Calla Community Church plans festival July 9

Quilts used a fundraiser to benefit local mission work

By LINDA M. LINONIS

linonis@vindy.com

CANFIELD

There’s been a quilting circle at Calla Community Church since the early 1960s. Though members have come and gone and some passed on, the group continues to make quilts now earmarked as a fundraiser for local mission work.

Recently, Shirley Baker and Barb Kersten, both 50-year church members; and Judy Ray and Diana Houston talked about the quilting group. Madeline Capel also is a quilter.

Don Knauf, chairman of the church council, also was at the church and offered that the late Esther Hively and Edith Kentzel organized the group to focus on projects for missions.

This year’s quilt, large enough for a double bed, features carousel horses. It will be raffled by the Women’s Missionary Society at the upcoming church festival planned July 9. Baker said the event begins at 4 p.m. and continues until “the food runs out.” It is a long-standing tradition at the church.

The quilters explained that this year’ project was a bit different. Quilt pieces were donated; the quilters and other church members took home the 12 squares and embroidered the carousel horse design. Then, Baker assembled the squares and added a border.

“She has an eye for that,” Ray said of her fellow quilter. “It has to be 40 years ago that I took a quilting class at the former Knitting Corner. That was the place to go,” Ray said. She also has belonged to another quilting group.

Baker said she “picked up” quilting about 40 years ago. “We can tell each others’ stitches,” she said. “It’s also about the good company, and it’s relaxing.”

The other quilters praised Baker’s skill at stitches, noting they are as precise and regular as a sewing machine would make them.

Kersten said she learned to quilt “here at church” while Houston took a quilting class years ago. “It’s nice to create something,” Kersten said. “We support one another.”

Houston added, “It’s a nice project to work on together. I’ve learned from other quilters.”

The comraderie among the quilters extends to the community as concern for residents who might be having a tough time. Proceeds from the quilt raffle remain local. “It’s for helping someone in the community,” Baker said. “It’s usually a one-time need to help bridge someone over a rough patch.”

“We see a lot of need here,” Knauf said. “It may help someone who has slipped through the cracks of other programs.”

The Sunday school and church also support the Heifer Project, a charity organization working to end hunger and poverty around the world by providing livestock and training to struggling communities according to its website.

Along with quilts, the church is involved in making lap blankets for veterans. Baker sews the blankets and Barbara Hough, described by quilters as a “friend of the church,” knots them.