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More gatherings and notable events ...

More gatherings and notable events ...

Literacy Luncheon
John Beale, Post-Gazette
Don Block, Henry Winkler and Doug Sansom
Click photo for larger image.

Henry Winkler is far cooler than his Fonz persona. The former "Happy Days" star was in Pittsburgh Thursday for the Greater Pittsburgh Literacy Council's Leaders for Literacy Luncheon at the Omni William Penn. As guest speaker he made a point of trying to meet all the guests during a reception before the program began.

"He was so accessible and engaging," said Lois Pruitt. Everyone who enjoyed hearing about his journey from undiagnosed dyslexia to Yale shared that sentiment. Board president Marshall Wunderlich (with Christine) welcomed guests, while emcee Jim Roddey entertained with a few trademark quips.

Honorary chair Doug Sansom joined executive director Don Block in thanking Winkler for his support, as did literally hundreds including Charles Dougherty, Michael Braxton, Bill Gorman, Bill Green, Bill Trueheart, Jackie Kalocay Hogg with David, Patsy and Wally Smith and Mary Weibel.

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-- Patricia Sheridan

Sewickley Sizzles

Refugees from the struggles of daily life in suburbia flooded the Edgeworth Club Saturday for the Child Health Association of Sewickley's annual ball, Havana Nights. Turning the place into the hottest spot north of the Point were chairs Carolyn Bouchard (with Jim) and Maggi Fritz (with Mike).

Even if the palm trees and parrots were fake, the enthusiasm was genuine. Among those crowding the dance floor when INTRANSIT performed at this Copacabana-style party were board chair Susan Kaminski (with Greg), David and Marcia Gordon of Orr's Jewelers, Traci and Richard Oziemblowsky, Margi and Bruce Carlson, Beth and Ken Rom, Tom and Doe Samuels, Celine and Paul O'Neill Jr., Jay and Holly Miller, Robin and Judy Hetzell, Jay and Holly Miller, Mark and Judy Scioscia, Karen Prunczik, Lee and Merri Corbett and Daniel and Loretta Brooks.

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-- Patricia Sheridan

The Great Kidney Kaper

John Heller, Post-Gazette
David Gordon, Susan Kaminski and Marcia Gordon
Click photo for larger image.John Heller, Post-Gazette
Dr. Subramoniam Jayakumar and Dr. Adriana Selvaggio
Click photo for larger image.

There's no mystery as to why The Great Kidney Kaper was such a success. It's the people who make the party. The National Kidney Foundation of Western Pennsylvania's annual ball chaired by Dr. Subramoniam Jayakumar and Dr. Adriana Selvaggio (with Dr. Steven Heilbrunn) was a case of chronic fun with entertainment by House of Soul, DJs Ed and Rod and the always terrific Omni William Penn ballroom staff (especially Ken Dainty!).

Between the cascading chocolate fountain, martini bar, cognac and cigar room, tasting stations and holiday shopping, where to start was enough to baffle any mystery buff. But that was only half the fun. A karaoke contest, salsa dancing, a live auction and a drawing for a Mini Cooper completed the puzzle.

Having more than a clue about supporting the kidney cause were executive director Deb Hartman (with John), Joyce and Dennis Biearman, Rose and Keith Oden, John Wotus, David and Jennifer Sawyer, Dawn Kessler, Heather Chronis with Vince Delmonte, Caroline Loevner with her mother, Catherine, and the joyful Helen Krivanich.

-- Patricia Sheridan

A Visit with Tony Curtis

A very gracious Tony Curtis and his charming wife, Jill, enjoyed a few days in the city last week while on a promotional tour for cable channel Turner Classic Movies. Their stop here included a screening at the Byham Theater of the comedy classic "Some Like It Hot," which starred Curtis, Jack Lemmon and Marilyn Monroe.

