Ligonier Valley Historical Society

Annual Signature Events

Every year, Ligonier Valley Historical Society hosts three signature events in addition to our programming events at Compass Inn Museum. These events include Tastes of the Town in the spring, “Inside Ligonier Valley - A Home Tour” in collaboration with Lincoln Highway Heritage Corridor in the summer, and “Festival of Lights” during the holiday season.

Postcards from the Inn Past, Present & Future 2.0

and “Tastes of the Town”

LVHS's Postcards from the Inn, Past, Present & Future 2.0 auction is going live at noon on April 14! Over 40 artists have submitted original works of art for this year’s auction. A preview of the “Postcards” will be available at Charity Auctions Today on April 12.

It is springtime so it is time for the Ligonier Valley Historical Society's annual “Tastes of the Town”. One of the Valley's favorite springtime traditions is on Thursday, April 18. Doors open at 6:30 pm for the delicious epicurean adventure. See below for participating vendors and more details. If you have not gotten your tickets, hurry and get them soon as they are going fast. You can purchase them through Eventbrite or stop by the Historical Society's Hall House Headquarters, Betsy's of Ligonier, or Post & Rail Men's Shop to get yours.

Once again, as part of “Tastes of the Town”, we are hosting our “Postcards from the Inn, Past, Present & Future” online auction featuring the collective talents of over 40 local artists. The auction goes live at noon on April 14 and closes at 9 pm on April 27.  See below for auction details and participating artists.

 Additionally, for your viewing pleasure and bidding, the “Postcards” will be at “Tastes of the Town” on April 18. However, we are adding a twist; a select group of “Postcards” will be auctioned live at the event. We will reveal this group of “Postcards” at 7:30 pm at the Tastes of the Town with the live auction beginning at 7:45. If you are the winning bidder, you can take your artwork home that night.

Calling All Artists!

Ligonier Valley Historical Society presents

Postcards from the Inn

Past, Present & Future 2.0

This year to celebrate Ligonier Valley Historical Society’s 60th Anniversary and the Tastes of the Town, April 18, 2024.

We cordially invite you to participate in an experience that will showcase many talented artists in our community.

Whether or not you think of yourself or a friend or family member as an artist, please consider creating and donating a one-of-a-kind piece of art on the 5x7 postcard.

​Feel free to use your own medium as long as it is 5 x 7 or we will be happy to send you a postcard at your request.

Just send me an email at tgrohall@compassinn.org or call 724-238-6818 and I will put two in the mail for you.

Your artwork can have a historic theme, a present-day emphasis, or celebrate Ligonier Valley's natural beauty and attractions, even a stab at “modern art” . . . have fun with it! The subject, medium, and approach of the piece is entirely up to you. The more entries the better.

Initially, the postcards will be available for bidding via an online auction starting April 11, 2024, and then they will be on display during the Tastes of the Town on April 18 ((see details below), where bidding will happen throughout the evening.

Then the bidding will continue through April 25, 2024.

The opening bid for each piece will be $50 with increments of $25.

 DIRECTIONS FOR ENTERING

• Please feel free to sign your piece.

• Once your artwork is finished, please mail or drop it off at the Historical Society along with a completed submission form below. In the subject field, list the title of your piece.

• Please post or deliver before April 2.

For questions contact tgrohall@compassinn.org or 724-238-6818.

Thank you for your participation. Your generous donation will help us reach our goal of raising significant funds to ensure the success of our ongoing educational programming, archeological studies, and preservation initiatives at Compass Inn Museum. . . . 

“Keeping our History Alive.”

31st Annual Tastes of The Town

April 18, 2024, Door open at 6:30 pM at The Barn at Ligonier Valley

1. Tickets: $60-Ligonier Valley Historical Society Members and $65-Non-members

B.Y.O.B. (alcoholic beverages, mixers, & soft drinks not provided)

Limited Tickets so get your tickets early at Betsy’s of Ligonier, Post & Rail Men’s Shop, Ligonier Valley Historical Society, or through Eventbrite. This event sells out every year, so hurry.

Back by popular demand is the “Postcards from the Inn” Auction that features artwork by local artists and Mystery Money.

