FIRST LADIES: Nonpareils visited the GENERAL MORGAN INN where the recreated First Ladies dress collection was displayed in the lobby. Without asking permission, we made the first ladies a part of our group by sharing hats with those who were properly attired! Carole Wills, the only birthday girl on the bus, placed her purple hat on Laura Bush's mannequin then Linda Roberts, Helen Glen and Lee Montgomery found Barbara Bush in a purple velvet gown and she too joined the group.
TRAVEL QUEEN Evelyn Miller and her assistant today, Hannah McDaniel charmed Hillary Clinton. Hannah inadvertently kicked a picture of Bill over that was displayed (properly) at Hillary's feet! Helen Gray and I consulted with the maitre d' about the menu before entering the dining room for a truly sumptuous hot buffet lunch. I am most grateful to Judi Ritchie who brought along another charming RED HAT LADY quilt that she created. It is going to grace the area above our family room fireplace and the HOOTENANNIES will be first to see it tomorrow. "Wine and cheese" on the trip home concluded another memorable NONPAREILS adventure; TRAVEL QUEEN EVELYN has done it again!

JANUARY BIRTHDAY: LUCE'S BISTRO in Maryville probably had its first SNOW BALL LUNCHEON when January BIRTHDAY QUEENS June Bierman and Noreen Burke filled the house on Monday for 8 ladies to celebrate their special month. The Queens enlisted help from friends to create individual "red hat snowlady" place favors. The smiling plaster creations wearing a purple jacket, red purse, scarf and red feathered hat greeted each guest as she was seated.
Diners were divided in their opinion of which entree was best; Luce's special pasta or the crab cake salad but everyone agreed that the spectacular snow man cake was delicious. The birthday celebrants were seated together in the center of the restaurant that opened on Monday just for us. Judy Massey was the lucky 50/50 winner with a $33 take.

VALENTINE TEA: Lyons View Gallery will open especially for a Nonpareils Valentine Tea on Monday, Feb. 14. Lunch starts at 11 a.m. but the gallery will be open at 10:30 to allow time for enjoying the art.
The tea luncheon includes Valentine House Blend Tea, scones with clotted cream and jam, pound cake, tea sandwiches filled with cucumbers, ham and mustard, chicken salad, and crab salad · tea savouries and sweet delights including Tiramisu, Meringues, and Nut Thumb Print Cookies. Cost is $18 per person, including tax and gratuity.
Lyons View Gallery is at 4509 Kingston Pike (584-7733), in the Western Plaza shopping center. RSVP to RHS Nonpareils Valentine Queen Jane Garron (jgarrontn@aol.com) as soon as possible: Confirmation by check no later than Feb. 4. Mail checks to:
Jane Garron 3638 Taliluna Ave. Knoxville, TN 37919

FEBRUARY BIRTHDAY (AND FUR BALL II):  The FUR BALL last year was so popular that we had FUR BALL II in February at the ORANGERY.
Since Winter will still be here, this year's February birthday party will be FUR BALL "TOO" -- another chance to wear fur, vintage or new, faux or real, but of course, this is optional.
Lunch will be at the Orangery at 11:30 a.m. on Friday, Feb. 24. Menu:  Chicken Volavent Puff Pastry with chicken tenders in a white wine mushroom cream sauce served with medley of steamed vegetables, french bread and butter, Red Velvet Cake, Iced Tea or Coffee for $22.
Please mail your check to: Lucinda Denton, 2009 Signal Point Road, Knoxville, TN 37922-6146 Other chapters are invited to join us and as always, gifts for birthday celebrants to share are optional.
Reminder that those ladies celebrating February Birthdays WILL NOT be included unless YOU MAKE RESERVATIONS IN ADVANCE!

MARCH BIRTHDAY: The March Birthday Luncheon will be March 9 at 1 p.m. at Carraba's, 324 North Peters Road, Knoxville. Cost is $21.
Choose from three dinner-size entres: Entrée Choices include choice of potato, pasta, or vegetable of the day: 1) CHICKEN MARSALA: Fire roasted breast topped with mushrooms, prosciutto and wine sauce; 2) GRILLED SALMON with Chef's sauce of the day 3) PASTA CARRABBA: Fettucini Alfredo tossed with Grilled Chicken, mushrooms and peas. Meals include Caesar salad, rolls and choice of potato, pasta or vegetable of theday. The usual beverages and Red Velvet cake are also included.
Indicate your choice of entre by writing the number on your check. Mail to: Camille Cook, 11536 Fincastle Way, Knoxville, TN 37922.
March birthday celebrants: You must let Camille know if you will be attending (in red attire with a purple hat) so that you can be included in the special seating.
Deadline for checks is March 1.

OFF TO VEGAS:  OFF TO VEGAS QUEEN NOREEN BURKE has booked the TELLICO TANASI GOLF CLUB ROOM for everyone going to the convention to get together and compare notes. Some ladies have never been and would like the opportunity to hear about previous convention so PLEASE BRING YOUR PICTURES if you were in Chicago, Nashville or Dallas. THURSDAY, MARCH 30TH 11:30 AM Soup, salad and beverage $8.50 Check by March 17th to: Noreen Burke 212 Kiowa Point, Loudon, TN. 37774

FUR BALL:  Jo Martyn and Darlene Dagnan were perfect fur clad Queens at our THIRD Fur Ball held this year at the WASABI GRILL.
After we were seated, participants modeled their fur selections while Darlene read a personal tale about each fur. As she said, "Each fur has a tale and ladies love to share them." Darlene's full length mink was actually bartered from one of her clients in exchange for decorator services! Queen Martyn said "You can't have too many furs" as she snuggled in a red cashmere, fox-trimmed cape worn over a mink vest created from an old stole!
Many furs were vintage, often from Mom's closet, eBay or antique shops. Unfortunately, only half of the guests were able to model as chefs arrived with their dramatic table side show, cooking individual choices of beef, chicken and seafood or combinations. When Jo sent the invitation, I couldn't picture "FUR BALL at the WASABI GRILL" but it was the PERFECT place with lots of action and fun. The February Birthday is a "FUR BALL TOO," another opportunity to pull out the forgotten skins; be sure and sign up. Let's hope it won't be a record breaking Winter heat wave in Knoxville again!!