Winter 2011

W i n t e r 2 0 11

“Every great city needs a great park that needs great friends!”

Lark in the Park’s

30th Anniversary!

“Lark Makes A Grand Entrance” Our premier fundraiser, Lark in the Park, celebrates its 30th anniversary on March 2, 2012, and it’s sure to be a spectacular soiree. Lark organizers gathered in the shade of the Genevieve Trimble historic oak tree to announce this year’s theme “Lark Makes a Grand Entrance.” Here they are

displaying a rendering of the new entrance to Storyland and the Botanical Gardens which will be made possible by the proceeds from the event. Pictured from left to right are Lark in the Park chairpersons: Juli Miller Hart and Gayle Benson, Honorary Chair Gen Trimble and Margo DuBos.

Dessa Rutter Giffin, President Friends of City Park

President’s Message Dear Friends, The Happiest of Holidays to All!!

Thank you for your ongoing support of City Park and the Friends of City Park. Because of you, our members, the Friends’ fall events were unbelievably successful! The 8th annual Martini Madness on September 16th was off- thecharts terrific. Fun, food, music and, of course, martinis were enjoyed by all with record attendance. A huge thank you to a fantastic job by our chairmen, Ginger Logan Smith and Courtney Sutton and honorary chairman, past Friends’ President and Martini Madness founder, Andrea LeGrand.

Ghosts in the Oaks held its first ever double hitter with great fun had by all. Both nights were a hit with children, parents and grandparents who came to the Carousel Gardens and Storyland for a night of Halloween treats, crafts, rides and fun. Thanks to Jeanie Favret, Lana Lovick and Jeanne Coco, chairmen of Friends’ traditional, non-scary Halloween Party. A special shout-out to the volunteers from Xavier and Academy of the Sacred Heart!

We couldn’t have done it without you!!

The 2011 Friends of City Park ornament featuring the Three Little Pigs exhibit in Storyland is so popular! Friends also has a limited number of the 2 • Friends of City Park • Winter 2011

2009, 2010 and 2011 ornaments available for sale in a boxed gift set. Call the Friends’ office at 504-483-9376 for purchase information or order online at www.friendsofcitypark.com .

Please mark Friday, March 2, 2012 on your calendar for the 30th anniversary of Friends’ premiere event Lark in the Park.

With the theme “Lark Makes A Grand Entrance”, it promises great food, music, dancing and an exciting live auction. Lark 2012 chairs Gayle Benson, Margo DuBos and Juli Miller-Hart are creating an unforgettable 30th anniversary tribute! Lark 2012 funds are dedicated to creating a new entrance to Storyland and the Botanical Garden enabling more children and adults to participate in and enjoy the park’s many unique programs.

The Friends would also like to recognize Betty Bagert, a former board member and longtime City Park volunteer who was recently recognized by St. Elizabeth’s Guild as a Hall of Fame Volunteer Activist at its annual St. Elizabeth’s Guild Luncheon.

Congratulations, Betty! A number of other 2011 Volunteer Activists had connections to Friends of City Park!

On a somber note, the Friends regrets the recent passing of Harry J. Batt, Jr. and sends condolences to his family. The Batt family was extremely instrumental in the creation of Storyland more than 50 years ago. Mr. Batt and his family certainly left a legacy to the City of New Orleans and City Park.

Thank you again to all the Friends’ members and a special thanks to the Friends’ board and staff for the time, dedication and hard work it takes to make these events successful. Friends of City Park has had another banner year!

Hope to see you at Celebration in the Oaks and upcoming events.

1 Palm Drive New Orleans, LA 70124 504-483-9376

2 0 11 Friends of City Park Board of Directors OFFICERS P re s i d e n t Dessa Rutter Giffin P re s i d e n t - e l e c t Mary Johnson Tr e a s u r e r Peggy McCranie C o - Tr e a s u r e r Jackie Palumbo

Happy Holidays!