At this epicurean event, you will enjoy tasting mouth-watering appetizers, entrées, desserts, and pastries from the area's finest restaurants, bakeries, and delis. Eateries already slated to attend include Carol & Dave’s Roadhouse, Connections Cafe, The Creamery at Pleasant Lane Farms, The Eastwood Inn, El Vaquero Mexicano, The Fat Squirrel, Foggy Mountain Lodge Restaurant, The Gray Goose, Kingfisher Coffeehouse, Ligonier Giant Eagle, O’Shea’s Candies Sweet Shop, The Road Toad, Roman’s Pizzeria, and Simply Good.

Event Sponsorship Packages are available by calling 724-238-6818 or emailing tgrohal@compassinn.org.

Sponsor Levels for Tastes of the Town:

• $1,060 “Connoisseur” (includes 8 tickets)

• $760 “Gastronome” (includes 6 tickets)

• $560 “Gourmet” (includes 4 tickets)

• $260 “Epicure” (includes 2 tickets)

All Sponsors receive reserved seating based on the sponsorship level and a listing along with a 1/2 page ad valued at $80 in the Tastes of the Town program. Please reach out to Theresa Gay Rohall at tgrohall@compassinn.org or 724-238-6818 for Sponsorship requests.

Ligonier Valley Historical Society is celebrating 60 years of "Keeping Our History Alive"!

40th Annual Festival of Lights

December 2-5, 2023 from 9 am to 5 pm, daily tickets sold at the door

“Toast to the Trees” Gala & Auction Preview Party - December 1, 2023, at 6:30 pm.

$70 memebers and $75 non-members.

The “A Midsummer Night’s Ball” Event took place July 15, 2023

2023’s “A Midsummer Night’s Ball” was quite an eventful one including flying tents and flooded floors. However, the night was not spoiled in the slightest thanks to our wonderful performers and attendees.

The Ligonier Valley Historical Society would like to thank The Wayward Companions for risking life and instrument in the rain. A great many thanks to our dancing master, Brett Walker, for providing a fun and exciting dance as well as providing the music and speaker after disaster struck! We would also like to thank Simply Good for another catered arrangement. A final thanks to the attendees for making this event possible, for the wonderful period clothing on display, and for their understanding and cooperation.

The “Inside Ligonier Valley: A Home Tour” Event Took Place June 24, 2023

The Ligonier Valley Historical Society wishes to thank the many wonderful hosts and their participating homes who generously supported this annual event:

Leaping Deer Lodge

The Farmhouse

The Grand Victorian

The Johnston House

The Modern California Farmhouse

Home Tour Premier Sponsors

A very special Thank You to the 50 plus volunteers who served as docents for the Home Tour; and also to our hard-working Inside Ligonier Valley: A Home Tour committee:

Angela Moffat

Kristin Poerschke

Carmen Quartararo

Janet Riordan

Theresa Gay Rohall

Spencer Simpson

We extend our sincere thanks to all the wonderful local restaurants who generously provided Gift Certificates as a Thank You for our gracious homeowners:

Carol & Dave’s Roadhouse Restaurant

Eastwood Inn

The Getaway Café

The Gray Goose

And we thank all the generous restaurants and businesses who provided refreshments for our volunteers and homeowners:

Abigail’s Coffee House

BPL Design Group

Carol & Dave’s Roadhouse Restaurant

Carol’s Corner Store

Concordia/Bethlen Home Communities

Connection’s Café

Champion Lakes Gold Club

Diamond Café

We would like to say a final thank you to Independence Health System Latrobe Hospital Operating Room for providing the booties. Also many thanks to the St. James Lutheran Church for providing a meeting place in their middle school parking lot to organize our volunteers for the event. We also thank Valley School of Ligonier and JMS & G Squared Gallery for providing a place for our Saturday Check-in!

“Inside Ligonier Valley - A Home Tour” is a fundraiser for the Ligonier Valley Historical Society and Lincoln Highway Heritage Corridor and supports their various initiatives throughout the year.

