Nest: Bringing Warmth Home

As I write this, a beautiful summer day is coming to a close. We spent the morning picking strawberries at a local farm. After dropping them off at the house, we scooted over to the ocean for a quick dip before thunderstorms rolled in. The storms gave us the perfect opportunity to wash and hull the berries, then freeze them for winter eating. Summer in Maine is short and sweet. And Mainers squeeze every last drop out of what it offers.

Many Mainers are also preparing for a challenging winter. The rising cost of home heating oil put a major strain on budgets last year. For many people the upcoming winter will be even worse. It seems everywhere we go people are talking about how they will get by, what their strategy will be, and what changes they are making in their lives. Many of those changes are good. We see more food gardens than ever before. More people take public transportation when it is available. Carpooling is becoming more and more common. There is a spirit of conservation in the air that is refreshing.

In spite of these measures, many Mainers will face difficulties in the coming months. While the price increase for home heating oil is an inconvenience for us all, it is a crisis for many. Although the long term solution to the energy problem is complicated, providing warm woolen items to people in need is not.

Here's where you come in! We are asking interested knitters and crocheters to contribute hats, mittens, fingerless mitts, cowls, and scarves to be distributed in northern Maine before autumn. The sky is the limit in terms of patterns and design. Some of these items will be worn indoors, where it is becoming increasingly common to keep temperatures below 60 degrees. Please mail new items made from natural materials, preferably wool, to the following address:

Jean Lee
NestMaine
P.O Box 6011
Falmouth, ME 04105


Many thanks!
Jean