Red Hatters Attend Flickinger Guild Turquoise and Silver Tea

October 16, 2016 at 2:00 PM

A group of Red Hatters, members of the New Mexico Roadrunner Chapter, attended the Flickinger Guild Turquoise and Silver Tea which had a theme this year of "Denim and Diamonds". This is always such a FUN and entertaining event looked forward to every year.

A number of area businesses provided clothing, hats, jewelry, shoes and boots, etc. to models for the style show. It is truly amazing what all is available right here in our own backyard. SKY and Ed Dittmer provided background music as people came in and got seated. Welcome and introductions were provided by Sarina Turnbull-Paul and James White.

Entertainment was abundant beginning with belly dancing by Anala Nahada and Claudia Powell. Singer and instrumentalist Rudy Wood was next with a good round of western music. The Academy of Ballet & Las Cruces School of Dance featured Casen Collins, Mariah Hernandez and Daniel Lindsay in a short, but lovely ballet. Marley Ham sang a solo. There was also a duet from "Spamalot" featuring Lee Austin and Jenny McNiven.

Refreshments of hot tea, tea sandwiches, fruit and tea cakes were prepared by Mountain View Catering, GCRMC and served by AHS Jr. ROTC cadets. They did such an excellent job and there was plenty to eat and drink for all.

Fashions with Susie Hall featured fashions and accessories from Bealls, Dollar Boots & Jeans, GCRMC Auxiliary Gift Shop, Instant Karma, JC Penny's, Sam's Silver Lining, Rue 21 and Seasons at The Lodge.

While all of this was happening, there was also a huge silent auction set up with everything one could imagine to bid on. In the meantime, Sarina and James kept the airwaves busy with calling door prize numbers of which several Red Hatters were winners of prizes.

L to R: Margie, Darla and Gail

Carmen and Flo

Dorothy E.

A couple of the models doing their thing

L to R: Trudy, Donna and guest, Bobbie

L to R: Margee, Darla and Gail concentrating on their door prize tickets

Model, posing while Susie Hall describes her ensemble

Susie gets a little help from Tony Calderon from JC Penny's

More models. That's Victoria on the right in a hurry

Monica Helm modeling a lovely ensemble

Susie and Tony conversing about the clothing from JC Penny's

Jenny McNiven and Lee Austin singing a duet from "Spamalot"

Another shot of Lee and Jenny

New member, Bobbie Tanner with Queen Ladybird aka Carla Kerr

As always, it was truly an elegant affair and we are very pleased to welcome a new Red Hatter to the New Mexico Roadrunner Chapter, Bobbie Tanner.

Thanks to Gail Swineford for shooting the last picture.

This is all I have to say for now.

Theatre on the Hill Guild Showcases Six One Act Plays

September 9-11, 2016

The Theatre on the Hill at New Mexico State University-Alamogordo was host to local playwrights, showcasing six one-act plays as a fund raiser for the Theatre on the Hill Guild. This is the brainchild of Drama Professor Connie Breding and is her third year of directing this particular event. Due to the comedic content in this years offerings, Connie came up with the title "Funny Zone" encompassing all plays involved.

Playwrights and plays presented are Carla C. Crittenden The Colors of Living Life; Carolyn Dittmer My Civic Duty; Andrea Garcia Choir Practice Catastrophe; Julia Newton Silver Lining; Roque Rosales Adding Oranges; and Bob Trowbridge Full Moon at the Rest Stop.

A Silent Auction was also conducted to raise more funds for the Theatre on the Hill Guild and it was very successful as well. Thanks to Carolyn Dittmer for all of her efforts in running this Silent Auction.
AND a huge thanks to businesses in the community who contributed items for the auction.

I apologize now for not having pictures of each play, but my husband, Doug, was able to take pictures at dress rehearsal of The Colors of Living Life which you will see below. I missed dress rehearsal due to illness so I am missing in the pictures, but am in the last photo of the cast along with members of the New Mexico Roadrunner Chapter of the Red Hat Society.

The Colors of Living Life is a play about an imaginary Red Hat chapter in New Mexico called Red or Green Chili Peppers.

L to R: Monica Helm, Kathy Barnes, Jan Wafful, Victoria Kennedy, Keddy Richardson, Ulrike Burgheim and Angela Basurto engaging in conversation while doing adult coloring

Discussion of Leigh Ann Parker's (Kathy) recent marriage

L to R: Monica, Angela, Kathy and Jan as Angela shows off her "substantial" diamond engagement ring

Everyone doing their exercise of the day led by Keddy (standing)

Playing "Happy Birthday" with Kazoos, the official musical instrument of the Red Hat Society

Reaction to an announcement of an upcoming event where they can exercise the official sport of Red Hatting "Shopping"

Front Row L to R: Keddy, Ulrike, Carla Kerr, Gail Swineford, Donna Williams, Victoria. Back Row L to R: Kathy, Angela, Jan W., Monica, Jan Jennings and Trudy Reese. This was taken after the Sunday Matinee outside the Theatre on the Hill.

All of the plays were well received and playwrights and actors were paid high compliments by attendees. It was a lot of fun and I look forward to next year when we do it again. Incidentally, the next offering at the Rohovec Theatre on the Hill is Steel Magnolias which is already in rehearsal. You won't want to miss this one! The production dates are November 11-12 and 18-20, 2016 so mark your calendar to remind you.

Thanks to Douglas A. Kerr, Photographer for taking these pictures for us.

This is all I have to say for now.

