BY: LEIGH ANN STUART

Lark in the Park raises funds to restore Storyland.

Paul and Renee Masinter, Karen DeBlieux and Ash Abbott John Payne, Pat and Bob Becker and Diann Sanborn

Friday, March 14, a sunny day swept the clouds away when Friends of City Park presented Lark in the Park 2008. At 7:30 p.m., patrons flocked to the Pavilion of the Two Sisters and the Botanical Garden in City Park to show what it means to be young at heart.

2008 Event Committee Chair Dessa Rutter called this year the “best ever” for the event, adding, “It was a tremendous success!”

Sha’on and The Girls with Success performed for an excited crowd but the real highlight was the menu was a compilation of dishes from 30 well-known New Orleans eateries. Just to name a few examples, guests enjoyed Oysters Rockefeller from Acme Oyster House, Shrimp Remoulade from by Galatoire’s, Seafood Vol-au-vent from Ralph’s on the Park and an Asparagus and Brie soup offered by Arnaud’s.

Celebrity auctioneer Eric Paulsen took bids from party patrons on items including an Oriental rug from Maximilian’s International Showroom, exclusive NOCCA student artwork depicting Storyland, vacation accommodation (donated by Ken Gootees) and barbecue catering for 100 courtesy of Hurricane BBQ & Seafood Co.
Major sponsors included Capital One, Schlumberger and Republic National Distributing Co.