More festive highlights ...

Monday, September 18, 2000

Crafting an artistic gala

That was Margaret Raphael hopping out of the silver stretch limo in front of the Society for Contemporary Craft Saturday evening.

Carol Craft, left, and Margaret Raphael escorted by a giant Carmen Miranda puppet (Bob Donaldson, Post-Gazette)

As the daughter of SCC founder Elizabeth Rockwell Raphael, Margaret was an important ingredient in the Tenth Annual Benefit Gala, "Splendid Servers."

The festivities focused on food, with a live auction featuring unique table-toppers including utensils, bowls and place mats.

Creative attire was encouraged, and many of the 300 guests responded.

Meandering through the cocktail hour crowned with her homemade queen-of-the-kitchen chef hat was Marilyn Dodds Frank with her mother, Agnes Dodds Kinard. Susan and Brian Sesack dressed as Alice and the Mad Hatter, which caught the attention of co-chairs Antonio and Teri Pyle and Drs. Lynne Porter and Frank Borgia.

Parading into the party tent were honorary chairs Arthur and Ruth Levine, Issie and Lee Foster, Suzie and Michael Scott and Dr. Loren and Ellen Roth. -- Patricia.Sheridan.

A 70th Anniversary Party

Henry and Elsie Hillman graciously opened their home to more than 200 guests on Wednesday, when they hosted a cocktail party to celebrate Planned Parenthood of Western Pennsylvania's 70th anniversary.

National president Gloria Feldt, in town for the celebration luncheon last Thursday, was the guest of honor.

Elsie Hillman and Gloria Feldt

But Henry stole the show as usual (no mean feat if you're married to Elsie!) with his droll comments that involved some very important neighbors and a number of drinks.

The Fluted Mushroom's Susie Flannery orchestrated a feast for the eyes as well as the stomach under a giant tent on the back lawn, and Jack Purcell led the band. Circulating inside and out were local president Kim Evert (with Bob), board chair Jim Abraham with Francine, co-chairs Gordon Fisher, Rebecca Hebert, Catherine Loevner and Susie Wean and so many more.

Season opener for the symphony

Wind and rain blew away the street party for the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra's season-opening concert Friday evening, but that didn't keep members of The Friends of Mariss and Music from their appointed task -- to have a blast.

Safely socializing inside Heinz Hall, they enjoyed a pre-concert buffet before heading upstairs with PSO managing director Gideon Toeplitz (with wife Gail Ransom) and Allegheny County Chief Executive Jim Roddey (with Elin).

Marian Winson and Margo and Leo Kane at the buffet. (Lake Fong, Post-Gazette

As more than 2,400 poured in for the concert, a brief ceremony was held to unveil the Allegheny Regional Asset District plaque to recognize its help with renovations to the hall.

After the performance, conductor Mariss Jansons (who always sequesters himself before curtain call) joined concertgoers in the lobby. He and wife Irina chatted with board president Tom Todd with Jamee, event chair Connie Bernt with Benno, Gissa and Rudy Weingartner, Liza and Phil Weis, Dr. Laibe and Sydelle Kessler and A.J. and Paul Jenkins. -- Patricia Sheridan

Polo for the Cure in Ligonier

A mix of sun and rain created horrible playing conditions for the Seventh Annual Polo for the Cure match Saturday at Stom Hollow Farm near Ligonier.

	Richard E. Raizman and wife Dorothy, with Shawn the horse. (Franka Bruns, Post-Gazette)

Still, hundreds of hearty souls showed to cheer/lament Dusseldorf, Germany's, win over a Ligonier team captained by Dr. Richard E. Raizman, a co-chair with his wife Dorothy and Dr. Theodore and Lindy Lazzaro of the benefit for The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society. Fritz and Ulla Teroerde of ELG Haniel Metals Corp. entertained friends from three continents in the huge title sponsor's tent (the Ligonier-based couple also took their guests clay shooting at Nemacolin and hosted a black tie affair at Rolling Rock). Sightings included Hans and Jane Sachs, Harvey Childs III, Duffy and Summer Friedlander, Barbara Barry, Dr. JoAnne Boyle, Douglas and Valerie Wood, Dr. Donald Rinchuse and Debbie Campbell, and the day's emcee, Sally Wiggin of WTAE. -- Phyllis Pack

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