It was an evening of fantasy and fanciful fun at the Castine Center in Mandeville on April 26, when the Junior League of Greater Covington hosted their Celebration of Pure Wonder Gala. In honor of their newest initiative, the Children’s Museum of St. Tammany, the League broke ground on March 29, which also featured a concert by Disney’s Choo Choo Soul.
The upscale gala featured an amazing array of confectionery delights, in keeping with the mood of childlike wonder. Zoe’s provided more than 7,000 sweets honoring the wonders of the world, including Eiffel Tower cakes, Stonehenge and a pyramid surrounded by brandied cherry chocolates. Other childhood icons made appearances in the form of treats, in the likeness of Alice in Wonderland, Wonder Woman and Robin the Boy Wonder. In addition to sweets, many of the more than 45 food purveyors also stocked the savory, such as gumbo from Zydeco, Greek pasta salad from We’re Cooking and shrimp chorizo risotto from Calypso. Pat O’Brien’s crafted two signature drinks for the night – Tootsie Drop and Rainbow – in addition to a bevy of drinks from Champagne Beverage, Glazer’s and Casa Garcia, to name a few. Four Unplugged played music well into the wee hours, closing out after the musical talents of Peggy Hesse, Max Neuman, Rachael Pinto and John Taube. Artist Roy Robinson created quirky caricatures all night for partygoers.
The largest kaleidoscope in the state was also erected at the party, a gift from Gene Duvic to the new Children’s Museum. Gala chair Tony Le Mon was in attendance, as was honorary chair Beth Payton of the Play it Forward Foundation. So were Lisa Barnett, Sheri Lemmond, Allison Greffenius, public relations chair Vanessa Mayfield and treasurer Jeanne Betbeze. The event raised more than $100,000 for the new Children’s Museum.
