Red Hatters March 2022

March 15th and we started today by going into Boston to visit the Immersive Van Gogh Exhibit. The exhibit was at the SOWA art and design district on Harrison Avenue.

I must start first by saying it was outstanding; almost magical. I am not a big Museum person but this kept my attention every minute.

The first room held hanging boards with information about the timeline of Van Gogh's life; including his infamous self-mutilation of his ear or his life in an asylum in Southern France. The times he spent in Japan and France and other areas around Europe were documented. It was a history of a man that died very young but left a legacy of beautiful art.

The second room was amazing. Every inch of the sprawling room was lit with Van Gogh's artwork, . There were people sitting on benches, and on the floor, and sitting against the walls- all gazing intently at the magnificent display. The changing scenes depicting Van Gogh's work is a magical production.

We stood and walk around, and took pictures for an hour, just viewing the changing scenes of his magnificent artwork. It was worth the $35.00 we spent to view this amazing production.

We had to walk a few block before finding the Bostonian Market and Cafe. Small place but room enough for the six of us. We ordered sandwich, sat at a corner table, and talked about the wonderful experience we had just come from.

March 17th. and we wore our purple outfits with our RED HATS, but had a touch of green for the day. It was St. Patrick's day and we headed for the Irish Cottage in Methuen to enjoy corned beef and cabbage and much more.

We arrived at 11:00am and we were on a waiting list for an hour and a half. It was noisy and happy inside but it was a pleasant day so we sat outdoor, waiting. There was a greeting party on a bike to keep us company.

Our wait ended up being two hours, but we did get inside at a table large enough to hold the eight of us.

The food was excellent and the service, despite how busy the restaurant was was also very good. It was fun just to talk and eat and watch everyone wearing their shades of green.

There was a bag pipe player, and then a band. We tapped our toes and on the floor and our fingers on the table and we enjoyed ourselves.

The kids did there part by dancing about. They were having a great time just being there with their grandfather.

The table was reserved for a party at 3:30 so we were on our way with takeout boxes by 3:00. The drizzle had started, the traffic was not to bad, and we were back in Melrose by3:30 holding on to another Red Hat memory day.

March 29th and we had plans to visit a dairy farm in Rhode Island. The weather was cold and we had no desire to walk around outdoors, so we make a quick decision and decided to go north.

We aimed for Warren's in Kittery. We have been at this location many times but if you want sea food and salad, this has to be the destination. Warren's salad bar boasts 60 items; all fresh and constantly being replenished.

From lettuce and carrots and beets, to mushrooms and pasta salads. There is cake and rolls and beans; there are greens, and pumpkin seeds and raisins, potato salad, broccoli and garbanzos; and a table for soup and cheese and crackers. I got a lobster roll , lobster Rangoon , clam chowder, squash and all the salad we wanted for. $33.89. Great seafood , and a great setting on the water . We had excellent service and lobster roll and lobster Rangoon to go home,.

The change was a good ideal; and we went home happy and full of good healthy food in our bellies.

March 30th Jersey Mike's was donating 100 % of their sales for this day to the special Olympics. Although this is not someplace we would have gone, we did. We felt having a good sub and getting the money to the Olympics was a good idea.

The shop was crowded but the line moved along very well. We were able to get a table for the four of us and we met Michael. Michael is a young man that one of our members knew when he was younger., he is in his 30years now. He proudly displays his Special Olympic Medals that he has won over the years. And we were happy to talk with him about the swimming and the ice skating medals hanging around his neck.

The subs were good and we felt good about what we did towards contributing to this special fund.

We could not pass on ice cream so we headed for Soc's. We were surprised to see that today the 5th grade Parents committee were raising money for the 5th graders at the Belmont Steam Academy.,so we did two good deeds today while having yet another Red Hat day to add to out month of March.

Here comes Spring so follow us as the weather improves and we continue to move along by being RED HAT HAPPY.