This Month
Birthdays
Happy May Birthday to:
- Sara Amend
- Cindy Barrick
- Rosemary Blakely
- Kathy Goebel
May Meeting Highlights
Guild Business
President Arthur started the meeting by recognizing birthdays of members (above) and new members and guest: Cindey Giratt, Westley Starling and Grace Maurer, with guest Carol Wagner.
Su Fennern stated that “Sheep to Shawl” was a success and graciously thanked members Debbie Paxon, Diane Williams, Judith Bither, Sara Almond, Marsha Graciosa, Tia Purdy, Michelle Sanguinetti, Janet Bubl and Heather Sly-Haley for their assistance. It was unclear if attendance was more than last year.
It was announced that Salem Fiberarts Guild (SFG) is having a Stash Sale on June 14, the same day as our June meeting. If members want to sell their stash, they must be members of the SFG; however, you can shop without membership from 10 AM – 3 PM in the grassy area of the WHC parking lot.
Pres. Authur called for nominations for Guild Secretary, with Su Fennern nominating Margaret Fizer. This was seconded by many members, and votes were secured without dissent. Margaret Fizer is the official Guild Secretary. Congrats and thank you!
Service Projects Donation Update
Su Fennern reviewed our 2025 Service Projects:
WATCH CAPS: donated over 40; HOPE BABY ITEMS: over 70. Su suggested we shift our knitting focus to Operation School Bell (OSB) hats, stating that last year, we knitted 339 items. She recognized top knitters: Kathy Goebel – 94 hats, Sue Culbertson – 45 hats, Sue Tyvoll – 40 hats, Cheryl Kleckner – 35 hats, Sandy Galbraith – 33 hats, plus 2 scarves. Thanks to all who participated!
Sue Culbertson and Margaret Fizer spoke about OSB hats helping Head Start to third graders. About 20 have been collected in 2025. They offered the hat pattern copies for worsted weight yarn and stated that the pattern was on the website. Parameters: hat should fit head circumference 20”, height 8.5”, solids, stripes, or colors yarn makes as knitted. Best colors: red, pink, blue, green, purple, brown and black.
Show & Tell
- Sara Amend sported a sweet sweater with slant pockets that fit perfectly after she altered the pattern.
- Joellen Kay showed off a striking subtle lime green and white striped sweater. Both were well received with positive comments.
- Judy Ozalan handed out her popular mosaic “Phone Cozy” pattern.
Program
Our speaker was Lois Olund owner of Blakesley Farm in Philomath, Oregon. She shared her love of sheep and her journey into the sheep business. She moved to Oregon in 1978 and purchased land. Her love of spinning and sheep came together as she taught Special Ed classes by day and spun and planned by night. Her dreams sprouted a home, barns, land for Wensleydale sheep to roam and breed, an AirBnB, heritage apple grove and a Wool Company.
She imparted her knowledge to us with the interesting fact that sheep were domesticated 9-11,000 yrs ago. Stats: over 1 billion sheep are alive in our world, with 165,000 in Oregon, which is one of the top 10 sheep-raising areas in the U.S., mainly due to our climate.
She set up a dynamic display of 140 single photos of sheep with touchable samples of the fleece each breed produces. Sixty of the sheep breeds pictured can be found in the U.S. Yarn balls with the sheep’s breed were available for us to touch. She made a visual board listing the breed name with sample strands of wool noting the fiber characteristics that turn into yarn we use. She also showed a very large book with “everything sheep” that she has created, drawing from her research, knowledge and many photos and wool samples mailed to her over the years.
Needless to say, the entire program plus the displays was so impressive!
For more info: contact Lois at 541-609-0838; lolund@peak.org; Blakesley Creek Farm in Philomath, OR. Wensleydale sheep breeding stock and products, heritage apples and owner of Bellwether Wool Company. Sheepherder Wagon AirBnB.
Upcoming Events
Next Meeting
June’s meeting will be held in the old Pendleton Store area at Willamette Heritage Center (WHC) due to a scheduling conflict.
August’s meeting will be held at WHC – probably outdoors, with possibly Little Lois Lunches ordered. All Knit Along is the featured activity.
Other Events
- June 27-29, 2025 – Black Sheep Gathering at the Linn County Expo Center, Albany, OR
- October 8-12, 2025 – 29th Annual Trailing of the Sheep Festival, Idaho
- October 18-19, 2025 – Oregon Flock and Fiber Festival (OFFF) at the Linn County Expo Center, Albany, OR
- November 2025 – Salem Fiberarts Guild Sale at the Willamette Heritage Center, Salem, OR
Salem Millstream Knitting Guild 