Nelson P. Costa

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Nelson P. Costa, 78, of Marion passed away peacefully on Monday, September 2, 2024. He was the husband of Ronalie E. Wood.

            Born in Fenais da Luz, Portugal, he was the son of the late Deodato Costa Lopes and Maria Couto.

            Nelson enjoyed magic tricks and traveling, especially visiting the Azores where he still had family. He liked tinkering and fixing anything that broke in the house. He loved parking near the Marion harbor and looking at the boats.

            Nelson’s visitation will be held Friday, September 13, 2024 from 4-6 pm at the Saunders-Dwyer Mattapoisett Home for Funerals, 50 County Road, Mattapoisett. For online guestbook, please visit www.saundersdwyer.com

Brad Hathaway Sets New Goals

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The 92-year-old activist whose 2023-24 winter goal was to live to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the Mattapoisett Land Trust enjoyed that event in April at the Munro Preserve but isn’t stopping there.

            At the conclusion of a ceremonial, 27,000th-mile walk down Aucoot Road from Bowman Road to his home on August 31, Brad Hathaway told a gathering of nearly 40 people that he wants to see the endowment funding the annual art scholarship created in memory of his late wife Priscilla Hathaway grow to $25,000.

            As cofounders of the MLT, the Hathaways have long been looking for ways to protect land in Mattapoisett, especially coastal areas threatened by rising tides and major storms.

            Priscilla Hathaway was an art teacher, so after her passing, Brad Hathaway asked the MLT about establishing a scholarship for an Old Rochester Regional High School art student in her memory.

            “The Land Trust – thanks to them – said they would do that,” Hathaway told the gathering.

            He said that through the first two years of the scholarship’s activity, including the paying out of $1,000, it had yet to be fully funded. “I was told we’d need between 20 and 25 thousand,” he said.

            Former MLT president, now treasurer Gary Johnson said the scholarship is now close to being fully funded, estimating approximately $22,500 in the account. Hathaway wants to push for $25,000.

            “We don’t know what’s going to happen in the future … I would just as soon make it $25,000 and someday increase the scholarship,” Hathaway said, mindful of the clock because of his appointment for dialysis treatment.

            Johnson explained that the money will be set aside as an endowment and that the funds won’t be used for anything else, only to fund the Priscilla Hathaway Scholarship. The announcement drew applause from the gathering at the finish line outside the gate to Hathaway’s driveway.

            Two years ago, along the same stretch of road, Hathaway celebrated his round-the-world milestone of 25,000 career-walking miles. On August 31, he made it 27,000. He was accompanied by family, friends, news reporters and even bagpiper Sue Maxwell of Marion.

            Maxwell, who also serenaded Hathaway during his 25,000th mile walk in 2023, spends her winters in Florida and will be part of a team of bagpipers competing in January in Orlando. Her appearance on August 31 at the home stretch brought tears to Hathaway’s eyes. He gave pause and looked back at the applauding crowd before resuming his paces.

            Despite his age and his ailments including kidney failure and Parkinson’s disease, Hathaway made sure to confirm Maxwell’s availability for his next milestone walk.

By Mick Colageo

Marion Preservation Committees

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Many people are asking why Marion seems to have several different preservation groups and what each one does. Here we explain the various titles and responsibilities:

            The Marion Historical Commission is a Town-appointed board and an important part of municipal government. Each city and town in Massachusetts has one. Historic Commissions are responsible for community-wide historic preservation planning and are guided and supported by the Massachusetts Historical Commission in Boston.

            The Marion Historical Commission’s first objective has been to update and complete a town-wide survey of historic buildings and places in Marion, which now include digital recording and availability on the statewide MACRIS website. The Commission also plays a leadership role in public education about the community’s historic resources and why they are important to preserve. Local commissions also prioritize properties for listing in the National Register of Historic Places, the nation’s honorary listing of buildings, structures, sites, objects and districts significant in our nation’s history, culture, architecture or archeology worthy of preservation.

            The Historical Commission maintains a presence on the Town of Marion website, including our Mission Statement and links to important local historic maps, existing inventory forms and resources for ongoing preservation projects.

            The Marion Village Local Historic District Study Committee was appointed by the Select Board in 2023 to explore the possibility of creating a Local Historic District as a way to ensure that Marion Village continues to maintain its historic and unique sense of place. Major changes such as demolition, new additions and new construction within a specified district would come under review to ensure the Village’s historic character is not being negatively impacted.

