Social Events

SOCIETY

40 | Heart of The Park Hat Luncheon

Benefiting New Orleans City Park and New Orleans Town Gardeners

41 | Women of Substance Luncheon

Benefiting Bridge House / Grace House 42 | Business Hall of Fame

Benefiting Junior Achievement of Greater New Orleans

43 | PRC's 43rd Julia Jump

Benefiting the Preservation Resource Center 44 | The American Spirit Awards

Benefiting The National WWII Museum

45 | Ogden Museum's Magnolia Ball

Benefiting the Ogden Museum of Southern Art

Heart of the Park Hat Luncheon

Approximately 425 patrons gathered to celebrate springtime and support New Orleans’ City Park.

Patrons gathered in The Pavilion of the Two Sisters for the annual Heart of the Park Hat Luncheon on April 27, which benefits the care of City Park’s historic urban forest and the community programs supported by the New Orleans Town Gardeners. Dr. Tlaloc Selway Alférez served as the 2022 Honorary Chair.

This year’s spring-themed, floral-filled event featured Enrique Alférez-inspired decor. An original plaster relief by Enrique Alférez, “Soccer Players,” was a prized live auction artwork.

The event, hosted by Jay Batt and Bryan Batt, featured entertainment by Harry Hardin Quartet, catering by New Orleans City Park Catering and Maurice’s French Pastries.

Prior to the luncheon, guests enjoyed a cocktail gathering in the New Orleans Botanical Garden, where they experienced the works of Enrique Alférez with support from the Helis Foundation.

Karen Coaxum, Carmen Duncan, Boo Kallenborn and Chenier Taylor served as the 2022 Event Co-Chairs. Barbara Bush and Bev Church served as 2022 Patron Chairmen. First Horizon Bank presided as presenting sponsor. – By Shelby Simon

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1. Jay Batt, Bev Church, Barbara Bush, Bryan Batt 2. Harriet Nelson, Poco Sloss, Susan Gomila 3. Chenier Taylor, Karen Coaxum, Boo Kallenborn, Carmen Duncan 4. Karen Knaak Wood, David Kerstein, Charlotte Bollinger 5. Megan Eustis, Cleland Powell, Claudia Powell 6. Ruthie Frierson, Blanche Dee McCloske 5 6

Women of Substance Luncheon

Bridge House / Grace House continues to honor female role models and raise critical funds for their substance use disorder treatment programs.

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6 Since 1996, Bridge House / Grace House has held the Women of Substance Luncheon to honor local female role models for the many women in their substance use disorder treatment program. More than $135,000 was raised at this year’s 27th annual luncheon.

Joy Bollinger, Dian Tooley-Knoblett and Gwen Briggs were this year’s honorees. The award recipients and associated honors were: William Mimeles with the Richard “Buzzy” Gaiennie Award, Christina Illarmo with the Volunteer of the Year award and Christie Silvis with the Alumna of the Year award.

Felicia Kleinpeter served as Event Chair, and Mark Romig served as emcee.

NOLA Flora created white and pink floral centerpieces of hydrangeas and roses for each table, as well as a matching bold centerpiece at the event entrance. The Audubon Tea Room provided catering of a delicious three-course meal. 111 total items were available for bidding, including four in a live auction, which included a private chef door-to-door dinner with Chef Charlotte Martory, a JAMNOLA private tour for 10 plus a swag basket and a seven-night stay in Panama at Soul House Luxury Inn and Retreat Center.

The James P. Raymond Jr. Foundation and the Oscar J. Tolmas Charitable Trust returned as co-Presenting (Leadership) Sponsors for the sixth and fourth year in a row, respectively.

Approximately 350 patrons attended the luncheon. – By Shelby Simon

1. Dian Tooley-Knoblett, Kelly Commander, Else Pederson, Walton Goldring 2. William Mimeles, Gabrielle Mimeles 3. Marilyn Ripoll, Angelle Verges, Mary Cannon 4. Christopher O’Shea, Felicia Kleinpeter 5. Mark Romig, Gwen Briggs, Joy Bollinger, Kevin Gardere 6. Leigh Director, Liz Copeland

Business Hall of Fame

The Business Hall of Fame sponsored by the Oscar J. Tolmas Charitable Trust benefiting Junior Achievement of Greater New Orleans Inc. honored local leadership.

Established in 1984, the Business Hall of Fame honors local businessmen and women who have embraced the spirit of entrepreneurship in our community. These individuals are recognized for their significant contribution to the success of their profession.

