Posts Tagged ‘Gentry Trotter’

Stephen and Kimmy Brauer

Many of Ladue lovelies mingled with modest income types of the engineering faculty, students, civic and political well-wishers the other day in front of a new building on the ever-expanding campus of WashU.  Former U.S. Ambassador and Hunter Engineering chair Stephen Brauer and his wife, Kimmy, were showered with greatness by chancellor Mark Wrighton and trustee vice-chairs David Kemper and John F. McDonnell for supporting the construction of the Stephen F. & Camilla T. Brauer Hall of School of Engineering & Applied Science.  Among the big-buck donors for the school, that is enrolling students from as far away as China, were Neal and Yasuko Mattione, Jerome and Rosalie Brasch and Dr. David Ke-Chiang Tao.  Wrighton boasted that the Brauers are two of our town’s and America’s most distinguished citizens.  As usual, Kimmy stole the day by insisting that she is unworthy of having her name on the building and that she chased Stephen way back in elementary school.  The guests were stunned to hear that she

Craig D. Schnuck, Grace Yin, Lt. Gov. Peter Kinder and William "Bucky" Bush

probably was the only audience member, who doesn’t have a graduate degree from college, due to having had dyslexia as a child.  But, it was noted, she does have a master’s in charm, eloquence and compassion for the less fortunate as she serves as vice-chair of the United Way of Greater St. Louis and one of Missouri’s consummate fundraisers. Well-wishers on hand were Mo. Lt. Gov.

Peter Kinder, Craig Schnuck, Bucky and Patti Bush, Frank and Grace Yin, Gentry Trotter, Cedge Barksdale, Ann Liberman, Dr. Bill and Pat Peck, Fred and Kathy Hanser, Bill and Kathy DeWitt.

NBA's great Magic Johnson (center) with four Sweetie Pies servers and general manager (far right) Tim Norman, son of owner's Robbie Montgomery.

Former NBA champ and entrepreneur Magic Johnson brought a party of 20, including players, coaches and his pop to Sweetie Pie’s after the NCAA men’s tourney, to celebrate the win of his Michigan State victory. Dinner included a healthy fare of baked chicken. Johnson was given space during the meal, after which about 200 diners grabbed their cell-photo gear to shoot the happening. Guests were still rollicking over a gaffe by a CNN Cable sportscaster, who heralded, “We’ll see you in St. Louis at the N-Double-ACP Men’s Tournament.”

BET show host, comedienne and Oscar winner, Mo’Nique, while on Fox2 with Kevin Steincross, mentioned she was on the prowl for a soul food restaurant in our town, and the former plus-size entertainer added she’d snub diet food.  On the air, Steincross recommended Sweetie Pie’s on Manchester.  Its owner is former Ike Turner warbler,  Robbie Montgomery.  Mo’Nique arrived at the eatery with an entourage of 10, including two

Oscar Winner Mo-Nique, Robbie Montgomery of Sweetie Pies and Rev. Earl E. Nance, Jr., of Heat-Up St. Louis.

bodyguards and road manager, Rob Wilkins.  She had just been to a photo shoot for the Girl Scouts along with 13 other women, who are being feted in April for their outstanding leadership. On hand to greet the star was notable fan the Rev. Earl Nance, Jr., a Heat Up St. Louis biggie, and Whirl pub Gentry Trotter.  Mo’Niique’s faves – fried chicken, mac and cheese and fried Jack Salmon – were served.  Members of the crew chowed down on fried catfish filets, mixed cabbage, homemade cornbread, candied yams and okra. Other notables on the scene were  the Black Rep’s Ron and Heather Himes, Cong. Lacy Clay’s assistant Dawn Fuller, LeRoy Wilson,Vanessa Hughes and Gateway Classic’s new CEO Rich Gray.  Mo’Nique requested a takeout and was last spotted at Black Dress vintage shop on Manchester. How, “Precious”!’

