CONTRIBUTED BY MIKE FEAZEL
The “Great New Orleans Getaway” raffle is being launched by the Lake Monticello Community Foundation as a fundraiser for its planned All-Inclusive Playground.
The highlight of the raffle is a free three-night stay (with breakfast) at the historic Hyatt Centric French Quarter, right on Bourbon Street in New Orleans’ famous French Quarter. The hotel fea- tures classic architecture, creative cuisine, and the lively Bourbon Street scene.
Tripadvisor, in a 4.5-star review, said “this beautifully restored historic hotel offers 254 smoke-free guestrooms with expansive 12-foot ceilings, plush bedding, modern in-room amenities, and balconies that overlook the historic French Quarter, gorgeously landscaped courtyards or New Orleans’ famous Bourbon Street.”
And second, third and fourth prizes in the “Great New Orleans Getaway” raffle are almost as good, so there are four ex- citing chances to win.
“Second prize” is three free nights at The Pontchartrain hotel in New Orleans’ Garden District. The Pontchartrain was named the number two hotel in New Orleans by Condé Nast, and has the number one best hotel restaurant in the country, according to USA Today. The one-of-a-kind full-service luxury hotel is next to the Garden District’s charming streetcar route. The circa-1927, 14-story architectural gem provides modern lux- urious amenities, minutes-away conve- nience, and old school home-away-from- home service.
Third prize is two free nights at the Star- ling Atlanta Midtown Curio Collection by Hilton, including valet parking and break- fast for two. The Starling is described as “a vibrant, upscale escape for creative souls who set the status quo aside. Rethinking the urban experience in every sense, The Starling reveals detailed spaces that put the ‘art’ in ‘state of the art’ — from its bold decor and see-and-be-seen terrace pool to the sweeping skyline views found in every room.”
Fourth prize is a two-night stay at any Graduate Hotel in the world, including those in Charlottesville, on historic Main Street, overlooking The Corner and just
across from the Grounds, or Richmond, a stone’s throw from the Altria Theater and Virginia Commonwealth University. Graduate Hotels is a collection of hand-crafted hotels in 32 university-driven towns around the globe, designed to be immersed in local culture and charm unique to each city.
Raffle tickets for the “Great New Orleans Getaway” cost $25 and will be available at the Fluvanna County Fair, the Fluvanna Farmer’s Market, benefit concerts, the Magic Show, from any Foundation board member, or via https://www.lakemon- ticellocommunityfoundation.org/proj- ects-events.
The All-Inclusive Playground is being de- veloped by the Lake Monticello Communi- ty Foundation in close cooperation with Lake Monticello Owners Association to be accessible to children – and their parents and grandparents – of all abilities. The playground at Lafayette Park in Lake Mon- ticello will be available to special needs children throughout Fluvanna County.
The Lake Monticello Community Foun- dation has raised about three fourths of the $100,000 cost of the All-Inclusive Play- ground, has already ordered specialized playground equipment, hopes to break ground on the project in the fall, and expects it to be ready for play in the spring.
