Heidi VanLith
Special to The Chief
In Squamish there are women over 50 with real "hattitutde".
They are carefree and frivolously gallivant in the streets in packs wearing purple and red, having a "hoot". But, if you ask them what they're doing, chances are they'll say "nothing".
Confused? These women belong to an international "disorganization" called The Red Hat Society (RHS) based on the concept that there's fun after 50. Members wear red hats and purple outfits to identify themselves.
"Remember that old poem by Jenny Joseph that goes 'When I am an old woman, I shall wear purple with a red hat which doesn't go' - well that's what started all of this," said Bonnie Menhinick, Queen Mother of the local RHS chapter called The Bold Hatted Eagles, founded in September 2005.
"Women have spent their whole lives raising families and after the family goes away and the women turn fifty it's time to go out and have fun."
More than one million women are RHS aficionados worldwide, while Squamish alone has two chapters, the other is the Not Yet Dead Jetset(ers), with approximately 10 women each.
There are only three rules for RHS chapters and those are that women over 50 must wear red hats and purple outfits, women under 50 wear pink hats and lavender outfits, and the most important rule that must never be broken is to have fun."We meet twice a month, but they're not meetings they're 'hoots' and we have dinner or plan an activity," said Menhinick. "Each month, one woman in the chapter is in charge of the activity for that month."
Menhinick and three of her close friends started The Bold Hatted Eagles after hearing about the RHS and thought "it would be great fun as a retired person". The ladies discussed their plans for the first local chapter over crackers and cheese topped with red pepper hats.
"There are no rules, no bylaws, no meetings," said Menhinick. "We let the little girl shine through and laugh so much. It's given us all the opportunity to go out and not really be silly, because you're still respectful, but to go out and have fun."Since its inception, the group has had several dinners, a pajama party, seen plays and musicals, and has traveled to Bellingham, Wash. for three days.
"While in Bellingham we went to The Olive Garden for dinner, dressed in our red hats and purple outfits, and chatted with everyone. Then we went back the next day and everyone remembered us," said Menhinick. "We get a lot of comments for what we wear and you've got to be able to walk down that street and smile, be confident."
Select cities in the US offer travel packages and cruises specifically for RHS members and more retail stores are carrying RHS merchandise including hats, handbags, apparel, and accessories - surely a growing trend.
Next month Menhinick and the Bold Hatted Eagles are traveling to Abbotsford for lunch and to shop at an RHS store.
For more information about The Red Hat Society or to start your own chapter visit www.redhatsociety.com or call Bonnie Menhinick at 898-3905 for more details.
