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The Citizen, 2003-06-18, Page 6PAGE 6. THE CITIZEN, WEDNESDAY, JUNE 18, 2003. Woman honorary member of ‘disorganization’ Honorary member Blyth’s Hat Lady, Effie McCall became an honorary member of the Exeter/Bayfield Red Hat Society after she donated several of her well-known bonnets to the group. (Photo submitted) By Janice Becker Citizen staff Known for years as Blyth’s Hat Lady, Effie McCall is now an honorary member of a world-wide “disorganization” Windsor Stratford Tuesday, June 24 Wednesday, June 25 5:00 to 8:30 p.m.5:00 - 8:30 p.m. (panel presentation at 7 p.m.)(panel presentation at 7 p.m.) University of Windsor Kiwanis Community Centre Vanier Building, Winclare Boom "A"Main Hall 401 Sunset Avenue 27 Morenz Drive Owen Sound London Thursday, June 26 Wednesday, July 2 5:00 to 8:30 p.m.5:00 to 8:30 p.m. (panel presentation at 7 p.m.)(panel presentation at 7 p.m.) Bayshore Community Centre University of Western Ontario Rutherford Room Great Hall 1900 3rd Avenue East Somerville House (Off Oxford Drive; parking at Weldon lot) Fun and games Thinki nq dbout quitting? A successful card party was held at Londesboro Hall this past Friday night with over 16 tables of players. (Vicky Bremner photo) TOLL-FREE 1-877-513-5333 The panel's advice is summarized in a discussion paper entitled Shape the Future: Western Panel Discussion Paper. This document is posted online and will be available at the consultations. For more information, call us loll free at 1-866-479-9781 or visit www.smartgrowth.gov.on.ca ® Ontario for women 50 and over who take great pleasure in the silliness and comedic relief of life as they don red hats and purple outfits in public. Not much for rules or guidelines, the loosely-run Red Hat Societies sprang up around the world after Sue Ellen Cooper of California was inspired by a poem about an aging woman which mentioned red hats and purple outfits. Cooper and friends took the message to heart and began gathering for tea, in public, attired in red hats and purple clothing. They learned to anticipate aging with excitement and fun rather than dread. And for women under 50, a pink hat and lavender outfit is the suggested attire so the big birthday can be marked with fun as they step into the new colours. Fun is the main goal of Red Hatters. According to the organization’s website, the gatherings are a time for women who have shouldered many responsibilities for family and community to drop those burdens and enjoy themselves. They believe strongly in a line from their theme song, “All my life I have done for you, now it’s my turn to do for me”. For McCall, it was not her search for friendship which connected her to the Red Hatters, but her love of hats. “I am a great woman for hats,” she said. “I grew up in New Brunswick at a time when all ladies wore hats to church. I’ve been wearing them since I was about 16.” Her love for hats carried her through many years and seasons, as she became known in Blyth for her adornments. However, she said, her collection was getting large and she w,anted to be the one who decided where her hats would go. It was then that she read a story about the Red Hat Society in a local publication. McCall contacted the Exeter/ Bayfield group who were more than thrilled about the offered donation. So recently, the Red Hatters travelled to Blyth to visit McCall and look over her collection. Not only were they the recipients of one of McCall’s favourites, a stylish red bowler, but they took several others which could be spraypainted for other members. Smart Growth Ontario Smart Growth Public Consultations The western Ontario Smart Growth panel wants to hear your views. Led by Diane Gagner, mayor of Chatham-Kent the panel was appointed by the Ontario government The panel was asked to build consensus on ways to promote and plan for growth in western Ontario. Before presenting its final recommendations to the government the panel wants to hear your thoughts on its ideas for building strong, vibrant communities and a more prosperous future in our part of the province. This is your chance to meet panel members, learn more and have a say. She still recalls when and where she purchased that great red hat. She, her husband Jim and another couple were strolling through London years ago, she said.. The women stopped to window shop after McCall noticed the hat. Though the price was high, her husband encouraged her love of hats and it soon adorned her head. McCall was taken to lunch by the visiting ladies and named an honourary member. With her donation to the Red Hat Society, McCall has also turned over a new leaf. She will no longer be seen wearing her customary toppers to church. “I will now go hatless,” she grinned. The Scarlet Sages of Huron, the Exeter/Bayfield chapter of the Red Hat Society can be contacted at 1-519-235-1902 or 1-519-565-5949. The website is www.picturetrail.com/ladydia nna. The Walkerton chapter, known as the Red Hat Society of Bruce County can be reached at 1-519-881-1525. Other society locations and information regarding the creation and chartering of a new society can be found at www.redhatsociety.com.