            If a Local Historic District bylaw is enacted at a future date, a new committee would be formed to oversee the design review process according to the provisions of the bylaw. This new Marion Historic District Commission would be a Town-appointed board of local residents who bring an array of talents and knowledge of history, architecture, development, construction and real estate backgrounds.

            The Sippican Historical Society, which most people are most familiar with, is a privately funded 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization with dues-paying membership. Founded in 1963, its mission is Education, Historical Preservation and Outreach to increase interest in and support for Marion’s history. Through its museum, lectures, tours and involvement in the preservation of the Post Office, General Store, Town House, Music Hall, Captain Hadley House and other historic properties, the Society has played a key role in the preservation of Marion’s historic fabric. The Society and its museum are housed in the historic Walton Nye Ellis House.

            The Marion Historical Commission and the Sippican Historical Society work closely together to promote preservation awareness and appreciation through public lectures and other programs.

Marion Republican Town Committee

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The Marion Republican Town Committee will conduct its next monthly meeting on Monday, September 9 at 7:00 pm at the Marion Music Hall, 164 Front Street, Marion. The public and new members welcome. We look forward to seeing you.

Open Comment to Open Meetings

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The Rochester School Committee has voted unanimously to move the Open Comment section of its regular meetings to the beginning of the agenda.

            Chairperson Sharon Hartley introduced a discussion on Open Comment during the committee’s August 29 meeting. She referred to a meeting of school-committee chairpersons to discuss the matter.

            Her takeaway from that gathering was that school committee is by nature a business meeting, unlike the many municipal boards, commissions and committees that necessarily involve the participation of residents.

            The chairpersons determined that in the interests of completing business, Open Comment should remain at the end of the school-committee agenda but recognizing that the decision falls to each school committee. The chair would retain the authority to move Open Comment to a different place on the agenda.

            Member Kate Duggan motioned to put Open Comment at the beginning of the agenda, and member Josh Trombly seconded the motion. Member Robin Rounseville said she has feelings on both sides of the issue but feels like emotion has too often outweighed a respectful approach, reminding the members that they are volunteers.

            “Sometimes the misconception is that the people here (commenting) are prevalent,” said Rounseville, who said committee members are often receiving feedback outside of meetings that differs from what is expressed during Open Comment.

            Trombly acknowledged Rounseville’s concern but reiterated his advocacy for moving Open Comment to the start.

            “I can tell you from sitting in the audience for a long time that it’s difficult,” he said. “That’s when you come from that place of frustration, when the item that you wanted to discuss gets voted on first and then you have to just sit there and then pop off about it at the end.

            “I hope that things would be a little more respectful if people had the opportunity to say their piece at the beginning.”

            A subsequent vote was taken to decide whether to add a response section for the committee. The current policy defines Open Comment as an opportunity for citizens to speak in public session but does not obligate the school committee to engage those comments or respond.

            During Open Comment at the conclusion of the meeting, both Jeff Costa and Karen Thomas thanked the committee for its new seating arrangement (in which the members are all facing the attending public) and for voting to move Open Comment to the top of future agendas. They also expressed their belief that the committee failed to apply reason in a vote to reject a book donation.

            The 3-2 vote to reject a book about a dog in the Iditarod was preceded by a lengthy discussion about process.

            On recommendation of the school librarian, the committee voted to accept the donation of a collection of books from Plumb Library and a single donation from the Rochester Memorial School Parent Teacher Organization, “Survived the Battle of D-Day” (1944). Also on the librarian’s recommendation, the committee voted against accepting resident Sarah Bourque’s donation of “Granite” by late Iditarod champion Susan Butcher.

            “I read the book, I think it’s fantastic. I think it encompasses a lot of the values that we’re trying to (encourage) in the schools,” said Trombly before the vote. “It’s inspiring. It’s about the first woman to finish in the top 10 in the Iditarod. (Butcher) was dyslexic, she was born in Massachusetts, the first Saturday of March is Susan Butcher Day in Alaska.”

            Trombly asked for clarification on the process of the library media specialist’s recommendation against its acceptance because he found it hard to believe anyone who reads the book would not find it to be “excellent.”

            The Iditarod, the annual cross-continent, sled-dog race, has been heavily criticized as inhumane by animal-rights activists, including PETA, but a 2013 article in “Psychology Today” identified Butcher as an advocate for change in how racing dogs are trained and treated.