Eighteen members of the Business Hall of Fame in attendance were introduced in procession style by class year to begin the evening. Each 2022 honoree was featured in a special video tribute and introduced by a fellow Hall of Fame Laureate, also on video.

The 2022 Laureates were: Susan Brennan, Founder, Second Line Stages, LLC; Patrick Comer, Founder & CEO, Lucid; John Hairston, President & CEO, Hancock Whitney; Sonia Perez, President, AT&T, Southeast States; Tania Tetlow, President, Loyola University New Orleans; and Scott Wolfe, Jr., Founder & CEO, Levelset.

The Lifetime Achievement Honoree was Alden J. McDonald, Jr., President & CEO, Liberty Bank & Trust. Laitram was honored as the Oscar J. Tolmas Charitable Trust Business of the Year.

Each awardee was given a crystal eagle as a symbol of their entrepreneurial spirit and excellence in business leadership.

The Plant Gallery decorated the Ritz-Carlton ballroom with florals in shades of peach with silver and white accents. The Ritz-Carlton catered a three-course dinner, which ended with a chocolate doberge cake. Pianist Philip Melancon performed while the approximately 180 guests dined.

Bill Hines, Managing Partner at Jones Walker, served as Event Chair. Oscar J. Tolmas Charitable Trust served as title sponsor. – By Shelby Simon

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1. Alden McDonald, Ronnie Burns 2. Bill Hines, Ann Hairston, John Hairston 3. Neel Sus, Diedra Dias 4. Jay Lapeyre, Susan Brennan, Tania Tetlow, Sonia Perez 5. Larry Washington, Lisa Romano, Mason Couvillon 6. Tim Williamson, Patrick Comer, Scott Wolfe 5 6

PRC's 43rd Julia Jump

300 patrons attended the Preservation Resource Center’s first post-pandemic Julia Jump presented by Landis Construction.

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6 The 43rd Julia Jump gala continues to support the Preservation Resource Center’s (PRC) work to preserve New Orleans’ historic architecture, neighborhoods and cultural identity.

The gala, themed “Jumping Through the NOLA Seasons,” was a black-tie encouraged affair.

Patron party guests were greeted by members of The Sirens dance and marching krewe and enjoyed passed hors d’oeuvres from the Four Seasons Catering while sipping champagne. Gordon Towell and Hunter Burgamy performed smooth jazz stylings for all to enjoy.

For guests at the gala, Kern Studios provided thematic props, FAIT Nola provided flowers and centerpieces and The Topcats provided live musical entertainment.

The Four Seasons served as an appropriate venue for the evening and as a prime example of adaptive reuse and the potential to restore and revitalize historic buildings, as the former World Trade Center has been on the National Register of Historic Places since 2014. The Four Seasons also provided catering. Sazerac Company sponsored the bar alongside beer provided by NOLA Brewing Co.

Key auction items included a 30-bottle wine raffle valued at over $1,200, a custom suit from Fellow Menswear, an emerald ring from Beje Jewelers and vacations to Pittsburgh, Nashville, Telluride, Cabo San Lucas and Argentina. A raffle featured 12 curated packages reflecting the many seasons of New Orleans.

Vivian Grandal and Ashleigh Taylor served as Event Co-Chairs. Landis Construction presented the gala with other major sponsors including: TruWealth Advisors, Dixie Construction and Thrive Landscaping, First Horizon, Murphy Appraisal Services, Roth Law Firm and Stonehenge Capital. – By Shelby Simon

1. Charles Urstadt, Anne Teague Landis, David Bernard 2. Clay Colton, Danielle Del Sol, Ashley King 3. Jessica Knox, Fred Holley 4. Marshall Hevron, Sarah Hevron, Peter Trapolin, Leah Tubbs, Christin Generes 5. Vivian Grandal, Barbara Lacen Keller, Ashleigh Taylor 6. Shammi Gupta, Nomita Joshi Gupta, Katie Witry, Todd Riche

The American Spirit Awards

The National WWII Museum's American Spirit Awards presented by Hancock Whitney's trio of events hosted 1,300 patrons.

The 2022 American Spirit Awards celebrated those whose work reflects the values and spirit of those who served our country during the World War II years. The events featured a Patron Reception on June 9, a luncheon and Billy Michal Student Leadership Forum and the Awards Gala on June 10.

