BARB BARRETT/The Luminary Fiber Fillies from the East Lycoming Historical Society came together for 'World Wide Knit in Public Day' on June 18 at the museum to celebrate better living through stitching together. Left to right are MJ Hodge, Nancy Hodge, and Angel Day.

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Historical Society eyes fiber, carpet and more

By BARBARA C. BARRETT

HUGHESVILLE – This month the East Lycoming Historical Society (ELHS) held their membership meeting on June 20 with a program that commemorated the 100th anniversary of Bodine Park in Hughesville. A picnic was held and the Robert Webster Local History Scholarship was also awarded by Webster himself along with member Carol Mordan to Eliza Treese, a graduating senior from Hughesville High School. Previous recipients of this award were Jacob Wagner, Joshua Fry and Jordana Wagner.

Webster also gave a history presentation on Bodine Park. Grounds for the park were donated by DeWitt Bodine’s widow, Emma in 1916. Much of the research presented was done by Ann Hess according to the museum newsletter.

PHOTO SUBMITTED Carol Mordan is awarding the Webster Local History Scholarship to Eliza Treese. Eliza is the 4th recipient of the award which honors Robert Webster for his 6 decades of teaching. She is a graduate of the Hughesville High School Class of 2016 and is the daughter of Greg and Lynne Treese.  

Officers were also re-elected and include Shirley Crawley, President; Sharon Hughes, Treasurer; Stanley Lore and Ann Hess, Executive Board Members.

Earlier in May new carpeting was installed inside the museum thanks to a fundraiser that sold carpet square blocks. There are still some blocks available for any interested donors according to the board.

In June, a fiber arts event was held to acknowledge World Wide Knit in Public Day on the 18th. The Fiber Fillies, a local group of yarn and thread enthusiasts got together at the museum to work on various forms of fiber techniques and projects.

“World Wide Knit in Public Day promotes better living through stitching together,” said coordinator Anita Wagner. The event originated in 2005 with 25 events worldwide, and by 2008 there were 800 events. “This year events were planned in 47 countries,” replied Wagner. Pennsylvania had 21. It is now in its 11th year.

Originally the Fiber Fillies group started with just knitting, but it has evolved to include any fiber art.

ELHS is home to the Fiber Fillies and they meet on the second and fourth Saturday of each month all year long from noon to 3 p.m. The group started two years ago, and June 18th was their anniversary.

Members enjoy knitting, crocheting, weaving, loom knitting, latch hooking, tatting, hand quilting, torchon lace making, basketry and more. “All crafters are welcome. even beginners,” added Wagner.

Jane Langenbach who came from Benton to participate said that fiber crafting lowers her blood pressure.

Joan Hartman from Hughesville said she enjoys cross stitch and the nifty knitters wheel loom. She has also made bookmarks from torchon lace.

Nancy Hodge said she enjoys the relaxation and comes regularly with her daughter. “The benefits reduce stress and anxiety,” she said.

Wagner also replied, “The theme this year is ‘Better Living Through Stitching Together'” and encourages anyone who likes to do crafts to come to one of the sessions.

On July 1st The Fiber Fillies are planning a “yarn-along” in which participants will begin a “Temperature Blanket” that will track the daily temperatures by completing a row on their blanket that corresponds to the temperature. “Participants can break the temps up into whatever increments they like depending on how much color change they would like in the finished project,” Wagner explained. There could be several rows of the same color with ten degree increments if there is a streak of very consistent weather.

Crafters can choose whatever fiber they want to use and work on whatever project they wish. To help raise money for the museum, donated projects ranging from baby blankets to sweaters and dishcloths are sold at the museum’s gift shop. The museum is open April through December on Saturday and Sundays from noon to 3 p.m.

The Fiber Fillies also took a tour of Lazy Meadows Alpacas and Fiber Mill in Wolf Township and the Sones Farm and Home Museum in Muncy.