Why take a limousine to a hot dog joint? The Gadabout Goddesses of Chesapeake, Virginia were “feeling a little silly and looking for something new to do.” Someone suggested that they go out for hot dogs. But they found a way by to jazz up this rather pedestrian outing in a mighty way! They rode to the hot dog joint in a limousine, enjoying appetizers along the way. Perhaps inspired by these ladies’ humorous attitude, the limo company surprised them with red napkins printed with their chapter name and birthday balloons for their “Countess of Cookies,” adding to the sense of fun. On their way home, after hot dogs and soup, the Goddesses topped off their lunch with triple chocolate cheesecake and champagne!

A lovely January summer’s day! One of the unanticipated delights of our ability to connect with chapters all over the world is demonstrated in emails like a recent one from Lady Joanella Winifred, an Australian with the imposing title of “National Red Hat Right Royal Heralding Sister” (NRHRRHS). She is a member of Sisters with a Twist in Canberra, Australian Capital Territory, Australia. She reminds us that January is the middle of summer in Australia. For their chapter’s third birthday, 32 of them gathered, as they always do, on Canberra’s Aspen Island for a relaxed picnic. Joanella says that, as dusk approached, they were able to enjoy the sounds of bells from a Carillon recital, drifting across Lake Burley Griffin. Doesn’t that sound lovely? Here are the Sisters with a Twist, greeting all of us:

The Grinch “reduates”! Proving that Red Hatters can always find something to celebrate, Brandon’s Sassy Sisters (Brandon, Mississippi) formally “reduated” the Grinch (portrayed by Sassy Sister, Joni Squires) on their float in their community’s annual Christmas parade. (It really was the 50th anniversary of the story of the creature with the heart “three sizes too small.”) Also making an appearance, as the Cat in the Hat, was Queen Marie Jackson’s husband. Member Sue Mars, says that the chapter’s families and friends had a ball helping them work on the float.

State celebrates Reduation – times TWO! In order to honor the pioneer women of Oklahoma, representatives of several chapters came together to commemorate the state’s 100th birthday. They enjoyed three days of fun, including classes in scrapbooking (four copies of the RHS book on this subject were awarded as prizes), quilting, and mask-making.

Queen Wynelle Record (The Mountain Red Hots, Canton, Texas) shared two special moments from their Saturday night banquet. During dinner, the whole group spontaneously burst forth in song, serenading their state with “Oklahoma.” And, after outbidding one of her sisters, paying $75 for an item in their competitive auction, the winner turned around and gave it to the lady she had been bidding against!

Women of the world! If you doubt that being part of the RHS can connect you to the whole world – look no further than the recent experiences of the Sydney Sassy Sisters (Sydney, New South Wales, Australia)! Queen Karen Burgess’s recent chapter newsletter showed that they were already thinking globally, since their February event was a celebration of the Chinese New Year. She goes on to mention that they have been contacted by three Red Hatters from afar, who plan to visit them soon – two (Bonnie and Lindi) from California and one (Queen Marijke Verdonk - De Bossche Ladies) from the Netherlands! This chapter may be “down under” but they are definitely connected with the rest of the (Red Hat) world!