            Assistant Superintendent of Teaching and Learning Dr. Shari Fedorowicz explained the process as being consistent and said that the specialists look for professional reviews.

            Trombly said he has read the policy and realizes that the book in question lacks reviews from one of the identified preferred sources, but at the same time he asserted that books being carried in the school library refer readers to Good Reads and Amazon.

            “I guess it’s the inconsistency that bothers me a little bit, and I think we’re missing an opportunity on a great book,” he said. “I don’t know Ms. Bourque at all, but that’s just my opinion.”

            Member Anne Fernandes “seconded” Trombly’s comments.

            Fedorowicz confirmed that the recommendation against accepting the donation was based on a lack of reviews necessary to justify a recommendation. Fedorowicz also stated that the school librarians do their own review and do not rely on sources alone.

            Rounseville said to change the process and go against librarian’s recommendations would be a departure from how the committee has handled donations all along.

            Chairperson Sharon Hartley said she finds the librarian’s process to be “very thorough and very serious.”

            Fernandes said it’s not about the librarian but the process.

            Duggan said part of the process has been to recognize policy and consistently follow it.

            “If we don’t have some standard, then we have no standard. I don’t know that we want no standard for book inclusion,” she said.

            Fernandes reiterated that the policy dictates, as confirmed earlier by Nelson, that the committee has the final say.

            Nelson confirmed that a committee approval would put a book in the school library.

            Trombly reiterated his request that the voted be tabled to the next meeting to allow members time to look at the book for themselves.

            The motion to reject it was on the table, and Hartley sought to see through the vote. Hartley, Rounseville and Duggan voted to reject the donation of “Granite,” while Fernandes and Trombly voted against the book’s rejection.

            Rochester Memorial School Principal Heidi Letendre laid out a two-year, School Improvement Plan for the committee, using a PowerPoint presentation. The committee heard the presentation and voted to approve the plan.

            The committee reelected Hartley as chairperson (Fernandes voted against) and voted unanimously to elect Duggan as the new vice chair.

            By a 3-2 vote, Rounseville was elected Rochester representative to the ORR School Committee, and Trombly, who received the opposing votes, was unanimously elected to join Hartley and Fernandes as Rochester’s representative on the Union #55 side of the Joint School Committee.

            At the start of the meeting, Hartley celebrated the beginning of the new school year, noting the excitement that comes with the new beginning.

            Superintendent of Schools Mike Nelson welcomed Jaime Curley, the ORR District’s new assistant superintendent of Student Services. Nelson also publicly acknowledged that the interim tag has been removed from Letendre’s role as RMS principal.

            The following RMS staff members were recognized for reaching milestones in years of community service: for 25 years of service, Grade 6 teacher Tracey Forns, Paraprofessional Debra Moniz, and Physical Education teacher Kevin Woodward; for 20 years, Kindergarten teachers Cindy Baronas and Melissa Weigel, Paraprofessional Janice Bateman, Grade 4 teacher Shaunda Griffin, Grade 1 teacher Ana Lenahan, and Assistant Principal Charles West; for 15 years, Special Education Secretary Kim Amato, Grade 2 teachers Michelle Bradley and Tess Hedblom, Grade 4 teacher Julia Cabral, and Media Specialist Sandra Sollauer; and for 10 years, Nurse Ellen Murphy, and School Adjustment Counselor Jamie Pacheco.

            Margaret DeMello has reached 50 years of service in the ORR District. Reaching 25 years of service at the district level are John Ashley and Susan Wheeler (Technology), and reaching the 10-year mark this year are Nelson and ORR Website Coordinator Erin Bednarczyk.

            New additions include Carla Correia, who joins RMS as a lunch/recess aide, while Geralyn Gherard joins RMS as a paraprofessional, and Alex Sylvaria is a new Grade 4 teacher.

            Nelson and Letendre discussed opening-day faculty activities, and Nelson thanked Project 351 students for their early-morning assistance and for the Tri-Town police departments for their presence in all communities on opening day.