The “Tastes Of the Town” Event took place April 20, 2023

The Ligonier Valley Historical Society wishes to thank the many wonderful food vendors who generously supported this annual event:

Taste of the Town sponsors

“Connoisseur” Sponsors

Ralph & Ginny Bennett

Phyllis Bertok & Richard Lopretto

Honkus Zollinger Foundation

“Gastronome” Sponsors

“Gourmet” Sponsors

Allana & Joe Kondisko

Bernie & Connie Lynch

Alice Troy & Stephen Yslas

“Epicure” Sponsors

George & Olive Conte

Tom & Nancy Donchez

Steve & Janet Gooder

Terence L. Graft

Jane & George Greer

Deborah & Mark Hamilton

Peggy & Steve Hasley

Joan & Ted Mudge

Jim & Karen O’Connor

Rick & Theresa Schwab

Friends of Allison Thiel

Ellen Walton

Molly & Joe Walton

Susan Woolridge

Advertisers

Rennie & Associates

On the Diamond Antiques

Scentsational Ideas

Ligonier Law LLC

Baily Insurance

Elek Wealth Management, LLC

Rachel’s Ligonier Floral

Postcards from the Inn: Past, Present & Future:

We also wish to thank the many wonderful artists who contributed postcards for auction in support of this event and the LVHS:

Alyssa Acevedo

Rebecca Bell

Nancy E. Bernheisel

Nevin Bossart

Hank Bradish

Carol Cassler

William Leonard Crews IV

Bayley Detar

Barry E. Gerst

Mia Goswick

Jenny Goswick

Letty Goswick

Rita Haldeman

Ann Hewat & Jessie Barbera

Susan Kim

Hillary King

More Tastes of the town thanks go out to:

• Betsy’s of Ligonier and Post & Rail’s Men’s Shop for selling our tickets for the event.

• Donna Tidwell of Berkshire Hathaway for donating the bottled water.

• Michelle Gay and Frankie Graham for volunteering their time and talents to make the 30th “Tastes” a successful event!

• The wonderful young people who volunteered this evening to help keep the tables neat and clean.

• Kip Crumrine and the Valley Youth Network for being so gracious and accommodating at their Barn at Ligonier Valley.

• Bob & Sally Ambrose of Ridgeview Acres Farm for donating the beautiful flowers for tonight’s centerpieces.

• Jeff Sarault for setting up the sound system.

The “Toast to the Trees” Gala took place December 2, 2022 and the 39th Annual Festival of Lights Was Held December 3-6, 2022

Ligonier Valley Historical Society and the Festival of Lights Committee wish to thank all the fabulous Donors of this year’s creative and beautifully decorated “Trees, Wreaths, & Other Treasures”:

• Reindeer Dreams by A Friend of Ligonier Valley Historical Society

• Poinsettias and Berries by Karen O’Connor

• Walking in a Ligonier Wonderland by Sunflowers with a Smile - Angela Leonard

• There’s Gnome Place Like Home for the Holidays by Kathy Wood

• Blue-Tiful Christmas, Fresh Berry Tartan, Golden Wreaths, & Princess Bride by Mary Peters & Barbara J Bonnet

• Little Ligonier by A.O.K. Accents - April Kinzler (Won Second Place, Best in Show)

• A Christmas Carol by Rebecca Bell

• Bells and Bows & Candle Box by Frankie Graham

• Christmas Cardinals by Allana Kondisko

• Visions of Sugar Plums by Linda Brown (Won First Place, Best in Show)

• Tranquil Moment by Ann Hewat

• Cub Scout Christmas by Cub Scout Pack 370

• Nesting by Shelly Poli

• Seasons of No Return by Idlewild & Soak Zone

• Calling for Flurries & And Heaven and Nature Sing by Bethlen Communities

• As Silent Stars Go By by Loyalhanna Spinners - Deborah Hart

• Tails of Valor, Paws of Honor by Business Professional Women’s Club of Ligonier Valley

• Cookies and Carols & Holiday Harvest Hunt by Carol Wolford

• Art by Bossart by Betsy Bossart (Tied for Third Place, Best in Show)

• Elf Stockings Hung with Care by Swansdowne Antiques & Gifts

• Gathering of Friends handmade by Jake Hall (In Memory of Ed Soisson - Hickory Basket)

• Welcome One and All handmade by Ross Shaffer, donated by Bill and Glenda Dickson

• Navidad Raja (Red Christmas) by Silvis Group Landscape

• Jingle Sweet Tree by Beverly Palmer & Mary Lundquist

• Holiday Glow by Rachel’s Floral

• Bling by St. Vincent Parish Festival Jewelry Booth

• A Natural Gathering for the Holidays by Fort Ligonier

• Deck the Paws by Donovan Veterinary Clinic (Tied for Third Place, Best in Show)

• A Glimpse into the Toymaker’s Mind by Ashlin Interior - Ashley Carris & Hunter Carris

