Looking Back — and Forward!
Countless hours of volunteerism and giving were tallied in ’23. We should anticipate the same for 2024. Give where you live!
Pastorship
With Retif Oil & Fuel as the Presenting Sponsor, The Good Shepherd School in the Jesuit Tradition went fashionable for its fundraiser. “Best Dressed Gala” billed the five-hour bash in the New Orleans Marriott that started with cocktails, then hors d’oeuvres and dinner. The GSS video and emcee introduction, featuring Travers Mackel (WDSU) and Meg Gatto (Fox 8) followed before the runway competition and reception. Adding to the latter event was the PaperChase NOLA Band, winner announcement and closing remarks. Chockablock fun!
The school’s development team of Andrea Williams and Kayla McGee spearheaded the chic black and white decorations; the Marriott provided an extensive menu; the silent auction featured staycations and sports enticements; and 20 local celebrities modeled, including GSS graduate Paris Vincent. She joined Doug Adams, Melissa Ursin-Aucoin, Chris Berg, Dr. Jawan Brown-Alexander, Sonya Encalade-Jones, Mark Faliveno, GSS President/CEO Thomas G. Moran Jr., Tyrone Hughes, Tammy O’Shea, Victoria Pizzo, Vanessa Schneider, Jim Schoen, DJ Johnson, Preston Jones, Stephanie Kammer-Taylor, Melissa Maia, Jim McCormick, Donnie Silva, and Kevyn Parenton Winters. John’s Tuxedos, Dolce and Chatta Box provided the looks. The competition’s winning names were Doug Adams and Melissa Maia, and, for Best Dressed, Preston and spouse Sonya.
President/CEO Moran spoke, commenting on the vision of the late Rev. Harry Tompson, SJ, for the school - helping low-income, urban youths to realize their fullest potential - that has produced 239 graduates, and now, 19 college graduates, who are included on the Conwill Family Foundation College Graduate Wall. The gala honored graduates Myles Anderson and Tamera Coney.
Noted, too, were Ryan and Kenny Retif, Dr. Darvelle Hutchins, the Rev. Ajani Gibson, board chair Johnny Fitzpatrick, Bobby Talbot, Kelly Longwell, Brian Grenrood, Michael Harkins, Denise Hoffman, Keith Jenkins, John and Michelle Hennessey, Mickey and Christine Parenton, Mike Scott and Chris Sullivan, Tannya Aguilera, and Richard and Anna Tompson.
Post-gala, the generosity continued to flow. Saints and Pelicans owner Gayle Benson donated funds for the Gayle and Tom Benson Good Shepherd School Giving Hope campus.
The Bounty of the Bar
Just shy of 100 years, the annual Dinner Meeting of the New Orleans Bar Association took place in the Ritz Carlton, where gold fleur-de-lis statues centered the tables. Mesclun salad, braised short rib and petits fours pleased the palate.
Acknowledgments and accolades were plentiful and robust with NOBA president Steve Herman issuing the Call to Order. He was joined by spouse Judge Karen Herman and their daughter, Alexandra. Thomas Flanagan (with brother/law partner Harold) is the president-elect. Additional headliners were Arceneaux Professionalism Award recipient retired Judge Robin Giarrusso (with City Council member son Joe), Young Lawyers Section Chair Gerard Gaudet (with Rachael) and chair-elect Katie Swartout. From NOBA came past president and Bar Foundation President Jan Hayden with husband Jerry Montalbano; vice presidents Angie Christina, Cayce Peterson and Kelly Juneau Rookard; and treasurer Larry Pugh. Also, Judge Nakisha Ervin-Knott, Peter Sperling, Judge Jay Zainey, Paul Sterbcow, Valerie Fontenot and Cherrell Simms-Taplin.
Scores more joined in the meeting and greeting that hailed Fifty-Year Members Ralph R. Alexis III, Francis J. Barry Jr., William G. Cherbonnier Jr., Edwin R. Fleischmann Jr., J. David Forsyth, Lloyd N. Frischhertz Jr., Romualdo Gonzalez, William J. Guste III, Kathleen S. Plemer, Stanley Frazer Rankin, Antonio J. Rodriguez, James Ryan III, Norman C. Sullivan Jr. and James F. Willeford.
Bertel Bonhomie
The 2023 annual Luncheon and C. Alvin Bertel Award Ceremony of the World Trade Center New Orleans at Greater New Orleans Inc. amassed an eager crowd to the Four Seasons Hotel. Port NOLA The Port of New Orleans was the Presenting Sponsor. Spotlighted as the Bertel awardee, “an individual who has made significant contributions to the Louisiana port community” was Jack C. Jensen Jr., founder of TCI Trucking and Warehousing. Joining him were his wife, Cindy, and their children Christian, Katie, Rachel (and husband Dan Jones), Mary Hernandez and David (with wife Megan).
Further notables were WTCNO director Harrison Crabtree, who thanked the sponsors and everyone for celebrating Jack Jensen, board chair Kristi App, Will Baldwin, Beth Walker, Chris Sullivan, Michael Kearney, Otis Tucker, Dawn Lopez, Sean Duffy, Pat Denechaud, Drew Tessier, Tom Spiers, Matt Gresham, Julia Fisher, Guy Williams, Gay LeBreton and Marina Manzanares. They relished a delicious meal of Caprese salad, hanger steak and chocolate chess pie. White hydrangeas in round, clear glass bowls bedecked the tables, while subtle blue uplighting was a nice addition to the overall look.
In recognizing Jenkins, Port of New Orleans Chairman Joseph F. “Joe” Toomy talked about the honoree’s many years of service and contributions, adding, “I’m proud to say we’ve moved mountains together, Jack.”
Planting Choral Joy
Dedicated to the preservation and beautification of the French Quarter, the Patio Planters, a volunteer organization, is busy, busy during the Christmas season. The group arranges the opening of Quarter-located courtyards and gardens for the public to enjoy; since 1946, has sponsored Caroling in Jackson Square, a beloved holiday tradition that is free and open to the public; and hosts the annual Christmas Brunch. The recent venue was the Japanese Room of Antoine’s Restaurant, which was florally enhanced with poinsettia centerpieces. The respective female and male board members received bouquets and large nutcracker statuettes in appreciation for their work.
Special attendees were Patio Planters President Joey DiFatta with sister Judy Hoffmeister and cousin Gerri Valene and her husband, Murray; secretary and brunch chair Dr. Mary Bartholomew with Harold; vice president Kirk Guidry and Carolyn, the recipient of the coveted Daisy Todd Award for extraordinary volunteer service; treasurer Jared Frank with husband Dr. Larkin Page; and Caroling coordinator/board member Sandra Dartus with spouse Alan Horwitz and son Andrew Horwitz. Also, Carol and Ed Gernon, Jeff and Celia Collins, Dr. James and Jenny Cole, Cathryn Giff, Kym Turner and Sherry Dean. And, spouses Larry Heilbronner and Katie Kolthoff, Bob and Janice Phelps, Lynn Kirby, Micah Loewenthal, Ott Howell, C.J. Blanda, Janice Foulks, Stephen Swain, and sisters Lea Siegel and Frances Salvaggio.
As the Patio pack savored a three-course meal of shrimp remoulade, main course choice and flourless chocolate cake, with plenty of bubbly, entertainer Marshall Harris added vocal buoyancy with cheery holiday songs.