Having recently traveled 3,000 miles across the country to California for a wedding, I found that I couldn’t escape the great city of New Orleans. I obviously wasn’t local, so when I met someone new the question “Where are you from?” was commonly asked. Once I replied “New Orleans,” the conversation went from casual and topical to two best friends catching up after years apart. Everyone couldn’t wait to gush about their experiences here. When people I barely knew felt comfortable enough to share their memories with me, it made me so proud to be from New Orleans – the city we all love.
It goes to show you “Southern Hospitality” is one thing but “New Orleans Hospitality” is quite another. Southern Hospitality makes you want to come back for a visit, New Orleans Hospitality makes you never want to leave in the first place. This column marks my one-year anniversary writing for St. Charles Avenue, and I’ve had such a blast doing it. It has opened my eyes to so much about our culture and city – it’s been like catching up with an old friend. I look forward to the future here, as New Orleans has truly been my inspiration.
I want to thank you all for your support and hope that you’ve enjoyed the past year as much as I have. If there’s any subject you would like me to address please let me know, like I said in my first column, I want this to be a two-way street. Happy September and go Saints!
New Orleanians headed to Healdsburg, Ca., for food, wine and a wedding. On July 27, Ginger Guzzetta and Pierre Touzet were married in an outdoor ceremony in the presence of close friends and family. The festivities took place at Barndiva, an old barn that was converted into an art gallery and outdoor venue, right on the Healdsburg plaza. Following the ceremony guests were treated to a sit-down dinner of sea bass and lamb and, of course, delicious wine. As the sun went down the mother of the bride passed out green pashmina wraps to keep the female guests warm while the newlyweds cut the cake. After dessert everyone moved into the art gallery to dance well into the evening before seeing the happy couple off.
Jordan Goldblum and Ryan Adkerson catch up with Kerry and Mary Wyatt Milano at the reception.
Matt and Skye Fantaci right before dinner.
Mr. and Mrs. Touzet with the mother of the bride, Theresa Guzzetta, and sister of the bride Courtney Merwin.
Matt and Loftin Brooks snap a picture at dinner with actress Robin Tunney and the groom’s friend Nicky Marmet.
New Orleans Cold Storage, a meat freezing and exporting facility, opened its new warehouse at the Henry Clay Avenue Wharf on July 19. The 142,000 square foot warehouse can store 38 million pounds of meat and will create 125 new jobs for the city. Gov. Bobby Jindal and NOCS President Mark Blanchard dedicated the facility together at the opening. New Orleans Cold Storage, established in 1886, is the oldest cold storage facility in the United States.
Angus Cooper and David Schulinkamp celebrated the opening with Commissioner Mike Strain of the Louisiana Department of Agriculture and Forestry and Port of New Orleans President and CEO Gary LaGrange.
Heard something interesting for “cruisin’ the crescent?”
If so, please send it to:
St. Charles Avenue
110 Veterans Blvd., Ste. 123
Metairie, La. 70005 or
e-mail: Shelby@MyNewOrleans.com
