Stir-fry, paper lanterns, fortune telling and dancing Chinese dragons were part of the fun Saturday during
La Cultura at the University of Pittsburgh at Greensburg, in Hempfield.
The sixth annual benefit for the Guy Rossetti International Study Fund led an excursion to the People's Republic of China.
Guests were greeted by lovely ladies in crimson silk, then they enjoyed a pre-dinner reception with Wor Hop Saw Choi (vegetable stir-fry, made before their eyes), Chinese fortunes and the opportunity to observe Chinese character writing.
At dinner hour, a pair of Chinese dragons appeared, and after winding about the room to traditional music, the dragons directed folks to their tables.
The performance was courtesy of the Organization of Chinese Americans Youth Performance Ensemble, under the direction of Chia-Phi Shaw and Karen Yee.
Master of ceremonies was WQED producer Rick Sebak, with honorary chairwomen Min Gong, who teaches her native language at Westmoreland County Community College, and UPG professor Shujiang Lu.
It was a glorious "Zai Jjan" (goodbye) for La Cultura program developer and UPG president Frank Cassell, who, with his wife, Beth, will retire to Sarasota, Fla., this year.
"One of the benefits of attending Pitt-Greensburg -- and something that has been very important to me as president -- is that each student is encouraged to experience other cultures through our study-abroad programs," Cassell said. "We believe this exposure to other cultures makes our graduates more able to be successful in the world in which they live."
Seen enjoying the trip: Ron Magnuson and Charlene Leo, Bud and Ellen Smail, Greg and Christa Griffith, Tom and Nancy Smail, Charles and Nancy Anderson, Jim and Karen Steeley, Mary Lou Hacker, Terry and Jeanne Graft, George Shaner, Michael Philopena, Gary and Kimberly Amelio, Kirk and Kellie Utzinger, state Rep. Jess Stairs, Linda Blum, Linda Kubas, Dr. Richard and Janet McNeel, Bill and Michele Nauman, Don and Kim Kramer, Vince and Patty Quatrini, J. Wesley Jamison and Margaret Sigonorella, Pat Condo and Jan Taylor, Alex and Eva Graziani and Tom and Donnis Headley.
-- Dawn Law
The sale at the Westmoreland Museum of American Art, in Greensburg, brought its society members together from all over the country at the kickoff event on Thursday night. Museum shop manager Craig Falatovich was thrilled to greet customers, and to make room for some exciting new merchandise.
With deals between 25 percent and 75 percent off until Feb. 11, there wasn't anyone at the museum who didn't take time to select at least one of the many seasonal items available, including hand-painted stemware, handcrafted glass pieces, ceramics, books, toys and sterling-silver jewelry.
Aimee Jim, a Greensburg attorney, spent a few moments debating about a wedding gift for her friends, and settled on stainless-steel salt and pepper shakers. "And for me," Jim said, "The cardinal collage by Kestrel Michaud Textiles."
Richard Ahlers and his wife, Gail, drove in from Lakewood, Ohio, for the sale. They were so impressed by the museum's toy exhibit that they bought a few replicas at the gift shop to take home with them.
"We're trying to make items in the shop more relative to the exhibits in the museum. We always have merchandise that reflects our permanent collection," Falatovich said, "But we're working on improving things to match our revolving exhibitions."
Samantha Tiberi, an intern at the museum, was busy behind the register. She helped customers such asDon McMahon and his wife, Judith, who had fun choosing Christmas cards and pottery plates.
Also seen at the event: Mary Yuknalis and her son, John; museum director and CEO Judith O'Toole, Amy Baldonieri, director of development and finance; and curator Barbara Jones.
-- Jennifer Miele, WTAE
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