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“ E v e r y g r e a t c i t y n e e d s a g r e a t p a r k t h a t n e e d s g r e a t f r i e n d s ! ”

Celebration in the Oaks,one of the nation’s most uniquefestival of lights, takes placeNovember 23 – January 1.Highlights of this year’s illuminating event include theCajun Night Before Christmasdisplay, a Who Dat tree,Buggin’ Out in the BotanicalGarden and the majestic oaksin “Dripping Snow” as well as traditional favorites such asthe life-sized nativity scene and30-foot live Poinsettia Tree.

Journey through the expanded “Wonders ofToyland” exhibit to see dancing lights, kites, animatedmusicians and an over-sizedautomatic ferris wheel with asurprise special guest rider.Enjoy nightly holiday musicperformances by more than 100 community schools, choirs,

bands and dance groups. See which of the 90 trees decorated by local elementaryand high schools is yourfavorite. Take a train ridethrough the park and watch out for mermaids, flamingos,jumping fish, swans and ananimated pirate ship with cannons loaded.

New Orleans’ most popularholiday icon Mr. Bingle will be on display for fun and photos, and there will be a full service café in theEntertainment Tent and kid-favorite concessions in the Amusement Park.Admission is free for Friendsof City Park members so bringthe family for a memorableholiday outing. Holiday hoursare Sunday through Thursday,6-10 p.m., Friday and Saturday

6-11 p.m. The display will be open Christmas night but closed December24 and December 31. For more information, call 483-9415 or visit thewebsite, www.celebrationintheoaks.com.

is an Illuminating ExperienceCelebration in the Oaks

2 0 1 2F r i e n d s o f C i t y P a r k

B o a r d o f D i r e c t o r s

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Happiest of Holidays to the Friends of City Park!!

This is my farewellPresident’s Letter and WOW!What a ride and how time flies!!So trite and yet, so true.Thank you for the privilege ofallowing me to serve as yourpresident. I am amazed and over-whelmed by the talent that gracesthis organization and this belovedpark. From the dedicated board,volunteers, members and staff, itis just stellar! New Orleans CityPark is indeed blessed.

President’sMessage

2 • Friends of City Park • Winter 2012

What is equally appealing is tosee the tangible results of collabora-tive, park-wide fundraising effortscoming to fruition thanks in largepart to the Master Plan. To name just a few: the Arbor Room, the renovated Peristyle, the miniaturegolf complex, a new train and in thenot too distant future a new entranceto Storyland and the BotanicalGarden. We are making greatstrides!!

Friends has been fortunate to have had a host of exceptional chairpersons for its recent signatureevents that deserve special recogni-tion: In 2011 Lark in the Park:Joey Marcotte Brown, MaryHassinger Schmidt and LeilaSutherlin Gamard; MartiniMadness: Ginger Logan Smith andCourtney Sutton; Ghosts in theOaks: Jeanie Favret, Lana Lovickand Jeanne Coco. In 2012 Lark inthe Park: Juli Miller Hart, GayleBenson, Margo DuBos and honorary chairperson GenevieveTrimble; Martini Madness:Leigh Thorpe and Annie OrillacThibodaux and honorary chairperson Fred Holley; Ghosts inthe Oaks: Constance Whittakerand Caitlin Rutter. During the pasttwo years monies raised by Friends’fundraisers alone -- exclusive of

Dessa Rutter Giffin, PresidentFriends of City Park

Follow Friends of City Park on

memberships and donations -- totalapproximately $796,000!!! We owea tremendous thanks to these chairpersons and their committees!All please take a bow!!

And because of you, our members, the Friends’ fall eventswere unbelievably successful! The 9th annual Martini Madnessheld on September 21st at the ArborRoom was off- the- charts terrificliterally and figuratively with recordattendance. Fun, food, music and,of course, martinis reigned!

On Friday, October 19th andSaturday, October 20th, Ghosts inthe Oaks held its second doubleheader again with great fun for children, parents, grandparents andfriends who came to the CarouselGardens and Storyland for a night of treats, crafts, and rides at this traditional, non-scary HalloweenParty. An extra special thanks to our incredible volunteer base!! We could not have done it withouttheir invaluable support!!

