RHS New Mexico Roadrunner Chapter Christmas Luncheon

Saturday, December 20, 2014

The Red Hat Society New Mexico Roadrunner Chapter held their annual Christmas Luncheon at Memories Restaurant in Alamogordo on Saturday, December 20, 2014. The long table looked very festive with decorations of snowmen and Red Hat snowladies as the centerpiece.

After much visiting and getting acquainted with new member Karen Townsend, they played a Christmas Trivia game of twenty questions with multiple choices. Donna Williams won with thirteen correct and received a prize for her efforts.

Jean Courtier (not in attendance as she was visiting family in Florida) and Donna Williams, both of whom very much enjoy crafting, provided gifts to each attendee. Each Red Hatter went home with a bag of goodies from Queen Ladybird (Carla).

The food was delicious and the ambiance perfect. Memories has a Victorian decor and is just a lovely place for anyone to dine. The service was excellent as well.

Queen Ladybird (Carla) just before leaving for the luncheon

 

Vice Queen Penny looking quite festive in her red Santa hat

L to R: VQ Penny, Karen and Darla ready for FUN

L to R: Alice, Margie and Lu looking lovely as always

L to R: Donna (our snowbird), VQ Penny, Karen and Darla

Front Row L to R: Donna, VQ Penny and Karen. Back Row L to R: Alice, Margie, Lu, Queen Carla and Darla. Our cute waitress was kind enough to take this picture which is now my wallpaper on my face book page.

Our next event will be a potluck luncheon/game day at Rosa's home and we always have a great time at these outings. Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year to everyone!

Photos courtesy of several people including Douglas A. Kerr, Photography, so thanks everyone.

This is all I have to say now.

Cancer Resource Center Alamogordo, New Mexico, Volunteers' Christmas Party

Wednesday, December 10, 2014

Sue Baker, Chair of the Cancer Resource Center (CRC), hosted a Christmas Party for all the volunteers at Peppers Grill at 3200 N. White Sands Boulevard in Alamogordo . The CRC is totally staffed by volunteers and they do a wonderful job of relating to cancer survivors and their needs. The CRC has a library room and provides literature on just about every form of cancer or know where the person can get it, if not. They also provide breast forms and bras; hats, scarves, wigs, pillows and blankets for those going through chemotherapy, and mentoring for those who request it. Also provided is "Look Good Feel Better" whereby a cosmetologist gives the survivor a make-over including a complete make-up set. This is all done free of charge through the sponsorship of Gerald Champion Regional  Medical Center and the American Cancer Society.

Not everyone who volunteers has had cancer, but they feel called to help. If you are reading this and are looking for a place to give back or pay it forward, you can help them out by volunteering as little as three hours a week of your time at the Center located at 1212 E. 9th Street, Suite E, Alamogordo, New Mexico, 575-443-7485. They are open various mornings and afternoons so leave a message if you don't get a live person.

The Christmas party was a huge success and, as you will see by the pictures, lots of fun.

L to R: Carla conversing with Carmen and Berene

Carmen and Berene with Mike and Kathleen in background

A shot of a portion of the crowd

A shot of the other side of the room with Carmen, Berene and Judy in the foreground

After we finished dining, Sue passed out a game which listed  20 multiple-choice questions about Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer. Carla and Berene tied with 15 correct and each received a hot mitt containing a package of sugar cookie ingredients. Sue then had each person pull a number from a basket and we played Chinese Auction. Those that wished to participate were asked to bring a wrapped or bagged White Elephant Gift. Once a gift is chosen, it can be stolen twice and then belongs to that third person.

Carla pulled number one and unwrapped a box of snack goodies

The bag also contained this hanging monkey and some yellow rubber duckies

Next up was Alexi who unwrapped a food chopper which was stolen by Judy

Berene unwrapped a three tier bowl set

Doug unwrapped a lovely tea pot--he is behind the camera

Teri got Starbucks Coffee and mugs

Jean is being very sneaky unwrapping her choice

Jean did well getting a cheeseball bowl and knife

Ruth really hit the jackpot with a filled candy jar sporting a Santa lid

Betty said, "I know this candle cost more than 10 bucks!" To which, someone else replied, "Not if it was a gift to begin with."

Kathleen stole the candle from Betty and Betty got a bottle of New Mexico's finest wine which was then stolen by Michael

Jerry lucked in and got a whole yard of chocolate

Eloise is nervous about opening the box as she shows it to Sue, but it turns out to be a traveling hair set

Jennifer peeks in the bag while Sue watches. It turns out to contain a mug and a santa

Joy slowly unwraps a lovely fountain, but she didn't keep it long as it was stolen by Larry. Joy wound up with a beautiful jigsaw puzzle picture in a frame.

Betty finally winds up with a "Body Warmer"

Aubrey's little son, Lucas, holds up a Christmas Caroling Set

Delman got a book "1000 Places to See Before You Die"

Our Fearless Leader Sue got a Wallet Ninja

Alexi wound up with an animated chicken that plays music and does the "Chicken Dance"

Everyone had a great time visiting and the food was delicious. Thanks to Sue for all her efforts in making this come together. Volunteers all work different hours so it's difficult to get to know everyone and this was a perfect way to become better acquainted.

