Out & About: SAMA Ligonier Valley celebrates 25 years with birthday bash

Shirley McMarlin
Sunday, July 24, 2022 9:32 a.m. | Sunday, July 24, 2022 9:32 a.m.

Shirley McMarlin | Tribune-Review

Southern Alleghenies Museum of Art at Ligonier Valley auxiliary and board member George Conte of Ligonier (right) with his wife, Olive, at the facility’s 25th Anniversary Birthday Bash on July 23.

Shirley McMarlin | Tribune-Review

Pittsburgh-based RML Jazz provided dance music for the 25th Anniversary Birthday Bash on July 23 at the Southern Alleghenies Museum of Art at Ligonier Valley.

Shirley McMarlin | Tribune-Review

Exhibiting artist Rita Haldeman (left) with site director and education coordinator Kristin Miller at the Southern Alleghenies Museum of Art at Ligonier Valley’s 25th Anniversary Birthday Bash on July 23.

Shirley McMarlin | Tribune-Review

Southern Alleghenies Museum of Art board president Barry Newborn and director of operations Sandie Hampton at SAMA-Ligonier Valley facility’s 25th Anniversary Birthday Bash on July 23.

Shirley McMarlin | Tribune-Review

Original museum steering committee member Connie Pilz (second from left) with her husband Alfred Pilz, son Stephen Pilz, Sam Rivero and Luciana Guerra at the Southern Alleghenies Museum of Art at Ligonier Valley’s 25th Anniversry Birthday Bash on July 23.

Shirley McMarlin | Tribune-Review

Phyllis Bertok and Rich Lopretto of Greensburg at the 25th Anniversary Birthday Bash on July 23 at the Southern Alleghenies Museum of Art at Ligonier Valley.

Shirley McMarlin | Tribune-Review

Southern Alleghenies Museum of Art at Ligonier Valley auxiliary officers Mary Campfield and Patty Jones (center) with their spouses, John Campfield (left) and Jeff Jones, at the facility’s 25th Anniversary Birthday Bash on July 23.

The Southern Alleghenies Museum of Art marked an important milestone on Saturday evening with a 25th Anniversary Birthday Bash.

Among attendees was Connie Pilz of Ligonier Township, a member of the steering committee that worked to establish the facility a quarter-century ago.

Pilz recalled how a group of local residents, led by the late Tina Thoburn, approached the SAMA board of directors with their proposal and, after securing their approval, set about finding a suitable location.

When a gas station property opposite Thoburn’s house, on Route 711 just south of Ligonier borough, went up for sale, Pilz said, “Tina went across the road and bought it.”

The gas station was razed and the log cabin-style museum facility went up in its place.

“It turned out beautifully and it was perfect for the town and its history,” Pilz said. “It was a dream come true.”

Silver-clad party-goers toasted with a signature cocktail created for the occasion and partook of heavy hors d’oeuves from Myriam’s Table.

Those feeling especially festive had their faces painted and adorned with sparkling “gems.”

Displays around the museum’s gallery told the history of the site.

For fun, there was dancing to the music of Pittsburgh-based RML Jazz and games of chance and skill. A $25 donation purchased a bag containing either a small prize or a key that unlocked one of four grand prizes: a 43-inch smart TV, a Keurig coffee pot, earbuds or a drone with an HD camera.

Birthday cake topped off the evening.

Welcoming guests were SAMA board president Barry Newborn and director of operations Sandie Hampton, along with education coordinator and Ligonier site director Kristin Miller.

Seen: George and Olive Conte, Jeff and Patty Jones, John and Mary Campfield, Alfred Pilz, Stephen Pilz, Luciana Guerra, Sam Rivero, Rich Lopretto and Phyllis Bertok, Terry Graft and Linda Brown, Jim and Laura Argenbright, Carol Cassler, Cheryl Wood, Sandi Dixon, Margee Bilyak, Ian Darnton-Hill, Eleanor Coyne, Clare Kaczmarek, Kathy Brown, Larry and Barb Savino, Keith and Renee Parowski, Jonathan and Barb Thaler and Mark and Flo Shuss.