Red Hatters Celebrate RHS 18th Birthday in Las Cruces, New Mexico

Saturday, April 23, 2016

Two carloads of New Mexico Roadrunner Chapter of the Red Hat Society members took a road trip to Las Cruces to The Hilltop Inn to take part in the 18th birthday celebration of the Red Hat Society hosted by the G.A.L.S. Chapter in Las Cruces, New Mexico.

Their was plenty of shopping (the official sport of the Red Hat Society) to be had at what I would call the resale and re-purpose shop set up at one end of the room. There were hats and clothes, many arts and crafts items as well as official Red Hat memorabilia. Several of the girls found hats they couldn't live without as well as other items.

We were given cards to get initialed by other Red Hatters until we had all the squares initialed which were then turned in for a drawing for a prize. The cards had different items on the squares and one had to search out (for instance) someone who had ridden an elephant, someone who had been to London, or a person who was an artist, etc. It is quite a FUN way to become acquainted with sister Red Hatters. Vice Queen Donna Williams of the New Mexico Roadrunner Chapter was the lucky winner of this game.

There were many door prizes with a number of these being won by our girls so we came home with some swag as well as our purchases at the shopping end of the room.

We had a lovely luncheon and were entertained by a gentleman who sang like Sinatra, Dean Martin, Bobby Darin and such and he was quite good at taking us down memory lane in song.

We sang Happy Birthday to the Red Hat Society and had cupcakes topped off with large jeweled rings.

It was a truly FUN event and the Red Hatters of Las Cruces really worked hard to make it a terrific day for all of us.

This lovely Red Hatter is a personal friend of one of our members, Carmen Veenpere

Jan Jennings sporting her newly purchased hat

Our entertainer who was Sinatra, Martin and Darin all wrapped up in one

Jan and Carmen Veenpere

VQ Donna Williams with her prize

Left is Nancy Rivera who spearheaded this event talking to one of her assistants

VQ Donna shot this picture of Carla aka Queen Ladybird

Gail Swineford sporting her beautiful bird hat fascinator created by member Trudy Reese

Trudy, looking very regal

Left is Jean Averett, Queen of the Desert Darlings Chapter with one of her members 

Queen Ladybird (aka Carla Kerr) of the New Mexico Roadrunner Chapter

Everyone had such a grand time and it is just beyond amazing how the Red Hat Society has grown in these 18 years. It is truly a network of sisters around the world communicating and taking care of each other in the most positive way possible. Happy Birthday Red Hat Society and thanks for all you do to make our lives more meaningful.

Thanks to Doug (my darling) for taking the above photo of me because I'm usually behind the camera.

This is all I have to say for now.

Red Hatters of Alamogordo Explore Carrizozo, New Mexico

Saturday, April 9, 2016

Members of the New Mexico Roadrunner Chapter of the Red Hat Society took a road trip to Carrizozo, New Mexico to explore this small town. The town had many unexpected surprises. Carrizzo is known as the town of burros and indeed, sculpted and painted burros of every description are scattered at various locations and in their art galleries as well. The program is known as The Burro Serenade.

On the way to Carrizozo we stopped at Three Rivers Petroglyphs and indulged in a wee bit of shopping, the Red Hat Society's official sport.

Our first stop in Carrizozo was the Emporium where we were hosted by a dear man who filled us in on various must see places in town and the best place to dine for a large group such as ours. The Emporium is stocked with amazing items from the 1800's up to the present time. Again, purchases were made before we moved on to the lovely Malkerson's 408 Gallery where there were a number of painted burros. I purchased a lovely piece of Raku depicting petroglyphs duplicated from Three Rivers, created and titled by noted Taos, New Mexico artist Hollis Hansen, "The Gang's All Here".

The girls were getting hungry so we drove to the now defunct golf course to a beautiful new restaurant and gift shop called The Rustic Antler. It is owned by a charming family and they've been open for business since October of last year. The service and food were excellent and we had a grand time there. I highly recommend that you visit them for an excellent dining experience. While there, we sang and kazoo'd Happy Birthday to Lu Mattson and Gale Swineford. The owner brought out a bouquet of purple balloons to celebrate the occasion.

A lady, JoAnn Butler was having a meeting at another table with two gentlemen and when her meeting was over she asked questions about the Red Hat Society and expressed an interest in starting a chapter in Carrizozo which I plan to follow up on and help her get started.

