Out & About: Happy hour guests toast fort's outgoing director

It wasn’t the happiest History Happy Hour on July 26 at Fort Ligonier.

Amidst the revelry, Richard Danforth, president of the fort’s board of trustees, called for a toast to outgoing Executive Director Annie Urban. In August, Urban will leave for a new position at her alma mater, Seton Hill University, as executive director of primary gifts and community engagement.

Danforth said Urban told him of her impending departure just days into his tenure as board president. “I took that a little personally,” he joked.

Urban said it will be hard to leave the post she’s held for 11 years, but she’s proud of the accomplishments of those years, particularly the fort’s increased educational programming.

“My mom always told me to go out on a high note,” she said.

Many guests raised glasses filled with a rum punch prepared by Erica Nuckles, director of history and collections. Often featured at special fort events, the recipe includes four parts of rum, one part of lemon, two parts of sugar and four parts of tea — in this case, a green gunpowder tea sold in the fort’s gift shop.

“It’s pretty potent, but it’s very delicious,” Nuckles said. “That’s what gets you in trouble.”

Seen in the crowd was Henry Scully, the fort’s interim executive director, along with Nicole Danforth, Tom and Nancy Donchez, Ron and Theresa Gay Rohall, Mick and Cindy Pompelia, Eric and Mamie Garver, Marie Emanuel, Mike and Jean O’Connor, Eric Felack, Mary Dorazio, Dan Slezak, John Wenzel, Ken Puvak, Julie Donovan, Matt Gault and Curtis Henderson.

Joe Golden and Pat Petrarca provided Americana music. Carol Cassler and Mary Ann Hegan served hearty appetizers from Carol & Dave’s Roadhouse. Event sponsor was Covington Investment Advisors.