January/February 2007

From the President . . .

Dear Patio Planters,

This is it!  The year is rounding out and your President is rolling out, of office that is!  I hope I have served you well and have performed my duties to meet your expectations.  What a great year for Patio Planters, I’ve had tons of fun during our meetings and events. 

During our November meeting we heard from children’s book author Coleen Salley. Coleen told us her latest story about Epossumondas, and had us all in stitches.  Before it was over, the child in each of us was chanting, “Sody! Sody! Sody sallyraytus!”  Thanks to Coleen, we enjoyed a fun evening with our neighbors and friends at the Royal Orleans Hotel.  Just days following the White Elephant Sale & Auction took place at McDonogh 15 School.  Soooo many people were involved, and soooo many to thank.  This event went off beautifully.  We had two years of collections, and as many volunteers.  Thanks to the weather holding out we were able to make this the most financially successful event I’ve chaired yet! Thanks to my co-chair Leslie Perrin for you commitment.

December gets really busy for Patio Planters and everyone did their part.  The Christmas Brunch at Muriel’s was, for the second year, a brilliant success.  It was great to see so many of you in attendance.  Barbara Richmond, Adrienne Hartsock and their committee did a tremendous job.  The Board boarded a “Big Bus” this year to check out the holiday decorations in the Quarter.  They ended the night in the home of the ever hospitable Barbara Bowen, who offered respite to the weary judges upon completion of their duties.  The results were given at Caroling in Jackson Square to the exuberant recipients.  And speaking of caroling, John Hartsock, once again, did a fantastic job organizing this event which hosted over 6500 visitors to the Square.  Kudos to John for his never tiring efforts.  The Holiday Home Tour started the day and though it competed with a Saints home game (who are division champs this year) it was well attended.  I can’t thank Carmen Carter enough for taking on the task of organizing this tour.  Paula Chavis had the list and she checked it twice, she knows who was naughty and nice.  Paula organized the volunteer docents for the tour, a brilliant job.

As outgoing President, I’d like to thank my Board for their camaraderie and friendship.  It has been two wonderful years.  Thanks to the unsung heros, Mary Ellen Wade who scribes for all of our meetings, and to Ed Foulks who organizes our monthly programs, and to the behind the scenes publicity peeps, Leslie Perrin and Carmen Carter. 

Now I’d like to remind you that the 2007 membership renewals and elections are coming up.  Watch your mailbox.  But better yet, get involved.  Call your Nominating Committee and nominate someone, or yourself, to the board.  Craig Shexnayder, Betty Kern and Jocelyn Connelly are waiting to hear from you.

To think a year ago we were all wondering about our survival, but survive we did, thanks to your commitment.  Go gently my friends, Happy New Year!

Sam Poché

Nominations for the 2007 Board . . .

If you are interested or know anyone you’d like to nominate for the 2007 Board of Patio Planters, please contact one of the members of the Nominating Committee right away!

• Craig Schexnayder: 504-528-9536
  
• Betty Kern: 504-527-6119
  
• Jocelyn Connelly: 504-528-1862

From the Membership Chair . . .

Please welcome the following 2006 new members:

• Lorri Baldwin
• Lyn Ledbetter and Jerry Davis
• Barbara Cobb

Any address, phone number or e-mail corrections please e-mail me at patiomembers@aol.com  or call 598-2374.  Any questions, please give me a call. 

Thank you,
Paula Chavis

The Daisy Todd Award . . .

We’ve come to the moment when a special person who has worked diligently for our club receives acknowledgement for taking on tasks to aid and assist our Board and Membership throughout the years.  This year the Daisy Todd Volunteer of the Year was awarded to my dear friend, and committed worker bee, who never said no to me, though I asked of her many things, including assistance on many committees, punch articles, and publicity …..

Congratulations goes out to Leslie Perrin.  She is a very  deserving recipient. 

Sam Poché

About Our Recent Events . . .

White Elephant Sale & Auction

Thank you everyone for another successful White Elephant Sale & Auction.  Without the sharing of energy, efforts and gifts from all of our friends and supporters, this event would never be such a success!  Thank you to all of our donors who made the Auction possible and to Sam Poché for the constant mailings to acquire such fantastic auction item

s.  In addition to the many donations, we had seven “sponsors” in the $500+ category: Capital One, Santa’s Quarters, Harold’s Plant Gallery, What’s New, Adrienne Hartsock, Tide and Louisiana Caviar. BRAVO to them all!  And bravo to our Ace Auctioneers Robin Ruiz Wilkinson and Norman Many, for their high energy and the excitement they brought to the bidding that day!

The assistants to our auctioneers Lyn Gladney and Rick Reiners didn’t go unnoticed, and we are thankful for their efforts. 

