


Rocky and Jan Bleier with daughters Rosie and Elly
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They came, one and all, to the Reindeer Ball, a first-time event to benefit A Child's Place at Mercy Children's Medical Center. More than 600 guests (half adults, half children) arrived at the Omni William Penn on Saturday night and found a winter wonderland waiting on the 17th floor. A live holiday revue created by Ryan Stana kept everyone entertained between bouts of face painting, gingerbread cookie decorating, balloon art, singing and dancing with Jingles the Elf and visits with Mother Nature. Child-sized food stations were well stocked with favorite kid foods, while mom and dad could partake of more grown-up fare.
Rocky and Jan Bleier served as honorary chairs, with Mimi and Michael Colville, Kelly and David Rohrich, Miroya and Merrill Stabile and Joan and Sam Tosto as co-chairs. A huge hit were the holiday tree centerpieces for sale, decorated and donated by top local florists and interior designers. The evening was created by Pittsburgh Mercy Foundation director Connie Murray (with Tom) and Pam Douglas. Ducking the snowflakes that were showered upon the ballroom were Dr. Mary Carrasco, Pat Denham with daughter Taylor, Dan Vitale and their children Jack and Julia, Stuart and Kathy Horne with Jake and Zoe, Lee and Meredith Ford with Emily and Sidney, Kelly and Amy McVay with Lily and Max, Curtis and Justine Kossman with David and Lauren and many more.
Ice Escapades
The Pittsburgh Foundation hosted its annual Family Ice Skating party on Friday morning at the PPG rink, where 200 or so guests donned skates or took the safer route of watching the action from the sidelines. As a way of saying thanks to donors and advisers, the event doubles as a fun family kick-off to the holiday season.
Among those lacing up or downing hot chocolate were Burr and Barbara Wishart, Drs. R.L. and Martha John, Bob and Betty Mertz, George and Blythe Davis, Carol MacPhail and family, Bill and Carrie Casey Leemhuis with Kelly and Conner, Morton and Traci Weatherford-Brown with daughter Lily and Richard Reed with daughter Carly.


At the Pittsburgh Foundation's annual ice skating party at the PPG rink downtown are, from left, Jacqueline O'Toole, 9, of Coraopolis; Emily MacPhail, 18, and sister Mary McPhail, 8, both of Franklin Park.
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First Published: November 29, 2004, 5:00 a.m.