Gentlemen’s Night Out

#UPinSmoke: The 21st annual Gentlemen’s Night Out to benefit the National Aviary was held at PNC Champion’s Club at Heinz Field on the NorthShore on Friday.

“It’s been a lot of fun over the years,” said aviary board president Mike Mascaro. He explained how there was a break of a few years but this is the third one they had at Heinz Field. He welcomed the nearly 200 men dressed in black tie to an evening of cigars, socializing and surf and turf. It began with cocktails, appetizers and a popular raw bar.

A few feathered friends as well as an armadillo and a baby sloth lined up at the entrance to the dining area for photo opps. A small group of the aviary’s aficionados (big donors) were given a tour of the Steeler’s locker room by former Steelers Matt Spaeth and Shaun Suisham. Afterward it was dinner accompanied by a strolling violinist. The men ended the evening by retiring to the bar to light up, sip a Scotch, listen to bagpipes and watch the Penguins game.

#FriendsoftheFeathered: Among those helping to raise $180,000 for the aviary were executive director Cheryl Tracy, Mike Flinn, Kathy and Lou Testoni, Allegheny County Executive Rich Fitzgerald, Yarone Zober, John Graf, Jay Davis, Keith Organ, Dan McKay, Ron Elliott, Glenn Seiber, Keith Smith, Jim Majernik, Brad Cole, Tim Rohar, Rich Yohe, Jim Mirasola, Andrew Stewart, John West, Dale Arnold, Dave Paterra, Aaron Reed, Michael Klein and the aviary’s Robin Weber and Jeremy Davit.

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