About Us:  " Sparkling 5" in Tri-Cities WA.
This site is organized by
members of the Sparkling
Rubies (Chapter #...) and
Red Glitz'ees (Chapter
#44953).  It is intended to
be a site for Red Hatters of
the Tri-Cities Washington
area to share information
about chapter sponsored
events, ideas, meetings,
photos and the like.
The Pink Hatted Queen (Marie Pardini) is the "Fun Seeker"
I have always looked for fun every where I go.  I have been involved with the
Red Hatters for  3 years and loved every minute!  I've made such wonderful
friends and gone to a lot of fun events all across the country.  I don't think I
have ever laughed so much before.  
I truly love having Fun!  The definition of fun may change daily, but it is
always my ultimate goal.  I hope I never actually "grow up"  Some of my
favorite activities are roller skating, playing tennis, laughing, reading  and
dancing.  And I actually like to organize!  It may sound funny, but when things
are organized, it is easier for me to enjoy.
My current passion is dancing.  I dance 2 or 3 times a week.  I like swing,
ballroom and Latin styles.  I remember as a little girl watching shows where
ladies wore beautiful long gowns and glided across the floor - that's what I
want to be like!   OK, I also like to shake it up a bit with "Elvis".
I have met some of the greatest people in the last few years.  Red Hat ladies
are absolutely wonderful.  Some day, I'll get to "Red-uate" and wear the
fabulous Red and Purple.  Until then, I am happy being a "Pinkie Queen".  My
wish for you is that you seek fun every day in everything you do!  Happy
Hatting!
Quotes from friends:
"She is quite the organizer and she really can delegate!  We love her!"  
                                                            Mistress of Media (aka Gayle)
"Hail, Hail to the Bestest Queen"   
                            Lady Just Do It (aka Karen)
"One of the most the most energetic and likeable people I know"
                                                            Madame Make It (aka Elsa)
"Thanks for Marie - we would not be doing all this if it wasn't for Marie"
                                                            Easy Lady (aka Joyce)
Red Hatters of Tri-Cities WA. (Kennewick, Pasco & Richland)
Take one "Georgia Peach", one "Sunday School teacher turned
belly-dancer", one "overweight aerobics instructor", one "fun seeker"
and one "quiet, mild-mannered, wheels always turning woman" and
what do you have?
Well, maybe someday these ladies will be a characters in a new Red Hat Society
novel but for now we call ourselves the
"Sparkling 5".
For the last 2 years, this group has had alot of fun planning events for area Red
Hatters.  We have put on fashion shows and pajama parties, planned trips to
Leavenworth in Christmas season and hosted "The Red Hat Invasion".  Our
biggest accomplishment has been the Red Hat Invasion which is a 3 day event
held in April 2005 and April 2006 in Richland Washington.  Several hundred Red
Hatters from all over the pacific northwest and Canada have attended.  
Entertainment has included "Big Purple Undies" (authors of the book of the
same name); Madi Gras Masquerade Dinner Party (with casino gaming and jazz
band); Interactive Murder Mystery at "Copa Casaba" in 1928 Chicago; "Elvis" at
the sock hop.
We are now taking on the Pacific Northwest Regional Red Hat Fun-vention.  We
have lots of fun planning these events - but it is definitely a lot of work too!  Stay
tuned to this website for more details on the Fun-vention.       
Now, heres a little more information about the "Sparkling 5".
Our Georgia Peach, Mistress of the Media, (Gayle Cook) has
enough modern computer technology to give Bill Gates a run
for his money.
 During the last 2 seasons of Red Hat Invasion, Gayle
has single handedly produced all of our circulations,  This includes all
designing of brochures, registration, e-mails, all mailings, all
photography and the printing of the pictures.  "WONDER WOMAN"!!!  
The classic saying  "If you want something done, ask a busy person"
rings so true of Gayle.  She is married (36 years - claims her husband
robbed the cradle) has 2 children and 6 grandchildren, in addition to
working 40+ hrs/week.  Gayle is very active in Good Sam Club, where
she holds a position on the Washington State Staff.  This is where she
was introduced to "Red Hatting".  She became the coordinator of the
"High Teas" put on by Good Sams Red Hatters.  She is also a member
of the Red Glitz'ees and the Sparkling Rubies red hat chapters.  Gayle
has been a peach of an asset for the Sparkling 5.  Without her, we
would be dead in the water.  Her wit and humor have gotten us through
several times in the last 2 years.  It is absolutely truthful (and said with
the utmost respect) - "For a good time, Gayle is the best".
Quotes from friends:
"Don't forget the 'depends' when you're around Gayle - you'll laugh so hard...Well     
  you get the idea"    
                            Queen Lady Sapphire (aka Marie)
Meet the "Sparkling 5"

Our beloved Overweight Aerobics Instructor " Madam Just
do it"  (Karen Strope)
 As any person my age would say, I have
definitely BEEN THERE, DONE THAT!  