R e c o rd i n g S e c re t a r y Kathi Zimmerman I m m e d i a t e P a s t P re s i d e n t Debbie Perrone

Dessa Giffin, President Friends of City Park

Board Members Lisette Bayle Joey Marcotte Brown Karen DeBlieux Jeanie Favret Leila Sutherlin Gamard

Trim Your Tree and Help FOCP

Barbara Hammett Suzette Herpich

New

Nina Killeen Janet Larue Lana Lovick Lucille McDonnell Ron O’Rorke Mary Hassinger Schmidt Ginger Logan Smith Editor Lisette Bayle E x e c u t i v e D i re c t o r Rodney Thoulion

Friends of City Park is continuing its collectible Storyland Series of Christmas ornaments this year!

The Three Little Pigs (2011) join the beloved Storyland Whale (2010) and Storyland Castle (2009). Each whimsical ornament is a likeness of a popular attraction in Storyland that has delighted children of all ages for generations. Each ornament may be purchased separately for $10 each or in a boxed set for $25, wrapped

and ready to give as a holiday present. It’s a great gift for baby’s first Christmas or for any New Orleanian who is crazy about Storyland. Purchase online at www.friendsofcitypark.com/shop or available at the Botanical Garden Gift Shop, the Parkview Café gift shop or any Earthsavers location.

M e m b e r s h i p C o o rd i n a t o r Casie Duplechain Special Events / Marketing C o o rd i n a t o r Susan Hudlow Accountant Michelle Barkemeyer

Follow Friends of City Park on

Remember the Cajun Village?

Celebration in the Oaks celebrates 25 years this year.

Former Orleans Parish Sheriff Charles Foti created the Cajun Village and provided many hours of service to the park. Did you know Friends of City Park began this phenomenal fundraiser which today is the park’s single largest fundraiser?

Volunteers from the National Garden Clubs, Inc. worked countless hours to prepare the Botanical Garden for the 25th anniversary of Celebration in the Oaks.

Join Us for the 25th Anniversary of

Celebration in the Oaks The Nation’s most unique month-long festival of lights, Celebration in the Oaks 2011, takes place November 25, 2011 January 1, 2012. Highlights of this year’s event include:

Give the Gift of Membership Give the gift that keeps on giving!

Looking to stand out with a gift that everyone can enjoy?

This holiday season give the gift of a Friends of City Park Membership. A membership is a great gift idea that is fun, affordable, and educational – the perfect gift for friends and family to share quality time together.

By giving a membership, it will also help continue to provide funding for capital improvements within New Orleans’ historic City Park, rated in Travel & Leisure’s April 2011 edition as one of the top 12 “America’s Coolest City Parks.”

Not only do members have unlimited admission to Celebration in the Oaks, The Botanical Garden, including the Train Garden, Fall & Spring Garden Shows, Storyland,

and the Carousel Gardens Amusement Park, but they also receive discounts on boat rentals at Big Lake, riding lessons at Equest Farms, and other activities within the park. A gift that truly keeps on giving all year round, share your love for nature and give a membership today!

For more information and to purchase a membership, go to www.friendsofcitypark.com or call 504-483-9376. We at Friends of City Park greatly appreciate your continued support of our majestic park.

Event Highlights: • “Dripping Snow” Oaks in the Botanical Garden • New “BUGGIN’ OUT” exhibit in the Garden’s new shade path • Life-sized nativity scene located in the Garden’s Lath House • Live poinsettia tree and new “WHO DAT” tree in the conservatory • Animated laser show on the Goldring/Woldenberg Great Lawn • Cajun Night Before Christmas display • Two-mile train route spectacularly lit • Nightly entertainment by local schools and community groups • Trees decorated by schools and organizations • Amusement rides, full-service café areas and so much more Holiday Dates: November 25, 2011 thru January 1, 2012, Weekend only November 25, 26, 27, 2011; Open nightly December 2, thru January 1; Closed December 24 and December 31; Open Christmas Night Holiday Hours: Sunday thru Thursday: 6-10 p.m., Friday-Saturday: 6-11 p.m.

