Ladies and gents dressed to impress at the elegant sponsor party for the Junior League of Lafayette’s Tinsel and Treasures Holiday Market 2011 held at River Oaks. Tables were topped with stunning peacock feathers and hydrangea arrangements created by Swanky Productions, echoing this year’s T & T peacock theme. JLL member Amy Courville was decked out in bright green with a festive peacock feathered belt for the occasion. River Oaks Chef/Owner Brian Blanchard served up an elegant buffet with antipasto, hot hors d’oeuvres and fresh fruit and pastries for dessert. Guests mingled while sipping wine and sugar-rimmed strawberry martinis. Looking especially snazzy at the soirée were JLL President Christa Billeaud in a bright coral shift, Allison Howard in a dazzling orange, aqua and green wrap skirt, April Gaar looking cool in white accented with eye-catching turquoise earrings and Melanie Martin in an exquisite dress suit with a precious purse purchased at T & T, of course!
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| Allison Howard | April Gaar | JLL President Christa Billeaud |
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| Kay and Jerry Prejean and Melanie Martin | Kris Wartelle and Amy Courville | LCG President Joey and Lynn Durel |
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| Sharon Moss, Donna and Alan Hebert and Kris Wartelle |
A stunned DJ Fournerat walked into the Plantation Crossing Clubhouse to find more than 70 guests yelling “Surprise!” in honor of his 75th birthday. All four of DJ’s daughters, Amanda Landry, Kathy Larue, Dorin McBride and Susan Younger, came in for the landmark occasion. Saxophonist and songwriter Leroy “LC” Charles serenaded the crowd with some old favorites and a few new tunes. Kudos to the lovely and charming Lisa Nagem Stevens, who pulled off the surprise without a hitch.
Independent Weekly alums Mary Tutwiler and Nathan Stubbs gave guests a preview of the farm-to-table cuisine and unique libations to come at The Saint Street Inn, located at 407 Brook Ave. just off St. Mary Boulevard. Based on the enthusiastic response from the crowd, the neighborhood bar and restaurant, scheduled to open in mid-August, will be a sure-fire hit!
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| Amanda Landry, DJ Fournerat and Lisa Nagem Stevens |
Kinsley Bourque | Mason Nagem, Jonathan and Torrie Nagem, and David and Jan Nagem |
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| Owners/chefs Mary Tutwiler and Nathan Stubbs | Attorney Elwood Stevens assists in the kitchen |
Patrons enjoying specialty drinks at the bar |
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| The perfectly seared scallop |
A flurry of linen-clad ladies and gents gathered at Abacus for Sippin’ in the Sunset, A White Linen Night, benefitting the Oil Center’s Festival of Light. Restaurants from the OC served up a fabulous spread, including tasty chicken strips from Abacus; a savory chicken penne pasta from the Petroleum Club; a delicious chicken enchilada soup and sandwiches from Tropical Smoothie; stuffed mushrooms from Antoni’s Italian Café; Boulevard Salad from Boulevard Gril; shrimp and artichoke soup and bread pudding from Hub City Diner; crawfish enchiladas from Blue Dog Café, and hummus with pita from Cattycakes Café. So good that guests (including Party Girl) made several trips to the buffet — waistlines be darned! While sipping wines, supporters bid on a vast array of merchandise and gift certificates from the Oil Center.
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| Abby Payne, Rachel Durel, Sara Tannehill and Brittani Bass |
Ann and David Bordes | Ashley Alexander and Russ Ladnier |
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| Johanna Villarreal, and Lou and Keith Patin | Delores Stansbury, Nancy Van Eaton, and Cookie and Don Bacqué |
Duaine Demny and Karen Lippman |
Art admirers gathered for Art for All Seasons Summer 2011 Exhibit, featuring the works of artistic photographer Kerry Griechen of My Eye Photography, at the offices of Darnall, Sikes, Gardes & Frederick. Griechen displayed his stunningly beautiful photos of florals and New Orleans scenes, which were creatively mounted on special paper to give them a painting-like appearance. Guests sipped wine and nibbled cheeses and veggies while perusing the pieces spread out along the walls of DSGF’s third-floor space at IberiaBank towers in River Ranch. A highlight for patrons was meeting Griechen’s precious daughter Stephani, who donned a beautiful red tea-length dress and matching shawl for the occasion.
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| Clay Darnall and Peggy Wagner | Ellen, Stephani and Kerry Griechen |
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| John Mouton, Susan Daigle and David Strother |
Peggy Wagner and Greg Harbour |
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| Zach and Amy Guidry, John Bienvenu, Kerry Griechen and Dave Ernest |
A surprise birthday party was held Fourth of July weekend for patriotic party girl Corine Stoshak. The event was upstairs at Abacus on Pinhook Road and featured an open bar along with an array of tasty foods on the menu. Corine was literally kept in the dark concerning the party: She was carried blindfolded up the stairs to the waiting group of family and friends by her husband — and host of the festivities — John Paul Stoshak. Musical entertainment was provided by two-time Grammy nominee Cedric Watson, accompanied by D’Jalma Garnier. The artist duo performed classic Creole music and vocal arrangements on fiddle, accordion and guitar unplugged.
Party On!
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| Art Kilcrist and Andre Brown | Deb Guilbeau, Debra Stelly, Corine Stoshak, and Carla and Tommy Meche |
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| Corine and John Paul Stoshak | Shirlaine LeBlanc, and Germaine and Janell Joseph |
The UMC Foundation honored its finest at the Fifth Annual Jazz Brunch held at the Petroleum Club. Mimosas, Bloody Marys and wine loosened up patrons for bidding at the vast silent auction. Afterwards, UMC Foundation Board President Dr. Paul Azar led the presentation, with awards going to Nurse of the Year Janet Leger, Doctor of the Year Alan Broussard, Employee of the Year Michael Credeur and President’s Award recipient Maia Marceau. Fundraisers like this are crucial for maintaining health care services to the uninsured and underserved in our community.
A tropical paradise awaited at the beautiful new Comfort Suites located at 114 Rue Fernand behind Chili’s on Pinhook Road. As guests entered the lobby for the grand opening celebration, Ray Theaux of Ray’s Island Sounds quickly put them in vacation mode with his steel drum tunes. Colorful blowup fish and balloon palm trees placed throughout the hotel complimented the festive theme.
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| Bo and Jerri Ramsay, and Barbara Azar | Dr. Kathleen Rosson, Evelyn Goodrow, Mike Craton, John Coury and Nichole Forstall |
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| Dr. Mark Stellingworth, Dr. Max LaMarche, Bridget Latiolais and Carleen Sandoz |
Snehal Patel, Nimesh Patel, Ranjan (Rena) Patel, Pravin Patel, Nilesh (Neal) Patel, Sunil Patel, Mehul Patel and Jaya Patel |
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| Ray Theaux of Ray’s Island Sounds | Chris Savoca, Sarah Gabehart and Joey Babineaux |
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