The Mail-Journal, Volume 20, Number 39, Milford, Kosciusko County, 12 October 1983 — Page 12

12

THE MAIL-JOURNAL - Wed.. October 12,1983

North Webster News bymaryleewillman

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The art of spinning

Her husband. Louie, brought home a large, antique, walnut spinning wheel, with an oak rim, and then paid for lessons so she could learn to spin. That’s what Mabie Gee of Barbee lake told this reporter as we sat together on the Gees* glassed in porch amid skeins of wool, yarn and spinning equipment. Mabie says, "It’s strictly a hobby and it’s very relaxing. " She took the series of 12 lessons at Fort Wayne in 1971. Now considered an expert on the subject of using a spinning wheel and dyeing fibers, Mabie has given demonstrations at Clarksville in North Webster; the women s building at Warsaw during the centennial celebration; also during the centennial celebration at Lake Alfred, Fla.; huntington Pioneer Days; and at Indian House on the forks of the Wabash River near Huntington The art of spinning is nearly as old as time. Originally fibers were twisted by hand. Then it was discovered that if spun fibers were attached to a rock the rest of the spinning was easier as fibers were added. Later a stick through a rock created the first drop spindles. The first spinning wheel was developed in India. It was called a “Walking Wheel’’ because it was placed under the arm and could be carried about. Eventually the foot peddle and flyer (which carries thread around the spindle) were added, but spinning methods didn’t change until the industrial revolution. By 1840 England had spinning machines powered by water and steam. The basic principals of spinning -and weaving haven't changed since the first thread was spun by hand Mabie’s big spinning wheel is 48 inches in diameter. She also has a “Castle Wheel’’ which has the bobbin and flyer above and the wheel underneath. Mabie believes that the spinning wheel should be among the honored emblems of our freedom During the Revolution it became an act of patriotism to spin because England was trying to prevent all colonial industry. The Daughters Os Liberty organized and pledged to wear only homespun They held spinning sessions in defiance of England, and turned the occasions into social events In 1640 Massachusetts passed a law that all boys and girls had to learn how to spin. Fibers of wool flax and cotton were combed out with hand cards resembling currycombs used to brush horses The yarn was carded into rolls called slivers or retags. Pioneers built or acquired a spinning wheel almost as soon as they built their house. In the early days itenerant weavers traveled from settlement to settlement. It took about a year to make a coverlet or garment and eight spinners were required to keep one weaver supplied with thread or yam Another reason for spinning and weaving at home was the great fear of imported cloth carrying disease. That was as great

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MABLE GEE

a threat at the time as the Atomic Bomb is to us today. It is recorded that in 1745 a woman in England spun a pound of wool into a thread 48 miles long. Yarn for Indian Dacca muslin is spun so fine (on a bamboo spindle not much larger than a darning needle) that one pound of cotton will produce a single thread 253 miles long. Mabie decides on a project then gets the raw wool fleece from a sheep shearer. She makes two ply yarn, for knitting and crocheting, that is similar to baby or sport weight yarn. “I never use more than one complete fleece in a year’s time ” said Mabie. “There are parts of five fleeces stored in the attic, two from black sheep and three from white sheep.” The wool from a black sheep isn’t black but a beautiful, rich, redish brown color. Mabie does the coloring and dyeing of all her yarns. She wrinkled up her nose and laughed, Tt's mostly done outdoors because it smells so bad. I gather one bushel of plants to dye one pound of wool. Colors never come out the same in repeated dying because each day the chemical factors in growing plants change. So, you have to dye all the yarn you’re going to need the first time around. *’ Onion skins produce a golden brown color and nettles make light gold, privet hedge makes deep gold and Poke berries produce a redish color. “It’s almost impossible to get a shade of green”, said mable. “It usually has a gray cast. Indigo is about the only thing that will color things blue and madder give a pretty good shade of red. Just because a plant is a certain color that doesn’t mean the wool will be colored that shade, the most common colors are golds, browns and beiges.” Mable has even spun the hair from her daughter’s Samoyed dog. It works up very well and is a beautiful silvery white color. Club names favorite Hoosiers Ruby Badskey was hostess for the October 3 meeting of Charm and Chatter Chib. Helen Kline served as assistant hostess, Virginia Osburn, vice president, was in charge of the meeting. She gave devotions entitled “God’s gift’’ and “Share Some Goals.” Roll call response was, “My Favorite Hoosier, Dead Or Alive.” The lesson “there is more to fabric than meets the Eye” was presented by Lois Blaugh A report was given by the 10 members who visited Eva Brunner, on September 29, at the Indiana Masonic Home at Franklin. Other reports were given by Mrs Kline, “Farm Related Stress;” Mrs. Badskey, “Art. Expressing Your Ideas;” Mrs. Blaugh, “Finding Bittersweet; ” and Lunetta Metcalf, “Citizenship.” A "Chinese Auction" was enjoyed with dorethy Baumle in

