The Happy Red Hatters of Stanley/Thorp, are entering their 23rd chapter year in 2023. The organizer of this group is Dorothy Wozniak, of Stanley. Once seeing a group of Red Hat Ladies out to lunch, she thought, “I’d like to be in a group like that, it looks like fun!” So from there, she started to ask her bowling ladies group and friends, then one day found themselves meeting with Red Hats on, at Hidden Haven (now known as Mesquite) for the first time.

Dorothy created this group and many, many ladies over the year have found friendships, joy, fun, and adventure together. The Red Hat Society’s primary purpose is social interaction and bonding among women. In the early part of their lives, most women give their all to family, career, and community. They enjoy that, but along the way, sometimes their existing bonds of friendship gradually diminish. Membership in the Red Hat Society can be used for reconnecting old friends, making new friends, and rediscovering the joy of getting together with other women for the express purpose of having fun. The society promotes periods of “recess” from the cares and duties of everyday life in which members gather for no other purposes than to play and have fun.

At 91, Dorothy and her chapter are going strong along with Co-Queen, Linda. Barth. She was recently presented with a certificate of recognition for her service & support as “Forever Queen” of the Happy Red Hatters. Her current Red Hat group has 24 members, four of which are charter members.