Congragation President Teri Hunter and Sandy Levy 3. Rabbi Todd Silverman, Executive Director Kerry Tapia, Rabbi Alexis Berk and Cantor Kevin Margolius
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Event at a Glance
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Dancing With the Activists
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A lineup of philanthropists and star dancers paired up for Young Audiences of Louisiana. By Shelby Simon
Young Audiences of Louisiana hosted a cocktail reception, dinner and dance competition featuring local philanthropists and community activists partnered with professional dancers at Harrah’s New Orleans Theatre. The event benefits Young Audiences of Louisiana’s mission of 56 years to invest in youth arts education. Activists and dance partners included Nadine Brown with professional partner Chance Bushman dancing the swing (Captivating Chemistry winners), Sandra Thompson Herman with professional partner Jay Hendrix dancing the waltz (People’s Choice winners), Austin Marks with professional partner Kenneth “Kynt” Bryan dancing contemporary hip hop (Showstopper winners), Christina and Tony Rodrigue dancing together to a contemporary hip hop dance choreographed by professional dancer Zakiya L. Cornish (Judges’ Choice winners) and Brionne Stewart and Trent Marcelle (Smooth Operator winners) dancing together to a cha cha choreographed by professional dancer Javier Juarez. In addition, Mayor LaToya Cantrell danced a tango with professional partner Ector Gutierrez. Judges included Stephanie Burks, Mary Katherine Lonatro-Tusa, Kenny Lopez and Steven Putt. In addition to the dance competition, guests enjoyed passed hors d’oeuvres during the cocktail hour followed by a buffet. Apple Berry Delights, the sweet treat business created by Star Dancer Nadine Brown, served as the official cookie sponsor of the event, providing each guest with a cookie baked exclusively for “Dancing for the Arts.” Carl LeBlanc Band provided musical entertainment during the cocktail hour, intermissions and following the awards ceremony so that gala guests also had the opportunity to dance. Centerpieces were created by middle school visual arts students at Young Audiences Charter School under the direction of teaching artist Valorie Polmer. The colorful centerpieces were made from objects found in nature and yarn and were painted bright colors, inspired by Native American Sage Smudge Sticks. The event’s signature life-size cutouts of the Star Dancers in the competition graced the lobby and silent auction area, which featured an array of 33 prizes. Event Chairs were Stella Del Bianco, Gail Barnes McKenna and Tyree Worthy. Camille Whitworth served as Mistress of Ceremonies. n
WHAT: Ninth annual “Dancing for the Arts,” benefiting Young Audiences of Louisiana WHEN: Friday, November 16, 2018 WHERE: Harrah’s Casino Theatre 1. Marguerite Moisio, Mayor LaToya Cantrell and Co-Chair Tyree Worthy 2. Dr. Warren McKenna Jr., Co-Chairs Gail McKenna and Stella Del Bianco and Fulvio Del Bianco 3. Nadine Brown with Russ and Sandra Herman
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Dueling Duets
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MASNO presented an Emmy-nominated piano duo for exciting musical entertainment at “NOCTURNE XVI.” By Shelby Simon
The Musical Arts Society of New Orleans (MASNO) presented its “NOCTURNE XVI” fundraiser gala on December 2, 2018, at the Ritz-Carlton. Celebrating the event’s 16th year, MASNO presented a very exciting piano duo, the Emmy-nominated Anderson & Roe Piano Duo featuring Greg Anderson and Elizabeth Joy Roe. The program included a variety of classical and popular choices arranged for two pianos or four hands by the duo. The program was eclectic and creative, including a tango by Piazzolla, a suite from Rachmaninoff, selections from Bizet’s Carmen and variations from Leonard Cohen, Paul McCartney and John Lennon. The duo wowed audiences yet again with their encore – their original arrangement of Leonard Bernstein’s “America” from his beloved musical West Side Story. The evening had the air of elegance that friends of MASNO expect each year. The champagne reception with hot and cold appetizers was well-attended, and a three-course dinner was prepared by the culinary team at the Ritz-Carlton, capped by Bananas Foster Cheesecake. Committee Chairs were Susan Lafaye and Elissa Bluth. Also in attendance were MASNO Co-Presidents Anne Gauthier and Dr. James Farrow, as well as MASNO Executive Director Cara McCool Woolf. n
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1. Dr. Edward and Co-Chair Elissa Bluth with MASNO Executive Director Cara McCool Woolf and Co-President Dr. James Farrow 2. Past President Emel Songu Mize, Co-President Anne Gauthier, Sanford Pailet and Board Member Machelle Johnson 3. Michael Harold, Angela O’Malley, Quinn Peeper and Executive Intern Millie Mince
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PHOTOGRAPHED BY KEN N Y MARTINEZ
WHAT: “NOCTURNE XVI,” benefiting Musical Arts Society of New Orleans WHEN: Sunday, December 2, 2018 WHERE: Ritz-Carlton
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Express to the Cure
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Ladies Leukemia League hosted a magical fashion show and winter holiday luncheon. By Shelby Simon
An over-the-top New York runway-style fashion show by the Ladies Leukemia League (LLL), sponsored by Dillard’s and produced by Sue Webber Productions, offered 1,000 guests a way to give towards leukemia/lymphoma research and “Believe” in a cure. The fashion show’s theme was “The Magic of Disney,” complete with Cruella de Vil. LLL featured three children and one young adult who are currently battling leukemia or who have overcome the disease: Austin Abadie, Da’Ni Otis and Annabelle Thomas, and Katie Moore, a 21-year-old leukemia survivor. The theme of the luncheon was “The LLL Express for a Cure” with an emphasis on the word “Believe,” featured on the invitation with artwork by Chrissy Gregg Baynham. Centerpieces were cute snowmen dressed like train conductors with glowing lanterns on each table. A raffle featured a silver David Yurman bracelet with pavé diamonds donated by Aucoin Hart, a Silver Fox fur cape donated by Eulie Peti, $1,050 in premier New Orleans restaurant gift certificates and a Brahmin Weekender donated by Dillard’s. A wine pull with close to 100 bottles of wine was sold out in a half-hour. LLL is known for its Parade of Prizes, which this year featured 100 options. The Silent Auction offered prizes such as a three-night stay in a Gulf Shores luxury condominium, a white mink stole, an autographed Drew Brees football, a gift certificate for a Misook Collection ensemble donated by Dillard’s and a Porche Carrera child’s car donated by Brian Harris Porche of Baton Rouge. Ana Eller served as Event Chair and Camille Whitworth served as Mistress of Ceremonies. Lisa Baynham is serving as President. The event raised more than $130,000 towards leukemia/ lymphoma research. n
WHAT: “Fête de Noël,” benefiting Ladies Leukemia League, LLC WHEN: Friday, December 7, 2018 WHERE: Hilton New Orleans Riverside Hotel
1. President Lisa Baynham, Regina Ramazani, Chair Ana Eller and Rosalie Edwards 2. Special Guest Da'Ni Otis and Pat Golemi 3. Phyllis Stacy, Special Guest Annabelle Thomas and Maria Winn
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Event at a Glance
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Cemetery Saints
