Red Hatters for February 2026

The cold and snow of January has passed and we hope for a dryer and warmer February.

On February 13th. (not Valentines Day) but at the Melrose Senior we attended a Mardi Gras Party.

There were people who came in beads and masks and colorful clothes.

There were refreshments, cold drinks, cookies, heart shaped muffins, and wrapped up hot dogs.

The entertainment for the evening was...

Annie and the Fur Trappers a Boston-based traditional jazz and blues band.

The band was founded in 2016 in St. Louis, Missouri, and features clarinet, trumpet,

trombone, bass, banjo, guitar, and washboard.

Annie and the Fur Trappers is dedicated to performing and preserving the traditional jazz,

delta blues, ragtime, and swing music of the 1920s and 30s... and they did it all that evening.

It was non stop Jazz; loud and clear and toe tapping great.

The room was full and marching to "When The Saints Come Marching In" to end the evening.

Great stuff going on at the Melrose Senior Center...

February 17th.. the Chinese New Year of The Fire Horse.

We were off to the Flaming Grill in Malden.

This restaurant has about 250 assorted foods, buffet style on about 10 table; plus a sushi bar.

The staff are pleasant and the food is excellent. We enjoyed ourselves selecting a variety of foods in two or three trips to the tables. Before we finished it was dessert of pecan pie, lemon meringue pie and many cookies; followed by fresh fruit to off set the previous calories.

It was a lovely afternoon; But no dinner for any of us...

It was February 23rd and we were going to go to Tuckaway Tavern in New Hampshire to get our two for one lobster rolls, with two sides. Well......the Blizzard of 2026 came.

Now I remember the blizzard of "78" (Yup I am that old). I even have a poster on my porch in Maine that proves I was a survivor of that blizzard.

I remember living in Malden and walking to work, over the Mystic River bridge to Boston. I opened the store and was not surprised to have customers, that lived in Boston, come in for vitamins and groceries. I got a ride home with a National Guardsman since this was one of the very few cars on the road. Next day back to normal. But I was younger then and able to get my car uncovered of snow and back on the road.

This year, a bit different..A very nice young man ; who had no school because of the storm, came over to shovel me out. There were still road conditions to consider so I missed an appointment. and stayed indoors.

The snow paints a pretty picture...but I am looking forward to Spring.

On February 26th. A few of us managed to don our hats and head to a restaurant called Popovers. They have about 4 locations; the location we chose was in Epping N.H. One of the members saw it on Chronicle and we thought we would give it a try.

One hour drive on a beautiful sunny day and we found the restaurant at Brickyard Sq. in Epping.Nice spot in a very large shopping plaza.

Our waitress Dianna was pleasant and efficient. The food we decided upon include a Reuben, a huge cheese burger, and a chicken and cheese roll, along with turkey and mushroom soup. And of course a popovers with honey butter and outstanding desserts to go.

We were questioned by a staff member about our hats, (which often happens), and we went through the history of Red Hatters for her. It was a fun day and we headed home looking forward to our desserts for dinner.

As the memorable month of February closes and our "snow" pictures are put away we look forward to a warmer month of March. Please join us ...

PS. the picture of our tribute to Valentines Day is the picture of my nephew's granddaughter, 10 months old Sage.