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Southern Delaware Therapeutic Riding holds annual Barn Dance

Southern Delaware Therapeutic Riding board and staff are (l-r) Scott Swingle, president; Jo Allegro-Smith, executive director; Jennifer Swingle, barn dance chair; and Deb Blatt, event coordinator. DAN COOK PHOTOS
Dan Cook
October 26, 2025

Southern Delaware Therapeutic Riding held its ninth annual Barn Dance Oct. 18 in Milton. It is SDTR’s largest event of the year. 

Festivities included live music by the Mason Dixon Band, a mouthwatering barbecue dinner and the always-popular bourbon tasting station. Local businesses provided exciting travel, entertainment and art donations for the live and silent auctions. A five-digit black tag was auctioned off by local auctioneer Dick Bryan and brought $2,000 for SDTR. 

SDTR is a volunteer-driven, nonprofit organization that was established in 1988. The mission of SDTR is to improve the physical and emotional well-being of children and adults living with disabilities through equine-assisted services in a supportive environment for riders and their families. The program serves children and adults with physical and developmental disabilities such as cerebral palsy, autism, Down syndrome, multiple sclerosis and head trauma living in Sussex County. To learn more about SDTR, go to www.sdtrhr.com.

 

Jason Reid, left, and Rob Jones of Whole Roast Barbeque Services cook up some chicken for the event.
Eric Perkins, left, and Fiona McMahon welcome attendees to the popular bourbon tasting station.
Michelle Quirk, left, and Ashley Westmore bid on an item at the silent auction.
Lee Wheeler, left, and Pat Griffin bid on the silent auction.
Maureen Finley works the T-shirt and sweatshirt booth.
Michelle Quirk, left, and Ashley Westmore garner a flight of bourbon from the tasting station.
Jackie Dorney and Lisa Thorp bartend at the Saloon Bar.
The popcorn women are Jessica Forest and Sue Lovenberg.
Enjoying the event are Sen. Russ Huxtable, D-Lewes, and Deb Blatt, event coordinator.
Speaking after dinner are volunteer Amy McShane and auctioneer Dickie Bryan.
Hank Dorsey of Whole Roast Barbeque Services roasts some barbecue.
Jo Allegro-Smith, SDTR executive director, hangs out with Elvis.
Debi Delullo-DePasquale works the spin wheel game.
Leonard and Diana Tylecki enjoy the event.
Checking in guests are volunteers (l-r) Tiece Sullivan, Cindi Hoffman and Lynn Lambertson.
Jo Allegro-Smith, executive director, gives information about the event and the importance of SDTR.
Nicole and Devin Scott pose for a picture.
The Mason Dixon Band entertains the crowd during the event.
Cliff and Kristy Chmelewski pose for a picture.
Having a great time are (l-r) David Wing, Lisa Olivere and Michelle Herron.
Carrie Wolf, left, and Cheryl Sentinvan sell 50/50 tickets under the security of Elvis.
Marla Gruzin tries to stay on the mechanical bull for eight seconds.
Volunteers Annmarie Perrotta, left, and Amy McShane pose for a picture.
Ashley Westmore lasts seven seconds on the mechanical bull.
Michelle Quirk rides the mechanical bull.
Diane Mead and Dotti Outland work the dessert table.
The buffet is always a popular spot.
The silent auction features a wall of pictures and artwork to bid on.
Watching a video of the bull riding are (l-r) Debbie Bush, Linda Kraft, Patty Scoras and Lisa McGinn.
Auctioneer Dick Bryan looks for bids on a black tag.
Auctioneer Dick Bryan gets some help from Jennifer Swingle, barn dance chair.
Bidding on the black tag is Lyndsay Ashburn.
Showing off their new black tag are (l-r) Lyndsay Ashburn, Lani Houston and Jordan Ashburn.
Boot scooting to the Mason Dixon Band.
Yeah, heel, toe, docie doe, come on, baby, let's go, boot scootin'.
The Thier family enjoy the evening are (l-r) Craig, Cali and Lorrie Thier.
Volunteer Devon Singer works the bag pick booth.

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Dan has worked for the Cape Gazette for more than 30 years as a photographer and reporter, covering high school sports and happenings around eastern Sussex County. He won a photography award from the National Newspaper Association, and numerous awards from the Maryland, Delaware, D.C. Press Association. A Delaware native, Dan graduated from Cape in 1972 and returned as a teacher and coach in the 1980s. He retired from the classroom in 2016. He was inducted into Cape High’s Legends Stadium in 2016. In his spare time, Dan enjoys spending time with his wife, two sons, grandchildren and dogs. 

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