Author Archives: Stephanie

  1. Mr. Legs 2023

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    Thank you so much to everyone who attended Mr. Legs XXIII and especially our Contestants, Sponsors, Committee, Volunteers, Judges, Emcees, and Staff! Mark your calendars for next year’s event – July 20, 2024!

    Another great Mr. Legs was held on Saturday, July 22, 2023 at Generations Hall with emcees Mike Hoss and Laura Buchtel. Celebrity Judges Whitney Miller (WWL-TV), Malik Mingo (WWL-TV), Vincent Giardina (Oscar J. Tolmas Charitable Trust), and Roberto Espinoza (Former Contestant) scrutinized the costumes, routines, and – most importantly – legs of the Contestants, while performances by Les Rebelles and The Pussyfooters entertained the crowd before Contestant performances and during intermission.

    Also, back again, was the Oscar J. Tolmas Charitable Trust returning as Presenting Sponsor and WWL-TV returning as Media Sponsor. Special thanks to Copeland’s Restaurants (and the entire Copeland’s family), for coming on board as this year’s Mr. Legs Food Partner; along with CoolBrew who served hot and iced coffee during the event.

    Contestants (in order of appearance): Tony Bertucci, Jeffery Carlson, Steve Carnes, Ryan Haydel, Travis Henthorn, Chris Kazik & Matt Shine (performed together), Michael Zarou

    Congratulations to the 2022 Winners!

    Michael Zarou – Mr. Legs XXIII & Sexiest Legs
    Steve Carnes – 1st Runner Up & Best Performance
    Ryan Haydel – 2nd Runner Up & Skinniest Legs
    Tony Bertucci – Best Costume
    Matt Shine – Rookie of the Year
    Jeffery Carlson – Hairiest Legs
    Chris Kazik – Fan Favorite

    See photos from the event here.

  6. Women of Substance 2023

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    Bridge House / Grace House held its 28th Annual Women of Substance Luncheon on May 19th at the Audubon Tea Room to honor local female role models for the many women in our substance use disorder treatment program who are striving to become sober and self-sufficient. Three outstanding women from the New Orleans community, who we feel possess the ideals our Grace House women look for in a role model, were chosen as the honorees.

    This year’s event honored Dr. Rochelle Dunham-Head, Jennifer Holmes, and Erica Woodley. Bridge House / Grace House also extends three specially designated awards each year at the Women of Substance luncheon. The 2023 award recipients were Gregory Romig (Richard “Buzzy” Gaiennie Award), Ursuline Academy Aspirational Artists (Volunteer of the Year) and Liz Zeretzke (Alumna of the Year).

    Thank you to everyone who attended and supported this year’s luncheon, especially our Presenting Sponsor – the Oscar J. Tolmas Charitable Trust. Many thanks also goes to the Audubon Tea Room for once again providing our event with a beautiful setting, and to NOLA Flora for their gorgeous floral arrangements.

    View photos of the event here.

  7. 2022 Fore! Recovery Invitational

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    As one of the most unique golf tournaments in the city, the Fore! Recovery Invitational is truly a golf and food experience. Food, food, and more food! Players and friends kicked off the day with a delicious lunch of steak sandwiches from Desi Vega’s Steakhouse, wings from Hooters, and Bloody Marys at the Blue Williams, L.L.P. Bloody Mary Bar!

    On the course, players enjoyed food from Bourbon House, Chef Ron’s Gumbo Stop, Luke, Mahony’s Po-Boy Shop, and Pizza Domenica. To quench their thirst, players stopped for Margaritas at the Margarita Beach Bar and John Daly’s at the NOLA Ya’t Club Bar, all provided by Southern Electronics. For anyone still hungry, English Turn provided a full spread of options during the Awards Party!

    Our Sponsors
    Many thanks to all of our sponsors, especially to our Presenting Sponsor Oscar J. Tolmas Charitable Trust! A special shout for their involvement this year goes to the UNO Golf Team, our UPS Volunteers, and all of our in-kind donors!

