All eyes were on Connie Rockwell as she made her grand entrance into the Westin ballroom in a golden rickshaw led by four samurais! So precious is Connie to the Pittsburgh Civic Light Opera that, they might have sent a host of cherubs or 76 trombones to herald her arrival. But Saturday’s 50th anniversary Pink Frolic Ball transported us to the Far East, and she was its gilded butterfly. So it came to pass in 1955 that I.D. Wolf, the CLO prez (and Kaufmann’s retailing chief), asked Connie to create a ladies guild to further the cause. A social butterfly and mother of five with hubby Al Rockwell, chairman of the mighty Rockwell Corp., she gathered 26 high-profile women in her home to launch the group. A gala fundraiser followed with pink invites, Connie’s fave color. Then the CLO’s divining force, Dee Bold , signed on … and, lo, these 50 years later, the Guild has raised nearly $4 million to nurture young musical talent in our town. You should also know that these damsels, a totally volunteer organization, have staged every Frolic sans the benefit of a party planner! Ah so, take a bow, Violet Gallo and Arlene Sokolow (with Judge Robert and Barry ), ball chairs in gowns of imperial style. On to the ball that glowed like a pearl of the Orient with red dragons emblazoned on walls, a teahouse, paper lanterns, buddhas, kabuki performers and shadow dancers behind shoji screens. Into this seriously ichiban setting, orchestrated by Kurt Weitzel , streamed some 560 fashionables to-the-glamour born … which translates to shoguns in black-tie and beautifully gowned Ming vases who crowded around the mountain of gold gift boxes that melted away at cocktails. And no one had to remove their shoes in pursuit of pleasure. The ballroom’s black-and-white palette was as sophisticated as a haiku poem. Over white cloths and black chiffon overlays soared Augie and Suzi Bennardo’s stunning arrangements of white calla lilies, sprays of green orchids and white hydrangeas. Showtime’s hai note had Lenora Nemetz wowing with numbers from her starring roles in CLO musicals. And John Parker’s band drew guests to the dance floor with, right, songs from the ’50s. Another highlight was the terrific video retropective of the Frolic’s auld lang syne. Would that the ballroom hadn’t been glommed in darkness, thus dimming the wattage of the fashion parade. Couldn’t find a crouching tiger or hidden dragon in the crowd, but we couldn’t miss the Rockwell clan, who showed 12 strong; CLO Guild prexy Patti Matty with Paul ; Laura and Walter Carroll announcing the Massey Charitable Trust’s gift of $50K to the Guild; CLO’s sensi Van Kaplan with board chair Lou Astorino and Jean, in glorious gold lace by Oscar de la Renta; PNC’s Joe Guyaux and Kathy ; Steve and Helen Hanna Casey ; Anna and Ed Dunlap ; Dr. Elliott Kramer and Bill Modrak ; Linda and Tony Bucci ; Norma and Dr. Michael Sobel ; Debbie and Dan Booker ; Frank Sarris and Athena , a knockout in floral chiffon and the eve’s best bling; emcee Mike Clark of WTAE-TV; Debbie and Mike Barbarita ; Kristen and Kevin McMahon ; Drs. Thelma Wechsler and Mark Liang ; Bob Randall and Rita in pink; “gold” box chair Maryann Boehm ; and Jack and Eleanor Schano Feeney in a gold gown she modeled 50 years ago! Then we spotted Rich Hamilton and Paula DeRenzo ; Annie and Dennis Cestra ; Barbara Barry ; Tom Golonski and Ellen , wearing a fab silk ballgown; the Snavelys : Terri and Chris with Peggy and Steve ; Susan and David Fitzsimmons ; Dr. Mark Wholey and Roseann , in a pink slink; Mary Jo and Ron Dively ; Curt and Kim Tillotson Fleming ; Frances and Joe Kane ; Jim Agras and Electra, turning heads in red chiffon; grande dame Jettie Mooney ; Bobbi and Ralph Aiello ; Pam and Ken McCrory ; Joanie and Sam Kamin ; Herb Torbin and Becky , in pink floral chiffon by Badgley-Mischka; Terri and Don Hastings ; Jackie Stanley and J.R. Philp ; Kevin Halloran and Vicki , in a divine blue-and-coral ensemble from a Venetian boutique; Jim Kyper and Cynthia Carrow , wearing a platinum cheongsam; and Irene Walker and Andy Shick . Wait, there’s more: Marsetta and Dick Schweiger ; Lisa Kennedy , smashing in a coral-and-white gown by Chloe; Rona and John Hunter Dane ; Kristen and Mark Lane ; Moira Davidson and son George ; Jean Anne and Dr. Brack Hattler ; Dani and Al Grego ; Cindy Opatick ; Bonnie and Dick Anton ; Ron and Dr. Bridget Chufo , stunning in pink organza; Joyce and Don O’Connor; Paula Blodgett and Glenn Charest ; Phyllis Kokkila ; Libby and Mike Mascaro ; Anna and Richard Kann ; Doris and Pat McGonigle ; Susan and Peter Smerd ; Cookie and Gary Roberson; Christine and Malcolm Ferguson; Judy and Katherine Krause ; Janet and J ohn Conomos ; Sarah and John Kostelac ; Jackie and Dr. Bob Capretto ; Lana and Harold Guttman ; Jim and Jennifer McGrath ; Diana Cohen and Aaron Sokolow , in from D.C.; and lucky Chris Opalinski , who won the $10,000 “400 Club” drawing. Arigato , Connie, thank you very much.

