Red Hatters Present at Otero County Senior Citizens Health Fair

Thursday, September 21, 2017

On Thursday morning, September 21, 2017 at 9:00AM, New Mexico Roadrunner Chapter Queen Ladybird (aka Carla Kerr) and Vice Queen (aka Contessa of Sparkle and Sass) Donna Williams manned a table at the Otero County Senior Citizens Health Fair in Alamogordo, New Mexico to give out brochures and tell seniors what a healthy option they have in joining the Red Hat Society. After settling down with scrumptious scones and coffee, we had a lot of FUN as we met and talked to many people including men. One young man came by to get information for his mother. We did not sign anyone up that day, but gave out many brochures and answered questions. Several stopped to try on hats that were on our table and looked at themselves in a purple mirror. This is just another way to get information out about our wonderful Red Hat Society and have a lot of FUN in the process. It was over at noon and we were treated with salads and delicious homemade potato soup for lunch.

This is our table covered by a Red Hat quilt I made many moons ago

Vice Queen Donna Williams looking lovely as usual

One of the attendees looking smashing in one of our hats

We finally snagged someone long enough to take a picture of us together.

It was a FUN event and I love that the Senior Center recognizes the Red Hat Society as a viable and healthy option for our senior ladies to enjoy life more along with the fact that we are getting the word out about our fabulous Red Hat Society.

This is all I have to say for now.

Alamogordo Red Hatters Dine at Spaghetti Western

Saturday, September 2, 2017

Twelve members of the New Mexico Roadrunner Chapter of the Red Hat Society along with three husbands in tow, gathered at the new Spaghetti Western Pizza Restaurant in the White Sands Mall in Alamogordo, New Mexico for lunch and just for FUN. Really it is to support the young man who has just opened Spaghetti Western in the Mall having moved here from High Rolls, New Mexico just a few miles up the mountain from Alamogordo. We normally get together twice a month, but after our conversation in White Oaks, New Mexico the Saturday before, we decided we needed to support this young man's establishment.

We had such a grand time visiting and talking to people as they passed by. The food was wonderful and I believe it was probably the biggest day his business has ever had. We were situated out in the Mall at tables, but the inside of the restaurant was also filled with customers so he was almost overwhelmed. At any rate everyone got served, the food was delicious and we are hopeful he will be able to solve his problem of no one wanting to work on weekends. With so many people out of work, there just has to be someone who is willing to work on weekends. We are so much in need of good restaurant food here and we want him to succeed!

When the pizza came, it was served on a large rack in the middle of the table, an absolutely lovely presentation and the pizza was huge. I took our table mates up on the offer of tasting their "Islander" pizza (pineapple on it) and it was delicious.

The delightful Karen Townsend

Karen's charming husband, Eddie, and he wore Red Hat colors he found at a resell shop.

Gail Swineford looking quite pleased with her fine self

Lu Mattson looking perky

Alice Johnston-Evans celebrating her second wedding anniversary by joining us

L to R: Eddie, the handsome sailor Evans, also celebrating second wedding anniversary with Alice, and Karen

Gail and Alice

L to R: Trudy Reese, Darla Shelley our birthday girl, Rosanna Heath and VQ Donna Williams

L to R: Carla with back to camera, Gail, Eddie, Karen and Lu

L to R: Bobbie Tanner, Margie Purcella and Jan Jennings

L to R: Gail with back to camera, Eddie, Karen, Lu and Carla

This is a friend, Jean, who stopped by. She wears hats all the time, but can't get her into Red Hatting for some reason.

Doug and I both came home and took naps. Between the breakfast and this, we were ready for a rest. It was really a lot of FUN anyway. Sorry I didn't get a picture of Doug to show here!

Thanks to Douglas A. Kerr, Photography for taking all the great pictures.

This is all I have to say for now.

DPOC Labor Breakfast at Margo's in Alamogordo, New Mexico

Saturday, September 2, 2017

Doug and I attended the 13th Annual Labor Recognition Breakfast hosted by the Democratic Party of Otero County (DPOC) at Margo's Mexican Restaurant in Alamogordo, New Mexico. There were about 60 people in attendance.

Welcoming everyone was Stephanie DuBois, CD 2 Vice Chair, a gal who is always ready to throw her hat in the ring for just about any election. Jeff Swanson, Vice Chair of DPOC and State Central Committee Member led the Pledge of Allegiance. Nadia Sikes, Chair of DPOC, made the introductions of guest speakers.

First up was Mark Praught, former member of the CWA (Communication Workers of America Union). He gave a wonderfully informative speech on union history and how it has related to his life.

