Nell Nolan: Magnolia Ball 2024, Famous G Ball, Boy Scouts luncheon (2024)

Looking at Landscapes

Within the festive format of Magnolia Ball, “Southland: Landscape Photographs from the Permanent Collection” played a prominent role. That’s the name of the exhibition that was celebrated at the bash and that will be on view at the Ogden Museum of Southern Art through September 22. Also “on view” at the Camp Street museum was the thematic décor of lush greenery, green up-lighting and silver hues, dangling disco balls, the lively strutting of the Krewe des Fleurs, and the foliage-covered bar and sleek black and silver seating in the VIP Lounge. Of course, the Ogden’s art beckoned on all of the open floors.

Activities included a photo booth, an oxygen bar, pinball machines, a glitter bar, a temporary tattoo station and an exciting silent auction in which $5,900 was bid for a luxury vacation for eight in Belize or Costa Rica, and in the artwork, Piki Mendizabal’s “Visitors from the Bayou” fetched $1,400. Additional auction purchases abetted the “Landscape” largesse.

Fueling all this festivity was the purveyance of 15 generous eateries that featured lots of good bites, as well as specialty co*cktails. In the Patrick F. Taylor Library, along with music by Sydney and THE SAMS, Vegas Cola Band, and Grace Gibson, First Class Presentation Catering and MaMou fed the flock.

Magnolia melded Katherine and Storm Ainsley, William Bryan, Shabez Jamal, Ruth Owens and Erica Washington into a co-chairing force. Forty-nine supporters made up the 2024 committee. Bryan Subaru, Octavia Art Gallery, The Times-Picayune | nola.com, N, and Avenue were the sponsors. Individuals on the benefactor list were Debra J. Fischman, Peggy and Timber Floyd, Ruth Owens, Deanna Rodriguez, Charles D. Urstadt and David Bernard, and Fern and Kevin Watters.

A number of them, or representatives, made rounds, as did David A. Kerstein, William Bryan, Leslie-Claire Spillman, Michelle Leckert, photographer Trenity Thomas (whose “Sevierille Dirt” photo was in the exhibit) and mom Jessica, John Isiah Walton, Josh Haley, Carlos Carmona and David Pine, Artemis Antippas, Claire Thriffiley, Nicole Hershey, Jennie C. West and Jason Richards, Wayne Amedee, Stephanie Grace, Guy Lyman, Meredith Smith, Libby Bowles, and a chatting threesome in Emmaline Kelly, Sophia Bravo and Dawn Wheelahan.

Some let cool rule and headed for the snoballs station. Others opted for the ignition of the dance floor and hot sounds, and turned to Magnolia music makers DJ Rakimbeau, Artivism Dance Theatre, Rozay, and DJ Taf.

The Famous G Ball

Always a highlight of the summer months, the Famous G Ball fulfilled that anticipation on a recent Friday evening in the traditional venue, the Omni Royal Orleans Hotel. It was the 94th annual event. To create a feeling of estival elegance, the men were requested to wear a formal white coat with a white shirt, black tuxedo pants and a black bowtie. Formal floor-length gowns were the required dress for the ladies, who could not attend wearing pants or short gowns.

The history of the organization goes back to 1927, when the charter members of the Famous G Club were educators and entrepreneurs “surviving and thriving” in New Orleans, as well as “creating spaces for the African American citizenry.” The summer ball occurred at the end of the school year and continues to do so. For the 2024 revelry, the theme was “Friends and Fellowship.”

As befitted the occasion, the ballroom’s décor furthered the formality and theme. Compliments were directed to Denise Spellman for the centerpieces that she created: A gold letter “G” served as a crowning accent to a top hat and a miniature walking cane. They were placed on emerald green runners atop cream-colored embossed tablecloths.

Libations and the various food stations, including roast beef and smoked ham, were further attractions, along with the charcuterie board and the mashed potato bar. According to a pleased partygoer, “The bread pudding was the dessert of the night.”