Bid Players

A bottle of ’61 Lafite-Rothschild soared to $3,000 and a week’s stay in a palatial 17th-century Italian villa in the hilltops of Tuscany was bid up to $13,000 … seven times ! Whatever Jim Roddey was selling at City Dreams , the City Theatre’s 30th birthday gala, they wanted in. The time was Monday, the place was Heinz Field’s East Club Lounge, and, oh, what a night. Step right up to the pizzazz that announced “show time” when we walked through the door. As in the gorgeous babe and beefcake in, um, birthday suits and hats gliding among guests as hors d’oeuvres tables. Do you love it• Huge balloons and party hats in yellow, purple and orange floated above tables that had gerber daisies popping out of gift-wrapped boxes and cocktail tables tied in matching ribbons. Now, that’s creativity. And Joe Mineo of Something New in Canfield, Ohio, had pumped it to the Nth degree. For some chefs, it’s enough that a dish looks great; for Aramark chefs Richard Marmion and La Lim, these five courses had to taste superb. That Barbara Barry (with H.D. Melton III ) was in charge had everything to do with what came out of the kitchen and the party magic that raised a record $250,000. Even if you sat on your paddle, it was worth the price of admission to watch JR work the crowd with 15 other creme-de-la-dreamy items, including a bash for 100 guests in a Mt. Washington chez fabulous that he knocked down at $7,000 … twice. Right, Jim’s still got game. Here’s an idea of the 310 scene-sters who did not sit on their paddles: benefit co-chair Kirk Johnson with Henry Krakovsky ; Nancy and Doug Sansom with daughter Genevieve ; Jim McDonald ; CT’s Tracy Brigden and Matte Braidic ; Janet Markell and Barry Lhormer , celebrating his b’day; Elyse Wright ; Laura Kronk ; Clyde Jones ; Peter Karlovich and Steven Herforth ; Julie and David Lettrick ; Carol Neyland ; Pam and Ken McCrory ; Tacy Byham ; Jerry Morosco and Paul Ford ; Laurie and Bob Moser ; Kathe and Jim Patrinos ; and actress Kimberly Richards of CT’s “Late Nite Catechism” in her nun’s habit boogeying to the Nick Dialoiso band. As well as Nanette and Ira Gordon ; Sydelle Kessler and Dr. Reg Pugh ; Carole and Norb Connors ; Kevin and Kristen McMahon ; Susan and Peter Smerd ; Luci and David Massaro ; Holly Buffinton and Vic Bove ; Catherine Loevner ; Christine and Malcolm Ferguson ; Tom , Teo and Scott Hollander ; Jeanne and Scotti Mulert ; Mary and Tim McVay ; Barbara Mistick ; Dolly and Curt Ellenberg ; Ralph Martin ; Betsy and Chuck Watkins ; Neil Barclay ; Florence and Harvey Zeve ; Mary Starusko ; John Michanowicz ; Phyllis Kokkila ; and Mary Del Brady and Richard Pearson . Pin a star on this one.

