N.Z. RED HAT NEWSLETTER
North Island
RED HATTING NEW ZEALAND STYLE
MAY 2011
‘Tis a trifle chilly today. I think winter maybe approaching. So out with the wooly jacket
and scarves – purple of course – and off to the warmth of Red Hatting. The activities reports
are coming in thick and fast, and fun it is to read of such a variety of events.
WAITAKERE FERNS
Twenty chapterettes enjoyed lunch at ICON Restaurant, (Lincoln Green) on 10th May.
Adding to the fun, food and friendship was the chance to splash out and purchase some upto-the minutes costume jewellery. Our lady visitor offered a great variety of colours (not just
red and purple!) for her bracelets, necklaces and other jewellery, which caught many an eye.
We are sad that our loyal and generous Vice Queen Mary – Countessa Flit-about has
resigned from our family fold as she is such a busy lady. Her red shoes are ideally being
filled by new Queen of Vice Marie,- Baroness Moni-Bags- The Royal Keeper of the Koins.
We are looking forward to our 6th birthday, second Tuesday in June, once again at Tony’s.
Cheers,
Red Wine of course
Lady Ginger Joan
Royal News
MANUKAU BUTTERFLIES
Hi, from Monarch Margaret, just a short note from the Manukau Butterflies,
we have had a quiet time lately. We started to organize the car rally as
promised then the petrol prices went up and up so we canceled that idea.
And then they came back down but we had replaced our outing with a return
visit to Crumbles Ceramic Studio to paint ourselves a cup or plate. This is very
popular with our ladies. We are also hosting the Queens Council in June so we
will see some of you there.
Precious
Pukekos
We had our get together as usual at the Howick club. It was lovely to see everyone again as we
hadn’t met up since March, so there was a lot of catching up to do. We had a lot of fun and laughter
playing games; who ever said Red Hatters didn’t know how to enjoy themselves . Our chapter
seems to grow every month. A lady was watching us having fun and asked if she could join us.
That’s how new friendships are formed. We enjoyed a lovely lunch and a glass or two of wine while
planning our next few months, and believe it or not making plans for our Christmas outing. Shock
horror,,, Christmas you say. Well the way the months are speeding by that will come up fast enough.
We have our own red hatter who is daring enough to try PLANKING, we just hope she didn’t have too
many sherries to steady her nerves. Well done Jacky.
RED HAT PLANKING
IT’S NOT “ MOTHER” or the RED BULL l !!!!!!!!!!!!!! THAT MADE ME DO IT, BUT THE
SHERRY AT LUNCH TIME.
Growing old disgracefully, but responsibly !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I’m sorry we missed the 10th birthday party for the Waiuku Red Hatters , from what I hear it was a
huge success, congratulations and wishing you belated birthday wishes.
I still have the travel bug. This time I’m going to Western Australia for my daughters “special “
birthday, I will be away for a month . So till the next time…
signing off for now
Christine
Precious Pukekos
Deco City Divas Napier
The Divas took in a movie and dinner/dessert in May! We went to see "Water for
Elephants", which turned out to be too violent (to the animals) for Queen Carol, so she
bailed out! Our members who read the book quite enjoyed seeing how the book was
made into a film. Then the Divas retired to the new “The Station” next door to the
cinema. This new restaurant has the feel of a British pub. Ladies enjoyed fine food,
dessert, wine and fabulous conversation together. The Red Hatters in Napier are
enjoying such lovely sunny weather… who cares if it is cold when the sun shines! We
feel lucky to be in the Bay and luxuriate in the golden weather!
Queen Carol
Precious Pearls
Greetings from the Precious Pearls. I am sneaking out of my oyster shell to bring you news from
the Naki - and to let you know we have been busy little Pearls having lots of Red hat fun out on
here on the west coast. I will start from Christmas and give you a peep into our shells so you can
see what we have been phrolickin' at!
December saw us morph into Xmas Phairies as we celebrated the Reduation of our
Contessa of Sparkle n SaSS. We started in town at a bar where our Contessa was handcuffed to
a sign on the footpath asking people if they knew where her wand was! Reactions were hilarious
but none more so than the three bogans who gave ' us old ladies ' a bit of cheek ( and which we
dished back ) and on their third time walking past us they disappeared into the $2 shop and
returned with a gold wand for our Contessa! Never judge a book by its cover Of course we had
the last laugh when they then had to succumb to a kiss from our Contessa - never saw them
again!