Proceeds from the weekend’s trio of events, which took place between June 9-10, 2022, support educational programming at The National WWII Museum. This year raised $1,469,271 in support of the Museum’s mission.

The American Spirit Award Honorees were: Norman C. Francis, JD, Educator, Civil Rights Pioneer and Veteran; Karen Guenther, Founder, President and CEO of Semper Fi and America’s Fund; Rick Atkinson, Pulitzer Prize-winning author and Military Historian; Frederick W. Smith, Veteran, Philanthropist, and Founder and Executive Chairman of FedEx Corporation; and The Navajo Code Talkers, including Thomas Begay, John Kinsel, Sr., Peter MacDonald and Samuel Sandoval.

The American Spirit Medallion Honorees were: Charles C. Teamer, Ph.D., Veteran, Educator and Civic Leader; The Honorable Jacquelyn Brechtel Clarkson, Long-time New Orleans City Council Member, Public Servant and Trustee Emerita of The National WWII Museum; and Carol Rittner, RSM, Ph.D., Author, Activist and Educator.

The Silver Service Medallion Honorees included: Bradford C. Freeman, WWII Veteran and Member of Easy Company; Romay Davis, WWII Veteran and Member of Women’s Army Corps (WAC) 6888th Battalion; and Lt. Commander Louis A. Conter, USN (Ret.), WWII Veteran and Pearl Harbor Survivor.

The Museum’s Victory Six band performed at the Patron Reception. The American Sector Restaurant and Bar provided culinary creations and Hancock Whitney served as presenting sponsor alongside many generous supporters. – By Shelby Simon

1. Bradford C. Freeman, Norman C. Francis, Sam Sandoval, Peter MacDonald 2. Jennifer Weggeland, Ted Weggeland 3. Suzanne Mestayer, Charles Teamer Sr., Linda Teamer, Stephen Watson 4. Rick Atkinson, Jane Atkinson, Beth Mueller, Nick Mueller 5. Karen Guenther, Madlyn Hilliard, Paul Hilliard, Tracy Bame 6. John Doerner, Ann Doerner, Ann Hairston, John Hairston 1

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Ogden Museum's Magnolia Ball

Magnolia Ball supports the educational mission of the Ogden and celebrated the exhibition, "Luis Cruz Azaceta: What a Wonderful World."

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3 4 2 This year's Magnolia Ball celebrated Ogden Museum's current exhibition: "Luis Cruz Azaceta: What a Wonderful World."

In a collaborative spirit with the artist's use of bright and bold colors, the atrium in Goldring Hall was beautifully lit with blue, purple and green uplighting, and boasted dramatic floral centerpieces with hanging greenery throughout. More than 400 partygoers enjoyed Elektra Cosmetics' glitter bar on their way to the photo booth and aerialists and dancers with Trixie Minx Productions entertained the crowd. The Museum utilized its Patrick F. Taylor Library to showcase the evening's live music lineup where guests gathered for drinks as they danced the night away.

Live entertainment also included the People Museum Band, DJ Heelturn, DJ T-Roy, Shawan Rice, Marina Orchestra and DJ Jess. Culinary creations were provided by Diva Dawg, Highly Seasoned Catering, Manolito, Nola Snow Snoballs, Nothing Bundt Cakes on Prytania, The Delachaise and Reginelli's Pizza. 87 lots were featured in this year's silent auction and included artwork and lifestyle items from regional artists and businesses. This year's top items were artwork: the highest bid went to Cubs the Poet's "The Zulu Queen,” and the second highest sold item was Jennifer Odem's "Underpinning.” 2022 Magnolia Ball Co-Chairs included: Wendell Brunios, Nathalie Simon, John Isiah Walton, Jennie Cannon West and Jason Richards.

Benefactors for this event included Eclectic Home, The Times-Picayune, Charles D. Urstadt & David Bernard, The Helis Foundation, St. Charles Avenue Magazine and Michael Wilkinson. – By Shelby Simon

5 6 1. Wendo Brunior, Jennie Cannon West, Rene Lavoie, Nathalie Simon, Jason Richards 2. Huzefa Dossaji, Amanda Scott 3. Elise Johns, Kristi Sanford 4. Lori Lapatka, Kelly Smith, Ashley Shabankereh, Justin Powers 5. Claire Blue, Andrew Lamar Hopkins, Garlyn Gryder 6. Nicole Hershey, Dung Nguyen, Jade Aubert