Pam’s Party Line for May 27, 2012
Parties great way to have some fun and get the news
You just never know what you’re going to learn while party hopping around the Capital City. For instance, at the Baton Rouge Symphony’s “Mozart on the Lake” soirée at Chef John Folse’s White Oak Plantation May 20, I learned that Maestro Timothy Muffitt recently tied the knot.
‘Mozart on the Lake’
When I got there, he was proudly introducing wife Elise to Folse, sponsors Sandy and Gary Young, and LSU Chancellor Michael Martin, who also had some news to share. Seems he and wife Jan were excitedly awaiting news of the birth of their first grandchild, so of course I had to show off the latest photos of grandson TJ and tell them what a treat they were in for as grandparents. I checked in with my sources and can tell you that the Martins’ grandson has arrived and already stolen their hearts.
Following cocktails and hors d’oeuvres, everyone moseyed out under the oak trees for the symphony’s all-Mozart performance. Mason Griffin, winner of the “Conductor for a Day” in last year’s auction, took over for Muffitt to conduct the orchestra in its second piece. The concert was followed by a multicourse dinner and a live auction, memorably presided over by Muffitt and Folse.
Honors Club
Before heading out to White Oak, I stopped by Mansurs on the Boulevard where Krewe Mystique de la Capitale’s Honors Club was welcoming its newest members: King Kevin Kimball, Ball Captain Nona Brouillette and Queen Jessica Taylor Kennedy, who was unable to attend. Among those able to attend was 98-years-young Mabel Smith, one of the grande dames of the krewe. The reception was coordinated by Beverly and Royce Leonard.
When I walked in the door of Mansurs, I heard someone call my name. It was Tara Dixon, who was there with boss David Manship having brunch with Rhonda and Calvin Lindsley, Joanne Broussard, Erin Swenson, David’s friend Chris Griggs from Nashville and his mom, CJ Griggs, from Henderson, Ky.
‘Jewel of the State’
May 17 was one of those days that had me running to and from four events. The finalé was the Old State Capitol’s “Jewel of the State” Gala. Several hundred supporters filled both floors of the capitol, sipping signature appletinis, taking a chance on winning either an 18-karat gold pavé diamond necklace or “Jewel of the State” sterling silver cuff bracelet from Lee Michaels Fine Jewelry, noshing on the tasty spread prepared by Heirloom Cuisine and dancing to the sounds of Ned Fasullo & the Fabulous Big Band Orchestra.
Bridger Eglin was honorary chairman of the gala. Committee members included Letti Lowe Ardoin, Pat Comeaux, Susie Heroman, John Leatherwood, Jean Ann LeBlanc, Stephanie Schedler, Susan Vincent and Martha Ann Wood.
Check out all the fun online at http://www.theadvocate.com/features/people.
Playmakers
Before going home to get appropriately “sparkled” for the gala, I made my second trip to Bocage for the day to attend a cocktail party announcing the 30th anniversary season of Playmakers. Deborah Sternberg and Michael Roth opened their home for the celebration.
It gets underway with the musical “Pippi Longstocking” June 15-24 at LSU’s Reilly Theatre. Rounding out the season are Disney’s “The Little Mermaid Jr.,” Oct. 5-7; “ ’Twas the Night Before Christmas,” Dec. 7-15; “Lilly’s Purple Plastic Purse,” Feb. 22-March 3, 2013; and “The Wizard of Oz,” June 14-23, 2013.
Inner Wheel
My first visit to Bocage was to the home of Becky Ellis for Inner Wheel’s annual luncheon meeting, the highlight of which was the distribution of proceeds from this year’s Attic Trash & Treasure Sale.
Hope Academy received $67,000; the Salvation Army and Braveheart — Children in Need each received $24,790; BREADA, Connections for Life and Women’s Community Resource Center each got $1,340; and the Rotary Foundation Scholarship Fund got $13,400.
The agenda also called for the election and installation of officers for 2012-2013. They are President Beverly Turner, Vice President Kathleen Howell, Secretary Aleta Lester, Treasurer Karen Zobrist and past President Iris Eldred.
Junior League
Speaking of past presidents, that’s where my day started — at a luncheon honoring the past presidents of the Junior League of Baton Rouge.
Immediate past President Julie Dickinson was in charge of the gathering at Juban’s Restaurant, which meant she also had the arduous task of getting this group of women to quit talking and sit for lunch.
Needless to say, a good time was had by all!!
French Picnic
Seems Bocage was the place to be last week, because I was also in the neighborhood May 16 for the Charity Ball Association’s annual French Picnic introducing its 2012 debutante coterie. Anne McCanless rolled out the welcome mat for the festivities.
Introduced to the membership and each other were Suzanne Bailey and mom Lauren; Emily Bankston and mom Kelli; Katie Bonnecaze and mom Liz; Molly Grace Brown and mom Missy Robinson; Storey Carver and mom Leslie; Claire Karam and mom Mary; Colleen Kerr and mom Eleanor; Alex Matthew and mom Tater; Mary Michael McDuff and mom Ann; Caroline McKey and mom Jodi; Mary Katherine Montes de Oca and mom Becky; Katherine Rossi and mom Debbie; Christine Schutte and mom Micheline; Logan Talbert, of Atlanta, and mom Susan; Katie Wagaskey and mom Allison; and Molly Ann Walke and mom Mary Leah.
The debs will be presented at the association’s Bal de Noël Dec. 29 at the Crowne Plaza.
Humanitarian Award
Ulysses Joseph , the current superintendent of the city of Baker school system, was honored with the 33rd annual Powell-Reznikoff Humanitarian Award at an April 19 program hosted by the Baton Rouge Council on Human Relations at University Presbyterian Church. Also honored was social worker Mary Mikell.
The award seeks to recognize those who improve human relations through education and commitment to service. Featured speaker for the evening was former recipient Gloria Graham.
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