Social Salutes
Painting the Night
Each year, and at a gala, the Ogden Museum of Southern Art celebrates all things of the American South. The lively vehicle for the fun is O What a Night!, which just bannered Coleman E. Adler II, Tiffany Adler, Penny Francis and Deanna Rodriguez as the chairs; the Cuban-born Luis Cruz Azaceta, as the 2023 Opus Award recipient; Signature Events & Destination Management as the Underwriter for the fabulous decor; Palate New Orleans, and executive chef and owner Glenn Vatshel for the cuisine, under the sponsorship of LCMC Health; and Nicholas Lowry, Swann Auction Galleries, as the auctioneer. The black-tie guests moved from the 6 p.m. O What an Evening! in the Patrick F. Taylor Library — and the attractions of cocktails and a 120-items silent auction, sponsored by Neal Auction, along with Palate’s purveyance — to the seated dinner under a huge transparent tent with entertainment by Papo y Son Mandao, Jeremy Davenport, and D’Play Band. Days earlier, the Arthur Roger residence was the site for sights. There, patrons assembled for a preview of the live auction, music by Wendell Brunious, cocktails and a feature by artist Brennan Steele.
“Bold, yet fun” was a description of the atmosphere within the 3,000-square-foot tent that was set up next to the Ogden Museum on Camp Street. Tablescapes had brightly colored circular vases with white florals and surrounded by votives. Decorative white touches predominated, which made the punches of color stand out. The stage showcased a “waterfall” of greenery.
As the chic crowd munched Sucre macarons and sipped libations from Sazerac, Total Wine and more, they thrilled to the excitement of the live auction’s bidding led by Nicholas Lowry. With a smile, he said, “I want to separate you from your money.” (Davenport’s “Pennies from Heaven” found many monetary multiplications!) The 14 artists represented were Alia Ali, Alex Beard, Christian Dinh, Mitchell Gaudet, Jonathan Hodge, Birney Imes, Kaori Maeyama, REWA, RJ Raizik, Gregory B. Saunders, Aimee Farnet Siegel, Trenity Thomas, John Isiah Walton, and George Dunbar, the 2022 Opus honoree, whose artwork fetched the biggest bids for '23. Contributing, too, were those hoisting paddles for the Charles D. Urstadt Chairman Emeritus Acquisition Fund. He and William “Bill” Goldring are chairmen emeriti of the Ogden.
Members of the honoree’s family attended, as did Roger H. Ogden and Ken Barnes, museum board chair Jessie Schott Haynes, executive director William Pittman Andrews, Ariel and L. Kasimu Harris, Nell and Chip Tilton, Laura and Sonny Shields, Carlos Carmona, Jonathan Ferrara, David Kerstein, Alexa Georges and Jerry Armatis, City Council members Helena Moreno and Lesli Harris, Susan and Ralph Brennan, Catherine and Jason Kuuskraa, and dozens more for whom “O” was awesome.
Laurels
Described as “two remarkable individuals whose unwavering faith and boundless generosity have left an indelible mark on the people of the Archdiocese of New Orleans,” Joseph C. and Sue Ellen Canizaro were thus hailed as the 2023 Saint John Paul II Award recipients. The honor was bestowed at the Hilton New Orleans Riverside during the annual Catholic Community Foundation Dinner. Foundation executive director Cory J. Howat opened the formalities, the Rev. Joseph Palermo gave the invocation (and later benediction), St. Mary’s Academy Color Guard rendered the Pledge of Allegiance and the hotel’s chefs presented a dinner of mixed greens salad, braised short ribs, and chocolate mousse. Robért Fresh Market created the table centerpieces of white hydrangeas, yellow roses and greenery, while those for the stage area were done by Federico’s Family Florist and included lilies, gladioli, yellow roses and greenery.
Around and about people noticed Tom Monaghan, founder of Domino’s Pizza; Gayle Benson, owner of the New Orleans Saints and the Pelicans; and Ronald V. “Ronnie” Burns Sr., Chairman of New Orleans East Hospital. Gathered, as well, were past foundation board president Darlene Poché Robért, current president Ronald H. Dawson Jr., for post prandial introductory comments and the video; John Georges, representing board secretary Barry F. Kern; and the dinner committee: Mary Jane W. Becker, Anne Dardis, Veda Dawson, Carol Hall, Cindy Nolan, Paulette Renaudin and Darlene Robért. Past award recipients also attended. Last year’s honor tapped Klara Buconic Cvitanovich.
Archbishop Gregory M. Aymond made the award presentation, which was received by Sue Ellen Canizaro, who also represented her husband. They have been married for 62 years and have two great-grandsons. She accepted the award and expressed their deep gratitude for being recognized.
