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In With the Old
Handsomely curated by print expert Christopher Lane, his 18-month quest took him "to every single institution that might have a Pittsburgh print -- from the Library of Congress to Boston and Philadelphia." Some of the prints are so rare that they survive in a single copy only.
Two drawings in the exhibit are paired with the only two remaining prints made of these drawings.Then there's the monumental 1859 map from the walls of the Duquesne Club with company names written across factories, office buildings and hotels (the map was originally sold as an advertisement, if you please). We were riveted by the sight of a torching fire that devastated Pittsburgh in 1845 and by another of the "burnt out city" in its wake. An 1895 poster advertising a swank residential development in University Park on the North Side that listed homes starting at $100 with "5 percent down" had everyone smiling.
History buffs were captivated by illustrated business directories, bills of sale, cityscape transfers on stoneware, menus and watercolors in mint condition ... 135 in all, a visual account of growth and greatness as the Frick's toast to Pittsburgh's 250th birthday. Tres unusual to find so many of the 350 gallery-goers indoors during the preview rather than on the tented plaza. But who could blame them?
Most of the works were culled from private lenders and local archives (Lane hailed the Hillman Company as having the "finest collection of Pittsburgh prints") and many -- like Harley Trice, Bruce Wolf, David Roger, Andy Masich, Graham Shearing, Heather Semple, and artist George Nama -- shared their delight in seeing one another's pieces highlighted in the exhibit.
The Frick is a jewel box of a museum, and its shows reflect that elegance. As did Friday's ambience that included Rania's smart catering and cocktail spaces that were charmingly flowered with bouquets from Miss Frick's greenhouse for such as FAM director Bill Bodine and curator Sarah Hall; Ellen and John Eichleay; FAM chair Dan Fales with Nancy; Susie and Roy Dorrance; Joel and Mia Hallet Bernard; Carol Word and Bill Trueheart; Richard Armstrong; Cindy and Dr. Bill Swartz; Farley and Josh Whetzel; and Audrey and Tom Hilliard.
As well as Judy and Kevin O'Toole; Barbara and Dr. Gene Myers; Sylvia and Don Robinson; Ellen and Jay Brooks; Sarah Nichols; Betsy and Chuck Watkins; Mike Dabrishus; Christopher Hahn; Vicky Clark; Alice Snyder; Frank Kurtik; Gary Grimes; Jim Chaplin; Drs. Jean Anne and Brack Hattler; Josie Pillar; Bonnie and Dick Anton; and Mark Power with Mark Phillis.
| Wheeling for Healing |
After pedaling along General Forbes' original march through the state as part of Pittsburgh 250, the internationalTour of Pennsylvania cyclists (Clay Murfet came all the way from Tasmania!) escaped Saturday's storms at a warm and welcoming fete hosted by American Eagle Outfitters at their spiffy headquarters in South Side Works.
Noshing on international delicacies and bidding at auction (superbly knocked down by Jim Roddey), some 125 guests raised over $20,000 for Ronald McDonald House Charities. RMHC provides 269 homes worldwide for families with children awaiting medical treatment.
As the sounds of Express wafted through the party, Fanfare spotted AEO's Susan McGalla and Jani Strand; Ronald McDonald (natch); Bill Grattan; South Side Works developer Damian Soffer; longtime McDonald's franchise owner Mike Delligatti with Twilley, James, Ellie and Christian Delligatti.
As well as Debbie Andrews; Ed Esposito; Amy and Gregory Habib; Patrick Heffernan; Julie and Mike Langley; Robert Petrilli; Lynne and Mel Korbini; Joe Molinero; directors sportif (cycling lingo for team managers) Erik Saunders and Anthony Gallino; and former Steelers' Matt Bahr.
-- Sandra Donovan
| Good Grief |
Losing a loved one is never easy. Saying goodbye can be unbearable. But mourners can be helped through the grieving process at the Good Grief Center, a bereavement support facility that cut the ribbon on its new Squirrel Hill office.
Beyond the four walls is a compassionate haven for healing and working through sadness by talking, reading or watching a video. On Monday, over 150 guests came to inspect GGC's new quarters that have doubled in size from its former location in Homestead. The Fluted Mushroom deliciously catered the grand opening that was flowered with beautiful yellow roses by Blooms.
Founder and director Lulu Orr, with board chair Dr. Mark Miller and Dr. Joan Devine, greeted Jean and Brooks Robinson; Betsy and Lee Deiseroth; Grant Oliphant; Aradhna Dhanda; Lisa Schroeder; David Kahley; Alan Dunn; Prentiss Orr; Nancy Zionts; Joni Schwagger; Rachel Walton and Fran Wymard; Marguerite Jarrett Marks; Faith and Alex Moser; and Dr. Loren Roth.
-- JoAnne Harrop
| Million Dollar Voice |
Since winning NBC's "America's Got Talent" in 2007, ventriloquist and celeb impressionist Terry Fator has been playing to SRO audiences from coast to coast. Vegas, too. Better still, the laugh riot is coming to Carnegie Music Hall for Celebration 2008 on Sept. 23 to benefit the Allegheny Valley School, which provides a home and other vital services to over 900 children and adults with mental retardation in Pennsylvania.
A tippy-top committee of volunteers began spreading the news during Thursday's chi-chi cocktail party at the Fox Chapel Golf Club. And a five-minute film clip of Vator on Oprah's show broke up the room.
Of course, John and Parie Duggan (her mother Patricia Hillman Miller founded the school with the help of Bob Prince and Douglas Hannah) were in the gathering. As were AVS prez Regis Champ and Cindy; Molly and Joe Dell; Mardi and Jim Royston; Bonnie VanKirk; Brooke Guyaux; Courtney and Tim Borntraeger; Christine and Jamie Hilliard; Cary and Richard Reed; Jan and Ernie Meade; and party wiz Bonnie Walker-Chirigos who's teaming with Linda Miller to plan the splendid celebration.
