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WESTFIELD - Nanette Knappenberger of Westfield, Hilltop Spinners' president, welcomed members to a Hilltop Spinners meeting at the Knappenberger ranch.

Meetings are held in various locations, as the membership is composed of those from Southwestern New York and northwestern Pennsylvania. The recent gathering was at the Knappenberger ranch in Westfield.

The Hilltop Spinners have been meeting for more that 30 years. They gather together to spin and discuss items made with homespun yarn. The use of the spinning wheels has been ongoing for centuries, and making yarn from fleece is age-old. The members brought their spinning wheels, and their latest creations made from homespun to the meeting. Some of the spinning wheels were built decades ago.

At the recent meeting, Mrs. Knappenberger was elected to serve a second term as the president. The newsletter editor and secretary of the group has Sue Barone of Warren and the newly elected editor is Claire Heverley of Sherman. Yvonne Lee was re-elected to serve as the group's treasurer. John Sipos serves as the record keeper of photographs. Sipos also served in the capacity as the newsletter editor and the president. Neva Woolley of Forestville and Dolores Johnson serve as the coordinators for the Chautauqua County Fair displays and presentations for the spinners. Kent Knappenberger of Westfield is the immediate past president, who now serves as an advisor for fair displays as well.

At the recent meeting, members Dolores Johnson, Jean Johnson of Olmsted Falls, Ohio, and Lynn Ouellette of Conewango showed some special kinds of yarn and knitting techniques. The annual competition of spinning items was planned for the December meeting, which will be held in the Leon Historical Society building in Leon, and in addition to the many categories, a new category was formed known as novelty items. Members are asked to bring a dish of food to pass, and their own table settings, and a wrapped gift related to spinning for a gift exchange. New members and visitors are welcome.