The holidays are made for memories. To honor loved ones passed away, Excela Health Hospice, a merging of Westmoreland Hospice and Latrobe Hospice, on Tuesday lit a Holiday Memory Tree, part of Four Points by Sheraton's Parade of Trees on display in the Hempfield Township hotel's lobby through Jan. 2. The tree is decorated with doves made by a family member of a hospice patient, and butterfly ornaments made by the First United Methodist Church in Greensburg's ladies group. Each ornament is personalized with the name of a hospice patient who has passed away. Proceeds benefit patients with unfunded expenses. Mary Ann McMurtrie, of Unity Township, had been a hospital nurse for 32 years when in 2003 she used Westmoreland Hospice to help care for her 96-year-old father, Ray Boob. McMurtrie smiled as she remembered her father, alert to the end, joking with nurses that came to her home. "It was the hardest nursing I've ever done in my life," said McMurtrie, a guest at the event. "I'm a nurse, and I knew what I was doing and I knew they would help me. They help you walk that difficult journey, so you don't have to walk it alone." Program comments were by Darryll Lee Wells, hospice manager; the Rev. Gene Stuckey, pastor of Zion Lutheran Church in Greensburg; Milton Radman, chairperson of the Westmoreland Jewish Community Council; and Dr. John Waas, hospice medical director. Waas has been director for four years, and "I've loved every minute of it," he said. "Thank you for allowing us the responsibility of caring for your family." Joan Roth, hospice volunteer coordinator, was program emcee. She has been involved with the holiday program for 16 years, and said the evening is an opportunity for folks to share happy memories and find that one special name on the tree. "I love it when I see their faces, even if they are in tears," Roth said. "And I think about how important it is that we provide this service for them." To make a donation and place an ornament memorializing a hospice patient, call 724-689-1153. Hospice volunteers at the event were Roberta Jefferson, Brandi Darr, Eileen Pereira, Rita Zellner, Patty Tunno, Loretta Scalzitti, Betty Lou Chundrlek, Judy Graham, Carol Buckwalter and Jeanne Rudl. Musical entertainment was by the South Greensburg United Methodist Church Choir under the direction of Linda Morris and accompanied by Linda Connolly and Mary Lois Kurth. Choir members were Barb Lehman, Dorie Flock, Connie Lehman, Frank Lehman, Karen Brinker, Sue Morris, Cheryl Musa, Amy Giron, Margie Howard, Ken Keiser and Todd Waugaman. Mark Morelli provided a take-home treat of holiday cookies for guests. Also at the event: Van Waas and her daughter, Anna, Dick Roth, Jane Thomas, and Barbara Kunkle and Kevin Carey, hospice bereavement counselors. Red Cross booster Ah, the vigor of youth. It's not enough that Gina Dominick, a senior at Greater Latrobe High School, lettered in lacrosse, is a distinguished honor student, a section editor of the school magazine and a Young Democrat. The 18-year-old, who plans to study journalism, is the youngest board member of the Chestnut Ridge Chapter of the American Red Cross and recently started a Red Cross club at her high school. To do so, Dominick had to get permission from the school's administrators and board, and student council. "It wasn't difficult," she said. "It was just a lot of approving." The growing club of about a dozen students plans to do fundraising, service projects and compile care packages for soldiers in Iraq. "I think it's so important for people to care about what's going on in the world, or nothing is going to change," Dominick said. "We need more young people doing this." She was a "Christmas elf" Thursday, at the chapter's annual "An Enchanted Evening" fundraising dinner at Mountain View Inn, in Unity Township. Dominick and seven other students were responsible for distributing auction items to individuals in the crowd of 250. Organizers hoped to raise $50,000 through the event. Also representing Greater Latrobe's Red Cross Club were Calynn Dowler, Kim Ferlin and Maria DeFabo. There from Eastern Westmoreland Career and Technology Center's club were Angela D'Amico, Brittany McKeel, Alex Richardville and Christine Diaz. Mark Ferry conducted a live auction of a number of items, including Steelers tickets and a jersey autographed by Ben Roethlisberger, a helicopter ride and a shirt autographed by Sidney Crosby, the NHL's November Rookie of the Month. The chapter also bestowed its highest honors to some other energetic folks. Cathie