Larger text
Smaller text
Print
E-mail
Skates & Plates
A change of venue brought our icemen to the Carnegie Museum for a power play. Cocktails were served in the Hall of Architecture, the better to bid on mostly sports stuff in the silent auction. Then it was on to dinner in the gorgeous Music Hall foyer Suited up like penguins and looking like a million pucks, 30 teammates were deftly dishing citrus dusted salmon and yummy chocolate cheesecake to 320 good sports. Far better than the delightful menu was the thrill of having these buff, smiling beefcakes at guests' beck and call. No one ran out of ice, but checking abounded ... as in their cool moves while taking care of business. Gold table coverings were centered with lovely spring bouquets on high by Johnston the Florist.
Sore ankle or not, superstar Sidney Crosby (who was honored Saturday at the American Ireland Fund gala, see Page 3), refused to be sidelined by an injury. There was no denying the mob scene of autograph seekers and photo-opsters crowded around No. 87. And they were armed with enough digital flashes to light the entire foyer. Yet, every player was besieged by fans and, class acts that they are, they smiled the smile, shook the hand, wrote the name.
Credit the Pens' gorgeous wives and sweethearts with an assist for greeting guests and applauding the waiters who maneuvered between tables as deftly as they skate against opposing defensemen.
How did our blade runners do? Try $4.3 million over 21 years to help fund the means to cure and control the disease that kiddies with CF call "65 roses."
It was a win-win night for such as Pens prez Ken Sawyer with Shirley; GM Ray Shero (with stitches in his chin from a stick hit by team broadcaster Phil Bourque in a pickup game) and Karen; head coach Michel Therrien; emcee Larry Richert of KDKA; hizzoner Luke Ravenstahl; CFF director Pat Joseph with Cyndi Nace, who started the event; Cindy Himes; Alcoa's Anna Mae Litman with niece Jackie Hartman; Nancy Angus; Drew Parish; Angela and John Kinney with daughters Rachel and Megan; and the Pens' beloved former head coach Eddie Johnston, who has attended all 21 events.
As well as Kevin Lowery with daughter Caitlin; Amy and Ted Black; Cliff Benson; WTAE's Sally Wiggin; Maryann and Stephen Zamias; David McKamish; Cindy and Bob Feldman with son Emery; FSN's Dan Potash; Ksenia Gonchar; Jenny Montbleau; Veronique Larosse; Nick Monico; Abby Malone; KDKA's Sonni Abatta; Brianne Toole; Michelle Smith and Kevin Trumble; Beth Celik; Christina Cerqua; Dana Lewis; Colleen Wilson; Kelly and David Natale; Kathryn Vozar; Jason Botterill; Janet Corrinne-Harvey; Lindsay Peksa; Jim Kubus; Mike Orfanopolous; and Allie and Matt Arendas, with son Nate, who is bravely battling the disease. Nate won every heart when he told the crowd: "Thank you Pens for helping me fight CF. You rock!"
-- JoAnne Harrop and J.H.
| Irish Ayes |
Irish eyes were smiling Saturday at the American Ireland Fund bash that was painting the town green two days before the greenest day of the year, St. Paddy's Day.
The East Club Lounge at Heinz Field was transformed into "Crosby's Pub," as a tip o' the hat to honoree and Penguins great Sidney Patrick Crosby (with dad Troy). Guinness flowed as 680 green-ties enjoyed continuous merriment and skirling pipers while sampling a Celtic menu. The leprechauns tallied $900,000 for the pot o' gold raised by guests, who paid $800 a ticket to help promote peace, culture and charity in the Emerald Isle. The irresistible band, Guaranteed Irish, entertained at cocktails while dancers of the Burke-Conroy School kicked up their heels in airs and jigs.
Check out the green carpet crowd: chairs Steelers chairman Dan Rooney (with Pat) and Pens prez David Morehouse (with Vanessa); emcee and AIF CEO Kingsley Aikins; Steelers prez Art Rooney II with Greta; Larry Richert of KDKA; the Rev. Thomas Burke; Nancy and David Malone with Cally and Zachary; Bishop David Zubik; county CEO Dan Onorato and daughter Emily; U.S. Congressman Tim Murphy with daughter Bevin; Sharon and Ralph Martin; Lexi and Ray Hartung; Dee Rizzo; Jan Wagner and Jim Dunn; Chris Donahue; Kelly and Michael Mullen; Catharine and John Ryan; Sue and Rich Kapusta; Leslie and Tony Quatrini; Patty Shell; Paula and David Sculley; Drs. Ellen and Loren Roth; and newleyweds Jessica Coup and Scott Bergstein.
-- JoAnne Harrop
| Muscle Team |
Their smiles said it all at the Pittsburgh Muscle Team Event, Thursday's benefit for 500 guests that raised $305,550 to provide kids with a week of fun in the sun at the Muscular Dystrophy Association summer camp.
Led by coaches Paul Quarantillo and Dan D'Alessandro and Champion of Spirit awardee Guy Mattola (with Linda), there was lots of laughter in the Lexus Club at PNC Park from children in wheelchairs who played video games, sat for caricatures, and interacted with area athletes including Judge Dwayne Woodruff; Jason Capizzi; John DeGroat; John Kolb; Mike Tomczak; Lisa Horton; Kate Sullivan; and Teresa Conn.
Also in attendance were Annette Ganassi and Greg Tarpin; Bryan Ward; emcees Peggy Finnegan and John Fedko of WPXI; David Klasnick; Jamie Campolongo; Fran Delallo; Dr. Robert Bowser; Dr. David Lacomis; Kristy Haught and daughter Kendle; Darrin Kelly; Mike Laquatra; and Haley Kulis.
-- JoAnne Harrop
| Passage to India |
Images of the Taj Mahal signaled the exotic theme of Saturday's Friendship Ball, the Western Pennsylvania Hospital Foundation's posh gala for 415 black-ties. A decorative Indian archway in the ballroom lobby of the Westin Convention Center opened into large silent auction spaces for cocktails and hors d'oeuvres buffets that were exotically spiced with Indian cuisine. Standouts in the crowd dressed for the theme: Women were wrapped in stunning saris and wearing bindis (jeweled forehead decorations), while men wore traditional Nehru-styled coats.
The event was just what the doctor ordered.
The ballroom's raj setting was captured by Hepatica's dazzling, multicolored rose centerpieces and the band, After Dark, had everyone up and dancing after the delightful wine and dine. Talk about a passage to India ... the ball's dynamic chairs Dr. Sukhi Grove and his lovely Elisha, there with son Amit, donated the top live auction item: a trip for two to India to visit the Taj Mahal!
A peek at the guest list: WPHF prexy B.J. Leber and Jeff; West Penn Allegheny Health System COO James Rosenberg and Claire Pinyot; WPHF board chair Sandy and Dr. Tom Usher; Lisa Bennington; Charlotte and Hank Beukema; Carole and Dr. Richard Heppner; Denise and Dr. Mark Rubino; Drs. Susan and Jack Kabazie; Christine and Dr. Alan Lantzy; Debbie and Joe Macerelli; Vicki and Ted Neighbors; Norma and Dr. Lee Walter; Mary Beth and Dave Johnson; Ann and Tom Albanesi; Barbara and David Burstin; Janice Devine; Dr. Judy and Mickey Black; Dr. Syed Husaini and Rana; Drs. Mary and Jason Lamb; and Dr. Datar Singh and Bina.
-- JoAnne Harrop
