(Note: If you're new to this wonderful fictional group of quilters, read the first three installments by clicking on the 'We're Still Kicking Quilters' in the side panel.)
WE'RE STILL KICKING QUILTERS - MEETING FOUR
Anna Mae lived in a large old home with
a wide covered porch on three sides. The kind that most folks
immediately fall in love with when they drive by. It's painted a
silvery white with slate blue trim. The home was actually built by
her great grandparents and handed down to each generation. It was
one of the first homes built in the area and it was in the middle of
a large farm.
Most of the farm land was sold by Anna
Mae's grandparents and the rest by her folks so that all that
remained was the large home and about an acre of land on the edge of
town. Anna Mae had a large vegetable garden, several fruit trees as
well as grape vines and several berry patches. She also had a rock
garden, something very few folks maintain in this day and age.
One of the problems that Anna Mae
struggled with was what to do with the home when she was no longer
here. It seemed that none of her children really wanted to return
to the area after setting up housekeeping in far flung areas.
Nevertheless, it was a treat to meet at
Anna Mae's home. The furnishings were mostly from her great
grandparents and grandparents and it had a lived in look rather than
the polished, coordinated look of a magazine cover.
I was the first to arrive this time and
I asked Anna Mae if there was anything I could do to help her get
ready for the meeting. As usual, she had it all under control. So
I sat in my favorite large wicker rocker so full of cushions that if
felt like a big, giant hug.
“What do you think, Anna Mae, about
how our quilt show is evolving into this big fall celebration event?”
“I think it's a grand idea.” Anna
Mae responded, sitting down next to me. “It will bring lots and
lots of folks into the area and that just may translate into new
members, lots of folks will see our handiwork and maybe we'll even
have a hefty donation to add to our bottom line.”
“I guess that since there are so many
other organizations involved, all the publicity will have to be
coordinated.”
“Yes, it will be...” answered Ida
Rose who heard the comment as she entered the living room. “But it
seems to be working out well. The publicity budget is much bigger
with all the groups chipping in. And we will be able to get some
radio and television coverage.”
“Yes, and that means that a couple of
our quilts, including the raffle quilt, will have to be ready right
away.” chipped in Wanda Kay as she and Elsie Jean walked in.
“I hope you don't mind that we just
walked in, Anna Mae.” Elsie Jean added.
“Of course not. It will be a hot
day in winter when I don't welcome guests with open arms.” Anna
Mae answered laughingly.
“Well, with global warming, there may
come a time when it's hot during winter here, but I can never imagine
you not welcoming folks with open arms, Anna Mae.” I said.
“Knock, knock.” Martha Kerine
shouted. Anna Mae went to help her in as the rest of the group
found places to sit and began to take out their quilting projects.
“I brought Jenny's quilt to work on
again. I am hoping to have all the applique done by the end of the
day today.” Ida Rose said as she held up the quilt top.
“It looks beautiful, Ida Rose.”
Martha Kerine said as she entered the room.
“Thanks to all of you.” Ida Rose
responded.
The room was quiet for a change while
everyone worked on their projects, or on Jenny's quilt. Anna Mae
looked up at us and after a few minutes said,
“Well, either the cat's been around
to everyone's tongue or we have a mighty quiet group here today!”
“I guess I was thinking about both
the publicity for the quilt show, or maybe I should say community
event, as well as the plans for Jenny's wedding.” Ida Rose offered.
“Taking one thing at a time,” I
said, “how are the plans for the wedding coming along?”
“For the most part, the wedding is
taken care of. Jenny wants a small wedding with just a few guests.
And she wants to hold it in the back yard. Thank goodness Daniel
(Ida Rose's husband). loves to garden. He has the backyard well in
hand. The reception will be at the house so we have been sprucing
that up. I think we will be painting the living room and the dining
room.”
“Wow, that's a lot of work but it
will be nice even after the wedding.
“True. But it's so different from my
wedding.” Ida Rose said. And then after looking around added, “I
guess all of our weddings,”
“Yeah, they really were a big event
back then.” Martha Kerine added.
“Almost too much so.” Wanda Kay
remarked. “My folks went all out for all three of the weddings and
I know it had to be a financial burden.”
“Yeah, you and your sisters had very
big weddings, but I think that was important to your folks.
