Carnations, curbside. Found Sunday morning as I parked the car on Sedgwick Street. Millvale PA. I was headed to Holy Spirit Church for a First Communion.
Tag: Millvale PA
McWalker Yarns in Millvale Celebrates First Anniversary
You might remember my post last April of McWalker Yarns opening in Millvale PA.
Click McWalker Yarns website for class schedules, hours and directions.
Today knitters and friends gathered in the LYS (Local Yarn Shop/Store) to celebrate the first anniversary. 
Hospitable, knowledgeable and skilled staff on duty. Owner Amy Walker McCall second from left and Jess, Joanna and Lauren, Ready to welcome you to McWalker Yarns and assist you in choosing the perfect yarn for the projects you want to create, whether it be knitting, crochet or spinning.
Class schedules, Monthly Knit Alongs and Knitting Community gatherings and events are listed on the website. and on FB page here
It was a happy celebration with Chocolate cake and champagne. Congratulations McWalker Yarns and wishing you many more anniversaries to come.
Man’s Best Friend and Books
The sculpture of the dog with a stack of books on his head has always caught my attention when I drive by the Millvale Community Library. Tonight Steve and I walked down Grant Avenue after dinner to see it up close. What an invitation to come inside and find a good book to read.
The artist is Pittsburgh sculptor James Simon and the sculpted dog’s name is Pages.
And how about those magnificent door handles? I know there’s a story there.
Miilvale. Just across the Allegheny River from the city of Pittsburgh. You’ve seen my posts of Panza Gallery, Grant Avenue Bar, McWalker Yarns, Jean-Marc Chatellier Bakery, Tazza D’Oro, bicycle racks and Esthers’s Hobby Shop -to name a few.
Millvale Community Library 213 Grant Avenue Millvale, Pennsylvania
Silent Sunday
Silent Sunday
McWalker Yarns Hosted a Poetry Reading in Millvale
Thursday evening in Millvale, Amy McCall, owner of McWalker Yarns hosted poets Sheryl St. Germain and her former MFA student at Chatham U, Michael Bennett.
The yarn store was a wonderful backdrop for Sheryl St. Germain’s reading. Surrounded by skeins and skeins of colorful yarn, Sheryl read her powerful essay (from Stitching Resistance: Women, Creativity and Fiber Arts edited by Marjorie Agosin). She told of the role crochet has played in her life since childhood, but focusing on how crocheting with yarn helped her cope while parenting a son who was in trouble with alcohol, drugs and the law. She also read poems about her son’s dying of a heroin overdose from her book The Small Door of Your Death. Her words touched the audience as she described the helplessness and grief, her numbness, as she centered herself every evening after a long day- crocheting an afghan for her son. The repetition of hook into yarn loops as a meditation, an ease from depression and the stress of hopelessness. A healing.
Pittsburgh native Michael Bennett read his poetry first and opened for Ms. St. Germain. Michael has worked for three years with Words Without Walls program, teaching incarcerated Juvenile offenders, teenagers being tried as adults.
Cellist David Bennett and McWalker Yarns supporter introduces the poet and provided delicious desserts by Millvale Baker Jean-Marc Chatelier
New Orleans native Sheryl St. Germain has published six poetry books, two collections of essays, and co-edited two anthologies. The Small Door of Your Death, a collection of poems about the death of her son from a heroin overdose, appeared in 2018 with Autumn House Press. A forthcoming book, Fifty Miles, is a collection of essays about healing that include a couple of essays about working with yarn. Sheryl directs the MFA program in Creative Writing at Chatham University where she also teaches poetry and creative nonfiction, and is co-founder of the Words Without Walls Program . She was named Louisiana Writer of the year in 2018. Sheryl is an avid and accomplished crocheter, and a much less accomplished knitter. See: www.sheryl-stgermain.com/ for more information.
Desserts created by Jean-Marc Chatellier French Bakery
Interesting Sign Across River in Millvale
A six word Saturday.
I’ve not seen one of these before but they make a lot of sense.
This one in front of the police station.
McWalker Yarns Sweater Challenge Fashion Show
Saturday afternoon McWalker Yarns in Millvale PA hosted the November Sweater Challenge (NaKniSweMo) Fashion Show.
All of the sweaters were made with yarn from McW Y, had at least 50,000 stitches and were knit between 12:01 on 11/1 and midnight 11/30.
Knitters were to wear their sweaters if they knit them for themselves.