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The only nonprofit advocating for the preservation of New Orleans’ iconic cemeteries presented its annual soirée. By Shelby Simon
To support tomb restoration and educational programs, Save Our Cemeteries’ “All Saints Soirée” offered 200 guests a festive evening of historic tours, cuisine, artwork and music. Due to the predicted weather forecast, the event moved from the grounds of Metairie Cemetery near Tom Benson’s tomb to inside the All Saints Mausoleum. Colorful flowers left by visitors brightened the space. Patrons also enjoyed a candlelit bus tour of the cemetery, featuring the Benson tomb, Josie Arlington’s former tomb and the weeping “Blue Angel” tomb amongst others. Jerry Schoen, a funeral director and Community Outreach Director at Lake Lawn Metairie Funeral Home and Cemeteries, conducted the bus tour of the cemetery for patrons. Food served included shrimp remoulade from Galatoire’s; charcuterie from Cochon; desserts from Susan Spicer’s Rosedale restaurant; NOLA Nica plantains and black beans and rice; Pastalaya from Crescent City Brewhouse; Caluda’s King Cakes; and beer from NOLA Brewing Co. The Truffle Honeys performed at the Patron Party, and the Courtyard Kings for the Soirée. A George Rodrigue Blue Dog print, a biscuit-making course for four at Ruby Slipper Café and cemetery-themed art by Dr. Bob and other local artists were donated for the auction. Courtney Payton, Vice President of Save Our Cemeteries and an attorney at Aaron & Gianna PLC, served as Chair. n
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1. Tiffany Simmons, Marilyn Schoen, Jerry Schoen III, Amanda Walker 2. Michelle Duhon, Beverly Guillory Andry and Alex LM Ducros 3. Tee Zimmermann, Sally Asher, Zeke Falcon and Dominique Ellis
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PHOTOGRAPHED BY JEFF STROUT
WHAT: “All Saints Soirée,” benefiting Save Our Cemeteries WHEN: Friday, November 30, 2018 WHERE: All Saints Mausoleum
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This season’s fashion breaks the rules and takes styles to the next level Photographer: Theresa Cassagne Fashion Stylist: Tracee Dundas Makeup Artist: Glenn Mosley Hair: Heidi Schirrmann Model: Kathleen Alexander Location: The Civic Theatre
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Pink plaited stitch long sleeved crop knit sweater and pink high-waisted shorts, both from Lukka; white patent-like clutch with floral applique from Elizabeth’s; (necklace model’s own)
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Canary yellow oversized jacket with balloon sleeves and frayed trim tie-belt and black and yellow floral print skirt with front ruffle gather, both from Monomin; black tassel earrings from Perlis; golddipped polish tube lariat necklace and titanium druzy multi-band ring, both from Lukka
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Bubblegum pink off-the-shoulder dress with belted waist and ruffled hem from Elizabeth’s; multicolor gemstone floral earrings from Perlis
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Ivory and sage blue jumpsuit with waistcoat vest and chiffon pleated ankle-length trousers from Claudia Croazzo; multistrand gold and turquoise necklace, gold and turquoise earrings and turquoise beaded straw woven clutch, all from Perlis
Silk green and pink floral top with deep V-neckline and ruched waist with white tie-waist demi-cropped wide-leg trousers, both from FeBe; orange satin block heeled mule sandal and gold and pink tourmaline teardrop earrings, both from Elizabeth’s
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Magazine Street An all-ages, all-world experience By Kelcy Wilburn | Photographed by Cheryl Gerber
Magazine Street is well known for being
the street and as a real estate broker who
a shopping destination, but the thor-
has worked with a number of properties
oughfare also offers a wider variety of
along it. Sponsoring Broker at McEnery
experiences that begin near Canal Street
Residential and The McEnery Company,
and extend all the way to Audubon Park.
McEnery knows a lot about how Magazine
From school children learning French and
Street functions as a host to both residen-
arithmetic to older adults catching Mardi
tial and commercial interests.
Gras throws with their families, the street’s all-ages offerings help make it the vibrant
McEnery Residential is located Uptown at 4901 Magazine St., while The McEnery
diverse collection of homes, businesses
Company is located just off the Down-
and organizations that hosts locals and
town end of Magazine at 810 Union St. The
visitors throughout the year.
McEnery Company’s appraisal platform
Parke McEnery has a unique perspective on Magazine Street as both an occupant of
has completed nearly 200 commercial appraisal assignments with a Magazine Street
Belladonna Day Spa
address, and its valuation team keeps a close eye on the state of the market along this defining corridor neighborhood. “As the primary commercial corridor in the ‘Sliver by the River,’ Magazine Street is the only aspect of our centuries-old street grid that cohesively and commercially connects the series of distinct neighborhoods that border both sides of the corridor from Canal Street to Audubon Park,” says McEnery. Interestingly, while Magazine serves as the lifeblood of neighborhood commerce, “It is the quality of the residential neighborhoods that abut both the river and lake sides of Magazine, from its genesis to terminus, that will continue to preserve the viability of this unique and treasured street-scape,” he says. Ecole Bilingue de la Nouvelle-Orléans
McEnery advises potential Magazine Street buyers – commercial or residen-
48 ST. CHARLES AVENUE APRIL 2019
Tito’s Ceviche & Pisco tial – to not just understand the building
allows residents and their families to enjoy
of interest, but to take a close look at the
the therapeutic tranquility of nature while still
immediately surrounding blocks and the
being mere steps away from local restaurants
forces that drive value in the area, con-
and shopping opportunities,” says Prehn.
siderations such as zoning, parking and building uses/occupancies. Neighborhoods along Magazine Street
Poydras Home residents get a frontrow seat to 15 parades every Mardi Gras, catching prized throws without leaving
include the CBD, Warehouse/Arts District,
home. The home enjoys a long relation-
Lower Garden District and Garden District.
ship with the Krewe of Thoth, whose
Each offers its own style and flare, with
members treat residents to a pre-parade
businesses and organizations to support
preview of throws while their royalty toasts
the lifestyles of nearby residents.
Poydras Home’s own Mardi Gras King and
For more than 200 years, Poydras Home has served as a Magazine Street residence,
Queen. On Thoth Sunday, Poydras Home hosts a family barbecue and parade party.
first as an orphanage and today as a Life Plan
School children have their own unique
Community with independent living, assisted
Magazine Street experience at Ecole Bi-
living, nursing care, memory support and an
lingue de la Nouvelle-Orléans, the only
adult day program for older adults.
private French school in New Orleans
“Poydras Home provides a garden oasis,
accredited by the French Ministry of Edu-
nestled in the middle of the bustling retail
cation and State of Louisiana. This year,
corridor Magazine Street is famous for,” says
the school is expanding to include a fourth
Robert A. Prehn Ph.D., CEO of Poydras Home.
building directly on Magazine Street.