    Congratulations to our 2022 winners!
    Taking 1st & 3rd Place this year, the two foursomes from Bayou Hot Wings – Anthony Rabito, Nick Rabito, Joe Gerrity, Johnny Luu (1st) and Kyle Makepeace, Allen Nguyen, Mason Mitchell, R. Jones (3rd); in 2nd Place this year from Resource Bank – Josh Gunn, Bryon Adams, Jim MacPhaille.

    Thank you to our supporters!
    Thank you to everyone involved for making the 2022 Fore! Recovery Invitational Presented by the Oscar J. Tolmas Charitable Trust another FABULOUS year – we couldn’t have done it without you! Supporting Bridge House / Grace House means that we may continue to provide treatment to those who may seem hopeless but for whom there is great opportunity for a life free of addiction. We couldn’t do this without the help of all of our Players, Sponsors, Committee Members, Volunteers, Restaurant & Auction Donors, Staff, and Residents!

    View photos from the event here (courtesy of Traven Stout Photography).

  12. Mr. Legs 2022

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    Mr. Legs Contestants returned to Generations Hall in what was an above and beyond SPECTACULAR event for Bridge House / Grace House! Not only is Mr. Legs now the largest fundraiser for Bridge House / Grace House, but the Contestants brought in more money through their fundraising efforts than ever before.

    2022 also brought the return of longtime Mr. Legs emcees Mike Hoss and Laura Buchtel who kept the party going for hundreds of in-person guests. Celebrity Judges Erika Ferrando (WWL-TV), Malik Mingo (WWL-TV), Ryan Veuthey (NOLA Brewing), and Vincent Giardina (Oscar J. Tolmas Charitable Trust) scrutinized the costumes, routines, and – most importantly – legs of the Contestants, while performances by Les Rebelles and The Pussyfooters entertained the crowd before Contestant performances and during intermission.

    Also, back again, was the Oscar J. Tolmas Charitable Trust returning as Presenting Sponsor and WWL-TV returning as Media Sponsor. Special thanks to Copeland’s Restaurants (and the entire Copeland’s family), for coming on board as this year’s Mr. Legs Food Partner; along with CoolBrew who served hot and iced coffee during the event and Swiss Confectionery who provided desserts to be served.

    Thank you so much to everyone who attended Mr. Legs XXII and especially our Contestants, Sponsors, Committee, Volunteers, Judges, Emcees, and Staff! Mark your calendars for next year’s event – July 22, 2023!

    Contestants (in order of appearance): Michael Blackwell, Jeffery Carlson, Steve Carnes, Roberto Espinoza, Ryan Haydel, Travis Henthorn, Chris Kazik, Matt Rinard, Kurt Valvis, Michael Zarou

    Congratulations to the 2022 Winners!

    Matt Rinard – Mr. Legs XXII & Sexiest Legs
    Roberto Espinoza – 1st Runner Up & Best Costume
    Michael Zarou – 2nd Runner Up
    Travis Henthorn – Best Performance
    Michael Blackwell – Rookie of the Year
    Jeffery Carlson – Hairiest Legs & 10 Year Participation
    Ryan Haydel – Skinniest Legs & Fan Favorite

    See photos from the event here.

  14. Women of Substance 2022

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    Bridge House / Grace House held its 27th Annual Women of Substance Luncheon on May 13th at the Audubon Tea Room to honor local female role models for the many women in our substance use disorder treatment program who are striving to become sober and self-sufficient. Three outstanding women from the New Orleans community, who we feel possess the ideals our Grace House women look for in a role model, were chosen as the honorees.

    This year’s event honored Joy Bollinger, Dian Tooley-Knoblett, and Gwen Briggs. Bridge House / Grace House also extends three specially designated awards each year at the Women of Substance luncheon. The 2022 award recipients were William Mimeles (Richard “Buzzy” Gaiennie Award), Christina Illarmo (Volunteer of the Year) and Christie Silvis (Alumna of the Year).

    Thank you to everyone who attended and supported this year’s luncheon, especially the James P. Raymond Jr. Foundation and the Oscar J. Tolmas Charitable Trust who both returned as the co-Presenting (Leadership) Sponsors. Many thanks also goes to the Audubon Tea Room for once again providing our event with a beautiful setting, and to NOLA Flora for their gorgeous floral arrangements.

    View photos of the event here.

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