St. Charles Avenue December 2021 by Renaissance Publishing

ST. CHARLES AVENUE MAGAZINE

DECEMBER 2021

ST. CHARLES AVENUE’S 2021 ACTIVISTS OF THE YEAR

C o n te n t s

VOLUME 26 ISSUE 5

Features St. Charles Avenue's Activists of the Year 2021 Angel and Taylor Beery; Robin Burgess and Terence Blanchard; and Drs. Joy and Howard Osofsky 38

In Every Issue Bev's Note A letter from Executive Editor Bev Church 8 Morgan's Note A letter from Editor Morgan Packard Griffith 10 What's New on the Web StCharlesAvenue.com 9 Nonprofit Events Calendar 10 Arts Calendar 12

On the Cover St. Charles Avenue's Activists of the Year 2021: Angel and Taylor Beery, Walker (not pictured) McLain and Evelyn Beery; Robin Burgess and Terence Blanchard; and Drs. Joy and Howard Osofsky

Since its fifth year, St. Charles Avenue has honored local activists every December. For those of you doing the math, that means this is our 20th year of Activists, with more than 80 profiled, in this, our 25th anniversary year! Though COVID-19 pandemic protocols are lessening every day, it would've been unsafe (and difficult, considering Robin and Terence were in California at the time of our interviews) for us to gather everyone together for a photograph, much less an event. So instead we leaned on illustrator Michelle Kondrich, an award winning commercial artist and animator specializing in editorial illustration whose work has been recognized by The Society of Illustrators and the Society for Newspaper Design. So though this image is hyper-local, it took people from Los Angeles to Washington D.C. to make it perfect. And isn't that, the coming together of people from varied places and backgrounds united to make something better, what activism is all about?

Art by Michelle Kondrich

STCHARLESAVENUE.COM

C o n te n t s

Style What's Hot Holiday Jewelry 14 Designer Spotlight Kathy Slater, Owner & Designer of Kathy Slater Design Collection 16 What to Wear Jeremy Davenport “sleighs” holiday fashion 18 Changemakers Jonny Liss, Co-Founder of JAMNOLA 20

Society

Celebration

Along The Avenue Reunions, Books & Holiday Shopping 22

How to Host Art of the Plate 50

Philanthropic Faces Bivian “Sonny” Lee III, Founder & CEO of Son of a Saints 24

Entertaining With Bev Holiday decorating ideas from Bev, Landscape Images and Urban Earth 52

Philanthropic Events Ogden Museum of Southern Art’s “Magnolia Ball” 26

With This Ring Tufton – Delery 54

Philanthropic Events The Women’s Guild of the New Orleans Opera Association’s “Mad Hatters Luncheon and Fashion Show” 28

Looking Back The Poche Theater: Irwin Poche’s vision still shines today 56

Philanthropic Events One Book One New Orleans’ “Juleps in June” 30 Philanthropic Events New Orleans Wine & Food Experience’s “Ella Brennan ‘Stand Up for Your Hometown’ Awards” 32 Philanthropic Events Bridge House / Grace House’s “Mr. Legs” 34 Snapshots Quick looks at nonprofit events around town 36

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Finishing Touches Making Spirits Bright: PolyPaige's pieces inspire smiles 72

Associate Publisher Kate Henry EDITORIAL

Executive Editor Bev Church Editor Morgan Packard Griffith Art Director Ali Sullivan Food & Dining Columnist Jyl Benson Web Editor Kelly Massicot Event Photo Coordinator Jeff Strout ADVERTISING

Associate Publisher Kate Henry Kate@myneworleans.com or 504-830-7216 Account Director Meggie Schmidt Senior Account Executive Rachel Webber Account Executive Erin Chiartano Advertising Consultant Penn Iarocci

MARKETING

Coordinator Abbie Whatley PRODUCTION

Manager Rosa Balaguer Designer Meghan Rooney CIRCULATION

Subscriptions Jessica Armand Distribution John Holzer ADMINISTRATION

Office Manager Mallary Wolfe Chief Executive Officer Todd Matherne For subscription information call (504) 828-1380

A Publication of Renaissance Publishing, LLC 110 Veterans Memorial Blvd., Suite 123 Metairie, LA 70005 (504) 828-1380 MyNewOrleans.com The entire contents of this magazine are copyrighted by Renaissance Publishing, LLC, © 2021 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.

Let te r f ro m t h e Ed i to r

A Note from Bev Activists & Events We’re so proud to announce our activists for the year! Congratulations to Angel and Taylor Beery and their amazing children Walker, Evelyn and McLain for creating Kids Join The Fight; to award-winning trumpeter Terence Blanchard and his wife Robin Burgess, CEO of Burgess Management for their support of arts, artists and arts education; and to Drs. Howard and Joy Osofsky, who are honored for their national and internationally known efforts to help children and families exposed to violence, terrorism and warfare. Walker Beery was diagnosed with brain cancer at the age of 7 and he passed away at age 9. This brave little boy founded Kids Join The Fight to empower kids to join the fight against pediatric cancer by raising money to find a cure and to provide care for pediatric cancer patients. Children from all over the United States have raised over $750,000 so far on their way to their goal of $1 million. To donate to this incredible cause please visit KidsJoinTheFight.org. Terence Blanchard, Oscar nominee, six-time Grammy winner, trumpeter and composer is from right here in New Orleans! He started his career in Lionel Hampton’s Orchestra then the Jazz Messengers and his composition was just

performed at the Metropolitan Opera! His wife Robin Burgess is CEO of Burgess Management and Over the Garage Productions, which guides Terence’s and other musicians’ careers. Together they make supporting the arts, artists and education seem second nature. Many of you know Dr. Joy Osofsky, professor of pediatrics and psychiatry, and Dr. Howard Osofsky, professor of psychiatry, both at Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center. Among so many reasons, they’re known for the work and development of programs to support children and families impacted by the pandemic and disasters, as well as organizing the fundraiser “Sunday at Emeril’s.” Please read more about our recipients in Sue Strachan’s feature about these New Orleanians who are making a difference in our great city! We want to alert you that the contact email for November 2021’s Changemakers profile on Ashley Ledet and her Bons Temps Blooms was incorrect, it's: bonstempsblooms@gmail.com. We encourage you to visit StCharlesAvenue.com and reread her story. Our apologies! Don’t forget the Registry of Charitable Events is coming in the January issue! Send your fundraisers to Morgan so you won’t be left out. Now that our fundraisers are in person, you want to

make sure that everyone knows about yours! Have a wonderful holiday with your families! Keep in mind the people who are still recovering from Hurricane Ida and the pandemic; keep all of them in our prayers and give to a nonprofit that will help them come back stronger! Happy Holidays, Beverly Reese Church

I explained a little about Kids Join the Fight in my column above, but Walker Beery was an amazing young man and he’ll be sorely missed! In his few short years, he created a nonprofit that will live on and help many children with pediatric brain cancer. His grandmother, Anne Beery, sent me a note of thanks for my donation and told me that Walker didn’t want anyone to suffer as he did. He knew that with funding and research, as he said, “Someday, they will save a boy like me!” Children and adults all over the country are creating their own fundraisers in honor of Walker Beery’s wishes, and you and your children can start one, too. Please let us know what you’re doing (email Morgan@MyNewOrleans.com), and we’ll spotlight your efforts in Avenue! Walker, Taylor, Evelyn,McLain and Angel Beery

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Let te r f ro m t h e Ed i to r

A Note from Morgan Holiday Happenings This year the time between Halloween and Christmas seems shorter than ever. Maybe it’s Daylight Savings (Can’t we all agree the time for this has passed?), or the return to going out and being around people again as the holiday events have ramped up to full speed, or even the added stress of having to place orders for holiday gifts earlier because of shipping delays, but no matter the reason we turned the corner at Thanksgiving, started running at Hanukkah and are heading headlong into Christmas. The easiest, and best, way to avoid that last headache is to shop locally, and boy do we have you covered this month. From our What’s Hot for diamond jewelry, to How to Host, What to Wear, Finishing Touches and more, this issue will help you find the perfect gift to finish out your lists, locally. If you’re into baking (or have had holiday baking thrust upon you) but don’t have the inclination or space to collect differently shaped and sized pans, look no further than your local library! The New Orleans Public Library’s Cake Pan Collection lives at the Rosa F. Keller Library and Community Center. Donated by Delgado Community College’s Culinary Arts Chair Angela Wilson, the collection features a variety of shapes, including SpongeBob and Cinderella, and sets up to five tiers tall. You can use your library card to borrow these professional-grade baking pans for up to three weeks at a time! Learn more at NolaLibrary.com. Christian Shane Properties is excited to announce their new headquarters at 2125 St. Charles Ave. in a Grand Victorian mansion, “making them the only luxury real estate brokerage on the Avenue.” They see this space as a “collaborative environment servicing client needs spanning lifestyle, hospitality, investment and development,” and their ballroom will be available for special events! Learn more at ChristianShane.com. No matter where you go, who you see or how you choose to celebrate, make certain that you do; it’s been quite a long and stressful year, and it’s time to toast being alive! See you in 2022! Morgan Packard Griffith

DECEMBER NONPROFIT EVENTS CALENDAR 2 Third annual Holiday Tree Lighting & Music Festival, benefiting Poydras Home, 504-897-0535, PoydrasHome.com 2 Casino Night, benefiting Touro Infirmary Foundation, 504-897-8435, Touro.com/casino 3 Signature Chefs Auction, benefiting March of Dimes, SignatureChefs.org/NewOrleans2021 4 Ballo di Natale, benefiting the Elenian Club, 504-450-9443 4 Fourth annual Improvisations Gala, benefiting New Orleans Jazz Museum, NOLAJazzMuseum.org/gala 4 2021 Ladies of the Shield Holiday Home Tour, benefiting Brother Martin High School, 504-284-6700, BrotherMartin.com/giving/ ladies-of-the-shield 5 Eighth annual Latkes with a Twist, benefiting Jewish Children’s Regional Service, 504-828-6334, JCRS.org 6 WYES’ Season of Good Tastes, benefiting WYES, WYES.org/events 7 Fete de Noel: A Virtual Auction and Raffles Event, benefiting Ladies Leukemia League, 504-458-4288, bidpal.net/fetedenoel 8 Stake Out for Justice, benefiting New Orleans Police and Justice Foundation, Inc, 504-558-9944, NOPJF.org 8 VIP Reception for the 2021 NOHHF Scholarship Program Fundraising Campaign (invitation-only), benefiting New Orleans Hispanic Heritage Foundation, 504-558-9944, NOHHF.org 9 Son of a Saint 2021 Annual Gala, benefiting Son of a Saint, 504-561-7508, SonOfASaint.org 11-12 47th annual Holiday Home Tour, benefiting the Preservation Resource Center of New Orleans, 504-581-7032, PRCNO.org

