Queens and vice queens of area Red Hat Society chapters gathered Thursday at Riverbend Country Club for their quarterly meeting in which ideas and information were shared about future society events. The ladies of the society enjoyed a festive afternoon filled with fun and good food. (T-G Photo by Sadie Fowler)

They're not organized and there's really no major philanthropic purpose to the group of ladies in red. Basically, there are only two requirements to be part of their group. But those two requirements are no laughing matter to these ladies of royalty.

If you like red hats and you love to be silly and have fun, you're in -- the Red Hat Society is just for you. And, of course, you must be at least 50 years young to participate, unless you don't mind wearing a pink hat.

Pink hats and lavender outfits are for the underage ladies.

Last Thursday, the queens and vice queens of several area chapters of the society met at the Riverbend Country Club for a Queens' council meeting, which included a little bit of food, sharing of ideas, and, of course, a whole lot of fun.

Cara Francis, queen mother of the Celebration Chicks chapter; Jere Roberts, queen mother of the Ladybugs chapter; and Cindy Calahan, queen mother for the YA YA Hoopla Girls, hosted Thursday's meeting, which drew in a full house of ladies wearing red hats and purple outfits.

Who are they and what do they do?

Their web site states: "We are the women in the red and pink hats. We are the mothers, grandmothers, and daughters of society. Little girls grow up, but they're never too old to play dress-up and have tea parties.

"The standard answer to the question, 'What do you do?' is...Nothing. Our main responsibility is to have fun!"

Sue Ellen Cooper, who now bears the title Exalted Queen Mother, started the Red Hat Society about 10 years ago when she gave a friend a red fedora and a copy of a poem by Jenny Joseph, Warning. The poem had meant so much to Cooper, which is why she gave it, and a red hat, to her friend.

The gift-giving of the red hats and poem proceeded to spread until the first chapter of the social "dis-organization" was formed. There are now more than 1.5 million registered members of the Red Hat Society in more than 40,000 chapters in the United States.

The organization aims at attracting responsible ladies of a community whose lives have been consumed with work, their families and communities. Fun meetings, luncheons, teas and get togethers offer these ladies an opportunity to trade in their busy lives for a little bit of silliness, relaxation and good old fashioned fun.

For more information about the Red Hat Society visit www.redhatsociety.com.