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The Sporting Life
View the Photo Gallery for The Sporting LifeAimee Obidzinski/For the Tribune-Review
View the Photo Gallery for Nutcracker Ball
Aimee Obidzinski/For the Tribune-Review
View the Photo Gallery for the rest of the Fanfafre photos
Aimee Obidzinski/For the Tribune-Review
Athletics are woven into the tapestry of Pittsburgh's life and values, and the museum in the new Smithsonian wing tells the stories of the phenoms who dominated their sport ... the men and women for whom the cheers changed but never stopped. Time out. Saying this museum is great is like saying the jerseys of our sports' dynasties are black and gold.
Swanks and the certified fabulous began with champagne and hearty handshakes at a VIP splash before joining 680 others for cocktails in the new Education Center. The thrill of this mingle was not the sumptuous hors d'oeuvres and top-shelf quaffs, but the up-close sightings of legends. In the midst of it all, Atlantic City's Wacky Wire Man delighted partygoers with artful caricatures from a continuous reel of wire.
The poshest tailgater in history delivered guests to three floors for an elegant wine and dine that followed. Guests were seated at tables covered with black silken cloths embroidered in gold and topped by a domed ice sculpture in which golden sports' trophies were illuminated. Small bouquets of red roses circled the stunning centerpiece.
While jazzy ensembles played sweet and low, the Duquesne Club laid on a feast of succulent beef tournedos, Chilean sea bass and the delicious excess of a white chocolate mousse bombe. Service was impeccable and, get this, the wait staff carried Terrible Towels. A grand slam, sports fans.
It would take a first-string hostess to chair such a night and, to the plate, came Nadine Bognar in a rose silk gown beaded by John Anthony. After dinner, the party rocked on and on to the sensational D.C.-based band, Onyx. Another of Nadine's signature grace notes was the groaning board of Viennese pastries with bags for take-alongs.
Everywhere you looked there were players, big players who left their mark on the game. Like NHL's greatest Mario Lemieux and Nathalie; pro basketball's Susie McConnell Serio and Swin Cash; legendary Steelers Franco Harris with Dana and son Dok, coach Chuck Noll and Marianne, Joe Greene and Agnes, Rocky Bleier and Jan, Mike Wagner and Becky, "Bullet" Bill Dudley of Virginia, Randy Grossman and Barbara, Ernie Holmes and Debia in from Texas, Andy Russell and Cindy, Dwight White and Karen Farmer, and Pat Rooney with her Hall of Fame husband Dan; Pittsburgh Olympian medalists Roger Kingdom, Herbert Douglas and Arnie Sowell; Indy 500 winner Chip Ganassi and gorgeous Cara with driver Chris Gleason and Janet; Pirates Bill Mazeroski with Milene of Florida, Chuck Tanner, Nellie Briles and Bob Friend; Pitt's great coach Johnny Majors with Mary Lynn, and All-America half-back Paul Martha with Roxanne of San Diego; and '32 Olympic swimmer Anna Mae Gorman Lindberg.
Plus such mere mortals as Mellon's Marty McGuinn (he co-chaired the $27 million capital campaign to build the new wing) with Ann; Alcoa's Bill O'Rourke (standing in for campaign co-chair Alain Belda); HC chair Glen Meakem and Diane; Susie and Bill Johnson; Ginny Moyles and Dick Simmons (they're engaged!); Sandy and Prosser Mellon; Pirates' Kevin McClatchy; event director Audrey Brourman; Greta and Art Rooney; HC prez Andy Masich with mother Mary in from Seattle; Gracie Compton and daughter Grace; Tim Fisher; Jan and Dick Pagliari; Kevin and Kristen McMahon; Lynn and Ron Davenport; Lou Astorino; Ranny and Jay Ferguson; Taylor DeWeese and son Jamie; Dr. Katherine and Tracy Henderson; Cynthia Bognar and Steve Beemsterboer; Mary Caroline and Tod Hunt; and Ruth Anne and Ralph Papa.
I'm gaining on it: County exec Dan Onorato; hizzoner Tom Murphy; Sandy Bettor; Pat and Alan Siger; Evelyn and Bernie Benkovitz; Julie and Mike Langley; Larry Tamburri; Jane Werner; Gabriela and David Porges; Jan and Robert Berensfeld; Christine and T.J. McCrady; Esther Bush; Dr. Bruce Rabin; Debby and Dan Booker; Susan Santa-Cruz and Art Stroyd; Gail and Tom Murphy; Melinda and Jamie Edwards; Chris and Lanny Frattare; Lloyd McClendon; Ed Bognar and Chris Adams; Rose and Dr. Mike Kutsenkow; Ed Stein and Bonnie Walker Chirigos who added her magic to the party; Jackie and Dave Christopher; Marsetta and Dick Schweiger; Andrea and Glenn Mahone; Lynn and Dick Hoak; Irene and Gary Bogart; Jerry Lee Morosco; Kathy Buechel and Fred Egler; Shirley and Ken Sawyer; and Missy and John Unkovic.
