Erie travelers enjoy tour of Italy

Forty-five Erieites traveled to Italy Oct. 15-25 for wine-tasting and the opportunity to experience authentic Italian cuisine and incredible vistas.

Escorted by Monsignor Henry Kriegel, pastor of St. Patrick and St. Hedwig Catholic churches, this 10-day journey was arranged through Vacation Playgrounds travel agent Marilyn Lechner.

Among the participants were Norb Lechner, Bootsie Barbour, John and Suzanne Pastorini and their son Brian Pastorini, Linda Havrilla, Mary Duncan, Marilyn Reiser, Mary Tellers, Linda Scalise, Mike and Cathy Twohig, Vin and Ann Halupczynski, and the Salchli twins: Jan Gallagher and her sister Jean Faber and husband, Lee Faber.

Also on board were Gordon and Marti Gehrlein, M. J. Schin, Tom and Lynda Cook, Nan Held, Laurie Sieber, Mary Ellen Dahlkemper, Ed Lesser, Eileen Hubbard, Ed and Jennifer Smith, David and Ann DeDionisio, Janice Locke, Herb Sweny, Jim Murray, David and Janet Sweny, Pat Nemenz, Valerie Nemenz, Michael Gage, Mary Lou Tramontano, Judy Emling, and Randy and Amy Valentine.

The travelers started in the heart of Tuscany at Castle Verrazano, sampling Chianti Classico, a perfect blend of four different grapes. They sampled some of the best Chianti wines and olive oil that Italy has to offer, all with a five-course lunch.

After a full day in Florence, the group journeyed to Rome, stopping in the quaint 13th-century village of Orvieto on the way. Situated high above the central plain of Italy, the medieval village is crowned by a 13th-century cathedral famous for its intricate mosaic facade.

Three full days in Rome included guided tours to the Sistine Chapel, St. Peter's Basilica, the Coliseum, the Roman Forum, the Pantheon and the Trevi Fountain.

From Rome, the group traveled southward with a stop at Monte Cassino, the 6th century abbey inspired by St. Benedict.

Near the end of World War II, Allied Forces began advancing north toward Rome while Nazi troops occupied the Abbey. Their control of the access to the north set the stage for the bloodiest battle on Italian soil.

More than 7,000 U.S. soldiers are buried in the American Cemetery at Monte Cassino.

Next stop was Pompeii where the group enjoyed a three-hour tour followed by an evening in Sorrento. A boat tour and drive excursion along the Amalfi Coast highlighted the next day, ending with private tastings of the area's famous limoncello and mozzarella.

The final day was spent at the 15th-century Villa D'este with its breathtaking gardens and hundreds of fountains. The farewell meal at Ristorante Monteripoli overlooking Rome included a five-course dinner and entertainment by local musicians.

"I think we packed a month's worth of traveling and sightseeing into eight days," exclaimed Judy Emling, who clicked off 2,000 pictures throughout the trip. "We were blessed with perfect temperatures and royal blue skies."

For her, the walking tour of Florence that included the Academy of Fine Arts to view Michelangelo's magnificent David was a dream come true.


Great trip to Toronto

The Erie Playhouse traveled to Toronto Oct. 30 to see the pre-Broadway run of "Priscilla Queen of the Desert" and two of the Erie Playhouse's family members who perform in the show.

They saw Eric Sciotto, who plays the Dance Captain, and Nick Adams, who is starring in his first Broadway lead as Adam.

Tony Sheldon, who originated the role of Bernadette in Australia four years ago, has performed the show on four continents and will make his Broadway debut when "Priscilla" opens on New York in March.

Sciotto, Adams, Tony and Will Sheldon and eight other performers from the show greeted the 30 travelers from Erie after the show. They met for 30 minutes backstage.

Some of the travelers to Toronto included Almitra and Shawn Clerkin, Teri Marshall, Kevin Feyas, Paul Rickloff, Jasse Camacho, Heather and Hannah Steiner, Janet Wojtalik, Al and Agnes Astemborski, Luba Carly, Judy Kadlup, William Wandel, Tim Cicirella, Kathleen and Anne Marie Dammeyer, Ellie Tanenbaum, Joyce Zuck, Arlene Knott, Kathleen Teconchuk, Midge Klebes, Joan Collins, Dee Hoke, Fred Taylor, Peter Rucinski, Ann Downing, Bill Behmke, Angelo Saraceno and Joy Stewart.

"Priscilla" runs through Jan. 2, 2011 at Toronto's Princess of Wales Theatre. It will move to Broadway for previews in February.


Names in the news

Fairview resident Brian Pardini has five pieces of driftwood sculpture on display in What Makes You Smile, the current show at the American Visionary Art Museum in Baltimore, Md.

Two of the pieces were in the Erie Art Museum 2009 Spring Show. A reception for artists and members was held Oct. 9. The show will run through Sept. 4, 2011.


Something's fishy here

Stained glass artist Ann Fatica has contributed a unique piece entitled "Halibut," 20 inches in diameter, for the American Red Cross, Erie Chapter Art Lottery and Exhibition on Nov. 14.

George Lampman, of Edinboro, also donated an aquatic piece, a large koi metal sculpture with wood frame. The event begins at 1 p.m. in the Atrium Room at the Courtyard by Marriott's Ambassador Center. Call 833-0942 for ticket information.

Happening today

Lisa Austin sends word of today's 2nd annual Wine and Cheese Open House to save the Villa Chapel. It's scheduled from 1 to 4 p.m. at the Watson-Curtze Mansion, 356 W. Sixth St., and will provide an update on the status of the chapel. This event is free and open to the public.


New member event

The Women's Roundtable of Northwest Pennsylvania invites you to enjoy a night on the town, including dinner and the theater on Friday. Open to new and prospective members, the evening gets under way at 5:30 p.m. at Benjamin's, across from the Erie Playhouse.

Afterward, you can attend the Playhouse performance of "Jewtopia" at 7:30 p.m. Tickets are $20 for members and guests. Call hospitality director Diane Wilson at (866) 346-3122 or send an e-mail message to: wilsondiane@asburyliving.net. Reservations are required.


Much to celebrate

The Warner Theatre's grand lobby will be the setting on Nov. 19 for the annual client-appreciation party as the accounting firm of Schaffner, Knight, Minnaugh & Co. celebrates 15 years in business.

Earlier this year, Dave Herbe became the eighth principal of the firm. Herbe joins Jim Schaffner, Chuck Knight and Matt Minnaugh, who founded the firm in 1995, and Janel Bonsell, Pete Eaglen, Dennis Grow and Dan Sloppy.

The firm also added four new accountants to the team in 2010: Justin Buschman, Brian Dougan, Joe King and Cory Knight.


POSTSCRIPT: I believe you are your work. Don't trade the very stuff of your life, time, for nothing more than dollars. That's a rotten bargain. -- Rita Mae Brown (b. 1944), American feminist, writer, educator. Source: Carolyn Warner's Treasury of Women's Quotations (Prentice Hall).