Silver Soiree
The Lambeth House Foundation invited supporters to celebrate 25 years of Lambeth House (established in 1998) at the Ochsner Health Lambeth House Gala, the 15th. Cocktails, dinner, auctions and general bonhomie rallied the lively lot. Carriere-Stumm Construction, Hancock Whitney, and RCC Flooring were the Presenting Sponsors and Karen and Mahlon Sanders, the gala chaircouple. More mastheaders were the members of the LHF board that includes chair Holly Abbott (attending with Bob Vorhoff), vice chair Christine Montz, secretary Chris Martin, treasurer Jeff Meckstroth, and Magdalen Bickford, Dorothy Clyne, Britt Galloway, Ken Kneipp, Michael Laughlin, Stephanie November, Mary Martin Roth, Julie Talbot, Charlotte Travieso, and Tim Trapolin, whose invitation and program artwork was echoed in the decorations. He also donated art to the 34-item auction.
Spirits were buoyed at the party’s entrance, thanks to Sparkle and Swag’s balloon sculptures in bright blue and orange with silver starburst balloon highlights. Trapolin’s floral and garden motif, along with beautiful orange butterflies, added to the look. Within, there were purple iris centerpieces, silver butterflies, and, on the dining room table, glass vessels filled with lush orange roses and vibrant blue irises.
Tricia Stirling had sterling “luck” with donated auction items, copping both the Gretchen Weller Howard painting (from her boat series) and the diamond and gold bangle bracelet from Ken Friend of Friend & Company. Ditto Carolyn Carlton-Lowe, who placed top bids on a bejeweled necklace and a weekend trip to St. Francisville, given respectively by Josh Kaston of Beje and Edie and David Darragh. More delights came from The Chuck Brackman Trio and pianists Jesse Reeks and John Mahoney of LH, and chef Bal Arneson and his slew of featured dishes.
Making gala rounds were LH board members Linda Conner (chair) and Pierre, Colleen Frampton with Don, Chris Martin (Holly had a conflict) and Tom Allen with Tupper. Lucy King, Hartley Crunck, Sarah and George Young, Russ Herman, Chris and Stephanie Casey, Carol and David Pointer, Chuck Striffler, Ken Raymond and wife Tracey Henneman, Mr. and Mrs. Moses Swent, Donna Flower, Susan and Richard Tyler, Dr. Jody Gates with wife Marilyn McConnell, Anne Bradburn, Sandy Villere, Julie McCollam with Denis Murrell, Jill Nalty, Claudia Powell, and spouses Bill Hinrichs and Cindy Ellis mingled with LHF director Anne Honeywell, and LH’s CEO Scott Crabtree with Tammy, CFO Lynn Swetland, and COO Jere Hales.
Fête du Jardin
With Peggy and Timber Floyd, Susan Couvillon, The Gayle and Tom Benson Charitable Foundation, and Ann and Dick Strub as top patrons, Louisiana Landmarks Society presented Fête du Jardin at the Pitot House, whose West Indies architecture inspired the theme, “Célébration des Caraïbes.” Nancy Matulich and LLS board member Louise Saenz chaired the soiree that included as committee Susan Couvillon, Michaela Bechler, Elizabeth Bernard, Caroline Broussard, Marla Donovan, Margot Hammond, Dana Hansel, Nick Matulich, Dominique Meyer, Anne Redd, Laura Shields, and Emery Van Hook. Stacey Pfingsten answered to LLS executive director, and Liz Schmidt, event coordinator. Rene J. Fransen is board president; Michael Mancuso, Anthony “Tony” Marino (who catered), Harry Barkerding, Susan Couvillon, Keith Hardie and Theodore Pierre Jr. are the officers; and 11 people serve as board trustees.
Decorative touches at the Bayou St. John site included candlelight and Luis Colmenares vases with tropical flowers. Ten restaurants purveyed — several with thematic taste treats — while Julio and Cesar provided the musical menu.
Past society presidents noted were Sally Reeves with Bill, Jim Logan with Jenny Cromer, and Michael Duplantier. Others strolling about were Ryan Acomb, Sonny Shields, Richard Dragisic, Bill Brochschmidt, Anne and Jimmy Morse, C.J. Blanda, Nathan Chapman, Louise and Craig Ripley, Virginia Weinmann, Harriet Nelson, Penny and Jack Bryant, Laurie and Warren Doyle, Susie and Ted Bloch, Michie and Tom Bissell, Sarah and David Kieffer, Margarita Bergen, Kristian and Emery Van Hook Sonnier, Jenni West and Jason Richards, Torie Kranz, Denis Alonzo, Vivian Cahn, Bethany Bultman and scores more.