Viewing landscapes
A prominent part of the Magnolia Ball festivities was “Southland: Landscape Photographs from the Permanent Collection,” the name of the exhibit featured at the celebration, which will be on display at the Ogden Museum of Southern Art through September 22. Also “on display” at the Camp Street Museum was the themed decor of lush greenery, green lighting and silver hues, dangling disco balls, the lively strut of the Krewe des Fleurs and the foliage-covered bar, and the elegant black and silver seating in the VIP lounge. Of course, the Ogden’s art beckoned on every open floor.
Activities included a photo booth, oxygen bar, pinball machines, glitter bar, temporary tattoo station and an exciting silent auction with $5,900 up for bids for a luxury vacation for eight people in Belize or Costa Rica. Piki Mendizabal“Visitors from the Bayou” brought in $1,400. Additional auction purchases fueled the generosity of “Landscape.”
The festive atmosphere was created by 15 spacious restaurants offering many delicious snacks and special cocktails. In the Patrick F. Taylor Library, there was music by Sydney and THE SAMS Vegas Cola Band and Grace GibsonFirst Class Presentation Catering and MaMou fed the herd.
Magnolia merged Katherine and Storm Ainsley, William Bryan, Shabez Jamal, Ruth Owens And Erica Washington into a co-chair group. 49 supporters formed the 2024 Committee. Bryan Subaru, Octavia Art Gallery, The Times-Picayune | nola.com, N and Avenue were the sponsors. Individuals on the patron list were Debra J. Fischman, Peggy and Timber Floyd, Ruth Owens, Deanna Rodriguez, Charles D. Urstadt and David Bernard, And Fern and Kevin Watters.
Some of them or their representatives made their rounds, as did David A. Kerstein, William Bryan, Leslie-Claire Spillman, Michelle Leckertphotographer Treenity Thomas (whose photo “Sevierille Dirt” was in the exhibition) and Mama Jessica, John Isiah Walton, Josh Haley, Carlos Carmona and David Pine, Artemis Antippas, Claire Thriffiley, Nicole Hershey, Jennie C. West and Jason Richards, Wayne Amedee, Stephanie Grace, Guy Lyman, Meredith Smith, Libby Bowlesand a chat threesome in Emmaline Kelly, Sophia Bravo And Dawn Wheelahan.
Some took it easy and headed to the Snoballs station. Others opted for hot dance floors and hot sounds and turned to Magnolia musicians DJ Rakimbeau, Artivism Dance Theatre, Rozay and DJ Taf.
The famous G-Ball
The famous G Ball is always a highlight of the summer months and it lived up to those expectations on a Friday night at its traditional venue, the Omni Royal Orleans Hotel. It was the 94th annual event. To create a sense of summer elegance, men were asked to wear a formal white coat with a white shirt, black tuxedo pants and a black bow tie. Formal floor-length evening gowns were required for the ladies, as they could not appear in pants or short evening dresses.
The organization’s history dates back to 1927, when the Famous G Club’s founding members were educators and entrepreneurs who “survived and thrived” in New Orleans and “created spaces for the African American population.” The Summer Ball was held at the end of the school year and is still held today. The theme of the 2024 celebration was “Friends and Community.”
As befitted the occasion, the ballroom decoration underlined the formality and theme. Compliments went to Denise Spellman for the table decorations she designed: a gold letter “G” served as a crowning accent for a top hat and a miniature walking stick. They were placed on emerald green table runners on cream embossed tablecloths.
Drinks and various food stalls, including roast beef and smoked ham, were other attractions, along with the charcuterie board and mashed potato bar. According to one satisfied partygoer, “The bread pudding was the dessert of the evening.”
Every year the call of the members and their ladies is a special moment. Master of Ceremonies Elyse Harrison gave the presentation and added a fun fact about each member. The participants were Michael Dianda And Lynette Howard, Al Bevins and spouse Ynez, Tracy Dickerson And Michele Burnett, James Williams And Deborah MontrellRetired judge Calvin Johnson and spouse Dr. Deidra HayesClub chaplain Victor W. Sawyer III with daughter Dr. Victoria Sawyer, Sergeant-at-Arms and co-chair of the event Gerald Spellman and Denise, parliamentarian Carl V. Williams And Karen ThomasTreasurer and co-chair of the event Michael Roussell and Jami, Vice President Sylvester K. Johnson and Takira, and President Darryl Harrison and wife Eurydice Bush-Harrison. Members Michael Harris And Kenneth Lawson were not present.
For his more than 30 years of contribution to the Gs mission, “G” was awarded a lifetime achievement award. James Williams. There were lots of congratulations.
Another highlight of the evening was the announcement of three high school scholarships named in honor of Evelyn Williams, James’ late wife. They went to Bryce Hunter, Maxine Montrell And Trecia Stanford, Graduates of St. Augustine High School, St. Mary’s Academy and Isidore Newman School. Students will attend Dillard University, Clark Atlanta University and Scripps College in sequence. Congratulations again!
Mingling were retired judges Carolyn Gill Jefferson, Theodore and Charlene Sanders, Luke and Daria Russell, Wineski and Tamara Thigpen, Mr. and Mrs. Anthony Johnson, Elvin and Faye Martin, Marva Tutt, Samuel Walker, Melissa Peyton, Selica Taylor and others who enjoyed the music throughout the evening. Clark Knight and 4×4 Connection Band (with singer Rachel Cook) and DJ Gravy. I danced too!
Pillars of Scouting
The Audubon Tea Room was recently filled with excitement at the Southeast Louisiana Council Boy Scouts of America’s Pillars of Scouting Luncheon. David Kerstein, President and CEO of “several companies that make up The Helis Interests in New Orleans” and President of the Helis Foundation. In addition Kenneth M. KlemmShareholder in the New Orleans office of the law firm Baker Donelson, who co-leads the firm’s Energy Industry Service Team. A veteran of the U.S. Army, he earned the rank of Eagle Scout in 1979 and his son Nicholas and nephew/godson Justin earned their rank as Eagle Scout while members of Troop 100 at St. Pius X School. And, Dennis Lauscha, who has been president of the Saints and the Pelicans since 2012. He also holds various positions at the teams’ owner’s companies, Gayle BensonHe is a former chairman of the SELA board. All three men have university degrees.
The Eagle Scouts of 1985 were also in the spotlight Alan Holekampwho returned to the Boy Scouts as an adult leader when his nephew asked him to become a Merit Badge Counselor; and Holly McCollumPresident of the SELA Council BSA and the first woman to hold this position. She is also president of Total Media LLC, the company she founded in 2010. Son Evan is an Eagle Scout.
In addition to Holekamp and McCollum, the following names were on the agenda: Jeff Crouerelocal scouts, Jim Schoene, And Torrey HaydenThe largest investors in the Scouts’ youth development programs were Sue and Ed Zinni, followed by the Helis Foundation.
Last year’s winners were Patricia A. Denechaud, John F. Henton, Dr. med., Robert Wayne Tracy and the recently deceased Richard E. Zuschlag.
The 2024 luncheon featured the actual awards, which featured the name of the award winner and the “Pillar of Scouting” engraved in a black square with a fleur-de-lis design and the Scout logo. Centerpieces included white lilies, orange and yellow roses, touches of purple and green. There were also solid salads and a delicious chocolate dessert.
