CAUGHT RED-HATTED

By ELISE FRANCO

VINDICATOR STAFF WRITER

YOUNGSTOWN — A big, flashy red hat and bright purple dress might draw attention at the mall, but for Red Hat Society events, showing up in anything less is simply unacceptable.

Thursday afternoon, 225 members of the organization gathered at Fellows Riverside Gardens, proudly showing off their flowered, feathered and sequined headwear and celebrating the second annual International Red Hat Day.

Claire Maluso, director of events, said Red Hat Day is all about bringing together members of the organization and having fun while doing it.

Red Hat Society “is an outlet for these women who are 50 and older to do things they want to do,” she said. “It’s important to have fun with aging, and that’s just what they are doing.

“I love seeing what they do, because they’re all so creative and enthusiastic.”

The Red Hat Society was founded by Sue Ellen Cooper after she bought a bright red fedora at a thrift shop and gave it, along with a poem by Jenny Joseph, to a friend for her birthday. The group is celebrating its 10th birthday today.

Carol Donnelly, Queen Mother of Youngstown’s “A String of Pearls” chapter, said the society has no rules, save for two that all members must follow: You must be 50 years or older to wear the signature red hat and purple dress, and you must attend all events dressed in full regalia.

Maluso said 100 more people attended the event this year than last, with members traveling from as far north as Toledo and as far south as West Virginia. She hopes the number of participants will continue to rise each year.

“Last year we had three women from the ‘Lutheran Ladies’ attend,” she said. “This year those three came back and brought three tables-full with them.”

JoAnn Claycomb of Austintown calls her chapter the “Red Hat Ladies with Wild Grace.” She decided to come this year because of how much fun other members had last year.

“My favorite part is seeing all the ladies in their hats and outfits,” she said. “It’s all about fellowship, and we are having a great time.”

After some opening remarks by Maluso and Donnelly, lunch was served, followed by the event that had the entire room buzzing with excitement all afternoon, the “Hatattitude Stroll.”

The show gave ladies an opportunity to showcase their Red Hat creations. A panel of judges, made up of Councilwomen Annie Gillam, Carol Rimedio-Righetti and Janet Tarpley, decided who took home prizes in categories such as classiest, funniest, most sophisticated and most beautiful hat.

“The style show was magnificent,” Maluso said. “Everyone had so much fun, and it was so well-received.”

Recently retired, Maluso is excited to continue helping with plans for next year’s event.

“We’re going to be looking at a location for next year very soon, hopefully somewhere bigger, but definitely somewhere in town,” Maluso said. “We want to try to do something different each year that really shows off the wonderful places we have here in Youngstown.”