Next month’s issue will feature St. Charles Avenue’s Registry of Charitable Events: January-April 2022. If you have an event during that time, please fill out our form no later than Monday, December 6, to be included: MyNewOrleans.com/submit-a-charitable-event

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11 Eighth annual Symposium: Revolution: The Haitian Revolution and its Impact on New Orleans, benefiting Friends of the Cabildo, 504-523-3939, FriendsOfTheCabildo.org 17 & 20-23 Upturn Arts Camp, benefiting Upturn Arts, UpturnArts.org 22 Home for the Holidays, benefiting the NOCCA Foundation, 504-940-2914, NOCCAFoundation.org

NEW

O n Th e We b

On StCharlesAvenue.com

ShopTalk Blog

“

It’s December already! But don’t worry, there’s still plenty of time to scoop up those holiday and hostess gifts, find fabulous cocktail party attire and explore the most decadent treats to serve! We’ll guide you through all this and more in this month’s Shop Talk blog. Also, have you seen our IGTV Live series every Friday at lunchtime? This month you can watch us try on to-die-for diamonds with local jewelers, meet a custom clothier, taste alcoholic gelato and more.

Find Penn Iarocci’s weekly blog, Shop Talk every Wednesday on StCharlesAvenue.com and additional interviews and highlights Fridays on Instagram live @StCharlesAvenueMag and Facebook @StCharlesAvenue. What local finds should we feature next? Email shoptalk@myneworleans.com.

Don’t forget to shop these fun, local holiday events for unique, handmade gifts! December 4 • Holiday Boutique at McGehee School (9 a.m.-4 p.m.) • Old Metairie Christmas Market at St. Francis School (9 a.m.-2 p.m.) • Merry Market at Longue Vue Gardens (1 p.m.-4 p.m.) December 5 • Holiday Boutique at Country Day School, Chandler Circle (11 a.m.-4 p.m.) December 7 • Junior League of New Orleans Holly Jolly Market at JLNO Headquarters (online sale ends December 8) December 8 • Harrison Avenue Marketplace at 801 Harrison Ave. (5 p.m.-8:30 p.m.) December 11 • Freretstivus at Freret at Napoleon (TBD) • Home for the Holidays on Magazine Street (all day) • Ogden Museum of Southern Art Holiday Market (noon-’til) December 18 • French Quarter Museum Association Holiday Market at various museums (10 a.m.-4 p.m.) • The Finish Line on Magazine Street (all day)

Online Extras • Photo Fun Looking for more people supporting our nonprofits? Look no further than StCharlesAvenue.com for more Snapshots and images for every Philanthropic Event profiled in this issue.

• Nonprofit Events Calendar Continually updated with the latest information on when fundraisers are happening around town.

STCHARLESAVENUE.COM

A r t s C a l e n da r

Dec. 1

Allman Family Revival, Saenger Theatre, 1111 Canal St., 504-525-1052, SaengerNola.com

Bert Kreischer: The Berty Boy Relapse Tour, Saenger Theatre, 1111 Canal St., 504-525-1052, SaengerNola.com

Lunchbox Lecture: The Raid at Pearl Harbor, National WWII Museum, 945 Magazine St., 504-528-1944, NationalWW2Museum.org

Mario Moore: A New Republic, Arthur Rogers Gallery, 432 Julia St., 504-522-1999, ArthurRogerGallery.com

It might be 85 degrees outside, but it will definitely look a lot like Christmas inside the Saenger Theater when Mannheim Steamroller Christmas takes over on December 23. Saenger Theatre, 1111 Canal St., 504-525-1052, SaengerNola.com

10-12

Ogden Museum Meditation, Ogden Museum of Southern Art, 925 Camp St., 504-539-9650, OgdenMuseum.org

The Elf on the Shelf, Mahalia Jackson Theater of the Performing Arts, 1419 Basin St., 504-525-1052

3-24

Cody Jinks, Saenger Theatre, 1111 Canal St., 504-525-1052, SaengerNola.com

Last Podcast on the Left, Orpheum Theater, 129 Roosevelt Way, OrpheumNola.com

Yoga in the Sculpture Garden, New Orleans Museum of Art, One Collins C. Diboll Circle, City Park, 504-658-4100, NOMA.org

The Nutcracker, New Orleans School of Ballet, Loyola University’s Marquette Theatre, 6363 St. Charles Ave., NewOrleansSchoolOfBallet.com

Hadestown, Saenger Theatre, 1111 Canal St., 504-525-1052, SaengerNola.com

14-19

January

A Swinging Christmas, National WWII Museum, 945 Magazine St., 504528-1944, NationalWW2Museum.org

3-5

Breaking the Thermometer to Hide the Fever, Contemporary Arts Center, 900 Camp St., 504-528-3805, CACNO.org

Jazz for Kids, Prytania Theater at Canal Place, 333 Canal St., 504-290-2658, PrytaniaCanalPlace.com

Vivica A. Fox: Funny by Nature, Mahalia Jackson Theater of the Performing Arts, 1419 Basin St., 504-525-1052

Cats, Saenger Theatre, 1111 Canal St., 504-525-1052, SaengerNola.com

16-18

re:FRAME: Every Body Dance Now, Contemporary Arts Center, 900 Camp St., 504-528-3805, CACNO.org, Twitter.com/cacno

Visit StCharlesAvenue.com to submit your Arts Event.

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18-19

Delta Festival Ballet, Mahalia Jackson Theater of the Performing Arts, 1419 Basin St., 504-525-1052

The Nutcracker, Jefferson Performing Arts Center, 6400 Airline Drive, JeffersonPAC.com

20-24

Jazz Brunch with Santa, The Court of Two Sisters, 613 Royal St., 504-522-7261

Sarah Brightman: A Christmas Symphony, Saenger Theatre, 1111 Canal St., 504-525-1052, SaengerNola.com jan.

28-2

7-8

Wizard World Comic-Con New Orleans, New Orleans Ernest N. Morial Convention Center, 900 Convention Center Blvd., MCCNO.com

Elton John, Smoothie King Center, 1501 Dave Dixon Drive, SmoothieKingCenter.com

St y l e W hat ’s H ot

Holiday Jewelry What’s a holiday wish list without a little glitz? From timepieces with bling to little black boxes that make wedding bells ring, make spirits all the brighter this season with a gesture that sparkles.

By Amy Gabriel

1. A supernova small pendant necklace with diamonds by David Yurman is like wearing fireworks when the clock strikes midnight. Lee Michaels Fine Jewelry, 3301 Veterans Memorial Blvd., Suite 110-B, 504-832-0000, LMFJ.com

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2. Sparkle like a flute of champagne in a duet of David Yurman Chatelaine® full pavé triple drop earrings in 18 karat yellow gold. Aucoin Hart Jewelers, 1525 Metairie Road, 504-834-9999, AucoinHart.com

3. Planning for a holiday engagement? Do so with an 18 karat white gold and 1.30 carat trillion cut diamond GIA certified F color SI2 clarity with .56 total carat weight of round brilliant cut diamonds set in the halo and band. Jack Sutton Fine Jewelry, 365 Canal St., Suite 122, 504-522-8080; 315 Royal St., 504-522-0555, JackSutton.com

SELECT PHOTOS BY CHERYL GERBER

4. Pretty up your lobes in a pair of bar studs accented with brilliant cut diamonds. Part of the New Orleans Collection, 100 percent of the purchase will go to Hurricane Ida relief. Diamonds Direct, 3230 Severn Ave., 504-383-3900, DiamondsDirect.com 5. Countdown to 2022 in classic style with a vintage Cartier timepiece. Wellington & Company, 505 Royal St., 504-525-4855, WCJewelry.com

6. Make a stylish statement at a holiday gathering while wearing a Monika chain necklace in vintage gold. Kendra Scott, 5757 Magazine St., 504-613-4227, KendraScott.com 7. Add a chic touch to his Sazerac-lifting wrist with handcrafted sterling silver and bronze charbroiled oyster cufflinks. Jose Balli New Orleans Jewelry, 621 Chartres St., 504-522-1770; 3138 Magazine St., 504-371-5533; 800 Metairie Road, 504-832-8990; JoseBalli.com

8. Take his tie up a notch with a moon ray stud pin featuring a crescent moon and starburst design, inspired by the New Orleans watermeter. Mignon Faget, 3801 Magazine St., 504-891-2005; 3301 Veterans Memorial Blvd., 504-835-2244; MignonFaget.com 9. The more the merrier, upgrade your wrist with the Jude Frances mixed metal collection. Boudreaux’s Jewelers, 701 Metairie Road, 504-831-2602, BoudreauxsJewelers.com 10. Invite good karma into the New Year with an evil eye protector ring with sapphire, topaz, emerald or brown diamonds. Porter Lyons, 631 Toulouse St., 504-518-4945, PorterLyons.com

STCHARLESAVENUE.COM

St y l e D e si g n

Kathy Slater Owner & Designer, Kathy Slater Design Collection By Stephen Maloney

Kathy Slater had spent more than three decades as an interior designer when she started seeing the same piece of furniture over and over again. “I went to a home tour, and I think on that home tour I saw the same coffee table in three different houses,” Slater says. Sensing an obvious opportunity in the market, Slater started toying with the idea of designing and creating her own furniture. “I was looking for a coffee table for a client, so I decided I would make something,” she says. “I got inspired by this cast iron baluster leg that I found at Orleans Ornamental, and I made this coffee table and it was a big hit.” From there, Slater began creating her own custom finishes to go with her coffee tables, which are also customized to fit specific rooms and needs.

