Gowns and downs go casual

DINGMANS FERRY — An afternoon of line-dancing, raffle-basket winning and horse race watching benefited the Pike County Health Fund at the fifth annual Kentucky Derby Soirée. The event, named “Gowns and Downs,” normally spans two days. The gowns portion is a black-tie dinner, featuring silent auctions and donations, while the downs portion takes place at a local resident’s home and is a casual gathering of raffles and bets on the Kentucky Derby. This year, the gowns night was dropped and instead Sonda and Lee Miller of Dingman’s Ferry hosted the May 3 downs event at their home. Since 2003, the Pike County Health Fund has benefited each year from the soirée’s ticket sales, donations, raffles and auctions. The fund is administered by the Newton Memorial Hospital Foundation at the Milford Health and Wellness Center. Food and refreshments were donated by area eateries, including: the Muir House, Le Gorille, Hotel Fauchere and Prime Time Meats. Five years ago, locals Ronnie Biondo and Joan Waldman, along with businesses and other community members, decided the fund was needed to help the under-insured and uninsured residents of Pike County. For more information about the Pike County Health Fund, call 973-579-8340.