Mask makers helping community

Stacy Wengler of Knotty Gnome Variety and Salvage has been busy making masks for the Hartford community.

Marylou Nagel | Writer 

Mr. Rogers was right.  Always look for the helpers.  And Hartford is filled with them.  From massive food pantry donations to daily support of local businesses, the good in Hartford has been shining bright, particularly in this time of uncertainty.

Wearing masks in public has become the norm in many places.  That can also mean a shortage when demand is so high.  Two Hartford women are doing what they can to make sure that all who want a mask will get one. Stacy Wengler and her husband, Kyle, of Knotty Gnome Variety and Salvage, have always offered sewing services to customers. 

“It was a natural transition for us to start making masks,” she explained. “When we saw the need in the community for them, we just started making them and have not stopped.”  

They have made 500 masks in the last two weeks and have materials ordered for another 500.  

Stephanie Voth has created a mask mailbox at her home in Hartford, complete with a variety of fabrics, styles and sizes.  Anyone is welcome to a mask, and masks may be dropped off there for others as well. “All masks left at the end of the day will be laundered and readied for the next day,” she added. 

Orders for the masks have helped sustain Knotty Gnome Variety and Salvage while the storefront is closed.  The Wenglers are grateful to the community for supporting their small business, and are happy they are able to provide the community with a necessary product.

The Wenglers have also donated over 200 masks so far to the Hartford community, and have been distributing them at Sunshine Foods in Hartford.  The masks are free, one per person.  If you have the means to purchase a mask, the Wenglers ask for a $5 donation to the Hartford Food Pantry, which can be made right at Sunshine.  

With demand so high for masks, materials are often hard to come by.  Donations of new 100 percent cotton fabric, elastic, or money for supplies are welcome.  Knotty Gnome is also taking orders for personal or large business use. Contact the Wenglers with questions or to purchase masks by emailing them at knottygnome605@gmail.com or messaging them on Facebook or Instagram @knottygnome605.

Voth’s mask mailbox is located at 208 North Kingsbury.  Join the “Hartford Happenings” group on Facebook for mask updates from Voth.

Both Voth and the Wenglers are happy to be able to help out the Hartford community.  “My two hobbies are gardening and sewing, and since Mother Nature isn’t quite ready for us to get in the gardens, I can spend these days sewing,” said Voth. “This is truly a Labor of Love.  We all need to stay as safe as possible and take care of our neighbors!”