Night time can be the right time to visit the Ligonier Ice Fest. Once crowds dispersed and DiMartino Ice Co.’s chainsaws and chisels fell silent Saturday, some folks experienced an evening of magic on the Diamond. Lights twinkled on the Bandstand and surrounding trees as illuminated ice sculptures — from the Jetsons and Flintstones to a cherub, dragon and muscleman — glistened in mist and moderate temperatures. Among the visitors were Bob and Lori Saenz , of Latrobe, with their children, Bobby , 12, and Jessica , 14, and their niece, Shannon Chesla , 18, a student at Greensburg’s Seton Hill University, Drew Ferry and Maddie Wigle , of Ligonier Township, Richard and Pat Constantine , of Jeannette, and Stu and Chris Horner , of Greensburg. Adam Maust and Hilary Strope had dined in Somerset on their trip in from Berlin, while Cliff and Evelyn Felmlee, of Level Green, had enjoyed a meal at Ivy’s Cafe, and planned an overnight stay in town. And Cole, a friendly Labrador retriever mix, accompanied by his owners Russell and Kelly Ziolko, of Ligonier Township, ventured a lick of an icy version of Mickey Mouse. The sculptures, part of the 16th annual weekend-long Ice Fest, sponsored by Ligonier Valley Chamber of Commerce, are on display while they last.

Art to Wear showcases creativity

Art to Wear is a simple title for an incredible program offered to select students at Greater Latrobe Senior High School, endowed by a grant from the McFeely-Rogers Foundation. And Friday’s luncheon at the Latrobe Art Center was a showcase for students who worked for weeks on artistic skirts and pants. The artists also became models, at least for a day. Jessica Golden , director of the Center for Student Creativity at the high school, said this is the fourth year of the program that takes written applications from dozens of students, but admits only 14-16. The students are schooled in how to make the clothing by Nancy Burford , head of the family and consumer science department at the school, assisted by teacher Tanya Gaudino . Art teachers Lydia Ross and Amy Balko show the students how to add flare to their creations. And the combination was a success, according to the 75 people who came to their fashion show, including Greater Latrobe school board members Heidi Kozar and Katherine Elder; Barbara Nakles; Christine Okonak , wife of McFeely-Rogers Foundation Executive Director James Okonak ; foundation member Kathy Keefe ; and Latrobe High School Principal Dr. Georgia Teppert. Art-To-Wear student Kady Forish , a 17-year-old senior, calls herself and her counterparts in the program “art junkies,” who plan to make careers out if it. Junior Ashley Fisher , 17, has her sights set on clothing design. Senior Ashley Bates, 18 is headed to Chatham College in Pittsburgh to major in art. Senior Valerie Maffia , 17, will attend the Art Institute in the fall, and senior Abby Leone , 18, will attend Arcadia University for interior design. Other students in the program are: Debbie DePalma, Alex Donahue, Lauren Semanchek, Pete Wast, Kylie Whitfield, Libby Aebi, Kinzie DeGlau, Emily Walters and Monica Luddington. — Jennifer Miele, WTAE

Chamber breakfast focuses on prayer

Friday’s Westmoreland Chamber of Commerce Prayer Breakfast was a Who’s Who of county leaders, gathering together at the Four Points Sheraton in Greensburg for the 32nd year in a row. Chamber President Thomas L. Sochacki said it was a chance for education, labor, government and business Leaders to strengthen their spiritual resolve. This year’s breakfast highlighted education leaders, with the welcome given by Ronald Eberhardt, the vice president of the Westmoreland County Community College and chairman of the breakfast committee. James Bendel , the planned giving officer at St. Vincent College presided over the event, and praised the performance of the Greater Latrobe High School Choir, directed by Mark Tourre . Dr. Georgia Teppert , principal of Greater Latrobe Senior High School lead the invocation, and superintendents from Westmoreland County High School gave spiritual readings, including Dr. Anna Mary Palermo , of Burrell, Joseph Bellissimo , of Derry, and Dr. Steven Whisdosh , of Ligonier Valley. Their readings were followed by a prayer from Dr. John Halfhill , of Southmoreland School District, and the introduction of student leaders who attended the breakfast by Vincent Aiello , of Jeannette. Dr. Wayne Doyle of Hempfield Area, introduced keynote speaker Dr. William Stavisky , superintendent of Greater Latrobe, who was named Pennsylvania Superintendent of the Year in 2006. Yough’s Lawrence Nemec gave the benediction at the breakfast, organized by committee members Cathy Baumann, Michelle Bononi, Tony Gebicki, Walt Henry, Judy Modecki, Claude Petroy, Paul Puleo, Rev. Kenneth Rutter, Barry Sherrick, Lori Stripay and John D. Wright. Also seen at the event: Judge John Driscoll ; District Attorney John Peck ; state Sen. Bob Regola ; Greensburg Mayor Karl Eisaman and council members, as well as Fire Chief Ed Hutchinson ; County Commissioners Tom Balya, Tom Ceraso, and Phil Light and members of their staff including Ted Kopas, Carol Wentzel, and Mike Reese; John Skiavo of the Economic Growth Connection and dozens of business and non-profit leaders. — Jennifer Miele, WTAE

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