The weather was perfect, the food exquisite, the crowd large and the funds raised “more than we could have hoped for.”

The event was the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society’s annual Polo for the Cure Saturday afternoon at scenic Stom Hollow Polo Field in Cook Township.

The goal was $140,000, said organizer Tina Massari , but the “unofficial official” total was $190,000.

For their generosity, the 1,000-plus guests were treated to a fine afternoon of entertainment. Preceding the match came a parade of the Rolling Rock hounds, followed (for the younger set) by the petting of the hounds.

A silent auction tent offered items as humble as a doggie-grooming basket and as grand as Tiffany jewelry and a Sonoma wine-tasting adventure.

At half-time, a trio of skydivers made precision landings on the field. Hundreds of multicolored balloons then were released in honor and memory of loved ones who have struggled with the diseases.

Before brave riders and gallant steeds resumed play, spectators performed the traditional “stomping of the divots” to smooth their way.

The bracing match between Team Ligonier, sponsored by American Airlines, and Bayer-sponsored Team Dusseldorf, Germany, ended at 9-5 with the Germans victorious.

Event co-chairs were Dr. Richard and Dorothy Raizman and Kristine Samloff .

Seen at polo: Fritz and Ulla Teroerde, Mr. and Mrs. John Price, Jim and Lynn Beck, Meagan Bilik-DeFazio, Jim and Dee Gano, Phil and Erin Farabaugh, Jim and Jo Rossi, Mr. and Mrs. Ralph Martin and a special guest, acute lymphocytic leukemia survivor Brooke Templin , 17, who was diagnosed at age 2.

Also, Kevin and Judith O’Toole, Charles Fagan III and Stephanie, Art and Cheryl McMullen, Don and Kim Kramer, Monica Puskar, Mark and Sandy Hayduk with Michael, Teresa Stoughton Marafino, Erica Roslonski, Debbie Bridge , Dr. Bill Choby, Bill and Pam Stablein, Tom and Dee Sylvester, Vince Quatrini and family, Mark Robertshaw, David and Jonnie DeRose and Kirk Utzinger .

— Shirley McMarlin

Scouts honor

Girl Scouts Western Pennsylvania on Tuesday recognized excellence within and outside its organization.

At Greensburg Country Club, council CEO Pat Burkart honored eight young women with the pinnacle award of Girl Scout Gold: Heather Cole and Jessica Turriziani , of Jeannette; Lindsey Dickson of Latrobe; Kelley Folts and Justine Jeroski of Murrysville, Maryann Sobota of Armburst; and Irene Papas and Leah Simoncelli of Greensburg.

Two friends and community leaders with proven records of service were lauded.

Event chairwoman Margaree Pertle bestowed the Corporation of Distinction Award upon North Huntingdon’s second largest employer, Giant Eagle Inc., and its manager, Ed Michalek . Known for his “tip-top shape” store, Michalek has been with the company for 36 years.

“I’ve been able to see from the inside how Giant Eagle cares about the communities it serves,” Michalek said.

In addition to team members from his store, Michalek was accompanied by his wife, Vicki , his mother, Jean , senior vice president George McGrady and regional manager Joe Bausch .

Girl Scout and emcee Jen Miele presented the Woman of Distinction Award to Greensburg attorney Michele Bononi , a partner at Bononi and Bononi, and a hearing officer for Westmoreland County Domestic Relations.

Bononi has served on the council’s board, but as a little girl she’d been a tomboy — not a Girl Scout.

So she asked her three sisters, who had been, what they thought.

“All three indicated that it helped them grow as a woman and as a person,” Bononi said. “They learned how to communicate better with people, and how important it is to help those less fortunate.”

Bononi and Michalek met as supporters of Norwin Relay for Life, which this year raised a whopping $101,000 to fight cancer.