charge. Colleen Bryant received the door prize. Vergie Jernigan will be hostess for the November meeting Pierceton Homemakers heartapes Pierceton Extension Homemakers met October 3 at the home of Betty Burnworth Edna Bryant served as assistant hostess. Mrs. Bryant also gave devotions. Lois Harris volunteered to help deliver Mobile Meals on October 5. Esther Miller played tapes of interviews and song by country singer, Eddie Arnold. Betty Rose Stahl told about places of interest she had visited in California. Roll call response was, “A new product I’ve tried and enjoyed.” The lesson, “Update On Investment Options” was presented by Mrs. Bryant. Members were reminded to vote by Mrs. Miller. Mrs. Harris read an article entitled “The Gardners First Law. ’ The topic of Ruth Menzie’ health and safety report was, “Portable Kerosene Heaters.” Doris Kubacki will be hostess for the November meeting. No haunted house at Webster Lakeland Snowmobile Club meeting was held October 4, at Camelot Hall, with approximately 30 persons present. Don Strauss, president, conducted the business session. It was announced that the club will not be sponsoring a community haunted house this Halloween because a suitable site wasn’t available. Plans were discussed for a possible club cookout, hayride and Halloween party to be held October 29. Dates were selected for the annual winter dance. A construction progress report was given on the rescue sled being purchased by the club. The group voted to become a member of the International Palace Os Sports. Plans were made for snowmobile outings to Michigan and Northern Indiana in January. Dick Mitchell is special activities chairman. Pictures of the “Indiana Gals” trip to Alaska will be shown at the November meeting. Refreshments of cider and donuts were served by Mr. and Mrs. Calvin Packard. Snowmobile club meetings are held at Camelot Hall on the second Tuesday night of each month. It is a family organization open to anyone who is interested. More information may be obtained by calling Don Strauss or Calvin Packard. Open house North Webster Firemen Ladies Auxiliary met October 3 at the fire station. A slate of new officers was presented. They will be elected in November. The possibility of a carry-in dinner party, to be held in December, was discussed. It was announced that the activities newsletter is nearly complete. An open house, in honor of the fire prevention week, will be held October 16 at the fire station where new fire fighting and EMS equipment will be on display The North Webster community is invited to attend. The open house is being sponsored by North Webster firemen and EMS personnel. Hoosier Auxiliary has dinner Members of the Hoosier Auxiliary of Barbee Conservation Club met October -5 at Barbee Conservation Club building.

Minutes of the last meeting wee read by Alice Bemish. Edna Lawson gave the treasurer’s report. The group voted to make Hazel Cleaver, Fort Wayne, an honorary member of the club predation to Ethel Elston and Mrs. Lawson for their dedicated support of the summer money making project. Bertha Royer gave a reading entitled “No Regrets. ” A card was signed for mrs. Cleaver who will observe her 90th Birthday on October 30. ruth Bostel gave the flower fund report. A carry-in dinner was served at noon. Tables were decorated in keeping with a “Halloween And Fall” theme. Guests present were Monica Janacek and her granddaughter, Carly Janacek Carly received the door prize. An auction of garden produce, flowers and white elephant items was held with Dorothy Thornburg as auctioneer. Hostesses for the dinner were Mrs. Bostel, chairman and Alice Bemish. Hilltoppers hove Halloween costume party A Halloween costume party was hosted by Lems Wise, on October 5, for members of Monroe Hilltoppers club. Carrol Sue Hawkins was assistant hostess. The party was held in an unfinished log house being built by the Wise family. It featured a “Haunted Room.” Jill McKowen, the new Kosciusko County Exten-

