Saskatoon Quilters' Guild Banner

Saskatoon Quilters’ Guild
25th Anniversary Celebration

 

Written by: Cheryl A. Bock, SQG Representative to CQA, SQG President-Elect 2007/08

Published in CQA Autumn newsletter issue, 2007

A gala celebration marking the 25th anniversary of the guild and honouring its founding members was held on June 11th in Saskatoon. The event saw everyone dressed in their “Sunday best” and the room glittered with silver jewelry, shoes, evening bags, jackets and shawls. Punch splashed in a silver fountain and shimmered in immense silver punch bowls. Huge bouquets of fresh white roses, lilies and greenery arranged by Debora Barlow welcomed guests at the entrance and adorned the room.

Figure 1:

Past President Jan Smithson (left) with incoming President Debora Barlow.

As the founding members arrived, they were escorted to a welcome area, feted with punch and presented with corsages by Sarah Sanduliak. The newly-reacquainted founding members followed the skirl of the bagpipes of Piper Jim Beebe into the reception.

The meal was a potluck buffet, as it seems that good quilting and good cooking go hand in hand. With 142 guild members attending, the assortment of dishes and desserts was unrivaled!

The founding members were toasted by Mary Gilliland with Maxine Paydli replying. Past Presidents were toasted by Pat Danyluk with Diane Leontowicz replying. Greetings were brought from the CQA by Mary Field, the Saskatchewan Regional Rep.

Figure 2:

Saskatchewan Regional Rep Mary Field chats with fibre artist Leona Larson.

An audio-visual presentation by Sandy Parsons took us from the beginnings of the guild to the present day, evoking memories of workshops, retreats, Serendipity Saturdays and other good times we have shared. A quilt-themed poem by Judith Gidluck, Sandy Allen and Barb Dawson, and a song about our quilt members by Dorothy Booker-Tymchatyn, sung and played by Charlene Omelan completed the entertainment.

Guild Challenge

What gathering of quilters would be complete without quilts? Last fall each member was given a small piece of silver challenge fabric for the guild challenge. A Thread Challenge prize from Unique Textiles was awarded to Zelma Hurd. Barb Dawson won a Use of Colour prize from Periwinkle Quilting and Beyond. The Guild Challenge prize of 25 fat quarters went to Alice Berggren, with runners-up prizes of 25 fat eighths awarded to Barb Dawson and Zelma Hurd. A package of fabric squares signed by the gala attendees was won by Georgette Ehr.

Figure 3:

Zelma Hurd’s quilt

Figure 4:

Barb Dawson’s quilt

Figure 5:

Alice Berggren’s quilt

For bringing new members into our guild in 2006-7, draw prizes were awarded to Patti Erikson-Reynolds and Carrol Davis by membership chair Denise Constable.

The highlight of the evening was the presentation of Lifetime Memberships in the guild to our founding members, by outgoing president Jan Smithson.

Figure 6:

Jan Smithson (left) presents a Founding Member certificate and Lifetime Membership to Isabelle McDonald.

The presentations were accompanied by a standing ovation and heartfelt applause in appreciation of these women with such enthusiasm and passion for our craft who began the Saskatoon Quilters’ Guild.

The evening provided some very special photo ops.

Figure 7: Founding Members

Back row, left to right, Frances Wegren, Inez Abtosway, Edith Quinn, Mary Larsen, Maxine Paydli.

Front row, left to right, Isabelle McDonald, Sharon Rochelle, Zelma Hurd. Missing: Vera Falk.

Figure 8: Past Presidents

Back row left to right, Maxine Paydli, Isabelle McDonald, Alice Wilson, Cathy Watts, Sheilagh Basky, Jan Smithson, Barbara McNaughton, Diane Leontowicz.

Front row left to right, Edith Quinn, Virginia Gudmunson, Sandy Parsons, Debbie Stefanuk, Linda Landine, Barbara Dawson. Missing: Deloise McKnight, Peggy Grandberg.

The 25th Anniversary celebration is also reflected in the theme of our upcoming quilt show: 25 Years: Tradition and Innovation. Our show which features over 400 quilts, fibre art and wearables will be held at Prairieland Park Hall D on October 19 & 20, 2007.

A special thanks is extended to the Afternoon and Evening Program Committees, whose combined effort created such a memorable evening.

Figure 9: Program Committees

Back row left to right, Berna Ostapovich, Sarah Sanduliak, Janet Clatney-Bertsch, Dorothy Thomson, Mary Gilliland, Sheilagh Basky.

Front row left to right, Joy Hall, Dorothy Booker-Tymchatyn, Joyce Hansen.

TOP