Out & About: Rustic mountain retreat hosts Derby Day for Charity

Shirley McMarlin
Monday, May 6, 2019 1:30 a.m. | Monday, May 6, 2019 1:30 a.m.

Kim Stepinsky | For the Tribune-Review

Wendy Anton (left) joins her mother, June Anton, for a photo May 4 during the 7th annual Derby Day for Charity, hosted by Lil Joe’s Society of Support and held at Oak Lodge in Stahlstown.

Kim Stepinsky | For the Tribune-Review

From left: DJ Rossi of Latrobe, Michael Brooks of Latrobe and Eric Bush of Youngwood gather for a photo May 4 during the 7th annual Derby Day for Charity, hosted by Lil Joe’s Society of Support and held at Oak Lodge in Stahlstown.

Kim Stepinsky | For the Tribune-Review

From left: Annah Sukay of Greensburg, Wendy Hager of Ligonier and Debbi Hamaty of Greensburg gather for a photo May 4 during the 7th annual Derby Day for Charity, hosted by Lil Joe’s Society of Support and held at Oak Lodge in Stahlstown.

Kim Stepinsky | For the Tribune-Review

Suzanne Ward (left) of Hempfield, a committee member, and Lisa Spitzer of Ligonier, event co-chairwoman, pose for a photo May 4 during the 7th annual Derby Day for Charity, hosted by Lil Joe’s Society of Support and held at Oak Lodge in Stahlstown.

Kim Stepinsky | For the Tribune-Review

Ron and Joann Eberhardt pose for a photo May 4 during the 7th annual Derby Day for Charity, hosted by Lil Joe’s Society of Support and held at Oak Lodge in Stahlstown.

Kim Stepinsky | For the Tribune-Review

From left: Dee Gano of Greensburg, Cara Griffin of Greensburg, the event co-chairwoman, and Jo Rossi of Ligonier gather for a photo May 4 during the 7th annual Derby Day for Charity, hosted by Lil Joe’s Society of Support and held at Oak Lodge in Stahlstown.

Derby Day for Charity started promptly at 3 p.m. May 4 at Oak Lodge near Stahlstown.

With almost four hours to kill before the main event, live streaming of the Kentucky Derby from Churchill Downs, there was plenty of time for cigar smoking, mint julep drinking and betting on a series of previously recorded races.

Servers dressed as jockeys passed trays laden with tempting hors d’oeuvres, while guests mingled on the promenade to compare favorite horses and watch the parade of ladies clad head to toe in Derby Day finery.

Guests travel the winding roads to the secluded, rustic mountain retreat to show their support for Lil Joe’s Society of Support, which distributes funds raised to other local charities.

Those charities can apply for funding after the event, when proceeds have been tallied, co-chairwoman Cara Griffin said.

Also planning the seventh annual event were co-chairwoman Lisa Spitzer, vice co-chair Suzanne Ward, secretary Jo Rossi, treasurer Dee Gano and a long list of committee members.

Seen: June Anton, Wendy Anton, Shane Griffin, Jim Rossi, Don and Kim Kramer, Jim Gano, Madeline Savage, Anna Ulery with son Parker, Samantha Spitzer, Mike Ward, Dr. Fred and Debbi Hamaty, Dave and Nancy Heider, Eric and Michele Bononi, Ron and Joann Eberhardt, Dennis and Kathy Rafferty, Meghan Scalise, Heather Rosky, Heather Lincoln, Doug and Jan Bailey, Pauline Douglas and Gloria and Joe Eisaman.