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sion Agent, was a special guest. Rott call response was “What Is The Worst Thing You Ever Did On Halloween?” Tammy Wise, vice president, conducted the busmess meeting ElinoreZumbaugh wasaguest. It was announced that Pansy Michaels will bake donuts for a party at the State School in Fort Wayne. This lesson, “Update On Investment Options” was given by Francis Faurote. Reports were given by: Betty Cotton, “Bribing Bulbs In For The Winter;” martha Rush. “Keeping Active It happened in —

King Arthur's

A MEMBER of this reporter’s family suggested that since the eat has done such a miserable job of mousing she should be required to earn her keep around here in another manner. Someone thought, since the cat is Mack, she could be rented oat as a decoration for Halloween parties. We decided against this because she would go to sleep. It’s very hard tn see a back cat in a dimly lit room and if her eyes were shut she would all but disappear. Her snoring might sound “spooky.” Another suggestion was that she could give furniture clawing and curtain shredding

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For Good Health;” and Thelma Berry “Registration and v*Uing ” Norma Engleberth will be hostess for the November meeting. Tippy Leu Club boors comp report $ Marilyn Hartman reported on her day at Homemakers Camp when members of Tippy club met

demonstrations between races at the demolition derby. This sounded pretty good until we looked at the calendar. Winter is coming and we can hardly be expected to drive to Florida or California every week end just to promote the cat’s career. Severalother ideas also fell flat. At that point the cat strolled into the room, purred, blinked her eyes, rolled on her back and rubbed around our feet. Suddenly we realized the cat already has a job. She dees funny and aggravating things for this reporter to write about. VERNON AND Mildred Gilbert have been released from Parkview Hospital, Fort Wayne.

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at her home on October 5. Dorothy Dye led group singing Pledges to the American and Christian Flags and the club creed were repeated in unison. Devotions were given by Juanita Allen. Rott call response was “A Superstition I Still Believe In.” Roll call was answered by 14 members and three guests. Guests were Viva Shepherd, Christine Rhoades and Tony Hartman. Janet Kinney was welcome as a hew member.' Irene Robison told about the recent Kosciusko County Historical Society tour of downtown War-

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and are now recouperating at home. They were injured in an automobile accident. GRANDMOTHER SAYS, “According to Proverbs 18:17 anv story sounds true until someone tells the other side and sets the record straight.’’ IN THE hospital - Warren Smith and Sally Cox, Goshen Hospital, Goshen; Ralph Walker, KCH; Aaron Rider, Roberta Ferverda and Wayne Miller, Parkview, Fort Wayne. Hazlette Ferguson is now at home following her release from Whitlev County Hospital, Columbia City. Joni Bodkin and Goldie Mabie have been released from KCH

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saw. Jan Barber explained how to start a compost pile. Cheryl Cnswell gave the health and safety lesson. Plans were discussed for the Christmas bazaar. Mrs. Hartman read a poem entitled “Lovely Day.” Carrol Rhodes demonstrated how to do needlepant. Christmas stocking refrigerator ornaments. Refreshment of cider, donuts and coffee were served by Mrs. Hartman and the assistant hostess, Mrs. Robinson. Ann Sena witt be hostess for the November meeting.

and Fee Ullom, Fred Clark and Tracy Waalewyn have been released from Goshen Hospital. -o— NEW BOOKS at the Library. Adult non-fiction. “Better Homes And Gardens New Baby Book.” by Edwin Kiester. Jr.. Adult fiction: “The Hollow.” by Agatba Christie and “Shalaku,” by Louie t'Amour.. -o— THE LADIES at the North Webster United Methodist church are planning a “South Pacific Program’’ for October 18. A light supper will be served. -oTILL NEXT WEEK.,.