If you know me, you realize I have a strange obsession with the movie and the musical “Rock of Ages”. I just find it hilarious! And … what a great theme for a party! So … welcome to the first annual Rock of Ages party. Thanks for Meghan McLaughlin for all the great photos.

Another great Ruggles “dress up” party. This year the theme is “Blue” (in case you didn’t notice). It was another fun evening with great music, great food, great atmosphere and wonderful friends. Join me in remembering the evening in photos.

Mike and Mary arrive in style at Short Hills Country Club for the annual “June Party”. Enjoy some photos of the evening.

I’ll admit, I don’t research the horses for the Kentucky Derby very thoroughly. Since they are all three year olds, the horses are really pretty unknown with just a short year of racing as experience. Don’t get me wrong, I love the Kentucky Derby since it is almost always a fantastic, exciting race to watch, has a great spectacle to it, and is just a great excuse for a spring time party.

Anyway … back to the race … I placed my bets on three horses:

• Take Charge Indy - Calvin Borel was aboard as the jockey and we’ve seen him with the Kentucky Derby quite a few times.
• Bodemeister - The favorite.
• I’ll Have Another - My long shot pick since I just liked the name.

It was a very exciting race with Bodemeister taking the early win and threatening to take it wire to wire. I was cheering him on down the final stretch when out of the pack came another horse to clip him right at the end. Who is that … it was hard to see the silks and the number … and there it was, out of the 19th chute where a horse has never won from, came I’ll Have Another. And well … my long shot favorite came home to pay $30 to win!

Thanks to everyone who came out to help celebrate, Bill Lewis and John Bollart for manning the Art Studio, and Chris Dufour for the fantastic photos of the day!

It’s Kentucky Derby Time! This coming Saturday is the 138th running of the most exciting 2 minutes in sports and it’s time for another Howell Kentucky Derby party. Kimberly and I and looking forward to seeing all of our friends and cheering on another Kentucky Derby. Just as a reminder, here are a few photos of last years event that my friend Chris Dufour was generous to photograph for us. Great shots Chris! Thank you so much.

This year I threw everybody a curve and changed the annual Howell Kentucky Derby Party to Belmont Stakes weekend. We had a great day with a great group of wonderful friends. Thank you all for coming and making this such a great event. This year we even had our own “race” horses in the backyard!. Extra thanks go to Chris Dufour for his great photographic skills. Here are a few photos of the day.

Next year we’ll be back on Kentucky Derby weekend. Mark your calendars for the first Saturday in May!!!