“Every quilt needs a name,” according to Pat Hooker, a passionate and well known quilter from Mount Forest.
On Oct. 4 Oriole Blyth, president of the Palmerston Branch of Retired Women Teachers of Ontario, introduced her longtime friend and former neighbour to the members of the branch.
Hooker is a member of the Four Corners Quilt Guild and is also known for the many quilting classes she has taught in locations such as Arthur, Palmerston, Drayton, Listowel and Brussels.
A quilter from the age of 14, when she used a treadle sewing machine, Hooker admitted she is addicted to quilting.
Members were in awe of the many beautiful quilting projects on display. It was soon evident that each individual project is special to Hooker, as she explained the intricacies involved in her creations of large quilts, table runners, wall hangings and even quilted jackets using sweatshirts.
Every year Hooker organizes the creation of a quilt to be raffled off at the Arthur Fall Fair. This year the project consisted of a very special quilt with various quilt blocks sewn together representing many old, historical buildings in the area.
The winner of the quilt, a Fergus resident, felt the quilt was so special it should be available for everyone to enjoy so she donated it to the Wellington County Museum and Archives.
Hooker has seen many changes over the years, from using treadle sewing machines, liquid embroidery, machine quilting and using long arm machines to the new rage of using a Twister Ruler.
Every small piece can be incorporated into another project, according to Hooker. There are no leftovers. So it looks like Hooker will be quilting for many more years. Dorothy Dickson thanked this very busy, creative woman for her presentation.
The ladies of Knox Presbyterian Church in Palmerston prepared and served a roast beef meal.
During the business portion of the meeting Blyth welcomed 59 members and guests and presented four new members with pins. Joining the Branch are Ellen Ann Arthur, Patti Emery, Joan Jeffery and Janet Murphy. Janice Benson received her pin when she joined at the Brunch in September.
Blyth updated the group about the 2014 convention in Ottawa in June. Delegates will need to be chosen at the meeting in November.
In 2015 the Palmerston Branch will be helping Area 2 host the convention in Stratford. Volunteers will be required.
The Lucky Draw Prize donated by Betty Simpson was won by Evelyn Almond. Six ladies paid fines for not wearing their pin. JoAnne Walter was the greeter.
Marg Dally presented a very surprised Mildred Francis with the Cora Bailey Award for her dedication and service to the Branch over a number of years. Betty Tarc also received the award at the spring meeting.
Lorraine Ballard reported from the Goodwill Committee that member Cicely Wareham celebrated her 100th birthday in August with a visit from Shirley Jackson, Betty Tarc and Lorraine Ballard who presented her with flowers from the Provincial RWTO and a card.
At the Annual Convention in Hamilton, Wareham and Thelma Horne were recognized in the “Over 90” category while Marian Adams from the Palmerston branch and her daughter Karen Whitworth from the Guelph branch were recipients of the mother-daughter award. Both are retirees. Sandra Cole was welcomed back following a serious illness this summer.
Blyth encouraged members to consider receiving the Connections magazine by email to help reduce mailing costs. She thanked Colleen Robertson for producing this year’s brochure.
It was reported there are some changes to the insurance plan that can be found in the Connections magazine.
Barb Thompson warned everyone that when purchasing gift cards at grocery stores or places where a variety of cards are sold to be sure to ask for a receipt.
Sometimes the cards are not activated and the receipt is proof of purchase in the event of a problem.
Lynn Morrison outlined possible trips to Dundurn Castle and the Royal Botanical Gardens, a Toronto Harbour cruise and luncheon and a trip to the Shaw Theatre in Niagara to see Cabaret. The five-day trip to Boston and Salem is planned for September 2014. Contact Morrison for further information.
The Palmerston Branch of RWTO/OERO continues to make donations in support of Free the Children, Sleeping Children Around the World and the local hospitals.
Morrison encouraged members to attend the Retired Teachers of Ontario luncheon at the Fergus Sportsplex on Oct. 24 to hear Dave Hadfield, brother of astronaut Chris Hadfield and a musician and story teller.
The next meeting will be held on Nov. 1 at Knox Presbyterian Church in Palmerston.