We drove back downtown and went into the Photography Studio which was exhibiting the award winning photos from the latest New Mexico Magazine among many others. They also had a burro in their front window with an antique motion picture camera.

One last stop was made at a coppersmith shop and he was quite friendly and informative. It seems that the movie starring Denzel Washington, "The Book of Eli" was filmed right there in Carrizozo on 12th Street.

We all agreed that our road trip to Carrizozo was well worth our time and we still didn't see everything.

Indian Joe making a play for Trudy Reese at Three Rivers Petroglyphs Shop

Jan Jennings paying for a beautiful pendant she treated herself to

Lu Mattson, one of our birthday girls

Gail Swineford (our other birthday girl) amused at something

The pendant that Jan purchased

Jan enamoured with Indian Joe

A vinyard burro inside the Malkerson's 408 Gallery

This burro appears to have a middle-eastern decor

The artist just went wild with color on this burro

L to R: Trudy, VQ Donna Williams, Margie Purcella and Alice Johnston-Evan taking a rest break

A close-up of VQ Donna, Margie and Alice with a brightly painted burro

Carla purchased this lovely Petroglyph wall-hanging done in the Raku medium by noted Taos, NM artist Hollis Hansen

L to R: Lu, Trudy, Gail and Margie at The Rustic Antler

L to R: Alice, Jan and VQ Donna

Margie and Alice sharing this scrumptious looking (HUGE) banana split

The movie maker burro at the Photography Studio

There is no doubt that we need to return to Carrizozo sometime in the near future because what we've explored will have changed and there was still much more to see.

Thanks to Doug Kerr for taking my picture before I left for Carrizozo. I always seem to be behind the camera.

This is all I have to say for now.

Addendum: Lu Mattson was busy with her camera that day and I wanted you to see what she captured.

Indian Joe with Alice Johnston-Evan

Indian Joe with Gail Swineford

Indian Joe with Lu Mattson

The ever popular Indian Joe with Queen Ladybird aka Carla Kerr

Indian Joe with Margie Purcella

Indian Joe with VQ Donna Williams

Indian Joe with Jan Jennings

Indian Joe with Trudy Reese

Thanks to Lu Mattson for taking these FUN pictures and to Indian Joe for posing so patiently with us.

This really is all I have to say!

Mayor Richard Boss Declares April 8, 2016 Stephen DuBois Day in Alamogordo, New Mexico

April 8, 2016

Many citizens gathered to honor Stephen "Doc" DuBois on his 95th birthday, April 8, 2016 at the Alamogordo City Hall where Mayor Richard Boss read a proclamation officially declaring this day to be Alamogordo Stephen DuBois Day.

"Doc" as he is affectionately known by all is a Pearl Harbor survivor as well as a veteran of several conflicts in the military. He lives with his daughter, Stephanie DuBois, in Tularosa, New Mexico where they maintain a dog grooming business, are on the Board of Directors of the Red Brick School House project, and are dedicated Democrats, attending many if not most of the Democratic Party of Otero County meetings in Alamogordo. He has been a member of the State Central Committee for the State of New Mexico's Democratic Party for years. Doc has also volunteered his time, talents and expertise to the Health Clinic in Tularosa, the Planning and Zoning Committee for both Otero County and Tularosa and was instrumental in bringing the VA Clinic to the community. He is a lifetime member of the VFW and the Marine Corps League.

Military Color Guard

Honoree Stephen "Doc" DuBois

Gloria and Tony Marie

Doc DuBois being greeted by one of his many friends with Nadia Sikes standing by

Mayor Boss reading the official proclamation

Mayor Boss presenting the proclamation to Doc DuBois

Warren G. Booker, Commander VFW Post 7686, Alamogordo, New Mexico

Doc showing his proclamation

Carla Kerr congratulating Doc on his honor

A representative from Holloman AFB congratulates Doc

Doc, surrounded by members of the Marine Corps League

Tara Melton, Reporter and Photographer for The Alamogordo Daily News

L to R: Commander Booker,  Stephen "Doc" DuBois and his daughter, Stephanie DuBois

Doc with Nadia and Stephanie

Carla Kerr, Doc DuBois and Stephanie DuBois

Doc DuBois, Stephanie and another well-wisher from the Marine Corps League

Stephen DuBois Day was a grand affair and he seemed to thoroughly enjoy the whole event. Mayor Boss said he thought the entire country should honor him and we certainly concur.

Thanks to Douglas A. Kerr, Photography for the fine pictures.

This is all I have to say for now.