Remember, they eloped and didn't really have any celebration. If I
remember right, neither set of their folks even supported their
choice to get married.” Elsie Jean added.
“Your right about that, Elsie Jean.
And although they were civil, neither set of my grandparents were
overly happy when they visited. That's a shame. My folks were
great and they really made something of their lives and their
marriage. And they never said a negative word about either of their
parents.” Wanda Kay shook her head as well a blinked away a few
tears.
“So, back to Jenny's wedding, is
there anything we can do to help?” Anna Mae asked.
“Well, I think the reception is going
to be a light lunch of sorts, with a large buffet table and several
small tables set around the back yard. We haven't set the menu yet,
but when we do, I may ask for some help with the food.” Ida Rose
responded.
“What about a wedding cake?” I
asked.
“That's being done by a friend who is
a baker and makes wedding cakes. That's a good thing because my
wedding cake days are behind me.” Ida Rose sighed with relief.
“So, that leaves the, what did you
call it, Ida Rose, a community event?” Martha Kerine asked.
“One of the ideas the publicity
committee came up with was to have a contest to name the event. They
decided to have the contest for the students at the schools only.
It is one way to get the younger folks involved and excited. Oh,
and they are going to have a small carnival staged in the park...in
the center. Then all the rest of the celebrations will surround the
carnival. Kind of like spokes on a wheel. That way, if the parents
want to only bring the kids to the carnival, they will have to travel
through one of the other celebrations to get there.”
“Interesting idea.” I said.
“I heard that they are adding a
couple of things like a craft show.” Wanda Kay said.
“Yes, there will be a craft show
focusing on fall crafts, a baking contest to go along with the
barbeque one. Oh, and the baking contest will be open to everyone.
I think they are going to limit it to cakes and pies, but they may
open it up to pickles.” Ida Rose smiled at that...
“Cake, pies and pickles. What a
combination!” I said. “Anything else, Ida Rose?”
“Well, so far we have the carnival,
the quilt show, the barbeque contest, the baking contest, the book
fair and a craft show. What's missing?”
“Something to eat.” Anna Mae said
laughing.
“Right, that will be set up in an
area for food vendors only. And finally, farm wise, no animals, but
there will be a vegetable contest. You know, who has the largest
pumpkin, or the prettiest head of cabbage, etc. And along with that
there will be vegetable stands. And finally, a place for the kids
to do crafts. Things like face painting, making kites, etc.” Ida
Rose finished.
“Won't the kids want to stay at the
carnival?” Anna Mae asked.
“It's very small, with only seven
rides and none of them tall or overly large. That's it. Nothing
else. So I think that we need to provide more things for the kids
like crafts and maybe some of those ring toss games, etc.” Ida
Rose said.
“This sounds like a really big event.
Has the quilt show committee got any reservations.” Martha Kerine
asked.
“At the last meeting, they were
really excited about it. And they were coming up with ideas to keep
the quilts clean. I think it's going to be a lot of fun. And I
think that we are going to have more folks than we've ever had see
our creations.” Ida Rose said.
And with that Anna Mae got up and told
the group that refreshments would be ready in five minutes. So we
all began stopping our projects at convenient places.
“I do have a question, Ida Rose,” I
said. “How are the covered picnic areas being divided up?”
“Well, we will get all the covered
areas with electricity.” Ida Rose responded. “And as they are
all centered in the newer part of the park, we will be holding the
quilt show there. One nice thing about that is the meandering
sidewalk. I think we can hang quilts on either side, far enough
from sticky fingers but close enough for folks to have a good look.”
“We need to think of a catchy name
for that area. Maybe part of the walk could be called a walk
through history. I bet there are lots of antique quilts around. I
have several myself. Then we could end the walk with our current
quilts.” Anna Mae offered.
“That's a great idea, Anna Mae.”
Wanda Kay said.
And with that we all got up and helped ourselves to the
fabulous refreshments laid out on a very old serving table.
Well, that's the latest installment from our quilters...looks like the community event has grown quite large but Jenny's wedding is staying small. Weather here today is cold and rainy...tomorrow is supposed to be sunny. Hope so because I have plans.
Thanks for dropping in...
Talk to you tomorrow...