Lifestyles

Tuscan treasures

Here's a secret: Ladies do love their hats, and they'll go to any length to hunt down the best for the Westmoreland Symphony Hat Luncheon, which was held Saturday at Greensburg Garden and Civic Center.

Rebecca Sexton fretted that customs officials in New Zealand would prevent her from taking her teal and plum turban from the country. She thought its spray of feathers could be construed as an animal product.

"They didn't bother me," Sexton said. "Thank goodness."

Jo Ann Lightcap found hers -- black frills, white trim and feathers --on the Internet, Barbara Flock nabbed her Saks Fifth Avenue number at an antique sale, and Nancy Jamison's creamy pink straw creation was shipped from England..

Mary Lou Hacker's wide brim from California coordinated perfectly with her pink dress, even if it was "too big to fit through the doorway," and Pat Walt's vintage Christian Dior made with silk flowers was temporarily removed from safe storage.

Linda Assard, co-chairwoman with Lightcap, said attendees claim the event is a much-anticipated favorite "because we get to wear our hats. There are so few events where you can wear a hat."

In a Tuscan Garden blessed by sunshine and a pleasant breeze for the tented Prosecco reception, Westmoreland Youth Symphony musicians Jessica Acito and Natalie Medic, with instructor Ramona Coppage, soothed with the sweet sound of violin.

The party moved indoors for an elegant meal of grilled pear and gorgonzola, vegetable sausage frittata and mixed greens topped off with chocolate fondant cake.

Dapper escorts and wine pourers: Barry Numerick, Bill Thorne, George Shaner, Michael Philopena, Bob Sekora, Bill Friedlander, Pat Condo and Mud Kluska.

Beautiful in their best: Julie Ankrum, Susan Dickson-Houser, Marty Pignetti, Ellen Smail, Sheila Caramella, Pam DeMezza, Lisa Hoffman, Cheryl Cirelli, Phyllis Comer, Sharon Schiavoni, Val Wood, Sande Hendricks, Olive Conte, Karen Cumberledge, DeDe Feightner, Linda Blum, Eunice Hood-Carl, Becky Thorne, Von DeRiso, Dana DiCesare, Jo Ellen Numerick, Jill Briercheck, Violet Gallo, Phyllis Kluska, Diane Mitinger, Rachel Rockwell, Jan Taylor, Sally Schneeberger, Gretchen Troiano, June Anton, Sarah Lamont, Annah Sukay, Malinda Sherid, Joan DeRose, Debbie Mikita, Joan Stairs and Mary Ann Stairs.

-- Dawn Law

Spring Garden Party

The eighth annual garden party was held Saturday amid the lush and lovely landscaping of the Southern Alleghenies Museum of Art at Ligonier Valley.

Special guests at "A Spring Celebration" included artists Ron Donoughe and Kevin Kutz, whose works are featured in the museum's current exhibition, "A Changing Landscape: From the City to the Countryside."

Passing through the facility on the way to the catering tent, party-goers took a visual tour of Southwestern Pennsylvania from Pittsburgh to Bedford, via Route 30, courtesy of the artwork on display.

Each guest seemed to find a work that struck a particular chord of recognition, be it a panoramic view of the Pittsburgh skyline, a rustic scene of the Laurel Highlands countryside or even a vivid rendering of that regional landmark, a Sheetz store.

Inside the tent, silent auction tables held their own delights, with choices such as paintings, pottery, art deco jewelry, Limoges and Flow Blue china, sterling silver pieces and much, much more.

The 128 guests tucked into abundant hors d'oeuvres and a delectable dinner provided by Vallozzi's Restaurant of Greensburg.

Site coordinator Sommer Toffle noted that "Changing Landscape" runs through Aug. 1 and most of the featured works are for sale.

Event co-chairwomen were Susan Endersbe and Hart Heyward, while Mary Jo Culbertson coordinated the silent auction.

