RECEIVING THE NICEST LETTERS

The Easter Promenade has become one of the highlights of my year. To walk down the streets of my beloved Charleston with my daughter and Mother and hundreds of my sisters and brothers, forces a lump in my throat. It is an indescribable experience and one that I hope I am never forced to miss. My daughter is already planning next year’s outfit!   (Carolyn Murray, Anchor on Count On 2, WCBD TV

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It was awesome! My family, work and home, and I are thrilled and honored to be a part of the Promenade each year! Can we make it more than once per year? Dave Williams, Meteorologist/Co-host/ABC News 4

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The Easter Parade in NYC needs you guys!  (Ellen of Ellen Christine Millinery. www.ellenchristine.com)

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This was the best promenade ever....but, I think I say that every year!!!!!!! Thanks for all your hard work and for allowing us to have soooo much fun.

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Once again, you have managed to pull another beautiful, flawlessly perfect Promenade out of our Hat!  You have given my Mother and me another very, very special time to dress up, go out and strut our stuff.  We both very much appreciate the time, effort, leg work, finances, and sheer brain power and creativity that goes into all of it.  We are so very grateful to be a part of such a superb group of women.  Hats off to The Hat Ladies!!!!!!!!!!

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Special thanks to Bill Burr, News Anchor WCSC, Live 5 who wrote, "Since I couldn't take part in The Easter Promenade, the least I could do was make sure it was covered properly on the evening newscasts.  It was a pleasure. I'm happy to know your event was a success."

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The Hat Ladies Promenade

by Clarence Derrick

On Easter Saturday there was many a hat

But the meaning behind them was more than that:

Here we saw lovely, helpful lives

Happily moved by worthy drives.

Ask any one why she was  there

And she will say with eager cheer:

"We like to look, feel and do good,

And have as much as we should!

Out of Washington Park they came,

Lovely Ladies with ample fame,

Fame for the good things they have done

And for this walk that is such fun.

Through the gate with voices so sweet,

West on Broad, on to Meeting Street,

Singing a tune with their words on it,

The well known, "In Your Easter Bonnet."

Lines of fives an sixes they walk,

Smiles on their faces as they talk.

While Easter bonnets all look fine,

There's much more; these Ladies are kind!

They're kind in words as well as deed.

They try to help people with their needs.

Beauties they are, these lovely girls,

Some with straight hair, and some with curls.

Some are young, and some more mature.

Looks and style, they all have allure.

Many say it's the hats they wear;

Some think its the styling of their hair.

Each of these things is very good,

And we enjoy them, as we should;

But this fellow readily does know:

Their allure is in the love they show.

The love they show in many places

Always appears on their faces.

Something they dance; sometimes they sing.

Always it is the same fine thing.

It's the alluring love they show.

It appears everywhere they go.

Where they see the old and the ill,

And some with too much time to kill.

With hearts of love and smiles of joy

They give new to life to some old boy.

And feeble ladies smile with glee,

Thinking of how it used to be.

Then when they dance, Hat Ladies dear,

Some join right in, while others cheer.

These kind hearts walk down Meeting Street,

All pretty from head down to their feet.

People see it and think it's great,

'Specially those who've come from out of state.

Cameras click; people smile and wave.

Many find pleasures that they crave.

Deep in their hearts members all know:

Promenade is more than a show.

It gives expression for what is real,

The kind of joy that members feel.

Ladies who enjoy looking good

And feeling good while doing good.

Hat Ladies of The Holy City,

Each in her own way, is so pretty.

The hat, the smile, the clothes, the face...

Each reveals her charm and her grace.

All this we know, we men who walk

And listen to these Ladies talk!

  Acknowledging Those Who Made it Happen