Way back in July, I wrote a prickly piece about the Red Hat Society.

The column was prefaced with my expectation that no one would agree, and I’d surely be misunderstood. Anyway, here’s the gist of what I wrote: “I think all the red-hat mama silliness boosts a notion that women over 50 are such eccentric characters we no longer fit in society’s mainstream.”

Remember? Many members of the over-50 women’s movement haven’t let me forget it.

Some might be surprised that a few readers did agree with me. “You can be assured that you are not the only one,” wrote Diane Schultz of Camano Island.

While it’s still true I don’t think the group is for me, I never meant to hurt anyone’s feelings. And I completely agree with some of the critical responses sent my way.

Suzanne Fenimore of Snohomish was eloquent in her defense of Red Hat camaraderie: “I’ve lost way too many of my old friends,” Fenimore wrote. “I’m grateful for this easy and fun way to make some new ones.”

Everett’s Joyce Carlson is also thankful for friendships through what can be daunting years. “As a group, we are there for each other in times of happiness, fun and adventure, but also in times of stress, family loss and when we need that extra pat on the back,” Carlson wrote.

I may not be red-hatted, but I am a bit red-faced. Recent good works by area Red Hat Society groups dispel any notion that all these women do is dress up and go to lunch.

The Camano Tomatoes chapter of the group is selling a 2006 calendar, “Calendar Gals,” featuring members in tame pinup poses. Proceeds from the $10 calendar benefit Camano Senior Services, the Camano Fire Department and the Camano Animal Shelter Association.

“We started selling on July 15. We only have 122 left out of the original 1,000 calendars,” said Lois Sharpe, 79, a Tomatoes member who got the project going and recruited 26 sponsors. The goal is to raise $10,000, all for local causes.

Sharpe had read my previous column but was diplomatic enough not to debate my issues. About those issues, it still bugs me that men are seen as at the top of their careers at 50, while for women 50 gets equated with old age and frivolity.

Without the Red Hat Society, “some of these ladies would never get the opportunity to go anyplace,” Sharpe said. “Not only here on the island, I think people everywhere are more isolated than we realize. This brings them out.”

Now, said Sharpe, Red Hat groups on Camano are finding ways to contribute to the massive needs spawned by Hurricane Katrina.

With the generosity of Camano Tomatoes member Marilyn Stroncek and her husband, Jim, of the Lake Cavanaugh area, bolstered by the calendar fund, the group made a $400 donation to the Spirit of Stanwood-Camano Relief Fund. That fund will help pay costs to transport donations of nonperishable food and other items to people on the Gulf Coast.

A bazaar next weekend hosted by the Razzle Dazzle Berries Red Hat Society group will add to the hurricane relief. The Stronceks donated new Red Hat shirts to be sold at the bazaar, which will be from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Oct. 1 and 2 at the Camano Senior and Community Center.

Proceeds from those sales will go to a hurricane relief fund, and the Camano Tomatoes are challenging Red Hat chapters elsewhere to help people whose lives have been ruined by Katrina.

Dress up and go to lunch? These women are busy helping others in great need. They might not have time for lunch.

“This is what it’s all about,” Sharpe said. “It’s friendship, and giving to your community.”

While I can’t say I’ll eat my hat, it is my turn to eat some words.

Columnist Julie Muhlstein: 425-339-3460 or muhlsteinjulie@heraldnet.com