Neal Clemmers Knits

Art meets functionality in Neal Clemmers hands. The hats and scarves the Ankeny resident has been knitting to donate to local children are also being entered into Watermark Retirement Communities’ national Expressions calendar art competition.

“When we moved into Vintage Hills at Prairie Trail, I needed a hobby,” said Clemmers, who started out flat knitting scarves then purchased a round loom for hats after watching YouTube videos. His ingenuity increased his efficiency when he used the motor from his daughter’s sewing machine and bought a belt to motorize the loom so he doesn’t have to crank it. Clemmers was a fighter pilot in World War II and credits his military experience for teaching him a lot of handy skills.

For Christmas, everyone in the Clemmers’ family received hats and scarves, but he was only getting started. After asking around about donating, he received a request to make hats and scarves for 40 local students in time for this coming winter. He’s already completed the task. Vintage Hills of Prairie Trail, where Clemmers and his wife Mary Jane live, bought the yarn for the hats and scarves he will be donating.

“Community service has always been something I’ve tried to take part in,” said Clemmers.

For more information, contact Vintage Hills at Prairie Trails at 515-963-4000 or visit vintagehillsankeny.watermarkcommunities.com.

Photo: Neal Clemmers, resident at Vintage Hills at Prairie Trail in Ankeny, with two of his knitted pieces.