Bye, Bye ’23!

Sons

Sold out! That’s what a fundraiser hopes to banner, and it was the case recently when, as presented by Latter & Blum and Ochsner Health, the Son of a Saint 2023 annual gala unfolded in the Four Seasons/New Orleans. Latter & Blum Inc. Chairman and owner Bob Merrick and spouse Sheryl were the gala chairs. From Ochsner Health were president and CEO Pete November and Stephanie. Forming the host committee were Carol and Harold Asher, Marques Colston (for the welcome) and Emily, Lyell and Valerie Dampeer, Nadia de la Houssaye and Nadia Vreeland and Oliver Vreeland, Sarah and Daniel Fletcher, Ashley and Tim Francis, George and Cheryl Lilly, Jeffrey and Kristy Meyers, and Jerell and Tanya Thomas.

During the formalities — and after Son of a Saint Ambassador Colston’s welcome (along with mentees Ace, Angelo, Bryce and Warren — just first names) and the address by Presenting Sponsors Merrick and November — Son of a Saint Founder and CEO Bivian “Sonny” Lee III gave the State of Accomplishments. Dinner followed with Sunburst Salad, grilled tenderloin with shrimp, and sweet potato bread pudding. Wink Design & Events used a palette of red, burgundy and rouge for the décor that included lush florals and roses, plus accents of silver and gold.

After dinner, Zander Dunbar, Son of a Saint alumnus and 2017 Mentee of the Year gave the keynote address. There was also a video presentation.

Features were numerous and included a patron party with purveyance, thanks to the Link Restaurant Group and Cajun Caviar; musical entertainment by the Amina Scott, Noah Vick and Zahria Sims trios; and Brian Kish, Emeril Lagasse Foundation president, and Tamica Lee as co-auctioneers for the live portion with seven top-tier enticements. Chief among them was a stay at the Castellaras Villa in the south of France, which was donated by Nancy and Matt Rebold and purchased by Ryan and Stephanie Burks. The silent auction added further excitement with 21 lots.

In attendance, too, and as supporters of the Son of a Saint organization that transforms the lives of fatherless young men throughout Greater New Orleans were U.S. Rep. Troy Carter, state Sen. Royce Duplessis, Orleans Parish District Attorney Jason Williams and Elizabeth, New Orleans City Council Member Helena Moreno, Terrance Osborne, Kenneth and Florencia Polite, Andrew and Kaitlyn Yeates, Greg Keller, Bart and Kaitlyn Kelly, Richard Brennan, Rico and Kristen Alvendia, and the above Tamica Lee (sister of Sonny) and spouse Barry Smith. For starters!

There was even an after party. That experience followed in the River Ballroom with live entertainment by T-Ray the Violinist and DJ RQ Away.

Sidereal Salutes

Amanda and Ryan Berger and Emily and Zach Kupperman teamed to chair the Celebration of Rising Stars presented by SUSCO Solutions. The Il Mercato-located bash, City Stars Soirée, was instituted in 2003 by Junior Achievement of Greater New Orleans to reach a younger audience aligned with JA’s mission of financial literacy, work readiness and entrepreneurship.

The 2023 honorees, the Rising Stars, were Sara Brennan and Geordie Brower, Dickie Brennan and Company; Pike Howard, Felipe’s Mexican Taqueria; Dr. Suma Maddox; Gretchen Riedel, Levelset; Patrick Schindler and Kendall Winingder, Felicity Property Company; and G. Townsend Underhill IV, Stirling. Forty people compose the JA Board of Governors with “emeritus” designating the names of Walter E. Blessey Jr., Sandra R. Duncan and Beverly R. Nichols. Catherine Betz, Jimmy Dunn, Chase Mullin, Brett Perrier, Faith Saragusa, Brandon Sita, Lee Anne Sciambra, Brandon Smith, Neel Sus and Sara Waldvogel made up the Planning Committee.

Ambiance was to the festive fore, thanks to candles of various sizes on the mantelpieces, as well as greenery and hurricane lamps atop the tables. Luminous did the decorations, and the above Dickie Brennan and Company and Felipe’s Mexican Taqueria, along with Toulouse Gourmet, the food. In the silent auction, 90 choice items beckoned. One of the top attractions was the Collectors Bourbon Basket, donated by Flexicrew and bought by Brett Perrier.

Living up to its promise of “a packed evening of celebration and fun,” City Stars Soirée turned to the musical beat. Partly Cloudy supplied the sunny sound.

Spirit and Spirits

Arnaud’s restaurant on Bienville Street in the French Quarter was the site for the night when the Spirit of the Vieux Carré Gala of the Vieux Carre Commission Foundation amassed a throng. It was presented by James Douglas Hislop and limelighted Sydney Anderson, David McPherson, Joseph S. Pappalardo Jr. and Karen Tipton as event chairs. Nadine Blake (joined by spouse Simon, the artist for the invitation’s cover) presides over the board of directors that includes vice president Maddie Charleston (with Jeff), secretary Caitlin W. Sheehan, Karen Tipton, and Mamie Sterkx Gasperecz (with Kirk), past president. Darryl Berger was the founding president; David A. Dalia, the founding director; and Bryan D. Block (with Jeff Keller) is ex-officio. Brook Tesler (with Adam) answers to executive director.

The event’s top donors, those in the St. Louis Sponsor category, were Amanda and Ryan Berger and his parents, Louellen and Darryl Berger.

Adding to the party profile were Kathryn Brennan McLeod and Gordon, Judge Sandra Cabrina Jenkins, Claus Sadlier, Ashley Porter and Martin Holly, Kevin Ferguson, Richard Dragisic, James Rolf, Jenna Burke and David Demarest, Brittany Mulla McGovern, Annie Irvin, Erin Holmes and Karley Frankic.

Deductible Relief Foundation sponsored the spirits and Arnaud’s, the taste treats. More excitement was generated by the raffle package of two nights at the Windsor Court, along with gift cards for Brennan’s and GW Fins. Lady Luck tapped Lynette and Terry DuFrene as winners. Providing the musical “spirit” were the patron party’s Hannah Kreiger-Benson & Alexis Parker, and for the gala, the Preservation Hall All-Star Quartet.

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Now, we're all for 2024! Happy New Year.