Annie O'Neill, Post-Gazette Ted Pappas performs a Greek dance. Click photo for larger image.

There was nothing ancient about the crowd that turned out Wednesday night for the final dress rehearsal of Sophocles' "Oedipus the King" at Pittsburgh Public Theater. With "A Celebration of Greece" as its theme, the benefit party that surrounded the performance attracted some of the most prominent members of the local Greek community. Thank chairs Jim and Electra Agras for persuading many of their friends to attend, and PPT for staging quality productions that make supporting the theater a pleasure.

Guests arrived to a lobby filled with the Olympic Dancers of Metropolitan Pittsburgh and PPT artistic director Ted Pappas, who joined in the Greek dancing. Close to 500 guests mingled on all three floors, but congregated especially in the Rehearsal Hall for drinks and a buffet of Greek foods from Rania's Catering. There was more mingling after the play, along with dessert.

Rocking in the cradle of civilization were PPT managing director Mark Power, co-chairs Kathy and Chris Balouris, board chair Stuart Miller with wife Linda, Joanna Littlefield, Frank and Athena Sarris, Audrey Hillman Fisher, Catherine Loevner, Beverly Harlich, Joe Massaro, Jim Patrinos, Nadine Bognar, Sam and Joanie Kamin, Sandy Bettor, Susan Lucian, Cecile and Paul O'Neill Jr., Clyde Jones, Barry Sullivan, Eric and Celine Springer, Joan and Gerry Apt and many more.

Annie O'Neill, Post-Gazette Chris and Terri Snavely Click photo for larger image.

50 Years in Haiti

Hopital Albert Schweitzer Haiti celebrated its 50th anniversary the same way it has survived that long -- with the help of good Pittsburgh friends. An elegant evening at the Pittsburgh Golf Club on Friday was attended by many guests with ties to the Mellon family, in part because the hospital was founded by Larry and Gwen Mellon. Gwen's son Ian Rawson and his wife, Lucy, who is president of Friends of Hopital Albert Schweitzer, and hospital CEO Dr. Venkita Suresh and his wife, Raji, joined forces to honor Chris and Terri Snavely. Mr. Snavely has planted more than 1,000 fast-growing trees in Haiti to help re-forest the country, an extraordinary effort. On hand to recognize his achievement as well as the hospital's mission were PNC CEO Jim Rohr, Jenny Grant (daughter of Gwen Mellon), Dr. Rick Shannon, George Medved, Tom and Sue Schmidt, Debbie Dick, Tim and Audrey Hillman Fisher, Susan Clancy, Kitty Hillman and Richard Burkland, Pat and Alan Siger and the Snavelys' children Sue Fitzsimmons (with David) and Steve Snavely with Peggy.