Seen at the event: Betty Wallace, Bill and Becky Thorne , Angela Rose-O’Brien, Mary Catherine Motchar, Cathy Baumann, George Shaner and Michael Philopena, Eric Bononi, David Volpe and Shawn Spadaro, Karen Ferri, Faye Rosatti, Shelly Weaver, Tracey Bartos, Diane Murphy , with her mom, Mary , Dr. George and Linda Austin, Molly Robb Shimko, Lou and Joan DeRose, Kirk Utzinger, Fred and Norine Bononi, Robert Orris, Roberta Davis, Candy Valentino, Susan Albert, Connie Danko, Shari Roth, Elyse Tressler and Martin Barbie and Jack Waite , both from the Westmoreland Fayette Council of Boy Scouts of America.

60 years of service

The Westmoreland County Blind Association celebrated its long tradition of service at a 60th anniversary dinner Friday evening at the Greensburg Country Club.

Organization members and supporters mingled at a pre-dinner reception accented by the mellow jazz music of Lisa Amadio and Friends.

More than 150 in attendance received a warm welcome from association president and CEO Lawrence J. Helkowski and fundraising coordinator Paula Pedicone .

Dinner speaker was Howard W. “Hoddy” Hanna III , chairman and CEO of Howard Hanna Real Estate Services, accompanied by wife, Mary Anne, and sister Annie Hanna Cestra with husband Dennis .

Annie said that her mother, a staunch believer in philanthropy, was the inspiration for the Hanna family’s involvement in helping the blind. She and her brother were instilled at an early age with the idea that “to get back, you have to give.”

Contributing to the success of the evening were committee members Mary Zappone, Janie Mahla, Mark and Kaaren Tintori, Karen Ender, Nat Pantalone and Gloria Vucinich .

Joining the celebration: Carol Petrusky, Dominic Acalotto, Paul Bazzano, Jack Cherubini, George DeCaro, Frank Farrell, Mary Ann Grec, Paul King, Barry Miller, Les J. Mlakar, Kent Platos, Tony Saulle, Lee Kunkle , Greensburg mayor Karl Eisaman with Carmen , city controller Carmen Pedicone and Kathleen Sarniak .

— Shirley McMarlin

Art Oktoberfest

The Westmoreland Museum of American Art in Greensburg has dubbed its partnership with the Rhineland Industrial Museum in Germany a “Transatlantic Bridge.” The Westmoreland’s exhibition, “Born of Fire,” a collection depicting the legacy of Pittsburgh’s steel mills, traveled to the German Gallery. In return, the Westmoreland received “From the Ruhr Valley to the Steel City: Industrial Scenes from the Rhineland Industrial Museum,” which includes 40 works depicting the area’s steel industry.

To celebrate, they held an Oktoberfest on the Museum grounds Saturday, and the president of the Rhineland Regional Assembly, Dr. Jurgen Wilhelm , attended along with Milena Karabaic , administrator for culture and environment for the Rhine Region, and Dr. Thomas Schleper , curator of the Rhineland Museum. Allen Kukovich , director of the Southwest Regional Office of the Governor said it was the first time this area has seen such an international initiative.

Museum director Judith O’Toole along with curator Barbara Jones greeted their German guests, along with art trustees J ames Parker and his wife, Susie , Dr. Jack Smith , and Laura Widing and her husband, Eric .

Also there was Dr. George Leiner and his wife, Rhonda , who invited their neighbor to join them at Oktoberfest. Helga Mears originally is from Frankfurt, but now lives in Westmoreland County, and said she very much enjoyed the beer specially brewed for the occasion.

Red Star Brewery in Greensburg donated an authentic German Lagger called Oktoberfest Lagger Born of Fire Festbier. Head Brewer Jeff Guidos said it is malty and well balanced, and everyone can try it when visiting the Red Star.

Also at the event were Nancy Kukovich, Mike and Amy DeMatt, J.R. and Judy Ross, Kevin O’Toole and his daughter Rachel, Claire Swauger, Steve and Rhonda Gifford, Angela Guidos, Pat and Sue Thomas .

— Jennifer Miele

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