Derby Hats and Their History 

The Kentucky Derby is just as much about the fashion as the race, itself.  Every spring since 1875 Churchill Downs floods with society's most fashionable spectators to watch the Run for the Roses.  There are many traditions associated with the Derby's long history such as mint juleps, the roses awarded to the winning horse and the playing of "My Old Kentucky Home" though none are as fun and unique as the hats that are on display each year in May at Churchill Downs. 

The tradition of the Kentucky Derby hat began at the inception of the race.  The founder, Colonel Meriweather Lewis Clark, Jr. wanted to ensure a "respectable" crowd at his event and to emulate British racing's high-fashion and formal dress.

  Originally, the Derby hats were modest, but they evolved into large, extravagant and a colorful display of "social peacocking" in the 1960s, driven by television coverage and the desire to stand out!

In the early 20th century the hats were heavily influenced by Southern charm and the fashion of the day, with society women wearing large, elaborate hats with feathers, bows flowers and ribbons as a sign of status.

The 1960s television shift made people wish to be seen.  The style shifted from simple, elegant hats to larger, more daring designs to gain attention on camera. Today, "going big" is part of the tradition, with many wearing custom-made, over-the-top creations and "fascinators" which are small headpieces on a clip or headband.

Symbolism and evolution holds that a larger hat brings better racing odds which contributes to the oversized, dramatic styles worn today and a bit of racing good luck thrown in. 

The event is often described as a "fashionable carnival" where women can express their personal style and creativity with hats in many colors and personal flair.

While traditional wide-brimmed hats are still popular, fascinators have become increasingly common, particularly among those who prefer a more modern or British-inspired look. 

The traditon of the hats lives on as a fun element to the races and more practically to keep the sun out of spectator's eyes.  

Placing a Bet?

Sidenote:  Wearing green hats at the Kentucky Derby is considered bad luck as it is traditionally believed to bring misfortune to gamblers, owners and jockeys on race day.  Despite not being a strict rule, many attendees avoid the color, green.  Many prefer to wear red to honor the "Run for the Roses" nickname. Pink is specifically encouraged for Kentucky Oaks Day which takes place the day prior to the "Run for the Roses". 

Carrying a $50 bill is also considered bad luck for those betting on the races. 

 

Mother's Day 2026 celebrated annually on the second Sunday of May in the United States, this day honors mothers and mother figures with traditions like brunch, flowers and gifts.  Many retailers and restaurants offer special promotions and last-minute delivery options for the holiday. 

Established in the United States in 1914 to honor individual mothers it was derived from "Mothering Sunday" in the UK and activism for peace by women like Julia Ward Howe.

In 1870, Julia Ward Howe wrote the "Mother's Day Proclamation" a call to action for women to unite for world peace.

Anna Reeves Jarvis is recognized as the founder of the modern Mother's day in the United States, seeeking to honor her own mother's wish for a day recognizing mothers' contributions to our lives. In 1908, Jarvis held the first official Mother's Day at Andrews Methodist Episcopal Church in Grafton, West Virginia. Anna's mother, who created "Mother's Day Work Clubs" to improve sanitation and care for children and later promoted "Mother's Friendship Day" to unite families divided by the Civil War. 

In 1914, President Woodrow Wilson signed a proclamation declaring the second Sunday in May as Mother's Day.

Maternal Admiration

by

William-Adolphe Bouguereau

 

🌟 LUCAS WEST 🌟 

Fredonia Senior Lucas West Shines as Finalist on NBC's "The Voice".

🌟 

Lucas West, a senior at the State University of New York at Fredonia, concluded his run on NBC's hit show "The Voice" during the season finale on April 14 earning national recognition for his performances throughout the competition.

West and three other finalists each performed two songs on the final episode.  West chose "Cold as Ice" by Foreigner and later in the show sang "Ordinary People" recorded by John Legend who was West's coach on "The Voice". West did not play the piano on "Cold as Ice" though played the piano without an accompanying band for "Ordinary People". 

"Your voice sounded more clear and powerful than ever.  I love that you did Ordinary People really on your own.  That is the purity of you.  I'm so proud of Lucas.  I love working with a real musician who understands what it means to be a pianist, be an arranger and of course what it means to be a great vocalist and performer."

 🌟 John Legend  🌟 

SUNY Fredonia held a watch party at the Williams Center to cheer for West during the finale.  Among the participants was Sarah Hamilton, Interim Dean of the College of Music, Theatre and Dance.

