A Stitch in Time: No. Castle Senior Honored for Knitting Group
Lorraine Wuttke has always sought to help children any way she can, especially those from poor families.
Five years ago, the longtime North White Plains resident organized a knitting group with other regulars at the North Castle Senior Center in Armonk. They donate the wool hats, sweaters and gloves they create to Knit for Kids, a Pennsylvania-based charity that ships donations across the United States and abroad.
Today (Monday), Wuttke is being honored for her service, one of 46 outstanding seniors throughout Westchester who are being inducted into the county’s Senior Citizens Hall of Fame. The will receive their tribute at a special luncheon and program at the Westchester Marriott in Tarrytown.
“I always did it with my heart,” Wuttke said of her knitting. “That’s what matters to me. I didn’t know this was all going to come about. She’s very nice the girl that’s in charge, Liz, and she recognized it.”
Liz Thomas, North Castle’s senior recreation leader, noticed the contribution that Wuttke and the group make when the senior center opens every Monday and Thursday. Not only do the knitters send an average of one box a month to Knit for Kids, which usually includes about 10 pieces, they help energize the rest of the seniors who, in turn, support Wuttke and the knitters.
“It’s a very committed group,” Thomas said. “There’s a lot of wonderful camaraderie that goes on within the group but that translates over into the larger group. Everyone gets excited when Lorraine’s sending another box off.”
Wuttke, who’s been coming to the senior center for 20 years, had knitted when her three children were young but hadn’t done much until her grandchildren were born. Then she read a magazine article about a group who knitted for charity and she thought that something similar could be organized at the center.
The women who have been involved have a wide range of proficiency, from lifelong knitters to those who have learned recently at the center. In fact, Wuttke, who has lived in North White Plains for 28 years with her husband, Charlie, doesn’t consider herself a particularly strong knitter.
“I enjoy it and they enjoy it and they’re doing it with their hearts, that’s the main thing,” said Wuttke, who picks up wool at Michael’s and also receives donations from group members and others in the community. “I get the biggest kick out of seeing them so excited when they make something.”
For some, they now have the time and energy to devote toward the drive. Subhash Kottoor, a retired doctor, said as a full-time grandmother she can focus on knitting and enjoy it.
“There’s a lot of satisfaction that you’re doing something and you’re helping things,” she said.
Another regular, Rae Spinelli, said it makes everyone feel good that it’s for a good cause.
“It’s a wonderful feeling,” said Spinelli. “You’re helping a little child. “That’s really nice, especially if you’re a grandma and you know a little child is being helped.”
Wuttke, who once sang in the choir at St. Patrick’s Cathedral on Sundays, said last week she planned on enjoying the luncheon and being honored, although she questioned what the fuss was about. But she hopes there are many more boxes to be shipped out in the years ahead.
“I’m very happy about doing it, making it for a lot of children, poor children,” she said. “For some reason, when it comes to children I’m very sensitive. I just love them.”
Martin has more than 30 years experience covering local news in Westchester and Putnam counties, including a frequent focus on zoning and planning issues. He has been editor-in-chief of The Examiner since its inception in 2007. Read more from Martin’s editor-author bio here. Read Martin’s archived work here: https://www.theexaminernews.com/author/martin-wilbur2007/