Admission: $7 per person, (Children under three are free) Friends members get in free.

Tickets may be purchased in advance at www.celebrationintheoaks.com For additional information contact Celebration in the Oaks at 504-483-9415.

Winter 2011 • Friends of City Park • 3

2 0 11 N e w O r l e a n s C i t y P a r k Improvement Association OFFICERS P re s i d e n t

Robert E.S. Lupo

Bob Becker, CEO

Vi c e P r e s i d e n t

Wi l l i a m H o ff m a n Vi c e P r e s i d e n t

Susan Hess Vi c e P r e s i d e n t

Edmund Schrenk S e c re t a r y

Laura Claverie Tr e a s u r e r

Karen DeBlieux

Board of Commissioners Steven Bingler Susan Brennan Jane S. Brooks Johanna Brown Edgar Chase Jacquelyn Clarkson Laura M. Claverie Karen DeBlieux S. Stewart Farnet Thomas G. Fierke Dessa R. Giffin Susan Guidry Ben Hales Susan O. Hess Wi l l i a m D . H o f f m a n Larry Katz Errol Laborde Ti m L a F r a n c a Andrea LeGrand Robert Edward Smith Lupo Paul J. Masinter Marjorie McKeithen Joseph Pappalardo David B. Payton Steven Pettus Mark C. Romig Julie Sardie Gerard L Schoen, III Edmund Schrenk Jacqueline Shreves Ronnie Stone R i t a Ve s i c h

Letter from the CEO In early October we began preparation for our new miniature golf course project on Victory opposite Storyland. We demolished a parking lot and prepared the site for the main construction contract which should come at the first of the year. The complex will contain two 18 hole miniature golf courses and an entrance building which will hold ticketing, bathrooms, and two party rooms. This project is being constructed through a major fund raising effort which includes contributions from the Friends.

If you would like to contribute to this wonderful project, call our Development Department at 504-483-9360. We hope to open the complex in late 2012.

Also in October, the Park took bids to construct our Festival and Recreation Complex which will contain a longer and wider jogging and bicycle path than our current path at the Big Lake, plus four soccer fields, a large shelter house capable of holding large picnics and family reunions as well as improved drainage and landscaping. This project is located between Frederichs and the RR tracks and Wisner and Golf Drive (the area behind Christian Bros. School which was once part of the old South Golf Course). The winning bidder was Cobalt Construction which did a fine job building the Goldring/Woldenberg Great Lawn.

This project will complete another phase of repurposing the golf course and add much desired recreation facilities as well as allow us to accommodate festivals of various sizes.

Finally we opened the new Arbor Room at Popp Fountain, which replaced our former

reception facility which was destroyed in the Hurricane. It is a lovely facility for weddings, lunches, corporate events or other activities. We expect that this facility will complement the new tennis center, Dog Park and other improvements along the north side of I-610, and, more importantly should generate much needed operating revenue for the Park.

If you are interested in seeing the facility or booking an event, please call our sales office at 504-488-2896. Many thanks to the Friends for their significant contribution to the project.

I hope everyone enjoys this year’s version of Celebration in the Oaks which promises to be even more exciting than in years past. Come and support the Park by spending part of your holiday season with us!

Robert W. Becker Ph.D. Chief Executive Officer City Park

Michael J. Marsiglia Past President/Ex Officio

David Edwards Representing Botanical Garden Foundation Chief Executive Officer

R o b e r t W. B e c k e r , P h . D .

E x e c u t i v e D i re c t o r

Beau L. Bassich Chief Operating Officer

R o b e r t D e Vi n e y Chief Development Officer

John Hopper Chief Administrative Officer

George Parker C o n t ro l l e r

Kevin Cox 4 • Friends of City Park • Winter 2011

Lark in the Park 2012’s Capital One Check Presentation Gathered to officially accept and celebrate Capital One’s generous commitment to Friends of City Park’s Lark in the Park 2012 and Celebration in the Oaks are from left to right: Lark Chairs Juli Miller Hart and Gayle Benson; Paul Soniat, Director of the Botanical Garden; Capital One Senior Vice-President Karen DeBlieux; and Lark Chair Margo DuBos. Karen DeBlieux wears several hats as treasurer of the Board of Commissioners of City Park

Improvement Association and as a board member of Friends of City Park. Capital One is a loyal, longtime supporter of City Park’s Celebration in the Oaks and Friends of City Park’s Lark in the Park.

