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In Pittsburgh, where so many parties are given for so many causes, one's eyes tend to glaze over. But year after year, the Pittsburgh Parks Conservancy's Spring Hat Luncheon always puts on a glorious show. While it changes its site every year among our four great urban oases ó Frick, Schenley, Highland and Riverview Parks ó the idea behind it is always clear and classy. Happily, its spirit-lifting joy and drop-dead gorgeousness were just as thrilling the fifth time around. Read on.

It was a party you knew was going to take off the moment you walked through Frick Park's magnificently restored gatehouse, the Conservancy's first project. In the clearing shimmered a series of tented white pavilions in the park that began as a gift from Henry Clay Frick to his daughter Helen at her coming-out party.

No matter that the setting was the stuff of dreams, nothing was nearly as fabulous as watching those killer hats parading by on 652 of the best-looking, best-dressed damsels who were the star attractions. Better make that 640 women and 12 stout-hatted men who would not be denied. The sun shone, breezes wafted on wings of jazz and mimosas and everyone, no matter how social or sophisticated, was rubbernecking. And airkissing.

Ladies threw those little black dresses to the wind and turned their brights on with stylish suits and flirty garden party dresses. Capping the crowd was everything from face-framing sculptures in straw and smashing confections bedecked in flowers (many had even banded their bonnets with fresh posies), plumage and frou-frou flounces.

Saturday was the high-wire act we've come to expect from the hat luncheon. Planned to perfection by co-chairs Nadine Bognar, Dr. Helene Blodgett, floral wiz Tim Condron, Lynn Davenport and Ranny Ferguson, every detail was a personal best statement in dazzlement and delight. Shepherd hooks fluttering streamers lined the walkway to the main tent where the fireworks began. In an explosion of color, Mosaic's table coverings billowed in raj silk plaids and solids with contrasting overlays in fuchsia, chartreuse, lemon yellow and bright orange. Tim out-Condroned himself with lavish centerpieces of hydrangeas, roses, lilies and gerber daisies to match every coloration. You can't have too much of a good thing, gentle reader, when it's this good.

The menu and service were what one would expect from the Duquesne Club, once again voted the best city club in America. Captained by Tom Wahl, its kitchen made small miracles out of yellow tomato gazpacho and poached salmon fillet. Which doesn't begin to describe the sublime raspberry lemon mousse bombe, hold on to your hats, in the shape of a chapeau!

Although Audrey Fisher and Ritchie Scaife were in charge of the first four fetes, they worked behind the scenes with Teresa Heinz as honorary chairs this year. Next time you stop by the Schenley Park Visitors Center (another shining example of the Conservancy's work in partnership with the city), look into the flower bed at the entrance for a bronze plaque commending their perennial deeds.

Thanks to community champion like none other, PNC Advisors (bless their hearts), the benefit was a blooming success. More good news was the announcement of Eden Hall's $5 million gift that has PPC on Cloud Eleven. Or maybe even Twelve.

Since a party is only as special as its guests, these did not go unnoticed: PNC's Joan Gulley; Eden Hall's Sylvia Fields with daughter Jettie; PPC prexy Meg Cheever and daughter Mary with chair Marlee Myers; Susie Dorrance with daughters Abby, Molly and mom Mrs. Parker Sharp; Elsie Hillman; Nadine Bognar with famed NYC milliner Suzanne Newman (15 ladies were in her knockout creations!); county Exec Jim Roddey; hizzoner Tom Murphy; Catherine Loevner in pink Chanel; ever-grand Olive Lee Gilliand; Maureen Cohon; Susan Nernberg; Maureen O'Brien; Tim Fisher in white to his Panama straw; Judges Kim Clark and Cynthia Baldwin; Lord & Taylor's Kathy Tamillia; Barbara Barry; Diane Waldman stunning in a Name Dropper suit; Diane and Glen Meakem; Judy Linaberg wearing a Valentino suit, a vintage YSL hat and matching bag; and Victoria Lee and Otto Chu topped by a feathered helmet.

Couldn't miss Laura Hruby in a feathered chapeau; Susanne Marsee; Jessica O'Brien (she designed PPC's smashing invite); Susie and Charles Miller; Carol Berkman; Rhonda Wade Lopes in a knockout hat and suit; Dee Bold; Christine McCrady; Eleanor Schano Feeney; Liz Schoyer; Esther Bush; Dr. Elliott Kramer and Bill Modrak; Richard Reed; Doreen Boyce; Michele Fabrizi; Sally Wiggin; Carol Berkman; Susie Perelman; stunning Charena Swann; Randi Dauler; Sandy Bettor; Dr. Ellen Roth; Judy Collins; Sally Levin; Jan Engelberg; Becky Torbin; Caryn Rubinoff; Electra Agras; Jay Ferguson; Cecile Springer; Dennis Huber; Christine Astorino Del Sole; Stephanie Spence; Pam Bryan; Ada Davis; Bonnie Smola and Joe Salandra in a 10-gallon Stetson; Cynthia Tippins; Karen Linder; state Treasurer Barbara Hafer and daughter Beth; Glenn Charest; Marsetta and Dick Schweiger; Dr. Carolyn Ellis; and Lois Pruitt in a raspberry straw and watering can bag to match.

