On September 9, members of the Friends of Counted Embroidery (FCE)-Laurel Chapter attended the group’s first formal in-person meeting since the start of the pandemic.

Many members expressed enthusiasm to be with friends again.

Having formed many years ago and meeting first at Christ the King Lutheran Church and then Stony Hill Fire Department until the pandemic, last week’s meeting also represented the group’s first meeting in its new home, Newtown Community Center.

The local chapter had been unable to meet in person since April 2020. As highlighted in the August 13, 2021 print edition of The Newtown Bee, an informal gathering outside at Fairfield Hills was held last month.

FCE-Laurel Chapter President Claudia Kelly explained, as members worked on different projects at the community center, that the group had held some meetings via Zoom since April 2020, but those were not the same. The new space, she added, was perfect.

“It feels great. It feels comfortable,” said Kelly.

Ahead of the September 9 meeting, Kelly said the FCE-Laurel Chapter members “were looking forward to meeting again.”

The FCE-Laurel Chapter has roughly 30 members. Meetings are on the second Thursday of the month, September through June, from 10 am until approximately 1 pm.

Friends of Counted Embroidery is a nonprofit organization. Its purpose is to expand knowledge of all forms of counted embroidery through workshops, lectures, slide presentations, and the mutual exchange of ideas.

Newcomers are always welcome. For those who join, annual dues are $30. For more information about the local chapter, e-mail Kelly at ckk627@att.net.

Education Reporter Eliza Hallabeck can be reached at eliza@thebee.com.