Party Girl

Party Girl

by Jill Norman LeBlanc

Anniversaries are cause for celebrations in Acadiana, especially when it comes to our locally owned businesses. Applause goes to Golfballs.com, is celebrating 10 years in the online golf business this year! Founder and CEO Tom Cox has come a long way, starting out selling used golf balls plucked from the lakes of south Louisiana and finally expanding to a full-line pro shop (on Arnould Boulevard) that offers personalized and custom golf balls. Yes, Party Girl can order golf balls with her name on them and have them delivered to her pink front door, with just a click of a button on Golfballs.com's Web site. But y'all have to stop by the shop for the ultimate golf experience ' practice cages, putting greens and flat-screen TVs. The Chamber's April Business After Hours invited everyone to check out Tom and his staff's accomplishments and congratulate them on turning 10. Here's to 10 more years, Tom (raise glass here)!

And here's to United Way for its annual Awards Banquet at the Hilton Lafayette. United Way celebrated a remarkable year, honoring givers and volunteers who rose to the challenge after the hurricanes. Party Girl was so proud to hear all the amazing stories about the way this community came together to help victims of hurricanes Katrina and Rita. For the first time in its history, United Way recognized two local churches, The Family Church and Progressive Baptist Church, with the prestigious Cornerstone Award and Community Partner Award, respectively. And the Outstanding Community Partner Award went to FoodNet for its collaborative efforts in donating food and service. Event emcee Dee Stanley, joined by his wife Blue Rolfes, kept the crowd entertained through dinner. The big joke was that Joey Durel sent him a Blackberry message from across the room that said the dessert ' Strawberry Napoleon ' was terrific!

Speaking of food, crawfish always inspires celebrations, and George Crain's birthday falls in the peak of crawfish season each year. The result is the best back yard mudbugs and a great blend of folks for mixing and mingling. His wife Merilyn had their country garden in Vermilion Parish in beautiful spring flower. Guests started to gather as a glowing sunset lit up the western sky. Among them were Richard and Kathy Broussard, Mike and Melanie McKenzie, Ronnie Foreman, Mickey and Melinda Mangham, George's daughter Carolyn and son Creighton and many more friends.

Stay tuned for a full Festival International recap, coming soon!

Party On! ' PG