Poydras Home recently celebrated its 200th
“Over the past decade, Ecole Bilingue
birthday by adding a new gazebo, patio and
has grown exponentially in terms of stu-
koi pond to the portion of the community’s
dent body, staff and the scale of programs
campus closest to the intersection of Maga-
we can offer, making us a pillar both lo-
zine Street and Jefferson Avenue.
cally and in the international framework
“This enhancement to our spacious grounds
of French immersion schools,” says Rose
Goodman, Marketing Assistant. The school serves students 18 months old through eighth grade, and offers a rigorous bilingual French-American curriculum. “Parents might feel surprised to learn that, with 310 students, Ecole Bilingue has 32 nationalities represented. So, not only do our students learn a foreign language, but they truly live and breathe in an international, multicultural, open-minded world,” says Goodman. This summer, Ecole Bilingue will offer a French summer camp for children 2 through 12. No prior French knowledge is required at Le camp d’été, where camp activities are infused with French lessons and cultural immersion. Along with its homes and schools, Magazine Street has plenty of entertainment and fun along its blocks. One could easily spend a day walking its length, visiting the various shops, restaurants and galleries, or one could spend a whole day at just
Art & Eyes
one of its occupants. The National WWII Museum is one such locale, with exhibits
STCHARLESAVENUE.COM 49
around the world will embark on a virtual
overnight escapes and all feature a private
transatlantic adventure to discover the les-
sitting area and amenity-filled kitchen.
sons and legacies of Operation Overlord.
The new hydrotherapy garden features a
In addition, the museum will offer a slate of programs June 3-6, including film screenings, panel discussions, hands-on
women’s steam rooms. “It’s the perfect spot for an overnight es-
activities for all ages, live performances
cape or wellness retreat,” says Lirette, who
and special tours of the museum’s original
recommends the suites for girls’ getaways,
exhibit, “The D-Day Invasion of Normandy.”
romantic surprises and relaxing stayca-
Another place to spend a day, or even a day and night, is Belladonna Day Spa. The spa offers full- and half-day wellness retreats in addition to overnight escapes. “One of our most popular rituals is the ‘Replenish’ full-day experience, which McEnery Residential
sun deck, oversized hot tub and men’s and
tions. Belladonna also features an intimate nail salon and retail gift boutique. “We’re thrilled to be a regular ritual for our amazing Uptown community,” Lirette says of the spa’s Magazine Street home. Of course one can’t talk about Maga-
includes a still bath, seaweed wrap, deep
zine Street without pointing out its unique
tissue massage, sauna, soothing sensitive
shops and restaurants, which cover just
facial, vitamin C peel and pedicure,” says
about every thing and every cuisine.
Bethany Lirette, Brand Ambassador at Bel-
Art & Eyes is a one-of-kind eyewear bou-
and programs that could span even two
ladonna Day Spa. Guests who “Replenish”
tique in a renovated double featuring large
full days of perusing.
also get priority access to the spa’s private
box windows with eye-catching displays.
“We do recognize that every visitor may
lounges stocked with amenities, hot tea
not be able to dedicate that much time, so
and champagne or specialty cocktails in
attention we do curious windows that
we have suggested online itineraries for
addition to catered lunch.
will get your attention,” says Owner Starr
people who want to visit for a half day, full
Belladonna’s new hydrotherapy garden
“Eyewear is tiny, so in order to get your
Hagenbring. In March, Art & Eyes’ windows
day or two days,” says Keith Darcey, Public
adjoins The Suites at Belladonna. The four
featured giant 3-foot and 4-foot glittered
Relations Manager. According to Darcey,
private suites are available to book for
eyeballs and frames with Caesar announc-
must-sees include the newest permanent exhibit, “The Arsenal of Democracy: The Herman and George R. Salute to the Home Front,” in addition to “Road to Tokyo: Pacific Theater Galleries,” “Road to Berlin: European Theater Galleries” and the US Freedom Pavilion: The Boeing Center, which holds seven of the most iconic aircraft used during World War II. This year, the museum commemorates the 75th anniversary of D-Day. As part of the commemoration, the museum has unveiled a special art exhibit examining the life and work of Guy de Montlaur, a French fine-art painter who fought Nazis on several battlegrounds. “In Memory of What I Cannot Say: The Art of Guy de Montlaur” will be on display through October 20. On May 2, the museum will host the “75th Anniversary of D-Day National Electronic Field Trip,” during which classrooms
50 ST. CHARLES AVENUE APRIL 2019
Poydras Home
ing, “Beware the eyes that march.” The boutique also shows “clothing that is art” handmade by Hagenbring. In terms of eyewear, Art & Eyes regularly stocks over 1,700 different frames. According to Hagenbring, the store doesn’t carry any Luxottica or madein-China merchandise. Rather, the store brings in frames that are largely unavailable in the United States. When hunger hits during a day of Magazine Street wandering, world cuisine is your oyster. Peruvian cuisine is the focus at Tito’s Ceviche & Pisco, a Magazine Street café located Uptown. During Lent this month, the restaurant will offer
The National WWII Museum
a number of Peruvian-inspired seafood dishes. According to Executive Chef and Owner Juan Lock, favorites on the menu include the Ceviche Criollo (Gulf fish) and Ceviche Nikkei (yellowfin tuna). The Arroz con Mariscos is a popular Peruvian paella,
McEnery Residential
Ecole Bilingue de la Nouvelle-Orléans
and meat eaters often indulge in the Anticuchos de Res
4901 Magazine St.
812 General Pershing St.
(hangar steak) and the Lomo Saltado (tenderloin tips).
605-4400
895-4500
McEneryCo.com
EBNola.net
Monday through Friday, 3-6 p.m., and features a variety of
Poydras Home
The National WWII Museum
drinks and tapas perfect for satisfying that late afternoon
5354 Magazine St.
945 Magazine St.
craving between Magazine Street adventures.
897-0535
528-1944
PoydrasHome.com
NationalWW2Museum.org
The bar at Tito’s is famous for its selection of Pisco, a Peruvian- and Chilean-made brandy. Happy hour runs
Belladonna Day Spa 2900 Magazine St. 891-4393 BelladonnaDaySpa.com Art & Eyes 3708 Magazine St. 891-4494 ArtAndEyesNewOrleansLA.com Tito’s Ceviche & Pisco 5015 Magazine St. 267-7612 TitosCevichePisco.com
STCHARLESAVENUE.COM 51
V I N TA G E W E D D I N G
Patricia Ann Coco Weds William Conner Ellis Jr. June 6, 1963 By Bev Church
Patricia “Pat” Ann Coco and William Conner Ellis Jr. met in high school. Pat was at Sacred Heart and Conner went to De La Salle, and they went almost every afternoon to Valencia, an iconic club for high school students on Valence Street. It took Conner about two years to get a date with Pat, because she had so many boys who wanted to take her out! Once Conner finally convinced her to go out with him they dated all the way through college. Pat was a Kappa Kappa Gamma at Newcomb College and Conner president of the Kappa Alpha Order at Tulane University. Conner asked Pat to marry him while they were at the Do Drive-In movie and she said yes! Pat’s mom flew into planning mode, and they had a beautiful wedding on June 6, 1963. They were supposed to get married at a later date but had to change it because Conner, who had been in ROTC at Tulane, was commissioned to go into the Navy after graduation and was called to be stationed in Charleston, South Carolina. The wedding was held at Holy Name of Jesus Church on St. Charles Avenue and the reception at the Orleans Club. The Orleans Club was festooned with f lowers by Rohm’s Florist, the cake was created by Swiss Bakery and the club created beautiful buffet for the 300 plus guests! Pat’s dress and her bridesmaids’ dresses came from D. H. Holmes. Conner’s dad gave them a car for their wedding present, and it was hidden because they were afraid that the groomsmen would create a mess for them to drive away in. After the reception, Pat changed into her going away outf it and they drove off to their honeymoon at the Broadmoor
52 ST. CHARLES AVENUE APRIL 2019
Hotel in Biloxi, Mississippi. They got to the hotel after a seven hour trip that should have taken two hours, because a bridge that they had to cross malfunctioned and they were stuck in their new car that didn’t have air conditioning.