One sweater knitter had to be at work today and was unable to attend the fashion show but we’ll try to add a photo.
Margaret “Maggie” Toth brought her husband Chris who was modeling the sweater she knit for him – Berocco Man’s Sweater free pattern “Dan”.
She used Cascade ECO yarn– colorway Shire.
Here’s Lauren Eicher modeling Jamestown Sweater knitty.com by Amy Christoffers
Yarn Malabrigo Rios “Archangel”
Christine’s niece Rebecca baked Gingerbread Men cookies sporting Holiday Sweaters 
And here is Christine modeling her Free Range Kimono Corner to Corner Crochet
Pattern by Jess Coppom Yarn Cascade Wave “Nightshade”
Christine standing by the display showing yarn she used for her Free Range Kimono
Meet Barb McAbe modeling her Sideways sweater designed by Joji Locatelli in Laine Magazine #6 Autumn/Winter 2018 Wow, look at those cables!
She used Shepard’s Wool in the Mint Colorway
Here is Denise Kaliowski wearing her Kimono Cardigan by Linda DeRuiter
Yarn is Painted Mist in Misty Rainbow (6 skeins) She made notes that it is very drapey and soft and she loves the colors. We did too.
Amy McCall (owner of McWalker Yarns) knit Selenity by Annie Rowden Laine Magazine #6 Yarn Scout Colorway Blue Heather
How about this detail?
Here I am sporting Humulus Sweater designed by Isabell Kraemer
Photographed by Amy McCall
Yarn- Lore by The Fibre Company (Earthy colorway) and Sunflower Heather is by Scout
Aimee Benswanger cheered us all on as we modeled our sweaters and here she is with her Entrelac Scarf www.frecklesandpurls.com Berocco Remix Colorway Pool
Denise is working a baby hat
Already onto the next sweater. Amy McCall inspired us to complete our November sweaters. We had a fun afternoon. The challenge produced a lot of creativity and camaraderie. Amy gave us all a sheet of Temporary Knitting Tattoos for participating.
There was a grand prize drawing for a $50 store credit and the ticket was drawn by a Sock Club member. I was fortunate to win so am planning my next sweater to start AFTER Christmas.
Panza Gallery a Perfect Host
The show is over but I wanted to share a good portion of it online for those who weren’t able to come to the gallery.
Thank you Panza Gallery for inviting me to show People at Work. 
The opening – July 7th Photo by Laura 
Neonatal Nurse storyboard with grandson Charlie
FLowers from cousin Chris
Sylvia Ruth and Bev
Bernie Pintar Ceramicist
Friends Tand Family
Patrick Moore and Joaquin Navarro
My sister Mary
Toni D joins Sylvia and Bev
Greg an Friends
Grrenfield School Coworkers
Roy Tucker Professional Bartender
FLowers from cousin Chris
Bernie Pintar Ceramicist
Sylvia Ruth and Bev
Friends Tand Family
Patrick Moore and Joaquin Navarro
My sister Mary
Toni D joins Sylvia and Bev
Greg an Friends
Greg Mutinelli
Grrenfield School Coworkers
Roy Tucker Professional Bartender
Jack and Tookie Teacher
The Murphy Women
Germaine Watkins
Erin and karen
Tom Underiner and Mary Ellen
Deb Lieberman and famiy
Photographed by Germaine
Ruth and Mary photographed by Germaine
The boys get acquainted
End of the night by Joanne B
Greg Mutinelli
Jack and Tookie Teacher
The Murphy Women
Germaine Watkins
Friends and family
Erin and karen
Tom Underiner and Mary Ellen
Deb Lieberman and famiy
Photographed by Germaine
Ruth and Mary photographed by Germaine
The boys get acquainted
End of the night by Joanne B
Button Store Proprietor
Artist
Hot Dog King
Horticulturist
Milliner
Photography Teacher Manchester Craftsmen’s Guild
Caricaturist
US Navy Pilot
Balloon Artist
Sports Photographer
Pittsburgh Public School Security Officer
Balloon Artist Little Italy Days
Chimney Sweeps
Italian Grocery Proprietor
Piano Tuner
Funnel Cake Truck Owner
Delores Sweet Shop Owner
Vintage Clothing Specialist
Butcher
Yarn Store Owner
Barber
Funnel Cake Truck Owner
Delores Sweet Shop Owner
Vintage Clothing Specialist
Italian Grocery Proprietor
Chimney Sweeps
Balloon Artist Little Italy Days