Lark in the Park on Friday, March 2, 2012, will raise funds for a new entrance to Storyland and the Botanical Garden. Located across from the Goldring/Woldenberg Great Lawn, the new entrance will enable more children and adults to participate in and enjoy the park’s many unique programs.

Martini Madness Merriment Cheers to Ginger Logan Smith and Courtney Sutton, co-chairs of the 8th Annual Martini Madness and Andrea Legrand, honorary chair and the awesome Martini Madness committee for putting on the largest and most successful martini event to date!

Republic National Distributing Company provided more than 30 specialty martini stations, and 20 local restaurants offered a wide variety of exquisite eats! Mod Dance Party provided a wonderful martini lounge atmosphere and Big Easy Photo Booths was on hand to commemorate the evening with fun photos.

Many thanks to everyone who supported the 8th Annual Martini Madness event. Held on September 16, 2011 at the Pavilion of Two Sisters and Botanical Gardens, proceeds from the event will support the continued renovation and landscaping of the Popp Fountain area.

A huge thank you to our sponsor, Republic National Distributing Company and the following restaurant sponsors: Langenstein’s Chateau du Lac Chick-Fil-A Lakeside Shopping Center Muriel’s Jackson Square Nonna Mia Café & Pizzeria Creole Creamery Parkway Bakery Creole Delicacies Phil’s Grill Crescent City Steakhouse Pinkberry Dot’s Diner Ralph’s on the Park East of Italy The Store Elizabeth’s Restaurant Theo’s Neighborhood Pizza Flavor Box Catering Three Muses La Thai Uptown Mark your calendars and join us next year, September 21, 2012, when Martini Madness will move to the Arbor Room at Popp Fountain.

We Are Thankful for Our Volunteers The Fall Garden Show in the Botanical Gardens would not have been nearly as successful without the help of these wonderful volunteers: Holly Barrosse, Joyce Barrosse, Susan Broussard and Scott Umberger from Capital One, Dessa Rutter Giffin, Mary Johnson, Nina Killeen, Jane Landry, Lana Lovick, Peggy McCranie, Brenda Melancon, Rita Nelson, Jackie Palumbo, Jackie Shreves, and Kathi Zimmerman.

Joanie Bro wne, Ellen Logan, John Guste and Courtne y Guste

Martini Madness Co-Chairs: Will Smith, Ginger Logan Smith, Courtney Sutton and Brett Sutton Andrea Legrand, Honorary Chair, Fred Holley. Republic Distributing Co., and Dessa Rutter Giffin, FOCP President

Magic in the Moonlight 2011 The 2nd annual Magic in the Moonlight, an Al Fresco Dining Fete, to benefit the New Orleans Botanical Garden was once again a sell-out success! Held in mid-October, the menu was prepared by Chef Aaron Burgau of Patois, Chef Justin Devillier of La Petite Grocery and Chef Tariq Hanna of Sucre. Guests enjoyed music by Julio and Cesar and a live auction.

Enjoying Magic in the Moonlight Winter 2011 • Friends of City Park • 5

Save the Date! Lark in the Park: March 2, 2012

City Park Plants 111 Trees on 11-11-11 in Couturie Forest As a tribute to veterans, volunteers and contractors planted 111 trees on 11-11-11. One specimen tree measuring 11 feet 11 inches was planted at 11:11 a.m. Eleven different species of trees were planted including bald cypress, live oak, hickory, pecan, and sweet bay magnolia. Veterans were present for the specimen tree planting at 11:11 a.m.

