Pat Wilson, 60, of Williamsburg has been sewing for over 50 years and now she is using her expertise to raise money to help local seniors through the Williamsburg Council on Aging.
“I just started working in the kitchen at the senior center in the late summer,” Wilson said. “People were always commenting on the aprons that I had made for myself, then people in the town hall started asking if I could make aprons for them.”
That’s when Wilson got the idea that the sale of her unique kitchen couture had the potential to do some good.
Her plan was to do a year-long fundraiser during which she would make and sell aprons and, with the exception of the cost of materials, donate the proceeds to the Williamsburg COA.
She began the project in December hoping to generate $1,000 over the year, but that didn’t quite go as planned.
“Three months into it I have already reached that goal,” she said with a look of happy surprise on her face. “I can’t believe it. I have had to pick up the pace to keep up with the demand and now I feel like I am making them in my sleep!”
The very sturdy, well-made aprons are two-sided, with each side sporting a different pattern of color. Designs range from bold and tailored to flowered and ruffled as well as holiday, animal, food and children’s themes that make the aprons appealing to people of all genders and ages.
The aprons are sold individually or in matching sets of two, one adult-sized and one child-sized.
Each design is one of a kind, as Wilson never reproduces an apron once the original is made.
“We had recently lost some funding through our Highland Valley Elder Service Grant for our companion program, and I was talking about the need to raise more money,” said COA Director Marie Westberg. “This has really worked out great and it has brought in a lot of money,”
The money raised is used to fund home visits for elders and to help defray costs of food programs and exercise classes.
Wilson has sold 41 aprons to date and has several orders pending. Each apron is $45 for adult $25 for the child size.
“A little donation goes a long way and makes a big difference to our seniors,” Wilson said.
Wilson’s aprons are available at the Williamsburg COA office in the town office building at 141 Main St., and in Northampton at Hair Etc.
A town caucus will be held at the Community House Thursday at 7 p.m. for the purpose of nominating candidates to be elected at the annual Town Election, which will be Monday, May 8.
Nominations will be to fill the following positions:
one three-year term on the Select Board;
two three-year terms on the Finance Committee;
one three-year term for Town Clerk;
one three-year term and one, two-year term on the Board of Assessors;
one five-year term on the Planning Board;
one three-year term and one one-year term on the Board of Health;
one three-year term as treasurer;
one one-year term as town moderator;
one three-year term on the Vocational School Committee;
one three-year term as Water Commissioner;
one three-year tem on the Almoner of Charitable Funds;
one three-year term on the Commissioner of Trust Funds;
one five-year term as trustee of the Bryant Free Library;
and two three-year terms on the Cummington Recreation & Pettingill Memorial Field Committee.
There will be a public hearing for the Worthington fiscal 2018 school budget on Thursday at 6:30 p.m. at the R.H. Conwell Elementary School.
The current draft of the school budget proposal totals $1,017,887. The budget can be viewed in full on the town’s website at: www.worthington-ma.us.
Ideas for this column on life in the Hilltowns can be sent to Fran Ryan at: Fryan.gazette@gmail.com.