Phyl’s Frills moves to University Heights
Phyllis Sage moved to University Heights from Huntington Beach, California early in 2009 to be near her daughter’s family, Dr. Sherilyn Sage-Ponitz, an OB/Gyn at Beachwood OB/Gyn, her husband, Dr. Keith Ponitz, a pediatrition at Rainbow Babies and Children's Hospital, and their three daughters, Diana, Mindle and Emma.
Most people move to warmer climes when they retire. Sage had other ideas when she retired from being a legal secretary. She started Phyl’s Frills, a “made to order” hand knitting and embroidery business where she creates and knits special orders. Phyl’s Frills also has a selection of scarfs, handbags, shawls and ready to wear already knitted and embroidered.
When she moved here, she knew she would have to make a whole new circle of friends, and she did by joining four knitting groups (the Happy Hookers, the Northcoast Knitting Club, the Library Knitting Club and the Women 4 Women Knitting 4 Peace Knitting Club), two Red Hat groups (The Risqué Red Hatters and The Red Hattitudes) and taking Mah Jongg lessons at Beachwood Community Center.
With her legal background, Sage became concerned about the proposed changes to the University Heights Charter that council supported. Not one to sit and wring her hands, Phyllis joined the campaign to defeat the proposals and along the way became yet another of UH’s politically engaged citizens.
Sage says she has been a practitioner of the needle arts for as long as she can remember and loves making beautiful items for people. She learned knitting from a friend in the sixth grade, but because she is left-handed, taught herself to follow directions by looking at the diagrams in the mirror. “I wouldn't teach anyone to knit left-handed because there are too many problems with following knitting directions,” says Sage, who now teaches new knitters how to knit right-handed only.
She “unveiled” her latest creation at Laurel School’s Artisan Bazaar last month, knitted alligator scarfs and handbags. It was an instant hit at Laurel School where, you guessed it, the alligator is their mascot.
Sage’s plans for 2011 include locating a Heights area Round Dancing (similar to choreographed ballroom dancing) group. Sage danced at a high level in California and would love to find or form a local group if others are interested.
Sage's green thumb is evident when you see her garden. “My biggest joy is working in my garden. Each spring I go crazy watching the blooming trees come into full bloom. Every time I see a new tree in bloom, I think ‘I have to have one of those in my yard.’ I think I have filled up all the space available in the back yard.”
Add a neighborhood book club and watercolor classes at Tri-C and involvement with family and her new friends, and you have one lady who is thrilled to call University Heights her new home.
To reach Phyllis Sage, e-mail her at psage@phylsfrills.com.
Anita Kazarian is a marketing professional, founder of Noah’s Landing, LLC and a long-time resident of University Heights. Reach her at anitakazarian@gmail.com.