Thanks to Douglas A. Kerr, Photography for taking all the pictures. We lost track of the stealing that was going on so some were not photographed and we do apologize. Betty, you can not complain! lol

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

This is all I have to say for now.

"Smoke on the Mountain" has six day run in Alamogordo, New Mexico

Sunday, November 30, 2014

My husband, Doug, and I were involved in the NMSU-A Theater on the Hill production of "Smoke on the Mountain", a musical comedy set in 1938 in a Baptist church in the Blue Ridge Mountains of North Carolina. The elderly pastor has died and a new young one has taken his place with big ideas of  bringing the congregation into the 20th century. He has arranged for the first ever Saturday Night Gospel Sing delivered by the Sanders Family, a traveling group making its return to performing after a five-year hiatus. Doug plays the part of the church custodian and I am one of two wealthy spinster sisters (generous benefactors of said church) who sit in the "Amen" corner of the church and keep tabs on proper conduct. The play ran for two three-day weekends November 14-16 and 21-23, 2014.

Miss Maude (Monica Helm) and Miss Myrtle (Carla Kerr)

Pastor Mervin Oglethorpe (Michael Carrillo) has deluded himself into thinking that the sisters agree with his changes

L to R: Vera Sanders (Glenda Elser), Dennis Sanders (Brian Braga), June Sanders (Monica Harris), Burl Sanders (Jesh Barker), Denise Sanders (Desiree Nielsen) and Stanley Sanders (Rod Barnes). Pastor Oglethorpe is in background.

Dennis whispers something to Denise (they're the twins) as June looks on and the pastor looks disturbed

Dennis and Denise sing and illustrate "Christian Cowboy" while Burl joins in singing

L to R: David Prose (Cousin Sam Sanders), Don Thorp (Uncle Joe Sanders), Vera at the piano, Pastor Oglethorpe, Dennis, Denise, Burl, Stanley, Miss Maude and Miss Myrtle (hidden behind Denise is June)

Dennis, aspiring to become a preacher, practices saving his dog

L to R: Uncle Joe, June (signing "lamb"), Pastor Oglethorpe, Vera, Dennis, Burl, Denise and Stanley singing "Are You Washed in the Blood"

L to R: Miss Maude, Miss Myrtle (fainting), Pastor Oglethorpe, Dennis and Burl during the singing of "I'll Live a Million Years"

Beginning of second act, the sisters trying to decide whether to stay and June and Denise looking properly chastised after they were perceived as dancing during the last song

L to R: Vera, June, Stanley, Denise, Burl and Dennis with Stanley singing "Everyone Home but Me"

L to R: June and Pastor Oglethorpe listening as Vera tells a children's story about a couple of June bugs

Vera reacting when the imaginary June bug breaks the string, landing on her, with Stanley reacting in background

I don't think I need to tell you what is happening to that June bug here

L to R the cast: Bette Colvin (church pianist), David Prose, Don Thorp, Glenda Elser, Brian Braga, Michael Carrillo, Jesh Barker, Monica Harris, Desiree Nielsen, Rod Barnes, Monica Helm and Carla Kerr (Doug Kerr is missing because he shot the picture)

Church Custodian (Doug Kerr)

The play was directed by Kirsten Barker and Connie Breding; Music Director Scott Hancock; Set Designer Will Bartlett; Assistant Director/Stage Manager Eli Holmes.

Smoke on the Mountain was written by Connie Ray, conceived by Alan Bailey and musical arrangements were by Mike Craver and Mark Hardwick.

This play was well received in Alamogordo considering that it is not as well known here as in the more southern states. There were many compliments from theater attendees. It ran for two weekends on Friday and Saturday evenings and Sunday matinees. After the last matinee, one lady was heard to remark, "I can't believe this is the last show. I just want to go and tell everyone to come see it."

Thanks to Douglas A. Kerr, Photographer for the wonderful pictures and I took the one of him.

This is all I have to say for now.

RHS New Mexico Road Runner Chapter Holds Meet and Greet

Saturday, November 8, 2014

The Red Hat Society New Mexico Road Runner Chapter held a "Meet and Greet" in the local White Sands Mall in Alamogordo. The object is to inform more people about the Red Hat Society and the benefits of membership.

For the first time since we've been doing these "Meet and Greet" events, we did not sign anyone up, but we did have a number of people stop by and take a brochure telling them how to become members.

Queen Ladybird (Carla) arrived early to set up the table

Road Runner members L to R: Dorothy E., Marian and Donna W.

L to R: Marian, Donna W., VQ Penny and Margie

We celebrated our birthday girl, Marian, with our kazoos, a new red hat and a rose

Donna W. and Queen Ladybird (Carla)

We thoroughly enjoyed visiting with each other and greeting the public. Hopefully, some of those who took the brochures will contemplate on joining as their New Year Resolution!

This is all I have to say for now.