Mabel Hackman
October 2, 2007In the mood for a good read? Consider Alda’s life musings or a cop’s tale
October 4, 2007
You won’t hear the whinny of a horse or the grunt of a pig reverberating from Charlotte Bollinger’s barn the evening of Oct. 11.
It will only be the sounds of good music and good company, and it will all be in the name of a good cause.
Restore or Retreat will hold its sixth annual “Barnstorming Party to Save Our Coasts” from 6 to 10 p.m. on Bollinger’s property in Lockport.
“It’s a barn in name only,” joked Simone Maloz, executive director of Restore or Retreat, a non-profit coastal preservation advocacy organization headquartered in Thibodaux. “Charlotte, our vice president, has been nice enough to host the events. This is a very nice outdoor facility that we use.”
“Barnstorming Party to Save Our Coasts” is Restore or Retreat’s primary fund-raiser.
Last year, ROR raised $30,000 in restoration monies.
But that doesn’t mean monetary goals are annually established.
“A lot of times, the money is secondary to support,” Maloz explained. “We love to see the community come out and support the organization. If we were so money-driven, we’d lose some of sight for what we’re doing. It’s definitely a fund-raising event, but it’s mostly a show of support and a thank you from us to them by showing them a great time.”
This year’s environmental fête will have a Caribbean theme, complete with island music by Bobby Ohler and the Harbor Band and traditional island fare that includes coconut shrimp and jerk chicken.
A silent auction will be held on the side patio with donated items from local businesses and individuals.
Alcoholic beverages and soft drinks will also be served.
“It’s like a party,” said ROR President Lori LeBlanc. “It’s usually a really good time.
It’s a celebration more than anything and it gives (ROR) members a chance to come together in a celebratory atmosphere.”
ROR is comprised of Louisiana residents and businesses that seek to expedite the launch of large-scale coastal-restoration projects – namely those pertaining to the Barataria and Terrebonne basins, which, according to the organization’s Web site, are the two most rapidly eroding estuaries in the world.
“This is a huge problem that we have to tackle on a daily basis,” Maloz said. “It’s a national and state problem, but for those of us living in the bayou region, it’s a tremendous issue. We like to call ourselves ‘ground zeros.’ While we always like to have fun on the night of the party, it doesn’t take away from the fact that it (eroding coastlines) is a serious problem that we have to work on every day.”
For one evening, however, members of ROR look forward to enjoying a brief respite.
“The coastal issue is serious, but the party has a lighthearted tone,” LeBlanc said. “It’s a chance for all of our members to come together and celebrate all of our accomplishments throughout the year.”
Ticket reservations for “Barnstorming Party to Save Our Coasts” are due Friday, Oct. 5.
For more information, call Maloz at (985) 448-4485 or send to at simone.maloz@nicholls.edu.
John Plaisance, Alex Plaisance Jr., Warren Triche and Wilbert Toups enjoy good food, good music and good times at last year’s “Barnstorming Party to Save Our Coasts” event.
