She looked to Addy, seated with her family at the next table. Addy and Andy both nodded and the double whistle blasted around the room. Instead of quieting, the crowd first laughed, then waved to MJ, and then quieted, in spite of a few more giggles and chuckles.

“I can tell we are all celebrating and so busy chatting and sharing that I could just sit down, but since we are here tonight to honor those who completed UFOs and catch up on all our news, we shall begin.” She puffed out a breath and straightened. “First of all, we now have five UFO groups in Fond du Lac and who knows how many elsewhere.” She held up her spread fingers. “When I call the group you belong to, please stand. And yes, I know, some of you go to more than one. So if you do, please stand for each one. Now, the beginning group that still meets at Maureen’s Yarn Shop. Roxie, please count for us and while you do that…” She started the applause.

“Twenty-three.” Roxie stayed standing as the group waved to others.

“Thank you. This group has altogether finished sixty-one projects. By the way, I hope you look through all those finished projects displayed on the table around the room. Jeff’s peapod greeted you at the entrance. That little boat has already seen many hours on the lake.”

Jeff waved and did a half bow. “Just remember, I had lots of help. Helping each other is at the heart of these groups. The canoe we worked on didn’t quite make it here tonight but not for lack of our trying.”

“Group two, the first spinoff meets in the morning at the senior center, please stand. Roxie, please count again. This group has finished twenty-eight projects.” The applause brought on plenty more smiles.

“Seventeen,” Roxie called out louder, to be heard over the murmurings. “They have more members who couldn’t be here tonight.”

Amalia and Ginny gave each other a high five. Ever since Amalia had moved out to the farm in the fall, their shared housing story had encouraged several other people to do the same. And they had managed to finish even more unfinished objects, especially from Ginny’s collection.

“That young lady with them is the proud owner of Addy’s Cookies, and her project is a tasty success. Many of you have ordered cookies from her, and she says she has started a fund for her dream to go to cooking school.”

“Not that she needs more training in great cookies,” someone called out.

“Thank you. The third group started at the senior housing complex, and while it is a small group, they have not only completed twelve UFOs, they pooled their resources and donated four baby quilts to the pregnancy center.”

Amalia stood for the third time.

“So, what does Amalia do? Count her same UFOs with every group?” That question came from another table.

“Hardly.” Amalia rolled her eyes and raised her voice. “Now that sounds like a good idea. Why didn’t I think of that? Sorry, but I work on something different in each group. Fabric, crochet or knit, and other.”