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A perfect 10
http://newpittsburghcourieronline.com/articlelive/articles/41043/1/A-perfect-10/Page1.html
Debbie Norrell

Courier Lifestyles Editor

 
 
By Debbie Norrell
Published on 06/26/2008
 
After 10 years the word has spread that The Pittsburgh Parks Conservancy’s Spring Hat Luncheon is the place to be on the first Saturday in May. “Love your hat, love your dress,” was the phrase for the day.


A perfect 10

After 10 years the word has spread that The Pittsburgh Parks Conservancy’s Spring Hat Luncheon is the place to be on the first Saturday in May. “Love your hat, love your dress,” was the phrase for the day.

It was a rainy day outside but the event organizers didn’t miss a step in preparing for inclement weather.


HERE COMES THE JUDGE AND HER FRIENDS LOOKING GOOD—The Hon. Kim Clark, Tyra Butler and Beverly Roberts Atwater, M.D.


The parking valets were prepared with umbrellas to usher in each person; they made sure all hats stayed dry.

Multiple tents were set up in Frick Park in Point Breeze in a pattern that almost reached to the sidewalk. This it the second visit to Frick Park in Hat Luncheon history.

Since that first visit, more than 100 acres have been added to the park and the Nine Mile Run Watershed has been transformed.

Support of the Spring Hat Luncheon has produced projects like the Riverview Park Chapel Shelter, Highland Park’s babbling brook and Schenley Park’s grand new entrance, complete with carousel.

Honorary chairs Ritchie Scaife, Audrey Hillman Fisher and Teresa Heinz said there is so much more to come; including the revisioning and rebuilding of the Frick Environmental Center, the establishment of the Pittsburgh Daffodil Project and the restoration of Mellon Park’s tranquil walled garden.

Through the 10 years the hats worn by hundreds of ladies have become more interesting and true conversation pieces. This year there was the “Stanley Cup” hat made from tiers of aluminum foil complete with a stuffed penguin.

Elsie Hillman donned a straw hat that was signed by all the presidents “except the current one” said Hillman. Tiger Woods, Arnold Palmer and Jack Nickolas have also signed her chapeaux.

More than 700 enjoyed a unique lunch prepared by the Duquesne Club that was topped off with a lemon mousse bonnet with a raspberry mousse center for dessert.

Each lady and the few gents left with a stuffed goodie bag (which included the New York Times best seller “The Green Book”) in hand, knowing that they had contributed to another great city park project.