A teddy bear picnic in November

By Susan Douglas
RR Red Hatters

Sixteen ladies gathered, Nov. 27th, at the Berglund Lutheran Church in spite of the cold snap & snowy weather. What was all the fuss about? Why the Teddy Bear picnic of course!
The church was decorated with red balloons and teddy bears scattered about. Our hostess, Lady Carolina Rose, (Carolyn Kreger), read the Teddy picnic story as we all sang “If you go out in the woods today...you’ll be in for a big surprise!”. The gals gathered round the tables set with Teddy bear candles and red cloths. The buffet table was set containing: ants on a log (celery with peanut butter and raisons), teddy bear snack crackers, cheeses, and meats (said to be squirrel and skunk but really luncheon meats). Also on the menu were pretend acorns, (candied nuts) and bear claw cookies and fresh fruits. Once the ladies had dined they were led to craft tables containing colourful fleece and shown by Lady Carolina, how to make tied blankets. The red hatters broke into pairs for this event creating quilts to wrap around the Ty teddies, donated by Lady Dolly of La Tea Da. (Dawn Jarvis). While the cozy teddies slept wrapped in their new blankets Queen La Diva, (Susan Douglas) showed the girls how to making teddy bear craft pins.
The ladies then sang the Teddy Bear song again followed by a musical game similar to hot potato. A large red hat handbag, donated by Jean Bey, now full of goodies, was passed from person to person. As the music ended the ladies would draw a gift until almost everyone received a prize. Royal Purple Lady, (Mary Sanderson,) chose as her gift the lovely-decorated Christmas hat of our former Honorary Queen Isabella, (McInnes) and also ended with the lovely purse. To conclude the afternoon of activities the Rogues enjoyed a Teddy Bear cake with ice cream and then were led on an exercise of a Bear Hunt, indoors. The red hatters packed up the teddies ready for giving to the Senior’s at the Long term care facility in Rainy River. We’ll meet at the hosp. on Fri., Dec. 7th at 1:30p.m., when we will entertain and serve dessert to the seniors.
The Rouges put together a care basket, food, and a poinsettia plant for Countess Ladyslipper, (Jean Bernst,) who was unable to attend.
Les Rouge Rogues are reminded to register at the Rainy River Record by Dec. 7th for our last event of the year, Ye Olde English Christmasse Feaste. It will be held Dec. 11th, 6 p.m. at the Senior’s Depot. Please bring a gift bag for exchange containing, 1)something red or purple 2) something useful 3) something funny or homemade 4) something sweet and 5)something nice. All 5 items totalled should not exceed a value of $10.00. If you have any questions about red hatting please contact Susan Douglas at 852-1937. Merry Christmas everyone!