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.