Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Laurel Region is “under construction” for the remainder of 2016.

Building Something Big, the organization’s new initiative, will have three focus areas in mentoring: literacy, STEAM Education (science, technology, engineering, arts and math) and self-actualization, a method of achieving full potential through creativity, independence and spontaneity.

“We already do great work,” said executive director Kelli Belanger. “We’re going to make things a little more intense.”

The celebration began at noon July 20 with a Stage Right! Sensations flash mob performance at Courthouse Square in Greensburg. Guest Bartender Night followed at Robokyo Japanese Steakhouse.

Bartenders were James Redding, with the Elliott Co. in Jeannette, and Jim Bosco and Damaris Shaw, with Seton Hill University in Greensburg. Guests sipped cool drinks on the patio and helped themselves to rice-tinis — martini glasses stuffed with rice, steak, chicken or shrimp, mushrooms and vegetables.

Belanger greeted guests with board president Lisa Draskovich and events coordinator Abigail Joensen, a graduate of the University of Tampa who joined the organization in June.

A launch party for Building Something Big is scheduled for Jan. 13 during Art on Tap at Westmoreland Museum of American Art. Details: bbbslr.org

Seen at Robokyo: John andMalinda Sherid, Anne-Marie Welty, Allen andNancy Kukovich, Sheryl Nunn, Tim andMary Beth Atwood, Dean Thompson, Phil andMarie Eckhardt, Scott andGloria Brown, Nancy Lee, Loraine Slonacher, Kathleen Comini, Joel andKaren Lister andBeth Beistel.

— Dawn Law

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