Johnny Palazzotto & Bill Rigell
& Johnny Palazzotto
Alfred Williams & Smiley Andrews
Keep Baton Rouge Beautiful, Inc. gave a surprise tribute to Mary Frey Eaton at its Celebrity Waiter Dinner and Fundraiser on May 5, 2005, at Juban's Restaurant.
Mrs. Eaton, well known for her governmental service and volunteer activities, is a founder of Keep Baton Rouge Beautiful, Inc. She recruited the first members of the Board of Directors, worked diligently to organize anti-litter and beautification activities and continues to provide leadership and guidance to KBRB programs.
Following a social hour and silent auction, Master of Ceremonies Paul Gates and KBRB Board President, George Strain, welcomed the guests. Margie M. Montgomery, Celebrity Waiter Chair, announced the surprise tribute to Eaton and presented her a bouquet of red roses donated by Fred W. Heroman, Fred Heroman's Florist.
Luther Kent made a special appearance and sang What a Wonderful World to Eaton. Strain narrated a special video on memorable highlights of Eaton's life. It included a proclamation from Goverenor Kathleen Babineaux Blanco and a personal message and proclamation from Mayor Kip Holden proclaiming May 5, 2005, as "Mary Frey Eaton Day." Gwen Emick, Executive Director, then presented Eaton with an engraved crystal bowl on behalf of the KBRB Board of Directors.
The audience then joined the Celebrity Waiters in a serenade of You Must Have Been a Beautiful Baby performed for Eaton. Musicians Stan Campbell and Kirk Schiefelbein provided the accompaniment and musical entertainment throughout the evening.
Following the tribute to Eaton, Jacques Pourciau, Vice-President, said Grace. Subsequently, Gates and the Waiters engaged guests in fun, hilarious fundraising activities of individual challenges and a live auction.
Bill Rigell received the prize as the Top Waiter for the highest receipts of the evening. Other Celebrity Waiters included Smiley Anders, Ralph Bender, Reginald Brown, William Daniel, Johnny DeArmond, Jay Grymes, Leo Honeycutt, Johnny Palazzotto, Sean Reilly, Collis Temple, Sr., Billy Tharpe, and Alfred Williams.
Special guests at the dinner included Eaton's son Greg; daughters, Susan Eaton and Mary Frey Stewart; and granddaughters, Elizabeth and Margaret Eaton.
Keep Baton Rouge Beautiful, Inc. colors were depicted in the red, white and blue flowers, canopy of balloons and other decor. Floral arrangements were by David M. Heroman, Original Heroman's Florist.
Corporate sponsors were Lamar Advertising, Lee Michaels Fine Jewelry, McGlinchey Stafford Law Firm and The Shaw Group. Tables were purchased by Mockler Beverage Company, Price LeBlanc Toyota, The Louisiana Network and The Milton J. Womack Foundation.
The generosity of myriad retailers and artists created an interesting array of silent auction items. Highlighting the live auction was a ladies watch, a personalized LSU team autographed football, a ladies ring, and LSU Football National Champions 2003, a signed and numbered print by Jack Jaubert.
Emick coordinated the event and she and Montgomery were assisted by Jacques Pourciau, Vice-President; Janet Rhodus, Secretary; Marilyn Aguilar, Gloria Berthelot, Darian Chustz, Marie Kennedy, Lauralyn Maranto, John Miller, Will Montgomery, Dixie Roberts, Garth Roberts, John Schiller and Strain. Other Board Members in attendance included Jill Bambury, David Boneno, Bob Dillemuth, Steve Shurtz, Pat Smith, and Sally Soileau.
Proceeds from the Celebrity Waiter Dinner and Fundraiser will be used to support Keep Baton Rouge Beautiful programs including the Great American Cleanup, the Louisiana Beach Sweep, the Baton Rouge Clean Business Award, and anti-litter educational demonstrations on recycling and composting in elementary and middle school classrooms. New programs in the organization's 2005 Strategic Plan will also be developed and implemented.
Keep America Beautiful, Inc., the national organization, announced last week that Keep Baton Rouge Beautiful, Inc. has been selected as one of thirty affiliates to pilot the recently developed Cigarette Litter Prevention Program. Activities for the community-at-large are forthcoming.
|
Johnny Palazzotto & Bill Rigell |
|
|
& Johnny Palazzotto |
|
|
Alfred Williams & Smiley Andrews |