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History Makers Awards and the week in review ...

History Makers Awards and the week in review ...

John Heller, Post-Gazette
K. Leroy Irvis, Doreen Boyce, Dr. Tom Detre and Barbara Feldon
Click photo for larger image.The Historical Society of Western Pennsylvania

got smart Friday when it honored actress Barbara Feldon at its 13th Annual History Makers Award Dinner. Who knew that "Get Smart's" Agent 99 was born in Pittsburgh? The actress attended Carnegie Mellon University and returned a few years ago to refresh her memories of the South Hills. "It was amazing. Nothing had changed!" she noted. Well, maybe not so amazing ...

On the subject of history, the crowd of 600 at the Westin Convention Center Hotel was packed with former honorees and representatives from every segment of city life (Marty McGuinn, Paul O'Neill, Max King, Mark Nordenberg). This year's history makers included Steelers owner Dan Rooney (leadership), former state Speaker of the House K. Leroy Irvis (government), Buhl Foundation president Doreen Boyce (community service), Dick's Sporting Goods CEO Edward Stack (business and industry) and former UPMC head Dr. Tom Detre (medicine and health). The benefit for the Senator John Heinz Pittsburgh Regional History Center was chaired by John Surma, with a welcome from Historical Society CEO Andrew Masich and board chair Glen Meakem.

Teresa Heinz Kerry looked as girlish as any Girl Scout as she accepted the 2005 Pearl of Excellence Award from the Girl Scouts Trillium Council on Wednesday. With her brown locks falling over her eyes, she stood at the podium in the Pittsburgh Hilton ballroom and addressed 600 guests in a soft, emotional voice. They were riveted, young and old alike, as Heinz Kerry proudly told them that her husband's late mother had been a troop leader for 50 years. She seemed genuinely touched by the recognition and by the organization that gave it to her. "It teaches young girls to believe in themselves, to trust one another and to believe in their right to dream and to fulfill those dreams," she said

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Sharing the stage was Elise Clare Witsberger, winner of the Girl Scout Spirit Award, and the 2005 Women of Distinction: Birdie Nichols, Marsha Blanco, Khadra Mohammed, Kathleen Buechel, Barbara McNees and Agnus Berenato. The Girls of Distinction included Katah Hart, Stephanie Triay, Gwyn Rohrer, Sara Green, Adrienne Lee Atterberry and Brenna Marie Brucker.

It was as if lightning struck the Westin Convention Center Wednesday night as Jerome Bettis arrived for the 10th annual Family Resources Child Abuse Prevention Month Awards Dinner amid a flurry of flashing cameras. Bettis, there to be honored along with Citizens Bank's Ralph Papa, didn't seem to notice. He's been on Cloud Nine since the birth of his daughter 12 weeks ago. Among the first to congratulate him were executive director Walter Smith and Elizabeth and Denis McCarthy. Also getting their share of attention were honorary chairs Bill and Kaye Cowher and WPXI's Peggy Finnegan and Mike Donnelly. Helping to make it the most financially successful benefit dinner yet with $140,000 were event chairs Bill and Gayle Simpson, Judge Kim Clark, state Sen. John Pippy, Mary Lou McLaughlin and Chuck and Jenny Greenberg.

The ever-gracious Shirley Jones and the mighty Myron Cope shook hands, smiled for the cameras, and greeted fans before the second annual Lutheran Affiliated Services "Excellence Is Ageless" program got under way. The event at Heinz Field East Lounge on Friday competed with a Pirates game, but that didn't faze the nearly 400 guests gathered to honor the pair. They were presented with the "Excellence Is Ageless" Award by event chair Tom Usher (with Sandy). LAS CEO David Fenoglietto (with Janelle) was delighted with the turnout, which included Russell and Shelby Livingston, Laura and Dick Deklewa, Bill and Lynne Bonner, Greg and Cheryl Hand and Norman and Peggy Mitry.

Pam Panchak, Post-Gazette
Elise Clare Witsberger and Teresa Heinz Kerry, honorees at the 2005 Women & Girls of Distinction Awards, flank Girl Scout CEO Marcia Barber at the Hilton on Wednesday.
Click photo for larger image.J. Monroe Butler II/Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
The Lutheran Affiliated Services honored Myron Cope and Shirley Jones with ?Excellence Is Ageless? awards Friday at Heinz Field.
Click photo for larger image.

The Civic Light Opera Guilds's Pink Tea took a new twist with its first-ever Pink-Tini Party, an evening event that included the men. Steve and Helen Hanna Casey were hosts for both events in their home Thursday. Co-chairs were Gus and Annie Engel and Colleen and David O'Brien.

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Opera Theatre of Pittsburgh hosted a Spring Garden Party Thursday at board member Carole Kamin's Shadyside home to celebrate the launch of Friends of the Opera Theatre. The new group offers lots of perks, including private dinners and opening night parties.

"It Came From the '80s" and it par-tayed with That '80s Band when St. Edmund's Academy threw its 25th Annual Great Event at the PAA Friday. Bill and Joan Widdoes chaired the evening, and Deb Ladley and Teri Soffer chaired the online auction.

The Temptations featuring Dennis Edwards played the Kelly-Strayhorn Theater on Saturday and mingled during a post-concert reception, all part of New Horizon Theater's Annual Black Tie Event led by board chair Joyce Meggerson-Moore (with Chris).

April was National Parkinson Awareness Month, and to commemorate the Parkinson Chapter of Greater Pittsburgh held its fifth annual Spring Theater Gala Saturday. The two-part affair was centered around a performance of "Candide" at CMU's Purnell Center and chaired by state Rep. Dan Frankel.

Lake Fong, Post-Gazette
Joyce Meggerson-Moore and Chris Moore at New Horizon Theater's Black Tie Event with the Temptations on Saturday at the Kelly-Strayhorn Theater.
Click photo for larger image.

First Published: May 2, 2005, 4:00 a.m.

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