I guess you could say that a little bad luck might signal a great marriage. Pat and Conner have been married for 56 years! They have three children, 11 grandchildren and one great-grandchild and are living happily ever after! n
V I N TA G E W E D D I N G
STCHARLESAVENUE.COM 53
WITH THIS RING
Juneau – Willis By Megan Holt
Shortly after Hurricane Katrina, recent medical school graduate Michelle Leigh Juneau was busy with her internship in New Orleans when she was asked to be in a friend’s wedding in Atlanta. As her friend’s big day drew near, the busy intern was looking forward to getting away for the weekend with her college friends. Meeting someone was the furthest thing from her mind, but as luck would have it Robert Ford Willis III was also part of the wedding party. The two struck up a friendship and stayed in touch throughout Michelle’s internship, but they didn’t really start dating until she took a job in Atlanta a few years later. After dating for a long while, Robb planned an intimate proposal at Michelle’s house after the two went to dinner. Of course, Michelle said “yes!”, and the couple celebrated by flying to Miami for the weekend. When they returned, they began planning a wedding that centered on family and close friends. Many of their friends were from out of town, so after their rehearsal dinner at
54 ST. CHARLES AVENUE APRIL 2019
Restaurant R’evolution, they welcomed folks to the city with a party at the Bourbon House. The memories made with friends that evening fit right in with the feeling of celebration and tradition that would carry over into the wedding and reception. On December 8, 2018, Michelle and Robb were married by Father Allan Weinert at St. Mary’s Chapel on Jackson Avenue. The couple was surrounded by loved ones, many of whom played important roles in the ceremony. Michelle’s sisters were the maid of honor and matron of honor, and Robb’s father and brother were his best men. Their godchildren proudly stood up as flower girls and a ring bearer. After the wedding, the party continued at Arnaud’s. Michelle chose Arnaud’s for the reception for many reasons: she wanted to give out-of-town guests a taste of the French Quarter, she loves the food and her family has spent many a special occasion there. Like the ceremony, the reception reflected the importance of family.
While sipping Arnaud’s signature French 75 cocktail, guests learned that the topper on Michelle and Robb’s wedding cake was the very same one that her grandparents had used for their own wedding 67 years ago! The reception also allowed guests a glimpse of Michelle and Robb’s favorite things. The couple incorporated UGA arches and golf balls into the ice bar, and they shared their first dance to a song that makes them both smile: “Warm Love” by Van Morrison, played by Rhythm Nation, a band from Atlanta. The dancing continued throughout the reception and into the street, when the evening ended with a second-line. After the wedding, Michelle and Robb enjoyed their first Christmas as husband and wife before heading to New Zealand and Australia for a two-week honeymoon. They returned to their home in Atlanta, where Michelle is a dermatologist at Dermatology Consultants and Robb is a lawyer/lobbyist and chair of Troutman Sander Strategies. n
WITH THIS RING
Reception décor & Florals: Flowers by Dunn & Sonnier Antiques • Florals • Gifts Coordinator: an.gle events Celebrant: Father Allan Weinert Ceremony Music: Jack Craft, cello; Harry Hardin, violin; Barney Floyd, trumpet; Sheila McDermott, vocalist; Francis Scully, violin; Robert Zanca, organist/leader Wedding gown: Sareh Nouri dress, Neiman Marcus Atlanta; Rl Couture Bridal Design veil, custom made in Atlanta Bridesmaids’ dresses: Black dresses of their choosing Bride’s wedding band: Diamond eternity band as well as gold band, Friend and Company Groom’s wedding band: Gold band, Friend and Company Invitation: Ginna Dunlap calligraphy Caterer: Arnaud’s Wedding cake: Royal Cakery Groom’s cake: Ice sculpture bar with UGA arches and golf balls Photographer: Julia Bailey Videographer: Vieux Carre Hair: Sarah from H20 Makeup: Sarah Walsh Music: Rhythm Nation, Atlanta
STCHARLESAVENUE.COM 55
YO U N G B LO O DS
Valeria Emmett Farm Educator, Sugar Roots Farm By Lindsay Mack
Valeria Emmett and Founder Sharessa Garland
56 ST. CHARLES AVENUE APRIL 2019
of animals, including chickens, cows, ducks, horses, llamas, rabbits and even pot-bellied pigs. Visiting kids get the opportunity to groom, feed and simply interact with these animals. Humane care is emphasized. Next, kids also learn about the farm’s efforts to reuse food waste. Currently, Sugar Roots Farm keeps thousands of pounds of food waste from going into the dump, instead turning it into feed for the animals or compost. (And with food coming from places such as Trader Joe’s, these animals are eating pretty well.) After learning about the benefits of composting, many kids are invited to put these ideas into practice with compost bins at their schools. This charming farm has already become a huge hit among area children. Sometimes over one hundred kids visit in a day to tour the farm. In addition to the many educational components, visiting children also get the chance to run around in fresh air
and play in the dirt, AKA just be kids. In addition to the field trips, Sugar Roots Farm also hosts retreats, birthday parties and a two-week summer camp. Plus, the farm is having Baby Animal Month on Saturdays in April, when everyone is invited to come visit the newest residents at Sugar Roots Farm. n
Get Involved At this time, Sugar Roots Farm is in need of volunteer educators, fundraisers and grant writers. Donations to help with veterinary bills and additional farm expenses are also welcome. Sugar Roots Farm is located at 10701 Willow Drive. Contact them by email at info@sugarrootsfarm.org, online at SugarRootsFarm.org or call 296-0435 for opening times.