While designer furniture once seemed to become less comfortable the more high-end it was, Slater never loses sight of functionality when she comes up with her designs. “The piece has to relate to the room, and it has to function in the room,” she says. “We can help a client do all that. We can make a piece of furniture look really good in the room and go with the room and also function for the need.” Kathy Slater Design Collection, 3908 Magazine St. (by appointment), 504-400-9032 kathyslater118@gmail.com, KathySlater.com

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“Every time I say ‘Okay, I’m just going to do standard sizes,’ someone will call me for a custom order and I don’t turn them down,” she says. “The pieces are made to order, and that’s what makes us stand apart.” After mastering the coffee table, Slater started branching out into other types of furniture. Her favorite designs incorporate aspects of Louisiana and French culture, especially the popular Audubon and Pontchartrain tables. “We started doing beds, and we’re doing these really pretty hand railings,” Slater says. “We’re now doing iron stair railings, with different finishes on them. There’s a lot going on.” From that initial spark of inspiration drawn from an old baluster, Slater has now almost come full circle, back to designing iron balusters. It’s yet another product of a restless design mind. ✦

STCHARLESAVENUE.COM

St y l e Fashion

What to Wear Sleigh-ing Holiday Fashion

New Orleans icon Jeremy Davenport is always at the top of our best dressed list in a suit by Luca Falcone Custom Clothiers (LFSuits.com) at The Ritz-Carlton. ➺

Styled by Melissa Coleman Photographed by Theresa Cassagne

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Hitting the holiday party circuit? Here’s what to wear to lighting ceremonies, house parties or a spin on the dance floor at the Davenport Lounge.

Suited Up

Home for the Holidays

Celebration in the Oaks

Paul Smith Suit, Eton dress shirt and Raffi Cashmere Sweater, all available at Rubensteins. Rubensteins, 1 Canal St., 504581-6666, RubensteinsNewOrleans.com

Wool overcoat by Billy Reid, Stenstroms striped shirt and Rubensteins private design scarf, all available at Rubensteins.

Wool Shacket by Byron British Style and Perlis private crawfish label plaid buttondown, both available at Perlis. Perlis, 6070 Magazine St.; 600 Decatur St.; 1281 N. Causeway Blvd., Mandeville; 8366 Jefferson Highway, Baton Rouge; 800-725-6070, Perlis.com

If you need to recover, the Ritz-Carlton's luxurious new residence suite will be available this holiday season, as well as their newly renovated spa.

STCHARLESAVENUE.COM

St y l e C ha n g e maker s

Jonny Liss Co-Founder, JAMNOLA By Lindsay Mack

An immersive, 12-room experience, JAMNOLA celebrates New Orleans art, music and culture with works from over 20 local artists. Short for Joy Art Music New Orleans, JAMNOLA’s founders Chad Smith and Jonny Liss have redefined the museum in a post-pandemic world. Bright colors, costumes and, of course, plenty of beads are just a few of the attractions in this one-of-a-kind museum. Wanting to spread joy throughout New Orleans, JAMNOLA founders Smith and Liss originally envisioned the museum as

a sort of festival-type environment with touchable, interactive exhibits. The idea took off and, by January of 2020, all of the artists were signed on and ready to begin work. When the COVID19 pandemic struck, however, everything was put on hold. Then Smith and Liss decided to bring their creative vision to life while working within the new socially distanced world. So instead of the planned rollout, artists worked in the JAMNOLA building one by one for safety. Lastly, Liss and Smith reimagined the entire museum to fit

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GET INVOLVED Descriptions alone don’t capture the magic of JAMNOLA, Liss explains. “You have to experience it in person to really understand,” says Liss. “We’re trying to give everyone some joy through large doses of music and art.” JAMNOLA 2832 Royal St. info@jamnola.com JAMNOLA.com

COVID-19 health restrictions, switching instead to a touchless (but still spectacular) experience. These restrictions in no way diminished the spirit of JAMNOLA. Exhibits that originally included tactile elements are now more visual. Sound fields and instrument walls are still a part of the experience, but they’re now touchless and triggered by a participant’s proximity. Hand sanitizer is readily available, and timed tickets help keep the building’s occupancy small. Liss understood that this “Museum of the New Normal” had to be embraced by locals, and the city’s spirit is celebrated here. Some of JAMNOLA’s exhibits include “All On a Mardi Gras Day” (based on the documentary from Royce Osborn), which explores classic elements of Black Carnival such as Skeletons, Baby Dolls and Black Masking Indians. Electric “flavor paper” wallpaper designs from artist Jon Sherman represent both day and night parades with original artwork in blazing neon colors. More than 22,000 recycled Mardi Gras beads from the Arc of Greater New Orleans make up Chad Smith’s unique exhibit, while a costume closet from artist Shel Roumillat includes over 30 costumes made by 30 different makers for Mardi Gras. ✦

PHOTO BY CHERYL GERBER

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S o cie t y A l o n g T he Avenu e

Reunions, Books & Holiday Shopping By Diane Sustendal

I can’t quite pin down when it happened, but by the time The Beauregard-Keys House opened its doors, beautiful garden and restored back patio, it felt like this social season had begun.

Jeff Parker strummed on the front porch, Bon Bon Vivant kept them dancing in the patio, Palate did the food and flowers and people poured in; air kisses everywhere and hugs galore for some not seen since the pandemic began. Among those celebrating: Dr. and Mrs. Stephen Hales; Richard and

Sarah Freeman; Johnathan McCall; Director of Beaurgard-Keys House Annie Irwin; Larry and Sharon Schmidt; and Scott Tilton, who has returned from France with partner Rudy Bazenet, to found Nous: a multi-platform way to connect Louisiana to the Frenchspeaking world. Four local authors rolled out books that are highly intelligent, dreamy and side-splittingly funny. Walter Isaacson’s The Code Breaker about Nobel Prize winner Jennifer Doudna hit the best seller list. Debra Shriver combined a series of dreamlike photographs and knowledge gathered during an extended stay in France before her move to New Orleans. French Leave: From Paris to Orleans Parish

will make you appreciate small details, massive bundles of flowers and cafe au lait. Former St. Charles Avenue Editor Sue Strachan may not want to see coffee for a long time. Her book The Café Brûlot is full of interesting tidbits, lore

22 ST. CHARLES AVENUE DECEMBER 2021

and legend. It’s a perfect hostess present. A.J. Friedman’s incredible dive into the world of Eating the National Food Day Calendar – fried bologna and all – still has me wondering how he’s alive, but he sure is funny. Since we’re shopping locally this year, you can pick up all four at The Garden District Book Shop. Then saunter around at the goodies at Judy at The Rink and the Maisonette. I love Grace Kaynor’s shop Sotre on Magazine Street, but I love her even more for opening another Sorte in the CBD, just across from Rouses on Baronne Street. Now I can get those Baobob candles, special linens, and other treasures, and then duck into pick up rotisserie chicken. Alexa Pulitzer, long a supporter of the Preservation Hall Foundation, is doing it again.

At her trunk show at The Chloe she presented chic bags with her signature alligator clasps in fab colors. A portion of the proceeds go to the foundation. Snapped up two, making me feel doubly good for the artist and great cause. Check out her website for other goodies. Check out The Shop at The Historic New Orleans Collection. I picked up three of Jennifer Schmidt’s oyster tress – decorative all year round. And I was all in with NOMA’s gift shop during a preview of the very talented local artist Dawn DeDeaux’s multimedia “The Space between Worlds.” It was the centerpiece of the “Odyssey Ball”; stunning and moving. “Odyssey” itself was great! Ralph Brennan food, booze beaucoup, two bands and fun galore thanks to glittering Co-Chairs Kathrine and Tony Gelderman and Jennifer and Dennis Lauscha. The frisky Young Fellows Patrons’ Chairs Taylor and Martin Pospisil and Carroll Gelderman and pals closed the place down! ✦

STCHARLESAVENUE.COM

S o cie t y P hila n t hro p ic Faces

Bivian “Sonny” Lee III Founder & CEO, Son of a Saint By Sue Strachan

How many years have you been with this organization? Ten years in this role and position.

For Sonny Lee, success isn’t just a goal, it’s a mission. It has to be when you start a nonprofit organization from the ground up and celebrate its 10th anniversary this month. The organization is Son of a Saint, which offers a number of programs to help boys whose fathers are dead or incarcerated. The roots of Son of a Saint are personal for Sonny. His father, Bivian Lee Jr., a cornerback for the New Orleans Saints from 1971 to 1975, died in 1984 at the age of 36. He left behind his wife, young daughter and son. Mentors, sports and counseling gave Sonny the right perspective, so he didn’t go down a destructive path. And after working as Director of Operations for the New Orleans Zephyrs, Director of the New Orleans Jazz Institute and as Chief Aide to New Orleans Saints and Pelicans Owner Tom Benson, Sonny realized it was time to give back, and he started Son of a Saint. Through the years Sonny has been recognized for his work, and among his awards are: Gambit Weekly, 40 Under 40 (2011) and New Orleanian of the Year (2016); Children’s Bureau of New Orleans, Children’s Hero Award (2017); Adore “A-List” Honoree (2019); University of New Orleans Homer Hitt Alumnus of the Year (2018); Links, Inc. Crescent City Chapter, Champion of Change (2013); and New Orleans Magazine’s People to Watch (2014), to name a few.

Education: Bachelor’s Degree in Marketing and Management from the University of New Orleans. Currently pursuing an Executive Master of Nonprofit Administration (EMNA) Degree at the University of Notre Dame. Age: 40

Tell us what your organization does. Son of a Saint exists to transform the lives of fatherless boys through mentorship, emotional support, development of life skills, exposure to constructive experiences and formation of positive, lasting peer-to-peer relationships. What have been the biggest, or most important, accomplishments while you’ve been with the organization? Son of a Saint’s biggest and most important accomplishment to date is our evolution and our effectiveness. Throughout this year, we’ve been celebrating a decade of impact, service and success for the young men in the program, their families and the community at large. By the end of this anniversary year, Son of a Saint will grow to reach 200 boys in the program, marking the largest membership of our organization to date. We also have measurable results to show that our wraparound approach is working. The real accomplishments are in our program stats and the performance of our young men. Our mentees are performing better than the average student in New Orleans, the state of Louisiana and the U.S. as a whole — from test scores to high school graduation rates, to college enrollment.

