Director's Message
Knit Wits, April 2011By Susan Hoskinswith guest editor Susan M. Friedman. Anyone who comes into the SPB knows that it is a busy place, filled with activities every day. You may be less familiar with the activities at Spruce Circle. The Spruce Circle Office is a satellite of PSRC and it is home to our support and guidance staff. The staff can help with information and linkage to area resources, help with benefit applications, consultations and more. You can also find chair exercise, literature, memoir writing, Let’s Talk English and Let’s Talk Too.
Additionally it is the site of the monthly folding of our Mature Princeton Newsletter.
ne particularly exciting group at Spruce Circle is the Friday Knit Wits. Meeting from 1 to 3, this group of talented and dynamic women produce a remarkable array of hand knit items. Some of their work is for family and friends, but many creations are donated to worthy causes, both locally and internationally. Baby blankets go to area hospitals via the Linus Project, chemo caps are made available to anyone with hair loss due to chemotherapy, sweaters go to orphanages worldwide via Guidepost Knit for Kids, hats and scarves to a local agency serving the homeless, dolls to Haitian children, lap robes to returning injured veterans and prayer shawls to the Purling Angels. Additionally the Knit Wits hold an annual sale to raise funds for the Princeton Senior Resource Center and its programs. Proceeds from the first year’s sale funded the organization and display of original artwork by Spruce Circle residents. The art work, including pieces by Rex Goreleigh, Nancy Watson, Girish Advani and John O’Connor (on display in the Community Room and office) is well worth the visit. This year a major project funded by the sale will be the purchase of a Japanese maple tree for the Spruce Circle property. The tree will be planted to honor the memory of a very special PSRC volunteer and member of the Knit Wits - Frederica Stark. In line with other Knit Wits projects, the tree will serve to make the world a little more beautiful.
Having told so much about the projects of this group, we should tell you something about the women who make up this group. Ranging in age from 55 to 85 years old, these diverse and incredibly interesting women share great conversation as a back drop to the clacking of needles. Deep friendships have developed and members support each other through the joys and sorrows of life. Newcomers are always warmly embraced and drawn in. Clearly, this is a group that not only provides valuable social interaction but also a powerful sense of purpose and legacy in knowing that one has made a difference in someone’s life, either in the group or for the recipient of the knitwear. The group is open and welcomes new participants.
Susan W. Hoskins and Susan M. Friedman
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Previous MessagesJune 2013 - Age Friendly Communities May 2013 - Navigating a Changing HealthCare Landscape March 2013 - Navigating Life’s Transitions February 2013 - Partners in Caring Princeton January 2013 - Men as Caregivers December 2012 - The Safety Net October 2012 - Documenting Your History September 2012 - A Journey of Transformation July - August 2012 - Gratitude & Moving March 2012 - Patient-centered Care February 2012 - Can you Spare an Hour? January 2012 - Challenges & Opportunities December - Are you Prepared for Emergencies? October - Chocolate for Memory September- Looking Back and Looking Forward Lessons and Legacies, March 2011 Independent Living February 2011 Witness to my Life December 2010 Elections, benefits and open enrollment November 2010 Strategic Planning September 2010 Hiring Home Care December 2009 Annual Giving by Sharon Naeole November 2009 Flu Pandemic 2009 October 2009 Healthy Memory, Healthy Mind September 2009 A Personal Perspective on Caregiving July/August 2009 Wei Ji: Crisis, Danger and Opportunity April 2009 Write your own obituary March 2009 Hope and Vision in Challenging Times Medicare Changes 2008: Take A Look! December 2008 Scams, Frauds and Rip-offs November 2008 Engaged Retirement: Beyond Financial Planning October 2008 September 2008 Caregiver Dilemmas Finding Rhythm and Purpose July/August 2008 V + OA = ER (Volunteering + Older Americans=Engaged Retirement)May 2008 Have You Had the Talk Yet? March 2008 Get Moving with FitRhythms™! February 2008 What Are Social Services? November 2007 Plan for the Future September 2007 The Up-side of Aging Summer 2007 National Conference on Aging: Let's ReThink Aging April 2007 Season of Giving December 2006 April Hill McElroy October 2006 Civic Engagement September 2006 White House Conference on Aging May 2006 Are You Prepared? October 2005 Watch Your Language September 2005 The End of the Journey May 2005 New Dietary Guidelines February 2005 Civic Engagement with GrandPals October 2004 The Challenge of Giving Care May 2004 Seniors On The Move April 2004 Random Acts of Kindness December 2003 Civic Engagement November 2003 |