"On behalf of my colleagues and students, we are excited to see Lucas move forward with his dreams.  We are so glad to have been able to support him in this journey, and so very proud of all the work he has put in and the very talented artist he has become!"

Sarah Hamilton

West, as senior music major with a concentration in Jazz Studies in Fredonia's School of Music, advanced through multiple rounds of nationally televised competition, building a following with performances that highlighted his musicianship and artistry.  

His journey began in a Mason Hall practice room, where he recorded and submitted an audition video, a step that ultimately led to his selection for the show.  After progressing through several rounds, West received the news while on campus, calling the moment "an answer to alot of prayers". During the competition, he worked closely with celebrity coaches John Legend, Adam Levine and Kelly Clarkson, gaining insight into the professional music industry.  

"Working with the coaches is absolutely surreal.  You realize they're doing what all of us music students are doing, just at the highest possible level."

🌟 Lucas West 🌟 

While at Fredonia, West has honed his skills through performance-based learning including ensemble participation and individualized instruction.  

"The training I've received here has really shaped me, not just as a jazz musician, but as a musician overall."

🌟 Lucas West 🌟 

West's mentors in the School of Music said his combination of talent and curiosity set him apart early on.

Lucas came in with a strong skill set, but what makes him special is his openness to growth.  He's always learning, always exploring and that's what allows artists to reach this level.  There's a lot of power in what he does and learning to lean into that and express it fully has been part of his growth."

James Harrington, Assistant Professor of Voice

Harrington added that West's success reflects both his artistry and his ability to fully embrace his own voice.

"When I first met Lucas he was a naturally gifted musician who could rise to challenges very quickly.  What's been most impressive is his drive and his abillity to take advantage of every opportunity to grow."

Dr. Nick Weiser, Asssociate Professor and Coordinator of Fredonia's Jazz Studies 

Weiser added that Lucas stood out from the beginning for both his talent and work ethic.  Weiser noted that Fredonia's program structure helped support that growth.

"With a program our size, students can explore multiple areas and gain real performance experience.  That kind of versatility and preparation is what allows them to succeed at the highest levels."

Dr. Nick Weiser

West credited the university's supportive environment and faculty mentorship for helping prepare him for the national stage.  

"That cycle of support never felt disingenuous.  They cared about my success and my well-being first."

 🌟 Lucas West 🌟 

"West's national exposure reflects the strength of Fredonia's music programs and the opportunites available to students."

James Harrington

While Lucas' run on "The Voice" has concluded, he said the experience has had a lasting impact on his development as an artist.  

"My favorite part about 'The Voice' was meeting people who are tryng to hone their craft at a high level.  That experience is something I'll carry with me."

Lucas West

🌟 

Thank you, Lucas for sharing your talents with us.  It was a pleasure to meet you on campus prior to graduation during the Q&A event that showcased your personal experience on "The Voice".  Lucas has truly come "full circle" with John Legend from his mother, Kristen playing Legend music in their home to Lucas eventually meeting and performing with John Legend on "The Voice".  

🌟 

 Continue to Reach for the Stars, Lucas!

 

This day is a significant holiday for restaurants and bars featuring margaritas, Mexican cuisine and desserts!

Deliciosa!

 

The Ford Woodie Wagons

..fun, cheerful and stunning to behold..

Imagine ... stripping and varnishing the bodywork on your car, annually!

Although every major manufacturer eventually built woody wagons, it was Ford's 1935 and 1936 models that really distinquished the company as America's luxury wagon leader.  

The manufacturing of woodies was extremely time-consuming since much of the work was done by hand and required the expertise of well-trained craftsmen.  As many as 150 separate pieces of wood were involved in the production of a single vehicle, with the weight of the wood adding 200-300 pounds to each one.  Glued and screwed seams came loose frequently, producing squeaks, rattles and groans.  Bodywork demanded as much attention as the finest wooden boats yet there was something about Ford Woodies that made them magical, even though according to some sources, the company consistently lost money despite the woody's allure. 

Restored 1934 Ford Woodie with a "required" surfboard attached to the roof.

1941 Ford Woodie Wagon

The scarcity of materials and the focus on manufacturing for the war effort meant that civilian automobile production was significantly reduced.  As a result the 1941 Ford Woodie Wagon is considered a rare and highly sought-after collector's item and is the most popular car in the 1940s.