They are the champions, my friends.
| Nutcracker Ball |
We'll borrow a title from Richard Rodgers to say that Saturday's Nutcracker Ball at the Omni William Penn was indeed some enchanted evening as a record number of 500 black ties swelled the grand ballroom to celebrate the Pittsburgh Ballet Theatre's annual glamfest.
The magic spell spread as tiny dancers greeted guests in the hotel lobby and continued as elevators doors opened on the 17th floor, where sugar plum fairies, toy soldiers and other costumed youngsters from the PBT school pranced amid the gorgeously gowned ladies and their dapper gents. Yet, that was just an overture to an outstanding pre-dinner performance by seven of the company's principal dancers, who balanced Springsteen with Stravinsky and Tchaikovsky.
Let's add the names of co-chairs Melanie and Eric Werner to the list of master choreographers for casting every step of this swank spectacular. Performing a perfect pas de deux, the ball wowed from start to finish. Certainly an affair to remember, from tables bedecked with towering rose filled centerpieces topped with candles to the bedazzling silent auction and sumptuous menu, the Nutcracker still shines with megawatts of star power. Here's a well-deserved Fanfare to board chair Jeanne Gleason (with Robert) and a supporting cast that included Doritt and David Tuthill; Kathleen and John Miclot; Charlene and Dr. Michael Barnett; Judy and Bill Shipley; and Debra and Frank Dermody.
A parade scene stealers included Marianna Tcherkassky and PBT director Terrence Orr; Diane and Hal Waldman; Liz and Dan Wilson; Carol and Jim McCarl; Ruthie and Bill King; Peggy and Steve McKnight; Susie and Charles Franklin; Becky and Herb Torbin; Jane and Robert Gleason; Susan and David Matter; former director Patricia Wilde; Ellen and Tom Golonski; PBT school director Roberto Munoz; and Cindy and Andy Russell.
Belle of the balls.
- J. A.
| Greater Goods |
Call it gridlock city. Pittsburgh's finest directing bumper-to-bumper traffic, three blocks deep, around Kaufmann's Department Store, Downtown, from 6 to 9:30 p.m. Wednesday. And still they came ... more than 4,000 strong. Not rush hour traffic, gentle reader. That's always headed the other way. What we had here was an irresistible drawing card for a great cause.
Make that a host of great causes, according to Kaufmann's G.M. Neil Penz, and every* buck from (bold)A Very Merry Evening will be divvied among area nonprofits. A $10 tix gave shoppers a spree of discounts and drawings for fantastic prizes ... while they mixed and mingled with the media gussied up in black-tie and passing trays of treats.
Santa had major competition from the happenings that abounded upstairs and down with that jingle-jangle feeling from sprites of the Ballet Theatre's "Nutcracker," CLO Mini Stars, River City Youth Chorale, Dickens Christmas Carolers and, quelle* hoot, the tap-dancing Kaufmann's Bagettes. While gals gravitated to the fashion struts and makeovers, guys staked out the Texas Hold 'Em poker table.
Among those too merry to miss, we spotted such as media celebs Kelly Frey, Sheila Hyland, Brenda Waters, Kevin Benson, Sara Lockard and Ron Antill; TV entertainment hosts Christy Rost; authors Jim O'Brien and Zainabu Kpaka Kallon; chef Chris Gray; artist Linda Barnicott; Suzanne Zischkau in black tie; Barbara Caplan; Sharon Goldstein; Cheryl Zarewicz; Rev. Don Green; Marcia Martin; Luis Fabregas; and, ahem, members of the Trib's top brass.
A fashionable Fanfare to Kaufmann's beautiful Erika Kirwin, who coordinated the treasure island that raised more than $65,000 for sweet charity and had us verily, merrily, shopping our little hearts out.
| Grand Slam Roast |
Thursday night and the hot stove league was smoking at the Omni William Penn ballroom as 300 baseball fans turned up the heat on Pirates owner Kevin McClatchy during the Big Brothers Big Sisters of Greater Pittsburgh Corporate Roast.