This also includes 100 percent graduation rate and 80 percent college enrollment rate. One hundred percent of our young men in the program are either employed or attending school. Collectively, this remains our biggest source of pride. What is something about your organization that people most likely don’t know? I think people may not understand the way in which our organization operates in terms of size, scale and scope relative to the New Orleans market and business community. For example, in the past 10 years, our staff has expanded from two individuals to a collective team of 18 to 20 part-time and fulltime staff. The organization also has an operating budget of $3.4 million to maintain the quality of services we provide to our young men. Also, I continue to reemphasize how Son of a Saint is more than mentorship and our organization is based on an eight-pronged logic model, inclusive of mentorship, group activities, mental health, educational support, case work, travel, college exploration and career development. Is there a person that inspired you? Two people come to mind. Tom Benson: I saw the way he was able to move forward and succeed without seeming to have any barriers. That showed me how things can be done and how to open my mind to “limitless thinking”

or envisioning success. Robert Fogarty: He was a young guy who started Evacuteer.org and went on to launch Dear World. He asked me to be among the first board members of his organization, and watching that process and how he approached it inspired me to forge my own path and begin in the moment. What moments, movies or books have changed your life? Being hired by Tom Benson as chief aide back in 2006. That was pivotal and changed everything for me. Being accepted to St. Augustine High School during my adolescence provided strong role models, guidance, structure, etc. The birth of my son was another strong, impactful moment. The film Gladiator has always been an influential one for me. What are you reading now? I’m reading a lot of research on astrology. This is because of my son. He’s so into astrology that it’s bringing me to a different space and awareness and level of interest, and how that applies to my life. Secret ambition? Becoming an art curator or a mid-century modern interior designer.

✦✦✦ Son of a Saint is having its annual gala December 9 at the Ritz-Carlton. The gala is celebrating the organization’s 10th anniversary.

PHOTO BY CHERYL GERBER

24 ST. CHARLES AVENUE DECEMBER 2021

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Ogden Museum of Southern Art’s “Magnolia Ball” The eighth annual evening offered art, music and summertime socializing.

➺ By Shelby Simon

The Ogden Museum of Southern Art hosted the eighth annual “Magnolia Ball” on Saturday, June 12. The event celebrated the exhibition “Outside In, Improvisations of Space: The Ceramic Work of MaPó Kinnord,” which brought together works from throughout Kinnord’s career to illustrate her practice in clay. Patrons safely experienced art, live music, DJs, entertainers, an online silent auction, food vouchers from local restaurants, cocktails and more in a socially distanced, masked program that offered timed ticket options. Entertainment for the evening included live painting by Becky Fos, live painting by Ellen Langford, live nail set painting by M.A.D. Nails and performances by the 610 Stompers. Musical entertainment included DJ Heelturn, DJ Jess, DJ RQ Away and the People Museum Band. The online silent auction featured more than 90 regional artists and businesses, including Artemis Antippas, French Truck Coffee, Richard McCabe, Whitson Ramsey, Saint Claude

Social Club, The Sazerac House and Katie Dumestre Yaquinto. Bidding opened on June 5, and the silent auction was on view at Ogden Museum from May 29 through June 13. In a collaborative effort to support both the museum and the community, silent auction artists and businesses received a portion of final sales. Prior to the ball, the “Kickoff Party” took place on Saturday, May 15, at the studio of New Orleans artist William Monaghan, and featured live music and drinks. Chairing the 2021 “Magnolia Ball” were Shannon Moon, Matthew Moreland, Meghan Parson, Patrick Welsh, Sharonda Williams and Justin Woods. “Magnolia Ball” was supported by The Times-Picayune | The New Orleans Advocate; New Orleans Magazine | St. Charles Avenue magazine; Eclectic Home; The Helis Foundation; Susan & Ralph Brennan; Holly & Geoffrey Snodgrass; Charles D. Urstadt & David Bernard; and the William Monaghan Studio. ✦

Look for “Philanthropic Events” on StCharlesAvenue.com to see more from this event Follow The Ogden Museum of Southern Art at Facebook, Twitter and Instagram @ogdenmuseum.

26 ST. CHARLES AVENUE DECEMBER 2021

P hi la n t hro p ic E ve n t s

EVENT AT A GLANCE

WHAT “Magnolia Ball,” benefiting Ogden

WHEN Saturday,

Museum of Southern Art

June 12

Southern Art

Photographed by Jeff Strout

WHERE Ogden Museum of

1. Chairs Meghan Parson, Patrick Welsh, Sharonda Williams and Justin Woods 2. Shannon Barnes and Eric Mund 3. Cat Wilkinson, Claire Wilkinson, Melissa Kenyon and Capri Guarisco 4. Bettina Bausa and Grace Connors 5. C.J. Prieto and Arlenne Retana 6. Skylar Blankley and Laura Guinn

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T he Women’s Guild

of the New Orleans Opera Association’s “Mad Hatters Luncheon and Fashion Show” Opera aficionados gathered for an “around the world” luncheon and annual hat competition.

➺ By Shelby Simon

The Women’s Guild of the New Orleans Opera Association hosted its 37th annual “Mad Hatter’s Luncheon and Fashion Show” May 25, 2021. Kay Oplinger served as Event Chair for this year’s program. Event chairs from the COVID-canceled 2019 event were Valerie Grubb and Sandra Herman. To create the theme, “Around the World With the Mad Hatter,” beautiful hot air balloons filled the Patron Party, while guests enjoyed champagne and passed hors d’oeuvres as Jeffrey Pounds performed on piano. At the luncheon, attendees dined on cuisine by Metairie Country Club. Tables lined with festive hats and exciting auction items stretched down the corridor leading to the ballroom for the luncheon. The auction consisted of beautiful hats, dinners, gift certificates, spa products and more. Prized highlights

included a raffle for a condo stay in Florida and a 14 karat gold Diamond Circular Pendant donated by Diamonds Direct. The hat competition with celebrity judges is a highlight guests look forward to each year. Valerie Grubb was this year's winner. The 2021 hat competition’s list of celebrated judges included: the Consul General of France, Vincent Sciama; former Honorary Consul of Italy, Arnaldo Partesotti; and Opera donor and aficionado, Rania Khodr. Ballins LTD provided a fashion show for the attendees, with professional models showcasing current fashions. Next year’s “Mad Hatter’s Luncheon and Fashion Show,” themed “Take a Walk on the Wild Side,” will take place March 29, 2022, at the Metairie Country Club.✦

Look for “Philanthropic Events” on StCharlesAvenue.com to see more from this event Follow The Women’s Guild of the New Orleans Opera Association at Facebook @womensguildnooa 28 ST. CHARLES AVENUE DECEMBER 2021

P hi la n t hro p ic E ve n t s

EVENT AT A GLANCE

WHAT “Mad Hatters Luncheon and

WHEN Tuesday,

Fashion Show,” benefiting The Women’s Guild of the New Orleans Opera Association

May 25

Photographed by Jeff Strout

WHERE Metairie Country Club

1.Robert Lyall, Betty Brooks, Sonda Stacey and Claire Burovac 2. Erin O’Sullivan Fleming, Event Chair Kay Oplinger, Melissa Gordon and winner Valerie Grubb 3. Debbie Alciatore, Carolyn Landwerlyn and Carol Hall 4. Celebrity Judges Vincent Sciama, Rania Khodr and Arnoldo Partesotti 5. Tammy O’Shea and Liz Broekman 6. Sonya David, Natasha Alveshire, Mercedes Hodge and Triness Kuhn STCHARLESAVENUE.COM

S o cie t y

One Book One New Orleans’ “Juleps in June” OBONO reflected on its massive positive impact since the start of the pandemic.

➺ By Shelby Simon

Champions of literacy – friends, supporters and volunteers – gathered on the first Wednesday in June for the annual “Juleps in June” summer fête on behalf of One Book One New Orleans (OBONO). A campaign for literacy and community through a shared reading experience, the nonprofit spotlights one book per year – about New Orleans, voted upon by participants – and works hard to put the book in the hands of people who otherwise wouldn’t have access. The nonprofit shook up the usual program this year, and in lieu of a fundraiser hosted a thank you party in appreciation of those who offered their steadfast support of OBONO’s mission during challenging pandemic times. Sidecar Patio & Oyster Bar donated their indoor/outdoor upper floor patio and bar, where guests enjoyed catching up with friends new and old in the cool summer air while sipping on fresh, made-to-order Mint Juleps and libations from the open bar. The restaurant also provided a massive catering spread, including a host of small bites and hearty dinner options that offered ample choices for

all guests in attendance, including vegan-friendly options. A slideshow played on screens throughout the venue, featuring pictures and information about OBONO’s work during the pandemic. Acoustic duo Roy Callais and Micah McKee provided musical entertainment. Megan Holt, Executive Director of OBONO, thanked the Board and all attendees for their commitment and agility in shifting operations to keep everyone safe and invited everyone to celebrate the profound accomplishments of their collective work. Since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, OBONO has provided more than 5,000 books to people who lost access due to the closures of schools and libraries. The organization also pivoted to offer some of its free community-oriented and family-friendly programming on their YouTube channel, in addition to hosting events throughout the neighborhoods of New Orleans, with the goal of being as accessible as possible to participants near and far. OBONO has provided 912 (and counting) copies of this year’s book selection, The Yellow House by Sarah M. Broom, to the community. ✦

Look for “Philanthropic Events” on StCharlesAvenue.com to see more photos from this event Follow One Book One New Orleans at Facebook @onebookoneneworleans, Instagram @onebookonenola, Twitter @onebookonenola2 and on YouTube @onebookoneneworleans. 30 ST. CHARLES AVENUE DECEMBER 2021

P hi la n t hro p ic E ve n t s

EVENT AT A GLANCE

WHAT “Juleps in June,” benefiting

WHEN Wednesday,

One Book One New Orleans

June 2

& Oyster Bar

Photographed by Jeff Strout

WHERE Sidecar Patio

1. Annell Lopez, Rory Callais, Micah McKee and Executive Director Megan Holt 2. Michele Seymour, Liz Granite, Skye Jackson and Jerika Marchan 3. Tamica Pollard, John Norris and Ellen and Tom Prewitt 4. Malik Bartholomew, Antoinette de Alteriis, Nancy Dixon and Bill Lavender 5. Tad Bartlett, Elizabeth Hyman and Christopher Romaguera 6. Maria Oldenburg, Kim Vaz-Deville, Liz Elliott and Jennie Merrill

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New Orleans Wine & Food Experience’s “Ella Brennan ‘Stand Up for Your Hometown’ Awards” NOWFE bestowed 13 awards to exemplary culinary figures and organizations for their commitment to community during the pandemic.

