(Good Times at Hattie’s Last Mardi Gras!) – Saturday, January 12, 2019
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MOZZES AND THE AMAZING FAUX FUR DREAMCOAT
Carrie Rowlands Johnson
SARATOGA SPRINGS – Strong, sturdy fingers peek out of blue silk, grasping the black ink pen as he scribbles his name and a few numbers on the next empty line. Confidently, he lifts his head and continues his walk around the colorfully decorated table, stopping five times more to sign his name and add his carefully calculated bid: the tequila tasting at Cantina for himself; the other five, for his girl: a Vintage Speedy Louis Vuitton bag, a floor-length grey faux fur coat designed by Daniel Mozzes, a shopping party at the Saratoga boutique Piper, a Kate Spade accessories collection and a cocktail party for nine at Sperry’s Restaurant.
His most favorite task complete, the well-dressed man glances around the parlor room. The vibrant greens, reds, purples, golds and pinks of Mardi Gras greet his eyes in every direction they turn. Funked-up party gowns draping elegantly around bodies as they lounge in chairs, heads thrown back in laughter or sway to the fun sounds of the popular Saratoga band Soul Session with Garland Nelson; masks and beads scattered across tables…
…and in the corner, the bright red of his girl’s Badgley Mischka cocktail dress surrounded by three of her pretty friends in red, blue and green party clothes. His eyes rest there, capturing images as they select props; stringing beads around their necks, attaching a pair of wings, grasping an umbrella handle and dangling masks on faces and in between fingers. Their mouths turn up and their eyes crinkle as Heather Bohm-Tallman expertly wields her camera around the photo booth.
Heather Bohm-Tallman (www.HBTphoto.com)
He catches smiling eyes and waves at the group surrounding his girl as he walks into the next room and makes his way up to the bar. Two Proseccos with pineapple, one with orange juice, a tequila with soda and four waters for the girls, please; a simple scotch and ice for himself. Juggling three of the five beverages, he stops several times to chat with friends. Without fail, there is always at least a handful of familiar faces at charity galas such as this.
Photos captured, the quartet of girls walks into the bar, arm-in-arm, rescuing the guy from four of the drinks. They land in the ballroom where they grab plates and carefully select from the mounds of Southern Louisiana-style food, lovingly prepared by Chef Jasper Alexander of Hattie’s Restaurant. Jambalaya, gumbo, Crab meat, shrimp and grits fill plates and bellies and provide fuel for the hours of dancing yet to come.
Selling out days before the event to a crowd of more than 600, Hattie’s 20th and final Mardi Gras held at the Canfield Casino in Saratoga had promised to be a New Orleans-infused Saratoga party to remember. Created to honor the legacy of Hattie Moseley Austin, the Mardi Gras party started as a way to give back to the community after Beth and Jasper Alexander took over at Hattie’s. Each year, a different charity has been selected to benefit.
Tonight, on this final Hattie’s Mardi Gras, Jake’s Help from Heaven (visit JakesHelpFromHeaven.org) receives the unprecedented honor of being named beneficiary again. The charity’s namesake, Jake Straughter, passed away before his fourth birthday after a three-year medical battle. His brave parents created the foundation as a way to help children with multiple medical challenges and disabilities and their families. Heather Straughter bravely roams the Canfield Casino tonight, her stunning long black Daniel Mozzes dress carrying her smile as she continues to fight in memory of her son.
Checking to be sure the girls’ palettes have sufficient hydration, the guy slips away from the dance floor and wanders into the next room to assess the bids. With two minutes left until closing, his signature is still accompanied by the highest number on four of his five donations.
The music winds down and the girls collect their coats. The guy collects their five “wins.” The tequila tasting isn’t one of them. His girl’s long Daniel Mozzes coat is.
He writes a check for charity and escorts the quartet to the car, his part in supporting Hattie’s tonight, as they reach for their one-millionth dollar raised to help others in need.
