SAMA 40th anniversary gala

The Place: St. Francis University, Loretto, Pa., Saturday night

The Party: The Southern Alleghenies Museum of Art Gala had a Spotlight on Broadway for the 40th annual gala. Broadway’s Great White Way was the theme for the evening, which began with a Champagne reception in the museum where guests were surrounded by the “Bright Lights and Opening Nights: Film, Theater and Dance” poster exhibit from the Mark Del Costello Collection. Adding to the reception’s ambiance was a performance by the cast of “Annie” from the Allegheny Highlands Regional Theatre.The event benefits SAMA’s five museums, including the newest one in Bedford. Welcoming everyone as they entered via the red carpet was museum director Gary Moyer and event chair Glenda Forosisky. Mr. Moyer, who will be stepping down, thanked everyone for their generosity. “In 1978, Michael Strueber, the first director of the museum, launched this gala and 40 years later and we are still partying!” said Mr. Moyer. “I have had people tell me this is the social event of the summer in the rural Alleghenies.”

The People: Nearly 300 supporters came to play casino games, bid on the live and silent auctions, enjoy the famous raw seafood bar and dine and dance the night away to the sounds of the Bachelor Boys under the tent draped with little white lights. Among them were Vanessa Houser with her husband John Paul Houser, board president Jim Cayce, Dr. Keith and Renee Parowski, Mark Renowden, Bill and Ann Benzel, Shirley and Bill Hoyne, Joe and Mary Kay Russell and Bruce and Paula Hamilton.

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