Krofick, emergency services director, presented the Clara Barton Award for outstanding volunteer efforts to Ralph and Edra Mae Zitterbart, faithful blood services volunteers who went south to serve following Hurricane Katrina. Dr. Evelyn Lemmon, chapter chairwoman and a dinner committee member, handed the President's Award to exemplary fundraiser Ligonier Country Club. In just two weeks, the club organized a golf tournament and cleared $21,300 to benefit hurricane victims. Representing the club were Rich Myers, club president, Bill Elliott, Brian Washington and John Klinchock. Master of ceremonies was Dr. Mark Zorch and dinner co-chairmen were Dr. John Rawa and Dan Kilkeary. Committee members were Dave Arnold, Carl Baumeister, Mary Crocker and Dolan Vogle. Seen at the event: Kristina Dulashaw-Swank, chapter executive director, Dawna Bates, Britton Colbert, Daniel Hudock, Patty Latimer, Vickie McLaughlin, Dr. Wylie Overly, Scott Shearer, Kent Snyder, Gene and Mary Jo McDonald, John and Ginnie Wandrisco, Jeanine Ferry, Louise Doherty, with her son, Jack, Leah Snyder, with her daughter-in-law, Susan, Dr. Jerry and Georgette Katz, Bill and Faydra Oesterlin, Tina Oesterlin, Lori Georgeff, Dr. Tom and Donna McClure, Chuck and Anna Dominick, Tom and Kathy Miller and Barb Fitzmaurice. Tea celebration It's the little things that count. Kathy Hopkin, owner of Bed and Breakfast of Greensburg on Alwine Avenue, on Saturday hosted a daylong series of Christmas teas for a variety of sizes and types of one-hour parties. Toni Miller assisted Hopkin with the event, and a portion of its proceeds will benefit the League of Women Voters of Westmoreland County. Arriving at noon for her 30th birthday bash was Jennifer Beck, of Greensburg, with her daughter Andie, who turns 1 on Dec. 21. Also at the party were Beck's mother, Leslie Fennell, and grandmother, Betty Vechter. Other family or friends present were Erin Fennell, Maxine Zachetti, Cheryl Mabry, Helen Fennell, Kim Schmidt and Lynn Rodgers, with her granddaughter, Maura Rodgers, 5. In the dining room the group was treated to tea and sandwiches and scones with clotted cream, served on a lace tablecloth with holiday china and utensils. Hopkin entertained with tales about the history of tea, from 2700 B.C., when a servant of a Chinese emperor accidentally discovered the drink, to 1904, when the first iced tea was served at the World's Fair in St. Louis. In addition to the bed and breakfast, Hopkin owns Tiny Town Childcare and Youth Services in Hempfield Township, and is married to Scott. Between them, the couple has three children. Hopkin, who stands 5 feet "and a half of an inch" tall, opened a bed and breakfast because that's what she prefers when traveling. She purchased the 1901 Victorian-style structure in 2000. It was once two residences with a common wall, but she gutted and renovated it, and opened for business three years ago. Downstairs are a conference room with state-of-the-art technology and a restroom. Upstairs, four themed guest rooms each has a private bath, and all but the Victorian Room has a Jacuzzi. The Tropical Room's aqua tones are accented with a palm tree, and a pink flamingo light. The Safari Room has leopard-print carpet, a sheer bed canopy and furniture with clawed feet. The Celestial Room, with its royal blue walls and four-poster bed, is a favorite for honeymooners. Comments in the guest book, resting on a delicate doily downstairs, other than "great breakfast," are "peaceful" and "quiet." "I have these walls insulated so much, you can't hear a peep," Hopkin said. "Good things come in small packages." Sweet fundraiser It all started with a Bible story. When pondering a name for a Christ-centered nonprofit organization in 1991, founder Mary McCormack thought about the alabaster jar used by Mary Magdalene when she poured scented oil on Jesus' feet. The jar was a symbol of Mary Magdalene's act of kindness, and it seemed to suit the concept of Alabaster International, based in Hempfield Township. McCormack, a recording artist, teacher, producer, author and composer, serves as the organization's director. At the core of Alabaster is a professional touring group that uses music, drama and art to provide educational outreach at schools, churches, prisons, low-income communities, orphanages and shelters, to name a few. Live musical theater productions have included "Joan of Arc," "The Life of Jesus," "Magdalene" and "The Lion, The Witch and the Wardrobe." In 2006, the organization will present "John the Baptist." Alabaster also