We then ' phairied ' our way through town to the local Rock shop - no not where you find oysters
but musical instruments! There Contessa played the drums and we did a bit of shocking singing
and left before the men in white coats arrived. Next stop - unknown to Contessa was the local
hospital where she works  An embarrassed Pearls she duly was but she was well disguised,
and off we went to phlitter and phlutter through the wards with Xmas phairy dust and songs for
the patients.
Having waved our wands and phlicked our phairy dust we then headed off to our dinner venue.
This was a local manor house run by none other than real phairies! Yep! A gay male couple who
were hosting us and doing Xmas dinner. One half of the phairy couple dressed up as a CWI lady
and had us all, including their house guests from England, in phits of laughter. We had a beautiful
meal and as luck would have it that same night was the first night for the famous Christmas
lights to be turned on in our lovely Pukekura Park. Well of course Xmas lights are not the same
without phairies so following dinner some of us made the trek across the road, through the dark
park tracks like moths attracted to a light bulb! Voila! There were the Xmas lights and many
hundreds of visitors who were so excited to see the ' phairies '!
We made sure we left before witching hour!
Also in December we had our annual JimJam brekkie phrolic. Dressed in our PJ's we descended
upon a local cafe for brekkie - even though they had been warned of our attire they weren't
really expecting to see what we were wearing! Just love watching those shocked faces! During
brekkie the arrival of a fire engine outside our window was cause for excitement - alas even the
firemen were gasping for air upon seeing us!
January had the Pearls creeping out of their shells again as we helped our Little Princess
Pearlfectnot set up her garage sale and sell everything but the kitchen sink! This was one little
Pearl who had never been to a garage sale let alone have one and did we have an entertaining day.
We were duly thanked that night as guests of our Little Princess with a beautiful bbq and the
unexpected entertainment by her own MOTH ( man of the house ). He had us laughing so much as
he regaled us with his horse story that our pearly sides ached!
February was a pot luck tea at Mamzelle Margi nally Blonde's royal abode where we welcomed our
newest Pearl Lady Valerie. What a brave woman she was arriving unaccompanied and not knowing
what she was getting herself in to! Baroness Buddy of Bears was given a huge ( as big as a human!
) brown bear to adopt and take home - our Little Princess had found him in her attic - Buddy as
he was duly named was a bit of a hussy cuddling and sitting on any knee in sight!
Following a most delish tea we played some hilarious games that had many stumped and had us
holding our aching sides again.
March is always a busy month in the Naki so we do not organise a phrolic as we have WOMAD, our
anniversary weekend and shows on to entertain us.
Early April, with the summer sand duly phlicked out of our red hats, some of us ventured out to
see Ghost Train at a local theatre company, after we had dined at the restaurant next door.
We all had invites to
THE Royal wedding on 29 April - required dress attire
was as a royal or suitably dressed as a royal guest. We had heard through the pearly shells
sandline that Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth 11, Camilla and possibly other royals were actually
planning on getting away from the paparazzi in London and taking refuge in the Naki. Before we
attended the wedding we dined at the Nice Hotel - a real posh local establishment! Imagine our
surprise on arrival seeing a table laid out with royal guards uniforms and busbies! Even better
was seeing mine host's and his staff's faces when Her Majesty QE, Camilla ( plus her horse! )
and Queen Mary walked in! And it got better when Marie Antoinette, Cardinal Sin, Dame Edna
and some wedding guests arrived.
More surprises were to come - for us - when a local newspaper reporter and photographer
walked in! Of course they believed us when we said we were the ' real ' thing! Much laughter and
photo taking took place, and mine host duly played God Save the Queen for all to stand! Next
morning Her Majesty QE and Queen Mary graced the front page of the paper, and again in the
mid week paper - oh the price of being famous!