            The committee took a tour of Rochester Memorial School with Facilities Director Gene Jones.             The next meeting of the Rochester School Committee is scheduled for Thursday, October 3, at 6:30 pm at Rochester Memorial School, and the next meeting of the Joint School Committee is scheduled for Thursday, September 26, at 6:30 pm at the ORR Junior High media room on Route 6 in Mattapoisett

Rochester School Committee

By Mick Colageo

Where Art Meets Science

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Imagine, if you will, a world where words like recycling and sustainability are no longer novel but are deeply entrenched in everyday life and society in general. A world where bottle caps, paper scraps, bits of cloth and found objects inspire art for art’s sake. A world where a back jeans pocket can become a kitchen mitt or a small carry-all. That’s what a group of people at the Mattapoisett Free Public Library have been doing since 2019 in a program geared towards seeking a more sustainable community.

            Springing forth from discussions around the themes of sustainability, recycling, global warming and related topics, the group, populated by several artists, opened up the conversation, inviting one and all to join in an art exhibit solely featuring works created from a variety of materials. On September 1, the library hosted its annual recycled art reception.

            Ranging in age from the very young to those reaching the peak of their maturity, participants included Barb Van Wegen, Leo and Bethany Couto, Lizzie and Christine Flannery, Laurie Despres, Freya Lombard, Alice Cooper, Nancy Mitchell Anderson, Phoebe Girard, Juniper Griswold and Georgia Paull.

            But there is a larger story afoot here. In January 2021, Jennifer Jones, Mattapoisett’s former library director, hit on a topic to which she believed the community would respond.

            “In January 2021, I applied for a grant from the Richard & Ann J. Prouty Foundation, Bank of America, N.A., Co-Trustee, to fund a sustainability initiative for the library. We were awarded funding in May,” Jones shared.

            According to Jones, the library acquired and hosted programs through April 2021. The library also began an important initiative to encourage recycling, which also ran through April 2021.

            Identifying a resource material, Jones said at that time, “I looked for a title that would be a good book for a community-wide discussion, and upon finding Regeneration Ending: The Climate Crisis in One Generation’ by Paul Hawken, I thought it would be suitable because climate change is an important topic of interest for this geographical area.”

            Jones said she contacted the creators of the website for the book. The result was Jones was able to purchase and distribute at no cost to interested parties copies of the book to jumpstart local discussion and possibly even inspire local solutions.

            “I figured there would be some in the community who would be very interested in climate change and sustainability,” she said.

            Jones admitted that the pandemic made communication a bit more problematic, but by hosting virtual gatherings people were able to come together and share their thoughts and ideas.

            On January 8, Jones held a remote meeting. Focusing on various chapters in the book ranging from sea-forestation to the sustainability of various types of forests, from human impacts on the planet to energy use and alternative sources, the group tackled food production and the food industry.

            Jones began the January 8, 2021, discussion by stating that “big food” (a term used for processed-food production and factory farms) contributes 9% of methane immersions globally. A shockingly high number, all agreed.

            The group talked about waste in the food industry with several participants saying their work at food pantries where businesses donate vast amounts of food is an example of overproduction and fear of expiration dates. Participants were alarmed to consider the amount of food that is merely thrown away.

            At the time, the library collected nonperishable food in lieu of fine payments, one small step in assisting food distribution to those in need.

            Others thought that a community garden might be useful is helping people who can’t easily travel to the grocery store to get fresh vegetables during the growing season. This led to questions on the potential use of space at the town-owned Holy Ghost grounds located off Park Street.

            Nathan Ketchel, a member of the Planning Board and of the Master Plan Committee, said that during their discussions a community garden was suggested as well. That 2021 idea has since come to pass, as the town earmarks space in recently acquired former farmlands for a community garden.

            As they continued to drill more deeply into topics, there came a point where most agreed that politics and pressure on congressional and House of Representative leaders stymied efforts to find new ways to produce and distribute food.

            When Jones asked if there were ways that local people could impact policymakers, one participant indicated that it would be difficult, given that politicians are “owned” by lobbyists. It was noted that the For the People Act, first introduced by John Sarbanes in 2019, sought to expand voting rights, change campaign finance laws and create new ethics rules.

            The group continued in this vein discussing local politics and the lack of public interest or input in such matters as zoning bylaws and the efforts on the part of the League of Women Voters to engage the public in government issues that impact local communities.

            “People need to understand what it is to be a citizen,” one participant implored at that time. There were other thoughts and questions regarding the planet’s ability to sustain life, given the growing numbers of humans from approximately 374,000,000 in the 1500s to nearly 8,000,000,000 in 2021.

            Imagine, if you will, a group of artists who have taken this message to heart. They have taken words like recycling and sustainability and applied them to everyday life. Bottle caps, paper scraps, bits of cloth and found objects inspire their art.

