John Heller, Post-Gazette
Guests gather during cocktails in the Patio Room of the Duquesne Club.
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Hanukkah is well under way, Christmas is 12 days off, the office party looms, and your brain keeps running the Paul Revere-like refrain, "The family is coming, the family is coming." There isn't a pharmaceutical strong enough to ease that kind of tension -- which is why the Parental Stress Center exists. Of course, the staff spends most of the year helping parents and children to cope with much more serious issues, including neglect, abuse, education and employment. Each December, it dedicates one night to honoring a "Friend of the Family," an award named in memory of Frieda Shapira.

Saturday at the Duquesne Club during the PSC's annual Holiday Party, the focus was on this year's recipient, Aaron Walton (with Gloria). The festivities were chaired by a tireless supporter and former awardee Janice Friedman (with Alter). Board president Tony Dias (with Amy) announced that the event was also a kick-off for celebrating the beginning of the 30th anniversary for PSC.

Mingling around the fountain circled by poinsettias in the Patio Room were former Mayor Sophie Masloff, Dr. Lee and Norma Walter, Eleanor Schano Feeney with Judge Jack, Judge Larry and Nathalie Kaplan, Luke and Jeannie Desmone, Ralph and Susan Kaiser, Deb and Brad Heppner, Jeff and Holly Sletten, Dina and Luigi Tommasino, Dr. Eric and Kathy Kofmehl, Henry Kacprzyk with Beverly Beisgen and Karen Blumen with her son, Neil. Feeling nearly as relaxed as Santa on the Fourth of July were board executive director Tim Snyder with his wife, Arlene.

-- Patricia Sheridan

Laughter and Cheer

It looks like Christmas year-round from the windows of LeMont Restaurant on Mount Washington, but Monday there were just as many lights inside the restaurant, which was dressed in its seasonal best for the Civic Light Opera Guild's annual holiday party. Laughter and cheer were promised on the invitation and were delivered as members and their guests gathered for complimentary "poinsettias" (aka cosmopolitans), a sumptuous supper and dancing to Mark Pipas.

Irene Walker (with Andy Shick) chaired the evening, which gave special thanks to Dolores Bold and Connie Rockwell, who wore her trademark Christmas tree hat. The Connie Rockwell Scholarship Award was presented to tenor Joseph Baron, a student at Oberlin. Enjoying the festive night were guild president Patti Matty (celebrating that the guild has 12 new members), Bobbi and Ralph Aiello, Audia and Bill Otto, Mary Ann Boehm, Debbie Fazi, Barb Mendlowitz, Vi and Bob Gallo, the LeMont's Ed and Anna Dunlap, Arlene and Barry Sokolow, Dani and Alvin Greco, Marie and Floyd Ganassi, Colleen O'Brien and Dottie Florence.

Alyssa Cwanger, Post-Gazette
Patti Matty, Connie Rockwell and Irene Walker
Click photo for larger image.Alyssa Cwanger, Post-Gazette
Lori Burke, Laura Fisher and Chuck Smith
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And the medal goes to ...

With a rat-tat-tat on his drum, Sam Napoleon sounded assembly for the ceremony at which Laura Fisher received the John Forbes Medal. Fisher, senior vice president of the Allegheny Conference, was honored at a reception Tuesday night at the Fort Pitt Museum for her efforts in promoting the 250th commemoration of the French & Indian War.

Lori Burke, president of the Fort Pitt Museum Associates, compared Fisher to the British general for whom the medal is named. In 1758, Forbes forced the French to abandon Fort Duquesne and built Fort Pitt at Pittsburgh's Point.

"Like Forbes, she faced a challenge in Western Pennsylvania," Burke said. "Forging a trail on the information highway, she helped 18th century history receive a 21st-century makeover." Napoleon and other members of the Fort Pitt 60th Royal Regiment, a group of 18th century re-enactors dressed in the scarlet uniforms of British soldiers, provided period atmosphere for the reception attended by Chet Fisher, museum director Chuck Smith and state Rep. Frank Pistella.

-- Len Barcousky

Announcing the Starmakers

Surrounded by portraits of serious industrialists, the young entertainers of Point Park University were dancing, singing and emoting for all they were worth Wednesday in the Duquesne Club's Founders Room. The performance was for the philanthropists, who really are a constellation apart when it comes to nurturing talent.

Each year the university bestows the Performing Arts Partnership and Achievement Award on those special few, otherwise known as "Starmakers." The announcement of this year's honorees, Ann and Marty McGuinn, was made during a reception hosted by Nadine Bognar ( a former Starmaker, with a generous streak as big as the universe). The stellar guest list included Starmakers Gala honorary chairs Bill and Carolyn Byham, chairs Ellen Golonski and Jimmy Miller (he was out of town), university president Katherine Henderson, Audrey Hillman Fisher, Janice and Richard Pagliari and Dolores Bold. The 11th annual gala is scheduled for March 19. For tickets call 412-392-3888.

-- Patricia Sheridan

Adam Piscitelli, Post-Gazette
Marty and Ann McGuinn flank Katherine Henderson
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First Published: December 13, 2004, 5:00 a.m.