More: Cindy Engler in a fab black straw; Nancy Zappala; Marina Persic-Lehn; Peggy McKnight; Dolores Wilson Smith; Helana Pietragallo and daughter Alana; Helen Hanna Casey and daughter Annie; Carolyn Byham and daughter Tacy; Paula Blodgett; Marian Finegold; Laurie Habeeb; Dr. Ellen Cohen; Jane Roesch; Christine Cohen; Anne Burnham; Lou Gailliot; Mary Margaret Stamy; Cathy Brentzel; Marsha Deaktor; Beverly Harlich; Ann Bridges; Jeanne Anne Hattler; Meg Henne Gibson; Dara Henne; Dolly Ellenberg in pale blue; Leslie Sargent; Carol Caroselli; Margie McGregor; Cindy Raftis sporting a new sparkler; Jan Wagner; Ernie Pearl; Roz Neiman; Connie Bolanis; Becky Bolden; Beth Wainwright and Russ Kemerer; Gail Kabala; Edith Hughes; Catherine Ryan; Camille Goern; Jean and Dick Berdik; Louise Hartman; Sylvia Diez; and Barb Mendlowitz in the day's best topper: a black pillbox sprouting red and black feathers designed by the Little Black Dress shop's Diana Misetic, who was also in a hat of her own creation.

The hat luncheon's cause and go-for-broke glamour are so irresistible, it leaves you utterly convinced that, yes, beauty can restore the soul. And given the last few months, how wonderful life is to have a day like this in the park.

Toast of the town

If you weren't there, then let's just say that you heard it through the grapevine. Of course, we're talking about the uncorked success of the first Pittsburgh Wine Festival on Friday at Heinz Field. With 76 world-class wineries pouring their finest vintages, a sold-out melange of 1,000 oenophiles swirled, sniffed, sipped and savored red, white and sacre bleu vinos from Italy, France, Australia, Chile, Portugal, Spain and the good, old U.S. of A. And, yes, they enjoyed this fruit-of-the-vine fest to the very last quaff.

Let's raise our glasses to Pennsylvania Liquor Control Board boss Jonathan Newman and Trib Prez Ed Harrell, the dynamic duo who fermented this full-bodied fete. Not content to play second fiddle to Philadelphia's two-year-old Winefest, Pittsburgh's organizing committee certainly exceeded its grape expectations. Guided by this paper's resident wine aficionado Dave DeSimone, the party planners included Ken McCrory; Jonathan Alder; Janet Corrinne-Harvey; Dick Rivers; Ken Kapp; Dr. Bob Thompson; Greg Godels; Karin Welzel; Dr. Tom Allen; Ben Elisco (whose agency designed the festival logo); Kraig Cawley; Alex Speyer III; Amy Ashton; and Ray Hartung. If success is intoxicating, then the aftertaste is tres sweet, as a portion of the party proceeds will benefit Children's Hospital.

With a sun-drenched, Technicolor city skyline providing the perfect backdrop, sipping stations lined both sides of the East Club Lounge from one end zone to the other. Serving their cream-of-the-crop reserves and rarer wines were the vintners and owners of Robert Mondavi, Chateau Lynch-Bages, Sassicaia, Silver Oak Cellars, Duckhorn Vineyards, Maison Albert Bichot, Niebaum-Coppola, Louis Jadot, Jacob's Creek of Australia, and Masi.

At the VIP reception, where the $150 corkage fee provided a more leisurely sampling, we spotted Children's Hospital's Ron Violi with Pat Siger and Alan; state Supreme Court Justice Sandra Newman and hubby Dr. John, proud parents of Jonathan; Greta Rooney; Dr. Janis Reed; Christine Astorino Del Sole and Steve; Vatican architect Louis Astorino and son Louis; wine expert John Eld; Clear Channel's Rich Engler and Cindy; Marcia and David Gordon of Orr's; Joe Smith and Anne Lutz; Izzazu's Emilio and Gino with Lori; Frank Fuhrer III and Beth Ann; Comcast chief Doug Sansom and Nancy; Barbara Barry; Betsy Weatherspoon; Cathy McCollom and Kent Edwards; Carolyn Byham; Argentineans Veronica Placci and Pablo Linzoain; Damian Soffer and Teri; Gabriela and David Porges; Stephanie and Bill Spence; U.S. attorney Mary Beth Buchanan and Tom; Shelly and Thor Tolo; Michael Pijanowski; Gwen and George Dakis; Kelly and P.J. Stapleton; Kym and Jerry Rossman; Dr. Tina Reed and Joel; Sharon and Ray Volpatt; Pam and Ben Chapple; Yale Gutnick and daughter Laura; Sarah and Roger Meyer; Cynthia Carrow and Jim Kyper; Joe Kane; Judy and Jim Stalder; Keitha and Steven Libman; Deborah and Eric Hessinger; and Helen and Dan Hoey.

