Harry’s Field of Dreams
The Arbor Room at City Park galvanized followers of the Harry Tompson Center for three hours on a recent Sunday afternoon. Baseball themed the event that was titled “Harry’s Field of Dreams!” and resulted as a multi-faceted home run. Among the visuals were the attractive display of thematic white and blue floral arrangements in baseball vases provided by Fat Cat Flowers. As for the social “coaching,” a gala planning committee chaired by Paisleigh Kelley batted in the bash.
More names on the latter committee were the center’s executive director Emily Bussen Wain, along with Nikaela Busekrus, Stephanie Clark, Stacie Daley, Stacey Davis, Roslyn Duplessie, Bernardine Dupre, Craig Forshag, Vicki Judice, Geri Kolwe, Bev McCoy, Claudia Nelson, Angela Rinehart, Sylvia Schully, and Anna Pepper Tompson. Mary Baudouin is the HTC board president and Stephen Romig and Paul Buras, respective treasurer and secretary. Stephen teamed with wife Keenan to chair the “Field” fun. In 2014, the Rev. Tom Stehlik, C.M. introduced them to the center, which cares for the city’s homeless population.
When the doors opened at 3 p.m., the Emily Louise Entertainment struck up the sounds; the silent auction beckoned with 39 choice items, including sports tickets, a custom clothing piece by Madison Roy, and a crawfish boil for 25 people donated by George Wilson and Truck & Transportation Equipment Company; and Big 3 Giveaway tickets were available for sale. The winners were Ronnie Sloan ($3,000 travel package), Victoria Wain (dine-around) and Jim Nelson (Parkway Bakery Catering for 25.)
Aligned with the day’s theme, Lucky Dogs from the hot dog cart were a hand-in-baseball-glove fit. Pass the ketchup, yellow mustard and relish! A buffet of local favorites also sated the folks, who enjoyed an open bar with a special spiked (or not) lemonade. Event Espresso Catering topped the innings with cups of joe.
One of the many highlights was the tribute from HTC assistant director Eva Sohl to Legatus Christi awardee Bob Roesler for outstanding volunteer service. Four years ago, he retired from a long, successful career in film and was looking for a way to give back. “What I do at HTC is one of the most important things in my life right now…and I’m just grateful to be a part of it,” he stated.
Top sponsors dubbed Homerun counted Dr. Moises and Rosemary Arriaga, William Baker, Gwen and Ronnie Briggs, Jerry and Shannon Daigle, DePaul Community Health Centers, Donald and Cathy Espenan, The Hammer Family, Drs. Anand and Maya Irimpen, Dr. Dan and Jean Jens, the Patrick F. Taylor Foundation (Byron LeBlanc), and the Romigs. In the next category, Triple, names of persons were Paul and Karen Buras, Richard and Anna Tompson (brother and sister-in-law of the late Father Harry Tompson S.J.), and Rick and Susan Yelton, and in the next, Double, Ralph and Linda Capitelli, Lewis and Sheila Derbes, Karen Eagan, Ashley and Cyd Geary III, Dr. Charles and Mary Haydel, Charles and Susan Ives, Todd and Coco Johnson, Mark and Jane Landry, David and Mary Beth Mettz, Jim and Claudia Nelson, Dr. Fred and Susan Rodriguez, Terri Romano, Rosemary Ryan, Jim and Mary Temple Thomas, Dr. Mack and Victoria Thomas, and George Wilson. Most all were noted, as were representatives from Immaculate Conception Church, St. Joseph Church, Single category sponsors, and HTC board members and staff.
Missing but ever-present in spirit was the Rev. Harry Tompson, S.J., who, with parishioners of Immaculate Conception Parish in 1999, founded the center that now bears his name. It is located at the St. Joseph Rebuild Center, where it shares space with the Lantern Light Ministry and Depaul USA. Last year, 183 guests of the center were placed in housing. To recall the founder, a picture of him smiling was printed on the event’s program cover. He sported a baseball cap, a jersey inscripted with “HTC” and “26,” and a bat almost poised to swing.
