Discarded wine corks and mason jar lids are some of the key ingredients in creating holiday crafts at St. Andrews Retirement Village. For years, Safe Havens and assisted living facility residents have created holiday gifts as part of events coordinator Wendy Wood’s program. In November, Wood began bringing in a variety of materials so residents could create a collection of wreaths, snow globes, dishcloths and other crafts.

Wood said the group met three times a week with each session lasting a little over an hour. Residents met for the ultimate purpose of making crafts, but Wood explained the residents also built stronger personal relationships with one another. “It’s not just an activity, it’s a time for them to socialize and have a good time with one another.”

Carol Wandeloski of Safe Havens is one of the residents who participated. She made a snow globe with four snowmen stacked upon one another along with a pine tree and a miniature Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer close by. Wandeloski recreated a scene from her youth in making the craft. “I was inspired by my childhood. I came from a big family, with five of us, and each winter, we made snowmen,” she said.

Safe Havens resident Sue Keene hand-knitted 77 dish cloths. She knitted one or two per day. Wood reported the dishcloths are one of the more popular crafts for sale. Other residents, visiting family members and staff are buying them. For Keene, dishcloths have been a practical gift for several years in her family. “My mother used dishcloths. I used them, and all my brothers and wives used them. I guess you can call me a dishcloth maker,” she said.

The handmade crafts are available for sale in the Gregory Wing’s lobby. Wood leads a craft project each spring, fall and winter. All proceeds go toward the retirement village’s activities fund.