My life has been no different than anyone else's.  I was married at
22, had 4 children ( I now have 11 grandchildren and just recently
became a great grandmother),  have worked most of my life; I've
cleaned, car pooled, juggled ballgames, nurtured boo-boos,
brought home the bacon and cooked it up, lived thru "all Girl"
slumber parties and anything else that comes with the territory.  I
was widowed at age 47 and vowed I didn't want o ever get married
again.  But after 3 years, fate stepped in and changed my mind.  I
met and married the love of my life all within 3 months.  We have
bee married for 8 1/2 yrs now.  That's it - my life summed up in one
paragraph.   
I became a RED Hatter 2 years ago.  It was like this is what I have
been waiting for all my life.  For someone to never liked HATS ( Cuz
they would ruin my coiffure - I still "RAT" and spray my hair- I have  
donned the prettiest red hat and would be quite happy to live the
rest of my life wearing one.  I enjoy the camaraderie of all the
friends I have met.  What a veritable fountain of Knowledge and
expertise we all have.  
I have recently became active in the volunteer program through the
Kennewick Senior Center.  This really gives me a sense of
accomplishment.  I also teach Senior aerobics at the Center -most
enjoyable.
My dream (pipe dream) is to don my red hat along with my husband
and his red hat, jump in the motor home and tour the whole USA.  
Then, when we get old, settle down and enjoy the rest of our lives
together.
That's my story and I'm sticking to it.
Quotes from Friends:
" I never would have thought she doesn't like hats.  Since joining the RED HAT
Chapter, I have never see her without one and it isn't always red - I now see
her in a variety of beautiful hats that she has made herself.  You look loverly
dah-ling!"  
                            Queen Lady Sapphire (aka Marie)
"Karen is colorful, creative and lots of fun to be with"
                              Madame Make it (aka Elsa)
"I have never see her without  a hat"  And I have one of her hand made hats       
myself"
                           Mistress of Media (aka Gayle)
Sunday School Teacher turned Belly Dancer!!!  "Madam make
it" (Elsa Moore)
You read that right.  What diversity our committee has.  Our own Elsa
certainly has a long list of attributes (retired tailor, Girl scout leader,
currently works as a demonstrator for various food chains) on her resume.
 She certainly would be a great character in any of the forth coming RHS
novels. Elsa (widowed ) has 3 children, 2 grand children and 1 Great
grand child,  Her hobbies and talents are many.  She is an excellent
seamstress, loves to quilt, has done oil painting and does tiffany style egg
art ( you name it, she does it.)  Her favorite hobby is "Red Hatting".   She's
a member of the "Ladies of the Purple Sage" for 6 years and currently is
their vice-queen.  She has served on the committee for the Red Hat
Invasion for the past 2 years.  Elsa's ingenuity and creativeness have
greatly contributed to the success of both Red Hat Invasions.   
Quotes from Friends:
" Elsa is extremely creative and always fun to be around".
                                                           Queen Lady Sapphire  (aka Marie)
" Always does a great job"   
                 Easy Lady (aka Joyce)
" A true Friend"  
         Madam just do it  (aka- Karen)
" I enjoy all of her stories - She's so fun to be with"  
                                                                 Mistress of Media (aka Gayle)
Mild mannered, wheels always turning "Easy Lady"
( Joyce Curry)
What an honor it has been for the Sparkling 5 committee to have the
most Classiest Lady around among them.  You look up CLASS in the
dictionary and you will fine the name Joyce Curry.  Joyce is fairly new to
the Tri Cities (8 Years).  She raised her family in the central Oregon area.
 She currently works as a caregiver and when she is not working she
loves to travel.  She made it to Hawaii this year.  She currently belongs to
Hattitude Hatties and has served on the committee for the last 2
Invasions.  Her hobbies include quilting and of course traveling.  Joyce
may be our quiet one but she has a definite impact on the end result.  
The Invasions has been a success and Joyce is a big part of the reason.
Quotes from friends:
" Joyce is quietly efficient and always a lady.  
                                                 Madame make it (aka Elsa)
" The epitome of CLASS!         
                                         Madame just do it  (aka Karen)                                    
" Starts a project and sticks with it."
                                   Mistress of Media (aka Gayle)
Sparkling 5
at the 2006 Red Hat Invasion.
Left to Right.  Gayle Cook,
Marie Pardini, Elsa Moore,
Karen Strope & Joyce Curry!
Gayle Cook & her cradle
robbing husband Daryl - aren't
they cute!
Elsa Moore "We all Love Elsa"
Website designed and maintained by Gayle Cook- Mistress of Media
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Writer of "Thursdays at 6"
Soon to be published book
about the Sparkling 5!

She is on her 3rd book;
fact or fiction?
You'll have to read it and
decide for yourself.
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Joyce has a very exciting lilfe
in the new " Thurdays at 6"
book by Karen Strope!
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