PHOTO BY CHERYL G ERBER
At Sugar Roots Farm, New Orleans kids of all ages learn about sustainable farming, composting and the humane treatment of farm animals. Located within Orleans Parish, this unique farm gives local kids a firsthand look at sustainable agriculture. Sugar Roots Farm was founded by Sharessa Garland, who used her background in animal husbandry and farming to create this kidfriendly educational space. To learn more about the farm’s daily activities, I spoke with Valeria Emmett, a Farm Educator who’s very passionate about her work. “What’s amazing is that Sharessa took an idea that’s so basic: Where does your food come from? You think it’s something people should know, but they just don’t,” says Emmett. “Now thousands of kids will know where their food comes from.” And the kids learn these lessons in a hands-on, engaging way. For starters, the farm is home to a variety
STUDENT ACTIVIST
Rosemary Louise Odem Louise S. McGehee School
PHOTO BY CHERYL GE RBER
By Mallory Lindsly
“In order for a community to thrive, its members must be engaged and care about it. If the people in a community don’t care about their community they won’t have any desire to maintain it,” says Rosemary Louise Odem, a senior at Louise S. McGehee School. Before this year, McGehee had minimal recycling bins. Odem helped survey the student body and their disposal habits, and realized that people throw recycling in the garbage because of convenience. Once the school got more bins, Odem realized that there wasn’t anyone to empty out the bins throughout the week. Odem then created the an Adopt a Bin Program, where middle and upper school students adopt a bin, decorate it and make it their own. Once a bin is adopted, the students are in charge of emptying the bin to help with the recycling program. “The reason I initiated this because our new biggest issue with the recycling effort was the lack of organization – emptying recycling bins had been a free-for-all,” says Odem. “The Adopt a Bin Program provides order and lets students get involved in the movement towards sustainability.” McGehee offers a mentorship program that gives juniors the opportunity to apply for a year-long, self-guided research project on any area that interests them.
Odem is working with Dr. Catherine Cresson and studying sustainability, specifically how McGehee can become more sustainable as a campus and a community. Cresson shares her love of discovering new ways to minimize her eco-footprint with Odem. “One of the biggest aspects of my mentorship is educating the McGehee community and inspiring a change in their mindsets,” says Odem. “In order to do this, I have had to speak and present at multiple assemblies in lower, middle and upper school, as well as at meetings with faculty and administration.” Odem is currently deciding between Texas Christian University and Rhodes College for her next step in schooling. She wants to major in science, but isn’t sure what she specifically wants to do. Even if she doesn’t become an environmental scientist specifically, she says she’ll always be an environmentalist. n STCHARLESAVENUE.COM 57
S H O P TA L K
Jeanne Emory Owner, Bra Genie By Mirella Cameran
What makes Bra Genie different? Customer service and selection! We employ expertly trained fit stylists at each store, and we’re the only store with a bra fit guarantee. Each location has over 180 sizes (28A through 50K) and around 10,000 bras in the “bra vault.” This allows us to find each customer’s unique fit.
What are your favorite things in store right now? Two of my favorites are the incredible selection of swimwear brands and sizes for the young and young at
BRA GENIE, Multiple locations in Covington, Metairie and Baton Rouge; TheBraGenie.com
PHOTO BY J EFFERY JOHNST ON
Are there any great customer stories you can share? We have so many loyal customers, and it especially warms my heart when three generations come in together!
What are the most common mistakes people make with lingerie? The most common mistake we see is customers coming in with a bra that doesn’t fit. It may be shocking to hear, but studies show that eight out of 10 women are wearing the wrong bra size. Not only does the correct bra size look better, but it also feels better, reducing back and shoulder pain. Another common mistake is wearing the same bra day after day. Many women don’t realize that your bra needs a day of rest between wearings so it can maintain its shape, otherwise it stretches out and doesn’t fit the same. We recommend a minimum of three new bras per year, and the more bras you have, the longer they last! n
How did you get involved? I had been working in the lingerie industry since 1999, and I saw a need for better sizing, fashion and quality, so I started this fitting business from my home in 2005. Now we’ve grown to three stores with over 30 employees!
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heart, along with our soft and silky PJ Harlow sleep and loungewear.
S H O P TA L K
Eleanor Farnsworth Gardner Realtor By Mirella Cameran
How did you get your start in the business of real estate? I was a single mother of three young children and I had to work. Fortunately, my neighbor suggested that I would be a good real estate agent. She thought I had the right sales ability and really encouraged me. What’s your secret sauce for success? Hard work; I keep in close touch with my clients through the lost art of the telephone call and routinely go the extra mile for them, often doing things others are not willing to in order to help them.
PHOTO BY J EF FERY JOHN STON
Tell us about some of your most exciting sales? I sold Jerry Jeff Walker a place in the French Quarter. Afterwards, I went with his wife to London to help them find a flat there. I ended up becoming very good friends
with Jerry and his wife, Susan, through the experience. Jerry even gave several concerts at my home, which was so special for my children and their friends.
What sale are you most proud of? I represented both buyer and seller in the highest sale ever in New Orleans. It was a majestic home on St. Charles Avenue with Romanesque architecture, a true landmark. Do you have any properties right now that are really special? I have many fabulous listings, but three really special homes come to mind: 620 Ursulines Ave. in the French Quarter, which is the highest listing in the city; 2507 Prytania St., a Garden District mansion once owned by Ella Brennan; and 3711 St. Charles Ave., Anne Rice’s former home. Is there anything else you’d like to share? My career in real estate has been about the people – meeting new and exciting people and helping them to achieve their goals. n
ELEANOR FARNSWORTH, Gardner Realtors, 2727 Prytania St., Suite 15, 891-1142, cell: 6690211, EleanorFarnsworth.com
STCHARLESAVENUE.COM 59
S N A P S H OT S By Marie Gabriel 1
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1. Honoree C.J. Blanda with Alvin Albe and Virginia Boulet attend the French Quarter Citizen’s tricentennial gala “New Orleans Then and Now,” hosted at the Jung Hotel in November. 2. Glade Bilby shows off his painting “Margarita Bergen Riding in a Red Rolls Royce,” at the French Quarter Citizen’s tricentennial gala, one of four pieces he created for the event to depict the theme, “New Orleans Then and Now.” 3. Will Sadler, Morgan Mechling and Brian Gille were among the over 500 guests that attended the “2018 Magnolia Moonlight Merriment Gala” at the historic Whitehall Plantation and Grounds, which raised money to build group homes that provide safe and accessible housing for special needs adults. 4. Tac Crosby, Caroline Crosby and Caroline Eagan helped the attendees raise over $240,000 for the building of accessible homes for special needs adults at the “Magnolia Moonlight Merriment Gala.” The event featured a silent auction, performances by the Pussyfooters and the Rockenbraughs and a raffle to win a spot on a 2019 Krewe of Tucks float. 5. Members of the New Orleans Community Leadership Board attend the 2018 Tour de Cure at Audubon Park in November. Pictured are: Warren Surcouf, Cynthia Pazos, Eloise D. Keene, Kat Rito, Mark A. Rhodes, Sr. Elliott W. Bauman and Christopher K. Ralston. This year’s event also included a 5K walk and 5K run in addition to the bike race. 6. The Lockheed Martin Team, (back row) Mike Smith, Derek Luke, Nathan Cranmer, Albert Fairconeture, Mark Knoblach, Melanie Jennings, Jeff Pilet and Mark Cantrell and (front row) Meredith Smith, Megan Fontenot, Lilly Fontenot and Erin Blaise participate in the Tour de Cure in November to raise money for the American Diabetes Association. Over 260 cyclists attended the event, making up a total of 44 teams. 60 ST. CHARLES AVENUE APRIL 2019