            The 2024 exhibit at the Mattapoisett Free Public Library has once again demonstrated that creativity and the creation of art are not exclusive to paint on canvas. Van Wegen used leftover fabric pieces for a quilt, Couto used bottle caps, juice packets, wood, soda bottles and more to create a sculpture of posies.

            Despres and Mitchell Anderson created a “junk journals,” layering lace, fabric and paper, resulting in pages of intricate splendor. Approximately life-sized, Lombard’s turtle was an antipollution commentary using cardboard, paper and paints. Cooper recycled jeans into utilitarian objects, and Girard constructed a Mystery of Nature and a Landscape Memory from felt, cardboard and a recycled frame.

            Dancing in the Night, created by Griswold, incorporated the use of feathers, beads, zip ties and a glass bottle to name a few items. And six-year-old Paull made Aquaria a lovely sea creature from sea glass, broken jewelry, paper scraps and cardboard.

            The library’s new director, Colleen Tierney, said she intends to keep the sustainability concept and group going forward. Anyone interested in the program, which is currently being restructured, is welcome to contact the director at 508-758-4171 or at ctierney@sailsinc.org.

Mattapoisett Free Public Library

By Marilou Newell

Angelica Yacht Club Awards

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Angelica Yacht Club held its Annual cookout and sailing awards Sept 2 on Point Connett, Mattapoisett.

            This year, the Angelica Yacht Club lead by Commodore Dan Warren, featured mainly junior and beginner sailors in the Sunfish Class. Races are held every Sunday morning off Tuttle Pier. Beginners, sailing with an experienced sailor, race several races as spectators watch and cheer from the pier. As beginners, they learn how to rig their boat to put it in the water, the rules of sailing, how to manage the five-minute start sequence, rounding the buoys the correct way, sail trim and steering. The races usually last 15-20 minutes each, and all the kids get a chance to race whether they own a boat or not. Boats and adult supervision are provided by the yacht club. The Beginners races are then followed by the Juniors and Open series where there is plenty of competitive spirit.

            After a great cookout, the sailing awards were presented by Commodore Warren. Flags were presented for 1st, 2nd and 3rd place finishes in each race and Series trophies for July and August.

Flag awards:

Nina Kane, 1 firsts, 4 seconds

Emily Warren, 7 firsts, 3 seconds, 2 thirds

Gavin Aarsheim, 2 firsts, 2 seconds, 2 thirds

Teddy Asci, 2 firsts, 1 second, 2 thirds

Tommy Warren, 4 firsts, 5 seconds, 3 thirds

Kenzie Aarsheim, 2 seconds, 2 thirds

Murphy Warren, 4 firsts, 5 seconds, 6 thirds

Ryland Aarsheim, 1 first, 1 second

            This years trophy winners:

July 4th Beginner Series Nina Kane

July 4th. Open Series Peter Kane

July Series Beginners Tommy Warren

August Series Beginners Murphy Warren

Labor Day Series Beginners. Emily Warren

            AYC Flag Officers voted in for next year:

Tim Warren. Commodore

Pete Asci. Vice Commodore

Rick Warrens. Treasurer

Bob Warren Secretary

            Anyone interested in next year’s program should contact Tim Warren @ treasuerayc@gmail.com

Penny Pinchers’ Exchange 50th Anniversary Celebration

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It is with immense joy and gratitude that The First Congregational Church of Marion announces the 50th Anniversary of the Penny Pinchers’ Exchange. For half a century, our Penny Pinchers’ Exchange (PPX) has been a place to discover unique treasures, along with being a hub of community spirit, support and generosity.

            Founded in 1974, PPX was established by dedicated members of The First Congregational Church of Marion as a way to serve the needs of our local community. Over the years, it has grown from a modest endeavor into a cherished institution, where purchases and donations have contributed to the well-being of our neighbors. Located in the historic Main Street Chapel building donated by Elizabeth Taber, PPX has helped in preserving this building, along with our historic church at the corner of Main and Front Streets.

            Reflecting on 50 years of service, we honor and celebrate the countless volunteers whose tireless efforts have kept the doors open. We also honor the generous support of patrons who have sustained our mission, and the many lives touched by the goodwill generated within our walls. Penny Pinchers’ Exchange has become much more than just a place to shop – it is a testament to the enduring spirit of compassion and community that defines our village.