Be sure to purchase the 2012 Celebration in the Oakslimited edition ornament speciallycommissioned by local artist IndiaStewart featuring the Peristyle. It is ever so popular and sellingfast!! Call the Friends’ office at504-483-9376 for information or order online at www.friendsofcitypark.com .

Thank you again to all theFriends’ members and specialthanks to the Friends’ board andstaff for the time, dedication andhard work that it takes to make these events successful. Friends of City Park has had another banner year!

Hope to see you atCelebration in the Oaks! Happy Holidays!

Dessa Rutter GiffinPresidentFriends of City Park

Cheers to our Lark in the Park SponsorsFriends of City Park is so grateful to our sponsors for their support

of Lark in the Park 2012. Recently we toasted the success of the 30thannual event at a reception in the Botanical Gardens.

Left to right: The Britton SanderfordFamily and Juli Miller Hart

Left to right: Edmund andKathy Schrenk, Bill andDenise Hoffman

Left to right: Dessa Giffin, Juli Miller Hart, Rodney Thoulion, Bob Beckerand Robert Lupo

The mission of Friends of City Park isto maintain and increase the value andimportance of City Park as a place ofnatural beauty, culture, recreation, andeducation for the public. All moniesraised by Friends of City Park (FOCP)will be used for the capital needs of CityPark at the discretion of the FOCPExecutive Board. FOCP is a tax-exempt,non-profit organization pursuant to sec-tion 501(c)(3) of the Internal RevenueCode and is a registered charity with theLouisiana Secretary of State’s Office.

renovated, iconic Peristyle. The ornament is available in theGarden Gift Shop and at Celebration in the Oaks. It’s a great gift for any New Orleanian who is crazy about City Park!

Tickets to Lark in the Park 2013 – Cabana Nights$90 FOCP Member/$100 General Admission• Lark in the Park - “Cabana Nights” will feature cigar rolling,live Latin music, 40 of New Orleans best restaurants and plentyof premium liquor provided by Republic National DistributingCompany. Funds raised will build a Cabana Plaza “BirthdayVillage” in The Splash Park coming in 2015!

All four of these unique gifts can be purchased on our website at www.friendsofcitypark.com, at the Friends’ office or by calling 504-483-9376. The Oak Leaf & Acorn Pin andPeristyle Ornament can also be purchased in the BotanicalGarden Gift Shop and Timken Center (Old Casino Building) Gift Shop. Give a gift of New Orleans history!

All Aboard! The City Park

miniature train is the second oldest ride in theCarousel GardensAmusement Park.Trains in City Park dateback to 1898, but themodern day train and itstwo-mile long trackthrough the park beganrolling back in 1962when Mr. Harry Battbrought in two new trains that zipped along the tracks at 10 to 12 mph. One ofthe original trains was called the General PGT Beauregard. The Park has twooperating locomotives, and a third (largely funded by Friends of City Parkthrough Ghost in the Oaks and Martini Madness) will debut at the Celebrationin the Oaks. This third train will alleviate the wait for one of the park’s mostpopular rides! Assisting at the ribbon-cutting ceremony in 1962, picturedabove, are left to right: John Batt, New Orleans’ Mayor Victor Schiro, Jay Batt,Barbara Batt and Harry Batt.

Winter 2012 • Friends of City Park • 3

Picture from the Past

Friends of City Park’sHoliday Gift Guide

Looking for the perfect gifts this holiday season? Be sure to check out what Friends of City Park hasto offer! Here are our top 4 picks:

Friends of City ParkMembership $65 Family Membership • A membership is a great gift idea that is fun and affordable – theperfect gift for friendsand family to share quality time together. Not only do members receive free admission to Celebration in the Oaks, The Botanical Garden,Fall & Spring Garden Shows, Storyland, and the CarouselGardens Amusement Park, but they also receive discounts onboat rentals at Big Lake, riding lessons at Equest Farms, andother activities in the park. This gift truly keeps on giving allyear round. See the full list of membership levels online.

Mark your calendars for an event you can’t miss! On Friday, March 15,2013, Friends of City Park will present Lark in the Park’s, “Cabana Nights”,a fundraiser supporting the newest addition to City Park:The Splash Park. Funds raised will build a Cabana Plaza “BirthdayVillage” in The Splash Park, including furnished cabana tents for birthday parties or events.