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ONE EVENING, TWO ANGELS AND A COMMUNITY OF SUPPORT:
Hattie’s GRAND FINALE Mardi Gras Benefiting Jake’s Help from Heaven
Lisa Champagne
“To do more for the world than the world does for you — that is success.” – Henry Ford
SARATOGA SPRINGS – The vibe and spirit of Mardi Gras came to life once again, as a sold-out crowd gathered at the historic Canfield Casino to support the 20th + FINAL Mardi Gras Soiree thrown by Hattie’s owners and philanthropists Beth and Chef Jasper Alexander. This year’s select charity: “Jake’s Help from heaven” (JHFH,) is a local foundation whose goal is to assist children and their families affected by debilitating illnesses. JHFH provides grants and other financial assistance to medically fragile, special-needs individuals and their families to offset costs associated with their care. (Please check out their website HERE to make a donation and see how you can lend your support) Co founded by parents Brian and Heather Straughter, JHFH was established on behalf of their son Jake, who earned his wings much too soon. Jake’s life, his bravery, courage + strength inspired the creation of JHFH. Support from donors, board members, organizers like Beth Alexander and the community at large, enable this foundation to continue their important work, and to make a difference in the community.
As we strolled the venue , I couldn’t help but admire the beautiful dresses! Bright colors, shimmering fabrics, and unique styles — all in the spirit of Mardi Gras! My favorite, a royal blue gown worn by Ingrid Stinebrickner was specially designed for her by ultra talented + super charismatic fashion designer Daniel Mozzes. Ingrid’s dress my friends, took the king cake! But what I loved most about the fashion, was the attention to detail. The gals (+ guys) got it right! Right down to the blinged out shoes!
Crawfish—Collard Greens—Cheese Grits, Oh My!!—What would a “Mardi Gras” themed party be without the down home, down right-delectable, masterful, soulful creations by Hattie’s? Thank god we didn’t have to find out!
Hattie’s Grand FINAL Mardi Gras soirée was a an immense success. This year’s event raised more than $150,000! Beth Alexander + Chef Jasper have come a long way in twenty years. Early on, this event began as a small one. It started in the restaurant, and raised only a few hundred bucks. Twenty years later, smashing the million dollar mark, well, that’s (to quote Beth) “Not too bad for a chicken shack.” I can’t help but think Hattie herself, is smiling down on this event, on Beth + Chef Jasper for continuing to serve the community and make a difference. Hattie’s Mardi Gras will be missed, but I have a sneaky suspicion this may not be the last chance to wear your beads… I’m hoping not!!!
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THE BEST IN THE BUSINESS, AT THE TOP OF THEIR GAME
SARATOGA SPRINGS – There is something to be said for retiring on top; to leave people wanting more.
The first thing you can say is how rare it is. People know the adage about how it is ‘better to leave a year early rather than a year too late,’ but they also know that they can count on the fingers of one hand the number of people that follow that adage…
On this night, as I flew around the rooms of the Canfield Casino, snapping happy people everywhere, it was apparent that everyone would be perfectly content to have this party last another 20 years, or more. And yet, I kept thinking, of all things, about Joe DiMaggio. “The Yankee Clipper was one who left the game on top, on his own terms, with something in the tank.
I never got to see him play live – believe it or not, I was too young – but I studied him; his pride, his work ethic. Joe DiMaggio battled painful bone spurs through much of his career, and yet he never “mailed it in,” took it easy, even on days where there might be 100 people in the stands – “one of those people might be seeing me play for the first time, and they deserve my best,” Joe was said to have said.
This same ethic, these high standards have been in evidence from every member of Hattie’s, from Soul Session and from everyone associated with Jake’s Help From Heaven. This was true before Mardi Gras, during its remarkable 20-year run, and will be through the next chapter. And the best news on this night is that there will be a next chapter – you can go to the bank on that – and it will be exciting to see what form it takes.
But for now, join me in a toast of thanks for what we have witnessed: To the Best in the Business, at the Top of Their Game!
Cheers!
Bonne nuit mes amis!
Arthur Gonick
January 18, 2019
