Princetonian supports her church through a manual labor of love.
By: Dana Flatekval
At 90 years of age Helen Papastephanou of Princeton contributes to her church the only way she knows how through knitting.
"I knit because I can’t give money and I cannot offer money to my church," said Mrs. Papastephanou. "The next best thing was to buy wool and sell it. It shows that with a little money you can make a lot."
She has once again set her annual goal of selling at least $1,000 of her knitted children’s sweaters on Saturday during the St. Nicholas Bazaar to benefit Trinity Church’s outreach programs.
Mrs. Papastephanou expects to knit over 35 sweaters this year, a feat she regularly accomplishes.
"She is an expert knitter, a perfectionist in her work and a great saleswoman," said St. Nicholas co-chair Alison Roth.
Born in Greece and a resident of Egypt during her childhood, Mrs. Papastephanou became an American citizen at the age of 89 and speaks four languages Arabic, French, Greek and English.
Mrs. Papastephanou has been knitting since she was 8, when her mother taught her.
"My mother bought me a dress that was so pretty," she said. "I never saw anything knitted like that. That is when knitting became a part of my life."
She brought the idea to Trinity Church and the bazaar organizers were thrilled with it."Nice people said nice things to me about my sweaters," said Mrs. Papstephanou. "They were very encouraging."
However, because she began to teach others how to knit, her production of sweaters went down. But, this year, Mrs. Papastephanou has gotten back on track.
"I always think that I don’t know if I will make," she said. "But I always know that if I don’t, someone else might."
Mrs. Papastephanou’s children’s sweaters, which feature all types of handmade designs, will be auctioned along with thousands of other items at St. Nicholas Bazaar. This annual Christmas fair encompasses three floors and includes books, a handmade queen-sized quilt, antiques and collectibles as well as china, crystal and silver.
A first edition of Charles Dickens’ "Little Dorrit," printed in 1857, will be up for auction, along with 300 other antiques and collectibles. "Little Dorrit" will be sold in a silent auction, along with a pair of black-painted, wooden music stands with attached brass candleholders that were once used at Drumthwacket.
Also, Trinity parishioners have decorated gingerbread houses, live boxwood topiaries, tree ornaments and holiday wreaths, with no two alike. A 30-foot bake table will include a "cookie walk," where shoppers can fill a tin with an assortment of cookies.
A luncheon will also be available and parents can shop while children make ornaments, have their photos taken with Santa Claus or buy family gifts inside the Junior Shoppers’ room.
Trinity Episcopal Church is involved in over 13 outreach programs, including The Crisis Ministry of Princeton and Trenton, Trinity Counseling Center, Housing Initiatives of Princeton, Route 1 Motel Meals, The Hunger Fund, Habitat for Humanity and Done in a Day Project. Trinity also safeguards homeless families as an Interfaith Hospitality Network host parish.
Mrs. Papastephanou is doing just what the holidays are all about giving to those unfortunate.
"I knit because I can help the church and help the poor," said Mrs. Papastephanou.
"I’m ready to knit."
The St. Nicholas Bazaar takes place Saturday from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Trinity Church on Route 206, Princeton. For more information, call (609) 924-2277 or visit www.trinityprinceton.org.