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thedrifter
11-27-07, 07:24 AM
Marines, Brothers and Advocates
Tuesday, November 27, 2007
Nell Nolan

May the festive forces be with you!

At the New Orleans Hilton Riverside, some 1,800 Marines along with spouses and friends assembled on a recent Friday night for a mighty wind. A birthday cake acknowledging the 232nd birthday of the Marine Corps generated due excitement.

Launching the levity was a cocktail reception given by Lt. Gen. Jack Bergman, commander of the Marine Forces Reserve. Then, members of the Marine Band played lively music as they marched up and down the ballroom. At "1900 hours" and after the bugle call, the invocation by Capt. Timothy Lantz, U.S. Navy, and dinner ensued. A main course duo of filet of beef and poached salmon and a praline parfait dessert were culinary enticements.

Among the program principals were adjutant Capt. Paul Greenberg, narrator Maj. Carter Honesty, and the color guard foursome: Sgt. D. Brent Pulley, Cpl. David T. Santanello and Lance Corporals Givi Pantsulaya and Carlo S. Moody. Joined by wife Rose, assistant Commandant of the Marine Corps Gen. Robert Magnus enjoyed the limelight as guest of honor.

The evening concluded with the cutting of the confection, the birthday cake, and the respective oldest and youngest Marines doing the honors: retired Warrant Officer Bert Stolier and Lance Cpl. Jonsheique M. Vaughn. Moments later, pieces of the cake were distributed to the Semper Fi assembly. Answering to the cake escort were Capt. Alexander R. Pirolo, Cpl. Ku Thao and a lance corporal brace in Christopher J. Bradford and Sergei Working.

Marine Forces Reserve revelers, both retired and active duty, included Maj. Gen. David and Jane Mize, Col. John and Carmen Caldas, Col. and Mrs. Terry Ebbert, Col. Jerry Sneed, Col. and Mrs. Walter Ellingson, Lt. Col. Ernie and Susan Fitzgerald, and Sergeant Majors Ray Liss with Ruby, Cecil Murphy with Kiku, Robert E. Roberts Jr., and the above-mentioned youngest marine Jonsheique M. Vaughn. Also, the Wayne Cogans, Jim and Teddy LeBlanc, Bill and Pam Ryan, Joe and Ann Wink, Dr. J. Russell Bond, Joe and Patricia Norton, Jack and Martha Sands, and Arthur "Buzz" and Councilwoman-at-large-elect Jackie Clarkson. Dancing with music by the Marine Band capped the celebration.

The Clarksons took pride in seeing actress daughter Patricia Clarkson, who has a half-dozen movies just out/ in the works, grace the November issue of More magazine. She's the youngest of their five daughters. Depicted in the October issue of Cottage Living, which has the New Orleans 2007 Idea Home on its cover, are such local luminaries as Irvin Mayfield, Stephen Stryjewski, the Rev. Michael Jacques, Donald Link, Paul Prudhomme, Frank Brigtsen, the Rev. Vien The Nguyen, JoAnn Clevenger and Ken Smith, Walter "Wolfman" Washington, Julia Reed, Adolfo Garcia, Tony Recasner, Arthur Roger, Brian Sublette, Ann Dupuy and daughter Jane Dupuy Leyens, Eric Moser, and Stephanie Bruno.

Keeping the numbers active was Christian Brothers School's gala auction, "Magic in the Park XIII," which included more than 600 guests, many of whom clinked glasses of cheer at the patron party held in the McFadden Mansion, home of the school in City Park. Patron party chairwomen Debbie Braquet and Judy Simonson (with Greg and Eric) embellished it with red roses, white lights and gold tulle, while the New Orleans Spice Jazz Trio provided the musical decoration. Further features were the taste treats (with help from Jimmy and Ann Tabery), libations by Woodford Reserve and Abita, and the Louisiana State University football package donated by Mark and Paul Ippolito and purchased by Hamid and Sue Alizadeh.

On to the main merriment meant the wizardry of decorations chairwoman Brenda Leonard and Fat Cat Flowers. Inside the tent, the Blue Meanies, whose lead singer is CBS dad Jimmy Triay, got the joint jumping. Similarly, emcees Doug Joubert and Jones Deith made the live auction even more so. Choice items were a fur coat (donated by Alaskan Fur Company and bought by CBS alumnus David Woolverton for spouse Elizabeth) and works by artist/CBS alumnus George Rodrigue with J.D. Vinson as the purchaser.

The bash's brass consisted of school principal Joey Scaffidi and Lisa, CBS Foundation president Ray Seamon and Elizabeth, Carol and Dennis Couvillion, and gala chairwomen Julia Prats, Cyndi Ippolito, Valrie Amato and Nicey Simoneaux with Dr. Lester, Paul, Keith and Brent. Also, Judy Abadin and Jose, Terri Bordelon and Mark, Keith Christie and Brenda, Matthew Ponseti and Lennie, Paul and Mary Beth Fine, Fred Holly, Teddy Graziano, Bruce and Lisa Frischhertz, Johnny and Kristy Fitzpatrick, and Nick and Michelle Lorusso.

Similar fare -- all fun -- unfolded at The Savvy Gourmet when Court Appointed Special Advocates New Orleans presented the 2007 "What's Cookin' with CASA?" fundraiser. In addition to the silent auction (worked by Kappa Alpha Theta sorority) and vital victuals, there was a cooking demonstration by the above chef Donald Link (Herbsaint, Cochon), as well as desserts by Maurice French Pastries and sparkling wine from Glazer's. Caroline B. Cody beamed as 2007 Advocate of the Year.

Among the CASA cohorts were Judge Kern Reese, Amanda Hammach (with hubby Donald Link), board president Justin Woods, executive director Dellona D. Davis, TSG co-owner Aaron Wolfson and Daliah, event chairwoman Deborah Quarles, Joey and Enola Richard, William and Ransdell Prieur, Jennifer Benjamin with Jack Jr., Devona Dolliole Greenstone, Amy Harang, Nicole Scalco, Uyen T. Phan, Tony and Mary Price Dunbar, Leslie Bertucci Ness, and Janet White. "Cookin' " had all the right ingredients.

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Columnist Nell Nolan can be reached at nnolan@timespicayune.com or at (504) 826-3455.

Ellie