It’s time to tip your hats folks; tip your red hats that is. The Red Hat Society has officially come to Mineral Wells. This well-known non-profit organization has formed a chapter here. The ladies of this organization had their first meeting at Smoke n’ Barrel on June 15th, 2021.
The chapter that has been formed will be known as Crazy Red Hatters of Mineral Wells. The society of these ladies will be led by three queens. To better understand the reasoning behind the society, I spoke with Lyn Butcher one of the queens. She explained, “We three Queens recognized that there isn’t currently an organized way for strong women of the community to come together, socialize, and make a positive impact on the community around us. So we decided to revive a classic society and bring an RHS chapter to the women of MW and surrounding areas. This is a club to find other women who are in a similar phase of life and cultivation of new friendships. The point of the Red Hat is to have fun while growing older. This town is growing and lots of positive things are happening. We want to be part of it!”
For those who are unfamiliar with the Red Hat Society, Lyn Butcher gives us a little bit of history on the group. “I believe there are about 35,000 members internationally. The organization began with one woman enjoying gifting a red hat to a friend soon after others wanted one. And so it just grew from there. Simple yet elegant.”
This is a non-profit group that is formed of only women. The ladies within the group have a dress code within the collection which makes them unmistakable. Lyn elaborates, “Red hats and Purple clothing for those 50 years old and more. Pink hats and lavender clothes if under 50. We will coordinate the ideas of the group to make it fun for all and hopefully a positive presence in Mineral Wells.”
Going forward the group plans to have meetings once a month to socialize while coming up with ideas to uplift our town. Lyn says, “We will be working on various ideas. For instance, interacting with the local retail stores, hotel renovation patterns, restorations throughout Mineral Wells, old and new businesses on how we can help. We want to support our community.”
To become a member is very simple; one must go on to the Red Hat Society website: https://redhatsociety.montonton.com/site and pay a $30 annual membership fee. Lyn clarifies the process, “ Once it has been submitted it takes a week or two for approval. Let us know what your member ID number is and that is it. We will invite you to join our official Facebook page and we will go from there.”
After speaking with several members such as Donna Seigler, Sue V., Karen Bond, and Marsha Kelley. They all exclaimed how excited they were to be a part of this association. These ladies conveyed a deep wish to get out of their everyday routines and make some new friends while giving back to Mineral Wells. Lyn described it perfectly by saying, “There are many women in this town with many talents that are just looking for a way to get away from all responsibilities. Even if for a short time while enjoying the company of others. The club is brand new. We are excited about having a clean slate to create something positive for both personal growth and community involvement.”
Lynn provided a beautiful poem By Jenny Joseph titled Warning in 1961 which the group will use as a motto going forward.
Warning in 1961 by Jenny Joseph 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 am tired, And gobble up samples in shops and press alarm bells, And run my stick along public railings, And make up for the sobriety of my youth. I shall go out in my slippers in the rain And pick the flowers in other peoples' gardens And learn to spit. You can wear terrible shirts and grow more fat And eat three pounds of sausages at a go Or only bread and pickle for a week And hoard pens and pencils and beermats and things in boxes. But now we must have clothes that keep us dry And pay our rent and not swear in the street And set a good example for our children. We must have friends to dinner and read the papers. But maybe I ought to practice a little now? So people who know me are not too shocked and surprised When suddenly I am old and start to wear purple.
Writer | I graduated from Weatherford College with an Associates in Art, focusing on history, creative writings, sociology, and humanities. Experience in child development, client care, and runs local Spoken Word Poetry group for young teens.
