Pam’s Party Line for Aug. 19, 2012
Saturday night is green, orange and gala-crazy
When I said the social lull was short-lived last week I had no clue just how right I was. The night of Aug. 11, which was also my father-in-law, Louis Bordelon’s, 90th birthday, had me party hopping all over town! Naturally, it began with the birthday boy, but then I had to hit the road.
‘Green Paradise’
First stop was Baton Rouge Green’s “Green Paradise” fundraiser at Baton Rouge Gallery. Gwen and Todd Graves served as chair-couple and were appropriately attired in green fashions, as were most of the couple of hundred guests. I got in quick visits with Missy and Rock Rockenbaugh, BeBe Facundus, Gracella Simmons, Annette Barton and Malcolm Tucker, Diana and Paul Burns, Enrique Hurtado and Kevin Kimball before heading downtown for my next two stops.
‘Louisiana Saturday Night’
AAAneurysm Outreach’s annual “Louisiana Saturday Night” party was in full swing by the time I arrived at The Lyceum with everyone dancing to the sounds to Something Blue and the Michael Foster Project. In fact, special guest Joe Theismann had already come and gone. Guess his schedule was as packed as mine.
The former Washington Redskins quarterback was in town to promote public awareness and preventive screenings for abdominal aortic aneurysm as the ambassador for AAAneurysm Outreach, which was founded by Prairieville resident Sheila Arrington. In an email Friday before the event, Sheila said I could spot her at the event because she’d be “the short lady in black sporting bright orange suspenders.” Sure enough, that’s how I found her … and the rest of the board. Seems the suspenders are a new trademark of some kind; calling attention to where abdominal aortic aneurysms tend to occur. Goodness knows, they make quite a fashion statement.
‘Jamaica Me Crazy’
One block over, the Hilton was hopping to the sounds of the V-Tones at the American Cancer Society’s sixth annual “Jamaica Me Crazy: Party for a Cure.” This year’s event was dedicated to the memory of Dr. Fraser Landreneau, who was represented by wife Amy and daughters. Amy proved what a trooper she really is, showing up looking ever so chic even though she is recovering from a crushed heel and sporting an orthotic boot. “Fraser always loved the V-Tones,” she shared as we helped her up to get a quick photo.
Here I got to make three guys extremely happy as I surrounded them with beautiful ladies for photo ops – Dale Vines, Dr. Niels Linschoten and John D’Angelo. You can check them out, as well as pics from several of the week’s other parties, online at http://theadvocate.com/columnists/pambordelon.
Apollo royalty
My last stop of the night was the cocktail party announcing King and Queen Apollo XXXII, Dennis Brewin and Chuck Chesteen, and also honoring retiring royals John Deshotel and Corey Tullier. The get-together was hosted by Lester Mut and Joe Boniol at their home. Joe gave me a sneak peek into the workroom, where I got an idea of what his and Joe’s costumes will look like for the Jan. 19 ball. I can’t wait!!
Swine wine
Some 24 varietals of wines and bubbly, accompanied by delicious-smelling hors d’oeuvres were available for sampling at the annual Fresh Market Wine Gala benefiting Swine Palace Aug. 9. As the 100-plus guests sipped and nibbled, they also had the opportunity to get in the running for the chance to wine an instant 25-bottle wine cellar.
I had fun visiting with the Rockenbaughs, Karen and Bill Profita, Joanne and Juan Carrillo, Christel Slaughter, Latricia Huston and daughter Valerie and Bret Smith, and meeting LSU’s new Provost Stuart Bell and Iain Vasey, executive director of business development for the Baton Rouge Area Chamber.
Leadership BR
Twenty-seven years ago, the Baton Rouge Area Chamber came up with a way to train men and women interested in stepping up to help lead Baton Rouge and make it a better place to live. On Aug. 9, Baton Rouge Area Leadership announced its Class of 2013 at a breakfast at Boudreaux’s. Featured speaker was Lt. Gov. Jay Dardenne, a graduate of the first Leadership class.
The newest class is composed of 36 individuals representing business, civic and nonprofit communities. It includes Chad Bacas, Taylor Ballinger, Joy M. Banks, Wendi Barnes, Leslie Berg, Darius Bonton, Robert Boudreaux, Steven Brooksher Jr., Ben Broussard, Barrett Chaix, Michelle Clement, Abigail Cook, Carla Courtney-Harris, Melanie Couvillon, Charles Dabadie, Peggy Dean, Matthew Doiron and Monique Edwards .