Banking on Equality

Ring another one up for native son Tom Golonski , who scaled the heights from trainee to chairman of National City and then went on to position the bank as a key benefactor in these parts. On Wednesday, before a gathering of 200 corporate, educational and cultural power brokers at the Hilton, Tom was tapped with the American Jewish Committee ‘s highest award for championing human rights and community service. Causes that have made Tom and his lovely Ellen familiar fixtures on the nonprofit scene. Damian Soffer , prez and CEO of the Soffer Organization, chaired the eve and brought down the house when he presented Tom — who takes to the open roads on his Harley — with a black leather jacket that any road warrior would do wheelies over. Except this one was emblazoned, “American Jewish Committee Bike Team!” Among the crusaders raising big bucks to combat bigotry and racism were such as keynoter Dr. Stewart Sutin , CCAC prez; Judy and David Ehrenwerth ; Point Park U. prez Dr. Katherine Henderson and Tracy ; AJC-Pgh. prez Mark Frank with Lynne and chair Harvey Zeve with Florence ; W&J college prez Tori Haring-Smith and Robert ; Ralph Papa ; Richard Armstrong ; Teri , Violet and Jimmy Soffer ; Roberta and David Brody ; Rabbi Walter Jacob and Irene ; Ken Brand ; Fran Abraham ; Angie Longo ; Audrey and Chuck Reichblum ; Eileen and Nick Lane ; Barbara , Nancy and Bill Rackoff ; Wallis and Marshall Katz ; Maureen and Jim Busis ; Suanna Rockwell ; Gissa and Rudy Weingartner ; and Karen and Henry Faulk .

Belle Curve

Smart, gutsy, innovative. Without them, the new economy wouldn’t look so new. We’re talking influential, successful women who are also helping to bring the good life to other women by helping to shape the face of Pittsburgh. They’ve made their mark in business as well as in human, community and professional services. And they didn’t get there by playing it safe. At the YWCA’s Tribute to Women in the Hilton, chaired by Anne Henne Rockwell and Christine Astorino Del Sol for 760 high achievers from every community sector, these six trail blazers flashed brilliantly: Barbara McNees , president and CEO, Greater Pittsburgh Chamber of Commerce; Kimberly Tillotson Fleming , president, Hefren-Tillotson Inc.; Jeanne Clark , director of communications, Citizens for Pennsylvania Future; Georgia Berner , president and CEO, Berner International Corp.; Myrna Zelenitz , director, East End Cooperative Ministry; and Dorothy Davis , Esq., Eckert, Seaman, Cherin & Mellott, LLC. New to Wednesday’s power luncheon, coordinated by Sheila Weiner , were the beautiful bouquets on sherbet-colored cloths that were donated by 11 area florists, the darlings. You go, goddesses.

Living in the City

Wednesday evening, and the talk of the town was Downtown as 250 metropolitans explored the pleasures of city life during the second annual Walk and Dine Tour . Sponsored by the Downtown Living Initiative and Downtown Neighborhood Association , the three-hour showcase included such Downtown and near-North Shore living quarters as the Penn Garrison, Gateway Towers, Heinz Lofts, The Carlyle (Fourth Avenue’s former Union Bank Building) and Lincoln at North Shore — with a virtual tour of the ultra luxe high-rise One Fifty One First Side. The groups’ mission … to encourage more people to discover the excitement, culture and convenience of urban life in the magnificently restored Cultural District. As the party started at the Heinz History Center, a fleet of sparkling PAT buses waited curbside to shuttle guests from site to site. Among those on board were co-chairs Patti Burk and Rebecca Spencer ; DNA director John Valentine ; Pittsburgh Mag’s Betsy Benson ; J.D. Fogarty ; Kathryn Spitz ; Mary Navarro ; Trib wine critic Dave DeSimone ; Amy Merritt ; Jan and Ernie Meade ; Cindy Kelly ; Bob Lurcott ; Jennifer Hayward ; Patty Walker ; and Melissa Rossi . And the nightlife continued apres tour in the new CAPA Artists Upstairs gallery in the Bitz Building. — John Altdorfer