Not wanting to start a stampede we decided it was time to give the paparazzi the slip and we
headed out to Scottminster Abbey - the royal abode of our Duchess Not a Lot. Waiting for us
were more surprises - Lady Diana and other guests. Wills and Kate had apologised for not being
able to join us but had left the royal staircase decorated and guests were given a copy of the
service. Everyone took their seats and waited for the arrival of Princess Catherine, and with our
glasses filled and raised a lot! we sat and watched with the rest of the world as the fairy tale
for these two gorgeous royals unfolded. To ensure we didn't ' Nana nap ' there were plenty of
nibbles and liquids to keep us awake!
Now we are
5 !!!
On Black Friday 13 May we had a phritephully phantastic 5th birthday! It is hard to believe that
we have turned 5 and to celebrate we held our phrolic at the Roast House - closest we could get
to a witches cauldron! Dress was either schoolgirl or phritephull, or a combination of both. We
had all of the above! Witches, schoolgirls, jokers and red hot devils! The Pearls turned out in a
phantastic array of costumes - much to the delight of the other diners and the owners of the
restaurant. Our tables were dressed appropriately - spooky and school days - with spiders,
witches hats, skeletons, snakes, ghosts, pumpkins and school blackboards as table mats.
Our Little Princess who is Pearlfect not celebrated her birthday too - dressed as a naughty
schoolgirl! We parked our broom sticks in the car park although a couple did make it into the
restaurant and were needed to sweep up after we had played nursery rhyme charades. Our
naughty schoolgirl was naughty indeed when she had to act out ride a cock horse! You realise how
long it is since you said nursery rhymes when you have to get others to guess which one you
are Our Lady Valerie was bestowed as Dame Duz-a-lotte in between games.
Lots more laughter and screeching ensued with more games before we attacked the scrumptious
birthday cake our HRH Princess Ladybird Butterfly had made. Our Queen put a spell on everyone
so they cleaned up before they left for home on their broomsticks - so we will be welcome back
next time, and before we left we presented the owners with some naughty rocky road choccies!
Preshus One
Queen of Precious Pearls
Hibiscus
Red
Hatters
had a Royal wedding fashion Parade on 28th April It was a lot of fun
had A Bride & Groom Mothers of the bride & wedding guests We also
had a funky fashion parade together with a wonderful shared lunch & of
course a glass of bubbly . Annie & her husband in Upper Harbour drive
did us proud. This month a group thoroughly enjoyed "Crazy Ladies" I
gather it was a great spectacle with 300 plus Red Hats .I hope the media
were there!This month we are having a mid winter Xmas dinner at Joust
Bar & resteraunt in Orewa
Cheers from Hibiscus Red Hatters
Thames ruby redz has the usual fun and laughter again this month, an interesting item in the
local paper says it all really:
Hauraki Herald May 24th 2011
AGEING WITH ATTITUDE
Having a ball by seeing red by Jess Thorne-George
They call themselves the Ruby Redz, go by nicknames like Countess Tottie or Princess Royale and
definetely aren't afraid to wear their pyjamas in public but only if they are purple.
They are the Thames Ruby Redz, a division of the Red Hat Society, an organisation developed inthe
US more than 10 years ago for women with one ambition - to have fun.
The concpet was created by American Sue Ellen Cooper in 1998 when she gifted her freind a red hat
and a copy of the famous poem, Warning, by Jenny Joseph which is more famously known as " I shall
wear purple'.
The society has since taken off world wide and there are a significant number of registered chapters
throughout New Zealand.
There are about 30 members in the Thames division, ranging in age from early 30's to late 90's, all of
whom are living by the fun motto of "growing old disgracefully".
The women meet once a month and enjoy a wide range of activities, including trips to the horse races
and hot pools, pyjama parties, plenty of wining and dining, and even the odd session of laughter yoga
- all of which is done in their red hats and purple outfits.
Maureen Mallinson, better known as Queen Izzy among the Ruby Redz, says the organisation is
simply about fun, laughter and a lot of chocolate.
"This is a group that you can belong to and the main focus is having fun. We recognise chocolate as a
main food group and choose to eat our desserts at the start of our meals," she says.
The meetings are co-ordinated by different members of the group, working aon a roster system, and
Mrs Mallinson says almost anything goes. "We are only limited by our imaginations".
