All 'A’s' and one 'B'
ACCESS
Dinner and an auction at the Metairie Country Club followed Angels Patron Party at the nearby home of Jennifer and Kenneth Rabalais, where Champagne and hors d’oeuvres were for the partaking and Douglas Black’s guitar music, the listening. Both gatherings, the patron party and the Joie de Vivre-Joy of Life gala, benefitted Catholic Charities ACCESS Pregnancy Center. Tim Trapolin did the invitation’s artwork, which featured a mother and child wrapped in angel wings.
At the Metairie Country Club, simple and elegant vases filled with floating baby’s breath served as centerpieces. When guests sat to sup, they enjoyed the club’s house salad, braised short ribs and a turtle cheesecake. Auction action, chaired by Sheila Spring and Jean Mitchell, rallied the bidders. Among the choice items in the “live” portion were a crocheted baby blanket made by the event’s honoree, Rita Lee; a Lake Pontchartrain sunset cruise by Fountain Dog Property Management and Atlas Real Estate; and an Irene Lummertz gold rope ring. Mark Rodi (with spouse Sharon) was the auctioneer. Adding further enticements were the silent auction and the Parade of Prizes.
Sharon Simons Wild and Dawn Gillen, ACCESS board members, as are some of the following, chaired the event. Joining them were their respective husbands, Rodney and Glenn. Further notables were Archbishop Gregory Aymond, board president Lynn Schonberg with husband Stephen and mom Gloria Woods, Michelle Black (with guitarist Doug) of Catholic Charities Archdiocese of New Orleans, and Catholic Charities President and CEO Sister Marjorie Hebert. Also, Judy Leggett Marti, Tangie and Robert Stephens, Maria Winn, Anne and Jack Dardis, Karen and King McGoey, and Linda and Harold Heno.
APAS
Chaired by Ana Chea, “Illuminate the Night at the Asian Pacific American Society Gala" beckoned scores to the Grand Ballroom of the Chateau Golf and Country Club. The theme shone a light on the rich tapestry of the area’s Asian cultures while celebrating the diversity that makes our community unique. Through APAS, there are educational opportunities with the Cecil J. Murphy Scholarship fund, cultural understanding with the Asian Pacific American Heritage Festival, and friendship bonding with the annual APAS Picnic, Children’s Holiday Party, Drag Bingo, and social meetups to support local Asian businesses. Past Miss APAS Grace Chan is the chair.
The gala’s program commenced with masters of ceremonies Anum Siddiqui, WDSU news reporter, and APAS board member George Jackson. Then came the Pledge of Allegiance, and Grace Chan’s welcome, followed by Chateau’s buffet dinner. Next were the Frank Hara Community Service Excellence Awards, which found worthy recipients in Dr. Syed Muniruzzaman, Bangladesh; Nary Meas, Cambodia; Dr. Dan Li, China; Dr. Pulin Shah, India; James Carmesin, Indonesia; Yonhui Park, Korea; Sheila Lumod-Jumoad, Philippines; Sean Ho, Taiwan; and Soukay Sengsiri, Thailand. Applause abounded as it did for the Filipino community’s Pandanggo Sa Ilaw Performance. Further excitement came from the silent auction (with thanks to Nellie Underwood) and the raffle, both with artwork by Terrance Osborne.
More recognition followed with the presentation of the 2023 APAS Ambassador Candidates (with credit to Gerlie San Augustin): Shahnaz Sathi, Bangladesh; Paulina Rama, Cambodia; Dr. Lily Wu, China; Yulia Geeslin, Indonesia; Fumie Nimtz, Japan; Luna So, Korea; Mia Rodriguez, Philippines; Thomas Lin, Taiwan; Alisa Bourgeois, Thailand; and Lauren Lieu, Vietnam. Dignitaries were sighted and included lifelong APAS member Cynthia Lee Sheng, Jefferson Parish President, who was joined by her mother Lai (Mrs. Harry) Lee.
Aztec
Members of the Aztec Club of 1847, the “second oldest continuous hereditary society in the United States” and the Order of the Crown of Charlemagne, which was organized in the U.S. in 1919, shared heritage and bonhomie as they broke bread in The Wine Room of Galatoire’s Restaurant. Rosemonde and Carlo Capomazza di Campolattaro were the hosts. David Gooch, of Galatoire’s, treated the gathering to Veuve Clicquot Champagne during the cocktail hour. For dinner, gumbo, a main course choice, and caramel cup custard pleased the palate. Atop the tables were lovely arrangements of roses and hydrangeas by Steve Baker.
William “Bill” Allerton welcomed guests and introduced club vice president Tim Mabee, of Sarasota Springs, New York, and secretary Richard Hollis, of Rome, Georgia, who were joined by Heather and Melodye. Welcoming them were club treasurer Max Maxwell with Margaret, Texan Larry Casey, Sara and Howard Gaines, Ann and Gene Preaus, Louise “Weesie” and Craig Ripley, Mississippians Ann and Bill Simmons, Cliff Jackson with Sheila-Llyn Van Nederveen, Lydia Ozenberger, Bunny Thomas and John Wells, Mara and George “Jack” Coiron with son George IV, Ann Middleton, and Elizabeth Sewell.
'B' for Beggars
Established in 1923, the Beggars (Beta Epsilon Gamma Gamma Alpha Rho Sigma) Fraternity of Loyola University New Orleans was the first social fraternity on any Jesuit campus. And to celebrate 100 years, a party unfolded in the Spanish Custom House, “the oldest house in New Orleans.” It is owned by Lyndon John Saia, Loyola, ’80. His son, Stephen and Lisa Happoldt, Beggars Little Sister, 1997-1990, arranged the food.
Within the centennial set were past chapter presidents Kevin Michael Kelly, David G. Trepagnier Sr. (with Marianna) and Jude H. Trahant Jr. (with Jaime). Also, Mr. and Mrs. Curtis Perrin Rome III, Mr. and Mrs. Michael Delmas Brinks Jr., the Daniel Joseph Happoldts, the Charles Stuart Romes, the Philip Eugene Resos, the Scott Patrick Sheas, Michael Leonard Shea, the Timothy Joseph Babins, and Reubin Phillip Colwart.