1941 Ford Woodie Wagon

Total production numbers for the Ford Woodie Wagon often ranged in the low thousands during the early 1940s before production shifted to war efforts though 1941 was a major production year.

1950 Ford Woodie Wagon restomod*, 6 speed automatic custom interior and paint.

*A restomod is short for "restored and modified".  A classic vehicle that has been restored to its original aesthetic appearance though upgraded with modern technology, performance parts and comfort amenities.  The goal is to combine vintage styling with contemporary reliability, safety and drivability such as adding fuel-injected engines, disc brakes and air conditioning.  

 

Vincent Minford Powers

(1891-1966)

Historic plaque honoring Vincent M. Powers 

Moore Park

Westfield, New York 

Vincent Minford Powers was born June 6, 1891 in Westfield, New York (Chautauqua County).  He died October 19, 1966 at the age of 75 in New York City. In his early teens, Vincent Powers went to Canada where he worked at the Fort Erie Race Track as an exercise rider.  That job led to his career as a jockey, the training for which came when he was managed by future Canadian Horse Racing Hall of Fame trainer, John Nixon.

In 1908 and 1909, Powers earned national riding championships when he won more races than any other jockey in United States flat racing.  In 1917, he became the first jockey in American racing to win a National Championship in both steeplechase (jump racing) and flat racing. 

Powers was an American champion jockey and trainer.  He rode the winning horse, Wintergreen in the 1909 Kentucky Derby and in 1927 and in 1928 rode Jolly Roger to back-to-back wins in the most important steeplechase race in the United States, the American Grand National.  

In 2015, Powers was inducted into the National Museum of Racing. He was also inducted into the Chautauqua Sports Hall of Fame in 2015 under the category of Horse Racing.  Formal ceremonies were held on February 16, 2015.

With the 152nd Kentucky Derby being run May 2, 2026 there is a local name who won the horse race in 1909 on a horse named Wintergreen at the 34th running of the race on May 3, 1909 at Churchill Downs in Louisville, Kentucky.  The earnings that year?  $12,820.00.  Sadly, Wintergreen died April 10, 1914 in a stable fire that consumed barn #18 at the Latonia Race Track in Covington, Kentucky just across the Ohio River from Cincinnati.  At that time, Wintergreen was owned by owner-trainer D. Fisk.

Wintergreen was the first horse bred in Ohio to win the Kentucky Derby.  Wintergreen was bred and owned by Jerome Bristow Rome" Respess, the wealthy owner of a brewing company who had also owned and raced the colt's sire. Wintergreen was trained to win by Charles Mack and was later trained by Respess. After being gelded at 5, he was sold to H.S. Steward, who bought the horse from Respess in a private transaction around June 1912.  By August 1912, Wintergreen had become the property of D. Fisk.  His last known race was as a 7-year-old.  He finished fifth.  

In 1911, Powers went to Europe to ride for a guaranteed salary of $10,000.  He continued to experience success in Germany and France.  Having difficulty to maintain proper weight overseas forced him to turn his attention to the horse racing sport of stepplechase.  His transition proved fruitful as he enjoyed success riding steeplechase.

When WWI broke out in Europe in 1914, Powers returned to the United States with his German-born wife, Hedwig.  He found that, although thoroughbred racing had resumed again in New York State in 1913, the sport was struggling.  Steeplechase devotees, however, were full of enthusiasm.  Power became a contract steeplebhase rider for Greentree Stables and its owner Payne Hay Whitney and his wife, Helen. 

Powers became the top steeplechase rider in 1917 and was name the top steeplechase trainer just ten years lager.  He saddled 19 winners in 1927 and won an unprecedented $103,889. He developed Jolly Roger, the first steeplechase horse to earn more than $100,000.

Powers retired in 1946 and he and Hedwig made their home in Queens Village, NY.  His life was full and included some of the finest horses in America that he rode and trained, both on flat tracks and in steeplechase. 

.. And all from a boy from Westfield .. 

 

 

May Day

As a child, May Day (May 1st) was a joyous springtime celebration focusing on welcoming warmer weather, dancing around a Maypole festooned with colorful ribbons and making small baskets filled with flowers and treats to secretly leave on a friends' or neighbors' doorstep.  It was a fun, innocent tradtion aimed at celebrating spring and friendship.  Some events crowned a "May Queen" to represent the beauty of spring.

Historically, this tradition originated from ancient European festivals welcoming spring such as the Roman festival of Flora or the Celtic Beltane, later becoming a popular community festival in the Middle Ages.