Cabana Nights will feature cigarrolling, live Latin music, 40 of NewOrleans’ best restaurants and plenty ofpremium liquor provided by RepublicNational Distributing Company. Donorsat the $1,500 level and above will haveaccess to a new VIP Copa Club area.

Capital One generously contributed$25,000 to Cabana Nights. FOCP is sograteful to Capital One for their longtime support of this event and Celebration in the Oaks.

City Park CEO, Robert Becker, Ph.D., said Cabana Plaza is particularlyimportant as a revenue generator for the park. “Cabana Plaza will not onlyprovide our guests withshade and comfort on a hotsunny day but will also gen-erate much needed revenuefor the park.”

More than 85% of CityPark’s operating funds areself-generated. So don'tmiss this unforgettableevent while supporting CityPark. Tickets for CabanaNights are on sale now.Purchase them online at:www.friendsofcitypark.comor call 504-483-9376.

Oak Leaf and Acorn Pin$30 + $3 s/h• Designed by New Orleans artist IndiaStewart to commemorate the 30th anniver-sary of Lark in the Park, this gold-platedpin of the Oak Leaf and Acorn is a symbolof the majestic Live Oaks that grace CityPark's 1,300 acres. Proceeds from the saleof this pin support the new Grand Entrancefor the Botanical Garden and Storyland.

Peristyle Ornament (2012)$15.00 + $2.00 s/h• Our 2012 Peristyle Ornament is an IndiaStewart original inspired by the newly

Lark in the Park 2013 makes a splash with “Cabana Nights”!

Lark in the Park 2013 chairpersons JackiePalumbo, Kimberly Zibilich, and HelenRead Smith are already busily planningthe fabulous festivities.

Bob Becker, CEO

In mid-December we willopen the latest project of ourMaster Plan – the Festival andRecreation Grounds projectlocated behind Christian BrothersSchool. This nearly 60 acre area(once part of the old South Golf

Recently Equest Farms broke ground for a new coveredhorseback riding rink. With the addition of this rink, City Parkwill be able to attract more equestrian events that will drive rev-enue for the park and provide greater amenities for its patrons.“The covered rink is another component of City Park 2018, thepark’s master plan, that we are thrilled to see come to fruition,”said City Park CEO Bob Becker.

At the groundbreaking ceremony, Senator Mary Landrieucommented “I want to congratulate Leslie Kramer, operator ofEquest Farms, whose vision and steadfast devotion to this facilityliterally resurrected it in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina andset it on a promising course for the future. I also want to thankBob Becker and his staff for their willingness and cooperation to support so many divergent opportunities at the Park for thepeople of New Orleans.”

Course) contains four sportsfields, a new shelter, an outdoorfitness area complete with exercise equipment, bathrooms,landscaping and a mile longwalking/jogging/biking trail.

Letter fromthe CEO

4 • Friends of City Park • Winter 2012

2 0 1 2 N e w O r l e a n s C i t y P a r kI m p r o v e m e n t A s s o c i a t i o n

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E u g e n e P r e a u sRepresent ing Botanical Garden Foundat ion

C h i e f E x e c u t i v e O f f i c e rR o b e r t W. B e c k e r , P h . D .

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C h i e f O p e r a t i n g O f f i c e r R o b e r t D e Vi n e y

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C o n t ro l l e rKev i n C o x

We hope this area provides ourvisitors with another opportunityto lead a healthy lifestyle and toget outdoors and enjoy the Park.

In early summer of next yearwe will open the new miniaturegolf course complex which willfeature two 18 hole miniature golfcourses. This Master Plan project will not only continue the tradition of miniature golf inCity Park by providing a firstclass miniature golf experiencebut should also generate muchneeded operating dollars.

If you have not enjoyed coffee and beignets from theMorning Call in the CasinoBuilding, be sure to stop by andsupport this new service in thePark. We are proud to bring the Morning Call back to the City,and we know it will be a popularattraction for the community.

Finally, I hope everyoneenjoys this year’s version ofCelebration in the Oaks whichpromises to top even last year’spresentation!