Scouting
The Southeast Louisiana Council Boy Scouts of America held its annual Pillars of Scouting Luncheon at the Audubon Tea Room. On the program cover were “Scouting America, Southeast Louisiana Council” and “America 250.” Also featured were the photos of the four honorees, starting with Archbishop (now emeritus) Gregory Aymond representing the Archdiocese of New Orleans, which “has been the largest partner of Scouting hosting more Cub Scout Packs and Scout Troops than any other organization” for decades in the SLC.
The next honoree was Jack Fernandez, vice president of Operations, BWC Terminals, who became a Scoutmaster of Troop 106 in 2020. In 2025, his same-name son earned the rank of Eagle Scout with the troop. Executive Vice President and Louisiana President for BankPlus Jeff Ehlinger was recognized for his professional work, his education, and service on nonprofit boards, such as the SLC. Suzanne Mestayer, managing principal of ThirtyNorth Investments; current board chair of the National WWII Museum and past chair of Ochsner Health, New Orleans Business Council, GNO Inc., United Way, Loyola University, Contemporary Arts Center, Leadership Foundation of the International Woman’s Forum; and spouse of Eagle Scout Mike, was the next honoree.
Honored in 2025 were Leon Cannizzaro, Francis Exposito, Bobby Savoie, and Marian Wallis. In the first set of awardees in 2017 was Frank Stewart Jr., who was represented at the 2026 luncheon by his wife, Paulette.
The luncheon, which thanked the Gayle & Tom Benson Charitable Foundation as the Life Scout Investor, began formally with emcee Jeff Crouere’s welcome and subsequent opening comments; the Opening Flag and Scout Oath by local Scouts; Jim Schoen’s invocation (and final benediction); remarks by Council President Dr. Andrew Todd, who then made the award presentations with 2023 honoree Patricia A. “Pat” Denechaud; and Torrey Hayden’s report on Scouting in our area, recognition of certain guests, and general “Thank yous.”
Meanwhile, the attentive assembly admired the centerpieces by pameladennis (that’s Pamela Georges, whose brother John was a 2022 award recipient) and savored a menu of salad (with delicious dressing), chicken, and dessert. The just deserts, as rewards, were the funds raised for Scouting.
YMCA
Building on the 174 years of YMCA of Greater New Orleans, a luncheon and annual awards ceremony unfolded in Ralph’s on the Park. As guests looked out over the nearby oaks in City Park, they commented that the YMCA of GNO, “founded in 1852, is in fact two years older than the park itself.”
Board member and secretary Pastor Dean Ross gave the invocation, which was followed by an opening of the meeting by board chair Marlin Gusman Jr. Caesar salad, grilled chicken breast, and cheesecake composed the palate treats enjoyed by present and past YGNO board members, staff from five branch locations, special guests, and annual YGNO awardees. The first, the Mildred Wild Volunteer of the Year, was presented by Dr. Amy Leggette, executive director of YMCA Educational Services, to a threesome in Jules Cote, Henri Louapre, and Mark Williams from the Ignation Volunteer Corps that serves adult learners in the above ES programs. The next award, given since 1979 and titled The C. Allen Favrot Humanitarian of the Year, was presented by Marlin Gusman Jr. to Julie Brent Nosser, outgoing board chair. Gordon Wadge, YGNO president and CEO, recognized new board members Tray Ansardi, Spencer Gagnet, and Katie Mingo Lay, as well as new officers chair Gusman, vice chair Heather Olivier, treasurer Neel Fallis, and Julie Nosser.
Among those applauding them, and with notable titles, were Sean Elliott, Rebecca DeCouteau, Christine Briede, Betsie Gambel, Michael Williamson, Jennifer Neil, Christy Bloom, and Becky Goff.
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