The RHS Purple Rose Gang Outings - 2004

Our First Purple Rose Gang Gathering
Saturday, March 6, 2004

As our new chapter began to grow, the members began to grow restless for a get together. So, an impromptu outing to Ruby Tuesday's and a movie (Welcome to Mooseport) was planned. The dinner was a great way for everyone to meet. We did a round-table introduction and got to know a little bit about each other. Unfortunately, Queen Dee never re-checked the movie schedule or she would have found out that the movie was not being shown at the time it was when the invitations were sent! So, even though three of the ladies did go to the theater to see a movie...any movie...it just wasn't meant to be that night. Maybe another time...

In attendance: Queen Dee, Nancy, Susan, Martha, Pat, Agnes, Sandy and Jennifer.
Invited Guests: Judith and Debbie.

Queen Dee’s Birthday
Saturday, March 27, 2004

"I’m not getting older, I’m having more fun!"

A delightful High Tea was held at the Red Bird Tea Shoppe in Brockport, New York to celebrate Queen Dee's birthday. Scones and jam (apple & raspberry), delicious tea sandwiches (ham salad, egg salad, cucumber), huge strawberries with whipped cream, assorted cookies (the chocolate macaroons were Queen Dee's favorite!) and more tea varieties than we knew existed were served. The tea shoppe used antique and collectible dishes and silverware. Everyone received their own little red teapot of hot water. This was our first tea and everyone had a grand time and looked resplendant in their red and purple, pink and lavender finest hats and attire. Some shopping was done while there.

A few ladies went to the Ben Franklin store in Hilton afterwards. Our picture was taken by the manager and will be posted near their Red Hat display. From that group, it got smaller and still in a shopping mood we went to the Craft and Antique Co-op on Ridge Road where we turned a few heads and received more compliments and a few gasps!

During the outing we had people approach us and ask how they could join, start their own chapter, tell us their mothers were members, and even had a lady from a Jamestown chapter come up to us and ask if we were planning to come to their convention! One of my favorite questions today was "Are you two sisters?" To which I quickly replied "No" then just as quickly rethought that response and replied "Yes we are. We are sisters in spirit." And that's the way it should be.

In attendance: The Guest of Honor: Queen Dee; Susan, Martha, Agnes, Joanne, Jennifer, Sandy.
Invited Guests: Judith, Debbie, Lolly.
Directionally Challenged: Nancy -- We missed you!

Baroness's Birthday Celebration

Susan's Birthday was celebrated at the Outback Steakhouse, Monday, April 5, 2004. Susan was resplendent in her birthday colors, wearing a glitzy lavender hat with pink roses and pink clothing. The ladies came out enforce to join in the celebration. Decadent desserts, good conversation and lots of laughs were had. Many men (yes MEN!) came up and commented on our hats.

In attendance: The Guest of Honor: Susan; Jennifer; Martha; Sandy; Agnes; Joanne; Nancy; Queen Dee.
Invited Guests: Judith; Debbie; Lolly; Nancy; Gloria; Diane.

Red Hat Society Day
Sunday, April 25, 2004

Hello! This is Lady Pat reporting.

I am helping out with keeping a running log about our history. So, as our chapter's "Hysterian", let's remember Sunday, April 25th - Red Hat Society Day in Rochester.

We, along with ladies from other local chapters, gathered for brunch at Bosdyk's for a lively and lovely brunch. We made quite a showing! There were about thirty in all. After filling ourselves, taking loads of pictures for posterity of course, and general chatting, off we went to Greece Mall. We gathered at Barnes & Noble bookstore to see the display of the new book all about Red Hat Society. Alas no display! We were the display!

Undaunted, we went to Waldenbooks and wowed them! How exciting... We posed for photos and had lots of fun. As we paraded the mall, we took in some of the shops to see red hat "stuff". We then went to the food court. No, not to eat again but to go on the carousal. What a sight we were! At that point, most of the group dispersed, but a small group of us went on! Through shops, talking to people, fielding questions from folks about the Red Hat Society. One young man even asked us about a gift idea for his mom for her birthday as she is a member! We told him about the new book and that there were none at either book store. So, unselfishly, Nancy sold him her copy! What a gal! We ended our walking tour at the BonTon where we were delighted to find a great display of T-shirts, books, scarves, jewelry and red hats. Now it was time to call it a day.

It was a great day filled with fun & laughter, which we all need.

Until the next time,
Lady Pat

Purple Rose Gang Members: Queen Dee, Sandy, Nancy1, Pat, Agnes, Nancy2, Gloria, Susan2
Invited Guests: The Dashing Dames & The Red Hat Mamas

Postscript from Queen Dee: I've copied below the email from the recipient of the book that Nancy sold.

