The Prez Sez: Notes from the Maryland Metro Knitters November meeting

The election is over and we have a new President. Whether your candidate won or lost the voice of America was heard. Change is coming and it will be interesting to see what the future brings.

Speaking of change, the Maryland Metro Knitters needs some too. As I look at our membership list, I see the names of only nine members who have attended meetings this year and I can’t say that I remember a meeting when we all showed up at the same time! This is pathetic. We are a good group and do enjoy each other’s company and expertise. We don’t want to disband but it is clear that something has to happen.

At this past meeting the attendees, myself, Christine Estacion, Loretta Scott, Jeanne Bohlen, Donna Jaffe, Marilyn Riffkin, and Emily Bennett, talked about other groups and what seemed to work for them. Lorena said the word Guild intimidated many new knitters who thought we were all experts and would put them to shame. This is an easy fix as we can just drop the Guild part from any public mention. Jeanne commented that the group she meets with at the White Flint Borders (or perhaps Panera??? Sorry, my memory has failed me) has quickly grown to (again, forgive the memory lapse) 50?? Genia’s Annapolis group meets at the Borders there, has at least 20 people and is steadily growing. We have lost several members and potential members to A Tangled Skein yarn shop. We did try to meet there but it just wasn’t what we wanted for our group. However, we did conclude that we should find a new, more public meeting place. We would like to stay in the same general area (College Park, Hyattsville, Beltsville) so please think about somewhere that would welcome our fine group (and preferably with no fees!) and send your suggestions to me. Another thought, perhaps we should also invite other needle crafters??? What do you think?

IMPORTANT NEWS: The next meeting, our traditional holiday party, will take place on Wednesday, December 10th. This year we are going to do something different; instead of meeting at a member’s home, we are going to treat ourselves to a restaurant dinner (and will not be having a gift exchange)! All are welcome to join us and the Guild will pay for the dinner of those members who have paid dues for 2008.

We have not selected the restaurant yet, and I am asking for suggestions. A few places that are near our meeting place are: EJ’s Landing, Outback Steakhouse, 94th Aero Squadron, Olive Garden, Applebees, and the original Ledos. Please email or phone me no later than November 21st with your choices. We will then make the selection and I will send out an invitation with the information and an RSVP requirement (no one said change was easy).

After all the discussion, we did manage to have an abbreviated Show and Share and here are the results:

Christine: still working on her Bergere de France v-neck top and Wool in the Woods vest and has added a Mirasol pattern cardigan out of Hacho yarn
Jeanne: brought swatches of Trendsetter yarns from the Hunt Country Yarns knitting retreat she attended
Lorena: a shrug from Rapture yarn, washcloths, and a lace scarf
Dallas: a bright red afghan
Marilyn: working on a navy vest and enlisted Donna’s help in finishing her alpaca sweater
Emily: modeled a sweater that Christine gave her last year
Donna: a shawl in progress, socks in progress, a completed shawl and completed big cable sweater

Next meeting: Wednesday, December 10, 2008
Time and place TBD
Program: Holiday party

Keep those needles clicking! See you soon.

Dallas