NM Roadrunner Chapter Celebrates First Anniversary

Saturday, March 23, 2013

The New Mexico Roadrunner Chapter of the Red Hat Society celebrated their first anniversary with a luncheon and Games Day in the home of member Rosa Rico Fernandez aka Lady Rosamar with eight members attending.

We played a new game called "Whats Yours Like?" and it wasn't easy by any means to guess the answer even with all the clues given. However, we had a great time joining in the conversation and visiting as well. Vice Queen Penny (also Duchess of High Rolls) and newer member, Debra, tied for the win.

Afterwards, a pot luck luncheon was enjoyed and Carla aka Queen Ladybird brought a cake for dessert especially to celebrate the first anniversary of the founding of our chapter. We also celebrated the Red Hat Society's 15th Anniversary with our decorated fifteens telling the story of the Red Hat Society.

Debra, We need to dub you with a royal name

Penny aka Duchess of High Rolls preparing to slice fresh baked bread

Darla and Debra filling their plates

Margie aka Countess of Karr Canyon and Jean aka Marquessa Corte Alegre ready to dine

The "Duchess" determined to get that delicious bread sliced

Queen Ladybird made this angel food/pineapple cake from a recipe found on Facebook for dessert

Lady Rosamar, our birthday girl this month, cuts the cake for all

Front Row L to R: Jean, VQ Penny, Esperanza and Rosa. Back Row L to R: Debra, Darla and Margie all proudly holding our decorated "15's" celebrating the Red Hat Society's 15th Anniversary

Front Row L to R: Jean, VQ Penny, Esperanza and Queen Ladybird. Back Row L to R: Debra, Darla and Margie. We had to take two pictures to get everyone in the photos.

Carla behind the camera except for the last shot taken by our hostess, Rosa.

This is all I have to say for now.

Critter Report, Red Hat Road Trip, Senior Prom

March 3, 2013

Doug and I went on one of our longer walks up the mountain on Thunder Road and back down turning left into an alley along the desert area. As we walked along, I heard an unusual bird call and we finally spotted this beautiful blue and white colored bird. Doug was able to get a good shot of it. When we got home, he went on-line to find out its identity. Difficult to determine so he also posted the photo on his on-line photography forum and we were advised it was a Western Scrub Jay. However, we've since discovered it is one of the sub species of the Western Scrub Jay named Nevada Scrub Jay.

Nevada Scrub Jay

March 9, 2013

Members of New Mexico Roadrunner Chapter of the Red Hat Society went on a "Road Trip" visiting pistachio farms, gift shops, wineries and even one antique store, all on Highway 70 headed north. We had a great time shopping, browsing, wine tasting and purchasing. We shopped at Charmar's Cupboard, an antique store well worth browsing through. I bought a lovely cup and saucer set. Then it was on to Eagle Ranch Pistachio Farm and Gift Shop where we all found items we couldn't live without. From there we drove to McGinn's Pistachio Tree Ranch and Country Store where I finally realized I hadn't taken my camera out of my purse so we took several pictures while there. Two hours of this about wore us out so we drove further north to Tularosa for lunch at Casa de Sueños, a favorite Mexican food restaurant in this area. We also celebrated Rosa's birthday serenading her with our kazoos.

L to R: Jean, talking Cowpoke and Donna at McGinn's Pistachio Tree Ranch and Country Store

Vice Queen Penny, Cowpoke and Margie

Queen Ladybird Carla, Cowpoke and Margie

Rosa and Donna at Casa de Sueños

One of our newest members, Debra

Margie and Debra

Penny and Margie

L to R: Rosa, Donna and Jean

Our birthday girl, Rosa, with her complimentary flan from restaurant

L to R: Penny, Margie, Debra, Carla, Rosa, Donna and Jean

March 12, 2013

The First National Bank in Alamogordo, for the last 26 years, sponsors what they call the "Senior Prom" in appreciation of all the senior citizens in the area. This was our first time to attend so Doug and I dressed formally for the occasion not knowing that it had a 50's theme this year. There was plenty of good food, a great band and many fun people to interact with. The girls with the beverage carts gave better service than the airlines ever thought of. Everything was free and it was a first class event in every way including the great door prizes. Thanks a million to the First National Bank and their employees for making such a special night for us seniors! I believe it's safe to say that a good time was had by all.

Doug enjoys taking pictures before we leave for the event so here am I!

