Award and Words
“Forging the Special Relationship: Churchill, Roosevelt, and the First Washington Conference” titled the talk by Michael S. Bell, Ph.D, and retired colonel, USA, of the National WWII Museum. His attentive audience assembled in the New Orleans Country Club at the invitation of the Churchill Society of New Orleans and to celebrate the natal day of the “Great Man,” Winston Spencer Churchill (1874-1965). Another esteemed man was also recognized posthumously: Herschel Lee Abbott Jr.
A man of many accomplishments and especially knowledgeable about Churchill, Abbott was recognized by “The Cabinet” of the society. That’s the name for the volunteer board of directors, which has as its current president (“Prime Minister”) J. Gregg Collins. For years, Herschel Abbott was a distinguished Cabinet member and as a tribute to him, the directors created the Herschel Abbott Award to reward professors, teachers or select individuals who further the Churchillian spirit. In attendance were Herschel’s wife, Anne Abbott, and daughter Cathryn Abbott Jones with Sam Wagner V. Award recipient Brett S. Shufelt, Ph.D., Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College history instructor, was joined by spouse Lyndy Berryhill and their little daughter, Cassidy.
After the initial mingling, guests sat for the talk and the prandial pleasures of a three-course meal. Noted were Gregg Collins with spouse Joan, Jon and Cherreen Gegenheimer, Dr. Thomas and Charlotte Mabry, Hilton Bell with Madeleine Crawford, Lucie Whitley with Darryl Higgins, Californian Stephen Gold, John Redmann, John and Bonnie Boyd, Jay and Lois Van Kirk, David Perlis with Debb Almeida, Kevin and Haydee Mackey, and Dr. Gordon H. “Nick” Mueller, National WWII Museum co-founder, and president and CEO emeritus.
Also, society board members John and Edie Wilson, Ben and Kris Capshaw, Ted Martin with Pat Denechaud, Christopher Tidmore, Betsy and Wendell Stout, Hill Riddle Jr., Walter Wolf, Vicki and Billy Dutel, Jane and Barry Box, Hy and Libba McEnery, Jackie Gamble and dozens more, who were edified by the words of Michael S. Bell and charmed by the songs of the Victory Belles.
Boy Scouts Salute
The National WWII Museum U.S. Freedom Pavilion was the location for laurels. The honoree, dubbed by Southeast Louisiana Council Boy Scouts of America, was Joe S. Exnicios, who very recently retired as Whitney Bank president. His banking career spanned 45 years, during which time he was also a leader of many organizations throughout the area. The previous year, the Distinguished Citizen Award befell Gayle Benson, New Orleans Saints and Pelicans.
The award committee (that tapped Exnicios) consisted of 48 members, running alphabetically from Cassie Alsfeld to Mark Young. Included, and figuring on the evening’s program, were master of ceremonies Eric Paulsen, Torrey Hayden of the SLC Boy Scouts, event chair/former council president Jim Letten, council president Holly McCollum, and Jim Schoen for the invocation and benediction. Brother Martin High School President Greg Rando, the first alumnus to hold that position, introduced Joe Exnicios, who added his remarks. The major sponsors were Hancock Whitney and Ochsner Health.
Among the features of the event were videos, the Color Guard led by Scouts, the dinner menu, and the musical one provided, once again, by the museum’s Victory Belles.
Sons of the Revolution
In 1876, a national hereditary society was founded to perpetuate the memory of the patriots of the American Revolution and given the name, Sons of the Revolution. The Louisiana Society was organized in 1949 by New Orleans journalist Beale Howard Richardson IV.
Most recently, the Sons of the Revolution in Louisiana held the annual meeting in club rooms on St. Charles Avenue to commemorate George Washington’s farewell address to his officers, which occurred in December of 1783 at Fraunces Tavern in New York.
National General Vice President David Rutherford, the meeting’s honored guest, joined the Louisiana officers: president Pierre McGraw with Margaret Rabito, secretary Bill Allerton, treasurer Alex Gagnet, registrar Randy Kleinman with Marla Hamilton, and past presidents Ed Bush with Cindy, Cliff Jackson with Sheila-Llyn Van Nederveen, and Howard Thompson with Kate Prechter. Noted, too, were Peter McEnery, Martin and Evelyn de Laureal, Kearny and Kathleen Robert, the Rev. Gedge Gayle and Sally Stassi, Rich and Mary McConnell, Carlo and Rosemonde Capomazza, and Jim and Beth Ryan.
For the cocktails and buffet, Martin Wine and Spirits purveyed with assorted hors d’oeuvres, a charcuterie board and cheeses, and bread pudding.
The event’s highlight was the PowerPoint presentation on the Battle of Lake Pontchartrain by historian Allen Frazier and narrated by Marvin McGraw. The attendees listened attentively as the surrender of West Florida to the Continental Navy was related. It ended the British naval presence on the lake and weakened British control of the area. Post presentation, chatter about the video ensued, as did treks to savor the tasty dessert.
A Poetic Half-Century
The Caledonian Society of New Orleans held its 50th annual Burns Supper at the Southern Yacht Club. As it does each year, the event honored Robert Burns, 1759-1796, Scottish poet, bard and patron extraordinaire. The society is “a nonprofit organization open to all interested in the preservation of the ancient Scottish way of life.”
Cocktails and camaraderie initiated the supper’s socializing, along with piping. Robert Grubb, piper; Brig Walker, drums, and Crescent and Clover Celtic Band provided the evening’s music. The program continued with Christyn Elliott, joined by Glenn Raby, as mistress of ceremonies; and Robert Grubb, who gave the welcome, and then teamed with Scott Castay, Richard B. "Rick" McConnell lll, Laurie McConnell, and John Urquhart for the Presentation of the Haggis. Rick gave the Address to the Haggis; Marsha Phillips (with Jim Dean), the grace before dinner; William Alber and Jumana Khalaf, respectively, the Toast to the Lassies and the Response to the Laddies; Amy Sandridge (with William Renaudin), the Flowers of the Forest; and Robert S. Larimer, the Immortal Memory.
Enjoying the Scottish liveliness and lore, as well, were Mona Bond with stepson Russell Bond Jr., English-Speaking Union Branch President David Grissett with Shauna, Jeanie Mestier with daughters Kim Karnell and Kathy Boudreaux, Jane and Leonard Caruso, Eric and Lizette Alber, Rich and Mary McConnell, Caroline Barton with Jay Smith, and Beverly and Doug Hall, who were thanked for the invitations and programs. More thanks extended to Virginia Dowager Urquhart of Urquhart, of the CSNO board of directors.
Lance von Uhde IIl did the flowers, which formed the floral décor in an area decorated with the society banner and pictures of Robbie Burns. Pan-seared salmon or herb-crusted pork were the choices for the supper’s main courses. Included, too, were haggis, shortbread, and chocolate mousse.
As the evening’s ado concluded, a loving ritual took place. As per tradition, the group gathered and sang Burns’s “Auld Lang Syne.”