Out & About: Westmoreland Symphony hosts 'Champagne & Chapeaux' luncheon

Once upon a time, a hat was a standard element of the well-dressed lady’s outfit.

That’s not the case these days, but there still are those situations in which haute headgear is de rigueur — obviously including the annual Westmoreland Symphony Hat Luncheon.

Dubbed Champagne & Chapeaux, this year’s event drew about 100 guests to the Greensburg Country Club in Hempfield on June 3.

Jan Taylor-Condo said she remembers the days when everyone donned a hat for church or another special occasions. When she has the chance to wear a hat these days, she always adds a hatpin that belonged to her late mother-in-law.

Christy Maruca, attending with her Penn Township neighbor, Debra Berk, said she only wears a beach hat on trips to Florida.

The friends found hats for the event on Amazon.

“That’s where everyone goes,” Maruca said. “They have everything.”

Surveying the styles from beneath her own wide-brimmed hat, Michaelene McWhinney said, “I wish I had a fascinator. They look so neat!”

Attendees were welcomed by event co-chairs Karen Kohut and Diane Nickoloff and WSO board member and luncheon adviser Linda Assard.

Harpist Juliana Matteo, daughter of WSO principal percussionist Michael Matteo, provided special music.

Committee members included Janie Belden, Mary Ann Fusco, Tiffany Kohut, Sheila Kudrick, June Penta, Sharyn Sekora, Bob Sekora and Tiffany Taylor.

Seen: WSO Artistic Director Daniel Meyer with Mary Persin, Executive Director Natalie Kasievich, Diane Persin, Tom Kohut, Paul Nickoloff, Marlene Fritsch, Alex Kohut, Janice Decker, Cecilia Decker, Susan Ciarimboli, Isabella Matteo, Marlene Porter, Joann Eberhardt, Joan Stairs and Barbara Ferrier.

Also, Michele Bononi, Tami Stewart, Phyllis Bertok, Allana Kondisko, Gay Wasserman, Linda Brown, Deb Honkus, Sharon McCue, Kim Kramer, Jo Rossi, Bobbie Hineline, Carol Weinstock, Robin Zukerman, Susan Ott, Kate Kegarise, Kathleen Kegarise, Lana Neumeyer, Debra Schurko and Carolyn Smith.