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Partying has its benefits

howard m. snyder Herald-leader social columnist

Benefits were many, but time was short on Sept. 26. Dahlings, three benefit dinners were held across the city for three worthy causes. But there were a couple of problems here. All were scheduled at the same time: 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. And because these folks aren't exactly the type to be clamoring at the gate, I give them an hour or so to collect themselves. That left two hours to cover three parties. Oh, dreary. Are you ready?

The first stop on this somewhat impossible journey was The Stable of Memories at The Red Mile, also known as Floral Hall and fondly referred to as the Round Barn by the horsey set. Oh, dahlings, when I got there, the Lafayette High School Orchestra's chamber ensemble was playing baroque selections. Some folks were already dining; others were mixing and mingling.

"We're having a fund-raiser to keep the barn in top shape," said Katherine "Kit" McKinley.

Kitty Sautter said, "We are just struggling without any community support, just in the maintenance and upkeep of this building."

In the 1960s, Sautter's parents, Col. and Mrs. H. Willis Nichols of Cincinnati, donated money to preserve the grand old wedding cake-style building because it was falling down. There is a plaque on the building's north side commemorating the good deed.

"Tonight we asked a lot of community people, who are not here, but the horse people have been very good about supporting and trying to keep it up — which is wonderful, but actually it is a community landmark here in Lexington," Sautter said. For Pete's sake, it's been on the cover of the phone book. Dahlings, there were guests arriving as I was leaving. Figures.

It wasn't too far to get over to McConnell Springs for its Fall Fling, put on by The Friends of McConnell Springs. It was a packed house in the visitors center as the Friends of McConnell Springs mixed and mingled. Some were just coming up from the spring, while others were dining on grilled chicken and roast beef.

Of course, when you mention the springs, you have to mention Isabel Yates, who was wearing brilliant fuchsia. Dahlings, she lit up the place. When Yates was Lexington's vice mayor, McConnell Springs was her project. "It was absolutely a dump," she said.

The spring has been acknowledged as the place where Lexington was named. Now, with the help of Yates and The Friends of McConnell Springs, it's a nature preserve and an education center.

"When we cleaned it up, we had all kinds of tires and tons of debris we had to take out," Yates said in her heavy Southern drawl. Now "we have people come out here on their lunch hour and just walk. I'm crazy about it."

The last stop for the night was Gainesway Farm and Camp Out!, a fund-raiser for Camp Horsin' Around.

It's the second time I got to visit Gainesway Farm. One thing I know, they don't waste money on electricity there. When the sun goes down, that's it. No artificial lighting, not even a candle.

Despite the darkness, I found my way to the huge arena where I met Phyllis Cronin, president of Camp Horsin' Around, a 200-acre camp in Mercer County.

But it isn't just a summer camp for fun and games. Camp Horsin' Around is for kids whose bodies have let them down — kids with cancer, HIV/AIDS, diabetes and other disabling diseases. Once completed, the camp will include medical facilities, a dining hall, cabins and an activities area. About 200 patrons were dining and bidding on auction items, all proceeds going to the camp.

Eddie Montgomery of the hit country duo Montgomery Gentry and his wife, Tracy, were hosting the event.

"I want to thank the man upstairs for letting me be a part of something like this," Eddie Montgomery said. "This is what our future is about. I just want to be there and let these kids have the American dream, like we all want."

That was it for Friday, but on Saturday there was another event, the Pink Tie Gala at Keeneland's Entertainment Center. Dahlings, men were wearing pink, women were draped in pink, they were even getting their pictures taken in front of a vintage pink Cadillac. But pink was the signature color for a serious reason. Proceeds from the seventh annual event benefit Susan G. Komen for the Cure. The cure they are seeking is for breast cancer.

I got there as they were giving Kentucky first lady Jane Beshear the Celebration of Life Award.

"This is an exciting event. It's been going on for a number of years but obviously continues to grow," she said. "It just shows the dedication and the realization of what it takes to fight a disease like this."

I got to speak with Steve St. Angelo, president of Toyota Motor Manufacturing, Kentucky, sponsor of this event.

"It's just another great example how Central Kentucky can come together for a good cause and work hard together to attack something that is so devastating as breast cancer," he said. "I'm really very proud to be part of this."