Each year, the call out of members and their ladies serves as a special moment. Mistress of ceremonies Elyse Harrison did the presentation and added a fun fact about each member. Those participating were Michael Dianda and Lynette Howard, Al Bevins and spouse Ynez, Tracy Dickerson and Michele Burnett, James Williams and Deborah Montrell, retired Judge Calvin Johnson and spouse Dr. Deidra Hayes, club chaplain Victor W. Sawyer III with daughter Dr. Victoria Sawyer, sergeant-at-arms and event co-chair Gerald Spellman and Denise, parliamentarian Carl V. Williams and Karen Thomas, treasurer and event co-chair Michael Roussell and Jami, vice president Sylvester K. Johnson and Takira, and president Darryl Harrison and wife Eurydice Bush-Harrison. Members Michal Harris and Kenneth Lawson were not present.

For his 30-plus years of contribution to the mission of the Gs, a lifetime achievement award was presented to “G” James Williams. Congratulations abounded.

Yet another highlight of the evening was the announcement of three high school scholarships, named in honor of Evelyn Williams, the late wife of James. They were given to Bryce Hunter, Maxine Montrell and Trecia Stanford, respective graduates of St. Augustine High School, St. Mary’s Academy, and Isidore Newman School. The students will head, in turn, to Dillard University, Clark Atlanta University, and Scripps College. More congratulations!

Mingling were retired Judge Carolyn Gill Jefferson, Theodore and Charlene Sanders, Luke and Daria Russell, Wineski and Tamara Thigpen, Mr. and Mrs. Anthony Johnson, Elvin and Faye Martin, Marva Tutt, Samuel Walker, Melissa Peyton, Selica Taylor and others, who delighted in the music throughout the evening of Clark Knighten and 4x4 Connection Band (with vocalist Rachel Cook) and DJ Gravy. Danced, too!

Pillars of Scouting

The Audubon Tea Room was abuzz recently with the enthusiasm generated during the Pillars of Scouting Luncheon of the Southeast Louisiana Council Boy Scouts of America. Honored were David Kerstein, president and CEO of “multiple entities comprising The Helis Interests in New Orleans” and president of The Helis Foundation. Also, Kenneth M. Klemm, a shareholder in the New Orleans office of the Baker Donelson law firm, who co-chairs the firm’s Energy Industry Service Team. A U.S. Army veteran, he earned his Eagle Scout rank in 1979, and in 2016, son Nicholas and nephew/godson Justin attained their Eagle Scout ranks while members of Troop 100 at St. Pius X School. And, Dennis Lauscha, who, since 2012, has been president of both the Saints and the Pelicans. Additionally, he maintains multiple roles with the business enterprises of the teams’ owner, Gayle Benson. He is a past SELA board president. All three men have advanced college/university degrees.

Limelighted, as well, were 1985 Eagle Scout Alan Holekamp, who rejoined Scouting as an adult leader when his nephew asked him to be a Merit Badge Counselor; and Holly McCollum, president SELA Council BSA, and the first woman to hold that position. She’s also the president of Total Media LLC, the company she founded in 2010. Son Evan is an Eagle Scout.

In addition to Holekamp and McCollum, the agenda’s names to know were Jeff Crouere, local Scouts, Jim Schoen, and Torrey Hayden. The top investors in Scouting’s youth development programs were Sue and Ed Zinni, followed by The Helis Foundation.

Last year’s honorees were Patricia A. Denechaud, John F. Henton, M.D., Robert Wayne Tracy and the recently deceased Richard E. Zuschlag.

Adding various accents for the 2024 luncheon were the actual awards, which featured the honoree’s name and "Pillar of Scouting" etched on a black square with the design of a fleur-de-lis and the Scouts’ logo; the centerpieces of white lilies, orange and yellow roses, hints of purple, and greenery; and the meal’s pre-set salads and yummy chocolate dessert.