The auction cashiers Leslie Perrin, Carmen Carter and our tireless treasurer, Adrienne Hartsock, did a great job keeping pace with the brisk sales. 

The Basket of Cheer crew Shannon Curry, Debbie Mallernee and Janelle Masden put together the delectable festive baskets of cheer.  Their enthusiatic efforts made this a great success with the grand help of Phyllis Bruscato, who took charge of minding the baskets and ticket sales on the big day.  Many thanks to her for her endless efforts. 

Nancy Dixon, the mastermind behind the Cake & Coffee booth, set up the details for Sandy & Armella Sandona and Barbara Bowen, who were ever so sweet to sell the goodies. 

Kudos again to Barbara Richmond and the Sacks Thrift Avenue Crew for their effervescent efforts in being the spunkiest sales people ever!  T

rash & Treasures was beautifully hosted by Lanea Primeaux, Linda Gruenfeld, Karen Allayaud, Tom McGinn, Deedy Finney, Nancy Pomiechowski and a host of others, we’ve got nothing but praise for you.  The boxes were overflowing and so was your patience.  So much so that a furniture gallery spilled out and Celia Collins became the "Let em have it” gal! 

Jewelry was sold by the best, Mary Lou Benson returning with newbies Falon Martinez and Debbie Mallernee, all of whom sparkled like their treasures! 

John Hartsock, Adrienne Hartsock, Lyn Gladney and Celia Collins deserve a mountain of thanks for the books they peddled along with the end-of-the-day "bag of books for a dollar" girl!  The stack was as big as Monkey Hill! 

The Plant Booth with its many wonderful donations was manned by the dynamic duo, Roland and Craig Schexnayder, who did a vine- climbing spectacular job.  Jeff & Celia Collins make the set up and break down look so effortless, but we all know what a hand they deserve. 

The “delivery and collection” crew including  Chuck Ransdell, who collected all year long, Steve Mallernee, Tom McGinn, Roland & Craig Shexnayder all worked hard, thank you. 

And at the end of the day, what would it be without the hospitality of Bob & Samantha McRaney who opened their home, fed the hungry and sated the thirsty volunteers. You are the best! We sincerely thank everyone who participated, no matter how little or much, you make this worth doing!

Sam Poché
Leslie Perrin

Clothing Committee Report

Clothes and more clothes -- overwhelming is an understatement. Two days before the sale we sorted and sorted box after box, bag after bag.  It was a beautiful day and we set up in Nina Tyler's carriageway and garden.  The garden was decorated for a wedding reception. That and champagne, sandwiches and cake in honor of Lynette Stilwell's birthday made the back-breaking work some fun.  On the day of the sale, Joe Wilkins, our faithful cashier, helped us set up, along with Raynette Baca and Sue Meyer. The clothing sales were successful, in fact the best ever, thanks to the Sacks Thrift Avenue Pearl Girls Committee: Barbara Richmond, Lynette Stilwell, Nina Tyler, Dee Lynott, Beth Mazur, Mary Adele Baus, and, joining us this year, Dee's sister Pat from Florida (a real worker bee), Fran Twiford and Diane Smith.  The teamwork was remarkable. We felt it was a job well done.

Barbara Richmond

Holiday Brunch

I do believe a GOOD time was had by all! With a record attendance of 144, great food and spirits, perfect weather and a band that played overtime, how could you not have a good time! All this was possible because of our wonderful committee: Celia Collins, Nancy Dixon, Bob Richmond, Frances Salvaggio and Lynette Stilwell. Thanks guys, you’re the Best!

The donations to the Fire Station were very generous. Thank you one and all for really digging down into those pockets. We’ll be presenting a check to the Captain at the next General Meeting on January 3, 2007.

Most of all, Barbara and I want to thank you, Patio Planters Members and Friends, for a wonderful 60th celebration over the Holidays. You make it fun.

Adrienne Hartsock
Barbara Richmond

Holiday Decorations Judging

On a foggy, foggy night in the old French Quarter, Jeff Collins, Paula Chavis, Mary Ellen Wade, Marlene Kauppinen, Barbara & Bob Richmond, Carmen Carter, Dale Rathke and Adrienne Hartsock boarded a mini-bus and away we went. The first highlight was being invited to the Jax Brewery home of Earl Weber -- his penthouse was beautifully decorated with three or four trees, lots of lights, etc.  Then we went through the Quarter, laughing all the way, accompanied by a couple of drinks and a safe driver.  Barb Bowen opened her home and cooked a delicious pasta dinner and two kinds of soup for us.  Over dinner we voted on the decorations in a rather loud, raucous melee. We really missed Sam Poché and Leslie Perrin, who were both out ill, and here Leslie had planned and arranged all of this.  Thanks for the hard work, Leslie. And Barb Bowen, you are a jewel!