Pittsburgh Public School Security Officer
Balloon Artist
US Navy Pilot
Caricaturist
Photography Teacher Manchester Craftsmen’s Guild
Milliner
Horticulturist
Hot Dog King
Artist
Button Store Proprietor
Yarn Store Owner
Butcher
Caricaturist
US Navy Pilot
Balloon Artist
Sports Photographer
Pittsburgh Public School Security Officer
Balloon Artist Little Italy Days
Chimney Sweeps
Italian Grocery Proprietor
Vintage Clothing Specialist
Delores Sweet Shop Owner
Photography Teacher Manchester Craftsmen’s Guild
Milliner
Horticulturist
Hot Dog King
Artist
Button Store Proprietor
Funnel Cake Truck Owner
Piano Tuner
Carpentry Teacher. Nephrologist
River Rescue
Dwayne Dolphin Trio
Gigapan Operators. Baker
Pizza Shop Manager
Father Dave Urban
PNC Park Field Groomers
Cotton Candy Vendor
Orthodox Priest
Zamboni
Alaska Railroad Conductor
Sophia at Ritter’s
Tree Expert
Shillelagh Maker
River Rescue
Barber
The Family gathered in July 14th
Family by Andrew Wagner
Photo by Andrew Wagner
Michael and FF Marlene
Anna with her portrait
ERika and her mom
Uncle Frank and Aunt Linda with Anna Maura and Michael and Jack
Taken by Andrew Wagner
Photo by Mark McG
Photo by granddaughter Anna
Photo by Aunt Linda
Family by Andrew Wagner
Photo by Andrew Wagner
Michael and FF Marlene
Anna with her portrait
ERika and her mom
Uncle Frank and Aunt Linda with Anna Maura and Michael and Jack
Photo by granddaughter Anna
Taken by Andrew Wagner
Photo by Mark McG
Photo by Aunt Linda
Uncle Dan HVAC Specialist
Vintage Car Restorer
All the way from FL
“Play is the work of the child” Maria Montessori
Tessaro’s Storyboard
Vintage Car Restorer
All the way from FL
The Closing was July 27th
Mary Thomas’ article in the Post-Gazette http://www.post-gazette.com/ae/art-architecture/2018/07/25/Ruth-Hendricks-People-at-Work-Panza-Gallery-Eric-Crosby-Andy-Warhol-Foundation-fellowship-Eric-Shiner/stories/201807180009
Tawyna Panizzi article in the Trib
https://triblive.com/local/hamptonshaler/13790388-74/retired-pittsburgh-teachers-people-at-work-photos-on-display-in-millvale
Printing done by Tom Underiner of Pixel River Images
More Family Came to Millvale to see the Show – Guest Blog
Thanks for all the good wishes in accomplishing nine years of blogging and starting year ten. I’ve posted 3,235 times which averages 359 times a year.
More family came to Millvale to see the People at Work show today which was really nice. They drove in from Virginia, Ohio and West Mifflin. We gathered back at my house for dinner.
And a photography classmate of mine came with his wife to Panza Gallery at the same time. Andrew Wagner and I took a few classes together at Manchester Craftsmen’s Guild. He’s a loyal blog follower, too, having photographed many similar subjects throughout his career- in FILM!
Andrew once said my blog was like a Kodak Carousel slide show and you never knew what the next slide would be. He offered to take a photo of the family at the gallery this afternoon and he took it on my camera so I have the photos right away. Thank you for coming and always being so supportive to me in my photography efforts.
Here are the photos Andrew took today.
Uncle Frank and Maura look at Vintage Car Restorer storyboard featuring Uncle Frank.
Photo credit to all three photos –Andrew Wagner
The People at Work Show is a Go
THE PEOPLE AT WORK SHOW IS A GO!
Millvale suffered from the heavy rains and the Main Street looked like a river flowing right through the center of town. The roads were closed Thursday. Anyone watching the local news, wondered if the opening of my People at Work Show, scheduled for Saturday 7/7 at 6 PM, could still happen. And the answer is yes. Clean up crews worked feverishly to get the town ready for business.
Hope to see you there for the opening reception Saturday night. Panza Gallery 115 Sedgwick Street Millvale PA.
Regular gallery hours are W TH F 10-5 Sat 10-3
You’ve seen some people at work on the blog already.
