Horse Race, Hat Parade, Zippo Auction Highlight Saturday's Derby Gala

By SANDRA RHODES

Given its track record, odds are the Derby Gala will deliver a night of fun for a great cause.

This year's gala is set to start at 4:30 p.m. Saturday at the Pennhills Club. The Derby Gala, set to coincide with the running of the Kentucky Derby, benefits the Endowment Fund for the Bradford Area Public Library.

"You will enjoy an evening of great food, wonderful company and exciting fun, said Karen Pecht, co-chairwoman of the event. This includes watching the Kentucky Derby on large-screen TVs, a hat parade and the auction of an exclusive Zippo lighter, which is actually a set of four lighters set together as a puzzle to depict a horse race scene.

"Once again Zippo has gone above and beyond to support the BAPL Endowment Fund and this fund raiser ... every part of these lighters screams Kentucky Derby," Pecht said.

Bides for the lighter set, which includes a framed autographed photograph of George Duke, owner of Zippo and chairman of the board, with the lighter set has started. Those interested can e-mail Ron Orris, executive director of the Bradford Area Chamber of Commerce at ron@bradfordchamber.com.

With prior arrangement, bids can be accepted by phone on Saturday, and of course, in person.

Gala-goers can also bid on other prizes using funny money. With the purchase of Gala ticket for $50 people also receive $500 in funny money that they can gamble in the casino. The casino includes Black Jack, Texas Hold 'Em, Roulette, Chuck-a-Luck and slot machines. Several local men will be volunteering their time in manning the tables.

It is also possible to win up to $4,000 at the gala. Tickets for that prize are still available at the library and will be available Saturday at the event.

And to top it off, it would not be a Derby event without a hat parade.

Mary Ann Satterwhite, honorary chairperson, will lead the hat parade, the first activity at the gala.

"Mary Ann is a big supporter of the library and the community and we will like to take this opportunity to recognize her for all that she does," Pecht said

This final chapter of derby events benefits to the BAPL Endowment Fund.

"Keep in mind this is the hub for education, entertainment and community activities. We need to do all we can to support this facility and keep the doors open."

Tickets for the Gala are still available at the library. As Pecht noted, the event continues to grow each year, and encourages people to buy their tickets now and not wait until Saturday.

"We have already exceeded last year's ticket purchases."

Pictured, top, the package being auctioned; middle, Ginny Venezia, Marty Montecalvo Second row: Ron Zydonik, Mike Kervin, Dave Dalton, the team at Zippo who worked on the one-of-a-kind lighters.

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