Seen enjoying the visual and culinary delights: SAMA executive director Gary Moyer with Susie, Dr. Magdi and Karen Azer, Bill and Ann Benzel, Dr. Joel and Mary Borkow, George and Olive Conte, John and Parie Duggan, Robert Endersbe, Guy and Betty Gamble, Don and Betty Gaston, Elizabeth Harclerode, Jerry Kutz with Alex and Carson, Shirley Lingenfelter, Peggy Shepler, Dr. Joseph and Eve Novak, George Shaner and Michael Philopena, Barrett Goddard, Roger and Connie Toffle, Bob and Mary Weidlein, Georgia Ashbrook and Bud Gibbons.

-- Shirley McMarlin

TGIS

Thursday was cool and cloudy in Greensburg, but the sun broke through just in time for "Thank Goodness It's Summer" at the Palace Theatre. It was opening night for the weekly series of seasonal get-togethers hosted by the Westmoreland Cultural Trust.

Cultural Trust staffer Vonnie Goldsborough hoped the sunshine was a harbinger of good things to come.

Goldsborough said that, because of its popularity, this year's TGIS series has increased from 10 to 13 weeks, running through Aug. 27. Four new acts have been added to the musical lineup, including the Usual Suspects, Gashouse Annie Trio, Briar Hill Gang and the Lucky Strikes.

Admission is free and drinks and tapas are available.

Local guitar and vocal duo BookEndz, otherwise known as Tim Bush and Gary Stewart, entertained Thursday's party-goers gathered in the theater's Megan Intermission Suite and Courtyard.

It also was a party within a party, with two birthday girls in attendance. Cultural trust administrative assistant Amanda McDivitt celebrated her natal day by tending bar. Luann Lender celebrated her 50th (yes, she said we could tell) by chilling in the courtyard with sister Lisa Lender.

In the crowd were Cultural Trust volunteers Jane Church, Connie Riley, Peg Colosimo and Dave Pallitto, who shared the bartending duties. Palace Theatre staffers on the scene were Jason Kloock and Jess McGovern.

Also partying at the Palace: Mary Lou Hacker, Marcy Zajdel, Marty and Dena Cummins, JoAnn Anderson, Clarence Wolff, Ann Ringling, Kitty Hricenak, Dini Pallitto and Bob and Rose Lee Metcalfe.

-- Shirley McMarlin

Exceptional auction

Sister Benjamin Merlotti says children with special needs often are gifted in the arts.

"They don't see themselves as different," says Merlotti, of Clelian Heights School for Exceptional Children, off Route 66 near Greensburg. "They love to sing. They love to do art work."

Students participated in an art contest, and winning entries were donated to the annual Silent Art Auction held Friday at the Palace Theatre in Greensburg.

Other artists donating their talent: Parv Sethi, a photographer who focuses on the people and places of Latin America, Europe and Asia; Tony Cacalano, a Yale graduate whose works are displayed at institutions such as the Chrysler Museum; Vietnamese artist Lebadang, and Greensburg-area photographers Mark Rosatti and Autumn DeLellis.

DeLellis served on the auction committee with Darby Rowan and Justin Norris.

The three are members of Rotary of Westmoreland: A Young Professional's Club, which sponsored the auction.

Last year's auction raised $7,000 to benefit the school, and club president Nick Rosatti said the organization was proud to once again partner with Clelian Heights. "Clelian continues to do extraordinary work in preparing and developing the minds, hearts and spirit of exceptional students. Your example is inspiring not only to us, but to our community at large."

The Young Professionals Club meets at 6 p.m. Wednesdays at the Pepperwood Grille on Route 30, east of Greensburg, and strives to link like-minded young professionals with fun, community service and promotion of good will.

At the auction: Hempfield Township Supervisor Doug Weimer and Karen, Faye Rosatti, Carmen and Monica Rosatti and Clelian Heights principal Sister Charlene Celli.

-- Dawn Law

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