Nell Nolan: REX – Pro Bono Dinner, PRC 50th anniversary, Schreiber Award

Pro Bono

Tank the Tortoise was taking it all in. So were a few other denizens of the venue, such as Musty and a flamboyance of flamingos. After all, the action was occurring in the al fresco entrance of where they live: the Audubon Zoo.

The bipeds — all nicely turned out in white suits and summer dresses — were arriving through the zoo’s turnstiles and stopping in Goldring Plaza en route to the Audubon Tea Room, where the Rex, School of Design, Pro Bono Publico Foundation’s 17th annual dinner was unfolding. A Hancock Whitney step and repeat served as the photo background for those who wanted to be clicked in that number.

Just outside the tea room, a large, air-conditioned tent housed the initial hobnobbing. As guests approached it, they noticed maypoles lining the walkway. Yet another feature was a hedge Champagne wall. Conversation was lively during the cocktail hour with many an attendee headed to the large oval-shaped bar in the tent’s center. Mardi Gras Productions was credited for much of the décor.

Shortly afterward, a jazz band led guests from the reception into the tea room where dinner awaited. To sate appetites before everyone sat, there were tasty appetizers from Dickie Brennan & Co. Catering, which provides food and beverage for all Audubon Nature Institute event venues. Chickpea panisse, fried oysters, scallop ceviche and crab ravigote toasts with caviar were eagerly consumed.

Within the Audubon Tea Room, the tables were covered with pretty overlays and set with chargers and mercury glass votives, all in the color of gold. The floral centerpieces were placed in gold chalices.

Pro Bono Publico Foundation Chair Storey Charbonnet, who reigned as Rex in 2020, opened the formalities and commented on the beautiful tables with thanks to organizer Denise Galloway. Monsignor Christopher Nalty, one of the hundreds of foundation supporters, gave the blessing. The first two menu courses were dubbed à la Eastman and à la Feoli in recognition of John Menge Eastman, who wore the crown of the School of Design in February, and Dr. Ludovico Feoli, the Rex of 2023. Joining the above were their wives, Anne Lynne Charbonnet, Kathy Eastman and Stephanie Feoli. The Eastmans and the Feolis chaired the dinner.

More notables were Rex 2015 Christian “Christy” Brown and spouse Kia, Rex 2022 James Reiss with Erica, Rex 2017 and board member Dr. Stephen Hales with Nancy, board member Merritt Lane and Elly, Kelly and Carmen Duncan, Bert and Meme Wilson, Andy and Maria Wisdom, Will French with Tricia Sarpy, Christian and Dr. Deirdre Hooper, Dennis and Jennifer Lauscha, Gayle Benson, and scores more, including a number of past and future kings of Carnival.

Particularly recognized was John Hairston, president and CEO of Hancock Whitney Bank, the corporate sponsor. His wife, Ann, accompanied him. He addressed the comely crowd at 9:05 p.m. to acknowledge the work of the foundation.

Three auction items generated busy bidding. First, for the original hand painted 2024 Rex Proclamation by Patti Adams, which found an appropriate buyer in John Eastman. Auctioneer Mark C. Romig, another foundation supporter, then got the going gone for two bottles of choice bourbon. Elsewhere, there was a Bourbon Tasting Bar.

During the course of the evening, chatter, both formal and informal, touched on the beneficence of the Pro Bono Publico Foundation, which was founded in 2006, and since then has “made grants totaling more than $14 million” to support Greater New Orleans schools and education.

As the dinner and related socializing concluded, it was noticed that those who give get. In remembrance of the event, guests received rocks glasses (aka lowball or old-fashioned glasses) with the Hancock Whitney and Pro Bono Publico Foundation logos etched on them. Cheers!

Half Century Salute

“Patty, thank you for all your leadership,” said Danielle Del Sol as the formalities concluded. Before that extension of gratitude, Del Sol commented on the honoree’s start with the Preservation Resource Center at age 22, along with her love of architecture, neighborhoods, and people she worked with. This tribute was the highlight during the PRC’s 50th Anniversary Gala honoring Patricia “Patty” H. Gay, the PRC’s emerita executive director. Commendations for her 34 years as executive director came from the New Orleans City Council and from Mayor LaToya Cantrell (represented by the city’s director of Special Projects Bryon Cornelison), respectively as a proclamation and a Key to the City. The City Council also issued a proclamation recognizing the PRC’s significant work over the past 50 years, which was read by Cornelison.