S N A P S H OT S By Marie Gabriel 7
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7. Boys Town Louisiana Development Committee Chair Lex Kelso, Executive Director Dr. Dennis Dillon and Board Chair Tim Thomas attend “Cheers to Boys Town,” a gospel brunch for the organization’s supporters to come together raise money to change the way America cares for children, families and communities. Held at the Longue Vue House and Gardens in November, guests were treated to beautiful scenery, delicious food, live music and stories from youth who have been impacted by Boys Town Louisiana. 8. Community Supporter Antwan Harris, Boys Town Louisiana Board Member Jackie Harris and Boys Town Louisiana Director of Development Darrell Johnson were among the more than 80 guests at “Cheers to Boys Town” gospel brunch at the Longue Vue House and Gardens in November. 9. Rev. Juan Torres, O.P., Development Director of the Southern Province, Very Rev. Thomas M. Condon, O.P., Prior Provincial of the Southern Province, Dr. Cynthia A. Thomas, O.P.A., Recipient of the St. Martin de Porres Award and Rev. Victor Laroche, O.P., Socius and Vicar Provincial of the Southern Province are pictured at the “Southern Domenican Gala” at Messina’s at the Terminal in November. 10. Rev. Francis Orozco, O.P., Vocation Director of the Southern Province, Mrs. Thomas Bissell, President of the Southern Province Advisory Board and Dr. Stephen Derbes, Vice-President of the Southern Province Advisory Board attend the “Southern Domenican Gala.” The black-and-white themed party featured music by the Big Easy Boys and Babes, food from local restaurants and 110-item silent auction. 11. Artist Franco Alessandrini stands with his sculpture in Crescent Park after its unveiling in November. The monument is dedicated to the Hispanic people who helped build New Orleans after Hurricane Katrina, and was a gift to the City of New Orleans in its tricentennial anniversary by Dr. Juan Jorge Gershanik and his family. 12. The Gershanik family poses in front of the newly unveiled Hispanic Monument in Crescent Park with the artist, Franco Alessandrini (top row): Sophia Gershanik, Maureen Gershanik, Alex Gershanik, Ana Gershanik and Juan Gershanik with New Orleans City Council Vice-President Helena Moreno and family members Viviana Gershanik, David Denechaud holding Daniel Denechaud, Esteban Gershanik (second row) and Katie Gershanik, Charles Denechaud, Thomas Gershanik and Jack Denechaud (front row).
PERFORMING ARTS
April By Fritz Esker
Through 14
AZUL After the death of her Cuban-born mother, New Yorker Zelia comes to terms with her heritage and learns of her great aunt who remained in Cuba out of love for another woman. The play is written by New Orleans native Christina Quintana. Southern Rep Theatre, 2541 Bayou Road, 523-9857, SouthernRep.com
5-7
JUMP, JIVE, AND WAIL: THE MUSIC OF LOUIS PRIMA A spectacular cast recounts Prima’s legendary life and career while performing timeless classics like “Just a Gigolo” and “Basin Street Blues.” The Stage Door Canteen, 945 Magazine St., 528-1943, NationalWW2Museum.org
5-14
SOUTH PACIFIC Rodgers and Hammerstein’s classic musical follows two intercultural love stories during World War II. Jefferson Performing Arts Center, 6400 Airline Drive, 731-4700, JPAS.org
5-20
YOU’RE A GOOD MAN, CHARLIE BROWN Enjoy this family musical based on the comic strip Peanuts performed by talented young local actors. Rivertown Theaters for the Performing Arts, 325 Minor St., 461-9475, RivertownTheaters.com
6
BILL MAHER The longtime host of popular HBO current affairs talk show “Real Time with Bill Maher” brings his incendiary, takeno-prisoners standup to the Saenger. The Saenger Theater, 1111 Canal St., 525-1052, SaengerNOLA.com
62 ST. CHARLES AVENUE APRIL 2019
9
DOUBLE DARE LIVE! Original host Marc Summers and his beloved sidekick Robin Russo return with the live version of the classic Nickelodeon TV show. The Saenger Theater, 1111 Canal St., 525-1052, SaengerNOLA.com
11 & 13
BEETHOVEN SYMPHONY NO. 7 One of the leading cellists of our time, Julian Steckel, makes his debut with the Louisiana Philharmonic Orchestra to perform Beethoven. Orpheum Theater, 129 Roosevelt Way, 523-6530, OrpheumNOLA.com
12
DAVID SEDARIS NPR contributor and renowned comic storyteller David Sedaris (Naked, Me Talk Pretty One Day) is on a national tour promoting his new bestseller, Calypso. Orpheum Theater, 129 Roosevelt Way, 523-6530, OrpheumNOLA.com
12-14
RODGERS & HAMMERSTEIN’S CINDERELLA The legendary duo of Rodgers and Hammerstein’s musical take on the Cinderella fairy tale will delight audiences young and old. The Saenger Theater, 1111 Canal St., 525-1052, SaengerNOLA.com
April 26
PHIL LESH & THE TERRAPIN FAMILY BAND The Grateful Dead’s Phil Lesh brings his band to the Joy Theater with music infused with rock, folk, punk, jazz, metal, classical and other influences. The Joy Theater, 1200 Canal St., 528-9569, TheJoyTheater.com
26 & 28
VERDI’S RIGOLETTO Verdi’s tragic opera about love, power and revenge features powerful drama and beautiful music. Mahalia Jackson Theater for the Performing Arts, 1419 Basin St., 525-1052, MahaliaJacksonTheater.com
27
TROMBONE SHORTY & ORLEANS AVENUE “TREME THREAUXDOWN 5” Trombone Shorty & Orleans Avenue host another stellar lineup of musicians for the fifth “Treme Threauxdown.” Previous guests have included Usher, Wyclef Jean and Dr. John. The Saenger Theater, 1111 Canal St., 525-1052, SaengerNOLA.com
27
GOV’T MULE This Southern rock jam band, formed as a side project of The Allman Brothers Band, returns to New Orleans for a show at the Orpheum. Orpheum Theater, 129 Roosevelt Way, 523-6530, OrpheumNOLA.com
28
MELISSA ETHERIDGE WITH LIZ PHAIR Grammy-award winning singer Melissa Etheridge (“Come to My Window”) brings her Medicine Show tour to the Saenger with fellow 1990s rocker Liz Phair. The Saenger Theater, 1111 Canal St., 525-1052, SaengerNOLA.com
ADVERTISING SECTION
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ADVERTISING SECTION
FeBe 504-835-5250 FeBeClothing.com Get your BENE bag, available in multiple styles at FeBe. Carry the brand that celebrates the eccentric culture rooted in New Orleans and the elegance of classic Italian leather design.
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Optical Shoppe 504-301-1726 OpticalShoppeBR.com You’ll be the grandest lady at the Easter Parade in these Barton Perreira Patchett sunglasses in Seafoam (100% UVA/UVB protection), $375 from Optical Shoppe. Locally owned, with experienced staff will keep you looking and seeing your best.
ADVERTISING SECTION
PERLIS Clothing New Orleans, 504-895-8661 French Quarter, 504-5236681 Mandeville, 985-674-1711 Baton Rouge, 225-926,5909 Perlis.com Would he rather have colored eggs or a Tossed Crawfish Silk Tie by Vineyard Vines exclusively at PERLIS. A variety of colors including periwinkle, red, raspberry and bright yellow.
