Tarheel Hash 694, May 2nd, 2026: Kentucky Derby Done Right!
Lickety
Tarheel Hash 694, May 2nd, 2026: Kentucky Derby Done Right!
Hares: Chili Willie and Just Susan
Newbies, Guests, and Visitors: Annie Chapman; Sean Bartlow; Kate DiCato; David Wood; David Clark; Mike “Laymo” Alaimo -these are friends of the hares, a group they run with in Pittsboro. And Short Shaft brought along his son, Tim.
The rest of the Pack: Road Muffin; St. Rollherover; Mutant Gene; Slow Hole; Endangered Feces; A$$ Clown; Panties In the Hood; Butt Slapper; Minute Clinic; Swings on Wood; Short Shaft; HearNoEno; SpeakNoEno, Big Box; Jerkules; Rod n Staff; PITA; E-I-E I-Blow; Dicktaphone; DIE Corn; Butt-Parking Device; Comfort; Lickety Spit
Après Appearances: SeeNoEno (arrived at the start but not on trail); Pedifido
Photo Album:
Below is the photo album in Flickr.com for Tarheel Hash 694. This collection includes photos taken as we gathered before packing off, during our adventures on trail, and at the Après, where we mingle afterwards, to enjoy great refreshments courtesy of the hares. Captions accompany the photos; hover the mouse near the bottom of each picture to read them.
https://www.flickr.com/photos/147890119@N04/albums/72177720333691594/
Summary
Before Packing off: Gathering at the Ranch
Hashers began arriving at the Pittsboro home of Chili Willie and Susan, aware that for many, this would be a slightly longer commute than usual—but one well worth the drive. The relaxed setting of their garage quickly became a lively hub, as friends, regulars, and “newcummers’ mingled and signed in. Actually, the folks considered new are all old friends of the hare, Chili Willie, and he knows them from a running group in Pittsboro that meets on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and occasionally some other days of the week. Starting with two friends named David - viewed in the album photos --- David WOOD has a Navy shirt; David CLARK is wearing grey. His other friends include Kate, Annie, Mike (“Laymo”), and Sean. Annie and David Wood have attended one of Chili Willie’s hashes before – and this time, Annie helped mark the trail! A happy flock of Tarheel/Sir Walter’s hashers also showed up, including a couple we hadn’t seen in a while, Elicks’er and her husband E-I-E-I -Blow, who, like the hares, also live in Pittsboro. Several “regulars” were there, including a few also active in Sir Walters, like Minute Clinic and Dicktaphone. As more hashers trickled in, old friendships were rekindled and new connections made; conversations flowed easily. As always, the pre-hash ritual included waiver-signing, quaffing chilled beverages, and plenty of good-natured banter. Among the highlights was a naming after we circled: Just Lucy, earning the hash name Road Muffin in honor of her legendary muffin contributions as a co-hare at a hash many of us remember.
Though the Kentucky Derby theme hovered in the background, it was intentionally kept under wraps—its full expression reserved for the Après. Still, hints of festivity and anticipation were unmistakable. With the group assembled and spirits high, Chili Willie stepped in to explain the trail markings, preparing both seasoned hashers and curious newcomers for what lay ahead.
On Trail: From Suburb to Forest and Back Again
When it was time to pack off, we scattered toward the backyard and then beyond, crossing diagonally over grass and clover and passing a cluster of tall trees before hitting the road. Dollops appeared, and we followed them enthusiastically, bravely heading out under a darkening sky that hinted at, possibly, an upcoming storm.
The course delivered a satisfying mix of terrain: dirt paths winding through forests, quiet developments with manicured landscapes, and open, rolling hills. Chili Willie crafted a route that balanced beauty with just enough challenge. Along the way, hashers encountered a creek crossing, where a few strong folks helped others across. Dollops also marked some old gravel roads, and then a hash-worthy high pipe crossing that tested courage – but most of us wisely followed a safer path on solid ground below.
A scenic high point came relatively early on, near a basin, where a chain-link fence encircled the water below. Attached was a sign, “Briar Chapel Reclaimed water”, part of a reuse system in which wastewater from homes is repurposed for non-drinking uses such as irrigation and supplementing storage basins like this one. It was posted by the Old North State Water Company, a private provider of services like drinking water delivery and wastewater treatment. Their slogan ought to be: “From drinking water to wastewater—ONSWC has you covered at both ends.”
Trail continued through less-developed territory, feral grounds divided by an old gravel road, where we passed through an open metal gate before transitioning into a picturesque Briar Chapel development – specifically, a section named “Encore”. We reached a driveway with “BB” written in large chalk letters, leading to a house belonging to friends of Chili Willie’s wife, Susan. Since the couple was out of town, it only made sense to borrow the spot for a while—after all, it was the perfect place for a Beer Break! It was a welcome pause, where lively chatter was exchanged, and ample refreshments recharged us for the final stretch.
Back on trail, the pack regrouped during a Hash Halt, where Chili Willie advised us to keep it on the down-low along the next stretch, as we would be passing through private property. With that in mind, we pushed onward—without the usual “On-On” shouting—to follow flour through a segue of narrow, hilly footpaths cutting through tall grasses, alternating with wide green corridors, until we reached an open road.
A few decrepit gray shacks echoed Pittsboro’s past, when it was just a horse-and-buggy town. Soon, the road was bordered on one side by an open field framed by white post-and-rail fences with clean lines—especially popular in horse country. Dollops along the road’s edge guided us toward a crossing point, a tacit nudge to traverse the fence—either over or under, whichever proved easier.