"Thank you ladies so much for selling your copy to my son David. I'm glad he was able to take your picture, I enjoyed seeing it when he showed me his email. You look red delicious. My birthday was a great success and I will treasure my book. Thank you so much.
Sincerely,
Pat, Queen of Vice, Aristohats, Canandaigua

A Royal Visit

Princess Kalena (Queen Dee's younger daughter) paid a very last minute visit to Rochester. Her one request - meet the other ladies that her Mom's been out playing with lately. Donning her pink hat with lavender roses and her Princess pin, an outing took place at Pizzeria Uno May 6th with the Queen, Lady Tess and Empress Nancy.

Thanks ladies for your warm welcome to Princess Kalena!

June Birthdays Celebration


Honoring Miss Belle & Lady Tess

Phillips European was the birthday girls' choice June 8th. The dessert case that stops you as soon as you enter the restaurant makes you want to eat in reverse with dessert first! Miss Belle & Lady Tess were all decked out in their purple birthday hats and looking lovely as they vamped for the picture (coming soon). The food was wonderful, the company delightful and a few even had room for dessert. As usual, men stopped and looked, asked questions and one even offered to take our photo. Another patron took our group picture for us. Miss Belle and Lady Tess entertained some of us with their birthday kazoos.

Happy Birthday Ladies! Thank you for sharing it with us.

In attendance: Guests of Honor: Martha & Sandy; Diane, Linda, Agnes. Guests: Carol, Ursala, Rose, Mary and Judith.

A Royal Visit

Princess Bastet (Queen Dee's older daughter) loves Bruegger's Bagels! To honor her visit, we set the alarm on Saturday, June 19th and met at Bruegger's to enjoy bagels, juice and coffee. We haven't found just the right pink hat for our Princess, but we're still looking! Thank you Sandy for coming in to meet Princess Bastet. We had a nice chat! After breakfast, Princess Bastet, King Ed and Queen Dee (The Royal Family Three!) went geo-caching. What a fun, neat way to get some exercise!

The Downstairs Cabaret Theatre

We enjoyed a musical evening featuring a talented father and son duo, Ken and Evan Harrington. The Rochester natives performed Broadway classics at The Downstairs Cabaret Theatre, June 21. Evan was currently on tour with Cabaret. Miss Belle thoughtfully presented each lady with a small purple rose for our hair as hats are not worn in the theatre.
In attendance: Queen Dee, Sandy, Martha, Linda.
Guests: Sue Ann, Carol, Linda B.
MIA: Nancy2

Well, Rochester weather did us in for half of our Puttering Around night, Wednesday, August 4th. But we held down some seats at Great Northern Pizza and had a lot of fun chatting and laughing as the time flew by. New member, Dutchess Deb, came to her first outing and will fit right in with the 'gang'.
In attendance: Queen Dee, Sandy, Deb
Guest: Judy
Unable to attend: Nancy1, Carol
MIA: Martha
A very special thank you to Empress Nancy for planning this evening of fun for "The Gang".

Rocking on the porch, country store shopping and a home-cooked style meal (not to mention a very good looking young waiter!) was the fare for our outing on August 16th at the Cracker Barrel Restaurant. Another night of fun, friendship and laughter can be labeled a success!
In attendance: Queen Dee, Sandy, Nancy, Martha, Carol
Unable to attend due to last minute emergencies: Joanne, Agnes, Deb
Guests: Judith, Jean, Joan

Summer is finally in Rochester! Wednesday, August 25th we were able to complete our Puttering Around night at Adventure Landing with a fun game of miniature golf. Lots of laughs, a few holes in one, some 'off the course' silliness was the way the night went. Prizes were awarded for lowest score, highest score, most holes in one and best team score. The way it worked out was that everyone got a prize! Afterwards, yummy sundaes at Friendly's.
In attendance: Queen Dee, Sandy, Gina and Karen2.

The Glamorous Gals of The RHS Purple Rose Gang and The Crimson Roses gathered for a little photo shoot Friday, August 27th at Wal-Mart. We had fun striking different poses, selecting backgrounds and deciding what poses the others should consider. While these poses won't be making any calendars soon, it was still a fun way to get together and end up with pictures to share with family and friends.
In attendance: Queen Dee, Sandy, Deb
Guests: Queen Gail, Mary, Carol Anne

The Rain, The Maze and Red Hatters! October 2, 2004

Hi there! Well, we got through the maize just in time, before the hard rain fell. I met Debbie and her daughter Sherry at Zarpentine Farms today and we had lots of fun trying to find our way out. Maybe the maps I took should have been read before I started out, marking the entrance. HA! Didn't take us long to find our bearings. Of course, we got lost a few times but that's par for the "course"! :) The bakery in the store was a mouthwatering experience because of the pies baked right there and prices were excellent. Pictures will be forthcoming!
This is Duchess Deb (Queen Dee's Lady in Waiting) reporting.
In Attendance: Deb, Sherry, Debbie

Well hello again... this is Lady Pat reporting... bet you thought I was lost! No, just sidetracked. Anyway I'M BACK!

