More gatherings and notable events...

May 24, 2004

4:00 AM

American Ireland Fund Dinner

It's no blarney. The American Ireland Fund, co-founded in 1976 by Dan Rooney and Sir Anthony O'Reilly (back when he was still Tony and head of Heinz), has raised and provided grants in excess of $150 million to Ireland. Now a worldwide organization, it funds social services, cultural festivals, historic preservation, integrated schools and peace initiatives. On Friday, more than 400 guests walked through the kelly green doors of the H. Hillman Pub at Heinz Field for the 18th annual gala benefit. It honored Henry and Elsie Hillman and the Hillman family, who know a lot about the color green and have sprinkled it around like little leprechauns.

The East Lounge was decorated to look like an Irish pub, complete with Irish dancing by the Coleman Brothers, but stocked with great American food including a raw bar. Dinner was hearty fare -- filet mignon and crab cakes with strawberry shortcake for dessert -- and served on jewel-toned linens topped with lush green and white blooms from Blooms. A welcome from AIF CEO Kingsley Aikins was followed by an invocation by Bishop Donald Wuerl and remarks by Dan Rooney (with Pat) and dinner co-chairs Sy Holzer (with Cathy) and Art Rooney II (with Greta). "If you had waited one year, this could have been our 60th anniversary party," Hillman joked, adding that the secret to a successful marriage is "That old formula -- I don't try to run her life, and I don't try to run mine!"

Laughing along with daughters Lea Hillman Simonds (with son Henry) and Audrey Hillman Fisher (with daughter Nina) were Tom and Audrey Hilliard, Jim and Sharon Rohr, Marty and Ann McGuinn, John and Catharine Ryan, Chris and Ann Donahue, Jeff and Stefania Romoff, Dr. Stanley and Ellen Marks, David and Susan Matter, David and Nancy Malone, Jeff and Nancy Kmiecs, Mark and Laura Schneider, Joanne Rogers, Bill and Mardi Isler, Tom and Marilyn Donnelly, Ted Smyth and Mary Breasted, George and Janet Miles, Judge Ralph and Janet Cappy, Nick and Dotty Beckwith, Sibby McCrady, Carl and Mary Jane Greffenstette, Dick Barton, Fr. Tom Ferris, Mike and Debbie Barbarita, Sr. Mary Paul Hickey and Sr. Ignatius Rooney, Ron and Judge Mary Jane Bowes, Mayor Tom Murphy and County Chief Executive Dan Onorato.

John Heller, Post-Gazette
Honorees Henry and Elsie Hillman stand outside their pub with Dan and Pat Rooney.
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John Heller, Post-Gazette
Tacy Byham and Marie Coleman in balloon hats
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Rock around the block

As the great "Saturday Night Live" character Emily Litella might have asked, "What's all this fuss about young people leaving Pittsburgh?" Nearly 300 of them rocked at the Children's Museum of Pittsburgh on Friday after the heavy 6 o'clock downpour forced the outdoor party inside. "Rock Around the Block" featured women in summer dresses and smart, tropical-flavored pant suits and their male escorts in crisp blazers, sweaters and even shorts. Partygoers danced to upbeat tunes and sampled excellent French wines donated by connoisseur Dr. Dennis Borczon, a psychiatrist from Erie. Parkhurst catered the wide array of food while revelers including stunning Tacy Byham donned elaborate balloon hats.

"Rock Around the Block" usually raises about $30,000 for the museum, which opened an exhibit over the weekend on Maurice Sendak, the acclaimed children's book illustrator. Co-chairs for the bash were the affable Jen Broadhurst, who donned large green earrings that matched her flowered slacks, and the equally friendly Rick Lerach. Jane Werner, the museum's executive director, and Anne Lewis, the museum's board president, grinned for a very good reason. They have raised $27 million of the $28 million they need to pay for the museum's new addition, which will open Nov. 6.

Mingling were "Relativity's" David Conrad, Jodi Golomb and Gratia Maley. Dr. Lidia Turzai, a pediatrician, found herself surrounded by four lawyers -- her husband, state Rep. Mike Turzai, David and Jennifer Chontos and Alex Thomson. Kevin Albaugh accompanied his daughter, Lisa Albaugh. Lodi Winslow, a striking woman from Mexico City, came with father-in-law Harry Winslow (whose wife, Lois, is the museum's director of education). Among the glamour girls were Holly Kreisel, Kelly Boyer, Meagan Aron and Lynn Horvath.

-- Marylynne Pitz

AJC Dinner

The Donald Trump of residential real estate, Hoddy Hanna, chaired the annual American Jewish Committee Community Service Human Rights Award dinner Wednesday. Ralph Papa, Western region president of Citizens Bank of Pennsylvania, was honored with the award for his dedication to the community through charitable boards and financial support.

Nearly 250 people gathered at the Marriott City Center for the event, which also featured guest speaker George Miles of WQED Multimedia. Among the 235 patrons helping to raise $100,000 were Pittsburgh chapter president Mark Frank (with Lynne) and chairman Harvey Zeve (with Florence), area director David Shtulman, David and Judy Ehrenwerth, Milt and Sheila Fine, Vi and Joseph Soffer, Alan and Ruth Garfinkel, Nancy Rackoff, rabbis Richard and Susan Rheins, Daniel Valentine, and Gissa and Rudy Weingartner.