Mrs Mallinson recalls a spontaneous pyjama fashion show at a cafe during one meeting where she
believes young minds were 'tainted'. We got three young travellers who were in there (the cafe) to
judge the show, and one of the old dears did a flash of her skimpy nightgown," laughs Mrs Mallinson.
The Ruby Redz operate under an informal hierarchy, with Mrs Mallinson playing the role of Queen,
supported by a Vice Queen (of Vices) Ngaire Potter and a Queen Mother - who is also the creator of
the group and former Queen - Carol Dorrell. However Mrs Mallinson insists she is not in charge, and
jokes that she is simply there to "lead them into bad ways". "I help them (other members) with
meetings, I'm not in charge, but I am the Queen".
There are no official rules in the Red Hat Society.
For more information on the Thames Ruby Redz visit their website at
www.thamesrubyredz.yolasite.com
Last Sunday 22nd May saw 120 Red Hatters from Hamilton, Thames and Auckland attend a
Matinee session of "Crazy ladies", what a hoot, we enjoyed the play, the laughter and the
food, thanks to the Phonix Theatre for allowing us to attend this matinee session, they have
offered next year to put on a special matinee session just for us, watch this space......We are
having an Outrageous Meeting on the 25th June, a mid winter Christmas MID WINTER
CHRISTMAS EXTRAVAGANSA. To be held at the Workingmans Club in Thames meal
catered by Charlie, mid winter Christmas meal starting with a surprise chocolate desert.
Meet at 10.30am part of this meeting is to go shopping at the local Grahamstown Market to
buy a Xmas Gift value $10 and these will be your Secret Santa gift for after lunch.( You can
cheat and purchase something before hand if you want to make your gift more of a mystery.)
the other thing you need to do is hand out a INVITATION for a lady to join THAMES RUBY
REDZ. Cost will be MID WINTER XMAS LUNCH $23 MYSTERY GIFT $10 and you will need
to buy your own drinks.Submitted by RUBY (Thames Ruby Redz Mascot) so she will be the
Red Hatter of the day and our July meeting is to be on Friday 29th July at Miranda Hot
Pools, any one interested in coming please email thamesrubyredz@xtra.co.nz
Have a look at our website for items of interest.
Queen Izzy
Rosetown Red Hatterz Our gathering for the start of May was held with eighteen
sparkling ladies, a new venue called appropriately The Red
Kitchen was deemed a great success. The latter part of April saw several jaunty Red Hatterz
join a fund raising walk around the local lake, much chatter, laughter and a well attended
Sunday morning walk raised funds for a local Cancer Support Group. The Hamilton Ladies
Bring and Buy was an 'eye opener'. What a great way to add purple to your wardrobe at
fantastic prices, some great bargains were to be had, lots of ladies went home very happy
with their purchases.
The Easter Hat Parade caused quite a stir with fifteen purple, red hatted
ladies strolling the main street complete with the most outrageous umbrella,
purple of course, with fabulous red hats printed all over it - what could be
better, plus, the Easter Bunnie in attendance, her cotton tail was well
noted by patrons in the coffee bar. The chocolate eggs were well received
as well.
A spill over from RHS to 'Ladies who Lunch' held celebrations also in April
to celebrate 'The wedding'. Tiaras, crowns, feather boas were compulsory,
even a bridal veil with flowers in the hair was part of the fun enjoyed not
by RHS gals but friends of long standing, the Red Hatters are definitely
making a difference. Who cares if we are grey haired, sometimes confused,
lose our spectacles, forget what day it is, fun, frivolity and laughter are
what it’s all about.
Cheers and Red Hat Hugs.
Queen Barbarosa
Hamilton Red Hat Ladies
May was another busy month for the Hamilton Red Hat Ladies. Our luncheon was held at
Windows on Avalon, the training restaurant at Wintec. Hostesses for the month were Lady
Beryl Shop-a-lot, Lady Fitzroy and Lady Lavender Laughs-a-lot. They had organized a main
and dessert of our choice and coffee for a special price.
