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Crafting Circles: Creative Connection Through Handiwork
Trivia: The protest song “Strange Fruit,” made famous by Billie Holiday, was written by which lyricist/poet?
RetireHub
September 28, 2025
Rise and shine, RetireHub community! ☀️ Your Sunday newsletter is here!
Today we’re sharing fun tips on Crafting Circles: Creative Connection Through Handiwork, along with the best deals, fun trivia, and more!
Thanks to our sharp-eyed readers for pointing out the mix-up in yesterday’s Twilight Zone trivia—we accidentally marked the wrong answer, but of course we meant to say that Rod Serling was the host. We’re so grateful to you all for being such helpful and attentive participants!
Top Deals From Around The Web
We find the best daily online deals so you don’t have to!
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What We’re Reading
Get these e-book deals before they’re gone.
 | By: Willa Drew She’s a singer in disguise. He’s a charming guitarist with a secret. When they’re forced to team up for gigs, their chemistry is instant. But fame, family, and hidden identities could tear them apart. A swoony, slow-burn, friends-to-lovers YA romance full of music, angst and heart. Perfect for fans of Lynn Painter & Jenny Han. |
 | By: J. Herman Kleiger What if one phone call could change your entire life? With the page-turning suspense of Ava Strong’s Not Like He Seemed, and the gritty realism of Douglas and Olshaker’s Mindhunter, Whispers promises readers a nail-biting journey into the search for a serial killer and a window into the troubled mind of the agent who pursues him. |
On this day in 1928, Scottish bacteriologist Alexander Fleming discovered penicillin, the world’s first true antibiotic. While studying bacteria at St. Mary’s Hospital in London, he noticed that a mold called Penicillium notatum had killed nearby bacteria in a petri dish. This accidental breakthrough revolutionized medicine, launching the antibiotic era and saving millions of lives by making previously deadly infections treatable.
Crafting Circles: Creative Connection Through Handiwork
In an age where so much of life is spent online, crafting circles offer a refreshing return to hands-on connection. Whether it’s knitting, quilting, crocheting, embroidery, or scrapbooking, handiwork has long served as both a form of creative expression and a meaningful way to build community. When shared with others, it becomes more than a solitary hobby—it transforms into a social ritual, a wellness practice, and a space for shared stories and support.
Crafting circles can be as formal as a guild or as casual as a few friends meeting at a kitchen table. What they all have in common is a spirit of inclusion and creativity. Some groups focus on a specific craft, like a monthly quilting bee or a knitting group that makes baby hats for hospitals. Others are more eclectic, encouraging each person to bring whatever project they’re working on, creating a colorful mix of threads, fabrics, beads, and ideas.
For older adults, crafting circles can be especially nourishing. Studies show that engaging in creative handiwork helps reduce stress, boost cognitive function, and even ease symptoms of depression. It provides a gentle rhythm and tactile satisfaction that screens simply can’t replicate. But even more importantly, it invites laughter, conversation, and camaraderie—something many people crave, especially after periods of isolation.
If you’re looking to start or join a circle, try checking your local library, community center, senior center, or place of worship. Many also meet online or in hybrid formats, making it easier than ever to connect with others who share your love of creating. All skill levels are welcome—no one’s judging your stitches or how straight your seams are. The focus is on joy, not perfection.
Handiwork reminds us to slow down, use our hands, and make something tangible. And when done in good company, it stitches people together just as surely as it does fabric.
What kind of crafting circle would you be most excited to join? |
Yesterday’s Poll Results: What’s your antique-hunting style?
It turns out many of you love the thrill of the browse! Over half of our readers said they enjoy poking around antique shops but rarely buy—a true testament to the joy of discovery itself. Still, plenty of you shared a fondness for nostalgic treasures, whether it's vintage kitchenware, jewelry with a story, or books that spark a memory. A few even hunt for character-filled furniture or collectible art. However you explore the past, it’s clear our community finds magic in the details—and that every antique tells a tale. Thanks for sharing yours!
TOP COMMENTS
“Love antique Christmas items. Unique ornaments mostly. Not much space to store larger items.”
“Pyrex bowls and kitchen utensils that remind me of years ago. I also like odd serving pieces (silver or silverplate).”
“I have several pieces in my home that are over 100 yrs. old. My mom was a collector, and she was wonderful at restoring wood. I love antique shops, especially glassware and dishes. It's a fun past time and my husband and I enjoy it.”
Sitting Smart: How to Prevent Neck & Shoulder Pain from Computer Use
Spending hours hunched over a computer often leads to tension in the neck and shoulders—especially as we age. Posture plays a key role: if we lean forward, drop our shoulders, or let our head drift toward the screen, our muscles gradually adjust into positions that cause pain, stiffness, and even headaches.
Creating an ergonomic workspace helps ease that strain. A well‑adjusted chair, keyboard at elbow height, monitor at eye level, and keeping your feet flat on the floor all support better alignment. Small changes—like using a lumbar pillow or adjusting chair height—can make a big difference. Taking frequent breaks is also vital: just standing up, walking, or stretching every hour helps release tension.
Incorporating gentle stretches throughout the day further supports relief. Simple neck rolls, side tilts, and full-body stretches done periodically can help reset muscle balance. For those who spend long hours at the desk, switching to a standing desk or alternating between sitting and standing can reduce the grip of “tech neck.” At night, choosing a pillow that supports the neck and keeping good spinal alignment while sleeping adds another layer of support.
Together, posture awareness, breaks, movement, and sleep habits form a powerful routine to ease and prevent neck and shoulder pain caused by prolonged computer use.
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Slang Phrase of the Day
Phrase: Aura points
Meaning: In popular culture, especially in gaming, anime, or fantasy contexts, aura points typically refer to an invisible or metaphorical measurement of someone's energy, spirit, or presence. They aren't real medical or scientific units, but are often used playfully to describe how "strong" someone's vibe or emotional impact is.
In a sentence: “Ethel walked into the quilting circle with fresh cookies and a bright pink shawl—honestly, her aura points were off the charts today!”
Good News of the Day
Atlanta’s “Sponge Park” Shields Vine City Homes from Floods with Smart Design
In one of Atlanta’s historic neighborhoods, a bold new park is doing more than offering green space—it’s quietly protecting homes from flooding. Rodney Cook Sr. Park in Vine City was designed as a “sponge park,” meaning much of its layout and landscaping are engineered to absorb and hold stormwater, easing the strain on the city’s drainage system. During a recent storm, the park took in nine million gallons of water, and impressively, nearby basements remained dry—proof that nature‑based infrastructure can help cities adapt to intense weather.
Beyond its functional role, the park is a gathering place, complete with walking paths, fitness areas, water features, and plenty of greenery. Built with community input and ecological sensibility, it blends purpose and beauty. What was once a liability during heavy rains is now a resilient asset—connecting neighborhoods while safeguarding them.
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RetireHub Trivia
Want more trivia? Play our “Nostalgia Trivia Game” on our site! We add fresh questions daily, so there’s always something new to test your knowledge.
Not into trivia? No worries! We’ve got plenty of other fun games to enjoy, like:
The protest song “Strange Fruit,” made famous by Billie Holiday, was written by which lyricist/poet? |
Which sovereign nation is named after a woman? |
Which major city uniquely spans both Europe and Asia across the Bosporus Strait? |
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