Here come the GBL Happy Hatters

They come in all shapes and sizes, adorned with all manner of flowers, pins, buttons, and bows. Vastly different but all red. That is the “headgear” worn by members of the Grand Valley Lakes Happy Hatters, a Red Hat Organization. To the casual, or even serious, observer, when this group shows up, levity is obviously the order of the day.
“We gather for no other purpose than to play,” said Joanne Wilson, Vice Queen. Vice Queen? Yes. Looking beyond the sometimes  whimsical hats, the officers’ official titles also carry out the “having fun” attitude. There’s the Queen, Vice Queen, Moneybags, and Hysterian. Of course, in this era of electronic communication, the office of e-mail Female is a must.
The Grand Valley organization recently celebrated its 10th birthday. They call themselves “daughters of the Classy Ladies of Middleton”. The Middleton club assisted the Valley ladies in organizing on March 22, 2005. Twenty ladies joined that evening. Anne Woods was elected as the first Queen. Joining her in the original cast of officers were Vice Queen Charlotte Shanks, Moneybags Nona Louallen, Hysterian Peggy Vandiver, e-mail Female Gelene Keithly, and Sergeant-at Arms Neva Mullins. Most of the charter members are still active today.

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