When Carol Pyles struck up a conversation with a woman in the Hiawassee Post Office during an early spring weekend at her cabin in the North Georgia Mountains, she had no idea it would lead to a friendship bonded by mutual interests.
It seems both women are Queens of their respective chapters of the Red Hat Society, an international women’s social organization that supports and encourages women to pursue fun and friendship. Pyles is Queen of the MADD Hatters of Guyton and has a thriving membership from the surrounding towns.
The woman, Helen Naismith, is Queen of the Mountain Laurel Ladies of Hiawassee which includes members from the surrounding three-county area. During the women’s friendly chat, Naismith invited Pyles to join her chapter at their next monthly luncheon which took place early this month at a popular restaurant high on a ridge overlooking Lake Chatuge with 12 members in attendance, including two Pink Hatters from Bryan County, Lynn Ford and Paulette Muns.
The RHS is made up of women over 50, who are required to wear red hats and purple ensembles to all Red Hat events. Younger women are also invited to join the organization; their dress code is pink hats and lavender outfits.
To learn more about the Red Hat Society please visit the website at www.redhatsociety.com.