Nell Nolan: Floral Trail 2024, Catherine Burns Tremaine 100

Floral Trail

Miss Isabella Grace St. Philip radiated queenly joy in her photo that graced the cover of the event’s program. Even more happiness was projected during the initial hours of her reign (that will continue for months) as the monarch of the 2024-2025 Greater New Orleans Floral Trail. She is the daughter of Faith Baudoin and Vincent St. Philip, her escort for the formalities, and granddaughter of Patricia Baudoin and Owen Mohr. As the Floral Trail’s 87th queen, she will travel across Louisiana and, during the Carnival season of 2025, attend the Washington, D.C., Mardi Gras Ball, hosted by the Mystick Krewe of Louisianians, Inc.

The crowning of queen Isabella occurred in Jackson Square with Jefferson Parish Council member Arita Bohannan doing the honors. A carriage procession then continued through the French Quarter, culminating at the Sheraton New Orleans Hotel for the formal presentation.

Her majesty’s maids and their parents were Misses Sophia Margaret Dusang, Mr. and Mrs. Chad Paul Dusang; Ainsley Claire Liles, Dr. and Mrs. A.C. Liles III; and Kaelynn Marie Steltz, Mr. and Mrs. Kevin Michael Steltz. The five demoiselles were Misses Cecily Elisabeth Kupar, Mr. and Mrs. Kenneth Michael Kupar; Ella Claire Langlois, Mr. and Mrs. Paul Christopher Langlois; Avery Caitlin Liles, Dr. and Mrs. Liles III; Ansley Madeleine Schmidt, Mr. and Mrs. Gilbert Robert Schmidt; and Emery Lynne Tantillo, Mr. and Mrs. Jed Alan Tantillo. Eight princesses also figured in the court: Misses Carrigan Ann Barrios, Mr. and Mrs. Ashley Adam Barrios; Elizabeth Abigail Childress, Mr. and Mrs. Joseph Penn Childress; Raisa Maria De Matteo, Mr. Remi Michael DeMatteo and Ms. Alona Olegavna Koval; Audrey Grace Isham, Mr. and Mrs. Asa Clayton Isham; Harper Lynn Isham, Mr. and Mrs. Isham; Ayla Marie Muggivan Lermi, Mr. and Mrs. Birol Lermi; Frankie Rose Ochsner, Mr. Alan Avery Ochsner and Mrs. Gary Lee Mossor; and Mia Kate Thomas, Mr. and Mrs. Donnie Albright Thomas. Bedecking the court members were antebellum dresses.

Completing the cortege were Flower Girls Brynn Ruth Matrana, Dr. and Mrs. Marc Ryan Matrana, and Kathryn Judith Valenza, Mr. and Mrs. John Vincent Valenza III, and Royal Guard Bennett Clarence Childress, Mr. and Mrs. Childress.

Last year, the crown was worn by Miss Allison Mary Hedrick, whose parents are Mr. Bryan Hedrick and Ms. Tracie Roddy Senior. She was present, as were the visiting Festival Queens, Misses Lauren Ansley van Mullem, Gweneth Alaina Dohmann, Lauren Marie LaCombe, Meredith Ellen Lott, Hillary Elise Goode and Catherine Elizabeth Blondiau. They were introduced by master of ceremonies Matthew J. Hedrick III. Under the direction of B.J. Perez III, Carnaval played the national anthem.

The formalities continued with the presentation of Miss Hedrick, the 2023-2024 queen, who later delivered a farewell address; the 2024-2025 court and queen Isabella; and the president’s acknowledgement by Matthew J. Hedrick Jr., who has served Floral Trail for over 37 years as president, board member, and father and grandfather of past queens. He presented the current board of directors, which included Harry G. Yeatman, Cathy R. Schwab and Virginia H. Roch (for the benediction) as vice president, secretary and treasurer, and as executive board members Sally B. Hedrick, Kevin A. Tieth and Richard W. Schwab Sr. The grand march with the courts concluded the program that was applauded by former majesties Courtney Hedrick Dusang, Brittany Reynolds Thomas, Heather Schwab Isham, Amanda Dufresne Lodigues, and Shelby Marie LaSalle. All admired queen Isabella in her Jovani-designed gown that was accessorized by the traditional mantle attached at the waist.