Expertly coordinated by Susan Santa-Cruz of Susan Santa-Cruz Communications with Event Group's Sheila Weiner, every last detail flowed like a rich Bordeaux. Even when the crowd swelled during the public Great Tasting, watering hole lines remained blessedly short and grazing stops plentiful with palate cleansers and hors d'oeuvres. Among those enjoying the nectar of the gods were Dr. Selma Witchel and Steve Steingart; basso buffo Kevin Glavin, who entertained with a tune or two; Don Dozzi; Drs. Kristy and Alfred Cupelli; Sylvia and Don McCoy; Dan and Gina Juliano; Vera Valerio and restaurateur Joey DiSalvo; Cindy and Dr. James Tauberg; Jim Benson; Steve Prader; Chris Beede; and Andrea and Jon Vogel.

During a silent auction of trophy wines, the PLCB set up an on-site shop for those who prefer to sip a hard-to-find chard or merlot closer to home. And when last call sounded, out came coffee and dessert carts.

The parties continued Saturday eve when LaForet, Cafe Allegro, Lucca and a dozen more local high-end eateries prepared specialty dinners to accompany serious wines, with vintners holding court at each table. Though our wine IQ increased a notch or two, the best tip of the two-day to-do proved obvious enough -- circle your calendars now for next year's second annual Pittsburgh Wine Festival.

A votre santÈ!

-- John Altdorfer and J.H.

Bob-ette's feast

Star whisk and party planner Bob Sendall of All in Good Taste made us an offer we couldn't refuse. He invited 31 guests to partake in Bob-ette's Feast, his first art event in the Mattress Factory's "Gestures" exhibit. Little did we know we were to be part of the show.

Pour the bubbly and spread the Beluga. Nothing satisfies the soul (or the stomach) quite like an extravagant meal. You know, the kind that lasts for hours. And puts a serious dent in the old gold card (but is soooo worth it). Which means that we ponied up $300-per-bib-and-tucker to benefit Bob's fave cause, the MF/James Turrell's Roden Crater project in Arizona.

Bob took the underwhelming space better known as MF's Monterrey Street first floor gallery and transformed it into a movie set. Of course, when Bob does a party, he does it all: flowers, linens, ambience, magic. Dozens of white pillar candles of all sizes marched down the center of a huge banquet table. Above it, suspended from the ceiling on invisible filaments, floated tiny glass vials, each holding a single flower. Rather than a cloth, he used widths of lavish fabric, no two the same, to define place settings. Settings created with six silver forks and knives, an art deco charger and assorted stems of crystal.

You could hear the foodies' jaws dropping over each of the 10 courses served with a matching vintage pour. Courses? These were dazzling works of art too beautiful to put a fork into. Almost. And elegantly served by a polished waitstaff clad in black and topped in black berets. Bob was perched at the end of the room under a curved overhead mirror ... the better to see his panhandling (with assists by chef Debbie Mortillaro) and the vibrant, exhilarating cuisine.

Here comes the fun. Because the only thing livelier than the feasting were the performance artists who beamed in and out between courses. Narrated by Joe DeLien of Rockett Productions, there was drag queen Crystal St. Clair lipsyncing to "Let's Dance," the body painting of a nearly nude couple, one red-hot tenor saxman and a violinist, an operatic tenor, a gorgeous belter and a belly dancer, and costumed bizarros filling the room with tiny flavored bubbles in the passing parade.

Even if you hadn't grown up with meatloaf and tuna casserole, how could you keep your socks on? As for the menu, you'll have to see the exhibit that opens Sunday because every morsel, along with the table, flowers and entertainment that screamed "fabulosity," was taped by Rob Long for the Feast's installation. Guests, too, like the MF's Barbara Luderowski and Michael Olijynk; Teri and Damian Soffer; Tim Condron; Nachum Golan and Steve Hough; Lea Simonds and Harley Trice; Susan Nernberg; Jane Citron; Shelly Snoddy; Pat Navarro and Darryl Hutson; Nina Fisher and Roberto Somavilla; Steve Mendelson; Dr. Victor Scott; Susie Perelman; Lois and Milt Michaels; Suzanne Mauro and Josh Stanson; Colleen Moore; and a surprise visit from neighbors Mona and hizzoner Tom Murphy. So happens that the Food Network is talking to Bob about his own show on cooking, and this video may become the basis for a pilot.

