Three’s a Crowd!
Pig Thanks
“The Boaring Twenties” bannered a swine time when the American Diabetes Association held its Louisiana Kiss a Pig Gala at the House of Blues. During this fundraising evening of dinner, live music, dancing, and auction was the “infamous pig kissing ceremony.” Credit where porcine credit was due: The formal affair showed appreciation for “the animal’s heroic role in diabetes research as the first source of insulin.” Sow grateful!
Playing on the “Roaring” of the 1920s, the gala did a billing of “Boaring” — with the tip of a boater to the piggy pack! — and decorated accordingly. CVS Health and SASSO were the major sponsors, while the House of Blues and Parish Rice provided pig-out chomps. In the auction, 34 items garnered boar and boar bidding with a stay at Turquoise Place in Orange Beach, Florida, as the top attraction. For the musical momentum, Kermit Ruffins and Brass-A- Holics stirred up a whole lotta shakin’.
Within the crowd of 175, those going whole hog were emcees Kelsey Davis and Rob Krieger, Fox 8 (for some “animal ecumenism”); ADA National Boar — oops! Board — Chair Christopher "Chris" Ralston, who also chairs the Louisiana Community Leadership Board; and ADA’s interim chief development officer Alana Segur. Sponsorial representation came from Stan Levy, Council Powell Jr., Mark McKay, Dr. Madi Rajulapalli, and Tori Kahl. Alexandra Schofield is ADA’s executive director for Louisiana and Mississippi.
The porcine partying is, of coarse — ahem, of course, to raise money for ADA, and the candidates raising the most funds earn the privilege of kissing the pig. Remember, it’s to show piggy appreciation. In the Youth Category, the winner was Rory Monier, while the Adult Category Kiss a Pig top names were winner Chester Schofield and, for her $agacious $upport, runner-up Jennifer Wise.
Sons of Saints
“A Home for Our Boys” was the come-on when the Son of a Saint family held the grand opening ceremony for the Ochsner Health Son of a Saint Bivian Lee Jr. Center. With this partnering was an example of the “power of working together to uplift and care for New Orleans youth and develop a stronger, healthier Louisiana.” The new center is located at 2803 Philip Street.
Wink Design & Events handled the decorative aspects of the socializing. Balloon arrangements, flowers, event signage and soft lighting added atmospheric aspects. The purveyance came from Saba, Gianna Restaurant, and Bonfire Catering. Among the choice culinary notes were tahini hummus and Sicilian beef. As folks grazed and gazed, aural attribution tapped a jazz trio featuring a saxophone, bass and guitar.
Headliners included Ochsner Health President and CEO Warner Thomas, Son of a Saint Board Chair Bill Hines, New Orleans District Attorney Jason Williams and spouse Liz, City Council members JP Morrell and Lesli Harris, New Orleans Saints Hall of Fame-r Marques Colston, and University of New Orleans Athletic Director Tim Duncan. Also, Nina Compton and Larry Miller, Alon and Emily Shaya, Harold and Carol Asher, Bob and Sheryl Merrick, Tamica Lee and Barry Smith, Paula Peer, Peter Trapolin, and Bivian “Sonny Lee III, Son of a Saint founder and CEO.
Alum Levity
Each summer, De La Salle High School rounds up alums for on-premises partying where the appreciated warmth is that of friendship.
School colors of maroon and white were abundant in the area, where guests milled, enjoying lots of good food. Twenty-eight dishes sated the collective palate with shrimp remoulade, seafood eggplant, and corn and crab bisque among the favorites. Fine sipping came from the signature cocktail, Roman Candy Cavalier Crush, which was created by Stacy Scott. More numbers were that of the 50/50 raffle and winner Timmy Glennon. He donated half of his winnings back to the school.
More headliners were DLS President Paul Kelly with Jill; event co-chairs Mo Crain and Caroline Huber with respective spouses Sharon and Keith; patron party sponsors David Crabtree, Rodrek Williams (with Carlette) and Mat Baer (with Connie); and former board chair Tommy Eppling. Noted, too, were John and Carolyn Altobello, George Young, Michael and Yvette Semmes, Neuville and Jule Hotstream, John C. Bowman, Gordon and Maggie Stewart, Jose and Laurie Prado, Sean Dowd, Pierre and Cheryl Champagne, Robert and Laure Mineo, Jeff Toups, Fallon Egan, John Humphreys, Mike Turner, Billy Seward, and Frank and Michelle Lopicollo. To mention a few within the Cav crowd.
Alumnus Steve Arceneaux (’76) and Black Rain were the music makers with a concentration on hits from the 1970s. The evening was also a birthday celebration for Steve, who was presented with a cake and a swag bag from the Cavalier Shop.