A Note from Bev – Fashion-filled issue & holiday help
With all of the problems thanks to the pandemic and Hurricane Ida, we’re so excited to present “CHAIRish the Children,” which will be celebrated in person on Saturday, November 6, at the Louisiana Children’s Museum in City Park! Thanks so much to Chairs Mike and Jennifer Marsiglia, LCM’s Board President Colleen Levy, Derrick Strozier representing Lead Corporate Sponsor J.P. Morgan Chase and LCM’s CEO Julia Bland for gracing our cover!
Jennifer and Mike promise a night that you won’t forget complete with dining at the water’s edge amid the “firefly lighting” reflecting off the lagoon. You will also be able to enjoy a cocktail on the floating classroom, dance on the event lawn and bid on their signature chairs created by local artists. Be sure to get your tickets now by calling 504-266-2421 or visiting LCM.org/2021-chairish-the-children and support this treasured museum in City Park! Many of you remember Mike and Joe Marsiglia’s mom, Nancy Marsiglia, who was a major sponsor of the Louisiana Children’s Museum from the beginning and helped to raise so many of the funds to make it a reality! While you’re at the gala, be sure to check out her beautiful bench that honors her hard work; we miss her and loved her so much.
Now that we’re all starting to go out to these wonderful fundraisers, you’re going to need something to wear and accessories to go with it! Look to our annual holiday fashion feature, modeled this year by Monomin Owner Rachel Taravella! Then look to What’s Hot for Holiday Fashion Accessories for the perfect piece to top off your new or favorite outfit.
Now that we are close to the holidays, both Thanksgiving and Christmas, we’re bringing you “Giving the Gift of Booze” by Jyl Benson; this gift guide features more than 30 recommendations from some of the best in the business! All bottles are available locally, which will support our New Orleans businesses!
Please continue helping families and businesses affected by Hurricane Ida and give to many of the relief efforts that we spotlighted in our last issue. It will take a long time for us to be back to normal, but we can do it!
Sue Strachan’s new book,The Cafe Brulot, is a must read for all of us who adore this famed New Orleans drink that makes a meal at Arnaud’s, Antoine’s and Galatoire’s have a perfect ending! Sue was the editor of St. Charles Avenue for 10 years and she’s a contributing writer for us now. This is a perfect book for all of our friends who are obsessed with cocktails for Thanksgiving or Christmas!
Happy Thanksgiving!
Beverly Reese Church
On the Cover
Event Chairs Mike and Jennifer Marsiglia, Louisiana Children’s Museum (LCM) CEO Julia Bland, Derrick Strozier representing Lead Corporate Sponsor J.P. Morgan Chase and LCM Board President Colleen Levy for LCM’s “CHAIRish the Children.”
On November 6, enter through the famous “Vestiblue” front door and proceed to the courtyard and lush grounds of the Louisiana Children’s Museum for the 2021 “CHAIRish the Children,” celebrating the LCM’s 35th birthday! Start with a signature patron drink or spirit provided by The Goldring Family Foundation and then move on to dishes provided by Dickie Brennan & Co. (operators of the Acorn Café at LCM), Louisiana Seafood and Rouses Markets. Presenting Sponsors the Marsiglia and LaCorte families also promise live entertainment courtesy of LagniAPP featuring John “Papa” Gros, a raffle to win a $4,500 shopping spree sponsored by Lee Michaels Fine Jewelry and a virtual auction showcasing the signature “CHAIRish the Children” decorated chairs.
The evening begins with a Patron Party at 7 p.m. followed by the gala at 8:30 p.m. Chairs Jennifer and Mike Marsiglia encourage attendees to wear “outdoor cocktail chic” and remind everyone that the event will abide by current state and local health and safety regulations for public gatherings (currently that means masks are required when inside and proof of COVID vaccination or negative PCR test taken within 72 hours).
To learn more and purchase your ticket today call 504-266-2421 or visit LCM.org/2021-chairish-the-children.
Special thanks to Leslie Doles for her invaluable assistance.
“Just Say YAYA” is back in person on Friday, November 19! Chairs Kimberly Allen, Nic Brierre Aziz, Rebekah Capers and Ashley Webber and Honorary Chairs Stephanie and Terrance Osborne promise a night that will feature YAYA students’ artwork as well as alumni artwork, art, glassware, glass demonstrations and a fabulous silent auction. The theme is “Art is Essential,” which we have all come to understand is important to educating our youth. Call 504-529-3306 and visit YAYAInc.org for more information and to purchase your tickets today!
Pictured left: Terrance Osborne, Sarah Martzolf and Meg Miles
A Note from Morgan – Adoring autumn & staying thankful
I believe the corridor between Halloween and Thanksgiving may be the best period on the calendar. The weather is beautiful. We get to go from obsessing about costumes and candy to who’s cooking which dish for the big meal. And always in the background is the oncoming present gathering and event scheduling for the winter holidays.
To that end, make sure to check out our holiday fashion feature and What’s Hot for Holiday Fashion Accessories to find your new favorite fall outfit and the perfect piece to update your go-to.
We also have our inaugural alcohol gift guide, featuring more than 30 recommendations for everyone from your best pal who loves a straight whisky to a bottle of fine Bordeaux to impress your boss. If you don’t imbibe, or have imbibed too much, look to Finishing Touches for an introduction to two locally made kombucha brands.
That and so much more – Parties! Hosting suggestions! Weddings! – can be found in this issue. We hope you love it as much as we do!
Available now is Gastro Obscura: A Food Adventurer’s Guide. The way it was described to me is as: “an immersive cabinet of culinary curiosities brimming with over 500 compelling entries spanning all seven continents and 50 states.” And since it’s food- and drink-related, of course New Orleans is mentioned thanks to our famous Ramos Gin Fizz. You can also learn amazing things like: How giant prehistoric sloths are a key reason avocado exist today; that Fidel Castro loved ice cream so much so he built an ice-cream cathedral in the 1960s that still stands today; and why Champagne was once thought to be an energy drink. Full disclosure: when I was offered an early copy of this book, I jumped at it. Gastro Obscura is part of Atlas Obscura, a database (also newsletter, books and even a Page-A-Day Calendar) of the world’s most wondrous places and foods – 20,453 entries so far with more every day. Find out more, including where to purchase the new Gastro Obscura book locally, at AtlasObscura.com.
As we move through this month, let’s stay thankful. Thankful for each other, for ourselves, for our families and for those who help us every day, even if we don’t know who they are.
Happy Thanksgiving,
Morgan Packard Griffith
