Spooky Sisters! Everyone loves to dress up for Halloween—we see all sorts of ghouls and ghosties running around. But what do the ghouls and ghosties dress up as when they want to be daring and exciting? Why, they dress up as Red Hatters, of course! The Velvet Violettes (Edmonton, Alberta, Canada) had a party earlier in the month, and each Hatter created a lovely royal purple skeleton, decked out in gorgeous dresses, flashy bling, and red hats. Just look at that fantastic lineup!
Hatted Hobos Na Papale Ula 'O Kailua (The Red Hats of Kailua, Kailua, Hawaii, United States) held a hobo party at Lady Ann Kealoha's house. Everyone was told to come in their best red and purple rags! Did you know that you can make a wonderful five-o'clock-shadow with vaseline and coffee grounds? It sure was news to us, but these inventive Red Hatters figured it out! Lady Ann had laid out a tablecloth of newspapers, personalized pictures, multiple recipes for hobo stew and pictures of clowns, tramps, and hobos. These vivacious vagabonds even went so far as to drink their ice tea out of old mayonnaise jars! Wilting (purple and red) flowers in beer bottles and a fake campfire added to the decor.
Clowns and Babes Five chapterettes of the Bradenton Babes Red Hatters (Bradenton, Florida, Unites States) attended opening day at the Hunsaders Pumpkin Festival. Jeri Harvill, Diane Crews, Joanne West, June Hartlaub, and Martha Clauser enjoyed crafts, food, took a romp in the pumpkin patch, and a wonderful circus. Of course, it's just not a good circus without...clowns! The Red Hatters gave these funsters a real run for their money: Queen Mum Jeri Harvill says, "We couldn't tell who had more fun...the Clowns or the Babes!"
Mystery and Mayhem? While many Red Hat chapters enjoy going out for dinner, The Gulf Gals (Destin, Florida, United States) like to spice it up a bit! Queen Mommy Patty Roof decided to do a mystery luncheon – her gals thought they were going out for an ordinary lunch, but little did they know, they were in for a murder mystery! The only information Patty divulged was that each woman would have a character they would be portraying "at lunch," what to wear, and where they were to meet to be taken to an undisclosed destination. However, the Gulf Gals are some very clever ladies, and four out of the sixteen figured out what Patty was up to! She reports, "I've got a great group of ladies and even the ones that decided not to attend now want us to plan another one!" What a fun way to celebrate the season!
That's the Spirit!While the world's attention was focused on China for the Summer Olympics, Juneith's Jolly Jokers (Commack, New York, United States) were having games of their own! Queen Jinglin' Jolly Juneith, June Sanimarco, explains:
"The games began with our own 'Lady Liberty' (Vice Queen Merry Mum, Loretta Olberding) running in the yard, under a balloon arch, carrying our 'torch'- one of the plastic light up toys I borrowed from the kids- while the rest of the chapter Kazoo'ed the Olympic Theme. And the laughter started!
"We had games called Olympic Ring Toss, Hurdles, Weight-lifting, Javelin Throwing, and Discus- but all done 'The Red Hat Way'. We used foam 'noodles'- the ones for the pool, Frisbees, shoes to toss, 2x4's for hurdles, and plastic plates on a dowel for the weights. The wet t-shirt contest had them all worried, until I handed them a Star Trek shirt of mine and had them see who could throw it farthest. My poor shirt!
"Awards (little wooden discs sprayed gold with a Red Hat and an Olympic Torch glued on) were given to the winners, then all the participants. Funny, the Vice Queen won the most—hmmm...The evening ended with a potluck dinner and dessert. But of course and a ton of laughing and joking around!"
Red Hot RockersThe Sweet Magnolia Blossoms (Fort Valley, Virginia, United States) entered an unusual contest recently. They showed up at the Shenandoah County Fairgrounds to compete in...an air guitar contest? That's right! AARP had planned a fundraiser to promote active lifestyles for adults, and the highlight of the show was the air guitar competition. (For those who don't know, "air guitar" is the act of pretending to play guitar along with a song. No actual guitars are used, the performers merely imitate the motions.)
Hatters Flo Coverstone, Margaret Chrisman, Ann Hogshead and Cathy Vann performed on stage. Since the main focus of the event was not winning, but simply having fun, this was a perfect event for the Hatters! The women had a great time, though none of them were familiar with the song that played. "We don't even know a Foreigner song," said one Hatter. "I grew up on Elvis Presley!"
