| Dear Red Hatters, RED HAT SOCIETY DAY IN THE NETHERLANDS... Although we celebrated "our" special day two months ago, there are still more stories to share: Princess Peaceacake (Mariel Bronsgeest) belongs to one of the current 42 (already!) Red Hat Society chapters in the Netherlands. She sent us some wonderful photos from their April 25 celebration of Red Hat Society Day. We've had lots of pictures of our members with mayors, even governors, but this is the first time we've received one featuring a member with a Burgemeester! Here's Queen Els Neverhome (Ellen de Wilde-Koolhof) with her Burgemeester. (OK, that's the same thing as a mayor in the U.S., but doesn't it sound impressive?) Click here: http://campaign.hatquarters.com:80/CT00003401MzMyOTc1.HTML The gathering took place at a museum, and one of the Red Hatters took it upon herself to dress an "unclad" statue in a bit of regalia: http://campaign.hatquarters.com:80/CT00003402MzMyOTc1.HTML ...AND IN ALBUQUERQUE In Albuquerque, New Mexico, a Red Hat Society Day celebration attracted over 400 Red Hatters to the Botanic Gardens. One of the contests that day concerned "best cultural costume - Hispanic heritage". Queen Pauline MacPherson (M&M Red Hat Sisters) walked away with the prize by showing up in a "soldadera" costume. (Soldaderas were female warriors who fought alongside the men in the Mexican Revolution.) Pauline wore a red sombrero, purple embroidered blouse, long purple skirt and boots. Bullet belts (from the toy store) criss-crossed her chest, a real gun holster (for her cell phone) and a stick (painted to look like a cigar) held between her teeth completed the look. The best chapter flag and other costume award both went to the Tardy Tarts, who came dressed as saloon girls. The best Tri-C Hat award was won by Kay Watson (Scintillating Sophisticates). Thanks to Dolores Repik, M&M Vice-Queen, for the info. WORLD TRAVELER IN A RED HAT A few years ago, Jimmie Stokes started a chapter exclusively for breast cancer survivors - the Sassy Survivors, in Fort Smith, Arkansas. Last fall, Jimmie moved to Florida, where she started a sister chapter (The Sassy Survivors Too!). Members of both chapters make it a practice to add pink feathers to their hats; they also present pink feathers to other survivors. Jimmie's positive attitude recently showed itself in another of her undertakings. She and her cousin Pat, also a Red Hatter, fulfilled a lifelong dream - taking a trip to South Africa, Vietnam, Cambodia, Thailand, Australia, New Zealand, and Fiji. Along the way they visited the Red Hat Mommas in Cape Town, South Africa and the Red Hat Sassy Sisters in Sidney, Australia, and made a lot of new friends. Making a dream come true for your self is such a Red Hat thing to do. CEMENTING A FRIENDSHIP Queen Eileen Salcone was thrilled when she found out that there was to be a "Women's Park" in Trumbull County, Ohio. She was even happier when she found out that it would be possible for her chapter (Red Hat Hottie Totties, in Warren, Ohio) to donate a commemorative brick. For the caption on their brick, they chose "Growing Old Playfully," the same as the headline of the original Red Hat Society story, which appeared in "Romantic Homes" magazine in spring, 2000. Queen Eileen enthuses that 100% of their 53 members chipped in to purchase of their brick. Click here: http://campaign.hatquarters.com:80/CT00003403MzMyOTc1.HTML RED HAT SOCIETY KEEPS YOU YOUNG Lady Tink (here at Hatquarters) happened to be watching the "Today" show this Tuesday and she saw one of our members being honored by Willard Scott on the occasion of her 101st birthday! Her answer to the question of what keeps her young was her membership in the Red Hat Society! And there she was in her red hat! We send our congratulations and thanks to Red Hatter Edith, in New Jersey (which is all the relevant info Tink can remember). Happy Birthday, Edith! HATS! THE RED HAT SOCIETY MUSICAL It really does seem that there is magic surrounding our disorganization. We've been including tidbits about the development of our musical in every Friday's broadcast, and this one positively (Scarlet) sparkles with relevance: Noted country artist, Pam Tillis, along with co-author, Pat Bunch, has composed one of the songs for our musical. We knew all about Pam Tillis's illustrious career, but we asked for more information about Pat. Here's what we found out: A sampling of hits written by Pat include "I'll Still be Loving You" (recorded by Restless Heart), "Wild One" (Faith Hill), "Safe in the Arms of Love" (Martina McBride), "Living in a Moment I Would Die For" (Ty Herndon), and "Baby's Gone Blues" (Reba McIntire). Pat started writing songs in her early 30's; she says it took her years to become an "overnight success." She is now 67, and this is her first time writing a song for a musical. So, Pat Bunch exemplifies one of the Red Hat Society's mottoes: She is not dead, and she is SO not done! She puts her money (in this case talent) where her mouth is! Not only is this musical for "us;" it's by "us!" For tickets click here: http://campaign.hatquarters.com:80/CT00003404MzMyOTc1.HTML. Purple perk members remember to use your code. SCARLET SPARKLE Queen Pat Coleman (Silver Spurs, Tucson, Arizona) was finalizing plans for a family reunion this month. The website she had set up to help with this attracted an email from someone who thought she must be related and wanted to