Some Holiday Events Around Alamogordo, New Mexico Part III

Saturday, December 19, 2015

Michael Bryson Hillis Mowery hosted a fabulous Christmas party at his home in Alamogordo, New Mexico for numerous guests. The comments began the moment party goers spotted the front window with the upside down tree of many colors. It was purple when I first saw it and I wanted it to stay that way, but, alas, the light changed and it became red, then blue, then yellow! It truly was like walking into a Christmas Wonderland.

I counted no less than 76 Christmas trees of one description or another in his home. One wonderfully pink, frilly tree was decorated with no less than seven 500' rolls of curling ribbon. Just beautiful. The aquarium became a snowmanquarium (my made up word) because their were many snowmen in it along with more Christmas trees and lights. There were Christmas trees of every color and theme one could think of, all created by Michael. He must have started decorating in October to accomplish this magical scene for a party.

I mustn't forget his laden dining table of delicious food, so many different treats that I never got around to all of them. There were various delectable cheeses, crackers, superb dips, a Brie fresh out of the oven, unbelievable melt-in-your-mouth cookies, candies, ham roll-ups, fresh fruit and vegetables, sliced meats and I know there is more, but my memory fails me. Of course, various beverages were available to be enjoyed.

This is the tree decorated with curling ribbon

The upside down tree changing colors, a pink floral one and a traditional green tree

The Snowmanquarium

Michael's brother, just plain Mo

Some of the guests in the kitchen

The host, Michael Bryson Hillis Mowery

More guests in awe of the decorations

Mo's wife, Kelly

Michael's step-mom and his father

L to R: Michael, his niece, Mo, and Monica Helm

Monica who just finished the play "The Fox on the Fairway" with Michael as her co-star

It was a lovely holiday party and I don't believe I've ever been to one more decorated than this. Michael is a wonderful host and a really fun person. Thanks for doing this Michael. I'm already looking forward to next year to see what you create for the season.

Thanks to Douglas A. Kerr, Photography for taking all the great pictures. Hope you remember to take at least one of me next time! lol

This is all I have to say for now.

"A Memory, A Monologue, A Rant and A Prayer" Presented at Rohovec Theatre

Tuesday, February 10, 2015

A cast of 17 people presented "A Memory, A Monologue, A Rant and A Prayer" edited by Eve Ensler and Mollie Doyle, to commemorate V-Day Otero County 2015. Writings to stop violence against women and girls were beautifully presented by the cast on February 6, 7 and 8, 2015 at New Mexico State University-Alamogordo in their Rohovec Theatre in Alamogordo, New Mexico.

V-Day is an organized response against violence toward women. V-Day believes women should spend their lives creating and thriving rather than surviving or recovering from terrible atrocities. V-Day is a catalyst: By raising money and consciousness, it will unify and strengthen existing anti-violence efforts. Triggering far-reaching awareness, it will lay the groundwork for new educational, protective, and legislative endeavors throughout the world. The foregoing are some of the goals in the V-Day Mission Statement.

Many people came together from the community to help Director Sherri L. Campbell fulfill her vision of awakening everyone to the various forms of violence in this world and indeed in our very own community. The setting for the production is a coffee house and each performer comes forward at the appointed time to speak.

L to R: Narrator Nadia Sikes, Monica Helm "I Can Hear My Soul Cracking" by Slavenka Drakulic

The Coffee House Setting

The Lobby Billboard

Carla Kerr with Director Sherri L. Campbell who stepped in and did "Groceries" by Abiola Abrams

Sherri Campbell giving instruction to Remi Gibbs "Maurice" by Kathy Najimy

L to R: April Cray Rhodes "To Stop The Violence Against Women" by Alice Walker, Cliff Young "Untitled" by Nicholas D. Kristof, and Remi Gibbs

Lighting Designer Rod Barnes and Kathy Barnes "True" by Carol Michele Kaplan

In makeup room, Keddy Richardson "The Perfect Marriage" by Edward Albee

Three lovely young ladies from Alamogordo High School volunteering their time at the snack bar of the theatre, Janelle, Isa and Naomi

T-shirts hanging in the lobby created by students for V-Day

Ann Bagby "Banana Beer Bath" by Lynn Nottage

Perry Lawson "Rescue" by Mark Matousek

L to R: Mary Hammon "True", Lorie Stauffer  and Shirley Warsham "Banana Beer Bath"

L to R: Cliff Young, Sherri L. Campbell and Remi Gibbs

Director Sherri  discussing staging with Chris

Joylyn Mercouris, all around helper, actress and usher

Joylynn and Assistant Director/Stage Manager Connie Breding having fun pointing to one of the pictures taken by Photographer Rachel Telles

Publicity Writer extraordinaire Carolyn Dittmer

Kristina Marzano "The Most Beautiful Girl" by Jyllian Gunther

Crystal Sierra "Celia" by Edwidge Danticat

Kristine Fambrough "I Can't Wait" by James Lecesne

Carla Kerr "Variations on M. Weinberg" by Moises Kaufman and Doug Kerr "The Closet" by Howard Zinn

Poem: "My Revolution Begins in the Body", Ensemble

Pita Quintana, House Manager

Doug (her sweetie) and Kristina at the after party in Chili's

Producers were Peace and Justice of La Luz We Trust Women Council of Elders, The Southern New Mexico Wellness Alliance, Inc. and the Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner (SANE) Program. 

Doug Kerr and I were indeed privileged to be a part of this community effort to help eradicate violence. What an extraordinary cast and visionary Director Sherri L. Campbell we got to work with. We look forward to staying involved until the violence is no more.

This is all I have to say for now.