Valerie Cagle, Jeanie McCombs, Becky Hudson and Helen Cary (Christy Perry for The Cullman Tribune)
The Golden Dixie Chicks got together recently to welcome a new friend to the growing social group. The party was held at the home of Helen Cary, who recently returned from a fun trip to Mardi Gras. The spunky 77 year old wore her “Good girls go to Heaven, bad girls go to Mardi Gras” T-shirt and showed off her light purple hair.
The Mardi Gras/St. Paddy’s Day party welcomed Cullman newcomer Jeanie McCombs.
McCombs, a retired accountant from Washington State, said “I left Washington and traveled the world for two years and ended up here in June.”
McCombs and the ladies discussed history, travel, family and future plans over a king cake and drinks while sifting through the baskets of beads Helen brought back from Mardi Gras.
What the ladies didn’t discuss were politics or anything that facilitates negativity. This group is just a gathering of women determined to embrace our similarities. The Golden Dixie Chicks promote love, laughter and friendship between women: a chance to be a little silly and a chance to tune out the stresses in life.
McCombs told the group about hiking trails in Hawaii that she experienced with her children years ago. She described “the beautiful orchids and the fragrance of plumeria” that filled the air before finding cliffs with waterfalls.
Valerie Cagle told of her kayaking adventures in New Zealand. Both ladies spoke of the value in planning adventures around the advice of locals rather than relying on over-hyped tourist traps.
Cary announced that she will soon travel to Europe with her sister, saying, “I’ll be cruising on the Blue Danube!” Helen recently underwent surgery on both hips and is now back to having fun. “We’ll be there for 11 days and I’m excited!”
The Golden Dixie Chicks hope to keep making new friends and planning future parties and activities. Many of the ladies spend their time giving back through nonprofit and charitable work. They are all remarkable in their own way, and perhaps the magic of the Golden Dixie Chicks is they realize that we all can be when we focus on what binds us and leave our troubles at the door.
This profile was part of The Cullman Tribune's special "Community Matters" section on March 19, 2019.
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