offers youth services, such as training in the performing arts, after-school classes and summer camps. Students perform for schools, nursing homes and dinner theaters. Overall, Alabaster has performed for 500,000 people worldwide. An offshoot of the organization is the Alabaster Children's Empowerment Fund, an outreach to children in need in Southwestern Pennsylvania. Alabaster hosted a "Victorian Christmas Dessert Sensations" benefit for the fund Sunday at the YWCA in Greensburg. A number of vendors were on hand to take orders and provide samples of sugar plums, chocolates, cookies and dessert wines. There were door prizes, and the twinkling lights and tree and festive atmosphere of the former Huff mansion was enhanced by carolers in Victorian costume. Carolers were McCormack, Bill Reed, Claudese West and 7-year-old Lara Daigle, of Greensburg, a student at Verna Montessori School in Mt. Pleasant. Daigle sang "Away in a Manger" solo, and is already a veteran performer with Alabaster. Pat Santia coordinated the sweet afternoon, one even Scrooge could smile about. Seen at the event: Jonie Daigle, Dave Todaro, Carla DellaPenna, Mitch Harvey, Rosine Dull, with her granddaughter, Samantha Dull, Cathy Baumann, Ellen Deslam, Dr. Kathleen Catalano, JacquelinAnne Kirkling, Marshall and Shirley West, William Patterson, Daryle and Bonnie West, Jackie Lyons, Jill Turik, Edlyzsa Cole, Whitney Cole, Paula Fink, Chrissy Turik, Ashley Hill, Karen Carter, Rick Scruggs, Barb Fletcher, Mary Jane Snyder and Mary Catherine Sherman. Marie Mitchell exhibit "When I first walked in here, it was as if my mother's arms were around me," David Mitchell, son of the late Latrobe painter Marie Mitchell, said with tears in his eyes. Held by John Mickinak, owner of Mickinak's Antique Gallery at 113 North Main St. in Greensburg, the Marie Mitchell Retrospective Show and Sale opened Thursday with a wine-and-cheese reception. A collection of 39 of Mitchell's works will be on display through the month of December. "Marie was a very well-known local artist," said Arlene Kendra, a member of the board of directors for the Southwestern Pennsylvania Council for the Arts. "Her paintings were a labor of love." Kendra said one of her favorite Mitchell paintings is "Dunes and Waves, Virginia Beach" because of her love of water and sailboats. Open for about six months, Mickinak said the Antique Gallery and its location are perfect. He's been in the business for 28 years, and for the past 17 years attended 22 antique shows in a four-state radius annually. With the new store, Mickinak said he's ready to settle down and will only attend roughly six shows a year. This, Mickinak's first attempt at an art exhibit, took about three weeks from conception to reception. He is planning a circus poster theme for the next exhibit. IDavid Mitchell, an antique dealer, and Mickinak grew up five blocks away from each other, but only met on business a little more than two years ago. Although Mickinak did not have the chance to meet Marie Mitchell before her death in 1999, he said since working with the pieces has given him a feel for her artwork and he has really grown to appreciate it. Mitchell fondly stood before a large painting depicting a corner of the family's buffet. "I'm not selling this one," he said. "My family's history is so rich in this painting. I've also hung onto the actual buffet. It's a family piece, as were the table and china closet part of the set. The painting was done on an end section of the buffet, and it's hung in our dining room for many years." "I love the piece with Battaglia's market in it," Jim Steeley, former executive director of the Westmoreland County Historical Society, said at the reception. "It has the feel of 'the old neighborhood' to it." A $10 donation was requested at the reception for the Westmoreland Food Bank. In addition, a portion of the proceeds from the art sale will also go to the Food Bank. "I've always had a special place in my heart for the Food Bank," Mickinak said. "My wife Beth does a lot of work with the pantry at Our Lady of Grace, and some of the stories she's told me are so heartbreaking. There is a real need here." Seen at the event: Dr. JoAnne Boyle, Diane Breubel, Janet Bucciarelli, Dr. Annamarie Denis, Sandy and Don Dolde, Doug Evans, Dr. William Fischer, Bill and Bonnie Hoffman, Barb Jones, Arlene Kendra, Judge Charles and Sally Loughran, Anne Robertshaw, Rick and Denise Rosak, Jim and Karen Steeley, Mr. and Mrs. William Wiester.

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