Also, James Fairchild, Cassie Felder, Deborah Ford, Jennifer Fowler, Rowdy Gaudet, Catherine Giering, Edward Hardin Jr., Stephanie Jackson, Eva Kemp-Melder, Parker Kilgore, Nicole Kleinpeter, Paul Laperouse, Wendi Loup, Duane Mizell, Dawn Pevey-Mauk, Matthew Rachleff, Steve Werner and Sevetri Wilson.
Under the guidance of Mary Beth Chevalier, they will learn first-hand about the issues facing our community. The program wraps up with a graduation in May.
Delta debs
Sydne Radcliff Cunningham was crowned queen of the Baton Rouge Delta Development Corp. and Baton Rouge Delta Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority’s 47th annual Debutante Cotillion Aug. 4 at the Crowne Plaza. She was one of 14 debutantes presented at the gala.
Cunningham is the daughter of Helena and Kevin E. Cunningham Sr. She was presented by her father and escorted by Christian Francis Key.
Chosen as debutante maids were Candace LaNette-Robins Allen, daughter of Sheila A. Allen, and recipient of the Ora Nobles Evans Scholarship; she was presented by her godfather, Kenneth A. Jackson, and escorted by Donovan James McCray; Jade Nicole Chappell, daughter of Deidra Cox and recipient of the Miss Congeniality award as well as the top cash award; she was presented by her grandfather, Luttrel B. Cox, and escorted by brother Alex Burnell Cox; Teia Danyell Kent, daughter of Tabatha Bessix-Coleman and Terry Kent Jr., and a recipient of a cash award for ad sales for the cotillion program; she was presented by her father and escorted by twin brother Terry Lynn Kent III; and Jian Elizabeth Massucco, daughter of Jil Vaughn-Massucco and Assistant U.S. Attorney, Andrew Massucco of San Juan, Puerto Rico, and a recipient of a cash award for ad sales for the cotillion program; she was presented by her uncle, Sidney Malonson II, of Jacksonville, Fla., and escorted by Sean Michael Domingue.
Debutante Markeisha Tatyana Forest, daughter of Andrea Farmer, of New Roads, and Mark Forest, received the Virtle T. Jones Scholarship; she was presented by her father and escorted by brother Marc Cornell Farmer; and deb Kaylee Alexis Moore, daughter of LaTonja and Michael T. Moore Sr., of Erwinville, received the Sadie Conner Keel Scholarship; she was presented by her father and escorted by brother Michael T. Moore Jr. Raven Aisha Jones, daughter of Nicole Caldwell and Christopher Jones, received a cash award for ad sales for the cotillion program; she was presented by her father and escorted by Brandon Jerard Hilliard.
Rounding out the debutante coterie were Victoria Ashleigh Broussard, daughter of Darlene Keller and Thomas Broussard Sr., of Zachary, presented by her father and escorted by Brandon Kanayo Ofili; Ebony Florae Deloch, daughter of Lynette and Kelvin Deloch, presented by her father and escorted by Jared Michael Spriggs; Bria Sheva Henderson, daughter of Robreka King, of Zachary, and Robert Walter Guyton III of Atlanta, presented by her father and escorted by Tevin Anthony Broadnax; Ashley Nicole Phill, daughter of Tamika Phill, presented by stepfather Clarence Scott Lewis and escorted by Joshua Rhines; Karli Beatrice Sample, daughter of Bernice Sample, presented by Roy Stewart Jr. and escorted by Mortez DeJuan Brock; and Bria LaRhea Scott, daughter of Marlene Scott and Lester Scott, presented by her father and escorted by Delwin Christophe Rodney.
In honor of the sorority’s commitment and dedication to public service, the Baton Rouge Delta Alumnae Chapter presented Community Service Awards to the Young Leaders Academy, represented by Executive Director Tonya Roberson, and the Baton Rouge AIDS Society, represented by CEO Arnold “A.J.” Johnson.
Items for “Pam’s Party Line” must be received by 9 a.m. the Monday preceding the run date. Digital photos should be emailed to pbordelon@theadvocate.com; hard copy photos should be dropped off at or mailed to The Advocate, 7290 Bluebonnet Blvd. Events will run no later than four weeks after they have taken place. The date, place of the event and a contact name and phone number must be included. Photos may not include more than nine people and will be used on a space-available basis. Hard copy photos can be picked up in the lobby of The Advocate for up to three months after they run. By submitting photos to The Advocate, you agree that they can be published in any of The Advocate’s print or digital publications.