Red Hatters Attend an Eclectic Tea

Saturday, January 28, 2017

Members of the New Mexico Roadrunner Chapter of the Red Hat Society in Alamogordo, New Mexico attended an eclectic tea hosted by Queen Ladybird aka Carla Kerr and Marquesa Corte Alegre aka Jean Courtier in the Queen's home.

Fourteen were in attendance and two tables were beautifully appointed with the Queen's antique collection of teacups, crystal plates and gold cutlery, red tablecloths with purple or red napkins. Teapots were covered with various tea cozies keeping the water hot.

Offered were an assortment of teas, scones, cookies, finger sandwiches, along with Devonshire Cream and various jams, jellies and lemon curd for the scones. A beautiful red velvet cake decorated in the Victorian style with purple icing with roses and red icing lace was also enjoyed.

Queen Ladybird gave a short talk on the history of the Kazoo as it was also National Kazoo Day and the ladies played "Happy Birthday" to the Kazoo on their Kazoos.

There was also surprise salon entertainment in which Queen Ladybird changed into costume to sing a cute song from "Oklahoma" titled "I'm Jist a Girl Who Cain't Say No". She also stated that this musical opened the first time on Broadway on March 31, 1941 with Celeste Holm singing this particular song.

Attendee Darla Shelley won the door prize, a lovely Red Hat cup showing "Share the Love" and each Red Hatter had a new button at their place setting showing a Red Hat and "Share the Love" on them. There seems to be so much negativity in the world these days, we thought we would accentuate the positive!

One table setting

Second table setting (chairs were on the way)

The assortment of scones and a plate of pecan sandies

Red Velvet Victorian Cake made by Albertson's in Alamogordo

Queen Ladybird aka Carla in her tea hat

Vice Queen Donna Williams being welcomed by hostess Jean Courtier

Alice Evans and Flo Dean visiting in our bedroom

Bobbie Tanner and Margie Purcella (still in the bedroom) visiting

Queen Ladybird in conversation with Darla Shelley

L to R: Lu Mattson, Gail Swineford, Carla, Darla, Bobbie and Margie

L to R: Lu, Gail, Rosanna Heath, Carla and Margie visiting while waiting for everyone to arrive

Carla speaking with VQ Donna behind her. She is tickled about something as she speaks about the Kazoo

L to R: Rosanna, Carla, Donna and Darla

Alice Johnston-Evans

Carla, standing, finishing up the history of the Kazoo

Playing "Happy Birthday" to the Kazoo on our Kazoos

The other half of the attendees playing "Happy Birthday" to the Kazoo on their Kazoos L to R: Flo, Jan Jennings, Jean, Trudy Reese, Darla and VQ Donna

Enjoying the tea and visiting

On the left are Alice and Carmen Veenpere visiting and enjoying the scones and tea

Isn't this a lovely looking group of Red Hatters!

Alice doing a lovely job of pouring

Carla finally got to sit down at her table and enjoy tea and scones

Co-hostess Jean (standing) making sure everyone has what they need

Flo is apparently trying to share some of her Red Velvet cake with Jan

Carla is in costume to sing the song from Oklahoma and all are apparently still discussing the Kazoos

Margie and Alice just looked too cute not to photograph

Sitting L to R: Carmen, Trudy, Donna, Flo, Alice, Margie and Carla. Standing L to R: Darla, Gail, Jean, Rosanna, Lu, Bobbie and Jan

Alice graciously volunteered to photograph Carla and Doug. Doug is the photographer of merit on these pictures and he is deeply appreciated by all, especially Carla

VQ Donna is busy telling Carmen and Trudy all about her plans for her 85th Birthday Party to which all of the Red Hatters are invited

Carla with Bobbie, the newest member of the New Mexico Roadrunner Chapter

It was such a FUN day and everyone seemed to enjoy themselves so much. Carla made it to the couch and spent the rest of the afternoon and evening mostly sleeping and Sunday was another mostly lazy day. These teas can take a lot out of older gals and Jean was in the same mode when she got home. But, it was definitely worth the efforts and we #ChooseFun!

Again, thank you to Douglas A. Kerr, Photographer for the great pictures.

This is all I have to say for now.

Alamogordo Relay for Life Survivor Luncheon

Saturday, October 3, 2015

The American Cancer Society Relay for Life Event included a Survivor Luncheon at Alamogordo High School Cafeteria. As a 54 year survivor, this is the third year Carla has taken part in this event. Albertson's sponsored the luncheon providing volunteers, food and beverage. A young group of students from Chaparral Middle School in Alamogordo were volunteer servers and delivered beverages and food to each table.

Entertainment was provided by the Diamond Hearts Dancers. Sue Baker, chair of the Cancer Resource Center and emcee of the event presided over the luncheon. Several "Marvel" characters were seen walking around the area including a gentleman in real metal armor who turned out to be the latest person in attendance to be diagnosed with cancer. Heroes and Sheroes were the theme of the luncheon.

Survivors all walked over to the track for the opening ceremonies of Relay for Life and to take the Survivor's Lap around the track. Those unable to walk were pushed in wheel chairs. During the opening ceremonies, Cancer Resource Center volunteer and survivor, Jerry Peschka, was given the Relay Hero Award trophy for his volunteerism and resilience as a survivor.

Diamond Hearts Dancers

Diamond Hearts Dancers

Chaparral student servers. Don't they look precious!

Learning the steps

Hero, receiving a gift basket from Berene Spivey as Sue Baker looks over her agenda. He is the latest to be diagnosed with cancer.

Sue Baker presents a gift to the youngest survivor

Sue Baker being honored as the founder of the Relay for Life Event in Alamogordo, New Mexico

This was a very successful fund raiser due to the tireless efforts of Sue and her staff, team captains and members and the generosity of local merchants.

This is all I have to say for now.