Summer fun continues, mes amis! A sure bet to kick off the season is always the Kentucky Derby. Louisville-bound for the 132nd "run for the roses" were Kenny and Dawn Clark. Dawn says the Derby was on her "wanna do" list and was also a birthday present from Kenny. The couple stayed at the historic Gate House, which has a long history of catering to derby-goers and celebrities. The parties were nonstop in the days leading up to the event (music to Party Girl's ears) and complete with plenty of Mint Juleps. Yummy! "It was grander than I ever imagined, an unforgettable experience," Dawn concludes.
Speaking of grand events, the annual DAR George Washington Ball at the Petroleum Club honored seven debutantes and eight young patriots. Beautiful debutantes included Audrey Elizabeth Billeaud, Margaret Lynette Crosby, Caitlin Michelle Haskell, Blanche Vest Hill, Andrea Claire Pinac, Elizabeth Ann Thomas and Sara Virginia Yongue. Decked out in white dresses, the ladies were stunning and had a wonderful time with all their classmates who turned out to congratulate them. Meanwhile, young patriots presented included Michael Thomas Amy, Jeffrey Damase Bye, Matthew Roy Coady, Ross Paul Eason, Stephen Theodore Hundley, Kyle Alexander Jones, Carmel Leo McElyea IV and William Parkerson Mills IV. The guys cleaned up well, too! Following the presentation was the traditional cutting of the ceremonial George Washington birthday cake. Rose Mary Hagood and compatriot James Henry Grace did the honors with commemorative swords.
A little less formal was a recent boating outing down the Bayou Teche. It was smooth sailing on the Beau Rêve River Yacht at the Acadian Memorial Festival, as patrons took a lazy afternoon cruise down the bayou on Ray Pellerin's boat. Riders departed from New Iberia's Bouligny Plaza dock and headed to St. Martinville. Ray Trahan prepared the meal, with wine for sipping from Marcello's. It doesn't get much better than that!
Party On! ' PG