Participant Biographies and Project Descriptions

Lucie Lukens
Lucie began studying the art of knitting over thirty years ago and has developed her skills and shared her talent with others ever since. She has found she has a natural ability with colors and yarns, and also found that knitting was a cure for stress. Always available to share her enthusiasm for her art, Lucie has been known to advise and help other knitters while standing in line at a craft store. Lucie is always involved in a new knitting project, whether it is a unique colorful scarf or sweater, and has sold her “creations” in exclusive boutiques and shops throughout Southern California. She also loves to teach the art of knitting and has taught in numerous senior centers from Minnesota to California.

Lucie is very pleased to be teaching once again at her own senior center in Vista. She teaches two three-hour knitting classes a week that cater to seniors at all skill levels. The participants have the option of knitting simple scarves, intricate sweaters, or other projects. Lucie offers group lesson along with individual help. The benefits of knitting are well documented with one researcher, Dr. Herbert Benson M.D. stating, if practiced regularly it “can have lasting effects when encountering stress throughout the day and can improve health”. Lucie states, “Knitting helps to keep you feeling connected even when you are alone. And the finished project provides its own sense of gratification”. The Vista Senior Center, which operates on a limited budget, is very enthusiastic about providing this opportunity to low-income seniors, and already has received an excellent response to Lucie’s classes.