"This is not my work," Bob told us, "it's my heart." "Not true," whispered a guest as she finished the last spoonful of white chocolate, pistachios, pecans, lemon, mango, raspberry, caramel and cream served with a '91 Andresen Colheita port. "It's a miracle."

History makers

History has a superb way of repeating itself. Fast forward in time to five influential Pittsburghers who made history and then made it worth repeating Friday at the Historical Society of Western Pennsylvania's History Makers Award Dinner.

Spanning the arts, education, business, sports and politics, we have Rob Marshall, whose career skyrocketed from Broadway stardom to the Oscars as director of the award-winning film "Chicago;" Bill Johnson, president/CEO/chairman of global giant H.J. Heinz Co.; Dr. Allan Meltzer, CMU's nationally renowned economics specialist; Carol Semple Thompson, America's top amateur women's golfer; and U.S. Rep. Jack Murtha.

FreeMarkets' Glen Meakem masterfully chaired the benefit that was keynoted by Paul O'Neill, former Secretary of the Treasury and retired chairman of Alcoa, for 500 history buffs like Ann and Marty McGuinn; HSWP's Andy Masich and Debbie; county Exec Jim Roddey; Nadine Bognar; Tom Usher; Melinda and Jamie Edwards; Grace Compton; Audrey and Tim Fisher; Phyllis Semple; Andrea and Glenn Mahone; Maureen and Dr. Jared Cohon; Tod and Mary Caroline Hunt; and Dr. Helen Faison.

Roots.

Gift of love

Kids. Our joy, our future, our most vulnerable population. And why thousands of parents sported a blue ribbon on their lapel in April. To show their concern for creating a safe, caring community for our children.

Throughout Child Abuse Prevention Month, Family Resources raised our awareness about ending this cycle of tragedy. As the largest such agency in our region, FR works at this 24/7 ... on hot lines, in homes, at its Family Retreat Center.

Some special folks were singled out at FR's eighth annual "blue ribbon" fete at the Westin Convention Center hotel on Tuesday for their

commitment to kids. Like the two couples with young families serving as the eve's honorary chairs: Steelers coach Bill Cowher and Kaye with Michael Donnelly and Peggy Finnegan of WPXI-TV. As well as awardees Dr. Annie Egan, Frieda Shapira, Alan Lefkowitz, Bill Simpson, Dr. Marcia Sturdivant, Amy Eskievich and Betsy Caroff.

The family-friendly benefit for some 340 featured performances by the talented students of the Pittsburgh Musical Theater and Pittsburgh Youth Symphony as well as a scrumptious menu for such as FR director Dr. Walter Smith and Evelyn Savido; Bea and Dr. Jim Bradley; Dorit and David Tuthill; Betty Elmer; Mary and Kevin Bode; Elizabeth and Denis McCarthy; Armando and Manny Cahouet Rotondi; Phil Gulley; Carol and Peter Mathieson; Bill Isler; Nonie Swaim; Diane and Jim Roberts; Mardi and Jim Royston; and Arleen Adelson.

Have you hugged your kids today?

Quick takes

Shepherd's Staff. Twenty-plus years into the epidemic and AIDS still devastates far too many lives. Yet, even as the scourge continues, hope and kindness endure. Now in its 11th year, City Theatre's benefit for the Shepherd's Wellness Community raised $10,000 to provide meals, emotional support, transportation and other help for adults and children with HIV/AIDS. Notables among the sellout audience for the premiere performance of ìHedwig and the Angry Inchî were honorary co-chairs Dee Jay Oshry and Bart Rack; founder the Rev. Lynn Edwards; Beverly and Mel Pollock; judge Christine Ward; Elliot Oshry; Becky Burgwind and Dr. Pat Kane; Charity Imbrie; Jane Barnes; Paul Gitnik; and Richard Parsakian.

Hollywood and Penn. Saturday night and 370 leading ladies and men headlined at the Crohn's and Colitis Foundation of America ball, Starstruck: A Celebration of Hollywood at the Omni William Penn. With black-tie suggested, the glitz and glamour gala honored three generations of the Sigal family, including Norma and Irv, daughter Judy and son Michael accompanied by Randi and their offspring Jeff, Reid and Brian. Production credits go to chairs Gina Lynn and Robyn Roche along with Jodi Amos, Janet Eisen, Pauline Hruska and Carolyn Marks. The stellar cast featured physician of the year Dr. David Medich; WPXI's David Johnson and Nancy; new CCFA director Aylssa Cholodofsky and Rich; Sara and Ahmie Baum; Mary and Lee Patouillet; Lori and Lou Plung; Jennifer and Dr. James Celebrezze; Lois and Dick Sloane; and Dr. Paul Lebovitz.

-- J.A.

More Fanfare headlines

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