Party Girl

Party Girl

by Jill Norman LeBlanc

It takes a village to raise a child, and it takes all of us to raise money ' so why not raise the roof as well? Last week, Prevent Child Abuse Louisiana held its annual fund-raiser, The Night of the Child, at the Oakbourne Country Club. The celebration commenced with great enthusiasm this year, and everyone looked spiffy in cocktail attire as they mingled with other guests. Some guests were Russell and Charlotte Cryer, Kenneth St Pe' , and Bryan and Marlo Touchet, to name a few. I also had the honor of meeting some really cool gals with the Kappa Delta Sorority. (Great job volunteering, girls ' you were all very helpful.) I browsed the aisles of silent auction items adjacent to the dance floor, then couldn't resist anymore and joined the rest of the patrons getting into the grooves of the Andy Smith Band. This is one Night that's too important and too much fun to only be held once a year.

The Ladies of LITE chose Lafayette Townhouse for an elegant engagement dinner honoring Carolina Cruz-Neira, the center's executive director and chief scientist. You know about LITE ' that's short for The Louisiana Immersive Technologies Enterprise, and it's located in the way-cool building on Cajundome Boulevard with the giant glass egg that changes colors at night. (You should see what it does inside!) Anyway, the theme of the party was the light of love (appropriately enough), and each guest brought a candle for Carolina and Dirk's new home. After a fabulous dinner, featuring filet mignon medallions with port wine demi-glace and white chocolate bread pudding (Carolina's favorite), the bride-to-be opened gifts with the help of her mother Maria and shared the poem or quote that accompanied each. Laurie Dieck, Linda Thurman, Mary Broussard, Margaret Watson, Kris Anticzak, Stephanie Benoit and Patti Ward were among those lighting the way to a new life together for the betrothed.

Joe Moseley and Roy Hollard are Lafayette's two newest ladies' men but before you let your imagination run wild, let Party Girl explain. The fashionable gentlemen just celebrated the grand opening of their fabulous new store for women, and what a way to show it off. It's right next door to their men's store, which has only been open for a year. Don't these guys ever rest? Their Camellia Boulevard neighbor Julie Wimmer shared in the evening of food and drink, welcoming guests into her glittering store, and across the way, Paul's Jewelry and Le Marché hosted receptions too. Party Girl couldn't have been happier. This time of year, the only thing better than a party hop is a party shop. I raise my glass to you!

Party On! ' PG