While Jim Buford, honcho of the St. Louis Metropolitan Urban League (UL) held the
attention of the 1,200-member audience at the Millenium Hotel, Marc Morial, the UL’s  national prez, took a shot at the U.S. Congress.  Morial pushed President Obama‘s concept of a vote up or vote down on the Health Care Reform bill and then called the lack of action by Congress “troubling.”  Meanwhile, local pols lined up to glad-hand Morial on the 100th anniversary of the New York-based UL. Hizzoner Slay spoke of Morial’s insightful leadership skills, when the two were colleagues with the Conference of Mayors. Morial was then mayor of New Orleans. Slay proclaimed the month of March as “The National Urban League’s Empowering Communities and Changing Lives” month.  Not to be outdone, Charlie Dooley and Alvin Parks did their ceremonial pitches after which Mark A. Kern, chairman, St. Clair County, mused, “I will proclaim it the national Urban League of the Century,” which got a rousing cheer.  Awards were presented for accomplishments in helping people in the African-American community to:  the Rev. Michael T. Jones; Cheryl Heard of Racial Harmony; Citi Corp., Faye Robinson and Habitat for Humanity.  The city unit of the league welcomed to its board Thomas Irwin of Civic Progress at which time some hisses were heard.  On hand for the gambol were:  Col. Bill and Cheryl Young; Susan Buford; U.L. chairman and former Veiled Prophet Stephen C. Jones; Emily Pitts; Melanie DeLeo; Frankie M. Freeman; the Rev. E.D. Shields; Katherine Osborn; Johnny Furr; Dr. Karl Wilson; John and Emma Moten, Jr.,; Henry Givens; Zelema Harris; Dennis Golden; Debra Denham; Christine Chadwick; the Rev. Sammie Jones; Metro Evening Whirl’s Gentry Trotter and St. Louis American’s Donald Suggs. After he was introed to revenue collector Greg F.X. Daly, Morial joshed, “Hey, I don’t owe any taxes.  I’m all paid up!”  And, head table guests eyeballed what some described as a 5-carat diamond ring on St. Louis Comptroller Darlene Green‘s finger.  Word was that she recently got hitched to businessman Melvin Hayes.

In the party room of Carmello and Frank Gabriele’s restaurant, a celebration of life was underway to toast on their natal days: Ruth Todd on her 99th; Ann Ewers on her 100th, Anna Maria Polizzi, 85th and Roseanne Cusumano, 80th. Hosted by Anna Polizzi Keeler, Phyllis Herich, Kathy Gatti, Betty Dodd and Linda Liebman, the party featured an all-Siciliano feast. Party favors included Polizzi Keeler’s candles with her ocean floral fragrance.

Norwood Hills C.C. was where civil rights advocate James Buford hosted the 50th birthday celebration for his wife, Susan. About 75 of the Bufords’ nearest ‘n dearest, including civic and business leaders, attended the frolic amid the background of Music Unlimited Sound. During the dinner, Jim shared with the guests, that when Susan reached the half-century mark, she received her AARP membership card. Jim said, “She tossed it into the trash not realizing that in today’s economy one needs all the discounts one can get.” Following the party, Jim headed for China to attend a national conclave of Urban Leaguers. On hand were attorney Wayman Smith, III., with Susan Arceneaux, who will say “I do” in March. James E. Williams, Jr., a McDonald’s franchisee told friends, that he is about to open his sixth McDonald’s. He was glad-handed upon his recent selection as the first African-American president of McDonald’s U.S.A. Faces in the crowd included those of: Edward Turner and Kathy Allen; Gentry Trotter; Dr. Jerome and Marva Williams; Dr. James and Donna Knight; Aaron Phillips; Charles and Jerilyn Rhodes; Alicia Bams; John and Emma Moten; Dr.Bernard Randolph, Jr., and Kathleen Smith; Johnny and Minga Furr; Judge Charles and Kay Shaw and Damien Trasada and Dr. Ingrid Taylor Trasada.