The Valley Piecemakers 2013 show was enjoyed at the EV Free Church on May 4.
On display this year were Quilts, Table Runners, Home ornamentations, Table Coasters, Baby Quilts, Lap Robes for residents of the Extended Care section of the hospital, an Emergency Quilt (ready to be given in the event that an area family has a catastrophic loss), as well as the exquisite Queen Sized Quilt and Shams (this year’s Raffle Prize) that were raffled off. This latter item created by all the members of the local club is an exquisite item that will be long cherished by Anne Englehardt this year’s raffle winner. All the other items on display were created lovingly by individual club members either for their own usage or to bless the homes of their loved ones.
Sponsored in part by the Elks/Royal Purple, the McBride Community Forest Corporation and the McBride Community Foundation the Valley Piecemakers annually create and present quilts for all the local babies, those that have suffered catastrophic loss as well as quilts and home accessories for their own homes.
The senior members of the group share their knowledge and enthusiasm for their craft by helping to develop new members’ skills and as well, have developed a strong sense of fraternity as evidenced by the good natured discussion that pervades the group.
Funds earned from the annual raffle go to funding scholarships for one or two of the graduating high school students.
On hand to receive the lap quilts was Debbie Strang, Health Services Administrator, representing the local hospital. Cary Savarella, Public Health Nurse, assists the new mothers when they are first home with their new babies, and gives them baby quilts from the Valley Piecemakers, which are constantly a well received gift by the families. The various draws were made by Strang and Marc Van der Gonna from the McBride Community Forest Corporation, representing all those who contributed financially towards the ingredient costs for this work.
While the component parts of any quilt can range anywhere from $200 to $500/quilt, the electricity, thread and time in the creation of a given quilt makes each one a treasured memento that will be well used for many years.
By Chris Parker
