ELKINS PURPLE MAJESTIES Red Hat Chapter


Mountain State Forest Festival Grand Feature Parade Elkins WV * October 10, 2005 As most local folks know, the beginning of October is a crazy place around Elkins. It is at that time of year that Elkins plays host to the annual Mountain State Forest Festival, which celebrates the changing of the fall leaves, our beautiful forests, rich heritage, and our wood and timber industries. Well, this year the Festival got a little crazier when the EPM deciding to enter themselves in the Grand Feature Parade! Several members participated and everyone had a great time. All-in-all 2 convertibles and a truck loaded with women decked in red and purple participated. The group was well received and had everyone had a ball waving to the crowd. We even managed to get our photo in the local paper when The Inter-Mountain published photos from the big day.
Woman's Club of Elkins Dinner Elkins WV * September 20, 2005 At the end of September 2005, West Virginia First Lady Gayle Manchin spoke at the local Woman's Club of Elkins meeting, of which several Elkins Purple Majesties are members. What a surprise for our Red Hat Royalty to hold court with the First Lady! During her speech, Mrs. Manchin spoke of the various hats woman wear throughout their lives -- including red hats!
Coalton Days Parade Coalton WV * June 18, 2005 New Queen Mother Sharon started off her reign by introducing herself to the public at the Coalton Days Parade. EPM members Tonya Dippert, Diane Clay, DQ JoAnn Koenig, and pink hatter Barbara joined her in full red and purple regalia. The day, however, literally went to the dog -- specifically little EPM mascot "PUP" -- a 14 lb. terrier mix who stole the show in her own little red hat and purple boa. (Borrowed from the naked goose in our front yard.) In fact, it was PUP's picture that turned up in the Tuesday, June 21, edition of The Inter-Mountain newspaper and not the parade truck! A great time was had by all and we hope to be in future parades. Decorating was quite simple -- just a bright red truck, several balloons, and a sign. To spice things up we even threw out candy to eager children. Many thanks to Elizabeth Pritt (EPM member Margaret Skidmore's daughter) for chauffeuring the crazy bunch.
Coronation of Queen Frannie Williams Buckhannon WV Red Hat Chapter The Lodge * Elkins WV * May 2005 Frannie Williams succeeded Andi Hinkle as queen of the Buckhannon WV chapter in May 2005. Elkins Purple Majesties Queen Judy Jack, Vice Queen Sharon McQuain, and Dowager Queen JoAnn Koenig helped celebrate in style!
Red Hat Proclamation Day & Lunch Elkins WV * April 18 2005 Mayor Judy Guye once again proclaimed Red Hat Day in Elkins WV. Many EPM members turned out for the official signing and then enjoyed lunch at the Kissel Stop Cafe downtown.
Pokeno Elkins WV * February 2005 Several Elkins Purple Majesties members got together at Duke's Restaurant in February to learn Pokeno.