Our tables were decorated with favours and a story was passed around with song titles
hidden in it. The person who identified the most titles won a special prize. It is
always such a pleasure to be with the group and to see the reaction of others when 25 +
ladies arrive in their red and purple. On the 21st Queen Joce-a-lina, Ladies Flutterby,
Marion Luvs-Vino, Betty Op Shop, Lena and Lady of the Lake went shopping in Devonport
and then joined Thames Ruby Redz and our other Red Hat sisters at The Rose Centre
Theatre for Crazy Ladies. This truly was an outrageously funny play and a raucous
afternoon of laughter, prizes and Red Hat camaraderie.
Once again we surprised one of our ladies who had recently moved into a new home.
Arriving at 5 pm with drinks and nibbles. This month also saw Lady Lena and Lady of the
Lake sending four more entries into the Great Moose Hunt competition. We have been
notified that we have won a $500 gift voucher and the original nine of us will be
converging on Hallensteins in the near future. More on that later!!
REGAL RAINBOWS
“Lets go Crackers 2011’ update - things are going well and we are all still
talking to each other wow that’s a bonus! We are now about to start the
waiting list. We have almost 350 registered most have paid their deposits and
some full payment, I will be sending out the balances to the wonderful Queens
of those chapters attending and hopefully the Royal Highness will gather them
in so one balance payment from each chapter please. We are almost ready to
set the programme just tweaking final details and will then send out to
everyone attending. We will have a fun filled weekend. We are having a ‘C
Court’ on the 12th June everything must start with a ‘c’ commoners, food,
drinks, craft etc. should be fun and we continue to meet weekly for coffee.
There is a hoot every day of the week , walking, swimming, line dancing, bowls
and anything thing else no rules turn up and take part. We arranged ‘care
packs’ for our Red Petal ChCh Red Hat girlfriends with donations from Regal
Rainbows, Turangi Flappers, Red Hat Ladies Hamilton, Red Hatters Hawkes
Bay, and Red Hot Lavas Rotorua ‘Courts’ and thanks to the Queen Jocelina
from the Red Hat Ladies Hamilton 2 boxes were transported free to
Christchurch. This is really the spirit of Red Hats gives you the warm fuzzies.
Well Ladies today is officially the 1st day of winter keep warm.
Big Red Hat Hugs to all
Q’Anne
Botany
Babes
May Café Get together.
We made a great sight again at Columbus Café, a splash of colour in our purple and red.
We continue to welcome new members every month and all enjoy getting together and
making new friends. As usual, Lady Butterfly’s jokes put a smile on our faces. And Lady
Marygold showed her scarves knitted for the Glassons Christchurch appeal, encouraging
others to join the effort. We have been asked to provide a singing group for a local Rest
Home. Watch this space.
Our movie and lunch outing became a lunch outing only as no movie really caught our
imagination. So 10 of us went to a Thai café. The food was delicious, and our red hats
and purple clothes brought surprised and delighted reactions from patrons and staff
alike.
Two of us Babes went to see the Crazy Ladies at the Rose Centre at Belmont. Another
Red Hat DO organised by Thames Ruby Redz. The theatre looked a picture just full of
Red Hats. Much laughter and a grand afternoon tea
Thank you Queen Izzy.
Then some Babes went to Waiuku’s 10th birthday party and had a great time. After a
wonderful welcome heaps of fun and chuckles, superb food. Winning lots of raffles added
to our fun! Thank you Fuschia Queen Elaine for inviting us. And ten years – wow!
Crimson crazies
The time has come the walrus said to
Talk of many things
Of shoes and bras,Red Hat events
Of sights unseen and Queens
And why a gel gets boilin hot
And whether pigs have wings....
(apologies to Lewis Carroll 1872)
Yup! Its that time again, to talk of all our adventures and doings. I hope many of you are braving the
chill to get out there Red Hatting. Even if it does feel like the end of the world.
