Fall Gala 2023
Honoree Marie Stewart
Marie Stewart is a fixture of Pawling, and one of its biggest fans. A Bronx native, Marie moved to Pawling in 1976 to be closer to family and immediately set about making her mark.
Marie has run The Yarn Box on Charles Colman Boulevard for 33 years. The shop is a microcosm of the Pawling community at large a place where residents connect, learn from mistakes, and give back to their fellow citizens. The Yarn Box’s charity knitting group, which donates home made scarves, hats, and blankets to those in need, exemplifies Marie’s giving spirit.
Marie’s influence in Pawling extends far beyond knitting. She has dedicated more than three decades of service to the Pawling Chamber of Commerce, serving as a past president and currently as secretary.
Marie has spearheaded annual events like the Garage Sale, Car Show, and Arts & Crafts Festival; judged writing contests for Pawling elementary school students; contributed to the Pawling Guidebook; organized cultural trips for town residents; and started the Chamber’s gift certificate program in 1999, which encourages residents to shop local and has kept hundreds of thousands of dollars in Pawling. Marie has also been instrumental in the Pawling Beautification Project, which has built the “Welcome to Pawling” signs on Routes 22 and 55, planted flowers, and repaired sidewalks and stone walls throughout the village.
Tonight, to honor Marie’s dedication and service to the Pawling community, we are thrilled to present her with PCF’s Lifetime Commitment to the Pawling Community Award.
September 20, 2023
Video Tribute for Honoree Marie Stewart