-- Patricia Sheridan

Joyful Noise 2004

Greg Dixon
Hoddy Hanna and Ralph Papa
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Annie O'Neill, Post-Gazette
98-year-old jean Lutz accepts her award.
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At 98, Jean Wiegand Lutz has amassed quite a few friends and even more fans, 370 of whom turned up at PNC Park on May 16 to honor her with the Micah 6:8 Award. The afternoon, featuring a buffet dinner, gospel concert, auction and premiere of a new music video, was a benefit for East Liberty Family Health Care Center, which Lutz's brother helped to found.

The faith-based organization provides primary health care without regard to ability to pay, and giving to the community has also been the mission of Lutz's life. A volunteer at St. Clair Hospital for 23 years, the former church musician was feted by board chair and founder Rev. Douglas Dunderdale, event chairs Kristen Wilson (with husband Dr. Stephen) and Georgette Powell (with husband Rev. Charles), Dan and Bonnie Sandman, Kim and Curt Fleming, Stephen and Debbie Paschall, Dr. David and Susie Hall, and Mary Anne Ohsol (with husband Fred).

A Fond Farewell to the PSO

Today I remember when I did my first speech to you seven years ago. I was terribly nervous because it was my first speech in English," began Mariss Jansons in his closing remarks. He delivered his most heartfelt farewell words during a lovely private dinner at Heinz Hall on Tuesday attended by many of the board members who brought him here.

Former board chair Don Moritz, under whose tenure Jansons was hired, expressed thanks along with current board chair Dick Simmons and Jamee Todd on behalf of her out-of-town husband, Tom. But the standing ovation Jansons and his wife, Irina, received as they made their way through the 100 or so guests said even more. "We have been everywhere in the world, but we've never met such wonderful people as we met in Pittsburgh, so warm and friendly," an emotional Jansons said. "It's been very important years, very successful. Thank you for your commitment to make this great orchestra, and to keep it great." Toasting the couple were Henry and Elsie Hillman, Connie and Benno Bernt, Gail and Greg Harbaugh, Brooks and Jean Robinson, Joan and Jerry Apt, Judy and Roger Clough, Bill Dietrich and Jane Treherne-Thomas, Erika and Helge Wehmeier, Bill Boyd Jr., Basil Cox and Jayne Adair, Dona and Tom Hotopp, Gissa and Rudy Weingartner, Bev and Steve Elliott, Dr. Len and Kathy Stept, and the PSO's Larry Tamburri.

Watts Honors Rogers

The late Fred Rogers was remembered Wednesday by his "very first neighborhood" (his term for his hometown of Latrobe) at a stellar dinner and concert at nearby St. Vincent College, soon to be home to the Rogers Center for Early Learning and Children's Media.

Headlining was the celebrated pianist Andre Watts, appearing gratis to honor his lifelong friend and inaugurate the college's new Carey Performing Arts Center. Enjoying his performance were Rogers' widow, the ever-gracious Joanne, their son Jim (with Genie) and Fred's sister Nancy Crozier (with husband Dan and son Dan Jr.). Also present were SVC President Jim Will (with Mary Ellen) Archabbot Douglas Nowicki, WQED's Jim Cunningham and emcee David Hartman, former host of "Good Morning America." In the crowd were Carol and Joe Massaro, Alina and Joe Massaro III, Prosser and Sandy Mellon, John and Rhodora Donahue, John and Lucine Marous, Tasso and Jane Katselas, Art and JoAnne Boyle, and, from Latrobe, such folks as Jim and Christine Okonak, Marilyn and Dr. Wiley Overly, Bill and Linda Boxx, Barbara Nakles, Jerry Palmer, and Ron and Lauren Raimondo.

-- Phyllis Pack

MVH /NYC

It was big, bold and brilliant. But nothing less would do for "A New York State of Mind," the Monongahela Valley Hospital's annual gala. The Saturday night soiree at the Westin Convention Center paid tribute to the Big Apple's monumental appeal and a man who could make it anywhere, president of MVH Health System Anthony Lombardi (with Barbara and daughter Becky). In 41 years of service, he probably got as much sleep as the city that never does. A dinner program of Frank Sinatra songs by Tom Tiratto and Cityscape made the evening a night to remember for the 650 guests. Among those hailing Lombardi and raising $137,000 were board chair Dr. Julia Ann Ansill, Louis Panza Jr, Dr. Sheila Hewie, Patrick and Georgia Mazzolla, Lillian Beattie, Bernice Bollman, Christine Dawkins, William Hope, Gerald Smith, John Vangura, Rick Henry, Ian and Lucy Rawson, Hospital and Health Systems of Pennsylvania CEO Carolyn Scanlon, West Penn Allegheny Health System President Jerry Fedele, Washington County commissioners J. Bracken Burns, Diana Irey and Larry Maggi, and emcee Ron Paglia.

-- Patricia Sheridan