SOCIAL NOTES & NEWS FROM YOUR FRIENDS IN THE 570
On Cloud Nine
Storm clouds may have been looming over the Diamond City as volunteers for the Osterhout Free Library’s North Branch prepared for their Rooftop Party fundraiser on Friday night, but it certainly didn’t dampen anyone’s spirits. We had a fabulous time dancing to the sounds of The Sperazza Band, enjoying food and drinks with friends, and sporting our new “I like big books and I can not lie” tees.
The rainy forecast moved the party down a level and no one missed a beat. As we fluttered about, we counted nearly 400 people partying inside the Intermodal Parking Facility. Who knew a parking garage could be so much fun?
In our travels, we spotted so many familiar faces, including Joanne Austin, Jocelyn and Mike Chocallo, Margaret Harris, Jason and Colleen King, Linda Gramlich, Lisa Borchert, Tim Holmes, Eric Toffey, Elise Dublin, Lore Majikes, Tom and Colleen Williams (yes, the Tom Williams from WNEP!), Paul and Barb Kielbasa, Michelle Sekol, Kim Serafin, Chris and Annie O’Brien, Shannon Ritterbusch, Tony Patte, Beth Shechner, Tim O’Malley, Dave Crosby, Jen Radzwillowicz and Cecilia Baress.
Our library peeps were delighted to let us know the party raised $6,000, which helped them surpass the $80,000 goal set three years ago to help pay for renovations to the North Branch. As the great Elle Woods (of Legally Blonde fame) would say, “Snaps” to all who came out to support the library, as well as the 25 restaurants, five beverage providers and the band that donated their time and talents to make the evening a smashing success.
Though we hated to say good-bye as night fell, we had to get ready for our big date — with the Zac Brown Band. So what if we had to share them with thousands of other swooning fans at Toyota Pavilion at Montage Mountain? It was totally worth it to hear “Knee Deep,” “Uncaged,” “As She’s Walking Away,” and “Jump Right In” live, not to mention their amazing cover of “The Devil Went Down to Georgia” (Charlie Daniels Band), just to name a few. We hate to sound sappy, but the Peach Festival, well, it was sweet as can be.
We could smell the delicious marinara sauce wafting from the Abingtons all the way to the Mountain as the contest was heating up for best pizza in the land as part of Clarks Summit’s Art and Wine Festival. Big winners were Colarusso’s Pizza, which took home top honors for plain pizza, and Mamma Mia’s won for specialty pizza. Judges included Stephanie Longo, Joan Mead Matsui, Mary Bowen, Justin Bowen, Christian Jugins, Ana Trinadad, Ed Czarkowski and Joe Statuto. Surely, they left the competition with their bellies full as they samples 16 flavors of pizza — 8 plain and 8 speciality. Yum!
As we sashayed through the lovely venues, and sipped vino from some of Pennsylvania’s finest wineries, and enjoyed music by The Magics, Velveteen, Mike Lewis and Mike Wascovich, we were in good company. We noticed Hilary Steinberg, Beth Tyrrell, Jeff and Anna Fuhr, Rosangela DeFreitas and Charlie Charlesworth, Dennis and Sharleen Martin, Charles Kumpas, Sid Michaels Kavulich, Gerrie Carey, Patrick Williams, Herman Johnson, Patty Lawler, Mayor Harry Kelly, Mimi Cutler, Leah Ducato Rudolph, Donna Czarkowski and Shirley Eagen.
With a weekend of fun like this, we’re still floating on Cloud Nine. Where should we go next weekend?
— cb
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