Carla in prom regalia

Doug and Carla ready for the prom

Master of Ceremonies

View of the event inside the Willie Estrada Civic Center

Another random shot

Two of the charming bank employees

Carla at table

Good friend, Jean, looking lovely as ever

L to R: Jean, Carla and Bunny

Good friend and line dancing cohort, Mildred

Another "Jean" and she is our line dancing instructor at the Senior Center

Not that Doug is prejudiced or anything, but here am I once again

This is a father/son duo and they are terrific musicians

Some of us tried out our new line dancing skills

Bank employees seemed to have a delightful time too

Another round of line dancing

Thanks to Doug for the great photos.

This is all I have to say for now.

NM Roadrunner Chapter of RHS in Ruidoso, President's Day Dinner

February 23, 2013

Whew! February has been one busy month for our household and I struggle to keep up-to-date on this blog.

This past Saturday, two of my chapterettes and I drove to Ruidoso, NM to shop and then dine at Inn of the Mountain Gods Casino and Buffet. Our first stop was the Thrift Shop connected to the medical center. We had a devil of a time finding it and actually drove right past it before we got a doctor to come out of his office and direct us. Anyway, it is a lovely shop and they were happy to see us and we each found items we couldn't live without.

Our next stop was Coyote Howling Shop for a Cause and they definitely stock lovely merchandise. We bought several Red Hat items and I bought the "Alphabet Dice Game" for us to play at our next Games Day get together.

From here, we went by Rosemary's Herb Shop to get my supply of Yucca Root which contributes mightily to keeping arthritis pain down. However, they didn't have it ready so we opted to go dine and return.

Inn of the Mountain Gods in on the Mescalero Indian Reservation and is well appointed. Everyone was happy to see Red Hatters in their midst and we were warmly welcomed. A variety of food is offered on their buffet and we enjoyed our lunch. After which, we traveled back down the mountain to Ruidoso to pick up my Yucca Root. It was a good day with Darla Shelly and our "snowbird member from Colorado" Donna Williams. We have a membership of 16, but too much illness and other life events got in the way. But you know, "wherever two or three Red Hatters gather" there is fun to be had!

Carla aka Queen Ladybird

Doug took these shots of me since I would be behind the camera otherwise. Love my belt buckle I found at a vendor in Las Cruces, NM at the FUNvention

Darla, "Chiricahua Beauty" by Gordon Torres, and Donna

Darla, sculpture, Carla and Donna. We prevailed upon a passerby to take this shot.

February 25, 2013

We attended the President's Day Democratic Party of Otero County (DPOC) fund raising dinner at Stella Vita Restaurant on New York Avenue in Alamogordo, New Mexico on Monday evening, February 25, 2013.

There was a great attendance and we were treated to a reading of a Harry Truman essay by Dr. Suzanne Schmidt. It was quite appropriate and well presented. Guest speaker was New Mexico State Auditor Hector Balderas who kept our attention with his interesting remarks. DPOC Chair Nadia Sikes ably emceed the event and made the introductions.

Stella Vita is the perfect place for any function, especially if you like to eat delicious food. I rate the food five stars and the acoustics, well, never mind. It was a fun evening and we raised some serious money for our group.

Carla, ready for the evening to begin

"Baby, it's cold outside"

Mayor Susie Galea with Clif McDonald at meet and greet before dinner

Carla greeting Mayor Galea

A very happy Treasurer, Judy Pingel

Background musicians played well for this event

Group intently listening to speaker

Crowd view

Another random shot

Barbara and Clif McDonald

Another crowd view

And yet another just to give you the feel of what a great attendance we had

We were entertained by Richard DeLorca singing in Italian

L to R: Steve Haydu, Karen Hutchison, Joel and Diana Hamilton

Dr. Suzanne Schmidt reading Harry Truman essay

Former Alamogordo Mayor Steve Brockett

Speaker, New Mexico State Auditor Hector Balderas

Hector making another point

Janessa Maxilom, Hollogram Editor/Staff Writer Alamogordo Daily News

Carla with Hector Balderas

Nadia saying goodnight to Carla after a very successful evening

One last group shot

It was indeed a successful event and everyone involved in the planning and presentation should pat themselves on the back for a job well done. Hope this is the beginning of an annual affair.

Thanks, Doug, for all the great photos.

This is all I have to say for now.