Relish 504-309-3336 RelishNewOrleans.com Visit Relish for all the latest European clothing for ages 0 to 8 years, plus plush toys and books for the little ones. Also find unique gifts, accessories, home décor and women’s clothing for spring. New items come in from around the world daily.
Mac-Gryder Gallery 504-322-2555 MacGryderGallery.com Fine art gallery with an emphasis on personal service. Featuring highend modern and contemporary paintings, drawings and photography. Regular exhibitors include Françoise Gilot, Dean Mitchell, Rolland Golden, Sandro Miller and David Leslie Anthony.
SOSUSU Boutique 504-309-5026 SoSusuBoutique.com This handmade Juliet style Koorelo in baby pink is the perfect pop to your outfit for any season.
Tchoup Industries 504-872-0726 TchoupIndustries.com The expandable Roulez Pack is water resistant, with a one-of-akind woven panel by local weaver Daron Douglas, and features a hook closure that doubles as a bottle opener. All items at Tchoup Industries are made with locally sourced materials and built durably enough to withstand your jaunts through “city and swamp.”
Wildflower 504-218-8996 @WearWildflower Trade in your candy for EAR candy this Easter! Multicolored Bauble Bar earrings featuring beaded and raffia details available at Wildflower!
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Arnaud’s Restaurant 813 Bienville St., New Orleans (504) 523-5433 ArnaudsRestaurant.com Arnaud’s Sunday Jazz Brunch adds another layer of New Orleans charm, with the sounds of Dixieland accompanying a decadent and leisurely meal with sweet starters such as the Creole Cream Cheese Evangeline and savory entrées like Eggs Fauteaux or Grillades & Grits.
Private Chef Catering by Chris Cody (504) 473-6350 ChefCody.com Chef Chris Cody provides a unique private dining experience for you and your guests in your home or event venue using hand-selected, fresh ingredients and local, artisan products for scratch cooking. Call today to work with Chef Cody on a custom specialty menu for your next event!
Mayas 2027 Magazine St., New Orleans (504) 309-3401 MayasOnMagazine.com Join Mayas every Saturday and Sunday 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Enjoy ½-price all sparkling wine and We Make It Mimosa with your choice of different juices. Try our new Arepas, Baleadas, Carne Asada or Sesame Softshell Crab.
Luke Restaurant 333 St. Charles Ave., New Orleans (504) 378-2840 LukeNewOrleans.com Luke is a Creole-inspired Brasserie located in the heart of New Orleans’ Central Business District on world-famous St. Charles Avenue, steps from the French Quarter. Luke serves up classic creole dishes like the brunch go to shrimp and grits.
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Red Gravy 125 Camp St., New Orleans (504) 561-8844 RedGravyCafe.com
Ralph’s On The Park 900 City Park Ave., New Orleans (504) 448-1000 RalphsOnThePark.com Springtime dining at its finest – weekend brunch at Ralph’s on the Park offers breathtaking views of City Park and bottomless bubbles, Mimosas and Rosé. Enjoy shareable appetizers and seasonal entrées including Crawfish Cakes & Poached Eggs and Strawberry French Toast.
Voted #1 Brunch and Italian in New Orleans Magazine’s Tops of the Town, Red Gravy is a cozy bistro where everything is made with love and dedicated to tradition. Chef and owner Roseann sources her ingredients locally or makes it herself. Open Wednesday through Monday 8 a.m. – 2 p.m.
The Country Club 634 Louisa St., New Orleans (504) 945-0742 TheCountryClubNewOrleans.com Chef Chris Barbato’s dishes are expertly crafted with local ingredients inspired by Italian-French and Creole-Southern heritages. Brunch is served Saturday and Sunday with dishes like Beef Debris and Eggs, Duck Confit Salad and an amazing Bloody Mary bar and bottomless mimosas. Drag brunch on Saturday requires advance reservations.
The Grill Room at Windsor Court 300 Gravier St., New Orleans (504) 522-1994 GrillRoomNewOrleans.com Served with a side of traditional New Orleans jazz, weekend brunch at The Grill Room boasts a Bubble Bar for build-your-own mimosas and a menu of small and large plates, including specialty dishes like Eggs Atchafalaya and Stuffed Beignets.
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Academy of the Sacred Heart Summer Camp 4521 St. Charles Ave., New Orleans (504) 269-1213 | ASHRosary.org/SummerCamp
Ecole Bilingue Le Camp d’été 821 General Pershing St., New Orleans (504) 896-4500 | EBNola.net
Calling all boys and girls – ages 1-13! Join us for a variety of festive and fun summer camps, like arts, sports, water fun, cheer, coaching clinics and the ever-popular theater camp (ASH Showstoppers: A Musical Journey). Don’t miss the return of Middle School Creative Choice with dance, music, baking, arts, fitness, yoga, sports, track ‘n’ field and more. Lunch is included in the tuition, and before/after-care are available for all camps. Dates: June 10-July 26. $225-$275 per week (depending camp choice).
Join Ecole Bilingue for a fun-filled French summer camp where children will learn the art of French cuisine, the joy of chanter (singing) and l’amour de la scene (theatre)! Camp is open to all children and French language background isn’t required. Give your child the experience of a lifetime by learning about French culture in a small group experience with a highly-trained staff. For more information, visit EBNola.net or email summercamp@ebnola.com.
Cabrini High School 1400 Moss St., New Orleans (504) 482-1193 | CabriniHigh.com/Camp Join Cabrini for a summer of fun! Camp Cabrini offers five sessions of activities including, swimming, fishing, sewing, cooking, STEM, athletics, dance, cheer, games, arts and crafts, painting, drama, kickball, jewelry making and more for girls and boys entering grades 1-7! Plus, camps and clinics that explore a variety of sports and the performing arts including drama, singing, instrumental music and movement! Camps begin May 27 and run through July 25. Before and after care is available.
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JCC Summer Camps 5342 St. Charles Ave., New Orleans (504) 897-0143 | NOJCC.org/Camp 3747 W. Esplanade Ave., Metairie (504) 887-5158 | NOJCC.org/Camp A summer of fun is around the corner! For almost 70 years the New Orleans JCC has provided a superior quality camp experience for children ages 21 months to grade 8. Campers develop meaningful friendships while having a blast swimming in our outdoor pools and enjoying art, music, drama, cooking, science and sports. Swim instruction is provided by American Red Cross certified Water Safety Instructors. Field trips, overnights, special events and dress up days add to the fun. Weekly offerings for those entering grades 6-8 include Tennis, STEM, Culinary Arts, Adventure Trips, Fitness, Crime Scene, Wizardry Camp and more! All are welcome at the JCC. Come spend your summer at the J! Camp Dates: June 3-July 26. Camp Ages: 21 months to 8th grade. Camp Costs: Prices vary between $130-$325 per week depending upon age, location and if you take advantage of the early bird rate. Before and after care are available.