Barbara Richmond

And here are the winners ...

• Best Balcony: 1015 Burgundy: Debbie & Steve Mallernee
• Best Commercial: 901 Bourbon : Cafe Lafitte in Exile
• Best Hotel: 300 Bourbon: Royal Sonesta Hotel
• Best: Door or Window: 1300 Chartres: Levy Easterly & Lakin Demos
• Best Overall: 620 Decatur: Michelle & Earl Weber

Holiday Home Tour

The Holiday Home Tour was a great success. Thanks to Shannon Curry, Tony Marino, Blake Miller, Monsignor Kern, Margaret Hay and George & Josie Markey for opening their beautifully decorated homes for the event.

Of course none of this would be possible without the generous help of volunteers who took time from their busy schedules to man the featured properties. A special thanks goes to Sidney Ray of Relief Spark who gave up a crucial day of home gutting to donated her volunteers (students from Portland, Oregon) who stepped up to the plate for this cause. I think the tour helped to put everyone in the holiday spirit and demonstrate to tourgoers that the French Quarter is back on track.

Carmen Carter

Caroling by Candlelight in Jackson Square

Another year.....a new set of problems.....fantastic teamwork, and another resounding success for our Caroling in Jackson Square. The 60th annual Caroling was attended by nearly 7000 people under ideal weather conditions. 

Several milestones occurred during this event which made this year’s caroling very special. First was an impromptu celebration of our Archbishops’ tenure in their ministry. Archbishops Schulte and Hughes have been bishops for 25 years each while Archbishop Hannon has served for 50 years!

The second milestone was an appearance by Mayor Nagin, who was most gracious and also very appreciative of Patio Planters’ program.

The third milestone was a change of our songleading corps and the inclusion of the first new carol in my 25 years with the caroling. I want to thank Shirl Cieutat, Joe Hoppe and Ren? Toups for 30 years of leading the caroling with perfect timing and aplomb. However, this year we had three new players who, along with Shirl, kept everyone in tune and in unison. Jim Walpole (on keyboard), Bob Edes, and Amy Alvarez did a wonderful job with all the old standards and introduced Feliz Navidad into our repertoire of Christmas carols. Did you know that Feliz Navidad and White Christmas are the two most often played songs during Christmas? 

The stage was very festive thanks to Adrienne Hartsock, Marlene Kauppinen, Bob Richmond, and Jeff Collins.

Did you notice that we had a new sponsor this year? Tide detergent came on board and helped by cleaning up the Square after the event. If you recall, last year Patio Planters had to assume responsibility for pressure washing the sidewalks, which was a very cold, wet Monday affair. Thanks Tide!!

Thanks to LaBorde Printing, our songsheets have taken on a new format which allows more space for new songs and a few pages for advertising and thanking those who have helped Patio Planters throughout the year. Once again, I want to thank Royal Productions for their superior audio production which gives nearly perfect coverage of the square year after year.

Finally, I’d like to thank Parks and Parkways, Janice Black, and Tony who have kept the Square looking beautiful in spite of budget and staffing cuts.  Miracles do happen and, yes Virginia, there is a Santa Claus.  Happy New Year!

John Hartsock

My Favorite Plant

By Leslie Perrin

This time of year what would our homes be like without the ever glowing beauty of a decorated Christmas tree. The day after Thanksgiving my husband hurried out to do his honorary job of selecting the perfect Christmas tree. I always chime in before he departs, “not so fat, we don’t have the space.”  Well, he did come home with the most beautiful Balsam Fir.  It stood 10 feet tall and was as full as any tree I had ever seen. That night our usual get together for the Christmas tree decorating took place with friends and family. The smell of the fresh cut tree was glorious, along with the many pine cones that were still perfectly in tact. About two weeks before Christmas I walked into the living room to light the tree and noticed tiny buds all over the Balsam Fir from top to bottom. Some buds were covered with a paper thin husk like a popped corn kernel. Others were a vibrant fluorescent green with the husk starting to flake off. The Christmas tree was growing. I called out to my family with excitement. Everyone who has been to our home has been amazed to see the “touched by an Angel” tree. We call it the miracle tree because no one has ever witnessed such a thing. Not my 80 year old Mother, not my 58 year old landscape architect cousin, not my neighbor Roy Guste, not my sisters, not any of our friends or passers-by who peer through our French doors at the beautiful Christmas tree. McDonogh 15 principal, Gary Robichaux, asked if we wanted to plant it in the school yard to see if it will continue to grow. We may just take him up on that! If you make it to the next Patio Planters meeting, perhaps you would like to stroll by after and take a look for yourself! It is truly amazing.