• Forest Friends by Holiday Home Store

• Hoping for Peace this Holiday Season by Wendy Hager

• Snow Owl Wreath by The Finishing Touch

• Untitled by Endy Reindl

• I’ll Be Gnome for Christmas by Ligonier Gardens

Festival of lights sponsors

“Concord Coach” Sponsors

Phyllis Bertok & Richard Lopretto

Honkus Zollinger Foundation

“Mountain Coach” Sponsors

Markosky Engineering

Alice Troy & Steve Yslas

“Mail Coach” Sponsors

Westmoreland County Commissioner Douglas W. Chew

Covington Investment Advisors

Allana & Joseph Kondisko

Mr. & Mrs. S. Prosser Mellon

Jo & Jim Rossi

Somerset Trust Company

“Celerity Coach” Sponsors

1st Summit Bank Sean Murphy

Jane & Larry Beck Ann & Joe Nemanic

Jean Brozack & Judy Irwin Karen & Jim O’Connor

Commercial Bank & Trust of PA Cindy Purnell - Post and Rail Men’s Shop

Elenor “Terry” Coyne Rennie & Associates CPAs

Nancy & Tom Donchez Theresa Gay & Ronald J. Rohall

Carol Fenton Simpson McCrady Insurance

Phillip J & Mary Lou Fleming Pat Slack

Terry Graft & Linda Brown Sally & Bill Van Ingen

George & Jane Greer Ellen Walton

Steve & Peggy Hasley Welty & Welty LLP, Attorneys at Law

Dennis Kuhnemund - In Memory of Margaret Susan Woolridge

Festival of lights corporate sponsors

“Mountain Coach” Corporate Sponsors

“Mail Coach” Corporate Sponsors

“Celerity Coach” Corporate Sponsors

silent auction donors

Thanks also to the businesses and individuals who graciously donated the following Silent Auction Experiences and Items:

1. Tavern Night: An Evening of Historic Proportions, donated by Ligonier Valley Historical Society and Compass Inn Museum, Laughlintown, PA

2. Chinese Cooking Class in Your Own Home donated by Susan Woolridge, Ligonier, PA

3. All Aboard for Christmas, a Bachman model train, donated by Glenda & Bill Dickson, Ligonier, PA

4. Let’s Have a Party: A Sundae-Making Party donated by Ligonier Creamery, Ligonier, PA

5. Something for the Ballerina in Your Life donated by Ryan & Angela Moffat, Ligonier, PA

6. A Festive Sophisticated Toy Soldier to Add to Your Holiday Decor donated by Susan Woolridge, Ligonier, PA

7. Forged for You: Beautifully Hand-Forged Firewood Storage donated by Ed Appleby, Laughlintown, PA

8. Events of Historic Proportion: Two Tickets to 2023 Historical Society Events donated by Ligonier Valley Historical Society and Compass Inn Museum, Laughlintown, PA

9. Christmas Magic in Miniature, a Christmas-themed Victorian dollhouse, handmade & donated by Theresa Schwab

10. Radio Flyer: A Classic Look the Whole Family Is Sure to Love donated by Quacked Glass Studio, Dawn Szalay, and George Conte, both of Ligonier, PA

11. Experience a Taste of Home with a Traditional-Style Spirit donated by Rusty Musket Distilling Company, Boswell, PA, and Richard Lopretto, Greensburg, PA

12. An Architectural Tour of Experience at Fallingwater for Two donated by The Western Pennsylvania Conservancy, Pittsburgh, PA

13. A Prime Rib Dinner for Two: What a Touchdown! donated by The Touchdown Club II, Latrobe, PA

14. A Stuffed Toy of Epic Proportions donated by Catherine Crawford (The Toy Box), Ligonier, PA

special toast to the trees raffle

The Pittsburgh Cultural Trust generously donated our special Toast to the Trees party raffle prize, two VIP Skeleton Keys to a Liberty Magic Performance at The Pittsburgh Cultural Trust’s Liberty Magic Theater and a complimentary parking pass. Liberty Magic is a space dedicated to elevating the art of magic. Located at 811 Liberty Ave, on the same block where Harry Houdini mesmerized Pittsburgh crowds in 1916, Liberty Magic is an intimate, speakeasy performance space dedicated to the art of sleight of hand and prestidigitation. With less than 70 seats in four rows, the magicians and performers who appear at Liberty Magic offer you a one-of-a-kind experience that is easy to access and hard to forget.

