Bev’s Note
Now that so many of our charitable events are hybrid, you really need to check out our “Registry of Charitable Events: May-August 2021” for information on 20 upcoming nonprofit events. If you missed sending us your event, we can add it online! Just send the information to Morgan Packard Griffith at Morgan@myneworleans.com.
Look to our guide to Old Metairie for more than 15 places to find the best of fashion, food, beauty and resources – the tried-and-true and the new-to-you!
Our What’s Hot this month focuses on Finishing Touches, those thoughtfully chosen decorative touches and accents that truly pull a room together. Turn to page 12 for 10 perfect pieces to add to your home today.
Please continue to wear your mask and get your vaccine as quickly as possible! If we all do so, we can get back to normal even sooner – and we all want that, especially for the fun summer months! Keep it up and have a great summer!
Beverly Reese Church
“Art in Bloom 2021 | Home Grown presented by IBERIABANK | First Horizon,” brought to you by NOMA and the Garden Study Club, will be Wednesday, May 5 through Sunday, May 9, and it will be both virtual and in-person! Chairs Brett Lapeyre and Kim Roddy tell me that you have to get your tickets now!
This year’s event will bring together exhibitors and speakers who will celebrate the beauty that you can create at home. Visit NOMA.org/event/art-in-bloom-2021 to learn more and purchase your ticket today; you don’t want to miss this!
On the Cover
We are so thrilled to feature Dress for Success’ “Suits and Salads Luncheon” presented by Valero Energy Foundation on our May cover! This fundraiser is the signature event for Dress for Success and has helped so many women by empowering them to achieve economic independence. They provide professional attire and development tools to help them thrive and succeed in the workplace!
Thanks so much to our cover models: Board Vice President and Sponsor Sarah Martzolf; Board Secretary and Event Chair Colleen Snyder Filostrat; Clients of the Year Monica Betts and Helise Madden; ULTA Volunteers of the Year Monette Naquin and Katie Darbone! The 11th annual “Suits and Salads Luncheon” will be May 7 at Dress for Success at 1700 Josephine St. at 11 a.m. and will be a hybrid affair! You can attend virtually or on-site, and you’ll have a fabulous silent auction, giveaways from Kendra Scott, a jewelry pull and an exciting raffle, and patrons will get a swag bag filled with discounts from your favorite retailers! One hundred percent of the proceeds will help the organization dress over 400 women, so you don’t want to miss this! Please call (504) 891-4337 extension 4 for tickets and information or email info@dfsneworleans.org. Co-Chairs Meaghan Ryan Bonavita and Colleen Snyder Filostrat promise an exciting day!
Morgan’s Note
As I write this, the weather is perfect. We are in the middle of some of those New Orleans spring days where, as long as I have bug spray, I could spend all day outside. In fact, I’m writing this sitting in my backyard, listening to The Meters and dreaming of Jazz Fest. Though events are still mostly virtual, in-person events are beginning to return. For those of us who are completely vaccinated, spring fever is in full gear – but don’t let that fool you into becoming complacent. Mask wearing is still encouraged whenever possible, especially when you could be around people (and children) who aren’t vaccinated.
You will notice that our quarterly “Registry of Charitable Events: May-August 2021” is still shorter than usual – but more and more nonprofits are starting to schedule gatherings! If you missed the deadline or your nonprofit just finalized its fête, visit MyNewOrleans.com/submit-a-charitable-event today and fill out the form for each of your events. As always, feel free to email me at Morgan@MyNewOrleans.com with any questions or concerns. We will also be continuing to update online at SaintCharlesAvenue.com, and we’ll soon be gathering events for the September-December “Registry,” so get ready!
Our next issue, June 2021, will celebrate St. Charles Avenue’s 25th anniversary! For over a quarter century we’ve been here to tell the social stories of New Orleans. Now we would like your help retelling our story. If you have any stories that you would like to share about reading Avenue, appearing on its pages or behind the scenes at a photoshoot or as part of our team, please email me at Morgan@MyNewOrleans.com and look for your memories on our pages next month. It will be an issue to treasure!
Morgan Packard Griffith
This year’s GiveNOLA Day is May 4, 12 a.m.-midnight. Your donation will support over 850 nonprofits in the 13-parish region and aid a broad range of issues: arts and culture, animal welfare, community improvement, education, environment, support to seniors and their families and much more! The Greater New Orleans Foundation is presenting this eighth annual event, which is sponsored by Baptist Community Ministries and Entergy. To date they have raised over $33 million for these nonprofits! Visit GiveNola.com to learn more!