➺ By Shelby Simon

The New Orleans Wine & Food Experience (NOWFE) gathered fans of its annual culinary and wine-focused festival with the “Ella Brennan ‘Stand Up for Your Hometown Awards” gala dinners on Tuesday, June 8. The dinners took place concurrently at three locations: Galerie de Galatoire, Rib Room and Broussard’s. Traditionally, each year the board of directors of NOWFE awards the Ella Brennan Lifetime Achievement in Hospitality Award to one individual who has made a lifetime commitment to the hospitality industry, reflecting the passion and longstanding impact of the honor’s namesake. This year, NOWFE honored 13 organizations for their unwavering love and extraordinary response to supporting our community. Winners of the 2021 Ella Brennan “Stand Up for Your Hometown” Awards were: Al Copeland Jr. of The Al Copeland Foundation; Phil Moseley & Ronnie Evans of Blue Oak BBQ; Robert Peyton & Troy Gilbert of Chef’s Brigade; Zeid and Marv Ammari of Creole Cuisine Restaurant Concepts; Erich and Jennifer Weishaupt of Lagniappe

Krewe Emergency Relief Fund; Devin De Wulf of Feed the Front Line and Feed the Second Line; Donald Link and Stephen Stryjewski of Link Restaurant Group; Jennifer Kelley Killian of Louisiana Hospitality Foundation; Lauren Darnell of MiNO Foundation; Melvin Rodrigue of the National Restaurant Association; Zach Strief of Port Orleans Brewing Co.; Charles Armstrong of Peewee’s Crabcakes On The Go; and Isaac and Amanda Toups of Toups’ Meatery. A VIP reception took place first, followed by a dinner gala. Proceeds benefit the many local organizations NOWFE supports throughout the year. On Friday, June 11, and Saturday, June 12, NOWFE revealed the winners of the 2021 Culinary Awards at Grand Tasting Events, which took place at The Sugar Mill. Honorees were decided by a distinguished panel of judges who previously visited each restaurant, chatted with the chef and tasted their dish. NOWFE 2021 took place from June 8-13. The nonprofit has showcased culinary excellence in our community for more than 29 years and gives proceeds to causes that support culinary education. ✦

Look for “Philanthropic Events” on StCharlesAvenue.com to see more photos from this event Follow New Orleans Wine & Food Experience at Facebook @NewOrleansWineFoodExperience, Instagram @nowfe and Twitter @NOWFE. 32 ST. CHARLES AVENUE DECEMBER 2021

P hi la n t hro p ic E ve n t s

EVENT AT A GLANCE

WHAT “Ella Brennan ‘Stand Up for Your

Hometown’ Awards” gala dinners, benefiting New Orleans Wine & Food Experience

June 8

WHERE Broussard's

Photographed by Jeff Strout

WHEN Tuesday,

1. Honoree Al Copeland Jr. and Elizabeth Copeland with Bethany and Eric Paulsen 2. Honoree Jennifer Kelley Killian and Aimee Brown 3. Steve Trotter, Liz Broekman and Torie Kranze 4. Joey Worley and Lauren Darnell 5. Wayne and Tricia Phillpot with Lawrence and Micki Chehardy 6. Jimi Setchim, Camille Collins, Rebecca Schattman and Steven Marsella

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Bridge House / Grace House’s “Mr. Legs” Contestants lined up to show a little leg and compete for the title of Mr. Legs XXI.

➺ By Shelby Simon

Dedicated contestants showed up to strut their stuff on stage for the “Mr. Legs” parody beauty pageant and benefit, a competition to see who could raise the most money for Bridge House / Grace House, whose mission is to provide gender sensitive treatment to those who are recovering from addiction, regardless of their ability to pay. The 2021 fashion show, presented by Oscar J. Tolmas Charitable Trust, took place at Generations Hall and was also available for participants to attend virtually via Zoom. Participants, their guests and program sponsors attended the program in person and enjoyed food donated from Copeland’s of New Orleans. The coveted title of Mr. Legs XXI, awarded to the top fundraiser, was presented to Roberto Espinoza.

Winners of the additional categories included: Michael Zarou, First Runner Up & Skinniest Legs; Steve Carnes, Second Runner Up, 15 Years Participation, Fan Favorite & Best Performance; Chris Kazik, Five Years Participation & Sexiest Legs; Travis Henthorn, Best Costume; and Jeffery Carlson, Hairiest Legs. The 2021 Celebrity Judges were: Ryan Veuthey, Vice President of Sales at NOLA Brewing in his third time as judge; Liz and Al Copeland Jr. of Copeland’s, a VIP Restaurant since 2016; Simone Bruni, Demo Diva Demolition and former Bridge House / Grace House Celebrity Waiter; Malik Mingo of WWL-TV, 2021 Mr. Legs Media Sponsor; and Vincent Giardina of Oscar J. Tolmas Charitable Trust. Mike Hoss and Laura Buchtel served as Emcees. ✦

Look for “Philanthropic Events” on StCharlesAvenue.com to see more from this event Follow Bridge House / Grace House at Facebook and Instagram @bridgehousegracehouse and Twitter @BridgeGraceHouse.

34 ST. CHARLES AVENUE DECEMBER 2021

P hi la n t hro p ic E ve n t s

EVENT AT A GLANCE

WHAT “Mr. Legs,” benefiting

WHEN Saturday,

Bridge House / Grace House

July 10

Photographed by Jeff Strout

WHERE Generations Hall

1. Emcees Mike Hoss and Laura Buchtel and Celebrity Judge Malik Mingo 2. Mr. Legs XXI Roberto Espinoza, 2nd Runner Up Steve Carnes and 1st Runner Up Michael Zarou 3. Celebrity Judges Liz and Al Copeland Jr. 4. Kevin Gardere and Celebrity Judges Simone Bruni and Vincent Giardina 5. Diana Parham, Barbara Gaiennie and Else Pedersen 6. Sexiest Legs Winner Chris Kazik, Hairiest Legs Winner Jeffery Carlson and Best Costume Winner Travis Henthorn

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S o cie t y

➺

SNAPSHOTS

Look for this button on StCharlesAvenue.com to see more Snapshots from these events, and to learn how your event can be included

1. Sr. Ann Lacour, MSC, congregational leader of the Marianites of Holy Cross and Dennise Tabony, University of Holy Cross Board of Trustees, attended UHC’s annual Spes Unica Award ceremony, the university’s highest honor, held in the Old Metairie home of Rachel and Arnold Kirschman in June. 2. University of Holy Cross President Dr. Stanton McNeely III posed with Gayle Benson, recipient of UHC’s 2021 Spes Unica Award and Sr. Majorie Hebert, MSC at the award ceremony. Every year, the award is given by University of Holy Cross to a member of the local community who exemplifies the university’s mission and makes a true positive impact on the community. 3. Arnold Kirschman, John and Donna Cummings and Rachel Van Voorhees Kirschman enjoyed an evening of food, music and champagne in celebration of the 2021 Spes Unica Awards. 4. Man & Woman of the Year candidates John Sloan and Sarah Nelson attended the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society’s kick-off celebration with event chairs Sarah Martzolf and Mamta Melwani, ahead of the annual fundraising competition. 5. DaNi Raymond was celebrated as an honored hero by the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society during the 2021 Man & Woman of the Year campaign, an annual philanthropic competition to raise funds and awareness about blood cancer. 6. Candidates for Leukemia & Lymphoma Society’s Man & Woman of the Year gathered virtually to celebrate the start of the 2021 campaign in April.

36 ST. CHARLES AVENUE DECEMBER 2021

S na p sh ot s

7. On Friday, November 5, the annual “Zoo-To-Do Queens Luncheon” took place at Arnaud’s to celebrate “2021 Zoo-To-Do Queen” Leslie Gottsegen’s reign and kickoff plans for the 2022 event. Queens (back row) Bev Church, Michelle Reynoir, Linda Roussel, Beth Lambert, Olivia Manning, Cathy Cary, Mary Johnson and Catherine Freeman; (middle row) C.C. Langenstein, Liz Sloss, Pam Farnsworth, Ann Koerner, Kay Kerrigan, Peggy Laborde, Missy Lacroix and Carmen Duncan (front row) Libby Hoefer, Stephanie Feoli, Karen Reily, Leslie Gottsegen, Marilee Hovet, Caroline Calhoun and Caroline Reily with CEO Ron Forman. 8. James Moises, Owner of Bizou Wines, partnered with WYES to present “Grape Performances,” an online event series hosted by WYES to highlight local musicians, authors, actors and personalities. 9. James Moises, Bryan Batt, Peggy Scott Laborde, WYES President & CEO Robin Cooper and Jay Batt posed together ahead of “Grape Performances,” an online event series highlighting local culture bearers and exposing viewers to new wines and winemakers across the globe. 10. Deacon John appeared on WYES for a special edition of their “Grape Performances” series, a socially distanced fundraising event to keep members and viewers connected during the COVID-19 Pandemic. 11. “Grape Performances” hosts James Moises and Peggy Scott Laborde celebrated Deacon John’s birthday after his appearance on WYES’ online event series. 12. Peggy Scott Laborde raised a glass to toast Deacon John’s birthday ahead of his appearance on WYES’ “Grape Performances” online series.

