Trump supporting friends gather for belated inauguration party
CLEARFIELD TWP — Scott and Darla Ponteri wanted to go to Donald Trump’s July 13 campaign rally at Butler Farm Show and to his inauguration Monday, Jan. 20, but they weren’t able to go to either.
They did the next best thing Saturday when they hosted about 60 friends at an inauguration party in the newly finished basement of their home. The guests, who came dressed in Trump clothing, received gifts of Trump can cozies, silicone wristbands and pens.
They decorated their house inside and out with posters and other memorabilia featuring images of the 47th president and many of his catchphrases. They even dressed their little dogs in tiny Trump jerseys.
“We couldn’t make it to the inauguration so we thought we have a party,” Scott said.
“We both worked so we wanted to have a Trump party and celebrate with our friends,” Darla said.
A nurse at Independence Health System’s Butler Memorial Hospital, Darla said she was working during the July 13 rally and recalls the hospital being locked down while Trump was there being treated for the graze wound he suffered during the assassination attempt.
Scott, who retired after serving 30 years in the Kiski Township Police Department and now works security for Ayr Wellness in Warrendale, said he and his wife started planning the party three months ago.
The affable couple planned to replay a recording of the inauguration after their guests had a chance to indulge in the smorgasbord of food and some libations.
“Let everyone settle in and turn the inauguration on,” Scott said.
Tim Fouse, a friend from Kittanning, said he had a ticket to watch the inauguration from the lawn outside of the Capitol Rotunda where the ceremony was held, but the bus trip to Washington D.C. was canceled after the ceremony was moved indoors due to the weather.
“Is this the Kamala Harris party?” Fouse joked as he walked down the steps into the basement.
Among those enjoying the camaraderie were Joyce and Rick Titus of Butler, Ed “Ed Trump” Gereshenski of Butler, Donald Mikladic of Butler and Tom and Dawn Portka of Apollo.
They also didn’t mind saying why they support Trump in the election.
“I hope he does a lot of use especially not taxing social security,” said Joyce Titus. “We paid into it for many years. I hope we don’t have to pay more.”
She and her husband retired recently and count on Social Security benefits.
Mikladic, who retired in 2000 after working 24 years for Armco, said he supported Trump in hopes he will improve the economy by lowering gasoline and grocery prices.
“He has to get the economy straightened out,” Mikladic
Tom Portka said he hopes Trump maintains Social Security and improves border security.
“We just needed a change,” he said.
