Being 1,350 miles away from Churchill Downs was no obstacle to enjoying the Kentucky Derby for about 75 Durangoans on May 3. Who doesn’t love a chance to wear a big hat and down a mint julep or two?
Which led me to wonder how a horse race and a style of hat have the same name. The race got its name from a race in Derbyshire, England, called the Epsom Derby, which has been run since 1780. The Kentucky Derby was founded in 1875 after Col. Meriwether Lewis Clark Jr., the grandson of William Clark of the Lewis and Clark Expedition, visited England and saw the running of the race.
The hat, meanwhile, was originally called the Coke, after the man who first commissioned the design. Google is loaded with information about the hat, including its roles in settling the West, film comedies (Does Charlie Chaplin ring a bell?), mentions in literature and so on but simply says the hat later became know as the derby, with no explanation whatsoever. So I guess the question I have had for years will continue to go unanswered.
Anyway, the tradition of a Kentucky Derby party for those unable to attend the actual “Run for the Roses” probably began in either 1925, when the race was first broadcast on radio, or 1949, for its first television airing. (Now I have an ear worm with that Dan Fogelberg song. A lesson to be careful what I write.)
And since then, women have donned bright spring outfits and extravagant hats, so extravagant they look a bit uncomfortable to yours truly, but hey, a gal’s got to suffer for fashion.
Durango’s party was no exception to the Derby tradition. With sponsor Breckenridge Bourbon providing the key ingredient, mint was muddled, simple sugar syrup was added and many a julep was quaffed. (Along with a few other “signature” cocktails from the Rochester Hotel.)
Every time someone purchased a drink, they got a ticket, which they could put in a container for a drawing. If their horse was the champion California Chrome or the second- or third-place finishers, they had a chance at a gift certificate to a downtown merchant’s emporium. The rest of the horses fall into the “also-ran” category.
And then there was the contest. The judges had their work cut out for them in picking the best hat among a bevy of amazing creations, but Paige Schingen emerged triumphant. Mandi Davis, the president of the Young Professionals of Durango, which co-sponsored the event with Kirk Komick, the co-owner of the Rochester and Leland House, said she couldn’t remember who won the Best Dressed contest for the man, but Joe Darr’s seersucker suit, pink tie and fedora (what, no derby?) were memorable.
Chuck Norton Catering and El Moro Spirits and Tavern provided a cornucopia of delights to keep the juleps from going to people’s heads. Norton’s created an oyster bar, egg salad sandwiches and cucumber salad. El Moro presented peeled shrimp and brioche among other goodies. Sweets included chocolate-covered potato chips and strawberry-shortcake bites.
Davis thinks the event raised about $7,000 for the Hospice of Mercy Experience capital campaign. The total included major donations from the Southern Ute Growth Fund and Gosney Brothers as well as $500 from each First National Bank, Pine River Valley Bank, the Wells Group, Sorrel Sky Gallery and the Incognito Secret Shopping Agency.
But that wasn’t the biggest success of the party. The biggest success was spreading the word about Hospice of Mercy to an age group that generally hasn’t had all that much exposure to death.
I’m running out of space, but I’m pretty impressed by the 110 YPOD members (double from last year) and all their contributions. I will definitely revisit their accomplishments.
HHH
Marking off another year on the calendar are Isabell Walt, Melissa Daigle, Ayden Gulon, Janelle Meyer, Ray Wilson, Jim Davis, Courtney DeNier, Roger Folk, Ace Hall, Jim Lewin, Don Mapel, Nicholas Mimmack, Teagan Mapel, Grant Ridgeway, Soren VanWinkle, Diane Estes, Betsy Morriss, John Loftis, Lacey Black, Chris Chambers, Susanne Loucks, Bob Seney, Eric Hjermstad, Cora Landgren, Jamie Nelson, William Crouch, Matt Pane, Christopher Larson, Donnie Wince, Barbara Bruning, Paul Staby, Elisa Christiansen, Jeff Nelson, Lucille Ball, Merlwyn Clausen, Hannah Miller, Beth Stetz, Karen Mordi, Leigh Morris, Violet Trujillo, Sue Jackson, Jeanne Park, Paulette Simmons, Sherrill Dickinson, Mark Chiarito, Barbara Colbert, Paul Staby, Rose Chilcoat, Marilyn Garst, Jeff Nelson, Carol Johnson, Paul Root, Kaden Ollier, Vern Swanson, Sari Ross, Hannah Miller, Eileen Wasserbach, Steven Chiarito, Brandie Boyd, Missy Rodey and, finally, Arlo Unterreiner on his second birthday.
HHH
Over the past couple of years, I’ve been highly impressed by Durango High School student and violinist Nolan Reed. Every time I see him perform, he has become a more mature and polished musician, as was evidenced at the Musical Extravaganza on Wednesday night. (And the fact that he earned a spot in the 2014 Honor Orchestra of America, so his talent is being recognized at a national level.)
But that level of excellence doesn’t come easily or inexpensively, and Nolan has reached a level where he has to travel to study, which can be a real pressure on his family’s budget. Nolan wants to be a professional violinst and music therapist, and he is taking advantage of every opportunity he can. He currently studies with Andrew Wilson in Albuquerque but has also worked with Arkady Fomin, who died Sunday, at his New Conservatory of Dallas.
John Anderson, Terry Bacon and Beverly Lawrence want to be sure Nolan has the resources he needs to continue his studies because when you see someone with talent and determination, you want to see them succeed.
They are holding a reception at 5:30 p.m. Thursday where interested donors will get to see Nolan perform. This isn’t a tax-deductible contribution, but a chance to become a “patron” to a talented young artist. It’s in a private home, and Lawrence needs to plan food and space, so if you want to go, email her today at BeverlyL2010@gmail.com to RSVP. She can give you directions at that time.
The evening promises to be a treat, with pieces by Bach, Rachmaninoff, Kabalevsky and Williams on the program. You’ll be glad you came prepared to write a nice check.
HHH
Despite the fact we had limited April showers, the May flowers are blooming for the anniversaries of John and Jenny Hill, Marj Cornwell and John Waters, Ron and Mary Knowles, Ernie and Ruth Shock, Ken and Danette Jenkins, Dan and Lillian Tucker, Randy Bondow and Dianne Milarch, Kevin Jones and Donna Suggs, Mike and Mandy Gardner, Al and Sue Mages, Roger and Cora Landgren, Mike and Sandy Dalenberg, Duane and Mary Mykra, Chris and Rap Dunker, Rod and Laurie Barker and Field and Priscilla Blevins.
HHH
I’ll still be attending some events around town over the next week because this is Neighbors high season, but I won’t be writing. That means Neighbors will reappear May 21. Keep sending information though because I don’t want to miss anything good!
