The New Orleans Town Gardeners, Inc., a member of the Garden Club of America, held “The Greater Gatsby Affair” on Friday, April 12, at Bill and Mary Hines’ spectacular home and garden. All proceeds benefited the gardens at Latter Library, The Edible Schoolyards at Samuel J. Green School, Langston Hughes Academy Charter Schools and ongoing projects at City Park. Our garden club held “The Great Gatsby Affair” seven years ago, and it was such a success that chairwomen Ashley Bright and Helen Butcher decided to do it again!
Guests arrived in Gatsby-inspired or cocktail attire and were treated to fabulous cocktails, dinner and an “over the top” auction which included vacation homes, golf outings, dinners in members’ homes and artwork by Newt Reynolds, Karen Laborde and Cleland Powell. Ralph Brennan created the menu and artist Katie Rafferty painted the artwork for the invitation. Tina Kern and Virginia White adorned the tables with cherub garden statues, roses in silver mint julep cups and hurricane globes with pillar candles accented with ivy. Auctioneer Ruthie Winston kept the crowd bidding high, and more than $100,000 was raised in one night!