The first two rows of the theater are reserved for the truly adventurous. The VIP Skeleton Key Experience unlocks these first two rows in the intimate Liberty Magic Theater, as well as a chance to become part of the performance (if you wish) and an exclusive meet-and-greet with the artist after the show, which includes private, close-up tricks. Members of the VIP Skeleton Key Experience also have the opportunity to purchase merchandise not available for sale to the general public.

Merchant raffle prize donors

We also wish to thank the many wonderful Merchants who graciously support this annual holiday event:

Acorn Signworks Loyalhanna Veterinarian Clinic

Annalynn Boutique Loyalhanna Watershed Association

Beauty Boutique at Salon One Main Exhibit Gallery & Art Center

Betsy’s of Ligonier Mill Creek Furniture

The Black Bunny My Honeybee

Cairns’ Ligonier Agway On the Diamond Antiques

Celtic Culture O’Shea’s Candies

Country Cupboard Post and Rail Men’s Shop

The Finishing Touch Quacked Glass Studio

G Squared Gallery Scamps Toffee and Sweets

GO! Laurel Highlands Second Chapter Books

Holiday Home Store Song of Sixpence

Kathy’s Kreations Strawberry Crow

Laurel Highlands Olive Oil Swansdowne Antiques

Ligonier Country Club Tree House in Ligonier

Ligonier Outfitters The Wooden Mantel

Ligonier Paws on Main

More Festival of lights thanks go out to:

• Colleen & Ron McDowell of The Road Road, our guest bartenders, for the refreshing "Signature” drink that they prepared and served during the Toast to the Trees party

• Lauren & Dave Cassler of Carol & Dave’s Roadhouse and their staff for preparing all the delicious food for the Toast to the Trees party

• Toast to the Trees dessert sponsor, Douglas W. Chew, Westmoreland County Commissioner

• Students of Westmoreland County Community College’s School of Culinary, Baking/Pastry and Hospitality Programs for preparing the delicious desserts

• Delightful, hard-working student volunteers from Valley School of Ligonier who helped serve the food during the Toast to the Trees party

• Blue Sky Sign Co. for generously donating the large “Babes in Toyland” sign that greeted all visitors to Festival of Lights

• Our hard-working move-in and move-out crews…Olive Conte, Scott Craig, Mary Alice and Lothar Schaltinat, Ron Rohall, Dawn Szalay, Sally & Will Van Ingen, and Susan Woolridge.

• Becky Bell, Michael Doucette, Bob Gettemy, Frankie Graham, Diane Harshberger, Jim O’Connor, and Kathy Wood for helping the Committee bring to life “Babes in Toyland”

• Becky Bell, Trish Fite, Frankie Graham, Betsy Shepler, and Kathy Wood who gave of their time to help with the various tasks at the Toast to the Trees party

• Phyllis Bertok & Richard Lopretto for graciously donating the beautiful Festival of Lights branded cups and napkins for refreshments at the Toast to the Trees party and the four-day Festival of Lights

• Glenda & Bill Dickson for donating the Lottery Tree for the Raffle

• Our Board of Directors and Festival of Lights Committee Members who donated wine for the Special Toast to the Trees Raffle

• All the wonderful donors of the refreshments for the Festival of Lights visitors- Phyllis Bertok, Allana Kondisko, Angela Moffat, The Sugar Mama, Tyler’s Bakery & Cafe, and Holli Weber

• Our cheerful volunteers who worked the Admissions, Merchant Raffle, & Lottery Tree/50/50 Raffle tables during the four-day Festival of Lights

• Tom & Debbie, Ligonier Town Hall custodial staff for their wonderful support and cheerful smiles

  Festival of lights Committee members

  Phyllis Bertok Theresa Gay Rohall

  George Conte Debbie Sarault

  Glenda Dickson Mary Alice Schaltinat

  Allana Kondisko (Chair) Dawn Szalay

  Angela Moffat Eric Wallis

  Karen O’Connor Susan Woolridge

  Cindy Purnell
  
  

  Ligonier valley historical society board of directors

  Phyllis Bertok - President Angela Moffat

  Glenda Dickson Sean Murphy

  Michael Doucette Jessica Schumer-Rowles

  Diane Harshberger Eric Wallis

  Louise Henry - Secretary Susan Woolridge - Vice President

  Allana Kondisko - Treasurer