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Purple butterflies plan fun for holiday

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By LAURA CONE THE SUN

Published: November 11, 2009

Many members of the Purple Butterflies chapter of the Red Hat Society volunteer their time to serve their community. But when they put on their red hats, it's not about others - it's all about fun.

Elaine Massaro, the Madame Butterfly for the largest Red Hat Society chapter in Sun City Center, said she is taking reservations now for "Butterflies Have Fun." She said the seventh annual End of the Year Banquet will take place Dec. 3 at Community Hall, but that the deadline for reservations is Nov. 20.

"It's something fun to do - no obligations, no charities," she said. "This is just for women to go out and relax and have a good time. In Sun City Center, there are a lot of people with health problems and home problems, and this lets them get away from their problems."

Massaro said there are other Red Hat Society chapters in Sun City Center besides the Purple Butterflies, but that members from any Red Hat Society chapter, as well as guests and prospective members, may attend the banquet.

Ellen Clark of SCC has been a member of the Purple Butterflies for three years. She moved to SCC from Atlanta six years ago.

Clark, who still works as a registered nurse at H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center in Tampa, looks forward to the break.

"This is my fun thing," Clark said. "It's a whole lot of fun to be the girls we used to be. It's a camaraderie you get with people. My best girlfriend I met through Red Hats."

She anticipates the dinner of salmon filet with almond sauce or boneless chicken breast with cornbread stuffing catered by Banquet Masters will be delicious.

"We are trying to get members for 2010 so this might be something they would want to come to," said Clark, adding guests need to dress in purple and wear red hats. Typically women from five or six other area Red Hat chapters come together for the December banquet.

"You don't really have to think at all with any of our activities," Clark said. "You can have fun and be crazy."

Clark said vendors and Red Hat members will be on hand to sell Christmas gifts and crafts. Entertainment will be provided by Sun City Singers, Ray and Ann Paris.

There will be special Red Hat item raffles, including a 50/50.

Doors open by 3:45 p.m. for shopping, and the evening festivities will last until 8 p.m.

For more information, call Elaine at (813) 634-3479.

Editor Laura Cone may be reached at lcone@mediageneral.com.

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