Seeing red

By Jason Gabak/Special to The Citizen

Monday, July 14, 2008 11:42 AM EDT

MONTEZUMA - It is difficult to miss members of the Red Hat Society.
Jill Connor / The Citizen
Women dressed in red and purple gathered at the 10th anniversary celebration of the Red Hat Society at the Historic Mentz Church in Montezuma on Sunday. The society is for older women who celebrate humor and life.
Red Hatters can be spotted with their distinctive red hats of all kinds, from baseball caps to elaborate head pieces to their purple outfits.

On Sunday, members of various local Red Hatter groups gathered at the Historic Mentz Church to celebrate the organization's 10th anniversary.

Founded in 1998, by Sue Ellen Cooper in California, the organization has since grown to include more than 850,000 members worldwide.

The group is designed for women over 50, as a way to connect and socialize with one another.

“We just go out and have a good time,” said Mel Carner, who helped organize the Montezuma gathering. “That is what we do, go out and enjoy ourselves.”

Carner joined the Red Hatters five years ago, and since then the experiences she has had and the other women she has met, have been outstanding.

“It is really amazing,” Carner said. “It is a really amazing group of women and we really do have a lot of fun together.”

Carner, who is also involved with the Montezuma Historical Society, spoke with Cheryl Longyear, treasurer of the historical society and town historian about the idea of doing something to celebrate this anniversary.

Which led to the idea of using the church as a place to hold a fashion show.

“We all like fashion,” Carner said. “So it seemed like the perfect idea.”

Having the 10th anniversary in the historic church, Longyear was struck by the important role women's groups have played throughout history.

“From women's groups to church groups,” Longyear said. “To groups like the Red Hatters and other societies, these groups have always given women a place to bond.”

Models from Bon Worth in the Waterloo outlets showed off a variety of fashions.

From casual summerwear to more formal evening attire, the show covered a wide variety of styles and designs, while still playfully mixing in the Red Hatter theme of the day, as several models paraded out in purple with red hats atop their heads.

After the show, those in attendance got to hear a little bit about the history of the church from Longyear, detailing when the church was built and what changes have been made since it was originally constructed.

Afterward, Bunny and Paul Baker provided free ice cream and waffles.

Red Hatters traveled from all over the area, including Auburn and Jordan-Elbridge to participate in the celebration.

And it was well worth the trip.

Ruth Wethey, of Port Byron, has been a Red Hatter for five years and was happy to be able to participate in the celebration.

“It is a wonderful group,” Wethey said. “Red Hatter events are always fun and fun to be a part of. I really enjoyed the show and everything today.”

The Citizens' Say

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There are 1 comment(s)

Farmer's Gal wrote on Jul 15, 2008 9:59 AM:

" I've often been mistaken for a "Red Hatter" -- I have a gorgeous felted wool cloche hat my mother made for me that I wear most of the winter. I'm only 43, but people see that hat and think it's a statement! "

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