Also tipping their hat to veterans were young girls from Academy of the Sacred Heart who helped mulch around the trees once they were planted.

Couturie Forest is on Harrison Avenue between Marconi and the Traffic Circle.

New entrance to Storyland and the Botanical Garden

2012 Lark in the Park’s Honorary Chair Genevieve M. Trimble, affectionately known as “Gen”, is past president of the New Orleans Botanical Garden Foundation in City Park. For more than 25 years, she has spearheaded fundraising for development of the Botanical Garden as well as the building of the Pavilion of the Two Sisters and the Conservatory of Two Sisters.

For her efforts in gardening and preservation, she has received numerous awards.

In 1990, she received the Preservationist Alliance for her work at City Park and at Afton Villa, the 19th century garden in St. Francisville which she owns and restored Genevieve “Gen” Trimble is with her late husband, Morrell F. Trimble. honorary chair of the 30th In 2003, she received the Foundation for anniversary of Lark in the Park.

Historical Louisiana’s award for historic preservation. She is also the recipient of the National Achievement Medal awarded by the Garden Club of America. Gen is also a member of the Garden Study Club of New Orleans.

It is fitting that Gen serve as honorary chair for the 30th anniversary of Lark in the Park. Lark 2012 funds are dedicated to creating a new entrance to Storyland and the Botanical Garden enabling more children and adults to participate in and enjoy the park’s many unique programs.

President’s Advisory Committee

Wrapping up a meeting, L-R Cheryl Cabes, Susan Couvillon, Executive Director Rodney Thoulion, Irene Lutkewitte and Jackie Shreves. The President’s Advisory Committee is a welcome addition to the Friends of City Park.

6 • Friends of City Park • Winter 2011

Ghosts in the Oaks was Twice as Much Fun This Year!

Ghosts in the Oaks

Was Spooktacular!

Due to the increased popularity of Ghosts in the Oaks, Friends of City Park was proud to offer our popular family-friendly Halloween event for two nights this year.

On Friday, October 21 and Saturday, October 22, families filled both Carousel Gardens Amusement Park and Storyland for unlimited rides, air-brush face painting, music, games, arts and crafts, a pumpkin patch and trick-or-treating in Storyland. Children of all ages enjoyed magical entertainment at Cinderella’s castle courtesy of Carmen Rose and the Storyland Players.

Thank you to committee co-chairs Jeanie Favret, Lana Lovick and Jeanne Prudhomme Coco for creating such a spooktacular event!

Proceeds from Ghosts in the Oaks support improvements in both Carousel Gardens and Storyland.

Xavier Gir ls Volunteer for Ghosts

Ghosts in th e Oaks Cha ir Jeanne C oco

Thanks also to our fabulous FOCP volunteers Carolyn Constance, Sherry Constance, Erin DiZinno, Terry Durel, Mary Johnson, Jan Lugenbuhl, Terry Marshall, Toni Murphy, Brenda Nolan and Adrienne Steen as well as students from the Academy of the Sacred Heart and Xavier University.

Mark your calendars for next year’s Ghosts in the Oaks on Friday, October 19 and Saturday, October 20, 2012. ily ne and fam Pat Burgoy

Special Events Chairs Jeanie Favret and Lana Lovick Winter 2011 • Friends of City Park • 7

“Every great city needs a great park that needs great friends!”

1 Palm Drive New Orleans, LA 70124 504-483-9376

NON-PROFIT ORGANIZATION U.S. POSTAGE PAID NEW ORLEANS, LA Permit No. 572

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Mark Your Calendar Nov. 25, 2011 - Jan. 1, 2012

Celebration in the Oaks March 2, 2012

Lark in the Park

One of the highlights of Celebration in the Oaks over the past 25 years has been the decorated Christmas trees by schools around the metro area.

Over 100 trees adorn the pathways making for a festive winter wonderland. Visit Celebration in the Oaks nightly beginning December 2, 2011 – January 1, 2012. Remember to use your Friends’ membership to get in free.