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ST. CHARLES AVENUE

ACTIVISTS

OF THE YEAR

2021 By Sue Strachan

What does it mean to love New Orleans? It’s a question asked every day, whether it be taking a sunrise stroll through Audubon Park or dealing with broken car windows. It isn’t the easiest of cities to live in, but for many mysterious, individual reasons, we stay. For some, this affection for the city extends to giving back to the community through their work, nonprofit organizations or personal efforts. Many also share their activism nationally and internationally. Twenty years ago, St. Charles Avenue magazine started honoring people who are making a difference with the Activists of the Year Awards. To date, we have honored more than 70 truly worthy individuals. For 2021, the magazine chose three couples: Robin Burgess and Terence Blanchard, Drs. Joy and Howard Osofsky and Angel and Taylor Beery. Their focuses are different, but all have a common goal: to help their fellow man and make New Orleans and the world a better place.

38 ST. CHARLES AVENUE DECEMBER 2021

Angel and Taylor Beery

alker Beery is a hero. The son of Angel and Taylor Beery, he embodied the best of the human spirit. In July 2019, at age 7, Walker was diagnosed with Medulloblastoma, an aggressive pediatric brain cancer. Family and friends rallied around Walker, who endured multiple surgeries, chemotherapy and radiation treatments and hospital stays. “While the fact that tragic underfunding has left children with cancer with zero progress in treatment over the last 30 years, it became immediately clear to us what we would do about it, but as a family it was less clear,” says Taylor. “Clarity was provided by Walker himself, who was touched by another sick child in the hospital and committed himself to forming Kids Join The Fight (KJTF) to encourage the superpowers and creativity of children to help cure pediatric cancer patients and care for their families.” Throughout the years, Angel and Taylor supported multiple causes, but admitted that they “didn’t know the true depth and meaning of connection to a cause until Walker was diagnosed,” says Angel. The Beerys – Taylor, a native New Orleanian who works at Lapeyre Stair, part of Laitram, and Angel, originally from Birmingham, Alabama, who now focuses on the foundation and the family, McLain, 3, and Evelyn, 7 – and Walker started KJTF, a nonprofit that “empowers kids to join the fight against pediatric cancer by raising money to provide local care for pediatric cancer patients and their families and to fund research to cure childhood cancer,” states the website. Among the sobering facts about childhood cancer are these: More is spent in the U.S. in three days at Starbucks than there are annual funds to improve treatments for children with cancer; and that only four percent of federal government cancer research funding goes toward the study of pediatric cancer. Those facts among others, along with Walker’s mission, give the organization its drive. The founding of KJTF also pushes back against the misconception that activism is the realm of adults. “One of the things that’s so different about KJTF is the emphasis for parents to view fundraising activities as an opportunity for their children to learn about philanthropy and empathy while doing something super fun together,” says Angel.

“Parents and children from across the country have given us such beautiful feedback about how their kids have learned about pediatric cancer and philanthropy while bringing the creativity that often only children can to Walker’s ‘Cure and Care’ mission.” There are plans for a rapid expansion of KJTF, including opening branches (infrastructure and programmatic support for families) around the country. The first fundraisers were lemonade stands in August 2020. Funds are also raised by the KJTF signs, hats and T-shirts as well as events, such as run/walks, pet shows and bake sales (even a “Be the Change” drive, where students donate the spare change around their house) that aren’t just happening in New Orleans, but across the U.S. – in September, KJTF had events in all 50 states. “Whenever we feel weak, we just have to remember Walker. His strength has been, and will hopefully always be, our guide,” says Angel. “One memory that frequently jumps to mind was his insistence to dance behind his lemonade stand, for several hours straight, during his first fundraiser. He was exhausted at the end but wanted to celebrate the joy of helping others and thank everyone that contributed with his dance moves!” Walker passed away at age 9 in early September, and through KJTF the Beerys, including Walker’s two siblings, will continue his mission: “Walker’s time with us was too short but will have a lasting impact on this world, and we know his brother and sister have no less ambition,” the Beerys say. Both Angel and Taylor admit that watching Walker, in the midst of a brutal battle with cancer, care so much about others redefined philanthropy for them. “Walker embodied the ability to find joy where many couldn’t and, in that way and many others, was a proud son of this city,” the Beerys say. “While we often wish we, as a community, would strive harder to do the things that reduce pain (crime, jobs, effective government services, etc.) New Orleans does understand resilience and the ability to somehow find celebration in pain,” says Taylor. Taylor adds that they’re so grateful for New Orleanians and others supporting the cause, and that the success of KJTF was due to the incredible community of all ages that embraced the family to support the cause.

STCHARLESAVENUE.COM

Our successes “ in the face of

adversities have made a significant difference that always encourages us to continue this important work.”

Drs. Joy and Howard Osofsky

ometimes the best advice is often the simplest: Listen. That’s what Drs. Joy and Howard Osofsky did after Hurricane Katrina, when they were working with city and state officials to help first responders, New Orleanians and others recover. At that time, Howard was Clinical Director of Adult Services for the state of Louisiana and Joy served as Clinical Director of Services for Children and Adolescents for Louisiana Spirit, which operates during a Presidentially declared disaster under the oversight of the Louisiana Department of Health, Office of Behavioral Health. The duo says that being able to help with recovery by supporting children and families during this time was a lifechanging experience. “I remember spending time in the cafeteria on the boat visiting with families and seeing if a conversation of a listening ear would make a difference,” says Joy, referring to the Ecstasy cruise ship that they, first responders and others were living on during the city’s recovery. “And it did, many times. It’s not typical ‘mental health’ support. However, sometimes a person just needs someone to listen.” This also translated into their work when schools reopened, when “at first many were hesitant to think that mental health support could make a difference,” says Joy. “We had an important role in helping to support the schools as every child and every family had a story to tell.” This type of work continued through the years, including during the Deepwater Horizon disaster, the COVID-19 pandemic and Hurricane Ida, though the Osofskys admit it’s difficult to reach out personally due to health safety concerns during the COVID-19 pandemic, when families are suffering with loss and grief. “We’re continuing to find other ways to reach out virtually and continue to advocate for support for families that don’t have resources for virtual connections,” say the Osofskys. “Our successes in the face of adversities have made a significant difference that always encourages us to continue this important work.” The Osofskys have been doing important work even before they landed in New Orleans in 1986. The duo met while Joy was attending Simmons College and Howard was completing his fellowship in obstetrics, gynecology and surgery. The married shortly after, moving to Syracuse, New York, where Howard got a job on the faculty of Upstate Medical Center and Joy finished college at Syracuse University and pursued a Ph.D. in psychology. The Osofskys say that they’ve long been committed to working to make a difference in the lives of children and families. This took root early in their lives, as both came from families who were involved in the community. Joy remembers her father’s involvement with the Boy Scouts; Howard, his father’s commitment after the death of his brother to preventing family and community

violence and to protect children and families, as well as his mother’s commitment for her sons to get a good education. Joy was directly affected by her father’s death when she was 16 years old, learning “personally that children need support when dealing with grief and loss.” And says that, “As my career evolved, I wanted to find ways to identify trauma early, whether it was from experiencing a death of a loved one or adverse environmental experiences and to find ways to help.” Howard’s work at the Upstate Medical Center had him working with high-risk pregnant women and in 1969 he started a program, Young Mothers Educational Development, for pregnant teenagers who had to leave school. Joy would work at the program one day a week while on the faculty of Cornell University. They then moved to Philadelphia, where in addition to their positions, they worked collaboratively with the community to start programs for low-income pregnant women. The couple was also involved with the Civil Rights Movement and Women’s Rights in the 1960s and 1970s. After gaining more experience at universities, medical schools and hospitals in Boston and Kansas, including psychoanalytic training at the Menninger Foundation, the couple moved to New Orleans, where the Osofskys dove into their work and raised three children – and are now grandparents of six. When asked of what programs they’re most proud of, the couple says they’re “proud of our work and development of programs to support children and families impacted by COVID-19 pandemic and disasters, including Hurricane Ida.” Individually, Joy says it’s the Harris Center for Infant and Early Childhood Mental Health at LSUHSC, which provides training for mental health providers, psychologists, social workers and child psychiatrists, as well as services for young children and families experiencing trauma. For Howard, it’s developing programs to help support adolescent mothers and their children, and directing programs related to help people recover from substance use disorders. Currently, Joy is a professor of pediatrics and psychiatry, and Howard is professor of psychiatry; both are at Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center. Though the years, both Osofskys have been honored locally and nationally for their work and are known as the organizers of “Sunday at Emeril’s,” a benefit (the last one was in 2018) that was hosted by Emeril Lagasse for more than 20 years to benefit LSUHSC programs the couple had developed for children and families. “Without Emeril and his staff’s generosity over so many years, we wouldn’t have been able to pursue many of the efforts to help children and families,” the Osofskys say. The couple believes New Orleans needs to deal with issues of inequality in health care, education and other areas, as well as provide all children and families with opportunities to grow and thrive in this community and beyond.

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Robin Burgess & Terence Blanchard

n a cool November evening last year, the sounds of jazz from an at-home concert overlooking Bayou St. John infused the air, entertaining invited guests and attracting people who just happened by on canoes, and no doubt an alligator or two. Terence Blanchard and Robin Burgess were hosting a benefit concert – adhering to COVID-19 protocols – to help raise funds for musicians who were struggling during the pandemic. For the couple, supporting the arts and artists, as well as education, is second nature. A native of New Orleans, Terence is a six-time Grammy award winner. His latest album, Absence, features him with the E-Collective and the Turtle Island Quartet. He does extensive work for film and TV, and is a frequent collaborator with Spike Lee on his movies, including BlacKkKLansman and Da 5 Bloods, which were nominated for the Academy Awards’ Best Original Score. On September 27, 2021, he became the first black composer to have an opera presented at the Metropolitan Opera in New York City. Fire Shut Up in My Bones, composed by Terence with a libretto by Kasi Lemmons, is based on Louisiana native Charles Blow’s memoir of the same title. It wasn’t Terence’s first opera, that’s Champion: An Opera in Jazz, which the Met is interested in staging in the future. The organization has also commissioned him for new opera. Joining Blanchard that night at the premiere was Robin, and their family Terence Jr., Olivia, Sidney and Jordan, who flew in from London, as well as numerous friends and fans. Robin is founder and CEO of Burgess Management and Over the Garage Productions, which guides Terence’s and other musicians’ careers. Both Robin and Terence got their immersion in the arts at an early age. “I can’t remember a moment that music wasn’t in my life in some form,” he says, who in addition to being a composer, plays the trumpet and piano, and is a “frustrated drummer and a terribly frustrated vocalist.” Giving back the community was a natural process for him. “It was the way I was brought up,” says Terence. “I saw people who supported the arts from the time I was a kid and I knew great artists who gave back from that time. “It became part of the process for me. A no brainer.” Terence says listening to John Coltrane’s “Alabama” when he was a young musician playing in Art Blakey’s band had an “impact on me because he was so socially conscious and was about a topic that was so moving.” “Alabama” was recorded in 1963 as a eulogy for the black girls killed in the bombing by the Ku Klux Klan of the 16th Street Baptist Church in Birmingham,