So although our group was small in number, we were grand in style. Six of the Purple Rose Gang met at Outback Steakhouse Monday, October 4th to wish Carol/Lucybelle happy birthday. Even though she had to do some of the work, by taking care of RSVP's, we ate, we drank (tea of course) and even had a bite of her dessert. We all caught up on news of our group past, present and future. I think some good new ideas have surfaced, don't you? Of course, we talked about the upcoming Big Purple Undies show! It will be a "hoot" to be sure. I hope to see more of you all in the coming months and in 2005. We wanted to sing to Lucybelle but she declined. I don't know why! And as they say, "a good time we had by all"

from the desk of Lady Pat to you...

In Attendance: Queen Dee, Carol, Martha, Nancy, Karen, Pat

Big Purple Undies, October 2004

Well I think it is fair to say "a good time was had by all". The Big Purple Undies was a great success. Our Queen outdid herself. It was a great show and great to laugh it up for a while. Hats off to Queen Qee! Thank you. At the Saturday show there were probably 190 fellow red hatters, dressed to the nines... What a sight to see a sea of purple & red & pink! All in all it was a great afternoon. We had a tasty lunch with a yummy chocolate cake with raspberry sauce. The room looked lovely with red napkins on white linens. It was great to meet ladies from other groups in our area. Wonderful also to see the many different ways each lady put together her red & purple. Thanks again Dee for a great time.

Regards to all,
Lady Pat

Halloween Gathering, October 30, 2004

Well our 2004 Halloween gathering was great! Thanks to Debbie for putting it all together. We visited a very unusual house, a house where each room is decorated with all sorts of collections and it was dressed up for Halloween. I believe there were 13 'Gang' members in attendance. How appropriate a number! Our hosts and owners of this unique house, Doreen and Norb gave us the tour, answering our many questions and telling us the story of how it all came to be. We leisurly toured through the house and then gathered for a lunch of pizza, soft drinks and pumpkin cookies in the 50's Diner. You can see some great photos of our day elsewhere on this website (See link below). It was very enjoyable to chat with members both old and new. We are looking forward to going back in February to see the Christmas display that will be put into place soon. Happy Halloween to all and to all.....
Lady Pat

On Thursday, November 18th, a few of us gathered to go to Bingo. Thank you Empress Nancy for arranging the evening for us. In attendance were Nancy, Karen, Martha and her friend Linda B., and Pat. We were like fish out of water. Bingo sure has changed! We had quite a time keeping up. Lots of laughs though. One of our group, Linda B. was a big winner the first game! It went downhill after that as far as winnings went, but we had a great time.

Best wishes to all.
Lady Pat


Our Holiday Party, December 4th
Hostess: Miss Belle

Hello to all Purple Rose Gang Red Hatters and Happy Holidays to all! This is Lady Pat reporting on our Gang's 1st Annual Christmas gathering, with many more to follow.

We gathered at Miss Belle's on Saturday, December 4, 2004 at 6:30 pm. Miss Belle and her husband were gracious hosts to us all. We were twelve in attendance and our best reguards to those who could not gather with us. Some of our Gang are dealing with illness and family events that prevented their joining in.

There was a great assortment of wonderful finger foods, scrumptous desserts and candies and a wonderful fruit punch with coffee to follow. Everyone was very festive and dressed for the celebration. Some were more comfortably dressed than others! There were bells and flashing earrings, lots of red and purple, and of course the hats along with our resident lady in pink, too. It did get a bit racy what with the flashing of bra straps of assorted colors!

Miss Belle's home was wonderfully decorated for the season, including her famous dolls. Miss Belle provided grab bag gifts from her vast collection of "stuff" for everyone - some even got two! We played a game of holiday trivia pursuit and the winner got the "Boobie Prize". It was quite a prize too.

Our Secret Santa's were reveled and gifts exchanged. It was a wonderful evening of getting to know each other better and having fun. Thanks again to Miss Belle and her man, Billy Ray, for their gracious hospitality.

Wishing everyone and their families a happy holiday and a year to come filled with peace and love and red hats! I'll be signing off for this year 2004 and look forward to reporting on our escapades again in 2005.

Merry Christmas to all... and to all good night...... Lady Pat.

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