This Month
Birthdays
Happy December Birthday to:
- Kitty Crawford
- Su Fennern
- Heather Sly-Haley
If we missed your birthday or have you in the wrong month, please let us know!
Old Business
President Joyce Arthur thanked and congratulated all demonstrators for participating in a successful Magic at the Mill event. She thanked Su Fennern for organizing our members and for the outreach the event created. Members who participated are: Sara Amend, Joyce Arthur, Judith Bither, Kitty Crawford, Kathy Goebel, Marsha Graciosa, JoEllen Kay, Debbie Paxson, Michelle Sanguinetti, Heather Sly-Haley, Marian Thomas and Diane Williams.
Joyce stated that members need to be thinking about Community Service Projects for 2026. We can continue the current Hope and Assistance League Operation School Bell Projects and/or add more. Discussion will continue in January.
Joyce asked for nominations for Community Service Project Coordinator and Community Event Coordinator. The Event Coordinator would be responsible for organizing the May Sheep to Shawl, November Fiberarts Sale (if we are invited back), and December Magic at the Mill. There were no nominations for either Coordinator Position. We will continue the discussion in January.
Election of Officers commenced. Kitty Crawford nominated Westley Starling for President, and Jackie Budge nominated Janet Bubl. It was discussed that possibly the two nominees could function as co-presidents. Members and nominees agreed. Kitty Crawford nominated Heather Sly-Haley as Vice President. With no further nominations, Heather accepted.
Sue Culbertson, Treasurer, gave a summary report of activities in 2025.
- Beginning Balance: $1564.36
- Income: + $1350.00
- Expenses: – $1097.01
- Ending Balance: $1817.35
Sue also mentioned that the yearly dues and the “Membership Renewal Form” are due by the January 10 meeting, along with a signed “Hold Harmless Form.”
Joyce sincerely acknowledged with thanks and praise, the Officers and Coordinators for their dedication to the Guild in 2025. She thanked Su Fennern for the many seen and unseen ways she has helped the Guild in the last two years. This included organizing Community Projects and all outside events, including the new Fiberarts Sale. The Community outreach was felt by each effort from Su and all members. Joyce continued to recognize Treasurer Sue Culbertson for keeping all our finances in order, Secretary Margaret Fizer for her work on Outlook/OneDrive, and Hospitality Coordinator Heather Sly-Haley for being an excellent Guild hostess.
Sue Culbertson recognized Heathery Sly-Haley for her excellent work with Howard Street Charter School. Heather volunteers to teach the “Fiber Arts” class to twenty 6th, 7th and 8th graders. Her students love her.
New Business
Kitty Crawford briefly reviewed one exciting project of the Program Committee: Speaker Michele Bernstein as a presenter at a Guild meeting and possible classes in the afternoon of a Guild meeting. She described some class concepts and passed a full written description of Michele’s classes to attending members. A fluid review of possible prices ($50 or less), length of class (2 – 2.5 hrs.) and months the speaker is available (Jan., Feb and May) continued. Fifteen Guild members showed interest when asked if they would attend the afternoon class. There is the possibility of opening it up to the public if that is something that would be beneficial to the Guild. The full class descriptions will be sent to members via email soon, and interested members will need to vote on their 1st, 2nd and 3rd choice by January 9, 2026. At the January Meeting, Kitty will share further information. Any questions will be welcomed.
Show & Tell
- Sara Amend presented two youth hats that sported the every-so-popular Minecraft and Gecko themes.
- Sally Gilbreath dazzled us all with her handspun yarn Baby Blue Sweater plus a sweet scarf made from cotton in the “Laughing Bird” pattern. She recommend not to use just cotton.
- Joyce Arthur is continuing to knit her fashion-forward socks for a friend and herself.
- Many members wore their own knits. Many were Festive. Jewelry and pins dominated many members’ clothing.
Raffle: Members were given five blue tickets that needed action at the back table, which was full of prizes. There were gift bags behind each prize. The member had to ponder on which bag to place their blue ticket in hopes to win that item. There were multiple prizes, from knitting accessories to handy towels and holiday keepsakes. No fighting occurred, and all were happy if their ticket was chosen!
Ornament Exchange went smoothly, with very decorative items for members to display in the years to come. All was normal until Tia Purdy started to “steal;” then other members followed. Such a thrilling scene, but no fighting ensued, just good fun.
Service Projects
Su Fennern was unable to attend our December meeting, but she forwarded this report for the minutes.
2025 total for Assistance League / Operation School Bell is 275. (2024+2025 = 625)
2025 total for Salem Hope – baby items is 172.
Special Project OSH Watch Caps – 100 at the end of December. There may be more yet to be turned at the January Guild Meeting. Wild Knits collected 40 hats that customers knitted as of mid-December. Total knitted hats: 140. OSH Sold hats: 52; remaining inventory: 88 hats.
With the three projects, our members provided a total of 547 items.
Upcoming Events
Next Meeting
Our next Guild meeting is Saturday, January 10, 2026 at the Willamette Heritage Center at the Mill.
Other Events
- February 12-15, 2026 – Red Alder Fiber Arts Retreat, Tacoma, WA
- March 5-8, 2026 – Rose City Yarn Crawl, Portland, OR
- May 2, 2026 – Sheep to Shawl, Willamette Heritage Center at the Mill, Salem, OR
Salem Millstream Knitting Guild 