Fleur de Gris Gris
Always clever in its title for the annual pre-Halloween luncheon, the New Orleans Garden Society turned to the emblematic lily and gave it a twist. “Bewitching Fleur de Gris Gris” marqueed the midday revels that took place at the Metairie Country Club. Margaret Orr was the mistress of ceremonies; Valarie Hart, the NOGS president; and Ember Mandell, the Bewitching Luncheon chairwoman. Sub-chairs or sponsors were Jane Wonnell, Melinda Richard, Alice Reese, Saundra Lane, Lee Pitre, Connie Baer, Ann Garvey, Nancy Kirkeby, Noelle Mandell, Lyric Mandell, Mary Jane Daret, Amy Carbonette Cioll, Michelle Broom, Sonnet Mandell, and J Mark Boasberg. More names to note were committee members Donna Boswell, Linda Camnetar, Missy Curran, Mary Dumestre, Barbara Ferguson, Erin O’Sullivan Fleming, Kathy Folse, Sherri Grace, Brenda Higgins, Lynn Kirby, Sandy Ridolfo, Mickey Rodriguez, Debbie Smith, Margaret Tingle, and Constance Cowart Young. Several are board members.
Anastasia, Mystic of New Orleans, read tarot cards; Madame Amy told fortunes; Katelyn Chopin, McKenzie Claire Knapps, and Ezra Schroeder provided music; Marsha Olderr, art; and Erin Chopin, photography. Seven lovelies from the Krewe des Fleurs added to the fancy fun, as did more than a dozen entertainers. Guests were regaled by the contemporary presence of such characters of lore as Jean Lafitte, Marie Laveau, Baroness Pontalba, Rougarou, and Swamp Witch, who sashayed through the misty ballroom in curated costumes.
As for the attendees — who delighted in being photographed in front of the (Witches’) Broom Parking Station — their own costuming was on target and creative. They were readily perused by costume judges Claudia Baumgarten (Miss Claudia’s Vintage Clothing) and Brandi Wattigny, who announced (among others) Connie Baer as the Most Outstanding Costume winner and Tricia Lincoln’s friends as the Best Group awardees.
One of the “Gris Gris” highlights was the presentation by Brenda Higgins and Lisette Winds of the NOGS Civic Award to the Sydney and Walda Besthoff Sculpture Garden of the New Orleans Museum of Art. It was accepted by garden manager Thomas Torres.
Further excitement, and funds, came from the Mummy’s Mystery Drawing, the Headless Horseman’s hat auction, the Skeleton’s silent auction, the Witches wine pull, and the for-sale Fleur de Lis centerpieces that bedecked the tables, where the costumed crowd sat for a lunch of three courses. Many folks were still sipping the signature cocktail, the Witches’ Brew.
Olympian Revelry
Zeus and Hera beckoned one and costumed all, supporters of the Vieux Carré Property Owners, Residents and Associates, to “Olympian Revelry 2025” to “Toast the Past — Preserve the Future.” Held in the New Orleans Athletic Club, it kicked off at 4 p.m., and capped four hours later. Music was by the Hot Club of New Orleans and the Coleman Atkins Trio, and the cuisine, Pigeon Catering.
The headlining donors were Ann M. Masson and the Peggy and Timber Floyd Foundation, while the next tiers listed Claus Sadlier (and The Storyville Museum), James Douglas Hislop (entertainment sponsor), the Richard C. Adkerson Family Foundation, David Speights and Ginger Gould, Lynette and Terry DuFrene, Laura and Joseph Holmes, Charles Bracht and Cheryl Ann Verlander, Alexander “Chip” Blondeau and Vickie George, Sharon Hayes-Roth, Andree Moss, Josephine Sacabo and Dalt Wonk, Lucy Burnett and Gregory Holt, Albert McMeen and James Davis, Hal Williamson and Dr. R. Dale LeBlanc, Jason Waguespack and Jeff Morgan, Valentino Hospitality, Dr. Robert Travis Kenny, Janice Gleason Skow, and Randy Lewis Jackson (art sponsor). Scores more figured as patrons, appearing, along with the above, as gods, nymphs, Titans, and demi-gods. Admiring costumes, and inquiring about them, was a major attraction of the bash.
Lyn Gladney rose to the Olympian heights as gala chair. Included on her committee were Carolyn Goodwin, Kathy Hebert, VCPORA executive director Erin Holmes, Annie Irvin, Elizabeth Simpson, Angela Bowlin, Patrick Schambach, Jenna Burke, Gretchen Byers, Rylan Domingue, Lynette DuFrene, Carol Gniady, Jim McGoughey, Shaun McLain, Kate Simister, Michael A, Skinner, Amy Stelly, Brook Tesler, and Claire Thriffiley. Noted, too, were Brenda and Mike Moffitt, Denise Germer with daughter Sophia, Debbie Smith, David Demarest, Jenna Burke, Kaare Egedahl, and Adam Tesler with Brooke.
Candle light, vine leaves, grapes, togas, all figured in the fancy-dress fun that thanked patron god Dionysius and his Maenads and Satyrs, who added their antics and kicks as the lively lot reveled the Hellenic night away.
Witches & Warlocks
The VCC Foundation, “a crucial ally of the Vieux Carré Commission,” supports the commission’s mission to preserve and protect the architectural heritage of the Vieux Carré Historic District. In the spirit of the Halloween season, the VCCF took a walk on the wild side with its Witches & Warlocks Mini-Soiree. An atmosphere of magic and mystery underscored the spook fest which unfolded in the New Orleans Storyville Museum on Conti Street and its 7,000-plus square feet of immersive exhibits and artifacts. Thanks aplenty tapped proprietor Claus Sadlier.
After being greeted by representatives from the younger set, witch-hatted Jane Baldwin Cook and Silar Tate Schulman, as well as Carl Mack’s Champagne-skirted model, guests and ghouls were immediately bewitched upon entering the premises. They were transformed sorcerously by Taylor Beckman, who wore another hat as event co-chair with Crawford Hodgson, one of the in-attendance VCCF board members.
Within, a host of costumers trod the red carpet as celebrity judges Bryan Batt, Trixie Minx and Claus Sadlier cast a discerning eye and Caitlyn Minshew emceed the costume contest. John Miller — sporting silver and horns — emerged as the first place winner, copping a trophy and a stay at Columns hotel. Runners-up Patrick and Sarah Schambach received a cocktail tasting for six at Fives, and crowd favorite Jay Do, a makeup artist, got a $100 Emeril’s Group gift card. All rated claws applause.
Delicious bites included a spooktacular Boo Board by JS Creates and boudin egg rolls with witchy sauce, while the quaff quarters featured the signature Warlock’s Dark & Stormy. “Pick Your Poison” was written on the gray and black napkins, along with “Spells” and “Spider Venom.” On lighter notes were those played by the band, the Sweetie Pies of New Orleans.
Among the eyeballed who’s who were Tom Cianfichi with Bryan Batt, City Council member Freddie King, VCCF board president Kim Rosenberg with Harry, executive director Jessica Schulman, Lynette and Terry DuFrene, Melanie Loomis, Margarita Bergen, Rene Fransen and Eddie Bonin, Chip Blondeau and Vickie George, Sydney Anderson, David McPherson, Karen Tipton and dozens more, who savored the soiree’s thrills and chills.
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