Queen's Birthday Party at Lodge in Cloudcroft, New Mexico

Saturday, August 10, 2019

Members of the New Mexico Roadrunner Chapter of the Red Hat Society feted their Queen Ladybird aka Carla Kerr at a luncheon and birthday party at the Lodge in Cloudcroft, New Mexico. There were also two guests in attendance, Jan Bond and visiting from Texas, Ann Smith.

I have been telling everyone that I am celebrating my 18th birthday because I've decided to reverse the numbers. Besides, I don't feel a day over 18, well, some days anyway.

They began the festivities with everyone standing to curtsy to the Queen and to play "Happy Birthday" on their Kazoos. We had a delicious lunch and much laughter and visiting as always.

Then, it was time for the Queen to open gifts which she really wasn't anticipating. One gift in particular was a bound book of photographs titled "Red Hat Fun" and underneath "New Mexico Roadrunner Chapter" with a photo on the front of several of us including Donna Williams who was my Vice Queen who is now a Red Hat Angel.

There is also a photo on the back of the book depicting the cast in a play I wrote titled "The Colors of Living Life" about an imaginary Red Hat Chapter. They were joined in the photo by actual Red Hatters who were in attendance at the Rohovec Theatre located on the New Mexico State University-Alamogordo campus where the play was performed. There are just so many memories in this lovely book to cherish! It was created by member Trudy Reese especially for my birthday.

Queen Ladybird in her birthday regalia (we reverse our colors on our birthday month)

From the back on the right: Florence Dean, her friend and guest, Ann Smith, Jean Courtier, Margie Purcella and Rosanna Heath

Rosanna and Vice Queen Alice Evans

L to R on the right: Gail Swineford, Karen Townsend, Dorothy Edwards, Kimberly Gugliotta, guest Jan Bond and Nadia Sikes  Note: Jan Bond is about to become our newest chapter member Red Hatter! Whoopee!

L to R: Carmen Veenpere, Trudy Reese and Gail (our Royal Scribble)

Our wonderful waitress, Kim, was kind enough to take this shot of the whole table

When I got home, I arranged everything on my dining room table and took a shot of all of my lovely gifts plus I received bouquets of flowers from my children.

What a haul!! I am so grateful to everyone for making this such a fabulous Birthday!

Thanks to Doug for taking my close up before I left for the party and thanks to Kim for the shot of the whole party.

I like to celebrate all month so if anyone has any great ideas just call me and we'll get it going! Hugs

This is all I have to say for now.

The Lodge Resort and Murder Ink Presents "Game of Stones" Murder Mystery Weekend

February 22-24, 2019

Members of the Murder Ink acting troupe entertained about 200 attendees at the Lodge Resort and Spa in Cloudcroft, New Mexico over the weekend of February 22-24, 2019 presenting "Game of Stones" Murder Mystery. Murder Mystery attendees are avid fans of this type of entertainment and come with their lap tops and cellphones, ready to discover who the murderer(s) are to win lovely prizes.

The Lodge is a fabulous venue for this type of entertainment and it was completely sold out for this event.

"Game of Stones" character story lines was written by Jan Wafful who also directed and had an acting role in this production. Member actors in Murder Ink mostly provided their own 1600's costumes by either creating them or ordering them from costume houses. They did a phenomenal job of this, looking quite realistic in their roles.

It snowed all Friday night and some of the cast stayed at the hotel rather than trying to drive down the mountain

L to R: Ned Onyx Coal aka Joaquin Silva, Sirsi Garnet Landstar aka Andrea Garcia and Stark Emerald Eddard aka JD Hilliard

L to R: Sir Jorey Peridot Montmoor aka Gabe Mauger, Joaquin, Andrea, Ron Turquoise Jarryn aka Bob Berger and JD

Andrea with Sir McCain Topaz Landstar aka Tony Calderon

Galenerys Toronadoborn Tanzanyte aka Mary Cobb

Sensa Moonstone Eddard aka Heather Evans

Petra Jade (Big Finger) Wailish aka Jan Wafful

Whoa-sha Sapphire aka Mary Cobb

L to R: Mary, Heather, Sheespyder Beryl aka Carla Kerr, JD, Andrea, Mary, Joaquin, Gabe, Jan and Tony

Jan presiding at the Sunday morning breakfast Reveal

Andrea, giving her bio

JD giving his bio

Mary giving her bio and holding her daughter, one year old Lilyah

The third place winner in solving the murders was Mary Fitzgerald of Las Cruces, NM

The second place winner in solving the murders was Kay Cepracek of Las Cruces, NM

The absolutely thrilled first place winner in solving the murders was Myles Winter of Corrales, NM with Jan in background

Back Row L to R: Lilyah and Mary, Booby Prize Winner John Young, Heather, Carla, Jan and Mary  Front Row L to R: Andrea, third prize winner Mary Fitzgerald, second prize winner Kay Cepracek and first prize winner Myles Winter

Carla in Friday night costume

Carla in cape on Friday night

This was so much fun and a fabulously professional cast that added to the success of the event. There were many compliments and good remarks made from the attendees on Sunday after breakfast. Murder Ink is looking forward to doing another one soon. Stay tuned.

This is all I have to say for now.