“Everyday’s a holiday! Every night is a Saturday night!”
The “magnificent seven” Happy Hatters arrived at the beautiful Port Royal Hotel on Tuesday afternoon among a sea of purple and red beautiful, and hilarious women! This year’s event hosted 115 women from the tri-state area.
We were able to check into our rooms early before heading to the Welcome Reception. I was completely surprised to check into a 2 bedroom suite, with a kitchen, dining area, living room, 3 TV’s, a walk in closet and vanity area. This accommodation became our home away from home and meeting place before and after hours during our 3 day stay. All rooms had ocean views from our balconies.
We met each other at the Welcome Reception in the hotel restaurant. Wraps, wine and cheese were served. “We’re off to a good start!”
The theme for the event was “Hawaiian Luau” which was evident as we looked around at the ladies with their leis, flowered hair décor and even some grass skirts!
A BIG THANKS goes out to Elaine H who single handedly constructed our flowered red hats.
After our reception, we met in my room to discuss our “game plan” for the next 3 days. Yes, this would be our party central.
Our first evening was was a dinner-show at Gioia Restaurant in downtown Wildwood. We gathered in the lobby as we awaited our trolley to transport us to the restaurant.
Gioia Restaurant was ready and waiting for us as we arrived. Decorated in red and purple, we certainly felt welcome.
Cheers!
This isn’t what it looks like!
LOL A glass of red wine was spilled ---right on the back of Sheri! She seems to be enjoying the owner rubbing her back, doesn’t she! Fortunately, the wine blended with her purple jacket, so no harm was done. 
We were treated to a buffet dinner and a Polynesian show. It seemed that the ladies especially enjoyed our “shirtless” male dancer.
The next day we had breakfast in “shifts” in the hotel restaurant. Sheri and I are the early birds and met at 7:30 AM while Blanch, Linda, Jeannie, Elaine and Sheila preferred a 9:30 seating. Our trolley was scheduled to leave Wildwood at 11:30 for Cape May. Elaine and Sheila decided that the weather was so beautiful, they would spend the day relaxing at the pool, while the rest of us went into Cape May for some lunch and shopping. After breakfast, I had some time to spare so I rented a bike and rode the boardwalk and bike trail through Wildwood.
Tonight we would strut our stuff at the Convention Center for the big Luau and Dance Party, including a contest for which group looked the most outstanding based on our theme. We were told to be sure to have our grass skirts and coconut bras, which we had ---but we had something else up our sleeve!
The buffet was Polynesian style – with a salmon dish, shrimp cabobs, sweet and sour chicken, pork, plus a vegetable noodle dish.
Afterwards, Jeannie decided to perform a skit and we would accompany her. OK – so we had no advance practice, but “what the hell”, we’re having a good time anyway!
So – Jeannie attempts to sing “I’ve got a lovely bunch of coconuts”
LOL The crowd went wild! I thought I’d pee my pants I laughed so hard. 
And then ---THE UNTHINKABLE HAPPENED! THE HAPPY HATTERS WERE AWARDED FIRST PLACE IN THE COSTUME COMPETITION!
OMG – We had some stiff competition!
Like this women who said she’d had “plastic surgery”.
LOLWe ended the evening on a high note and went back to celebrate with an “after party” in my room.
The next day we assumed our places in the restaurant for breakfast – I took a walk - and we packed to check out of the hotel before we met at the pool for a pig roast and hula lesson!
Blanch and Sheri (above)
Sheila, exhausted from all the excitement of our prior evening.
Elaine – catching up with the news!
Linda, our honorary Happy Hatter and Blanch’s good buddy – spreading the news about our win!
Jeannie (yep – she’s there) – displaying her purse which we all loved!
The professional dancers did a great job teaching the Hula. The Happy Hatters (the champs) decided to sit out the lessen and rest on their laurels as the winners of the prior evenings costume contest.
“THAT’S ALL FOLKS”
We all vowed to return next May and can’t wait to find out what the theme will be. We heard some talk about a “Western” theme. We’ll just have to wait and see! Yahoo!
