Pine Needlers show quilts again

Potholders were a big hit at the Pine Needlers Quilt Show. photo by Jim Cornelius

Quilt shows put on by Camp Sherman's Pine Needlers are always special events. Friends from around the globe exchange good wishes and friendship, in person, through shared quilts, written messages or music.

"There are always surprises," said master quilter Andrea Balosky.

This year it was Staff Infection, a seven-piece folk band entertaining the morning crowd at the Camp Sherman Community Hall.

People danced, sang and enjoyed browsing the quilts on the hall's two floors. Strains of "Red River Valley," "You Are My Sunshine," "This Land is Your Land" reverberated off the hall's walls and out into the parking area. Band leader Peter Esherich, who plays the hammered dulcimer, said that the group comes from Albuquerque, New Mexico, and dropped in to play a gig for the local folks.

"My family relatives have been coming to the Metolius River area since 1918 and we like it here," he said. "Our band's name comes from the fact that most of us work on the staff of the Albuquerque Folk Festival."

The show's quilts, hanging from rafters and walls shone brightly. "Cock's Comb and Currants" was a show highlight. It was hand-quilted in 2001 by Bend's Joanne Myers on a top that had been made by her great-grandmother Elinor Wilson Lowe of Monticello, Indiana, in 1850.

"This quilt is stunning," Andrea Balosky said.

The lovely "Hogan" wedding quilt created by Camp Sherman's Tonye Phillips was made for Dick and Fran Hogan to give to their grandson Jason Hogan, who was married on July 3.

"This is the Hogan cabin on the Metolius River (represented on the quilt). The whole family spends much of each summer enjoying their special place and Jason grew up on the Metolius (River)," said Phillips.

Other outstanding quilts were Betty Farm's "Double Wedding Ring" for daughter Anne and presented for her 25th wedding anniversary; Kathy Bourdage's "Metolius River Treasure" and "The Road To My Friends House" by Kim Addison. This latter quilt was produced with the primitive quilt group in Springfield, Oregon.

"It hangs in my little cabin on the Metolius River," said the artist.

Andrea Balosky's "scrappy" quilt was displayed and will be sent to her newest grandson Bienn, born on May 12. It is titled "Happy Birthday Bienn."

"Stacked Bricks" was displayed by quilter Jan Andrews.

"I'm donating this quilt to an abused women's and children's safe house so it may bring warmth and comfort to someone," she said.

Behind the scenes of the show were many, many helpers. Local quilter Neva McCarty and her sister-in-law Jayne Schrock, slept overnight at the hall to guard the quilts.

"We had a girl's night out and a slumber party," said McCarty.

Ann Schreiner again presented a tasteful luncheon food assortment for the hundreds attending this year's show. The warm, sunny weather allowed dining on the grassy area next to the hall under shading from tall pines.

Earlier in the day, soft guitar music, played by Doug Phillips, could be heard wafting through the quilt displays.

Holden Sellentin helped in setup and breakdown of the show at both ends of the busy day.

Two visitors from Lake Tahoe, Jeff Miner and Jerry Peacock, stopped by on bicycles.

"We're out on our good behavior," said Miner. "Our wives are at quilting classes in Sisters and we were biking the Camp Sherman loop when we heard the music coming from the hall. This is our first visit to a quilt show and we're glad we stopped."

Both bicyclists also enjoyed Ann Schreiner's food as they were lunching at an outside picnic table.

The show took in $2,200 according to Kathy Blann, Pine Needlers treasurer. Much of this goes to local community efforts such as the student scholarship funding.

This year's scholarship recipients were C.J. Adams ($500) and Bethany Benhower ($500).

Colorful potholders were another hit of the show. People can buy them at a reasonable price ($2.50 each) and have a memory of the show. The Pine Needlers have a weekend meeting or two when the group assembles and makes these potholders.