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Alabama, that took place that year. Hurricane Katrina was a transformative moment for many. It was when Terence began to fully realize the power of music and how it can help people through troubled times. “And then it just became a part of my life,” says Terence. “Why just create music for the sake of creating music? There needs to be a purpose.” He remembers an interview with a musician from 15 to 20 years ago, when the musician said that they created music to help people’s souls. “That is what music has done for me. How selfish would it be for me not to give back?” Terence says. When she was a child, Robin watched her mother, who volunteered for Young Audiences. “One of the group’s missions is to take kids of out of the classroom and to the arts,” says Robin. “I would sometimes accompany her to the Kennedy Center or the National Symphony Orchestra, and it was a profound experience for me because it brought joy to everyone. But I also realized that even though I had access to this, not everyone else did.” Robin also cites her grandmother as an inspiration. “We weren’t extremely religious, but one tenet I try to live by is you don’t have to be a Buddhist or a Baptist, but if you believe in humanity, you’re your brother’s keeper.” Education is a key part of that tenet for the couple. “I remember when I was a wide-eyed kid and scared about my future,” says Terence. “And luckily I moved through a lot of things in my life and I think part of what I want to share is to tell them is ‘If I’m doing this, you can do it. I am no different than you.’” “People look at those who are successful and think they are an aberration,” he says. “Anything is possible.” Terence attended the New Orleans Center for Creative Arts. Among his teachers was musician and composer Roger Dickerson, who he notes is a huge influence in how Terence currently teaches his Improvisations and Composition class at UCLA. Another facet of education is out of the classroom: Terence would like to see more international acts in New Orleans, so musicians can be exposed to different styles of music. “When I was a kid, I remember hearing Sonny Rollins, Freddie Hubbard and Clark Terry. Ellis Marsalis had a regular gig at the Hyatt,” he says. “You would hear musicians from all over at the Blue Room and at Rosy’s. Now they only come through during Jazz Fest, Voodoo Fest.” “And I know why that happened, we wanted to help local talent that’s worth being recognized,” he says. [But,] “They also need to be exposed to international talent. We need not forget there’s a wide world out there with people doing amazing

things that our kids need to experience. “And, these things can be extremely helpful to a young musician.” Robin is involved in music and arts education. She was on the board of NOCCA and is currently on the board of the Mr. Holland Opus Foundation, an organization that provides “vital support services to school districts, and new musical instruments to underfunded music programs nationwide, giving under-represented youth access to the many benefits of music education, leading them to success in school and inspiring creativity and expression through playing music,” says its website. Robin is also helping out in non-traditional ways. “After getting involved with Terence’s opera side of his career, I began meeting a lot of singers of color and over cocktails you learn a lot and how they couldn’t afford an audition tape, so I started mentoring some of them. Not like I know how to make an audition tape, but more like, ‘What do you want to audition for? And I’ll pay for it.’” Robin also helps makes connections for these young singers with groups such as OPERA America who can help them with audition tapes, as well as something as basic as a headshot, which may be out of reach for some of them. “It’s artist development and it’s something I’m passionate about,” says Robin. It’s this passion that also extends to New Orleans, where she sees a need to decentralize who sits at the table. An example are boards of directors, which she notes regurgitates people from other boards. What happens, she says, is “There is a lack of fresh ideas. Instead of boards serving the community, the boards serve themselves.” It isn’t unlike Terence’s belief that more international acts need to come through the city and perform at regular venues to help kids experience differing views. At heart, it’s an abiding love of New Orleans, faults and all. “New Orleanians rally around for a cause, once our hearts are in it,” says Robin. “It really comes down to one of the lines in Terence’s opera, ‘We bend, we don’t break.’ New Orleans bends but doesn’t break,” says Robin. “And, we celebrate like no other city. It doesn’t take a lot to have a good time in this town,” says Terence. “New Orleans is a city of moments,” Terence recounts a friend saying to him after dropping in and having an afternoon-to-evening discussion. “I love that about my town. I love the fact people would come to my mom’s house and have a good time because she would cook a meal and we would have a conversation. It’s moments I cherish.” “And now Robin is passing that down that tradition.” It’s the ability to have a seat, break bread and talk, he adds. That’s when the great collaborations start.

If you “ believe in

humanity, you’re your brother’s keeper.”

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JLNO Lagniappe Winter 2021 | jlno.org

Contents 3 Letters from the President and Editor 4 Connecting Charitable Organizations with Those in Need

Winter 2021 LAGNIAPPE STAFF Editor: Shanelle Joseph

6 Human Trafficking

Assistant Editor: Michelle Michler

8 Heritage

Photo Editor: Katherine Crawford Andrews Writers: Melissa Kenyon, Michelle Michler, Caroline Young

On the Cover

JLNO BOARD OF DIRECTORS President: Shannon Brice President Elect: Holly Paczak Secretary: Elizabeth Hubbard Treasurer: Nene Gianfala Assistant Treasurer: Nancy Kirkeby Business Council Director: Emily Liuzza Communications Council Director: Ashley Millet Community Council Director: Alyse Mouledoux Membership Council Director: Kimberly Allen

Heidi Haynes (member, Nashville Diaper Connection), Shannon Brice (2021-2022 JLNO President), and Brandi Jack (member, Nashville Diaper Connection).

Planning & Development Council Director: Ashley Llewellyn Ways & Means Council Director: Susan Kliebert Nominating Committee Chair: Ty Salvant Sustaining Advisor to the Board: Katherine Raymond, PhD

PUBLISHER STAFF

HOLIDAY SOCIAL AND SHOPPING EVENT Tuesday, December 7, 2021 Location: TBD

Editor: Topher Danial Art Director: Ali Sullivan Production Designers: Rosa Balaguer, Meghan Rooney Chief Executive Officer: Todd Matherne Sales Account Executive: Meghan Sumrall Meghan@myneworleans.com

JLNO Lagniappe Winter 2021 | jlno.org

Letter from the President

s we enter this holiday season, it is a perfect time to reflect on all that we have to be grateful for. From the COVID-19 pandemic and the devastation to parts of Louisiana due to Hurricane Ida, we’ve experienced some of the most challenging times of our lives. But we are resilient. Resilient in our community and resilient in our families. Let’s take time over the Holidays to be intentional in showing up for one another. Holidays can be a stressful time for some, so check in on your neighbors, friends and family. A simple kind gesture can go a long way in making someone’s day. We are at the halfway mark of the 2021-2022 League year. And in the spirit of being intentional to our community, I must take this time to thank the members of JLNO for showing up continuously to assist our community. In supporting efforts for disaster relief and providing volunteer hours to many community partner organizations, JLNO members always show up, and I am thankful to each and everyone of you. I am also grateful for all our community partners near and far who show up to collaborate with us. It is because of all of you that we will continue to build a strong community. Happy Holidays,

Photo by: Jessica Bachmann

Shannon Brice, 2021-2022 President

Letter from the Editor

ragedy, natural disasters and calamity in other forms have always underscored the fragility of mankind. During such times, we think of our loved ones and wonder “What if…?” Who champions for the lesser informed or those without resources to support and advocate for themselves? Volunteers and special advocates who commit to being of service to others make the difference in the lives of those persons who may otherwise suffer tragedy unassisted. There is no greater gift than love. Rather than a celebration of the holiday season, this issue of Lagniappe celebrates the spirit of humanity. Here at Junior League New Orleans, we honor those people who open their hearts to the virtue of giving. When Hurricane Ida ravished the Gulf Coast, Nashville Diaper Connection generously extended support in the donation and delivery of over 40,000 diapers to families in need. Organized by past Junior League of New Orleans president, Erin Bell, the diaper drive was a success! Lagniappe writer and assistant editor, Michelle Michler, provides details and interviews discussing this impassioned act of kindness. A global issue, human trafficking exploits tens of thousands of vulnerable children and adults each year, and the frequency of occurrences has continued to intensify in recent years. Louisiana’s Department of Children and Family Services reports that 58.6% of victims in this state are children aged 17 and under (dcfs.louisiana.gov). Three years ago, JLNO established a local extension of Junior League International’s Abolish movement. Founded by the Junior League of Tampa, Abolish is an effort which aims to raise public awareness and end the heinous act of human trafficking. Our league works fervently year-round to do its part in ending this terrible and inhumane crime. Volunteer Lagniappe contributor and JLNO member, Melissa Kenyon, discusses how Abolish has partnered with local social services organizations in the movement to decimate human trafficking. There is no better theme for the Winter 2021 issue of Lagniappe magazine than this: Humanity is strengthened by the kindness of strangers. Best,

Shanelle Joseph, 2021-2022 Lagniappe Editor

JLNO Lagniappe Winter 2021 | jlno.org

Connecting Charitable Organizations with Those in Need by Michelle Michler

he resiliency of Southeast Louisiana was put to the test again this summer as the second-most damaging and intense hurricane to make landfall in Louisiana came ashore near Port Fourchon on August 29, 2021. Hurricane Ida left many Louisianians homeless and without the means to meet their basic needs, including the need for diapers. Diaper need is a cause that is near and dear to the heart of the Junior League of New Orleans, and in the aftermath of a disaster, JLNO is uniquely prepared to help meet that need. Through its Diaper Bank in Elmwood, The Junior League of New Orleans has provided over one million diapers to women and families throughout the metropolitan New Orleans area over the past two years. In the wake of Hurricane Ida, many people across the country were eager to help those affected in Southeast Louisiana but were unsure of the most effective way to make a difference. Heidi Hayne, Program Coordinator for the Nashville Diaper Connection (“NashDiaper”), is one of those people. Heidi is a native New Orleanian who is now living in Nashville and was feeling helpless as she watched her hometown begin the recovery process after the storm. Through the National Diaper Bank Network, she discovered the JLNO Diaper Bank and decided that connecting with JLNO would be “the best approach to get the most diapers to those in need”.

