In My Easter Bonnet
An early start it was for the Historic French Quarter Easter Parade, whose members clocked in at 8:45 a.m. for breakfast at Tableau by Dickie Brennan & Co. The ladies, who arrived in gorgeous Easter finery, carried decorated baskets and parade throws in cotton bags tied with satin ribbons. But first, it was time for some tasty nourishment. Savory and sweet pastries, a smoked fish dip, bagels with spreads, and mimosas, as well as coffee and tea, filled the bill. All the while, excitement was building up for the parade, the 68th one.
To launch the merry peregrination, the gentlemen helped the women into the carriages, which were loaded with throws for the parade crowds. At 9:45 a.m., the Historic French Quarter Easter Parade started as the horse-drawn carriages processed and the occupants handed out plush bunnies and Easter goodies to the eager onlookers. Then it was back to Tableau in preparation for the short jaunt to St. Louis Cathedral for the 11 a.m. Easter Mass. The group was escorted into the church. Post prayers, the ladies promenaded around Jackson Square, where they handed out more treats and posed for photographs before the celebratory luncheon at Tableau. The menu attractions were soup or salad, Gulf Fish St. Peter or Chicken Pontalba, and white chocolate bread pudding.
In the restaurant’s foyer, a “Happy Easter” banner welcomed the assembly. Decorations were colorful and numerous, thanks to the pastel ribbon streamers that hung from the chandeliers and the placement around and about of the members’ multicolored Easter baskets. Filling them were more plush bunnies and treats.
With such pulchritude present, it was only fitting to have some recognition. Thus, Michael Langford was tapped as the judge of three categories. The latter and the winners were Best Chapeau, Connie Baer; Best Overall Ensemble, Saundra Lane; and Best Basket, Anne Delery McWhorter.
Spreading the seasonal joy were Amy Carbonette Cioll with hubby R. Nick Cioll and her sister, Madeline Carbonette, along with Lynn Abide, Gaye Winter and daughter Kathryne, winner Connie and Matthew Baer with daughters Jessica and Jennifer, Suzanne and Byron Scott, Gerri and Murray Valene with Michael Langford, Michele and Jeffery Goldfarb with Shawn Guiteau, Rachel Kincaid and Chris Roth, Kim and Renee Navarre with Cindy Paros, Charlene and Tim Peterson, Betty Laizer, Cindy and Ron Paulin, Jim Walpole with the above Saundra, Jane Miller, Maryanne and Brian Warwick, and Karen and Frank Milanese. For starters.
And to start this special socializing, the HFQ Easter Parade Eve Cocktail Party unfolded in the Higgins Hotel. The attire: elegant soiree outfits with cocktail hats or fascinators for the ladies, and for the gents, summer suits. The musical momentum recalled the delights of the 1940s as guests nibbled hors d’oeuvres, enjoyed select drinks and chatted enthusiastically about the next-day parade. “With all the frills upon it.”
Let’s Hear It for the Gents
The Crystal Palace was the site for holiday socializing when the Extra Terrific Gents (ETG) Social and Pleasure Club Inc. rounded up its membership for its 41st anniversary. Guests turned out in after-five attire, while members sported tuxedoes with their signature teal bowties and vests. In the spirit of altruism, there was an official Toys for Tots collection staffed by U.S. Marines.
Mastheading the club are the officers, beginning with president Rodney Leon. Successive officers are vice president Donald Collins, treasurer Garry Mitchell, secretary Al Parker and chaplain Gary Thomas. They figure on a club roster of 30 members.
ETGs in attendance included Michael “Mike” St. Cyr (associate member from California) with spouse Linda, Rafael Perales with Elise, Mike Bordenave with Julie, Mike Bevrotte with Avis, C.J. Charbonnet with Alicia, the above Al Parker with Pat, Rene Dinet with Gail, Verdell Heisser with Pat, Kwantrell Green with April, Ferdinand Leon with Lydia, Joe Trevigne with Dedra, Clarence Hebert III with Kathy, Brandon Williams with Tonya, Barry Dinvaut with Lorraine, and Leonard Saizan with Gail.
Feasting added to the fun with a carving station, fried shrimp, shrimp pasta, corn and crab bisque, gumbo and a salad bar. The top attraction on the dessert table was an ETG logo cake. The musical menu was by DJ Gravy, who kept the floor packed with songs like “Flex” by Cupid and its ever-so-lively line dancing.
Laurels
Smiles were radiant when two awardees were acknowledged. They were Pamela Danner, the Mildred Wild Volunteer of the Year, and Rachel Cox Rodi, the C. Allen Favrot Humanitarian of the Year. Both were honored at the annual meeting of the YMCA of Greater New Orleans, which took place in The Ridgeway of Old Metairie. It was built on the original grounds of the first YMCA in Metairie, which opened in 1957. Fun facts about the 1950s were displayed and talked about in the program.
Facts about the honorees noted that Pamela Danner has volunteered with the YMCA Educational Services program for more than two decades, helping the adult literacy students succeed; and that Rachel Rodi has served as a tenured board member and chair for the YMCA Board of Trustees. At age 15, she was a lifeguard at the Buras YMCA and continues to volunteer with the Y as a swim instructor and Girls on the Run mentor.
Dr. Jake Rodi joined spouse Rachel, who doubled as the outgoing board chair and the event’s emcee. Further notables were the respective incoming chair and vice chair, Julie Brent Nosser and Marlin Gusman Jr. (with Varsha), and Gordon R. Wadge, president and CEO of the YGNO, who just completed his 11th year of leadership. New board members David Cedro, Millard Morrison, Heather Olivier, Daniel Tan and Peter Wilson were introduced to applause as they began their three-year first term guiding the organization. It was founded in New Orleans in 1852, making it the fifth oldest Y in the country. The headquarters are in Geneva, Switzerland.
When the annual meeting’s agenda called for socializing and the pleasures of purveyance, the focus turned to Central PoBoys & Catering and a spread of seafood gumbo, crawfish pasta, cocktail meatballs, shrimp and grits, and signature beignets. It was also an opportunity to congratulate the honored duo.