Crimson Crazies have had a wunerful May, Tiffining at the mall and Brightening up places with our
outrageous hats and outfits… I feel Like Dame Edna Everidge some days and wonder why so many
people wear black in New Zealand... they just all look like A gazillion Madges out there! Even when I
am not Red Hatting I sometimes pop me Red beret on the top and a bright red scarfAnd me Mary
Janes on me broken feets just to shock the multitudes And yer know what? Heaps of them smile at me
and say 'I love yer Hat' don't know about them but it Makes me feel good
But I am getting orf the subject... This month I got my Crimson Crazies playing snoop! We had a pot
luck dinner at The Duchess's Cosy home and surprise! Surprise! Our Madam Quicksilver had made
me a gorgeous Sixtytoof Birfday cake wif her own gentle hands. It was so pretty it took me a minute of
two to get the courage to cut down thru the fancy icing and into the moist and delicious heart of a
Scrumptious cake... which I might add has added a bazillion kilos to me bum. We then moved to the
Dining room and sampled all the dishes and dessert that the gels had made... Bliss!
After which it was inter the Family room where we played SNOOP! It was 11pm by the time the last
gel was on her way home... This was so enjoyed by all and I would recommend this for a good
Winter outing.
Do you gels carpool to get yerselfs out places when yer not Red Hattin... we does... and yesterday
we went to the mall to get our nails done. Just fer fun I got some nail art done and chose Turquoise
polish. It was the Duchess's day out and Wicked Wendy trotted along wif us to the Bank, the
alteration shoppe and the Bra shoppe... Now if you happen to be a certain vintage and have ample
shop winders, where do you go to buy the perfect Bra? This is a constant problem fer us senior
seniors and we hustled the Duchess inter the sexy bra shop fer yet another
Fitting for a new bra... this I might add happens at least once A month… there is a list of don'ts..
don't like underwires, don't Like deep cleavage, don't like narrow straps, don't like Plain... where is all
the fancy stuff. And don't like bras that cant give yer a perfect 18 year old profile... So I thunked I
would fool the Duchess this time and went to the head Bra honcho at Bras and Things, and said... can
someone here help my marm witgh a bra… she is a serious tennis player.
The Sales lady Came out bristling wif efficiency... 'Who's the tennis player'. Wicked Wendy was
stood next to the Duchess and said not me... and I pointed to dear little 85 years young Marm and
said here she is... swishin me arms about and doin that Grunt yer hear the professionals do.... The
sales gels shot orf and came back wif sports bras and Marm was whisked inter the changin room. Well
I can tell yer sumpin. Marm dosen't like sports bras neither! I said to Marm you have got an American
body and the only place yer can get a proper bra that will get yer the shape of Maddonna Is America...
where they build Hoover Dams and Golden Gate bridges... and bras' that hold Beyonce from
bouncing out and poppin yer eyes out! Wotch this space, I am hopin She will book our tickets...
Look fer fun in the ordinary places and let your inner child Run free! (That is if yer got a good bra and
yer don't pop somebody’s eye out)
Bless yer all
Helen
Queen of the Dames
Crimson Crazies of South Auckland
TARADALE TARTES
This month our two lovely Hostesses, Lady Gretchen de Gateaux and Countess Caramel of
Chocolat arranged our luncheon at Mangapapa Petit Hotel. We were treated to interesting
platters served in the elegant dining room of the Grande ex residence of Sir James Wattie.
We did for a moment think we may have a wonderful surprise ride home, but sadly the helicopter
that landed at the opportune moment was too small, and wasn’t there to transport us after all!
We did take the opportunity of having our photo taken in front of the lovely little flying
machine, but unfortunately the beautiful belles kind of ‘overshadowed’ the helicopter.
The gentleman in the photo is from More FM we believe, and wanted to have a little ‘girl’ time
maybe? Well… ‘old girl time’ anyway.
We just love being in the ‘older’ age category, we definitely have more fun!
X from the Tartés.
P & O CRUISERS
We are nearly six months into 2011, where does the time go. Heard this morning that May
has been the warmest May on record since records started. We normally have lit our fire by
the end of April but only did so last weekend. Let’s hope that we are not in for a really cold
winter, but it does look like we might get a lot or rain.
Lunch the last two months was held at Rever's restaurant and bar in Pukekohe. The
meals are lovely and of course the company of our ladies make for a most enjoyable few
hours.
Some of our ladies knitted scarf’s for Glasson's and we handed them into the Manukau
store at the end of last month and we were each given a nice certificate for our efforts.
