History Center becomes Little Italy for Festa Rustica

"Originally, we were going to go with an Italian wedding reception theme, but people were worried it would be too much like 'Jersey Shore,' " laughed Pittsburgh Botanic Garden prez Greg Nace during the cocktail hour for Festa Rustica on Friday.

"Or 'Mob Wives!' " added board chair Bill Worms.

Preventing that was Nancy Byrnes, whose design expertise ensured that the Heinz History Center was converted into the epitome of Little Italy for the likes of honorary chairs Judi and Joe Nocito, event chairs Christine Astorino and Shannon Bondi; Kathy and Lou Testoni, Beverlynn and Steve Elliott, Sylvia Dallas and John Oliver, Jean Astorino, Barbara Eichenlaub, John and Dotti Bechtol and Steve Massaro. As the evening wore on, those looking to up the ante were charmed into bidding on a sojourn to Le Vigne Villa, a former 12th century convent on 15-plus acres in Umbria, Italy, owned by Roger Arndt.

The PBG is transforming 460 acres of abandoned coal-mining land situated in the Oakdale-Carnegie area into the region's first comprehensive outdoor garden.