2009 All Service Academies Ball

Pictured: Mike Clark, Ginger & Brigadier General Roy Uptegraff III

The young men and women who attend the five U.S. Service Academies were honored for their service at the 2009 All Service Academies Ball at the Westin Convention Center Pittsburgh. This patriotic event featured distinguished toastmaster Mike Clark, news anchor at WTAE-TV, as well as featured guest speaker Brigadier General Roy E. Uptegraff III. After sampling hors d’oeuvres, the Cadets and Midshipmen, along with their escorts, were presented and introduced to the guests. Dancing followed dinner, with music provided by Johnny and the Mustangs, a local band with a unique sound. While the ball honored the students of the U.S. Service Academies, an empty table set for one was on-stage and served as a somber reminder of the Prisoners of War and those Missing in Action. Before the first slice of cake was cut, toasts to each of the five U.S. Service Academies were made by students of the schools, and before the dancing commenced, the colors were retired, in true military fashion.


Pittsburgh CLO Holiday Party

Pictured: Ann Baldridge, Colleen Travis, Violet Gallo

With the sparkling backdrop of the City of Pittsburgh viewed from LeMont, high atop Mt. Washington, event chairs Ann Baldridge, Violet Gallo, and Colleen Travis welcomed guests to the Pittsburgh Civic Light Opera Guild’s Annual Holiday Party. The cast of Forever Plaid performed, as did the Rick Purcell Trio. The evening, themed “Fit to be Plaid,” featured cocktails and a delicious dinner of chicken marsala, sea bass, rack of lamb, or vegetarian terrine, and thanked those who support the CLO Guild. 




Spahhh!

Pictured: Steve Baker, Jennifer Streiff, Emil Neufeld, Suzanne Baker, Saul Chosky, Dominic Gillot

Crescent Baths & Kitchens hosted a spa party for 90 designers and architects at its Lawrenceville space to thank and show its continued support to the design community for its business. Guests enjoyed a relaxing evening of hors d’oeuvres by L’eglise Fine Catering, Dreadnought Wines, a session with a massage therapist, and spa gifts including toiletries by the Kohler Company, Kallista candles, gourmet chocolates, and more. Spa baskets including towels, slippers, and bath brushes were raffled off, too.

Pittsburgh Carson Scholars Fund Charity Auction

Pictured: Hines Ward, Dr. Alfonso Costa, James Farrior,
Jerome Bettis, Deshea Townsend


Former Pittsburgh Steeler Jerome Bettis and Pittsburgh Carson Scholars Fund president Dr. Alfonso Costa welcomed 260 guests to Bossa Nova for the sixth annual Charity Auction and Cocktail Event. Pittsburgh Steelers, including James Farrior, Hines Ward, Charlie Batch, Keyaron Fox, and Lawrence Timmons kicked off the evening with an autograph session. KDKA-TV’s Bob Pompeani served as auctioneer for items such as dinner for six at Jerome Bettis Grille 36, a romantic weekend package in New York City, and a luxury Steeler game day meet-and-greet — which raised $114,000 for the scholarships.


Twelfth Night Gala

Pictured: Brian Harrigan, Alyssa Groom, Sam Newberry, Josh Foster

Chatham Baroque’s 11th Annual Twelfth Night Gala kicked off with a silent auction, cocktails, passed appetizers, and international food stations that represented Italy, Morocco, France, England, and the United States at Rodef Shalom Congregation in Shadyside. Attendees were then treated to two performances by Chatham Baroque artists Andrew Fouts, Patricia Halverson, and Scott Pauley in the Aaron Courtyard, before the silent auction and gala raffle, which helped raise funds for Chatham Baroque, closed. 


Evergreen Elegance

Pictured: Patty Dolan, Bobbi Aiello, Debbie Barbarita, Peggy Snavely, Carol Massaro, Barbara Norris

The Twenty-Five Club of Magee-Womens Hospital of UPMC celebrated 70 years of supporting the efforts of neonatal clinical and research endeavors with its annual holiday ball, Evergreen Elegance. Event co-chairs Arlene Sokolow and Kathe Patrinos welcomed guests to The Duquesne Club for an evening of cocktails, dinner of filets or Virginia spots, and dancing to the sounds of Dreamscape. WHIRL’s Jack and Christine Tumpson introduced the members in attendance, who then danced to the traditional “Anniversary Waltz.”





Highmark SportsWorks VIP Party

Pictured: Nancy Angus, Lauren Angus, Lynne Marchese, Ethan Marchese, Dr. Ken Melani, Alyssa Melani

To celebrate the grand opening of Highmark SportsWorks at the Carnegie Science Center, 300 VIPs, including a number of families from Highmark’s A Caring Place, got an early look at the new, $5 million, 20,000 square foot space. Children and adults alike were able to try out the interactive exhibitions, including the Physics of Sports, LifeWorks, and You-Yo. “We know that if healthy behaviors are instilled in children early in life, they stay with them forever. Highmark SportsWorks creates an opportunity to educate young people and teach them that adopting a healthy lifestyle can really be fun,” says Highmark President and CEO Dr. Ken Melani.





YMCA Season of Giving Gala

Pictured: Eric Mann, Pat Siger

It was all over the news as the Ultimate Sports Raffle — YMCA of Greater Pittsburgh auctioned off season tickets for the Pittsburgh Steelers, Pittsburgh Penguins, and University of Pittsburgh men’s basketball for $100, with five chances to win. Proceeds from the auction helped the Season of Giving Gala at the Oakmont Country club raise an impressive $200,000 for the Pittsburgh YMCA. More than 300 guests were on hand as Dan Grealish, chairman of Henderson Brothers, was honored.