A Close-Knit Group

During the recent flooding in Rye, the first floor apartment of Midland School head custodian Billy Mahoney was damaged and all his belongings ruined. When members of the Milton Knitting Group, made up of 4th and 5th graders, led by Cindy Young, heard what had happened, they wanted to help. The 23 students had been working on a quilt they planned to raffle at the Milton Fair, but decided Mr. Mahoney needed it more. The group wrote a letter and sent a picture of themselves, along with the quilt, to Midland School. “I’m so proud of these kids,” said Mrs. Young. “They had the opportunity to sell the quilt but instead they gave it to someone in need.”

Mrs. Young started the group three years ago after noticing students watching her knit between classes and showing interest in learning. They meet daily during lunchtime to make hats, scarves and ponchos and just to talk. Every time a student completes a project, their picture goes on Mrs. Young’s door, also known as the “Knitting Hall of Fame.”

Fifth grader Brianne Adler has been part of the knitting group since the beginning of 4th grade. She made several of the squares that became the quilt for Mr. Mahoney and co-wrote the letter to him. “Every day I get to be with my friends and knit and do needlepoint,” said Brianne, who’s currently making a pillow. “It’s so much fun that I’m even teaching my mom how to do it.”

– April Miller