            To mark this special milestone, we invite everyone to join us for an anniversary celebration on Saturday, September 14 from 10:00 am to 1:00 pm. at Penny Pinchers’ Exchange, 39 Main Street, Marion. To honor the legacy of those who have made our Penny Pinchers’ Exchange a success, we will be serving cake and lemonade. Special sales will also be offered throughout the month of September during our regular hours, which are Wednesday and Saturday from 10:00 am to 1:00 pm.

            We thank everyone for 50 wonderful years and look forward to continuing our tradition of service, fellowship and community care for many more years to come. We look forward to seeing you at the 50th Anniversary Celebration.

Mattapoisett Museum

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On Thursday, September 19, from 6 pm to 7 pm, the Mattapoisett Museum at 5 Church Street is proud to present John Horrigan who will give a unique and interesting presentation on The Hurricane of 1938.

            This surprise hurricane raced up the Atlantic Seaboard on September 21, 1938 at 67 mph (with a record low air pressure) and left residents of the thickly populated Northeast Coast with no time to react. This maelstrom devastated Long Island, Connecticut, Rhode Island and Western Massachusetts. Eleven states and two countries felt the wrath of this unforgiving meteorological monster. Many victims drowned and others suffered tremendous property losses due to the storm surge. Entire landscapes along the exposed southern New England coast were scoured, eroded and decimated.

            Some victims were swept out to sea, never to be seen again. There were unbelievable acts of heroism, cowardice, kindness, selfishness and poor judgment. Actress Katherine Hepburn lost her family home in Connecticut, while others lost their livelihood to the storm.

            New England folklorist and weather historian John Horrigan will take you from the mariner’s unheeded warnings through the botched forecasts of the National Weather Service to the blistering winds of a Category 3 hurricane with a driving narrative about “GH38”. If you experienced this storm, you are encouraged to attend this lecture and talk about your own personal recollections.

            John Horrigan is a prolific Five-Time Emmy Award-Winning Folklorist with a portfolio of over 200 lectures on Historical Weather, Boston History, New England History, Music History, Art History, Female History, Astronomy, Revolutionary War, Military History, American History, World History, African American History, History of Energy, Alternative Energy, Environment, Climate Change and Pollution, Food History, History of Agriculture, Social Unrest, Economic History, Great Disasters, Epidemics, Pandemics and Unexplained Mysteries.

            This presentation is free and open to the public. Because seating is limited, the Museum recommends that you preregister at mattapoisettmuseum.org.

From the Files of the Rochester Historical Society

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When we were organizing items that we received for this year’s exhibit, the blue item in the picture was among them. It looked vaguely familiar and I wanted to call it a “niddy-noddy”. After some research, I realized that I had seen a “niddy-noddy”, but it didn’t look anything like our item.

            The niddy-noddy was used to make a skein of yarn. It would have a carved center bar with cross bars offset at 90 degrees. On further reflection, I remember seeing one made of whalebone in a museum.

            One thing we are good at here at the Historical Society is finding out about stuff and since it looked like it might be used with knitting yarn, we gave the job of researching to Cecelia. Sure enough, she found our item on Peggy Erhart’s web page and it is (drum roll here) a “Knitting Knobby”. I can hear a lot of you saying, “I knew that”. You can also see how I confused niddy-noddy and knitting knobby.

            While we found no exact date for the first commercially made knitting knobby, it was before most things were made of plastic and before 1963, when zip codes found their way on to our mail.

            If you’re old enough, you might remember taking a wooden spool (back when thread was sold on wooden spools) and putting a crown of small nails around the top. These were the original knitting knobbies, if they had a name. There are directions as to what you do with the yarn, wrapping it around the top and pulling it through the center. There’s also a needle involved. They seem pretty complicated to me, but you can have them if you want to create what Peggy Erhart referred to as a “yarn worm”.

            You essentially make a rounded length of yarn that can be as long as you want it to be. There are suggestions on her site of items to make with the yarn worm. They include coasters, flowers that can be sewn on coats or jackets, a one-piece dog collar and leash (I assume for a very small dog or someone with a lot of patience) and my favorite, a whistle and jack knife chain. This is my favorite because of one of the directions. After explaining how to attach your whistle and knife, it adds that you can slip the jack knife into your shirt pocket and then comes my favorite instruction, “Always keep your jack-knife closed when in your pocket”.

            The other item in the picture is a handmade crochet hook.

By Connie Eshbach