No stranger to the organization, which mentors hundreds of local youngsters in need of strong role models, the Bucco boss first stepped up to the plate as a Big Brother in the late 1980s. "When they asked me to do this, I said yes right away, even though I can get roasted every day in the media, because this is such an important cause," said the affable honoree. Among the hard-hitting all-star lineup were co-chairs Catherine Lapides and Pat Lucas; local BBBS founder Kenny Ross and Claire; honorary chair George Morgan; manager Lloyd McClendon; announcers Steve Blass and Greg Brown; former mound ace Nellie Briles; Lou Astorino; Tom Grealish; Curtis Aiken; Chip Ganassi; Leslie and Bob Nutting; Ron Violi; ex-mayor Sophie Masloff; and emcee Larry Richert.
Play ball.
- J. A.
| Daring to Dream |
Let's hope they never impose term limits on Allegheny General Hospital Auxiliary Ball co-chairs Mary Warde (with Dr. Donal) and Sandy Bonnet (with Dr. Chris), who for the third year helmed this stylish soiree. As always , the dynamic duo earned high praise for not only their party-planning prowess, but also for raising $500,000 for AGH's Gilmore Womens and Infants Center. "In Your Dreams" was the theme, but the realities will improve health care for local mothers and their babies. Among the 360 guests were AGH CEO Connie Cibrone; West Penn Allegheny Health Care System prez Jerry Fedele and Terry; Janet and Dr. Tom Stein; Betty Lange; Susan and Leonard Leibert; Susan and Dr. Fred Harchelroad; and Mary Lou Krieger.
Sweet dreams.
- J. A.
| Man for all Seasons |
There was something intoxicating about all this gorgeousness under one swagged-and-tasseled roof. A something Tim Condron knows full well after creating the knockout ambience of major benefits (sometimes as chair), dream weddings and parties from here to the Hamptons for 12 years. Flair and incredibly beautiful arrangements are Tim's hallmarks. And he never puts out any 'tude.
Wedneday, he and partner Glenn Charest hosted the quintessential ho-ho cocktail do for hundreds of guests that was equal parts power tie and glammy set with martini bars, music, an utterly delicious graze by Big Burrito and precious little air for air-kissing. It unfolded in his Shadyside showroom that has the artful drama of a movie set and is becoming a star in the constellation of party venues. Awash in a forest of orchids, full blown peonies and hundreds of twinkling votives, it's not so much a flower shop as a Valhalla for hostess gifts. And Mardi Royston is now running that department.
Admiring all that glittered and gleamed so were such as Susie Perelman; Jan and Dick Pagliari; Karen and Jim Johnson; Henry Gailliot; Judith and Lou Mancini; Linda Bucci; Catherine Loevner and Caroline; Dr. Helene Blodgett; Bernie Worden; Drs. Thelma Snyder and Marc Liang; Selma and Leon Sherman; Kathleen and Tom Stanton; Shelly Snoddy; Ada and Stan Davis; Dr. John McSorley; Caroline Stewart; Amy and Ira Morgan; D.A. Steve Zappala and Mary; Bill Chisnell; Peggy and Steve McKnight; Dee Bold; Dr. Elliott Kramer and Bill Modrak; Tricia Kassling; Marion Wilson; Patsy and Buddy Bluestone; Mary McVay and Tim; and Lucy and Ian Rawson.
Party central.
| Baby Talk |
Chefs who are large and in charge of 22 of our best restaurants and hotel kitchens were strutting their culinary stuff at Monday's March of Dimes tasting and auction in the Hilton ballroom. Grazing was the name of the game that had 700 foodies tucking into one show-off victual after another to fund MOD's mission of saving babies by preventing premature births.
Hail to the chefs, indeed. But chalk up this $75,000 success story to chairs Ty Eggemeyer and Dick Kennedy, with Leslie and Kay, who were are the top of their menus in turning out an uptown crowd for some down-home cooking. J.T. Thomas of Steelers' Super Bowl fame was honorary chair and, having been in the food biz for over 20 years after running out the clock at the NFL, he knows all about panhandling.
Between bites and bids, we spotted Paula and Gerard Sansosti; MOD Ambassador child, 10-month-old Madison (weighing less than three pounds at birth) with mommy Amber Koskey; Debbi and Bill Linhardt; emcee Larry Richert of KDKA; Steelers' alum Mike Wagner and beautiful Becky; David Raible; Jay and Kelly Sukernek; Debbie Ray; Amalia D'Onofrio; John Staley; Vince Locher; Handels' Jim Brown; Lori and Judge Tom Hardiman; Fred and Karen Hartman; Liz Deemer; Marilyn and Don Jenkins; Angie Longo; Kathy Mayle; and Mary Grace Joseph.
Quel baby food.
| Quick Takes |
- J.A.
- J.A.