Many also recalled the founding of the Floral Trail in 1934 during the Great Depression, when the cabinet of President Franklin Delano Roosevelt established the Works Progress Administration to combat unemployment. The beautification of New Orleans ensued under those auspices. To further the cause, a Floral Trail queen and her entourage were chosen, starting with Rosary Nix (later Mrs. Stephen C. Hartel), in 1939-1940.

In her program-printed “Reflections,” the 86th Floral Queen Allison Hedrick called upon her successor, Isabella, to “Take it all in” and to make the most of her reign. Wise words for the new majesty, Isabella.

All hail Catherine!

She had been planning the party for years, leading up to it with smaller, but exemplary rounds of birthday celebrations. Finally, the big night approached and the invitations arrived. Scripted in gold on ivory-colored stock, and with a crest above, was “The pleasure of your company is requested to celebrate the 100th Birthday of Catherine Burns Tremaine.” Lining the envelope was an insert with “100” surrounded by gold filigree and topped with a fleur-de-lis. The venue, one that she has supported for years, was the New Orleans Museum of Art, and the dress code, “Black tie.” As often occurs, “Please, no gifts” was added.

Mrs. Tremaine is the sole survivor of the five doctors who founded Ochsner Clinic in 1942. They were Alton Ochsner, Guy A. Caldwell, Francis E. “Duke” LeJeune, Curtis Tyrone and Edgar Burns, her father.

Terry Cambise, a wedding and event consultant, and a dear friend, teamed with Catherine to plan the centennial celebration. Gene Luke, owner of Ambrose Garden, designed flowers to complement the jewel tones of each of the museum’s galleries used for the party. Especially appreciated were those arrangements of burgundy, golden yellow and deep aubergine.

In the Great Hall, the look was all white, thanks to French tulips, Casablanca lilies, orchids, peonies, roses and delphinium. Luminous Events enhanced each table with pillar and votive candles, along with tapers. Above the stage and bars were crystal chandeliers, and in the nearby E. John Bullard Foyer, a Through the Years Photo Gallery traced the beautiful birthday girl during the many decades of her full life.

For the tributes, son Atwood Collins (joined by spouse Cindy — home for them is North Palm Beach, Florida) stepped forward to express his and the family’s gratitude to his mother’s friends for their support upon her return to her native Crescent City in 2002. Others speaking were grandsons Porter Collins (from Houston) and Dwight Collins (Larchmont, New York). Dwight’s wife, Hillary, was present, as were Catherine’s great-grandchildren, James, Bryn and Timothy Collins. More encomiums came from the honoree’s close friend, Wayne Amedee. All remarked on their subject’s alertness and her recall of events occurring 90 years ago.

Pianist and friend Dreux Montegut and opera singer Melissa Marshall entertained with some of the arias that Catherine sang during her time in New York as a regular performer with The Light Opera of Manhattan at The Loom Theater. The repertoire was Gilbert and Sullivan. Represented by The National WWII Museum, the Victory Swing Orchestra played with brio. As further entertainment, Irma Thomas & The Professionals saluted the centennial celebrant with “Happy Birthday.”

Chef John Folse, who has been tapped for many of her parties, and his Company produced culinary wonders with offerings of Osseta caviar, jumbo lump crabmeat, select chilled soups, seafood and meat stations, blue corn grits, and seared foie gras. “It is an honor and a privilege to be the chef called on tonight,” he said as he read the menu to the awed assembly.

Party guests included Susan Taylor, Dr. Kurt Gitter and Alice Yellen, Dr. Joe and Wendy Dalovisio, David and Catherine Edwards, Dr. Julie A. Mermilliod, Dr. Philip Denoux, Anne and King Milling, Dr. and Mrs. Freddi Abi-Samra, Shirley Trusty Corey, Mr. and Mrs. Tony Chauveaux, Suzanne and Richard Whann, Ann and Gene Preaus, Dawn DeDeaux, Dr. and Mrs. Thomas Moulthrop, Dr. Linda McElveen, Mary Lou (Ms. John L.) Ochsner, several members of the Ochsner family, Marjory Harper and countless others.

Many songs captured the evening, such as “Un Bel Di,” “I Could have Danced All Night,” and “Somewhere over the Rainbow,” but one, as rendered by Irma Thomas, expressed what everyone felt about Catherine Burns Tremaine that night. It was “Ruler of My Heart.”