In the distance, a neat row of conifers created an elegant backdrop, and farther along, they gave way to a billowy arboreal wall concealing the fence on the opposite side. A few hashers disappeared into that leafy barrier, leaving the rest of us to follow their lead. The home stretch saw FRBs charging ahead like thoroughbreds, bringing the Kentucky Derby theme subtly full circle.
On-After: Derby Style and Garden Delights
Returning “back to the ranch,” hashers were greeted with a spread worthy of Derby Day. The theme came to life in a festive kitchen filled with classic fare: Kentucky-style Hot Brown sliders; crackers topped with cream cheese and flanked by Chili Willie’s garden-fresh hot pepper jelly; and an enticing dessert table featuring Susan’s Derby pie bars, A$$ Clown’s Kentucky Butter cake, Slow Hole’s apple crumb cake, and delightfully chewy cinnamon buns courtesy of Panties in the Hood.
Another highlight of the Après was Susan and Chili Willie’s handcrafted julep bar—a perfect finishing touch that elevated the celebration and kept spirits high. Conversations flowed as easily as the drinks, with laughter and storytelling filling both the kitchen and the seating area in the driveway, where faint trail marks from the earlier chalk talk still lingered underfoot.
As the afternoon settled into a warm afterglow, hashers relaxed, reflected, and expressed their appreciation to the hares for a thoughtfully planned and thoroughly enjoyable event. The combination of scenic trail, welcoming atmosphere, and Derby-inspired hospitality made Hash 694 feel less like a run—and more like a reunion.
In the yard behind our mingling group, Chili Willie’s garden—protected by a tall fence to keep out the deer—showcased an impressive variety of vegetables, herbs, and flowers. Sunflowers, okra, radishes, peas, tomatoes, and peppers thrived alongside roses, gladiolas, daylilies, cosmos, ginger, and basil. When the radishes and peas “peter out” in late spring, they’re replaced with black-eyed peas. Understandably, this growing space is never idle during the gardening season.
Out front, Susan’s beautifully tended peonies and irises, accented by bursts of bright purple spiderwort, created a truly brilliant display. A vintage gazing ball—a round blue mirror cradled high in a birdbath—reflected the surrounding blooms, adding another layer of charm to the scene.
With warm Thank-You’s, we bid a fond farewell to the hares, turning around one more time before leaving to take another look at a spectacular setting: an exquisitely designed flower bed set against the stately home of Susan and Chili Willie, its second-floor windows gleaming above a grand row of floor-to-ceiling porch columns. Kudos to the hares for making this Kentucky Derby hash truly memorable. On-On!
PS: Attached are recipes for those of us who want to replicate – or at least make a noble attempt to do so– any of the featured dishes served at the Après.
Acknowledgements:
Chefs and Apres buffet contributors:
Panties in the Hood brought a tray of chewy cinnamon sticky buns –decacent, pull-apart treats, described as “a soft, fluffy yeasted dough rolled around a buttery, cinnamon-sugar swirl”. When she brought them in, a few of us eagerly broke off a pinch – how could we resist? Thanks, Panties.
Slow Hole’s apple crumb cake is one of her favorite recipes, and no doubt it will now become one of yours, too! It's an old Emeril recipe that she’s had for years and keeps coming back to. This is the first recipe that introduced her to using sour cream to get more moisture into cake recipes. We all discovered for ourselves just how moist and delicious this is! Thanks, Slow Hole.
A$$ Clown’s Kentucky butter cake was outstanding. And I dare say - although it was his contribution to the Kentucky Derby-themed Après - it wouldn’t have to be just for this Kentucky celebration. Cake this good should be enjoyed more often. No need to wait another year to enjoy it!! Thanks, A$$ Clown.
Chili Willie’s hot pepper jelly is renowned for its bold flavor. To quote him when asked for the recipe, he responded, “I make different batches throughout the years, and it's typically done by using what I have out of the garden and then augmenting with stuff from farmers' markets. The recipe calls for 4 cups of finely diced peppers and typically calls for 10 jalapeños, then supplements with bell peppers. I just get to 4 cups of peppers somehow and go from there.” After trying it, all I can say is, WOW! Thanks, Chili Willie.
Susan’s Kentucky Hot Brown sliders were fantastic! Authentic fare for Derby Day celebrations, these small sandwiches boasted robust flavor, and my partner can’t wait to try the recipe – and I’m looking forward to that, too.
Her Kentucky Derby pie was another winner. Loaded with chocolate chips and pecans, this epitomizes a classic Kentucky dessert, a fusion of praline pie with blond brownies -only better! Thank you, Susan.
The Hares, Chili Willie and Just Susan
From start to finish, this event was truly memorable. The trail highlighted Pittsboro’s conservation sensibilities—such as water repurposed for irrigation—alongside a clear appreciation for thoughtful, aesthetic landscaping in its residential communities. One stretch passed a white rail fence bordering a vast green pasture, a scene reminiscent of classic horse country—perfectly in keeping with the Kentucky Derby theme.
After taking in these elements of Pittsboro, we were immersed in Derby Day tradition, with a spread that reflected the culture and a julep bar as a nod to Kentucky’s renowned bourbon heritage. The care and attention to detail throughout both the trail and the hospitality did not go unnoticed. Thank you, Susan and Chili Willie, for such a thoughtfully planned and truly memorable event!