Asian Lantern Festival lights up Pittsburgh Zoo
The preview gala for Wild Illuminations, the Asian Lantern Festival at the Pittsburgh Zoo & PPG Aquarium drew nearly 550 patrons to the light Friday night. The towering archway at the lower entrance was a hint of the impressive lantern displays awaiting guests.
The largest was a massive dragon near the village area. As the sun went down, glowing lanterns added an element of enchantment that will continue Thursday through Sunday nights until Oct. 31.
“We have 44 different displays of our Asian lanterns, and we hope you will come out and join us,” said zoo CEO Barbara Baker, standing by an animated chameleon lantern that changes colors.
“COVID has been really tough on everybody, including the zoo, and it is great to be back here in person again embracing the community and really highlighting all the great things the zoo does in Pittsburgh and nationally and internationally,” said board vice chair Morton Stanfield.
Guests gathered in the village Friday as the Lion Dance was performed by Steel Dragon amid drumming by Pittsburgh Taiko.
Food and drink stations were set up throughout the zoo. Highlights included hot and sour Mongolian braised beef tacos, shrimp toast, fried pot stickers and signature cocktails Pink Tiger (Blue Diamond vodka, grapefruit and cranberry juice) and Dragon’s Claw (Pepsi, spiced rum and lime).
While strolling amid the lanterns, guests visited with zoo residents such as tigers, elephants and the very friendly Lewis the giraffe. Then the skies opened up, sending everyone scurrying for shelter. The PPG Aquarium was a nice respite, with performances by OCA and Win-Win Kung Fu. Inside the PNC Pavilion DJ Disturbing the Peace worked his magic.
Loving the lights despite the downpour were Becky and Herb Torbin, Laura and DJ Miller, Marian Lien, Sally Wiggin, Charlie and
Etta Casalnova, Mary Ann and Thomas Tobin, Jonette and Gina Suiter and Jacinta Dutrieuille, Paul Matula and Shane Perry.
Hopeful Hearts Cruise
Nearly 100 guests were on deck for the maiden voyage of the Hopeful Hearts Cruise to benefit the Joe Beretta Foundation on Saturday evening. The Gateway Clipper riverboat Duchess hosted an evening of dining, dancing and floating on the rivers.
This was the second Pittsburgh fundraiser for the nonprofit, which started in Nashville but has strong local ties. “I love Pittsburgh — it’s my roots,” said Lillian Beretta, a native Pittsburgher who is the founder and board president.
“My husband had heart failure, and we ended up in an extreme emergency situation,” she
explained.
He needed a special heart surgery that less than 5% of U.S. hospitals can perform. “Both UPMC and AHN do them,” she said. “It’s a bridge to transplant.”
What they realized during his ordeal was how difficult the process can be for families. “We saw caregivers sleeping in their cars because they didn’t have a place to stay,” she recalled. “Some families, financially, it just wreaks them.”
She created the nonprofit in her late husband’s honor. Ticket sales and a silent auction at fundraisers support families going through end-stage heart failure, helping to pay bills, mortgages and cover food and transportation.
Among those enjoying an evening of smooth sailing for a good cause were event chair Gloria Andreozzi, auction chair Carrie Burdy, executive director Davey Shepherd with Gabrielle, Rebekah Kennedy-Gomersall and Adam Gomersall, Marla Cochran, Lisa Allen, and Liz and Colin Nabb.
Sojourner House Victorian Tea
The ambiance of the Omni William Penn was perfect for the 17th annual Victorian Tea to benefit Sojourner House on Sunday
afternoon. More than 200 supporters mingled in the Urban Room while checking out the silent auction before the tea was served. Event chair Tom Klemmer was decked out in a Victorian gentleman’s outfit for the afternoon.
“You come to these events once a year ... so you might as well go all in,” he said.
Not to be outdone, many of the ladies showed off some lovely chapeaus, including executive director De’netta Benjamin-Miller, who wore a large blue flower hat.
“Today’s tea is really important to help support our families who are impacted by substance abuse and homelessness,” she said. “In September we will celebrate 30 years as an organization.”
“We are so thrilled to have De’netta at the helm and grateful be able to get together
in person this afternoon,” said board president Christie Smith.
The presentation of the Pearl of Hope Award went posthumously to Kathleen Hendrickson, who volunteered at Sojourner House for eight years. Among those happy to catch up over a cup of tea were Sojourner House
founder Peggy Reding, honorary chair and founder of Beverly’s Birthdays, Megs Yunn, Susan Orr, Michele de la Reza, Jackie Dixon, Liz Harrington, Sarah Mayer, Bill Rumpf, Nishauna Ball and Elizabeth Wasel.