All in a Daze Work!
The Normand Equation
Roast revelry commanded attention in the Sheraton New Orleans when radio talk show host and former Jefferson Parish Sheriff Newell Normand embraced good-natured slings and barbs. Huzzahs, too, thanks to the hosting force, the Delgado Community College Foundation and its Roast of the Town. Liberty Bank & Trust Company and Ochsner Health figured in The Top Cop patron tier, the primary one, as title patrons.
Michael Hecht, president and CEO of Greater New Orleans Inc., opened the program as master of ceremonies. Following the emcee were Delgado Foundation Board Chairman Leon L. "Lee" Giorgio Jr. for the welcome; Delgado Community College Chancellor Dr. Larissa Littleton-Steib for remarks; Sheraton New Orleans General Manager Jim Cook for greetings; and for the blessing of the food, Tyler Scheuermann, DCC's Athletic Communications/Advancement Coordinator. A special tribute to Eric Paulsen captured everyone's attention and produced heartfelt memories. For years, the recently deceased Paulsen emceed the spirited shenanigans.
At the tables, guests swapped news, some personal, some professional, while relishing the three-course meal of Sheraton spring citrus salad, blackened Gulf fish, and New York cheesecake with bananas Foster sauce. The food was donated by the Delgado Culinary Arts and Hospitality Club, Delgado Culinary and Pastry Arts, and Louisiana Seafood Exchange. For the wine and spirits, the donor names to know were Republic National Distributing Company, with Fred Holley as event coordinator; and Sazerac/Goldring Family Foundation, with Bryan Quarls, director, Special Projects.
Just deserts of the roast/toast were the comments by Celebrity Roasters, starting with Jefferson Parish Sheriff Joseph P. Lopinto III. Then came J.P. Morrell, council member-at-large/ Council President of the New Orleans City Council; WWL Brand Manager Diane Newman; Loyola University Professor Dr. Ronal Serpas, former Chief of Police, Orleans Parish; and Jefferson Parish President Cynthia Lee Sheng. Risibility reigned as they tossed out their tributes.
Of course, they did not have the last say-so. Honoree Newell Normand did with his rebuttal before the above Giorgio and Hecht closed the formalities. In addition to board chairman Lee Giorgio (who was accompanied by Melanie Cannatella), ex officio Dr. Littleton-Steib (with husband Kyle Steib Sr.) and Michael Hecht, the foundation counts as board members Ronald H. Bordelon, Ann D. Duplessis, Mavis Early, Wayne Fontana, Dr. Peter J. Fos, Kyle Martin France, J.W. "Bill" Giardina Jr., Gary P. LaGrange, Roland "Ronnie" Lançon, Shelby P. LaSalle Jr., Water Leger Jr., William M. Lemoine, Mike Maenza, Samir Mowad, Dino Paternostro, Melvin Rodrigue, Tracey Schiro, I. William "Billy" Sizeler, Wayne Skinner and Todd P. Trosclair Sr. The emeriti directors are Dr. Jack Finn, Dr. Ronald French, George Kleinpeter and Dan Packer. Joseph Jaeger Jr. was also a director. Two more names are those of foundation executive director Nita Hutter Meins and foundation assistant Cynthia B. Jones. A number of them were present.
Others noted in the "record crowd" -- and answering to their own "titles" -- were Cheryl and Joe Georgusis, Jon Gegenheimer, Larry Dale, Jeff Keever, Rhesa and Alden McDonald, Guy Williams, Jane Sizeler with Billy, Craig Paretti, Walt Leger III, Tasha Trosclair with dad Todd, John Schiro with Tracey, and Virgil Duplessis with Ann. From the ranks of patrons were dozens of supporters.
During a night when laughter got top billing, the largesse that resulted put a smile on countless faces.
The Bounty of Buffet
Parrotheads and others flocked to the Spring Gala of the Louise S. McGehee School Parents League, which enticed with its title: McG-Ritaville. No "wastin' away" for this set. They rallied for the best of the fest.
The initial shoulder-rubbing was at the stunning home of alumna Ayesha Korejo and Aaron Motwani, the renowned Cornstalk Fence House in the Garden District. Trumpeter James Andrews Pied-Pipered the crowd with a second-line around the grounds.
A few blocks away, the school itself became the Parrots' playground, where a vibrant explosion of color and island spirit, giant parrots perched among lush tropical flowers, and treasure-hoarding pirates shared the decorative scenario with tiki bars, surfboards, beach balls and volcanoes. Auction bidding, indicated by paddles, was spearheaded by parent/school admissions director Amy Argenti with Michael Balascio and Christian Blessey (for spouse/alumna Karen) as top bidders of, in turn, a Pinhook Bourbon Tasting and Béjé jewelry. Saffron NOLA's thematic cuisine energized both the bash and the patrons' partying.
Teamed to chair the caper were Dr. Elizabeth Bucher (with Mike), Dr. Andrea "Dre" Espinoza (with Dr. Luis), Dr. Jane Martin (with Trey) and Henrietta Treyz. The patron party co-chairs were Kate and Etienne Balart, Ivy and Shawn Barney, and Andrea and Mark Mahfouz, while those for the auction were Jude Boudreau and Betsy Britton. Joined by husband Mike, Kim O'Brien made rounds as Parents' League President. More high profile names were head of school Dr. Kimberly Field-Martin and Mike Martin, as well as board chair Hannan Dietsch with Michael Balascio. "McG-Ritaville" milling, too, were Maria and Stephen Klaffky, Krystle and Royce Duplessis, Miggy and Jay Monroe, Allison and Phil Hoffman, Caroline and Reiss Eagan and hundreds more, who took to the dance floor amid the buoyancy of beach balls to boogie to the Where Y'acht band. In absentia, Jimmy Buffet flashed a winning wink. And then searched for his long lost shaker of salt.
Legacy Gala
The Cannery housed Cabrini High School's Legacy Gala and Auction, which hailed event director Karen Hubert Ursin; committee members Katie DelGiorno Bellerino, Christi Burkhardt, Ted Brown, Tilly Labbie, Katie Paternostro and Madeline Lipani Suer; and Cabrini staff committee members Anne Argus DiPaola, Melanie Heraty, Hannah Hess, Cecilia Kelley, Sherri Reeves, Ashley Silva and Sister Pam Weathersby. Karen, Katie, Madeline, Anne and Cecilia are alumnae. Two of them, Karen Ursin and Sister Weathersby, figured among the five Heart of Cabrini awardees, along with Kenny Martinez, Oscar Sill and Steve Snell. Tributes abounded.
More than 80 deluxe auction items -- silent and live -- kept the crowd bid-buzzing. Bill DiPaola and Anne were top bidders and generous donors for a total of $5,000. More funding came from the Cabrini Mission Foundation, as the Crescent Sponsor, and the next, the Gold Sponsor category, with, as donors, Crown Buick/GMC, Gootee Construction, Marianites of Holy Cross & Sister Ann Lacour, and alumna Shelly Audibert.
Gratitude was plentiful to the dozens of auction donors, along with Black Tie Auctions and Brian Kish, school parent of Vivienne and Presley; and the gala sponsors, including individuals Al and Judy Pappalardo, alum Nedra and Mark Schneider, and alum Cat Fleuriet and Spencer Smith. All savored the venue's delicious cuisine before getting smart about dance-floor moves to the Wiseguys.