The Waiuku Red Hatters invited us to join in their 10th Birthday celebrations. What a
lovely time we all had, and some of us also won raffles. Congratulations Elaine.
We have done our Motel bookings for Taupo's "Lets go Crackers" weekend, so we are all
ready to go down there for a lovely weekend.
Queen Witchy Poo Ann
Whanga Red Hedz
Saturday 28th May eighteen of us, including two from the Scarlet Sea Sisters, ventured out
for a day at Waihi Beach.
We started off at the Whangamata Club in Four Cars to Flat White Cafe on the Beach Front
at Waihi Beach for a yummy morning tea and caused quite a stir amongst the patrons
there. This was followed by a morning doing the wonderful beach shops (so many clothing
stores) where some of us made heaps of purchases, not mentioning any names (Princess
Viking Vixen, Madam Patience). Picked up a visitor from Cambridge who joined us for a
scrumptious lunch at the Waihi Beach RSA. We hope Pip will be joining with us again.
Inducted two of our newest recruits, Princess Viking Vixen and Dame Good. Had a pencil
and paper quiz on streets in Whangamata which was won hands down by Countess Cuddles
of Cuddledom. Two car loads stopped off in Waihi Town for Coffee and Muffins and
then back home to Whanga. A very pleasant day.
Queen Crowning Around Joobs
Whanga Red Hedz
Waiuku Red Hatters
Waiuku Red Hatters reached a milestone in the month of May, our 10th birthday, which
was celebrated in style at the Waiuku Cosmopolitan Club.
The foyer was filled with red and purple helium filled balloons, the tables were decorated
and of course, the amazing sight of red and purple clad and hatted ladies, a mass of style
and fashion. Groups travelled from near and far to join in the festivities, and the
Coronation ceremony, with the Queen being crowned with a magnificent crown made by
some of the members. There were several birthdays of the month, including June's
on that very day.
A mystery object, caused a lot of interest, trying to identify what it was or used for. A
sing-a-long, cutting of the cake, and drawing of the raffle, the lucky door prize won by
Elizabeth of the Cherry Ripes from Tuakau, having a fabulous meal, time with very dear
sister friends, made for a memorable day. Queen Elaine
“Lets go Crackers 2011’
update - things are going well
and we are all still talking to
each other wow that’s a bonus! We are now about to start the waiting list. We
have almost 350 registered most have paid their deposits and some full
payment, I will be sending out the balances to the wonderful Queens of those
chapters attending and hopefully the Royal Highness will gather them in so
one balance payment from each chapter please. We are almost ready to set the
programme just tweaking final details and will then send out to everyone
attending. We will have a fun filled weekend. We are having a ‘C Court’ on the
12th June everything must start with a ‘c’ commoners, food, drinks, craft etc.
should be fun and we continue to meet weekly for coffee.
There is a hoot every day of the week , walking, swimming, line dancing, bowls
and anything thing else no rules turn up and take part. We arranged ‘care
packs’ for our Red Petal ChCh Red Hat girlfriends with donations from Regal
Rainbows, Turangi Flappers, Red Hat Ladies Hamilton, Red Hatters Hawkes
Bay, and Red Hot Lavas Rotorua ‘Courts’ and thanks to the Queen Jocelina
from the Red Hat Ladies Hamilton 2 boxes were transported free to
Christchurch. This is really the spirit of Red Hats gives you the warm fuzzies.
Well Ladies today is officially the 1st day of winter keep warm.
Big Red Hat Hugs to all
Q’Anne
What a wonderful missive of outings, fun, activities, fun, camaraderie, fun, altogether red
hatting with attitude. Thank you to all the scribes. And as the wind is whistling outside, with
promise of rain to come, a good time to settle down for a great read.
I found this in an obscure corner of a magazine…
Versions of Happiness
Scientists believe: The secret of happiness is looking back on the past through rose-tinted
glasses.
Well, maybe… How about this quote from Iris Murdoch, author and philosopher
Happiness is a matter of one’s most ordinary and everyday mode of consciousness being
busy and lively and unconcerned with self. ..
Confused?
Define Happiness.
Now totally confused!
? Could start with Red Hatting….
Signing off til next time,
Country bird, aka Barbara