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The Villages
Thursday, March 28, 2024

Red Hatters throw birthday bash in honor of their 20th year together

What better way to celebrate your 20th birthday than by throwing a big birthday bash!

That’s exactly what nearly 200 members of the Villages’ Red Hat Society did at their Hearts & Diamonds gala, Saturday at the Grand Oaks Resort.

Their afternoon included a luncheon, the opportunity to shop courtesy of vendors, and a rollicking performance of the Leesburg Blues Brothers.

“The Red Hat Society is a ‘play group’ that gives women over the age of 50 a chance to meet new people and enjoy, with others, lunches, shopping, or a movie,” said Lyn Dickey. “But, we also are a support group such as by helping others who have a problem or are ill.  Or, we will bring meals to a sick friend. 

Here’s to the ladies who lunch, seated, Liz Martin, Sue Cianci and Pam Henson. Standing are Ann Bauer, Elaine Adams, Geri Hofler, Judy Trongon and Marilyn Butenhof.

There are some 50 Red Hat Chapters in The Villages. Each one, with 15 to 20 members, is headed by a Queen who participates in The Queens Council.  This coordinating group plans the chapter’s events.

“I’ve raised my family.  I’ve raised my husband.  Now, it was my turn to have fun,” said Queen of Queens Bonnie MacCarroll.  “After 30 years of working as a nurse, I always had put others first.  Now, I wanted time for myself.”
This year, the Villagers were joined by groups from surrounding areas from Jacksonville to Fruitland Park. One of the Red Hat Society’s founders Linda Murphy, from Tarpon Springs, also attended.

The Queen of Queens Bonnie MacCarroll, seated left, is joined by other Red Hatters Linda Murphy,also seated, and standing are Bernice Darnell, Linda Decker, Lyn Dickey, Holly Sinkewicz, Beverly Crawford, and Janet Sweeny.

Another participant was Delilah Horsfield who founded The Villages’ Red Hatters 17 years ago.

“I had heard about the group, which started in California, she said,  and we all agreed the concept would be very successful in The Villages.  “Soon, we had started the first chapter.” 

For more information about the Red Hats, contact Bonnie MacCarroll at (352) 753-0807 or tvqueenbonnie@gmail.com.

“If a ‘gal’ is new to our area and wants fun and friendship, then the Red Hat Society is for her,’ added Dickey.

A sea of red fills the Grand Oaks ballroom.

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