Zion’s Zenith

“Pretty is as pretty does,” remarked co-chair Marsha Grayson as she opened last Sunday’s Zion’s Finest Cotillion , a parade of young ladies whose good deeds certainly equal their good looks. Committed to helping youngsters stay on the right path, the Allegheny Conference of the African Methodist Episcopal Zion Church hosted this second annual ball that presented Markique Harris , Elizabeth Brown , Alicia Akrie , Amanda King , Sequala Thomas , Erin Mitchell and Kierstin Faulkner to an enthusiastic gathering of 180 family and friends at Oakland’s 20th Century Club. Here’s a well-earned Fanfare to the seven devoted debs, who raised $13,000 to benefit AMEZ college scholarships and programs. And while the young flower pages charmed all, the lovely lasses at center stage delighted with special dances they choreographed with the help of CAPA’s Greer Reed . Among the well-wishers were co-chair Ruthie King with the Rev . William King ; Dr. Carroll Young ; the Rev. Glenn Grayson ; Dr. Shirley and James Johnson ; Deborah and the Rev. Stanley Dennison ; Carol and the Rev. Gerald Akrie ; Ruth Thomas ; Mark Godfrey ; Richard Lewis ; and Barbara Brown . — J.A.

For the Birds

Why just step into your garden for a few green moments when, a mere hour’s drive away in the Ligonier Valley sanctuary, better known as the Powdermill Nature Reserve , Mother Nature really delivers the goods• Which brings us to Friday’s wingding that had 430 guests flocking to this magical kingdom for the eighth annual Garden Themes and Birdhouse Dreams . Founded in 1956 as a field station of the Carnegie Museum of Natural History, Powdermill’s mission is preservation, education and research. The fling took wing in tents surrounding the Florence Lockhart Nimick Nature Center. And its highlight was the handcrafted collection of 96 garden-inspired goodies, art and trilling (tee-hee) bird McMansions that were sold by silent bid and live auction. To the block came that high flier Jim Roddey to knock down the most fanciful pieds-a-terre … and none went for a song. Among the birds of a feather bidding and cooing were co-chairs Nancy Armstrong and Margot Woodwell ; Tom Nimick ; Pat and H. Childs ; Jane and George Greer ; Diana and Dr. Peter Jannetta ; Ulla Teroerde ; Nikki Smith ; Meg and George Cheever ; Annie MacDougall ; Pam Burkland ; Jill Knapp ; Bill DeWalt and Sylvia Keller ; Janie and Harry Thompson ; Marion Whetzel ; Kym Stout-Phillips ; B.G. and James Alexander ; Laurie Widing ; Dottie and Nick Beckwith ; and Anne and Jack Robertshaw . Home, tweet home. — J.H. and Dawn Law

Quick Take

Between the lions . Wednesday found Linda Dickerson at the quintessential author’s party. Actually, she was center of attention at the debut of her delightful new children’s book, “Lavi the Lion Finds His Pride,” in the garden of the Western Pennsylvania School for Blind Children . Illustrated by area artist Jennifer Rempel , Lavi’s leonine search takes him hither and yon until he learns the Steelers are playing the Lions in Pittsburgh. Wouldn’t you know that Lavi is the school’s prideful mascot and that Linda is donating her royalties to them• Among the social lions at the book signing were WPSBC director Janet Simon with Matt ; CMU prez Jared Cohon and Maureen ; Bernita Buncher ; Jane Voros ; Audrey and Jerry McGinnis ; Laura Gutnick ; Dolly and Curt Ellenberg ; Marie Shorall ; and Greg Morris . Additional Information:

Photo Gallery

click view gallery View the Photo Gallery for Fabulous at Fifty Aimee Obidzinski/For the Tribune-Review click view gallery View the Photo Gallery for the rest of Fanfare Aimee Obidzinski/For the Tribune-Review

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