Article from the Times~Herald
Friday, July 16, 2021
Red Hats avoid red hot temps, stay cool at farm
Postponed trip ‘worth it’ to see the animals
Article By Richard Freedman TIMES~HERALD
rfreedman@timesheraldonline.com
Photos by Chris Riley TIMES~HERALD
All the animals at Loma Vista Farm were seeing red Thursday. Well except for Keebler and Oreo the cows. Bovines have exceptional panoramic vision, sure, but they don’t see red.
No matter. Seemed like the cows, sheep, goats, chickens, pigs, bunnies and horses at the north Vallejo sanctuary welcomed the ladies from the Red Hat Society during an early afternoon critter campus excursion.
Seven women from the Napa chapter of the Red Hats were led around grounds by ‘Farmer’ Rita LeRoy, Loma Vista’s historian and familiar face to humans and animals. Grown-up groups only reserve a tour a few times a year, LeRoy said, tickled by the attentive red-and-purple clad ladies.
“They are doing a real good job,” LeRoy said 15 minutes into the tour. “They’re staying together and (smile) they’re not causing any trouble. They’re on their best behavior and they’re really good listeners. They asked really good questions.”
The chapter’s “queen,” Joyce Wilson, said the Red Hats planned a visit to Loma Vista Farm because “it looked interesting and we’re always looking for some place new and interesting.”
Though it was the group’s first-time visit, barn animals are hardly new to the 83-yar old Cordelia resident.
“I was brought up on a ranch in Sonoma County,” said Wilson. “Lots of horses and cows.”
The tour was delayed a few minutes because of street construction as Wilson planted herself on the corner directing her colleagues. No big deal.
“We’re prepared for just about anything,” Wilson said, smiling, “and when you get to my age, there are a lot of detours.”
Well worth it, said Red Hatter Jackie Soria of Napa, with her 11-year-old grandson, Tristan, joining the fun.
“This is beautiful,” Soria said of the farm. “I’m really amazed how much the community put in to make it so nice with the sidewalks and fences. I’ve been to zoos that haven’t had as nice of materials.”
A Red Hatter for nine years, Soria said it’s all for the friendships “and being able to go out and do different things that I wouldn’t do by myself.”
A six-year Red Hatter, Veronica Hale of Fairfield, said it’s all about “just hanging out with like-minded people. We like to go and have drinks and lunch and with this group – I belong to two groups – they have one luncheon and one activity and this is our activity.”
It was a welcomed relief strolling the five-acre farm in 65-degree weather Thursday afternoon after the Red Hats postponed the original June 17 date that would have had them dragging in 106 degrees.
Red Hatter Jackie Soria of Napa said she was “disappointed” with the postponement, “but I was worried it would be too hot.”
“What a difference a month makes,” said LeRoy, minutes before taking the seven “Red Hatters” on a tour.
Besides a relief for the older-than-50 Red Hat ladies, it’s “absolutely more comfortable for the animals” than the recent heat wave, LeRoy said. “They’re loving it; frisky and happy. With the cool air and wind, the horses don’t have flies bothering them. All the animals are really comfortable and not seeking shade and trying to wait it out. They’re just enjoying life.”
The Red Hat Society (RHS) is an international social organization that was founded in 1998 in the United States and has more than 40,000 chapters worldwide. Originally intended for women aged 50 and beyond, the RHS is open to females of all ages.
All members 50 years and older wear red hats and purple clothing to meetings and events that they attend together. Women younger than 50 are encouraged to join as well, but they typically wear pink hats and lavender clothing.
Sporting the color coordinated hats and clothes, it’s hardly a secret organization.
“Everyone knows who we are,” Wilson said.
Contact reporter Richard Freedman at 707-553-6820
Photos by Chris Riley-TIMES~HERALD