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KidCam Camps 1100 Broadway Ave., New Orleans (877) 454-3226 KidCamCamp.com/Camp-Locations/Every-Day-Away
Ogden Museum of Southern Art 925 Camp St., New Orleans (504) 539-9608 | OgdenMuseum.org/SummerCamps
Summer Camp Reinvented. An exciting field trip adventure every day, every week with daily busses departing from Uptown near Tulane and Kidcam City Park. Every Day Away is a summer day camp concept, now in its fourth year, brought to you by KidCam Camps. Campers ages 7-14 grade will not stay put, but get off campus every day as they enjoy new destinations. Weekly trips include White Sands Beach, Gulf Island Water Park, River Road Go Karts, Clue Carre, Surge, Top Golf, 3 Arrows Archery, Turtle Cove, Gulfport Marine and more! Learn more online at EveryDayAway.Camp.
Through the Ogden Museum of Southern Art’s series of small, specialized camps, kids in grades 2 through 12 can explore fashion design, photography, painting, printmaking, puppetry, mixed media and more! Each session draws inspiration from Southern works of art and gives campers the chance to learn from professional artists in a unique museum setting. In celebration of each session, family and friends are invited to a final show or gallery exhibition showcasing camper artwork. Space is limited, register today to reserve your camper’s spot!
Louise S. McGehee 2343 Prytania St., New Orleans (504) 561-1224 | McGeheeSchool.com/Summer
St. Michael School 1522 Chippewa St., New Orleans (504) 524-7285 | StMichaelSpecialSchool.com
Summer at McGehee camp for girls and boys aims to make sure every camper has the best summer ever! Summer is a time for fun and adventure, and our dedicated staff of McGehee faculty and alumnae work tirelessly to create a summer camp experience that promotes an environment where campers have fun, make new friends, and try new things. We pride ourselves on a low campercounselor ratio, allowing us to customize each camper’s experience so that they can maximize their summer fun! Camp runs from 9 a.m.3 p.m. Monday- Friday and weekly registration is available. Before and after care is available as well as delicious daily lunch from Café Louise. Daily snacks and one T-shirt is provided to each camper.
St. Michael School is introducing Exploration Academy Summer Enrichment! This six-week program is focusing on individual student potential through independent life skills, self-determination and community experiences. The session runs June 3-July 12. Exploration Academy is open to both St. Michael students and non-St. Michael students ages 17-26 with intellectual and developmental disabilities. In this program, students will learn skills in goal setting, selfadvocacy, business technology and resume/interview skills plus have opportunities to apply skills in community based work experiences. Limited space is available. To learn more visit StMichaelSpecialSchool.com or call (504) 524-7285.
Louisiana Children’s Museum 420 Julia St., New Orleans (504) 523-1357 | LCM.org/Come-Play/Camps LCM is rolling Full STEAM ahead! During four weeks of summer camp, campers will explore all things STEAM – science, technology, engineering, art and mathematics. Explore the wonders of science through crazy, hands-on experiments, stretch your imagination with fun design challenges, travel back to a time when dinosaurs roamed the earth, discover who lives in the Louisiana wetlands, create your own miniature exhibit pieces and mini-exhibit dioramas and more! Love Swimming 5221 S. Front St., New Orleans (504) 891-4662| LoveSwimming.com Make sure your child is ready for camp, swim tests and summer vacation by enrolling today! Love Swimming is the premier swim school of New Orleans where the main focus is teaching children 6 months and up how to swim in an enjoyable and effective way! The facility contains two heated indoor saltwater pools making lessons comfortable and possible whether rain or shine. Classes are taught by experienced, patient and fun instructors who intend to keep your child safe and engaged.
Ursuline Academy Camp U 2635 State St., New Orleans (504) 861-9150 | UANola.org/Camp-U-2019 Ursuline Academy’s Camp U provides individualized camp programs with subjects your camper loves most. Empower your camper with fun challenges including creative problem solving, collaboration and entrepreneurship with Camp Invention. For your creative spirit, Camp Create offers art, singing, cooking, baking, sewing, creative writing, music and more. Your shining star will have fun gaining valuable performance skills in Camp Starstruck – playing “improv” games, learning about stage makeup and rehearsing for the finale, Cinderella. For athletes, there’s Camp of Champions lead by both district and state-winning coaches and former college athletes and includes volleyball, softball, basketball, running, dance, cheer and soccer.
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PUBLISHER’S NOTICE: All real estate advertised herein is subject to the Federal Fair Housing Ace and the Louisiana Open Housing Act, which make it illegal to advertise any preference, limitation, or discrimination because of race, color, religion, sex, handicap, familial status, or national origin, or intention to make any such preference, limitation, or discrimination. We will not knowingly accept any advertising for real estate which is in violation of the law. For more information, call the Louisiana Attorney General’s Office at 1-800-273-5718.
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Magnolia Bridge A bridge by any other name … By Seale Paterson
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maps and plans interchangeably referred to it as Magnolia Parkway Bridge and Magnolia Bridge. But for many of the following decades the bridge was called the Harding Bridge (after the street it ran onto), according to New Orleans Street Department records. In 1971, Bayou St. John was drained and the bridge was found to have cracked abutments and rotted pilings below the water line, as well as missing boards above it. Major repairs were deemed low priority because its small size restricted the amount and type of traffic that used it. The bridge was declared a pedestrian-only bridge in 1972. In 1990, a City Council ordinance was passed, making “Magnolia Bridge” the official name. But memory is short when it comes to bridge names, and in the 2000s it was often called Cabrini Bridge, due to its proximity to Cabrini High.
Despite all the name changes, Magnolia Bridge has been a popular neighborhood gathering spot for performances, picnics, sunset drinking clubs and weddings for many years. More refurbishment and repair in 2018-2019 will certainly continue to entice people to take a little rest over Bayou St. John for many years to come. n
Dedication of the recently refurbished Magnolia Bridge, circa 1989. Standing at the center is Mayor Sidney J. Barthelemy, with Archbishop Phillip Hannan next to him on the left side of the photo and Sheriff Charles Foti on the right side, two people over from the Mayor. The 1989 improvements included replacing the wooden walkway, repairing and repainting metal elements, and new landscaping, and were a joint effort between the Faubourg St. John Neighborhood Association, the Sheriff’s Office, Cabrini High’s Parent Association and the city.
IMAGE PROVIDED COURTE SY OF THE LOUISIANA DIVIS ION OF THE N EW ORLEANS PUBLIC LIBRARY.
The Magnolia Bridge, a favorite Bayou St. John landmark, has a long history as well as a long history of names. The hand-cranked swivel bridge was built in the late 1800s when Bayou St. John was still in use as a commercial waterway. In 1908-1909, the bridge was moved about a quarter-mile from its original location at Esplanade Avenue to Harding Street. Known as the Magnolia Garden Bridge thanks to a nearby entertainment venue by the same name, the move cost $30,000, a price tag that included deepening the bayou to ensure the stability of the bridge to support the mule-drawn cart and automobile traffic. In 1934, pedestrian walkways were added to protect Holy Rosary Elementary and Cabrini High School students walking to school, and further refurbishing occurred during a 1936 WPA project. At this time, city