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Charmaine Caccioppi, COO and Executive Vice President and Aaron Bryan (United Way of Southeast Louisiana.

Heidi has a personal connection to JLNO as she is a native New Orleanian who currently resides in Nashville. Her family's friend and past Junior League of New Orleans President Erin Luetkemeier was able to connect Heidi and NashDiaper with the JLNO Diaper Bank. The two organizations began working together to get diapers from the NashDiaper warehouse in Nashville to the victims of Hurricane Ida in New Orleans and surrounding areas. Heidi enlisted the help of Brandi Jack, Operations Coordinator for NashDiaper, and together they loaded 31,525 diapers into the NashDiaper van and headed down to New Orleans to participate in the JLNO Hurricane Ida Disaster Diaper Drive, which was held at the JLNO Diaper Bank in Elmwood on September 13,

Vivian Hayne (member, Nashville Diaper Connection), Shannon Brice (20212022 JLNO President), Heidi Hayne (member, Nashville Diaper Connection), Kristen Brooks (Membership & Operations Manager), and Brandi Jack (member, Nashville Diaper Connection).

2021. Being able to make a difference to those affected by this natural disaster meant a lot to Heidi. “I was really excited to bring the two worlds together,” she said. Among the Junior League members volunteering at the Disaster Diaper Drive that day was Junior League of New Orleans President Shannon Brice. Shannon was thrilled for JLNO to be part of an event which would have such a huge impact in the community. “I was overwhelmingly grateful to Nashville Diaper Connection for their generous donation” she said. “We were able to help so many families in the New Orleans and River Parish areas due to their generosity. It also shows the impact the JLNO is making in the community for an organization such as NDC to reach out and want to help Louisiana families through the JLNO Diaper Bank. We are committed to making a difference.” When asked what JLNO can do to connect other charitable organizations with those in need in our area, Shannon said, “It starts with a conversation. Fostering relationships with mission

aligned organizations and promoting a community work environment.” Also volunteering at the Disaster Diaper Drive was JLNO member and Lagniappe magazine Editor, Shanelle Joseph. Shanelle also expressed her gratitude to NashDiaper. “Having witnessed firsthand that there are still great people who are genuinely concerned with the well-being and safety of strangers reminded me of my purpose and personal commitment to voluntarism,” she said. “The thought of parents feeling helpless as they struggle to provide for their children breaks my heart. I am grateful to JLNO and the Nashville Diaper Connection for providing me with the opportunity to be of service to those in need.” Shanelle believes that articles like this (and readers like you) are great resources at the disposal of JLNO for connecting charitable organizations like NashDiaper with those in need. “As Junior League of New Orleans’ 2021-2022 Lagniappe Editor, I am pleased to report that JLNO announces its diaper drive within Lagniappe’s quarterly bulletin board,” she said. “Lagniappe is delivered to over 5,000 homes and businesses in the Greater New Orleans and surrounding areas. Interested (and potentially interested) persons are provided with awareness of League events such as holiday socials, retail markets, membership opportunities and most important – our humanitarian efforts such as the diaper drive. While JLNO receives generous donations of diapers throughout the year, we always welcome new donors as well as volunteers to assist with sorting donated diapers. Our community council and board of directors are staffed with League members who have made tremendous strides with connecting JLNO to other charitable organizations." NashDiaper was not the only other charitable organization with whom JLNO partnered for the Disaster Diaper Drive. Prior to the delivery of diapers by NashDiaper, Charmaine Caccioppi, Chief Operating Officer and Executive Vice President of the United Way of Southeast Louisiana, visited the JLNO Diaper Bank to pick up diapers and deliver them to the City of Love Church in Holly Grove. This is a great example of several organizations working together to get necessities like diapers from generous donors to communities in need. Since its inception, JLNO has been committed to making a difference through voluntarism and community improvement. That commitment is never more evident than in times of crisis. The Junior League of New Orleans is a valuable resource for organizations like NashDiaper who are seeking avenues to get their donations to the people who need them most, as well as organizations like United Way of Southeast Louisiana who are seeking donations to bring to those in need. •

JLNO Lagniappe Winter 2021 | jlno.org

Human Trafficking A Taboo Topic No More. Let’s Talk About It. by Melissa Kenyon

uman trafficking is considered a taboo topic—avoided not only because it makes us uncomfortable, but because the act of discussing the subject forces us to admit that it is real and happening right here in our own community. Junior League

JLNO Lagniappe Winter 2021 | jlno.org

of New Orleans’ ABOLISH Human Trafficking Committee seeks to illuminate the problem and uplift the vital prevention and response work being done by local professionals such as Jennifer Ray, Coordinator for the Greater New Orleans Human Trafficking Task Force.

Jennifer Ray, Coordinator for the Greater New Orleans Human Trafficking Task Force

For those new to the subject of human trafficking, Jennifer refers to the Action-Means-Purpose (A-M-P) Model, which explains that human trafficking occurs when a perpetrator induces, recruits, harbors, transports, provides or obtains an individual through the means of force, fraud or coercion for the purpose of commercial sex or labor services. “Traffickers deceive individuals who are poor, vulnerable and generally existing in an unstable environment, offering them false promises of love, a good job or a better life,” explains Jennifer. “They lure or force their victims into situations where they are made to work under deplorable conditions with little or no pay.” Due to its coercive nature, it is difficult to pinpoint the reach of human trafficking. What we do know is that in 2019, the National Human Trafficking Hotline reported 11,500 cases in the U.S. By the end of 2020, 28 agencies in Louisiana provided data on clients served, confirming 759 prospective victims—a 18 percent decrease in victims identified in the previous year. Of the 530 juveniles and 198 adults reported,

94 percent were sexual trafficking victims, seven were victims of labor trafficking and nine were victims of both. For comparison, in 2020, the Greater New Orleans Task Force, Covenant House New Orleans, New Orleans Family Justice Center, Jewish Family Services of the Greater New Orleans and Eden House of New Orleans provided services to 227 clients. “During the COVID-19 crisis, the lack of consistent and reliable data impacted service efforts and overall reporting of human trafficking in our country,” says Jennifer. “Without sufficient data, we cannot establish concrete trends, nor understand how victims are being affected. Survivors have given us some perspective through their shared experiences of increased isolation, job loss and financial instabilities—all threatening their individual safety and security.” Becoming informed citizens is a necessary step towards eliminating human trafficking, and avoidance only perpetuates the problem. Jennifer Ray and ABOLISH invite the community to join the conversation in January, which is National Slavery and Human Trafficking Prevention Month. Visit jlno.org/ABOLISH to register for free programming hosted by the Junior League of New Orleans. More information about the work being done by the Greater New Orleans Human Trafficking Task Force can be found at nolatrafficking.org. •

"Stopping Traffic" Talk Wednesday, December 15, 2021 6-7pm, JLNO Headquarters The community is invited to join Junior League of New Orleans in watching and discussing, “Stopping Traffic,” an inspiring documentary featuring heroes of the anti-sex-trafficking movement and bringing light to their efforts to raise awareness and provide solutions. Registrants should watch the film for free through Pluto TV or another online streaming service prior to the talk on Dec. 15. Participating in the online talk is Eden House founder and CEO, Kara Van de Carr, and moderator, Susan Dold, Systems Administrator for Truckers Against Trafficking. Additional speakers to be announced.

If you or someone you know is a victim of human trafficking, call the National Human Trafficking Hotline. 1(888)373-7888

JLNO Lagniappe Winter 2021 | jlno.org

Héritage Junior League New Orleans’ 1935 Mardi Gras Masquerade Ball by Caroline Young

“Plans are well under way for the Junior League’s masquerade ball on Friday evening, March 1, which will be one of the gayest features of the Carnival and one which will be attended by numbers of fashionables of all ages.” With publicity like that, who wouldn’t want to attend 1935’s social event of the Mardi Gras season? The goal of the League’s masquerade ball was to provide outof-town guests an opportunity to see a carnival ball in action, and the ladies made sure this event did not disappoint. All publicity touted the glitz and glamour of the ball, which included “the who’s who and what not of N’Awlins.” Famed singer Bing Crosby was even rumored to have a ticket! As New Orleanians knew, “attendance by invitation is one of the strictest rules” of any Mardi Gras ball, but the Junior League was determined to make their masquerade accessible to those who were not privy to the revelry of New Orleans organizations. Tickets were sold for $2, $3, or $5; five dollars would secure a reserved table seat. Costumes from various local groups were for sale at the Masquerade Costume Shop of the Junior League, as members hoped that those who would attend would be able to have the full Mardi Gras experience and appear in their own lavish ensembles.

In keeping with the mission of all Junior League endeavors, proceeds from the ball would go to support the many charities of the League; one such charity was the Community Center of the League, which was located on Bourbon Street. The ball itself was held at the Municipal Auditorium, and it lasted well past midnight as the Harry Sosnik Orchestra and famed Broadway actress and singer Helen Morgan entertained the crowd. Miss Elizabeth Eustis reigned as queen, and Miss Virginia Logan and Miss Jane Louise Grunewald served as her maids. Their costumes were quite elegant, and visiting royalty from other well-known New Orleans courts were presented to the queen. They all participated in the grand march, which was followed with dancing until dawn. Society papers called the ball “brilliant,” and noted that it was “like a vast night club” attended by many visiting revelers who appeared in costume. Surely the guests at the ball were impressed with the colorful finery and entertainment of the evening! Sadly, “the League spent so much money on its ball that it netted no great sum,” but it is certain that this event was one for the books, as “the important thing about the League’s first ball was that all who subscribed and attended were impressed with its beauty and its dignity. It was a real success.” •

LEFT: A publicity photo of Elizabeth Eustis in full regalia. ABOVE: A lively shot of the ball! RIGHT: Queen Elizabeth Eustice and King Adair Watters during the Grand March.

JLNO Lagniappe Winter 2021 | jlno.org

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