I want to thank the Friends for providing funds for a newlocomotive and cars for our trainride which should enable us toaccommodate more riders withshorter waits. Please come outand spend part of your holidayseason with us!

Sincerely,

Robert W. Becker Ph.D.Chief Executive OfficerCity Park

Officials from New Orleans City Park, the City Park ImprovementAssociation, Equest Farms and Senator Mary Landrieu recentlybroke ground for a new covered horseback riding rink.

Equest Farms Breaks Ground for Covered Riding Rink

Winter 2012 • Friends of City Park • 5

Photos: Michael Maples

On Friday, October 19 andSaturday, October 20, familiesfilled both Carousel GardensAmusement Park and Storylandfor unlimited rides, air-brushtattoos by Pirate Ink, music byCatalyst Event Solutions, artsand crafts, a pumpkin patch andtrick-or-treating in Storyland.Children of all ages enjoyedballoon animals by PartyPeeple and magical entertain-ment at Cinderella’s castlecourtesy of Carmen Rose & theStoryland Players.

Special thanks to the follow-ing schools and companies forhelping coordinate volunteersfor the event:• Academy of Our Lady• Academy of the Sacred Heart• Archbishop Chapelle HighSchool• Mount Carmel Academy• Postlethwaite & Netterville• Xavier University ofLouisiana

Thank you to committee co-chairs, Caitlin Rutter andConstance Whittaker, and aspecial thanks to Nina Killeen,Dessa and David Giffin, MaryJohnson, Kathleen and TomSmith, Sonya Carr, RJ Buras,Suzette Herpich, and KathyZimmerman.

The spooktacular event netted more than $48,000which will go to support capitalimprovements in both CarouselGardens and Storyland.

Ghosts in the Oaks willreturn next year on Friday,October 18 and Saturday,October 19, 2013.

Friends Scare Up Fun at Ghosts in theOaks

6 • Friends of City Park • Winter 2012

Volunteers:Lisa AlexanderJoyce BarrosseSandi MillikenSuzette HerpichBeau BratcherSuzannah MurrayDennis CampbellEileen CampbellDarlene BroussardCarolyn ConstanceWill IbarraBrenda BourgeoisLisette BayleAnh NguyenBrenda MelanconRita NelsonShannon WilliamsDave WilliamsJan LugenbuhlJan O’RorkeWendy LentzDarren HouseyGary ScullyJudi GuthBetty HanburyRuth BurnsHarold BaurJon BroderNatalie BoydA.J. AllegraWade BenoitKristin WitterscheinAndrew VaughtAlex Wallace

Mark your calendars and join us for the 10th Annual Martini Madness on September 20, 2013.

Thank you for a great event!

The 9th Annual MartiniMadness was a huge success with over 30 different martinis,and entertainment by MOD DanceParty and harpist Ashley Toman!Netting more than $26,000, thisrecord amount of monies raisedwill support the funding of a newtrain car for the iconic miniaturetrain, the second oldest ride in theCarousel Gardens AmusementPark.

Thanks to event co-chairsLeigh Morgan Thorpe and AnnieOrillac Thibodaux as well as honorary chair Fred Holley forputting together this fabulousfundraiser. Huge thanks as well to Republic National DistributingCompany for providing the fixings for more than 30 specialties.

We are also grateful to the following event contributors:

Sponsors:• Catalyst Event Solutions• Iris• New Orleans Audi• Read Soft• Richard's Disposal Inc.• The NOLA Project

Restaurant Sponsors:• Chick-Fil-A Lakeside Shopping

Center • City Park Catering• Community Coffee Co. LLC• Dot's Diner• East of Italy• Langenstein's Uptown/Old

Metairie• Nonna Mia Café & Pizzeria• Ralph's on the Park• Salu Small Plates & Wine Bar• The Store• Theo's Neighborhood Pizza• Tony Mandina's• Zapp’s Potato Chips

Cheers to a SuccessfulMartini MadnessPh

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Winter 2012 • Friends of City Park • 7

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Return Service Requested

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NEW ORLEANS, LAPermit No. 572

Mark Your Calendar

November 30, 2012 - January 1, 2013

Celebration in the Oaks(closed Dec. 24 and 31)

March 15, 2013Lark in the Park

“Every great city needs a great parkthat needs great friends!”