At a private reception at the Renaissance Pittsburgh hotel before he took to the Byham stage for a question-and-answer session in front of 1,200 people, Curtis mingled with actor/director/special effects man Tom Savini, the Post-Gazette's Barry Paris, who co-authored Curtis' biography, former Mayor Sophie Masloff, city Councilman Doug Shields, and the lovely and talented Lenora Nemetz, who co-starred with Curtis in the stage version of "Some Like It Hot."

-- Johnna A. Pro

Arthritis Testimonial Gala

Martha Rial, Post-Gazette
Tony Curtis and wife Jill
Click photo for larger image.Alyssa Cwanger, Post-Gazette
Sam Rockwell III with Frances and Corky Cost
Click photo for larger image.

Why build with sticks when you can use bricks?" quipped Lou Astorino of his pal Corky Cost, CEO of the Cost Co., a leading masonry contracting firm. As the honoree of the 22nd Annual Arthritis Foundation Testimonial Dinner Gala Wednesday, Cost was roasted by honorary chairs Astorino, Sy Holzer, Jack Mascaro, Denise Pampena Nairn, John Pelusi Jr., Jim Roddey (who also served as emcee) and Sam Rockwell III, who doubled as dinner chair.

A crowd of more than 400 guests flocked to the Westin Convention Center Hotel for the occasion, which included a generous cocktail period and live auction (the fierce bidding reached $38,000 for a golf foursome at Oakmont without Corky). Among Cost's many fans were his wife, Frances, and four daughters (Rebecca Snyder, Kristan O'Donnell, Georgia Pawk and Jeanianne Brody), Chip and Cara Ganassi, Joe Francis, Dr. Stanley and Ellen Marks, David Malone, Dr. Dana Ascherman, Ron and Pat Violi, Eddie and Anne Lewis, Peter Leone and Arthritis Foundation WPA CEO Marty Tiani.

Living it up for Lambda

The reputation for a good time can take you far, but a strong host committee will get you into the limelight. Ready for its close-up, the Lambda Foundation celebrated the 17th annual benefit ball "Lights, Camera, Lambda" at the Hilton Saturday night.

Helping to make it a box-office favorite were chairs August "Buzz" Pusateri and Susan Regan. This year 400 guests, including Councilman Sala Udin with his wife, Jacquelyn Wells, Judge Christine Ward and Peggy Atkinson and Randy Forrester with Jim Huggins turned out to support the organization, which serves the lesbian, gay and bisexual community.

Receiving the Board of Directors Award was the Rev. Lynn C. Edwards. Nina Markovic presented Dustin Frazier with a foundation scholarship. Dancing to After Midnight were Outreach chair Patty Liddy (with Stacey Eisner), Nachum Golan with Steve Hough, Paul Gitnik, Dinah Denmark and Alice Greene and Robert Sette.

-- Patricia Sheridan

Forbes Hospice Celebrates 25 Years

Lisa Kyle
Varian "Vera Fierce" Huddleston, Jay Pierce and Rick Allison
Click photo for larger image.Martha Rial, Post-Gazette
Maryanne Fello and Maria Burgwin
Click photo for larger image.

The remarkable work Forbes Hospice does in treating the dying with dignity and aiding their families during a difficult time has long been recognized as an important contribution made to the community by the West Penn Allegheny Health System. Though it loses money each year, the hospice has been kept alive through the health system's commitment and by the many volunteers who gathered to celebrate its 25th anniversary Wednesday evening.

The Senator John Heinz Pittsburgh Regional History Center's new sports museum attracted a large crowd, including event chairs Maury and Maria Burgwin and hospice executive director Maryanne Fello. Also there were Forbes Capital Campaign honorary chair Rose Ferraro, co-chairs Lori Cardille-Rogal, Jean Robinson, H. Campbell Studeman and Ellen Walton, along with WPA health system CEO Jerry Fedele, VP Jim Rosenberg, Forbes Health Foundation director Mary Lee Gannon, West Penn Hospital CEO Jim Collins and Forbes Regional Hospital CEO Tom Senker.

First Published: November 22, 2004, 5:00 a.m.

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