The Robinson Mansion, also known by other names, including the Walter Grinnan Robinson House and the Robinson-Jordan House, is one of the Garden District’s most observed antebellum landmarks. It commands attention, thanks to its lower Doric and upper Corinthian columns, wraparound galleries, and blend of Greek Revival and Italianate architectural styles. A number of owners have succeeded Robinson and have opened the house to entertain friends and family, and even the community. Needless to say, the mansion has attracted the film industry. On a recent Thursday evening, it housed the Bienville Circle of The Historic New Orleans Collection for a dinner. Holding out the welcoming hands were the home’s owners, Jennifer and Dennis Lauscha. A watercolor of the mansion graced the invitation that requested “cocktail attire.”
The dinner honored the Bienville Circle’s sponsorship of the Collection’s exhibition, “Mystery and Benevolence: Masonic and Odd Fellows Folk Art.” Curated by the American Folk Art Museum, the traveling exhibition, recently on view at the HNOC for three months, recalled the golden age of American secret societies, with a particular focus on the Freemasons and the Independent Order of Odd Fellows. Among the special features of the gala dinner were the jewel-toned floral arrangements by Arbor House, the music-making of the Levee Jazz Trio and the purveyance by Ralph Brennan Catering & Events. In addition to the passed appetizers, there were a number of buffet stations, such as those for seafood, pasta, beef, fish (including redfish) and dessert. The latter attraction was bananas Foster.
Guests were invited for 6:30 and remarks occurred 45 minutes later, led off by Bienville Circle Chair Lisa Wilson, HNOC President and CEO Daniel Hammer and board president Bonnie Boyd, and host Dennis Lauscha, president of the Saints and the Pelicans. Among those assembled, and socializing under the home’s 16-foot ceilings, were the above teams’ owner Gayle Benson, and John Boyd, Peter Wilson and Klara Hammer with spouses Bonnie, Lisa, and Daniel. Also, Walt Leger Jr. and Kathie, Mimi and Claude Schlesinger (former at-home hosts, as were others, for the Circle dinner), Louellen and Darryl Berger, Amanda and Ryan Berger, Kenya and Tod Smith, Julie and Drew Jardine, Amy and Chuck Lapeyre, Barbara and Edwin Beckman (both answer to doctor), Richard Dragisic and William Brockschmidt, Christine and Price LeBlanc, and Shelly and Guy Winstead.
The Bienville Circle is the highest donor category of the French Quarter-located Historic New Orleans Collection, which is a museum, research center, and publisher. Founded in 1966, it is dedicated to the stewardship of the history and culture of the Crescent City and the Gulf Coast. Celebrating 75 years of Cavaliers, De La Salle High School held its on-campus Signum Fidei Dinner complete with accolades and spirit. Guests first assembled for the cocktail reception within the entrance of the St. Charles Avenue school, where the signature Cavalier red was found as a covering on the welcome table and in the floral bouquets centering the cocktail-height tables. Plump, deep red roses, with bits of white flowers, were placed in clear glass vases tied with gauzy silver ribbons. The De La Salle String Orchestra performed during the reception.
Elsewhere within the school, a poster figured prominently with the scripting “Welcome to the Signum Fidei Dinner honoring Herbert W. Anderson Jr., Class of 1976.” Family members and friends joined him. Everyone sat at tables covered with white linens and larger bouquets of red roses in “silver” Revere bowls. Part of the dinner was pre-set. A Caesar salad started the meal that segued into a second course of beef medallions and crab cakes, and concluded with chocolate mousse and fresh fruit. Dickie Brennan & Co. Catering fed the SF flock with chef Matt Diunizio doing the preparation. School president Paul Kelly, ’83, gave the initial welcome, followed by the prayer of the Rev. Jeffrey A. Merritt. Then came the Signum Fidei Award presentation to Herbert Anderson. President Kelly and Father Merritt had concluding words. Special thanks tapped sponsor Gulf Coast Bank & Trust Company.
Noted within the appreciative audience were Brother Gale Condit, FSC, Brendan and Emily Anderson Chambon, Don Stout, Tommy Eppling, Robert Mineo, Paul Flower, Christopher and Alison Michel, George Young, the Gordon Stewarts, Dr. and Mrs. Myles Seghers, Pierre Villere and many others who showed “Signum” support. As they have done for years, Dr. Marc Behar and Jeff Sbisa hosted the awards reception given by Covenant House. It was held in their Jackson Avenue home, which has a plaque on the outer gate placed by the Garden District Association for the Francis Martin House. A.D. Strafford constructed the Italianate home in 1887 for Ontario native Martin. It stayed in the Martin family until 1945 and, in 2006 (after further ownerships), was purchased by Behar and Sbisa. The home retains many of its original features.
Drinks and heavy hors d’oeuvres were the immediate attractions as guests milled about, many admiring the home’s art. Approximately at 7 p.m., the program started with welcoming words by Rheneisha Robertson, CH executive director. She stood on the side porch, overlooking the swimming pool area. Attendees were seated or standing for the program in near proximity. Two significant awards were given. The first was the 2024 Comer Award for Service, which went to the Section of Adolescent Medicine Department of Pediatrics, Tulane University. Eddie Bonin and Dr. Julie Finger stepped forward. The next accolade was to Ashley Morgan, the recipient of the 2024 Dove Award for Philanthropy, who was described as having a commitment to Covenant House that is so strong. Ashley has also raised more than $70,000 for CH, which provides shelter and services for youths under age 22, and cares for more than 900 young people annually.
Covenant House board chair Dr. Deidra Hayes, who was joined by husband retired Judge Calvin Johnson, spoke next, thanking the hosting duo. Then host/board member Marc addressed the crowd, saying how important the CH Sleep Outs are and encouraging more participation. “We do it to raise money so kids won’t have to sleep out (unsheltered) all the time.” Making their rounds were Lauren Dickerson, Debra MacMillan, Rene Fransen with Eddie Bonin, CH board member Luis Zervigon, Dr. Tina Simpson, State Rep. Alonzo and Jessica Knox, Sally Suthon, Josephine Chocheles and son Parker, Behar-Sbisa neighbor Susan Zambito, Dr. and Mrs. Robert Link, Hannah Huppi, Dr. Carmen and Maurice Brown, Mark and Jennifer Thibodeaux, Digges and Lynn Morgan, Anne Kock, Steven Crimaldi, Golan Moskowitz and others, who applauded the Dove and Comer awardees. And then, congratulated them.…Read more by Nell Nolan