Held in the Sazerac House, the gala was presented by Landis Construction. Preservation Heroes in attendance wore daisy boutonnieres to distinguish them and to recognize their contributions to the PRC. Running on a continuous loop on the 2nd and 4th floors of the location, a slideshow featured lists of patrons, sponsors, longtime supporters, past board members and presidents, committee chairs, and more interspersed with archival photos.

Among the gala’s many features were music by Tailor Made Ensembles, featuring singer Betty Shirley; a silent auction of 40 must-haves (including the French Quarter Dine Around donated by the Ralph Brennan Restaurant Group; and 3 raffle items: a curated wine selection donated by the PRC board, a diamond pendant necklace from Béjé jewelers, and an offshore fishing charter with Paradise Outfitters. Pigeon Catering & Events passed such intriguing hors d’oeuvres as alligator sausage en croute, along with crabcakes, and set up a carving station and Creole Rice Bar. St. James Cheese Company provided a fabulous charcuterie display; the Goldring family Foundation and Sazerac gave the liquor; and Picardie Timber Frame + Millwork sponsored the bars.

Patty’s nearest and dearest included artist George Schmidt and her son, James Gay, who flew in from Berlin for the event. From Landis came Anne Teague Landis and husband Culyer Boad, Ryan Allen, Jeremy Atkinson, Sarah Busch, Jamie Christovich, Christian and Alicia Generes, and Lauren and Tommy Thibodaux. Noted, too, were honorary co-chairs Naydja and Adolph Bynum, Anne Redd (with Edmund) and Sonny Shields (with Laura); PRC board president Charles Urstadt and husband David Bernard; president-elect Aulston Taylor with wife Sevetri; David Campbell, one of the many past presidents; PRC executive director the above Danielle Del Sol with spouse Ramsey Green; and past executive directors Ann Masson, Larry Schmidt, and Jack Davis.

Also, Jackie Derks, Blaire Fernandez and Mike Katz, Sarah and Marshall Hevron, Jane Scott Hodges and Philip, Nomita Joshi-Gupta and Dr. Shaminder Gupta, Jessica and Alonzo Knox, Henry Lambert and Carey Bond, Nancy Lemann, June and King Logan, Christina and Julien Worms, Liz and George Vulevich, John Pope, Bonnie and John Boyd, Karen Edmunds, Davises three in Jack, Mimi and Claiborne, Dorothy and Charles Nelson, and hundreds more who praised Patty and relished the “50” fettle.

Trading Tributes

“Greg Rusovich stands alone in New Orleans and Louisiana for his tenacious dedication and demonstrable results for international trade in New Orleans and the State,” said Michael Hecht, president and CEO of Greater New Orleans Inc., about the 2024 Eugene J. Schreiber Award recipient of the World Trade Center New Orleans. Established in 2013, the award recognizes a professional who demonstrates exemplary knowledge and leadership in promoting international trade policy. Gregory Rusovich, president and CEO of Transoceanic Development, has had a long and impactful career promoting international trade policy and diplomacy.

Further remarks at the Windsor Court-located reception were by WTCNO director Harrison Crabtree, the honored Greg, and Walt Leger Jr., chairman of the board, Port of New Orleans.

Among those assembled — and enjoying such delicacies as spinach spanakopita, Peking duck and cucumber moo-shu wrap, and smoked bacon and onion jam tart — were the honoree’s wife, Suzanne Rusovich, WTCNO board chair Kristi App (who said Rusovich embodied the spirit and the mission of the trade center), Chairman and CEO of Bollinger Shipyards Boysie Bollinger, Consular Corps Dean Bret Clesi, Gay LeBreton, H. Merritt Lane III, Julia Fisher-Cormier, Mike Kearney, Scott Cunningham, and others, who remembered with fondness the award’s namesake, the late WTCNO managing director Eugene J. Schreiber. Several described him as legendary.