GERRY - At the recent Scandinavian Folk Festival at the Gerry Rodeo Grounds, Susan W. Sipos of Cassadaga had a demonstration on the use of the spinning wheel. On hand for the demonstration, one of the many people was Sen. Catharine Young.
Mrs. Sipos has been spinning for nearly 25 years on a wheel built for her. The spinning wheel that Mrs. Sipos used is known as a ship's wheel because it took up less room on a ship when spinning was needed to make sails, and is also known as a "gossip" wheel since women used to carry it to their neighbor's house, and spin and visit at the same time.
Sen. Young asked many questions and was given a bracelet of freshly spun lama wool after the demonstration. Spinning is an old art, said Mrs. Sipos, whereby people would make their clothes this way. It is the twist by the wheel that adds strength to the yarn.
Article Photos
State Sen. Cathy Young is shown discussing the use of the spinning wheel with Susan Sipos of the Hilltop Spinners at the Scandinavian Folk Festival in Gerry.
Mrs. Sipos is a member of the Hilltop Spinners group, who will be spinning at the upcoming Chautauqua County Fair in Floral Hall.