About Kate Benz

Kate Benz 412-380-8515
Fanfare Columnist
Pittsburgh Tribune-Review
Kate Benz is the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review's Fanfare columnist.

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Friday - May 17, 2013

Fanfare Photo Galleries

Pittsburgh Wine Festival not so bottled up anymore

Being barefoot and running through the woods might constitute a typical Saturday night somewhere out in the boondocks, but for the crowd of socials gathered at the Beechwood Nature Reserve in Fox Chapel, it was the perfect opportunity to kick the stilettos to the curb and take a good old-fashioned breath of fresh air.

“We turned the heat down just a little bit, so it's comfortable ... we know nature,” joked Audubon Society of Western Pennsylvania executive director Jim Bonner (with Leslie).

So picturesque was the ASWP's A Night in the Woods party that even the lightning bugs entertained as if on cue, where more than 200, including event chairs Sarah Stallings, Becca Ringham Myerburg, and Libby Ernharth (with Steve, Mike and Johannes, respectively), were finding that the 134 acres and fi ve miles of trails were just too much temptation not to explore.

Hootini's in hand, the whimsy continued on the pathway to the Beechwood pond, which was lined with fairy houses created by local artists who were given explicit instructions to use only twigs, bark, leaves, stones, or anything else that's nature-made.

“I've never worked in the fairy genre,” confessed Peter Johnson. “It was challenging.”

“I had to Google what a fairy house meant,” added Mia Tarducci Henry. “Although, I think the idea of having art in a natural setting is a wonderful idea.”

Spotted in the great outdoors were ASWP board prexy Sally and Bob Tarhi, Nancy and Dan Fales, Marilyn Eisengart, Anne Ringham, Jennifer Young, Josie and Gaston Oria, Patty and Sean Casey, Tingle and Richard Barnes, Jackie Dixon, Randy Grossman, Jane and Bud Kahn, Jolie Schroeder, Julie and David Rost, Carrie Casey and Bill Leemhuis, Naomi and Jason Sperry and Susan and Ted Wilkes.

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2. Behind Crosby’s hat trick, Penguins sneak past Senators
3. Error in 9th allows Pirates to rally past Astros
4. Senators head home to regroup
5. Flavors of the world treat for PSO fans
6. Lynch, Swartzlander and Miley notch wins at Lernerville
7. Sensors can develop faulty connections
8. Study: Retirees face declining standard of living
9. Belle Vernon native Brian Sabol trades military career for medical field
10. Kovacevic: The smartest man in hockey
11. Wabash Tunnel hours to be permanently restricted

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