The New Orleans Spring Fiesta Association presented A Night in Old New Orleans as its annual vernal celebration. It was the association’s 89th anniversary. Dozens of those involved, especially the court, assembled at the handsome Spring Fiesta Association Townhouse on St. Ann Street in the French Quarter before forming a vehicular parade (including carriages) that ended at the Omni Royal Orleans. Onlookers, the parade-goers, were thrilled to receive flowers handed out by the parade participants.
In the hotel, the opening patriotic ceremonies featured Blake Aucoin, presentation of the American flag; David Jorgensen, Pledge of Allegiance and SF history; and Justin Eifert, the national and Sf anthems. Then came the SF court ceremonies, led by captain Joseph “Joey” Salvatore DiFatta and past kings Jerry Wayne Stowe, Le Roi II, and Casimir Joseph “CJ” Blanda, Le Roi I. Wearing the 2025 crown was Mr. Frank Anthony Milanese, Le Roi III. On Jan. 12, his majesty was honored at a soiree in the Spring Fiesta House to celebrate his coronation. The requested attire was “elegant Mardi Gras dress.”
The courtly procession continued with the appearance of flag bearer James Beauregard Kessler, son of Mr. and Mrs. Jeffrey Darren Kessler; and the gallants, bearers of the banner, Messrs. Andrew Cranmer “Ace” Nice, son of Ms. Jewlynn Nice and the late Mr. Charles Monroe Nice; and Andrew Dawson Calhoun, stepson and son of Mr. and Mrs. Charles J. Moll III, and son and stepson of Drs. Andrew and Suzanne Hall Calhoun. The promenade girls and their parents were Misses Juliette Aimée Hasney, Dr. Christian and Aimée Hasney; Eva Joan Perret, Mr. and Mrs. Matthew Brian Perret; Chloe Madison Pendleton, Mr. and Mrs. Christian Dean Pendleton; and Emelia Jane Uzee, Ms. Cathy Ann Ritto. The demoiselles followed: Misses Slone Carson McNutt, Mr. and Mrs. Lee William McNutt III; Kate Alexis Chaplan, Mr. and Mrs. Scott Alan Chaplan; Rabel Josephine Mae McNutt, Mr. and Mrs. McNutt; and Sylvie Kahn, Mr. and Mrs. Morris Lee Kahn.
The maids of honor were Misses Anne Elise O’ Carroll Giroir, Mr. and Mrs. James Barry Giroir Jr.; and Daphne Clare Holley, Mr. Todd Joseph Holley and Mrs. Janeen Higgins Holley. The jewel bearer was Miss Larkin Anne Schlanker, Mr. and Mrs. William Alan Schlanker.
One of the most anticipated moments was the arrival of the queen, Miss Lane Read Calhoun, called Laney, and the daughter and stepdaughter of the above Molls and Calhouns. Past queens in attendance were Misses Chloe Jewel Stowe, 2024; and Emma Morgan Caffrey, 2011, queen Laney’s half-sister. The association’s first queen, in 1938, reigned as Miss Mathilde Mary Maginnis.
Enjoying the title “La Dame Suprême” were past SF president Cheryl Lynn Kirby and 2025 royal wife Karen Milanese, who is also the association’s corresponding secretary.
The executive board of directors includes president Jerry Stowe, Mrs. David L. Jorgensen, Dr. Missy B. Curran, Joey DiFatta, CJ Blanda, Blake A. Aucoin, Rhett Ortego, Jeffrey D. Kessler, Leslie Stidd-Massony, Sammy Steele, Mrs. Milanese, Donna Boswell, Martha Curtis, Kelley Thibeaux, and Dr. Bill Curran.
Royal entertainment ensued with performers from the New Orleans School of Ballet, which has Nikki Hefko as the artistic director. The dancers were Anna Aldana Huelga, Alicia Rocha, Faryn Perry, Cami Rose Curran, Eileen Fontenot, Amani Kellow, and Shelby Robert. Recognitions, toasts, the grand promenade and the court’s first dance occurred before the seated dinner. Compliments targeted the hotel’s staff for the prandial pleasures. All delicious. Floral embellishment came from profusions of spring blooms in shades of pink, yellow and off-white.
Then came the non-stop dancing. Attendees of all ages darted to the dance floor between courses to revel in the music of Tim Nielsen and his band, the Public Servants. “This is so much fun,” remarked a few of the young court members, who moved with the merriment.
When all was said and royally done, queen mother Jaye Calhoun Moll reflected on her daughter’s reign. “Laney really enjoyed it,” she said, adding that everyone (family and close friends) was there. A special, and touching moment took place before the parade went to the Omni Royal Orleans. Standing on a balcony across from the SF townhouse, Jaye toasted her radiant daughter.
Brights of Spring
Gathering for gardens was the thrust for the recent Art in Bloom’s five-day floral extravaganza presented by First Horizon Bank and held in the New Orleans Museum of Art. The title was “Les Jardins de la Nouvelle-Orléans.” A one-hour patron party, followed by two hours of previewing (and lots of socializing), launched the highly anticipated event that “showcases interpretive, creative, and breathtaking floral designs by local and regional artists, garden clubs, florists, designers, and professional landscapers.” As per the title, Crescent City gardens, from Audubon to the Garden District, from Bayou St. John to City Park, and from Esplanade to the French Quarter were recognized in their splendor.
Charlotte Meade and Keith Porteous Meade chaired Art in Bloom, whose floral displays were open to the public for several days. Taylor Pospisil and Courtney Le Clercq were recognized as respective NOMA Volunteer Committee chair and Garden Study Club of New Orleans president. All four women were joined by their husbands. In addition to the Presenting Sponsor, the next categories were Bouquet, with thanks to Peggy and Timber Floyd and the Eugenie and Joseph Jones Family Foundation, and Iris, with thanks to Red River Bank, Lynne and Rick McMillan, the J. Edgar Monroe Foundation, and Miggy and Jay Monroe. Individual names in the Orchid category were Elizabeth Boh, Marion Bright, Caroline and Murray Calhoun, Ella Flower, Susan and Jimmy Gundlach, Elly and Merritt Lane, Sally and Jay Lapeyre, Pixie and Jimmy Reiss, Permele and Garner Robinson, Lynn and Charlie Smith, Sarah and Doug Stokes, and Sarah and George Young. Most were sighted. So were Susan M. Taylor, NOMA’s Montine McDaniel Freeman director; and the 33 Art in Bloom committee members.
Features were numerous and included the silent auction artist, Saskia Ozols, whose work “Preparing for a Party,” graced the cover of the party’s printed program; music; food and drink galore; virtual bidding; and the many exhibitors under the names Creative Designs, Exterior Designs (Gregg Porter and Michelle LeBlanc Fine’s was a highlight), Garden Clubs, Ikebana, Movers & Shakers, Professional Florists, Tablescapes, Young Artists, Freeport-McMoran Great Hall Urns, and a Pop Up Installation.
Yet another attraction was the lecture series, which had limited seating in NOMA’s Lapis Center for the Arts. The speakers were Susan Crater and Liza Crater Harris of Sister Parish Design, the “renowned American textile and wallcovering brand with a rich heritage”; and Mieke ten Have, an interiors stylist, design writer, and creative consultant with extensive experience as a magazine editor. Thanks tapped Permele Robinson for bringing Mieke to Art in Bloom. Paces away, the luncheon and fashion show awaited. Ralph Brennan Catering & Events fed the fashionable (and floral) flock, while designs from La Fouri, as presented by SOSUSU, caught every attentive eye.
Happy Easter, one and all!