Keynote speaker was Tim Eichenberg, New Mexico State Treasurer. Among other things, Tim has said, "The State Treasurer must have the experience and integrity to be a good steward of the taxpayers' money. I pledge to be a full-time State Treasurer, adhere to a program of best management practices, maintain an accessible and transparent office, and make sound choices that benefit all New Mexicans."

Stephen Jones, CD 2 Vice Chair, was busy with his camera. Doug also took the pictures shown below.

Nadia Sikes, DPOC Chair

Stephen Jones, CD 2 Vice Chair and Photographer

L to R: Tim Eichenberg, Nadia Sikes and Jeff Swanson

Mark Praught relating the history of unions and in particular the CWA

Another shot of Nadia. Love the new haircut!

State Treasurer and Nadia Sikes

L to R: Tim Eichenberg, Nadia and Jeff

Tim

Carol Lee, DPOC Secretary

Neomi Martinez  from Deming, New Mexico

Las Cruces President Brian Brietag of the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers Union

 

Shirley Baca, Campaign Manager

It was a very informative event and the history was quite interesting. So many of us are ill informed about unions since they are not nearly as prevalent as they once were. However, we are losing our middle class and no country can thrive for long without it. Perhaps unions need to be more powerful now than ever before.

Thanks to Douglas A. Kerr, Photography for taking the great photos.

This is all I have to say for now.

Red Hatters Day Trip To White Oaks, New Mexico Ghost Town

Saturday, August 26, 2017

Eleven members of the New Mexico Roadrunner Chapter of the Red Hat Society in Alamogordo, New Mexico took a day trip to White Oaks, New Mexico and their famous "No Scum Allowed Saloon". We had a fabulous time exploring the Saloon and dining on meatball sandwiches, fresh fruit and veggies, and potato salad. For dessert, they provided shots of Bailey's Irish Creme mixed with something else. Anyway, whatever the something else was, it was delicious!

As you will see by the pictures that ensue, the "No Scum Allowed Saloon" is quite a colorful place. It is owned by a Texas couple, Marlon and Teresa Coffman, who are quite hospitable and very much enjoyed having us visit. The Saloon is a favored biker bar and before long about 30 or so bikes parked out front. What a lovely bunch of guys they were and we had fun interacting with them as well.

We also visited the old school house museum where we were shown around by Karen Mills who is the Historical Records Clerk of Lincoln County and she lives in Carrizozo, New Mexico. She had many stories to relate to the items on view as well as about people who actually attended the school house when it was in operation as such.

Later, some of us drove the 3-1/4 miles down a gravel road to visit with Ivy Heymann, Potter, and proprietress of the White Oaks Pottery. She does beautiful Porcelain Designs and she was delighted to see us. Several of us bought pieces of her work.

On our return trip to Alamogordo, we ran into a monsoon downpour which didn't last too long, but it was scary driving. When we got to the KMart parking lot, not a drop of rain had fallen there. This is the way it works in New Mexico. Some days it rains in one side of town and not the other. At any rate, we all made it home safely and had a ton of FUN!

The lovely Phyllis, bartender and chief cook at the No Scum Allowed Saloon. Isn't she a cutie pie?

A few years back, the town of Carrizozo had an artists competition where each one created a burro or donkey. They then sold them to various merchants to display and this is the one at the No Scum Allowed Saloon.

This is the inside dance floor

L to R: Lu Mattson (standing), Bobbie Tanner and Margie Purcella

This is the outdoor bandstand

Here am I (Carla) doing my Vanna bit while owner Marlon shoots the photo

When pigs fly! Marlon says the boots used to be pink, but the New Mexico sun has bleached them white

Just a little reminder that Halloween is not far off!

The lovely Gail Swineford petting the donkey

L to R: Carla, Gail, Margie and Darla Shelley

Here we all are gathered around the fire pit. L to R: Dorothy Edwards, Darla, Carla, Lu, VQ Donna Williams, Gail, Jan Jennings, Alice Johnston-Evans, Margie, Trudy Reese and Bobbie. Great view of the mountains from here.

This just one section of the bikes parked along the road

I got so into shopping that I forgot to take pictures at the pottery, but here are the two items I purchased.

We have been to the No Scum Allowed Saloon a couple of times, but it is always so much FUN to go back and let new chapter members experience the history of White Oaks. There is also another museum and a historical cemetery which we didn't have time to see. We will visit these next time we go. While we were dining in the Saloon Alice brought up the fact that a young man who makes excellent pizza had moved from the back of the little store in High Rolls, New Mexico (up the mountain from Alamogordo) to our White Sands Mall (in process of being completely renovated) and we decided that we should visit him the very next Saturday for lunch. More on this in a later article. I am late publishing this because I was waiting on a photo of us taken in front of the Saloon. If and when I get it, I will add it in.

This is all I have to say for now.