Cutting loose with the Red Hat Dolls

Photo by Kathy Browning Red Hat Dolls of the Valley enjoyed lunch at Subway in Hotchkiss on Feb. 21. The ladies are (clockwise) Joyce Chapdelaine, Dorothy Roeber, Bobbie Selk, Joyce Holybee, Barb Soucek, Betty Portman, Diane Walts, Jean Flotho, Jeanette Habenicht and LaFawn Brown. The ladies are wearing the national society’s colors. The poem, “Warning,” by Jenny Joseph explains, “When I am an old woman I shall wear purple with a red hat which doesn’t go, and doesn’t suit me. And I shall spend my pension on brandy and summer gloves and satin sandals, and say we’ve no money for butter. I shall sit down on the pavement when I’m tired and gobble up samples in shops and press alarm bells and run my stick along the public railings and make up for the sobriety of my youth.”You've probably seen them — the Red Hatters. They're known officially as the Red Hat Dolls of the Valley and they are part of a global society that is neither secretive nor stodgy, but rather one that "connects, supports and encourages women in their pursuit of fun, friendship, freedom, fulfillment and fitness."

And they wear red hats, purple tops, great big smiles and have twinkling eyes.

The global group, known as the Red Hat Society, was founded in 1998 for ladies who were "not done yet." The society's Exalted Queen Mother Sue Ellen Cooper and Lady Bug Debra Granich said their organization is "confirming we are the amazing women we always knew we were. We are making sure that all the things we love the most about the sisterhood — the fun of playing with friends old and new — and the freedom to be yourself — are available for women all over the world. Now and for years to come. We are also reshaping how women are viewed in today's culture one day at a time and having fun doing it!"

The Red Hat Dolls of the Valley formed in April 2004. They have 18 members and can grow to 20 members. Above that number, they would start a new group of Red Hatters. The ladies in their 60s, 70s and 80s met at Subway in Hotchkiss for their Feb. 21 meeting. Their Queen Bee is Betty Portman. Because her middle name is May, Betty likes to say, "I'm Queen May Bee."

The ladies wear red hats and purple and meet once a month to eat lunch. "That's the total of what we do," LaFawn Brown said.

Sometimes they do outreach to the community. Last year they did what Betty calls "a silly little play" for the Emblem Club Mother and Daughter Dinner. It was such a hit, they've been asked back again for an encore performance. Betty is writing another play which she'll read while members act out the parts. It's Betty's adaptation of "Little Red Riding Hood."

The Red Hat Dolls have also performed at the nursing home and for the Delta Red Hat group.

Year before last they won first place in the Cherry Days Parade. They won second place last year.

An important component of the Red Hat Dolls is that they all become friends. When someone needs something the other members reach out and help.

At the end of August members will take a three-day Royal Caribbean cruise to the Bahamas. It's just $99 for two. Airfare tickets are two for the price of one. Inexpensive fun is one of the benefits of being a Red Hat Doll.

Even though the group usually meets at a restaurant, next month they'll gather at Claudia King's at noon on Thursday, March 14.

If you would like to join them, contact Betty Portman at 527-5821.

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