Red Hatters for January 2026

January 1st.. can you believe it>>Another year has gone by and only by luck, and lots of prayers we are still here.

We started this year, as we have for many years at a movie at the theater in Woburn.

The movie was Song Sung Blue based on the true story of Mike and Claire Sardina, a real-life Milwaukee couple who performed as the beloved Neil Diamond tribute duo "Lightning & Thunder"
from the late 1980s until Mike's death in 2006, navigating personal struggles, including Claire's severe accident, when she lost a leg, but there was a strong bond with their music .

Finally an adult movie that we all enjoyed.

Our meal for the day was back to the old favorite 99 in Stoneham. Always a good spot with good food and great service.

And now we start another year and we move forward.....a bit slower perhaps but we will continue to move; We are Red Hatters.

January 7th. and right close by at the Melrose Senior Center we were ready to party...

The doors opened at 3:45 and the line was long, but everyone was happy and ready to play and party.

Tables were set throughout the third floor....from cards, poker, blackjack, Bingo, Left right center and even horse racing. Erica running one of the games as well.

We were greeted with the music of Oren Santillo who is a Member of the Senior class at Melrose High School. He played the keyboard like a well seasoned professional and has happily played locally in other venues.

Volunteers were all over the place, calling numbers, handing out cards, and just keeping the rooms happy for all the happy people.

Stacey was back with all her good humor to keep an eye on the people playing Black Jack.

Games over, and then to the dining room where we all got raffle tickets to pick and choose for great gifts.

Up came Dimitri, our Elvis entertainer, who was great as usual. Moving and jumping about as the hall was filled with songs.

There were cold drinks and coffee,and water bottles at each place setting. The food was excellent and Elvis birthday cake for dessert.
The event was sponsored in part by Gather Health, a primary care service. Two members of the staff were present to give information on the origination and award the raffle winners. Emma or Gabby can be reached at 617-388-2254 for more information.

The event was listed as a Vegas Night and it felt like it all the way.
Erica and James,with staff of outstanding volunteers have performed miracles at the center once again. A great place to visit any day...for many reasons...check it out.

January 17th. and the Melrose public library was our early day excursion. We had gone to see

Diane Edgecomb read fairy tales. Her subject for this reading was "Once upon a wintertime".

Do you know why a beaver has a flat tail; or that a snowman needs gloves, a hat and a scarf.

Well we, do now. Three Red Hatters and a room full of children and their parents were told the answers by a superb story teller.

Amidst the noise of a crying child, and a dozen children sitting on the floor, Diane never wavered from her wintertime tales.

Children were asked to assist with the story and they were please to do so. It was a wonderful time for them and for us.

Anther member joined us for lunch at the always good time Liberty Bell. We felt like kids again. I have a tee shirt that says "Old enough to know better but...young enough to do it anyway."

And that makes us Red Hatters..... at any age.

On January 24th. we attended the annual Cabaret Show by the Polymnia Choral Society, at the Temple Beth Shalom here in Melrose.

Claire Gibson, Jenny Montrose, and Jean Nigro started the show with the song "What a Wonderful World".

There were 17 individual performances and each one was outstanding.

Taylor Rubbins sang "Nothing but Water"with her usual flair and charm.

Liz Donaldson was a vision of Sophie Tucker as she sang "Good to Mama".

Aidan Kenawell sang the poignant song "Empty Chairs at Empty Table" from Les Miserables.

A remarkable collection of voices that filled the room with love and warmth as the weather outside was winter cold.

Weather or not we keep moving with our Hats on.....Join us in February and see what we are able to accomplish; just keep moving my friends.