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“font-size: 10pt; font-family:”>”Fool me once, shame on you. Fool

me twice, shame on me,” or so the old saying goes.

Organizers of Fayette County’s

annual Heart Ball took that lesson to heart.

For the past 13 years, the annual

fund-raiser at Nemacolin Woodlands Resort was planned for February.

Last year, however, a humongous blizzard blew in and postponed the

festivities.

”On the morning of last February’s

Ball, there were 30-inches of snow at Nemacolin,” said Cindy

Stirling, Fayette County division director of the American Heart

Association. “This year, we’ve moved the ball up to March 19,

hoping the snow will be gone.”

While they can’t control the

weather, the organizers have made sure the theme of this year’s

event will reflect a distinct optimism for better conditions.

Falling on the eve of the first day of spring, the ball’s theme is

“Spring for the Heart,” inspired by the vernal

equinox.

”In line with our theme, our

invitations are decorated with flowers and butterflies, and our

dinner tables will be full of spring colors and floral

arrangements,” Stirling said.

The ball will begin with cocktails

at 5:30 p.m. in a banquet room of the resort’s Chateau Lafayette

where patrons will also be able to register for their table seating

and auction bid number. A silent auction of items, including art,

jewelry, sports memorabilia, dining and car care certificates and

regional sporting and cultural events, will also begin at 5:30 p.m.

The dinner begins at 7 p.m., followed by dancing at 9 p.m. to the

sound of the Groove Doctors.

”I heard the band recently, and

they play a nice mix of music,” Stirling said. “They’re also very

accomplished musicians.”

Dinner will feature a choice of

red wine-braised short ribs or tarragon-crusted salmon. Cocktails,

beer and wine will also be available for purchase. The cost of the

evening includes a fun photograph with props taken by Art Campbell,

a.k.a. the Photo Booth Guy.

During the evening, auctioneer

Sandy Brittingham of Rittenhouse Auctions will host the live

bidding for items such as a diamond necklace donated by Abby’s Gold

and Gems of Uniontown, a two-night stay at Falling Rock at

Nemacolin Woodlands Resort and a two-night stay at the W Hotel in

Washington D.C.

Organizers are hoping the ball

will draw 350 to 400 guests. Reservations will be accepted through

Wednesday and can be made by calling 724-437-2798. Patrons may also

make a reservation online at

www.heart.org/fayettepaheartball.

”Via our website, people can

purchase their seats for the ball, make a donation to the Open Your

Heart Campaign, donate auction items and view photos of last year’s

Ball,” Stirling said.

Dan Gearing will chair this year’s

ball, one of the Heart Association’s two major fund-raisers. The

other, the Heart Walk, takes place in October.

According to the website, the

Heart Ball promises to be an engaging evening of fun and passion

bringing community and philanthropic leaders together. Last year,

the Ball campaign raised just over $51 million nation-wide allowing

the American Heart Association to fund over $123 million of

research and programs across the country and in the

community.

”The Heart Ball is a beautiful and

fun event,” Stirling said. “Our guests enjoy a delicious meal,

networking with friends and neighbors and supporting the life

saving mission of the American Heart Association. While there, they

can take serious or not so serious photos, partake in our wonderful

live and silent auctions and be inspired by a heart survivor. It’s

a wonderful night all for a great cause — helping to save lives.

And you never know when the life you are saving could be your own

or that of a loved one.”