A Beauty of an Opening
The response was glowing at Wednesday's opening of "American Beauty," an exhibition of works by America's most important artists on view through June 12 at the Frick Art Museum. Enthralled were Joan Koerner, Ruth and Mike Garfunkel, Janie and Harry Thompson, James Tottis of exhibit lender Detroit Institute of Arts, Steve Webster, Stella and Grant Gerlich, board chair Betsy Watkins with Chuck and the Frick's Tom Smart and director Bill Bodine.
FAME Leaders
Franco Harris and PNC's Joan Gulley co-chaired Thursday's FAME luncheon for 200 at the Duquesne Club, where scholarship students to area independent schools shared reflections on participating in the Fund for Advancement of Minorities Through Education program. Applauding them were honorary chair Fred Fetterolf, Catherine Baker Knoll, Esther Barazzone, board chair Arthur Woods and FAME executive director Lisa Baldwin-Youngblood.
ASSET turns 10
Celebrating 10 years of achieving student success through excellence in teaching was the mission Thursday night at the Senator John Heinz Pittsburgh Regional History Center when ASSET hosted its 10th anniversary dinner. Chair Atilla Molnar, CEO of Bayer, presented guest speaker Mae Jemison, a former NASA astronaut and crew member of the space shuttle Endeavor. Westinghouse received the first ASSET Educational Leadership Award, accepted by Aris Candris. On hand were board chair Harry Goern with Camille, executive director Reeny Davison, Gerald Zahorchak and state Sen. John Pippy.
B'nai Zion Award
Jim and Suzy Broadhurst were honored Thursday with the B'nai Zion Humanitarian Award at a reception held at the Concordia Club in Oakland. Guest speaker Malcolm Hoenlein, executive chairman of the Conference of Presidents of Major American Jewish Organizations, spoke on terrorism to guests including Ellen and Tom Golonski, Evelyn and Bernard Benkovitz, Barbara and David Burstin and B'nai Zion regional director Ellen Primis.
Achieva Auction
Helping to improve the lives of those with mental disabilities is the goal of Achieva (formerly ARC Allegheny), and a large turnout at Friday's Achieva Pittsburgh Promenade Dinner and Auction at the Westin Convention Center Hotel went a long way towards raising the funds to do so. KDKA's Yvonne Zanos served as emcee once again for guests including Nick and JoLynn Hoban, Joe and Rae Ott, Brooks and Alexandra Robinson, former Penguin Ken Wregget, Dr. Robert and Nancy Gannon, Don and Jeanne Hammel and board chair Dorothy Horvath with Joe.
Trojan Triumph
Alma and Arman Mancini chaired North Catholic's annual Trojan Triumph Auction Saturday at Heinz Field, where close to 400 guests enjoyed dinner in the West Club Lounge. KDKA's Bob Pompeani served as emcee, and Ed Santa and Dr. Cynthia Smetanka were honorary chairs. Hoping to win that Mercedes were North Catholic president Frank Orga (with Marge) and principal Ed Schied (with Rose), Jerry and Terry Fedele, John and Kathy Miclot, Jim and Judy Stalder, Joe and Darlyne Kerin and Mark and Diane Minnaugh.
Under the Big Top
An Evening Under the Big Top was the theme of Saturday's Washington Hospital Ball held Saturday at St. Clair Country Club. Among the 350 guests helping to raise funds for diabetes education and management were hospital CEO Telford Thomas with Philomena, Baron and Ann McCune, Patrick and Christine O'Brien, Richard and Nadine Mahoney, Shirley and Joe Hardy Jr., Frank and Athena Sarris and co-chairmen Mark Dunn (with Carol Beil) and Steve and Lori Roach.
Carriage House Celebrates
The Carriage House Children's Center celebrated its 30th anniversary Saturday night at the Wightman School building. Some 300 guests came to honor founder and director Natalie Kaplan (with Larry), a pioneer in the early childhood field. Dinner by Michael Lench and piano music by Tom Roberts of "The Aviator" fame were followed by swing dancing to Big Band Memories, courtesy of organizer Bob Dunlap. Co-chairs Nancy Polinski Johnson (with David) and Pat Siger (with Alan) were joined by Michael and Ellen Terry Kaplan Goldstein, Christie and Ian Knott, Erin and Matt Burger and Caroline and Andrew Sussman.
-- Sally Kalson
A Toast to Your Health
Heritage Valley Health System raised its glass in "A Toast To Your Health," a celebration of fine wine and food attended by more than 700 supporters on Saturday. The event at the Hyatt Regency at Pittsburgh Airport was hosted by Alex Sebastian of the Wooden Angel Restaurant and featured celebrity chef Diana Stoffer. Sampling the fare by local celeb chefs were emcee Anrew Stockey, Pat Roney, health system CEO Norm Mitry (with Peggy), foundation director Martha Oakey with Mike and Tim and Nancy Merrill.
Viking Victory
More than 850 guests turned out Saturday for Central Catholic's popular Viking Victory Auction at the Westin Convention Center Hotel. Dreams of Tuscany was the theme of the evening chaired by Steve Massaro (with Stephanie Bernaciak), with help from associate chairs Paul and Marilyn Apostolou. WQED's Michael Bartley served as emcee for guests like DA Stephen and Mary Zappala, Jimmy Dunn, Duffy and Dana Hanna, Michael and Jan McSorley, Joe and Carol Massaro and Kirk and Annie Freyvogel.
First Published: April 18, 2005, 4:00 a.m.