come to the reunion. Further investigation revealed that this woman almost certainly shares the family roots and she was made welcome to join them. Pat asked her to send a photo of herself and was thrilled when it arrived: the wearer was in regalia! She's obviously a Red Hat sister as well as a blood relative! REPEAT BOUTIQUE Queen Margaret Webb (The Lubbock Red Hats, Lubbock, Texas) has come up with an ingenious way to raise money to cover extra chapter expenses. Her members donate items or regalia that they no longer want and Margaret displays them in her spare bedroom for other Red Hatters to "shop," and buy at very reasonable prices. She's calling her "store" the Queen's Closet. As Queen Margaret says, this creates a "win - win" situation for all. We all know that one woman's trash is another woman's treasure! BENEFACTORS Gayle Walker (Red River Hatters, Shreveport/Bossier, Louisiana) relates that her chapter was the recipient of a great deal of unexpected generosity. Twenty-three of their chapterettes had just enjoyed lunch at a restaurant. As they were preparing to leave, their Queen, Sybil Kelly, was informed that a couple who had just left (fellow diners) had paid their entire tab. About a month later, Mr. and Mrs. Myatt (their identity revealed) invited the whole group to lunch at their magnificent home. Whoever said "there's no free lunch" was wrong in this case. The Red River Hatters got two of them! 1968 WAS A LONG TIME AGO! But that's when the Duke and I were married - 38 years ago as of yesterday! We're pretty proud of that, and I just wanted to share it with all of you. The best part about it is that we're still speaking to each other (most of the time). Where in the world has the time gone? (I'm sure you all can relate.) HAPPY FOURTH OF JULY! It is our hope that all of us in the U.S. will enjoy a special day of rest and gratitude next Tuesday. In some ways the Fourth of July is akin to Thanksgiving, don't you think? It really is a day to reflect on our freedoms and the blessings we enjoy, both as individuals and as citizens of a free country. We want to let you all know here at Hatquarters we will be closed Monday, July 3rd and Tuesday, July 4th in honor of this special day DISTINGUISHED VISITORS 6/9 - 6/15 Haydee Venturo (Red Hat Classic Ladies, Tamarac, Florida) Doris Hyland (Red Hot Attitudes, St Johns, MI) Debbie Clouse (Scarlet O’Hatters of Allen, Allen, Texas) Carole Land (Crimson Queen Bees, California City, California) In Friendship, Sue Ellen & All of Us from Hatquarters NEWS FROM HATQUARTERS NEW CRUISE FOR FREE What could be better than cruising with a group of friends, family or RHS sisters? How about cruising with your favorite group for Free! We are proud to introduce our brand new "Cruise On Us" Program, an RHS Travel benefit for our members! Just fill out a form, gather 15 of your favorite travelers and off-you-go. For more information, call RHS Travel at 1-866-240-3153 or click here: http://campaign.hatquarters.com:80/CT00003405MzMyOTc1.HTML. SPECIAL OFFERS FOR THE ULTIMATE GIRLFRIEND GETAWAY Take advantage of our special group offer or our 1-day options and make the Desert Dazzle, August 24 - 27th in Scottsdale Arizona your next girlfriend getaway. For every 4 paid convention fees your group received 1 basic free. 1-day option includes 3 ways to play: Afternoon Tea only ($50; Perks $45) Denim & Diamond Evening Banquet only ($80; Perks $72). All Day Saturday package ($130; Perks $117). Call 866-FUN-AT50 to register. To know more about the event: http://campaign.hatquarters.com:80/CT00003406MzMyOTc1.HTML. LONDON CALLING You are cordially invited to join The Scarlet Floosies of Corryton, Tennessee and other members of the RHS in London, England for the London New Years Day Parade on January 1, 2007. Travel Dates: December 28, 2006 - January 4, 2007. Registration ends September 16th. To register email Bettye Barnes at Scarlettflooscie@aol.com. For more information click here: http://campaign.hatquarters.com:80/CT00003407MzMyOTc1.HTML. RED HAT SOCIETY STORE New in our online store this week is the 'Embroidered Georgette Tunic'. Check it out! Don't forget to save while you shop! Our sale item of the week is a "Putting It On Red" pin. We also offer bulk discounts on select items. Product selection available online. To check out these great offers, including our Ruby's A List item for the week - Our 'There's Only One Tee,' visit: http://campaign.hatquarters.com:80/CT00003408MzMyOTc1.HTML New Goodies from Partners in Purple Christmas in July! Ladies, here's a sweet idea - Christmas in July! Red Hat Gourmet products by Elaine Group are now available online linked at the Red Hat Society store. Since these perishable delicacies require careful packaging and ship with dry ice, you'll save when you place your order as a group. Then you can schedule a gathering to coincide with their arrival. How fun! In the midst of the summer heat, have a big box of these delectable delights arrive at one sister's home, and everyone can join in the excitement of opening their own package! It'll seem just like Christmas in July! (Are those sleigh bells I hear jingling...?) Everyone receives a gift with any purchase, and Purple Perk members receive an extra complimentary treat. So ladies, get in that holiday spirit and GO SHOPPING! Click on Elaine Group's direct link by visiting: http://campaign.hatquarters.com:80/CT00003409MzMyOTc1.HTML. |