Derby Day at PVE

PVE’s Kentucky Derby Party began with an elegant setting on Saturday May 6, 2017. More than 100 residents dressed to the nines came to celebrate our Run for the Posies and participate in PVE’s own derby race. Along with very tasty and strong Mint Juleps, the bar offered every imaginable cocktail. Partygoers were also treated to David Kalbaugh’s beautiful plate, which included enormous chocolate covered strawberries.

A highlight of this year’s festivities was our lovely ladies and their wonderful hats. They were spectacular and our judges agreed! The gorgeously dressed Shirley Arnold won the “Most Elegant” hat while “Most Original” went to Sally Lunn and “Most Humorous/Outrageous” to Joan Coor.

Thanks to the dedicated group of resident organizers, this year’s Kentucky Derby netted $11,500 after expenses. For the first time, a raffle was held prior to the May 6 event that generated more than $1,100 for the Benevolence Fund. Also, resident donated artwork was displayed on the wall in the Community Center and donations exceeded $600. During the party, a silent auction of eighteen baskets and four lovely pieces of jewelry donated by our own residents was another huge success with many compliments about the great contents contained in each basket. Last, a live auction raised more than $4,000 for eight items. Big winners were the Hansen’s and Arnolds who donated a total of $2,200 for an opportunity to spend a week at the Marshall’s condo at Monterey Country Club in Palm Desert. Kudos goes to Bob McCoy for his live auction donations of more than $900.00.

What would we do without the live entertainment of very own Bill McNamara? He played the part of a “Hillbilly” to perfection and was a great auctioneer. Jeanne Michael talked to one guest at Sunday brunch who said she was still laughing just thinking about Bill’s performance as Humphrey Country Bumpkin and his “distant cousin” Kim Marshall.

So many people, including co-chairs Kim and Susan Marshall, made the day a huge success. Our floaters worked where needed with duties that included explaining how the script worked, escorting guests to their tables and many other duties. Our floaters also paid the $35.00 and had their appetizers in the Education Room, which allowed eight additional residents to attend the Kentucky Derby party.

Kudos to Pat Williams, Ann Bonar, Estelle Holloway, Jeanne Michael, Janet Heise, Norm Heise, Tom Hansen, Donna Hyatt, Pat Williams, Georgia DeBarr, Sally Reither, Wanda Lanouette, Mary Beth Wolford, Ann Waldman, Georgia DeBarr, Paul Bergerot, Dan Child, Bruce Bartels, Ken Lyon, Jerry Martin and Bill McNamara.

Accolades also go to Denise Flowerday, Kirstin Flores, Julie Baumann, Dave Nadeau and John Smith for their support in planning, which began months in advance and ended late Saturday night. They were instrumental in the success of this year’s PVE Kentucky Derby.

Perhaps nothing is as memorable as the PVE’s own “horse race” during the fun event: the Run for the Poises. While the Churchill Downs race lasts approximately two minutes, it took nearly thirty minutes to declare a winner at the PVE race. Squire Bruce Bartels and track announcer Ken Lyon directed the action at the track, providing interviews and humorous comments when they interviewed the four jockeys — Janet Heise, Mary Lynch, Martha Williams and Pat Wolffe — with their four horses — Ed Williams, Margot Murphy, Norm Heise and Doug Ochandarena. The winning jockey and steed for a second consecutive year were Mary Lynch and Doug “O.” Mary Lynch and Doug, who ran away from the field by four lengths (carpet squares), will have the opportunity to defend their title in next year’s derby soiree already planned for Saturday May 5, 2018. Until then, expect to see them practicing on the eight acre lot adjacent to PVE.