Plantation Club Fall Party: The Plantation Club held its fall barbecue and hayride Oct. 6. This year it was at the north Shreveport home of Valerie and Mike Hoogland. Guests partied indoors and out on a beautiful fall day.

Gingerbread House: Sam’s Town Hotel and Casino hosted the Gingerbread House’s annual Luncheon on Oct. 16. This year’s guest speaker was Beth Holloway, mother to missing teen Natalie Holloway. Sam’s Town served lunch and Buttercup Cupcakes provided a gingerbread cupcake for dessert. The Gingerbread House is a nonprofi t organization and an advocacy center for abused children in a nine-parish region.

BREW: Festival Plaza in Downtown Shreveport played host to the annual Beer festival fundraiser for Mudbug Madness, BREW on Oct. 16. With more than 200 different beers, including dozens of home-brewed selections, and food from restaurants all over the Shreveport-Bossier City area, there’s no wonder the event sold out the 1,600 tickets. The money raised at BREW benefi ts Mudbug Madness Festival during Memorial Day Weekend each year.

Artscare: The Shreveport Regional Arts Council hosted their annual haunt, Artscare on Oct. 25. This year’s theme was Viva Las Vegas and there were costumes to match that theme including plenty of Elvis and Marilyn Monroes, Vegas legends Sigfried and Roy and Frank Sinatra. Money raised at the annual party benefi ts SRAC.

‘Beauty and the Beast’: The historic Strand Theatre in downtown Shreveport hosted at soldout crowd to Disney’s “Beauty and the Beast” on Oct. 30. Two nights later The Strand hosted RAIN-A Tribute to the Beatles to a nearly sold out crowd. Christmas is in full swing with Steve Lippa Christmas on Dec. 5 and Branson legend Shoji Tabuchi’s Christmas Show on Dec. 14. For tickets, contact The Strand Theatre box offi ce at 226-8555 or thestrandtheatre.com.

Duron Wedding: Guests thought they were attending an engagement party for Sarah Haviland and Denny Rodney Duron on Oct. 27 at the Shreveport Country Club. However, they were in for a surprise wedding. The groom’s brother, Dez Duron, who performed on “The Voice,” sang one of Haviland’s favorite songs. The groom took over the microphone and asked his bride to join him on stage, where his father performed the ceremony. The club was decorated in an art deco theme and the couple left the building among guests holding sparklers.

Jubilee Chorus: The Center for Families presented Wine, Cheese and Therapies, a unique event held Nov. 2 at Guiseppe’s. Guests experienced therapy as a way of living and a four-course meal that included gourmet mini pizzas and cheese beignets, mushroom ravioli, chicken breast layered with ham, Swiss cheese, sage and wine sauce, and pumpkin panna cotta topped with vanilla hazelnut sauce. Color therapy was at each diner’s seat. They used crayons to say what the center’s logo meant to them, and winners received Guiseppe gift certifi cates. Mint water after dinner served as hydrotherapy. Appetizers considered aphrodisiacs served as love therapy, along with kissing therapy from love goddesses. Other activities included ear massages for touch therapy, laughter therapy, photo therapy and jewelry therapy. Music therapy included a harpist and the River Cities Jubilee Chorus. Outdoors, there was even thrill therapy for those who wanted to ride a mechanical bull. The silent auction was called green therapy. Lee Michaels offered a $2,000 shopping spree in a raffl e.

Women’s Retreat: Annual Women’s Retreat was held Nov. 2 at Katie Latin’s home in Gloster. More than 45 women from Caddo and DeSoto parishes participated in a hayride.

Purses for Purpose: The Salvation Army Auxiliary held Purses for a Purpose, an auction of new and gently used purses, as its fi rst fundraiser after reorganizing. A chili lunch was also served. The event was Nov. 2 at the Salvation Army. Sonja Bailes served as emcee. Live auction purses had lagniappe prizes associated with them. There was a silent auction as well as the opportunity to purchase a purse and go.

Welcome Back Party: The Montrose home of Linda Goldsberry was the site of a welcome back party Nov. 3 for Sheryl Little, who once lived here, and her husband Dr. Alan Little. They moved from Waco. He will be a neurology hospitalist for Willis-Knighton Health System.

Sid Potts VIP: Sid Potts hosted a VIP event introducing designer Pratima Sethi 6-9 p.m. Nov. 7. Sethi’s designs offer casual elegance for the chic modern woman.

Louisiana State Fair: Miss State Fair of Louisiana attended the State Fair of Louisiana board and sponsor party Nov. 7. Guests dined on corn dogs, fried cheese, ribs, sausage, cotton candy, funnel cakes and caramel and candy apples provided by fair vendors.

Rock Show: 38 Special rocked it into the night Nov. 8 at DiamondJacks Casino, but not before a meet and greet for special guests where they posed for pictures. The group is among a series of concerts held at the casino recently.

Fall Banquet: The Global Power Museum Association Distinguished Speaker Series Fall Banquet (formally the Eighth Air Force Museum Association) took place Nov. 8 at Silver Star Steakhouse. The guest was Maj. Gen. Robert D. Rego, mobilization assistant to the commander, Air Force Global Strike Command, Barksdale Air Force Base.

Makers Fair: The Texas Avenue Makers Fair draws the community to the corner of Texas Avenue and Common Street twice a year. It was held Nov. 9 and even during a drizzle, helped recreate the lively vibe that once was commonplace in this historic, downtown neighborhood. Shoppers come out to see the makers offer a wide assortment of handmade, re-purposed or reconstructed items, ranging from clothing and fashion accessories to toys, food and art. Other tables were a political party and the library, which had a “What do you geek?” exhibit. There is musical entertainment and admission is free.

Sorority at Lewis’: All Shreveport-Bossier City sorority alumnae were invited to an all-Greek social Nov. 14 at Lewis’ Gifts. The women enjoyed wine, appetizers and shopping specials. Appetizers included pork bellies with hot fi g mustard, salmon and goat cheese mousse cones and bruschetta.

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